Happy Chinese New Year!!! I Love Tainan & My New Companion!

1). What time do you have church now?

9am, just like it was in Ping Dong

2). How far are you from church?

I live within 5 minutes of walking from the church.... Which is funny, because both the church and our apartment are NOT in our area. Haha!

3). Tell me about your apartment.  Is it in good condition?

It's bigger than my last apartment.  Theirs air conditioning in every room.... not like we need it right now.  And I actually have a bathtub!
4). How large is your service area?  How far do you have to ride your bikes to get to where you need to go?  

My area is sooo much smaller than my last one. But we are in the city, so that's understandable. I'm not sure how far distances are, because Sister Park keeps getting lost.  Poor Sister, I'm trying to give her a chance to learn how to read maps, because she has never done it before.
5). How are you doing riding your bike in busier traffic?  Are you able to stay safe?

The traffic isn't too bad actually.  They just have interesting intersections that separate cars from the motorcycles and bikes- which is actually probably safer. :)
6). What are some things you like about your companion?  What are her best attributes?  In what ways are you the same or different?  Does she speak English?  How did she get the last name of "Parks?"
I love her because she is so humble.  And she is so cute!  She has a lot of Korean Quirks.... but I love them.  Also, I love her because she is always loving me!  We speak in Chinese.  Her last name is Park because.... idk....  Apparently in Korea they also have English last names. We both love food, but we both want to lose weight... we love to go to book stores.... She is really quite, I'm loud... yup...
7). How many investigators do you have in this area?  How many people attend church?  Is it more  or less than that of Ping Dong?

Can't really tell. It's chinese new years so... our investigators is close to.... ZERO  And as to church attendance, ping dong was bigger.

8). How's the Chinese progressing along?  Still gaining more vocabulary?  Able to read more Chinese? Yeah, for language study I read the BOM and I write letters to people in Ping Dong.  I'm still learning.

9). Did you find some good places to eat?  Tried any more different foods?  Have you tried stinky tofu yet?
Not yet... I did see some good mexican places! I'm trying to convince Sister Park that Mexican food is really yummy and we should try some. :) 

 Now on to the actual email!

Hello Mom and other wonderful people of the world!

How are you doing on the other side of the globe?  I hope you are all doing fantastic and that you are still doing well on your new year's goals.  If not, you have another chance to start over on your goals.... because.... HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!  We will be entering into the year of 104!  As a missionary, Guo Nian is a very feared and dreaded holiday.... because it means that you will be served a ton of food, your waist lines will expand and all of your investigators and less actives are too busy to meet because they are also taking part in the yearly feasting.  I don't understand how a country with such skinny people can eat soo much food! Okay, well, not everyone is skinny, but most of the skinny people I know here can just eat forever and all the food doesn't affect their weight at all.... 

Sister Park and I really want to try running every morning this week and perhaps the week after in order to avoid gaining too much weight. Wish us luck!

So! Tainan!  It's different than Ping Dong.  Our area is smaller, since we are in the city and the people are more compact.  We are only over the east part of the city?  And not even all of it?  I'm not quite clear.... But all I know is that it's smaller than my last area.  Also, it's a bit more "international."  What I mean is I've never seen so many foreigners in Taiwan before! (Well... aside from the missionaries.)  In Ping Dong, seeing more than one or two non-Taiwanese people was abnormal!  But here I see up to 10 or 15 a day! It's just weird, because I'm not used to seeing people whose hair isn't black and their eyes aren't brown...  Haha!  Yesterday I passed by a TACO car!  How cool is that!  I keep seeing Mexican food!  I really want to try some!

Anyways, it's also a bit more chilly here than in Ping Dong.  And by chilly I mean that I was actually COLD here! That blew my mind!  But I didn't have anything thicker than one white sweater, because when it was cold, I was still waiting for my luggage to get transferred over.  Once I got my clothes, it wasn't necessary to pull out my coat anymore... because the weather got warm.... sigh.... I'll be prepared for next time it gets cold though!

