Week 4 in Taoyuan

The hike last P-day was crazy. We hiked to the top of the world and back, but it was a blast! We finished our last companion exchange this week. Up to now, I've spent more time in Taoyuan away from my companion than I have with him. Elder Moss who came on island at the same time I did is nothing short of a legend, and I was blessed to learn a great deal from him over the course of the exchange. It was wonderful to be with Elder Raley for a day. I'm glad he's so nearby; he's grown a great deal since training, and we had a good time together.

Views from the top of the world!

 With Elder Raley

View of the city in the distance

Elder Moss

 

It's hard to believe, but I will hit my year-mark on island this next week. I'm liking Taoyuan more and more. I'm getting pretty close with the members and our zone is simply the best. English class was great. We talked about ethical dilemmas and threw super heroes into the mix. It was awesome this week. One of our investigators who previously wasn't terribly interested in learning more about the message we share contacted us after English class and practically begged us to come and teach him the following day. Him, and two of his friends are now progressing towards baptism.

Great food

We were fed by a lot of members this past week. Among them was a member of the stake presidency. Unfortunately, he was involved in a minor automobile accident on the way over and was unable to join us and his family. It was nice, however, to be able to share a message of comfort and peace with his family at this time.

We've got 4 younger punk investigators that I call and consider my friends. We're still running laps for them. We average the number of cigarettes they smoke and run that many laps the following day. Either they're going to quit smoking, or we're going to be really healthy. They were smoking around 30 a day, but they claim to be under 10 a day for the most part as of late. We're not sure if they just feel bad or if they're actually quitting, but we've got hope for them.

Elder Chang would love this place

Just an average spider here

Baptisms

Ward mission leader

Taoyuan: Traditional music festival at the Art Center

We had a cool experience this week with something of an atheist and his wife. They just couldn't understand how we could possibly be so absolutely certain of things we had never seen. We held up a sure witness under intense questioning and I couldn't deny what I knew to be true. As I reflected on the experience that night, I was amazed by our own certainty. We really do know. I know God is my loving Father in Heaven. He's yours. You can know this to be true too. Don't know how? Ask the missionaries. They can help you. It was a weekend of miracles. Beck was baptized and confirmed. We attended the baptism of one of Elder Raley's investigators I interviewed. I also got word of at least 4 more investigators who passed baptismal interviews this past weekend and are being baptized in the coming week. The Lord is hastening His work.

I love you all!!! 

All is well,

Elder Dickson
丁聖張老

Week 3 in Taoyuan: Using sidewalk chalk can be expensive!

 Construction site in Taiwan

 

What a week! Monday was Preparation Day. Tuesday we had District Meeting after which Elder Smith and I hopped on a bus bound for Taipei for exchanges with the assistants. 

 

Anoop from Taipei

 

101

 

 

 

We got back just in time to teach English class on Wednesday night. The following morning, we got up early to prepare for zone conference. At the conclusion of zone conference, we began an exchange with Elder Giordano and Elder Pope. We went straight into our weekly planning session and had to wrap up quick to begin an exchange with Elder Heaton and Elder Weinberger that went right up to our YSA board game activity on Saturday night.

 

Board Game Activity

 

 

 

 

 Finally we made to church on Sunday and kept busy right up to the last. Now, here we are Monday morning ready for the hike of our lives. 

 

On exchange with Elder Weinberger

 

 

 

We're excited for a great week and have seen many a miracle as of late. My favorite miracle this past week took place on the way to Taipei. I struck up a conversation on the MRT with a young guy from Korea. He was heading to the Taipei 101 before heading back home the following day. Upon learning that he was interested in being an architect, I pulled out a picture of the temple in Taipei and asked him if he would like to go with us. His response was "Can I?" We took a picture in front of the temple while we waited for the temple tour sisters. In the mean time, a foreigner with perfect Korean (likely a return missionary) came up and started chatting with our friend. The sisters showed up not long after and off he went on the tour having the time of his life all along the way. God is in the details. We had to leave to go on exchanges, but it was a huge miracle to help our new friend see the temple without having to go out of our way in the least. All we need to do is extend the invitation. The prepared are out there. 

 

New friend from Korea

 

 

 

We're super excited for our good friend Beck. I've witnessed a huge change in him these past few weeks as he has humbled himself and resolved all of his own concerns. His baptism is this upcoming Saturday, and we're just happy for him. He's already been attending the eternal marriage class for weeks now. After English class, Elder Balmforth and Elder Simonson put together a BBQ involving hot dogs and marshmallows. The Taiwanese were mesmerized as they roasted their marshmallows in the parking lot. The whole lesson was on cooking and camping and the students loved the activity. The spiritual share was also awe-inspiring to say the least. Elder Simonson took out a 1000$ bill (about $30 American) and described it as being of great worth like our lives. He then held up a lighter and asked if it was a good idea. They went crazy. He described how the lighter represents the difficulties we all face in life. He then poured gasoline on the ground and lit it to get the point across that the fire was no joke. After which, he doused the bill in water to represent baptism and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. He then doused the bill in gasoline and lit it. The bill lit up in blue flames, but it didn't turn to ashes. It held together. This is the protection the Gift of the Holy Ghost offers us.

