March 15, 2010‏

Dear Family and friends,

Nimen hao from the beautiful island! I love Taiwan! It is great to finally be here.

The first day here we went out to The grand Hotel, which is absolutely spectacular! Really, it was amazing! Right next to the Grand hotel is the sight where Taiwan was dedicated for missionary work. We went there and had a little ceremony. Since I am the only missionary that went to Taipei, it was pretty cool - pretty much just me and the mission president and his wife. It was a neat experience.

Now I am Serving in Danshui! My trainers name is Sister Ackerson (Sun Jiemei), and she is amazing! She is from Oregon. She is so good at talking to everyone and telling people about the church. Pretty much, she is the best! I have so much to learn! I am really impressed how self sacrificing she is! She is always serving me and everyone around her and it is so neat! I truly feel blessed to have her as a companion. She has a little brother on a mission right now, so that is a lot of fun. She graduated from BYU in Middle eastern studies and lived in Jordan for six months. So cool! So now she speaks Arabic, English, and Chinese. Pretty impressive.

My first area is Danshui, and it is fantastic. I kind of feel like God dropped a beautiful rain forest right on top of a huge city. There is a beautiful river running right through our area and the hills/mountains that boarder the edge of the island are so green! Even walking down the sidewalk on the way to church has a very "George of the Jungle" feel. I love it. Our apartment is in a high rise so we have an beautiful view of the whole area right from our window. You can see everything! Wow, I feel so blessed.

In my area, the sisters actually cover five wards. Most areas cover only one ward, but ours is special. We Cover Danshui, Shipai, Tianmu, and I forgot the other two, but yeah. This week we attended two of the wards. They had me get up and speak in Sacrament meeting for a minute or two, which scared me so bad! I think it went ok - at least Sister Ackerson says I did a great job, but I don't understand what people say to me yet, so it is an adventure. But really, the the members are amazing. Everyone wants to give us referrals! It is the most amazing thing ever! Really, everyone we meet, whether they are members or not, want to give us referrals. I am just so amazed! It is nice because we get to teach a lot of lessons.

Speaking of lessons, we taught two the day after I arrived. When I say "We taught" what I really mean in Sun Jiemei taught and when she told me to testify or pray I did so. The language is still a small (ok, a really huge) barrier, but I have faith that if I work diligently God will help me understand! Keep me in your prayers!

On Saturday we did Temple Tours. Twice each transfer the sisters in our zone go down into Taipei city and give tours of the Chapel that is next to the temple. We pretty much use the pictures in the chapel to teach lessons. It is really neat. I can pretty much smile and nod, which I feel is a successful contribution at this point in the Mission. Still, when my companions asks me to testify. I testify. It was really neat to be able to work so close to the temple and meet a ton of members from all over Taiwan!

Because our area is so huge, we actually do not get to ride bikes! After all my work in the MTC to get in shape to ride, and now I ride the trains everywhere! Go figure. :) The trains are super nice. I like to ride trains. The other day I decided I wanted to try some contacting on a train, and I ended up trying to talk Chinese to a family who only spoke Taiwanese and I had no idea why I couldn't understand a word they were saying. I just smiled and talked a little bit about the family and gave them a pamphlet. I am sure they were super nice! They seemed excited to try to talk to me. Afterwards my companion told me they were not even speaking Chinese and I felt a lot better. Usually I can understand at least one or two words that people say, but that time I just had no idea~ It was rather funny.

To this email I attached a picture of Me and my companions on the roof of the mission Home. I am going to try and send another email with more pictures, But I want to make sure this one gets off!

Wo Ai Nimen!
Ke jiemei

March 8, 2010‏

Dear Family and friends,
Nimen hao!

It is amazing how time flies! I truly cannot believe it - I leave for Taiwan in less than 24 hours. Wow! I can't really explain the flood of emotion I am feeling right now. Probably the overriding feeling is gratitude. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to serve. I know I have changed so much in these few short weeks, and this is only the beginning. I look forward to my struggles and my triumphs, my sorrows and my joys, because I know that through these things, God shapes us into the people we need to be - His true disciples. I still have so much to learn, but I can't wait!

I truly will miss my companions. They have taught me so much about love, patience, diligence, and charity. I know they are a gift from God, and my only regret is that they are not going to my mission! Sister Malmrose and Sister Ko will be two of the Lords greatest missionaries. I know this because they already are. I owe them so much.

