The Start of the Lasts

A little B-Ball at 6:30 am!

Well... this past Wednesday was my last time teaching English class. The start of the lasts.... :(  But we're still here chuaning the jiao ("spreading the church") and it's a blast. Miracles everyday.

Ice cream store right across the street from church!

I don't really have much to say except I will miss Taiwan. I will miss being a missionary.

One more week of rice and noodles. One more week of talking with strangers. One more week of riding my bike. One more week of being a full time representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. I will always be a disciple of Christ and strive to share His gospel, but this is a special time for which I've been set apart and given power and authority to preach the word. And like most important things I think I've finally come to a better knowledge and appreciation for this calling right at it's close. But I'm so grateful to have served at this time with the people I have. And I'm excited for this last week of fun and miracles!!

See you soon,

Sister Biancardi

Agency

This week was nice...

Interviews! - Every 3 or 4 months we have a chance to interview with our Mission President who is called and set apart to preside over us. He's able to love and care for and receive revelation for each and everyone of us. It's a great opportunity!

Zone Training Meeting - every month we have this meeting with a group of missionaries (led by other missionaries) I sometimes look around at all of us kids in suits and skirts and just laugh. But even though we're so young, we learn a lot in this time and learn a lot from each other. Because I'll be going home in a few weeks I was able to share my "reflection" talk with everyone (condensing my experiences of the past 18 months into 3 minutes). 

Movie Night - Saturday was 4th of July! We were going to have a 4th of July party but then we remembered that nobody cares about 4th of July except us, so we just had a movie night and watched "Emma Smith". And had a little baby American flag on the snack table, haha.

Agency - I also learned a lot about agency this week... which means we got fanged (stood up) a lot... But that's okay. It just reminds me that we're only here to invite. We invite others to come unto Christ. But in the end, it's everyone's individual choice whether they want to accept Him or not. We don't want to force anyone to come to church and neither does Heavenly Father. But I know as we share our testimonies with others and show them how happy this gospel makes us and how much we love them, we'll give them the chance to choose for themselves.

Have an awesome week!

-Sister Biancardi

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Zeng Mama's Baptism

Well after the temple last Wednesday we had MLC (missionary leadership council) on Thursday. A big meeting from 10:00-3:30, and we had a homemade meal from Sister Blickenstaff. Yum.

Friday we exchanged again. I was with Sister Graham (still in training), she's super awesome. I also got to go back to my old area (BeiTun) for a day, that was fun.

Then Saturday night we had a potluck and fireside about missionary work :D The food was yummy and the fireside was fun. The elder's quorum president, a returned missionary, Elder Chi, me, and and a kid with his mission call all spoke. (Yeah, I gave a talk in Chinese, it was the scariest thing). There was also a couple musical numbers including us missionaries singing "Israel, Israel God is calling"

Sunday was.... Sunday. And if you've ever been a missionary before you know it was super busy too.

But it's good! Busy is good! Remember to keep busy with meaningful things it's the most rewarding way to live. 

Also the rumors finally slipped out to the ward that I'm going home soon. Though it still hasn't really hit me yet. Except when I freak out about packing and stuff. 

Well have an awesome week and remember to use every minute!

-Sister Biancardi

Reflections . . .

Hello world! It's been a long week and a half. Here's what happened.

Tuesday I went on an exchange with Sister Eo. She's from Korea and she's super cute; got to Taiwan 8 weeks ago. She's majoring in Chinese so communicating's not a problem. We saw miracles everywhere; preaching in the streets and in the houses and on the rooftops... okay scratch the rooftops. But we did teach a lesson in a 7-11. It's actually a great place to share the gospel here. (they're a lot different than American 7-11s) Yeah!

Saturday was ZengMama's baptism. Yay! Her son's a member and he got to baptize her. There was also a kid the Elder's taught who got baptized. So it was a super happy time.

