A Little Piece of America, Minus the Cheese

Hello World!

Taiwan is still hot. And I'm still here.

But! Last week we went to Subway for lunch. It was the weirdest thing ever, like stepping back into America for a second; exactly the same look and everything. But then they didn't have cheese and I remembered we were in Taiwan. But it was still good! They also have McDonalds here, but it's a lot bigger; two stories, really fancy. McDonalds is like a nice restaurant here, it's kind of funny. The menu is normal except for like corn soup.

This is our church building!

This week we also got to go to a girl's high school English class. It was pretty much like a panel thing and they just asked us questions and stuff. It was pretty fun, haha. Also their schools are huge! They have uniforms and it's all just super cute (like everything in Taiwan).

Taiwan:

1) They drink hot water (even when it's blazing hot out); like when you put a hot pot in cold water it crinkles, they think their stomach will crinkle or something if they drink cold water. Actually I have no idea. But it's a thing.

2) Eating outside is SO convenient and cheap. There are tons of little shops and restaurants everywhere. Besides what America's brought, there really aren't any big chains.

So this week we were so busy! A little too busy. They say to "lose yourself in the work" "forget yourself and go to work" but we've come to the other edge of that cliff. We've literally lost ourselves and forgotten to be people. It's easy to get so caught up in something, that we forget the purpose, or we forget our purpose. And the purpose of missionary work is love. We felt like robots this week, not people. And robots can't love. So I've committed to not be a robot and invite you to do the same. Haha. Be yourself! Be happy, be loving! Be present where you are, but don't forget where you've been or who you are.

Hope that wasn't super weird sounding... Just remember to be you!

Have an awesome week!

-Sister Biancardi

Playgrounds for Old People

Beautiful Taiwan!

Hello from Taiwan!! I'm still here and Chuaning the Jiao (that doesn't really have a translation....um.... Preaching the Gospel! - but it sounds better in Chinese).

I got my first bi-standers experience of a Taiwan Funeral. Outside our window one day all during morning studies we heard the bells and the chanting. It was kind of cool and kind of sad. We just wanted to shout out the window that it wasn't over; there's more to life; you'll see them again! But we didn't...

God has blessed us so much recently, we've had so many people to teach and had really busy fun-filled days of teaching. We have a wide range of investigators of all ages, but one of my favorites right now is our sweet 80 year old lady who wears a wig and big hippie glasses. We also are teaching a part member family and the little 7 year old boy is SO cute!! He is so in tune with the Spirit and is such a good example to his family. Kids have a lot of good in them and they're close to God; don't over look a kid's example or potential to serve and learn.

One thing that's true about being a missionary is that people give you food. All the time! Sometimes it's overwhelming haha. But it's great, people are so nice here in Taiwan. So nice!!!

Taiwan:

1) All they want is their family to have health and happiness

2) They have playgrounds for old people. I mean exercise equipment (but it's pretty much a play ground)

3) A form of exercise among the older men is hitting your stomach. I don't know if it works, maybe you should research it.

4) Men will squat outside their house (like a 3 year old) and smoke.

Taiwan is great.

In the Book of Mormon there is a theme of remembering. I have 3 things I wish myself and others can remember. 1) Remember to be happy now and always 2) Remember to focus on loving others and improving yourself  3) Remember to rely on the Lord in ALL things.

Try to find one way to rely on the Lord a little more this week. Keep on being awesome!

-Sister Biancardi

Roller Coaster in the Rain

At Fancyland!

Hello!!

Today Sister Burr took me on a date to "Fancyland" an amusement park in DouLiu ("Doe Leeoh"). It was super fun! We wore pants cause, I mean, you can imagine if we wore our skirts on those upside down rides... But it was the weirdest thing. As soon as we both got dressed, we just couldn't get over how weird it felt to be wearing pants! So weird!! 

