DA JIA My new area is in XinAN and if you wanna know where that is google DaAn GongYuan and be mind-blown. I live right next to a beautiful park and the area is very city vibey...actually that is not a word. Ummm I live in a city. There hahaha
My first day here we went running at Daan Gongyuan in the park and it's really just so unreal. As you run around the beautiful path and look into the park you see tai chi (taiqi) groups dispersed throughout the trees. Taiwan is so different than from life back home. I feel like I'm in a another world here. Point is: google daan gonguan.
We met with an investigator who is the cutest. Her English name is Sophie and I will get a picture with her when we meet with her this week! She came to church with us yesterday and she loved it. She mentioned last Friday that she doesn't feel like she has a purpose in life. On Sunday I shared my favorite hymn with her, Because I Have Been Given Much, and she said, I think this is the purpose of life. I tried to hold my excitement together!
My new companion is Sister Althoff and she is such a sweet person! She has been a super great example to me of kindness and generosity and I really look forward to the next 6 weeks being her comp! We have so much fun...maybe too much.
NAH
Funny moment of this week: we drove our bikes for an hour to find an Ama (Grandma) that Sister Althoff met a couple weeks ago on the street and we got totally lost. Her place is out in the boonies. We finally find her house that sits on top of at least 3 flights of sketchy stairs. Her apartment was the only one without a number on it so we asked the neighbors where 11 hao was. The Ama's daughter answered the door and I am pretty sure she had never been more confused in her life...two random waiguoren asking for her 93 year old mother. She let us in the first door to their entryway and in the second doorway appeared Jian Ama...and let's just say that missionaries definitely see things sometimes they don't expect. The image of her in scant clothing is fresh in my mind though. I'll remember it for, well, forever.
Other news is that we have been fed every lunch and dinner since I got here. Our ward family constantly calls us to ask when they can feed us. (as all my photos of food with wonderful people show!)
I really cannot express adequately my gratitude to the people here and all the ways they serve others and give service to the missionaries. Their kindness blows my mind and I am constantly inspired to try to become better. I read a talk this week titled "Fill the World with Christ's Love." (Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf) I love that idea! If everyone loved as purely and unconditionally and as genuinely as Christ did, (and like the Taiwanese people I've met) can you imagine what the world would be like? Wowza. Let's do it. Bliss!
I gotta goooo but I love you all and appreciate every email, prayer, and the support that you give SO MUCH.
all my love,
sista mo <3
1. We went to a love museum. this is a korean heart and everyone does them instead of two hand hearts #culture #lolz
2. What is my biggest accomplishment in life? Definitely my watch tan (thanks Heidi for my watch!) AND introducing Sister Althoff<3 she is a m a z i n g
3. First time trying cho doufu (stinky tofu) verdict: I LOVED IT!!!!
4. Last P-day at Danshui...is this real life?
5. Fwends
6. Saying bye to our english class :'(((( I love them! we taught them cooking terms our last class and copied the tv show "chopped." they are the best.
7. The streets of Danshui
8. Fruit stands with fresh fruit smoothies for 50 kuai ($1.50.)
9. Eating with the Liang family and the elders. YUM!
10. Just a casual night bike ride to visit an investigator... :o
11. Sister Althoff and I behaving :)
12. The cutest crepe maker ever: Guo Xiaojie! obviously had to paijiao
13-15. Our living quarters
16. Where I sleep
17. how do I caption this....
18 . ....
19.This angel is named Li JieMei and she called us and said "Come quick! I made you food!" SHE WAS NOT KIDDING. Buffet style every meal. Also this woman is 60 YEARS OLD! I promise you Taiwanese woman age backwards
20. so health, so yum.
21.Last pic with Sister Bradley and Kay.. for now! Love those people!
