4 December 2017 - Just because I'm live on Facebook doesn't mean I went home. We just have smartphones now

"Hark all ye nations, hear Facebook's voice!
Missionaries text that all may rejoice!"
(Copyright Elder Meanea 2017)

Monday, 27 November 2017
We went and took a visit of the Gaoxiong 85 today! After eating some Costco pizza of course. The air was a little big smoggy, but it was still really cool. I was up there about a year ago with my trainer when I lived in Fengshan, so that brought back some neat memories. Then that night we went and visited some people who had birthdays in the ward and dropped off some really ugly birthday cards!

Tuesday, 28 November 2017
We had a meeting with Sam today, who is doing great. We taught some commandments, which he had a hard time accepting, but he is still faithfully reading and praying, which will bring him through. Then I did a language pass-off for a sister in our district. Lately we've just been hitting the streets and visiting members, trying to do everything we can to find some new investigators. The ones we have are doing great, but we need to keep finding the people the Lord has prepared!

Wednesday, 29 November 2017
Today we had a mission tour visit from President Muers of the area presidency. We talked about different things we can be doing to merit the miracles of the Lord in our mission, and it was really cool! The focus lately has really been helping us to not just do missionary things, but actually be a disciple of Christ, which is a huge difference. We then had a lesson with Brother Zhang, the son of a recent convert who is trying to get ready for Baptism. He is the last one in his family, so he's really trying to find his own testimony of the gospel right now. It's amazing we get to participate in this work of bringing people unto Heavenly Father.

Thursday, 30 November 2017
Today was absolutely insane! We had a lesson this morning which cancelled, but we were already at Bishop's house where the lesson was, so we just talked to him and his wife about the ward for an hour. After that we went and met with Sister Chen, who is still investigating! It was good to see her after a few weeks, and now that we are getting smart phones, it will be a lot easier to keep in touch. Then we had to run up to a different chapel to do another language pass-off, take the MRT back to our house to grab our overnight stuff, then take it up to the train station just in the nick of time to catch our Train to Taizhong for the meeting tomorrow. I also got to stay with Elder Councill from my MTC district and we made Cheesecake, so that was fun!

Friday, 1 December 2017
All day was the mission council. We just decided on some changes that we can implement to help our mission focus and head in the right direction, and then we recieved our smartphones! They basically helped us set it up with church protections and then sent us on our way saying "Good luck!" We're still trying to figure it out. But it was good! We also got to take the high speed rail home because it was so late by the time we got done. 

Saturday, 2 December 2017
We did our weekly planning today trying to figure out how to use the smartphones, so that was entertaining. It's going to be an adjustment, but it's cool that God let these be invented for his purposes. Then we spent tonight with our Filipino investigators JR and Marvin who we met at the park a few weeks ago. They are here for work and are super cool! We shared the"Light the World" video on our smartphones and then they took us to eat Adobo. A traditional Filipino food. Good day!

Sunday, 3 December 2017
Sorry, this week has just been super rushed and busy, not a lot of cool things to talk about, but every week is full of learning and miracles. And the sacrament. It is an incredibly sacred time and I love it. We spent the day visiting a less active member with the bishop who helped him to find a place where he can get physical therapy for his knee that was messed up in a car accident. He also helped us to administer the sacrament, which this man hadn't taken in over five years. It was amazing to think of the new light the priesthood most likely brought into his life today. I am so grateful for it.

Have a great week friends and family. Stay close to the Savior!

-Elder Meanea

27 November 2017 - Thanksgiving in Taiwan

"I'm trying to contact like Jesus, with all of this sweat on my face,
I'm trying to talk in Chinese, and Taiwanese just in case!"

Monday, 20 November 2017
A fun day of not knowing exactly what to do for P-Day! We wandered around our area for a little bit and found a cultural center, but it was closed because it was Monday, that happens here quite a lot. Oh well. But we found some other Elders and a board game shop, so that was all we needed. We had a pretty good time! Then the night was spent on the town! (Proselyting)

Tuesday, 21 November 2017
We met with our baptismal goal investigator Sam. He is set for the middle of December, the 15th! And so is Brother Zhong. We are trying to set up his Baptismal interview this week so he'll be ready. It's so exciting! We taught tithing today, which he said will be a challenge, but he was willing to pray about it. Then tonight we had a member named Johnny help us make a pumpkin pie from scratch, which was really hard, but also fun! We are going to use it for a Thanksgiving activity. 

