Dear Elders and Sisters,
This week was a time of overwhelming emotion for me. Sister Bishop and I attended the Youth Conference and then the Zhong Xin Stake conference. The youth conference was wonderful. There were more than 400 youth in attendance. The event was planned and lead entirely by Chinese Leaders. A group of missionaries helped with a missionary night. The missionaries helped each of the youth record their testimony in a copy of the Book of Mormon. The youth then promised to share the Book of Mormon with a non-member friend. These youth were excited to share the gospel with others. Elder Bednar said the best way to prepare for a mission is to become a missionary. Our missionaries helped each of the youth become a missionary. I am grateful to all who participated. Each missionary showed initiative as they worked with their group to help them feel the spirit and become missionaries. This is the future of Taiwan. In fact, it may well be the future of the church in all of Asia.
When I arrived in Taiwan there was one branch in the area which is now Zhong Xin Stake. That was a Branch in Zhang Hua. After I arrived, missionaries were sent to Nan Tou and Dou Liu. The first Sacrament meeting in Dou Liu had 4 elders and 2 member sisters who had joined the Church in Tai Zhong but who lived in Dou Liu. Today the beautiful Stake Center in Yuan Lin was full and overflowing. There were 3 choirs, a primary, a youth, and an adult choir. The stake President, President Chen, went around and greeted everyone by name. During the Sunday Morning session many new brethren were sustained to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. I lost count but I think there were 12! After the Sunday Morning session, a new member meeting was held. This meeting also filled the chapel. I am so moved by the growth of the church in this area. I am so grateful to each of you for helping to build and establish the church.
There is much to do. We need to build this area to be strong enough to form an additional stake. We need to baptize to build these wards and branches. In the new member meeting, many, perhaps most of the new converts were the only members in their families. We need to work with them to teach and baptize their families. Work closely with all part member families so they will trust you to help teach those they love. We need to help rescue the many members who are not currently active. We need to encourage temple attendance as a goal to investigators and all members, new and old.
I feel so blessed to see the progress the Church has made during the last 40 years. With the way you work, the way you build the wards and branches, imagine what the next 40 years will bring!
Faithfully your brother,
President Bishop
August 29, 2010 - New Companion
Hello My Beautiful Family! and Happy Happy birthday to Alyea!!! 17 years old?
So on to the best news ever. No I didn't move but I left the threesome and picked up my new companion today Elder Kindall Christian Palmer, He is from Mapleton, Utah. 19 years old been on island for 5 months on his 4th move call. His dad served in Hong Kong spoke Cantonesse came home and got a degree in mandarin! So his Chinese is already pretty good but not fluent yet, I'll help him out for sure. He also lived in Hong Kong for 9 years, he is a STUD! He will be my favorite companion for many years to come. I met him in Tainan when elder Aston trained him and at pizza hut I said out of the blue. You will be my Junior companion one day. So on Saturday night I was pretty happy!
So on to the best news ever. No I didn't move but I left the threesome and picked up my new companion today Elder Kindall Christian Palmer, He is from Mapleton, Utah. 19 years old been on island for 5 months on his 4th move call. His dad served in Hong Kong spoke Cantonesse came home and got a degree in mandarin! So his Chinese is already pretty good but not fluent yet, I'll help him out for sure. He also lived in Hong Kong for 9 years, he is a STUD! He will be my favorite companion for many years to come. I met him in Tainan when elder Aston trained him and at pizza hut I said out of the blue. You will be my Junior companion one day. So on Saturday night I was pretty happy!
August 27, 2010 - Baptism
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Last Friday I had 2 baptisms...Janet and Derek! I gave Derek his name, he is a cool kid so I wanted to hive a cool name like Uncle Derek...right?
Wang Li Xuan (Janet) 17 years old and Yang Qiang (Derek) 22. Both so golden!
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The Mother of Janet
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The Mom didn't want her to be baptized until she turned 18 but I fasted for her and the next week saw a miracle! The Mom agreed...this is her signing the baptimal record!!!! The church is true.
August 22, 2010 - President Bishop's Letter
Dear Elders and Sisters,
I say again that I love reading your letters. The letters are confidential, but often they are so wonderful I want to share your experiences with other missionaries. When I share these stories, I do so with permission.
We saw huge blessings and tons of miracles in last week. Since our investigators are so tough, we decided to fast for them. And, the miracles started happening way fast. After said the prayer, I contacted a less active member who I had never seen before on the street and found that her daughter has not been baptized and she's very willing to be baptized! When I asked the mom 'Was she baptized?' and the mother said not yet, the daughter asked her mom 'Mom, can I be baptized?!' immediately; the mother answered 'okay'. So I added her and gave her a week C goal.
