TAIWAN!!

Just arrived!

Ok. Big week. Weird to think a week ago I was back at the MTC. But I was! And we said our goodbyes which was kind of sad. But I'll see them all again at reunions and stuff so it's ok! My companion, Sister Larson, went to England. So it was weird/sad to be without her for the first time in 9 weeks. But I'll write her and see her in a year and a half at BYU. There was 12 of us all traveling to Taiwan together; it was a blast. The longest day of my life; I think I didn't sleep for like 30 hours (besides like 30 minutes of plane sleep; doesn't really count). But it was so worth it!

The bus from airport to mission home

When we got to Taipei it was about midnight; didn't get to bed until 2-ish, 2:30. Then up again at 6:30. Woo-hoo! But it was all so exciting, that it was okay we were sleep-deprived. We had an amazing Taiwanize breakfast, had some training meetings, went out to lunch, more training, dinner (and I missed my chance to eat fish eye, I kind of regret that) then we went out on the streets. We did what is called the Dan Jones challenge. Dan Jones was a missionary who stood on a milk carton and preached/testified. So...we stood on a milk carton and preached and testified :D It was great because there were other missionaries there cheering us on. It felt like an initiation. Haha. 

Welcome banquet with Mission President and his wife

Anyway, the next day we got our trainer and moved to our area. They called us up one by one, gave us a red envelope, and did a drum role as we opened it up. The trainers and the newbies didn't know who was with who until they opened it, it was kind of fun. So! Dndndndndn My companion is Sister Burr and I'm in Jia Yi!! 

The loving and patient Sister Burr

Sister Burr is amazing and the best example of love and patience with me. Jia Yi is also amazing. It's south of Taizhong, still a pretty good sized city though. So pretty much, I love it!

Ok so sometimes I'm like "Oh I'm not really across the world this is just another part of America" and then sometimes I see things and am like "Oh yeah." Here are some differences.

1) There are mopeds EVERYWHERE. It's pretty surprising at first, but now I'm kind of used to it. But I do mean everywhere; people walk on the street because they park their mopeds on the sidewalk.

2) Their napkins are pretty much tissues. I really don't know why, but they don't have napkins like we do.

3) They have AMAZING fruit. Guava, wax apples, mango, the best pineapple I've ever eaten ever, and so much more!

4) Their money is like 30 kuai = 1 US$ so, things are like 300 "dollars" and I'm like "what? Oh..." But things are actually pretty cheap here, it's nice.

5) They (well not everyone, but some) just can't even handle a white person speaking Chinese; they think it's so cool.

6) The traffic lights are sideways (or ours are sideways; one of the two). This just gives you a little taste of Taiwan. I wish I could just write forever and remember everything I want to write. But I love it here so much! And the people really are so amazing. You see little amah's (grandma's) riding their bikes or walking their dogs; they're so cute!

Well, know that God is real; I've seen so many miracles in my life (for one, I'm speaking Chinese!) and He has blessed me in so many ways. He has blessed you, and can bless you more if you let him. Tell Him about you life, about your goals, ask Him for help and for strength in your trials. He will be there for you and send angels to comfort and bless you.

Selfie from our balconey

Take care! Lots of love from Taiwan!

-Sister Biancardi