Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Find A Special Gift for Christ -
Family! I love you all so much! Can't wait to talk to you. Thank you for all your efforts to make things special in the mission field and for all your love and support. It really made the difference this week for me and my companion. I finally had time to put up the door Christmas tree. It was more than wonderful and makes me smile every time I see it. I think it is the best Christmas tree I have ever had. Everytime I see it it is a wonderful reminder of Christ and of all the loved ones at home supporting me and all the other missionaries.
I am a tiny bit sad because we still don't have speakers for my CD player so we haven't got to enjoy the CDs but it's ok... I will still listen to the Christmas ones after Christmas. Taiwan really doesn't celebrate it much.. even my companion. Her family doesn't really... I think it is so easy to lose the real meaning of Christmas. They compare it to Chinese New Years, but there is really nothing that can compare to Christmas. I know it is because the spirit is so strong during this holiday as we celebrate Christ's birth.
We had a zone conference, a Christmas activity in my ward, and caroling in my ward. All of these activities were so focused on Christ People don't even really know about Santa, but the connector between cultures is Christ. No matter who celebrates what we can all honor Christ and His wonderful birth. It really helped me have so much peace and joy this Christmas season. This Christmas I am so happy to be showing the lord that I really am giving Him the best gift I could. I am giving Him my hands, my will, and my heart. I am a tool in His hands everyday. This isn't something that we can just do on missions though. I would encourage everyone (if they haven't already) Find a special gift you can give to Christ. I know for me there were many things I loved that I gave up to be here. What are you willing to give up for Christ?
This week my companion and I played a game with some members. She had pictures of different things like water, food, scriptures, clothes, electronics, family, etc. She would lay down two and they had to choose what was more important. They were usually always left with family. Then she would put down a picture of the savior. It was interesting to see what people would choose. Many chose their family. I can testify, just as my companion did that all those things are important, but Christ is most important. If we choose Him we cannot go wrong. He gave us all those things. The great thing is that if we choose Him he is more able to bless us with all the other things. I know I have seen that since being on a mission. In a very realistic sense I chose my savior above all else. I feel so blessed and I know you have all seen many blessings in your lives that I think are a direct result of our service. The lord loves all of His children and I am grateful I can share just a bit of that love with everyone else. My goal is to be able to share a bit of the saviors love with the Taiwanese people because I will be like Him. I hope we can all work towards this goal! Merry Christmas everyone. My heart is with you today and while you are spending time in all the fun of Christmas remember your missionaries all over the world. This Christmas I will be teaching two different families about the savior, I will be contacting and tracting to teach people how to pray, what the Book of Mormon means in my life. This is the best Christmas I could every ask for! What greater gift could we give than the gospel that so blesses all our families! Jia you :) wo ai nimen!!!
Love,
Sister Gummow
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Arrival in Taipei! Dec 17, 2012
A quick tour of the city! |
New Taipei Missionaries with the Mission President 6 Natives and 6 from the USA |
Sara welcomed by a sister missionary from our neighborhood who had been there since April |
Sorry mom I literally have two minutes left :(
I meant to send the first part earlier today, but my time cut out on the computer... I had to buy another hour. I just wanted to let ya know that though we have an hour now we have to use that time to write our branch pres too, so I don't really have any more time at all and for some reason I had a bunch of email updates from other missionaries. I can't email them back, but anyways I will figure out how to use my hour better next time... My companion and I agreed it was better to send something today then wait a whole week cuz I knew you would be worried. Oh I also wanted to ask you to email before 4pm on Sunday too because I will be getting on email really early in the morning on P-day. If I hadn't got back on I wouldn't have received your emails. We can also set up times to call 12-? our time on the 25th or same time on the 26th. I forwarded the email on that said the times I think. Let me know when you would prefer with the time changes and everything and I will try and work something out with my companion.
Wen Jie mei in front of the Church in her new area |
Her companion, investigator, and some members at a nativity activity. |
Sorry I can't write more... my email time is already over :( but I will definitely have a letter on it's way to you and Matthew too :)
Love,
Sister Gummow
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Last day at the MTC!
Good Morning family!!!
I know it seems weird for me, but I have definitely been up since 6:20 trying to get everything ready to leave, but no worries this early morning 6:30 thing is really not that bad. Doing it everyday makes the mornings pretty easy though the nights are still hard to fall asleep most days. Anyways I don't know if I will be able to email tomorrow, so here is my update for now. We don't leave the salt lake airport until 8:30. We will probably start boarding around 8 so I will try and call you in between 7 and 7:30am too. How does that sound? I hope I can catch some of the kids before school :( If not -we have Christmas! I will ask about the Chinese New Year thing too.
