Monday, 30 January 2017
We had our first "Luxury P-Day" with two more hours tacked on to our time every week. This is going to be really, really nice. I emailed my family early, then we went and had a snack and sit down with our RC, Jones, who was in the Taiwanese Air Force 30 years ago and now flies people around for tours. He's really cool, and has a lot of faith in the Book of Mormon. We then went to a member house, Eddy, and ate pizza for lunch. He convinced us to stay for a bit after and play Munchkin with him. It's a crazy card game I've played before... but not with Chinese Cards. So, I'll just let you imagine how well that went. Then we went to the chapel and talked to the Elders who are stationed out on Magong, the small island in our mission. They flew in for exchanges the other day and were heading back. Then we got Elder Burge a $3 haircut, had a nice dinner with a ward family, and then basically had to head home!
We had our first "Luxury P-Day" with two more hours tacked on to our time every week. This is going to be really, really nice. I emailed my family early, then we went and had a snack and sit down with our RC, Jones, who was in the Taiwanese Air Force 30 years ago and now flies people around for tours. He's really cool, and has a lot of faith in the Book of Mormon. We then went to a member house, Eddy, and ate pizza for lunch. He convinced us to stay for a bit after and play Munchkin with him. It's a crazy card game I've played before... but not with Chinese Cards. So, I'll just let you imagine how well that went. Then we went to the chapel and talked to the Elders who are stationed out on Magong, the small island in our mission. They flew in for exchanges the other day and were heading back. Then we got Elder Burge a $3 haircut, had a nice dinner with a ward family, and then basically had to head home!
Tuesday, 31 January 2017
The first day we got to try out our new schedule fully! It was really weird. We left the door at 10:00, contacted until lunch, which was at a seafood restaurant with a member for Guonian, and guess how much I ate? ALL OF IT. I TRIED EVERY BIT. Taiwan seems to be curing my child pickiness. We then came back during the dead hours and did companion and language study. The afternoon was pretty depressing, because all day we couldn't get anyone to talk to us. But just as I personally was letting my little bud of faith dwindle, Elder Burge contacted two separate people and got both their phone numbers, all within 5 minutes. It was a real reminder that God is the one who gives success, in His time, and according to our faith. We then ate with Chris, our super cool ward missionary. He's about 23, and he took us to this American pizza place called "Pizza Rock." I have never eaten so much pizza in my life! It was actual American pizza as well! But the rest of the night we were out trying to contact. Another beautiful night in Beitun.
Wednesday, 1 February 2017
We actually had activities planned all through-out the day! Which was a nice change. We did so much today, but I feel as though everything that should have exhausted me was simply taken away, and I had a really good day. I feel like the harder I try to work, the more I gain Heaven's support, and it makes me more ready to continue serving my Lord. I could say a lot about the things that happened today, but lets just say I had four meals, and then we barely made it home with the extra mass, and I basically laid on my bed the whole night trying to digest. That's a beautiful Guo Nian day for you!
Thursday, 2 February 2017
Another District training meeting. I am also sorry to inform everyone back home that my humor is not compatible with these people. I've made about 5 jokes in these DTM's so far in Taichung, and absolutely nobody laughed, they just stared at me. Well guess what? I am going to take my finely tuned sense of humor and not share! So ha! I'm not sharing any more of my Golden Material with them. But it was a good DTM anyways. It was really cool how we discussed the mission broadcast we had last week, and I realized that all the fundamentals of Preach my Gospel were discussed, but in talking about the Doctrine of Christ. I especially liked a quote from Elder Bednar. I can't remember it completely, but it was something like "We could talk all day about what the most important doctrine of the Gospel is, but when we make Christ the Center of our focus, everything unimportant falls away." There is a lot of stuff you need to remember to do as a missionary when you teach, contact, testify, prepare, and learn, and I worry a lot about missing pieces. But I remember that as long as Christ is my focus, everything else in life falls into place.
Friday, 3 February 2017
Weekly planning! We got that done, then a member took us to Cairns Stonegrill restaurant! It was so good! I sent pictures of it, but they give you the raw meat, and a platter with a burning hot stone slab on it, so you cook it yourself. It was super fun! Then we went back, finished studies, and contacted around. We actually had a lesson tonight, but they ended up not showing Ah well, back to the streets. I love the story of Nephi and Lehi, though. No matter how bad anyone's area is, it's not as bad as murdering Lamanite infested bad. But they had faith that there were people who needed to know about Christ, so they walked right in, and baptized thousands. I admire their trust in the Lord. Some might say my area is a bad or dead one. But I believe we're all somewhere for a reason. I'm not just here to not do anything. There are miracles Elder Burge and I can work, if we're just willing to follow the Lord wherever He leads.
Saturday, 4 February 2017
So... we were going to have 2 lessons today... but they both were no shows...so... you see why I have so many dot-dot-dots... probably. I love this place, I really do. I know that there are purposes unseen being accomplished at this very moment, out of my sight, and in the Lord's time, He will bless us for the work that we strive to give Him here. I'm reminded of the story of a man who had a vision one night, in which God told him to go outside his house, and push this boulder with all his strength. The man, being faithful, woke the next morning, and strained all day at the boulder, pushing and heaving to the utmost extent of his strength. Nothing happened. The boulder, as stubborn as ever, hadn't moved. "Perhaps I must continue tomorrow," the man said to himself. Day by day he strained at the boulder, from sun-up to sun-down. Day by day, the boulder sat as rigid as the first day the man had started pushing. After many weeks of this, the man grew frustrated, and after pushing the boulder all day one day with no effect, he knelt down and appealed to the Lord. "Lord, why haven't I been able to move this boulder? I have faith in You! Why hasn't it happened?" After a moment, the man heard, "I never asked you to move the boulder, I asked you to push, with all your might and all your diligence. And now look at the muscles you have strengthened, the endurance you've developed. If I wanted the boulder moved, I could move the boulder, but look what's happened because you tried." I don't know where I heard that story, and that may not be exactly how it goes, but that's the gist of it. And also the gist of me telling it was LOOK AT MY MUSCLES, FOLKS!
Sunday, 5 February 2017
Well, we weren't able to get any investigators at church, but some members stood up during testimony meeting and talked about how hard-working we are! So, at least the ward is good! We also went out tracting tonight, which I love, because I automatically gets a chance to testify of our message. Nobody had interest tonight, but honestly, sitting down to write this, I just feel peaceful. I'm just glad that I got to work tonight, to go out and serve my Savior. That's all I'll ever ask for as a missionary, that I get to serve Christ.
I love you all, family and friends both. That's about it from me for the week from my island paradise. I hope your weeks have brought you closer to Christ, and that He has made a difference in your lives everyday. I'm grateful for this opportunity that I have to share my testimony and experience with you all.
Until next time!
-Elder Meanea
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