Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Use It or Lose It...Scared Me Into Action...
I got the first package today. But I’m excited to get the other stuff. Thank you guys so much!!
Hey guys!!!! I’m so glad to hear from you guys. I really do love reading the email and seeing how things are going on back home. Some of the pictures I sent, the one of me holding the bottles and box, those are my favorite drinks and treat. The box, they are like biscuit things with chocolate around them, but man I absolutely love them. Then, the bowling and pool one, we today went to like a fun house thing for p-day, it was a blast. They had like a ping pong cage and all this way sweet stuff, it was so much fun.
Just some stuff that has been going on… Yesterday and the day before we went on exchanges, I went with one of the Zone Leaders. I thought it was the funnest thing ever. It was awesome! It really did change my mission. I’ve never experienced so much joy in a 2 day period. But we had 4 sweet lessons, I actually taught a lot in, which was way cool, the spirit was way strong, then we went to a night market before it was night, and tracted for people to come to English class. That was way fun too. The best thing is, I know I hate to admit this but the first 2 weeks of my mission, I was kinda nervous to talk to people like on the road and stuff, cause I wasn’t confident in my Chinese skills. Then I read a talk called the Challenging and Testifying missionary. It said in there that if you don't use the talents and abilities Heavenly Father gives you, you may lose them and never get them back. Not just in the mission but in life also. I took that to heart, and to be honest got a little scared. So on the exchange I just talked to every single person I passed, and it was the best thing ever. Like I said before the joy I was experiencing was amazing, I couldn't stop smiling the whole time. I was just riding around so Jolly and Happy. Also like during the lessons and stuff, the Lord really blessed me for my efforts and just in those two days I’ve seen an amazing increase in my language ability. It's awesome; really I’m absolutely loving this. I’ve never been happier.
I don't know if I told you about the lady that has 2 kids is 40 years old, and lives with her grandma. She gets grounded so she can't leave the house, especially so she can't go to church on Sundays. I thought that was just really funny.
Oh yeah something way sweet happened last night. We are teaching a girl named Patty and her mom and dad. They opened a Herbolife or something like that store. It's a health drink. But they had a company like pep rally thing or whatever, so we went to support her. But when we were there, a man came and sat next to me, like half way through it. I didn't even think twice I turned to him, and started talking to him. Turns out he speaks pretty much perfect English. But we started talking, and ended going up and talking in the doorway and didn't even listen to the thing we went to. About 9 years ago he left the church, and everything. He told me his whole story, and was like, I was just picking a seat and I can't believe I sat next to you. We talked forever, and I learned of why he left the church and everything, so I pretty much just taught him the second lesson sitting there, and testified to him that Heavenly Father wants him back in his church, and wants to continue to bless him. Also he has some past sins he never got taken care of, so I just told him of the power of the Atonement and testified of it in my life, and he started crying and stuff, it was a really spiritual experience. The spirit was really strong, and really touched his heart. But I set up a time for tomorrow to meet with him, so hopefully we'll be able to help him get back on the road to church!! It was awesome just randomly met and everything. The Lord is very smart, haha, it was really cool though.
But let’s see..... There’s just been a lot of things happening, but yeah the best has been the exchange not even kidding it really did change my mission. Now I just have joy, everyday to talk to everyone I come by. It's so much fun!!! I love it so much. But I’m loving the food as well, every time I try something new I love it even more, and every time I eat the other foods again I just crave them, it's so awesome.
But family I’m so glad all you guys are doing great. Abby those pictures are so cute of you, you are such a beautiful girl!!!! But man that NF room, looks tight, nice job in there, that is awesome. I'd work in there haha
Oh yeah one more kinda funny story, well really funny to me. We are teaching a monk right now. So we had a lesson with him, we had a lady that is like 50 be the member present to help us teach. We started out with a song. We sang I Believe in Christ. K it's a really long song. I’m not good at singing, the monk had never heard it before so he was just plain awful, and the older lady had the awful Chinese old lady squeaky voice. Oh my gosh, let me tell you, it was the worst thing I’ve probably ever heard. In the middle of the song I couldn't take it anymore, so I literally laughed out loud, I don't know how but I was able to control myself, and stop laughing. But man my insides were exploding with laughter. It was so funny, I was loving it!
Josh- Hey buddy, how are you doing!! Hope everything is going sweet. Dude your pictures looked so legit. I was laughing pretty hard when I looked at them; you pulled that off really well. Haha props!! Also that’s sweet about your flag football team, I bet that was so much fun, I love flag football. Hope you’re still trying really hard in school, and doing well with all other things. I love you so much bud, keep being a good example for the other kids.
Cade- Hey bud, congrats on making the basketball team. But now you play basketball, and swim, you gotta step it up and work even harder. But I know you can do it, I love you so much, you've always been a hard worker and a very good example for me, I thank you so much for all those things you've done that have showed me how I can become better. Keep up the good work in school too, you are a very smart kid, keep studying hard, and become brilliant. I love you!
Britton- Hey bud I hear you’re a beast at reading!! That’s so awesome; reading is probably the one thing that I wish I would have done better before I came on my mission!! So keep doing it, through reading we learn so much, and the more we learn the happier the Lord is with us in this life. Also keep being a loving brother and a good friend, like you always are. I love you!
