My Goal is to speak English, Chinese, Spanish, and Tagalog!

Hello!!!!!!!!!

How are you guys. I believe the most precious things in life you really don't understand until after you serve your mission. Before my mission I was stuck on which girl liked me which didn't, what would this kid think about me if I did this, what would he not think about me if I didn't, what would happen if I did this or that, would they stop being my friend, or would I make friends? Now I finally, finally understand the purpose of life. To spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, and be a beacon to all those surrounding me. I don't need movies to satisfy me, I need to develop my talents that the merciful Lord has given me to develop. I will be held accountable to how I have developed these talents and abilities, before my mission, I probably would have been condemned for the way I carelessly tried to "develop" my talents and abilities. But I have found a new appreciation for life. It's not all about what girls like you, how smart you are, if you make the most money, if you are the best looking, if you are the strongest. These are all worthless things that Satan uses to control our lives. These things are those that God despises. He looks at us as all perfectly equal children of His. I know we are perfectly equal, it's been a hard change and I’m still working on it, to not compare with others, but just to take a direct conversation with the Lord and tell Him that I’m doing and will continue to do the best that I can. I know as I do this the Lord is satisfied with the work that I’m doing and will continue to help me. Nothing hurts me more than degrading one’s SELF image or thoughts. It's wrong, God created all of us, we all have godly potential.....until the moment we think we don't!!! I’m so grateful for the gift that the Lord has blessed me with to be humble and willing in all aspects of the work of the Lord do serve with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. I know as we do so, regardless of our life's situations we will return to the Celestial kingdom and live with God and our families forever!! What a wonderful promise and gift that each and every one of us have. We need to base our lives on the Atonement and teaching of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ, and we will never ever fail. it's impossible to, if we do so in such a spectacular manner as in serving Him each and every day, reading scriptures every day, praying every day, going to church with spiritual ears to learn what Heavenly Father wants you to learn. As we do these things we become spiritual giants with testimonies although may be tested, but will smash the face of Satan, who will stand no chance with someone who has a life build upon the Savior. So how bout it, lets re-evaluate our lives and see how we can better build our lives on the Rock!! That being the rock of a testimony of Jesus Christ, God, and this Church. :D I love all you guys with all my hearts.

This week was an interesting week but a great week at the same time. We went from 21 baptismal dates to 11. But it was a really good thing. Because we really focused this week on getting in contact everyday with all of our investigators. This really helped us know who was willing and who wasn't willing to progress toward baptism. So now we will have more time to go out and find those that are really willing to progress in the gospel and help them receive the sacred ordinances of baptism.

This week we had 3 investigators pass their baptismal interviews. I was so happy. We will have Sister Chen, Marissa (a sister from the Philippines) and Rita. They are all amazing daughters of God, that have each in a special way touched my heart. I’m so excited to see them enter into a covenant with the Lord that they are willing to serve him the rest of their lives!! This week is really exciting. In this Song Shan ward we are going to have 6 people baptized this coming Sunday. That means this month this ward has added 8 new members to it. Which is really good! They are all really happy, and are loving sharing the gospel and coming in on our lessons with us. Then Marissa because she is Philippine will go to the English ward Sunday afternoon to be baptized. I’m so excited for her, and can't wait for her to receive the happiness of receiving baptism. I have a new found love for the Philippine people. I want to learn their dialect Tagalog so I can serve a couple’s mission there and teach the gospel. My goal I set recently is to speak (English, Chinese, Spanish, and Tagalog) It's going to be hard, but I know I can do it. Because after I do it I can teach the gospel to 80 percent of the world. Then I will accept any calling the Lord allows me to receive. I love to serve, I’ve never been so happy then I am now. Testifying of the Savior of the world to a Godless nation that is in dying need of this gospel. It brings so much peace and solace to my soul. Yeah I know it’s the hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life. I’m tired every day, it's either blistering hot and humid, or raining and humid (take your pick), I get rejected everyday all day by those that follow in the wicked and foolish traditions of their fathers, I don't think it's possible to get "enough" sleep, I worry all day everyday about our investigators, I cry over those that don't have the interest to continue and learn the gospel, I don't understand much of the trials I go through, I get down and depressed every once in a while. But nothing will block my understanding that I am in the service of my Lord and Redeemer. He is my Rock and my Salvation. I know that through him I become a sharp tool in his hands. I am used every day, I am successful every day, I am happy in some way every day and often receive a fullness of joy, which can't be described by human created words. I’ve never been happier, what I’m doing right now I want to do the rest of my life. I hope that the Lord allows me to serve in callings where I can serve Him, and share the gospel the rest of my life. It pretty much says that in my patriarchal blessings, so I guess right now I’m preparing for the rest of my life in the service of the Lord. I also know that right now I’m serving with my little brother in the work of saving souls. I know Trey is now saving souls in the spirit world as I am now saving souls in Taiwan. It's a great comfort to know that this work will never be stopped. No unhallowed hand can stop this work from going forth to all nations and tongues. I know that is true. It's true until the Lord himself, even Jesus Christ comes down and says that the work is finished and that He is now King and ruler on the earth, which will be during his millennial reign. I know that he will come, he will come in power and glory, He will come out of the clouds with concourses of angels singing praises of his name. I can't wait for the day where I can witness the dissension of the Son out of the clouds. What a glorious and happy day it will be to touch the hands of the one who allows this life possible through repentance, and allows this work to move forward. I can't wait to meet the Savior. I know on my mission that I am more and more growing closer and closer to Him, I know He lives. I’ve had many special experiences on my mission that have helped my testimony grow of the Savior. I know that his atonement is real, that each and every one of us can have a new start to live and learn to change the lives of others as we are an example by living the doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ!! I love this gospel!

