Elder Chicken

So. I'm still here! It's still amazing! So funny story. The elders in our district are really creative and when creative elders get bored, weird things happen. Haha. So a while ago, Elder Chicken was born! 

Or Ji Zhang Lao as we call him in Chinese. He's sort of become their mascot and another member of our amazing district. One time us sisters stole him for a couple days, then we put him outside the window in a tree for them to find. It was hilarious, they didn't think it was as hilarious, but they got over it. 

Also they like to have wars on the chalkboard; they each draw a monster-looking thing, fighting the other, and they keep adding fire-breath and razor claws and stuff like that to see who can have the best one. It's kind of weird. Elders are weird. But that's okay, they're great, haha. 

Oh another highlight of the week was when Sister Larson got cupcakes in the mail. They were so pretty, I had to take a picture! She shared them with us and we had a cupcake party on the stairs (because we're not allowed to eat in the classroom) It was pretty great. 

Our favorite part of the week is probably our Sunday temple walk. We get to LEAVE campus, and it always turns out to be a beautiful day. Heavenly Father's looking out for us. We walk up to the temple (just up the road) and walk around, take pictures, this week we brought our scriptures and read a little bit. It's great! So peaceful and happy and relaxing. 

Chinese. So, the Chinese is good. We learn more everyday, even though it still feels like we have a long way to go. And I know the Lord is and will help us in our efforts. As we study and prepare, Heavenly Father sees that and then when we go to teach (Oh! We practice teaching lessons in Chinese. It's a blast. And also scary) the words I need pop into my head and I know it's not me. I've taken plenty of tests when I study more than I had and just can't remember a term. I know God puts the words that I've learned into my head when I need them.

So we go ride stationary bikes for gym and they have different church videos playing for us to watch. One of them was this Mormon message about fathers and Heavenly Fathers. I had seen it before, and I just love it. It really helps me to just begin to comprehend the relationship we have with God. He truly is our Father and He wants us to be happy, He wants us to succeed. With our human brains on this mortal planet we're like 3 year olds, not fully comprehending all of what our Father asks of us. But if we trust Him, and have faith and keep the rules that He's set, He will keep us safe.

I've also realized the key to relationships I want to share with all of you. Selfless service. True charity and love. This has helped me in my relationship with my companions. It can help you with your parents, siblings, girlfriend, husband, the bus driver, that random person on the street... If we have charity and strive to serve others before our self, our lives will be so much better!

Well I love you all! 

Be good to yourself! 

Be safe! 

Talk to you next week!

                  -Sister Biancardi

"Experienced" Missionaries

Companionship Unity

With two weeks down we've become some of the more experienced missionaries. All the missionaries who don't learn a language only stay for like 12 days, so we've already been here longer than most. We give people directions, know how everything works, know all the food in the cafeteria. We've got this MTC thing down pat.

So Life in the MTC: We wake up at 6:30, exercise, get ready, eat, and then we go to the classroom (where we pretty much live). We have personal scripture study time, and then we have time to share what we've learned with others. Then some time for language study. After lunch we have a teacher and we learn language, scriptures, missionary life, the whole deal. And after dinner we have a different teacher and learn and discuss more of the same type of things.

It seems like so much learning and sitting and the same thing over and over. But you soon realize how much there is to learn, and how often we have to be reminded of things. There's been so many times in my studies that I'm reminded of a concept or realize something in a new light. Personal study time strengthens my faith everyday, and I need it everyday. As humans we tend to forget things, especially important things. I've learned to write things down and read things over and over. In the Book of Mormon, in Mosiah 4:27 (look it up on lds.org) it reminds me that everything has an order, and I can't expect to know Chinese before going through the steps to get there. 

I love the MTC! And I love and miss all of you! I hope you have a wonderful week!

-Sister Biancardi

PS I just realized this sounds like missionaries have no fun. Wrong! I have had SO MUCH fun while I've been here! I've gotten to know my companions and my district and we have a great time laughing with each other. Mostly at ourselves, but it's great :)

Hello World!

Well, I'm here! In Provo! The MTC is really amazing. Pretty much we study all day with meals in between. But we learn so much! And everyday feels like it's 50 hours long, but the week feels like 10 minutes.

23 POUNDS OF BOOKS!

There are 3 girls and 4 boys in my class, we study Chinese and scriptures and bounce ideas off each other.

OUR DISTRICT

My teacher, Ge lao shi, is so amazing! He's inspiring, and effective and very personable. As missionaries we have companions, who we stay with all the time. I'm lucky enough to have 2 companions and they are amazing! We get along really well.

Funny story. On Sunday, we got to go on a walk to the temple and we were taking pictures and decided to get one with the reflecting pond that's there. I'm still not really sure how it happened... but somehow I slipped and got soaked as my foot fell in the pond. It took 2 days for my shoe to dry, haha. So that was exciting!

But I have absolutely loved this week. It has been amazing. And I know that I'm doing the right thing by going on a mission. I've learned more about myself, about Chinese, about Christ, and about love than any other time in my life. And I know it will just get better!

I love you all! And appreciate your letters/prayers. Stay strong and remember that God is on your side.

-Sister Biancardi

The Adventure Awaits!

I was called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Taiwan Taichung mission. This means that I have dedicated 18 months of my life to the Lord, by serving others and helping them come to know Christ. Next week I will literally be set apart for this purpose and that time will be consecrated as His. I am honored to have this calling, and excited for the opportunities that await me.

I know that we have a Father in Heaven who loves us and knows us. He has a plan for each of us, where we can find refuge and have joy. I want to tell others of this plan so that they can find the same joy and feel that same love from our Father.

In eight days I'll be on a plane to the Missionary Training Center, where I'll study the scriptures, prepare to teach, and learn Mandarin. Nine weeks later I'll be on my way to Taiwan. I couldn't be more excited to serve and teach and meet new people!