well, I'm just happy. and i am sprinting to the end. beginning of last transfer.

OK!!!!!!! first an mtc flashback....... elder love(taidong zone leader), elder okeson(central zone leader), me (taoyuan) and sister belnap (hualian sister training leader). 

US as OLD MISSIONARIES

So updates on this past week:  It was really good. and so crazy!!!

monday wasn't pday.... we went on exchanges.. i went with sister Ioane, we saw so many miracles! we were so diligent, it was so cool, she is the best!! I love sister ioane, she is from tavalu.... a small island next to fiji, she is sooo funny! and such a good missionary.. she has the best experiences too because she is only a convert of like 2 years or something like that.... she told her dad that she was leaving for her mission that day before she got on the plane..... well, she had been telling them and telling them, but they always said no.... really opposed it.... but through the power of the spirit, her dad's heart was softened and he said, if this is what you want, then you can go... and that is what she did.... she left a scholarship that she won't get back..... she can reapply.... but so far she doesn't have it.... and she is being supported by their branch president.... she is such a good example of being ready and then going and doing. her testimony is so powerful and really helped the rc that we were meeting with... ruby... (who had decided that she was only going to go to church like once in two weeks) we were able to help her commit to going and taking the sacrament every single sunday. so good. (:

and then on wednesday.... which was our pday we got to go to taipei 101 for our first times ever!!!! soooooo talll...... hahaa (:(:(: we got to go to the temple and hang out in taibei..... so it kinda felt like we went and partook of the fruit of the tree of life...and then we went to the great and spacious building. weird. haha! there is such a difference. we didn't go inside... we just needed proof to show that yes, we served in the taiwan taipei mission, and yes there is a really tall building. (:

(we randomly were coming home from taipei 101 on the mrt and look who walks in? jessica? rc from jilong!!!) so happy (:

on friday we had mission leadership council.... so good (: we learned so much, we got a lot of training on the sacrament and sabbath day... about having it be a delight. i learned so much! and our zone is doing so well on helping investigators and less actives come to church, so cool, last week we had Sister Cao come... she hasn't been in like a couple years since she has been. she is really getting excited about the gospel again!!! and then yesterday Andy Wu came to church!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we have been working with him, so much!! his testimony is so great, there was actually a return missionary that came to taiwan and visited him... and that return missionary is less active... but Andy bore his testimony to him about the gospel. so amazing to see. he came to church and took of the sacrament yesterday for the first time in like 10 years... or something!!! we were so happy. just beaming. wow. wow.

ALSO!!! our Qiu family came to church as well, mom, dad, son (andy) and daughter (fei fei) it was the best thing ever, the bishop stood up and welcomed them, and then it was fast and testimony meeting, and it was the best thing ever, Brother Qiu says he is still not use to it, but he loves his family so much, and we talked about the plan of salvation, and he said that he was willing to sacrifice everything to be with his family in the celestial kingdom forever. i think he will keep coming, (: we are fasting for him to overcoming smoking and chewing binlang...... ick.  but i know he can do it! he has been praying this week, and he said it really helped. 

OK A TAIDONG UPDATE:

That Sister Lin that sister giles and i met and gave the english tract too... got baptized last week!

ALSO!!!! remember Brother Xu??? well, this is what i got from sister komatsu today....

THIS WEEK WAS GREAT!! Guess what?! Miracles all the time - We met Xu dx's wife!! We came over one night and she was there - we taught her the restoration and then she said that our church seems great and she's seen a change in xu dx. And as we taught her we asked him about the book of mormon and how this gospel has blessed him! He bore his testimony, sister! It was the best moment in my entire life! She said she's also consider getting baptized! WHAT?! RIGHT!! Their gonna get baptized! I know it!

YOU NEED FAITH, FOCUS, ENERGY, SKILLS. 加油!!!

