王艷姊妹 Sister Olive Wang

這是2011年的年初，也是我的生活看似最灰暗最沒有希望的開始。我離開剛剛斷奶的孩子和愛我的家人，孤身來到這個完全陌生的國度，操著生疏的語言，周圍完全沒有任何一個熟悉的面孔。來到紐約讀書，是實現了我個人追逐了10年的夢想。本應該是件令所有人羡慕的事情，但是我在那時候每天都生活在恐懼孤單和抑鬱中。因爲經濟和簽證的原因，我在第一個學期結束時，沒有選擇回家看孩子，而是選擇去了挪威看望我的先生。他當時也是剛剛開始了在那裏的留學生活。我們一起度過了愉快和擔憂的一個月，我離開他回到了美國。

寒冷的紐約，讓我倍感孤獨，傷心和恐懼。還沈浸在和先生灑泪分別的痛苦中，我膽怯的走在唐人街的一條小街道上。感覺有人向我走來了，我趕緊改變方向走，生怕是擋住了別人的道路。可是還是感覺到那人也變了方向堅定的走向我。我疑慮的擡頭看來人，接下來發生了影響我和我的家人一生的事情。我沒有看清楚來人的臉，取而代之的是一團光，霎時驅散了我身上的膽怯和恐懼，一股平靜踏實而又溫暖的感覺包繞著我。一個年青而又溫和的聲音問我。具體的問話內容我完全忘記了，因爲我一直太享受那種溫暖的感覺和平靜，同時很震驚那團光。但是後來又有一個外國面孔的年輕人滿臉笑容的來到我身邊。我開始知道他們是傳教士，想問我可不可以來教會，另外問我的聯繫方式。這一下子敲醒了我的警覺性，不能跟陌生人說話！于是我撒謊說沒有電話，可是年輕人却不鬧怒，因爲他一定知道我沒有講實話。他反而送了一本書給我，還有一張小卡片，上面是耶穌基督的畫像，還有他們的聯繫方式。告訴我希望我來聯繫他們，歡迎我來教會聚會。

我離開了，可心裏的平靜，溫暖和震撼却久久包繞著我。那本書我開始看了，看不懂。于是放下了，可是不知什麽原因還是想讀，可就是不明白書在講什麽。一個念頭蹦出來，讓我問那對年輕人，去教會？自己嚇了一跳，萬一是壞人呢？可很快就又想不是這樣的。被這種想法折磨了好久。大概是4天後，我撥打了那個電話。電話那頭還是那個謙遜的年輕人的聲音，只聽他的聲音，我就很安心。于是我們確定了見面的時間。我却迷失在唐人街的街道，我們再度聯繫上，那對傳教士來到我站的地方接我。他們的黑色西服給我了熟悉感，可那個送給我書的年輕人好像換了一個人。沒有敢問更多，警惕的跟他們走到教堂裏。我再次强烈感覺到了那種平安。决定留下來聽他們講。他們告訴我教會的基本知識幷且邀請我周日來教會聚會。這次沒有任何掙扎，我去了教會。從此開始了從認識神，到相信神然後再到愛神，依賴神的生活。

那之後兩個月後，我接受了洗禮，正式回到了神的教會。在洗禮會上。我泪流滿面不是因爲和害怕和擔憂，而是快樂，那個已經多年離開我的滋味又回來了。現在的我和家庭見證了很多的奇迹，我知道自己是神手中的工具，我家庭和朋友會通過我的榜樣有機會重新回到神的身邊，享受那平靜和幸福。

我每字每句都見證天父和他的愛子耶穌基督愛我們，他們活著，每天如果我們努力活得正義，聖靈會時時相伴我們。我和先生要努力學習耶穌基督的榜樣，做個正義的人，感恩我們的孩子從小就可以生活在神的教育和影響下。奉我們救主耶穌基督的名，阿們。

The beginning of 2011 was the start of the darkest, most hopeless point of my life. I came to a completely new country all alone, had to speak the language I was not good at, living in an environment and not knowing anyone and having to leave my new born child and family. I came to New York to pursue my dream of 10 years. This should be something that a lot of people admire, but at that time I lived my everyday life in fear, loneliness, and depression. After the end of the first semester, I could not go home to see my child due to financial difficulty and visa issues, so I went to Norway to visit my husband instead. At that time, he too started studying abroad. We spent a month of happiness and anxiety together before I went back to America.

The cold in New York doubled my feelings of loneliness, sadness and fear. I was walking down an alley way in Chinatown, still feeling sad having to depart my husband when I felt that someone was following me. I decided to change direction, in fear that I was in someone's way. However, I still felt that the person also changed his direction and was walking towards me. I looked up at the person suspiciously and the following that happened changed my family and my life. I did not look carefully at the person's face, a light surrounded him and immediately I did not have any fear. I felt peace and warmth. I heard a young and gentle voice asking me a question, but I have forgotten our conversation because I was enjoying that feeling of peace and warmth surrounding me. Not long later, another young foreigner who had a smile on his face came up to me. I realized that they were missionaries and wanted to ask if I wanted to go to church. The other missionary also asked me for my contact information. This time it really awakened my senses that I should not talk to strangers. I lied saying that I did not have a phone and they were not angry even though they knew I was not telling the truth. He gave me a book, a small card which had a picture of Jesus Christ and their contact information instead. They told me that they hope that I will contact them and welcomed me to their church service.

I left, but could still feel the peace and warmth surrounding me. I started to read the book, but I could not understand, thus I put it aside. However, I am not sure why I still wanted to read it even though I could not understand it. An idea popped up in my mind to ask those young men and to go to church? I gave myself a scare, what if they are bad people? But I immediately dismissed the thought. Approximately 4 days later, I made that phone call. On the other line was a humble young men's voice and by just listening to his voice, I felt at ease. We set up a time to meet. I was lost in Chinatown and the missionaries came to pick me up. Their black suits gave me a sense of familiarity, but it seems like that young person who gave me the book was switched to someone else. I did not have the courage to ask much and was on my guard as we walked back to the chapel. Once again, I had a strong feeling of peace and decided to listen to their message. They told me basic knowledge of the church and invited me to church service on Sunday. This time, I had no struggle and went to church. From then on, I started to know God until believing, loving and relying in Him.
 
Two months later, I was baptized and went back to God's church. At my baptism, I was in tears. It was not because I was scared or worried, I was happy. My family and I have seen many miracles and I know that I am a tool in God's work. Through my example, my family and friends have the opportunity to return to God and to enjoy peace and happiness.

Every word and sentence that I wrote testify that Heavenly Father and His beloved son Jesus Christ love us. They live and if we are diligent in living a righteous life everyday, we will always have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. My husband and I are trying to learn to be like Jesus Christ, being a righteous person and being grateful that our child is able to live in an environment with the teachings and influence of God. In the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.