'tis the season

HAPPY DECEMBER!

Can you believe it's already December?!?!?!?!?!?!?

This last week has been crazy, unfortunately I don't have a ton of time to write, so I will just give you the highlights. So much has happened!

Zone Training Meeting

I learned that I have SO much to improve on. I need to be a much better PMG missionary. PMG literally is the way Heavenly Father wants this work to be done. For all of you planning to go on missions, or even just members, study the lessons in Chapter 3 of PMG. 

Chinese Conference

We had the FIRST EVER Chinese Conference on Thanksgiving, meaning that all of the Chinese speaking missionaries came to the city for a conference. We had great training's, games, and activities. We really emphasized the importance of our calling as Mandarin speaking missionaries here in Sydney...we're basically one of the main gateways to opening China for the Church. It's amazing. So many of our RC's are heading back to China for the summer holidays, and we're learning how to make them strong since they're probably going to be one of the only members in their area. We had a panel of Chinese converts to the church to help us understand how Chinese people think when learning the Gospel, going from no concept of religion to entering the Temple. It's truly amazing to hear and see people's conversion to the Gospel. Also, I really need to start studying Chinese more effectively...this is just embarrassing. 

Sisters at the Chinese Conference

Caught up with Elder Vaughn 

Me and Elder Wilde (a friend from youth conference who use to live in Shanghai).

Thanksgiving

This year was probably one of the best Thanksgivings I've ever had. It was absolutely beautiful. We had all of the missionaries, and we all brought stuff. The senior couples got roasted chickens from Costco since turkeys are really expensive here. We had the mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, brussle sprouts, salad, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, and I made apple crisp...and it was just all good :) :) We had a 'thankful' circle, just like what we do at home, where we go around the room and say what we're thankful for. Ever since coming on my mission, I have a much greater appreciation for our saviour, Jesus Christ. It's amazing to see how much of my life revolved around the Gospel and I didn't even know it!!!  We have SOOO much to be thankful for. Family, Friends, the Gospel, but most importantly, the gift of our Saviour, who atoned for all of us. That leads perfectly into the Christmas season, where we come to celebrate the birth of Christ. Y'all should check out the video on christmas.lds.org  :) It's really good!! It's the greatest gift we could ever receive. I encourage you all to try to embrace this gift and share it by coming unto Christ as we continue to study our scriptures, pray, and apply the Atonement in our lives. 

My first apple crisp!

My spinach salad with poppy seed dressing

Yan Lin's Baptism

YAN LIN GOT BAPTISED ON SATURDAY! WOOOHOOOO :) It was a beautiful service. It's been amazing to see how the Gospel has transformed her life! She really has the Light of Christ glowing from her. She really a testimony of Christ, the Book of Mormon and the Holy Ghost. It's absolutely beautiful. She gave a great testimony...she shared it with me earlier in the week and it made me cry. She knows that it was Heavenly Father's plan for her to meet us sisters and to learn about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Yan Lin's baptism

Yan Lin's baptism

Invitation Sunday

Sunday was the area-wide Invitation Sunday, where every member was asked to invite someone to church. The whole meeting was centered on our number 1 belief, which is in Christ. All of the missionaries sang 'This is the Christ', which was so powerful. Read the lyrics. They just testify of what I know to be TRUE. 

Temple Pday

Today we got to go to the Temple and it was absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I love going to the Temple! There is no other place where I can feel so much peace. I can set aside all of my cares and focus on my relationship with our Heavenly Father. It's amazing to see the kind of revelation we can receive in the Temple. 

Sydney Temple

Transfers

Saturday, we spent 4 hours cleaning our flat because Transfers were yesterday...so unfortunately, I had to say byebye to my mommy, Sister Kuo :(  :(  :(  Super sad...but she only moved to Greenwich, which is still in the Stake!! So that was good!!!! I'm now with Sister Tseng who is absolutely amazing! She's from Taichung and is trying to learn English...I'm probably going to have to kill her though :(  She leaves in Feb...Sis Ah Fua became the new STL, which is very exciting!!  Elder Richardson went home and that was really sad. I barely knew him, but he had the biggest impact on all of the missionaries and members here. He is so powerful in the way he represents Christ. He's very dignified in the work and knows what it really means to be a missionary. He also has a beautiful voice...he sang on the 2013 EFY CD (his name is Michael Richardson). I haven't heard the song since we can't listen to it, but I hear it's good, haha. Elder Maxfield was released as AP, and Elder Laurenson is the new AP. Elder Dean moved to Port Macquarie, and we got Elder Droubay as our new ZL. Elder White will be training starting tomorrow and Elder Brimhall is now a ZL in Newcastle. All the missionaries in the city are great. To be honest, they're probably some of the best missionaries in the mission. They have a great love for the work and are very dignified. They know what it means to be a representative of Christ. I feel so blessed to be serving with all of them. 

Last day with Sister Kuo

New companion, Sister Tseng

That's about it I guess. Life is still good in the city. I love it here. I love the people, the work, the ward, the missionaries, but most importantly, I love my Saviour, Jesus Christ, who took away my pains, sorrows, guilt, etc. and allows me to be perfect through Him. 

I hope you all have a wonderful start to the Christmas season!! Love you all!! 

Sister Lew