Ni Hao wo de jiating!

We got a lovely message from Sister Fernley again this week. She seems to be happy and healthy and doing well and enjoying her training at the MTC. Here it is:

Ni Hao wo de jiating! (Hello my family!)

Another week at the MTC and it keeps getting more and more real that we will be leaving here soon. This last Sunday was our last sacrament meeting with the other districts in our branch. They are all leaving for their missions next Tuesday. Currently at the MTC there are two Mandarin zones so they might be combining us in the next couple of weeks. Our branch president hasn't heard anything yet so if it doesn't happen our district will be the only district in our branch, which will be really weird. We will just have to see what happens. 

This week has been a little out of the ordinary. Like I said last week my companion and a lot of other sisters got picked to sing in the missionary choir for the Relief Society broadcast. So we ended up doing a lot of splits. There weren't very many of us who didn't have the opportunity to sing so we just tried to stick together when we could. I was a little disappointed I didn't get to participate, especially after the fact because I heard how amazing it was. But I figure that there are a lot more sisters that would be a lot more heartbroken than I if they didn't get to sing, so I'm okay with it. Those of us who stayed at the MTC (the sisters singing were gone all day Saturday) didn't get to watch the broadcast. Apparently we get to watch it during Priesthood session on Saturday.

Over the past couple of weeks, and being separated from my companion a lot this week I have been realizing how grateful and blessed I feel to have Sister Grigg as my companion. It has been a feeling we have both expressed several times lately. We have just been seeing new sisters come in and have companionship issues and the other sisters in our district have a hard time getting along. We had one of our first companionship inventories where we expressed some things that made us feel bad or awkward or annoyed, but it was never anything lasting. Just an in the moment problem. After that we haven't had any issues (and that wasn't even a big one). We had another inventory yesterday and pretty much just talked because we had no issues or problems to work out. I'm go glad I have been able to realize how blessed I am in this aspect of MTC life. I feel like I appreciate my companion a lot more and that because we don't have any issues we can work together a lot better and feel the Spirit a lot more often. I know I will probably have a hard time with companions in the field, but I'm glad I have such an awesome one now. We are pretty much complete opposites, but we get a long so well. She is a super outgoing, sporty girl...and well I'm not. Haha.

After I wrote you on Monday we had our first Skype TRC. We have TRC every week where we teach members a lesson on a specific topic in Chinese. Most of them have served Chinese speaking missions and are going to BYU. They just volunteer here to feel the spirit and help the missionaries. Now we have started using Skype and talking to members in Taiwan or China in authentic Chinese. Last week was pretty rough because we thought it was two twenty minute lessons, but it was only one forty minute lesson. It turned out alright and the sister we were teaching was really nice. She spoke really good English too, which was a perk if we didn't understand her. Maybe it was a crutch too, I don't know, we still spoke mostly Chinese.

I'm trying to think what else was special this week. It was a great week! I've been studying a lot about Christ's teachings lately. We committed an investigator to baptism a few weeks ago and he said he didn't really know what Christ's teachings were exactly. I realized I didn't know specifically enough either. So I've been spending most of my personal study in 3 Nephi when Christ comes to the Americas and it is SO GOOD! I've read it before, but not with the intent of teaching its content. There is so much He teaches in that 16 chapter segment of the Book of Mormon and it is all about becoming better people and disciples of Him. 

We also had mission conference yesterday because it was fast Sunday. Basically its just like stake conference except all the missionaries attend. One thing that was said was each of us is special and no one can take our place. I started thinking about that a lot more and realized that we are all unique and our "spot" on this Earth is special. There isn't another person that could take our place here and do the same things or have the same opportunities as we do. I realized that I want to make my spot count. I want to make it count for all that I can and not let it go to waste. We have a precious opportunity to be here and to have the opportunities we have as members of the Church and I want to make the most out of it. I think that has been a big part of my focus lately, making the most that I can out of every opportunity I have and giving everything I have to this work and to my Lord and God. 

On an off subject I met one of Dad's students a few weeks ago. I just kept forgetting to mention it. His name was Jared Cordon (I think) apparently he has a twin and they both had you for a teacher. I was playing sand volleyball during gym time one day and ended up being the only sister in one of the games. (All of the mandarin and Cantonese missionaries have gym at the same time.) He is in a different zone but is going Cantonese speaking to Hong Kong. He heard my last name and asked if I was related to a teacher and it was you dad! It's kind of funny all the people that you run into here.

