Christ is the reason- November 17, 2014

So not gonna lie, this past week was probably one of the roughest weeks of my mission. Just a lot of things tested my faith this week. 

One being: we have an investigator who was supposed to get baptized next Saturday. We spent the majority of this past week getting her ready: teaching her the rest of the lessons, took her to Yi Lan for a stake activity, she passed her baptismal interview and everything. Last night after a lesson our investigator called us crying telling us that her parents were arguing. Apparently her father extremely opposes her getting baptized. We went over to her house to talk to the mom. When we got there our 11-year-old investigator was sitting on the doorstep in the rain crying. I've never felt more discouraged in my life.

I got super sad last night because...I guess stuff like this has just been happening for the past 2 months. Baptisms getting so close but falling through last minute, no one willing to set up with us, people not keeping commitments. And we've been working super hard, non stop. I’ve never worked harder in my mission. I guess last night was kind of the final straw for me. I told Sister Wu I felt like my faith was dwindling. 

God answered my desperate prayers through my companion, Sister Wu. After I told her what was going through my mind she just looked at me and...I don’t even know how to explain it but then she just said everything I needed to hear. She spoke with the Spirit. She reminded me that no effort is wasted out here. Even though our investigator wouldn't get baptized anytime soon, she reminded me of all the good we've done for her. We helped her meet people in the ward, we did service for her mom, we helped her know how to pray (which she does every day now). She reminded me that were here to do what Christ would do. That's all this mission is about. She asked, "Do you feel that you help people the way Christ would?" I said, "Yes." "Then your efforts are not wasted."

I love my companion. I love that God answers our prayers through others. Despite my doubts and my feelings of distress, I know that this church is true. I know that I am not wasting time out here. I know that faith is the power. Love is the motive. The spirit is the key. And Christ most certainly is the reason. 

 

Outing to the Museum!

Love,
Sister Tracy

You Never Know How Much Good You Do- November 10, 2014

So this past week was super busy. Went on 3 back-to-back exchanges. But it was super good too. I'm slowly learning more and more throughout the mission that I like being busy (if it’s for the right reasons.) Also I got the chance to work with some incredible sisters. It's weird to think that I'm one of the older missionaries in this mission now.

This past Saturday I was feeling super down. I made a few goals earlier last week and basically I just really worked hard this week. I talked to literally everyone, made a super conscious effort to be exactly obedient, kept mission invites, worked diligently, and there just wasn’t a lot of progress going on with our investigators, RCs, LAs, the ward vision or anything really pertaining to missionary work. People were rejecting us more than usual. People cancelled on us last minute. For a few days I felt a bit of doubt about the promises in Preach My Gospel or from the prophets or cousel of our leaders. Basically I just felt like my efforts were being wasted. 

Saturday night I got on my knees and said a prayer, "Heavenly Father...just please help me feel better."

The following day we were sitting in Relief Society at church and a leader showed us this video called "You Never Know" Watch it right now!

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2014-00-008-you-never-know?lang=eng 

I was asked to translate the dialogue into Chinese for everyone but I completely failed because I got super emotional and basically cried the whole video haha. This message was an answer to my prayer. We never know how much good we really do. Heavenly Father reminded me of a really important principle yesterday...eternal perspective. I was reminded that none of my efforts are wasted. This is GOD's work. Service will never lead to failure. We don’t always see the fruits of our labors...but we need to trust that they are there. 

Proverbs 3: 5-6

·        Old Testament

5¶ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart ; and lean not unto thine own understanding . 

6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths . 

Don’t forget that you never know how much good you do. So don’t ever hesitate to serve others. 

 

This was me on my very first day in the MTC.  WOW!  I had no idea what my mission would be like.

Love,

Sister Tracy

Happy Halloween! November 3, 2014

This week was good! Lol i feel like I just emailed you all since my pday was last Wednesday. 

Sister Wu and I last Wednesday at the Temple

I’m going to keep this email short because I've got some other stuff I gotta do today BUT I can share a quick miracle:

An RC from a past area came and visited me recently. By the time I left this area my companion and I had taught all of the lessons to her and had invited her to baptism multiple times. She always refused. To my surprise, shortly after I left the area I got an email from a member saying "She got baptized this week!" and attached a picture of my RC. I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy! Well when she visited me last week I asked her, "What happened? Why did you decided to be baptized?" She told me that she would email me the story. I thought I would share it with you all (p.s. She typed this in english. Her English is awesome)

Dear Sister Tracy,

nice to see you in Xindian last Sunday! I was so happy to have this chance!

You asked me why I finally joined the church. Well, I have to admit, it is not because our church is the only true church, nor we have the living prophet (so I still confuse about why I can pass the interview……) It is due to the holy spirit. It worked on me.