This is an example of how the Lord brings His prepared people to prepared missionaries. It also highlights how working with less active members can bring you member referrals.
Now I need to ask your help in a couple of areas:
First, please be careful with your use of air conditioners. When you leave your apartment or leave a room, turn off the air conditioner. We still have some hot days ahead. If your electric bill is over NT 2,000 per month, you may be charged for the difference. Thank you for being careful with the sacred funds consecrated to pay for your missionary service.
Second, several missionaries have related incidents where a baptismal service had some hitches, detracting from the spirit. In one case a sister came to the service, but did not realize she would have to get wet, so she postponed the baptism. Each week our mission baptizes 20 or more converts. I know that most of the services are great. We would like them all to be that way. Please follow a check list to make sure that all the preparations are in place for a wonderful baptism.
· Arrive early to ensure that the font has enough water and the temperature is right.
· Arrive early enough to take pictures, so that the baptismal service can start on time.
· Please do a “dry run” with the investigator so he or she knows exactly where they will stand, how to hold their hands, how to plug their nose etc.
· Make sure the clothing, including a change of underwear is appropriate.
· Elders, make sure you practice if you are doing the baptism. Sisters, make sure the person doing the baptism knows the prayer and also does a dry run preferably with the investigator.
· Review the program with the ward mission leader or bishopric member.
In ordinances (of the church), the power of godliness is manifest. D&C 84:20. We want 100% of the baptismal services to be wonderful in every way. Thank you for your help in ensuring that this happens.
Thank you again for your faithful service,
Faithfully Your Brother,
President Bishop
I say again that I love reading your letters. The letters are confidential, but often they are so wonderful I want to share your experiences with other missionaries. When I share these stories, I do so with permission.
We saw huge blessings and tons of miracles in last week. Since our investigators are so tough, we decided to fast for them. And, the miracles started happening way fast. After said the prayer, I contacted a less active member who I had never seen before on the street and found that her daughter has not been baptized and she's very willing to be baptized! When I asked the mom 'Was she baptized?' and the mother said not yet, the daughter asked her mom 'Mom, can I be baptized?!' immediately; the mother answered 'okay'. So I added her and gave her a week C goal.
This is an example of how the Lord brings His prepared people to prepared missionaries. It also highlights how working with less active members can bring you member referrals.
Now I need to ask your help in a couple of areas:
First, please be careful with your use of air conditioners. When you leave your apartment or leave a room, turn off the air conditioner. We still have some hot days ahead. If your electric bill is over NT 2,000 per month, you may be charged for the difference. Thank you for being careful with the sacred funds consecrated to pay for your missionary service.
Second, several missionaries have related incidents where a baptismal service had some hitches, detracting from the spirit. In one case a sister came to the service, but did not realize she would have to get wet, so she postponed the baptism. Each week our mission baptizes 20 or more converts. I know that most of the services are great. We would like them all to be that way. Please follow a check list to make sure that all the preparations are in place for a wonderful baptism.
· Arrive early to ensure that the font has enough water and the temperature is right.
· Arrive early enough to take pictures, so that the baptismal service can start on time.
· Please do a “dry run” with the investigator so he or she knows exactly where they will stand, how to hold their hands, how to plug their nose etc.
· Make sure the clothing, including a change of underwear is appropriate.
· Elders, make sure you practice if you are doing the baptism. Sisters, make sure the person doing the baptism knows the prayer and also does a dry run preferably with the investigator.
· Review the program with the ward mission leader or bishopric member.
In ordinances (of the church), the power of godliness is manifest. D&C 84:20. We want 100% of the baptismal services to be wonderful in every way. Thank you for your help in ensuring that this happens.
Thank you again for your faithful service,
Faithfully Your Brother,
President Bishop
August 15, 2010 - Temporary Companions
Hello My Beautiful Family!!! Happy Anniversary!
Ya! He is Gone!!! He moved up to tai zhong this morning, probably so the Mission pres. and leaders could watch him! I heard we might be getting a typhoon soon. They won’t tell me my release date until October probably.
So ya Elder lin is gone and I will tell you more about that when I get home. Super long story!
So for the next 2 weeks I will be with Elder Salgado (district leader) and his companion elder Jaramillo that he has been training! So this will be a fun experience for all of us. I still have to maintain my area and stuff. I just moved some of my stuff to their apartment. So I will be there until the 30th and hopefully I can get a cool new companion..so yeah that’s what happened this week.
