Thursday, December 31, 2009
Street Contacting and Caroling on Christmas Day!
These are some contacting pictures with the santa hat.....the one on the scooter looks staged, but it is as real as it gets...haha, then the other one looks like I'm kinda scared to talk to her so it's way funny. After we went caroling at a member's restaurant. We had a blast!!
My New Area is Sooooooo Sick (editor note: that means awesome)
Hey guys, I gotta say I absolutely loved talking to you guys on Christmas, it made me so happy.....I love all you guys so much it's crazy. But I’m glad to hear your Christmas went well and you’re all doing well. I’m so proud of you guys and all you've become, keep working hard, because Heavenly Father knows what you can become and will help you become that if you'll work hard, develop your talents, and follow his commandments.
But my Christmas was one of the best Christmas ever!! Better than any present I’ve ever gotten (sorry Santa), I got 8 actual set ups and like 14 people potentially to teach, Heavenly Father blessed us so much. The joy I had that day has never been matched my entire life. We rode around saying merry Christmas and asking everyone if they were happy. We got so many smiles, every smile I saw made me have that much more joy it was amazing, I love my life.
But my new area is soooo sick!!! The people here have been prepared a long time and are ready to hear the gospel. I truly believe that Heavenly Father put me and elder Daniels as a companionship for a reason...we are supposed to start a new ward or branch in an area, and I believe that the Lord put us two together because he knows we can get the work done. I know we can to, with good old fashion hard work, and the Lord we are going to see miracles this transfer and hopefully will stay together longer. But our first week here in the transfer for only having like 4 investigator's were BEAST. Heavenly Father really, really blessed us. We taught about 18 lessons, and got 5 new investigators but the 2 numbers that we blew out of the water. When all the other missionaries heard it were way stoked and awed....were we got 12 referrals and 36 set ups on the week...We worked hard, really we really tried and talked to literally everyone we could, the Lord blessed us so much. Today in comp. study we used it to set goals for the transfer, we set some hi goals but were going to get them because we have the Lord's help and we are going to do our part. I’m so excited to get this transfer started.....I know we’re going to see many, many miracles and have a wonderful time. What’s so amazing is we’re getting along great. And with that we have the spirit with each other and can teach with the power and authority that we are set apart to have. I love my companion really, he's a very hard worker and really tries hard to follow the rules and do everything right. We work hard every day, even though were tired at the end of the day we are happy because we've done what the Lord has asked us to do. It was funny last night we were exhausted from the week of hard work, we were so excited it was p-day haha we were like we deserve tonight’s rest. Even though we can get a ton better it was a good start to the transfer. I’m loving my life, my companion, my new area and this gospel. I’ve really never been happier and I only expect it to all get even better as I try harder, learn the language, and sanctify myself to the Lord.
Something cool that happened the other night on Saturday night. we had about an hour to go contacting. I’ve tracted 1 time my entire mission. so we started things off with a prayer and asked for guidance and the opportunity to see miracles. Also if we do our part and talk to everyone that the Lord will put those people ready to hear the gospel in our paths. But so we headed out and we were heading down this ally way and I passed a door and got a distinct impression, it wasn't like a stop and do it now impression, or there’s someone there impression. But this impression was like no other but a gentle literally "try that door" impression. So I kinda second guessed it because I’ve never door contacted hardly, but then I yelled up to my companion and we tracted the door. There were 6 floors on the apartment. So we decided to start and push the intercom button for the 6th floor. A lady answered and we started talking Chinese but she couldn't understand us and said sorry I can't understand. Then we were found out that she is Philippino. So we started talking to her in English, at first she said we couldn't come up, but then we said "we want to share a message about Jesus Christ with you" she let us up. We got up there and just standing at the door taught her the first lesson. We did it all in English, the first vision I was a little nervous to do it in English cause I haven't done it in English in a while but it came out fine, and the spirit was rockin. She took it very well, and now we are going back to give her a book of Mormon and teach her more. Problem is she works as a nurse person for a old guy and she only gets 1 day off a month. But her faith is so strong and we'll get her and help her accept baptism and taste of the blessings that Heavenly Father has awaiting all of us. It was such a miracle we were both just smiling and loving it after that on the way home. It was so awesome. The Lord will guide us in missionary work and everyday life if we'll prayer for the guidance and then just do what were supposed to be doing!! I know it!
Josh-Hey stud!! really you are sweet. I’m so glad you’re my brother, I know I’ve told you this before but really you are one of my best friends, I’m really disappointed I didn't treat you like it early in our lives, but you really are the best example for me and are an amazing kid...I love you so much. Thank you for always being there for me, and always talking with me and playing with me. I’m so glad to hear your Christmas went well, when I heard your voice it touched me to the heart, I loved hearing your voice and being able to talk with you..I can't wait to hang out with you again before you go on your mission..that would be sweet if you could come pick me up so I can chill with ya. Your amazing keep trying hard in all you do and do all you can to develop the many, many talents the Lord has given you... I love you so much dude.
Cade-Hey bud.....I hear you look way legit in your new outfit...I don't care what you wear your always going to be legit. You’re so good at swimming, when I see you win I get the chills cause that’s my little brother owning everyone. You’re so sick. But I’m so glad you had a good Christmas... Thanks for always being the loving brother and friend to all around you. You are an amazing athlete and kid. Keep working hard and do all you can in school. You are a very, very smart kid, don't waste this amazing gift you have the opportunity of having. Study hard and get good grades. I love you bud Keep working hard in swimming I promise you'll go far.
Britton-My new man of the house. Hey dude....I’m glad to hear your keeping the role for me. But I promise in 2 years you’re not going to be able to say that anymore. But I loved talking to you the other day. You sound great and I’m glad you’re happy. Keep being the dude and good friend that you are and you'll go far, far, far in life. You have an amazing personality be nice to everyone and allow everyone to taste of the wonderful ability you have to love. I love you man!!
Abby- Hey sis, you are so cute, your pictures are amazing. You are a sweet model. I loved talking to you, even though you didn't want to come to Taiwan with me. But I love you so much. I love how cute, smart, loving, and just everything you are. Words can't describe how amazing you are. Keep doing well in all you do and you'll love your life. keep loving all your friends and especially your family. Love is a thing you've been given be sure to spread it, and bless the lives of all those around you. Thanks hun for being an amazing sister I love you so much. Keep up the good work!!
Testimony- I want every single person in the world or whoever reads this, that I know God lives. I know because every single night I kneel down to prayer, and account my days work to my creator he talks with me. I know he talks to me because I fill his presence whenever I kneel down in sincere prayer. I know my savior Jesus Christ leads this work, this work won't fail and everyone involved will have happiness they've never felt before. We may think in life that a certain hardship or trial we are going through is impossible to overcome, no one may understand your situation, but one person knows. Jesus Christ knows exactly what were are going through because he went through it and more. But because of his great love for us, if we'll turn to him and ask him for help and have faith in Him, we will overcome our trial and come out a stronger better person. We are given trials because without those trials we could not become the man the Lord wants us and knows we can become. I know this gospel is true, the Book of Mormon is the word of God...Through the BoM our prayers are answered, we receive comfort and guidance in our lives. There is one way in life to be happy and I’ve found it...Serving the Lord....and I will do it the rest of my life. Jesus Christ is my savior and redeemer, through Him I am healed and will live with my creator and family eternally. I love my Father in Heaven and truly have a personally relationship with him. He hears and answers my prayers and will continue to do so if I turn to him!
I’m really trying, I mean honestly working hard, and I know the Lord is pleased with my work and effort because I feel the confirmation of his love every night I kneel down and pray.
