Eyes Beyond Our Own

Four Apartment Sisters

This week was a blast! Here's what happened:

- Taught an English class that wasn't the little kids for the first time

- Went to that blind pianist's concert (the one from the Mormon message! Look him up! http://www.mormonchannel.org/youth-videos?v=2219553524001) It was sweet; he really has a gift.

- Sang at some high school graduation concert thing. It was being held at our church (our HUGE church in Daya) so somehow we got roped into singing. The missionaries (us and 6 Elders) sang Lead Kindly Light (in parts) then the Armies of Helaman with Guitar and a box drum. It was super fun.

- Got to know my awesome companion and area!

For a while I've pondered the question of how it's possible to really love everyone; to have enough love to love everyone you see (that's kind of what we do as missionaries, and it's exhausting!) The other day I got my answer through a cheesy EFY song (that's all I've got right now) "Love comes back, when we take care of each other, Just like that..... there's always enough no way to give too much cause Love comes back" And I know it's true! As we aren't selfish with our love and really love everyone we're blessed and strengthened, and as we project God's love to the world we are able to feel that love more strongly. 

Sometimes those we love are separated from us; they're journey here on Earth is completed before ours. As I ponder my knowledge of God's eternal plan for us, I'm grateful and comforted. It doesn't mean death isn't sad for Mormons; the separation is hard. But with knowledge of His plan for us, we have perspective and hope. If you're struggling with the death of a loved one whether it was a long time ago or more recent, whether you're a member of our church or not, talk to the missionaries. As we learn and re-learn of these eternal truths our minds are enlightened and our hearts are comforted. I know we have an eternal Father in heaven who loves us, and we are his eternal children. And I love you too! Keep on loving; there's always enough.

-Sister Biancardi

Bright Lights, Big City

So this last week we had WeiJieMei (18 years old) with us; she progressed so much in her short week with us and we had a blast! Even though it was only a week, after she left it felt so empty with only two of us. We had moved another bed into the room so there was no space to walk, haha. It was fun.

Also this week was our English Party; Cowboys and Indians! Woo-hoo! It was pretty great; fishing, stick pole, bag races. Then at the end the missionaries put on a skit. I was "The Spirit of the Pow Wow" hahaha. Reminded me of my drama camp days.

Saying Goodbye to ChenJieMei and her daughters

And last but not least, today I said goodbye to JiaYi, it was sad. But I'm so excited to now be here in BeiTun (TaiZhong city). As missionaries we have to say goodbye a lot; as we move, as people lose interest, as others move....

Farewell to more friends from JiaYi

But new places and new people let us have new experiences to learn from. I know every place I go and person I'm with is for a reason and will help me become who I need to be. So, what I learned? Be grateful for where you are when you're there, and don't be afraid of new experiences.

"Be strong and of a good courage" 

Love you all!

-Sister Biancardi

What? Gecko in a Bottle? That's not a pet . . .

 

This week was SO GOOD. Lots going on!

For starters, we've been seeing a little baby gecko running around our room, so Tuesday morning we decided to catch it :) After moving the couch back and forth and back and forth we cornered it and led it into a bottle. It's only like an inch long and so cute! The rest of the week we searched the apartment for bugs to feed it. It liked the spider, but not the live ants or the dead cockroach we gave it....

 

 

This week we also saw lots of miracles! Like finding two new investigators while lost trying to find a different new investigator's house. Also I taught my first family! (Mom, dad and kids) But then we found out they're not in our area...but that's okay. Teaching families is important because we really believe the family is ordained of God and is the place we can learn best. Speaking of family! My family is all together back in Oregon this week, (including Elise and little baby Joseph!) yay! Instead of being sad cause I'm not there, I'm actually happy and feel closer to them knowing they're all together.

 

This week was special also because our mission had a goal for every companionship to get 3 new investigators ("No companionship left behind") So our leaders spent the week helping everybody. And Sunday night we had an awesome opportunity to go to XinYing (half hour away) to help the Elders there find. Our whole district of 10 missionaries got off the train and spread out and started tracking. It was sweet! And we hit the goal! Yay! It made me really realize how this is God's work and these are His children, and it didn't matter that these weren't "our" investigators, cause in reality they're all His and everyone needs the gospel!

 

The last exciting thing that happened was Sunday night when we got home, we got a DuanChuan to come stay with us! It's a thing they do in Taiwan where the youth can go on mini missions; sort of try it out. So WeiJieMei is 18 and she'll be with us for a week! We're so excited! Pulled an extra bed in the room and let our gecko go.... (Missionaries aren't supposed to have "pets"... haha). So this week will be great!

 

Wow! This week I learned the importance and power of faith and positivity. It literally brings miracles. I don't know why or how it works, but I know it's true! So go and do in faith! And tell me the miracles you see!

Love you all! Thanks for the prayers!

-Sister Biancardi

Awkward Missionary Moments

This week was great! Lots of growth, lots of improvements.

We had the opportunity to exchange companions for a day. It's great to learn from other missionaries; get new ideas and new feedback. I learned a lot from Sister Bell.

This week we spent a lot of time with our three new cute 15-year-old investigators. This week they were taught the first lesson, watched finding faith in Christ, came to every activity including a baptismal service and church, and today we're going to go to their pottery class with them :) They're super cute and love learning.

We also spent lots of time finding people to teach; on the road, in stores, when we eat dinner... That's when we get to those awkward missionary moments. For example...

1) Following a family as they walk down the beer aisle then suddenly realizing we can't causally browse there. 

2) Offering someone my soup I didn't eat and then inviting them to come to church. 

3) Being so confused why people were lining up by the road but seeing it as the perfect opportunity to contact them, then realizing it was the line for the bus and that they don't live here in our area.

4) Asking where the small dried fish were to start up a conversation, then not buying it. (They have small dried fish in their trail mix stuff.)

So pretty much being a missionary is the best. And one thing being a missionary has taught me is to not be afraid to talk to strangers (unless they're creepy or trying to give you candy or something...) But I mean, being friendly to everyone. Because we're ALL children of God; we're ALL brothers and sisters. The person next to you in line, your grumpy neighbor across the street, and the people across the world. We're all here to love each other and help each other out. So.... yeah! Do it!

Love you all! Have a great week!

-Sister Biancardi