(Minghui.org) My first journey abroad was to the United States. I arrived in the U.S. on September 1, 2013. I was happy to see my daughter again, since it had been seven years since we were last together.
At that time, I was 54 years old, 5 feet 3 inches tall, and weighed less than 70 pounds. My face was full of wrinkles, so I brought with me a bag of herbs. I was planning to use them to improve my health.
A few days after my arrival, my daughter suggested that I read Zhuan Falun online. I was surprised because in China the book is forbidden. In fact, since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began the persecution against Falun Gong in 1999, I had not seen any books about Falun Gong anywhere in mainland China.
My daughter inquired every day when she arrived home from work, asking if I had read Zhuan Falun. I had not. Then my daughter asked me to attend group Fa-study. I was always full of excuses and did not attend. She also urged me to attend the morning group exercise, but again I found multiple excuses not to go. I began to get irritated with her when she asked me to study the Fa. She remained calm and patient.
My daughter then asked me if I could go to another city in January to help prepare food for the Shen Yun visit. I agreed to help, and we arrived there on January 5, 2015. I prepared food for those practitioners who went there to promote Shen Yun, and when I had time, I inserted fliers into bags even though I did not really understand what they were used for.
Every morning when the music began at 5:00 a.m., the practitioners would get up and do the Falun Gong exercises. After breakfast they went out to promote Shen Yun, and they would not return until evening. After dinner they studied the Fa, sent forth righteous thoughts, and did the exercises again. Only toward midnight did they go to bed.
They did this every day. It surprised and encouraged me, and I decided I too wanted to learn Falun Gong. When I returned to my daughter's on January 18, 2015, I studied the Fa every day with her and sent forth righteous thoughts. I also attended group exercises and Fa study. My daughter saw my changes. She was happy for me.
A few days later, I went to another city to assist with Shen Yun promotion. During the seven days there, I saw practitioners who went out in the snow and wind. They did not care about the weather or whether they were tired. They were out to awaken people every day. I was further encouraged by their behavior.
After this promotion, I acted more according to Master's Fa.
“If everyone searches internally and considers how to conduct himself or herself well ...” (Zhuan Falun).
The fifth exercise was challenging for me. I could only tolerate forty minutes in the full lotus position. So I memorized Master's poem, “Tempering the Will” from Hong Yin. I repeated it many times, and in this way I improved.
I later returned to the city where I had prepared food for Shen Yun promoters. This time I went to help promote Shen Yun myself. Every day, I went to the playgrounds and theaters to distribute Shen Yun fliers. I was always happy and did not mind the weather or notice if I was tired. While Shen Yun was performing there, I watched the buses day and night. Any fatigue that crept up quickly disappeared.
It is Master who gives me power and arranged for me to practice Falun Gong.
I also went to an international airport to distribute truth-clarifying newspapers to visitors from China. I remember how on the morning of April 15, 2015, we arrived at the airport with our newspapers, some people rejected me completely, and others dodged me and behaved as though they were scared. Others gave me a mean look.
I only distributed three newspapers by 11:00 a.m. I was frustrated. A practitioner who had come with me that morning saw my frustration and suggested that I send forth righteous thoughts to eliminate any evil interference.
I remembered Master said,
“One righteous mind can subdue one hundred evils.” (Zhuan Falun)
The next time I distributed newspapers, I was better about sending forth righteous thoughts. My distribution went smoothly from then on, to the point that I even received back a “thank you” from one recipient. One young lady even approached me and asked for a copy. By 1 p.m. I had distributed 18 copies. I thank Master for experiencing the power of righteous thoughts.
I have gone through many changes since I started to practice Falun Gong. I gave up all of my medication and herbs. I have a rosy complexion and fewer wrinkles. My weight has increased, I regained my menstrual period, and I can read without using glasses.
It is my great fortune to have come to the United States and to have gained the Fa. I treasure this opportunity and will study the Fa seriously and do the three things required of practitioners every day.
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