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