Week four in Taiwan

This week has been really great, we saw some really great miracles having members present at our lessons, and we have been teaching ALOT. We've also been getting to know our ward, and things are going really well. Things are feeling well balanced and I'm getting gradually more confident.  We had a really good member lesson/dinner appointment with our 1st counselor in the bishopric and his family. Their kids were really cute. We talked with them about the blessings of the Gospel and invited them to have more sincere family and personal prayers to develop their relationship with Heavenly Father and see His blessings in their lives. I had such a sweet experience as the Spirit testified to me of the importance and reality of the Gospel in families. This home had the Spirit, and you could feel it. The children knew the answers to our questions about prayer and our Father in Heaven. They were being taught the Gospel in their home. They were trying in their little Taiwanese home to create their little piece of heaven on earth, the same we are at home. It's all the same gospel, it's all the same plan. We are all God's children and He wants all of us to return to Him. This is all one great work: The Lord's work of Salvation.

I'm loving Zhanghua, and Hemei, and Lugang and Shengang, and all of our secondary areas. I love the Lord and I love this work! Hurrah for Israel!

Photos from the field

Some new photos around town with my companion, Sister Hendrix!

First assignment!

Aug 04

Well, I'm in Taiwan! A sad thing happened: I left my journal on the plane... really really sad. Taiwan is pretty much what I expected it to be. It looks like a normal large city (maybe a little less organized) except all the writing is in Chinese. From the moment I saw the lighted border of the island from the plane window, I felt SO much love for this place and it's people. I can feel already this really will be the best time of my life. I already feel at home, and I haven't even met my trainer or moved to my apt. yet. When I got my mission call, it seemed impossible, alien-like... but now it feels like I've always belonged here. The Lord truly prepares us for our roles in His work and He also prepares the people we will serve and those we serve with. I'm here in Taiwan because the Lord's children here need me, and I can already feel that I need them. I love this, I love Taiwan, I love the Gospel, and I love the Lord!

Aug 06
First morning in my area. Last night we had a lesson with Tony, and RC and Janice, a new investigator he brought to the lesson. I think I followed the conversation pretty well, but it took so much energy to understand that I couldn't think of responses (and it didn't help I kept falling asleep.) My companion is so patient. She asked me specific questions to help me participate in the lesson, so that was really helpful. We are whitewashing a closed area, so that means that we are both brand new. We don't know anyone, and no one knows us. The area book that is supposed to have records of our investigators and converts is well... quite terrible. Being a missionary feels like a dream, We are incredibly busy all the time talking with people, and chuanjiao-ing. (: I LOVE IT! There are no worries. You just put your head down and get to work. Missionary life is so exhausting and so fulfilling. I'm so excited for what Sister Hendrix and I can see happen here in Changhua.

ALSO: Miracle of the week!! I left my journal not on the plane, but on the bus from the airport and I told the AP. He said "Oh no! Journals are gold. Pray you'll get it back, and I'll pray too. The Lord protects the records of his people!" Yesterday we got a phone call: MY JOURNAL HAS BEEN FOUND AND IT IS BEING SHIPPED TO THE MISSION HOME!!! So excited. My journal really was important and this tender mercy is greatly appreciated.

I love being a missionary, and I LOVE TAIWAN!! I'm so happy here trying my best to fulfill the Lord's will. My companion is fantastic. She's a wonderful examples and we are a lot alike so we get along well. I know this is going to be a successful and effective companionship. The adjustment to Taiwan and to missionary life is a real concern that missionaries face, but I feel like I'm handling it well. I already love the people, and the ward seems so kind. It's hard because we are both new to the area and reliable information is scarce, but we are managing it well and our meeting with ward leadership this week will really help us out. Sister Hendrix really knows what she is doing!! I love this work and being here in Changhua with Sister Hendrix. It really is where the Lord needs me.

Arrived safely in Taiwan!

I arrived safely in Taiwan. Here's a picture of me with Elder and Sister Teh.

Headed for Taiwan today!