Hey everyone!
This is my last week in XiangShan because I'll be moving up to Tian1Mu3 as the district leader this week. I am excited to be up in TianMu, but afraid for the district leader part. Haha, we live and we grow I guess. I am sad to be leaving my dear friends and members here, but that's missionary life.
Food: Lasagna: We got all the stuff together last week and I made lasagna with the de Silvas last week for P-day. It was a blast and I taught them how to make their own noodles, sauce and the works and we had some really tasty lasagna. The noodles were slightly undercooked, so I would have to give it a 4 out of 5 layered lunches.
I don't know what they are called, but yesterday I got fed some little Brazillian thingies. They were like an empanada I think. They were little things of dough that are filled with meats and cheese and then fried, but there's nothing that I have tasted quite like that before. I give it 5 mysterious masterpieces out of 5.
Verbatim: "Elder Pac-man"--Jonathan de Silva concerning Elder Lew's eating habits.
This week was a good week where we were able to work a lot with the investigators we already have and keep helping them to improve and grow. We are super excited about the prospects. We were sad to lose an investigator this week because he decided for the time being he's going to help out at the church that he used to go to, but we had an awesome lesson with him. I can testify of the power of priesthood leadership because we got the stake president to help teach with us and what he said was perfect for Chen dx, however, he still didn't want to continue meeting for right now. It's okay, we gave him the best chance I think we could to know that this is true and to know how to get an answer about the BOM and why that matters. I know he already believes a lot of what we have taught, so I pray that he will be able to get this some day.
Today I wanted to share about the experience I had last night having a "last supper" with the de Silvas. After we ate, we had a lot of time left over and the thought came subtly to my mind to ask to have a testimony meeting where we could all share with each other, whether in english, chinese or portuguese. It was an amazing experience. I can tell you that as Brother de Silva bore his testimony in Chinese, though the language was simple, it had the power and weight of the spirit behind it. As Jonathan, Thayse and Bruno bore their testimonies in Portuguese, if I really listened, with my heart and not my ears, I could understand the language and words that the spirit was speaking to me. It was an amazing experience. I am stunned to learn once again that the language of the spirit can transcend any language barrier. It was great to see them to feel the spirit from the things that their family was sharing. Sister de Silva thanked me after for giving me the chance for them to testify to each other. It made me think of how rarely we often share our testimonies with our families. I testify that frequently sharing our testimonies with those we love most, our families, will bless and strengthen us now and for years to come. I pray that you will all take the chance to share simply, powerfully, and frequently your testimonies with your families.
I love you all,
Elder Siebert
Monday, October 24, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Another Good Week
Hey everyone!
We finally have weather that is cooling down a little bit. I still sweat when we're on the bikes, but at least it's not me having sweat pouring down my face while I stand in the shade. We have had a lot of success in contacting new people and finding people who are willing to meet with us. We also have a good pool of people that we are teaching right now, which is really exciting.
Food Review:
Costco Hot Dog: I know that this seems to be so lame in comparison to some of the other things that have been eaten, but this one is just too good. It brought back all the memories of going and eating them with my great grandpa and Josh and I getting the Polish Sausages and then for the next couple hours groaning about the "vengeace" (polish sausage burps are nasty). I give it 5 reminiscent relish recepticles out of 5.
Verbatim: Elder Siebert, this guava represents you because like you, it's very hard--Elder Yu2, our district leader for the district love box.
Well this week we say a cool miracle when we were going to meet with someone, but they cancelled last minute on us. We prayed to see where we should go and I felt that we should go to this one road, but it had to be by a certain way. As we went over, I saw a couple on the sidewalk at a red light. I felt that I should talk to them, even though they were a ways off. I pulled out a tract and waved it at them and then called them over. They came. They are expecting their first child and we very willing and excited to hear about the gospel. I was so thrilled to see them have that little spark of gospel truth grow within them. It was a great miracle. I had once again started to pray for Heavenly Father to put people in my path, something that I'd forgotten for the last couple week, and right away He did.
