Sister Museus, May 29th, 2011

Hello Jiaren, It was sad to open up my inbox today and see that no one had written me this week. I know you all are very busy, but it does provide me with more comfort and energy when I receive emails from you. Well, this week was full of three spiritual meetings. On Thursday, we had Combined District Training Meeting where our zone leaders and the mission president addressed us. Afterwards, we practiced a few things in order to progress in our teaching. Lastly, the zone leaders and assistants critiqued our planners and area books. While this was going on, we were also interviewed by our mission president. The meeting was pretty good and lasted about 3 hours. Then on Friday we had a very spiritual meeting with Elder Jensen (from the presidency of quorom of the 70) and Elder Watson (from the area of the 70) giving us great talks on how to teach our investigators even better. We, the Taichung missionaries, we fairly disappointed to see that Elder Bednar didn't come to see us (especially since he visited with the Taipei missionaries), but we still had a great experience with Elder Jensen and Elder Watson (and their wives). They both taught the importance of teaching by the spirit and teaching to our investigator's needs. I have to admit that while they were teaching us I couldn't help but think of John and how I could help him accept and embrace this amazing gospel. I do have some great ideas up my sleeve to help not only John, but those in our family who seem to be struggling in the gospel. So, you all better watch out when I return home :). On Saturday, we were able to watch a live broadcast fireside (from Taipei) given by Elder Bednar (quorom of the 12) and Elder Jensen and Watson (and their wives). This fireside was extra special as it was a "question and answer" session. This was a live broadcast from all over Taiwan, which meant that anyone who had a question could call in and ask Elder Bednar or the other about a particular question that they had. It was a very spiritual meeting learning more about missionary work, eternal marriage, scripture study, etc. In addition, we had our great, new recent convert, Sister Liu, attend the fireside and another progressing investigator (Sister Li) and they both absolutely loved it since they were both furiously writing notes during the meeting. We were very disappointed to see that Sister Lin (who overcame smoking) did not get baptized over the weekend. For some reason she doesn't feel prepared and right now she won't even meet with us. Luckily, we have great members who are working with Sister Lin and trying to find out what had happened. We believe that the lack of support from family, friends, and co-workers caused Sister Lin to become very apprehensive about baptism. We continue to pray for her and continue to ask members to call her so Sister Lin knows that she does have support from others who love and care for her. Sister Xiang continues to progress. She is 14-years-old and meets with us almost every day. It's been a struggle helping Sister Xiang change her attitude, but the great young women in our ward and other members have been a great help. Luckily, her aunt (who she lives with and is a former investigator) is being very supportive since she knows her niece isn't doing too well and knows that this great gospel can help change her life around. We were able to get her to attend church over the weekend with her mother and set up a baptismal interview for this Friday. So far things are looking great and we hope to help her receive baptism in two weeks. It's been neat to see her continue to change her attitude and life around for this amazing gospel. Sister Xiang is a struggling teenager, but as she continues to meet with us we are noticing a change in her and its been very delightful watching this change occur. We also have another great investigator named Sister Li (who attended the Elder Bednar fireside). We've actually been meeting with her for quite some time, but continues to have work in the way of coming to church. However, this past Sunday she was able to attend, which Sister Li loved since she continued to write notes down throughout all three meetings. We would loved to help her get baptized, but Sister Li keeps telling us that she will be moving soon to help take care of her father. However, she told us last month she was going to move and still has not. Nevertheless, we will continue to help her grow in the gospel. Sister Li is amazing, especially for being in her 50's and willing to change her life around (since many of the older people here are stuck in their ways). She is always willing to keep the invitations we give to her and the commandments. The only thing that she needs help in is making reading the scriptures and praying every day a priority in her life. Sister Fu is still not progressing and I'm beginning to think that we will need to drop her soon. It's strange to me that she loves going to church, attending other church activities, and meeting with us, but is still not being more dilligent in reading the scriptures and praying every day so she can begin to believe in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We've been meeting with her for quite some time, but she still is not progressing. We plan on teaching her about temples and more promise blessings to see if this might help her. However, (just like Elder Jensen said) we cannot let our investigators live off of borrowed light, which I think Sister Fu is doing by going to church and meeting with us because it makes her feel good (but she is not willing to act upon these feelings so we can know for herself that these things are true). Nothing else has happened over the week. Today, Sister Page and I organized everything of ours and I finally put all of my winter clothes away since it continues to get more warm each day. After emailing we plan on stopping at a few culture stores so we can find some things for Father's Day which is around the corner. Today is Memorial Day and I cannot help, but think of all of you and Dad. I do miss all very much and can't wait to see you all soon. Please visit Dad's grave for me and if you could put something there for me as well. Right now I'm just filled with so much gratitude for this gospel knowing that through the Plan of Salvation we can all see Dad again and be an eternal family (and this includes John as well :) Please keep doing what is right so this can come true. Mom, thanks for sending the ticket information for me. Do I need to print this information out? You didn't answer my questions that I sent you in the last email. Since we are only staying in Taiwan for 7 days let me know if you think that we should just visit three cities instead the four cities I told you about. Or we could just spend one day in one of the cities so we can still see all of the great sites. In addition, let me know if the list of hotels for each city helped you and if you need additional information let me know. I love you all family and I can't wait to see you all in 2 1/2 months! It will be very exciting to have many of us come and explore the island of Taiwan with me. Please keep doing what is right and I hope to hear from many of you next week. Please take care and know that I love you all oh so much. Miss you all! Love You Always,Sister Museus