Zone Conference, Flooding Saipan with the Book of Mormon, and other cool things

It's been a great week! Lotsa stuff going on.... Zone Conference, working as a trio (but Sister Kaleopa goes on splits a bunch so she can still work in her area), Tropical storms, other stuff. Pretty great week!

Zone Conference was on Tuesday. As a Zone, we came up with a cool idea. We are doing this thing called "Flooding Saipan with the Book of Mormon" Basically every day, each companionship is going to give out 3 Book of Mormons: 2 to people who don't have one, and one to a Less active or recent convert to give away. It's been really cool... I'll tell you some stories in a second. Also got some really cool counsel from President Poston. He walked in and shook every ones hand, staring into our souls as he did. Then he started his training with talking about Priesthood keys and how he has spiritual gifts as our mission President such as the gift of discernment (that short summary didn't even begin to do it justice... it was actually a very spirtual learning experience. Search out your spiritual gifts!!), then saying, "3 words came into my mind as I came in here." Then he Proceeded to expound on them, one by one. 1. Unity. 2. Joy. 3. God loves you. It was such a cool thing, knowing that he is receiving such specific revelation for us as a zone. The Spirit was so strong. 

I think I've told ya'll about Ying... but if not, here you go. She's super cool! She is 18 and going to college to be a nurse, and hopefully one day a doctor. She loves learning more about the church, and she is excited to keep reading the Book of Mormon. Now enter those stories about "flooding Saipan with the Book of Mormon": Yesterday we gave her a Book of Mormon to give out. She's got a few friends she wants to give them to. 

We were at a less active family's house on Friday, and invited them to give out a Book of Mormon. Immediately, the two daughters had people they wanted to give Book of Mormons to. One daughter, Kasey, said she'd been wanting to give her teacher one for a year, but couldn't find one nice enough. Her sister Kaylee has a really good friend who is Buddhist who she has been trying to influence to learn more about Jesus Christ, then she switched schools. She is going to show us her friend sometime this week so we can teach her family =) The dad is going to pray about it so he can know who to give it to. He was really excited about how excited his daughters were about the challenge. 

Overall, since Tuesday, our Zone has given out 43 Book of Mormons. The ward is really excited to join us, too. This is just was Saipan needed!! We are so excited!!

A little before Zone Conference, and especially during I have felt impressed that I need to change some things (then again, don't we all.... No one is perfect, after all). I feel like the longer you live with someone, the more Satan, and probably just the natural man, brings out weaknesses, both in the person you are living with, and especially in your self. The challenge is to fight that and learn to love the person anyway, despite weaknesses. After all, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and them, despite all our weaknesses. 

One weakness I have realized I have is that I can get frustrated easily with people. When I get frustrated, I usually just go quiet. But I have been applying that video we watched at MLC: "Stop it!". Look it up on Youtube. It's pretty great. It's from Mad TV. Anyway, I have seen a huge difference in my days. I have seen my companion and I stop arguing about little things. I have seen myself be happy. I have felt the influence of the Holy Spirit more, and have been able to focus more on others and less on myself. I can testify that Ether 12:27 is true: when we humble ourselves and turn to the Lord, he can make our weaknesses strengths. Without Him, we cannot overcome any of our weaknesses. 

I love my mission so much. Learning a lot out here. I love you all, and hope your life is going well! Keep reading the Book of Mormon!! Give it out to a friend, too. Flood the Earth with the Book of Mormon!! I testify that it will bring you closer to Jesus Christ, your Savior and Redeemer, more than any other book that has been or ever will be written. 

Lots of love from this little rock in the middle of the Pacific,

Sister Springer

PS: Sorry forgot to send pics.

Pic of the zone at zone conference.

We did a service project at the Conner's as a zone again. Super fun! Got to use my machete =) Also, check out the papaya tree growing inside the truck. Fun stuff, welcome to the Jungle. We have fun and games. And also nature takes back what's her's. 

Really pretty ocean pics... doesn't do it justice. 

Sunset. 

Also!!! WE FINISHED MAKING THE CHINESE LANGUAGE MASTERY!! One step closer to being Chinese language master's =) ​​

Teaching English and Learning Characters

Hey all!! 

