Angels Among the Rice Fields

Dear Family,  
We had a great week! So many miracles. Wendy was baptized on Saturday. We love her so much. She buys us food... literally every day. Overwhelmed with generosity. Yesterday it was Krispy Kreme doughnuts. If that isn't proof enough that she is heavenly, I don't know what is! I kept watching her open, timid face during the whole baptismal service. Her eyes smiled and she seemed to exude a sense of simple wonder. She investigated the church before but was not able to be baptized because her parents did not agree. She is now 21, and God brought her back... brought her back to join the church. She kept hugging us and smiling... her testimony was powerful. The Brother conducting the service was nervous that she would catch cold with her wet hair (70 degrees outside....?) So she wore a towel draped over her head for the second half of the service. haha. I'm never forgetting that. What a beautiful day! 
  Recently, we've had the unique opportunity to teach many people from mainland China. They are unbelievably prepared. When I think of them, I think about what one of our members recently said (fists pumped!) after leaving one of our lessons: "China is ready!!!" The Chinese people are so ready! One of the people we are teaching is one of the most unique characters I have ever met. We saw her on the street over a week ago and got an impression to speak to her. She is well over six feet and has an elegant style - her lessons are full of the most humble, intelligent, excited questions. She is undoubtedly special. As she bonded with our members and shared her conflict on putting aside the atheist mentality she has kept her entire life, she also told us of her profound desire for happiness... something she has consistently seen in those practicing religion. We can almost see the gears inside her head spinning every time we teach her... she is a deep thinker! On one of the days we taught her, our helping member called just before 10pm. "I just spent 3 hours talking to Sister Shi" she told us in shock. "She has LOTS of questions and is excited to learn more!" We are incredibly excited to see her progress toward her baptismal goal.  Another stunning miracle took place one afternoon. Sister Chao and I had been working hard during contacting but hadn't met with any success. Still hoping for an unexpected miracle, we came back to the chapel to grab something in preparation for another lesson. To our surprise, a couple was waiting in the JinHua chapel lobby. Their thick, unique accents instantly gave them away. "We are from mainland China. We are teaching at the neighboring college and have always been curious about this church. Would you mind telling us more about it?" Sister Chao and I looked at each other with big eyes. As we gave the tour... the woman began telling us about her background. She was from the heart of China and had never had contact with Christianity. However, ever since she was young, she had believed in the existence of a God. "Why are there so many different churches?" She asked innocently. A scripture came to mind. Alma 13:24: 

"For behold, aangels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory".

As I thought about this scripture, the truth of it hit me like a wall of bricks. It is beyond probable logic that a young girl, living in the heart of religion-closed China would have such a tender and persistent belief in God. It defies simple reason, for someone with such a background to have such a profound interest in religion, to even understand that many different Christian churches exist. I believe angels have whispered things to her all of her life... and I believe she is not the only one in mainland China who is being prepared for the gospel. It just makes me so excited!!!!! I love these people so unbelievably much! Angels are literally walking through the rice fields of Asia....
 This week, I've been pondering about my relationship with the scriptures. I've had a number of wonderful experiences on my mission that have inspired me to gain a deep and thorough knowledge of  the scriptures... to keep rediscovering them for myself. The word "feast" that is offered us in 2 Nephi 32 keeps changing as I ever try and seek to dig deeper into those sacred pages. Over the course of my mission, I have grown from an appreciation and great interest in the volumes to a daily hungering during my studies- to continual pondering, soul-searching, asking. There is always a greater level of understanding we can reach in the scriptures. If we want to always dig deeper, all we find is "a reservoir of living water" that never ceases to stun us. As I've read, I keep thinking about 1 Corinthians 2:11-16 that talks about how spiritual things are only learned spiritually. No one can teach them to you, no one can help you understand by describing their experience alone... we only understand spiritual things by the tutorage of the Holy Ghost. More fully realizing this has consistently reminded me of all the things that I still do not know, of all the spiritual truths that I need to work hard to learn. Letting the scriptures sink into our hearts, asking to open our understanding to the connections the Holy Ghost makes for us, truly open up ceilings of possibilities. I'm so exciting for a lifetime of continually working and asking to learn a little more. Love to you all!