Also could you let me know how Lizzie is doing if you find out? I've been praying for her and sincerely hope that she is doing better. If you could let me know in an MTC delivery so I don't have to wait another week (if you know) that would be awesome!

We also met our new teacher a couple of days ago. One of our teachers is getting married this week and is moving up to Kaysville so he won't be teaching here anymore. It's really sad because he is an awesome teacher and is always so encouraging, but our new teacher seems really fun as well. I'll let you know how that goes next week.

I was so glad to hear that Jemma is going so well and that she still loves preschool and her other fun activities. Her pictures were great! They were so silly! Every time I read about her prayers or her talking about me it makes me a little teary, because I love her so much. Tell her I'm so glad to have her as my sister! And that I hope she has the best time in school and at her classes this week. I think of her, and you all, so often. Have a great week! And enjoy General Conference! 

Love you all! Until next week!

With all my love,

Sister Fernley

Another week closer to Taiwan

Here is our latest message from Sister Fernley:

Dear Family,

I know I say this every week, but I can't believe it's P-Day again!! I always have a hard time deciding what I am going to write you all in my letters because either I can't remember everything that happened, or I have so much that I don't know what is most important. 

Anyway this has been a great week at the MTC. Our language study has been going fine as normal. One of my teachers told my companion and I that our Chinese has improved since just last week when we taught him as our investigator. I also sometimes get comments from my teachers in the emails my Branch President sends me each week. Last week my teacher said I had great Chinese. It is really good to have that reassurance because I think sometimes it is a lot harder to see improvement in yourself than in others. I'm just grateful for the opportunity to learn such a great language. Sometimes I just have to laugh because it sounds so funny.

Our teaching is also improving a lot. My companion and I have started figuring out how to bring the Spirit and teach people instead of lessons. We are seeing the effects of that with our investigators and it is nice to see evidence that you are actually doing something right. This last week we got a commitment from one investigator to go to church and our other committed to prepare to be baptized!! We were so excited, even though it isn't a real investigator. 

Oh and I have to tell you something crazy that happened this week. We got a new Mandarin speaking district this last Wednesday (the first new one since our arrival) and my companion and I went down the hall to get a drink. The new districts classroom was right across from it and their teachers were helping them get settled in the classroom and were there to greet the new missionaries as they came in. I wasn't really paying attention but one of the teachers came up to me and started asking me something in Chinese. I heard him say Viewmont and realized he was asking me if I went there. I glanced at his name tag, and it said Brother Workman! He was my Chinese partner in advanced Chinese my sophomore year! He had been a senior and I guess he went to Taibei on his mission. He actually taught the other girl in our class a few months ago who is also going to Taibei. It was crazy! And I was just ecstatic that he even remembered me!

Anyway, I know that's probably not very exciting for you all, but I was thrilled for the next couple of days. Turns out he is actually roommates with one of my teachers.

As for the rest of the week we had an incredible devotional on Tuesday. I can't remember who was speaking, isn't that funny? But It was about loving the people we serve and they will love us in return. I was really grateful for it because I felt like it was an answer to my prayers. I have been asking Heavenly Father to help me become a better missionary so I can have a lasting impact on the people of Taiwan, even if I'm not teaching them. I came away from it thinking that I really need to love these people, I need to love them so much that it shows. 

This week I've really been trying to be positive in all things. I haven't felt like I've been depressed or even sad at all lately but I have just been trying to be more positive and trying to smile at everyone. This badge that I wear means so much and I want to do all that I can to honor the name it holds and the expectations that come with wearing it. I love this work! And I can't wait to actually start serving in Taiwan. I'm still nervous, but I know I can do this with the Lord.

A couple of days ago my teacher decided that we weren't going to have our grammer lesson (I think he knew we wouldn't stay awake if we did) so we practiced street contacting with each other. We were all really nervous at first but it was actually really fun! I'm sure it will be a lot harder out there because we won't understand what they are saying. Sister Hsu (prounounced Shu) was saying that if she was a real investigator one of the Elders would have creeped her out, but then she told me she felt like we were becoming friends. So maybe there's hope, haha.

