Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Beautiful sunset as Sister Peng was set apart as a missionary


We were treated to this absolutely gorgeous sunset after Sister Peng was set apart as a full time missionary.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Goodbye!

Well, I logged into my Missionary Portal and this is what I saw:
Crazy, eh?  I am soo excited to report to the MTC tomorrow! But I'm also extremely nervous!  I think I'm finished packing... at least, I can't fit anything else in there.  I keep thinking that I have too much stuff, but I look at everything, and I know I'll use everything.  I just hope I haven't forgotten anything, because I don't think I have much more room.

Before I leave to Taiwan, I just want everyone to know that I have a testimony in the Living Christ and in our Heavenly Father.  I know that they love us, and that they want the best for us.  I know that Christ died for us, so that we can be made forgiven of our sins. I know that our Heavenly Father has given us prophets and apostles to give us revelation and to lead us through paths of righteousness.  I have a testimony in the Plan of Salvation, and I know its true.  I know that it was made so we could live, not only with our Heavenly Father for all of eternity, but also so we could live with our families.  I'm so thankful to have a loving family, as well as friends, and I'm grateful for their support and love in my life.

As I head out on this new chapter of my life, I know that the Lord will watch over me, and that he will guide me so I can be a tool in his hands.  I know that he has called me to teach of his love and his plan, so others may have the same joy in their lives as I find in mine.  I know that only through Christ can we be saved, and I know that as a missionary, my calling is to bring people unto Christ.  I am honored with the opportunity to serve, and I know I will strive my best to live worthily of my call.

Love,
Sister Nicholle Peng


P.S.  While I'm on my mission, my mom will post my weekly emails.  This way, I hope it'll be easier to have all my letters all in one place. :)

Friday, May 3, 2013

School's Over!

Well, I finished my last semester until after I go on my mission! It was really weird leaving the place I've lived at for the last school year.  I've made so many good friends and memories, and it's sad to have to leave them all behind for the next 18 months.  However, I'm glad to be done with finals, and It's nice to think I won't have to worry about tests and homework for a while!  I'm trading all that in for a different kind of work. :D

I thought that once I was done with school, I would be less stressed.  However, that's not so.  I'm kind of freaking out since I have less than a month left at home before I leave to the MTC!  I have soo much things I have to do!  I need to study, practice Mandarin, unpack from college, and pack for my mission!  I also have to finish up shopping for some essentials that I haven't had the chance to get yet. 

Crazy enough, I don't really like shopping.  I always feel soo guilty spending money, but there's nothing you can do when the majority of your closet isn't "mission appropriate."  For a mission, dresses skirts have to be below knee to mid-calf length. Unfortunately, most of my dresses are knee length, and my skirts are maxi skirts, which are too long (sad face!).  I also have to find skirts and dresses I can ride a bike in (Taiwan is a biking only mission!  Skirts+Bikes are going to be an interesting combo...).

Anyways, skirts are hard to find these days.  I recommend going to places like the Target, DI, Savers, Ross, Gordmans (Love this place!), Marshall's, Down East (which can be pricy...  But they have pockets!), and Plato's Closet.  I was on a budget, so I tried to find places where I could get cheap, nice skirts.  If you have more money you can go to the mall and look at places like Dillards, Bohme, and such.  There are also great websites that I've heard of like sistermissionaryclothes.com, and asos.com.  You can also try the Sister Missionary Mall in Provo.  I didn't buy anything there, but I've heard a lot of girls who have, and there stuff is guaranteed to be mission appropriate.

That's enough clothes talk though...  There are many other sister missionary blogs that can give you better advice.  Anyways, if you follow guidelines and use common sense, you'll do fine.  Sometimes, I'm so jealous of elders.  They only need to worry about getting a couple of suits and white shirts and ties.  It's so much easier!  But that's okay, girls do get to have more fun with their outfits. :)  And I'll be thankful to have skirts instead of trousers when I'm in the hot, humid climate of Taiwan. :)

Since I've tried to give some advice for physical preparations for a mission, I should probably try giving some sort of spiritual advice as well.  From all of the missionaries I've contacted, they say that there is nothing better than reading Preach My Gospel and reading the scriptures on a daily basis.  Preach My Gospel, though it cam seem to take forever to get through is pretty much a missionaries guide book.  It tells you how to teach, and what to teach.  The scriptures are important, duh, because they are literally filled with our Heavenly Father's words.  They are filled with the instructions not only to life, but how to be an effective missionary.  One particular chapter that every missionary should read is Alma 17.  :)

Well, that's all for today... I'm going to try and unpack my college stuff and clean my room a bit.  Until next time!