Sister Barden from Taiwan - April 21, 2014 

 

Dear Family! 

 

Happy Easter! I loved the photos you sent. Miss you all! 

 

Miracles: This week was unbelievable... We were SO blessed. I don't even know which miracles to begin with. Brother Wu (we shared Ether 12:27 with him last week) invited us to his home to meet his family. As we met his daughter, he shared the story of Alma the Younger and how he was changed because of the prayers of his father.  We had discussed this story with him in a recent lesson. Brother Wu said "His father prayed for him and saved him. I want you to know that your father prays for you". It was such a sweet moment! We also had the chance to meet with his wife and set additional baptismal dates with her and Brother Wu's daughter! They are a beautiful family!! We have also been frequently meeting with a young woman named Wendy Wang to help her prepare for her baptismal date. As we asked her to share her feelings about the lessons we were sharing with her. She surprised us by responding "I just feel so good here. Can I meet with you everyday? Can I keep meeting with you after I get baptized?" She's so ready. Her hunger for the gospel is staggering. We love her so much! We also had a first lesson with a  young family. The father's name is Benson and he has been a Buddhist all his life. They recently had a new baby. As Benson looked sweetly and lovingly at the little boy he held in his arms, he said "I used to not care much about God, but when I held my son for the first time.... that feeling was different". We felt the spirit come as he shared these sweet emotions with us. We then taught them about the Plan of Salvation. The final miracle I want to share this week happened when we were finally able to contact an older LA who we haven't been able to find for months. As we invited her to begin praying again and discussed her feelings from her baptism, she looked down at the ground."I have many, many trials" she said quietly. "My faith has been very poor. I was so very happy to see you come to my home today". As we spoke to her, I felt very strongly that she was suffering and that God loved her very much. I know that us finding her that day was God's way of telling her that she was never, ever forgotten. 

 

Development/Studies: This week, I pondered something beautiful in the Old Testament. In the Book of Joshua, Joshua sends a few spies to enter the city of Jericho. When the spies enter, they are , no doubt "led", to a harlot named Rahab. Rahab hides them in her home. Why would Rahab do such a thing? To be a harlot is not a righteous profession, in fact, it denotes a very serious sin. But, Rahab stuns me with her unbelievable example of faith. She tells the Israelite spies “for the Lord your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath” . She has complete faith in the Lord and recognizes his chosen people. She chooses the Lord's side. Her story is a witness that all people, even those who have committed serious sins have the potential to choose the Lord, that it is never too late. Rahab's mighty faith was known by all, including Joshua, and her goodness saved all her family from destruction. I have taught individuals on my mission who, like Rahab, have committed great errors- but through their remarkable faith, they have overcome them. Sincerity can strike at any moment from anyone, regardless of their background; because this is a gospel of mighty change. Rahab's sin was great, but all of us are imperfect "beggars" as King Benjamin teaches us. I love that the Savior gives us the perspective and capacity to love and see potential in everyone that we meet- to remember that, even in the most dark and saddened life... there may be a soul like Rahab. 

 

Companionship: Sister Chao and I are loving every day. She is such a blessing to me! We laugh hard, pray hard, study hard and keep discussing how we can help our investigators to get into the Book of Mormon, which members can study it with them, etc. 

 

Exchanges  

 

(Sister Chen) Xinzhu:    As we worked together we saw many miracles on the street. We had an impression to talk to one particular young woman as she crossed the street on her bicycle. She pulled over on the other side and told us in broken English that she was from Korea. We also learned that she was a Christian. Her face was full of light. As we prayed with her and Sister Chen used her simple English to teach the Restoration, I felt the most powerful spirit. She was from Korea, Sister Chen was from Taiwan, and I was American.... yet we were all talking about the same gospel, our same elder brother. It was so touching... I was here with my sisters... there was no difference between us. As Sister Chen spoke, I felt the spirit come... sweet, powerful, and warm. The Korean Sister felt it too. We wrote down her email so the church can contact her in Korea. Beautiful. Sister Chen's goals are: 1. Be a happy missionary 2. Study about the Atonement/ Fall/ Agency to have convincing power 3. Recognize the spirit 4. Love Herself! 

