At the Beach...Again

Ni Hao!
     
     It has been another great week in Xinzhu...and probably my last full week here, I don't know. Transfers are next week, so next week I will see where I will be going or if I will be staying for another transfer. Funny story, I have been living with my trainer for almost half of my mission (never lived in an apartment in Taiwan without her). 

     Last week we went to the beach again. It was cooler this time. The last time we went was my last day as a teenager (June 27), right before my birthday. It was fun, we built sandcastles, held small crabs and bothered a huge one, played frisbee on the beach, collected seashells, took lots of pictures, and went through a maze my companion made. It was funny, some Elders found some huge sticks (about nine feet or so) and this big styrofoam ball, and played what looked like oversized beach hockey. Good stuff. 

     Weather has been cooling down, yippee.

     We were in charge of a youth stake missionary activity last Saturday. There was about 12 youth in total who came. We did role plays, went finding nearby, taught how to teach their friends (interestingly enough, they don't really know how to, so they had a lot of questions on how to teach their friends the gospel). They all shared their testimonies after, it was super great! Love them!

     The elders and us ate at the college food court. In Xinzhu, we have two high ranking colleges right next to each other. I haven't been to them since last June since they are kinda far away and uphill, but we met with someone at a college to teach a lesson.

     So  our investigator:  We have a cute 23-year-old girl named Anny (same as me :) that we are teaching. We are trying to help her progress in the gospel. She probably will get baptized. She came to the YSA activity last night! We had dinner and stayed for the spiritual share but left when they did the activities. It was funny, the time between dinner and the spiritual share, our MM leader Pedro/Li Di Xiong took us, Anny, the elders, and two other members to the bishop's office and was asking us for ideas for activities since he was in charge of them. She was so cute, she offered ideas. 

Spiritual share:

     Today, my companion shared a story from the February 2016 Ensign called, "Sheep and Shepherds." It was an old talk by Elder James E. Faust. He tells the story of when he was a young boy, his dad found a lost lamb in the desert and took it home to have Elder Faust take care of it. Elder Faust took care of the lamb and they became really good friends. However, one stormy winter night, Elder Faust forgot to put the lamb back in the shed. He could hear it bleating frantically, but Elder Faust was too warm and cozy in his bed to get up and put him in the barn. The next day, he found out that a dog had heard the lamb bleating and killed it. He was heartbroken, and the gut-puncher was when his dad told him, "Son, couldn't I entrust you to take care of one lamb?" He said that even sixty years later, he could still clearly remember hearing that lamb bleating. This analogy was compared to us in taking care of the lost sheep in our lives, whether they be family members, friends, investigators, people we visit teach or less active members. We have to take care of them at all times since God entrusted them to us for care. Elder Faust said that if he could still hear the lamb bleating after 60 years, imagine what our guilt be like for eternity if we fail or neglect to take care of the people we are entrusted with.

Responsibilities of Shepherds

     I also liked a story from this month's Liahona (in the New Era magazine) called, "The Power to Persevere." You should read it, it's about how a girl made it through her trials and relied on God rather than be bitter when her family got in a car accident, her mom died, she had a broken leg, and her dad remarried nine months later. I loved how she said prayer and scriptures saved her from being bitter, as well as serving her step mom. Loved her example.

The Power to Persevere

     I am also so grateful for Joseph Smith's example of having a question, reading scriptures, prayer and getting and answer from God. Through his example, we have been able to teach countless people.   Also love Mormon's example of charity and praying for people.

Cultural tidbits:

- At grocery stores, you have to buy your plastic bag.

- There are three groups of people in Taiwan: those who can speak perfect English, broken English, or no English. 

     Thanks for your love and prayers! Love y'all!

     Sister Brinkerhoff

Leofoo World

     WHOOOHOOO! Last pday was awesome! Thanks for the prayers everyone, they were answered and I had an amazing time.  We went to Leofoo Village Theme Park, the best theme park in Taiwan. It's a combination of Lagoon, Disneyland, Hogle Zoo, and Universal Studios all rolled into one.  We had the park to ourselves, the weather was perfect, and we didn't have to wait in lines! It was everyone's dream theme park experience!  Basically, it's a smaller theme park kind of like Lagoon. It is made up of four sections:  American West, South Pacific (like Hawaii), Middle East, and a Zoo section. Kinda random. Not many roller coasters or scary rides, which is good for me. I don't know if the Taiwanese don't like fast rides. It was totally worth the $20 dollars entry price.  I feel bad Taiwan doesn't have a Disneyland, but there is one in Shanghai.  (Unfortunately, not a lot of Taiwanese are able to go because of airfare costs.)

