A Lovely Conference Time

My Amazing Family and Friends!

What a beautiful and uplifting week it has been. Every day I realize how blessed I am to be serving the Lord in this amazing country, on this tiny little island of Taiwan. There are 24 million people here, and only about 55,000 members. That's a lot of blessings in store for a lot of people, and I feel so blessed that the Lord has allowed me to be here at this time, serving in the way He wants me to.

Anyways, on to stuff! Or rather Dongxi in Chinese.

Monday, 3 October 2016
We had a great time at this place called the Lotus ponds for P-day. We actually met a sister who got off her Taichung mission last year and was back with her husband and her and Elder Gasser got to talk a little bit about an area they both loved, so that was really cool! The pond was just surrounded by random statues and towers, but it was a beautiful day and really fun to walk around. I actually got to talking to people on the street today! They had little interest in the message, but they understood what I was saying!

Tuesday, 4 October 2016
We visited with Lin DX this morning. He's a progressing investigator, and he's struggling to accept the Word of Wisdom. We had a great lesson, really Spirit-filled about Christ and the Atonement. It was a really powerful experience. I ate at my first Chinese buffet as well! It was called "Kid's Are Us." You just put your clips on the pictures of stuff you want to try and they keep bringing food and food. I love shrimp now, by the way, had some dumplings, some Taiwanese BBQ, the dreaded 1000-year old egg, fish ball, raw salmon and rice, And then I had a great pass-off lesson for lesson 2! At the end of the night, we went and visited a less active, Zhong DX, and hopefully he came to conference on Sunday! It was cool to see that he just needs a little push to come back into the joy of the Gospel.

Note: This is how Elder Meanea described the 1000-year old egg to us: "Legend has it that it's an egg that you have a horse....defecate on and then bury it for a few weeks in the ground....but that's probably not what it is? It almost took down Elder Gasser though." Thankfully we found out that isn't quite what it is, but look here to see what Elder Meanea actually did eat, it isn't much better! Wow, he truly is being blessed by the Lord in so many ways!

Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Zone conference! What an amazing day! We got there early so that we could practice some music for it. President Teh asked me to give my testimony right at the very beginning, but in English. We discussed a lot about the Atonement, and the whole time I just kept having the feeling of "This is the truth. God loves us so He sent His Son." There is no doubt in my mind the the Atonement is real, God is our Father, and this is His way for us to be like Him. He wants us to use the Atonement, and to fix all our mistakes before Him. And then they had a cake and sang happy birthday to all the September and October birthdays, it was a good cake! Really fruity and stuff, but that was alright with me.

Thursday, 6 October 2016
A slower day. We had studies, then Elder Gasser got called out to do another baptismal interview. I love seeing these people coming in, ready to make the commitments necessary to follow their Savior in all things. We biked around dropping off some thank you cards to all the people that had fed us, so that was fun.

Friday, 7 October 2016
We had studies and weekly planning today. It's so refreshing to step back and take a look at what you can do in the upcoming week to accomplish more of the things that the Savior wants you to. We visited our recent convert Cai again. His family is doing well, and his wife is really close to accepting being taught by the missionaries. I hope this happens. One thing that I realized this week is that the first place I felt I could bear my testimony, the first place I felt the Spirit was with my family. They fostered every spiritual aspect of my life, and always invited the Spirit into our home. I was reading in the bible dictionary, and a passage really caught my mind in the temple entry. It says that the only place that compares to the temple in sacredness is the home. I hope that we can help Cai's wife accept this gospel, and that they can start to feel that holiness and blessing of having the home be a sacred place. I know mine has been for me.

Saturday, 8 October 2016
Wow. Just wow. This General Conference totally blew me away. I literally ran my pen out of ink, but that's alright. There were so many precious truths taught, and so many things that helped me see more clearly my role in bringing Christ's Gospel to the people here. So many things about the Atonement. We actually got a challenge from our Mission president this week to take a Book of Mormon and go through, marking every verse that has reference to the Atonement. I'd invite you all to do that as well. There has never been a greater expression of pure love on this Earth than the Atonement of Jesus Christ. And I get to see that first hand in the lives of people I'm teaching. 