This church is true!!!!
Thanks for all you guys have done I love you guys so much!!
But my Christmas was one of the best Christmas ever!! Better than any present I’ve ever gotten (sorry Santa), I got 8 actual set ups and like 14 people potentially to teach, Heavenly Father blessed us so much. The joy I had that day has never been matched my entire life. We rode around saying merry Christmas and asking everyone if they were happy. We got so many smiles, every smile I saw made me have that much more joy it was amazing, I love my life.
But my new area is soooo sick!!! The people here have been prepared a long time and are ready to hear the gospel. I truly believe that Heavenly Father put me and elder Daniels as a companionship for a reason...we are supposed to start a new ward or branch in an area, and I believe that the Lord put us two together because he knows we can get the work done. I know we can to, with good old fashion hard work, and the Lord we are going to see miracles this transfer and hopefully will stay together longer. But our first week here in the transfer for only having like 4 investigator's were BEAST. Heavenly Father really, really blessed us. We taught about 18 lessons, and got 5 new investigators but the 2 numbers that we blew out of the water. When all the other missionaries heard it were way stoked and awed....were we got 12 referrals and 36 set ups on the week...We worked hard, really we really tried and talked to literally everyone we could, the Lord blessed us so much. Today in comp. study we used it to set goals for the transfer, we set some hi goals but were going to get them because we have the Lord's help and we are going to do our part. I’m so excited to get this transfer started.....I know we’re going to see many, many miracles and have a wonderful time. What’s so amazing is we’re getting along great. And with that we have the spirit with each other and can teach with the power and authority that we are set apart to have. I love my companion really, he's a very hard worker and really tries hard to follow the rules and do everything right. We work hard every day, even though were tired at the end of the day we are happy because we've done what the Lord has asked us to do. It was funny last night we were exhausted from the week of hard work, we were so excited it was p-day haha we were like we deserve tonight’s rest. Even though we can get a ton better it was a good start to the transfer. I’m loving my life, my companion, my new area and this gospel. I’ve really never been happier and I only expect it to all get even better as I try harder, learn the language, and sanctify myself to the Lord.
Something cool that happened the other night on Saturday night. we had about an hour to go contacting. I’ve tracted 1 time my entire mission. so we started things off with a prayer and asked for guidance and the opportunity to see miracles. Also if we do our part and talk to everyone that the Lord will put those people ready to hear the gospel in our paths. But so we headed out and we were heading down this ally way and I passed a door and got a distinct impression, it wasn't like a stop and do it now impression, or there’s someone there impression. But this impression was like no other but a gentle literally "try that door" impression. So I kinda second guessed it because I’ve never door contacted hardly, but then I yelled up to my companion and we tracted the door. There were 6 floors on the apartment. So we decided to start and push the intercom button for the 6th floor. A lady answered and we started talking Chinese but she couldn't understand us and said sorry I can't understand. Then we were found out that she is Philippino. So we started talking to her in English, at first she said we couldn't come up, but then we said "we want to share a message about Jesus Christ with you" she let us up. We got up there and just standing at the door taught her the first lesson. We did it all in English, the first vision I was a little nervous to do it in English cause I haven't done it in English in a while but it came out fine, and the spirit was rockin. She took it very well, and now we are going back to give her a book of Mormon and teach her more. Problem is she works as a nurse person for a old guy and she only gets 1 day off a month. But her faith is so strong and we'll get her and help her accept baptism and taste of the blessings that Heavenly Father has awaiting all of us. It was such a miracle we were both just smiling and loving it after that on the way home. It was so awesome. The Lord will guide us in missionary work and everyday life if we'll prayer for the guidance and then just do what were supposed to be doing!! I know it!
Josh-Hey stud!! really you are sweet. I’m so glad you’re my brother, I know I’ve told you this before but really you are one of my best friends, I’m really disappointed I didn't treat you like it early in our lives, but you really are the best example for me and are an amazing kid...I love you so much. Thank you for always being there for me, and always talking with me and playing with me. I’m so glad to hear your Christmas went well, when I heard your voice it touched me to the heart, I loved hearing your voice and being able to talk with you..I can't wait to hang out with you again before you go on your mission..that would be sweet if you could come pick me up so I can chill with ya. Your amazing keep trying hard in all you do and do all you can to develop the many, many talents the Lord has given you... I love you so much dude.
Cade-Hey bud.....I hear you look way legit in your new outfit...I don't care what you wear your always going to be legit. You’re so good at swimming, when I see you win I get the chills cause that’s my little brother owning everyone. You’re so sick. But I’m so glad you had a good Christmas... Thanks for always being the loving brother and friend to all around you. You are an amazing athlete and kid. Keep working hard and do all you can in school. You are a very, very smart kid, don't waste this amazing gift you have the opportunity of having. Study hard and get good grades. I love you bud Keep working hard in swimming I promise you'll go far.
Britton-My new man of the house. Hey dude....I’m glad to hear your keeping the role for me. But I promise in 2 years you’re not going to be able to say that anymore. But I loved talking to you the other day. You sound great and I’m glad you’re happy. Keep being the dude and good friend that you are and you'll go far, far, far in life. You have an amazing personality be nice to everyone and allow everyone to taste of the wonderful ability you have to love. I love you man!!
Abby- Hey sis, you are so cute, your pictures are amazing. You are a sweet model. I loved talking to you, even though you didn't want to come to Taiwan with me. But I love you so much. I love how cute, smart, loving, and just everything you are. Words can't describe how amazing you are. Keep doing well in all you do and you'll love your life. keep loving all your friends and especially your family. Love is a thing you've been given be sure to spread it, and bless the lives of all those around you. Thanks hun for being an amazing sister I love you so much. Keep up the good work!!
Testimony- I want every single person in the world or whoever reads this, that I know God lives. I know because every single night I kneel down to prayer, and account my days work to my creator he talks with me. I know he talks to me because I fill his presence whenever I kneel down in sincere prayer. I know my savior Jesus Christ leads this work, this work won't fail and everyone involved will have happiness they've never felt before. We may think in life that a certain hardship or trial we are going through is impossible to overcome, no one may understand your situation, but one person knows. Jesus Christ knows exactly what were are going through because he went through it and more. But because of his great love for us, if we'll turn to him and ask him for help and have faith in Him, we will overcome our trial and come out a stronger better person. We are given trials because without those trials we could not become the man the Lord wants us and knows we can become. I know this gospel is true, the Book of Mormon is the word of God...Through the BoM our prayers are answered, we receive comfort and guidance in our lives. There is one way in life to be happy and I’ve found it...Serving the Lord....and I will do it the rest of my life. Jesus Christ is my savior and redeemer, through Him I am healed and will live with my creator and family eternally. I love my Father in Heaven and truly have a personally relationship with him. He hears and answers my prayers and will continue to do so if I turn to him!
I’m really trying, I mean honestly working hard, and I know the Lord is pleased with my work and effort because I feel the confirmation of his love every night I kneel down and pray.
This church is true!!!!
Thanks for all you guys have done I love you guys so much!!
Skate Park in New Area
This is the sick skate park that we found....just imagine 4 white missionaries on mountain bikes, getting 3 inches of air at a skateboard park....haha makes me laugh!
Decorating and Christmas Morning 2009
Me trying to make our apartment a little more Christmasy, and Christmas morning with my new comp Elder Daniels.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Hey, I don't know if I told you but I'm moving areas....so yeah that's cool...
I'll call you 6 or 6:30p your guy's time on Christmas night, and hopefully you'll be with the whole family then.