Today we got to take a field trip up to the Taipei temple. Yay! Temple's are similar to our church buildings in the sense that we go there to learn and be closer with God. They're different in the level of spirit and sacredness. Church meetings can be spiritual, don't get me wrong, but when the babies are crying and you're phone's in front of you, it can get a little distracting. The temple is a dedicated place where worthy members of Christ's church can go and do sacred ordinances. It's a time and place where we can feel peace and feel God's love while doing service for others. I would definitely invite and encourage you to ask more about the temple and take the steps you need in order to be worthy to go inside.

Have a great day!

-Sister Biancardi

PS I've been reading Alma 26 lately as I've been reflecting on my missionary service. In our mission we give a "reflection talk" pretty much condensing what we've learned in 18-24 months into 3 minutes. This is kind of like Alma's reflection talk. I'd invite you to read it and reflect your own missionary service, whether it consisted of a full-time mission or not and learn from Alma's experience.

The Trial of our Faith

Hello!

This week was good:

Exchange - This week I exchanged with XieJieMei. She's an awesome missionary and I learned a lot from her. It was fun to be with a Taiwanese missionary for a day :D

ZengMama - She passed her baptismal interview and will be getting baptized next Saturday :D Her son (member) will baptize her.

New people - This week we worked really hard to find new people and got some people set up to meet, but they all fanged our gezi (stood us up). It was a bummer. Taiwanese people do that a lot. But Saturday some other sisters called and gave us some referrals who set up to come to the church for the next day, and she came and brought a friend :D And they're great! I know that miracles come after the trial of our faith. 

This morning we sang at a member's dad's funeral. It was nice to give comfort to those attending through music. I know that this life is not the end. This life has a purpose; to prepare to meet God. To learn and grow and become more like our Father in Heaven. Remember to look at our trials with faith and with that eternal perspective.

Have a good week!

-Sister Biancardi

Just Keep Swimming

So, this week at ZTM was fun. They showed a clip from Finding Nemo and pretty much had us analyze it and apply it to missionary work. It was so funny, but pretty fun and surprisingly fitting.

We had our English party. Pretty much just the Elders running around with the little kids and playing games, haha. There were other games too - Charades, Spot it, Bingo, and Jump rope (a giant one) which turned into redlight green light and tug of war, or whatever else the kids wanted to play, haha. 

Yeah!

Then on Saturday YuTing got baptized. Yeah!! The guy who baptized her was like 2 feet taller than her so that was really funny. And the baptism went really well. Right afterwards 2 little boys from the other ward got baptized. Yay! So fun!

I'm remembering recently again something I learned in the MTC. Whenever you don't get along with someone, or you feel offended, hurt, or annoyed, you need to change something about yourself. If we were perfect like Christ, like we're trying and striving to be, we'd get along with everyone just fine. And with Christ's help and support we can change, one step at a time. Even the things that are seemingly deep within us "part of who we are." We are children of God and while we each have our personal identity and personality, we can become perfect as He is and enjoy a fullness of joy. We don't need anger, hate, hurt, blame... we can choose a much happier way.

Go take the high road and just keep swimming!

-Sister Biancardi

Here Comes the Sun

So the first half of the week was still rainy and stormy. 

Heading outside in the rain

Did that rain gear really help?

But near the end of the week the sun came out! So now we get wet with sweat instead of rain, hahaha.... yeah.

This city is nice. My companion is nice. The ward is nice.

Lots of color everywhere!

Painted Village

a Roadside Puppet Show

Last P-day we went to "rainbow village." This little place where an old man painted all the walls and stuff. It was cool.

This week I learned a lot. I know Heavenly Father is very aware of us and our situation. I know this life is full of test and trials and "refiner's fires". I know this is the only way we can learn and grow be polished in to something greater. Accept the setbacks and struggles that life brings, but don't give up! 

Keep on striving. 

Have an awesome day!

-Sister Biancardi

Look! They even have painted ukes!

Back in the City!