This week my Laoshimen (teachers) gave us each Chinese "first names." In fact, most of my district already had them, so really, only me and two other Elders received them. It was really special because our names reflect what the Laoshimen felt our strongest personality traits are. My Entire Chinese Name is " Ke MeiYin." Ke is 1st tone, Mei is 3rd tone, and Yin is 2nd tone. It means "Beautiful Diamond." It is a special character for "yin," a spacial diamond that has alid in the earth and is so perfect it offers light and protection to the bearer. Princes and Princesses carry around this kind of diamond. I feel it is the most beautiful name ever.

This week, as I head out of the MTC, a talk I read while I was here came to mind. It is Called "This Day" by president Eyring. In it, he quotes Joshua,"Choose you this Day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord." I know as I am off to Taiwan, I am in the service of the Lord. President Erying in his talk points out that Service is a Daily decision. Every day we should rise and plead with the Lord. To paraphrase, he says, no matter what you circumstance is, plead with the Lord to know what you can do to serve him THIS DAY. When he tells you what it is, do it. He says,"It is hard to know when we have done enough to qualify for the atonement to change our natures and so qualify us for eternal life. And we don't know how many days we will have to give the service necessary for that mighty change to come. But we know that we will have days enough if only we don't waste them."

This day, I am choosing to go to Taiwan to serve the Lord. I know when I first get there, I won't be able to do much, but I know that I can do everything the Lord desires of me. He is my strength and my light. I am grateful for his Mercy.

I love you all! Next Stop: Taiwan!

Ke Jiemei

March 1, 2010

Dear Family and Friends,

This is officially my last week in the MTC. I leave for the mission field on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 in the morning. I fly through Los Angeles and then on to Taiwan, where I arrive on March 10, 2010 late at night. I think I get to call home before I leave Salt Lake. I cannot believe that this time has come. It is really unreal, but very, very exciting.

This past week has definitely been one of reflection and thought. Even after I got my travel itinerary it did not hit me until yesterday that I was actually leaving.

Yesterday they called the new "Coordinating Sister in Training" to replace me, and that is when it really set in that I am leaving here for a great work. I have really put my heart into this sacred calling. I love the sisters here so much more than I ever thought I could love. They are everything to me. I know they are in good hands with the new coordinating sister, but I am sad to leave them. As I was thinking about this, it hit me that this is what my whole mission will be like. If I truly give my heart to the people, if I truly love them, and if I truly give my all to them. Each transfer will feel the same. It is such a satisfying feeling - a felling that I have done all I could and the Lord has accepted it - but it is also sad to leave people you love so much. Now I know why God gave me this calling - to teach me how to truly serve with all you "Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength." I am so grateful he gave me this opportunity, and he gave me this kind of love. There is nothing more important in the world.

In other news, our branch president was released because he has been called to be the Taiwan Taichung mission president! Crazy! If you read about President Bishop in the Church news, that is him! I know he is going to be an amazing Mission president. Him and his wife have taken such great care of us. I will miss him for this last week I am here, but I know the Lord needs him elsewhere.

Overall, Chinese progress is still going. I am still practicing my listening skills, so pray for me to have the interpretations of tongues when I go! Talking to a bendiren (Native) is totally different than talking to someone who is also learning the language. It should be an adventure! Still, I know that the Lord will support me. I D&C 68:6, Christ says, "Wherefore be of good cheer and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you." In the few short weeks I have been here, I have felt this already, and I know that in the mission field this will magnify 100 fold. I am so grateful for his mercy. Without him, I truly am nothing!

I love you all and wish you the best of luck! Next week will be my last MTC email!

Love,
Ke Jiemei

February 22, 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

Nimen Hao! Once again, another great week at the MTC. Chinese is going great! I met a woman at the temple today that was from Taiwan and we talked to her for a little bit, and I could understand what she was saying, which was a miracle!

Also, Our teacher wrote a message in Chinese on the board for us, (not the romanized, the characters) and I could totally read it! Ok, so maybe it only used four different characters, but it is a start! I know I still have a really long way to go, but just seeing how much God has already blessed me in the the language is really encouraging. I know that he has brought me this far, and I know that with Him, I truly can do anything! I just feel like Ammon when he says, "Who can glory too much in the Lord?...I cannot say the smallest part which I feel" (Alma 26:16). I just cannot describe how grateful I am for this opportunity to serve the Lord, and my heart is so full I truly cannot say the smallest part of what I feel!