Abby- Hey BABE!!! How are you? You are the cutest girl I’ve ever seen. Every picture I see of you, you just keep getting cuter and cuter. You are also growing up, which is awesome. I can't believe you’re taking all these hard tests, I'd probably fail them, but the fact that your acing them is amazing, boggles my mind every time I think about it. You are so amazing, keep being the amazing loving little girl that you always have been. I love you!!
Mom and Dad- Hey guys!!! I love you guys so much, thank you so much for all the hard work and sweat you guys put into supporting the family. I’m so grateful for your guys' example in my life, and the life of our family. You guys are perfect, I’m so glad for you guys in my life. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you guys. Keep working hard, the Lord has blessings waiting for you guys for all the hard work, I know he does. Just as the way as he has been blessing me the last few days, He will do for you guys!!! Thank you so much, I love you guys.
My Testimony- I know this Church is true with all my heart. I know Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ; he restored the gospel by the power of God. The BOM is true, it is God's word, and through reading it we become closer to him every day. Every single day we should be reading from the BOM on our own, as well as with our family. I don't know how I went a day without it now that I see the blessing from doing so. The Lord loves all of us, he wants us to have success and be happy. He wants us to return to his presence, and we can by following Jesus Christ's example and doing everything we can on this earth to live his gospel. I love my life so much, I love missionary work, it's hard but I love it, I’ve never been happier then I am right now. I do miss you guys more than ever, but I know you guys are with me in my heart, and I hope I’m making you guys proud. Thank you so much for being the perfect supportive family. I love you guys so much!!!!
Hey guys!!!! I’m so glad to hear from you guys. I really do love reading the email and seeing how things are going on back home. Some of the pictures I sent, the one of me holding the bottles and box, those are my favorite drinks and treat. The box, they are like biscuit things with chocolate around them, but man I absolutely love them. Then, the bowling and pool one, we today went to like a fun house thing for p-day, it was a blast. They had like a ping pong cage and all this way sweet stuff, it was so much fun.
Just some stuff that has been going on… Yesterday and the day before we went on exchanges, I went with one of the Zone Leaders. I thought it was the funnest thing ever. It was awesome! It really did change my mission. I’ve never experienced so much joy in a 2 day period. But we had 4 sweet lessons, I actually taught a lot in, which was way cool, the spirit was way strong, then we went to a night market before it was night, and tracted for people to come to English class. That was way fun too. The best thing is, I know I hate to admit this but the first 2 weeks of my mission, I was kinda nervous to talk to people like on the road and stuff, cause I wasn’t confident in my Chinese skills. Then I read a talk called the Challenging and Testifying missionary. It said in there that if you don't use the talents and abilities Heavenly Father gives you, you may lose them and never get them back. Not just in the mission but in life also. I took that to heart, and to be honest got a little scared. So on the exchange I just talked to every single person I passed, and it was the best thing ever. Like I said before the joy I was experiencing was amazing, I couldn't stop smiling the whole time. I was just riding around so Jolly and Happy. Also like during the lessons and stuff, the Lord really blessed me for my efforts and just in those two days I’ve seen an amazing increase in my language ability. It's awesome; really I’m absolutely loving this. I’ve never been happier.
I don't know if I told you about the lady that has 2 kids is 40 years old, and lives with her grandma. She gets grounded so she can't leave the house, especially so she can't go to church on Sundays. I thought that was just really funny.
Oh yeah something way sweet happened last night. We are teaching a girl named Patty and her mom and dad. They opened a Herbolife or something like that store. It's a health drink. But they had a company like pep rally thing or whatever, so we went to support her. But when we were there, a man came and sat next to me, like half way through it. I didn't even think twice I turned to him, and started talking to him. Turns out he speaks pretty much perfect English. But we started talking, and ended going up and talking in the doorway and didn't even listen to the thing we went to. About 9 years ago he left the church, and everything. He told me his whole story, and was like, I was just picking a seat and I can't believe I sat next to you. We talked forever, and I learned of why he left the church and everything, so I pretty much just taught him the second lesson sitting there, and testified to him that Heavenly Father wants him back in his church, and wants to continue to bless him. Also he has some past sins he never got taken care of, so I just told him of the power of the Atonement and testified of it in my life, and he started crying and stuff, it was a really spiritual experience. The spirit was really strong, and really touched his heart. But I set up a time for tomorrow to meet with him, so hopefully we'll be able to help him get back on the road to church!! It was awesome just randomly met and everything. The Lord is very smart, haha, it was really cool though.
But let’s see..... There’s just been a lot of things happening, but yeah the best has been the exchange not even kidding it really did change my mission. Now I just have joy, everyday to talk to everyone I come by. It's so much fun!!! I love it so much. But I’m loving the food as well, every time I try something new I love it even more, and every time I eat the other foods again I just crave them, it's so awesome.
But family I’m so glad all you guys are doing great. Abby those pictures are so cute of you, you are such a beautiful girl!!!! But man that NF room, looks tight, nice job in there, that is awesome. I'd work in there haha
Oh yeah one more kinda funny story, well really funny to me. We are teaching a monk right now. So we had a lesson with him, we had a lady that is like 50 be the member present to help us teach. We started out with a song. We sang I Believe in Christ. K it's a really long song. I’m not good at singing, the monk had never heard it before so he was just plain awful, and the older lady had the awful Chinese old lady squeaky voice. Oh my gosh, let me tell you, it was the worst thing I’ve probably ever heard. In the middle of the song I couldn't take it anymore, so I literally laughed out loud, I don't know how but I was able to control myself, and stop laughing. But man my insides were exploding with laughter. It was so funny, I was loving it!
