Sister Museus, April 3, 2011

Hello Wondeful Family, I would always love to hear from many more of you, even though I know you are all very busy. However, you wouldn't believe how busy I am here as well, especially since I've become the senior companion. I have to admit that sometimes I wonder if I can last another 5 months since I am always exhausted by the end of the day and have very little time to myself (which ends up getting ready for the day or for bed). However, we continue to see miracles every day. On Sunday Sister Gu was able to receive the Holy Ghost and get confirmed (since she got baptized last Sunday she had to wait a whole week; it's a rule unless your are being baptized at 8-yrs-old). It was amazing to watch this experience and to see how excited she was to finally be part of the church and to receive the special gift, the Holy Ghost. Sister Chen is also doing amazing (she got baptized on last Saturday and was confirmed the following day). She still loves meeting with us and even asked me if I could just stay in Taiwan forever. It was sweet to hear her say these words and to realize the big difference I have made in her life. We found out on Saturday night that my companion and I will being staying together again in Taiping (as well as the other two Taiwanese sisters that I live with). I'm glad that I can have another move-call with Sister Lai and in Taiping. There are great benefits with having a Taiwanese companion, especially the language. However, it is also very nice having an American companion since you can clearly communicate with each other and they also bring a little part of home with them since they grew-up with in the same culture and situation. Because of this, I tend to miss you all more when I have a Taiwanese companion. Nevertheless, my language skills continue to progress and I have learned a lot of Sister Lai. We had Sister Exchanges on Tuesday that went really well. A short-term missionary (someone who volunteers to be a missionary for a while if we are short on missionaries), Sister Huang, switched with Sister Lai. It was a blast being around Sister Huang since she's kind of Americanized since she grew up in America (they call her an ABC-American Born Chinese). Sister Huang's English is amazing (better than her Chinese) so I was able to communicate with her in English (which was really nice). In addition, it was neat to learn her insights on the different cultural things in America compared to Taiwan. She mainly told me the difference in the education systems. We are all so blessed for being born in America where the education system is fairly good and not all about rote memorization (like it is here in Taiwan). On Saturday morning, I spent the morning with Sister Weinheimer while our Taiwanese companions went a presentation give by BYU-Hawaii. Sister Chen (our recent convert) was able to attend since she has a great desire to go to school there. It was fun being with Sister Weinheimer and learning how she likes to do missionary work. Things are still going great in Taiping. We have to pretty solid investigators who will be baptized in the next couple of weeks. One of our solid investigators is named Sister Zeng who is a 9-yr-old who loves learning about the gospel. She is also another self-contact/member referral since her dad (who is a member) found us at church and basically said he wanted us to help his daughter receive baptism. It's been fun teaching a child about the gospel and watching her light up as she learns more of it. Our other solid investigator is Sister Lan (I may have already mentioned her). She is doing great and is someone that I contacted on the road. She would have received baptism earlier, but has some family members who oppose this. So, we are in the process of helping her overcome this trial and realizing the importance of receiving baptism now and not in the future. It kind of scares me that we don't have a lot of solid progressing investigators (about 6), but we are striving to work hard to find more investigators. It's a bit difficult finding them since many people that I add on the street end up not coming to their appointment (even when I remind them the day before about it). However, I know the Lord with bless us as we strive to work our hardest. Mom, it was so good to hear from you. Thank you for your willingness to write me each week. I do love hearing from you and how everyone is doing. I'm glad you and John were able to get away for a while and spend some time in New Orleans. You should definitely tell me all about your fun trip, especially since I have never been there. What did you two end up doing? Please send some pictures (Alex or someone can show you how since it's really easy). Please tell John to forgive me since I haven't sent his gift yet (it's always harder finding boy gifts here). But, today or tomorrow I promise to send to him. It does sound like John is getting pretty old, especially since he's already putting on mismatching shoes. However, just the other day I went out the door with black shoes even though I was wearing a brown and green shirt (as you can see I was in a bit of a rush and forgot what I was wearing, oops :) It sounds like everyone is doing well and are busy with school and such. How is Ash, Paige, and Alex doing? I haven't heard from them for quite some time (especially Ash). I'm glad to hear that Mama Norma is doing alright, especially after her big fall. I still continue to pray for her and the rest of the family. Are you hiring a new agent because Paige is leaving soon? Mom, I don't mind working for the business, but I want to do something on the side. President Bishop gave me permission to look at the BYU and USU website so I can get more information on the GRE (the big test that everyone has to take in order to get a Masters) and the requirments on how to receive a Masters. Since BYU (and most likely USU) make you teach for at least a year before obtaining your Masters; the plan right now that I am thinking of doing is taking a prep course to prepare for the GRE and looking at some job opportunities to teach. However, I am still debating whether or not to get a Masters in counseling or something else. However, Mom I still would like to work at the office for the mean time and help out as much as I can while I get everything figured out. I am still debating (as well) on just staying at the office at working for you. Please let me know what you think I should do Mom since I am still very puzzled about the situation. However, I am really glad to hear that the business is still doing good despite the horrible economy. I hope your friends are doing okay through it. How is Alex's boutique doing? I haven't heard much from her so I don't know how it's doing. Mom, it is fun having baptisms and watching people completely change their lives and beliefs around for the gospel. I am also very excited to talk to you little over a month. It will be so good to hear your voice again (and the rest of the family) and hear how you are doing. You asked me about the amount of days we should stay in Taiwan. It is completely up to you Mom, but I think we should spend at least 5 days so you can not only see the places I've been, but the neat stuff in Taipei, Kaoshiung, and the rest of Taichung. There are two main airports in Taiwan which are located in Taipei and Kaoshiung. I hear that Taipei is a lot bigger and you would most likely find cheaper tickets to this airport. I am not quite sure how to find information on where we should stay when you arrive to Taiwan. You might need Alex or even you just look up hotels we can stay at in Taiwan because I honestly have no idea (since I live in apartments). I will try and keep my eyes open on this since I haven't seen a lot of descent hotels in any of my areas (since I never been in a huge city; right now I am right outside of Taichung city). I love you all very much and miss you more each day. I can't wait to talk to each of you on Mother's Day. I will look forward to this day and when I can see you all again. Please continue to make righteous decisions and remember that I will be coming after each and every one of you when I return home :). Please keep me updated on your lives and what your all up to. Love you all lots! Love you Always,Sister Museus p.s. General Conference is coming up this weekend for all of you (they will have it the following week for us). All of you please take the time to watch each of these sessions. It is so vital and important to listen to our prophet (who is speaking for our Savior and Heavenly Father) and other church leaders. I know it is a lot to listen to, but you always record them and watch them when it is more convenient. I would actually love hearing that you all made it a special gathering and watching at least one session together. How excited am I to learn more from how prophet and others on how to better enrich our lives and receive even more blessings from our Father in Heaven. Please do this for me and watch all 4 sessions. I also hope to hear that Cole and John go to the priesthood session. What a wonderful opportunity it would be for John and Cole to go together and learn the importance of the priesthood and the amazing power and blessings that we receive from it. I love you all dearly and will check-up on this invitation that I just extended to all of you. This is very important; please remember this and not to let anything else distract you. I know it will help you all very much in each of your lives.