All began with the Alma 32:27-42. It is said that we should try to plant our faith in our heart and to cultivate it carefully. And the first thing we need to do is action, just like doing a experiment. So as I did. I read the scriptures (Bible and BoM) and prayed everyday, and step by step, I felt something started to change inside my soul, but I didn’t know what have changed.

The more I did (readthe scriptures and pray), the more desire I had. I became more and more eager for getting closer and closer to Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. I realized I should do something. But I still struggled and resisted it. I didn’t know why. When Sister Zippro asked me to set my baptism date and interview date, I refused, and told her I need to consider it well. I went home and pray for it. I was so surprised that God comforted me and eased my misgivings. So I set the dates one week later. But when I passed the baptism interview, I still refused it. I didn’t give the paper to sisters till the next day. It was Gu dixiong encouraged me to make the decision. No kidding, when I told my parents that I will have a baptism soon, I even hoped that they could refused it, and commanded me do not meet the sisters anymore. But unfortunately it didn’t happen. I was so shocked because I knew that my parents didn’t like me to go to the church and insisted in our traditional religion. Even the day before the baptism day, Sister Miller asked me the feeling, I told her ”I don’t know. I feel so strange and so uneasy. I doubt that I made a right decision.” She suggested me that I should try to put myself in God, let him help me to get out of this feeling. So as I did, and then received the baptism next day.

It was 按手禮 (sorry I don’t know this term in English) which ended the strange feeling. I knew that I’m belong to Jesus Christ after the rituals. It gives me strength and helps me to overcome the problems what I meet in the reality or in the spirutual life. Although I still meet the challenges now, I know everything will be fine if we keep laying our faith on him. He came, preached the gospel, and then crucified in order to set us free from the sin and to be free in the truth. I know this is true.

Hope this helps!!

I LOVE YOU TONS!!

All I really have to add is that I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW if anyone wants to find truth it is through daily reading and praying and pondering. I know God will answer His children. I've seen it in the lives of others and in my own. 

I ran into my first companion from the MTC!

Love you all!

Oh and happy halloween!

(I completely forgot about Halloween :( )

Love Sis Tracy

The work goes on!- October 28, 2014

Hello!

So stoked for today....one year later and I finally get the opportunity to go the temple!!!!!!!!!!!! The temple is the best place in the world. Everyone needs to go. Go today if you can. If you can’t go today, make time. Do what you need to do to go. If you don’t know what you need to do in order to go...talk to your bishop or the missionaries. EVERYONE, whether you are a member or not, NEEDS TO GO. 

Anyways, aside from that...this past week was good and this next week is going to be super busy. A few highlights…

Members from my first area (JiLong) came and surprise visited me on Sunday!

(the woman is my recent convert)

We had a super awesome experience with one of our investigators. She has an issue with a commandment and Sister Wu and I were a little nervous about teaching her this lesson. We felt like it was a "make it or break it" type of lesson. We knew after she heard this news she'd probably have two choices: 1. Have faith and keep the commandment 2. Quit and stop meeting with us. So we did A LOT of prep for this lesson. We met with a member beforehand and invited her to help us teach her. We prayed A LOT. We planned a lot of scriptures and back up plans. When we went into the lesson all I can really say was that the Spirit was the strongest I have ever felt. After we taught the commandment, it was clear that she would have to make a lot of life changes...She felt distraught and we all decided to get on our knees and pray. An immediate comfort filled the room. I know it was the Holy Ghost. After the prayer our investigator said, "Okay, I can do this." What a superstar! What an example of faith! It is going to be the happiest day of my life when she gets baptized! I’ve seen her life change right before my face. A life of someone who didn't know God compared to a life of someone who does know God is a very different thing. 

It's officially the start of my last full transfer now but I'm not going to let that get to me. There is still a lot of work to do. And even after the mission there will still be missionary work that needs to be done. Nothing is going to phase me, or this work.

My District

A trip to the meat and fish market!  

The work goes on!

Love Sister Tracy

Prayer- October 20, 2014

After an experience this past week, "hastening the work" has become more important to me than ever before.

After English class last week we set up with this exchange student from Mainland China. She's 20 years old, SUPER smart, and super duper awesome. We met with her last Saturday and had a really great lesson. The spirit was there. She said that she didn't believe in God but that she hoped He existed. We boldly invited her to read the Book of Mormon and pray and ask God for herself. She was super emotional and felt the spirit and even set a baptismal date for next month. 

Literally 15 minutes after the lesson we get a call from her. She told us that she asked her parents if she could continuing meeting with us and they told her absolutely not. They told her "our family does not believe in God." They told her to throw away the Book of Mormon,  never talk to us again, and that she absolutely could not be baptized. What got me the most though was when she told us, "And they told me I am not allowed to pray."