I love you all and pour over the MTC delivery letters you send several times a week. Sometimes I read them before I go to bed and they just make me smile. I love that Jemma still thinks about me and that she is remembering me in her prayers! That made me a little teary actually. I pray for you all every night! 

Also those pictures that she took were really good! I was impressed! I'm so glad she is loving preschool and is having fun with friends. I have the bubblegum that she gave me in my book bag, and now everything I take out of it smells like bubblegum and it makes me think of her. I can't remember if I already told you that. I'm glad work and such are livable and hope that this week is even better than the last!

With much love,

Sister Fernley

And a bonus message in the form of an afterthought (thank goodness for email):

Oh another thing I was going to mention. Sorry I'm really forgetful today. They put together a sister missionary choir to sing for the relief society broadcast, but I didn't get picked to be in it. My companion did though so you could see her. I just know people might ask. It was a little bit of a bummer, but oh well. I will enjoy it from the MTC. 

Also one thing we talked about in class that I really loved was that baptism shapes our whole lives. We talked about how when we are baptized we receive the Spirit and that affects our lives so much more than we know. Baptism isn't an end goal it is a beginning to a new life and new opportunities. I have never thought about it much but I loved that. I've also been studying a lot about baptism in my personal study and the blessings it brings. There are so many that I don't think we realize. It is such a great gift and I don't know what my life would have been like without it. I'm so excited to help others come to baptism and pray with all my heart that their hearts will be opened to receive it and this glorious message.

I can't remember if I said this in my first letter but lately I have been thinking a lot about what I want to accomplish on this mission. And I have realized that even if I don't get one baptism, even if no one seems interested I will be perfectly happy. I just hope that I can plant some seeds and eventually they will be allowed to grow so that one day the Taiwanese people I teach will accept baptism. I am on His work and He knows who I will be teaching and the success I will have and that is enough for me. As long as I remember and know that I am doing His will and my mission is turning out how He wants it I will be perfectly happy and be able to say that I have "fought a good fight and finished my course."

Anyway those were some last couple of thoughts. I love you all! Until next week!

Sister Fernley

Letter—and pictures!— from the MTC

We received some pictures from Sister Fernley this week, along with a great letter that lets us know she is doing wonderfully! We're glad to finally see her companion, Sister Grigg, whom she has written about, as well as the other sisters in her district.

Hello again from the MTC!

I still can't believe its been another week. I probably say that in every email, but we can never believe it whenMonday comes along again. 

Thank you for you emails and letters via MTC Delivery. I love them! Its such an exciting moment when we get mail. An elder in our district asked his mom to send him ten Chinese hymn books because the MTC bookstore has been out for weeks. We got them the day the MTC got theirs, but all of the Mandarin missionaries were so excited! It felt like Christmas, and the rest of the day you would see missionaries with their hymn books just singing hymnes in Chinese. 

That's one thing that is funny here. We sing hymns in Chinese and pray in Chinese that sometimes its weird when we actually hear a prayer in English at devotional or some other meeting. Maybe that's a good thing though. 

Anyway I loved the letters that you send me Dad. I'm so glad that you have that goal and I loved your letter about the purpose of reading. Its not to get through the book, its to learn from it. I actually think you will beat me to the end anyway. Its hard here to get very far on your own personal study because we are always studying some topic or another for investigators, upcoming lessons, Sunday talks or the like. But it is all really good study. We've been talking a lot lately about the importance of the Book of Mormon in conversion. One of our teachers told us a story about one of his investigators in Taiwan who just read through the Book of Mormon and what they taught him just came from his questions about the book and its principles. It was a really inspiring story and I hope that I can have at least one investigator so interested in the work and in tune with the Spirit. He also told us about street contacting and he had a man cross his arms in front of him (in an x shape, which I guess is a common gesture there if they don't want something), turned and ran the other way down the street. (This is probably a bad thing, but I kind of hope that happens to me once because I think it would be so funny. I don't know if I could keep a straight face.)

