February 22, 2010 - Letter
Hello my beautiful family!
I have been in taiwan for 1 YEAR!!!
How is everyone! So happy you finally got the ring. Dad Happy Fathers Day!!! lol. That will be cool for you to sport a chinese ring! Do you know what it says? lol Yes I am being faithfull and patient the other day I saw so many miracles I felt so lucky but wondering why God wanted to bless us so much with new Families!!! So I will tell you the best story I have had here in tai bao. Last Saturday afternoon we went to go find a less active as we were about to leave I saw a row of houses with only 7 doors to tract. I tracted there before with Elder Shane Gallagher, by the way go on his face book to see if he is really engaged! So I doubted that anyone would be home or we would find someone, but the spirit prompted me again no stop and tract then go with our plan.. Now Elder pack that day already planned for the day because I was in jia yi on exchanges so I wasn't there when he was planning. But I stuck to my guns and told him, Elder I think we should tract these houses then we will stick to the plan and ride top pu zi! He said no, we have to stick to the plan. I said I know but I just had a strong feeling to stop and tract. He said really? I said yes! Elder trust me please! He said ok fine Elder, I trust you. So the 4 th house in I rang the door bell, no answer walked to the next one then I heard a lady on the 2nd floor saying what! I went over tried to get into her house to share the gospel, but she said she is busy watching her newborn. I patiently yeiled and said ok when can we come back? Is tomorrow night ok? She said ok come back Sunday night at 7:30 when my husband is home. I said great see you tomorrow. After that I knew my feeling was from the spirit! But I didn't want to get my hopes up because Taiwanese love to lie just to be polite, it's the culture. They would rather lie to your face than tell you no they are not interested! So last night we went back and the mom was happy to see us and let us in and added them or invited the mom, kid and husband to be baptized when they know this church is true! My companion turned to me after the lesson and said man I am glad I trusted you Elder! I said no it wasn't me it was the spirit! We were both so happy! Then after that we went to another families house, the mom is christian and the dad hasn't been baptized yet long story short after we met that mom on Sat. we rode away and then I heard a little girl crying and saying I want my mommy in chinese. She is like 7 so to me this is amazing because for any missionary it is very hard to understand children they talk super fast and their tone of voice is like a child expecially girls! So I am shocked because again I told my companion to stop riding we need to go back. Now he was thinking what? What now! Are we ever going to go through with the plan? So I turned around and called the little girls over to the fence of their gated community. The older sister told us her little sister fell off the swing. I told them to go get her mom to get the girl help. Plus I was hoping to talk with the mom not about her little girl, you know, so the older girl was like no my mom is busy! So then my companion started to leave. But then I asked them, hey can we come back to your house tomorrow to meet you parents they said ok and I set up a time for 8:30. Not thinking it would even work, but the girl actually told her parents and the dad was waiting for us to come!!! Added the family we are going back on Thursday!!!!!! No i'm not done we finally arrive at pu zi and as we were riding a guy rode his bike next to me. I quickly opened my mouth, said I was a missionary, where are you going? He said home to eat with my family. I said oh cool do you think that I can accompany you, I hope I can meet your wife and kids! Now guys this is bold! maybe too bold. Even though Taiwaneese are nice they still don't like other strangers to know where they live. So his answer was sure come follow me! As we were riding we chit chated about me being from America and all. He was very interested about America like every other Taiwanese here! lol. Then we taught a first and also added them. So my goal for this week is to visit these families again and make sure every one of them comes to church next week!!! I love you all and hope you liked my 3 family miracle stories!!! All happened in one day!
Love, Elder Christensen
I have been in taiwan for 1 YEAR!!!