Josh- Hey buddy, how are you doing!! Hope everything is going sweet. Dude your pictures looked so legit. I was laughing pretty hard when I looked at them; you pulled that off really well. Haha props!! Also that’s sweet about your flag football team, I bet that was so much fun, I love flag football. Hope you’re still trying really hard in school, and doing well with all other things. I love you so much bud, keep being a good example for the other kids.
Cade- Hey bud, congrats on making the basketball team. But now you play basketball, and swim, you gotta step it up and work even harder. But I know you can do it, I love you so much, you've always been a hard worker and a very good example for me, I thank you so much for all those things you've done that have showed me how I can become better. Keep up the good work in school too, you are a very smart kid, keep studying hard, and become brilliant. I love you!
Britton- Hey bud I hear you’re a beast at reading!! That’s so awesome; reading is probably the one thing that I wish I would have done better before I came on my mission!! So keep doing it, through reading we learn so much, and the more we learn the happier the Lord is with us in this life. Also keep being a loving brother and a good friend, like you always are. I love you!
Abby- Hey BABE!!! How are you? You are the cutest girl I’ve ever seen. Every picture I see of you, you just keep getting cuter and cuter. You are also growing up, which is awesome. I can't believe you’re taking all these hard tests, I'd probably fail them, but the fact that your acing them is amazing, boggles my mind every time I think about it. You are so amazing, keep being the amazing loving little girl that you always have been. I love you!!
Mom and Dad- Hey guys!!! I love you guys so much, thank you so much for all the hard work and sweat you guys put into supporting the family. I’m so grateful for your guys' example in my life, and the life of our family. You guys are perfect, I’m so glad for you guys in my life. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you guys. Keep working hard, the Lord has blessings waiting for you guys for all the hard work, I know he does. Just as the way as he has been blessing me the last few days, He will do for you guys!!! Thank you so much, I love you guys.
My Testimony- I know this Church is true with all my heart. I know Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ; he restored the gospel by the power of God. The BOM is true, it is God's word, and through reading it we become closer to him every day. Every single day we should be reading from the BOM on our own, as well as with our family. I don't know how I went a day without it now that I see the blessing from doing so. The Lord loves all of us, he wants us to have success and be happy. He wants us to return to his presence, and we can by following Jesus Christ's example and doing everything we can on this earth to live his gospel. I love my life so much, I love missionary work, it's hard but I love it, I’ve never been happier then I am right now. I do miss you guys more than ever, but I know you guys are with me in my heart, and I hope I’m making you guys proud. Thank you so much for being the perfect supportive family. I love you guys so much!!!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Photos from Taiwan
Where Taiwan was dedicated to missionary work
Temple view from Mission Home
Taiwan Temple at Night
Grand Hotel
New Missionaries
Temple view from Mission Home
Taiwan Temple at Night
Grand Hotel
New Missionaries
I’m Like a Speed Demon Man...
Hey Family!!! Haha mom that is way cute, haha that made me laugh. My p-day is actually on Wed it was just Monday last week because of the new coming in missionaries. But I’m glad you guys look forward to all my letters and stuff, I love letting you guys know what is going on and stuff.
Some of the pictures I sent you this week, are 101, which is the way tall building, the Love sign in the front of it, Me with my way sweet bike, that was brand new, then I painted it army style so no one will steal it, and added a way sweet basket!!, then the 2 that we baptized this weekend, I baptized one of them, Hong Long Jon, it was a way sweet experience. I had to do it twice because His knee came up on the first time. I was way nervous, I was reciting the baptism prayer the whole day in my mind, haha it was funny.
A little update, I still can't understand anything anyone says, it's kinda funny, I think I’ve taken the approach that someday I’ll be able to understand and speak well, so I just laugh it all off, and try not to get too stressed. It's funny, like on this street contact, I talked to a guys at a red light on a scooter, and got him to pull over to the side of the road, haha I just said follow me I have a important message in Chinese obviously, so he followed me. I asked him when we could set up a time to meet with him, so I pulled up my schedule and just pointed at the times on my planner, he kept saying a whole bunch of stuff, I couldn’t understand any of it so I just kept saying, when can we meet, and pointing to the calendar. Haha it was really funny. My companion came over and finished the rest, but man it was great. But yeah that’s the extent of my experience is saying what I know, then having them blurt stuff back in my face, and I just smile and nod. But that doesn't work to well in dinner appointments because half the time they ask if you want something I have no idea what they are saying so I just smile and nod, and they bring me food. Haha like a member brought me a bowl of beans. Haha I was freaking out, so when she went in the other room, I gave the bowl of beans to the other member there so she could eat them. So I looked like I ate them, then the member whose house we were at asked me something again, I smile and nodded, so she brought me more beans. HAHA I give up..... it was way funny, but I got out of trying them haha yeah I’m magic and very good in my ways.