 

 

 

I was then able to share of a time I was driving a little too fast on the road down to the church and how I had an impression to slow down only to find a deer in the middle of the road. I was protected despite my poor decision (Hyrum, congrats on the new license! Watch the speedometer). 

 

With Kenny, the Master Chef

 

 

 

Zone conference was both uplifting and inspiring. I learned a great deal about how to better use and appreciate the Book of Mormon in my missionary work. I had the opportunity to give something of a pep talk near the end of the meeting. However, as I was speaking, I was hit with a wave of almost overwhelming love and couldn't talk for a bit there. I was filled with love. It was the love the Lord has for his servants, the missionaries. I was overcome, and my pep talk became a testimony. Oh, how God loves us. In reality, that's not unique to missionaries or anyone for that matter. We are all children of God. He loves you perfectly. The exchanges were wonderful. I went with Elder Pope and Elder Weinberger who are both in training at present. Wow, the trainees in our zone are ridiculously amazing. They came out ready to work and we did just that. I learned a great deal from them and was grateful for the time we had. 

 

The Art Park at Night

 

 

 

Church was enjoyable yesterday. I especially enjoyed teaching Gospel Principles with little notice. We did some quick preparation, but the Spirit was certainly involved. I learned a valuable lesson from the Spirit as I bore testimony at the close of the lesson centered on "Honesty." Honesty is vital to our happiness and success in this life.The first step of repentance is recognizing the need to do so. We must first be honest with ourselves if we are ever to repent: be changed through the Atonement of the Savior, Jesus Christ to become the individuals He intends for us to be. It is through our integrity that we realize the infinite potential each of us has as children of God. We had a unique experience at the massive art park in our area...we were well on our way with a massive chalk Plan of Salvation display with scriptures in Chinese included when I overheard one of the groundskeepers shouting into his radio. "The foreigners are going crazy with the chalk! The foreigners are getting crazy with the chalk! I need back-up!" Long story short, we had to wash away our beautiful display and learned that if we want to play with chalk in the future it's not free (roughly $300 American for 4 hours that is). We ended up leaving a good impression with all involved, but it was sad. Regardless, all is well!!!! 

 

Congrats to Jaycie on the successful completion of her mission to Washington! 

 

 

 

My good friend, Benjamin, sent me these great photos from my last area, Beitou

 

 

I love you all!!! Thank you for your continued prayers and support! 

All is well,

Elder Dickson

Week 2 in Taoyuan

 It's great to see Elder Raley again

It's been a good week. I feel like I've adapted pretty well to Taoyuan. I've been impressed with the zone. Our relationship with them is really cool; we're close with all of them and they're willing to bring their concerns or questions to us. In the process I've learned much myself. It's been quite the growing/learning experience this past little bit.

Taoyuan and its many missionaries....

Views from the 4th floor of the Taoyuan stake center

Lunch with friends

We've already gone on 2 of our 7 exchanges this transfer. Both the elders I went with are phenomenal: Elder Balmforth and Elder Kleine.

On exchange with Elder Kleine

 Mission Leadership Council was also an uplifting and inspiring experience. I was a little nervous being the "young" missionary I am, but I felt so very welcomed and was pleasantly surprised to find that the other leaders in the mission are all good friends of mine. It was especially good seeing Elder Johnson again. I look up to him a good deal, and I simply enjoy being around such an all-around good guy. He's doing wonderful as AP and always makes everyone feel loved and appreciated.

At mission leadership council

Ward Father's Day Activity:

 The invitation

 Welcoming Bishop

Great food! 

We visited the home of an interior designer who is a member of our church. 

Wow!  Amazing home!

My journal has taken a hit lately with Elder Smith and I keeping so very busy, so I'm thinking about buying a voice recorder to do a better job of keeping up. I'm excited for zone conference this week. The mission is placing a huge emphasis on the Book of Mormon and using it in all aspects of our work. If you haven't read it, it's not too late. Better yet, you can get a copy for free. Sometimes I wish I could sit and read it all day, but really it's worth taking the time to read it. If you already have a habit of reading, you might consider allotting a little more time each day. The Book of Mormon, like the Bible, is the word of God, and by reading it we can come to know our Savior, Jesus Christ. One of my favorite scriptures to share with those we meet explains the purpose of the Book of Mormon well: to testify of Christ. See  

2 Nephi 25:26
 
"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

Christ ought to be the center of everything we do. As we make Him a central part of our lives, we are happier. We learn, we grow, and we become more like Him. It is only through the Atonement of the Savior, Jesus Christ that we have hope for the future. In Him all things are possible. For those who have read the Book of Mormon, I would invite you to find one of your favorite scriptures and share on social media in one form or another that "[the world] may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

It was a blast today. A lot of my old Miaoli friends came up and had lunch with us. It was good to catch up on old times. I simply can't wrap my head around just how quickly time is passing.

With friends: old and new

I love you all! Have the best week!!! 

All is well,

Elder Dickson