June 29, 2014

Hi Mom and Dad,

It has been an amazing first week in HuaLien! I seriously love this place so much, haha. Sister Tracy and I always joke about how we're going to retire here. But really, I totally could. It's hot, but there's a nice wind since we're so close to the ocean, so it's not too bad. And all the people are really friendly. The area is big, or at least, for me it's big. Considering I'm coming from ZhuNan, which was really, really small, I think this place is huge! Haha, but in reality it only takes about 40 minutes to get from one edge of our area to the other. There's not too many hills, which is good for my knees, so this place is pretty much just perfect. All the ward members are great, I love getting to know them. And living with Sister Edwards and Sister Peay is still a blast, haha. We have fun.

 I think I've been put in some great areas as well. I'm glad it's gone the way it has...starting out in a bigger city near Taipei, and then going to the xiang xia places (rural or countryside). I love it here! The people really are great. I feel like theTaiwanese people have this ability to just make you feel like family, haha. Like when we buy street food, or just talk to anyone, they're just super nice and welcoming. Another great thing about HuaLien, is all the smoothie places everywhere! I've finally had some passion fruit smoothies that have been delicious. The fruit in Taiwan is the best ever.

Well last Monday, our P-day, we went to the beach with our district, and it was so fun. We just all hung out there, tossed around a frisbee and just relaxed. This place is gorgeous, it really is. Then Monday night, we went to go eat with one of our investigators and she ended up taking us up to this place called Seven Star Lake, and it was SO pretty! We literally just sat down on the beach and taught her about prophets right there. She's so great, you all would love her. She came to church yesterday too! So she's having her baptismal interview this week, if all goes as planned, and then hopefully she will be baptized in two weeks!

We also had a miracle meeting last week. We went out contacting with one of the Young Women, who happens to love tracting (she's going to make a great missionary) and we were at one place, and just not having any success. So we prayed, and felt that we needed to go to the road over. So we did, and ended up meeting this awesome 19 year old girl, who automatically let us into her house! Turns out she's already Christian, but doesn't really do anything like church or anything, so we taught her the first lesson, and we met with her again Saturday and she accepted the baptism invitation. I'm excited for her. Great things are happening in this area.

We were also able to meet with EIGHT Recent Converts and Less-Actives this past week, which is the most I've ever met with in one week. They're really pushing to build a stake here in HuaLien, so we get to do a lot of reactivation work. It's exciting. 

At church yesterday we literally had 5 investigators! It's the most I've ever had! It was awesome! Church was great. All our investigators are doing really good too. We're hoping to have two baptismal interviews next Sunday, and then two baptisms on 7/12. Both of them came to church yesterday, so we really think they can make it.

 So I'm pretty much loving this area, haha. I'm so excited to be here. I really have been blessed to go to amazing areas with amazing people my entire mission. 

My week was great! Haha, I'm getting used to the area and I know all the investigators, and most of the members now, so it's good! I'm glad I get to be in this area with Sister Tracy. We get along great, and just have fun and work hard, so it's perfect.

Well, that's about it for my week, haha, it's been an adventure. I love you guys! And have a good week!

Love and miss you!

-Sister George