tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13322485413367277942024-03-06T00:36:33.578-08:00TaiwanAndrew Stevens, Taiwan Taichung Mission, July 2014-July 2016,
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature, because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-3163375644352133972016-07-31T21:43:00.003-07:002020-02-26T06:38:50.441-08:00My Final Email Home!<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Family and Friends,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well here it is, the final week of my mission. My
last week in such a beautiful country that I have called home for the past 2
years of my life. I don't really know how to express all of my feelings and
thoughts in this email, I don't think that is possible to do so. All I can say is
that I love my mission. I love Taiwan. I love the message that I teach here. I
wouldn't have traded this time away for anything! The opportunities of learning
and growth that I've had during this time are impossible to get in any other
way. And I can't imagine what it would've been like had I not come and
experienced all of this. My testimony and love for Jesus Christ has grown
alongside of all of the many people that I was able to teach here. I have loved
seeing my own growth, and even more so, the growth of the people that I love
here in Taiwan. It will be sad to leave them all, but I know it will be like
the sons of Mosiah and Alma, as we all remain faithful, we will still be
"brethren in the Lord" and be held together by these special ties and
see each other again some day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week was another great week with plenty of
miracles. I had the opportunity to do two baptismal interviews. One with a 18
year old young man named J..., and another with a young girl named W.... Jeff's
cousins are all members of the church (one of them is actually the translator
for the Prophet. He's a really cool guy) and he has always secretly wanted to
learn more about the Church, but his mom didn't think that he should because he
was busy with other things. But a few months ago she finally agreed and he has
loved everything that he learned with the missionaries. Now his mom is meeting
with them as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
W... is super cool too. 5 days ago she came
back from a two month exchange program in Utah. And of course she heard a lot
about the Church there. Actually she had been to our English class here many
years before and one reason she wanted to go to Utah was to learn more about
the Church. So she met with the missionaries there and heard all the lessons
and went to church every week. but because of the government policies she was
not able to be baptized until she came back to Taiwan. So the second day back
she comes to our English class and tells us she wants to be baptized in
two weeks, so probably this Saturday or Sunday. She is super
solid and is so excited! I'm glad I was able to see her and probably be able to
attend her baptism before I come home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our friend Brother Z... and his wife X... came to church this Sunday!! They could only stay for a little bit before they
had to leave for work, but they still came!!! We didn't even have to remind
them. We met with them twice last week and watched "Finding Faith in
Christ" with them. His wife X... started crying and loved it. Brother
Z... is still determined to be baptized in September. They are awesome!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Brother Z... is doing well too! He says that the
story of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the priesthood makes perfect
sense. Unfortunately his eyesight is really bad to he can't read the
scriptures. So either he's going to buy some eyeglasses or we will buy him a
giant copy of the Book of Mormon! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week in a convenient store, we also ran into a
nice girl named A.... She said she is Christian and just moved down from Taipei and
hasn't been to church in a long long time so she has been looking for a church
to go to. She had prayed a day or two before to be able to find the right
church, and then she bumped into us at the store. She instantly just started
sharing with us her whole life's story about her troubled family and youth. She
talked about how much she felt she needed God in her life now. After she
finished telling us she paused. Then she said, "I don't even know why I
just told you all of that. I've only met you for 5 minutes. I guess I just feel
good talking with you." I believe that she was able to recognize us as
servants of the Lord and knew that she could trust us. God truly helps us find
those people that really need His help.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well for my last pday I will be going with our ward
mission leader to a traditional Taiwanese place in Meinong to buy some sweet
souvenirs to bring back. Hopefully there will be some cool stuff. Also Dad, about the
big scroll that you wanted. I thought we could buy them from the place across
from the temple in Taipei but apparently you can't. I still don't know where to
get the scrolls from. I think I'll get a free one from the Mission President though.
Also, does anyone want any of my old shirts or pants as a keepsake? I wouldn't
if I were you haha. What about my old shoes that almost have a hole all the way
through them. If any one wants these let me know or else they will be given to
one of the old ladies that collects garbage on the streets here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Monday morning I will be heading up to
Taizhong for my final interview with The Mission President. On Tuesday we will be
going up to the temple in Taipei and then to go explore the rest of the day,
and then on Wednesday morning we will head off to the airport.