Oh, the Weather Outside is Freightful (A little Christmas tune since it's Dec)
It was absolutely freezing outside and we had a dinner appointment to get to, so we got all dressed up and had a lot of fun taking pictures. Haha we were laughing so hard, it was a good night. You'll see the dinner party pictures in a minute.
A Park in the Area
Some flowers at the park, picture of me in front of a thing of flowers, and a random bamboo forest in the middle of the park.
The Battle Rages On...
Every morning we wake up we’re faced with the largest war in the history of the world. Every time we step out the door of our homes we are right on the front lines. This battle, the battle between good and evil or more personal, the battle between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and one’s Self vs. Satan. Not only is this the biggest and hardest war we've ever fought, it's also against the hardest, smartest, best opponent we'll ever faced...Satan!! Satan has made his weapons of war, and continues everyday to improve these weapons he has forged. Each weapon has a distinct strategy for Him to win the war. Every soul he gets hooked on pornography He smiles, every soul that starts smoking or doing drugs He smiles a little more, every swear word, every rude comment He just continues to smile with the evil, messed up joy He gets from seeing people suffer. All these weapons He's forged work to his advantage, but the Atomic Bomb of Satan's weapons focuses on 2 things: 1) family and 2) ones "SELF.” The second he sees a family getting destroyed because of one of His weapons (snares) is the second that he can't stop smiling and laughing with joy. He loves family arguments, brother/sister fights, lying to each other, when these things happen He plops onto his recliner turns on His big screen, surround sound and watches this event unfold as if He was watching a comedy. This is all fun and games to Him, but the one thing He takes more serious than ever is the attack on your "SELF.” SELF confidence, SELF image, SELF respect, SELF, SELF, SELF. Because if he can get into and control a "SELF" then the amount of joy He has is endless. He loves to see kids, grownups, teenagers all around the world, whether they've hit the depressed state or not, He glories and joys over every single bad idea, judgment or bad thought about ones "SELF.”. The reason He concentrates all his forces on this main battle front is because every single day, hour, second you are with yourself. Yeah he can destroy a family, but you don't always have to be with your family, yeah he can snare someone with smoking, pornography, or drugs but that’s not an everyday all day thing either. But if He can get the one thing most precious to every living creature he's won the war! He won't stop until He's accomplished his perfectly sick task of destroying a "SELF" or one soul. Satan has eternal misery and he wants all the company he can get. He has his "followers" on every street corner, every stop light, every place you can imagine, for one reason...to destroy someone’s "SELF.” Satan uses all of his forged weapons; pornography, drugs, peer pressure, video games, thought. These are all effective weapons, although I don't believe he uses these weapons to kill, he uses each of these weapons to damage and weaken the selected target, then once the shield of armor is low enough He doesn't waste any time or a chance of destroying the target. So instead of throwing another weapon at you he himself pounces on you, never to let go. Once he has used his own personal energy to trap you it's too late, He's got you and rejoices ever so greatly for the victory of his eternal war. Now that he has you he attacks the "SELF" more than ever. Thoughts start coming to the mind; "I'm not good enough," "I can't do this," "This isn't right, but just once won't hurt," "I'm so ugly," "I'm never going to have a girl/boy friend," "I'm better than him," "I don't need anyone’s help I can do it all.” He works both sides of the "SELF," I believe there are 2 kinds of “depression or insecurity.” Lack of "SELF" and too much of "SELF.” Both are very dangerous. Sad thing is Satan will gladly accept either one.
Once we’re grasped into the never ending snare of guilt, unhappiness, and misery, there is only one way out. Yes one way!! You can't think your way out of it. The only way is through our Lord and PERFECT Savior, Jesus Christ. Satan may have great, great power, but Jesus Christ has perfect righteous power. He healed the sick, made the blind see, the deaf hear, and cast evil spirits out of the souls of miserable possessed people. Let me restate that "CAST OUT EVIL SPIRITS." He is all powerful, Satan whimpers, cries, and hides like a scared dog at the sound of His perfect name. If Satan is commanded he MUST obey. Christ is all powerful, He's the only single way we can forge strong enough, big enough, and sturdy enough weapons to win each battle and eventually win the war.
If you go to fight the battle alone with no weapons against Satan and his armies you don't stand a chance. We must forge our own weapons of war. Not just any weapons will do. We must forge perfect weapons of war, yup PERFECT weapons of war. The only way to forge this kind of weapon is through Christ and his teachings. Every day we can forge those perfect weapons by doing little things. Saying, “I love you” to a family member, serving others, having kind thoughts. These are things to start forging your weapons of war. There are 3 things we can do to forge our perfect immovable defense around us!! Not just weapons, but a spiritual shield that nothing can penetrate. Every single day we must read the scriptures and pray. However much safety we think we need, read twice as much and pray 10 times more. I can't emphasize the importance of both of these the way I want to! Prayer…make prayer your best friend! First of all you get to talk to your loving Heavenly Father so why wouldn't you want to pray, and secondly, through prayer; you receive more strength to fight this war than you ever thought you could. Prayer is absolutely essential in wining battles and eventually the war. Prayer will give you the strength you need to get through battles, yeah you'll lose battles here and there, but through the Savior Jesus Christ's Atonement we can get back into the war stronger than ever. Heavenly Father truly does have perfect love for us, this is why he sent his son to Atone for our sins and truly overcome death. WE have a way to win this war and return back to live with our loving Creator and God, Heavenly Father.
But we can't just let Satan win battles then just expect the Savior to pick you back up. We must do everything we can to win these battles and not let Satan’s weapons damage us. We must 1) read the scriptures 2) prayer everyday all day and 3) every week go to church, and follow all the commandments. Like I said before we will lose a couple of battles or maybe more, but it's from our efforts in following God's commandments that allows the Atonement to get us back in the war.
This is an epic battle, between two forces that won't stop until one is victorious. The fight between good and evil has been the fight since the beginning of time, Satan thinks he has a chance to win this war, and starts by picking apart one soul or "SELF" at a time. Yeah he's smart, he's powerful, cunning, and brilliant. But the thing is Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ out do him even with a single breathe of their life. Satan isn't even a piece of dust! He has no power! We must be on the Lord's side in order to win this war. It's the only way. And we must come unto Him and trust him that he will help us with our own battles and help us win this war. He loves us and will help us, I know it!! But we have to come unto him. He will deliver us like he has always done for the righteous followers.
In 1 Nephi 22:15...Stan shall have NO MORE POWER over the hearts of the children of men...they who do wickedly...Must be burned.
Verse 16...he will not suffer that the wicked shall destroy the righteous.
Verse 17 Wherefore the righteous need not fear; for thus saith the prophet, they shall be saved, even if it so be as by Fire.
Verse 19 For behold , the righteous shall not perish; for the time surely must come that all they who fight against Zion shall be cut off.
Satan won't win!!! He thinks he can, but won't. Heavenly Fathers knows the plan and nothing will stop this perfect plan of returning to him. Those who try to stop it (Satan and his followers) will be destroyed! Please everybody come unto Christ, take strength in your redeemer. We all need it, Satan is in full force and stronger than ever. But if we hold on to God’s word we will be saved.
Alma 7:20: “I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by the testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths; neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one eternal round.”
