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!

Santa Claus Comes to Town

My Family and Friends!

What a crazy, awesome week! I feel like I'm going to say that a lot more times before I finish my mission. But it's true every week! I can't believe I really deserve the privilege of serving a mission for my Lord. It truly is a blessing.

Thursday, August 25, 2016
CHRISTMAS!!! Starting in my nutty district, the idea spread that, since this was our last 25th in the MTC, it was to be made a Christmas Celebration. I'll let the pictures help you understand the full magnitude of our celebration, but suffice it to say that it was spectacular. We went caroling around our building at 6:30 to wake up our new elders, had a zone-wide secret Santa exchange, and just a "jolly good time."

Caroling in the MTC...at 6:30am

Friday, August 26, 2016
A few of the people in our building have taken exception to the excessive amount of physical exercise that the MURPH (insane physical fitness program they have been doing) has been imposing on them, and have formed a rival club named "The Weenie Hut Generals Club." Those opposed to the MURPH protest by lounging around, and hanging up sheets in the bathroom after turning all the showers on hot in order to make a sauna. So make of that what you will. I'm currently an independent, but will probably be forced to choose a side before long. My beloved companion, Elder Potts, has spat upon the values he once held dear, and kicked the dust off his feet before the MURPH. Now he is a WHGC member, I don't know what I am to do. The political strife is very heated, and shall soon turn to mild violence. I fear one must rise, while the other shall fall into darkness.

Not dramatic at all is he? :-) - Allyse

On a serious note, we taught a "less active" member called Chen, who we taught two weeks ago. We had challenged him to go to church, and he managed, taking his family, and praying with them. It made me so happy. And for the first time, it seemed we actually found a need. We are constantly taught to find their needs and teach to them, and he talked about why he didn't understand God giving us such restrictive commandments. We were actually able to help him UNDERSTAND something. And it made me so happy! We also had a practice teaching, but we did it in English. I honestly couldn't talk! I really couldn't. I didn't know how to teach like that!

Saturday, August 27, 2016
One of our teachers quit in order to go to BYU, so surprise, we had already taught her our last lesson. Ah! I don't like not teaching them more! It's interesting to know for a fact that anyone you come in contact with for a moment is meant to teach you something. 

"What do we say about coincidences?"
"The universe is rarely so lazy."

Yes, that was a Sherlock quote, but it applies, in that absolutely everything that happens is according to God's plan. It makes me wonder if I do all the things for people God has planned for me. If I served the people he put in my path that day. 

Someone hijacked my camera and took pictures of Elder Meanea in his natural environment.

Sunday, August 28, 2016
So, I became our district leader today, and I had a great interview with Brother Suoyo. We talked about how I needed to study as much as I could here, because it's like a spiritual fuel-up before I fly off into the world of the eternally busy missionary. I spent a lot of time praying, because suddenly I had a new trust from God to take care of my district, to minister to them, find their needs, and bring them closer to Christ. I believe God did this so I can learn, and also serve. It makes me want to be more and more like the Savior. I would encourage you to really study Christ-like attributes. God makes so many true promises to us if we strive to be like Christ. I have a new goal to have a 24-hour smile, because then I can try to be more and more like Christ. That is the key to missionary service, and least for me. Become like Christ. I said it my whole life until now, but I never realized what it actually meant. It's also a commandment. It's amazing what we find when we humbly study and look for answers.

Monday, August 29, 2016
Our world got thrown in a blender today. Since our teacher quit, we moved buildings and joined with a whole other district today. Our last two weeks is going to throw us back out of the little comfort zone we had built, but that's a good thing! TRC with a Li JM. (Jiemei, means sister) She is a single mom who just received her endowments from Taiwan, has two daughters and a son, one of which is on a mission, and she basically taught us. We asked her to share her experiences on prayer, and while I couldn't understand a lot, I could feel her dedication, and her humble faith in the Lord and His plan. 

Elder Meanea's classroom

Tuesday, August 30, 2016
The President of the 70 gave our devotional today, and the choir sang "Faith of our Father." I always love singing because it helps me internalize the things God is trying to teach me every day. We also got our Chinese tags today! We won't use them in the field, but they're tags with our Chinese characters on them. It's hard to stay focused with two weeks left in the MTC, but I know as long as I allow it, God will continue to teach me. WE ALSO GET FLIGHT PLANS ON FRIDAY! But also focus, yes.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016
We had a mix-up, so I only got to do part of the names I wanted to in the temple, but they were the Father and his two sons I talked about last week. And it gives me such great joy to know that their family is drawing closer and closer to salvation. It's been a great week family, with only one more coming from the MTC. Every day God teaches me and allows me to make mistakes, and I know He's preparing me to be the missionary He needs me to be. I love you all!