Dad I love you as always and I hope all is well at home. Let me know how everything at work is going!!! I love you and I appreciate all your letters and words of wisdom. I can't wait for the day we can all share mission stories. It makes me realize I wish I would have asked you and grandpa more about your missions! You should try and share that more with Daniel and Bryanna. It is kind of funny what we find interesting and funny, but I can't wait to hear more about them!
Wen Jie Mei (Sara)
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
One more week and Taiwan here I come!
It sings because it has a song.
Chinese Proverb
Hello Family!
Well, I first need to warn you that I don't have much time to write about my week here or in my letter home. Today is our last P-day before we leave, so we are trying to accomplish a lot of things to start preparing us for Taiwan. It is a little scary, but very exciting! We officially got our travel plans and will be leaving Next Tues. Morning at 5am. We have a 3 hour layover in Seattle around 9:45am-12:50pm I will try and give you a call sometime in that 3 hour span. I'm guessing maybe 10:30ish. I'm so excited that I will be able to talk with you! I hope you can work things out so I can talk to a few of you. I may also have time in the morning, but I'm not sure. If I do, it will be around 6 or 6:30 I believe.
So for a quick update on this week. This week was a difficult one. We had two of our elders leave for their missions the past two days. We have all come to think of each other as family, so it was a little sad. I am so excited for them to serve and it makes everything a bit more real for us now too. It was hard for our class though. They were stressed with packing and everyone was a bit unfocused. I definitely tried my hardest, but progression wasn't as great as some weeks have been. I have noticed a cool little shift though. I think in Chinese a lot more often now and when I talk about spiritual things, the Chinese words often comes to my mind first. It is kind of a cool experience. Sometimes it is so strange to me that I am actually speaking Chinese. I am just starting to look into characters though, so I have a very long way to go!
I also decided that the two day goal of SYL(speak your language) wasn't quite great enough, so I am going to personally try and do it tomorrow, Thurs , and Friday and Saturday It is going to be a bit tricky because we have an Thai sister with us a lot and we have to speak to each other in English. BTW you should tell Bobby and his wife to volunteer at TRC! Last week no one showed up to help the new Thai speakers practice so it was a bit sad for them. There are 5 of them right now and I'm sure they would love it! There's is on Saturdays at 3 or 4 o'clock. Also I think the new Japanese speakers may be having their first TRC this week... not positive, but probably. Anyways things are great in the MTC. It is such a cheerful atmosphere here and I can't even believe how much I have grown. I am so happy to be here and to be learning so much.
1 more week and Taiwan here I come!!! ^_^y
Wo ai nimen!!!
Love,
Sister Sara Gummow
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Nov 27, 2012
自助者天助
God will help those who help themselves.
Hey Family!Sorry I didn't have time to write before 2 :( We ended up going to the temple and having lunch so it changed our schedule a bit. Two of our Elders are headed to France and Montreal this week, so we have been trying to spend time with them today on their last P-day in the MTC. It is going to be a sad last week in the MTC with only 4 of us left. We truly have become a little family and I am so glad that I was put in the district I was. I know the Lord definitely has a hand in organizing our districts and I feel so blessed every day.
This week has been great. It seems like ever since we had our little break through we have been planning and teaching so much better. My teachers even made the comment to my leaders how much my language has improved. I can attribute it to none other than the quickening power of the spirit. I have actually physically been able to feel it strengthening me. Remember how my setting apart said that it would be like I had the gift of tongues because I would be able to listen. I have seen that multiple times over the past few weeks. It is a strange sensation, but when there is something I NEED to hear to help them it is almost like there is a tunnel between us. Somehow I understand them perfectly and I know my Chinese is not good enough for that. Especially because they are speaking quickly and expressing feelings of their heart. It has been amazing!
Something else I just started this week is I have designated two SYL days a week where I only speak Chinese all day (unless there is some class thing we need to do in English). My days are on Monday and Thursday. I know I could use some extra help on those days for sure. Yesterday went really well and I helped my whole district SYL more because they will usually respond back to me in Chinese as well. It was a neat experience though I know there is Soooo much more I still need to learn. I can bear my testimony with confidence in Mandarin and that makes a huge difference!