As of right now, I don't know exactly when I am leaving yet, but I am pretty sure it will be March 9. I will most likely know on Thursday because that is when we are expecting our travel plans! I am pretty excited. I am still loving the MTC, but I am also getting really excited about going out to Taiwan.

This past Sunday Janice Kapp Perry was our Relief Society Teacher. For those of you who do not know who that is, she wrote a ton of the Primary songs, including "A Child's Prayer," "I'm trying to be like Jesus", and "I see my Mother Kneeling." She Also Wrote, "As Sisters in Zion." Pretty cool! She gave a great message about how the music of the church can bring the spirit so strong, and we even got the chance to sing a medley she wrote of some of her songs. It was really powerful. I love the hymns, and I love primary songs! They really do bring the spirit so strong. And my companions are very musically gifted, which is wonderful. They are such a blessing to me.

It is great to hear from all of you! Thank you so much for your amazing support, prayers, and love.

Wo ai nimen,
Ke Jiemei

P.S. I forgot to tell you all a funny story. I set a physical goal to go 11.00 miles on the stationary bicycle in thirty minutes at gym time. For the last two months I have been trying every way possible to get there, but I only ever made 10.80 miles! So close! Every single day, no matter how hard I rode, it was always the same. Every single day!

Then I started thinking to myself, "Every single day? That is a little suspicious. I wonder if it is on a timer and not counting my effort, just my time?"

The next day I went half as fast as normal, and Behold! 10.80! They are timed how ironic! The good news is I am probably in the best shape of anyone going off to a biking mission because I can't imagine a better way to get in shape that to try and beat a machine that can't be beat!

February 15, 2010‏

Dear Family,

Nimen Hao! Another great week at the MTC! Today I want to share with you the fun and funny little things that I enjoy daily.

1. The Language. I love learning Chinese! It is really comming along, but the braver I get with speaking, the more funny mistakes I make. This week, My Laoshi asked me what I ate for lunch. I wanted to say "Bread" Which is "Mianbao" but I accidentally said "bianmiao" which means "A Flirty Cat." Yup, Chinese is great.

2. The Missionary handbook. It has a lot of great rules, but a couple that I especially like: "Do not do anything that is inappropriate or offensive, like chewing gum in public" and, "If you are involved in an accident, refer to the 'What to do if you have an accident' pamphlet." Yeah, that book is so great.

3. Xin nian, kuaile! Happy Chinese new year! The sisters all had a little party in the Dorm last night and ate a TON of chocolate and candy. I loved it! It was a great cultural and bonding experience for all of us. The best news - for the first time there is no extra candy in our dorm. PLEASE don't send anymore. It was so great to have and eat, but my waistline can't take it. :)

4. My district. They are just so much fun! This week we acted out Book of Mormon stories in Chinese and it was hilarious. The highlight was probably when one of my companions played a sheep in the Ammon Story. We really did learn a lot from this activity. I promise.

Ok, that is my list for now. I just love being a missionary. I am getting more and more excited to head out to Taiwan. I just know that God is preparing people for me to teach, and I can't wait to be an instrument in His hands over there.

This week, the biggest thing I learned was the importance of service. I really focused on trying to develop Charity, and in doing so found myself serving people a lot. I can truly testify that no matter how small the act is, anytime you serve your love for the person you are serving sill increase dramatically. For example, this week I helped someone find a particular chapter in our grammar book, and I feel so close to this sister now! It is unbelievable! I am so grateful for every opportunity I had to serve this week.

I also learned a lot about covenants. In Mosiah 24:13-14 God is talking to his people who are in bondage and promises that that BECAUSE they kept their covenants, he will support them and make their burdens light. I know that this is true. When we make two-way promises with the Lord, as long as we keep our end, he will always keep his. What a blessing this is! Literally, we choose how many blessings we get through our obedience. This realization helped me recommit to really focus on keeping the covenants I have made with the Lord.

Well, I hope all is well! Wo ai nimen!

Love,
Ke Jiemei
Sister Collyer

February 8, 2010‏

Dear Family and Friends,

First off, thank you so much for the updates about the mud slides. It is good to know that no one got hurt, but sad that so many homes were destroyed. I know that these things can be really hard to pull through, but with the Lord, we truly can do anything (Alma 26:12).