Good week here on Saipan. Don't remember if I mentioned it, but our Chinese teacher, Tracy is teaching us characters now, both to read and write!! So cool!! 

Wait back story. So Tracy has been teaching us Chinese for 7 months for free, twice a week. She's not even interested in learning about the Gospel or anything. She's sooo busy too, but chose to take time to teach us. About a month ago, she was just talking to us and telling us her son, Hao Yang, is struggling in English class cuz she doesn't have time to sit down and make him read for his reading logs. So we volunteered to sit down and help him read 3 times a week for 30 mins each. It's been really cool, and we've finally got to meet her husband. Hao Yang is 7. He's really smart, but also a little rebel haha. He's good though, and his reading has improved so much already!! He focuses pretty good too now. He's also pretty busy though... he has soccer and karate, and chinese class on the weekends. Busy boy!!

So last week we met this Chinese girl outside our apartment randomly. Her name is Xiao Yun. She speaks pretty good English, but our whole conversation was Chinese. She knows the Mormon church too!! Still not sure how, cuz she told us in Chinese really fast and we both couldn't quite follow... But yeah. Anyway, so this week we go to our investigator, Angelina's house for a lesson, and guess who happens to also be there? Yeah, Xiao Yun! So we end up teaching them both. They're both kinda in the same boat.. The have two small kids, and their husbands divorced them and went back to China. Xiao Yun lives down in Kobler, which is meth city... and right close to where Tianbao used to live. 

So fast forward a couple days, and we go down to Kobler (during the day of course) to try to find Xiao Yun. She doesn't answer her phone, so we decide to go try the store right next to Tianbao's old house, his translator friend Ying. She's there and she sees us and says, "Oh, how do you finally have time to come see me??" in an excited way though. We taught her a quick lesson and set an appointment to come back. We've seen her 3 times since then, and she is so golden!! She's really excited to learn more, and is on date to get baptized on November 18th. She's so cool, too. She has to watch her mom's store whenever she's not at college, pretty much. She's going to school to be a nurse, but wants to switch to doctor. She was studying cells in Chinese the other day.... Made me so happy haha. 

Last couple things then I better go. 

Croft Family moved back to California this morning. They're so cool!! Going to miss them lots.... They are stopping in Hong Kong for 9 hours and then Korea for 1.5 days. So cool! 

Last thing... Sister Burton has to go home cuz of medical reasons. She's on Guam now, but goes home tomorrow or Wednesday. So sad... she really doesn't want to go. Hopefully she can come back! We only have 2 Sisters coming in the rest of the year, and are losing so many Sisters next transfer... Gonna be some rough transfer calls. Hey, all you ladies thinking about going on a mission! Get out here! Micronesia Guam Mission is the best!!! No better place in the world!!! 

Love you all lots! Have a great week!

​​​​​​

Sister Springer

Book of Mormon Blitz!!

Hey all,
I have very little time left so gotta make this one short... We had an appointment to run to, so I had to jump off early. But I'm back real quick.

Today was super fun! We went to some cliffs with all the missionaries and a couple of Elder Ieru and Elder Walter's investigators. They jumped into the ocean. I totally wanna try it. After my mission, of course! The water was so clear though. So nice. Elder Ieru used to dive all the time back home (have I mentioned he is from Kiribati?) So he was really missing swimming and diving. Never thought about how much harder it must be for islanders to not go swimming. I would just do it for fun, but they grew up swimming every day not just for fun, but for food. Crazy how much a mission can open your eyes. I love how much I am learning about other places and cultures. America is the melting pot of the world it is said, but I think it's actually Saipan. I've met sooo many different people here. Anywhere from Hindu to Chinese to Palauan to Filipino to Kiribati (ps that's pronounced more like kirdipas. You gotta roll the r) 

Anyway, this wee was super good. Spent walking wednesday in our new English speaking area, getting to know some people. It's so different teaching in English! Really cool though. I love the people we've met so far. Especially Val. She's Chuukese, born on Saipan though. She really wants to learn, but her auntie isn't a huge fan of us... so.... she's gonna call us when she can meet up haha. 