How is everyone! So happy you finally got the ring. Dad Happy Fathers Day!!! lol. That will be cool for you to sport a chinese ring! Do you know what it says? lol Yes I am being faithfull and patient the other day I saw so many miracles I felt so lucky but wondering why God wanted to bless us so much with new Families!!! So I will tell you the best story I have had here in tai bao. Last Saturday afternoon we went to go find a less active as we were about to leave I saw a row of houses with only 7 doors to tract. I tracted there before with Elder Shane Gallagher, by the way go on his face book to see if he is really engaged! So I doubted that anyone would be home or we would find someone, but the spirit prompted me again no stop and tract then go with our plan.. Now Elder pack that day already planned for the day because I was in jia yi on exchanges so I wasn't there when he was planning. But I stuck to my guns and told him, Elder I think we should tract these houses then we will stick to the plan and ride top pu zi! He said no, we have to stick to the plan. I said I know but I just had a strong feeling to stop and tract. He said really? I said yes! Elder trust me please! He said ok fine Elder, I trust you. So the 4 th house in I rang the door bell, no answer walked to the next one then I heard a lady on the 2nd floor saying what! I went over tried to get into her house to share the gospel, but she said she is busy watching her newborn. I patiently yeiled and said ok when can we come back? Is tomorrow night ok? She said ok come back Sunday night at 7:30 when my husband is home. I said great see you tomorrow. After that I knew my feeling was from the spirit! But I didn't want to get my hopes up because Taiwanese love to lie just to be polite, it's the culture. They would rather lie to your face than tell you no they are not interested! So last night we went back and the mom was happy to see us and let us in and added them or invited the mom, kid and husband to be baptized when they know this church is true! My companion turned to me after the lesson and said man I am glad I trusted you Elder! I said no it wasn't me it was the spirit! We were both so happy! Then after that we went to another families house, the mom is christian and the dad hasn't been baptized yet long story short after we met that mom on Sat. we rode away and then I heard a little girl crying and saying I want my mommy in chinese. She is like 7 so to me this is amazing because for any missionary it is very hard to understand children they talk super fast and their tone of voice is like a child expecially girls! So I am shocked because again I told my companion to stop riding we need to go back. Now he was thinking what? What now! Are we ever going to go through with the plan? So I turned around and called the little girls over to the fence of their gated community. The older sister told us her little sister fell off the swing. I told them to go get her mom to get the girl help. Plus I was hoping to talk with the mom not about her little girl, you know, so the older girl was like no my mom is busy! So then my companion started to leave. But then I asked them, hey can we come back to your house tomorrow to meet you parents they said ok and I set up a time for 8:30. Not thinking it would even work, but the girl actually told her parents and the dad was waiting for us to come!!! Added the family we are going back on Thursday!!!!!! No i'm not done we finally arrive at pu zi and as we were riding a guy rode his bike next to me. I quickly opened my mouth, said I was a missionary, where are you going? He said home to eat with my family. I said oh cool do you think that I can accompany you, I hope I can meet your wife and kids! Now guys this is bold! maybe too bold. Even though Taiwaneese are nice they still don't like other strangers to know where they live. So his answer was sure come follow me! As we were riding we chit chated about me being from America and all. He was very interested about America like every other Taiwanese here! lol. Then we taught a first and also added them. So my goal for this week is to visit these families again and make sure every one of them comes to church next week!!! I love you all and hope you liked my 3 family miracle stories!!! All happened in one day!
Love, Elder Christensen
February 15, 2010 -Letter and Taiwan Mom
Hello my beautiful family,
I have so much I want to write but you have to see some pictures first YES Happy New Year!!! Everyone wrote me yay!!!
Wow you got those pics fast. I love this new e-mail service pics upload super fast!!!! How is my american Mommy? Thanks for having an awesome e-mail for me today! I got your letters and the memory card in I think a week!! You sent it Friday right? Tell everybody thank you so much. Haha Rudy is funny trying to speak Chinese tell him I will teach him when I get home if he can re teach me Spanish! Wow David is a studd! I am so happy for them! Also why are the boys not playing basketball, dumb move they should be playing both! Tell Sandra I said hi and I hope to hear from her and Tanner soon.
Ya it should be there any day now. My guess is tomorrow you will get it. The Taizhong secretary Sister Greene does a really good job sending them without mistake. She knows I am the one with the decorated envelopes! haha
Well this week is Zone Conference, I am excited about that. And 2 of my investigators are getting a baptismal interview on Friday so hopefully we will have 2 baptisms next week! Our goal this move call is 4 so I am pretty sure we will accomplish our goal. So not much has happened this week except for the Chinese New Year. A ton of members have already treated us to their huge abundant meals! This year is the year of the tiger do you know? I have a present for all of you that I will send home next move when we get more money also the coolest painting I have ever seen. No nothing about dragons! Even better, has to do with the gospel. Can't wait for you all to get that.
i love you... gong xi fa cai
Elder Pack
February 14, 2010 - CHINESE NEW YEAR
Add another reptile to the list that I have eaten! This is FROG!!! Haha no it is really good trust me! They don't eat the frog heads so don't worry about that. But his muscle in his leg that makes the frog jump is really chewy and really good!! My companion liked frog as well.