Having fun with Sister Hobby!

So many people! It's weird. But it's wonderful.

This week was crazy, getting to know the area, the investigators and the members. On top of that we had exchanges on my second day here. But it's okay, because we learned a lot.

This Wednesday the storm came in and it's been raining off and on all week. I'll have to show you a picture next time of our silly rain ponchos. Our skirts still get pretty soaked when we wear them and they're really hot and sweaty, but it's better than not wearing them as we found out on Thursday... 

Let's just say there were some blow dryers involved. It's fun to ride in the rain. It makes our work seem super important (cause it is!) People will be like, what are you doing biking or standing on a street corner handing out flyers in the rain. And we'll be like "well, you see, we have this important message..." :D

Also funny. Since I've moved up here, a couple people have said my Chinese has a GaoXiong accent - a southern accent. Haha, funny...

Well don't forget smile. Do you best but leave the rest up to the Lord.

-Sister Biancardi

Surprise!

I moved!

I know right? Crazy. It was kind of a surprise (it's not a real move day) and only 4 of us moved (we just swapped!) Kind of fun! I'm in Zhongming now. (TaiZhong city) Good bye to Taiwan countryside for me.

Also, last Saturday LinJieMei got baptized. Yay! It was a great baptism with great food after.

Last week we also had Zone Conference. Learned lots!

I think the biggest thing I learned was about our eternal perspective. Sometimes we look at a trial or success and think of the outcomes for this moment, or this day, or even this year. Maybe we look at the outcomes for this life. But when we learn that God's plan for us is eternal it puts a different perspective on things. And when we make every choice and every thought related to God's plan for us, it makes life a lot more meaningful, happy, and fun! Learn more about God's plan for us from local missionaries or LDS friends and try it!

Have an awesome day!

Sister Biancardi

The Field is White All Ready to Harvest

Well... literally, the rice fields are ready to harvest. But also! Our LinJieMei is going to get baptized this Saturday, yay! She's been preparing a long time and is ready to make this sacred covenant and enter the path that leads to eternal life.

Mother's Day! We had a nice potluck after church today, so yummy. Then we made some posters and after dinner we spread some mother's day love. Walked down a busy street and wished people a happy mother's day. We know that a mother's role is crucial and I know I'm not going to be able to fulfill this role well without the Lord's help. "Happiness in the home is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of Jesus Christ" (or something like that, I don't have the quote right now). I know that's true!!

This morning we did a 5 way Skype with all 5 siblings and parents. It was a blast and a great birthday present. I know family is eternal and we're going to have eternity to have a blast together :D I'm thankful I was born into the family I was, and thankful for my mother's (and father's) teaching us in patience and love. If you haven't told your mother you love her this week, GO REPENT!

Love you!

-Sister Biancardi

Exchange

Baby Bananas - how adorable! 

This week we got to exchange companions with our "sister training leader." How it worked out I got to be with LinJieMei for the day :D LinJieMei was with me when I first go on island; we started our mission together. From the beginning we kind of clicked and always said we'd be companions later on. So it happened! At least for a day. And it was super fun. It was especially fun to be together now that I can actually speak Chinese and her English has also improved a lot. Even though we're both "older" missionaries and were talking together about how tired we were, we worked hard and saw lots of miracles together.

The biggest miracle was meeting someone from her area who was willing to sit down and learn a little bit and set up to keep meeting with LinJieMei in Tainan. So great!!

But the highlight of the Exchange might have been us sprinting back to the Train Station because we forgot to switch keys for their bike locks right before their Train left. That was fun. We also may or may not have sprinted after a lady on the street to talk to her more :, haha

Exchanges are a great learning opportunity and I learned a lot about how I can be a better missionary.
Missionary work is a blast! And me and Sister Hancock are going to continue to tear it up here in QiShan!
Have a good week!

Sister Biancardi

Daily Planner - decorated in style 

Happy Easter ! ! ! Wait . . . .