Then...I'll be on my way home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well the time is finally here. I'm closing up
my last email that I will send while on my mission. I don't think I will have
time next week so here's the last one. Thank you for everyone who has supported
me while I've been away these past two years. Thanks for you emails, letters,
and packages. I'm really glad that I had that support while over here. These
two years have been the greatest of my life, and I can't imagine that anything
I will do afterwards will be anywhere close to as meaningful as my mission. I
love it so much! I know that the things that I've learned here will be able to
help me through the rest of my life. I love my Heavenly Father. I love my
Savior Jesus Christ. I love my family and I'm thankful for all of you. I'm
excited to see you again when I get home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-P6KX8CES2tH9EC-ILvbFFC1C6UlWIAE5sLgSD-flA7bwDMrNhbkREGfasW7DBc-843X092eeF3ugY6sIS1dPe6t6uOUzW9uzt4RzHbPUs4SleO6gcH3vsOfW1ndqgX0EJLs24qcvm8/s1600/Photo+Aug+01%252C+7+39+42+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-P6KX8CES2tH9EC-ILvbFFC1C6UlWIAE5sLgSD-flA7bwDMrNhbkREGfasW7DBc-843X092eeF3ugY6sIS1dPe6t6uOUzW9uzt4RzHbPUs4SleO6gcH3vsOfW1ndqgX0EJLs24qcvm8/s320/Photo+Aug+01%252C+7+39+42+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Saying Goodbye To My Good Friends!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rSpnISGRR5e5GTYk-tWhBaDV6F_TnTXoAPRz1e5AF8U26xbgG7LbfdSkeF0JKTXh2DbIEm1fq6y1Pt2PRL7CgcFnYUSJGyFb1l1vSrPneG0cspNFF7uVFLLWrP-GPdKtTOdMEc9Ptb8/s1600/Photo+Aug+01%252C+7+39+54+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rSpnISGRR5e5GTYk-tWhBaDV6F_TnTXoAPRz1e5AF8U26xbgG7LbfdSkeF0JKTXh2DbIEm1fq6y1Pt2PRL7CgcFnYUSJGyFb1l1vSrPneG0cspNFF7uVFLLWrP-GPdKtTOdMEc9Ptb8/s320/Photo+Aug+01%252C+7+39+54+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-11637730156308278262016-07-31T21:33:00.002-07:002016-08-01T07:52:14.009-07:00A Great Week Again...<div class="MsoNormal">
It's been another great week in Zuoying!!! We had a lot of
fun stuff happen! We've been working a lot with several investigators that seem
to be really progressing. Brother Z... and his wife and doing super well.
They've already read together all the way to the end of 1st Nephi in the Book
of Mormon! He really enjoys reading it a lot. Our ward mission leader likes to
come to help with their lessons because when we meet at 8:30 in the
morning he can come too because his work is later. He loves teaching them so he
basically does most of the talking haha. It is easy to see that Brother Z... loves what he is learning here. He's doing very well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our newer friend Brother Z... is doing well too.
We've met him for about two weeks now and he's awesome! He's in his late 50s
and he is a very humble man. He was sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit
when he was in his 20s, then he just wasted away his life drinking and smoking.
Then his body just couldn't take it and he almost died a few years ago. Then
he's spent the last several years in and out of the hospital for months at a
time trying to recover. He feels lots of regret for his past and wants to know why
he was preserved back when he should have died. He has a strong desire to
change his life and to be baptized. He came to a great ward activity on
Saturday where all the members just split up into groups and had little
discussions with each of the investigators that we brought about their
conversion process and the things that they changed in their lives. Literally
everyone in our group used to be heavy smokers and drinkers before and the
things they shared clearly had an impact on our friend Brother Z...! Currently
he has a baptismal date for the end of September! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
B... is still struggling with smoking and drinking as
well. He came to the Saturday activity too and was equally touched by the
stories that the members shared. He really wants to change!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday morning our ward mission leader invited us
to play some soccer with a bunch of guys in the park and it was a ton of fun. I
love to play soccer but I haven't had any opportunities to play here in Taiwan.