Power Week! Monday, Feb. 22 to Sunday, Feb. 28
Monday: Power Apartment Cleaning Day
Tuesday: Power Other Lessons Day
Wednesday: Power RCLA Day
Thursday: Power Adding Day
Friday: Power Sit-down Lesson Day
Saturday: Power Finding Families Day
Sunday: Power Church and Tracting Day
Information on Chinese New Year Traditions: February 14 is Chinese New Year, or the first day of the Lunar Calendar. (February 13 is New Year’s Eve.) This year is the Year of the Tiger, or the third animal in the twelve-animal cycle. Chinese New Year is also called Spring Festival because the beginning of the lunar year usually coincides with the beginning of Spring. The Chinese New Year holiday is actually 15 days in duration, but only the first five days are official holidays, so most businesses will reopen on Thursday, Feb. 18. Most people consider the end of Chinese New Year celebrations to be the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, the Yuan Xiao Festival (or Lantern Festival) The Yuan Xiao Festival celebrates the first full moon of the new year, which this year occurs on Feb. 28.
Please note that more traditional families will place great weight on New Year customs, whereas less traditional families may not be so strict in their observance of all customs. In addition, the Chinese are not in complete agreement among themselves about what activity should be done on what day. Nonetheless, as a missionary, the Taiwanese will appreciate your understanding of the customs and traditions.
Before New Year’s Eve:
Most families will participate in many activities, but most important is probably to clean their entire home and get rid of all old things associated with the prior year. The most traditional day for cleaning is the 28th of the prior lunar month, (this year Feb. 11) but most families are satisfied with cleaning anytime before New Year’s Eve. (Missionaries will deep clean apartments on Monday, February 22!)
Monday: Power Apartment Cleaning Day
Tuesday: Power Other Lessons Day
Wednesday: Power RCLA Day
Thursday: Power Adding Day
Friday: Power Sit-down Lesson Day
Saturday: Power Finding Families Day
Sunday: Power Church and Tracting Day
Information on Chinese New Year Traditions: February 14 is Chinese New Year, or the first day of the Lunar Calendar. (February 13 is New Year’s Eve.) This year is the Year of the Tiger, or the third animal in the twelve-animal cycle. Chinese New Year is also called Spring Festival because the beginning of the lunar year usually coincides with the beginning of Spring. The Chinese New Year holiday is actually 15 days in duration, but only the first five days are official holidays, so most businesses will reopen on Thursday, Feb. 18. Most people consider the end of Chinese New Year celebrations to be the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, the Yuan Xiao Festival (or Lantern Festival) The Yuan Xiao Festival celebrates the first full moon of the new year, which this year occurs on Feb. 28.
Please note that more traditional families will place great weight on New Year customs, whereas less traditional families may not be so strict in their observance of all customs. In addition, the Chinese are not in complete agreement among themselves about what activity should be done on what day. Nonetheless, as a missionary, the Taiwanese will appreciate your understanding of the customs and traditions.
Before New Year’s Eve:
Most families will participate in many activities, but most important is probably to clean their entire home and get rid of all old things associated with the prior year. The most traditional day for cleaning is the 28th of the prior lunar month, (this year Feb. 11) but most families are satisfied with cleaning anytime before New Year’s Eve. (Missionaries will deep clean apartments on Monday, February 22!)
New Year’s Eve (Saturday Feb. 13):
On New Year’s Eve the family gathers together, usually at the most senior family member’s home, for a reunion dinner (nianyefan). This dinner is the most important family dinner of the entire year. Married children will return home for Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner, even from overseas. (Married daughters usually go to the home of their husbands.) Many of the cities in Taiwan will feel empty, whereas missionaries serving in rural areas will find more people have arrived.
New Year’s Day (Sunday Feb. 14):
Please note that this year the Stake Presidents in the Taiwan Taichung Mission have decided that only Sacrament Meeting (no Priesthood/Relief Society and no Sunday School) will be held on Chinese New Year so please plan accordingly with your investigators. On the first day of the New Year, families will visit and pay their respects to the most senior members of the extended family – for example, parents, grand-parents, or great-grandparents. If they have not already done so, families will hang up New Year’s pictures and/or red couplets on both sides of the doors.
