Dear family,
Hello! Thanks for all of your fantastic emails. I had a fantastic Easter, thank you - I can't think of a better way to celebrate the Resurrected Savior than to listen to his living prophet. It was fantastic, A few of you asked how I celebrated it - well, I made my companion sing Easter hymns with me all week :), and then yesterday we watched conference, taught people, and found people to bring them closer to the Savior. Plus today we're doing an Easter Egg hunt for P-day (our idea). Hooray for traditions!
So, I loved General Conference. I think I now have a new understanding of what it means to "hunger and thirst after righteousness." I've always loved conference (whether it was because I got to play "conference bingo" when I was little or because I realized that I actually got to listen to the Lord's servants), but this time, it was even more. I soaked up the whole 8 hours, and wanted more. It wasn't enough! I already can't wait until October to hear them again. We had six different investigators who came, which was great. I think that so many of the talks applied to them (as well as my other investigators), so I was really excited to hear them for their sakes, if that makes sense. Tender mercy - I was so preoccupied with focusing on my investigators and their needs and concerns that I forgot to prepare my own concerns so I could be spiritually fed, too! Of course, I was spiritually fed by receiving that revelation for my investigators, but I know that Heavenly Father wanted me to feel specifically that He was aware of my needs, too. Anyway, it was during the last session that I realized that conference was almost over, and I hadn't brought any of my needs to the table! I started stressing out a little bit, because this time only comes twice a year, and it would be a while before I'd get this spiritual feast again. The weight of my calling began to feel heavy again as I thought of the prospect of enduring and serving with all of my heart, might, mind, and strength (a common theme) until the next conference, let alone until the next two before I went home. I prayed to Heavenly Father, "How am I going to do this? I'm so tired sometimes - it's such a huge responsibility to do this." Well, the choir was up to sing next. Their number was "Come Unto Jesus," a hymn that I hadn't heard in English for a while. I was starting to wonder before the music started how high the arrangement would make the sopranos sing (yes, I am still a music nerd from time to time), when I heard the words: "Come unto Jesus, ye heavy laden." I couldn't believe it. That song was a direct answer to prayer. Every single word of that song applied to me and my situation - I especially loved the lines, "Oh, know ye not that angels are near you?" and "Ever He calls, 'Come to me'." Then after that there were a few talks that talked about putting our burdens on the Lord and letting Him help us. I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers.
Something that I learned from conference (well, I learned a lot of things, but here's one) - a lot of the talks were about families, especially about raising children. I have to admit that I had a little bit of the attitude, "But Heavenly Father, I can't get married and have kids right now. Why am I hearing so much of this?" Obviously it was in part because the world does not revolve around me and others needed to hear it. But I also did, too. I realized during Sister Esplin's talk in the Saturday morning session that I could replace the word "child"/"children" with "investigator"/"investigators," and 9 times out of 10, it would both make sense and be wonderful counsel as to how I could help them. So, even though I don't have kids and I won't have them for the next couple of years at least, I do have people that I in part am spiritually responsible for. It was very humbling to think about that.
Last story about an investigator - one of my favorite investigators is a 70-something year-old woman from China. Her name's "Liang Mama," and I love her soooo much. Her favorite things to do are eating and telling long stories that she hopes will get a good reaction out of listeners - as you can probably tell, we have a lot in common. :) Anyway, Liang Mama is hilarious. I'll call her on the phone to just ask her how she's doing, and she'll say, "Shemne shi?," or "What things are you calling me about?" Or she'll always say that she'll come to our appointments... if there's no rain. "Because I'm old and my body isn't as good as it used to be, and if there's rain...." etc. OR, I was teaching her about the Plan of Salvation and she turned my question to her about prayer into sharing an experience where she saw an evil demon. And then, egged on by the nonplussed looks on others' faces, she'll continue talking until we're able to get a word in and try and change the subject again. That's Liang Mama for you. Oh! Last one. I sat next to her at an activity one time and was eating a banana. She asked me if I liked them, and I told her I did. Since then, she's been bringing me bananas every Sunday, because she heard that I like them that one time. :) Anyway, I had a really sweet experience with her a couple of days ago. I sat in front of her at the chapel while we were waiting for conference to start. I asked her how she was doing, and the sister sitting next to her said, "You're so lucky that you have these two sisters who love you so much! I've seen such a change in you from the first time you came to church until now - you used to be so grouchy, but now you're happy all of the time, and I know it's because of these two girls." (It's actually because of the gospel, but that's okay.) Liang Mama smiled and then leaned in close and said, "I wonder: will you always be caring for me, even through the eternities?" (sorry, the Chinese doesn't have a very good translation) The Sister said, "of course!" I smiled and agreed with her. Liang Mama got this big ol' smile on her face and leaned back contentedly in her chair. It really put things in new perspective for me - not only am I forming relationships for this life only, but through the eternities. Wow.
In other news, my two transfer training program is officially over today. I'm going from four hours of study every day to just two and a half - please pray for me as I make the adjustment this week! I'm also still here in Taitung - same place, same companion. Actually, our whole district is the same, except for one elder. But he doesn't serve in Taitung, so basically my little world here in Paradise is unchanged.
I love you all so much! Thank you for your continued love and support - I hope that you can feel it from my side as well. You're in my prayers!
Love,
Rebecca
PS - pictures!
1. Still keeping Jerusalem traditions current with jumping pictures (I picked this spot to take it, and I think it's awesome, although I say so myself.
Well, I've actually forgotten the order of the rest of them, but know that it's some pictures of paradise here, a picture I took one-handed of a hermit crab in my hand (I'm pretty proud of how well that turned out, given the circumstances), McDonald's ice cream (!!!), Yu Jiemei's baptism, and going out to lunch with Kiki, one of our recent converts. I had peanut butter pizza with pork and onions - the chef's special. It was actually really delicious. I love you all!
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