Sister Barden from Taiwan - June 1, 2014

 

Dear Family, 

 

 Happy almost birthday Dad! If it makes you feel any better, I can't tell you've aged at all from your pictures! Keep up the good work ;) 

 

 Saw so many miracles this week... but I wanted to share something different today. 

     I've been thinking about the role of a teacher for the past few weeks.... about how God wants us to balance the paradox of being a teacher and a learner throughout our lives. Recently, I've been pondering about the mentors who have influenced my life and how... at previous times... I was probably not even aware they were impacting me. Their good examples and faith in me have carried me through many challenges and important learning moments. God's greatest work is to bring to pass the eternal life of man by helping us learn heaven - to learn of His nature. Thus, everything He does is inspired by His desire to teach us. Before my mission, I never understood the importance of a teacher's role. Now, I better realize that a mentor has an amazing capacity to empower and inspire in remarkable ways. A teacher has an ability to open another's eyes to a belief and hope of what he/she may become. We get great hope and stamina from feeling  our mentor's belief in our potential. Thus, faith in others gives them staying power and desire that carries them through challenges. Words of encouragement or trust will come back when they face difficulties. To express belief in someone and invite them to be better is to ignite a fire within them. What an incredible gift! Recognizing the role of incredible mentors in my life gives me gratitude and fills me with a desire to be someone else's cheerleader... another individual's teacher.

 

    The mission gives us so many opportunities to acknowledge others, to seek to understand them, empower them, give them fertile and safe trust to feel stable and foster development. We have true charity as we want others to achieve their full potential- and believe they can!- from the bottom of our hearts. They will feel it and never forget it. The mission is teaching me that -if I never stop looking for opportunities- I can be a constant learner, and....maybe... another's empowering teacher. 

LOVE THIS MISSION! 

 

     Also... Sister Chao is so amazing. I don't think I take sufficient time each week to talk about how much I love my companion! She keeps things light, she loves the work... we're always working hard in every moment. Sister Chao is a good listener and LOVES to eat all the best food Taiwan has to offer! She is very obedient and very capable, real and always ready to smile. SHE IS INCREDIBLE. 

 

     Learned how to hold an umbrella while a bike during an exchange this week.... I think I've officially hit Asian status!! 

 

Lots of Love, 

Sister Barden