This was my first time and I found out that I was pretty rusty. I almost scored
a header off of a corner kick but it hit the post!!!! I was so mad. The guys
kept crossing them to me because I was so much taller than everyone else
(except for a guy from Germany) but I just couldn't score. We might go back
again next week because there are some really nice guys there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also got the opportunity to paint an elderly
woman's house last week. I love doing service for people. I was so happy to have the chance to help her paint. They didn't
give us any tape for the edges of the baseboard so they got plenty of paint too
haha. I would hate to see the look on my dad and grandpa's face if they saw the
poor quality of the paint job. They didn't give us any tools though so it was
impossible to do a good job! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The week was super good and there are many great
people here!! I'm super tired all the time though. I fall asleep anytime we say
a prayer, like during church, or during studies, or during lessons. I fell
asleep once saying a prayer out loud with my companion haha. I'm looking forward
to a nap on the plane ride home. But before then I'll do my best to stay awake
haha.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I love you all lots!! Have a great time on
vacation out West!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-57762665808800797612016-07-18T06:47:00.001-07:002016-07-18T06:47:12.759-07:00Meeting President and Sister Teh.<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This last week was a great week! We are finding lots of
people to meet with and who are willing to learn. This is such a great area. I
wish I would've come here earlier and been able to stay here longer! And on pday,
there is so much to do so we are never bored! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We've been working hard with one of our friends named
B... He has a strong desire to be baptized and to do the right thing, but he
still struggles with the Word of Wisdom. He is trying hard to stop smoking and drinking. He is a
construction worker too so the environment that he works in, and lives in, make
it very difficult for him to stop. He's doing well though. He only smoked two
cigarettes last week so he's getting better and better. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our other friend Brother Z... is doing well too. In
the last few days he's already read 16 chapters in the Book of Mormon . He
really enjoys it and his wife is very supportive in helping him to read and
answering his questions. We just need to help him learn to apply what he learns
in the Book of Mormon to his life. He couldn't go to our church yesterday
because he didn't get off work the night before until after midnight, so
he went to a later session in a different chapel. His work is going to make
things hard for them, but he is doing well though.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I had the opportunity to do another
baptismal interview for a young girl named K... She is 16 and told me that
she had a rough time at school. She didn't have many friends and felt that she
had a lot of stress. Then one day, one of her friends gave her a flyer that she
had found for our English class at the church. She decided to go, but when she
arrived, the class had already started so she felt bad, and just decided to sit
outside. Then, Elder Tatton (he came on the island with me) for some reason felt