     The past few weeks, everyone has been getting ready for the Moon Festival. We've been eating moon cakes, as well as this fruit. It's big and green and looks like a bear, but in the inside it's like a big orange. 

More fun facts about Taiwan:

- There's a bunch of Disney stuff, everywhere. Some of the most popular include Stitch from Lilo, and Stitch (I don't know why, that movie is kinda old. I see him on people's cars and such. Kinda funny), Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Frozen (little girls wear Frozen clothing, there's some that come to church in Frozen dresses), and Toy Story.

- A lot of youth wear colored contacts, so they look interesting. Their eyes look not so real.

- When we call people, sometimes instead of hearing the phone ring, a popular song comes on. Kind of like when there's music when you're put on hold, but instead you hear a song while waiting for the other person to pick up. It's really funny when we are calling adult men and they have some girly pop song come up when we call.

- I see a lot of bats at night.

- The area I am serving in is called Xinzhu, which means New Bamboo, which is kinda funny, since I haven't seen much bamboo except at the college. Also, Xinzhu is called the Windy City (like Chicago), because it is windy. It has been a blessing, especially in the hot summer. Super grateful to be here in the summer, the wind really helps beat the heat.

Spiritual:

     At church, my companion and I sang "Joseph's First Prayer" to the tune of "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." So spiritual and it was a very pretty arrangement. Want to sing it at my homecoming.  Also, a successful missionary-led fireside.

Funny Story:

     We ate lunch with our ward mission leader and the Zone Leaders, and the ward mission leader was lamenting how nobody in the ward was helping him in his calling and started comparing himself to Abinadi. (Our ward mission leader's English name is Pedro, which he probably got from one of his American companions when he served his mission in the southern part of Taiwan. Asians don't really know how to be sarcastic, but I guess Pedro learned how to do it from his American missionary companions because, he's very sarcastic.) At church on Sunday, he taught the Gospel Principles class about missionary work. He asked the class to name off Book of Mormon missionaries, and my companion jokingly shouted "Abinadi!" He laughed so hard at the inside joke.

     Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! Remember to rely on the Lord. Have a prayer in your heart; the church is true; get married in the temple; and have an awesome day!

-Sister Brinkerhoff

Halfway There (still living on a prayer)

Hey ya'll!

     It's been another crazy busy week in Xinzhu! Today we are going to the amusement park. Sister Bain's (my trainer and Sister Training Leader) new companion, Sister Li who is Taiwanese, said it's her most favorite amusement park in Taiwan. I heard it was built in a way like Disneyland. I am scared stiff because I'm pretty much the only one that absolutely is terrified of roller coasters, and I can't be without my companion who likes roller coasters. Please pray that there will be another sister missionary who is coming that is also afraid so that we can be together for the day. I might have to ride roller coasters today, I will let you know if I survived next week.

     Tomorrow will be my official halfway mark on my mission! I entered the MTC on January 6, and go home around the end of July. Man, time flies! I am on my fifth transfer which is crazy! I am still with Sister Cullen, who I broke last transfer. This will be my third transfer in Xinzhu. I am excited, we are working a lot with members.

     This week I finally got a new kickstand! It's been about 6 weeks since mine broke, but a nearby bike shop owned by a members came up and said he ordered new kickstands (since me and Sister Bain, who has had a broken kickstand for almost a year) since we keep asking him and I guess other people wanted some as well. We also got lights for our bikes, so we look shnazzy as we bike to places at night. 

Miracles

     So you all know about the new rule here where if we teach guys we give them to the elders and vice versa? Well, because of that, we have been focusing on women, and especially, families. I've hadn't realized how many guys we teach until now. It's been a good change, because we realized how much we need to focus on families (and we don't have to worry about having female  members help come to lessons because we can't teach males without a female or two other males).       

