Sister
Mack
Provo
MTC
August
6, 2012
NIMEN HAO!!!!!!!!!
So . . . I am leaving the MTC tomorrow at 5 AM to head out
for Taiwan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHENME DONGXI??!?!?!! I don't think it has
quite completely hit me yet, but I am very happy about it. Three of our Elders
actually leave today because they are going to Australia. It's going to be hard
to say goodbye to them, but I wrote everyone in our district a little note to
read on the plane, and I shared some verses from Alma 17 with them. The first
one I wanted them to read was Alma 17:13 which talks about when Alma and the
sons of Mosiah are separating to go preach the gospel in different areas. I
feel like it is so perfect for the situation in which I currently find myself
because it will be hard to say goodbye to them, they have been my closest
friends and very much like a family to me these past 12 weeks. At the same time
I am so excited for all of us. I know that we are in God's hands, that He is
with us in this work, and that He has an important job for each of us to do in
our specific areas. The other scripture I wanted to share with them is Alma
17:2-3. I feel so strongly that as all of us throw ourselves into this work and
press forward faithfully and obediently, we will emerge at the end of the
journey triumphant because we know we gave it everything, and that the Lord
accepts and consecrates our efforts. How much more joy will we feel when we are
reunited at the end and we know that we did this great work with all our heart,
might, mind, and strength. It will be a really sweet reunion I am sure. I felt
the spirit very strongly as I read these verses, and I know they can be true
for our district.
Our teachers gave us our full names on Saturday. My name is
Ke Yong Mei. There are two radicals in my last name, Ke. One means tree and the
other means river. I guess it makes sense with this whole faux hippy vibe I've
tried to emulate my whole life. Everyone in our district has the middle
name Yong. It comes from the word "yongyuan" which means eternal,
forever, loyal to one's dying day!! Isn't that sweet? It's because our district
is so tightly knit together in unity and love (like it talks about in Mosiah
18) and we certainly have become a little family, and now we are further bound
by our Chinese names. My first name, Mei, comes from the word that means rose.
I don't know exactly why my teachers picked that for me but I love it so much.
I wish I could write it in characters on here but alas, I do not know how to do
that on a keyboard.
Ok ok just one more thing. I have to tell you about the
baptism we had on Saturday!!!! No it wasn't an actual baptism because as you
may remember, the sister who prepared herself for baptism is actually our
teacher acting as an investigator . . . but the Spirit was very strong there.
We pretty much had everything except the actual baptism. So there was a talk on baptism, a talk on the
Holy Ghost, a musical number, prayers, etc. It was really cool. There were a
couple of awkward moments, but it was a very sweet experience for me because I
got to give the talk on baptism. I don't have it with me now but I'll just tell
you the basis of it. My heart was so full of love for this sister, which sounds
crazy because as I said, she’s really our teacher. But I think because we took the role play
seriously, Heavenly Father blessed us to have real results, real growth, and
true feelings. I shared a verse from Mosiah 18 (one of my all-time favorite
chapters in the Book of Mormon) that talks about how part of our baptismal
covenant involves us as followers of Christ knitting our hearts together in
unity and love. I told her that we are all a big family, that we all support
her in her decision, and that we will truly feel God's love as we follow Christ
together (or something along those lines). Earlier that day Jin JieMei (my
awesome companion) shared a scripture with me in D&C 15:6. I felt impressed
to share it at the xilihui (baptismal service), so I did. It talks about
bringing others to Christ, and that we will all be able to rest together in the
presence of God. I asked our investigator to read it because my D&C is in
characters, then I just testified to her from my heart that this has truly been
our joy, to help her come to know Christ (though she definitely taught us more
than we taught her). I told her that I
am so so happy that we will be together in the next life because she is our
dear jiejie (older sister) and truly a special friend. I also told her that she
would be a light to her family, that through her powerful faith and example,
she could help them come closer to our Heavenly Father and to our Savior. I was
so full of love in that moment, and it made me so excited to get to Taiwan.
This baptism was the perfect way to kind of end my time here
at the MTC. Every day I am more and more sure that this calling is divine, that
I was foreordained to serve in Taiwan and that there are people God has
prepared for me to teach. I just have to give it my all and He will entrust me
with His precious children. I know I will talk to so many people who won't be
interested, but I think that part of my job is even to prepare those people for
other missionaries. I am so sure that God has a plan for each of His children.
I am so grateful for the plan of salvation, God's plan of happiness. I know
that as I am courageous and look at my challenges as opportunities, I will be
better prepared. It's so crazy for me to think that the next time I'll be at
church I will be in a Chinese ward....!!!!!! IT’S SO MARVELOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok ONE more thing: Last night one of the elders gave me a
blessing to help me have comfort and strength as I head out into the field. It
was a very beautiful and sweet experience. I feel so strengthened and ready to
just dive in. I don't speak much Chinese, I'm still not an amazing teacher, but
I love God, I love Jesus Christ, and I love the people of Taiwan. I am full of
confidence and hope that as I give my all, Heavenly Father will give me
guidance and direction. He will help me press on and He will guide me to those
people whom He has prepared to hear and receive this glorious gospel. I testify
that it is glorious indeed, that it has changed my life, and each day continues
to fill me with deeper joy, peace, and hope. I know this Church is true. I know
God loves us.
I love you all so much!!!
Love love love
Ke JieMei
New address?!?!
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