Week 5: I experienced my first Earthquake this past week and I am supposed to experience a direct hit by Typhoon Megi tomorrow!

Salutations!

This week was a battle. I came across two of the major obstacles/trials that I've been anticipating from the time I got my call to serve in Taiwan in addition to several unexpected ones. It was interesting though. Due to my anticipation of these challenges, I've been preparing myself mentally for months to face them. So, when the time came, and I recognized that I was in the thick of it, I felt a surge of strength and inner commitment to push through. I was actually excited to have run across these difficulties so that I could face and overcome them...I also wanted some cool stories to tell ;)

Weekly Menu: Stinky Tofu (yes, it really does stink...but not too bad on the taste buds), Oreo cheesecake (there was a birthday this week), tomato egg noodle soup (it's as delicious as it sounds and quite affordable), steak (with all you can eat soup on the side), chocolate smoothies (to celebrate my companion's 1 year on the island mark and my 1 month on the island mark, they don't have shakes in Taiwan so it's just ice with chocolate flavoring, but not bad), finally a member took us to a chidaobao (literally translates eat-til-full, always a good experience).

 Unfortunately, my stomach also finally woke up to the beating it's received these past few weeks. This is one of the aforementioned challenges I've been anticipating. There were some painful and rough times, but I feel better now and am back to my good old garbage disposal self again ;)

Steak and soup

One of my focuses this week has been on having a "stripling warrior mentality." The Book of Mormon tells a story of an army of 2000 young men who go to battle in the defense of their families, their freedoms, and their religion. They're all extremely young and inexperienced in battle, but they've been taught well by their parents, and they trust in the Lord. Alma 56: 47 talks of how they had never fought, yet did not doubt...did not fear. Alma 57: 21 talks of their exact obedience to their leaders and the commandments of God. Finally, Alma 57: 25-27--the miracle. These 2000 stripling warriors were involved in a massive battle. All were severely wounded, and thousands of their brethren were slain, but of the 2000, not one perished. They were preserved; they were empowered...because they put their trust in God and held to what they knew. They held to their faith. I'm new out here. I'm among the least experienced in the mission, but this doesn't mean I can't contribute. I can hold to those things I know. I can hold to my testimony and my faith, and, as I do these things, I know I will see miracles. 

Some sights around Hualien including the Pacific Ocean

Yet again, I want to talk a little bit about the power of specific prayer. On Thursday of this past week we went down to GuangFu (little less than an hour on the train). From there we ended up biking another 1/2 hour south. Due to several factors beyond our control, our plan was to work our way all the way back up to HuaLian throughout the day as we went about working (this would mean several hours of biking through hilly terrain at sustained high speeds). By the time we had made it the 1/2 hour south on our bikes I was dead. I wasn't going to stop, but my body was telling me that it wasn't going to keep going. Already this tired and a full day of tough riding to go...I did the only thing I could. I prayed. I prayed specifically and fervently that God would give me the strength I needed to keep moving forward, the strength to do His work, to get back home.

We continued. We worked in several towns in the area and started steadily making our way back north stopping along the way to visit people in various towns. Heavy rain met us along the way at several points, but we eventually got up to Fenglin where we met up with the bishop. He helped us with one of our lessons, but then he decided to take us to his home and make us dinner; it reminded me of my dad's cooking. He took a lot of seemingly random ingredients and made a masterpiece of a meal. We visited one more individual. It was time--time to begin a couple hours of biking hard through the night in the, at this point, buckets of rain coming down with a powerful headwind all the way. But no, the bishop got a call and learned that they were having a meeting in Hualian and wanted him to attend right at that moment if possible. Yeah, we got a ride all the way back from Fenglin to our home...at which point we were greeted with banana chocolate cream cake...the Lord hears our prayers. They aren't always answered in the way we anticipate, but when they aren't, it's all the better :D God's plan is the best plan.

