Sister Museus, March 7th, 2011

To my Heavenly Family, Hello everyone! It was so good to hear from so of you this week. Of course I miss you all terribly, but I am very excited to be able to talk to you all on Mother's Day, which is less than 2 months away, Whoo Hooo!!! Things have been a bit crazy here in Taiping. However, I do have an amazing companion who knows the roads really, speaks perfect, Chinese, and knows most of the recent converts. She is a great help and my Chinese continues to progress as well as my teaching skills because of her. In addition, we have three pretty solid Week B's, which means they will be getting baptized next weekend. They are awesome, especially since we've had a bit of a struggle with many of our other progressing investigators. I find too many investigators have a hard time wanting to be baptized until way in the future because they're afraid of not being able to keep all of the commandments. However, we try to help them realize that we are not perfect and we can repent every day (which we should do) and every Sunday we can have our sins washed away. Nevertheless, we the Lord has blessed us with three other great investigators who are doing so well. Sister Chen and Sister Gu are both amazing and are both self-contacts. The love hearing about the gospel and are so excited for the baptisms. Sister Chen is even excited to attend institute and learn more about the gospel. Sister Lan is a young mother who also loves being taught the gospel. Suprisingly, none of them have a Word of Wisdom problem (since most people here drink tea). All of them are eager to keep the commandments of God and love going to church. I believe one of the greatest feelings and things to see while on a mission is watching people completely change their lives and to watch the light in them continue to grow even brighter. Many of them are so brave to listen to us (especially to foreigners who cannot speak the language perfectly), believe in what we say, and completly change their beliefs and traditions that they grew up doing all of their lives. They are so very brave. People love to worhship different gods, idols, and their ancestors, but these prepared souls realized their is so much more to life and their is one God, our Heavenly Father who loves them and wants them to become like Him, return to Him with our own family (and ancestors). How great this gospel is and the people here in Taiwan. Yes, things are a bit rough and difficult (especially when people disappoint you and many people don't show up to their appointments), but our Father in Heaven always prepares a way for those who are ready to accept the gospel and receive baptism. I love you all very much and hope you all realize the importance this gospel. I love 2 Nephi 2:8-9 where is states that we need to share this important message to every soul so they can be saved. I believe this isn't just for those who haven't heard the gospel, but to EVERYONE. Everyone needs to hear it again and again; we need to continue to bear our testimony to all so we can all continue to progress in the gospel and in our own testimonies. Family, share the gospel to each other, to friends, to other loved ones, to all....and you will see that your own testimony is growing in the process as well. Today, some of the sister missionaries and I went to the Shabu Shabu hot pot restaurant for free (a great member continue to give us free coupons to go here). Of course, I am on a diet, but today I failed to do so. It was very delicious and I sent some fun pictures of us eating at the restaurant. I will definitely take you to this great hot pot restaurant since it really good and you can eat anything you want. Cole, it was good to hear from you again. I hope you continue to write me each week so I can hear how your doing and all. I love hearing from you Cole and I'm so glad that your new group of friends are such a good influence on you. I'm also glad to hear that school, work, and swimming keeps you extra busy so you're not stuck on the computer too much. Here in Taiwan, too many teens (especially the boys) spend too much time in these computer places playing very violent games. Remember Cole that these games are very addicting and dangerous. They do effect us in every way. Just remember to keep yourself busy with the healthy and good things and you will always be blessed. I am so proud of you Cole and the righteous decisions you are making. I hope you can get your Patriarchal Blessing soon so you can more fully understand your purpose in life and the many blessing that await you. Keep up the good work and honoring your great priesthood. I am so very proud of you! Paige, I'm so glad that you loved your necklace. I hope it's okay that you and Ash got the same gift. I just liked this one the best and I though the two of you would too. I would love to see pictures of you both opening it as well as pictures from your B-day (if you get a chance). I do love Phoenix and I'm glad you spent some time down there. It does stink when the weather isn't too good, but there is always great shopping and food! It was funny to hear that Charles had such a hard time running with you. He does need to get in better shape :). I'm glad Ash was able to go down to Phx to with some of her friends. I hope they have some fun together. I did hear Lexie was working at the office. It's good to hear that she's an awesome employee; she seems like she would be. I never did here why Courtney quit; let me know if you know. I'm sorry to hear that your perfect wedding dress was a scam; that stinks. Once you pick it out you should definitely send me pictures of it as well as anything else you have picked out for your wedding. Do you still plan having it at the house? I do wish I could be there for it, but I understand the situation that you are in. I will pray for Charles that he does well in his interview and that everything works out. I love you Paige and thank you for keeping me updated on your life. I do love hearing from you; it does brighten up my day. Please continue to make righteous decisions Paige and I know you will be blessed. I love and miss you! Mom, you are too nice to give Ash a great vacation gift so she can get away for a while with some of her friends. I'm glad to hear that Ash and Paige loved their gifts. Don't worry though Mom because I know you probably loved them too. I do have one for you as well and will give it to you later maybe when you come and get me :). Have you already made plans to come and get me? Have you looked up tickets? Please let me know what your plan is with this. It's always good to hear that you are still spending time with your own dad. I do hate when time flies by as well. Since I know Ash is now 30 and it probably feels like to you that she was just born. I don't like this feeling either; however, I do love and we are so blessed to know that these memories don't have to fade away and we can always continue to make more memories with each other forever. I love knowing that we can be an eternal family forever. I love share this message to everyone because I know that deep down this is what people desire the most. I love you Mom and I am so glad I can spend forever with you, dad, and the rest of the family. Mom, I hope Mama Norma continues to progress. I continually pray for her and the rest of the family. Let me know if there is anything else I can do. I will try and send her and Papa Jun a letter soon (probably next week). Mom, you are also too nice to give one of your great rings away that Dad gave you. I do love hearing your idea of giving each of us one of your rings on our 30th birthday as well. I already love the ring you gave me that Dad gave you. I wear it every day and receive so many compliments from others. It helps me remember all of you and that Dad is always near me. I constantly feels His presence, especially when I need it the most. Thank you Mom. It's good to hear that Paige has finally set a wedding date. I do wish I could be there for it, but I understand the situation that she is in. Just please send me many pictures of it. I love you Mom and please keep making the most righteous decisions. I am so glad that the bishop gave you a calling in Relief Society. What calling did he give you? Maybe this will help get started in going back to church for all three hours :). I know you won't regret if you do; so many blessings await you and at the temple as well. Mom, I wouldn't mind working at the office, but I do want to either further my career or work as a teacher. I am continually pondering about and asking the Lord what is the best decision for me to do. I will definitely help at the office, but I will probably be doing something on the side as well....I hope that is okay. Family, I would still love to hear your advice on what I should do when I return home. Please give me thoughts on this subject. I would love to hear from all of you. I love you all Family and can't wait to talk to you soon. Please continue to keep me updated on your lives and your thoughts on anything. I miss you all dearly please continue to do what is right. Take Care Lovely Family!!!! Love you Always,Sister Museus p.s. Mom please let Bishop Self know that I really appreciated his kind letter and talk. Let him know that I am not able to write him back, but will send a letter. In addition, Nephi wrote me twice and apparently he is living in Taibei, Taiwan. Please let him know too that I cannot write him back. Moreover, what a suprise it was to receive a great letter from Becky and a package from the Primary. Let Becky know I surely appreciated and will write her back soon. The sweet Primary sent me some cute letters (and the teachers), some treats, and a cute pillow case with their theme of reading the scriptures every day. It was very cute of them and will write them soon; what a great ward, friends, and family that I have. I love you all!