He is perfect. He will always lead us the right way. Just like Satan laughs and loves his life when he sees us, the children of God falling for one of his snares, He nashes his teeth, wails, and has never ending torment and anger when he sees us doing what is right. The last thing he wants us to do is to follow Christ, because he knows if we follow Christ we'll win the war. I've found this to be so true on my mission, when we teach a lesson a lot of the times right when we’re about to talk about the restoration a phone will start ringing, or another interruptions will happen. Also the week leading up to their baptisms, Satan throws everything He can at the person to stop them from getting baptized. Satan tries and succeeds sometimes, but will fail. He always has failed ever since he didn't choose to follow the chosen correct plan in the beginning. He was cast out of heaven and will always be cast out. WE must not let him get power over us. Be strong follow the Lord and we will be led to the right path and win the war. We are on this earth to go through trials, learn and grow, and prepare to return and live with Heavenly Father. We have the perfect way right in front of us. Jesus Christ pleads with us to accept his atoning sacrifice for every single one of us, and taste of eternal life.
Me personally, I’ve waited too long to do this, I should have truly come unto him a lot earlier in my life, because now that I look back, when I thought I could win a battle on my own I truly needed him the most. I know He gives me strength to overcome all things. Without my Savior’s help I wouldn't be where I am today.
I know my Savior lives. Because I’ve truly joined forces with him I know I’ll crush Satan to the ground. Satan has no power over me when I’m holding to Jesus Christ. He is my Savior and redeemer. Through him I am healed, and will receive eternal life. I'm planning to make it to the celestial kingdom with my family. This is made possible by Jesus the Christ. I hope that is everyone's hope to live with your families eternally and with our creator in the Celestial Kingdom. I know this church is true.
Hold to the iron rod or word of God. Pray to receive strength, read the scriptures for answers and come to church for support. Do these three things and do as much as you can to follow his teachings. Without fail every single day read the Book of Mormon and pray. Pray when you wake up, pray during the day, pray when you go to bed. We need it, you can't get enough of prayer and building the spiritual shield around you. Hold to the rod, and we will win the war.
I testify that Satan is real. He wants everyone to be damned; He'll stop at nothing to make this happen. We must prepare, and be strong. Satan will not win...Remember your Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ and your life will never be better. That’s my promise to whoever reads this, and God's promise to all who come unto Him is Eternal Life, a Gift which is a most perfect gift.
God lives...He will help us win this War!!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Another Week in the Lord's Service
About the monk, yeah we dropped him, he accepted a baptismal date and everything, but never really understood it, and just stopped coming and stuff, so yeah we dropped him, it was fun while it lasted though. The guy I met on the scooter, he eventually lost contact with the zone leaders I don't know why but I hope things work out and they can get back in contact with him. We haven't seen the killer since, haha so I hope he's doing good sleeping on all the benches. Our other investigators: we have 2 working for baptism right now, Connor and Vick. Vick is a professional dancer, he is a stud, he's getting baptized the day after Christmas he's just struggling a bit about rejecting wine when his friends give it to him, but he's really trying and I know the Lord will bless him for his efforts. But the Lord really blessed him at his dancing work, he just got a rank advancement which is quite a bit more money, and he even credited the advancement to the Lord when we met with him it was way cool. Then Connor, he just needs a testimony of the Book of Mormon, he is willing to keep all of the commandments and everything, just really doesn't read and prayer as much as he should to get a testimony so were still working with him. We are teaching this white guy we have to pass him off cause he doesn't live in our area which is sad, but we had a sweet 1st lesson with him, and we had a sweet follow up. He is a really cool guy, he loves what we've taught him so far, and he is doing really well. I love missionary work, the feeling of seeing people come to know the things are true is absolutely amazing and brings happiness to me every single time.
My companion and I have come up with a really sweet way of contacting, I guess a method you could call it. We drive around on our bikes, and my comp will say like handsome or give a compliment to the person as we drive by, and I’ll sit back a little ways from him, and watch the reaction of the person, then I stop and talk to the person if I think I should. Then my comp turns around if it's a little while I’ve been talking with them, and we corner them and get the set up....haha it's so sweet, we have a way sweet little system going, it's working really well.
The other day we only had 1 lesson scheduled at 8 at night, so in the planning session the night before we were like I guess we'll just contact all day. So that’s what we did, all day except for lunch and dinner we were on the streets contacting. We had so much fun, we were laughing and enjoying it a ton. But yeah it was so fun, that’s what missionary work is all about, talking to everyone (even though I can't really understand them and talk very much) But just have fun and enjoy the time you have to just focus on the work of the Lord, it's so great. I had so much joy yesterday!
Then this one girl, my comp is the district leader so he does the districts baptism interviews. But we had this one girl the other night, that the sisters are teaching, she's 17, she's been going to church for over a year, but hasn't gotten baptized because her mom has never let her. And the parents have the right over the kids till 21 years old here in Taiwan. But for some reason the mom said she can now, but it was like a big drama thing. Her mom is literally psycho. Haha she was like, if you get baptized you can't marry a Mormon, then she changed to you can marry a Mormon but your kids can't join the church. Also she was like if I see anything Christian in the house then I’ll burn it or throw it away, and also she's like if I find out your paying tithing then I’m going to burn members houses down. Also her mom told her if she is baptized she can only go to church once a month. Haha but she passed her interview passing with flying colors. But only after like a therapy session, she showed up just crying and was so stressed. But it was a really cool spiritual experience.
About Christmas calling...skype is a really cheap way to call us I guess what my comp said, it's free online or something and you need a mic but you call from the computer to our home phone and talk with a mic. But I’ll call you guys my Christmas day and we'll figure out quick when you can call on your Christmas day, if you want to call with the extended family or whatever is fine. we'll figure it out, so I’ll call you sometime your Christmas eve, so I hope that your home and can answer. and I think I remember your cell phone address so I’ll call you on that also if you don't answer. But we'll get the situation figured out.
But yeah thank you so much for the music.
1. I know right didn't you love that sweet rapping job it was so legit, but the other package has my letters to each of you for Christmas morning. So I hope you get that, and I make the box that they are in, it's a sweet box man, I really build it to last, haha so hopefully it didn't break and worked out
2. Good boy Cade, you’re a stud, I love you so much. Just keep working hard and doing all that you can in order to win and be number one. If you really want it you can get it. The lord gives us talents and will help us develop those talents we receive, only according to our hard work though. But keep up the good work and you'll be a stud of a swimmer, when you go to meets kids will talk about that Cade Rasmussen, and those that are in your heats and things will know you and fear you, it's an amazing feeling to know that, haha keep it up.
3. Britton, I love you bud!! You’re so sweet, keep up being an amazing friend and remember the reason you have so many friends. Keep treating them the way you are. You’re awesome.
4. Josh I guessed on a lot of mine also, you always feel like you did poorly, the only way you can feel good about it is if you’re a girl name Tori Ballif. haha but don't worry about it, keep working hard and things will work out better than you ever imagined. Just remember though the goal you should have in the next 2 years which is getting ready for a mission. Start preparing, study, study, study, don't be like me and enter in the MTC not knowing much. Get way ahead, and not only for the mission, but for your life. It will bless your life I promise you, it's an amazing thing the gospel can do for our lives.
5. Abby, Abby, Abby. You never cease to amaze me. Keep being the perfect sister and daughter you are. Remember the whole family loves you and you need to keep loving them back.
6. Nothing new, Dad has always been a stud. He's my hero! I bought the Ensign and Liahona and read the priesthood session talk about sons and fathers again. I really love dad so much. He is amazing; I miss just going into his office in between sessions and just chilling with him. I love him so much, and plan for our relationship to grow to unknown heights as I’m out here and when I get back. Thanks for everything dad, I love you!!
7. Don't you just love getting ready for Christmas though, it's such a beautiful time of the year? But yeah that would be really nice to just relax and chillax with the family.
