A Little Piece of America, Minus the Cheese

Hello World!

Taiwan is still hot. And I'm still here.

But! Last week we went to Subway for lunch. It was the weirdest thing ever, like stepping back into America for a second; exactly the same look and everything. But then they didn't have cheese and I remembered we were in Taiwan. But it was still good! They also have McDonalds here, but it's a lot bigger; two stories, really fancy. McDonalds is like a nice restaurant here, it's kind of funny. The menu is normal except for like corn soup.

This is our church building!

This week we also got to go to a girl's high school English class. It was pretty much like a panel thing and they just asked us questions and stuff. It was pretty fun, haha. Also their schools are huge! They have uniforms and it's all just super cute (like everything in Taiwan).

Taiwan:

1) They drink hot water (even when it's blazing hot out); like when you put a hot pot in cold water it crinkles, they think their stomach will crinkle or something if they drink cold water. Actually I have no idea. But it's a thing.

2) Eating outside is SO convenient and cheap. There are tons of little shops and restaurants everywhere. Besides what America's brought, there really aren't any big chains.

So this week we were so busy! A little too busy. They say to "lose yourself in the work" "forget yourself and go to work" but we've come to the other edge of that cliff. We've literally lost ourselves and forgotten to be people. It's easy to get so caught up in something, that we forget the purpose, or we forget our purpose. And the purpose of missionary work is love. We felt like robots this week, not people. And robots can't love. So I've committed to not be a robot and invite you to do the same. Haha. Be yourself! Be happy, be loving! Be present where you are, but don't forget where you've been or who you are.

Hope that wasn't super weird sounding... Just remember to be you!

Have an awesome week!

-Sister Biancardi

Playgrounds for Old People

Beautiful Taiwan!

Hello from Taiwan!! I'm still here and Chuaning the Jiao (that doesn't really have a translation....um.... Preaching the Gospel! - but it sounds better in Chinese).

I got my first bi-standers experience of a Taiwan Funeral. Outside our window one day all during morning studies we heard the bells and the chanting. It was kind of cool and kind of sad. We just wanted to shout out the window that it wasn't over; there's more to life; you'll see them again! But we didn't...

God has blessed us so much recently, we've had so many people to teach and had really busy fun-filled days of teaching. We have a wide range of investigators of all ages, but one of my favorites right now is our sweet 80 year old lady who wears a wig and big hippie glasses. We also are teaching a part member family and the little 7 year old boy is SO cute!! He is so in tune with the Spirit and is such a good example to his family. Kids have a lot of good in them and they're close to God; don't over look a kid's example or potential to serve and learn.

One thing that's true about being a missionary is that people give you food. All the time! Sometimes it's overwhelming haha. But it's great, people are so nice here in Taiwan. So nice!!!

Taiwan:

1) All they want is their family to have health and happiness

2) They have playgrounds for old people. I mean exercise equipment (but it's pretty much a play ground)

3) A form of exercise among the older men is hitting your stomach. I don't know if it works, maybe you should research it.

4) Men will squat outside their house (like a 3 year old) and smoke.

Taiwan is great.

In the Book of Mormon there is a theme of remembering. I have 3 things I wish myself and others can remember. 1) Remember to be happy now and always 2) Remember to focus on loving others and improving yourself  3) Remember to rely on the Lord in ALL things.

Try to find one way to rely on the Lord a little more this week. Keep on being awesome!

-Sister Biancardi

Roller Coaster in the Rain

At Fancyland!

Hello!!

Today Sister Burr took me on a date to "Fancyland" an amusement park in DouLiu ("Doe Leeoh"). It was super fun! We wore pants cause, I mean, you can imagine if we wore our skirts on those upside down rides... But it was the weirdest thing. As soon as we both got dressed, we just couldn't get over how weird it felt to be wearing pants! So weird!! 

In the Mirror House

The Children's Playroom

Anyways, it was super nice and sunny when we left. Half way through the day we saw the storm clouds rolling in (like literally; it looks so cool!) Thankfully we were done when it hit (literally like all of a sudden pouring and thunder) but we had to run through it down to catch the shuttle back. So we didn't actually ride the roller coasters in the rain, but that would've been sweet!

And the Clouds Roll in!

This week we had District Conference; with all the members from a bunch of places around Jia Yi. Elder Funk from the 70's (a church leader) was there. Sister Burr was startled when he said her name and used us as an analogy; earlier she had to step out for a minute and motioned for me to follow. He related this to us having the gift of the Holy Ghost our constant companion; He goes where we go. We felt sort of embarrassed for being noticed leaving the conference, but how cool!

