Week 10 in Xizhi: lots of earthquakes in Taiwan

Cold week...Taiwan doesn't believe in heaters as the temperature stays fairly warm most of the time. Most of the time...add the incessant downpour and it's a fun time. I did get waterproof gloves though, so all is well.

Board games and pizza with much of the zone was fun today. We played some Avalon and Jungle Speed, and Pizza Hut all-you-can-eat pizza isn't a bad deal either ;)

鄧文輝 Harry's Baptism

We were excited Harry was able to be baptized this past weekend. It was special to see him go from Family Mart to the font. It was only 8 or so weeks ago we met him while he was at work. We chatted for a moment and became fast friends. It was a privilege to see his understanding and faith grow step by step. I was overjoyed to hear of his testimony of the Savior on Saturday, and I was especially glad to hear of his testimony of the Book of Mormon. He read the following excerpt from President Nelson's talk on the Book of Mormon (I'll attach the full talk at the bottom):

"Immersing ourselves regularly in the truths of the Book of Mormon can be a life-changing experience. One of our missionary granddaughters, Sister Olivia Nelson, promised an investigator that if he would read the Book of Mormon daily, his test scores on his university exams would improve. He did, and they did."

He then shared of a test he had been preparing to take for a time now and that he had some anxiety over it. He decided he would put the Book of Mormon to the test and studied it each day. He got his results the day before the baptism and found he had passed.

I love what is taught in Alma 31:5
"And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God."

The" words of God" (scriptures) carry great power. As we read, we come to a better understanding of who God is, who we are, and how we can find greater peace and joy in both our current circumstances and far into the future.

I've also found greater happiness and satisfaction in sharing the gospel with my own grandfather, Grandpa Bob, than I've felt in a long time. I love studying the scriptures together with him as we both learn together and as my grandpa just has the best sense of humor of anyone you've ever known.

Pres. Nelson's talk on the Book of Mormon. Give it a look :D  His talk

Enjoy your week! Choose to be happy today :)

All is well,
Elder Dickson

Reed has now experienced at least 5 Earthquakes and quite a few Typhoons on his mission.  On P-day he wrote that the whole building shook, teetered, and swayed and that was 2 days before the big Earthquake today.  There's actually been 10 Earthquakes in Taiwan in just the last 3 days.