Oh real quick yesterday was tai nan stake conference and I got to see so many people that I know very well! All the way back from guiren to yong kang and tai nan wards!!! There was a lot of people that attended and the talks were really good! My progressing investigator yang qiang drove us over there with my new member yang and guo and janet the 17 yr old girl that needs to do good on her test in order for her mom to sign for baptism...so that was way fun to attend with them..then afterwards I met with Pres. Bishop and that’s why elder lin is gone! Actually I will write you a big letter about that. Man I have not gotten a letter from you in 2 weeks, hope one comes soon.
I love you!
Elder Christensen
Ya! He is Gone!!! He moved up to tai zhong this morning, probably so the Mission pres. and leaders could watch him! I heard we might be getting a typhoon soon. They won’t tell me my release date until October probably.
So ya Elder lin is gone and I will tell you more about that when I get home. Super long story!
So for the next 2 weeks I will be with Elder Salgado (district leader) and his companion elder Jaramillo that he has been training! So this will be a fun experience for all of us. I still have to maintain my area and stuff. I just moved some of my stuff to their apartment. So I will be there until the 30th and hopefully I can get a cool new companion..so yeah that’s what happened this week.
Oh real quick yesterday was tai nan stake conference and I got to see so many people that I know very well! All the way back from guiren to yong kang and tai nan wards!!! There was a lot of people that attended and the talks were really good! My progressing investigator yang qiang drove us over there with my new member yang and guo and janet the 17 yr old girl that needs to do good on her test in order for her mom to sign for baptism...so that was way fun to attend with them..then afterwards I met with Pres. Bishop and that’s why elder lin is gone! Actually I will write you a big letter about that. Man I have not gotten a letter from you in 2 weeks, hope one comes soon.
I love you!
Elder Christensen
August 9, 2010 - Letter
Hello My Beautiful Family~!
Wow you already got my release date? That’s crazy! ok cool let’s not talk too much about that then, they said 2011 right? haha lol.
So I am having an awesome day and had an awesome week. Only 3 investigators came to church but 2 of them are progressing towards baptism. Our week C passed his baptismal interview yesterday. He is so golden and if it wasn't for the member referral he wouldn't be as good as he is! His date is for the 28th, so just needs to come to church 2 more times and he is good. He came all 3 hours yesterday for the first time. I hope one day he will serve a mission! His parents are from China. He was born in China but has a Taiwanese accent. We are hoping to meet with his family this week. We are also waiting on a 17 year old girl to do really good on her senior high school test. When she gets a really good grade her mom will sign the record so hopefully August 21 we can get her in the water. Also last Friday we helped a couple get baptized! They are planning to get married on December 25th! So that’s exciting. I’m sad they didn’t come yesterday to get the Holy Ghost but they said they were at a family’s wedding in Tai bei. So next Sunday they will get it for sure. Right now we have 3 baptisms just 5 more to go to hit our goal of 8 for this move call!
So ya that’s our investigators right now. Many are really solid, most really week. I’m just trying to focus now to hit my move call target and get along with my companion. Which recently has been going really good. No fights!
So yesterday we went over to jian lins to eat dinner and he told me the most amazing news!!! This Christmas day the Lakers and The Heat will play each other!! Which I’m sure you already heard! I dislike Lebron! I hope Kobe breaks his ankles. Anyways I can’t beleive I’m going to be able to watch that! That in its self right now makes me super trunky! lol
So I have some baptisms pics to send that’s all I have for this week.
Ya it’s hot today but since we are in August and until October it rains...hopefully another typhoon comes I love working in typhoons!!! in a little bit we are going to play basketball! Tell max I say hi, and tell him he better not be rooting for the heat this year or I won’t talk to him when I get home..lol what cruise are they on? Where they going?
I know I’m working on my nails. My new member slaps my hand if he sees me doing it. lol How’s the fam? Didn't get any letters this last week. Oh forgot to tell you about zone conference. Way good. President Bishop talked about the Comforter. I learned a lot.
I love you!
Love, Elder Christensen
Wow you already got my release date? That’s crazy! ok cool let’s not talk too much about that then, they said 2011 right? haha lol.