In the Mirror House

The Children's Playroom

Anyways, it was super nice and sunny when we left. Half way through the day we saw the storm clouds rolling in (like literally; it looks so cool!) Thankfully we were done when it hit (literally like all of a sudden pouring and thunder) but we had to run through it down to catch the shuttle back. So we didn't actually ride the roller coasters in the rain, but that would've been sweet!

And the Clouds Roll in!

This week we had District Conference; with all the members from a bunch of places around Jia Yi. Elder Funk from the 70's (a church leader) was there. Sister Burr was startled when he said her name and used us as an analogy; earlier she had to step out for a minute and motioned for me to follow. He related this to us having the gift of the Holy Ghost our constant companion; He goes where we go. We felt sort of embarrassed for being noticed leaving the conference, but how cool!

I've learned a lot this week, at District Conference, Zone Training meeting, and Chuaning the Jiao (Um....preaching the gospel...?). One was about goal setting "The danger is not in setting goals too high and not reaching them, it's in setting them too low and reaching them" We should always be making ourselves stretch and grow, and if we always hit our goals or expectations, maybe we need higher ones. Second, is that it all starts with YOU. Love, conversion, patience, kindness.... it all has to start with you before you can share it. 

I'm learning so much out here, but not because I'm in Taiwan. Because I rely on the spirit as my teacher in all that I do. In learning the gospel, teaching the gospel, living the gospel, learning Chinese, speaking Chinese, talking to strangers, serving someone.... everything is done with the Spirit by my side teaching me. He is my constant companion (my second Companion is Sister Burr; no offense to her). Rely on the Lord in all things and you will succeed! 

Love you all! Take care!

-Sister Biancardi

Arise from the Dust!

Our neighbor brought us Zhong Zi for Dragon Boat Festival!

Every week on Tuesday and Wednesday for a half hour, our district goes to a corner and invites people to English class (at stoplights on their scooters and such). This week we changed the time from when it normally is. Right before we were supposed to go out it started POURING. On our way there, it started thundering. We go and do our half hour, getting soaked through, and as we're coming back, it stops. And it's sunny again. And we're all still soaking wet. I think it was God's way of telling us to keep it at the original time. Haha. But it's actually so much fun in the rain! And I'm loving the thunderstorms here, so exciting!

Yesterday back in Utah my baby nephew was blessed. I didn't get to see his, but in our branch in Taiwan, I got to see the Xu family's baby's blessing. So special, God's tender mercies :)

The food in Taiwan is really amazing! And people love to give us food. The other day in the park we were talking to this lady and she let us (/made us) eat all her pineapple. People are so nice here! But I've gotta say, I've been missing Grandma's homemade spaghetti and meatballs. Yesterday at our potluck Sister Kailiponi (senior missionary) brought spaghetti with homemade sauce! I was so happy, and it was really good. (But not as good as yours grandma!).

I forgot last week! So here's extra Taiwan fun: 

1) No one goes anywhere when it's raining (church, English class, lessons...)

2) Everyone takes afternoon naps, about 1:00 pm

3) They cover their skin in the sun; here whiter skin is "beautiful"

4) Cheese is SO expensive. So we don't eat much cheese...

5) Myth: all Asians are short. This is false. There are tall Asians.

6) Sometimes there are these puppet shows on the street

1020 Chinese Characters - Language:Phase 2  :) 

This week I've had a lot of growth (not vertically obviously...). But I really am starting to understand the Atonement, and "the refiners fire." If we're humble enough (or a companion is loving enough to help you be humbled) the Lord can show you where you can improve and where you can be "perfected in Him". I know that's true. I also know that we can get too down on ourselves, or lose focus, or just be a little lazy. In the beginning of second Nephi, Lehi tells his sons to "arise from the dust" and "be men." I love that, and have taken that as a wake up call when I need it. So if you ever find yourself in the dust of selfishness or laziness, or obliviousness, or halted-progression, "Awake! And arise from the dust".

Love you all! Don't give up! Help a friend!

-Sister Biancardi