Some cultural treats:

wild monkey

frog on the table

Lots of bikes outside a restaurant

statues

looks like a superhero hideout

Pack of wild dogs

Another of the long anticipated trials was the difficulty of biking. It was just a moment where I thought to myself...wow...am I really doing this? The sky was unleashing its fury in the form of a strong headwind and thick, stinging rain. We were cruising along at top gear speeds down an uncomfortably thin, overgrown trail. On one side, there was a cement barrier or at times a drop into a ditch. On the other side, there were heavy, prickly, wildly overgrown bushes. We pushed through...bushes lashing us in the arms, hands, and face with mud and sweat caking our faces, but we weren't stopping. In that moment, I smiled...I actually visibly smiled (though it could be argued that it was more of a wince, but no matter). I smiled because despite the opposition and pain we faced...we were stronger. We could do it, and we would do it, with the Lord's help...(it'll be good footage to look back on in heaven)

And now to the weekly natural disaster report...over to you Bill...

There were a couple of earthquakes this week. One I felt noticeably, as the earth literally shook us, but the other not so much. We also have another typhoon in the forecast for tonight/tomorrow. Prayers are much appreciated, but whatever the case, I trust myself to the care of God.

Typhoon Megi

I got to play ping pong this week! It took me a bit to warm up, but all those nights playing in the basement with dad really paid off when I crossed swords...er....paddles...with a native. It was a good time...and a really good work-out...

Fun fact: The Taiwanese use the LDS gospel art everywhere. It's on the billboards and meetinghouses of other churches. It's printed and sold at random street shops, etc. They have no idea, but it's quite entertaining (probably not totally legal, but it's Taiwan...)

Last P-day we went to Water Curtain Cave again:

Those are bats!

I had the wonderful opportunity to give a blessing to a member who was feeling less than 100% this week. And...I got to do it in Chinese. The Spirit was definitely involved; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to say much of anything. It was a very cool experience to be able and worthy to render that service.

We found and met with some amazing people this week. The Spirit was involved several times in helping us to make U-turns and find those the Lord wanted us to find. I met a guy who reminds me a ton of my uncle, Sheldon. He's super cool and I'm excited to keep working with him. 

Last week on Sunday we discussed the importance of families in priesthood meeting. We talked specifically about the role of the father in a successful family. As part of the lesson/discussion, I was asked to share what I thought my dad's three greatest strengths were. Immediately three things came to mind. Expressing them in Chinese...now that was a little more difficult, but I was able to get them across with a little assistance: Integrity, Diligence, and TIME. My dad has been an incredible example/role model for me and has been instrumental in helping me become who I am today. He has always taught the best way--by example. He's a busy guy...he really is...between work, church, and leadership responsibilities he's always got something to keep him busy, yet, he made it clear what was of greatest importance to him: his family. He always made time for me. This is one of the ways by which I know he loves me for love is really spelled T-I-M-E. This week I invite you to take a little extra time with the ones you love. Tell them you love them, but more importantly, give them your time. For more information on the purpose of families and how to have the most successful families possible, read The Family: A Proclamation to the World.  Here is the link:  The Family

This week is one of the best in the year. Why, you ask? It's General Conference weekend (not in Hualian as it needs to be translated first, but in America, it is)! Twice a year, the living prophet and other church leaders speak on various issues relative to the issues in the world and what we personally can do to meet them with courage. You cannot watch General Conference and not come away feeling inspired and ready to take on the world. It's incredible. If you think you've learned anything from me, you'll learn one-hundred-fold from those who will be speaking this weekend. I would invite you to watch at least some of it this weekend. It will bless your life and give you direction as to how you ought to move forward in taking on the challenges you are currently facing in your day-to-day life. I would further invite you to go with a question you would like to receive an answer to. Write it down. Watch. Listen. You will receive an answer. Here is how you can watch General Conference, remember the times listed are Mountain Time so Central time would be one hour later. Times to watch Conference

I wish you all the best!!!