Note: Because of the time difference all of the members and missionaries in Taiwan spent this last weekend watching General Conference that had happened the week before.

Sunday, 9 October 2016
I want to relate a story that I read this week. I was reading in Isaiah and a few verses discussed in depth that all the lofty and high things of man would be brought down before the Lord (Isaiah 26:5). It reminded me of the story of Babel. The people who wanted to rely on their own strength, their own genius to bring them back to heaven. They had no trust in God, and finally, their tower, wisdom, language, and efforts of generations were brought low to the Earth. Contrast that with the story of Enoch and his city. He was a man of slow speech, and a slow tongue. Yet he trusted the Lord, taught His doctrine, and simply tried his best to keep the commandments, and the rest of the people in his city did so as well. You know the end of their story. Through trusting God, through never doubting that He loved them, and through following His commandments, they were taken up into heaven (Moses 7). That's all God asks us to do. Trust that we love Him. Trust that He has a plan for us. I pray that we can always remember this, especially as we reflect on the messages we've received this conference.

I love you so much my family! I hope that these messages inspire and uplift you, and if there's anything I'm missing that you want to know about, just let me know. I'm so grateful the Lord gives me this time to share my testimony with you!

- Elder Tayson Meanea

Here are some questions we asked Elder Meanea during his email time and his responses.

How far is it from your apartment to where you email?
It is about a 3 minute bike ride.

Did President Teh ask you to share your testimony in English because he is still trying to learn Mandrian?
Hahaha! No, the whole meeting is in Mandarin.

Give us an idea of how many miles you bike in a day on average?
I have no idea.

Do you and Elder Gasser do your food together, or individually?
Usually get food together.

Did you try to listen to any of conference in Mandrian, or just all English?
All English for us.

Did the ward watch all sessions of conference yesterday (Sunday) together? or just a couple of sessions?
All the Saturday ones on Saturday and all the Sunday ones on Sunday.

What about President Teh has impressed you or touched you?
He is a very Christlike man, and he seeks to strengthen us all in his example. This Gospel is all about Christ, and he knows it.

What would you say is Elder Gassers best quality?
Elder Gasser is very spiritual, very intelligent, and he can listen well to people.

What was your favorite General Conference talk? 

Sister McConkie - The Soul's Sincere Desire and Elder Bednar - "If Ye Had Known Me". I loved the focus everyone put on the Atonement. The Priesthood Session was also so great.

The Lord's Answer to a Prayer

#MissionarySelfie

My beloved friends and Family!
or rather, Wo ciai de jiating he pengyou.

This week has been another in which God has directed and shaped his little Elder Meanea to what he wants him to be.

Monday, September 26, 2016
We had P-Day, mostly just got stuff done around the apartment, and then we called some former investigators. Not much there except getting to contact my family!

Some great bread a member dropped off for us
(making Elder Meanea very happy)

Tuesday, September 27, 2016
So we got up, studied, and went out about noon to go do a language pass-off for me, where I teach a first lesson in Chinese all by myself. It was blowing pretty good when we started, but we made it. I passed! And then we got a call from a member who said the Taifeng (Typhoon) was only going to get worse, so we'd better get home. We made it, and only got almost blown over twice! So we were stuck in the apartment the rest of the day. That night we pulled out some salads that a family had brought to us from Costco. Apparently there's one right here in Kaioshung! I didn't know. But we couldn't go out to eat so we pulled them out, and they had 1800 kuai price tags! Which translates to about $60 dollars a salad! Wasai! We're going to make a very nice thank you note for them.

$60 Salad

Elder Meanea is pretty excited about the typhoon :-)

Elder Meanea showing us the rain, what til the end
and you even get a glimpse of Elder Meanea!

Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Half a Typhoon day. We had until 1:00 that we had to be inside because of the Taifeng. I got bored and read through about half of the Bible Dictionary. It's pretty good stuff! I love the definitions it gives to things like faith and repentance. Then we had English class, and a friend named Paul came! He is interested, and gave us a ride home afterward. 

actual fried rice

Thursday, September 29, 2016
Turned 19 today! We had a lesson where we got fenged (They didn't show), and then we went contacting in the park, and did some weekly planning! The Lord truly inspires us when we sit down with the best interests of our beloved brothers and sisters in mind, and tells us what will best help them. A lot of times Elder Gasser, my fantastic trainer, will ask my thoughts, I'll give them, and he had the same ones. 

Mango Bing (Ice) - a Birthday treat

Friday, September 30, 2016

Today was honestly a hard day. We went and weeded for a brother in the ward, which wasn't bad, and then we spent a few straight hours trying to contact people, with no success. We didn't have any investigators set up, and we needed some more. At the end of the day, I was just tired. We planned, and I went to bed.

Saturday, October 1, 2016
I woke up and immediately felt bad for having such a negative attitude at the end of the day. I asked the Lord to forgive me, which he did, but I was lost on how to progress. I was fed up with some of the mistakes I made in Chinese the other day, and I felt like I couldn't help these people at all. Of course Chinese was going to come, but it wasn't now! And I needed to teach and preach, and I didn't feel like I could. We started our fast at lunch, and said, "Heavenly Father. I am fasting for the gift of tongues. I can't help your children like this. I'm hindering them! In whatever way you choose, please let me receive this gift." We went to a lesson with some referrals that went alright, they weren't too thrilled about what we were teaching, but it was okay. Then we contacted for a bit, no luck, and then we went and visited Cai, our recent convert. We talked about Christ and how He's helped him. And then in the middle of the lesson, Cai looked at me, and said that watching me struggle with my Chinese, knowing that I had a testimony of Christ to come learn Chinese helps him better believe in Christ. That was the gift of tongues. It's not my magical understanding of Chinese, it's testifying of Christ, just doing my best to be like him. That was amazing. I realized I have an extremely short time to show my testimony by my struggles, it's a way in which God works miracles. Faith doesn't come from miracles, miracles come from faith. I'll never forget the day the Lord answered my prayer for the gift of tongues. 

Elder Meanea's study area

Sunday, October 2, 2016
I actually understood a lot in Church today! It was great. Thanks to the Spirit it's getting better and better. We ended the fast with our lunch there, I have no idea what I ate, but it was delicious. Then we did studies and contacted for a while. 

Side notes: In Sherlock where they have the episode about the Chinese smugglers, he says the guy is called "Jee Jew" the spider. It is actually pronounced "Jerjew" thank you very much. And also, Cai says my nose looks like Tom Cruise's nose. So that's good!

I hope you all have an amazing week!

First Full Week in Taiwan!

Elder Meanea is doing great in Taiwan! He is working hard on the language and is trying many new things. I just wanted to remind you that now that Elder Meanea is in the field you can contact him through email (tayson.meanea@myldsmail.net), Dear Elder (be sure to use his mission home address now instead of the MTC), or regular mail (again, use the mission home address and not the MTC address). There are more details about writing Elder Meanea on the tab at the top of this page, "Write to Elder Meanea". As always, Thank you so much for your love, support, and prayers in Elder Meanea's behalf!

- Allyse

WOW! TAIWAN. I absolutely love everything here. And it's all city, so ha! I can deal with cities! It's just when I have to look out for you country folk I get nervous. ;-)

Monday, September 19, 2016
Visited some Buddhist temples, which were cool. Some are freaking huge! My spiritual introspection for today is that when we are at our lowest, that is when we take the step to becoming the most humble. God can work the most miracles with those who are the most humble. It's all about what we decide to give up to Him. Our time? Our thoughts? Our efforts? Or even our all?

