I Love Being a Missionary!

Oh my goodness, I cannot tell you how much I LOVE being on a mission!!! I know these past few months have been a bit of a trial, but it's nothing compared to the blessings that come. I'm finding more and more joy in the work every day, and am loving the scriptures more and more. AHHH! Missionary work is SO awesome! It feels incredible to know that you're helping someone in a real, lasting, eternal way. We had some lessons this week that were really led by the Spirit, and really made a difference in people's lives. That's the best feeling in the world!

We also had a family get baptized this week!! They are soooo awesome, and when they shared their testimonies afterwards, the Spirit was really strong. After the baptism I told them that if they prepare to be sealed in the Temple on their year mark that I would be able to attend. Sister Peng was really happy, and we're going to work really hard with them so they can meet that goal.

I forgot to tell you about my new area and companion last week! My new companion, like I said before, is a Native, Chu(3) Jie Mei. Dad, I know you were wondering how my Chinese was improving now that I have a native as my companion, and, funny story, she's actually an English Major... so needless to say, we've been cheating a bit. :P BUT I've still been learning really fast, and people are always astounded at how well I can speak after being on-island for only 2 months. AND, I've also been working on my Taiwaneese :) I already know how to say about 5 basic gospel phrases, as well as "your hair looks pretty!" My companion says all the amahs (old ladies) love that one!

Chu Jie Mei is awesome! Our new area is great, and part of our area is a huge hill that takes about 40 minutes to ride up and it's a fun 10-minute ride down. My legs are getting waaay strong, hehe :)

Dad, thank you so much for your letter. Every time I read your letters they really touch my heart. I've been feeling so much better this week as I've been learning to fight my feelings of discouragement. The Lord has been teaching me so much, and I really have been growing more than I thought through this experiences. I have hope and trust in the promises that have been made to me. They are marvelous, and I will NEVER quit working towards them in faith.

I love you all SOOOO much, I can't say it enough! I know you're in the Lord's hands, which is the best place you can be, so I'm not too worried. :) Missionary work is the best, and my testimony is getting stronger and stronger. I KNOW this gospel is true, with all my heart.

Love,

Sister Morey

Family Baptism!

Sharks and Stinky Tofu!

Oh my goodness, I LOVE being a missionary!! I've never felt so much opposition in my life before, but there's nothing the Lord can't overcome. I've been learning a lot about that lately. It's always Him that helps me fight the battle and helps me win each time.

So, my worst fear about serving a mission in Taiwan has happened... a member took us out to eat chou doufu!! AHHHH! One of my first days in Taiwan Sister Weinheimer and I were riding down a street and there was a really rank smell that I thought for sure was a public bathroom gone rancid. Without knowing what I was thinking, Sister Weinheimer yelled from her bike in front, "By the way, that was stinky toufu!" I just about died... I yelled back, "Are you serious?! I thought that was a bathroom!" We both laughed, but in my mind I was NOT looking forward to the day when I had to eat it. This week one of our new members asked if I had eaten it before, and of course when I said no, they took me to eat it. Luckily, it wasn't as bad as I thought! As long as I didn't breathe through my nose or think too hard about it, I got it down to my stomach :P Oh, and I got to eat shark today. Kinda like a mix between tuna and pork. I just love Taiwan :)

I thought this week that I'd share some of the small things that have brought me joy, since it's usually the big experiences I write about.

• Getting the AWESOME Valentines package Mom sent me because she knew exactly what would make a holiday special for me--sharing it with others! I actually got it last Monday on move-call day so I got to share it with the whole mission office, as well as write some cute cards to people. Thanks mom :)
• I also got a package from Sister Chiles with my favorite soap (sneaky, Mom!) AND fajita flavoring, refried beans and tortillas!! :D YAY for a special meal!!
• Yesterday when we were meeting with the Peng Family (who will be getting baptized next week!!) we were trying to keep their 4-year-old boy pre-occupied so his mom wrote "Jesus Christ" both in English and in Chinese on the whoteboard for him to copy. It was SO cute to watch him copy the characters so carefully, and even with (mostly) correct stroke order! He's a brilliant little kid, seriously. Then, afterwards I asked him if we could sing a song together. But since he didn't know the tune, he just read the words of "I Am A Child of God" and made up his own tune, pausing occationally for me to fill in the words he couldn't read :) That DEFINITELY brought a smile to my heart.
• I found out the Chinese name of my most favorite flower... yep, I have a new one! Well, at least it's my most favorite scent in the world! It's called gui(4)hua(1)... and I think it's called a laurel flower in English, but I'm really not sure. Anyway, it's a tiny white flower that grows on trees and bushes, and luckily, they're ALL over Taiwan, so I catch their scent often. It always brings a smile to my face, and if I get the chance, I stop to smell them up close :)

Thank you SO much for your letters. Yes, I've been getting them... they're starting to catch up to me now :) I love you all TONS!!!!

Love,

Sister Morey