I also want to testify of the truth and power of the Book of Mormon. I know that it is true because I have read it and prayed about it. I have seen it give me answers to questions that I didn't even realize I had. I have it give me answers to questions that I do have. I have seen it turn the lives of readers around. I testify that it can help every person on this earth and that if you have not yet received this witness, that you can. Take time daily to carefully read from its pages. Apply what you find. Then pray fervently for the witness that this divine book of revelation and truth is true. It will come. It will give you the strength and faith to do hard things.
I love you all. Be strong.
Elder Siebert
We finally have weather that is cooling down a little bit. I still sweat when we're on the bikes, but at least it's not me having sweat pouring down my face while I stand in the shade. We have had a lot of success in contacting new people and finding people who are willing to meet with us. We also have a good pool of people that we are teaching right now, which is really exciting.
Food Review:
Costco Hot Dog: I know that this seems to be so lame in comparison to some of the other things that have been eaten, but this one is just too good. It brought back all the memories of going and eating them with my great grandpa and Josh and I getting the Polish Sausages and then for the next couple hours groaning about the "vengeace" (polish sausage burps are nasty). I give it 5 reminiscent relish recepticles out of 5.
Verbatim: Elder Siebert, this guava represents you because like you, it's very hard--Elder Yu2, our district leader for the district love box.
Well this week we say a cool miracle when we were going to meet with someone, but they cancelled last minute on us. We prayed to see where we should go and I felt that we should go to this one road, but it had to be by a certain way. As we went over, I saw a couple on the sidewalk at a red light. I felt that I should talk to them, even though they were a ways off. I pulled out a tract and waved it at them and then called them over. They came. They are expecting their first child and we very willing and excited to hear about the gospel. I was so thrilled to see them have that little spark of gospel truth grow within them. It was a great miracle. I had once again started to pray for Heavenly Father to put people in my path, something that I'd forgotten for the last couple week, and right away He did.
I also want to testify of the truth and power of the Book of Mormon. I know that it is true because I have read it and prayed about it. I have seen it give me answers to questions that I didn't even realize I had. I have it give me answers to questions that I do have. I have seen it turn the lives of readers around. I testify that it can help every person on this earth and that if you have not yet received this witness, that you can. Take time daily to carefully read from its pages. Apply what you find. Then pray fervently for the witness that this divine book of revelation and truth is true. It will come. It will give you the strength and faith to do hard things.
I love you all. Be strong.
Elder Siebert
Monday, October 10, 2011
Check, Check? This microphone is dead!
Hey everyone!
Food Review: Cinnamon Raisin French Bread:
This week I made some bread with a member and I decided that I needed to try something new. For some reason, I stopped hating raisins here, so I really felt the craving for cinnamon raisin bread. I made a french bread with additions of spice and fruit and it turned out really great. The flavor was very sophisticated due to the poolish start and the crumb was wide and open. It could've been a little better with just a little more yeast I think, would've rose more, but I didn't want to overdo it and ruin the dough and didn't have measuring cups or spoons, so I played it safe. I know that it's bad form to give yourself a five out of five, but I will also use the reviews of the sisters and the de Silva family as a second witness.
Verbatim: I'm going green! I'm wind powered!--Me after a really strong gust of wind pushed me to new speeds on my bike.
"Hao2 Chi1!" (tastes good) My companion at dinner with the de Silva's right after me and Sister Holm got in a big discussion about a word that she claimed existed but I vehemetly insisted did not. It didn't. I exclaimed "I told you!" and then there was a moment of silence. Then my companion uttered the aforementioned phrase. The family thought it was the funniest thing in the world and they say it all the time to him.
This p-day when we were at the de Silva's making bread Yang2 dx (that's his chinese name) decided to show us a magic trick. He made a bell pepper float between his hands. The first time he showed us, I was rolling with laughter because I knew that the only way he was able to do it was that his thumb was punched through the back of the pepper. I nearly died. He then did it again and immediately thumbsed up-ed us with the pepper still on his thumb. I was crying. So good.
This week's conference was a huge miracle to me. I had so many questions answered. I was amazed and touched at how well Heavenly Father knows me and how he speaks through his servants to me and millions more. I want to invite everyone who felt like they didn't get much out of conference to pray and ponder about questions that you have and then write then down and re-watch conference. I testify that the Lord will answer you if you will just listen to the spirit and have faith.