So, as to investigators, recent converts and less actives in Tainan, it's been hard to get a hold with anyone due to Guo Nian, so I really hope that after Guo Nian our schedules will be packed!

One thing that I love about my new area is the service project that we have every Sunday!  Every Sunday we go over to a hospital that takes care of a lot of physically and mentally handicap people and sing to them and teach them how to sing.  I love going over there because you can see how happy some of them are, even though their circumstances must be frustrating to them sometimes.   Their spirits are beautiful and they really can bring a smile to your face.  I look forward to building friendships with them.  They are really special and beloved children of God.

I also love my new area because of my companion Sister Park!  She is so cute and funny.  As I said before she is from Korea and so we both use Chinese to communicate.  She is always looking out for me, and every morning, she insists on starting to prepare my breakfast for me and also on putting together our lunches so we don't have to eat too much unhealthy things throughout the day.  I always have to try and be really fast on getting ready so I can get to the dishes before she does so I can try and serve her as well! Haha! Also, she always makes sure I have a small snack before language study time.  So cute!  She is very humble, and you can tell she loves serving people.  Also, it's super cool to hear her speak in Korean. :D

Anyways, this week has been good, though I've been tired- not sure why... I'm adjusting well to my new area, and I'm learning to love it as much as I love Ping Dong.

One of the things that I'm so grateful for during my missionary service is being able to find friends wherever I go.  I believe God always puts friends in our lives wherever we are so we can always remember that he loves us.  Through our friends and through the people all around us, we can feel their support and their love and we can also learn from their examples.  I know that I am only who I am today because of the people around me.  My Mom has been a great role model for me and she's always been there for me.  My friends have supported me during my hard times in life and have also been great examples to me.  My companions have always pushed me to try my hardest and to always have trust in the Lord.  I am so grateful for the people the Lord has put into my life, and I know that he will continue to bless me through their love and examples.

I love you and miss you all.  Sorry if this email is a bit jumpy... My head is tired... hopefully I'll have the chance to take a small nap one day.... Haha!  

Happy Chinese New Year!  

Love, Sister Peng

It's Official! Sister Peng has actually transferred to a new area!

Dear Mom and everyone else,

Well, this week has been crazy! I feel like I've stuffed a whole year into the matter of a few days.... So, sorry if this email ends up being short (haha) or completely scrambled, because I am EXHAUSTED!

So, I guess the most important thing that's on the list to report is that I'm no longer in Ping Dong.  I am now in Tainan!  So, I just got here about a couple of hours ago, after a long train ride, so I'm ready for bed.  I can't really tell you much about Tainan, since I haven't really experienced it yet.  It seems a lot busier that Ping Dong.... A lot more people, cars and motorbikes....  But it seems very pretty.  It's definitely a lot more city than Ping Dong.  And the roads aren't as flat, they have a few hills.  Though that's fine, considering all I know about Tainan from other missionaries and Taiwan people is that the food is very good.... And I'm trying to see if I can lose weight... though, that might have to wait until after New Years, my goal then is to not gain ANY weight.... we'll see....

My new companion is Sister Park, and she is Korean.  Isn't that cool, or what?  Her Chinese is pretty good, considering the fact that she was studying China Business or something like that.  So, it looks like I'll be using Chinese a lot more this move call.  I don't really know much about her yet.  Since, I just met her.  She is super cute.  I actually did see her in the MTC, since she was in the generation above me, but I never really had the chance to talk with her.  Also, I was a bit more shy back then.  I'm still shy, but now I hide it by pretending that I just know everyone..... yeah.... it doesn't help that we all have name tags so people just know your name right off the bat, so they just greet you by saying: Sister Peng, how have you been?  And it's like the first time you've ever met them..... Yup... it confuses my poor little head....  So I just go with the flow.

