week 12 in Xizhi: visiting a volcano and the talk I gave at church on Sunday

We started the week off with an exchange with the zone leaders; it was really good for me. Granted we did run a 5k for morning exercise. Had I known how far we were going I wouldn't have moved at the pace I did. Haha. A few things Monday and Tuesday reminded me of my days as a new missionary (particularly Miaoli). We set some goals Monday night and worked with faith to reach them. Miracle after miracle occurred. We taught someone to pray on the street for the first time in a long time. It felt amazing. I think I've gotten to the point where I feel like I know what I'm doing for the most part, and so I don't rely on the Lord as I once did. As a result, I think my expectations have lessened and I've just assumed my best was enough when really my best will never be enough. I need to rely more on the Lord. Relying on Him will allow me to raise expectations and have the faith to see miracles each day in His service. I'm grateful for the growth I've made and for continued learning.

Combined District Meeting

District

Getting to see my MTC companion

Exchanges with zone leaders

Today has been the week of the Chinese New Year. We've been alternating between doing the mandatory deep cleaning of our poor apartment and eating til we explode in the homes of amazing members.

My Study Area

Taiwanese people are too nice (I asked a guy where I could go to get a part for my bike and he fixed it on the spot)

Social media is making sharing our English class much easier: especially effective is Elder Steffen's new website he coded for the class: taiwaneng.com

I spoke in church yesterday. I was pretty sick and couldn't stop coughing before and afterwards, but I was blessed to be able to deliver my talk without issue. I spoke on the Spirit.

God is our loving Father in Heaven. He is all-knowing and His love is both perfect and infinite. He works through various means to give us guidance in our lives to bring us happiness, security, and success. More than anything else, He wants us to one day return back to live with Him. One of the main ways He communicates with us is through the Spirit.

"And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
Moroni 10:5

The home phone is a decent piece of equipment, and it's certainly preferred over earlier innovations, but it has one major drawback. It's severely limited in mobility.

In our day, most everyone uses cell phones. With the advent of the cell phone we can communicate most anywhere at any time.

Before we are baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, we have only a home phone to receive heavenly direction and guidance. When we go to church, read our scriptures, serve one another, or do any other thing pleasing to God we will likely feel the presence of His Spirit. After baptism, we essentially have a spiritual cell phone.

"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all those who partake of it; that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him, and keep his commandments which he hath given them, that they may always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen."
Moroni 4:3

Yet, there are still situations resulting in failed communication:

No Battery
What good is a phone without any charge? We can keep our phones alive through regular CPR (Church attendance, prayer, and reading the scriptures).

No Service
Sometimes while hiking a tall mountain or in other circumstances we lose our signal. Church, our homes, and temples are all places with a good spiritual signal, but it's not possible for us to never go out into the world. "Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen."
Doctrine & Covenants 87:8 When we keep God's commandments and are worthy, almost anywhere we go can be a holy place.

Too Busy
Frequently the sister missionaries will try to get ahold of us by calling my phone. More often than not, they end up having to call my missionary companion who then relays the message to me. It's only an hour or so later when I look at my phone I learn they had attempted to call me first. We need to make sure to take a moment in our day to pause. We need to slow down a little bit and be open to receive the messages God desires to give us.

Reputation
"But wickedness did prevail upon the face of the whole land, insomuch that the Lord did take away his beloved disciples, and the work of miracles and of healing did cease because of the iniquity of the people. And there were no gifts from the Lord, and the Holy Ghost did not come upon any, because of their wickedness and unbelief. But I did remain among them, but I was forbidden to preach unto them, because of the hardness of their hearts; and because of the hardness of their hearts the land was cursed for their sake." Mormon 1:13-14, 17 If we never answer our phone or answer and consistently refuse to help when called upon, people eventually just won't bother calling us. This doesn't mean they don't still care about us, but they know us well enough to know it won't do any good to call. When the Lord speaks to us by way of His Spirit, we need to be quick to act. Let the Lord know He can rely on you.

I was once driving on a fairly rural strip of road back in Missouri. I was late for something and there wasn't anything around (no people, no cars, no nothing). I used this to justify driving a little faster than normal. As I went, I had a distinct thought: "Slow down." I thought it strange as I couldn't see any reason to slow down and so dismissed the thought. Only a moment passed before I had the same clear impression: "Slow down." This time I listened and reduced my speed well below the speed limit. As I rounded the bend in the road I found there was a large deer in the middle of the road. Had I not reduced my speed, I would have hit the deer likely resulting in severe injury or death.

God called. I ended the call. I'm grateful He called again and that I was in a position allowing me to answer and respond to that call.

I know God lives and loves us. His desire is always that which is best for us. To those still using a landline, I invite you to upgrade to a cell phone sooner rather than later. To those with cell phones (those baptized and confirmed into the Lord's church), keep your phone in working condition and be prepared to take the call when it comes.

Transfers is this week. I don't expect I will be going anywhere, but we're fairly certain Elder Steffen will be moving to a new area as he has been here in Xizhi for 6 months now. I've enjoyed serving with him. I've learned a great deal, and we've had fun together working in the service of the Lord. It's been a blessing to see his growth.

To those facing temptations and trials seemingly larger than life and to those simply fighting the daily battles to live a good life I invite you to come and find peace in Christ. I have been blessed in all things as I've sought Him. He is there. I love the poem about footprints in the sand. If you don't know it, you'll have to give it a look. 

Hiking a volcano for P-day

I love my mission. I wouldn't trade it for the world. As always, all is well.

Elder Dickson