On New Year’s Day, older married people give children and unmarried people a hongbao. Some children may ask you for a hongbao. You may want to prepare some hongbaos with two chocolate gold coins in each envelope for children at church (or if you feel wealthy, you can put coins in the red packets). If you give money, do not give an odd numbered amount (e.g. 3, 30, 50, 70) but also never give any amount with a four in the amount (e.g. four, forty, four hundred, etc.) Parents give hongbaos to their children on New Year’s Eve. Most people will not expect you to give hongbaos since you are unmarried.
Second Day of the New Year (Monday Feb. 15)
Married daughters visit their parents and families on the second day of the New Year.
Third Day of the New Year (Tuesday Feb. 16)
Previously, on the third day of New Year, the Dragon Dance (Wulong) was performed, but now this dance may be performed on almost any day. On the third day, many Buddhist visit the graves of ancestors so they do not consider this day an appropriate day to visit others. Anybody who has had a death in the family during the last three years will not make any visits on this day. Others say the third and fourth days of the New Year are set aside for sons-in-law to visit their parents-in-law.
Fourth Day of the New Year (Wednesday Feb. 17)
On the fourth day, many Chinese visit friends and typically welcome anybody, even strangers, to drop in and visit wherever they like. (The fourth day is a great day for tracting!)
Fifth Day of the New Year (Thursday Feb. 18)
On the fifth day of New Years, most businesses reopen because it is the birthday of the God of Wealth. Many businesses open to the fanfare of Lion Dances (Wushi) where the Lion, amidst firecrackers, scares away any evil spirits or bad fortune for the entire year that may be lurking around the door of the shop. It is better to contact (and not tract) on the fifth day of the New Year, however, the Chinese visit each other freely from the six to the tenth day of the New Year.
Seventh Day of the New Year (Saturday Feb. 20)
The seventh day is the “birthday” (renri) of all humans – this is the day that all people officially turn one year older. Traditionally, farmers will display their produce and many Buddhists again avoid eating meat on this day in respect to the birthday of mankind.
Eight and Ninth Days of the New Year (Sunday/Monday Feb. 21-22)
This day is especially important to the Taiwanese (and Min Nan speakers on the mainland). Building up to midnight on the eighth day, they pay respects and offer incense to the Taoist God, Tian Gong (God of Heaven, Jade Emperor or Emperor of Heaven).
Tenth to Twelveth Days of the New Year (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thurday, Feb. 23-25)
These days are considered an appropriate time to invite other relatives and friends to dinner.
Thirteenth Day of the New Year (Friday, Feb. 26)
After eating much rich food, many Chinese believe own should eat a simple meal of xifan (rice congee) and mustard greens to cleanse the system on this day.
Fourteenth Day of the New Year (Saturday, Feb. 27)
This day is mainly used to prepare lanterns and floats for the Yuan Xiao Festival.
Fifteenth Day of the New Year (Sunday, Feb. 28)
On the night of the fifteenth day, families will meet together for a dinner of “tangyuan” (a sweet glutinous rice ball cooked in soup), which symbolizes completeness, togetherness and happiness. Some Chinese consider this day as a Minor Lunar New Year and this day generally marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities. At night, families will walk the streets and parks carrying lanterns.
Regards,
President Hoer
On New Year’s Eve the family gathers together, usually at the most senior family member’s home, for a reunion dinner (nianyefan). This dinner is the most important family dinner of the entire year. Married children will return home for Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner, even from overseas. (Married daughters usually go to the home of their husbands.) Many of the cities in Taiwan will feel empty, whereas missionaries serving in rural areas will find more people have arrived.
New Year’s Day (Sunday Feb. 14):
Please note that this year the Stake Presidents in the Taiwan Taichung Mission have decided that only Sacrament Meeting (no Priesthood/Relief Society and no Sunday School) will be held on Chinese New Year so please plan accordingly with your investigators. On the first day of the New Year, families will visit and pay their respects to the most senior members of the extended family – for example, parents, grand-parents, or great-grandparents. If they have not already done so, families will hang up New Year’s pictures and/or red couplets on both sides of the doors.