8. Dang I didn't get them cause my mailbox was all full, but I just deleted everything so I can get stuff now, it made me really frustrated! But maybe you guys could put some money into my account so I can take some out, so I can get a little msb port thing to save all my emails too. But yeah I didn't see the card, or the music, who knows what other stuff I didn't see.
9. look above haha
10. Because there isn't a ledge like American doors. So I just use it as a push up bar which is great.
11. Ummm... actually if it's just going to cost some money to send over it's fine. Because I’ll just learn to read characters in the next year so I’ll be able to...so thanks, but it's fine I’ll just do without.
12. But yeah I got them.....and I haven't opened any presents yet, but I did open the chocolates sorry I couldn't wait.
13. I’m not really sending a bunch, besides to just my friends and some but can I have addresses I need like Ivan again, but it's just hard I don't have a lot of time.
PS, I’m sending home a Christmas presents for the family, and one for each kid, I doubt it will get there by Christmas, but you'll hopefully get them, 3 church movies and 4 toys for each kid. But hopefully they won't get destroyed getting home.
Well I love you guys so much, thank you guys for all the support and everything you've done, keep up all the hard work!!!
My companion and I have come up with a really sweet way of contacting, I guess a method you could call it. We drive around on our bikes, and my comp will say like handsome or give a compliment to the person as we drive by, and I’ll sit back a little ways from him, and watch the reaction of the person, then I stop and talk to the person if I think I should. Then my comp turns around if it's a little while I’ve been talking with them, and we corner them and get the set up....haha it's so sweet, we have a way sweet little system going, it's working really well.
The other day we only had 1 lesson scheduled at 8 at night, so in the planning session the night before we were like I guess we'll just contact all day. So that’s what we did, all day except for lunch and dinner we were on the streets contacting. We had so much fun, we were laughing and enjoying it a ton. But yeah it was so fun, that’s what missionary work is all about, talking to everyone (even though I can't really understand them and talk very much) But just have fun and enjoy the time you have to just focus on the work of the Lord, it's so great. I had so much joy yesterday!
Then this one girl, my comp is the district leader so he does the districts baptism interviews. But we had this one girl the other night, that the sisters are teaching, she's 17, she's been going to church for over a year, but hasn't gotten baptized because her mom has never let her. And the parents have the right over the kids till 21 years old here in Taiwan. But for some reason the mom said she can now, but it was like a big drama thing. Her mom is literally psycho. Haha she was like, if you get baptized you can't marry a Mormon, then she changed to you can marry a Mormon but your kids can't join the church. Also she was like if I see anything Christian in the house then I’ll burn it or throw it away, and also she's like if I find out your paying tithing then I’m going to burn members houses down. Also her mom told her if she is baptized she can only go to church once a month. Haha but she passed her interview passing with flying colors. But only after like a therapy session, she showed up just crying and was so stressed. But it was a really cool spiritual experience.
About Christmas calling...skype is a really cheap way to call us I guess what my comp said, it's free online or something and you need a mic but you call from the computer to our home phone and talk with a mic. But I’ll call you guys my Christmas day and we'll figure out quick when you can call on your Christmas day, if you want to call with the extended family or whatever is fine. we'll figure it out, so I’ll call you sometime your Christmas eve, so I hope that your home and can answer. and I think I remember your cell phone address so I’ll call you on that also if you don't answer. But we'll get the situation figured out.
But yeah thank you so much for the music.
1. I know right didn't you love that sweet rapping job it was so legit, but the other package has my letters to each of you for Christmas morning. So I hope you get that, and I make the box that they are in, it's a sweet box man, I really build it to last, haha so hopefully it didn't break and worked out
2. Good boy Cade, you’re a stud, I love you so much. Just keep working hard and doing all that you can in order to win and be number one. If you really want it you can get it. The lord gives us talents and will help us develop those talents we receive, only according to our hard work though. But keep up the good work and you'll be a stud of a swimmer, when you go to meets kids will talk about that Cade Rasmussen, and those that are in your heats and things will know you and fear you, it's an amazing feeling to know that, haha keep it up.
3. Britton, I love you bud!! You’re so sweet, keep up being an amazing friend and remember the reason you have so many friends. Keep treating them the way you are. You’re awesome.
4. Josh I guessed on a lot of mine also, you always feel like you did poorly, the only way you can feel good about it is if you’re a girl name Tori Ballif. haha but don't worry about it, keep working hard and things will work out better than you ever imagined. Just remember though the goal you should have in the next 2 years which is getting ready for a mission. Start preparing, study, study, study, don't be like me and enter in the MTC not knowing much. Get way ahead, and not only for the mission, but for your life. It will bless your life I promise you, it's an amazing thing the gospel can do for our lives.
5. Abby, Abby, Abby. You never cease to amaze me. Keep being the perfect sister and daughter you are. Remember the whole family loves you and you need to keep loving them back.
6. Nothing new, Dad has always been a stud. He's my hero! I bought the Ensign and Liahona and read the priesthood session talk about sons and fathers again. I really love dad so much. He is amazing; I miss just going into his office in between sessions and just chilling with him. I love him so much, and plan for our relationship to grow to unknown heights as I’m out here and when I get back. Thanks for everything dad, I love you!!
7. Don't you just love getting ready for Christmas though, it's such a beautiful time of the year? But yeah that would be really nice to just relax and chillax with the family.
8. Dang I didn't get them cause my mailbox was all full, but I just deleted everything so I can get stuff now, it made me really frustrated! But maybe you guys could put some money into my account so I can take some out, so I can get a little msb port thing to save all my emails too. But yeah I didn't see the card, or the music, who knows what other stuff I didn't see.
9. look above haha
10. Because there isn't a ledge like American doors. So I just use it as a push up bar which is great.
11. Ummm... actually if it's just going to cost some money to send over it's fine. Because I’ll just learn to read characters in the next year so I’ll be able to...so thanks, but it's fine I’ll just do without.
12. But yeah I got them.....and I haven't opened any presents yet, but I did open the chocolates sorry I couldn't wait.
13. I’m not really sending a bunch, besides to just my friends and some but can I have addresses I need like Ivan again, but it's just hard I don't have a lot of time.
PS, I’m sending home a Christmas presents for the family, and one for each kid, I doubt it will get there by Christmas, but you'll hopefully get them, 3 church movies and 4 toys for each kid. But hopefully they won't get destroyed getting home.
Well I love you guys so much, thank you guys for all the support and everything you've done, keep up all the hard work!!!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
How the heck are you guys? I’m doing absolutely fantastic!!!
How the heck are you guys!! I’m doing absolutely fantastic!!!
1. Yeah I got the other two packages, yeah 3 total. The music is working great!! Thank you so much, we were so happy when we got that, and the speakers are 100 percent better than the other ones, thank you so much guys.
2. Haha that’s fun, I bet that Christmas party was sweet. But yeah I knew you guys would find success. Dad is a stud!!! I love him so much, he works so hard (so do you) But this is just getting started you guys have no idea how big it's going to get, I know it, the Lord will continue to bless you guys and our family just like he's blessing me on my mission. It's free advertisement - word of mouth, and especially with word of mouth, people know it's true, because it's not just an ad, and people can trust that it really works. So that is so awesome, I’m so grateful that the Lord is blessing us for our hard work and effort, especially you and Dad!!
3.That’s awesome they (Kim and Todd) had their baby. That’s a cute name.
4. Cade, I told ya stick to swimming!!! That was a blessing that you didn't make the bball team, even though you have enough talent to make it, you can go as far as you want in swimming. But you have to really want it. That’s how it is in life with anyone, if you really want something, I mean really want it, you can go get it, regardless of your talent and ability. Plus if it's for the good of your own soul and will make you happy, then the Lord will also help you achieve this thing because he wants us to be happy, but we have to do our part in order to receive his help.
