Baptism in Beitou
I said goodbye to
Miaoli this past week. Wow, it was hard...really hard. I gave
everything to Miaoli. I really feel like I put in everything I had to
offer. As a result, I feel like Miaoli gave everything to me. It's truly
a home away from home, and the people are family. I miss them all so
much. I was picking up some things from the chapel on my last day in
Miaoli when Cash called. I told him the news and then had to wrap up the
conversation real quick...as I imagined a world without him in it, I
couldn't keep it together and started bawling (there was a lot of this
before I left). It's not really goodbye; they're all lifelong friends,
and I'll see them again. I was also blessed with a lot of cool miracles
that allowed me to know that the Lord was pleased with my efforts in
Miaoli and that I had done His will for me while there...that it was
time for me to move on. One miracle was that my recent convert, Dallin, just
happened to drive past the restaurant where we were eating our last meal
at just a time that I was able to get his attention and we were able to
say our goodbyes.
Saying good-bye to MiaoLi
Passing down the multi-generational tie that my trainer, Elder Hawkes passed down to me. Parting with Elder Raley was not easy for me, I've truly come to care for him as my "son" and we fought fear and scattered sunshine together. I will really miss having him for a companion.
Onward...I'm in Beitou!
Beitou is in northern Taipei, and it's something of a tourist spot in
the great metropolis. Getting here was something of a miracle in and of
itself. For "convenience," I decided to take all 200 pounds of my
luggage with me. It took a lot of praying, but I made it with a bit of
help.
Xinbeitou MRT station
Transfers...an opportunity to learn and grow
During studies the other day, I came across a scripture that
comforted me: 2 Nephi 10:20 "And now, my beloved brethren,
seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge concerning
these things, let us remember him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang
down our heads, for we are not cast off; nevertheless, we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land, for the Lord has made the sea our path, and we are upon an isle of the sea. Not that Beitou is better, but I felt that it was
time to really move on and put my all into Beitou. At present, it is the
will of the Lord for me to be here, and so it is the "better land" for
me at this time. My new companion is Elder Alexander from Hawaii. He's
incredible.
My new companion, Elder Alexander
At my first new convert fireside in Taipei. We went with our new member, Kenneth.
It's my first time in a 2-man apartment. We've set some new goals, and I'm learning how to do missionary work in the city. Elder Alexander is only one transfer younger than I and has been in Taipei all his mission, so he's got a lot of valuable experience he's sharing with me. We're excited for a good transfer and anticipate that we will see many a miracle during these next 6 weeks.
Pictures of Beitou
At the chapel here
The ward mission leader
Our home away from home
It has a backyard
celebration after the baptism
Good food in Beitou
We
met a cool Buddhist man on the street. He told us straight out that he was
Buddhist and had no interest in changing his religion. He then proceeded
to compliment us. He told us we needed to keep working to find those
prepared to hear our message and come unto Christ. He said he felt that
Christ would soon come again. We asked him why he felt that way, and he
proceeded to point out many of the signs of the times/recent events.
Christ will come again. I don't know when that time will come. No one
does, but it's important to be ready for that time. Come unto Christ.
Come to know Him. This can be done through prayer, scripture study,
church attendance, serving others, and working with missionaries like
us. That's our calling, to "invite others to come unto Christ." I would
invite you to work with the missionaries near you. Work with them to
find and aid others in coming to know the Savior of all the world. We
cannot fail with the Lord on our side.
I love you all!
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