#MissionaryChristmasSelfie...in August

Chastening, Inspiration, and the Faith to Believe

My amazing family and friends! I don't know how, but every week brings more and more blessings I don't know how I deserve. In 6 short weeks, I don't exaggerate in saying my life has truly been changed forever. And I look forward to 16 more 6 week periods!

Wednesday, August 17, 2016
I finished emailing and I went back to class. We had an alright lesson, and then we had a class about asking inspired questions. I was paired up with Elder Van Slootten, and our teacher told us to really think of a need, and the other missionary would start teaching. NO INDICATION whatsoever of the need the other person had picked. We began, and I was first, I thought for a few moments, and not of my own volition chose to ask him if he understood why he has trials. He looked surprised, and we continued our lesson for a little bit, then the teacher told us to switch. We evaluated, and he told the teacher that my question directly answered the need he had picked, this fake investigator with an invented need and God directed me to know exactly what to say. Why? Because I was willing to listen. This is not an extolling of my own righteous virtues, it is a testimony of our all-powerful, all-loving Tianfu, who never forgets our tiny lives for a single moment. When I came to know this, he provided me with such strength as I never before had felt. We switched, I said a little prayer to know what need I should pick, and it came to my mind that "my wife and I fight a lot." Seconds later, without previous dialogue, Elder Van Slooten asked me how my family relationships were.

Thursday, August 18, 2016
Today was a very important day for me. It was my day of the Lord's tender chastening. Today was our last day teaching Zhou. Our teacher, Sun, promised to tell us about this man. We all sat and listened as he described the exact same Zhou that he had portrayed, tired, disinterested, didn't really progress at all. And then he said they got him to be baptized. How? He said that one day his companion and him decided to go, pray with Zhou, and wait for him to receive his answer, having faith that he would. After the prayer they helped him prepare and after a few minutes of silence, he declared that he had received his answer and wanted to be baptized. I say this because remember the lesson I thought was going to go amazing, then didn't? I said I didn't know why and might never know. Now I knew. That same day of the supposed-to-be amazing lesson, I had a very strong and vivid prompting that we should pray with Zhou during the lesson, and wait with him to receive an answer. When it came to the lesson, I felt awkward, thought it wasn't a good time, and chose to ignore the prompting I had. You can imagine the heartbreak I felt. I was truly devastated. I'm not just saying that. The Lord had told me for a fact through this teacher that I had ignored a special prompting from the Holy Ghost that would have helped this man come to Christ. Now, as you read this, don't feel bad for me. I'm not saying I'm an evil sinner either. I just feel that this is a very, very important thing to share. I had a lot to make up to the Lord, and I feel like I've been able to make it right with him. But it makes me eternally grateful for the atonement, and the second chances it gives us. And thirds, and fourths... I love the Savior and his Atonement. I know he did what he did for me, and for everyone I'll teach. And I will never deny the Spirit again. 

We've decided that it is Christmas tomorrow, are giving each other secret santas, and we have a santa suit.

Friday, August 19, 2016
The Lord's mercies never end. We had a substitute today, and a class called "Demonstrate Teaching." We all enjoy it because we're the observers as the teachers "Demonstrate teaching." I volunteered to be the investigator, and he was teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. No play-acting. Just me. I didn't really expect anything, but afterward the teacher described how he was directed to change his teaching to fit my need. And this was the day after my chastening, I felt very very weak and foolish before the Lord, and he began discussing how, if I had faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, it not only gave me forgiveness, but could heal my heart as well.

Saturday, August 20, 2016
We had our last in-person TRC, which went fairly well. It always impresses me so that the Spirit is the teacher. If I do it right, me and my abilities have absolutely nothing to do with the success of them feeling the Spirit.

Building our Christmas tree.

Sunday, August 21, 2016
I know I say this every time, but it's so true. Now that I have nothing to do but "Church-stuff", the Sabbath Day "Church-stuff" is absolutely the best. About a third of our branch is moving out to Taiwan Taipei on Tuesday morning, so they sang a beautiful number for sacrament meeting. And in preparing my talk for Sunday, I had some cool thoughts. It was about the Book of Mormon, and as I read, I realized that missionaries and the Book of Mormon are a lot alike. I don't know where, but some scripture says that they wished they were mighty in writing like unto speaking, because if they could speak, it were not possible that any man could not believe. We stand in proxy for the ancient prophets. We are their voices, the ones who sacrificed and labored to bring this work about in our day. They can't speak, so God called us to be their voices. And just as the Book of Mormon is a testament of Jesus Christ, so do we testify of Christ. Also, the Nashville tribute band came back today, second time in five weeks. We sang again, and it was "pretty sweet."