that he should look outside in the hallway and found her sitting there. He
talked with her for a bit and invited her in for the rest of the lesson. At the
end of the lesson, the missionaries shared a short message about Jesus Christ
and K... really liked it. She said that the message made her feel happy so
she wanted to hear more. Over the past few months she kept coming to English
class, and then to church, and felt so happy every time. She originally was a
very sad girl, but the huge change in her personality was so dramatic that
everyone around her noticed it and now her mom wants to come to church to see
what it's like. K... was so excited to have found the church and has plans to
serve a mission in the future. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am thankful that I, like K..., have found such
happiness from the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It is so important to me. I don't know where I
would be without it. We know why we are here, why we have challenges, and how
to deal with it all. It gives me such peace despite all the confusion around
me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we also got to have a meeting with
our new Mission President. He's from the Philippines and you can tell that
English is not his or his wife's first language haha. Their English is really
good though. They are both super funny and really awesome. It's too bad I won't
be able to know them for longer. He has made some changes in the mission to
make the rules a lot less strict. So that's fun for all the newer missionaries
haha. We have interviews with President Teh this Wednesday so I'm excited
for that. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This Saturday we had a ward activity and we
all went to Monkey Mountain again! I love that place! We didn't see too many
monkeys this time, but it's just such a fun place to go hiking. I've got some
pictures to send from there. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm having fun and enjoying my time in Zuoying. I'm
praying hard that I can keep working hard and staying focused for these last,
but very important weeks. Please pray for me as well! I love my mission and I
want to work hard until the very end!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love you all too! Have a great week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCd5sjpu9xo4p48k5GqjV05oYVj2TkIBzQPejHIbUR2h9No2J_VyIP9HxHLL8Jv2kEK1FhnKYkG0b0Mnq8RSZqIDaGU8v_oEtlrQXtneisui5Wid-LnqN1enO9TW7vxf97taqmiIUYow/s1600/Photo+Mar+17%252C+10+39+59+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjCd5sjpu9xo4p48k5GqjV05oYVj2TkIBzQPejHIbUR2h9No2J_VyIP9HxHLL8Jv2kEK1FhnKYkG0b0Mnq8RSZqIDaGU8v_oEtlrQXtneisui5Wid-LnqN1enO9TW7vxf97taqmiIUYow/s320/Photo+Mar+17%252C+10+39+59+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Great Dumplings</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJVV8UGZ2bjUqtoayrAD6zXXDqz3CfNfiS5fiQP4bmKpW6qmjm9YqC3oIbqATwtK-y7UxnZDQLTf3CZSNTxTTTuTIiGDlszHP2XH3abWKi1B1jqk4CPYmwqiIYEHuO0VV-xzmA9DaGEk/s1600/Photo+Mar+19%252C+9+00+14+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrJVV8UGZ2bjUqtoayrAD6zXXDqz3CfNfiS5fiQP4bmKpW6qmjm9YqC3oIbqATwtK-y7UxnZDQLTf3CZSNTxTTTuTIiGDlszHP2XH3abWKi1B1jqk4CPYmwqiIYEHuO0VV-xzmA9DaGEk/s320/Photo+Mar+19%252C+9+00+14+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Monkey