I'm Becoming Less White!

This week was crazy!

First, last P-day we had a blast. We were going to go hiking but it started pouring when we got up there, so we just took some pictures in the rain. Then we decided to go bowling instead. It was way fun even though I was awful at it. Then we ate bing (ice). It's a thing here. Like a snow cone, but not... ice with fruit and milky stuff (or beans if you're a Taiwan person).

 

 

Typoon day!!! It wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be; the strong winds didn't get to us cause we're past the mountains. So it was pretty much rain. LOTS of rain. That day we had interviews with our mission President. Yay! So everyone was soaked coming in. But it was a great learning opportunity for me. Later we biked all the way to an investigator's house, then we REALLY got soaked. But it was worth it. Typoon rain is like sheets of water coming down, like waves but coming from the sky, haha. I wish I was better at describing it, but... you'll just have to come to Taiwan someday. That night, even though the rain had pretty much stopped, NO ONE came to English class. We normally have like 80 people. We had 11. Crazy! No one goes anywhere on Typhoon day. Unless you're a missionary. Haha.

 

 

We had lots of miracles this week! Found lots of great people. But we also got fanged a lot (stood up), which was sad and frustrating. But! I think I learned a lot about faith. And how true faith can't be shaken by anything that happens or doesn't happen. Faith is constant and unwavering. As we strive to develop this kind of faith, our lives will be happier, we'll see more miracles, and we'll always have God's help.

 

Keep doing awesome things and remember to build your foundation on Christ! (Helaman 5:12)

 

-Sister Biancardi

 

Oh PS: I'm becoming less white. It's true. Taiwan is hot. Also I'm forgetting more of my English and slowly becoming Taiwanese. I guess that's good :)

Thunderstorms and Sunburns

This week went by fast. But we got to do some cool things! The main one was go to "The Morphis Family" concert! I know, right? A missionary going to a concert? Don't worry they said we could! Pretty much just picture the Von-Trapp Family but from Canada, and with 8 kids. The youngest is 3 and he totally stole the show. They're from the french speaking part of Canada (we didn't realize that until the end when we talked to them.)

There was also a little kids ukulele band; so cute! And a trio; cello, ukulele, and box drum/percussion, that was actually super good! Yay music!

We also went hunting in a huge thunderstorm to find a member's house. After over an hour of riding around we finally just met with her at McDonald's.

Then the next day we spent another hour trying to find our investigator's store, except I got a nice sunburn instead of getting soaked.

But, this week wasn't all craziness. We got to make prayer rocks with a family we're teaching, and make brownies with an investigator. The brownies tasted better...

The biggest lesson I've learned this week is diligence. Diligence is how we do things, not just that we do them. Diligence is why we do things; our drive to action. Diligence is persistence, consistency, and care. And it's not easy! I think the place to start is making setting goals and making plans. Everyone has some sort of goals or dreams, but when you write them down, and make step by step plans to achieve them is when they happen. Go make some plans and achieve your goals!! I believe in you!

Love you all!

-Sister Biancardi

I'm Officially Grown Up! . . . . (kind of)

First week with Sister Grigg and she is GREAT! It was kind of scary having to teach her the area/take her places. For those who know, I don't have the best sense of direction :/ haha. But we've got maps and the Spirit, so we're good!

Lots of great activities this week; we played spoons at FHE (I couldn't get too intense wearing a skirt), in Book of Mormon class we got to yell and sing and tempt someone while the tried the listen to the Spirit, then at our ward activity we had a talent show/fashion show/karaoke thing and a HUGE potluck.

Big miracle this week is that Stella came to church!! She owns a breakfast shop so it's been hard from her to come. And it wasn't until Saturday night that she called us and said she can come. So yay!

Hm...Sorry not much excited happened this week. But everyone we meet still can't get over how white my skin is and how dark Sister Grigg's is (she's Asian and is super tan). It's pretty funny.

This week as I've had to grow up, I've learned a lot. I think one thing I learned is how easy it is to love. Last week I was struggling to find enough love to give to everyone I meet. How could I possibly love everyone and be happy all the time? (I'll tell you a secret; missionary work is hard!!!) But I've realized that as I give it to the Lord, as I have faith and live day to day, I'm happy and the happiness and love just comes out; it's an effect of faith you have and the testimony you develop.

So don't worry! Be happy! :) And put your trust in the Lord at all times!

Love you all!!

-Sister Biancardi

Chopsticks and French Fries

Celebrating the 4th of July

Hello America!!! Happy Independence week.

First, we had a super great 4th of July English Party on the 2nd. Then on the 4th me and Sister Burr had our own celebrations. It started off by marching to the church singing America songs to get food dye for our pancakes. 

Red White and Blue Pancakes!

And it ended by eating burgers at our favorite "American" restaurant. Good day.

The Burger Place

This week we also helped push a truck out of the mud (got to go out in the sticks to visit someone), gave a smoothie to a homeless old lady (wish we could have done more), and an angel put the book we needed in my bag (no joke! I have no recollection or possible way I could have done it). Also I ate french fries with chopsticks for the first time in my life, it was pretty funny. And when we were out of the city with the trees and the tractors and the fields, it reminded me of home :') But then some wild dogs almost chased us, that was a little different.

What better way to drink banana milk?

And today!! Is move call day. Or "transfers" I guess is what it's called in English.... I'm officially out of training; officially not a baby, and "know what I'm doing" (which doesn't mean anything). Sister Burr left and Sister Griggs is my new companion. She's great!! We'll have lots of fun together. With this new start and new opportunities coming, I'm looking forward to starting fresh and making new mistakes. I'm looking forward to learning from these mistakes and becoming better in new ways. I'm looking forward to improving my Chinese, improving my teaching skills, and improving myself. I hope this move will benefit my life and I strive to benefit the lives of those around me.

Wish you all the best! Happy Birthday America!

-Sister Biancardi

So Much Fun!

This week was full of fun.

We ate lunch with this random 10 year old kid who made dinosaur sounds and then his dad tried to pay for our meal. I called a member thinking it was a former investigator. We went to Costco...it was Costco. 

We had Zone Conference! (A big, long meeting). An investigator got baptized after 3 years of waiting for his mom's permission. Our investigator wore a skirt for the first time in years and kept saying "I am a man. With girl appearance. Skirt is not for me." 

We hiked a mountain!! So much fun!

Today we went hiking! And it was just like home! Except with squeaky bamboo trees, 

and huge banana spiders,

 and way more mosquitoes, and weird bugs and plants. 

But it was so fun to be in nature again. A very good P-day!!

Taiwan: 

1) Always helps out. The nicest people.

2) So "Buhao Yise" (Not really a translation... just embarrassed/don't like taking help from others/too kind to not listen....) Literally it means "not good meaning".

This week I learned again to love the little things, the little miracles. And that change comes with little actions, little goals and changes. I also learned to trust that what we do in faith will bring miracles, even if we can't see the effects yet. I know it will! Trust God! Trust His timing! Do His will, then trust yourself and your faith led actions!

Love you all. Have a good week!

-Sister Biancardi