It's so fun over here, I’ve pretty much mastered the roads, I’m like a speed demon man, it's awesome, I like race scooters and stuff. It’s awesome, like a couple of nights ago, we had to get to an appointment quick it was clear over in the business district. It was raining, we didn't have any rain gear, it was night, so we just flew and hauled butt over there, it was sweet. We were soaking wet, but we were going way fast, dodging cars a scooters and made it there on time. If you're doing what the Lord wants you to do, then just say a prayer the whole time you’re on the road and you can go as fast as you want to get somewhere haha that’s the approach you have to take.
Things are so sweet here, the other night I just stood outside for a minute and contemplated, like man I can't believe I’m actually in Taiwan, it was a good relaxing cool little 10 minutes. But yeah in teaching appointments it's really hard to stay attentive. Because I’m trying so hard to listen and try to understand, so I’m like on the edge of my chair, and my brain gets so tired from understanding by the end of the lesson, my brain is telling my body to sleep. It’s really funny, but get's kinda frustrating. The funniest part is, I’ll be listening when our investigator talks, and I’ll understand 1 word, and freak out cause I understood something, but by the time I get over being excited, figuring out what the word means they are on another subject. So that’s really funny, but I guess it just comes with time, I have to have patience. Which I’ve never been known to have, but I guess that’s something the Lord wants me to learn.
It's so funny, all the Chinese people absolutely love Americans. Like every single school girl that we pass, all say hi, in like a unified manner, it's pretty interesting, like it's planned or something. But it's funny, cause when you pull of on the red light and talk to the guy on a scooter next to you, when you speak Chinese, they are so surprised, I’m surprised they don't fall of their scooter or something, half the time, they don't even know what to think about.
I don't know I just can't wait till I can understand what they are saying, and actually help them out learning the gospel and on their way to getting baptized.
Cade you’re trying out for the team, that's awesome. If you put in the work, I know you can make it, your talented plenty enough.
But yeah I’m getting the money out today for the bike, but the total on the bike is like 320 cause it came with a lock and stuff, which still isn't fun to pay but yeah I’ll be taking that out today to pay the mission.
That’s wonderful that grandpa is finally done. I’ve been praying really hard for him, I 'm really glad the Lord blessed him and allowed his cancer to leave, and have no side effects. I love him so much, he is one of the greatest guys in the world.
Yeah I’ve been praying really hard for grandmother, I didn't know about the heart things, but yeah I’ll keep praying extra hard.
Davis is in the State Championship game? That is so awesome, haha I’m getting chills even talking about that. I’m such a "has been" haha that’s way sweet though, and yeah tanner is a beast, I love that kid.
Yeah others can send me emails. But it just stinks, because I have an hour cause we pay for an hour, and the longer I have to read emails the shorter the time is to email you guys back. Like I probably wouldn't email others back, but I’d write them letters. I just don't want to take away time from reading your guys letters and typing you guys back.
But just Book of Mormon, I have pin yin, characters and English. If you have a bible and D C one, I would love that, that would be awesome, it helps so much.
JOSH, JOSH, JOSH, JOSH!!! How is it Dude!!! Haha even though I’m on a mission, which is the best thing ever I’m not gonna lie I’m jealous. I wanted to play that so bad. Tell me about it, send me an email... But just remember how much it controlled our lives, so be careful, and make sure you don't focus on it....AT ALL!!!!
Britton and Abby, great job continuing in school. Both of you guys are amazing, I’m so glad to hear your working hard and doing all you can to succeed.
I bet the room looks way legit now. Haha I remember working in that room. I really did like working and helping clients, even though I may have complained a couple of times (sorry) But yeah that was great, I bet it's really nice.
May I ask for some things by chance- (early Christmas present perhaps.)
- Ipod, with the speakers or white ones we have, cause the black ones were really weak, but if that’s all that’s totally fine, and load it with everything we have, Christmas songs, all classical songs, like David Lanz and stuff, and movie soundtracks!!!!!!
-Picture of the house, the family laminated also dad's blessing laminated please. (The Chinese people love looking at family and house pictures.)
-A package with all the American munchies and candies you can send.... Haha I need some American munchies. The Smoot family sent me a package, had a package a Twix in it, I was loving life....haha it was funny.
But yeah, I love you guys so much. I know this church is true with all my heart or I wouldn't be serving a mission. I know the Lord is blessing me with the language and with listening skills, if I keep working hard and trying he will allow me for the language not to be a barrier. I know Joseph Smith saw God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ, he restored this perfect gospel to the earth today. God rules over this world, Jesus Christ, leads and guides this church today, and still is working miracles, he gives his authority and power through a prophet, Thomas S. Monson, I know he's a prophet of God, and is the president on of the church. I love my mission, I know the Lord will keep blessing me, and our family if we keep being obedient, and doing all we can to serve him.
"We much first seek the kingdom of God, then He will bless us with riches." Maybe not exact quote but exact same idea, I know if we do what the Lord wants us to do, He will bless us and we'll always be alright. I love my Savior Jesus Christ, and know through him, I will return to live with my Heavenly Father, forever in the Celestial Kingdom with my family, you guys, whom I love more then anything on the entire earth. You guys are awesome, thank you so much for all the support you've given me. I hope I 'm doing all I can, I’m making you guys proud. I hope you guys look up to me and see someone you want to become, because of the light of Christ in me (kids), I love you guys. Do everything you can to serve the Lord!!!!! I love you.