I forgot to tell ya'll! I finished the Book of Mormon a couple weeks ago! It's the best =) I love the Book of Mormon with my whole heart. Now all the missionaries are doing what we call the Book of Mormon Blitz! Starting October 1st, if you read 6 pages a day, you can finish the whole Book of Mormon by December. I invite you all to join me in this challenge. I promise it will bless your lives! (sorry for the late notice, so you'll have to catch up... but it'll be worth it, I promise!!) I'm trying something different with this reading though. Trying to write my thoughts in the margins as I read. It'll be interesting. Also, with a different color, I'm looking out for promised blessings and blessings fulfilled from the Lord. It takes a while though, so I might read the Book of Mormon quickly and slowly at the same time.... we'll see. Either way, Jump in! Read the Book of Mormon, whether its the first or the third or the 50th time you've read it, read it again! I know you'll find peace, guidance, counsel, healing, or whatever else you are looking for in its pages. 

Last note. General Conference was the best!! I especially loved the story of Elder Nielsen learning Chinese.... Anbby loved that story too. She was like, "That's like you guys!". Wow. Thanks Anbby! I love her so much ^^ One day I hope I can go to the temple with her. 

That's it for this week. Have a super awesome week! Love you all lots! Don't forget to read the Book of Mormon! 

Sister Springer

Another week gone by

Sometimes I feel like that country song... "The days go by... I can feel em flying like a hand(?) out the window in the wind." Missions go by way too fast.

This week was really great! I don't have time to tell everything.... So many stories I have to save for home. Makes me be more diligent about journal writing I guess, haha. 

Had dinner with the Phairs again and Walter/Xingjin/Jojo. They have the coolest house! Lots of excercise equipment. Their 9 year old boy is working on being the next American Ninja Warrior. 

Went to MLC. Lots of fun, I love getting together with the Sisters and Elders and counseling together. Learn lots every time. 

New change... Elder Ieru and Elder Taan were impressed with Sister Jenkins and my teaching, and so asked President if we could have a small area to teach the locals. He said he was all for it. Don't know the boundries yet, but it looks like we'll be teaching a few locals while still covering the island of Chinese people. Gonna be fun, but challenging. Good news for all of you is I'll hopefully be a master planner by the time I get home, and on time =p Hopefully!

I love President and Sister Poston. They have so much love for each missionary, and care so much about our futures. 

Office couple, Elder and Sister Christensen are going home this month. Gonna miss em.... They are so sweet. 

New couple, Elder and Sister Campbell just got in. (They said they don't think they have relatives from Canada, sorry Mel....) They are from Idaho. Elder Campbell is the new counselor in the Mission Presidency. 

Have four assistants now. Two are gonna be on Chuuk trying to build up the church there, and training. Big tasks for them... Elder Dewitt and Elder Huffaker. 

Got to see Elder Robertson, who was in the MTC with me! He's doing great. He's a Zone Leader on Chuuk now. 

That's about the sum of my week..... Sorry it's lacking in so many details. Just know that I love you all so much. Keep following God, and always strive to be a disciple of Christ in everything you do and say, even if no one is watching. 

Love you, talk to ya'll next week!

Sister Springer

Once I was a snowman, but in Saipan I melted

While ya'll are enjoying the snow over there in Utah (heard it snowed), it's still hot as ever here in Saipan. Maybe a little more rainy, but not too much. =p

This week has been crazy, but really good. I love all the families we've been teaching! So cool . Last week Jojo and her family, Walter and Xingjin, came to church for the first time. This Sunday was the primary program, and Jojo wanted to be a part of it. So Sister Lisa, the primary president, came over to their house with us this week and gave them a CD and lyrics so Jojo could practice. She did so good!! She sung with her whole heart, and even had a part in the program. She's so cute and full of energy. Her family is thinking of moving to Utah after Walter is done with work here... Hopefully they'd be members and I could go to her baptism there =) They've invited us over for dinner twice. So good! Never had tofu that tasted soo good! Also, turns out shrimp dumplings are way good. 

This week we also had dinner with the Bensons, the Conners, and Anbby's family. It was lots of fun! Brother Benson taught us how he makes dumplings. Super delicious. Then the Conners and Anbby's family came over and we all had a great time. Maning, Anbby's husband, mentioned how different American culture is from Chinese. He said even the way we eat is free. In China, he'd be in charge of making sure his dad, uncle, and grandpa all had drinks and food, and if they got drunk, it was his fault. But in America, you dish yourself up and just chit chat and... I dunno, it's just free. So crazy to think about. The coolest thing is how the church unites people of all different cultures though. I love it. I love the ward too!! They've been sooo good at fellowshipping, especially recently. 