 

(Sister Gagon) Xinan:   Sister Gagon and I had a memorable exchange. She is continually striving to improve in every aspect of her work... grateful for every opportunity to grow and learn. Her Chinese is incredible. I was inspired by her diligence with the language! We experienced an unreal miracle as we were finding. We were praying to know where to go and both of us were following our feelings down a side street. Before long, we ran into a mother walking with her two little children. As we began speaking with her, we discovered she had played in the area of the temple when she was a little girl. She was also recently divorced. We asked if we could come into her home to share a message and she agreed. As we sat in their little home, opening the scriptures to talk about the state of the people of Nephi after the coming of Christ, her face opened. She agreed to a return appointment. The next Sunday she attended Stake Conference with her little children. A family! We felt so guided by the Spirit. 

 

Love you so much! Have a wonderful day! 

 

Love, 

Sister Barden 

RE:  Sister Barden from Taiwan - April 14, 2014 

 

Dear Family, 

 

This week was wonderful! Every day had countless beautiful experiences where the Lord guided our work. We had the opportunity to meet a new, young investigator for the first time. Her name is gao Jenny and she was bubbling with 15 year old excitement to learn about the Church. She said that she had completed a school project on the church and was curious to learn more. As we began to teach her about baptism and the restoration, we asked her if she desired the blessings of baptism. "When?" She responded simply. Sister Chao and I looked at each other in surprise. "When... can you be baptized?" We asked hoping that was her intention. "Yes, when can I be baptized?" She asked with a smile. When we gave her the Book of Mormon she clutched it in her hands. "I'll start reading. I don't know if I'll understand but I'm going to start". Her simple faith and hope are remarkable to us. This week, we continued teaching a young seventeen year old named Wang Christine. She is shy and intelligent, with good questions and a warm smile. She listens intently in all our lessons and has been making great progress toward her baptismal date. As we began her lesson this weekend, we asked her if she had been continuing to read the Book of Mormon. She smiled quietly, "I've been reading only a little". She then proceeded to share everything she had learned as she just completed all of 1 Nephi. She is reading so diligently and pondering what she reads! The Book of Mormon is truly a powerful book. We then taught her about the Word of Wisdom and invited her to keep it. "Oh I tried to stop drinking tea last week when my friend (member) told me about this standard. I'm going to keep it!" In her prayer she thanked God that the sister missionaries were helping her to prepare for baptism and know her Father in heaven. Our hearts felt so warm as she spoke. She is truly a pure and innocent soul. We also had 5 investigators attend General Conference this Sunday!!!! Feeling very blessed! 

 

I learned so many wonderful lessons this week. Conference was incredible. There were so many inspiring talks. One in particular made me ponder about a few questions that are important to me. It was Elder Scott's Talk about Examples. He taught us about Christ-like principles of example setting with love. I was particularly struck by his remark that we should seek to share instruction and inspiration in a way that will make others want to be strengthened spiritually on their own. It gave me an increased desire to study the example of the Savior to better understand how to encourage and invite improvement by instilling the desire in another. We all have the potential to become more Christ-like teachers and guide others to discover the truth for themselves- to empower them. I also pondered his statement "when others feel trusted, they can do amazing things". I hope to help others see more potential in themselves. After his talk I had a renewed desire to diligently study the patterns of the 'Master Teacher’.

 

Companionship: Sister Chao is such a wonderful companion. She serves me and laughs with me every day. She is a great example of humility and diligence. We had a blast this week and worked so hard. It feels as if God is giving us precious miracles every day. I am learning many things from her example of kindness and fire for the work. She is such a blessing to me - we are loving every busy, wonderful week!! 

 

Love you all, have a Happy Easter! 

Sister Barden

 

PS: went on Exchanges with Sister Tracy this week. Such an amazing experience :) 

 

 

 

From: Sister Barden in Taiwan - April 7, 2014

Hello Dear Family!