Keep working hard, dad this performance clinic is an awesome blessing. Keep praying and working hard, it will follow through and be very successful. Love you guys!!!!!!!!!
Some of the pictures I sent you this week, are 101, which is the way tall building, the Love sign in the front of it, Me with my way sweet bike, that was brand new, then I painted it army style so no one will steal it, and added a way sweet basket!!, then the 2 that we baptized this weekend, I baptized one of them, Hong Long Jon, it was a way sweet experience. I had to do it twice because His knee came up on the first time. I was way nervous, I was reciting the baptism prayer the whole day in my mind, haha it was funny.
A little update, I still can't understand anything anyone says, it's kinda funny, I think I’ve taken the approach that someday I’ll be able to understand and speak well, so I just laugh it all off, and try not to get too stressed. It's funny, like on this street contact, I talked to a guys at a red light on a scooter, and got him to pull over to the side of the road, haha I just said follow me I have a important message in Chinese obviously, so he followed me. I asked him when we could set up a time to meet with him, so I pulled up my schedule and just pointed at the times on my planner, he kept saying a whole bunch of stuff, I couldn’t understand any of it so I just kept saying, when can we meet, and pointing to the calendar. Haha it was really funny. My companion came over and finished the rest, but man it was great. But yeah that’s the extent of my experience is saying what I know, then having them blurt stuff back in my face, and I just smile and nod. But that doesn't work to well in dinner appointments because half the time they ask if you want something I have no idea what they are saying so I just smile and nod, and they bring me food. Haha like a member brought me a bowl of beans. Haha I was freaking out, so when she went in the other room, I gave the bowl of beans to the other member there so she could eat them. So I looked like I ate them, then the member whose house we were at asked me something again, I smile and nodded, so she brought me more beans. HAHA I give up..... it was way funny, but I got out of trying them haha yeah I’m magic and very good in my ways.
It's so fun over here, I’ve pretty much mastered the roads, I’m like a speed demon man, it's awesome, I like race scooters and stuff. It’s awesome, like a couple of nights ago, we had to get to an appointment quick it was clear over in the business district. It was raining, we didn't have any rain gear, it was night, so we just flew and hauled butt over there, it was sweet. We were soaking wet, but we were going way fast, dodging cars a scooters and made it there on time. If you're doing what the Lord wants you to do, then just say a prayer the whole time you’re on the road and you can go as fast as you want to get somewhere haha that’s the approach you have to take.
Things are so sweet here, the other night I just stood outside for a minute and contemplated, like man I can't believe I’m actually in Taiwan, it was a good relaxing cool little 10 minutes. But yeah in teaching appointments it's really hard to stay attentive. Because I’m trying so hard to listen and try to understand, so I’m like on the edge of my chair, and my brain gets so tired from understanding by the end of the lesson, my brain is telling my body to sleep. It’s really funny, but get's kinda frustrating. The funniest part is, I’ll be listening when our investigator talks, and I’ll understand 1 word, and freak out cause I understood something, but by the time I get over being excited, figuring out what the word means they are on another subject. So that’s really funny, but I guess it just comes with time, I have to have patience. Which I’ve never been known to have, but I guess that’s something the Lord wants me to learn.
It's so funny, all the Chinese people absolutely love Americans. Like every single school girl that we pass, all say hi, in like a unified manner, it's pretty interesting, like it's planned or something. But it's funny, cause when you pull of on the red light and talk to the guy on a scooter next to you, when you speak Chinese, they are so surprised, I’m surprised they don't fall of their scooter or something, half the time, they don't even know what to think about.
I don't know I just can't wait till I can understand what they are saying, and actually help them out learning the gospel and on their way to getting baptized.
Cade you’re trying out for the team, that's awesome. If you put in the work, I know you can make it, your talented plenty enough.
But yeah I’m getting the money out today for the bike, but the total on the bike is like 320 cause it came with a lock and stuff, which still isn't fun to pay but yeah I’ll be taking that out today to pay the mission.
That’s wonderful that grandpa is finally done. I’ve been praying really hard for him, I 'm really glad the Lord blessed him and allowed his cancer to leave, and have no side effects. I love him so much, he is one of the greatest guys in the world.
Yeah I’ve been praying really hard for grandmother, I didn't know about the heart things, but yeah I’ll keep praying extra hard.
Davis is in the State Championship game? That is so awesome, haha I’m getting chills even talking about that. I’m such a "has been" haha that’s way sweet though, and yeah tanner is a beast, I love that kid.
Yeah others can send me emails. But it just stinks, because I have an hour cause we pay for an hour, and the longer I have to read emails the shorter the time is to email you guys back. Like I probably wouldn't email others back, but I’d write them letters. I just don't want to take away time from reading your guys letters and typing you guys back.
But just Book of Mormon, I have pin yin, characters and English. If you have a bible and D C one, I would love that, that would be awesome, it helps so much.
JOSH, JOSH, JOSH, JOSH!!! How is it Dude!!! Haha even though I’m on a mission, which is the best thing ever I’m not gonna lie I’m jealous. I wanted to play that so bad. Tell me about it, send me an email... But just remember how much it controlled our lives, so be careful, and make sure you don't focus on it....AT ALL!!!!
