Tuesday I spent all day in the temple working on the 4000 pieces of temple clothing that needs to be altered to fit the tiny Asian of our temple district. Most men and women are my height and much, much smaller build. Every piece of clothing rented in the temple is being replaced. They are hoping to get the project finished in time for the 30 anniversary of the temple being opened. Every piece has to have a tag sewn in it and a tag with TW 2014 on it, at the very least. Big project! I arrived at 9a.m. and left at 2p.m. in time to get back to get Lacie from school and take Emmie her dance snack.
It was a really neat experience to work on those sacred clothing. I was the only English speaking sister most of the day. I said a pray before I left that my serger would work properly (I haven't used it since I packed it away and shipped it.) I was worried it might be out of shorts from shipping. I also prayed that I would be able to understand those I came in contact with in the temple.
It was so humbling to listen to the instructions given in Mandarin and understand the words and what I needed to do. I didn't understand all of it but enough to get by. I know Heavenly Father helped me and I have witnessed now again the gift of tongues in my own life. I was some how able to communicate with the four other sisters I worked with all day and help them know how to sew so the temple clothing would be fixed properly. They have asked that I return tomorrow or any time I can. Sadly this week and next are so full with Nativity Pageant Costumes, Emmie's Dance Production and Thanksgiving. I have enjoyed my time sitting in the basement of the this tiny temple working on the temple clothing dressed in my white dress. So grateful to have a temple here and be worthy to enter and feel of the spirit there!
Wednesday I went to the Lunch Bunch group at Becky Comptons and helped fill missionary baskets for Christmas. It was a yummy taco soup for lunch. The Pilipino sisters always want to know more about Grandpa J. I need to get Aunt Kelly to sent me as much info as possible about him so we can plan our trip to Pangasinan! After the lunch I went upstairs to Belinda's to look at her serger and help her lay out the pattern and fabric for Joseph she is going to cut out for me.
Thursday I spent all day cutting out the Nativity Costumes. I am really worried about the fabric. I really like the colors and the stripes are great. The problem is it is mostly upholstery fabric. Very stiff and heavy. It is going to make these costumes look huge because it won't lay right.
Friday All day was spent working on the Christmas Pageant Costumes. Belinda came and Sister Baird came and help. Adam bought Brother and Sister Baird lunch. We always try to do that for the missionaries we are around or come in contact with. Sister Baird is not happy with the fabric either, but she is the one who bought it. The Bairds are very interesting people. She has been one of the directors of the Hill Cumorah Pageant for 12 years! She is trying to make this a huge productions. Just not the resources here to do that.
Saturday We went back down the the floral market by Costco. It was a really neat fresh floral market. Reminded me of the markets I saw in L.A. on my Ricks College Trip. I really enjoyed it. Glad we could finally get there, now that we know the open times are 4am to 12p.m.! Emmie was dancing all day, dress rehearsal 10-4p.m. so we just had Lacie with us. She enjoyed the attention. We then ran out to the Costco in XiZhi District and got a few things. I have been to busy to make it to Costco. :(
Sunday was Stake Conference here. It was a very different experience to have to wear head sets to understand the meeting. When we sung the opening song it was so strange to hear Adam and I singing the words in English and the rest of the congregation in Mandrian. Emmie, Adam and I sang in the choir for a special musical number. We practiced before the meeting started. Lacie was so post to be saving us seats. Well that didn't go so well. She ended up sitting by herself with Alivia Klump, Adam and I sat 3 rows up together and Emmie was two more rows up with Addy Southham. Lacie is not very good about standing up to pushy Asians. That is really the only way to describe it. They just move into your space and really don't even notice you. It is a culture thing. One of the most difficult things about living here. No Personal Space!We left Conference early so we could spend the day as a family. Most of our ward didn't attend or left after the special musical number our ward was assigned. We decided to give it a try listening with the head sets. It was very difficult to understand. Adam will spend the whole week in the South, leaving before girls are up and coming home after they are asleep. We moved here to have more family time and are finding it very difficult at times. Adam is really, really busy! With this on our minds and it being so difficult to understand Stake Conference we decided to leave at the rest hymn and head out for some much needed family time.
Make sure you check out what the sign says on the fence we went around. Us and a few 100 others. So silly things here sometimes. The hot springs smell like rotten eggs but they still put the mud all over their faces!
What I love about Taiwan.... There is so much to see and do. For example.... in one day we went from the mountains to the coast line.
Happy Birthday to..... Little Coralee is growing up! Happy Birthday sweet girl.
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