Monday, August 22, 2016
Sorry if you all want to hear more about the things I do, the fun stuff that happens. I try to include it, but more and more my "small plates" are the only things that are important to me. But today we did our first Skype TRC. We tried two people who didn't answer, and I'm pretty sure the third one was in a BYU dorm, but we spoke to her in Chinese. The highlight was when we talked about Christ and His example, I could feel the Spirit bear witness through my shoddy Chinese that what I was saying was true.

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

A fun lesson with our new investigator Han. She is a great investigator, and every time I have a lesson, I have to remind myself this is God's work, and He loves them. He won't let my flaws interfere with their feeling the Spirit.

Pre-haircut (Attempted Selfie)

Post haircut!

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Temple day. It was a very special temple day. My family sent me some names they had and some I had prepared before I left. We did initiatories. It was good, and then I got to the three names that I had worked to find before my mission. I knew from finding them that it was a father and two sons. As I started to proxy for them, I imagined the joy that they were experiencing as, one by one, they were getting closer and closer to having their family together eternally. I began to truly feel the joy that they were feeling. I believe that they truly were there in the temple that day, knowing that work was about to be done that would bring them immeasurable joy. These words can't do justice to what I felt, knowing that this family I found was getting this opportunity. Before I came on my mission, I would always look at challenges that missionaries sent home with appreciation, but think to myself that I had stuff to do, and them being on a mission and all their spiritualness forgot that I have a lot of other stuff to do at home. But now I know why they challenged me. It's because they began to feel the love of the Gospel in a way they never had before. And they knew that, if I was willing, I could begin to feel the same love that they did. I don't want to be anywhere else right now. And I challenge you to find these families, that are separated by death, and unite them through the temples God has given us.

I've talked long enough, and I've said much too much. But thank you for reading, and thinking about my challenge. I truly love you all, and may someday learn to write shorter emails. ;-)

Ni Zhang Lao

Not Elder Holland, And Lots of Change

Toasting (with apple juice) our halfway mark of the MTC

My Beloved Family!

This has been quite the week. I know I say that every week, but it truly has been an amazing one.

Last Wednesday we lost one of our "investigators." She left us a message saying her husband thinks that we're deceivers, and doesn't want us to meet any more. Even though I knew it was part of the role-play (she was actually going to London for two weeks and will be back) it truly broke my heart to think of this happening, as I'm sure it will, in Taiwan.

But things have gotten better, I don't want this to seem like a downer email.

Thursday, August 11, 2016
Every day it's becoming easier and easier to live in God's way. Sometimes it might seem like a mission is "paying my dues" for all the blessings God has given me. But today I was talking with Elder Hansen, from my district, and it occurred to me that it's like Tithing. My life is already the Lord's. When I pay tithing, it sometimes seems like I'm giving something up to Him, but in reality, He takes my small sacrifice, and uses it to bless me 1000 fold in return. Tithing builds temples, through which we receive blessings of eternity. He doesn't take it for Himself. He is the refiner, and He takes our small, raw contribution, and crafts with it eternal and exquisite blessings for each of us. So it is with my mission. It sometimes seems like a sacrifice, but He is truly just taking these two years, crafting them into more blessings than my imperfect and human self could every deserve, and bestowing them back upon me for the rest of my life. Elder Hansen is one who is struggling quite a bit with the language, and worries about it a lot, but he doesn't realize he has some of the strongest faith in our district. Even if he never learned a lick of Chinese, I would want him as my companion in the field so that his Faith could do more than words ever could.

And Elder Councill with all the cardboard he collected building Helms Deep from Lord of the Rings. Somewhere someone has a video of us re-enacting it, but it's best that remains lost. ;-)

Friday, August 12, 2016
I tried so hard all yesterday and today to prepare to teach Zhou. I wanted to leave him with something to remember, and to really help him feel the spirit that this Gospel would bring him. All day I felt like the Spirit guided me so much, and I was so excited. We got there, he had no interest in what we were saying, and we left our testimonies at the end, to no seeming effect. I was devastated. Why had I felt the Spirit so strongly before? I thought I trusted in God, but it seemed to have little effect. I was confused and disheartened. Had I done something wrong? Eventually, I decided that I may never know why something goes wrong, but that through all things, even those I don't understand, I will trust the Lord. He knows, and He WILL NOT, WON'T EVER lead me astray.