So yeah... we're a little behind, haha. 

We had our English Easter party this week, just the way the schedule worked out, but it's okay, they don't know when Easter is anyway. It was great! And a great turn out! 

We split in to two groups; one colored/painted eggs while the other went outside with flashlights for an ultimate Easter Egg hunt, then they switched. Turns out since most of them had never had an easter egg hunt before it was pretty hard, but it was fun. Then we shared 3 Nephi 14:7 "Seek and ye shall find" The way we seek for spiritual things is through sincere prayer. When we pray sincerely and diligently to seek spiritual truths, God will reveal them to us, maybe in a different way than expected or not quite as fast as we'd like, but He will reveal them.

So here's Taiwan:

Yesterday we went to tract and we met this cute old lady. She only spoke a little Mandarin (the old people here speak Taiwanese) but we could communicate just a little bit. But before we left she shuffles over to a table and gets a papaya to give us. She then shuffles back to the kitchen to get a bag to put it in. Then gives us a firm hand clasp and sends us on our way. So cute.

Well, have an amazing day everyone. Enjoy whatever and whoever is around you. Remember to smile.

-Sister Biancardi

Still Here!!!

I'm still here in Taiwan in case you were wondering :) In the wonderful place of QiShan.

On Wednesday we had a member drive us to a couple appointments, that was super nice. I forgot about cars.

Thursday we had interviews with President and Sister Blickenstaff. They're the best. Then Friday we had a Follow-up Training meeting. (went to GaoXiong twice in a row!) I feel like these meetings were a nice mirror that helped me see where I need to improve. Sometimes we go along and do our stuff and don't realize (or worse, (realize but ignore) our faults and weaknesses. When we are accountable to someone it forces us to stop and evaluate and improve. Super good!

On Sunday we had an Area Seventy come to visit our little ward. That was fun. Lots of people showed up, haha.

Also one night Sister Hancock had a giant cockroach crawl over her foot. That was fun.

Have a good week!! Remember to stop and evaluate. And be grateful for your blessings.

-Sister Biancardi

Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice

Ok, I know I'm a little late, but we didn't get to watch conference until this week. But it was so great! Twice a year our prophet and apostles speak to us and just like prophets of old preach of Christ's gospel and how it applies to our day and age. It's so fun!

Here are some of my favorites:

"When we repent He atones, and when He atones, that settles it" Boyd K Packer

"Belief is not passive" L Whitney Clayton

"We cannot be good enough relying solely on our own effects" David A Bednar

"Your life is not confined to a 4 inch screen" Jose A Teixiera

"Being charitable is not a duty, but a joy"

I loved Wilford W Anderson's analogy of dancing and music. Here's a good quote from it, but you should just go read it! It's really good!

"We learn the steps with our minds but hear the music with our hearts"

Well, I know what these prophet's and apostles have told us this past week are true. I know they are called of God, and I know that by hearkening  unto their counsel we will find more joy and purpose in our lives.

 Go on lds.org and listen to a prophet's voice!

Love you all!

-Sister Biancardi

PS It was pretty funny; we went in the other room to watch the English while the ward watched Chinese, but since Elder Chen is Taiwanese and Elder Tearlink is American, Elder Chen had to sit in the hallway and we had to leave the door open so they could still see/hear each other. So we heard this Chinese echo throughout the whole thing, haha. But it was still good!

PPS - So one night we got home with a couple minutes to spare so we decided to tie a note to a papaya and give it to our neighbors. They didn't answer the doorbell so we just left it on the door step. Oh yeah, we live in an apartment complex, haha. It was fun.

The Phantom Fairy

So once upon a time there's this noise in our apartment sometimes and it sounds like little fairy bells. It kind of drives me nuts, I just hear it randomly during personal study time, haha. The end.

Sometimes I feel like the weeks are like 2 years long. Not because I'm not having fun! But because we just do SO MUCH. 