I've learned a lot this week, at District Conference, Zone Training meeting, and Chuaning the Jiao (Um....preaching the gospel...?). One was about goal setting "The danger is not in setting goals too high and not reaching them, it's in setting them too low and reaching them" We should always be making ourselves stretch and grow, and if we always hit our goals or expectations, maybe we need higher ones. Second, is that it all starts with YOU. Love, conversion, patience, kindness.... it all has to start with you before you can share it. 

I'm learning so much out here, but not because I'm in Taiwan. Because I rely on the spirit as my teacher in all that I do. In learning the gospel, teaching the gospel, living the gospel, learning Chinese, speaking Chinese, talking to strangers, serving someone.... everything is done with the Spirit by my side teaching me. He is my constant companion (my second Companion is Sister Burr; no offense to her). Rely on the Lord in all things and you will succeed! 

Love you all! Take care!

-Sister Biancardi

Arise from the Dust!

Our neighbor brought us Zhong Zi for Dragon Boat Festival!

Every week on Tuesday and Wednesday for a half hour, our district goes to a corner and invites people to English class (at stoplights on their scooters and such). This week we changed the time from when it normally is. Right before we were supposed to go out it started POURING. On our way there, it started thundering. We go and do our half hour, getting soaked through, and as we're coming back, it stops. And it's sunny again. And we're all still soaking wet. I think it was God's way of telling us to keep it at the original time. Haha. But it's actually so much fun in the rain! And I'm loving the thunderstorms here, so exciting!

Yesterday back in Utah my baby nephew was blessed. I didn't get to see his, but in our branch in Taiwan, I got to see the Xu family's baby's blessing. So special, God's tender mercies :)

The food in Taiwan is really amazing! And people love to give us food. The other day in the park we were talking to this lady and she let us (/made us) eat all her pineapple. People are so nice here! But I've gotta say, I've been missing Grandma's homemade spaghetti and meatballs. Yesterday at our potluck Sister Kailiponi (senior missionary) brought spaghetti with homemade sauce! I was so happy, and it was really good. (But not as good as yours grandma!).

I forgot last week! So here's extra Taiwan fun: 

1) No one goes anywhere when it's raining (church, English class, lessons...)

2) Everyone takes afternoon naps, about 1:00 pm

3) They cover their skin in the sun; here whiter skin is "beautiful"

4) Cheese is SO expensive. So we don't eat much cheese...

5) Myth: all Asians are short. This is false. There are tall Asians.

6) Sometimes there are these puppet shows on the street

1020 Chinese Characters - Language:Phase 2  :) 

This week I've had a lot of growth (not vertically obviously...). But I really am starting to understand the Atonement, and "the refiners fire." If we're humble enough (or a companion is loving enough to help you be humbled) the Lord can show you where you can improve and where you can be "perfected in Him". I know that's true. I also know that we can get too down on ourselves, or lose focus, or just be a little lazy. In the beginning of second Nephi, Lehi tells his sons to "arise from the dust" and "be men." I love that, and have taken that as a wake up call when I need it. So if you ever find yourself in the dust of selfishness or laziness, or obliviousness, or halted-progression, "Awake! And arise from the dust".

Love you all! Don't give up! Help a friend!

-Sister Biancardi

Earthquake!!!

Okay, before anybody freaks out (Dad) it was just a tiny baby one, you know like 20 seconds. Some people on ground floor said they didn't even feel it, but we live on the 4th floor so we could feel it a little more; it was cool.

This week we had our English Party (every week we have free English class and every 6 weeks we have a party, cause you know...we're Mormon; we like parties). We did Minute to Win it Games; super fun. Rolling coins into forks, Oreos on our face, moving M&Ms with chopsticks (which is obviously easier for Taiwan people, so they had to use their left hand, haha). It was great.

Yesterday we went to the most expensive, elaborate wedding I've ever seen. Apparently Taiwan is big on weddings. But also it was just crazy; apparently her dad is some big person or something. There were 1000 people there and we had a 10 course meal including shark fin, lobster, and crab. So yeah. Shark fin; check that off the list.

We also had a music fireside/talent show last night. It was great! The missionaries (4 of us) sang "Be Thou My Vision." One Elder is CRAZY at the piano and played a song he wrote. One of our old lady friends from running at the track (we have a lot of those) played her erhu (an instrument with 2 strings). A little 2 year old sang "Love One Another". And most people sang hymns, but Xu DiXiong sang "Let it Go" in TaiYu (Taiwanese), it was so funny. He's our ward mission leader.

