I am Back
I just spent a whole week thinking I could never get this account back, and then it's back, whoo! :D So below will be a summary of the last 18 months.
I was known as Sister Chua. I was set apart to be a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 28 April 2012 to 28 October 2013, officially released on 30 October 2013. I served in the Taiwan Taichung Mission in four areas: Daliao, Kaohsiung (4 months), Chiayi City/County (6 months), Dali/Wufeng, Taichung (5 months), and Changhua City (3 months). Each is a unique and favorite place to me.
I cannot describe the experience in one word. It was hard, very hard. I crashed with my bike 10 times, ran into a scooter once, and I have pains and scars to prove them. Fierce dogs came close to biting me down. I fought with some of my companions. Had rejections, had my heart broken so many times over. My weaknesses were emphasized more strongly than usual right in my face almost every day. I almost went into severe depression, where I could literally feel myself shaking from fears. You'd think I'd want to go home all the time.
But no, why?
Because I cannot get anymore joy from this than anywhere else. I watched people's lives change because of church. I saw how happy they are. I saw the faithfulness of old people and the joy they feel. I saw changes in myself that I never thought I needed. I find myself surviving through trials and becoming stronger in the process. I see the eternal perspective of things and feel no fear for death. And most of all, I saw how much God means to me, and the potential I have as His daughter.
One of the major things I learned, was that I was nowhere close to humility to begin with. I was a prideful jerk. I learn something, and I thought I knew all, and then I decided I didn't have to learn anymore and then show off. It's the truth. In the end, I didn't know everything. Everyone is different, each has their own way, not everyone is going to tolerate with the same thing. There will always be a black to a white, or the other way round. It took me a long time to accept that. And then I decided to always learn. And I know never to look down on myself, because beating myself down doesn't mean that I am humble, but it means that I am teachable and will admit that I don't know all, and that is the truth with everyone on this earth. The truth is: only God knows everything.
Another one is religion. Why religion? It starts with our desire to be happy. Everyone knows what makes them happy, and we as missionaries respect that even if we know the way to full happiness. It's not that we are holding it back, but we don't force it because they come when they come, and when they feel something familiar, they will know. This is part of God's plan. And because of this plan, I know what it means when they say death is not the end, because it literally isn't the end. And no one is alone in their own little world, when the fact is that, each person will always have another whom they depend on. Yet when you think no one cares about or understands you, there will be one, and that is Jesus Christ. He has atoned for us, He understands everything we are going through, and I know this. Just as you cannot describe the taste of salt to a person who's never tasted it, I cannot describe how I know. But you know it when you feel it. And it will be the happiest thing you ever know.
Lastly, the Book of Mormon. You don't read it, and then do something about it, you don't know the truth. It's all about taking action, just like if I give you a book, and then tell you how good it is, you would never know how good it is for yourself. This is where you don't have to trust me, but you must trust yourself, and trust God. Give yourself, and God, a chance. You will know yourself, and you will know Him. This is my invitation to all. This is what I was doing for 18 months, and what I will still do when the opportunity is given, proclaiming good tidings and inviting them and helping them to learn this wonderful news.
And it's the best job I've ever had.
So, since I came back, I've been busy clearing out my accounts, making sure everyone I knew got added on Facebook, hanging out with family, shopping for clothes (since most of mine got ruined), played games... Yeah. Lots to do.
I know there are more to say, but hey, if you're still around, come chat?
And, layout change, yay!
I was known as Sister Chua. I was set apart to be a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 28 April 2012 to 28 October 2013, officially released on 30 October 2013. I served in the Taiwan Taichung Mission in four areas: Daliao, Kaohsiung (4 months), Chiayi City/County (6 months), Dali/Wufeng, Taichung (5 months), and Changhua City (3 months). Each is a unique and favorite place to me.
I cannot describe the experience in one word. It was hard, very hard. I crashed with my bike 10 times, ran into a scooter once, and I have pains and scars to prove them. Fierce dogs came close to biting me down. I fought with some of my companions. Had rejections, had my heart broken so many times over. My weaknesses were emphasized more strongly than usual right in my face almost every day. I almost went into severe depression, where I could literally feel myself shaking from fears. You'd think I'd want to go home all the time.
But no, why?
Because I cannot get anymore joy from this than anywhere else. I watched people's lives change because of church. I saw how happy they are. I saw the faithfulness of old people and the joy they feel. I saw changes in myself that I never thought I needed. I find myself surviving through trials and becoming stronger in the process. I see the eternal perspective of things and feel no fear for death. And most of all, I saw how much God means to me, and the potential I have as His daughter.
One of the major things I learned, was that I was nowhere close to humility to begin with. I was a prideful jerk. I learn something, and I thought I knew all, and then I decided I didn't have to learn anymore and then show off. It's the truth. In the end, I didn't know everything. Everyone is different, each has their own way, not everyone is going to tolerate with the same thing. There will always be a black to a white, or the other way round. It took me a long time to accept that. And then I decided to always learn. And I know never to look down on myself, because beating myself down doesn't mean that I am humble, but it means that I am teachable and will admit that I don't know all, and that is the truth with everyone on this earth. The truth is: only God knows everything.
Another one is religion. Why religion? It starts with our desire to be happy. Everyone knows what makes them happy, and we as missionaries respect that even if we know the way to full happiness. It's not that we are holding it back, but we don't force it because they come when they come, and when they feel something familiar, they will know. This is part of God's plan. And because of this plan, I know what it means when they say death is not the end, because it literally isn't the end. And no one is alone in their own little world, when the fact is that, each person will always have another whom they depend on. Yet when you think no one cares about or understands you, there will be one, and that is Jesus Christ. He has atoned for us, He understands everything we are going through, and I know this. Just as you cannot describe the taste of salt to a person who's never tasted it, I cannot describe how I know. But you know it when you feel it. And it will be the happiest thing you ever know.
Lastly, the Book of Mormon. You don't read it, and then do something about it, you don't know the truth. It's all about taking action, just like if I give you a book, and then tell you how good it is, you would never know how good it is for yourself. This is where you don't have to trust me, but you must trust yourself, and trust God. Give yourself, and God, a chance. You will know yourself, and you will know Him. This is my invitation to all. This is what I was doing for 18 months, and what I will still do when the opportunity is given, proclaiming good tidings and inviting them and helping them to learn this wonderful news.
And it's the best job I've ever had.
So, since I came back, I've been busy clearing out my accounts, making sure everyone I knew got added on Facebook, hanging out with family, shopping for clothes (since most of mine got ruined), played games... Yeah. Lots to do.
I know there are more to say, but hey, if you're still around, come chat?
And, layout change, yay!