All is well,Elder Dickson

Week 4 in Hualien County Taiwan September 19, 2016

Preface: I've come to grips with a saddening reality this week: no matter how much I would like to...I simply can't bring all of you to Taiwan with me. My time to communicate is very short, and so, I'm going to condense my content a lot to a few really cool/important things rather than trying to cram a week into an hour. I think it will be for the best :)

All is good. The typhoon was pretty crazy, but, at the end of the day, it wasn't much more than a good Missouri storm. We were safe. Thank you for all the prayers that went out on my behalf.  The Lord heard your prayers and our prayers and we were safe!

On Sept. 12th for P-day we went to Water Curtain Cave:

Here are some beautiful pictures from the Far Glory Hotel that I described last week:

It was also Mid Autumn/Moon Festival this week. Lotta good food...

Whether because of the holiday or the typhoon there wasn't much open during the Mid Autumn Moon Festival so we ate at 7-11!

I talked about "absolute truths" in one of my earlier posts and about how sad it is that the idea of absolute truth (moral right and wrong among other things) is disintegrating and the implications this has for society as we know it. There's an incredible address I heard this week. It's a talk given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency.  It was given at a CES devotional.  In his address, he shares a story of 4 or 5 blind men who come across an elephant. They all try to describe what they've found. One finds the tail and describes it as furry and slender. Another finds the leg and describes it as rough and thick. Another finds the trunk and describes it as wet and like a snake. They're all telling the truth. They're all right, yet they get into a debate over what it is they've found. There's much to be learned from this account and from the rest of the address as well. If you have the time, I invite you to read and think about the talk. It opened my mind to a lot of new insights and I learned much.  Here is the link  What is Truth?

There are a lot of mosquitoes and yes I get bitten.There are a lot of crazy bugs! Some cultural differences: The bathroom is weird...the shower is the room (like the toilet and sink are part of the shower...). They also have the squatter toilets without the seats.  It turns out we can have a warm shower it just involved changing a battery.  We also have a water filter at our apartment and at the church, we just have to remember to get a new one when the current one stops working.  I'm getting a haircut later today. 

These pictures are from P-day on September 5th:

The Zone: 

We somehow failed to plan for Sunday meals again. We scraped together something like food...almost...for breakfast, and we then finished it off for lunch. Dinner was still in question (as part of keeping the Sabbath Day holy we don't shop). As a result, we weren't sure we'd eat, or, if we did, how cardboard would taste with ketchup over it...yeah...however, despite our poor planning, the Lord saw fit to bless us. We arrived at church to find that the members had prepared a huge slab of banana bread and a bag full of pumpkin bread steamed buns. We hadn't told anyone we needed food, but we ate last night...and we ate well :) See Luke 12:22-31 --22 "And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

 23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

 24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

 25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

 26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

 27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

 28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

 31 ¶But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." This also reminded me of a talk given by our prophet, Thomas S. Monson We Never Walk Alone. God provides.

Fun Extremes: This week we ate both McDonald's and Pizza Hut...tasted like home. On the other hand we were given some spicy squid paste for all your breakfast toast needs ;)

 My favorite food is quabing or juabing but there are SO MANY GOOD FOODS HERE!

Gift of Spicy Squid Paste:

That's kind of how the food is in Taiwan. It's either REALLY good or REALLY...well...not like home exactly...

We had a lesson this week with Wang Ya Hui. She's incredible; she keeps commitments and desires to be baptized. However, her parents actively oppose her and will not allow her to go to church. We've continued meeting with and sharing spiritual thoughts with her each week to keep her spirits up even though she's had all the discussions. We shared "Yinwei Ta" ("Because of Him") with her this week. It's an incredible video about what the Savior means to us--what is possible through Him. This is my invitation for the week. Look up and watch "Because of Him;" then, share it with a friend or family member. It will lift both you and them :) Because of Him

