5/4/16
Hey everyone,
This was kind of an exciting week! Wednesday our Sanbantuan (trio companionship) was dissolved, so now it is just me and Sister Jensen again.

Also, on Thursday an exciting thing happened. It was like 10:00 PM and I was like okay I will go to the bathroom and brush my teeth really quick. So I was chilling in the bathroom and then the fire alarm went off and that was a little crazy! So I left and went to find my roommates and companion (side bit of information: Our room is in the very corner of the building like a little bit separated from the rest of the rooms-right by an emergency exit) and I came upon these huge security doors that had slammed shut right in front of my room! It was a blockade. So I couldn't get to my companion so I left the building with some other girls who were screaming and eventually I found my companion in the mass of people. We were evacuated for like 45 minutes in our pajamas and it was funny. But then we started singing songs and it was actually a pretty spiritual experience! Turns out someone blew up the microwave with their burrito, so it really wasn't that exciting.

Also, my teacher, GeLaoShi left us on Saturday. He got me the closest that I have come to crying while at the MTC! (But still no tears, no worries) He explained the real story behind the investigator he had been playing, HanGeHui. It was an amazing story, one I will not soon forget. He gave us the advice he would have given us in four weeks and inspired us to do great things. He bore his testimony of missionary work and the things that he learned whilst on his mission. Then he said he loved us and we all took pictures and he left us forever. I love GeLaoShi, and will be forever grateful for the things that he has taught me about missions, life, Chinese, and brotherly kindness. Good news, though, our new teacher is also great! His name is LiLaoShi and we are his first district ever. I can tell that he really cares about the gospel and has a sincere desire to help us. And he is subtly funny. I like it when people do that.

All of our lessons this week have gone pretty well! We are really making progress with ZhangWei and she is starting to bring her children to church and become friends with all the members. Our new investigator is HouDiXiong and he is slowly getting warmed up to us. He said that he will bring his wife to our lesson on Friday. We also taught TRC and that was an amazing experience. We taught about member missionary work and how important the members are in this work. An old man cried and told us that we may be one person and small, but we have such potential to make a difference. He prayed that the people in Taiwan will know their importance in helping us and that our work will be successful. He is a very nice man!

On Sunday we legit had 7 hours of meetings so that was a new experience! But we definitely learned a lot from them. Sister Jensen and I have been called as the Sister Training Leaders, I think that this is going to be a really good experience that teaches me a lot! Hopefully I can benefit others as well. We also got to watch Meet the Mormons on Sunday and it was really great to watch it while on a mission. Especially the missionary mom segment. I love my mom! And my whole family, you guys are the best!

Bonnie L Oscarson came and spoke yesterday and told us a lot of stories about her family's missions and what she hopes we know while we serve. I enjoyed listening to her, my favorite part was when she talked about how if we try our absolute hardest the Heavenly hosts will acknowledge that and try their very best along with us. I know this is true, that when we try our hardest to do the Lord's will, the people on the other side of the veil will exert their best effort to assist us, whatever we may need.

I have been here for 5 weeks, and I have four left to learn from and make the most of. It's hard to believe it has been 35 days already here!

Overall, this week has been a large learning experience. I have learned that the Lord puts people in our lives for a reason, that we have so much to learn from them, no matter the length of time that they are there. I have learned that in order to be successful in this work, I need to learn to love as the Savior loves and let that always be my driving force. I have learned that sometimes the spirit speaks so softly and we have to have a quiet heart in order to hear it. I have learned that we must consecrate every single talent, time, blessing, and effort that we have to the Lord and his gospel. I have learned that there is a big difference between 99% obedience and 100% obedience: At 99% we receive blessings, at 100% we witness miracles. This week has shown me the importance of being in tune with my purpose and the Lord so that I am in a place that the Lord can use me as an instrument to bring his children, my brothers and sisters, into the fold. I love, love, love this work and this gospel. I know that the Book of Mormon is our foundation for belief and that if it's true- and I know that it is- then everything else is. There is no reason to doubt. Never let fear become a parasite. I love you all so much. Have big faith.

Hayley, Sister DeWitt, DaiJieMei

P.S. I know this has been long, but I want to share something GeLaoShi told us before he left. He said that in this work, it is always the last _____. The last minute, door, person. He said that he could be going all day without a single success and it's time to go to dinner, but there are three doors left. They would decide to finish the hallway and this is where they find their golden investigator. He testified that these things are a test of our faith, God sees us working hard all day and then at the last possible moment rewards us. I know that this is true for missionary work, and life. It may be the last possible moment where we cannot go on any longer, but the Lord will come to our rescue and produce miracles. I love you all!

Pictures:

1- We can fit a lot of us on one bed.

2- My zone and brand president

3- My companions and roommates

4- GeLaoShi leaving