Britton and Abby, great job continuing in school. Both of you guys are amazing, I’m so glad to hear your working hard and doing all you can to succeed.
I bet the room looks way legit now. Haha I remember working in that room. I really did like working and helping clients, even though I may have complained a couple of times (sorry) But yeah that was great, I bet it's really nice.
May I ask for some things by chance- (early Christmas present perhaps.)
- Ipod, with the speakers or white ones we have, cause the black ones were really weak, but if that’s all that’s totally fine, and load it with everything we have, Christmas songs, all classical songs, like David Lanz and stuff, and movie soundtracks!!!!!!
-Picture of the house, the family laminated also dad's blessing laminated please. (The Chinese people love looking at family and house pictures.)
-A package with all the American munchies and candies you can send.... Haha I need some American munchies. The Smoot family sent me a package, had a package a Twix in it, I was loving life....haha it was funny.
But yeah, I love you guys so much. I know this church is true with all my heart or I wouldn't be serving a mission. I know the Lord is blessing me with the language and with listening skills, if I keep working hard and trying he will allow me for the language not to be a barrier. I know Joseph Smith saw God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ, he restored this perfect gospel to the earth today. God rules over this world, Jesus Christ, leads and guides this church today, and still is working miracles, he gives his authority and power through a prophet, Thomas S. Monson, I know he's a prophet of God, and is the president on of the church. I love my mission, I know the Lord will keep blessing me, and our family if we keep being obedient, and doing all we can to serve him.
"We much first seek the kingdom of God, then He will bless us with riches." Maybe not exact quote but exact same idea, I know if we do what the Lord wants us to do, He will bless us and we'll always be alright. I love my Savior Jesus Christ, and know through him, I will return to live with my Heavenly Father, forever in the Celestial Kingdom with my family, you guys, whom I love more then anything on the entire earth. You guys are awesome, thank you so much for all the support you've given me. I hope I 'm doing all I can, I’m making you guys proud. I hope you guys look up to me and see someone you want to become, because of the light of Christ in me (kids), I love you guys. Do everything you can to serve the Lord!!!!! I love you.
Keep working hard, dad this performance clinic is an awesome blessing. Keep praying and working hard, it will follow through and be very successful. Love you guys!!!!!!!!!
Monday, November 9, 2009
First Letter Home from Taiwan
Hey family!!! I sent like 17 pictures so hopefully you'll be able to open them all up Just a little update on the stuff that’s going on I guess. I explain each picture. [Blog readers, pictures will be posted next week but we put the descriptions here anyway so you can see what Elder Rasmussen did the first few days in Taiwan].
3657- Is just the airplane food we had coming over here, it was way good, it killed the MTC food by a billion percentage
3661,3662- This is the Taipei Temple at night, it was beautiful we stayed across the road in the mission home for the first 2 days until we found out our areas and trainers.
3663-Just me in our apartments the 2nd day
3664-We took a bus ride to a the place where an apostle dedicated Taiwan to missionary work, this is just a picture over a river.
3668- This is across the way from the place where Taiwan was dedicated, it's called the grand hotel, later in the day we went through it, it was spectacular, wow it was amazing. It’s HUGE.
3670-just a random little store on the way
3673-This is the entrance to the grand hotel
3674-this is where Taiwan was dedicated to missionary work, he told us to find a quiet spot and go prayer, and dedicate ourselves to the Lord for the next two years. It was a way cool experience. (This is a reenactment of my prayer haha)
3676- This monument represents all the souls that fought and died fighting against communism.
3677- This is the building built for the Dedication
3681-This is all the new missionaries going to Taiwan, we took this picture in front of the hotel.
3684- This is a picture of 101, the tallest building in the world
3687- This is the top of the mission home, you can see a lot of things, it's 7 floors up. it's way cool.
3691- This is my MOM, or the companion that was with my trainer before me, but just hadn't have left yet. We used a screw driver, and the stove to drive holes through the bottom of that box, to make a box for the back of my bike.
3692- This is the young girl we baptized Saturday night, it was a way cool experience, the first day into my area to experience a baptism, her name is Wu Zhi Juan. She is 22, she's sweet!!
3693- This is all of us before the Baptism.
Well there are some pictures I hope you guys can see them and like them. But, a little about my area first…
Area- My area is the heart of Taiwan City. It's way sweet, I traveled about 15 minutes by taxi and about 8 minutes by bike, away from the mission home. Our apartment is nice and cozy!! But it'll do I guess. But the city is absolutely crazy, the buses rule the road. You better get out of the way for all buses or else you’re dead. haha they just cut off all cars and everything, they don't even care, because they need to get to their stop, doesn't matter if their 4 lanes over, they're going to cut off anything in their way to get to that stop. but the main 2 rules on the road are, can't turn right at a red light, and when you want to turn lanes, you can't look back. Just change lanes, because the logic is that the person behind you will move to not hit you, because if you look back before you change, there are so many cars and scooters, that you have a better chance of running into the back of somebody. So it's pretty interesting, but really fun, especially when at night you’re tired, the second you get onto the road you’re not tired anymore. haha
Food- The food is absolutely great!!!!! I love it so far, I don't think I’ve tried anything way crazy yet, but so far everything that I’ve tried I’ve loved. The best thing is dumplings!! I absolutely love them, we had a zone conference and they fed those to everyone for lunch, I was dying over them. Put some soy sauce and grape a set of chopsticks and your set to go. But it's crazy, I don't know anything about the food or anything, so it shall be interesting to see what happens when we go shopping today.