5. Josh you're a stud!! You just has to stay in there, and ride out this life challenge, the Lord will bless you beyond measure if you do this, and you will be a very, very, very strong messenger of the Lord's message in a couple years. Your kicking my fanny on the ACT!!
Well family my update. On Thursday I made my first outbound call to a referral, haha I was so nervous to make it, I had 2 sister missionaries talk me into it. Like it's hard because on the street I can at least act like I know what they are talking about even though I really didn't understand them, but on the phone, I can't see their body movements or anything, and I sure as heck can't act like I know what they are saying. So I’m entirely dependent on the Lord. So I finally got talked into doing it, I said a little prayer in my heart and made the call. I actually understood most of the conversation, and I set him up for a teaching appointment. Haha, so my first outbound call the Lord blessed me and helped me get a set up.
You’re never gonna believe it, I actually eat subway now. One day I was like you know what I’m just going to try it. So we went and I put everything (yeah everything) on it, mayonnaise and all the side things and mustard and EVERYTHING. Haha I was kinda nervous to try it, but I just went for it, and I loved it haha. So we eat there quite a bit now. Haha, I actually ate a sandwich, you can tell all the extended family for me.....haha
Grandpa and grandma’s gift was so awesome, I have no possible way of using it for pull ups, but I use it on the ground for pushups. It's so legit, I work out with it every morning and night since I got it. I love it. Tell them thank you soooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!, I love them so much...the support they've always given me has been perfect.
Oh yeah but that meal that I sent you pics of, we had a crock pot. Where there is a boiling thing of stuff in the middle of the table, and you have all this uncooked stuff, and whatever you want to eat you put in the crock pot and it boils it then you eat it. Haha it was so good. I loved it! I haven't tried anything like super, super weird yet, but I’m just praying I don't have to, but I’m not really counting on that prayer too much. Like if I get transferred down south I’ll have to every day.
K are you guys ready....haha we have 2 investigators we’re dealing with that have the craziest thinking or mind set I’ve ever heard, it's very, very ridiculous.
Collin- He is a very, very cool guy, like I contacted him on the street, and that moment we went to subway with him and taught him a 1st lesson after we got done eating with him. But then the second time we met, he was like mister worldly religions. He started out, I just want to tell you my thinking, "I don't care if I go to heaven or hell or wherever else people go, I just focus on the here and now" I was like, what the heck. But then we were talking and he started explaining how amazing Confucius was, he was talking about him and was like "the amazing thing about him was, he may have been on a road or quest that was impossible and he knew it, and even though he failed at the end of his life, he still tried and went on that quest. That’s why he's so amazing." Yeah if you’re confused, it's alright cause I was too, I was like what the heck are you talking about, a person that goes down a path that he knows is impossible, and then fails is amazing. Haha it was funny. He was also just using all these awful analogies and stuff, haha it was ridiculous.
Patty- We already dropped her, but yeah she was like all religions are good, they all have their own way of communicating with God, and it's all good. Then she was like, the whole world needs to be vegetarian because then she went on this big old global warming spiel, haha it was a complete joke. But then she said this which was the funniest thing I’ve ever heard "because right now you aren't vegetarian, all the cows and animals that you kill to eat, their spirits possess you when you pray, so if you became a veggy then your prayers would be better and God would hear you because you don't have those spirits possessing you" Haha it was a complete joke. But then she was like, all the animals have spirits, think if someone killed you how do you think you'd feel, there is only 1 of you and 1 of them. Then we said, well what if you killed that tree would it feel the same thing. Yeah we got kinda argumentative, my companion especially so I got to the point where I just interrupted things before they argued too much, and was like raising my voice above both of them, like lets go, k we gotta go. It was really, really funny.....There are just crazy ideas and concepts in the world it's really unbelievable. I don't know why everyone just won’t accept Jesus as their Savior?
Last night we had a funny experience. Our door to our apartment, a lock that we never lock and we don't have a key for, got locked for some reason. So when we got back at 9:30p it was locked and we couldn't get in....We had the security guard come try but we couldn't do it. Then we called the assistants and they found the key, and came but we still couldn't get it open. So they called us while they were waiting outside. and said, you guys have 2 minutes to open the door or you guys are coming home with us...I'll tell ya I didn't want to go sleep in their apartment, it was 11:00pm at this time..... So we're like well I guess were going home with them, no more than like 10 seconds later our security guard got the door popped open.. We were so happy we got to sleep in our beds that night. That little event made me appreciate my bed haha it was funny.
But yesterday morning, I had a really funny cool experience. In the morning when I was preparing to go out the door, I was packing up my bag, and putting stuff in my pockets. I had the coolest feeling come over me, like I was getting ready for war. Like I just got a huge urge to do work, and just got fired up, it was so awesome, I was loving my life! Haha my whole body just felt like going crazy, it was an awesome feeling. I don't know why I had that but I did. But then I realized that I really am going to war. The biggest war that we'll ever fight in our entire lives, against the hardest enemy that we'll ever face. Satan is a heck of an enemy, and we’re at war with him every day, but every morning, by studying and getting ready to go out the door to save souls, I’m going to battle against him. And every time if I do what the Lord has asked me to do then I’m going to win the battle, and in the end I’ll win the war and have eternal life with my loving Heavenly Father.
But it was cool the other night the Lord really blessed me for talking to everyone and putting myself out there. We got 10 set ups in one night which is really good, I was just talking to everyone and so was my comp. The Lord put so many people in our way, and let us help them come unto the gospel because he saw our efforts and blessed us. Now we have 10 more people we can help come unto the gospel, and receive the blessing the Lord has awaiting them.
But I have a request. I would love it. I have some piano songs my comp and I want to learn and practice piano on p-days.
George Winston-Lullaby, Rain, Walking in the air, Rainstorm
David Lanz-Fire Dance, Vesuvious
Lullaby and Fire Dance, vesuvious the most please:) that would be so awesome!
If you could find the actual sheet music to those, then email them to me and I could have a member print them off or something. But that would be so cool. Thank you so much.
But hey thank you guys so much for all the love and support that you give me. I love you guys so much, and love reading your letters each week.
I know this church is true, Jesus is my savior and redeemer. Heavenly Father knows each of us, and through prayer we can truly communicate with Him. I love missionary work so much, I love talking to everyone. And by doing that with my efforts the Lord has really blessed me with all my work. I promise if we do our part in everything we do, then ask for help the Lord will carry us the rest of the way that we can't do on our own. I know the savior knows each of our trials and hardships, he felt every single one of our pains, and he's the only one that can take those pains away, and lighten them to enable us to get through them, and come out better people and close to him. I can't wait to go to the celestial kingdom and live with my Heavenly Father and family forever. I hope and will try my hardest to live the rest of my life so I will have that opportunity....I love this gospel so much. I know it will bless everyone’s life if they'll just do the things Heavenly Father asks us to do.
I love you guys so much!!!!! Keep working hard, the Lord will continue to bless you like he's been blessing me.....
1. Yeah I got the other two packages, yeah 3 total. The music is working great!! Thank you so much, we were so happy when we got that, and the speakers are 100 percent better than the other ones, thank you so much guys.
2. Haha that’s fun, I bet that Christmas party was sweet. But yeah I knew you guys would find success. Dad is a stud!!! I love him so much, he works so hard (so do you) But this is just getting started you guys have no idea how big it's going to get, I know it, the Lord will continue to bless you guys and our family just like he's blessing me on my mission. It's free advertisement - word of mouth, and especially with word of mouth, people know it's true, because it's not just an ad, and people can trust that it really works. So that is so awesome, I’m so grateful that the Lord is blessing us for our hard work and effort, especially you and Dad!!