LOVE SISTER WALKER (:

hello momma (:(:(:

we are emailing before we go to the temple...... (:(:(: haha, and i can't remember if i told you or not... but i think i have just started getting use to the lack of sleep. etc. haha (:(: in chinese it means that you have gotten in the habit.... but that you adapt to it... and you get use to it... haha, its called xi guan. (: haha and if you change the tones on it... then it means a straw. haha oh i love that (:

ya, so we woke up at 4:40 this morning... but i am feeling pretty good. I GET TO GO TO THE TEMPLE IN A FEW HOURS!!!!!!!!!!!! YAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!! (:(:

and you are just so right... i was thinking also when i go back i will have to speak in english to people about the gospel, weird huh? because chinese is just so much easier... its like i am wearing two badges. the one with christ's name on it. and the other that says, "yes, i am white and i am speaking to you in chinese. yes. God exists. " haha (:

oh so good! i totally forgot about the letters, so glad that they made it (: haha yay!! oh and mom! i found cool pants for you (: no worries..... sorry i ruined the birthday surprise, but yes (:(: i am just excited. they are different, but i think that you will like them (:

and yes that sounds good... just do the classes that you told me a couple weeks ago...and i guess the only thing is that they need to be like 14 credits total for my scholarship or something..... (: yes! that sounds good (: thanks!

there are so many miracles mom. it is so crazy and awesome and i just feel so blessed. this whole area is just so blessed. our district and our zone are all seeing huge miracles. 

So happy for KODY!!!! yay!!!!  that is sooo cool (:(: and thats ok.... we can always photoshop me into the picture... ahha (:(: and i am excited to see you too. so there are going to be 2 other sisters, sister fisher and sister aldous are going to be going home with me to the boise airport, so that'll be fun (:(: it will be a big party. but just so you know... haha (:(: and please i hope you are all preparing yourselves for the biggest hugs in your entire lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (:(: haha and oh man that game sounds so intense.... yes, he needs to be careful!!!! haha, that is just so fun that everyone is so in to it. that is the best. i feel like i am so in to his football games there too!! i am so sad that i will have missed them..... but i am totally going to be there for rugby season!!!! (:(: haha

so happy that everyone is good and happy and healthy and having fun, wow, your zuccini sound awesome, haha (:(: and you need to make some zuchini bread and save some for me (: that sounds so good. (: haha

maggie looks so pretty!!!!! yay, i am so happy that she could wear my dress (:(: she looked so pretty and i am sure she had so much fun!!! yayy!!!! (:(: 

lacey is adorable. i love her (: haha well, i love everyone. but i just can't wait to meet everyone again, i feel like everyone has probably changed so much! i feel like i have changed so much. we are just going to be a big happy family, together (: haha, we are going to have to go slow with the movie watching. haha, i want to watch them with her, but i am a little scared haha (: i haven't seen a movie in a long time (: haha

oh yay, that is so cool about President and Sister Christensen  speaking at stake conference..... they are so sweet, they totally came to my mission farewell! how sweet is that!!! send them my love too (:(:

oh mom, those potatoe pins sound really fun!!! that would be awesome!!! (:(:

love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sister walker (:

the time is so short, but so full of miracles. (:

hello!!! 

the weeks are going like crazy!!!! weird. huh, they are just so packed full. i have been really really tired these past 2 weeks, being here in taoyuan and sister training leader is a big change. but i think i have gotten use to it. i like jumped out of bed this morning! I know God is blessing me. yesterday i could barely keep my eyes open during studies. :(

 i kind of felt like i was going home on saturday... we got to do temple tours in taibei for the whole day, and it also happened to be taidong, hualian, zhunan temple day! also there were some jilong members there too!!! it felt like the celestial kingdom or something, like coming home....

yesterday in church there was a really good talk about how when we are children we associate our home with where mom and dad live, where we are taken care of and a place that is safe. when we fall and get bruised or come across a tough situation, our initial reaction is, "i want to go home"............ in our lives now do we associate the temple, the place where our heavenly father dwells as home? when we come across challenges in life, do we return home to get healing, and find strength?

