Sister Museus, June 6th 2011

Hello Beautiful Family, I miss you all so much!!! My P-days always go by too quickly. Today, my companion and I went shopping for a bit at some Dongxi (stuff) stores. Sister Page found a great boutique store full of unique drinking gourds where the owner hand-paints gorgeous sceneries on them. Of course, I had to get some for the family so I did spend some money :). However, I was able to find John and Alex's gift (for Father's Day and Graduation). In addition, the owner loved us so much she was knocking down the prices a lot for us (especially since I play a hard bargain. She also gave us a few free gifts since we bought so much. Afterwards, we stopped at another great store and bought some small items that the Taiwanese people like to use to celebrate their weird traditions. Later, we went and bowled with many of the missionaries in our zone. (Let's just say that I came in second place out of all of the elders and sisters). However, I know Alex would kick everyone butts since last I heard she was still on the nerdy bowling team with Uncle Jimmy :). Once we finished bowling two games (which we probably stuck out a lot, not only because we're foreigners, but also because we were all in suits or skirts), we headed over to "Shabu Shabu" to eat. However, because of my diet I couldn't eat that much without feeling sick. It's hard for me to eat anything to fattening or too much carbs now, whoops (hopefully it's for the best). However, nothing can compare to Mom's homemade and delectable cooking. My companion and I saw a lot of miracles take place this week (but, with some downfalls as well). First off, Sister Lin (who we helped quit smoking after doing it for almost 20 years) finally was able to receive baptism over the weekend. Our great members helped us assist her in overcoming her anxieties and concerns with baptism. Like with many of my past investigators, she believed she had to be perfect in order to receive baptism and perfect at keeping all of the commandments. However, Sister Lin finally discovered that we are not perfect and we try our best every day and Christ will make up the difference. Yesterday (Sunday), Sister Lin gave us quite a scare since she accidently slept in and barely made it on time to receive confirmation and the Holy Ghost. However, she is doing well and is excited to always have the companionship of the Holy Ghost with her (as long as she does what is right). Sister Lin has always loved learning about the Holy Ghost, especially since weird occurances of bad spirits happen to her at night. It's hard to believe such stories, but many people believe in them too much here and put to much of a focus that maybe this causes weird things to happen. However, Sister Lin has told us that they have occurred less and less ever since she has been reading and praying every day. In addition, I am quite sure the companionship of the Holy Ghost will help her with this problem as well. Some other great miracles that occurred over the week was having three baptismal interview with some of our other investigators. Each of them passed, but one is going to wait until her dad is worthy so he can baptize her. The bishop believes this will be best with the family and will help come back into full activity. They're daughter is very sweet and ready for baptism, but I know this is probably for the best. Plus, she can't count as one of our investigators since her parents are members and she is still 8-yrs-old. Sister Chen was actually a Week B drop in that the elders gave to us and I soon discovered who it was since I taught her a lot back in October (when I served in this same area before). The other great investigator that passed who baptismal interview came from Sister Li. She is in her fifties (I've already mentioned her before) and as always been willing to keep every commitment and commandment that we have given her. However, we always knew she was going to move in the near future and would be a referral. However, we soon found out that she would only be visiting her dad over the week and would be back on the weekends. After reviewing baptsim and reminding Sister Li of her baptismal goal she was excited and felt ready. However, since her work had caused her to come to church only once, she had to wait a couple more weeks until she could get baptized. Nevertheless, she passed her interview with flying colors (and doesn't even have to do a second interview---since most have to since the majority have had an abortion before. So, next weeked she'll be baptized and she is very excited for this occasion (and we are too). Sister Li will be baptized right before this move-call ends. Well, Sister Xiang passed her baptismal interview as well, but gave us quite a scare (and is still doing so). We ended up doing her baptismal interview at 9 at night since she supposively slept in. We thought she was doing great until we found out that she snuck over to see her mom again in Zhanghua (after a great member to her and her daughter to the movies so she could get her to stay over the weekend and come to church---so she could get baptized. So, Sister Xiang didn't end up coming to church since she tricked us all, which means she can't get baptized this weekend as well. We haven't talk to her since and we're not sure what to do in this situation since she continues to lie to us. However, we will try our best to find out more of her needs and concerns and hopefully in the near future she can get baptized. Mom, I did receive that flight iternary, but you need to give my mission president come reasonable excuse for me of why you are coming for 7 days (because I gave the excuse for Paige's wedding so Whit could come and see me and Taiwan). Please do this for me or someone in the family. I already said it was fine to start in the south at Kaoshiung and make our way back up to Taibei, but you need to let me know if I should take out Tainan or not since our trip is so short. Please let me know and start booking hotels in the other cities. I will try and give you specific dates in each city to help you more with booking hotels for each city, but please let me know if you think we should visit Tainan or not. You should pretty busy with Alicia's baby shower. You are too nice to have it at our house with so many people. However, I know you will do an amazing job! I can't wait to see you too! Paige, I loved that radio add. It sounded amazing and you did an excellend job! Whit, thanks for the email. You and Alex and others seem to be biking a lot. I'm glad you are since maybe you'll be able to keep up with me :). I can't wait to see you as well. Since I helped you be able to come to Taiwan please come up with a good excuse and give to my miss pres.\Loe you fam Siste MuseusI would loved to show you pictures of that two latest baptisms, but my camera has been acting funny when trying to put them on the computer.