Sister Museus, February 28th, 2011

Hello Beautiful Family, It was so good to hear from many of you this week. In addition, thank Mom and family for sending the package full of my BC pills and face wash. It came to me on Saturday; perfect timing since I had just ran out of face wash and my pills. Thank you all for taking the time to do this for me. You all are too nice to me and miss you all very much. I have to admit that there are still times at night as I am lying in my bed that I can't help, but shed a few tears because of how much I miss and love you all. I find that I miss you all even more when I'm with a Taiwanese companion. It's not because that I don't get along with them, but having an American companion who can really relate to you helps you not miss home so much (because you have a part of home or America with you). However, don't worry too much about me. My language skills continue to increase since I am with someone who can speak perfect Chinese and she can bearly speak any English so we do only speak in Chinese. This week was again full of contacting people on the street. I have found it very fun since Sister Howard gave me such an eye-opener on it. I continue to picture myself as their super hero which keeps me going. I am now able to add at least 7 or 8 new investigators each day. I am still trying to find out the balance between this and doing other things since we do get fanged a lot (many people missing their appointments), but we also have several progressing investigators that I contacted on the road. We were suppose to have two baptisms this week, but they are still not quite ready. The bishop's mom is almost ready, but we need to help her get over the fear of thinking she might get hurt duing the baptism process (since her back isn't very good). We have several other investigators who could get baptized in the next few weeks, which just hope we can continue to help them resolve their concerns so they can continue to progress towards baptism. Life is more stressful being the senior companion, but it is making me step-up to the plate and make sure that I strive to work even harder than I have before in the past. I guess I have to admit that I liked being the follower, but now I am in the shoes of the leader, which can be a bit challenging. However, Sister Lai is a great help with the language and knowing our recent converts and the members really well. I just wonder what I am going to do if I get a companion who doesn't have the best Chinese skills. That is something to worry about in the future. I know the Lord will continue to bless me and our companionship so we can continue to more miracles together. I failed to mention that last weekend we had the opportunity to watch a special movie (in English with Chinese subtitles) called "Emma Smith, My Story". I had already seen this in American a few years ago, but it was so good to see it again. It was a great eye-opener on the struggles her and Joseph Smith went through in their lives. It really gave me extra energy and understanding on the importance of this gospel. In addition, I also failed to mention that my last preparation day was spent all day deep cleaning our apartment. Luckily, I have another companionship in the same apartment, so it didn't make the cleaning too bad, but the windows and the screens were the worst. There was so much dust, dead bugs, and webs all over them. My companion and roommates were getting a little scared for me since I was climbing outside the windows to clean them (but don't worry we live on the second floor). It took us almost the entire day to do everything on the list and the take pictures of everything to show our mission president that we did it. This preparation day we biked clear to "Carrfoure", which I have already mention to you is like a "Wal-Mart". I was in desperate need of some seasonings and spices since I have been pretty good at keeping up with my diet of eating only fruit and vegetables (with some meat). They had about everything I needed, except some yummy balsamic and vinegar that I could put on my veggies. You all would be very proud of me and my diet. However, don't think of me as too big of a nerd since I finally had to buy a big plastic box and get rid of my nice, small, black box. Since I'm now the senior companion I have twice as much to carry so I was in desperate need of a bigger box. We were going to stop a Taiwanese store today, but ran out of time. Please tell Carter that I am sorry and I will send a gift for his birthday next week. I found out today that I wouldn't be able to send his gift off for the next couple of days since it is a holiday here. Please tell Ash and Paige that I am sorry too. They should be getting their birthday package real soon and I sent their letters last week. Mom, I'm glad to hear that you continue to spend time with the boys. I know they love you so much and all the time and energy you spend on them. I bet you have got to be the best grandma there is (you already are the best mother). I was suprised to hear that you also got in the pool as well and played some volleyball. It was funny to hear that you made Cole and Whit go in the cold snow. However, I do miss that snow and will be waiting for it impatiently this coming winter season. Of course you made the traditional stop at McDonalds. I do miss those days too, Mom. I do miss those times we spent swimming at PJ's. We will definitely have to do it when I return home. I can't believe Whit is a die-hard jogger; I didn't see this one coming. I will definitely have to go with her, especially