I like both of the new teachers we have, but one of them is a lot more personable and talks to us about his mission and asks about our concerns often. We taught him earlier this week as one of our progressing investigators. We had already taught him about the restoration, what the Spirit was and the importance of prayer and the Book of Mormon so we decided to move on and teach about the Atonement. That was a little rough language wise because we've never gotten that far before in our lessons, but it seemed to go really well. He actually told our district later that the two companionships that taught him that day (us and a group of elders) had taught some of the best lessons so far and that he could really feel the Spirit. That was a huge reassurance and confidence booster. Our language was really simple and we struggled with what to say sometimes and didn't understand him sometimes, but the Spirit was there and He is the real teacher.

Going along with that we ended up having a huge game of charades with that same teacher/investigator during our lesson because we didn't know the word for "save." He was trying to tell us that he had heard that we could be saved through Christ, but we didn't understand him. He ended up pantomiming cars and roads and finally saving a xiao pengyou (little friend) from a car on the road. By the end of the whole situation all three of us were laughing and had to get back on track and our teacher had to get back into character. It was really funny! 

Oh I was also going to tell Dad that Jemma and I played camoflague all of the time, and I laughed every time! It's a silly game but it is fun. I expecially liked being grass because it meant I could lie down for a few minutes.

This week I have been focusing a lot on prayer in my study. I came across 1 Nephi 11:1 and tried to put that scripture into practice, and it has made a huge difference in just the short time I have been working on it. In that scripture it talks about pondering and believing that God will give us an answer. I have been trying lately to take a few minutes before I launch into my prayers and really think about what happened throughout the day and what I want to say to my Heavenly Father. Then I pray and take a few minutes after to just listen and feel the Spirit. I challenged the members in TRC (the volunteers who come to be taught by the missionaries once a week) and figured if I was going to challenge others to do that I should as well. I have felt the Spirit so much more when I do that! It has helped me be so much more sincere and see the hand of God in my day. 

I have also been trying to be a better companion and missionary. I want to be able to walk down the streets of Taiwan and have the Light of Christ in my countenance. I want to be able to make an impact on others lives even if I just see them on the street so that one day they may be prepared to meet with the missionaries. That is the kind of missionary I want to be, and I have ben trying hard to be better and more Christ like in my attitudes. I know as I have been praying more sincerely and striving to do this the Lord has blessed me already. I know that I need to open up to Him and let Him change my heart so I can be better. 

I come to love it more at the MTC every day! I know it is going to be so different out in the field and that I probably won't be able to understand much again, but I know this is a great work. Ron Tanner (co producer of 17 Miracles and Ephraims Rescue) spoke to us yesterday and said, "Don't Give Up! This is the most important work on the earth."

Another realization I had (sorry I'm writing a lot) was when we were studying about the Doctrine of Christ and the Atonement. I read 2 Nephi 31:21 which says that there is no other way or name by which we can be saved. The more I think and study about this the more amazed I am at this. Our Father in Heaven sent us here to become better and desperately wants us to return to Him. But we have been provided a way through Jesus Christ, and we don't even have to do the hardest part. We don't even have to discover the way on our own, it has been given to us! All we have to do is follow and obey and we can return. I don't know if I'm expressing it very well, but I'm just amazed at the love of God! The way has been provided and we just need to take it.

I love you all! And I pray for you every day! Tell Jemma I love her! I'm so glad she is loving preschool. I have the gun she decided I needed in my bag, so everytime I take out my missionary planner or journal they always smell like bubblegum and it makes me think of her. Nicole I hope this first week of teaching went well for you. And Dad I hope work is getting better. Have a great week, and thanks so much for your letters!

With all my love,

Sister Fernley

Letter for the week of 9/9/13

Wow! It sounds like she's having an amazing experience at the MTC!

Here's the latest letter from Sister Fernley:

Dear Family, 

Wow! We just had some elders run and call the emergency line here at the MTC because a Sister here was choking. I think all is fine now, but that was a scary experience and we just heard bits of it from the computer lab.  

Anyway this week has been incredible. Thank you so much for the letters and the package. Tell Jemma I loved her crafts! They made my week, and everyone in my district thought it was so cute. By the way, I'm not really a huge fan of gum, but if Jemma got it for me I love it, even the pink kind. And the flower pin looked awesome! I'm really impressed!  