It is so fun to hear about the missionaries there. It's pretty funny Elder Gummow already crashed on his bike... ha ha I am sure he will be fine though. I am so glad he is doing so great already and it sounds like the language is coming! I also said goodbye to Sister Braithwaite this week. That was a little sad, but she's been here for 14 weeks so I must admit I am so excited for her!! She is going to be an amazing missionary. Thank you so much for the Thanksgiving package and tell Sister Boren a huge thank you for the package with the primary stuff in it. I don't know if I mentioned it before, but it was so great! We were all laughing at the pictures and stuff and it truly brightened my week. We have the best ward ever is all I can say! I actually still don't know where Mikayla is going on her mission so pass on the info! ha ha I am so excited for all these girls going on missions. They are going to be soooo great! All of us in the MTC are getting excited for them to come.
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Love,
Wen Jiemei (Sister Sara Gummow)
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
November 20, 2012 Thanksgiving!
A gem is not polished without rubbing,
nor a man perfected without trials.
Chinese Proverb
Dear Family,
Happy Thanksgiving!!! I got to have a wonderful surprise today and ran into Sister Sandstrom. I got to have a nice mom hug from her and it was almost like I was with you all. I love you all so much and I hope your week has been wonderful and your Thanksgiving will be even more wonderful. Just to give a bit of a heads up about Thanksgiving in the MTC we get to have a day full of devotionals, a long long meal time, and service! We are all looking forward to this day. Every Thanksgiving is really special in the MTC because a General Authority comes and speaks to us in the morning. I really feel so privileged to be here this Thanksgiving. I know Elder Gummow will be having a great Thanksgiving as well.
In honor of Thanksgiving I wanted to make sure I have told everyone how much I really do appreciate all their service. I had a neat experience this week that reaffirmed to me the power of prayer. I was struggling a bit the last week to find what was missing in our lessons and how we could help our investigators progress... not to mention the language. I was kind of at a stand still, but on Wednesday I was sitting in class and I remember feeling a strength that filled my whole body. It was a different gift of the spirit than I have ever felt before. I felt like I had the energy, determination, and knowledge to do all the Lord required. I knew that it was because of the prayers in the temple for the missionaries and all the loved ones who have been praying in my behalf. I knew without a doubt that this was a gift of those prayers. Thank you all so much for your support of the missionaries. Oh how we need it! Sometimes we don't even realize how much those prayers carry us throughout the weeks.
I also wanted to thank Mom, Dad, Aimee and Ben, Daniel, and Bryanna for all their support. I know home must be a bit different without two children, but I know the Lord is grateful for our families small sacrifices. I am grateful for all the sacrifice and time you all spend writing letters, putting together packages, and working to make up for us not being around. I have loved every little thing. Mom and Dad it seems like you always know just what to say or send to help me improve and keep progressing. My whole district enjoys mom's treats. They all often thank "mama Gummow" for sending me so many good things for them to share. I LOVE the boots!!! They are adorable. I have had many compliments on them already and they keep me warm :) I am also so grateful for the oils!!! I don't know why, but they really do help me stay healthy and relax to fall asleep. Sometimes my mind does not have time to calm down by 10:30 and they always help. Funny story about the fruit snacks... so our investigator said her kids always get hungry at church so I gave her two of the packages to give them at church... ha ha they loved it and enjoyed church a lot more.
I also have to say a little bit about the miracles that have been happening to Bai Jei Mei and I this week. We were having a hard time teaching in unity, planning was taking forever, and our investigators weren't progressing. We decided we needed to change our focus - just as the *story mom shared with me about focusing on the Savior. Once we put the Savior as the focus of our lessons, not what commitment they wanted to keep or what doctrine to teach. When we were able to say; "How can we help them know their Savior?" How does this commitment help them know Jesus Christ? How does this doctrine teach of Christ?" we saw miracles occur! The spirit in the room as we taught was so strong that our investigators really wanted to receive baptism and know more of Christ. They were excited to meet with us and share their experiences with the spirit, and they were excited to hear our message because they could feel the power of the gospel. Both of our teachers were so impressed that they broke character after to make sure we realized how special these experiences were and to write it down. Bai Jei mei and I were so filled with joy about our investigators progress we could barely contain it. We have received so much inspired revelation as to how best to teach them and what they need to hear. I honestly cannot believe the turn around. We have so much to still learn, but we had such a special experience for being missionaries still at the MTC. We actually saw and felt the power of the spirit changing people's lives! I am so amazed. It gave me a little vision as to what the actual mission field will be like. I understand about the mantel that is placed on missionaries. Many of you may not have the opportunity of seeing this, but missionaries are given so much power! The Lord is truly with us and is our companion. It is an amazing gift! Once we can learn how to have our desires, our companions desires, and the Lords all in one line... there is no stopping missionary work!