Tuesday, September 20, 2016
I made myself some french toast this morning, so all those worried that I would starve by myself need not fret. We went to Pingdung for a district meeting where we talked about getting active member work going, which is super important. I did some language study later, and was really freaking out about how much I don't know, then I decided to take some time out, pray to God, and ask His help in doing this, and I immediately began to progress better in my studies. There is no doubt in my mind that God hears any prayer. From anyone.

Elder Meanea called this Taiwanese Strange. We aren't entirely sure what is going on, but there you go :-)

Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Finally got to have my first two lessons today! The first was with Li JM, and we talked about commandments, and the blessings that come from obedience, and we got her to start praying every day. Then we hit the streets, and had English class that night. The people there are so fun and funny! Their English is pretty good, and they had a great time playing musical chairs while we talked about economic booms and recessions. I have no idea why. Then we had another lesson with an investigator we didn't know was happening, so I just waited for Elder Gasser to tell me to testify.

A dinner I got on the side of the road, it was delicious!

Thursday, September 22, 2016
We went to Pingdung again for another baptismal interview, and I got to study language a lot! Yeah! Then we had the most delicious fried rice with some other Elders and Nick, a convert that hangs out with the missionaries a lot. We had dinner at Brother Chen's house, he has a great family, and they attempted some spaghetti type stuff, which was delicious. Also hilarious, they poured us both cokes, and I told Elder Gasser, "You're my witness. This day ends probably 11 years of not having coke." He got wide eyed and said, "No way Elder! Give that to me, I'll down it for you!" The Chens overheard, and the dad went and grabbed some grape juice after giving me a stupefied look and poured some for me, which was hilarious. xD Other funny thing, we went to have a lesson with Cai and two relief society sisters came because we're trying to baptize his wife now. Halfway through the lesson Elder Gasser looked over at me and said "This is half in Taiwanese, and I don't understand either," so I felt a bit better.

Friday, September 23, 2016
We had some great active member lessons, and got a lot of people committed to inviting friends to meet with us, so hopefully that goes well!

Saturday, September 24, 2016
I met my first Child of Christ. My motto has been to find them or help them become so (as in Mosiah 5:7) and We met with Liu DX today. He's a recent convert, and we met in his small house. He's very old, his family died but that was after they took all his money, and the house he lives in is owned by his Grandson, who comes by and makes him do Bai Bai, which is ancestor worship, or he won't let him live there. He has nothing. But when we came, he seemed so happy, and he proudly produced a tie he had just bought with the little money he had, and we had to teach him how to tie it so he could wear it to Church the next day. If this man doesn't have Faith, then nobody on the face of this Earth does. He's been beaten by some of his neighbors before, and doesn't understand why people are so hard on the outside, but he still has complete faith in God and His plan. This is a man I would not hesitate to say changed my life. He is truly a child of Christ. I also ate Sushi, and I LIKED IT!

Damage from the typhoons

Sunday, September 25, 2016
I immediately felt the difference when I stepped in the chapel. They are dedicated buildings, God's houses, and I encourage you to think that when you step over the threshold, see if you can't stop for a second, and appreciate how holy of a place the Lord has provided. It was really powerful for me to feel. We did a lot of attempted contacting and phone calls, but not much success. I have my first chapter pass off on Tuesday though! I teach a first lesson in Chinese all by myself, and I get passed off if I do well, so hopefully that will be good!

Thank you all for your faith and prayers. I know faith works. Missions never get easier, missionaries just get more faithful. Have a safe and amazing week family. I love you all!

Taiwan!

WOW. Really, just WOW.

What a week.

Monday, September 12, 2016
Finished packing today. Said goodbye to our teachers. Really just a blur. Everyone just kind of sent us on our way. We said goodbye to everyone in our building and went to bed.

Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Up at 3:30 to finalize packing and get out to the buses! Most the people from our zone walked with us and said goodbye, and I'll probably see some of them again in six weeks! We got on the bus, got to a tracks station that took us to Salt Lake, then got on another line that took us to the Airport. Waited there, called my family which was the highlight, and then boarded the flight to San Francisco. Got bored and went around talking to people trying to place some Book of Mormons. Then we got on the flight after a few hours delay and went. I sat next to a woman and her daughter who were native Taiwanese. We talked a little. I showed them my Family Search chart and she told me she did family history, and we talked about Taiwanese culture for a little bit. They slept and watched movies, and I strove to overcome Satan by not peaking at other people's "Captain America: Civil War" movies, which I haven't seen yet. Before we landed, I gave the lady a Restoration pamphlet and told her about how it talks about what happens to our ancestors. She took it and seemed pretty happy. Then we got to the airport, waited for another two hours to pick up more missionaries with our Mission President, President Teh, which was great. We did some contacting, and I talked to an old guy about our church and gave him a Mandarin BOM. That was fun. Finally got on the bus to the mission home about midnight Taiwan time. Got to an apartment about 2, and then met back at 8:00 am with the mission president at his house.

Thursday, September 15, 2016 (Because Time Travel)
Had some training, Got to know the mission president, and really was just in awe of my new home the whole time. We went contacting that night, and I was companioned with a native speaker, so that went... interesting. I tried, and hopefully the Lord made up the rest. It was a little bit nerve-wracking, but it'll get better. Then we had a fancy dinner with a lot of great food. Steamed buns, giant fish, REAL CHINESE FRIED RICE. Yeah, we are not eating fake chinese food when I get back family. Nuh uh. I'll find a way to make this stuff.

Friday, September 16, 2016
Got up and went to a nearby stadium and played Frisbee with the people in our travel group. Then we went back, had breakfast and a little last training, got fitted for our bikes, and went to the trainer meeting. My trainer is named Elder Gasser, from Payson, and he speaks English and Chinese well. ;-) My area in Fengshan, a great little place right at the southern tip. We went to McDonalds, got to know each other pretty well, then took a 2.5 hour train ride down to our area. We got there and a member named Jimmy picked us up. He took us to our apartment, and then we went out and got dinner. Got me some yummy curry rice for about .90 American dollars. Then we made some calls to set up some appointments and came home. 

Saturday, September 17, 2016
We went and ran at a track, and I saw how many giant trees had been blown down. It was crazy. We went on another train ride to Pinddang and my companion did a baptismal interview, came back, did studies, and then went out to get dinner. We had Rou Bao, buns with meat in them from a street vendor. So good! Then we got a call from our Bishopric counselor who invited us over for a BBQ. A recent convert was there, and we ate some duck heart, had some wheat tea, and talked for a good long while. It was really fun! Apparently I look like a previous elder in this area and they all tell me that. 

Sunday, September 18, 2016
Got up and got ourselves to Sacrament. I was asked to bear my testimony, and I'm pretty sure I did. I don't know for sure. xD Had classes, then they all eat lunch together at the church. Then we got home, studied, went out and biked around trying to talk to people at stoplights, and did some weekly planning. So it's been a really great week!

I love you all so much family! Have an amazing time, and always let people see and hear your testimony.


-Zhang Lao Meanea

The P-Days are Coming Faster!

We got a surprise email from Elder Meanea today! He flies out to Taiwan tomorrow so they let him send us an email since he won't have a P-day until next Monday.

Wow Family! It seems like just five days ago I was doing this! The P-Days are going by faster than ever! ;-) Just kidding. It's the day before I get on a dead-dinosaur powered flying train that will take me over one of the largest expanses of water in the world, to arrive in a country where they use sticks to eat and speak in tongues. Just your average, ordinary, every day Missionary. Trying to preach the word. I am honestly so excited. This week has been a constant battle between my fear of actually entering the field, and my Faith in Christ. They can't exist in the same body at the same time, and it's been a constant struggle to choose the faith. But it's a choice that I'll make now and every day until I'm called back to that Heavenly Home. The more I think about it, the more I think the mission is training me for the future. God's preparing me to go home and do the same things I did in Taiwan, except with all the other worldly distractions. He's getting me ready now when it's easy, to go forward in the future. It's kind of a really cool thought. I'm really going to miss my Diqu (District) We've truly become a family here. They are all my friends for life, and they're all so different. Looking back I can see how God wanted me to love and know each one of them. In their own quiet ways, they have strengthened my testimony and shown me how to be more like the Savior. I'll be forever grateful for this time. The time I thought would never end, but in the end came much too quickly. I'm amazed by how little time we have. Yes, I have 22 months of mission left, but will I get blind-sided before the end, realizing how much more I could have given? There are things I did well at the MTC, and things that I regret not doing so well. But as Elder Councill once said, "I don't live with regrets, just goals to improve."

