Dec. 8, 2013 from Taiwan 

Family!
 
We had so many miracles this week! We went and taught the friend of a member as their children played in a park. When we began sharing our message, the mother was very hesitant to listen to us and clearly stated that she came from a very traditional family. She only wanted to better understand her friend's religion. However, as we talked to her, she began to soften. She told us she thought we were very warm. "I feel as if you are my friends" she told us. We left her with a Book of Mormon and she committed to read and pray about a section before our next visit. The spirit is amazing! This Sunday, we were greeting members when a young woman we had never met before came up to us. She told us she had recently moved to Zhubei for work and had come across the Elders. They had told her where and when our church met. She hasn't been to church for many years. Sister Lu and I couldn't help but smile as she took notes during all three meetings. God is so aware of everyone no matter where they are.

 This week, I learned a lot about prayer. Whenever I read PMG's section on 'prayer' and how it brings the spirit, I want to improve my prayers. Something that is especially beautiful is the idea that the spirit will teach us what to pray for. Wow, that's an amazing truth. Oftentimes, we think we know what outcome or help should be given to us at a certain time, and we ask for things that may conflict with what God knows should happen. Prayer is not about God fulfilling our wants, it is about asking God to align our will with His. I want to work on listening after I pray. I also want to ask God better questions in my prayers. Elder McConkie reminds us that "prayers chart a righteous course of conduct", and I want to focus on improving my prayers so I can can chart the course God wants me to!
As we experienced many small miracles this week, I thought about how I need to spend more time identifying the little blessings God gives us every day. I love Elder Bednar's conference talk about "small and significant" blessings and how we need to be grateful enough and aware enough to recognize them. Identifying them makes us grateful, happy, and reminds us of how reliant we are on the Lord. Every lesson on the street, every member willing to drive us to a distant location, every less active who tells us goodbye feeling happy and taken care of... all are small and significant...and beautiful.

We see miracles every day, and the overall result is remarkable. Missionary life is so incredible!

Lu JieMei and I are having so much fun! I love her so much and every day I feel so happy I get to serve with her. We've had a few lessons with LAs and others on the street where we are asked how long we have been serving together. "You seem so close!" They comment. I do feel close to Lu JieMei. Her love and light are so beautiful.
 
Have a wonderful week and stay warm- Minnesota sounds frigid!
 
Love,
Sister Barden