Wednesday, 22 November 2017
We went and found a less active member today named Shan. She was coming to church a little while ago, so the bishop sent us to find her. She was willing to meet and is really cool! We text her scriptures every day that she can go read and she committed to coming to church next week! We also met with Brother Zhong today and taught about the importance of the Sacrament. It was so cool to see him understand the sacredness of that time. It also helped me to remember why it was so important as well. 

Thursday, 23 November 2017
We went to the district meeting in a neighboring area and celebrated Thanksgiving with them! They brought pie to the meeting, and then we all headed out with full stomachs to proselytize. We also got to eat with Michael, one of Elder Fuller's converts from a previous area. He came down to visit us and it was just cool to see how much impact all our missionary service is having wherever we go. He is a Filipino and spoke really good English too!

Friday, 24 November 2017
We went on exchanges today, but the best part of the night was going to the Lin family's house with Brother Wei, our recent convert and starting to review the missionary lessons. It was cool to hear the family's conversion experience, and it is amazing to see how well they are taking care of Brother Wei and Sister Xu. I was worried because Sister Xu has been working lately and I haven't been able to get in touch with her, and on Sunday we come to find out she already has visiting teachers and they have been visiting every week with her and re-sharing the lessons. This is the best ward in the world. 

Saturday, 25 November 2017
Sister Luo met with us again! She has been coming to Sacrament regularly, and we met and discussed the importance of scriptures today, which she seemed to like. She is such a great and humble woman. She wants to learn so much about the Gospel and is looking forward to how it can change her life. 

Sunday, 26 November 2017
A good Sabbath. We went to church with our investigators and got to mingle with them and the members a lot. We have also had a lot of chances to work with the Less Active members in our ward which is great. Then tonight we Visited the Pan family. The dad is from Canada and the wife is from Taiwan. They are a pretty funny family and it was a pretty great week. 

I love the gospel so much! I love how my mission has helped me make the Savior a bigger part of my life, because I need His help so much. I'm so grateful for His Sacrifices for me, and the way He will always help me up.

Have a great week my friends and family.
-Elder Meanea

20 November 2017 - Zone Conference Training + Technology

"Tell me the stories of Gaoxiong, I love to hear,
Things that the Elders do all day, spreading gospel near!"

Monday, 13 November 2017
Tonight after P-Day we went to visit a less-active member who has to work selling pork most Sundays, but he was super happy to see us! He said the missionaries used to come over occasionally to share with him and it made him and his son really happy to see us. His son is one of the craziest kids I ever met. His name is Danny, he's 6, and super into dinosaurs. And he's also incredibly smart. So that was cool to get to meet him. I'm glad we can still bring some gospel Spirit into his home even if it's hard for him to get to church.

Tuesday, 14 November 2017
We had an exchange today and also met with a new investigator named Jeff! We ran into him on the street the other day, and he told us to give him our number so he could call us later (which never happens) so we forgot about him. Then he actually called us and set up! He also bought us drinks when we met at McDonald's, which was cool. Seems like a cool guy!

Wednesday, 15 November 2017
Our member friend Johnny gave us a cake today after we ate lunch with him! He is learning to be a professional cake chef, which is one of the cooler things I've run into on my mission. So that was a miracle. And then we met with Brother Zhong who is 2-steps away from being baptized! He has had all the lessons, and we reviewed the baptismal questions with him, and he has absolutely no problem and a really strong testimony. He just has to come to more church!

Thursday, 16 November 2017
We had to spend a lot of time in comp study getting ready for zone conference on Friday. There will be three zones there and we get to give a training on some new planning material that replaces chapter 8 in Preach my Gospel, so that was exciting!

Friday, 17 November 2017
Most of today was all zone conference. Our training went pretty well! We at least didn't crash and burn, so that was an unqualified success. The whole conference was mostly about our upcoming access to technology. I'm a little bit scared for how phones are going to change missionary work, but I really think that the Lord is trying to bless us. All intelligence comes from God, and everything else people do with technology is just a side effect. It's incredible that THIS IS THE REASON smart phones exist. It's to push forward the work of the kingdom. So incredible.