We make goals and plan daily so that we might meet the goals we have set. This process is always done prayerfully. However, recently our plans never seem to go...well...as planned. We get to the point that, for all intents and purposes, our goals are impossible to achieve. At first, it was rough, but now, these are my favorite times. I call these times "Miracle Time!" Simply because we cannot do it on our own. We've done all we can. We say a specific prayer to help us reach whatever goal it is we wish to attain that seems impossible.Then, we go. It has been amazing the miracles we've seen. (D&C 123:17)--17 "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

Last P-day, we set a goal to have one "peike" (a lesson where we have a member present with us as we teach). We literally called through the entire ward list. There was no one. However, I knew the Lord wanted us to reach this righteous goal we had set prayerfully, and so, failure simply was not an option. At the same time we had done all we could. That is, all we could besides pray. My companion and I said a prayer that we would be able to do the will of the Lord and have a peike that day. I then coerced my companion into letting us make a couple more calls (one each). Nothing. However, I still believed we would have a peike that day. Later, on the way to Zhixue (about a 30 min. bike ride in top gear), we got a call about 5 min. out. It was Brother Su from the ward. He asked if we had a lesson he could peike for us that evening...yeah. We had a peike. It didn't come together until 5 min.before our lesson, but it came. We can trust the Lord. Don't be afraid to pray for specific help. There is power in specific prayers. 

I heard a song this week by the Nashville Tribute Band. I'm not sure what it's titled, but it talks about the relationship between Joseph and Hyrum Smith--their brotherhood. It talks about how Hyrum Smith followed Joseph to the end, through all persecutions and sufferings imaginable...even unto death. I got a little emotional as I listened and thought of my brother, Hyrum. I love him, and he loves me. I applied the lyrics to him and how I would follow him to the end regardless of what roads that would require me to travel...because he's my brother; I love him (don't worry I love you too Emmy, Mallory, Lucia, Alanna,  mom, dad, and the whole family...even Charly-our dog). What I'm trying and praying to be able to do is to see everyone we meet, every person we run into on the street, as I see my brother...to truly love and care for them.

Alma 17:11 "And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls."

There's a quote. It reads: 

"Every person you meet is worth dying for, at least that is what the Savior taught."-Emily Firestone 

And He sealed it with His blood. He suffered and died for all of us...but He would have done it just for you, just for the person sitting across the room, just for the man smoking on the street corner. Just for you. He loves you perfectly. I wish to share that love. Let this be our common goal; just imagine the good we could do :) 

All is well,

Elder Reed Dickson

3rd week in Taiwan September 12, 2016

Greetings! I hope this past week has been a good one. If not, no worries; that's what this week is for :) I've decided to break it up into days this week so here we go:

Monday: P-day! We went down to the beach and played sand volleyball and ultimate frisbee. Afterwards we went to get Cuabing (shaved ice, but not...quite heavenly and not found in the states). The laundry machines in our apartment don't always work...usually not, but we always find some way to clean our clothes. Emailing was hard last week. I was brought to tears as I wrote to my family; I don't think I ever fully comprehended and appreciated the love we have for each other before leaving them. However, I resolved to lose myself in the work after receiving an email from my mom about making the people here my family. Missionary: one who leaves that family for a short time so that others can be with their families for eternity. I was able to forget myself by looking outward with the desire to serve and bless the people of Taiwan.

Also, the bike of one of the zone leaders was stolen from our garage. We watched the security footage, but we couldn't ascertain as to how or by who it was stolen. I've started locking my bike (even though "no one in Taiwan steals anything"). We had the most amazing homemade bread for lunch. It was soooo good.

YUM!

I also had to do some repentance. I'd been carrying too much weight on my own. I altered my expectations for myself to a little more realistic. I turned to the Lord and sought out His will. I felt that He was pleased with my work thus far and that I need to be patient with myself. It's really amazing the miracles He's worked already in helping me adjust. The Lord has paid the price of all our suffering. Give it to Him. You were never meant to carry it alone. There is joy to be found in repentance.

