Dear Family and Friends,
Tonight my heart is filled with overflowing for God's tender mercies and miraculous planning. We had the joy of welcoming our last three Visa waiters (6 months!)--missionaries from the Philippines who have been waiting since April to come to Taiwan! They finally arrived! We met them in the MTC in Provo back then with their entire group who have been in Taiwan now for a couple of transfers. Two of them--Sister Enriquez and Sister Pangang-- were waiting in the Ogden, Ut mission where our nephew Adam (Elder King) is serving. Sis. Enriquez had Adam for her District leader ! Small world! Anyhow these Filipino missionaries are the sweetest, happiest, humblest, brightest, smartest and converted souls. "They are going to change the mission" as one of our office missionaries, Elder Christiansen, said and I agree. Sis. Enriquez is about 4 ' tall and a dynamo. She is excited to learn to ride a bike and asked President to please find her some training wheels. (Adorable!) Otherwise she is happy to take the bus! :) Sister Pangang has such a strong spirit about her. She is also learning to ride a bike! We received Elder Gorgonio told me his story and it moved me to tears. You would never imagine the sacrifices he's made nor the sorrows in his life because he has the biggest most happy smile and strong spirit of joy. He has so much faith to be here. He baptized his younger brothers before he came. He comes with just what he wears but he is happy! He is 23 and already graduated with a Business management degree. He was engaged to be married but the temple presidency member told him when they went in for an interview that he should serve a mission first! So they put everything on hold and he is now here. As we spent time with them last night after their arrival and today, we felt so humbled blessed to have them assigned to come to the Taiwan Taipei Mission. They have so much to teach us and many have been waiting for them to come--and not just us or their fellow missionaries! This afternoon after feeding them lunch, we had Elder Church and Elder Vernon come pick up sweet Elder Gorgonio and then put these two darling sisters on a train to Hualien to go work with Sis. Caten and Sis Meeks since it's right before the transfer and Sis Meeks is nursing a sore foot. I called a few hours later to see if the two new sisters made it safely to Hualien. Didn't hear for awhile. Finally, Sister Caten called. I got on the phone with the other sisters and the conversation seemed a bit reserved and they were kind of all quiet. Finally Sister Caten said, "Sister Peterson, these sisters got here safely and it is a miracle they were on that train because the train just after it derailed and of 300 people on the train, 171 were seriously hurt and 18 have died already. Many more are still trapped in the train! Nine of a family of 17 on their way to a wedding were killed. I was IN SHOCK! I couldn't believe it! They could tell I was in shock and they said, "Sister Peterson, could we sing you a song?" I said,--please! So these four darling sisters sang me "I am a Child of God". I felt so in awe of Heavenly Father's mercy in sparing these sisters' lives and overwhelming sadness for those lives who were lost all at once. The music truly soothed my soul and calmed my shaking legs. Truly a miracle. It has been all over the news and so tragic. Fortunately none of our other missionaries were on that train either. That was scary, calling all the ZLs to be sure. I am still praying all day with all the gratitude for his watching over our missionaries and also asking for comfort for those suffering from the tragedy in losing loved ones.
Last week leading up to receiving these new missionaries we had the most amazing interviews and Zone Conferences. We heard some wonderful inspiring conversion stories...Wonderful stories about how the missionaries are finding success using Family History! We have felt so inspired to introduce our new tract on BRINGING HONOR TO YOUR FAMILY through doing Family History that I've mentioned previously. Well at the Taoyuan Recent Convert Fireside on Sunday, nearly every convert shared how learning about Family History was what ignited a spirit in them that they hadn't felt before. One sister who has been taught for 3 years by numerous sets of missionaries had struggled with Word of Wisdom issues. But when Sister Fisiahi and Sister Crockett took her over to the Church and a woman showed her how to find her family names, she said: "I want to be baptized for MY ancestors!" Our sister missionaries said: "You can! You just have to be baptized yourself first, so she said Ok I want to get baptized!" Learning of her family history changed her because she felt the power of the Spirit knowing she was not only part of a long line of family but most importantly part of the family of God. So many stories about how people aren't interested in the gospel until they learn about Family History. It's changing our missionaries' lives too! One Sister, Sister Lee shared at ZC how learning about her own family history helps her know she's not alone and she's surrounded by angels every day who are helping her in the work. I loved reading a passage she referred to as she testified from PMG Ch 9. She said she loves this... "Ancestors eager for their ordinances are praying for their posterity on earth to accept your teachings and perform those ordinances vicariously for them in the temple." I love thinking about angels --those family members beyond the veil who are relatives to our missionaries and those ancestors of those seeking for the truth--surrounding our missionaries--guiding them. I'm so happy the missionaries are gaining a testimony and feeling the Spirit of Elijah as they serve each day.
