When You're Happy and You Know It

This week for the Sunday film, we watched the Testaments for the 3rd time (in Chinese, then English, then Chinese again). It was fun to see how much more we could understand than the first time we saw it (which was our very first week here). We still couldn't really understand a lot, but we got more than before! And I just love that movie, in any language it's really powerful.

Yesterday morning, super early, the district that got here 2 weeks before us left for Taiwan. It was a little sad, because we got to know some of them pretty well. But it was mostly just exciting! They all went to the Taipei mission; they'll be our neighbors. So that last day was full of signing books, making candy grams, giving hugs, and trying (failing) to focus on our studies. 

So this week I think I've learned a lot and been reminded of some things that I needed. First, in the devotional last night he was talking about focusing on what you can control. You can control you and your emotions and your obedience and dedication. But we can't control others and they're choices; they have their agency. If we focus on what we can control and not getting upset or angry or annoyed, they only thing it will do is make us happier. We can choose to be happy all the time or we can choose to take offense. This is so much easier said than done, but it's something that I want to work on and I know will make your life and those around you much happier. The second thing kind of goes along with that, which is, we all have trials. We all are struggling, there's not a single person who has a perfect life no matter what we think by looking at them. And by choosing to be happy, to smile, to serve, and to love we can brighten someone else's day. Plus, when we focus on serving others we tend to forget about our own trials and become happier. So pretty much, just be happy :)

An amazing packing job by Taylor and Q.

Oh PS. I wanted to clarify that my building did not burn down last week. Someone just doesn't know how to cook popcorn. That tends to happen a lot. But that's the first time it set off the fire alarm. Haha.

So I hope all of you have a fantabulous week! 

Do something for some else, and choose to be happy.

-Sister Biancardi

Sleepover in the Gym!

Ok, not really. But pretty much. So this one day at about 9:55 (we get home at 9:30 and go to bed at 10:30) we're just having a nice snack before bed, and....the fire alarm goes off. So all these girls start swarming out of their rooms in a mix of pjs, bathrobes, missionary clothes, no shoes, slippers... It was hilarious and awful and awesome at the same time. Each building is huge, so there were tons of girls. So we go outside and are huddling to stay warm and singing to stay sane, then someone came and opened up the gym for us (it was locked) So we sat in the gym and it was really adorable because you could see all the districts/zones together in little circles. It was like a sleepover for a half hour until we could go back to the building. But it was pretty exciting!

Earlier this week we got our Chinese name tags!

(Our tags now have Chinese for the name of the Church but our English name) So that's exciting! But we're not allowed to wear them until we go to Taiwan.

So in the MTC when your learning a language we do something called SYL (Speak your language); we're supposed to speak as much Chinese as we know how in our everyday conversation; it helps us learn it faster. But it's super hard! So we continually make goals to help us do this. This week we made a goal to only speak Chinese on Friday; no English at all. :/ But it actually was super cool! We made it the first half of the day! But it was so hard and exhausting and we kind of gave up the second half of the day. So we're going to try it again throughout the week at different times. It's kind of cool not speaking English.

St Patrick's Day was Monday! It was....pretty much a normal day. Except we got to decorate cookies at dinner! So that was fun. 

We do this thing every week where volunteers come in and we teach them (in Chinese) they're usually members of the Church and we just talk with them. Last week we taught this guy and his 3 little kids; they all spoke Chinese! The kids are in this immersion program at school, how cool is that. And the 12 year old was definitely better than us. Embarrassing. (The little 7 year old was so cute! But I digress...) This week we started skyping real live Chinese people. Which really freaked us out. But we survived. And it was so cool! And she was so nice!

Each Sunday and Tuesday we have a Devotional with the whole campus and a guest speaker comes. This Tuesday's was really good. He talked about the concept of how big and vast the universe is and showed a clip to emphasis that. Then he showed a clip showing how perfect the Earth is, how everything is perfectly situated and organized to function perfectly for us to live here. I did not give these clips justice and I'm sorry. But the point was that God created this world for us. And even though we are nothing; we are a speck in this universe, God loves me enough to make this world. He loves you enough to make this world. And He knows each of us individually and perfectly. It's just amazing! And comforting to know that. I hope you feel of God's love for you, and my love. I know he cares about YOU and your success.

Only a couple more weeks until I'm off to Taiwan! Hopefully we'll get our travel plans in a week or two, I'll let you know!