On New Year’s Day, older married people give children and unmarried people a hongbao. Some children may ask you for a hongbao. You may want to prepare some hongbaos with two chocolate gold coins in each envelope for children at church (or if you feel wealthy, you can put coins in the red packets). If you give money, do not give an odd numbered amount (e.g. 3, 30, 50, 70) but also never give any amount with a four in the amount (e.g. four, forty, four hundred, etc.) Parents give hongbaos to their children on New Year’s Eve. Most people will not expect you to give hongbaos since you are unmarried.
Second Day of the New Year (Monday Feb. 15)
Married daughters visit their parents and families on the second day of the New Year.
Third Day of the New Year (Tuesday Feb. 16)
Previously, on the third day of New Year, the Dragon Dance (Wulong) was performed, but now this dance may be performed on almost any day. On the third day, many Buddhist visit the graves of ancestors so they do not consider this day an appropriate day to visit others. Anybody who has had a death in the family during the last three years will not make any visits on this day. Others say the third and fourth days of the New Year are set aside for sons-in-law to visit their parents-in-law.
Fourth Day of the New Year (Wednesday Feb. 17)
On the fourth day, many Chinese visit friends and typically welcome anybody, even strangers, to drop in and visit wherever they like. (The fourth day is a great day for tracting!)
Fifth Day of the New Year (Thursday Feb. 18)
On the fifth day of New Years, most businesses reopen because it is the birthday of the God of Wealth. Many businesses open to the fanfare of Lion Dances (Wushi) where the Lion, amidst firecrackers, scares away any evil spirits or bad fortune for the entire year that may be lurking around the door of the shop. It is better to contact (and not tract) on the fifth day of the New Year, however, the Chinese visit each other freely from the six to the tenth day of the New Year.
Seventh Day of the New Year (Saturday Feb. 20)
The seventh day is the “birthday” (renri) of all humans – this is the day that all people officially turn one year older. Traditionally, farmers will display their produce and many Buddhists again avoid eating meat on this day in respect to the birthday of mankind.
Eight and Ninth Days of the New Year (Sunday/Monday Feb. 21-22)
This day is especially important to the Taiwanese (and Min Nan speakers on the mainland). Building up to midnight on the eighth day, they pay respects and offer incense to the Taoist God, Tian Gong (God of Heaven, Jade Emperor or Emperor of Heaven).
Tenth to Twelveth Days of the New Year (Tuesday/Wednesday/Thurday, Feb. 23-25)
These days are considered an appropriate time to invite other relatives and friends to dinner.
Thirteenth Day of the New Year (Friday, Feb. 26)
After eating much rich food, many Chinese believe own should eat a simple meal of xifan (rice congee) and mustard greens to cleanse the system on this day.
Fourteenth Day of the New Year (Saturday, Feb. 27)
This day is mainly used to prepare lanterns and floats for the Yuan Xiao Festival.
Fifteenth Day of the New Year (Sunday, Feb. 28)
On the night of the fifteenth day, families will meet together for a dinner of “tangyuan” (a sweet glutinous rice ball cooked in soup), which symbolizes completeness, togetherness and happiness. Some Chinese consider this day as a Minor Lunar New Year and this day generally marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities. At night, families will walk the streets and parks carrying lanterns.
Regards,
President Hoer
February 13, 2010 - New Mission President Announced
Taiwan Taichung Mission - July 2010 - July 2013
Clark T. Bishop
He was Ryan's 1st councelor at the MTC.
He also served in Taiwan on his mission, attended BYU and became a Doctor.
Ryan really likes him and is so excited to see him again in July!
Clark T. Bishop
He was Ryan's 1st councelor at the MTC.
He also served in Taiwan on his mission, attended BYU and became a Doctor.
Ryan really likes him and is so excited to see him again in July!
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February 8, 2010 - Letter
Hello My beautiful Family!
Wow today is the super bowl! I totally forgot about that, ya I heard the Saints are playing the Colts yesterday. I hope the Saints win too, because Manning has already won. That would be cool for Drew Brees to get a ring, since hurricane Katrina I was hoping they would have a chance some day so wow tell me in a bit the details!
So right now I am using the new.myldsmail.net website. It's new, my password is the same. I love it, it is exactly like G-mail. Ya I sent you my card. Hope you can get the same Chinese characters on there! Also hope you can set up a g-mail account. Ya I sent my ring home last week! I think there is a misunderstanding with the sizes. I measured my finger at a store and the guy said the ring was a international size of 18.5 I need an international size of 14! I wrote that on the letter after I went back to the post office to send it! Ya it's expensive to resize I guess you could give my ring to dad and order me a size 14! Alright hope I cleared that up for you.