Thursday, September 8, 2016
We had in field orientation all day today, where we discussed topics such as finding, working with members, and goals and planning. About 9 hours of break-out sessions and classes. It looked like it was going to be a long day, but I tried to remember the whole time that if this wasn't going to improve my mission, Heavenly Father wouldn't have it as part of the program. It was actually very very good, and went by quickly.

Friday, September 9, 2016
We had our last service day today, so we said goodbye to the people who ran our building. It was a little sad. We've done that nine times now. Then we went to class and taught our new investigator Li. She is a tour guide and has heard a little about the Church. On Monday we taught about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. Today we discussed Christ and the Atonement with her. I have a firm testimony of the promise that when we Testify of Christ, the Holy Spirit will always attend us, and carry that testimony unto their very hearts. I felt it, and so did she, and so did Elder Potts. We couldn't stop smiling the rest of the day.

Saturday, September 10, 2016
We committed our last investigator, Ou to baptism today! It was also the last lesson we'll teach at the MTC. September 20th is his day. Then we spent the rest of the day reading last notes or watching video messages from our "Investigators" saying goodbye to us. It was a little bit hard. This has been my life for two months. And now I'm leaving behind these teachers that helped me become the missionary I'll enter the field as. It was also a huge mistake, but my whole zone started packing bags this last Wednesday. That didn't make us trunky at all. :-P Some suitcases have been sitting outside our rooms for nearly a week now. I think we might be just a bit excited to get in the field.

My stack of 1000 Chinese flash cards

Sunday, September 11, 2016
I don't think a week will go by without me stressing the sacredness and importance of the Sabbath. When I remember to go into the sacrament prayerfully, it is such a sacred experience. A thought that I had this week which will probably become more true is that I want to act in a way that would let any investigator attending church for the first time to feel that Spirit during church. I'm sure missionaries are a little scared sometimes wondering if they're going to be able to feel that Spirit, hoping everyone demonstrates how sacred it is. We had an exit devotional, and it just really made me want to be able to reflect Christ's love. This work is all about Christ. And then I had my last choir practice at the MTC, and Elder M. Russel Ballard came and spoke to us. Just, you know, the FOURTH APOSTLE we've met at the MTC. :-D He talked about how we are always going to be watched. So are we going to help our hinder Christ's work by our example?

Monday, September 12, 2016
Well, we woke up and sent one of the people in our district off to the airport. Elder Vera Ovehera is on his way to the France, Leon mission speaking Mandarin. We've got another on his way to Leeds England Mandarin Speaking at 8:50. I've loved all this week because I've gotten postcard style pictures from Labor day from all the families. Thank them all so much for me! I don't have all the pictures with me, so I don't remember exactly who, but just thank them all!

(Heavy metal voice) IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN DUDUDU DUH, DUDUDUDUDUH, DUDUDUDUH

This is a super exciting week for Elder Meanea because his 9 week MTC stay is finally coming to an end! We found out today that Elder Meanea will be flying out of Salt Lake airport on this next Tuesday morning, have a short layover in San Francisco, and then fly out to Taiwan. He should arrive in Taiwan around 6:30pm on Wednesday (Taiwan time). We are so excited for him!

My dear friend and Family!

Another spectacular week of learning, loving, and trying to draw neared to our beloved Tianfu (Father in Heaven).