I don’t know what happened exactly but something in me just snapped. I was sooooo mad. No one has the right to tell her she's not allowed to pray to Heavenly Father. I grabbed the phone and I basically just bore testimony that there is a God and that she should feel free to pray whenever she wants. I hope it made a difference.

We can’t control others; everyone has the right to choose, a God given gift is our agency. But I just think about all the times I ever felt like I needed help: when I was a kid and I was scared when I got lost at the grocery store, in middle school when I felt discouraged from being teased, in high school when I was about to take my drivers test, the few minutes before the Rose Parade when I was nervous out of my mind, in college when I was about to take a test, or every day when I talk to complete strangers on the street in a language I’m still trying to learn...I live off of prayer. I cannot live without prayer.

President Day reminded us recently that we need to teach everyone about prayer. We should always invite people to pray. We should always ask if we can pray for them. Prayer opens up a gate for people. They talk to their Heavenly Father and they feel His influence. I’ve seen it! I’ve been out for 16 months now. Prayer is so simple but it works and I know that at any time and any place we can all stop for a second and tell our Heavenly Father whats going on, what we need, and He will be there for us. He is our Father. We are never, ever alone. 

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct theefor good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto theLord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thourisest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. -Alma 37:37

We are never alone. No matter who we are, or where we come from, I know that we really are all God's children. We can always pray. 

Love you all!

Pictures from the ZOO!

Sister Tracy

Don't doubt the Prophet- October 13, 20014

This past week was good! I hope everybody watched General conference and received revelation. I sure know I did!

This week was really awesome. I feel like the Lord is really hearing our prayers and helping us work effectively and find the prepared. Sister Wu and I have made a goal to contact all of our investigators, RCs (recent converts), and LAs (less actives), daily. This is an invitation in Preach My Gospel. Before I thought it was impossible to do...turns out it’s not. We made a chart full of everyone’s names and when we contact them through the call or meeting or text or whatever we check it off. We’ve been able to contact everyone everyday and WE HAVE SEEN MIRACLES. Most of our investigators are considered progressing because they’ve been keeping invitations. RCs are getting ready to go to the temple next week and a lot more LAs have been at church. We should never ever doubt invitations from the prophet. We need to make a plan to follow his counsel, say prayers of faith and do our best. I hope everyone is willing to do this especially after this last week’s general conference. Never doubt the prophet. I know he is a man of God. 

17 But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of thingswhich are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or,rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden thingsshall come to light, and things which are not known shall be madeknown by them, and also things be made known by themwhich otherwise could not be known.

 18 Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, mightwork mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to hisfellow beings.

God loves us so He sent us prophets! This is my simple testimony. I love love love this work more and more every day. :) Dont forget to share the gospel with everyone! There is nothing happier!

Two girls from our ward borrowing my "Hipster" glasses

Sister Wu and I

Love,  Sister Tracy

This stuff is true and works- October 6, 2014

This past week we had the most POWERFUL lesson with an investigator that I have ever had. 

It was with Sister Keh (Ke Shu Yi). She is an investigator who we have been meeting with for a few weeks. Sister Fan and I contacted her during our last week together. She was running on a track and I had the feeling to jump in front of her and say "Stop!" So I did… hahaha. it surprised her so much! We started talking to her and ended up having a lesson and giving her a Book of Mormon. Shes been reading it and praying ever since!

This last week we decided to share the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (faith, repentance, baptism...) We invited her to be baptized (for the 3rd time) She paused and said, "I dont know..." She explained that her father might not be too happy and it would be a big change in lifestyle and she just wasn’t sure. We read 2 Nephi 31 with her and then my companion asked, "Have you asked God about baptism?" Sister Keh said, "No." "We should say a prayer right now. We invite you to ask God what you should do about baptism"

So we all got on our knees and Sister Keh started to pray and right after she asked God tears just started flowing and then she said in her prayer, "Now I know. I know I need to be baptized." After the prayer she set the date for 11/21...her birthday :)

This experience reminded me of a scripture I absolutely love in D&C 9:

 8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I

 Will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. 

Life is all about making decisions. We need to ask our all-knowing Heavenly Father what to do. He wants to help us know what to do...but first, we must ask. He will answer us. I am soooo grateful I was able to personally witness Him answer Sister Keh.

I invite everyone reading this to PRAY and ASK God. He WILL answer you! Ive seen it, I’ve felt it, I know prayer is real and works!

This is my simple testimony.

Love you all!

Sister Tracy

Everyone asks about the food here.  Fried Squid!  (Also ice cream)

p.s. your prayers works! the 35 new missionaries arrived to Taiwan Saturday! The work in Taiwan is going to be BOOMING!

p.p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY COMPANION SISTER WU!!!!!!! SEPTEMBER 30 :)

I cut Sister Wu's hair and she cut mine!  First haircut I've ever done!

p.p.p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER IN LAW TIFFANY!!!!!