This week I wanted to share a cool experience while listening to the spirit. We had planned to go to a road to go contact but we had far less time to go than I had planned, so I felt that we could cut through to the road on smaller roads where we were more likely to run into people on the road whom we could teach and share with. As we did so we passed a park and I had a strong impression to talk to some people at the park. I kept riding and the feeling came again and I knew that it wouldn't go away, nor was it something that should be ignored. I told my companion "I think we need to talk to those people." We turned around quickly and talked to the family there. To my surprise they weren't interested, but we did find a grandpa there, a Peng2 dx who was interested and who's friend, a valiant Latter Day Saint, had shared the gospel with years before. He'd just had a stroke not too long ago, but is still able to function and is very willing to learn more and whats to know what the gospel can do for him. It was such an amazing miracle. Had I not listened, I don't think that he would've been found. It is so touching to me that the Lord is always providing for His children to hear the gospel.
I love you all,
Elder Siebert
P.S. Big shoutout to Jenn Blossil for the amazing EFY song. You rock.
Food Review: Cinnamon Raisin French Bread:
This week I made some bread with a member and I decided that I needed to try something new. For some reason, I stopped hating raisins here, so I really felt the craving for cinnamon raisin bread. I made a french bread with additions of spice and fruit and it turned out really great. The flavor was very sophisticated due to the poolish start and the crumb was wide and open. It could've been a little better with just a little more yeast I think, would've rose more, but I didn't want to overdo it and ruin the dough and didn't have measuring cups or spoons, so I played it safe. I know that it's bad form to give yourself a five out of five, but I will also use the reviews of the sisters and the de Silva family as a second witness.
Verbatim: I'm going green! I'm wind powered!--Me after a really strong gust of wind pushed me to new speeds on my bike.
"Hao2 Chi1!" (tastes good) My companion at dinner with the de Silva's right after me and Sister Holm got in a big discussion about a word that she claimed existed but I vehemetly insisted did not. It didn't. I exclaimed "I told you!" and then there was a moment of silence. Then my companion uttered the aforementioned phrase. The family thought it was the funniest thing in the world and they say it all the time to him.
This p-day when we were at the de Silva's making bread Yang2 dx (that's his chinese name) decided to show us a magic trick. He made a bell pepper float between his hands. The first time he showed us, I was rolling with laughter because I knew that the only way he was able to do it was that his thumb was punched through the back of the pepper. I nearly died. He then did it again and immediately thumbsed up-ed us with the pepper still on his thumb. I was crying. So good.
This week's conference was a huge miracle to me. I had so many questions answered. I was amazed and touched at how well Heavenly Father knows me and how he speaks through his servants to me and millions more. I want to invite everyone who felt like they didn't get much out of conference to pray and ponder about questions that you have and then write then down and re-watch conference. I testify that the Lord will answer you if you will just listen to the spirit and have faith.
This week I wanted to share a cool experience while listening to the spirit. We had planned to go to a road to go contact but we had far less time to go than I had planned, so I felt that we could cut through to the road on smaller roads where we were more likely to run into people on the road whom we could teach and share with. As we did so we passed a park and I had a strong impression to talk to some people at the park. I kept riding and the feeling came again and I knew that it wouldn't go away, nor was it something that should be ignored. I told my companion "I think we need to talk to those people." We turned around quickly and talked to the family there. To my surprise they weren't interested, but we did find a grandpa there, a Peng2 dx who was interested and who's friend, a valiant Latter Day Saint, had shared the gospel with years before. He'd just had a stroke not too long ago, but is still able to function and is very willing to learn more and whats to know what the gospel can do for him. It was such an amazing miracle. Had I not listened, I don't think that he would've been found. It is so touching to me that the Lord is always providing for His children to hear the gospel.
I love you all,
Elder Siebert
P.S. Big shoutout to Jenn Blossil for the amazing EFY song. You rock.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Pictures: Bread, Cold Stone, Popcorn
This is the massive bread that I buy a piece of whenever I get a chance. It's only 30 NT for a big huge hunk that I generally split with my companion and have as dinner.
Me and Jasper (mao2 di4) at coldstone. The b-day boys. I love him to death.
Me dying of happiness with the caramel peanut popcorn
Me and Jasper (mao2 di4) at coldstone. The b-day boys. I love him to death.