So if you wonder what I do when I'm not preparing or giving talks, I get to be the Mission "nurse", and I do enjoy it more than I thought I would. Not that I enjoy them getting sick or hurt, but just because it gives me a way to serve these sweet Elders and Sisters and helps me get to know them. So far this month has been a bit crazy with medical! Maybe too many opportunities for "bonding". ...
So this month we've had two sisters get hit by cars within a matter of 24 hours on their bicycles and get pretty scraped up--One bless her heart was a new missionary here on island less than a week! (Blessings they are both okay other than scraped up and shaken.) Welcome to Taiwan! A sister with an allergic reaction that made her eyelids swell up so huge she couldn't see for several days! Two with infected ingrown-toenails! Ouch! We also had an Elder get bitten by a black squirrel (never put your finger in an animal's cage no matter how sweet they seem! Luckily no rabies shot needed), three sisters with varied serious female issues, one Elder with a male issue, (Which I know nothing about--thankfully Mike helped me with that!) Five sprained ankles (we love to play basketball and frisbee on pday here!), an injured wrist, three injured knees, a smashed finger in a door (finger nail, black and cracking open) and last night a poor Elder got poked in the eyeball with the metal end of an umbrella! He was so cute--he said "I think Heavenly Father is just trying to remind me to keep my EYE Single to the work!" haha. Fortunately the doctor said it will heal and no serious damage done. Scary!
And then of course there are ongoing stomach aches, colds and flu bugs . Today I learned about how to clean ear wax build up for an Elder who says he can't hear out of one ear! I'm learning a lot I tell you... Mostly I'm learning how devoted and sweet these missionaries are. Most just keep working unless they truly physically can't, and I have to say, you need to rest, but they are incredibly tough! Most of what I do is just be a Mom and tell our missionaries what I would my own children. It really is an honor to try to watch over them all in this way. And they are always so grateful and express that. Truly sweet. Mike and I pray so hard for their safety every night and day! Feel free to pray for them too! We need all the angels surrounding them we can get!
I had a missionary medical miracle today! We have arranged with that sweet Dr. Liu to give flu shots here in Taipei during next month's Zone conference and we had a separate clinic in Hualien lined up to do the shots for the missionaries down there. Two days ago they called and said they are all OUT of shots in Hualien! So now I was thinking what do I do for them? Dr. Liu does not have enough extra to service all of those missionaries. I texted our sweet sister missionaries in Taitung and asked them if they could ask their RS president there for a clinic I might contact there. They got back to me and said to try Mckay Medical Hospital there, which has a nice lucky name so I thought okay worth a shot! no pun intended :) I called and they actually have an English speaking woman who helped me arrange all the 19 shots we need there! Truly a miracle. I got off the phone and hit my knees. The Lord is helping me find solutions when I have no clue --which is all the time! Such a great blessing and such a kind woman too. God Bless sweet Mae at Mckay! You made my day today.
Zone Conference was perfectly timed for the week following General Conference--Actually it was two weeks after it, but for us it was the following week because we have to watch it tape delayed.
We talked about URGENCY, and how President Nelson is our example--literally sitting on the edge of his seat inviting us to help Gather Israel. It was amazing to me how many of the talks were applicable to missionary work! Mike shared on those. Becoming Shepherds, Wounded but never giving up, Serving FOR HIM! Love that talk, and Christ -centered service (aka the Chocolate cake talk) and using the name of Jesus Christ more deliberately--talking and rejoicing in Him!
I spoke about Urgency using Pres Nelson as an example and the example in Mos 28:3 of the Sons of Mosiah in feeling such urgency to share the gospel that the very thought of anyone not having the gospel made them to "quake and tremble". Then we discussed how we can develop that kind of love--to become shepherds, that the sons of Mosiah had by Sis P's three P's: Praying for it, Practicing love in our companionships and Preparing for the spirit.) One sister wrote this week--Sister Psieh (Sheh) said as she was riding her bike after ZC she passed by a man and she said she turned around and went back because she didn't want him to not have the chance to hear the message she had. These missionaries are so humble--they go and do what we invite/ask them to do. Miracles continue to abound because of their sweet diligence and urgent willingness to go and do the things they are asked to do. I continue to marvel at their obedient spirits!!