i thought that was so good!i know that it is true, the temple is amazing!! also... guess what? i get to go to the temple next week... so i will be emailing next wednesday........ so don't freak out (: haha


and yes, being sister training leader has been so amazing, this week i went on exchanges with sister good (:(: It was so cool to see that even though we didn't have a lot of time, we took the precious time that we had and made it into something great. We got to see some amazing miracles. I was able to go on exchanges with Sister Good here in Nankan, it was right after district meeting so we still had what we talked about in district meeting on our minds. We were going to teach about baptism!She shared something interesting with me, whenever we want to talk with someone, but something stops us, fear, nervousness, and we hesitate. It is literally Satan binding our tongue like Joseph Smith when he went into the sacred grove. Of course, not to that magnitude. But the image is scary enough. I hope that I never give into Satan's temptations again!  Being with her I learned so much! Right before we were going to exchange back we met Wang JM on the street and talked with her. She set a baptismal date on the street and was so excited!. So cool to see that, it was a testimony that we need to invite everyone to baptism, there are so many people who are ready!!

and also with the temple sisters... the sister APs.... (:
From Sister Guo I was able to learn so much too, when I am with her I always feel good about myself. She has an amazing gift of seeing the good in others and noticing their talents. We saw so many miracles! I really felt like we were following the spirit in everything we did, and with everyone we met. ill tell you about the people selling christmas decorations: so right after we went and had hot pot..... we had a little bit of time to go finding... in taibei! wow!!!! being a taibei missionary for the day was totally weird!haha, so lucky that i have never served in taibei (:(: haha, anyway.... we said a prayer and started walking... had a thought to go and look a specific lane, and there just a few buildings over are all these christmas decorations, the lady comes out and brings out these chairs and we get to sit and talk with her..... she starts going on, and we are sharing about the gospel and she just looks at me and she is like, you look so famililar, it is as if i know you, or know your ancestors, and i am just like, ok, yes, and she is like, you look like your ancestors would be german... and i am like yes, i do have some that are from germany, and oh she just starts going off. i take out my family history and show her. she gets so excited, she is telling her friend, and goes and gets her son... etc. she is like, you are so cute, i really like you. i prophesy that  you will marry a taiwanese person... and she is like, how old are you? well, my son is 29, and i am just really nervous... and i am just looking at sister guo with this scared face...... everything turned out ok in the end as we reminded them of our missionary purpose. (: haha. it was cool that someone could connect like that, and had such great love for me. really amazing. i know that she really is my sister, and that we did know each other from premortal life. i am not sure how crazy she was, but the principle is there (: haha she is going to meet with sister guo again!!! ya! (:

another one!!!! sister guo has only been in her area for about 2 weeks.... the same time i have been in taoyuan.... and so she isn't that familiar with the area... we went to go visit an LA, but had forgotten where she lived.... we knew the general area and the la wasn't answering the phone... so we followed the spirit... we went and knocked but we couldn't find it... we were asking everyone we saw... no one knew..... and then we said a prayer... and right when we opened our eyes we saw a sticker "no other success can compensate for failure in the home" stuck on a mailbox... so we clicked the door bell and the door opened right up... and we went upstairs... and there is a lady at the door, and its not her........... but we explained the situation... aparently missionaries had lived there before and had put the sticker there......... wow!!! well, we start talking with her... she has met missionaries before... but never met with them.... and so we get to have a lesson right there in the door way and showed her "because he lives" video. she said that we could come back and teach her whole family!!! wow!!! (:(: right after we said the closing prayer with her, our la called.... and she lived just a few alleys down... wow. miracles. we said another gratitude prayer and went on our way. God just gives us so many chances to see miracles. it is so cool!!! and so amazing. we just need to be willing to ACT. awesome.