Tuesday: We visited some members (shared gospel messages with them and asked them if they knew anyone whom we could visit). They didn't have anyone, but we offered to help them in any way possible. My companion conducted a baptismal interview. Meanwhile...he had me go through and call everyone on the ward list to set up times to meet with them. Yeah. Wow. I used to think it was scary to make calls back home in English, but I was to call "strangers" (to me) in a foreign language and attempt to figure how to say their names in the process. Here's the miracle. I wasn't scared. I wasn't stressed. I was calm and was able to make many calls successfully. It was funny though: I accidentally called and tried to set up with the members we had met with earlier that day and due to some misunderstanding on my part this phone call would have been rather amusing to any third party.

We also had zone conference; it was amazing! We had several wonderful training sessions and set goals for moving forward as a zone. The APs were also there for exchanges with the zone leaders, and so, my apartment that night consisted of 2 Assistants to the Mission President, 2 Zone Leaders, 1 District Leader, and me. It was fun. We went to a beautiful part to tract at one point. It was gorgeous, but unfortunately, most people were at school or work. We also met with a man due to the craziest series of "coincidences" (though in missionary work there is no such thing). He got a call in the middle of our lesson, talked for a bit, then handed us the phone...much to our surprise, we heard the voice of the senior missionary couple serving in the area. Turns out, there are roughly 30 families in the area who we may come into contact with as a result of this event. It would be too complicated to explain with the time I have, but it was definitely a miracle. 

Wednesday: This day was amazing! I woke up and learned that the xiaoheiwen (black Taiwanese mosquitoes) had gotten me the previous day. I was covered in bites and terribly sore from biking. Also my fingers are pretty torn up. I felt miserable physically, but wow was it a wonderful day. I really lost myself in the work and really loved the people. Everyone we talked to...I just wanted what was best for them. I wanted to serve them and felt so happy. We also had pasta for dinner. With a fork!? It was really awkward to wield, but still oddly effective for eating my dinner. We had banana milk too (good stuff).

We also got permission to translate for the police as a service opportunity. We taught Peter Pan today. That's literally the translation of his name. He and his daughter are amazing. They almost seem as unreal as Peter Pan. We also got to teach English class. I love teaching English to these people; they're so cool. I also realized that while I have had a lot of stress...I haven't had any distress--I have the resources necessary to meet the demands placed upon me. Chief among these is prayer. Without fail, when I pray for comfort or strength, the Lord responds. I trust Him. Through him I can do all things. I'm finding my companion to be more and more amazing over time. We also engaged in "phone caroling" in the evening.  I also narrowed my many good goals to a few "best" goals so as to be able to better accomplish them and relieve stress. It's better to have a single focus and move to other things as you complete them.

Thursday: I went on exchange with Elder Miner (one of the ZLs). He does things very differently, but I was able to get new perspectives/ideas and learned much. He also bikes like a maniac...adventure was out there...and we found it. A member took us to eat at a place called the Farglory hotel. It was an all-you-can-eat place situated on the top of a mountain on the coast overlooking the ocean (very high-class and delicious). We thanked him repeatedly to which he told us the best way to thank him was to fill our mouths with more food...so we did. I've never been so full. I also got to lead a ward correlation meeting with the ward mission leader. I was blessed to be able to express the things I needed to.

The Farglory Hotel

Friday: The skies fell down. It poured...I didn't think missionaries could swim, but they clearly can in some cases. The water literally came up to the axles of the wheels on our bikes in some places. The roads were rivers. However, we were blessed in our efforts and found two investigators we hadn't been able to find since my arriving in Taiwan. We also found a huge spider. It crawled by my foot and snatched up a cockroach as we were talking with someone. It was the size of my hand, but not near the size of the banana spiders we saw up in the jungle. they're about the size of my head if not bigger in some cases.

