Emily's Exploits

Last week Sister Chen taught me how to say "I like your _____ (camera, t-shirt, hat, etc)" in Chinese so I could say it to guests. So I told this lady on our Mandarin tour that I liked her hat. She was so surprised. She loved that I spoke to her in Chinese, because she didn't speak any English. So the lady GAVE ME HER HAT! How nice is that? I'm attaching pictures. I attended a baptism for some people I taught and took around Temple Square! They are Burmese refugees (ages 13 and 15), and they are the first in their family to decide to be baptized. Sister Leilua (a Samoan sister) and I sang some hymns during the baptismal service and she harmonized so beautifully. It was nice to do that. Pictures attached.

This week was great. I'm exhausted, but everything is going well. Highlight of my life this week (a conversation I had): Chinese young man: "Oh, so you are a volunteer here. Are you also a student?" Me: "Yes, but before I was a missionary at Temple Square, I was studying music at Brigham Young University." "OHHH, what instrument do you play?" "Singing, I'm a singer." "Wow, so you are a DIVA!" Silence. "I guess you could say that." Israeli woman at the end of a tour: "Now I can say because I met you, I am to become a Mormon." Scripture for the week: Alma 5:19 " I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?" I know that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ it is possible for us to have a pure heart and clean hands. Repentance is the key, and it is a beautiful gi...

Flower Sword (that's what his name means in Chinese) will be studying Physics in SLC for the next 5 years. We met him and his friend yesterday. When Sister Chen asked them if they had heard about Joseph Smith, they both said "Smith's grocery store" ---- and then Sister Chen said "Well, this is a different Smith, it's like spiritual food." Italian Baby Kiss: I met the nicest Italian family!! After talking to them for 5 minutes, they were ready to go. The father brought his 2 year old son closer to me so he could give me a kiss on the cheek! I was shocked/ happily surprised- it was so adorable!! I guess the Italian men learn how to be charming from a PRETTY young age from their fathers. First-Ever Baptism in Taiwan: We met the first man baptized into the church in Taiwan, it was about 50 years ago (he's probably in his 80s). He was baptized in a river! Teaching and inviting people to experiment: We've taught a lot of people over the phone recent...

On Sunday Sister Willis, Gilbert and I are singing a trio of "Come thou Fount of every Blessing" for Sacrament Meeting- so that will be fun. Tonight there is the 100th anniversary of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building Party so we may sneak down to see what that's all about - apparently President Monson is supposed to come? President Holmes is such a wonderful mission president. I had an interview with him and he talked to me about obedience. Really, being obedient is the best way that we can show God that we love Him. I am still thinking about what that means for me and how I act. I'm trying not to get discouraged, but sometimes I feel so inadequate and there is so much that is expected / required of me as a Temple Square missionary. But, as Sister Felici, my room-mate last transfer, always said "Jesus take the wheel". It's one of those things where I have to recognize how imperfect I am and ask for Christ's atoning sacrifice to take effect in my li...

I hope you all enjoyed General Conference as much as I did (see LDS.org if you missed it)! I didn't actually get to watch much of it, as the Sisters were out and about talking to guests and members, and asking anyone if we could call friends and send them a Book of Mormon or a Restoration DVD. We all got up and on the Square by 8 am and left at 9 pm-- it's pretty crazy during Conference Time. The weather was perfect, but today it's raining and stormy. That's a tender mercy :D Before Conference this week Sister Johnson and I met Ann and Patrick from New Jersey. We had quite a good discussion with them about what we believe and they were so nice and friendly! Near the end of the tour Patrick commented on our "happy eyes". I know he was talking about the Holy Spirit! Galatians 5 talks about the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Patrick also gave me a nickname: "Stretch" ...since I'm so tall. haha. Dean from Birmingham, England is a funeral director and ...

Well-- here I am, finally at Temple Square! There really are visitors from around the globe that come to visit. It's amazing! Temple Square gets 3 million visitors annually. The Sisters that I serve with are from 50 different countries and speak 43 languages. IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO TEMPLE SQUARE, MAKE YOUR TRAVEL PLANS NOW. (seriously!) There are Sisters on Temple Square from 9 am to 9 pm every day of the week giving tours, including Sunday. My trainer is Sister Robin Johnson, she's from Sacramento, California! I love her lots. Sorry I don't have a picture to post, I need to get a converter for my SD drive to plug into the computer. [STORY OF MY LIFE/ MISSION!] Here are two experiences I've had with visitors here on the Square this week: Oscar of Anaheim, CA: Near the end of the tour after I told him about temples, Oscar asked (in his broken Spanish accent): "Have you always been this happy?". My reply was: "No. When I was 12 years old, I was awk...