Taiwan post January 27, 2014

This week we had a baptism!!! Yeah, so awesome. She is Lin Jiemei, she is 15 years old and her faith is so strong. So when people think that 15 is too young, it is not true. It is based on faith. If you have faith and a desire to learn more you are ready for baptism at any age. I love seeing her enthusiasm!!! Her friend introduced her to the church, her friend came to the baptism to support her!!! It was awesome!!

This week has been full of miracles. We found an less active, but we didn't know how to contact her, so we called her name out, but there was no response. So we did a couple more times. Still no luck, but we were there long enough that her neighbor came home and let us into the building. So we were able to meet her. We tried visiting again but she didn't answer, and we called her name out and then a family exited the building and asked if we needed to go in. It was a huge miracle that we were able to visit her both times.

We have a really special recent convert, she is deaf, our peika (member) wrote down what we say, and we also get to learn some Chinese sign language.which is pretty cool. This week has been busy finding new investigators and getting to know the members in the ward. Gaoxiong (Kaosiung) is much warmer so it is really nice riding without a coat. But nights are still pretty cold.

A little about my companion. She is from Maryland. Her parents are Taiwanese, she started learning Chinese in college, she has learned most of her Chinese here in Taiwan on her mission. And her Chinese is really good. She has 5 people in her family. Her grandparents are from China. Her name is Sister Tung. And she is so awesome!!!!

Love Sister Basko

Taiwan post January 20, 2014

Dear Everyone,

I’m getting old. 6 months has already passed. I don't know where the time has gone. So many miracles have happened that it is impossible to count and so many blessings that I am constantly reminded that this is God’s work, and we are His servants. As we are worthy to have the spirit to be with us we will know where we need to go and who we need to talk to. When we act in faith and open our mouths they will be filled with words our Father in Heaven would have us share.

This week is the move call. I moved from the middle of Taiwan Taichung, Wufeng/Dali to the bottom Gaoxiong, Nanzi. It is much warmer and very industrial. So excited to meet more members of our ward and excited to meet more amazing people on the streets of Taiwan. Got to see the Taiwan earthquake museum in Wufeng on our P-day, went exploring the area last Monday with our recent convert Rice. So much fun. Went tracting with her and helped her share the gospel and learn more about missionary work. She is such a good sport, willing to talking to people and share her testimony. It was a really cool experience.

This week is short...love you all

Sister Basko

Quick note. Rachel doesn't have internet access while on her mission. She can send an email of which I post here for her friends and family. I also go out to her FB account to let her friends know that her blog has been updated. Any pictures that you see out on FaceBook where Rachel is tagged has either been posted by me or one of her new friends in Taiwan. Rachel won't see those until she comes home next January. Thank you, mom

Taiwan post January 13, 2014

Taiwan is amazing. The members are amazing they are so willing to welcome investigators and less active members. It is so cool seeing the ward work together and being able to be a part of it. To be able to help them learn more about missionary work, and how to share the gospel with their friends and family. To hear their testimonies and to testify how this gospel has changed their lives and has brought them so many blessings.

Last p-day we went to Sun Moon Lake. It is a really big lake that lots of tourists go and visit, took a boat around and looked at the shops and visited a temple near the water. The area is old so there are older buildings and shops. Lots of fun and very pretty. We when with our recent convert and some less actives and hung out and talked.

Elder Shelton will be training, he is our district leader right now. So it is very exciting. We get to see his new companion on Sunday!!!

Wishing everyone a happy new year!!! And stay safe and warm through the winter season.

Love Sister Basko

Taiwan post January 6, 2014

Dear Everyone,

This week has been so great. I have focused on looking for miracles that happen every day and for blessings that I see in my life. And every night I write them down so that I can remember them and so that I can thank Heavenly Father for the wonderful opportunities that He gives us. Some miracles I have seen are how our recent converts are changing. When they are reading the Book of Mormon and really studying its teaching. They are applying what they have learned in their lives. Their testimonies kept growing and their faith is strengthened. So that when they are having a hard time they know they can pray and read the scriptures and God will communicate with them and they will feel peace and comfort, and find the answers they are looking for. Miracles are known that God is always a prayer away. That He is so willing to help us, we just have to be willing to pray and ask Him, asking in Faith and trusting that He will helps us. I know this church is true. I have felt so much peace and comfort that I know God knows each of us. I know that Christ came to earth to give us a way to return to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and to know how to improve our own lives and how to overcome trials with God’s help.

Love Sister Basko

 

 

 

 

 

Taiwan post December 30, 2013

We had a baptism this week!!!  Her name is Yang Jiemei, or Rice. She is so amazing. Our recent convert Cai Jiemei is her classmate, and invited her to church and she came. She saw that our recent convert was much happier and wanted to know why, and now she is reading the Book of Mormon like a champ and loving it. She is so excited to share what she has learned from the Book of Mormon each time we meet. She is so amazing. She really has seen how the Gospel of Jesus Christ has brought blessing into her life and brought greater happiness and it is amazing to see her change and become a happier person.

This week was Christmas, and was really awesome. We met some really amazing people who are interested in learning about God and who He is. We started meeting with them and sharing more about God and they are really interested. This gospel brings great happiness and a desire to be better and more loving and patient with others. It helps us to stop focusing on ourselves to focus on others. Serving the way Christ did and learning how to truly love everyone, the way Christ would, and trying to understand them.

I know that this gospel brings lasting peace and happiness. I know that through the Saviors atonement we are able to change our lives and become better people. God is able to change our nature and become the very best, to become the person that God knows we can become. He knows each of us and wants to help us through our struggles and trails. We just need to be willing to let Him. To have faith that He will help us and trusting in His grace.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!

Love Sister Basko

ps. I loved hearing from everyone!!! Hearing your stories and experiences.

 

recent convert at baptism

Ice cream pizza