Well this week was awesome. I am loving my companion I'm glad we stayed together. So things are going great, especially last Sat. our investigator is in the hospital so we went to visit him and met his little sister there. As we were sharing about God I felt that I should try and include the sister. She said ya by the way my name is chen yi lin, I beleive in God too, I am christian and right now am meeting the missionaries! I was shocked and asked who? She said she goes to college in Gui Ren where I used to live! She met with the missionaries down there which I know very well! Elder Johnson from the mtc and my buddy the coolest senior companion in the mission Elder Mortenson I talked to them on the yi lins cell phone, they were shocked that I was with their investigator. They also told me she hasn't been answering her phone because she has been really busy and it is winter vacation here. So I asked them what she has heard and they said only the 1st and 2nd lesson. Elder Mortenson said he trusts my judgement on what we will teach her. Then we split up, my comp taught our gator and I taught yi lin about prophets and why we beleive in modern revelation. Her biggest concern right now is every church she has met says their the true church and that the heavens are closed, beleive in God and you will be saved garbage!!! I testified as she comes to church, reads the bom and prays she will get her own answer in the Lords time she said ok and said she will come to church.
So yesterday was awesome, she came and in fast testimony meeting I bore a 10 min testimony about this awesome new golden investigator we found. By the way that day we weren't planning to go to the hospital her brother called us up and said come visit him. So I told her and her brother that this is definitely destiny! She said ya I think so too! So after church a member invited us to her house to eat and teach yi lin. We were about to share the plan of salvation but she asked a question. Why are there so many churches? So we reset and started with the 1st afterwards she is willing to pray for an answer and excited to only investigate our church right now, no other one!!! Wow! I hope we can help teach her good so when she goes back to guiren she can get baptized! What an awesome miracle huh! Not to mention we had 4 gators come to church 3 guys that I hope are close to baptism as well! So everything is good in tai bao!!!
Hey Alyea you get a short letter today only because I guess the other kids are busy! Lucky u! I love you Alyea still can't beleive you will be a Senior when I get home. Your pics are amazing I love you so much and no unfortunately Taiwan does not like american football. That's why I was so shocked that the Colts and Saints are playing! No I don't know what the I touch is I won't know a lot of stuff when I get home! By the way what is annoying orange? Some video on you tube? Everyone is talking about that! Oh I'm sure you know my blog address the canadians here would love an invite to see my blog! They have one too! Well alyea I hope you are still tearing it up in school get good grades so we can go to BYU when I get home ok? much love! Love your bro sun zhang lao!
Wow today is the super bowl! I totally forgot about that, ya I heard the Saints are playing the Colts yesterday. I hope the Saints win too, because Manning has already won. That would be cool for Drew Brees to get a ring, since hurricane Katrina I was hoping they would have a chance some day so wow tell me in a bit the details!
So right now I am using the new.myldsmail.net website. It's new, my password is the same. I love it, it is exactly like G-mail. Ya I sent you my card. Hope you can get the same Chinese characters on there! Also hope you can set up a g-mail account. Ya I sent my ring home last week! I think there is a misunderstanding with the sizes. I measured my finger at a store and the guy said the ring was a international size of 18.5 I need an international size of 14! I wrote that on the letter after I went back to the post office to send it! Ya it's expensive to resize I guess you could give my ring to dad and order me a size 14! Alright hope I cleared that up for you.
Well this week was awesome. I am loving my companion I'm glad we stayed together. So things are going great, especially last Sat. our investigator is in the hospital so we went to visit him and met his little sister there. As we were sharing about God I felt that I should try and include the sister. She said ya by the way my name is chen yi lin, I beleive in God too, I am christian and right now am meeting the missionaries! I was shocked and asked who? She said she goes to college in Gui Ren where I used to live! She met with the missionaries down there which I know very well! Elder Johnson from the mtc and my buddy the coolest senior companion in the mission Elder Mortenson I talked to them on the yi lins cell phone, they were shocked that I was with their investigator. They also told me she hasn't been answering her phone because she has been really busy and it is winter vacation here. So I asked them what she has heard and they said only the 1st and 2nd lesson. Elder Mortenson said he trusts my judgement on what we will teach her. Then we split up, my comp taught our gator and I taught yi lin about prophets and why we beleive in modern revelation. Her biggest concern right now is every church she has met says their the true church and that the heavens are closed, beleive in God and you will be saved garbage!!! I testified as she comes to church, reads the bom and prays she will get her own answer in the Lords time she said ok and said she will come to church.
