My dearest family and friends! It has been a freaking amazing week here in Taiwan, and a sad one as well! I ended up getting transferred, leaving my dear Fengshan behind. I'm excited to start a new adventure here though.
Monday, 5 Dec 2016
We went to a giant Buddhist theme park/ temple. I'll let the pictures tell that story. It was crazy! We saw what they claim to be as Buddha's tooth in a glass case, and we saw a lot of statues and really cool stuff! Yeah, I'll really just let the pictures do the talking. And then we got to Pingdeng just in time to do an interview for a guy that the Zone Leaders are baptizing. It was really cool because he actually decided he wanted to wait until next year, but he sincerely wanted to be able to come to church regularly. He wanted to be ready to enter into this sacred covenant, and Elder Gasser really felt his sincerity. It was really cool to see how committed this kid was to following Heavenly Father.
Tuesday, 6 Dec 2016
We had my second person ever pull off to talk to us! She seemed really interested in why two white kids would be riding the streets sharing about Jesus, and we actually invited her to the Ward Christmas party this weekend. So that was cool. Just goes to show you should always be doing what you need to be doing so Heavenly Father can put those people in your path that you need to find. We had our last visit with the Cai family, except we thought it was Elder Gasser's last, not mine. It was so cute, because their little daughter Peichen, when she heard Elder Gasser might be leaving said, "That's okay, we still have Elder Meanea!" It made me just a bit happy. ;-) I really love that family and am going to miss them so much. Also, it was such a tender miracle that night. We had set up Ivy, our nurse friend who actually is getting baptized next Monday (the 19th) for her last lesson the next day. Elder Gasser left for a second, and we still hadn't found a person to go with us, since we needed another adult male. After a few minutes I called to the other room to ask what we were going to do. No response. I peeked in, and Elder Gasser was face down on his bed, dead asleep. I kind of panicked really bad for a moment, but then I knelt down and said a prayer. I didn't have the Chinese skills to call people to set up for a lesson, and also call Ivy to reschedule her lesson. But I prayed, and five minutes later, it was all done. That was not me. I was so grateful for the care of a loving Father in Heaven. He gave me what I needed, right when I needed, I was so overwhelmed.
Wednesday, 7 Dec 2016
It was fun watching Ivy light up with excitement as we taught about Temples and the work we can do for ourselves and others inside. It really reminds me how amazing this message of the Gospel is, and how many people need to hear the hope we have to bring. We also got asked to another Buffet type place, and my new favorite thing is Fish balls with peanut butter inside. ;-) Then we taught a little kids class that night with a lesson I planned. We actually made it out alive, so that's a plus.
Thursday, 8 Dec 2016
We had an amazing District Training Meeting (My last, apparently). It was really cool, because a sister in our district is going home, so she gave her "Reflection," which basically means they just sum up what their mission really taught them in about 5 minutes. She told us a quote she heard once, that the entire reason any of us are on missions is because of the Atonement. It really hit me that that's true. The Atonement is the greatest gift any of us could never pay for. What does it mean to you?
I also pulled up to a stoplight and said "Merry Christmas" to someone, and all the people in front turned around because I said it too loud, and one actually pulled away, scared of the white guy. xD
Friday, 9 Dec 2016
We did weekly planning and then went to do exchanges with the zone leaders. It was so cool! At first I was feeling a bit useless, since Elder Parker's Chinese is really good, and mine's super eh.... but then I decided I just needed to trust heavenly father, and be whatever tool he needed me to be, and to just keep trying. And then at a stop light, I felt like I should go talk to a guy. He said he was really sad at the moment, so he didn't want to say no to us because he was sad, but said he wanted to talk to us later. And then I was waiting for Elder Parker while he was in the bathroom and this guy walked up to me in a convenience store and asked what nights our church had activities.... totally random, and I was able to answer him. It was another huge testament to Heavenly Father's care for me.
Saturday, 10 Dec 2016
We finished our transfer by eating at ANOTHER HOT POT (basically buffet thing) and some amazing Taiwanese ice cream. Then Elder Gasser and I got back just in time to buy presents for the ward Christmas party, go to Yoda's BAPTISM, which was great. Their family actually invited some people who came to that and the Christmas party afterwards. The party was hilarious. See attached Videos for us laughing to death a dance routine the Relief Society and High Priests did. Then Elder Gasser and I did a semi-okay guitar/piano Silent Night. We didn't get to practice before, so don't judge! Then we went home that night, waited for the call, and did it come! I was told I was moving up to Taichung, a place called Beitun. With an Elder Burge! I'm so sad to be leaving Fengshan, but I know there are great things in store waiting for me up there.
Sunday, 11 Dec 2016
Bishop asked me to give my testimony in Sacrament meeting, No, I didn't cry. Barely. After studies we went and visited Li in the hospital. He broke a rib earlier this week and couldn't move very well. We took him the sacrament, which he really appreciated. He is such an amazing man. I really can't describe what his example has done for me in my life. I hope the ward takes good care of him. It was probably hardest to say goodbye to him. Sam wasn't home, but I got his address so I can write him. And then, I packed!
So it's been a great week. And I'm looking forward to many more amazing, tough, spiritual, grinding, uplifting, glorious weeks serving the Lord, and teaching the people of Taiwan about my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love you all.
-Elder Meanea
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