I don't even know where to start for this week. As far as the language is going, its slow, but I know that if I do my best and put in all the effort that I can the Lord will help me with the rest. We have started teaching two new investigators (our two new teachers) and that has been going really well. One is almost like a perfect investigator. He asks lots of questions and is willing to do what we ask of him. In our first meeting we were just trying to see what his questions were and why he wanted to meet with us. He basically talked about concerns for everything. He asked what happened after we die, why our church is different from the others, why prayer is so important, what baptism was and a few others. After that meeting we told him we could answer all of his questions, but that we are going to take it step by step. We taught about the restoration last time and are meeting with him again tomorrow. Our other investigator isn't as responsive, and we can never really get anything out of him. We are teaching him for the second time tonight, so that might help us get an idea of how active he is going to be in his commitments.  

A few days ago my companion got a Dear Elder note from her parents saying her new twin nieces weren't doing well and had to get sent to NICU. We went into another room and she asked me to offer a prayer, which I was more than happy to and then she received a blessing from a few of our elders. We sat in that classroom for a while and I could feel the Spirit so strongly. I pleaded with the Lord to help them. He gave me my life, and I asked Him to give them theirs, if it was His will. She hasn't heard anything yet so I'm not sure what is going on,but I know the Lord will do what is best for their family. As soon as she was ready to go back to class we went in and they were reading the Book of Mormon. Almost the first verse we heard was 1 Nephi 7:12 which teacher us to only have faith God can do all things according to His will. It was so perfect and I know it was no coincidence. I commented on that verse and my teacher said something that really hit me. He said, "The obstacle is not God's power, the obstacle is our faith."  

I loved that! And I know that it is so true. If we but have faith we can do all things with the Lord beside us. That is what I have really been trying to focus on here because that is all we can do. We can't do this on on our own.  

Right after we read a chapter with our class we were paired up with another companionship and practiced teaching. Sister Grigg and I were paired up with a companionship of elders that have really been struggling with the language and just being here at the MTC. You can tell they want to be here, but don't completely know for themselves why they are here. They were the missionaries first and taught my companion while I observed. They struggled a lot with the language until we just told them to speak in english if they had to and to teach from their hearts. It was a lot better, but still a little rough. I just listened and asked Heavenly Father what I could say to them that would help. I ended up telling them that no matter how bad or choppy our Chinese is, if we testify and teach what we can with out hearts that will bring the Spirit and make all the difference. I also told them to look straight at their investigator when they are testifying. It makes it so much more personal and really hits your heart because you can see their belief and their testimony in their eyes. And that is much harder to deny than a lesson given passively. 

We had our chance to teach after that and I don't think Sister Grigg and I have ever been so unified in a lesson. We had had no time to prepare, but we simply asked about their concerns (as investigators) and testified in what Chinese we could, using English when we absolutely had to, and always had an answer for him from our hearts. When one of us didn't know what to say the other did. I think we were both getting into this mock lesson and I could definitely feel the Spirit so strongly.  

I can't tell you how much I have learned here at the MTC and how much my testimony has grown as well as my ability to listen to the Spirit. It truly is an incredible atmosphere here. The Spirit is everywhere! If you just stop and listen you can feel it in class, during planning, or even in the cafeteria and I love it! I can't believe I have been here for going on four weeks. A lot of the sisters that were in our residence hall have left and we are losing almost half of our branch this week.  

Other than that I don't know what else to say. I love you all so much and am constantly grateful for the amazing family that I have been blessed to have. I know I am loved and I thank my Father in Heaven every day for the many blessings I have.  

Tell Jemma I love her! And I think of her every day! Her crafts and pictures make me so happy! I'm so glad she loves kindergarten! I was thinking of her on Tuesday when she started. I finally got her letter sent along with the signed release form. They wanted me to send it in a padded envelope so keep an eye out for that. I just sent it this morning.
I love you all, and hope to hear from you this week! 

With all my love,
Sister Fernley

The missing letter!

We didn't hear from Tasha her second week in the MTC! Apparently there was a computer glitch or something because she says she sent an email—we just didn't get it. So this week, she copied and pasted the old message into a new email and sent it to us. Thank goodness!

Here's what she had to say:

I don't even know where to start for this week! The days are so long and so packed, but the weeks go by so fast that its hard to remember everything that has gone on. I feel like this week has been a lot better for me. I have come to realize my purpose as a missionary and know that if I do my best and work hard the Lord will be happy with my efforts and will help make up the rest. My Chinese is still not very good, but I definitely know more than when I entered the MTC. Most of the missionaries in my district either have Chinese family members, or have been to China so they know more than I do, but I think it is really good for me because I am able to ask a lot of questions. They probably get sick of me, but I am learning a lot. I feel like it has helped me become so much more humble and be satisfied with my own progress rather than comparing it to others. 