We see so many miracles here!! But this week we saw the power of fasting, prayer, and the Book of Mormon with our investigator ChenYueWen. When all three are used in faith, it's powerful. You should try it; think of something you need guidance or help with, tell God, read your scriptures, and fast for it. He will help you!

Love you all!! Have a good week!

-Sister Biancardi

A misplaced key, a broken chain, and broken brakes. Oh my!

Sister Burr and I

Last Monday for my Birthday we went to this Italian restaurant! Well Taiwanese-Italian. It's funny seeing Taiwanese version of foods. But it was really good! And I even tried a snail. Are snails Italian...? I don't even know, but they were baked in tomato sauce and cheese so that makes it Italian right?

One day Sister Blickenstaff (the President's wife) was in the area so she called us up and took us to lunch. That was fun. And random. (Our life: fun and random)

Also! We had our first exchange this week; I went up to Tainan for a day. It was pretty great, so crazy though. And when I got home to Jia Yi, it just got crazier. Got back to find a scooter had fallen on my bike, picked it up, realized I left my little bag with my bike key on the train, found a guy who knew a lock smith, got the lock smith, one problem down. About to leave, realized the scooter had broken my bike. A nice crossing guard came over and fixed it. Then the chain was off, he fixed that. Then we went straight to a baptismal service (30 minutes late, haha). Thankfully they had snacks after, haha. And on the way realized my back brakes didn't work (but don't worry I carefully used my front ones.) Oh also at one point we had weird tiny bugs crawling on us and we don't know where they came from. It was an adventurous evening to say the least. But it was great!

Local park and housing

Taiwan!

1) People wears masks, like over their mouth/nose (I forget if I said that before...)

2) They have super cute fun tape; all sorts of designs

3) There's a 7-11 on like every corner (or a Family Mart; like the same thing)

4) Everyone is so nice and just gives you fruit or food or things all the time

Just having fun

Every week we have a little activity, a family home evening. So Sister Burr and I taught this week and it actually went pretty well. We started off with a game/analogy, then talked about examples in our lives, then about Christ and showed that short "Because of Him" video. It was super cool. I'm definitely getting closer to Christ out here in the mission field and better realizing His role and relationship with me.

I know Heavenly Father wants to help us on this journey we're on. Let Him help. You don't have to do anything alone.

Have an awesome week everyone!

-Sister Biancardi

Birthday Dinner and a Movie

This week was great! Last week for P-day we visited a miao (Buddhist temple) and it was pretty cool to see that. Then we just got mango milk and walked in nature for a while (a baseball field surrounded by trees). And then this morning I got to Skype my family!!!!! All 9 of us were there. It was crazy fun. (And Joseph, Jessica's baby, is still just so cute!!!!).

Making Potstickers

So one day this white guy comes up to me and my companion and is like "Sisters! I want to buy you lunch" It was the funnest thing ever. But turns out he served a mission here like 20 years ago and came back to visit and is going around trying to serve all the missionaries. So he took us and 4 elders out to dinner that night. It was so nice of him! And cool to hear his stories.

Birthday Box from Home

This Sunday was Mother's Day!! And my Birthday, that too. (I'm officially not a teenager :O) It was great; we handed out flowers to the moms and a member surprised me with a birthday cake after church. Then we had dinner at a member's house and it was super fancy. And they made me/let me eat a shrimp the size of mouse. It was frightening looking. Then for a mother's day activity we watched the Emma Smith Movie. It's super good! Great way to end the day.

Birthday Celebration glasses

This week we saw lots of miracles, but one we learned was the miracle of obedience. We both realized we were both just so tired everyday from mission life and we realized we never really went to bed at 10:30 like we're supposed to. It was always 10:40, 10:50, some days even 11:00. We knew it was only a matter of 20 minutes of sleep but decided to try and be exactly obedient, even if it meant changing our nightly routine. The very next day after we decided to start that, we had a new energy and I was less sleepy. The mission was still hard and the Chinese hard to understand, but I know the Lord gave us strength to push forward. Obedience brings blessings! It's true!

Taiwan: ..... I can't think of any; I'm becoming Taiwanese!! I'll get some for next week. Sorry!

Be safe, have fun, remember exact obedience brings blessings!

-Sister Biancardi

PS - I saw this video this week. It was amazing. I think you'll like it.
https://www.lds.org/youth/video/because-of-him?lang=eng