Anyways, you may have noticed from the week before, I said that I would be moving on Friday.... and then the fact that I got to my new area today.... Well, Since Sister Schultz was training; I got kicked out of Ping Dong before move call, much to my sadness.... But it was okay; they sent me up to Taizhong (Zhong Ming) to be with Sister Paey and Sister Bell.  I had so much fun with them!  While I was with them, I attended two baptisms, a YSA (Young Single Adults) activity, and we went to visit a lot of really cool people.  Sister Paey and Sister Bell are AWESOME missionaries!  They really made me feel comfortable and they are great examples of stellar missionaries. 

I didn't know where my actual area was until Sunday morning, so it was just a waiting game when I was with them.... But I really thought that I would get sent somewhere in Taizhong.... Well... I was very wrong on that matter.  I traveled three hours by train to get to Taizhong from Ping Dong and then I traveled 2 hours to get from Taizhong to Tainan (which backtracked my original journey). In fact, I passed by Tainan to get to Taizhong.... Ah well.... It was super fun being in Taizhong, and while I was there I actually ran into a less active member who I was trying to find in Ping Dong.  Her mother was actually one of the people getting baptized!  It totally blew my mind! But perhaps I was in Taizhong for a reason. :)

Other breaking news this week.... I might have broken my right big toe.... I don't know if it is actually broken, since I've just treated it myself and haven't gone to the doctor (Like everyone keeps telling me that I should do).  But I don't think it's really broken, since it doesn't really hurt anymore.  It's just swollen and I can't bend it yet (probably due to the swelling).  It also bleeds from under the nail, now and then, so I have it bandaged... though it looks a lot more severe than it really is, since I don't have any normal Band-Aids.... But anyways, how did I hurt my toe, you might ask?  Well... it's because a ping pong table collapsed on it... We were setting up for an English party.... and the we were moving the table, and it randomly decided that it wanted to follow the rules of gravity, more than it wanted to stand up by itself... sooo... yeah... my toe cushioned it's fall... kind of....  But anyways, I can still walk, for the most part, and biking hasn't changed.  I like biking more than walking now.... :P

Oh! And another cool thing! Amber, my American investigator in Ping Dong, gave birth to her son, Kayan, on Tuesday.  Yay! We've been waiting so long!  He was like 13 days overdue, but he was still small.  He's so cute! So, congratulations to her and her family!!!! :)

Funny thing that happened.  When we met with Peiwen (a Recent Convert), for my last time, we asked her to choose an opening hymn.... so, she flipped open the book randomly (which she always does, since she doesn't really know the songs) to "God Be With You Till We Meet Again."  How fitting!  

Looking back at this email, everything was written in pretty much anti-chronological order... wow.... I'm tired....  But, it was a great week!

So, this week, well technically since January 1, 2014, I've been doing a thankful journal.  I bought a little planner, which is soooo cute, on Monday and started filling it out with things that I was grateful for the day.  It has made me sooo happy! I can focus on the happy things in life, and I know that I've been given a ton of miracles!  This gratitude journal is just a precursor to an actual journal, because the last two move calls I've gotten out of the habit of writing, which is bad!  So, I'm starting off again by only writing a little bit each day.  The highlights all condensed into a few sentences.  But it makes me feel so happy!  My invite to you all is for you to start a gratitude journal!  And then do a thankful prayer after writing.  You'll notice God's hand in your life, and you'll be a lot happier.  I guarantee!

Anyways, Sorry, I'm tired.  I'll write more next week, once I get things figured out.  I love you all!  I miss you!  I miss Ping Dong!  But I know, it's only until "We meet again."

Love, Sister Peng

Why Are Families Important? And The Battle With The CO Monitors!

Let's start with some responses to a few of my questions for Sister Peng this week:

1)  What is your favorite snack to eat?

Here?  I really like these pancake waffle like things that are filled with stuff like red bean, taro, and pudding.  Especially when it is made by this very old man on Zhong Hua Road.  He is soooo old!  