Lastly, got to tell you about our investigator families...... we have 2! so exciting!!! Ding Family and Qiu Family. Ding Family, they are doing so good, they are so busy and always at their store which is in our area... but they actually live in another area sometimes..... it is so great though because we are working with the missionaries in the other area to help them get to church and hopefully we can all be a part to help them come to christ! It is really amazing, Sister Ding is doing great and their daughter really wants to be baptized. we are just working with Brother Ding, he is the stubborn one. He is ready the book of mormon though! He has great questions and loves meeting with us, he is just still confused because he just puts everything together, taoism, buddhism, other christian churches he has researched and what we have told him all together. one thing that was cool is despite all he knows, we went to visit them the other day and he said that reading the book of mormon he had a question, but as soon as we said a prayer and started talking about it, he received some inspiration for the answer... the question was, why does nephi's brothers always try to kill him, didn't they see the miracles? i know that it is the influence of the holy ghost that helped him to understand that we need to rely on our testimony from the holy ghost and answers from God rather than our own understanding. Also we need constant reminders, that is why we need to read and pray everyday. Sister Ding is so humble, and just willing to learn, she is excited to have this in her life. We like to balance meeting with them separately and together. it really has been a miracle. so cool!

We met with the Qiu family last night, this is the second time meeting with them, we taught the last part of the first lesson... about the restoration. so amazing. they have been reading the book of mormon and praying as a family everyday. Sister Qiu shared about a dream that she had, she said that in the dream everything was white, and she saw a man, and while nothing else happened.... i think that dream was really short...... she just knew that she loved him. she knew that it was because she has been praying and reading. we testified that God uses different ways to answer our prayers. but that it was a confirmation of God's love for her. Wow. We also got to share with Brother Qiu about how after they are baptized that he can also receive the priesthood to direct and lead his family and give them blessings. his eyes just lit up. (: i think well, Sister Qiu is kind of leading the family right now, I think she will get use to the idea though (: haha (:

I KNOW GOD IS A GOD OF MIRACLES. HE LOVE US!!! (:(:

LOVE YA, sister walker (:

ALSO!!! we got our pictures taken, please keep an eye out in the liahona... or ensign (:(:

got to see taidong members at the church!!!!!! and today we were the official "tour sisters" (:(: we saw so many miracles! we gave 7 tours!!! wow!!!

i went with sister good! and we got a sub sandwhich with a cookie, and chips.... yum!!!!!! i can't even remember the last time i had  a sandwhich like that. (: 

oh and the other pic.... is sister willhelm.... a return missionary from our mission, and sister cutler's trainer... (:

exchanges (:(:

our church is on the mrt sign! we were sooooo tired...... but us, on the mrt (:

an english student gave us these hard boiled eggs, and this is beautiful taoyuan!!!

hotpot and sister giles and sister cai from taidong

temple tours and random people selling Christmas decorations

jilong members i saw while doing temple tours in taibei!!!!

REALLY, WELCOME TO THE BIG CITY SISTER WALKER. and CONFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY GREETINGS FROM TAOYUAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

my new area is soooo different. i was riding my bike the other day... and i look over and there is a TGIFriday..... what??? that is so crazy!!!! haha, and yes we are to the west of taibei.... and my first apartment..  that you can't see the ocean.... weird. and everyone here is up in the mornings going to work.... and they all work in offices in tall buildings and we just contact people on the street instead of knocking doors...... weird. haha but it really is a miracle place. i really really believe that heavenly father is blessing our area to be a good example. we got some amazing referrals on sunday!!! it was amazing, a family!!!! they are super great. because they are so humble and willing to learn. so amazing. 

my focus for the transfer is on my planner: my ponderizing scriptures are in the front cover.... (:(:

3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

5 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

 15 ¶So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

and one thing that i really got to ponder about during conference is: why do i do the things i do? is it for myself or for God? when it comes to the end of the day do i love the "lessons" "baptisms" or do I love CHRIST?