So I am having an awesome day and had an awesome week. Only 3 investigators came to church but 2 of them are progressing towards baptism. Our week C passed his baptismal interview yesterday. He is so golden and if it wasn't for the member referral he wouldn't be as good as he is! His date is for the 28th, so just needs to come to church 2 more times and he is good. He came all 3 hours yesterday for the first time. I hope one day he will serve a mission! His parents are from China. He was born in China but has a Taiwanese accent. We are hoping to meet with his family this week. We are also waiting on a 17 year old girl to do really good on her senior high school test. When she gets a really good grade her mom will sign the record so hopefully August 21 we can get her in the water. Also last Friday we helped a couple get baptized! They are planning to get married on December 25th! So that’s exciting. I’m sad they didn’t come yesterday to get the Holy Ghost but they said they were at a family’s wedding in Tai bei. So next Sunday they will get it for sure. Right now we have 3 baptisms just 5 more to go to hit our goal of 8 for this move call!
So ya that’s our investigators right now. Many are really solid, most really week. I’m just trying to focus now to hit my move call target and get along with my companion. Which recently has been going really good. No fights!
So yesterday we went over to jian lins to eat dinner and he told me the most amazing news!!! This Christmas day the Lakers and The Heat will play each other!! Which I’m sure you already heard! I dislike Lebron! I hope Kobe breaks his ankles. Anyways I can’t beleive I’m going to be able to watch that! That in its self right now makes me super trunky! lol
So I have some baptisms pics to send that’s all I have for this week.
Ya it’s hot today but since we are in August and until October it rains...hopefully another typhoon comes I love working in typhoons!!! in a little bit we are going to play basketball! Tell max I say hi, and tell him he better not be rooting for the heat this year or I won’t talk to him when I get home..lol what cruise are they on? Where they going?
I know I’m working on my nails. My new member slaps my hand if he sees me doing it. lol How’s the fam? Didn't get any letters this last week. Oh forgot to tell you about zone conference. Way good. President Bishop talked about the Comforter. I learned a lot.
I love you!
Love, Elder Christensen
August 8, 2010 - President Bishop's Letter
Dear Elders and Sisters,
I will not write a general letter to all missionaries every week, but I will try to write when I have impressions that apply to many missionaries.
Sister Bishop and I greatly enjoyed the Zone Conferences. We are overwhelmed with your goodness, your faithfulness, and with our love for you. We are excited about the Simplified Curriculum. If we can help our investigators feel the spirit even more while we teach, more will be baptized, stay strong in the church, attend the temple, and strengthen the church. I am gratified that so many of you are already finding ways to have the head of the house hold offer kneeling prayers, and how to get to know your investigators better by asking inspired questions.
In the last couple of weeks, several of you noted that your letters did not get transmitted. I think after about 15 minutes, the IMOS program closes down. If you have a long letter, consider writing it first on some other program, then pasting it in the IMOS Letter to the President.
I appreciate how difficult it is to keep shoes looking good when you have been rained on all week. Please see Missionary Handbook, page 11. Please polish your shoes, at least once per week. You might do that on Saturday rather than preparation day so the shoes will look sharp for Sunday. The polish will also help to protect leather from damage from the rain.
We have one change in the schedule for September. Elder Pratt, of the area presidency will be conducting a mission tour the week of September 13. We will meet with 2 zones per day for 4 days. We will tell you more on the schedule after we have more details. We were planning to start the Leadership Training that week, but now it will be pushed back a week.
Several missionaries have asked me about how to get investigators baptized if they can only attend part the meetings on Sunday. The standard is 3 weeks attendance with at least 2 of the 3 weeks all three hours. If there is some exceptional reason the person cannot attend, call me and we can discuss exceptions to the standard. However, we also need to teach about Sabbath day observance. What are the blessings of keeping the Sabbath day Holy? New members need the spiritual strength of attending all meetings. All members need the instruction from Sunday School. The sisters need the association of Relief Society. The brethren need to learn their priesthood responsibilities. How will they do that if they do not attend priesthood? All members also need the spiritual renewal that can be obtained only by dedicating Sunday to the Lord. Work, school, recreation, or bu xi ban, do not provide the blessings of keeping the Sabbath day holy. We expect Latterday Saints to keep all of the commandments including keeping the Sabbath day holy. Of course we will not exclude someone from baptism if there is a temporary conflict. But we also should work with investigators and less active members to resolve the scheduling conflict so they can come and be nourished in church and begin to contribute as well.
We love you and thank you for being worthy, obedient, diligent missionaries.
Sincerely,
President and Sister Bishop
I will not write a general letter to all missionaries every week, but I will try to write when I have impressions that apply to many missionaries.