2)  How has your view of the world changed since you have been serving?

I don't know....  Perhaps I'm just more optimistic about things.... And I've just gotten to the point that I know things will happen on their own time, and that I shouldn't stress over the things I can't control.

3)  Do you feel a stronger tie to your ancestry and a deeper appreciation for your heritage since serving there?

Ummm.... a little bit?  I actually can see how I'm a mix of American and Taiwanese culture put into one person.... But I'm not really sure if it makes me deeper appreciate my asian heritage.... people here are.... interesting....  But don't worry, I still love them.

Hello Mom, Family and Friends,

How is everyone doing on this fine January day?  I'm doing great considering it's a P-day.  I love P-days! Though.... This week would be better if it wasn't for our CO monitor.... but that's a story I'll share in a bit.

Well, I'm currently on my last week here in Ping Dong.  We got the call again from President Blickenstaff that Sister Schultz will be serving as a trainer next move call, and he promised us that it was for sure this time.  Haha! That's good, because it would be awkward if I had to go through the process of telling everyone in Ping Dong "Good Bye" only to stay for another 6 weeks.  Anyways, I still don't know where I will be going, but I already pretty much figured I would be moving this move call anyways, so I never fully unpacked from last move call.  Of course, it's amazing how things tend to spread during 6 weeks... so, I need to do a bit of packing before I leave.  Also, tip for future missionaries, don't pack your bags full before you go into the MTC, because you tend to acquire things while on your mission as well in the MTC.  Mandarin speaking missions are probably more so, since I pretty much have over 30 pounds of language study..... uhhh..... yeah.... And I don't even have all of it..... soo....  I'm working hard on memorizing things so I can just leave some language study when I move and not have to always lug it around with me.

Gonna Miss These Missionaries!

Anyways, I'm sad to move, though I've already prepared myself mentally for the move.  I really love the people in Ping Dong, and I've had so many good experiences here.  I'm sure wherever I end up going next will be the same story.  I've learned that my favorite part of being on a mission is making new friends.  I've made so many good relationships with people who are so different from me.  And I've realized that it's so easy to make friends with people when you are trying to serve the Lord.  There is a saying that goes:  "The best way to make eternal friends by sharing eternal truths."  I've learned that that is so true! As I share the gospel with those around me, I am sharing something that has blessed me so much and is very close to me.  I am able to feel more of God's love for other people, and in consequence I start feeling a personal connection with them myself.  I really do love the people here!  I see them as very close friends, and even as family.  When I started my mission, I really wanted to know what "Perfect Love" felt like, and I think that so far, my understanding has grown.  Christ had perfect love.  He loved everyone, no matter who they were and what mistakes they made.  As a missionary, you have a chance to experience that love.  The people you meet may frustrate you because they aren't progressing in the Gospel, they aren't repenting and coming to God, but you still love them so much.  You desire for their conversion, because you know of the happiness it could bring them.  You know of their potential.  And you know that they are truly a part of your Heavenly Family, and you want to help them to come home.

I'm sure I'll love the people in my next area, just as much as I love the people in Ping Dong.  And I am excited to see where I go, and to help people in another part of Taiwan.  So, next Monday I'll update you all on where my new area is and who my new companion is.  :)

Sister Peng & Sister Schultz

I'm actually moving out of Ping Dong before the move call, on Friday, because Sister Schultz will be becoming a trainer, and the new missionary will be moving in on Friday... Though... I kind of wish I could stay for at least this next weekend, since a member in the ward is having their wedding reception, and I wanted to go since it sounds like it's going to be soo much fun... Oh, and did I mention that Sister Liu (my trainer who has already finished her mission) will be coming down to Ping Dong?  I miss her by a day! Sadness! But that's okay, I'll see her some other time... probably after my mission...