Saturday, 18 November 2017
We finished our exchange today and then went to have a lesson with Sister Zheng, but she didn't make it. So we talked for a while with our member, Brother Zhuang. He is super cool! He actually served his mission in Texas and helped us fix some member information and get a ward list so we can start working more closely with the members. Because that's the way to do missionary work! I love being a part of the new ward every time, they are just like a new family to me.

Sunday, 19 November 2017
A good sabbath! Brother Zhong, Sister Luo, and Sam all came to sacrament! So that was pretty happy. Then afterwards we talked to some ward members, went and friendshipped some LA's, and then spent the night on the town! (Contacting)

It's been a good week. I really love being on a mission and how much it has taught me about how to love God. I want Him to see my service and how that it's because I love Him and His Son and will always be grateful to Them. No other motivation would ever carry me through. It is such a blessing. I love you all!

Have a great week!

-Elder Meanea

13 November 2017 - International Revolution

"Oh come all you faithful, come and meet for lessons,
or we will come and find you and teach you anyways!"
(Copyright Elder Meanea 2017)

Monday, 6 November 2017
I got my new companion Elder Fuller today! He is a total beast! I am really happy to be working with him. I hope that we can keep taking care of the awesome people we have and finding more. We didn't know what to do for P-Day so we stood on the roof for a while and then biked to Ikea and browsed around for no apparent reason, then went contacting!

Tuesday, 7 November 2017
The amazing Sister Luo met with us for a lesson today! The bishop and his wife helped with the lesson, and we taught her about the Restoration. The Spirit there is so strong, and we told her about the amazing message of God still talking to His children today. Whenever I share the Restoration the Spirit immediately comes in. It's truly incredible. She is so amazing too, because in her prayer she thanked Heavenly Father for letting her come in contact with us missionaries and said she'd been looking for a church for a long time. I was so happy!

Wednesday, 8 November 2017
And then there is the amazing Sister Zhan! She is a younger mother with two daughters, one of which she always brings to lessons with her and is super cute. We had a reading lesson with her today because she didn't read the Book of Mormon, and in her prayers she thanked Heavenly Father for the Book of Mormon and the chance it gave her to get to know Him. I'm just so happy teaching these people. It is truly incredible. The gospel is great. And Elder Fuller and I already have really good unity while teaching even though it was only our second or third lesson together. He has a really funny sense of humor and we laugh and work a lot. 

Thursday, 9 November 2017
We did weekly planning today since Friday we had to go to a meeting. It was pretty good. Then we met with an RC named Villa! She is such a good missionary. She loves reading the scriptures and learning new things. She also offered to invite her friend to a Thanksgiving party we were having with the ward this Saturday!

Friday, 10 November 2017
Secret MLC stuff. Can't talk about it.

Saturday, 11 November 2017
Today we ran all over the city, but it's because we met a new investigator named Sam! He was a missionary referral, and he already has a baptismal date! So that was super exciting. He is a really cool guy and he has already read to Jacob, and he really likes chapter 5 for some reason. So he's pretty great. I love seeing people who want to learn! Because I love the gospel. Then the ward had a baptism of a member kid, and Brother Zhong came and saw it! He thought it was really cool. He is still working for a December 2nd goal. Then we ate a giant ward thanksgiving! It was amazing!

Sunday, 12 November 2017
A day of freaking miracles. Sister Chen and Sam both came to church and stayed until 3rd hour. Then tonight we had two lessons set up, one with two people from the Philippines, and one with two people from Vietnam. The guys from the Philippines didn't show up, but later in the afternoon we went back to the park and found them sitting there, and we taught the Restoration and they agreed to meet next week! Then the Vietnamese guys didn't come, but we were riding through a different park and ran into one of us and he gave us his number and also agreed to meet next week, which was great! A day full of miracles to end the week!

I love you family and friends, and I know the Savior does too! Never forget to reach up for Him. I know He will always be there.

-Elder Meanea

6 November 2017 - New Companion

Monday, 30 October 2017
Today we went shopping for shoes! Elder Yang lost one of his basketball shoes on the way back from an exchange so we needed new ones. After that we just cleaned and then went proselyting. We also got the garbage out for the first time this transfer because we have to take it to the garbage truck, which plays songs as it approaches so everyone knows to come out and throw in their trash. That was pretty fun.