I have come to known that all the people we help on our missions/ in our lives... is not for the glory of ourselves. no way. are they are RCs? they are God's. and we really don't do anything. 

We have seen so many miracles this week that is simply from God's grace. and I just feel so FULL. i can't even describe it. I really do think that i have become another person. i feel different. i feel full of life, the spirit, charity, and peace. something that i have never experienced more. i think it makes more sense in chinese. full is like satisfied. like everything is met. and that comes from being happy with yourself. and i think that i have learned not to compare. which is actually something that i have wanted to learn. and it is such a happy feeling. i take joy in others accomplishments. and i feel so happy with everything that i have seen and experienced. and yes... i still have so much time to keep learning before i finish. SO AWESOME!!!!

in conference i took the question.... how can i continue to have this feeling with me? i got so much revelation!!! so happy!!! God answers all of our questions. so cool. 

I THINK EVERYONE NEEDS TO GO ON A MISSION.

my new calling is going great.... i went on my first exchange and did my first training in zone meeting! crazy huh! the exchange went well (: haha, of course i have had so many great examples... (: i went with sister morris to her area... but we didn't even know... she is actually sick... with like mono... she thinks. but she wasn't sure.... so she just rested... and i went out with the sister in the other area... sister strong!... same apartment... and went finding! and well.... it was an exchange within an exchange... exchange-seption? haha and we went to the bread store and got bread for our sick companions. WE SAW SO MANY MIRACLES! later i got to go out with sister morris (: she is such an awesome missionary and such a trooper!!! I LOVE THESE SISTERS.... they don't even need training. they are awesome.  haha (:

ALso.... CONFERENCE WAS THE BEST!!! i just want more!!!! and watching president monson. i just could feel that he was the prophet! he was so strong, speaking so clearly despite how weak his body was! i love prophets (: they are the best. so happy to have our investigators Su DX, and our newest friends.... QIU JM and her son and daughter there too (:

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!! till next time..... sister walker

my feet and harleys!

Mormon noodles at the temple

in between sessions we went to carrefour to get ice cream from mcdonalds and curry (:

there was also this cool ninja thing (:

Sister Cutler

ME!!

I MOVED!!!!!!!!!! and my luggage broke again. sigh

OK. SO NOW I AM IN TAOYUAN!!!!!!!!!! and it is so exciting!!! also... i am sister training leader now. what?!
Hello! I am so excited because this past week was just amazing!! I heard that I would be leaving and while I was very sad to leave, I also had a feeling of peace like everything was going to be ok. I knew that Sister Komatsu would do so well and I am so excited that she is with Sister Lindsay!! and sister tate moved to zhunan! ps heard that one of sister anderson and I's investigators... is now an RC! wow!!!

(so basically that means that sister lindsay, sister tate, and me have all had the same areas.... we all know that they are coming to taoyuan next) haha

 I love the opportunity that I had to be in each of my areas, even if only for a short amount of time. I am really happy to be with Sister Cutler now in Taoyuan. This place really is awesome too! I am so very excited because we have a new ward here just like in Taidong. I am so excited to work with all the new leadership and help this ward continue to grow. yay!

Some miracles that we saw from this week was from transfer meeting. I did feel a little nervous and uncertain going into it. for like the 4 1/2 train ride. i was like sick. emotionally. the night before transfer meeting....Sister Tate said that she was excited to feel from the spirit a confirmation of the place that she was going was the place she was meant to go to. If that makes sense. I said wow! I would love to have that feeling too (: So I was able to pray and fast and as soon as I heard I was going to be with Sister Cutler, all of my worries washed away and I felt peace. I knew it was all going to be ok. I know that God loves us and answers our prayers. I am still learning about how to be a sister training leader, but I am excited and willing to learn! 