Speaking of quaking and trembling like the Sons of Mosiah, we've had two 5.7 earthquakes that have been "unsettling" this past two days! It's making me quake inside for sure and I will say, this place was shaking and rolling for several minutes. The second one was right as we were in bed trying to fall asleep. That pretty much ruined any attempt of sleep for a good while for me. Mike was snoring in seconds! Ha ha. He's living right I guess!
This week we started rehearsing for the missionary Christmas fireside to be held the Sunday before Christmas! Eddie and Win (Ping Baba and Ping Mama) are in charge of it and have written a beautiful program with gorgeous music. The hours they've spent! Wow! The narration is not just a re-telling of the Christmas story but a powerful testimony that He is our Savior and an invitation to Come and See--declaring the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is His church restored to the earth in these latter days. Taiwan get ready because we are so excited to share this glorious message through song and word! Getting to both hear and sing with the 70 missionaries at our first rehearsal on Monday made me so happy! Literally my arms had goosebumps and I felt all tingly up my spine. I just love Christmas and the music will always remind me of home and family and Danville! I am so grateful we are doing this because Taiwan doesn't celebrate Christmas! (Nobody told me that before I got here-- best kept secret from the girl who can't sleep she gets so excited about Christmas) so maybe I can share my joy with the world that Christ HAS COME and that His birth and his mission is the most precious gift we have every day! Singing these Christmas carols in Chinese truly warms my heart! They are not familiar to the people here and not even to the members. Most of our Bundi-ren choose to call home on Guo Nian (Chinese New Year) instead of Christmas as that's their biggest family celebration. It is a celebration of new life in a way! I can't sing these hymns nor look at these beautiful slides of Him that we are showing without being truly humbled that we get to be here and serve Him in some small way. I know He came for me and for all these precious sons and daughters in Taiwan and all of China still waiting to know Him. For that we pray every day! Wo feichang ganxie Yesu Jidu he ta yuanyi lai dao shishang chengwei women de jiushizhu!
Ai nimen!
Ping Jie Mei
P.S. I found out today that there were 100,000 viewers of the Danshui Cultural parade we got to participate in, counting people actually there and viewers on TV! Elder Hogge said many people they speak to now or approach say "Hey I saw you in the parade!" and because of that they listen to their message! So amazing!
A Miao in Taitung. Praying all the way home from interviews bc I lost my phone/wallet. Missionaries offered to pray too. When we got back to hotel we got a phone call from front desk. It had been found in the elevator!! Miracle!
Our cute Taitung Zone Ldrs and Sisters invited us to beef noodle/ Ruo mien! So good. We provided bananas for dessert and they were thrilled.
The infamous black squirrel that bit Elder Swensen
This one made top ten of our Black n blue injuries of month
Our other two Taitung Sisters Chen and Chen or “the Double Chen’s” haha and they point to their chins. 
Watching Sisters Meeks and Caten Chuan the jiao with a truck driver right after ZC
Dinner w Sisters Meeks and Caten over noodles in Hualien
ZLs Huang and Bradshaw w Sisters Larson and MacCabe after our ruo mien.
Riding the train to Hualien. Freaky that same train was the one that crashed this week.
Hualien interviews: Elders Raymond and Patterson
Fengling trio Elders Crimm, Johnson and Lin
Sisters Zentz and Lee
Famous smiler Elder Johnson! He extended three weeks and just gave it his heart and soul! His advice as he departed? Smile! Just smile and it opens doors.
Next group coming ...group of 20!!!
Our sweet new friends The Christensen’s had us senior couples over to their ama Inc place at the Palace. We had burrito bowls and guacamole and played games. So much fun!
ZC role plays on Taoyuan w zLs Elders Fernandez and Shops
Taoyuan and Xinchu Zone Conference!
Speed teaching at Taipei ZC
Bday boys Shaw, Wetzel and Otani
Bday girls Susters Smith, Psieh and Monsen. We added Monsen in last minute even though her bday is in Nov bc she goes home this transfer. She said I was praying you’d remember! So grateful we honored her!
Role plays on shepherding
Taipei zones!
W my sweet twinned Sisters Bennett and Huang
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