Keep up the support and prayers and the missionaries will be fine. The Lord has different lessons for each of us to learn, but He is with us! I know He is protecting each of his missionaries. Even more than that he is protecting all his children. That is why we are out here,- that is why we sacrifice. We are his hands in bringing back His lost sheep. I am so grateful to all those who are trying in any way they can to help His work along. We need all the help we can get!!! Thank you all and here goes another week! Two more to go and then, Taiwan here I come!!! :)
gen Ai,
Wen Jei Mei (Sister Sara Gummow)
* This is the experience I shared that Sara was referring to: This week after my Zumba class, I was talking to my friend, the instructor, who had taken some time off from teaching to train for the St. George marathon. I hadn't seen her for awhile and I asked her how the marathon went. Her reply wasn't the usual. She said that it had been one of the most spiritual moments of her life. She had several injuries prior to the race that were causing her great pain in her lower leg - even when she was not running and she wasn't sure if she would be able to participate in the marathon. The day of the race came and she decided to give it a try. So she took it slow and easy and continued to feel the pain for the first 7 miles. As she began the 8th mile, the sun began to rise. She saw people ahead of her and behind her. She began to be discouraged and wondered if she could finish the race. The thought came into her mind, as the sun peeped over the horizon, that she should just focus on Christ, His light, and forget all the rest. As she began to do that, she noticed how beautiful everything was around her and her soul began to fill with light. The pain began to disappear and she continued to race and was able to pick up the pace as well. She ran the rest of the race with joy and gladness, focusing on Christ, and having deep gratitude for the burdens he has lifted in her life. When she finished the race, she realized the pain had completely gone and has never felt the pain since.
That experience has really touched me and as I have shared it with others, they have related it to their own challenges and realized that that is what they need to do to. Stay focused on Christ and the other problems seem to melt away – they may not always disappear, but the joy and the light of Christ transcends the problems and makes them easier to overcome. I pray that you will not be distracted by the difficulties of learning a language or the sacrifices necessary to serve a mission or personality conflicts. Stay focused on Christ and his power and light and you will be able to rise above all of those challenges!
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Nov 13, 2012
子孙的成就是最大的幸福
If you want happiness for a lifetime –
help the next generation.
Moral: The successes or failures of your children begin with you.
If you want happiness for a lifetime –
help the next generation.
Moral: The successes or failures of your children begin with you.
D&C 68:25-30
Dear Family!!!
This week... Well it has been great! The good news is we aren't alone in our hallway anymore. We got new Mandarin missionaries in last Wednesday. They are still adjusting to missionary life, but I know they are working hard and will all be great missionaries. It has been really awesome for me. I didn't realize how much I truly find joy in serving and helping other people, but this week has been especially great because of this. We have had the opportunity to help them through their first few days and make sure they always know what is going on. It is nice because the things I remember being frustrated with we have helped them to kind of not worry about as much. Another great blessing to me has been our third companion Sister Davies. She is the Stott's cousin which is great and she is the greatest thing in the world. She has been such a light to us this week. She has been going through some crazy health problems since being here, but despite that and having NO other Thai missionaries in the MTC she always lifts others up. She has been a great example to me and helped me reach out to many people I would not have otherwise. We also got to go on another adventure outside the MTC to the doctors office. It was fun to be around some little kids and to talk to people other than missionaries and the branch Presidency.
Saying "Good-bye" to Elder Gummow |
Thank you for all the updates from home. It is great to hear what is going on in everyone's lives and to know people still care. :) I know all the missionaries greatly appreciate it!!! You should see mail time... happiest time of the day :) Anyways to be honest... I have no idea what to write this week. I have had so many amazing experiences this week, but it is not always something I know how to explain. The MTC is a very great time for personal growth. I know I have been feeling that a lot this week. I can see the lord trying to shape me into a better person. I must admit I don't think I have ever been as tired as I was this week. I could definitely use some extra prayers this week for me, my companion, and sister davies. The closer our departure date gets the more I want to study and learn this language. I am going to need some definite help from above if I am to accomplish the lords will with my language and gospel knowledge.
Have a great week and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Wen jei mei (sister Sara Gummow)
Here are some pictures she sent this week -
Before Elder Gummow departed for Taiwan |
Elder and Sister Gummow with neighbor, Sis B. |
Halloween at the MTC (I think) |
Having fun with the glowsticks I sent |
More Glowstick fun! |
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