Another miracle we saw was with our investigator in Taidong, Xu DX is doing so great! He is preparing for his baptismal date and is willing to follow the word of wisdom. The best part was how our peike went off about it, about why it is good, and gave all these explanations and Xu DX is like, its not a problem. I don't really do any of those things anyway. He really is humbling himself before God and has a desire to be baptized. He said he knows this is the way to be closer to God. Before he never really ever thought about God or wanted to be close to Him. Through the gospel he has come to know that God is our Heavenly Father. It is amazing!

here he is!! he is so awesome!!!

ok. so there it is. and just know that I am doing great. I love all of my companions.... i counted..... i have 11. that is totally crazy. and i have learned so much from each one. 

I love the chance that I have to serve. I am so excited for everything. I just feel full. I know that I have changed so much already and that I still have so much to learn. But I LOVE MY MISSION. and it has been the best time of my life. Here is to 2 more transfers!!! 

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!! got to run (:

sister walker

Sister Jex and I

Taiwan Taipei Temple

Sister Lindsey, Sister Tate and Sister Walker

our bishop's wife..... (:(: 

sister Giles. and her baby.... i am technically the dad (:(: haha

this is my new companion sister cutler!!!!!!!!!!! (:(:(: she is from bountiful Utah and she is the best. we are so happy!!!! we were in the same district for 2 transfers when i was in jilong.... so that is the best!

PSYCHE!!!!!!!!!! and 中秋節快樂！

So.... last tuesday. as nervous as we  were for transfers..... we get a text from the zone leaders saying, transfers have been pushed back a week!!!! WHAT?! and now we get another week to just relax and work hard! and work hard we did! we saw so many miracles, i know that transfers getting pushed back was not an accident..... no way. it was all in God's plan. 

So. transfers are this week, and now we are in that nervous anticipation again. and they are on a thursday not a friday! wow. changing everything up!

ALSO YESTERDAY WAS 中秋節! (ZhongQiuJie) Mid Autumn Festival. I am started to repeat holidays. you know when you are an old missionary. when this starts to happen. haha. this year totally made up for last year. (i don't know if yall remembered but we didn't get invited to kao rou.... BBQ...... but this year we got to go to 3!!) yum. i am so full. these people know how to eat. i will tell you that. haha

 #1. marshmallows!!!!

and this #2. Oysters!!! (Yum!!!)

and this is #3. a family(they are investigators)! and shrimp!

we saw so many miracles this week and worked so hard. and while at the end some things didn't work out and people used their agency not to come to church. it wasn't a waste of time. this whole transfer wasn't a waste of anyones time or effort. 

the church is as true as ever. our members are the best. and BBQ tastes good. 

keep on keeping everyone!!! 

LOVE SISTER WALKER (:

and oh yay, sorry i thought i told yall, because we ended up being in a rush to get home we didn't do that testimonies... woooh. saved for the next time haha  (: we didn't get home until 10:30 and because our house is so far away we ended up just staying at the other sister's apartment closer. and then we rode home in the morning for exercise. (:

oh yes!! our people!!! i love them!!!!! it was so happy to see!!! also. this week i heard about another miracle.... when i was with sister giles we met this lin jm..... and we gave her an english tract and gave her number to the other sisters..... and well, she is getting baptized on 10/10!!! wow.... so happy! she was like, if i didn't meet you... i would have been here... i wouldn't have been happy. and that was the best thing i ever heard. wow. 

primary programs really are the best! they do them in taiwan too! i can't wait until it is primary program time again (:(: and you are right! we should share primary songs with our investigators.. because i realize they are simple. and easy to understand. that is how we try to teach (: thanks!

wow!!! we got the cool experience of going visiting teaching with some of our sisters to visit this new member... and they shared that message. it was so perfect because we are helping her to get to the temple! she is excited but we still need to help her a lot. (: haha she is ready to learn and work though, so we are going to do all we can too (:(:

LOVE YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (: 

sister walker

i cut my companion's hair. haha! (: she needed some layers...... after her $3 hair cut. it all worked out ok (: (: haha