5/11/16
I GOT MY CHINESE NAME TAG.
I GOT MY CHINESE NAME TAG.
Summary (The long version is pretty long):
I have been very blessed this week. I am starting to understand the power of my calling and what I can do with the Lord's help. I have a testimony that the Lord puts people in our lives for however long a time so that we may learn from them. Missionary work has brought me the most happiness and joy that I have seen in my life this far.
I have been very blessed this week. I am starting to understand the power of my calling and what I can do with the Lord's help. I have a testimony that the Lord puts people in our lives for however long a time so that we may learn from them. Missionary work has brought me the most happiness and joy that I have seen in my life this far.
Long Version:
You know those moments that you know without a shadow of doubt that the spirit guided you and you were not alone? I can't even count the amount of times that has happened this week. I have been praying a lot that we will be guided in our lesson topics, and oh how we are. We taught TRC last Saturday, but they told us Friday night at 7 that we were teaching so we were planning as we got ready for bed. And I thought "Hey I think we should teach about the Holy Ghost" and then my comp said, "what if we taught about the Holy Ghost?" and I was like holy cow! Inspiration. So we went the next morning and I felt incredibly unprepared, but we had faith. So we taught out first lesson and it went really well, and then we taught our second lesson and I feel as though I could literally feel the spirit guiding me, picking out memories, principles, thoughts, and experiences. Then on Monday we were planning a new lesson for our first time doing skype TRC. This is where we skype a member in Taiwan and teach them a lesson. I felt like we should teach about the Savior's ministry, miracles, and atonement. As we got onto the skype call we met Zhou JieMei, a Taiwanese college student. We asked her for two words to describe her life. She said 'Really Lucky'. I asked why, and she said that she has a sickness and has spent a lot of time in the hospital, but she knows that the Savior has blessed and helped her. This was right before we were going to talk about the Savior's healing power. As she said these things and we talked about His miracles, my testimony grew that the Lord knows what His children need to hear and He will guide me so that each time I teach I may invite them to come closer to Him. Zhou JieMei loved this and I feel like we really connected with her. I was surprised at the immense love that I felt for her. From the start, I knew that I loved her and by the end I couldn't stop smiling because I felt the Lord's love for her. I already love the people of Taiwan, and know that as I am called to serve them, God will help me know what they need. (Also, she lives in Taipei, so hopefully we can meet her)
You know those moments that you know without a shadow of doubt that the spirit guided you and you were not alone? I can't even count the amount of times that has happened this week. I have been praying a lot that we will be guided in our lesson topics, and oh how we are. We taught TRC last Saturday, but they told us Friday night at 7 that we were teaching so we were planning as we got ready for bed. And I thought "Hey I think we should teach about the Holy Ghost" and then my comp said, "what if we taught about the Holy Ghost?" and I was like holy cow! Inspiration. So we went the next morning and I felt incredibly unprepared, but we had faith. So we taught out first lesson and it went really well, and then we taught our second lesson and I feel as though I could literally feel the spirit guiding me, picking out memories, principles, thoughts, and experiences. Then on Monday we were planning a new lesson for our first time doing skype TRC. This is where we skype a member in Taiwan and teach them a lesson. I felt like we should teach about the Savior's ministry, miracles, and atonement. As we got onto the skype call we met Zhou JieMei, a Taiwanese college student. We asked her for two words to describe her life. She said 'Really Lucky'. I asked why, and she said that she has a sickness and has spent a lot of time in the hospital, but she knows that the Savior has blessed and helped her. This was right before we were going to talk about the Savior's healing power. As she said these things and we talked about His miracles, my testimony grew that the Lord knows what His children need to hear and He will guide me so that each time I teach I may invite them to come closer to Him. Zhou JieMei loved this and I feel like we really connected with her. I was surprised at the immense love that I felt for her. From the start, I knew that I loved her and by the end I couldn't stop smiling because I felt the Lord's love for her. I already love the people of Taiwan, and know that as I am called to serve them, God will help me know what they need. (Also, she lives in Taipei, so hopefully we can meet her)
Yesterday we did an activity where we stood up in front of the class and taught the first lesson in 90 seconds. We were saying how it was probably impossible, and our teachers asked us whose name we were wearing. They told us that we have been set apart specifically to be the Lord's servant and He will not leave us. As I got up, I began teaching,not knowing how I would do it. In places where I thought I would have trouble speaking, my Chinese was smooth. I taught the lesson and bore testimony of the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith, and Prayer. I felt the spirit teaching through me to my fellow missionaries. As I finished I was sure that I had gone over time. I looked back and still had 10 seconds. I have never in my whole experience been able to complete a lesson in these activities of two minutes, three minutes, but as they testified of the power of the Lord, it became true for me. As I open my mouth-with faith, He will fill it. As I have conviction, spiritual power, and a confidence that I believe what I am teaching, He will touch people's hearts and guide my words. Now I just have to get from 80 seconds to 63- the length of time at a stoplight in Taiwan.
