This was a week of firsts: First time I have done Taiqi at 6:30 in the morning with random old ladies. First time I have had an investigator talk about Arnold Schwarzenegger (is that how you spell his name?). First time an investigator dreamed about Jesus talking to her. First time I have gotten a phone call to tell me that I will be a new trainer. First time I realized what a strange land I have come to (I realize I lived here before, but now I suddenly realize how amazingly different it is from the Taiwan I lived in in 2006.). First time in Sacrament Meeting someone read aloud a printed list of the people who visited them while they were sick and said, "I'm not mad if you didn't visit me. Just mad if you said you would and didn't." (Us and our investigator were cracking up.) First time I've gone on splits with the Young Women. First time I've been let into a house when we knocked doors. First time a random guy on the street goes, "Mormons? Joseph Smith is a prophet." And walks away. First time we're given popsicles (peanut and passion fruit flavor) while knocking doors. First time a lady walked up and said, "Hey, I read half the Book of Mormon but can't find it. Can I have another copy?" First time we handed out 10 Book of Mormons in 1 day. First times are awesome. And I know with a new trainee there will be a lot more first times in the weeks and months to come.
Welcome to the land where anemics eat apples, hitting oneself counts as exercize, a food called stinky bean curd is widely accepted and loved, and no matter how hot it is, you wear a sweater, pants, and facemask so the sun doesn't touch any part of your body. Obviously, I have a lot to learn still. But I love this strange land so much. And I know they think I'm stranger than I think they are, but like the scriptures say, we're a peculiar people. It's strange that I like to eat instant noodles, and that I eat ice cream when I am on my period, and that I don't wash my hands after every single time I go outside whether I am going to eat or not, and that I sing while I ride my bike, and that I enjoy saying hi to random people and smiling at them. But they'll laugh at me, I laugh at them, and we all love each other.
This week was a week of miracles. Most of them happened on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. On Wednesday we had the best spiritual share we have EVER had in English class. Usually people talk and don't listen. And Wednesday's class was especially bad. People talked so much that the other teacher had to raise her voice and tell them to be quiet. 2 people in the front row started fighting over a pen. And it was awkward and we didn't know what to do. But when we started sharing about the Savior and the importance of the sacrament and how we don't have crosses on our church because we celebrate his life and his resurrection, not his death. We don't have Christ's Deathday! Let's celebrate! We have Christmas and Easter. "He was resurrected on Easter moron." (Cheaper by the Dozen.) And everyone listened and loved it. It was awesome.
Thursday we met with the dream and Arnold Schwarzenegger investigator. So funny. She said she had a dream the Jesus told her to come to church to play and that before she could join our church, she has to get my companion a boyfriend, and Jesus said that he would give her member friend a white husband. So I'm not sure if this dream was a good or bad thing. Then she started talking about the actor/mayor from New York and I was so confused until she started acting out how strong Arnold Schwarzenegger is and I finally got it. But she agreed to pray and knows that our meeting her was a sign from God.
Friday was the first day that our day actually went according to our plan! We had 6 lessons. And they were all great! We had an investigator whose family can only meet with us once a month say, "But if, or when I get baptized, how will I get a hold of you to let you know so you can come back and watch?" One of the happiest moments.
On Saturday we went on splits with the Young Women and we had so many miracles. A lot of the firsts came from this day. The young women shared their testimonies on Sunday in testimony meeting about how many miracles they saw, and they were like, "I dont' know why people say missionaries get rejected a lot, so many people accepted tracts, Book of Mormons, and agreed to talk to us." They saw someone accepting a tract as a miracle. Maybe we just have a skewed perception. Maybe the Young Women are right. Everyone who talks to us, or says hi, or smiles is a miracle. If those things count, then life isn't just for trials, life is for seeing and noticing the miracles. Because there are miracles all around us everyday if we just take the time to notice them.
And yesterday night we finally met a Less Active who we've been wanting to meet for ages. And she told us she'd take us out to dinner tonight! I love this work so much and being on a mission is the happiest I've ever been. When people choose to change their life for good, there is nothing better. I know the Lord hears and answers our prayers.
I love you all!
Love,
Sister Perkins
No comments:
Post a Comment