Dajia hao!
I can't believe that I've been in Taiwan for over a month now.
It's surreal to say the least. I HAS NOT felt like a month. That's
saying something too considering my companion said that the beginning is REALLY
slow (when you don't know the language that well, and when you're still
learning how everything works). I'm a little afraid in all honesty.
The days go slowly and the weeks and months go fast. I'm afraid because I
think it will all be over too quickly and I'm not improving and changing myself
fast enough. I'm really trying to get this gospel in deep, but it's
difficult. I feel like I've passed through the initial barrier of
diligence and I need to find new ways to push myself. Any suggestions or
advice would be helpful. I want to improve. I just want to be the
best missionary that I can be, that I may be an instrument in the hands of the
Lord. This work is so true and so powerful. I really want your
thoughts.
I apologize if my English in emails is getting worse. My
vocabulary is shrinking and my grammar is more Chinese-like. I also am
forgetting how to spell a little bit. We'll see how that changes over the
course of two years.
With regards to Mother's Day, I really hope that Skype works out as
well. I would love to see you guys and you can see how different I look
already. I really feel like I look quite a bit different.
Unfortunately, the time is definitively forty minutes. It will be a fast
call that I'll be using a timer for, so prepare accordingly. I want the
first 20 or so minutes to just be random talking, then I want to talk to
everyone one on one for a couple minutes before we close. Also, I didn't
send off that package last week, but I'll send it this week by air and you
should get it in about 10-15 days. It will include Mother's Day items and
Dad's Birthday items. It's nothing major. In fact, you probably won't
be able to use any of it, but I hope it's the thought that counts.
:P Oh yes, and plan for me to get on at around 9:00ish. The other
Elders will be going first so I'll probably get on at about 9:15, so please
extend that window of contact a little bit! :D I'm super excited. I
thought about it this morning and I'm very excited indeed.
Mother!! Xingku ni (ask for a translation on that one haha)! You're working like crazy! What a great example!
Keep it up! I know you're doing great! By the way, and I mean the
following, you better have something prepared on that ever-elusive book you're
writing next Monday. We'll be discussing it. Prepare
accordingly. Thank you for your advice this last week. I've
reflected on it multiple times. It helped motivate me to work harder, but
to not be so hard on myself when I didn't achieve my goals exactly the way I
wanted. That's hard to explain, but it was very inspired I think.
It really did a lot to help me stay focused. If you ever again have such
inspired counsel, don't hesitate in sharing it. I miss you and love you
very much. I look at these broken families, or families without the
gospel and I am thankful for what I have in you, Dad, and Eric. I hope
you know how much I love you all because I can never truly express that
love. I long for these people to have what we have. Please don't go
a day without appreciating this gospel and appreciating the Celestial Family
that we have (and I know already appreciate it). It's something
far more special than I ever before realized.
Dad! Name lihai! You're destroying it out there
on your bike! I'm growing to enjoy cycling more and more. I like
how much weight I'm losing. I'm always hungry, but it's worth it. I
really would like to try maybe when I get back a little. Thank you for
what you said about the Seminary thing and about me. I can't really
describe why, but there's a certain power behind your kindness. It's
special. Thank you. :) Keep up the awesome work and
dedication! I know you push yourself (perhaps too hard), but it inspires
me like you wouldn't imagine. I love the feeling of being utterly
exhausted when I go to bed each night. Thank you for your example.
My companion and I actually noticed the large moon last night. It
was funny that you mentioned it. Very cool. I'm trying not to think
too much about basketball and such, but I contacted this man who was riding his
bike last night. He spoke a little English (like most Taiwanese do), and
he asked where I was from. I said America, and asked if he had heard of
Utah. In broken English, he said, Oh! Utah Jazz! I was like, ya! Have you heard of the Suns? He's like, Steve Nash.
We hit it off. I set him up for Wednesday at 7:00p.m. :) He said
that Steve Nash was his hero. :) He's so getting baptized. :D
I'm glad that Mitt Romney has a chance. It's a huge chance from
what I can tell. That would be so cool. I bet him running for
President helps American missionary work. I bet a lot don't like him and
associate the church with him, but it gets people interested and that's all we
need. I'm thoroughly convinced that a HUGE percentage of people will join
the church if they will just do what we say like meet with us. It's
seemingly never a case of doing everything and not getting an answer or
whatever. They're always not doing something like reading, church,
praying, etc. Missionary work is all about helping them do the things
necessary. If they do, they get baptized. That's how I view it.
I'll try to send a couple more pictures this week. :)
Our numbers were low this week. My companion and I are trying to
identify what we're doing wrong because we're honestly working hard.
:/ We'll figure it out. Any advice would be lovely. I always
appreciate the inspired insight of my parents and brother. :)
Thank you for sending such inspiring emails each week. They
instill me with added strength and motivation that keeps me raring to go
throughout the ensuing week. It's wonderful. Some feel like emails
are a waste, others get too trunky, I feel like
they're just my cup of tea. I don't get trunky, I just get
motivated. Thank you for keeping yourselves busy, industrious, and on the
straight and narrow path, because I know I now don't have to worry about my
family. It helps me focus on the work. My invitation this week is
to look for the miracles all around you. They are everywhere. It
took me until I went on a mission to notice them. They are huge and
obvious, so I invite you to find them in the upcoming week as you continue to
pray and study your scriptures. I'll also be following up on that. ;)
I love you all so much. I couldn't ask for a better family.
You are all wonderful examples of the believers. Keep it up and may the
Lord keep blessing you for all of the wonderful effort you put forth! I'm
excited for next week! God speed!
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