Me dying of happiness with the caramel peanut popcorn
Monday, October 3, 2011
Weekly Report: Coldstone, Popcorn, Strong Winds
Hey everyone!
This week I have less time to write, so I give you the food report right off:
Coldstone: Oh man! Last week was one of my members and good friend's B-day. Mao2 Di4 or Jasper is exactly a week younger than me. We went to Coldstone together and got ice cream and then talked for about an hour. Get this, he LOVES Glee as well. Haha. I got a big Gotta Have It with chocolate and mint ice cream, cookie dough and heath bar. So amazing! I give it 5 cold creamy concoctions out of 5.
Peanut butter caramel popcorn: This week I decided to pop some of the kettle corn that a member gave me and then took butter, melted it, added sugar, brought that to the melting point and then threw chunky peanut butter into it. I stirred it at high heat until it because to bubble like crazy. I then took the popcorn and threw it in there and mixed it around, coating it all up. It was the best little treat that I have had in a long time. Sweet, buttery and peanutty. It was the greatest discovery because it also takes minimal time to prepare. I give it 5 peanuty popperies out of 5.
This week we had a little less excitement in finding new people but we are blessed to have some people who are actually progessing right now. The best if you ask me is a Huang dx who is making huge steps. He committed at great length to come to church this upcoming week and he told me last night that even though tons of people wanted him to go play with them he told them no because he was going to come to church. I was so thrilled to hear that! I am so excited for him.
The wind was crazy this week. I got moved an entire lane one time by a huge gust of it. My bike was literally at 45 degrees to the ground to keep moving in a straight line. Kind of scary to be honest.
This week we saw a great miracle with an awesome Chen dx. My companion was contacting while I made calls to referrals. I was just calling when he waved me over to talk to this man that had pulled over with him. I began to speak to him and found out that he had just recently become Christian within the last six months. He wasn't predjudiced against our church and was very curious to find answers to questions that he had heard about our church. We answered a few and taught him some doctrine, then set him up. He came. We had a wonderful lesson with him and he set a baptismal date with us. It was very exciting to see how prepared he has been and we can't wait to keep working with him. I know that God continues to watch over me and to help me out.
I love you all and wish you well.
Love,
Elder Siebert
This week I have less time to write, so I give you the food report right off:
Coldstone: Oh man! Last week was one of my members and good friend's B-day. Mao2 Di4 or Jasper is exactly a week younger than me. We went to Coldstone together and got ice cream and then talked for about an hour. Get this, he LOVES Glee as well. Haha. I got a big Gotta Have It with chocolate and mint ice cream, cookie dough and heath bar. So amazing! I give it 5 cold creamy concoctions out of 5.
Peanut butter caramel popcorn: This week I decided to pop some of the kettle corn that a member gave me and then took butter, melted it, added sugar, brought that to the melting point and then threw chunky peanut butter into it. I stirred it at high heat until it because to bubble like crazy. I then took the popcorn and threw it in there and mixed it around, coating it all up. It was the best little treat that I have had in a long time. Sweet, buttery and peanutty. It was the greatest discovery because it also takes minimal time to prepare. I give it 5 peanuty popperies out of 5.
This week we had a little less excitement in finding new people but we are blessed to have some people who are actually progessing right now. The best if you ask me is a Huang dx who is making huge steps. He committed at great length to come to church this upcoming week and he told me last night that even though tons of people wanted him to go play with them he told them no because he was going to come to church. I was so thrilled to hear that! I am so excited for him.
The wind was crazy this week. I got moved an entire lane one time by a huge gust of it. My bike was literally at 45 degrees to the ground to keep moving in a straight line. Kind of scary to be honest.
This week we saw a great miracle with an awesome Chen dx. My companion was contacting while I made calls to referrals. I was just calling when he waved me over to talk to this man that had pulled over with him. I began to speak to him and found out that he had just recently become Christian within the last six months. He wasn't predjudiced against our church and was very curious to find answers to questions that he had heard about our church. We answered a few and taught him some doctrine, then set him up. He came. We had a wonderful lesson with him and he set a baptismal date with us. It was very exciting to see how prepared he has been and we can't wait to keep working with him. I know that God continues to watch over me and to help me out.
I love you all and wish you well.
Love,
Elder Siebert
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