Anyways, I guess I should probably talk more on the CO monitor thing, so Mom doesn't keep worrying.  So, this week our CO monitor has gone off 4 times... The first time was on Friday morning at 1 am.  The second was Saturday morning at 6:15 am, and the third time was on Sunday morning at the same time....  And the 4th time happened last night at about midnight.... Well... After calling our Operations manager every day for the last 4 days, and waking him up every time, he told us last night to leave our apartment and sleep at a member's house (On the floor), just in case there really was CO.... Well, Sister Schultz and I are pretty sure it's our monitor that's gone all wacky, since we brought it with us today outside of the apartment, and it still said there was CO wherever we went... sooo...  We are going to have to get a new monitor.  Because, frankly, I don't like getting woken up in the middle of the night to very loud, high pitched beeping.  It's made me and Sister Schultz very antsy, and we really hope our neighbors don't get too frustrated with us and our alarm...  Cuz, man, it's loud!  And now we are very tired, since we missed out on like 1-2 hours of sleep last night.... ah well, at least we are safe. :)

Yummy Drink!

So, lately our lessons have been fewer than normal, because of testing.  School is now our arch enemy (Not really.  Keep going to school, the Lord wants you to learn.... but still... it's annoying when you can't set up with investigators and recent converts because they have testing and so they have to study 24/7 and they say they can't come to church because studying for those 3 hours is apparently going to make a big difference in how they test).  But seriously, we have to help people in Taiwan get their priorities straight.  What's more important?  Getting an A on a test, or your eternal salvation?  Quick! Choose! 

Also, this week, something has been pressing my mind.... especially after my lesson in English the other day...  I asked my class the question "Why are families important?" and no one gave me an answer.  I asked in both English and Chinese....  It's like, they couldn't even really describe why families are so important!  They couldn't think of why their family was important to them!  What is wrong with this world????  It blows my mind every time I ask the question "Would you like to live with your family for all eternity?", and then people answer back "Not really, that sounds like too long."  What happened to loving your family?  Some people here put family as a "duty" and not a "blessing."  But I truly know that our families are blessings that the Lord has given us.  God's purpose for families was to give each of his children a chance to grow up in a loving environment.  Of course, on this world there are families who are less than happy, and who are broken, but this is because of the mistakes of people, not God.  He has given us his guidance, his gospel to bless families and to help all of us learn how to have good relationships with everyone around us.  He has given us his gospel to give us all peace and light in our lives.  The Gospel can bless individuals, but its impacts on families are even greater.  Families are meant to be forever.  They are important.  And if we follow God's council and if we keep his commandments, we can truly live with our families forever! But we have to put our priorities straight. 

For me personally, my priorities are:

First: God

Second: Family

Third: Friends

Fourth: Everyone else

Fifth: Everything else

When we put God first, we put our trust in His all-knowing counsel.  We have faith that if we follow His will, we will become heirs of his kingdom.  And when we put God first, he helps us know what's most important in life. And when we put him first, everything else in our lives will fall into line.

3 Nephi 13:

  19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where ^amoth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;

 20 But lay up for yourselves ^atreasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

And:

 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

 32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

 33 But ^aseek ye first the ^bkingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Well, that's pretty much it for my rant... Sorry, it just frustrates me when people can't see the importance of their families.  I guess it's because I've been soo blessed to have such a wonderful family.  I just want other people to have the blessings of an eternal family in their life as well.

My time is almost up... well... not quite, I just have to email a few people and watch a video on lds.org.  But, I think that there's not much that I can add to this email...  but I do have a few invites:

1. Figure out your priorities in life, and if God and Family aren't at the top of your list, you've got some thinking to do.

2. Think of something you can do today to strengthen your relationships with others for eternity.

3. Check your CO monitors....

4. Have an awesome week!

Cheers!  Now isn't this a cute mug?!

These mugs are just too cute!!!

I love you all! Be awesome! CTR!

Love, Sister Nicholle Peng