That Is up to You

Hey, hey, hey!

     

     

First off, awesome, awesome p-day! Right now, it's some sort of taoist (worship ancestors and Chinese gods) holiday weekend, so the locals have four days off. Since our members don't observe these holy days, and they have work and school off, we went to San Shan Tai (Three Mountain Bay). It's the second time I've been. I haven't been there since last November. It's a very famous place, has eight arch bridges that lead to a small island off the coast. It was sooo fun and beautiful, seeing the really blue ocean wash up against the black volcanic rocks. We
even hiked up to one mountain, and it was seriously a Star Wars VII moment, when at the end of the movie the main character is on top of a high, rocky grassy hill in the middle of the ocean. Same with me :) 

     We then went up the coast and went to the Singletary's store. They open it during holidays during tourism season. It's kind of sad, Taiwan's new president and China's president don't get along, so there's some sort of ban in China, now Chinese tourists can't visit Taiwan, which has hurt business. Anyway, we ate there, and hiked a bit. It was so beautiful; hiking up old sea caves and seeing the ocean right across the street.  I seriously live in the most beautiful area of the whole mission! 

     My companion's grandpa passed away yesterday. She didn't know until emails this morning. She's really strong and happy. I am really grateful for her example. She and I have really felt the Spirit comfort us. Her testimony of the plan of salvation is amazing!

     Sis. Ding moves next week - so sad but she needs to help her son so happy she is progressing in the gospel

tomorrow stake exercise activity so excited everyone will be here!  Good potential investigators just got to get started with them.  

Funny moment:

     As we walked to the island on San Shan Tai, we noticed some older people wearing traditional yellow silk outfits with dragons on them. We thought, "That's weird, maybe it's some buddhist or taoist thing for the long holiday."  As we went, we got to the island and by the ocean on some rocks, there were some older people in yellow. They began their ceremony, one guy just walking and kicking in the air while holding some golden thing that I think represented money. They were in some rocky gorge, and they did this in front of a two-foot high hole. Then they started yelling at the top of their lungs and making wavy gestures, as if trying to scare off some demon. It was amusing from an outsider point of view. A reason why so many Chinese gods/idols have scary faces is because they are used to scare off demons. 

Spiritual Share

     I remembered this story and gave a copy of it to my RC Ding JM. It is a beautiful story about the Savior. It's in the March 2008 Ensign.  It's called "The Atonement of Jesus Christ."

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

     Happy Birthday shout out to Grandpa Barrus, who is 92 years young!

     Love you all have a great week!

    -Sister Brinkerhoff