3.That’s awesome they (Kim and Todd) had their baby. That’s a cute name.
4. Cade, I told ya stick to swimming!!! That was a blessing that you didn't make the bball team, even though you have enough talent to make it, you can go as far as you want in swimming. But you have to really want it. That’s how it is in life with anyone, if you really want something, I mean really want it, you can go get it, regardless of your talent and ability. Plus if it's for the good of your own soul and will make you happy, then the Lord will also help you achieve this thing because he wants us to be happy, but we have to do our part in order to receive his help.
5. Josh you're a stud!! You just has to stay in there, and ride out this life challenge, the Lord will bless you beyond measure if you do this, and you will be a very, very, very strong messenger of the Lord's message in a couple years. Your kicking my fanny on the ACT!!
Well family my update. On Thursday I made my first outbound call to a referral, haha I was so nervous to make it, I had 2 sister missionaries talk me into it. Like it's hard because on the street I can at least act like I know what they are talking about even though I really didn't understand them, but on the phone, I can't see their body movements or anything, and I sure as heck can't act like I know what they are saying. So I’m entirely dependent on the Lord. So I finally got talked into doing it, I said a little prayer in my heart and made the call. I actually understood most of the conversation, and I set him up for a teaching appointment. Haha, so my first outbound call the Lord blessed me and helped me get a set up.
You’re never gonna believe it, I actually eat subway now. One day I was like you know what I’m just going to try it. So we went and I put everything (yeah everything) on it, mayonnaise and all the side things and mustard and EVERYTHING. Haha I was kinda nervous to try it, but I just went for it, and I loved it haha. So we eat there quite a bit now. Haha, I actually ate a sandwich, you can tell all the extended family for me.....haha
Grandpa and grandma’s gift was so awesome, I have no possible way of using it for pull ups, but I use it on the ground for pushups. It's so legit, I work out with it every morning and night since I got it. I love it. Tell them thank you soooooooooooooooo much!!!!!!!!!!!, I love them so much...the support they've always given me has been perfect.
Oh yeah but that meal that I sent you pics of, we had a crock pot. Where there is a boiling thing of stuff in the middle of the table, and you have all this uncooked stuff, and whatever you want to eat you put in the crock pot and it boils it then you eat it. Haha it was so good. I loved it! I haven't tried anything like super, super weird yet, but I’m just praying I don't have to, but I’m not really counting on that prayer too much. Like if I get transferred down south I’ll have to every day.
K are you guys ready....haha we have 2 investigators we’re dealing with that have the craziest thinking or mind set I’ve ever heard, it's very, very ridiculous.
Collin- He is a very, very cool guy, like I contacted him on the street, and that moment we went to subway with him and taught him a 1st lesson after we got done eating with him. But then the second time we met, he was like mister worldly religions. He started out, I just want to tell you my thinking, "I don't care if I go to heaven or hell or wherever else people go, I just focus on the here and now" I was like, what the heck. But then we were talking and he started explaining how amazing Confucius was, he was talking about him and was like "the amazing thing about him was, he may have been on a road or quest that was impossible and he knew it, and even though he failed at the end of his life, he still tried and went on that quest. That’s why he's so amazing." Yeah if you’re confused, it's alright cause I was too, I was like what the heck are you talking about, a person that goes down a path that he knows is impossible, and then fails is amazing. Haha it was funny. He was also just using all these awful analogies and stuff, haha it was ridiculous.
Patty- We already dropped her, but yeah she was like all religions are good, they all have their own way of communicating with God, and it's all good. Then she was like, the whole world needs to be vegetarian because then she went on this big old global warming spiel, haha it was a complete joke. But then she said this which was the funniest thing I’ve ever heard "because right now you aren't vegetarian, all the cows and animals that you kill to eat, their spirits possess you when you pray, so if you became a veggy then your prayers would be better and God would hear you because you don't have those spirits possessing you" Haha it was a complete joke. But then she was like, all the animals have spirits, think if someone killed you how do you think you'd feel, there is only 1 of you and 1 of them. Then we said, well what if you killed that tree would it feel the same thing. Yeah we got kinda argumentative, my companion especially so I got to the point where I just interrupted things before they argued too much, and was like raising my voice above both of them, like lets go, k we gotta go. It was really, really funny.....There are just crazy ideas and concepts in the world it's really unbelievable. I don't know why everyone just won’t accept Jesus as their Savior?
Last night we had a funny experience. Our door to our apartment, a lock that we never lock and we don't have a key for, got locked for some reason. So when we got back at 9:30p it was locked and we couldn't get in....We had the security guard come try but we couldn't do it. Then we called the assistants and they found the key, and came but we still couldn't get it open. So they called us while they were waiting outside. and said, you guys have 2 minutes to open the door or you guys are coming home with us...I'll tell ya I didn't want to go sleep in their apartment, it was 11:00pm at this time..... So we're like well I guess were going home with them, no more than like 10 seconds later our security guard got the door popped open.. We were so happy we got to sleep in our beds that night. That little event made me appreciate my bed haha it was funny.
But yesterday morning, I had a really funny cool experience. In the morning when I was preparing to go out the door, I was packing up my bag, and putting stuff in my pockets. I had the coolest feeling come over me, like I was getting ready for war. Like I just got a huge urge to do work, and just got fired up, it was so awesome, I was loving my life! Haha my whole body just felt like going crazy, it was an awesome feeling. I don't know why I had that but I did. But then I realized that I really am going to war. The biggest war that we'll ever fight in our entire lives, against the hardest enemy that we'll ever face. Satan is a heck of an enemy, and we’re at war with him every day, but every morning, by studying and getting ready to go out the door to save souls, I’m going to battle against him. And every time if I do what the Lord has asked me to do then I’m going to win the battle, and in the end I’ll win the war and have eternal life with my loving Heavenly Father.
But it was cool the other night the Lord really blessed me for talking to everyone and putting myself out there. We got 10 set ups in one night which is really good, I was just talking to everyone and so was my comp. The Lord put so many people in our way, and let us help them come unto the gospel because he saw our efforts and blessed us. Now we have 10 more people we can help come unto the gospel, and receive the blessing the Lord has awaiting them.
But I have a request. I would love it. I have some piano songs my comp and I want to learn and practice piano on p-days.
George Winston-Lullaby, Rain, Walking in the air, Rainstorm
David Lanz-Fire Dance, Vesuvious
Lullaby and Fire Dance, vesuvious the most please:) that would be so awesome!
If you could find the actual sheet music to those, then email them to me and I could have a member print them off or something. But that would be so cool. Thank you so much.
But hey thank you guys so much for all the love and support that you give me. I love you guys so much, and love reading your letters each week.
I know this church is true, Jesus is my savior and redeemer. Heavenly Father knows each of us, and through prayer we can truly communicate with Him. I love missionary work so much, I love talking to everyone. And by doing that with my efforts the Lord has really blessed me with all my work. I promise if we do our part in everything we do, then ask for help the Lord will carry us the rest of the way that we can't do on our own. I know the savior knows each of our trials and hardships, he felt every single one of our pains, and he's the only one that can take those pains away, and lighten them to enable us to get through them, and come out better people and close to him. I can't wait to go to the celestial kingdom and live with my Heavenly Father and family forever. I hope and will try my hardest to live the rest of my life so I will have that opportunity....I love this gospel so much. I know it will bless everyone’s life if they'll just do the things Heavenly Father asks us to do.