     A new park recently opened, and there were a ton of families! We went there and met with a dad and nine-year-old daughter, who both came to church with us! Also, since we had to help our recent convert (Filipino sister) go to Sacrament at 9:20 am, we spent that time between the other church time and our church time at 1:30 getting ready for the investigators coming, and then went to this same park. An hour before church, we also invited another dad and his seven-year-old daughter to come to church, and they came an hour later! Both girls went to church and had a great time! Even both dads at the end of church said they felt peaceful. Turns out the seven-year-old girl doesn't have a mother (either left the picture or died, probably the former), and frequently asks her dad why she doesn't have a mom. In addition, the dad is in poor health and busy with work which includes traveling to China. The dad of the nine-year-old looked sad the whole time at church. When we went to primary with the girls, the nine-year-old told us that her mom is very busy at work (which is why she didn't go to church with them), and because she is busy her parents fight at home. It was very sad to see both girls come from broken homes and families, but I was so glad we had the opportunity to bring them to church to at least bring them some happiness (by being with the other primary kids, learning about Christ and being in a safe, happy atmosphere) and peace to their dads. The seven-year-old looked quiet and scared at first, but after Sunday School class, she looked so much happier and had made new friends. Both dads are willing to meet with us. 

Funny Story/Miracle:

      So we were with the zone leaders at the bishop's house (since we are in the same ward) visiting his family (his 11-year-old son is so great, when we asked for referrals he quickly stated his best friend, Howard, from English class. He is such a great example about wanting to share the gospel). At the end of the visit, we had to leave quickly since we live far away, its dark and rainy and we had to be home on time (especially since we lately been having lessons with members with the zone leaders and they don't live as far away or have to tell the district leader what time they're home, so we have been late a few times and our district leader is not as happy about it. Before we left, the bishop and his wife gave us yellow watermelon and Star Wars cookies. And then, the zone leaders started taking pictures with bishop and his family with Star Wars cookies! While we were hurrying out the door, they were still there taking pics! 

     On the way home, we prayed we'd get home on time. It seemed impossible, it usually takes longer, and add the fact it was raining and dark which made it harder, BUT SOMEHOW, we made it home on time. God blessed us to be home on time and got home faster than usual. When the district leader called to see if we were home, he was like, "Where are the zone leaders?" My companion was like, "taking pictures with bishop holding Star Wars cookies." 

     We see a few white people here and there in Xinzhu, which is freaky. I can't tell you the number of times other missionaries in my district said, "I am so glad I'm not serving in America, I don't think I can teach white people." I agree, the Taiwanese are very nice people. I don't think I could teach white people. 

     At Big City (a big mall in our area), when my comp and I and the district leader and his companion were crossing the street and we would see white people and just stare at them, and be like,"White people," or as the Taiwanese say, "Waiguoren!" (foreigners)  And then we realize we are waiguoren too! I guess we are just with the Taiwanese so much we think we are Taiwanese. 

Cultural Facts:

**Right now is the moon festival or mid-autumn festival. I see pictures of a bunny and the moon everywhere. We have been getting a lot of moon cakes lately, which are filled with red bean paste and egg. I like it except the egg part, which is too salty. 

**The garbage truck sounds like an ice cream truck. Everybody just comes outside when it comes and gives them their garbage.  Here's a link to a video of it:  Taiwan Garbage Truck Pick up

**To avoid cockroaches, we put food trash in the fridge to keep them from getting into it.  

**We can't write names in red because it is considered unlucky. 

**At church, they say, Di xionng, jie mei men, zao an (or wu an) for Brothers and sisters, good morning (or good afternoon). It was started a long time ago by an Elder from Hawaii serving in Taiwan. He tried getting them to say aloha in church, but it didn't work, so he got them to say that and it stuck ever since. 

**They have 7/11, Hi Lifes and Family Marts everywhere. They are  a cleaner version of a gas station fast food shop. They don't sell gas, but just drinks, food and other stuff. You can also pay your bills here and buy train and bus tickets, and pay your parking fees.  They are very convenient stores!

**Unless you it's a shirt from school or a club or some special event, the lettering on t-shirts is mostly in English. Also, a ton of business signs are in English. Most are both in Chinese and English, but some really fancy ones just have English and no Chinese, and the poorer, smaller businesses are Chinese only. 

**English schools ARE EVERYWHERE! 

**School is brutal here! They only have a month and a half of summer vacation (some still go to summer school). They go all day, then they go to cram school right after. 

**People wear long-sleeved shirts when they ride scooters, even in the summer. I remember being in Ba De and wondering why they wear long-sleeved shirts in hot weather? I learned later it was to prevent suntan.  They don't think dark skin is pretty. The Taiwanese are pretty healthy and pretty health conscious.  For example, whenever we pray, people either want us to pray for their family, work, school or health. 

**There are squat toilets at a lot of places. Nuff said. 

     Love you all and remember to serve the Lord and fast and pray for those who don't know God (Alma 6:6).

Sister Brinkerhoff