Thanks for all the support love and prayers!

-Sister Biancardi

A Cat in the Bush

So one day we were walking along and saw a cat in the bushes. A real live cat! It was like the most exciting thing of our day. The most animal life we've seen in a month was a couple ducks that escaped from BYU. I didn't realize how much I missed animals until I was in the bushes for like 10 minutes trying to pet the cat. But it was too scared. It was just so cute!

We're still here! Still alive! Still entertaining ourselves with stupid things. One time we played catch with a loofah on the top bunk of our beds. Another time we played soccer with a cap in the showers; kicking it from stall to stall (under the dividing walls). Yeah we're weird. We also assigned Disney characters to everyone in the district. Oh, this past Sunday we got to say the prayers in Relief Society (a big meeting with all the sisters in the MTC) So we got to sit in front on the stand in the comfy chairs :)

One thing my teacher brought up that I like a lot is the theme of "Remember" There are many places in the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, where they tell people to remember. Remembering is so important! And I've come to realize especially since I've been here, that the only way to remember is to write it down! We think "Oh I'll never forget that, how could I?" but I promise you, you will. Write it down! Write down the fun times, the hard times, the times you grew and times you needed strength. Write down impressions you get and thoughts that come to your mind. Write down feelings you have. It is so important. Even in the seemingly most inconvenient times, a thought will come and I find a pen and any paper I can, and write it down.

Ok, enough preaching. But that's something that I've learned to be true. So stay out of trouble everyone. Don't do anything stupid (Jacob 6:12). And write it down!

Talk to you next week.

-Sister Biancardi

The Epic Story of Ji Zhanglao and Ji Jiemei

Ni hao everyone! This week was packed full of lots of fun (except that we do the same thing every week...so I guess my perspective must have changed). Me and my companions are still getting along so well and grow closer and closer as it goes on. We spent one evening talking about what animal everyone is in the district and another creating Ji Jiemei (Sister Chicken - more to follow). We have so much fun; one night I was laughing so hard, I literally could not inhale for a solid 15 seconds (actually I have no idea how long it was but I'm sure it felt longer than it really was). We've decided that if it's possible to die from laughing, and if anyone ever did, then it would be me. Haha. Each Sunday we get to watch a church film, and this week we watched the Testaments. It is an amazing movie, the Romance is the cheesiest thing ever, which is hilarious especially for us missionaries, but everything else is just amazing.

So here is the epic story of Ji Jiemei and Ji Zhonglao: Once upon a time there were two chickens and they fell in love. But their parents (the Zhanglao and Jiemei - Elders and Sisters) did not approve. After realizing she couldn't be with her true love, Ji Jiemei killed herself, and upon seeing her, Ji Zhanglao died of a broken heart. The End. .... Ok actually, after we made Ji Jiemei the Elders stole her and put her in the bush (like we did to Ji Zhanglao). She got left there over night, and the next morning she was all small. We tried to save her but then she got a hole, so we let her die. Then to get back at the Elders, we killed Ji Zhanglao. We've actually been wanting to do that for a while now; we wanted to get ketchup and make an epic crime scene, but we only had Twizzlers. So yeah. That happened. We have to do something to keep us entertained.... Pretty much we're crazy, but it's great. Also! We get new missionaries today in our zone! (Zone=a group of missionaries who have church together; we're mostly going to Taizhong) I'm so excited!! And we're excited to not be the "newbies" anymore! Even though that ended like our 2nd week. 

So along with all the fun we have and the Chinese we learn (Oh yeah, I'm learning Chinese, haha  My Ching-lish is improving a lot - but that also means my English is declining), we have some amazing spiritual experiences and feel so close to God here. This week in church we had a chance to hear each others testimonies of truth and faith in Christ. It was amazing how we (as 18, 19 and 20 year old kids) lifted each others spirits. I know more and more each day that God loves me, I am His daughter, and He has a plan for me. As I exercise faith and take action, my faith grows.

Something I've thought about lately is how funny and perfect each companionship is. As missionaries we get paired up in companionships for many reasons. But it's so funny as I look around, I see that each companionship was put together for a reason and they just fit. And I think that's true of life in many aspects. God puts people in your path who can help and strengthen you, and some who you can help and strengthen. Always look for what you can learn from each other and how you can be a friend to those around you.

I love the letters and emails and love and prayers! Thank you so much. And have a great week!

-Sister Biancardi

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