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

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