So yesterday was awesome, she came and in fast testimony meeting I bore a 10 min testimony about this awesome new golden investigator we found. By the way that day we weren't planning to go to the hospital her brother called us up and said come visit him. So I told her and her brother that this is definitely destiny! She said ya I think so too! So after church a member invited us to her house to eat and teach yi lin. We were about to share the plan of salvation but she asked a question. Why are there so many churches? So we reset and started with the 1st afterwards she is willing to pray for an answer and excited to only investigate our church right now, no other one!!! Wow! I hope we can help teach her good so when she goes back to guiren she can get baptized! What an awesome miracle huh! Not to mention we had 4 gators come to church 3 guys that I hope are close to baptism as well! So everything is good in tai bao!!!
Hey Alyea you get a short letter today only because I guess the other kids are busy! Lucky u! I love you Alyea still can't beleive you will be a Senior when I get home. Your pics are amazing I love you so much and no unfortunately Taiwan does not like american football. That's why I was so shocked that the Colts and Saints are playing! No I don't know what the I touch is I won't know a lot of stuff when I get home! By the way what is annoying orange? Some video on you tube? Everyone is talking about that! Oh I'm sure you know my blog address the canadians here would love an invite to see my blog! They have one too! Well alyea I hope you are still tearing it up in school get good grades so we can go to BYU when I get home ok? much love! Love your bro sun zhang lao!
February 1, 2010 - Letter
Hello my beautiful family,
This week was not the best but I am excited to start a new move with Elder Pack! Ya I get to stay here in tai bao...SO that means by the time I leave I will have been here for 6 months!! I am so excited I get to stay because I love all the members here!
Yesterday was really awesome, I got to go to Yong Kang and see all of my recent converts from guiren especially JAMES! He grew his hair out again, looks like the mafia pic I have. But he's so awesome he is preparing to go to the temple this June! Then I saw another big guy named Kevin that I taught and when I left to heng chun didn't know he got baptized, he was excited to see me! As you can see I had a good week but just full of trials and disappointment! Our investigator li ming wen that already passed his interview didn't come with us so he couldnt get baptized then we forgot to tell some of the members the baptism is cancelled so I had to get ma'd out by the elders quorom president! Oh well we had 1 baptism this move but again zheng didn't come to church.
The Stake Conference was cool, President Hoer and Sister Hoer spoke in Chinese. And the temple couple came. The wife's chinese is not good she needed a translator but her husbands was good he served in Taiwan. After it all no gators came to church!!! ah sorry I can't write any more it feels like everything fell apart this week! Then the hardest call I have ever had happened last wednesday. After no English class! I called my recent convert zuo you hao and asked where he has been, he said he has been attending another christian church. After we gave him a priesthood blessing he went to a random church in pu zi and they prayed upon him/for him and now the evil spirits are gone and he can sleep. All the paranormal activity is gone! It's called ling dong in Chinese! or ling tong as the President told me means communicate with evil spirits! So I bore my testimony and told him the priesthood blessing healed him he said no this church did that speaks in toungues! I was scared at that time cuz I told him I might move and would like 5 minutes of his time he said no you have had plenty of my time bye sun zhang lao. I said bye I hope one day you find the correct path and he hung up!!! I started to cry and hit my desk yelling SATAN man!!! I HATE SATAN!!! Then I broke down in my room. The spirit told me to call DAD! But I knew I couldn't turn to my earthly Dad, so I prayed to Heavenly Father for comfort and again it said call DAD but I knew it meant my mission father. So I called President Hoer and in tears he comforted me saying I did nothing wrong and everyone has free agency! He helped a lot but I am still so sad that someone can get baptized and know this church is true but because of a trial or hurt body turn back to the devil for help!!! This experience is a huge turning point in my mission! I studied PMG today and it says dont feel like your time is wasted... do all you can do to help others come unto christ and then it's their choice. Pres. Hoer related it to the vision of the tree of life. Many people partook of the fruit then turned away! Everyone that is reading this In The Name Of Jesus Christ I Testify that this church is true. We already found the fruits of the gospel, there is no need to deny this and turn away and walk back in the darkness and be lost. I hope zuo you hao comes back some day but for now he will study the bible and realize that his church he is investigating is wrong in the end and the only true path back to the father is through Jesus Christ our Savior! You can only do this in our church! Kind of like Elder Holland said last conference to leave the church you have to crawl over, under, or around the book of mormon you can't go through it!!!!! I know this is true because brother zuo did exactly what Elder Holland talked about he denied the truthfulness of the book of mormon and stopped studying it to read the bible! I love the bible too but in order to study the bible and understand what the stink it is trying to say you have to read the book of mormon! I am so happy I am a missionary at this time in my life. I know I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ! My past is redeemed, my present makes sense and my future is secure! (President Eyrings quote!)
