Sister Museus, March 13th, 2011

Lovely Family, Hello everyone; don't worry about me here in Taiwan; I am okay. I did hear about the big earthquake in Japan and saw some images of it on the tv while eating my lunch. They do say that we might get a few little rumbles here, but the earthquake happened a few days ago and nothing has happened. If something does it would hit Taipei since they're the closest to Japan. Don't were about any Tsunamis hitting us either. I am definitely too far away from the ocean (about an hour) to get hit about any wave and just you all remember I am in God's hands. So don't worry too much about me (other than my frequent trips to the bathroom ; hopefully this problem will resolve when I return home. Things are going great in Taiping. The past week we had a Combined District Training Meeting at the Beiqu chapel (next to the mission home). It was great getting trained better on how to use our members more efficiently in our lessons. In addition, President Bishop gave us a great sheet on things we need to do in order for our investigators to progress and stay active. He is an excellent mission president who knows exactly the areas that we need to improve on. I did get in trouble by my zone leaders from contacting a lot and not having my companion do any of it, oops! I didn't know how to explain to them (with my companion right there as well) that the only reason I was only contacting and she used phones was because she hates to contact. I have learned in the past that if you have a bad attitude about it you will not add people. However, it was good that they told us that the all missionary work in all areas needs to be 50/50; so we have already fixed this problem. Sister Lai does struggle in adding so I've been having to boost my efforts so we can still consistently add about 10 new investigators each day. On Saturday and Sunday we had Stake Conference. It was great to seem many of the Taiwanese people come together. However, it does make me feel grateful for where I live since their Stake Conference cannot compare to a Utah once since they are always held in Tabernacles. Nevertheless, it was neat to see some of the other missionaries again and some other waiguoren (foreigners). They are a group of people from the U.S. here in Taiwan who are English teachers for a short time. It was nice seeing them and being able to use my English (which is very rare that I use). The most exciting news that will happen this week is we will have two baptisms! The are both miracles since they are self-contacts. Sister Chen (like I said before) just asked the elders a question about the many different churches we have and Sister Gu decided to come to church one day because of a great friend she knew that was LDS. They are both miracles! Sister Chen is amazing! She loves learning the gospel so much that we meet with her almost every day (even though she works and goes to school). Sister Chen even asked us if we could still meet a lot after she is baptized. It's so neat to see people like her who literally drink and inhale from the living waters, the gospel. She is even excited to attend institute. (I do hope Whit and Alex both attend institute. If not, you are both missing out on an opportunity to dive deeper into the gospel and meet a lot of new people).Sister Gu is just as amazing. Since school is there life here, she has no time. She goes to school at 6:30 and gets done at 7 and then goes to Cram school until 9:30. We ended up teaching her most of the commandments over the phone since she can only meet on Saturdays and Sundays. We could have delayed her baptism, but she was ready and had the desire. Don't worry, we never force a baptism and they have to come to church at least 3 times in order to get baptized. Sister Chen will be baptized on Saturday night and Sister Gu will be baptized on Sunday afternoon (since she doesn't have any time on Saturday to get baptized). I will definitely send pictures of their baptisms next week. Sister Lan still could get baptized, but doesn't feel prepared so we are delaying until she does feel prepared. We have a few other progressing invesigators who are in her shoes who don't feel prepared (and they are all young mothers). I've noticed mother take a longer time to get baptized since I know they have their own family think about as well. John, it was soooo good to hear from you again. Thank you so much for taking care of my big window. It did need a new painting job, especially after the big leak. I appreciate you a lot John for always taking care of so many things for the family. You are an awesome handy man, Pedro. I better find this great quality in my future husband as well and the fact that you always put other first. I love and miss you John. I am still so glad that you are a part of our family. Also, thank you for your assistance in helping Mama Norma. I just continue to pray that her health and mind will continue to progress. I consistently feel bad for you when I hear a snow storm hit. I do love the snow, but I know there is a lot to snow blow at the house and office. I will definitely help you with this when I return (as well as the yard, etc.). I bet it does keep you in shape. I remember doing for the first time with that big machine and I was really sore for the next few days. I'm glad to hear that you and Mom have started looking for