Sister Bishop and I greatly enjoyed the Zone Conferences. We are overwhelmed with your goodness, your faithfulness, and with our love for you. We are excited about the Simplified Curriculum. If we can help our investigators feel the spirit even more while we teach, more will be baptized, stay strong in the church, attend the temple, and strengthen the church. I am gratified that so many of you are already finding ways to have the head of the house hold offer kneeling prayers, and how to get to know your investigators better by asking inspired questions.
In the last couple of weeks, several of you noted that your letters did not get transmitted. I think after about 15 minutes, the IMOS program closes down. If you have a long letter, consider writing it first on some other program, then pasting it in the IMOS Letter to the President.
I appreciate how difficult it is to keep shoes looking good when you have been rained on all week. Please see Missionary Handbook, page 11. Please polish your shoes, at least once per week. You might do that on Saturday rather than preparation day so the shoes will look sharp for Sunday. The polish will also help to protect leather from damage from the rain.
We have one change in the schedule for September. Elder Pratt, of the area presidency will be conducting a mission tour the week of September 13. We will meet with 2 zones per day for 4 days. We will tell you more on the schedule after we have more details. We were planning to start the Leadership Training that week, but now it will be pushed back a week.
Several missionaries have asked me about how to get investigators baptized if they can only attend part the meetings on Sunday. The standard is 3 weeks attendance with at least 2 of the 3 weeks all three hours. If there is some exceptional reason the person cannot attend, call me and we can discuss exceptions to the standard. However, we also need to teach about Sabbath day observance. What are the blessings of keeping the Sabbath day Holy? New members need the spiritual strength of attending all meetings. All members need the instruction from Sunday School. The sisters need the association of Relief Society. The brethren need to learn their priesthood responsibilities. How will they do that if they do not attend priesthood? All members also need the spiritual renewal that can be obtained only by dedicating Sunday to the Lord. Work, school, recreation, or bu xi ban, do not provide the blessings of keeping the Sabbath day holy. We expect Latterday Saints to keep all of the commandments including keeping the Sabbath day holy. Of course we will not exclude someone from baptism if there is a temporary conflict. But we also should work with investigators and less active members to resolve the scheduling conflict so they can come and be nourished in church and begin to contribute as well.
We love you and thank you for being worthy, obedient, diligent missionaries.
Sincerely,
President and Sister Bishop
August 2, 2010 - Letter and New Apartment
Hello My Beautiful Family,
First Congrats to the newlyweds! Tanner you look like a stud like always, and Sandra looked like a Queen! Beautiful pictures guys thank you for that! Ya go Giants. Wow you are at that game, I actually saw the end of that lol. We went over to a members house last Saturday to eat with them and my investigator that was preparing to be baptized that night! Ya it's only week 3 now and I got a baptism!!!!
So ya Dad who is this Audrey Huff? He is a stud! I saw him belt a homer as we were eating with the my gators less active dad! Did you see that one? wow it never dawned on me that you were there! so cool, saw Lincecum and almost flipped out..1 his hair is so crazy long and 2 he can pitch. haha I tried not to watch but when I told the dad if he can turn it off he said no! But now since you were there watching that makes me feel good and I was a part of the family again. lets just say I was there in spirit!
Congrats to Evan!! I hope he comes to Taiwan! Well everything has been going really good. I have alot of pics for the blog and my baptism I want to show you. let me know if you have any questions? oh me and my companion are starting to become friends, jian lin {a member} helped us out alot!
First Congrats to the newlyweds! Tanner you look like a stud like always, and Sandra looked like a Queen! Beautiful pictures guys thank you for that! Ya go Giants. Wow you are at that game, I actually saw the end of that lol. We went over to a members house last Saturday to eat with them and my investigator that was preparing to be baptized that night! Ya it's only week 3 now and I got a baptism!!!!
So ya Dad who is this Audrey Huff? He is a stud! I saw him belt a homer as we were eating with the my gators less active dad! Did you see that one? wow it never dawned on me that you were there! so cool, saw Lincecum and almost flipped out..1 his hair is so crazy long and 2 he can pitch. haha I tried not to watch but when I told the dad if he can turn it off he said no! But now since you were there watching that makes me feel good and I was a part of the family again. lets just say I was there in spirit!
Congrats to Evan!! I hope he comes to Taiwan! Well everything has been going really good. I have alot of pics for the blog and my baptism I want to show you. let me know if you have any questions? oh me and my companion are starting to become friends, jian lin {a member} helped us out alot!
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