We went to GaoXiong this week for Zone Training Meeting.

We had English class outside because they did pest control in the building that day. (exterminated the bugs... how do you say that in English...). So that was fun!

Friday we went to a youth activity to play ping-pong (the first youth activity in a while, yay!)

Saturday we went to a members house for a BBQ. (again, not the hot dogs and hamburger kind...different) I've eaten squid a lot since I've been here and choked it down, but this was the first time I've eaten squid and actually liked it. Wow!

Yesterday was Easter... no one celebrates it here. But we did convince Bishop to let us sing and Easter song in church. We also showed lots of people that new Easter video the church put out this week. But mostly we just had Easter in our hearts.

I know Christ lives. I know He is my Savior and Redeemer. He's yours too! You can know by performing the following experiment:

"And now my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burden may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen" (Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi 33:23-24)

I know if you learn about the word, ponder it in your hearts it will give you feelings of joy and peace and if you continue to nourish it by faithfully following the teachings you learn, you will receive the fullness of joy our Father wants to give to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Hope you had a happy Easter!!

-Sister Biancardi

Because He Lives!

Grave Sweeping - these next couple weeks is "Grave sweeping here" It's kind of a holiday. More of a superstition. 4 is an unlucky number in Chinese because it sounds like the word death. On the 4th day of the 4th month they all go and clean the graves so that their ancestor's don't get mad. So yeah, and around this time they eat spring rolls; powdered sugar, crushed peanuts, and vegetables and meat in a wrap thing (at least that's how the Taiwanese do it) Yum!

Hot Pot - This week we went with some college girls to eat hot pot, Yum!

Movie Night fail... Yeah.... we were planning a movie night for like 2 weeks and inviting a bunch of people and then the day of the one person we had confirmed to come canceled on us... Sad.

Teaching the Ward - This week we had an opportunity during church to talk to our ward about missionary work and help them with it (we taught the 5th Sunday combined 3rd hour). It was great!

People here don't know what Easter is, even more than they don't know what Christmas is. But I think it's fitting that their "Grave Sweeping" is so close to Easter. Christ overcame the grave. He lives. And because He lives, we all will too. We don't have to fear death, we don't have to mourn the loss of loved ones; we will see them again. As we come to learn of Him and accept Him as our Savior, we can better understand how he can save us, physically and spiritually. If you haven't seen it go online and look at the new Easter video on lds.org. I know through His grace and through our effort we can receive redemption as well as the resurrection.

Have a Happy Easter!!!

-Sister Biancardi

PS - Saturday and Sunday go online or to a local church building and watch God's living prophet and apostles speak to us! :D

Our Search for Happiness

Hello!!

This week....

Biked up the mountain to the college (thinking we could contact lots of people there)... It was quite the ride... But, apparently we went at a bad time....not very lively. But! We did get to talk to some people, so that was good.

I taught a real English class for the first time (not the little kid class). It was great. They actually listened and wanted to learn. Imagine that! We had fun.

Ate dinner at a member's house. She's a farmer and had little baby geese that had just been born that day. So cute!!

Taiwan is so different.... I can't describe it any more; I've been immersed in it for so long. But you should just come here and see for yourself; great place :D

This week I started reading a book again called "Our Search for Happiness" by M. Russell Ballard. It's a leader of our church who wrote it for the purpose of helping everyone come to better understand our church and our members and why we do the things we do. It's super good and not thick at all; you could probably read it in a day if you wanted. So if you have any questions or curiosity about our church, but don't want to talk to us scary missionaries, go read this book!! Or even if you don't....read it anyway! It's way good.

Have an amazing week! Remember to smile, and to help someone out.

-Sister Biancardi

Planning Ahead

Are they standing on a bench?

This week was great! Got a lot done and had a good time. Sister Hancock is awesome, she's teaching me so much. This week we focused on our goals and making plans each day to hit them. And you know what, it worked! We did super well this week and found so many awesome people ready and willing to listen to the gospel. So, moral of the story: when you make goals, make sure to make some plans to hit them.