Training-
Things are going amazing. It's fun to remember back to when I first came on island. Elder Workman is a stud. He is doing exactly what the Lord would want him to do at this point. He's studying the language really hard, and is completely dedicated. Most important is that he is talking to everyone on the streets, bus, train. It doesn't matter where, he's talking!!! That is a great aspect to be blessed with. Because if you like contacting you'll like your mission in Taiwan. If you don't, you'll probably struggle a little. But he is doing great. Also his Chinese is really good for his 2nd week on island. It's going great though, we are seeing miracles. We just prayer as we continue to do these things and completely trust the Lord, we will continue to see more and more miracles.

District-
The district is doing really well. All the companionships got 8 or more new investigators this week. The mission averages is 4.8! So the district is working hard and seeing miracles from it. I love my district. It's interesting being in a leadership position, you start to realize that you or ME doesn't matter. It's all about those that you serve. I love just thinking about them and their needs. Trying to pray in their behalf and receiving what the Lord has for me to bless them and our district. Our district theme if I haven't already told you is "Unity in PERFECT obedience and faith"!! It's been going well. We are all fired up about the work and serving the Lord. I’m way excited each week for Tuesday afternoon, because we get to have district meeting. I love meetings because you always learn so much from meetings. That is if you are prepared to learn though!

I’ve never felt this way before. Lately I’ve been grieved by all the people not understanding the importance of this gospel, and how blessed we are to have it. I’ve pondered it, I just want to help them come into the light. But so many are off wondering the dark wilderness with black mist circles about their eyes, and rocks as hearts. I love these people. But it truly is a godless nation that will burn at the second coming of Jesus Christ. But I also know there are many, many, many people that have been prepared and are being prepared that will come unto the gospel of Jesus Christ!! That's the only thing that is moving me forward, is to give these godless people a chance to walk in the light. It's sad to see them use their free agency not so smart. A young man in his early 20's probably here in the Internet cafe all night, in the last 5 minutes has smoked 2 cigarettes and then continues to play games on the computer. You ask all people, what is your purpose in life.....make money. What about after you die, and to most people that doesn't matter, It's all about me, me, me, right now, right now, right now. They don’t care if they die and go to a happy place or come back to the earth as a dog. These people need the gospel of Jesus Christ, It's such a wonderful feeling when you walk around the corner in a dark, Satan infested city and see the temple in view. A feeling that was not felt 4 steps ago, fills your body. That street is a sacred, holy street, with a temple of the Lord. It’s the only spot like it in Taiwan. I just pray that the Lord will have mercy on these people, and know that they know not what they do, because they either have been blinded by their fathers or just don't know how to react when taught about Jesus!! I worry everyday for them, and thank each and every one that is willing to sit down and listen to the gospel, The perfect gospel of Jesus Christ! My favorite part of the general conference was the very first thing said by the Prophet, Seer, and Revelator of the church, President Thomas S. Monson. Every!!!! young man must serve a mission. Prepare now. I know the world needs more missionaries, you can see it here in Taiwan. I’m so grateful to have 2 parents who both set the example and served missions, and the opportunity I have to see 1 little brother serving a mission, 3 more that will, and a little sister if it's what God desires of her also. It's just a blessing to be born and raised up in a righteous family with a loving mom and dad who are both very, very strong in the gospel!! I can't even begin to thank you guys, dad and mom, enough for all that you have down for me!! I can't wait to see you guys again, and be around your goodness and your loving arms. Thank you so much for all the support. I love all you guys so much.

If you ever need anything, and I mean anything let me know, I’ll do everything in my power to get it done!!!!!

Love ELDER BROCK RASMUSSEN

ps. I’ll send a bunch of pictures next week. Can you guys keep sending pics, I love them :D