It is great to hear that a bunch of members of the church were able to help out in this disaster. Service truly is what The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is all about. I know that the service everyone gave is exactly what God wanted because "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17).

Please keep me updated on the relief effort. I pray everyday for our community's safety. God bless you all.

Here at the MTC things have been gong great. We got the new missionaries in, and I am so happy! They are wonderful! A lot of them already know a ton of Chinese, which is great becasue I can practice with them. Also, We got 7 new Jiemeimen! Sisters Lew, Hamilton, Gurr, Lai, Lau, Howell, and Stenquist. They are all so amazing! I feel so blessed to have them here. They bring the spirit so strong, and they strive so hard to be obedient and valiant. Each time I see their diligence, I feel inspired.

And Yes, Sister Lew=Jessica Lew. It is great! Her testimony is so strong and her companions are amazing! Much of their district will potentially leave early since a lot of them already know Chinese, so that is really exciting.

This week I learned a lot about the gifts if the spirit, and I can truly testify that whom the Lord calls, he qualifies. This week I got a chance to do a small portion of the new missionary training, and I can honestly say that what I taught were not my words - they were Gods. The spirit was so strong. That day, God instructed me as well as them. It was a huge blessing.

Also, Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting. I had no intention of bearing my testimony because I did not feel my Chinese was good enough. But right in the beginning of the meeting, I knew I had to. I got up. My testimony was short and simple, but for me, very powerful. I know that the gift of tongues is real. I know that God knows and loves each of us. He knows our names. I know that He knows our names. I also know that Christ lives, and through him we can have eternal happiness. There is no greater knowledge. I am so blessed to bring this message to the people of Taiwan.

This week I have been compiling a list of inspiring scriptures just in case I ever get discourages as a missionary. I just want to share one today - D&C 84:88. Angels truly do uphold us in this work. I know that this is true, and I am grateful for the mercy God gives us. In ourselves we are weak, but with his spirit, we can touch the hearts of many and change the world.

I love you all and pray for those that have been hurt by the recent disasters. God bless you all.

Wo ai nimen,
Ke Jiemei (Sister Collyer)

February 1, 2010‏

Dear Jiating and Pengyou,

Nimen Hao! I know I start every letter with "Nimen Hao" but that is because I like it. :)

It was another busy but great week. The old jiemeimen (sisters) left, which was sad, but I am so excited they are out there in the field! They will be great missionaries! Also, I am so excited that we are getting the new missionaries in this week!

One of the biggest hardships since the older missionaries left is that there is pretty much no musical talent among the missionaries that are left. Sounds harsh, but we all know it is true! Sunday, getting people to play the piano was an adventure. We had to use two different missionaries for accompaniment and one of the songs they could only play the right hand! It was an adventure.

The intermediate musical number was the best part though. My companions are the new music coordinators, and we decided it would be a great idea if our whole district sang "A Child's Prayer" for the musical number. I want to quote my journal from this experience:

"I would say, on a scale of 1-10, the musical talent in our district is about a 2. So we sang. It sounded absolutely awful; but it felt amazing. I felt the spirit so strong! It testified that God truly does hear our prayers. His love truly does surround us. He truly loves the children.

It occurred to me that as bad as our singing ability was today, my ability to communicate in Chinese is even worse, but it doesn't matter. The spirit testifies of the same truth no matter where I lie on a scale of 1-10. That is something I learn every time I teach in Chinese, but I have never felt it quite so strong as I did when my humble little district testified in song that God does hear our prayers, and that He loves us."

Now, truthfully, I may have been one of the few people that was really edified by the experience. Our branch presidencies wives tried to hide the pain they were feeling for us, and a few of the Elders were suppressing laughs as hard as they could. But it doesn't matter. It was hilariously awesome, and that is the important thing.

The rest of the week was great as well. I am really growing to be great friends with my district. I am kind of sad that not a single one of them is going to my mission! But that is ok. We are all going where God needs us, and that is much more important than anything else.

This week I decided on a theme scripture for my whole mission. It is in D&C 6:32-37. I really like it a lot. I don't have time to type it out, but basically it says something like "where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I. fear not to do good. Let earth and hell combine against you." Now certainly, right now I don't feel like earth and hell are combining against me, but I know that there will be difficult things on my mission, and I really feel that this scripture can get me through anything.

Wo ai nimen! You are all so amazing!

Ke Jiemei
(Sister Collyer)