One day this week we were sitting in the church and this American couple walks in and starts talking to us. Turns out they both served their mission here 12 years ago and are back for a visit. It was so awesome to talk to them! So glad I was called here to Taiwan to live and preach the gospel for 18 months. It's a great place.

Taiwan: One thing about people in Taiwan is everyone is so "buhaoyise" (which is hard to translate, but pretty much means don't want to offend people/just wants to agree/please people) So most people will use excuses to reject us, which is probably because they don't want to be mean, but it's so frustrating! So tip of the week: Don't be "buhaoyise" just say it straight. Haha.

Have an awesome week!

-Sister Biancardi

Filling up the rice fields 

Carry No White Flag!

Ward Activity! - This Saturday we had an activity at a member's house. She lives an hour away...by car. So that was fun! (Our area is so big!) We drove out there and went on a little hike. Then they cooked dumplings over a fire and we had a potluck. So good.

Zone Conference! - Friday we went to GaoXiong to have an all day conference. It was awesome we learned lots of stuff. I really liked what one of the talks we read said about carrying no white flags. I think so often in society people are so whishy-washy in their beliefs or opinions. But as we learn in the scriptures, we can't "serve two masters". We can not stay on the fence forever. We must take our stance on one side or the other or something will push us off. As a missionary for the Lord Jesus Christ I have taken a stance and I can't be whishy-washy anymore. I know Christ is my Savior and I have accepted the call to declare it to the world. What is your stance? Are you still on the fence? It might be comfortable now, but the winds will come. "Choose ye this day who ye will serve" and stand true to it. Stand strong and "Carry no white flag." Your white flag might be fear, pride, laziness... whatever it is, get rid of it! Burn it! And stay true to what you know.

Have an awesome week. Smile. Keep your head up. 

Love you!

-Sister Biancardi

Huge 5 inch long grasshopper!

A big pot of dumplings - old school style

Tree grapes!

The Gateway to Happiness

Another Crazy week! As predicted...

Monday - POWER CLEANING

Tuesday - normal...

Wednesday - "Train the Trainers" Meeting in JiaYi!!! I was so excited to get to go back there for a day; that's where I started my mission. The meeting was great too. Afterwards I met up with a member and she had lunch with us. Yay!

Thursday - Last time meeting with FuJieMei and JiaXiang as investigators... :O Also we had to go to SanMin (GaoXiong) to sleep over with the sisters there because.....

Friday - We took a 6:15 train up to TaiZhong where we had another meeting and met the trainees. It was super weird being back there doing those things as a trainer instead of trainee; brought back some memories. Met my new companion; Sister Hancock. Yay!

Saturday - FuJieMei and JiaXiang got baptized! Yay! It was a great meeting and she gave a great testimony at the end. Happy time.

Sunday - Stake Conference. For us that meant meet at our church at 8:15 in the morning and carpool (actually they had this big bus) up to our stake center an hour away for the 2 hour conference at 10:00 (Bishop wanted to make sure we had good seats) So it took lots of the day.

About 2 months ago FuJieMei decided she wanted to start learning about this church; her sister in law had been a member for 4 years and she's seen the change in her and she wanted that same change. From the time she started learning she was so willing to do the things we asked (read/pray/come to church/obey God's commandments) because she knew it would help her to follow Christ and to eventually have the most happiness. Her faith overpowered any fear or obstable that got in her way and she's grown so much. Her son started by following his mom's example but has also grown a testimony of his own and has also changed a lot. I love this family and I'm so happy they've chose to follow Christ, I know it will help their family and bless their life.

This is why I'm here. To share this joy and truth with everyone. Not just those who needs some comfort or those who want a religion, but everyone. I'm declaring truth and inviting others to follow Christ. I know this is the only path we can take to find true peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come. So try it out!

Have a good week!

-Sister Biancardi