My friends and roommates left for Taiwan yesterday and we woke up at 3 in the morning to take them to the travel office and say goodbye. I am amazed at how much love I hold for them and how much I hope for their well being as missionaries. The trio that lived with us have become some of my closest friends. It was a little sad to see them go, but how can I not be so excited for them to go proclaim the word we all love so much? They will be amazing. Which goes to my knowledge that the Lord places people in our lives for a reason. We all can learn from each other and I have no doubt that I was called on my mission at this time that I could meet the wonderful people that I have.
Also, I stole one of their beds, so I can't really be mad. Also, there is a 60th anniversary of missionary work in Taiwan in August, so all the missionaries get to come to Taipei and I will get to see them! Also, word on the street is that David Archuleta is going to have a concert. Those things will be fun.
Also, I stole one of their beds, so I can't really be mad. Also, there is a 60th anniversary of missionary work in Taiwan in August, so all the missionaries get to come to Taipei and I will get to see them! Also, word on the street is that David Archuleta is going to have a concert. Those things will be fun.
My Chinese is slowly coming along. I realized that even though I pick up words quickly, my grammar might be the worst thing that has ever existed on this planet. However, three weeks is plenty of time with the Lord's help to improve and by the time I leave the MTC, things will be better.
We get a new district in today and a new fast track elder. Hopefully this will give Elder Donovan a companion again! He has been teaching with us, but he likes elders a lot more. Which makes a lot of sense. We get to do a training orientation for them tonight with the Zone Leaders and I am pretty excited.
At devotional last night we heard from Linda K Burton which was really great, but something her husband said really stood out to me. He said that after our missions we will be released and the mantle of our calling will be removed. However, the thing that we will take home is the person that we have become. Even though I can't hold this sacred calling forever, I can become the best person I can from it and have that as a result. This is an amazing promise as I am already dreading my release date. However, I know that we can be missionaries in our lives and that I can always serve the Lord. I can't imagine that people don't have this gospel in their lives and want to always be able to share it.
I'm not really sure where this whole email is going, it's a little all over the place, but the thing to take away is that I love serving the Lord and I know that as I am here he will never abandon me and will always be there for help. I love the blessings and the way that my own testimony has been able to grow. I love that I can see the hand of the Lord in my life every day, hour, and minute. I love that even though we have trials, they are always so that we may be built up further. The Lord loves you, me, and all of His children. These things I know with my whole heart.
I love you all, thanks for the emails and letters and the prayers in my behalf. You all are amazing!
Sister DeWitt
Picture 1: My roommate who draws made us all people. This is me!
Picture 2: My mom sent me a cinco de mayo party in a box! Complete with chips, queso, horchata, and bunches of candy! She is the best!
Picture 3: Sister Jensen, Me, Elder Chen (He just left) and Elder Donovan (Our sometimes comp)
Picture 4: My Chinese tag! The first character is our last name, the second ones mean sister.
Picture 5: Us and our roommates. Miss them already!
Picture 2: My mom sent me a cinco de mayo party in a box! Complete with chips, queso, horchata, and bunches of candy! She is the best!
Picture 3: Sister Jensen, Me, Elder Chen (He just left) and Elder Donovan (Our sometimes comp)
Picture 4: My Chinese tag! The first character is our last name, the second ones mean sister.
Picture 5: Us and our roommates. Miss them already!
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