tickets. I actually just talked to my mission president and the date is set for August 23rd when I am finished with my mission. John, let me know how things went in Phoenix with you and Ted. I wish I could have been there with you since I do love softball/baseball. Let me know what you all did in the warm weather. I love you John and do miss spending time with you. It will be so good to see again in almost 5 months. Thank you again for all that you do. Whit, we are very excited for the baptisms coming up this weekend. I will definitely send some pictures of them next week to you and the family. However, I do hope you will do the same and send me some pictures from your great trip to Rome. I'm glad to hear that you had so much fun with Alex. I wish I could have gone and spent some time with you all and visited the many great site with you both. Next year we better plan on a fun trip even if it's just to Phx. You and Alex should have not got me anything. You two are too nice. I do have to apologize to you Whit that I still have not found that special something for you (since I know your birthday gift was a bit small). I am keeping my eyes open and will try to send you something soon. It's hard to shop right now since I have a Taiwanese companion who is very stubborn on what we do on P-day. However, I will find something; I promise. I started laughing as I heard you were asked about our church clear in Rome. I'm glad you were able to clear up some confusion with the NY lady. I love you Whit and thank you for being such an amazing Sis! I love you to pieces and thank you for your willingness to always writing me each week. I love and miss you very much; please keep up the good work and start going to institute. Madre, please don't worry about me too much. I do love hearing that you get worried just because of the fact that it makes me realize even more how much you care about me. However, really don't worry about me (even though I that is hard since I always worry about you and the family as well). Nevertheless, I know our Father in Heaven is taking care of all of you for me since I am doing His work and in return He is taking care of me as well. Please give me updates on Japan and Fluke. I do hope she is okay. I plan on writing her a letter today, but I know it will take some time for her to reply back. So, if you can please give me some updates. Thank you Mom, for putting some more money in my account. I will try and be better at spending less. I have found that I am actually spending less because of my diet. Since I am eating a lot of fruit and veggies and no carbs, I always prepare my meals at the house and bring them along with me. This means I spend very little money throughout the week. I am missing my carbs, but I do think this will help me get into better shape. I do love shopping and I know I got this great trait from you, Madre. I found that other missionaries have found this out and like to get my advice and stuff they should get while they're in Taiwan. One in particular wants to go shopping with me in the future, hehe; oops. I've actually been pretty good at not shopping. I do try and remember birthdays and holidays because I just want to show my love and appreciation for all of you. Plus, I feel bad that I cannot be there to share in those great moments and memories that I am missing. Madre, I am glad to hear that you've started looking up tickets. I did talk to my mission president today and the day is set for August 23rd for sure. I understand that the whole family cannot come to visit me here. I would just love to see and least my Madre and those who can come. It is weird to hear that Cole is going to the Junior prom. He is getting old and many of my companions have already commented on how different Cole looks from the Mackley picture to the Philippine picture. I bet he looks even older now since that picture was taken back clear in July. I hope John had fun spending time with Ted in Phx. Let me know how that went with him as well as Cole date/dance. I hate hearing about you being hurt. But, I am glad your tooth sugery went well. I will definitely need to get my teeth checked when I return home. Tell Carty Happy Birthday from me. I did send his gift and a birthday card to him last week. I apologize that it won't get there in time. I hope you like Taiwanese stuff :). I'm glad to hear that Alex and Whit made it home safe from Rome. Let them know they need to tell me every detail of what they did and to send lots of pictures. I love you Madre and I hope you are still doing good. I kept thinking about you a lot yesterday. I don't know if it was because I had a dream or what, probably because I miss you soooo much. I love you Mom and remember that you mean that world to me. Thank you for always putting the family first and being so selfless throughout the years. You are the best and most angelic mother. Please keep doing was is most righteous. I love you! p.s. Mom, please let me know what calling the bishop gave to you in Relief Society. John, I would still love to hear about the neat experience you had with your mother. I love you dear family. Please keep in touch with me. Love you Always,Sister Museus p.s.s. I would still love to hear all of your advice on what I should do when I return home. I am still not quite sure and I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.