 The spider

 During studies this morning, I studied about how to work with members in PMG. Near the end of studies, I suddenly wanted to find my patriarchal blessing. I knew where I had left it, but it was gone along with other important paperwork like my immunizations record. I freaked out for a moment after a thorough search. Then, I prayed. Shortly thereafter I found that the desk had eaten them and they were beneath the drawers inside the desk. However, with the papers I had lost was another paper. It was a list of ways to involve members in missionary work--what I had been studying all morning! The Lord works in mysterious ways and we may not always understand why things are happening in the process, but, in the end, it will work out. God has a plan for each of us. We can trust Him.

It has rained and rained 

(and this was before the typhoon that was on it's way)

 tons of rain+silk tie+white shirt=bad idea

Saturday: I was sad for the people today. I wasn't down myself, but sad for them. We talked to so many people from so many different walks of life today. Yet, no one was willing to listen. The gospel could bless their lives so very much...they are fond of saying "bu yong" (it's of no use to me). If only they understood...we'll keep at it though. Somewhere there's someone who's willing to listen. I also discovered a major cultural divide--service. I studied service in my studies this morning and resolved to serve everyone we met. However, my efforts didn't go over very well. In America, service is viewed very positively and you offer to help until they let you or you just jump in and help. In Asian culture, service is closely tied to weakness. To offer your help is to suggest that they are incapable themselves. So very sad, but service is really hard to come by here. I learned these lessons slower than my trainer would have liked today...but I just wanted to help. I'm still determined that there are those out there that could really use our help, but for the time being I'll focus on how we can help most--bringing them unto Christ.

I realized that there's a weird phenomenon when I bike. My satchel bag rests across my chest as a seat belt would, and so, in my mind I think I'm wearing a seat belt. I didn't realize this till we went somewhere without our bags one day and I suddenly felt very vulnerable. It's really kind of funny. I call it my "safety bag/bag belt." There was also a ward activity celebrating the moon festival. It. Was. A. Party. The members are like one huge family. They had a feast prepared. They had a karaoke competition. There was dancing, singing...they were so goofy and so much fun. The atmosphere was wonderful. Us, as missionaries, performed a few pieces and finished with a 6 person piano-guys-style "heart and soul" accompanied with original missionary lyrics written by a couple of sisters in our zone. That was fun...and we actually won some "ice cream" bars and fruit for our performance. 

Sunday: I've really adjusted. I dreamed in Chinese last night. I'm able to understand and communicate in Chinese. I even woke up two minutes before the alarm went off feeling happy and ready to tackle the day. I'm still working on the difference in portion sizes... ;) Spiders took up residency in my helmet today. Yep.

I led a discussion in gospel principles class today on tithing without knowing how to say "tithing." That was interesting, but we got through all right. We also met with the 1st counselor in the stake presidency. This past week several general authorities, the stake presidency, and our bishop were in the area of my companion and I. They've been impressed that it is the will of the Lord to start a new branch in the southern part, FengLin--nothing...to a full operational branch...in 3 months. We need 60 members and at least 4 active Melchizedek priesthood holders to accomplish this. I felt impressed my first week at church that the Lord intended to double the size of the ward. It seemed crazy, but it appears it was His will. There are many obstacles to overcome. The bishop's son was in a serious accident just after they undertook this initiative. He is in the hospital with internal bleeding. This takes our best resource and ally out of the equation. It is a testimony to me of the reality and possibility of us accomplishing this goal of starting a branch in FengLin. The adversary is aware of our efforts and will do all he can to stop us, but we will continue. There will be more opposition down the road, but I'm committed, and I trust the Lord. 

I've thought a lot about what the gospel means to me this week. It really is everything. My friend Ben Hale told me about a talk entitled:  Do We Really Know What We Have? I'm having my parents attach it to this blog post, please read it.

  If you haven't obtained a copy of the Book of Mormon yet, please do. Read it and pray about it. Ask God if it be true. He will manifest the truthfulness of it to you. 

"I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 

This week hasn't been easy, but, in the work of salvation no price is too much to pay. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support! Have the best week!

All is well,

Elder Dickson