Earlier in the week a bunch of us from my district had to go get blood drawn for the required blood tests in order to get our visas. And as no suprise they couldn't find a vein on me that would give them enough blood. They ended up having to use a syringe and basically suck the blood out of my vein. The nurses decided they would put a bunch of bandaids on us so we could freak the elders out. When the elders went in for their turn they told them they were still in training to scare them. It was really funny, because a few were actually nervous. The women who worked at the health clinic told me they have actually had to threaten missionaries with reassignment if they wouldn't get their blood drawn. We also had to go get chest x-rays done the next day. That was interesting and a first for me. Anyway I think we have most of our medical work done now and hopefully we get our visas alright. I haven't heard of any Taiwan missionaries having issues with their visas so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Because the new fall semester is starting our district got two new teachers this week. I like them well enough, but Brother Nightengale was so kind and good at bringing the spirit. I think one of our teachers is new, he just got off of his mission, and I think hes still getting in the swing of things and how best to teach us. One told us that when we get to Taiwan we need to be prepared for honesty. He said they will tell you if you have a big nose or acne. One man actually gave his companion some herbal remedies because he had acne so bad. He told us to grow a thick skin and remember that they aren't trying to be offensive, they are just honest. One thing that he said that I love was that we do need to teach to our investigators needs and questions (that is what PMG is all about), but we also need to keep in mind what they REALLY need. Many people may not know it or recognize it, but what we all really need is this gospel and Christ in our lives. 

I've so many great experiences and insights that I don't even know where to start. That is what is so great about the MTC, you always have talks or devotionals that are so inspiring. One thing my old teacher had been focusing on was preparing us to become missionaries. So I have asked myself, "What can I do or change so that when I step off of the plane in eighteen months I will be a better person and changed for the better? I want to serve my mission so that I will be proud of the way I have served and know that the Lord is pleased with me. I don't want to waste a minute, and want to make the best of every moment. I am just so grateful to be a part of this great work and cna't wait to see what the Lord can do. 

Because this Sunday was fast Sunday it was a little different. Every means of getting food is closed for the day and we have a lot of study time and meetings which help keep our minds off of being hungry. We had sacrament meeting around two and I felt all day that I needed to get up and bare my testimony, but I was really hesitant to because it had to be in Chinese. But I did it! And I'm so glad I did. It was really simple and my Chinese was probably really bad, but I know I needed to do it and that the Spirit was pushing me to get up. 

This was earlier in the week but it was such an interesting experience. We had devotional Tuesday night and Niel L. Anderson talked to us about love and sacrifice. He said," We sacrifice for the things we love, and we love the things we sacrifice." It was a really good talk and it was one of many talks that helped me realize I was not alone and what my focus should be on my mission. Anyway we were asked to stay after the devotional because there was a rain and lightining storm outside. We sang hymns for a while until they let us go. The lightning had stopped, but it was still raining hard. We had to walk back to the MTC from the marriot center and got drenched in the process. 

The rest has been just the normal routine. It gets pretty mundane after a few days. We get up, get ready, go to the classroom, wait to eat, then back to the classroom. This cycle happens several times a day, but our district has gotten so close in the last week and a half. We all laugh and joke together because I think if we didn't we would all go insane. We actually had our new teacher make us go out in the hallway and do wall sits for a few minutes because we were all falling asleep in class. The food here isn't bad, but its starting to get old. I feel like we are always in the cafeteria. But at least we have enough food to eat. Another thing I think is so funny here is the other sisters and their clothes! I was worried I had packed too much, but I have nothing compared to the other sisters! 

I'm so glad to hear everything is going well back home. I loved Jemma's picture and notes! I sent her a letter today, so keep an eye out for that. Also Happy Birthday Nicole! Sorry I forgot that in my last email. From what I hear it wasn't fantastic, sorry about that, But it sounds like Jemma was so great and really cute for it. I think its awesome that she wanted to pay for everything with her own money! 

I love you all so much! I'm so glad I have a family that supports me in my efforts! 

With all my love,
Sister Fernley