Saturday, August 13, 2016
Another great TRC. The brother helped us a lot with our Chinese, and seemed to really enjoy the lesson. We got our review after and he said everything was great! Just work on pronunciation a little. ;-) Today I also learned that I only get one more chance to teach Zhou. Our teacher is quitting (who is our investigator) because it's his second job (60 hrs a week total), and school is going to start so he can't keep it. He is amazing, and we're going to miss him a lot. Another thought that I and Elder Vanslooten had was that Zhou wasn't just some made up investigator, designed to challenge us. I asked our teacher in class, and he confirmed that Zhou was a man he taught on his mission in Taiwan. It makes me love and want to help him all the more.

Today was Elder Meanea's MTC halfway mark so he and his district celebrated with apple juice and blueberry bread.

Sunday, August 14, 2016
As always, simply amazing. I wan't to briefly relate a small miracle that I have experienced here. A few days ago, I had realized that I still needed to make major changes to my attitude in order to start finding the Joy I've been promised in my mission. I started praying to Heavenly Father to change my heart. I wanted to turn outward, like the Savior did, and not worry about myself or my own wants. After I read those talks, I pondered for a long while, and my thoughts turned to daydreaming about home, and the places I love in Cedar, and the people I missed. In the midst of these thoughts, this daydream, I looked out over Cedar City, and suddenly felt as if I didn't want to be there, not in the slightest. It jarred me. I thought I missed home, right? But as I ran over my daydream again, it seemed in my heart that I would loathe to be anywhere besides here, serving the Lord, and on my way to Taiwan. I even went as far as to (foolishly) wonder how I would ever find something as worthwhile as a mission after I had to come home. I realized that the Lord had begun to change my heart. Somehow, through no worthiness of my own, He gently began to shape it with His gentle touch. I know that the Lord heard me, knew what I needed, and began to give me as I desired, which I knew to be right. I also know that He will always hear. And He will always love and help me.

Monday, August 15, 2016
Very much too short a day. We got a new investigator. It was Yang Ming Fang again! But in a different role. Her name is Han. We began to teach her about families and our message concerning them. She seems like she'll be a great investigator!

Tuesday, August 16, 2016
I had an eye opener today. We had a devotional with Sister Oscarson, though rumors had been rampant that Elder Holland was coming. It was great, but what jarred me was when I crawled into bed that night and thought to myself I survived! A few moments of pondering later, I became a bit ashamed of myself. Hadn't I just had a spiritually glowing experience of the Lord changing my heart? And here I was, at the end of a Day consecrated to the Lord, and all I could say was I survived? That may sound a little harsh on myself, but it made me realize that I don't want any more days on my mission where all I have to report to the Lord is I'm okay, I made it back to bed. I've been called to do so much more than that. And He has promised me power beyond all I've ever had, if I'll dedicate my life and time to Him. It may still sound harsh, but this was supposed to be HIS DAY. A day in which I thought of others, did my best to uplift, and my thoughts had simply been of my own comfort, getting back to bed at night. I don't want another day where I sheepishly come before the Lord in prayer and say, "Yeah, sorry about that. It was kind of an off day." I only have 23 more months to serve like this, and not a day of that did God set aside for me to be lax and let things slide. It is my belief that every day the Lord puts before us opportunities to brighten the lives of others. I like the hymn, "Have I done any Good?" It reminds me a lot of missionary work, and the things the Lord promises me and expects from me every moment I've dedicated to Him.

Wednesday, August 17, 2016
P day! Woot of the Woot. I got some letters from home, which brightened my day exceedingly, and emailed my family! We also finished up the initiatory work (all of it) that Elder Vanslooten had from his Grandma's entire tree. So now she has something to do. ;-) We did laundry, and will teach Zhou for the last time tonight. I don't know if he drops us, or if we get to imagine him living happily ever after, but by Heavenly Father's strength, this lesson will help him the rest of his life. And it may seem odd of me, and a little gungho (no idea how to spell that) to say these things about a made up person, but it's not made up. He is a real man that needs God's help. And if I don't take it seriously, then the Lord can't through me either.

My loving family, thank you so much for your prayers, your messages, and your yizhi (continual) support. I feel it all, and I love you so much. I hope you all have an amazing week, and that by the time next Wednesday rolls around, you'll have been able to read all of this. ;-)

Trust the Lord.

-Zhang Lao Meanea