since I have become a good jogger as well since I have to do it every other day. I'm sorry to hear that Mama Norma still is doing to well. I continue to pray for her health and mind to get better. I just hope I can see her one last time before it is her time to go. Don't worry too much about her Mom. Things will always work out for the best. I love you Mom. I'm glad to hear that it is a Winter Wonderland in Logan. I do miss that snow and the coldness that it brings. It's actually warming up quite a bit hear in Taiwan; it almost feels like summer time. I actually wish it would stay colder longer since there isn't so much humidity in the air. It was funny to hear that Bishop Self gave you a calling in Relief Society; and no I didn't write him a letter about any of this. I guess you are very needed in the Relief Society; since you are very needed everywhere else :). I miss you too Mom and so wish I could be there beside you watching "I'm Alive", one of you favorite shows. However, know that I am doing well and I will see in less than 6 months. Mom, you should start looking for plane tickets so you can come and explore my island with me. Remember my last day as a missionary is August 23rd; please start looking at tickets so you can get them cheaper. I love and miss you Mom; remember you are the best and so many people look up to you. Whit, it was so great to hear from you. I do love hearing what you've been up to each week. You and Alex's trip to Rome sounds really fun; I do wish I could go with you too. Please take lots of pictures and send them to me. Please also tell me all the fun things that you do together. I am pretty jealous that I get to miss out on this fun experience, but I can't wait to have you all come and enjoy and explore the island of Taiwan with me. Whit, I've been gone for almost a year on my mission, but I've been in Taiwan for 9 of those months. I don't know what I would do either if I was sent to India on my mission. I miss American food a lot, but the diet is helping me not miss it so much since I miss the food that I use to eat here. In addition, you should be very proud of me that I do use a straightner almost every day to curl my hair (I usually don't wear it straight because I'm on a bike all day wearing a helmet). You should be extra proud of this because most of the sister missionaries here throw their hair in a pony tail. However, I am trying to take advantage of this time of when I can actually get away with wearing my hair down (since their is little humidity in the hair). However, since the weather is getting warmer the humidity is getting worse as well so eventually my hair will be up every day. You should also be proud to know that I am one of the very few missionaries who puts on perfume since many have given up on what they look like. I still haven't since it helps me have more confidence in myself and I can contact/teach better. I'm glad to hear that Boston is talking so much. I do wish you all would send me another tape with all of you on it and his and Carty's voice. However, I haven't sent you one for a while as well. I'll make sure to send you a tape soon. Your trip to SLC with Lexie sounds like a lot of fun. I'm glad you two are still spending time together and I bet you are such a good influence on her. You should definitely set me up with some guys when I return home since I am getting older and will not know anyone when I return home. Please keep your eyes open for me :). I love and miss you Whit. I am very proud of the choices you are making in your life. Cole, it was finally good to hear from you again. I'm glad to hear you went to the Valetine's dance. It sounds like this girl really like you, hehe. Just make sure to be a good boy. I'm so proud of you Cole and to hear that you are blessing the sacrament and you are going to the temple. I know Dad and everyone is very proud of you; continue to honor your priesthood and making righteous decisions. It's good to hear that you have a great group of new friends. Just please make sure Cole that they are a good influence on you since friends either make or break you. I'm glad you went to the stake dance. I know they sometime can be a bit boring, but you can always spicen-it up and it sounds like you did. I'm glad you have been sticking to swimming. I bet you are in great shape; keep up the good work. I bet you are extremely fast now and your lifeguard class sounds like a lot of fun. You will definitely have to teach me some of your great skills so my swimming skills can get better. I love you Cole and remember how proud I am of you. Please keep working on getting your Patriarchal Blessing since I know it will help you so much in your life right now. In addition, keep working hard at school and try to get your two-year degree their while you still can. Take as many college classes as you can and talk to your counselor on getting this plan set up so you can have your Associate's by the time you graduate from high school. Keep up the good work Cole. I love you all family very much. It is such pleasure and so exciting to hear from you all every week. Please continue to write me and of course I will too. Please keep making righteous decisions and spending as much time with each other as possible. Love you all dearly! Miss you all soooooo much!!!! Love you Always,Sister Museus p.s. Remember Mom and family to look up tickets for coming here on August 23rd; I can't wait to see you all soon. None of you gave me advice on what I should do when I return home. I would love to hear from all of you on what you think I should do.