Language- Yeah I don't even know where to start really. haha I can't understand anything, it's kinda funny, actually, I have to just laugh, cause if I didn't I would get really frustrated and wouldn't be having fun. But I would be pretty bad off without a trainer to be honest with you. At church all the meeting are obviously in Chinese, it's really hard for me not to fall asleep cause I can't understand anything, and the harder I try to understand what they are saying the more tired my brain gets, so either way I’m tired once church gets out. But at church, each hour they asked me to introduce myself which was pretty interesting. Then in sacrament they asked me in the middle of sacrament to get up and bear my testimony. So I got up there and I look down at the congregation, they are all just smiling at me, so I started and said something, I didn't know if it was correct, so I said dui bu dui which means correct or incorrect, they all smiled and said correct. It's totally way laid back it's pretty funny. But it went good, and I spoke pretty good, I wasn't like jumpy or anything which was really good. After church all the members, were like talking to each other saying, he's only been in Taiwan for 4 days, wow, they all were like telling me I had good power, and I was very good and stuff, it was pretty funny. Teaching is interesting, there have been 3 of us for the last 3 days the other elder left this morning, so in lessons, I’ve just bore my testimony about prayer and stuff, so I haven't really taught a legit lesson just me and my trainer yet, but it's fun to talk with real Chinese people. Contacting is tough, because when you stop at a red light, you have like 75 second until it turns green, so you just turn to the guy or gal next to you on a scooter and start talking to them. It's hard for me because I don't know how to speak much, so it's pretty intimidating. Haha I asked a guy Saturday night to come to church with us on Sunday, yeah I got rejected. But the funny thing is if they reject you, they just ride off and you'll never see that person again, so that takes a little of the pressure off.
Trainer- my trainer is Elder Bishop, he is one of the elders from the other mission that came over after the mission was closed. He has a lot of fire about getting baptisms, which is funny... I can tell that I’m going to learn a lot from him, and I’m way excited for my first transfer in Taiwan to be with him as my trainer. Also he's from Bountiful, so that’s cool.
The work- Well they had that young lady get baptized right when I got here, then we have 2 or 3 baptisms lined up for next week. I came here right when this mission is on fire. Haha I mean 4 baptisms in the first week or so, it's crazy. Obviously I didn’t help convert them, but it's still way cool, I think I might be baptizing one of them next week too, which shall be interesting. But, I'm loving it so far, our ward is absolutely amazing. They hadn't had a lot of baptisms, until Elder Bishop came into their ward, now they are all way excited to help, and come to lessons with us and stuff. Taiwan people I’m not even kidding are the nicest people ever. Even when they reject you, they just say thank you over and over and over. It's awesome; I really do love these people so much. But last night we had dinner at a member’s house with a couple other members, and we had 2 investigators with us. We ate, then talked, then shared a message with them. I shared a scripture about the atonement, and then talked a little about how important the atonement is. But it was funny, all 4 members, were like treating me like a baby because I was new. It was funny, but the food was way good, I don't know what it was but it was good. And then she gave us oranges, and apples, which were the best fruit I’ve ever had, especially the apples, they were amazing. It was awesome.
Well I’m just studying along, and trying to get the language down, so that it's not a barrier in my teaching and talking to the Taiwanese people. But, I’m loving it here!
I'm glad to hear that all is going good there. I love you guys so much. I'm glad the business is taking off, I knew it would, and will keep doing so, cause I believe you guys have done your part, and continue to do your part, and working hard to make it happen, and the Lord is blessing you with the rest, and letting you guys have success you guys won't even know was possible.
I Love you guys so much, but yeah I still need to get my bike. Love you guys.
3657- Is just the airplane food we had coming over here, it was way good, it killed the MTC food by a billion percentage
3661,3662- This is the Taipei Temple at night, it was beautiful we stayed across the road in the mission home for the first 2 days until we found out our areas and trainers.
3663-Just me in our apartments the 2nd day
3664-We took a bus ride to a the place where an apostle dedicated Taiwan to missionary work, this is just a picture over a river.
3668- This is across the way from the place where Taiwan was dedicated, it's called the grand hotel, later in the day we went through it, it was spectacular, wow it was amazing. It’s HUGE.
3670-just a random little store on the way
3673-This is the entrance to the grand hotel
3674-this is where Taiwan was dedicated to missionary work, he told us to find a quiet spot and go prayer, and dedicate ourselves to the Lord for the next two years. It was a way cool experience. (This is a reenactment of my prayer haha)
3676- This monument represents all the souls that fought and died fighting against communism.
3677- This is the building built for the Dedication
3681-This is all the new missionaries going to Taiwan, we took this picture in front of the hotel.
3684- This is a picture of 101, the tallest building in the world
3687- This is the top of the mission home, you can see a lot of things, it's 7 floors up. it's way cool.
3691- This is my MOM, or the companion that was with my trainer before me, but just hadn't have left yet. We used a screw driver, and the stove to drive holes through the bottom of that box, to make a box for the back of my bike.
