"The Jump" Taiwan June 10, 2013

Monday June 10, 2013

....Does everyone remember being young and terrified of the high dive? Do you remember, after a lot of coaxing and careful persuasion, finally pulling your shaky little body up to the top of that very high diving board and looking over the cliff at the end? It's at this moment, when you decide you're NOT ready and you're going to climb back down, that your dad or older brother comes up behind you, scoops you up... and you both jump off the end together. Do you remember the SHEER TERROR of that jump?!?! Because I remember, and that is starlingly close to what I felt my first full day in the field. I'm happy to report I've overcome that and am currently walking around with big and wildly curious eyes at everything and everyone -most of whom are staring at me.
 
...sorry, let's backtrack a little.... arriving in Taiwan. President and Sister Day were waiting for us with big smiles as soon as we walked out of baggage claim. They are unbelievable...so kind and hardworking. We are so blessed to be led by them. The Taipei temple square is a beautiful place. Our first night, we arrived at the Mission Office at about 1:30 in the morning. Despite my exhaustion it took a minute to fall asleep. I had a top bunk with a small window looking out at the temple that I looked at for a long time... just thinking.. grateful to be here. I woke up before the sun rose and watched the sky behind the temple spires turn from pale green to warm orange. Later that morning we went for a jog around the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. It's HUGE. The mission often compares it to the Lincoln Memorial. We ran around many of the kindest, oldest, little Asian people you have ever seen. All of them were out with their jumpsuits, smiling toothy grins and slapping their muscles in some form of exercise.
  The next night we went out contacting for the first time. I was assigned to one of the native trainers. I LOVED this night. We sat on the brightly lit steps around the Chiang Kai-Shek area and spoke with many people. My Chinese has never been better and I've never been so thrilled to teach before. People are so kind here. I've already seen so many faces and shared so many experiences I never will forget.
 
Friday we received our assignments!
  I've been assigned to the JiLong district at the North of the Island. It's a bustling harbor with lot's of tourists and...I've been told.. lots of rain. My companion is Miao JieMei. I LOVE her! She JUST finished her 12 weeks of training and is now training herself...aka she's incredible. She is from the South of Taiwan and speaks very very very little English. I must say... our first weekly planning session was one of the craziest, most hysterical and frustrating experiences of my life. Luckily, we laughed a lot. I've started using lots of hand signals and noises when I need to communicate something. PRETTY REAL. I'm so grateful because I'm learning so much. Sister Miao is so very patient with me. There have been times where she probably thought I couldn't tie my shoes for myself, but she continues to be patient and optimistic. Every day we're able to understand one another better. Pray for me to learn Chinese as quickly as possible.
 
The members here are wonderful. Our Bishop is very warm and outgoing. Today, Sister Miao and I had lunch at his restaurant as we discussed our investigators who are preparing for baptism... well actually Miao JieMei discussed it with him but I smiled and nodded the whole time. I'm getting better at the whole... I am very engaged and listening even though I don't understand a word you are saying... mannersisms. On Sunday, a little girl I'd befreinded came and sat next to me, took my hand and said "Wo zhende xihuan ni". This means "I really like you!" This was such a little tender mercy! It is hard not being understood... sometimes really difficult and lonely... but her little sentence gave me such peace. I am beginning to love these people. I love being in their homes, I love teaching about the gospel, I love watching their faces when we teach them pure and simple doctrine they have never heard before.
 
 Many of our investigators like to stare at me. I'm a foreigner... something they consistently mention to me. One of our investigators loves giving me hugs and taking pictures with me to show her friends. Nothing like being an Asian celebrity :)
My Chinese is becoming much better. I'm stunned at the difference after a few days of pure Chinese. My dictionary is my BEST FRIEND.
 
My Chinese is clearest when I teach. I know this is because the Spirit is helping me to explain more clearly than I could on my own. Praying every day, all day, for the gift of tongues!!
 
I love contacting! I love contacting at stoplights, on the bus, at the harbor. Poor Miao JieMei... I'm eager to talk to everyone but I can't understand anything past the first three or four sentences. She always needs to take over while I continue to smile...and nod. Biking is so crazy. I love biking at night, darting in and out of taxies, buses and other scooters. I'm sure if mom saw she would have a heart attack. I am nervous about car doors opening. Sister Day warned us about it, but between the speed of my back and the constant problem of avoiding the taxies and scooters around me, it's impossible to keep track of all the car doors. ....pray I won't be clotheslined?
 
Love you so much!
 
Deng JieMei