I'm learning a lot about charity on my mission, especially recently I think. In District Meeting Elder Ieru said Moroni 7:45 was a good scripture to evaluate yourself on charity. I did that, and learned a ton. With each attribute, I asked my self a question, like for "easily provoked": "What does it take to make me angry?" or for "beareth all things": "Am I bearing others burdens with charity?". 

Here are some pics of our new apartment, a little cleaner this time. Good news! Found a spot to hang up my hammock again! Sweet! Thanks, Papa!

I better go. I hope ya'll have a great week! Enjoy conference!! Oh PS! Got to watch Womens conference live cuz it lined right up with church. It was super good!

Love you all!

Sister Springer

Chinatown

Ni hao!

This week was soooo crazy!! But it was really good. We are all moved in to a new place. The Elders ended up moving up to Tanapag, and we moved into their apartment. Their apartment has a super beautiful view!!! We are slowly finishing unpacking. It's our goal to be all unpacked by the end of this week. I think we can do it by Wednesday, since we keep skipping dinner and using that hour to unpack.... haha. 

Let's see.... Last Tuesday we went over to the Croft's (the 2nd counselor in the Bishopric's family) place and did a service project. We used machetes to hack down the jungle so they could see the ocean. It was so fun! And it rained a bit, so it was nice to cool down. Elder Ieru stepped on a stick at the very end and it stabbed through is croc and into his shoe... He's ok though. But we called it quits after that. 

Tuesday night we found this super cute couple, Joey and Yujin. Joey is Chinese (but his English is wanmei(perfect)), and Yujin is Korean. They are in their 20s and own an apartment complex. Joey has some Christian friends, but he really wants to learn more about the church. He's really excited to learn. His wife is a little less excited, but also wants to learn. 

Anbby is doing pretty good! She's really tired lately cuz her crazy Aunt-in-law is here. Long story short, Maning's uncle is not the best guy and hasn't paid them in 3 months so they quit... but now his sister is here and wants Anbby to help do a bunch of office work. It's been rough, cuz Anbby is trying to take care of Miaomiao. Her whole family is sick, so she missed church sunday... But we gave her a copy of the Liahona to read, so she can learn English and read Gospel stuff at the same time. She's staying strong and is super helpful with our Chinese. We are going to start telling her Bible stories, and she's going to help us learn to tell them better in Chinese. 

Gonna skip ahead to Sunday cuz I'm about out of time... But Sunday was super cool! Walter and Xingjin came with their daughter Jojo! They were only able to stay for two hours, but Jojo LOVED primary! They were practicing for the primary program next week. She loves singing, and was following along, and even said something for the practice. Sister Lisa, the Primary President is going to go with us on Tuesday to give them a CD with all the primary songs so she can practice. She's really excited, and her parents are too. During Sacrament, Jojo turned to Sister Jenkins and asked "Who is God?" "He created everything, the world, you..." "Oh, okay". She's so cute. Love their family!!

So we've found lots of families recently. I'm so grateful for the family I have, and for the knowledge I have that families can be together forever. I am also grateful for the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, that can mend any wound and heal all broken bonds. I know this Gospel changes people, and heals families in a way that makes us want to be together forever. Satan is concentrating his attack on our families, because he knows families can bring us the greatest joy. Keep him out. Don't let him distract you from the most important things. Please. Study the scriptures as a family. Pray as a family. Work together, serve together, play together, learn together. I testify that the family is ordained of God. I love my family, immediate, extended, and those I've come to love as family. 

Thank you for all your prayers and support. Have a great week, and remember to enjoy every day! Time flies so fast. 

Lots of love from Saipan, 

Sister Springer

PS 

Here's a bunch of pics from the service project, going to the lighthouse with the zone today, and the view from our new apartment, and a couple others. Also, the ocean was sooo blue today! It's like that often, when it's not stormy too bad. I'll send more pics of the apartment when it's all cleaned up.