Thursday, September 1, 2016
Some days are hard. Leaving so soon, my district and I are finding it hard to focus. We're almost in the field! After nearly two months of missionary service, we finally get to go! But we just have to internalize that if we're still at the MTC, God has something for us to learn. So it is with any situation in life. When I was with the PJ's in New Mexico, one of their mottos was "The Mission isn't over until the Next one starts." It's the same with life. God expects us to learn all we can, and once we have, he'll give us another challenge, another blessing, allow some struggle, build our faith. 

Packing!

Friday, September 2, 2016
Today I read in 3 Nephi about Christ's visit to the Americas. As I read, I felt the gentle nudging of the Spirit telling me that what I was reading was true. And it was the most important truth I could know and share. We had a lesson with Ding, the one whose husband opposes the church, and I felt really good testifying to her that God would help her convince her husband to let her be baptized. We've been praying for her every day, and will find out today how that went. I know God sees and knows the situation of all His children.

Saturday, September 3, 2016
I had a special blessing today. I was made District Leader last week, and this was my first day doing interviews, which happen on a weekly basis. I really wanted to help them, wanted to so badly, and I prayed God would help me love them. During each of the seven interviews I did, I felt the Spirit speak to them through me in each one, tell me things that they needed to hear. Afterwards, when I was thanking Heavenly Father, I realized that He was showing me what being like the Savior is like. I realized that each interview was almost a mini lesson, taught exactly as they teach us. Find the needs, testify, use scripture, and it happened because I wanted to love them all better. When we ask God to help us love His Children, he will give us of His own love, and we will know exactly what it is He wants us to do. 

Our classroom

Sunday, September 4, 2016
Funny story: I was released today as District Leader. I was slightly confused at first, but there are multiple reasons. We had that class and district swap last week, so they merged our districts and gave us one new leader. I personally like to think that it was also because I tried hard and learned what God wanted me to learn. I don't know for sure, and if I did it's only through His help and guidance, and not my own "spirituality," but it gives me some comfort to think that might have been the case. We had a devotional with Chad Lewis. He was a football player for the Eagles, and served in my mission years and years ago! We got to go and talk to him after, which was pretty awesome. Just makes me want to go to Taiwan more!! In our morning Mission Conference the mission president and his wife that were in the Belgium attacks spoke to us about Faith and testimony. If you don't think that was amazing, get your left ear cleaned out.

Monday, September 5, 2016
We had our final Skype TRC before we actually TRC in Taiwan. It was with a young man named Deng. He really liked meeting with us. And every thing we do reminds me that these are real people with real problems, and I have to rely on the Spirit more than anything to teach. 

I got a Howler from my family!

Tuesday, September 6, 2016
If Christ could be at every door I knock on, He would be. He suffered for us so much, and chooses to love everyone despite all the mistakes they have and will make. It makes me wonder what people will see when they open the door. I want them to see Christ. I'm somehow trusted to be His representative, and that means also representing His love. I don't want there to be a difference between me standing there and Christ standing there. Those are just some thoughts that came from our Devotional with D Todd Christofferson. It was pretty good. ;-)

Wednesday, September 7, 2016
I did a sealing for an ancestor in the temple today, sealed him to his parents, and it was beautiful to see so many children linked with their parents eternally. No one will be lost. God won't allow it. Everyone will have the chance to have their eternal families. What really got me today was my little Sister. The family card I had was stamped with a date it was printed. It was May 2, 2013. I knew it was my sisters birthday, so I did some quick math, and figured out it was her 12th. I remembered all she wanted to do was visit the temple for the first time. And we did. So that card must have come from preparing for that day. She realized long before I did what a sacred place the temple is, and what a special and important work we have to do in there. God allows us to do amazing things, and she could see it. It took me a long time to appreciate the temple as much as my little sister did years ago. Thank you Emily.

I love you all so much. I suppose I may get to send a short email when I hit Taiwan at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, Taiwan time. But if not, stay safe, and close to the Lord. It's the only place to be.

-Zhang Lao Meanea

We will soon be leaving the MTC behind! Next stop...TAIWAN!