Tuesday, 31 October 2017
We spent most of the day setting up interviews and getting ready to be interviewed. Since we are zone leaders we need to arrange the schedule and set up the rooms. The interview was good, I didn't get fired. :-) We mostly just talked about the zone and things that are going on. I really love getting to be in charge of a zone, mostly for the opportunity to get to see so many amazing missionaries truly working their hardest to serve the Lord.

Wednesday, 1 November 2017
Honestly, today was mostly contacting. Sorry the email is a bit rushed this week, it's transfers and time is a little scrunched. But it was a mission day today, and I'm really happy!

Thursday, 2 November 2017
The man of wonders, Brother Zhong. He has a baptismal goal for December 2! I'm super excited for him. We taught the word of wisdom tonight and he just said yes, he is willing. I can't believe how amazing and dedicated he is to the Lord. Everything he does is to bring him closer to God. His faith is just so strong! He gave up tea and coffee on the spot, and every other commandment he is working really hard and PRAYING FOR HELP TO KEEP THEM!

Friday, 3 November 2017
We had a lesson tonight with our convert Brother Wei. We had a good lesson about the Holy Ghost, and he is ready to get confirmed on Sunday. We met at the Bishop's house and Brother Wei is so happy about being baptized. He has such a desire to follow Christ that it blows me away. I hope to find so many more people like him who want to know their Savior. It makes me want to know Him more as well.

Saturday, 4 November 2017
A new investigator named Sister Shen! She accepted a baptismal goal for December. She has been taught by a few other missionaries but lives in our area. She got referred here. And she was super willing to learn about God. She said she is a really nervous person, but that she felt the Gospel might be able to help bring her happiness. We promised her it could. Every day we have an opportunity to help someone come closer to Christ.

Sunday, 5 November 2017
The final day for Elder Yang. Most of it was spent packing. He was a great companion, but he has been called back to Taichung to be a zone leader. Elder Fuller is coming to be a zone leader with me! We also put together a little feast for our district since half of them are leaving. It has been a good week.

Stay strong, keep smiling, and share the light!

-Elder Meanea

30 October 2017 - Washed in White

"I know when I am baptized, the missionaries are happy,
because I'm going back to my God so readily!"

Monday, 23 October 2017
After a fun P-Day, we got back to the chapel in time for our district leader Elder Shakespear to do the baptismal interview for Sister Xu! It went really well, and she is so close to getting baptized. We prayed for her so hard this week because I know Satan does not want her to take these steps in her life that will lead to her and her family's eternal happiness. I can't wait for her to make it! She has even talked about wanting her 7-year-old son to get baptized next year when he is 8!

Tuesday, 24 October 2017
We had our last exchanges for the transfer today with the Elders from Cuihua. I went with Elder Tang, who was actually my Trainee's companion in the MTC. It was fun to work with him. We taught a lesson to one of our Baptismal goals, Sister Chen. She has a lot of hard things going on in her life, but we read the Book of Mormon with her, and at the end of the lesson she took it and told us she promised to read it, because she felt like it really could help her feel happiness. I testify that it does, because when you read it with a humble heart, Heavenly Father will send the Spirit to guide and help you.

Wednesday, 25 October 2017
Today was honestly just a contacting day. Not much happened, but every day working for the Lord and inviting people to truly come to Christ (Where everyone wants to be) is a gift. 

Thursday, 26 October 2017
We traveled over to Cuihua today to do a language pass off for the same Elder Tang that I exchanged with. It is so amazing to see so many missionaries come to serve the Lord. We are all different, with different ideas and thoughts and experiences, but the Lord individually called us all for our love for Him and what we can do in His service. Then tonight we met with a new investigator, Sister Zhan! She has the cutest 3 year old daughter that she brings to church. She has come twice now, and we shared the Restoration with her. She said that she believed it! And is willing to learn more! There are so many prepared people out there, and I'm so grateful to be a part of this. 