Again I leave my testimony with you all that this is the only true and living church on the face of this earth, in whom the Lord is well pleased! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
This week was not the best but I am excited to start a new move with Elder Pack! Ya I get to stay here in tai bao...SO that means by the time I leave I will have been here for 6 months!! I am so excited I get to stay because I love all the members here!
Yesterday was really awesome, I got to go to Yong Kang and see all of my recent converts from guiren especially JAMES! He grew his hair out again, looks like the mafia pic I have. But he's so awesome he is preparing to go to the temple this June! Then I saw another big guy named Kevin that I taught and when I left to heng chun didn't know he got baptized, he was excited to see me! As you can see I had a good week but just full of trials and disappointment! Our investigator li ming wen that already passed his interview didn't come with us so he couldnt get baptized then we forgot to tell some of the members the baptism is cancelled so I had to get ma'd out by the elders quorom president! Oh well we had 1 baptism this move but again zheng didn't come to church.
The Stake Conference was cool, President Hoer and Sister Hoer spoke in Chinese. And the temple couple came. The wife's chinese is not good she needed a translator but her husbands was good he served in Taiwan. After it all no gators came to church!!! ah sorry I can't write any more it feels like everything fell apart this week! Then the hardest call I have ever had happened last wednesday. After no English class! I called my recent convert zuo you hao and asked where he has been, he said he has been attending another christian church. After we gave him a priesthood blessing he went to a random church in pu zi and they prayed upon him/for him and now the evil spirits are gone and he can sleep. All the paranormal activity is gone! It's called ling dong in Chinese! or ling tong as the President told me means communicate with evil spirits! So I bore my testimony and told him the priesthood blessing healed him he said no this church did that speaks in toungues! I was scared at that time cuz I told him I might move and would like 5 minutes of his time he said no you have had plenty of my time bye sun zhang lao. I said bye I hope one day you find the correct path and he hung up!!! I started to cry and hit my desk yelling SATAN man!!! I HATE SATAN!!! Then I broke down in my room. The spirit told me to call DAD! But I knew I couldn't turn to my earthly Dad, so I prayed to Heavenly Father for comfort and again it said call DAD but I knew it meant my mission father. So I called President Hoer and in tears he comforted me saying I did nothing wrong and everyone has free agency! He helped a lot but I am still so sad that someone can get baptized and know this church is true but because of a trial or hurt body turn back to the devil for help!!! This experience is a huge turning point in my mission! I studied PMG today and it says dont feel like your time is wasted... do all you can do to help others come unto christ and then it's their choice. Pres. Hoer related it to the vision of the tree of life. Many people partook of the fruit then turned away! Everyone that is reading this In The Name Of Jesus Christ I Testify that this church is true. We already found the fruits of the gospel, there is no need to deny this and turn away and walk back in the darkness and be lost. I hope zuo you hao comes back some day but for now he will study the bible and realize that his church he is investigating is wrong in the end and the only true path back to the father is through Jesus Christ our Savior! You can only do this in our church! Kind of like Elder Holland said last conference to leave the church you have to crawl over, under, or around the book of mormon you can't go through it!!!!! I know this is true because brother zuo did exactly what Elder Holland talked about he denied the truthfulness of the book of mormon and stopped studying it to read the bible! I love the bible too but in order to study the bible and understand what the stink it is trying to say you have to read the book of mormon! I am so happy I am a missionary at this time in my life. I know I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ! My past is redeemed, my present makes sense and my future is secure! (President Eyrings quote!)
Again I leave my testimony with you all that this is the only true and living church on the face of this earth, in whom the Lord is well pleased! In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
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