3692- This is the young girl we baptized Saturday night, it was a way cool experience, the first day into my area to experience a baptism, her name is Wu Zhi Juan. She is 22, she's sweet!!
3693- This is all of us before the Baptism.
Well there are some pictures I hope you guys can see them and like them. But, a little about my area first…
Area- My area is the heart of Taiwan City. It's way sweet, I traveled about 15 minutes by taxi and about 8 minutes by bike, away from the mission home. Our apartment is nice and cozy!! But it'll do I guess. But the city is absolutely crazy, the buses rule the road. You better get out of the way for all buses or else you’re dead. haha they just cut off all cars and everything, they don't even care, because they need to get to their stop, doesn't matter if their 4 lanes over, they're going to cut off anything in their way to get to that stop. but the main 2 rules on the road are, can't turn right at a red light, and when you want to turn lanes, you can't look back. Just change lanes, because the logic is that the person behind you will move to not hit you, because if you look back before you change, there are so many cars and scooters, that you have a better chance of running into the back of somebody. So it's pretty interesting, but really fun, especially when at night you’re tired, the second you get onto the road you’re not tired anymore. haha
Food- The food is absolutely great!!!!! I love it so far, I don't think I’ve tried anything way crazy yet, but so far everything that I’ve tried I’ve loved. The best thing is dumplings!! I absolutely love them, we had a zone conference and they fed those to everyone for lunch, I was dying over them. Put some soy sauce and grape a set of chopsticks and your set to go. But it's crazy, I don't know anything about the food or anything, so it shall be interesting to see what happens when we go shopping today.
Language- Yeah I don't even know where to start really. haha I can't understand anything, it's kinda funny, actually, I have to just laugh, cause if I didn't I would get really frustrated and wouldn't be having fun. But I would be pretty bad off without a trainer to be honest with you. At church all the meeting are obviously in Chinese, it's really hard for me not to fall asleep cause I can't understand anything, and the harder I try to understand what they are saying the more tired my brain gets, so either way I’m tired once church gets out. But at church, each hour they asked me to introduce myself which was pretty interesting. Then in sacrament they asked me in the middle of sacrament to get up and bear my testimony. So I got up there and I look down at the congregation, they are all just smiling at me, so I started and said something, I didn't know if it was correct, so I said dui bu dui which means correct or incorrect, they all smiled and said correct. It's totally way laid back it's pretty funny. But it went good, and I spoke pretty good, I wasn't like jumpy or anything which was really good. After church all the members, were like talking to each other saying, he's only been in Taiwan for 4 days, wow, they all were like telling me I had good power, and I was very good and stuff, it was pretty funny. Teaching is interesting, there have been 3 of us for the last 3 days the other elder left this morning, so in lessons, I’ve just bore my testimony about prayer and stuff, so I haven't really taught a legit lesson just me and my trainer yet, but it's fun to talk with real Chinese people. Contacting is tough, because when you stop at a red light, you have like 75 second until it turns green, so you just turn to the guy or gal next to you on a scooter and start talking to them. It's hard for me because I don't know how to speak much, so it's pretty intimidating. Haha I asked a guy Saturday night to come to church with us on Sunday, yeah I got rejected. But the funny thing is if they reject you, they just ride off and you'll never see that person again, so that takes a little of the pressure off.
Trainer- my trainer is Elder Bishop, he is one of the elders from the other mission that came over after the mission was closed. He has a lot of fire about getting baptisms, which is funny... I can tell that I’m going to learn a lot from him, and I’m way excited for my first transfer in Taiwan to be with him as my trainer. Also he's from Bountiful, so that’s cool.
The work- Well they had that young lady get baptized right when I got here, then we have 2 or 3 baptisms lined up for next week. I came here right when this mission is on fire. Haha I mean 4 baptisms in the first week or so, it's crazy. Obviously I didn’t help convert them, but it's still way cool, I think I might be baptizing one of them next week too, which shall be interesting. But, I'm loving it so far, our ward is absolutely amazing. They hadn't had a lot of baptisms, until Elder Bishop came into their ward, now they are all way excited to help, and come to lessons with us and stuff. Taiwan people I’m not even kidding are the nicest people ever. Even when they reject you, they just say thank you over and over and over. It's awesome; I really do love these people so much. But last night we had dinner at a member’s house with a couple other members, and we had 2 investigators with us. We ate, then talked, then shared a message with them. I shared a scripture about the atonement, and then talked a little about how important the atonement is. But it was funny, all 4 members, were like treating me like a baby because I was new. It was funny, but the food was way good, I don't know what it was but it was good. And then she gave us oranges, and apples, which were the best fruit I’ve ever had, especially the apples, they were amazing. It was awesome.
Well I’m just studying along, and trying to get the language down, so that it's not a barrier in my teaching and talking to the Taiwanese people. But, I’m loving it here!
I'm glad to hear that all is going good there. I love you guys so much. I'm glad the business is taking off, I knew it would, and will keep doing so, cause I believe you guys have done your part, and continue to do your part, and working hard to make it happen, and the Lord is blessing you with the rest, and letting you guys have success you guys won't even know was possible.
I Love you guys so much, but yeah I still need to get my bike. Love you guys.
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