I love you guys so much!!!!! Keep working hard, the Lord will continue to bless you like he's been blessing me.....
Thursday, December 3, 2009
I'm Loving Life!!
Hey Family!!! Glad to hear that you’re doing so well. That’s awesome I love to read the emails each week and hear how everyone is doing. I'm doing absolutely amazing, the Lord is really blessing me with the language, ever since I’ve started putting myself out there and talking to everyone I pass, and having confidence that they will understand me, my language ability has really taken off. It's far from good, but it's taken off. I still can't understand very well, but my speaking has gotten a lot better. Really the Lord is rewarding me for my efforts and I’m loving it! I just plan to keep working really hard, and I know if I do that the Lord will help me out and I’ll learn the language faster, but as long as I put my part of the effort in, then He'll do the rest. That’s how it goes in life in general, once we've done all we can, then He will reward us and help us jump the extra step to success. I love my Heavenly Father and Savior!!!!
Mom I have nowhere to put anything. I can't tidy up my room. Just say he's trying, and put that picture up on the blog. Haha just do it, just do it....haha but yeah we have eaten in the apartment once, we always eat out, but yeah that little corner by the fridge, we have a little toaster oven that we get to use. It’s awesome. haha
I did decorate the tree. I sent you the picture of it. I haven't opened any of the presents I thought I had to wait for Christmas. But I think I’m going to open the presents, then just save the stocking for Christmas day. Sorry if that’s not what supposed to happen. But yeah, I can't let those chocolates go another day, haha.
For Thanksgiving, I had some cold turkey and rice. Haha, but I’m not complaining, so yeah it was fun. I bet Dorran went all out, they are such an awesome family. I really am so grateful I’m eternally sealed to them. I love them so much. But about Zach's friend Lynn, that’s so funny. Zach is huge. He's legit! Man I love that kid, he's my hero!!!
About Grandmother - yeah I’ve been praying really hard for her health, so Heavenly Father truly does listen to our prayers, he does answer them also.
Ummmm.... about going to Utah State, if he has some friends up there to go up with it would maybe be best, but yeah I enjoyed it, wouldn't say it was the most productive thing I’ve ever done. Plus I got stuck with a non-LDS kid as a roommate, and was explosed to a lot of not so of good stuff around me. Yeah so it was a good experience, to get out of the house for a while, but either way would be fine. I loved coming home after the 1st semester and living at home, to be honest. But have him prayer about it and whatever Heavenly Father tells him he should do. But, Josh keep studying hard and doing all you can for grades, and getting decent on the ACT.
Cade-STICK TO SWIMMING!!! You are so sick!!!! Go all the way!!
Haha Britton, Age of Mythology, I remember that stage in my life. Haha that's so funny. It really is a good game, and it involves really good strategy too. Hahah you’re a dude.
Abby-You always light up my life with your cute little sayings.
I miss Christmas at the home, with all the decorations ands stuff. But yeah I’m excited to have Christmas out here, it's going to be awesome. The true meaning of Christmas. Gotta love it!
So a little about the work right now…
At the Thanksgiving party we had our zone leader’s investigators, when I went on exchanges with him I met them, ‘cause we taught them. So I knew them pretty well and we really connected. So at the Thanksgiving party I started talking to them. I sat with them for one and a half hours, teaching them!!! All in Chinese, we just had straight conversation, I taught them about prayer, the Holy Ghost, plan of salvation, baptism. It was truly the gift of tongues, it was an amazing experience. They all three said they want to get baptized when they receive their testimony. So that was so awesome!!
Then I got my first actual contact the other day. We were riding home. We stopped at a red light, and I contacted the scooter next to me. The light turned green so he road off. So the next red light I happened to be right next to him again, so I told him about church, and talked to him for a while. (While this was happening, the light turned green, so my companion just kept going, didn't know I was contacting this guy.) So I contacted him all by myself (Holy Ghost also but you know what I mean), and told him about what church was and committed him to come to church. Well on Sunday morning 30 minutes into the meeting my companion gets a call, and the kid actually came. So I sat with him all through church, we chatted the whole time, I was explaining everything to him, I told him about baptism and everything, so he knew why we were meeting with him. He is actually not in our area so we had to give him to the zone leaders, but they taught a lesson after church with him, they came to me after, and were like he is awesome. He accepted the baptismal date. Haha, so this kid is golden. So yeah the first person I get to church, he has a baptism date now. So that made me happy. See the Lord really blesses me and puts people in my way when I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.
Also mom don’t' freak out, but yeah were teaching a murderer. He had a kid at 18 years old, then he killed a guy. He just got out of prison, he's 55. We didn't know he was a murderer, I contacted him and set up a time the next day to meet. We met, and we found out. I couldn't understand what he was saying, but he was making killing motions explaining his situation, it was kinda strange. Then my companion gets a phone call, and says to me. He killed a guy, talk to him!! And he walks away and I take the phone call. I don't know about you, but I had no idea what to say. We just found out he was a murderer, and my companion leaves me and tells me to talk. Haah we pretty much sat in silence for a while until my companion came back. Haha honestly what are you supposed to say.. but yeah he feels a lot of regret for his whole life. He's homeless and everything. Then he gave us a picture of himself and wants us to find his son and see if he's ok. But we can't cause he's not in our area. It's just a weird situation.
But yeah everything else is going amazing. I'm loving my life.
Josh-Keep up the hard work. Keep putting yourself out there, and talking to people and making new friends, Heavenly Father will see your efforts and bless you in ways you wouldn't think possible. Keep working hard in school and ask Heavenly Father for help in your studying, he really will. Also study Preach My Gospel!!! and all the scriptures in it and everything. It will help your life. You are very talented, I’m not even kidding I loved hanging out with you when I think back about it. Sorry for being a stupid teenager and sometimes not treating you how an older brother and friend should have treated you. I promise to you the rest of my life, I will be the best big brother and friend to you. Thank you so much for being in my life, and being such an amazing friend and example. I love you so much.
Cade-Hey bud I think that awesome that you’re so talented you got this far to making the team. Even if you don’t' make it, I’d personally say, stick to swimming. Bud you are the most talented swimmer I’ve ever seen, and if you really want, I know you can get a scholarship in swimming and go really far. But you must really want it
Britton- Hey my man, you’re awesome. Keep working hard in school. Always keep loving your friends and family. You are one of the most loving kids I know, keep that in mind and continue to do that. People love to be around you because of your personality, don't ever lose that. Plus you’re just a shuai (handsome) looking dude.
Sis- Haha hey honey, you are so cute and amazing. Keep loving everyone and doing all you can to be nice. Keep being a good friend and even better sister. Keep working hard in school and getting good grades. You are one of the smartest girls I’ve ever met.
Well guys I gotta run. But I love you guys so much.
This church is true I know it. The book of Mormon, is the truest book on the face of the earth, and through its teaching and readings we will come to know our savior Jesus Christ, and how to more fully use His Atonement, and return to live with our Heavenly Father forever together. I know we as a family can together forever live. I love you guys so much.
Ps- If you guys will, every night, along with scripture study, or just figure out how to do it, start to study Preach My Gospel. Find a copy if you already don't have one, and start to study it as a family. The material inside, will bless your lives so much.
Dad keep working hard, the lord will bless you, and our family will prosper, not just materially, but with LOVE.
I'm sending home a family Christmas present, I hope it gets there safe. Also, family Christmas cards for each of the kids, and mom and dad. I hope they don't get jacked up on the way home, but yeah. Also I hope they'll get there by Christmas. Sorry, if they aren't like way hip or anything, I used what resources I had.
I love you guys so much!! Keep working hard
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