    It sounds as if Conference was incredible! We can't wait for this weekend. SIster Chao and I already have plans to buy Conference "Cinnamon rolls" at a bakery near our apartment. Couldn't be more excited.

    We had an unbelievable week! I could fill pages with all the miracles we saw over the past few days but I'll only share a few. One evening, we had a first lesson set up with a kind father. We sat outside in a park and began talking to him about his life, about his feelings toward God. As we talked, a scripture reference came very clearly to mind and we immediately opened to Ether 12:27 about weaknesses becoming strong. As we finished reading the scripture together, this father looked right at us with complete surprise in his face. "God has given me an answer through you. I have been proud at work because my English is better that my coworkers...I've been realizing this is one of my great weaknesses". He had never mentioned anything about his concerns toward his job before this moment. As we set a baptismal date with him during the lesson, Sister Chao and I just looked at each other in surprise and gratitude. The spirit is such an incredible teacher. We had another stunning miracle as we walked home from contacting one night. We were walking near Yong Kang Jie and saw some small streets filled with apartment buildings. Sister Chao spotted one door to a stairwell that was open - this is rare - and we decided to do some quick knocking. When we knocked at the second door, a small, young boy shyly opened the door. As we explained our purpose, he told us that we should come back when his little sister was home because she was a Christian. Just that very minute, his mother and little sister walked up the stairs. We began talking to them and the mother began encouraging her daughter to go to church with us. "She hasn't been to church in a long time" she explained. As we asked this little girl about her faith, she told us that a teacher had taken her to church when she was younger but she had never gotten baptized. "I believe". She told us. We offered to say a prayer and asked her what special blessings we could pray for. This little girl began to cry and tell us that someone at her school was bullying her. "I just hope one day we can be friends" she said sweetly. We prayed with her and hugged her, promising her that God knew who she was and that everything would be alright. She is our new investigator - God led us right to her. A final miracle took place at church on Sunday. We were calling and looking for some investigators before sacrament meeting when an unfamiliar face approached us. "Hello, I'm a member from another ward" she told us. "This is my friend. She would like to start coming to church every week and learning about your church. Would you mind taking care of her?" We were stunned. This sweet woman lives very close to the church. She has agreed to learn about Christianity because she can't feel peace about her husband's death. We are incredibly excited to teach her. This was an unbelievable week!

    This week, I specifically read and pondered about the Spirit. I've been pondering about Spiritual growth and how, sometimes, investigators and missionaries alike have trouble identifying whether they are spiritually developing, identifying whether or not they are truly feeling the spirit. I studied PMG chapter 4 and a talk by Elder Packer titled "The Candle of the Lord". One of the principles Elder Packer clearly explains is that spiritual growth is like a living entity. We can't force its growth, we can only create an environment and help it flourish. I know that I have had times on my mission where I have really wanted to make major growth in my ability to follow the spirit, understand the scriptures, etc. These desires are good, but patience is critical. Persistence is the way that we allow our spirituality to "grow". I was very struck by one particular scripture that Elder Packer shared from 3 Nephi 9:20. It discusses how the  "Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not". They knew it not.... One of our responsibilities is to assist investigators in recognizing that they are feeling the Spirit, that the good, peaceful feelings they experience are a witness that what is being shared with them is true. Further, each missionary has the responsibility to be as "anxiously engaged" in good causes as possible, to be absolutely obedient, to study diligently, to pray for that spiritual growth, and know that it will come... even if we may "know it not" in the present. Every day, I'm so grateful that the Spirit helps us see miracles we could never accomplish on our own. I'm grateful for all the spirit has, and is teaching me every day on the mission. I'm grateful that our, simple acts ... our very best efforts ... are enough to help the spirit reach the hearts of those the Lord would have us teach. I want to always be active in developing spiritual growth.

    Sister Chao is unbelievable! We are having such a blast every day. We are gearing up for our big temple tour training this Wed. All but 10 of the sisters in the mission will be in attendance. We're also off to Hualien to go on exchanges with Sister Edwards! and my trainee Sister Tracy (She's started training herself!) Can't wait :)

Love,
Sister Barden