Friday, 27 October 2017
Brother Wei is so incredible. He had his baptismal interview tonight. He has been a member of another denomination for 20 years, and has come to find the fullness of the gospel. When the interview began, he said he "Didn't have a reason not to believe in Joseph Smith," which is usually less than what we like to hear. But then as he said the closing prayer, he also bore his testimony and said, "Heavenly Father, I know that Joseph Smith was Your prophet." The Spirit and the restored Gospel changes lives and gives so much hope!

Saturday, 28 October 2017
We had a lot of.... children of God today. The first was a man we set up with named "Ha." A man walked in and we sat him down and shared the Restoration, and in the end he told us, my name isn't "Ha, I don't know who you guys are looking for. I just wanted to check out English and activities." So we accidentally taught a random guy, but it was the luckiest accident ever for him. Then tonight we met a man who gave us fruit, which I always like, and told us that all Gods of all religions are aliens. I love this place. 

Sunday, 29 October 2017
A Sabbath of joy. Today Sister Xu Li Ming and Brother Wei Shun Fu were baptized. Elder Yang baptized Brother Wei and one of our Recent Converts Wen baptized Sister Xu. I just watched their new lives begin. An experience like this cannot be described with words. I am so grateful to be here serving. Because the Lord will look after all His children, and they all have a chance to come unto Christ. 

-Elder Meanea

23 October 2017 - Buddha and Progressing Investigators

"God save the noble zone, though a bit accident prone,
Gaoxiong West Zone!"
(Copyright Elder Meanea 2017)

Monday, 16 October 2017
All the LDS missionaries in my zone went on an excursion to a place in English known as "The Mountain of Buddha's light" and obviously had a great time touristing around and seeing a little more of the culture of our land! (Yes, it is actually from India, but they sort of adopted it so it still counts, and we didn't accidentally end up in a worship ceremony this time!) Then that night we went out contacting! Not much exciting about the day, but it was fun to get to be with the zone a little more!

Tuesday, 17 October 2017
We had one of our final lessons with Sister Xu tonight, in which we went over the Baptismal interview questions, and the real miracle of it all is that she is ready and will be baptized next week! She quit smoking because of the examples of the members we met with who said they joined the church to help their children and now follow the word of wisdom so they will have a good example. She is so amazing and such an awesome mom. Then we left just in time to go on exchanges with the Assistants in Taichung. That was fun! I got to go out working with Elder Neahaus who was my zone leader back in Puli. It was a good night of teaching and finding.

Wednesday, 18 October 2017
Our exchange ended today and we headed back to Gaoxiong. It was a 3 hour train ride both ways, so that was... fun. Anyways. We met with our friend Sister Chen who is progressing well. We actually were able to extend a baptismal goal today, which was super cool! She accepted, and though she has a lot of progress to make, she is on the path! 

Thursday, 19 October 2017
We had another exchange with some elders in our zone today. I was really worried because they were struggling a little bit recently, and so we really wanted to raise their faith and their vision. I went out to their area to work, and tried to exercise as much faith as possible. I prayed with the Elder I was exchanging with, and then we went to work. In the period of about 2 hours we had to contact that night we walked away with 4 adds and a new investigator. I know it's not because I'm super great, but because the Lord really blessed us that night and wants to help that companionship know what miracles are possible. It was super great. 

Friday, 20 October 2017
We finished our exchange and met with Brother Wei. We were getting him ready for baptism, and he is so willing and ready, it's so amazing. He just doesn't quite have the testimony yet. So we're working with him, and he'll come in soon. He'll make it, but the Spirit is willing! So I'm super excited for him. He's been a member of another church for years, and it's hard for him to change, but he is so willing to follow Christ wherever He leads. 

Saturday, 21 October 2017
We went to the Wen Family's house tonight to help them dedicate their house. I've never actually been to a house dedication before, so that was pretty cool. It was a good chance to get to know the members since half of the ward was there. And that was about it today!

Sunday, 22 October 2017
We had a cool new investigator come to church this week! She is a mom of two daughters and her name is Zhen. She just met Elder Yang on the street the other day and agreed to come to church, so she came! Another cool miracle in the string of miracles that is my mission. So that was fun, and it's been a great week here. I'm so blessed to serve where I am right now with who I'm serving with. I can't wait for another week of miracles!

I love you all!
-Elder Meanea