Mountain</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfUJoOamsJw7O-7EUdhVCusAIRKo8kjEnEjIxKm32XwpLBfniWqlh2t_Cm8Pd4aTREJ2HV3qHC8Abbm6mLFgR46pl6lJ8sc-M6Q0GwJHACYrG9j0TrC0G1tt7rEuCJ6ftoNuuPHVtELQ/s1600/Photo+Mar+23%252C+1+54+03+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfUJoOamsJw7O-7EUdhVCusAIRKo8kjEnEjIxKm32XwpLBfniWqlh2t_Cm8Pd4aTREJ2HV3qHC8Abbm6mLFgR46pl6lJ8sc-M6Q0GwJHACYrG9j0TrC0G1tt7rEuCJ6ftoNuuPHVtELQ/s320/Photo+Mar+23%252C+1+54+03+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5EsseZeAtDQjaKkk1KlS2af-xt4eT5KMcrHQPUQg0yEMUM6x4I7ii1V0UNr1P6_hxHK3MWDqXigfqZP601x82BRokCbQdNabWFvXZj9y9b3erNxEijm9KzglW_OZQQ8-b3isH-gCTCI/s1600/Photo+Mar+30%252C+10+50+26+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5EsseZeAtDQjaKkk1KlS2af-xt4eT5KMcrHQPUQg0yEMUM6x4I7ii1V0UNr1P6_hxHK3MWDqXigfqZP601x82BRokCbQdNabWFvXZj9y9b3erNxEijm9KzglW_OZQQ8-b3isH-gCTCI/s320/Photo+Mar+30%252C+10+50+26+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Congested Streets</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME1_qTN4I70iA9fjFv-ctG4q_5wwim77qkl6mmM-ENb99cU2wJFosQjLwD_C2pY1H_kzdlKgvZrG7N1t5oEstmezrMmtnWzV-8XdQJ4IrMRRkHtZfCWWEaeDKrM9UzfvAWrGjHJgu3WY/s1600/Photo+May+14%252C+9+12+04+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjME1_qTN4I70iA9fjFv-ctG4q_5wwim77qkl6mmM-ENb99cU2wJFosQjLwD_C2pY1H_kzdlKgvZrG7N1t5oEstmezrMmtnWzV-8XdQJ4IrMRRkHtZfCWWEaeDKrM9UzfvAWrGjHJgu3WY/s320/Photo+May+14%252C+9+12+04+AM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxWCwhCfSTJYvscLv9QCd01NRjoR8_tsEqRzrTwtEiDebNBIV3Dzsz-f1eCv0pr5KvC_zbsQHYI_rQdzJGsAdO-Q2KXG42wNkd1JelfOMofsr45KjS4UGgE0ZsV0cloL0zNhFav7hC1o/s1600/Photo+May+19%252C+8+17+59+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxWCwhCfSTJYvscLv9QCd01NRjoR8_tsEqRzrTwtEiDebNBIV3Dzsz-f1eCv0pr5KvC_zbsQHYI_rQdzJGsAdO-Q2KXG42wNkd1JelfOMofsr45KjS4UGgE0ZsV0cloL0zNhFav7hC1o/s320/Photo+May+19%252C+8+17+59+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi978uk4uUS5gUm8sW8tRa4Yq-PVdzvZYcqdxlVSunsoq1JCEawDQ5fvpBXEbtGIF6HDApxW1gUfSZrlEjatR-3K1-AlSdE5Z4bk0cCW0tlaRgv3LwlUREINE4kGrlHCZfVB3TpT1fXKjU/s1600/Photo+May+21%252C+6+57+25+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi978uk4uUS5gUm8sW8tRa4Yq-PVdzvZYcqdxlVSunsoq1JCEawDQ5fvpBXEbtGIF6HDApxW1gUfSZrlEjatR-3K1-AlSdE5Z4bk0cCW0tlaRgv3LwlUREINE4kGrlHCZfVB3TpT1fXKjU/s320/Photo+May+21%252C+6+57+25+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Where I Send My Emails</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96bQu5nWVVTeRDQ0u5UKiY-0O_fTDh8JsbIlZ8qqb9kJPWh1bhivLdRr3-N-zrsZ6S0WH6e9e2m8v8Z9IcwN3_rL51b4Ey7oX6e83DJKCLjoxInn8nNa3C2IOv5qBWGem_RkB012yPuU/s1600/Photo+May+24%252C+8+28+57+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96bQu5nWVVTeRDQ0u5UKiY-0O_fTDh8JsbIlZ8qqb9kJPWh1bhivLdRr3-N-zrsZ6S0WH6e9e2m8v8Z9IcwN3_rL51b4Ey7oX6e83DJKCLjoxInn8nNa3C2IOv5qBWGem_RkB012yPuU/s320/Photo+May+24%252C+8+28+57+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpjyp9iSYVH0Y3yrVv_g9WTl7QsL-Kw_YVGne7MYin8fA2FfomLPZdxAgbZ1OQtoUSfX7VgzCh6kSnviSb6IwYsZD-rk7uxTIH-Omq2xqCZME5wWVSifc9V6zX4TzWPFbKV0iOw4c8XM/s1600/Photo+May+24%252C+9+37+22+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfpjyp9iSYVH0Y3yrVv_g9WTl7QsL-Kw_YVGne7MYin8fA2FfomLPZdxAgbZ1OQtoUSfX7VgzCh6kSnviSb6IwYsZD-rk7uxTIH-Omq2xqCZME5wWVSifc9V6zX4TzWPFbKV0iOw4c8XM/s320/Photo+May+24%252C+9+37+22+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXJDBejJnnjkw5QLZ1KJd0K_syogOWtjxtV_OSa44fFH9y0AOY9u7D5M6RPHXxnuIuurdHf-zOFIQ_oxFT0iAjZ6Ybnxnai6o2kNtOMx-5g8u1jkjJvErp7py566EPMv9buMGHlFozpQ/s1600/File+Jul+18%252C+8+41+06+AM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXJDBejJnnjkw5QLZ1KJd0K_syogOWtjxtV_OSa44fFH9y0AOY9u7D5M6RPHXxnuIuurdHf-zOFIQ_oxFT0iAjZ6Ybnxnai6o2kNtOMx-5g8u1jkjJvErp7py566EPMv9buMGHlFozpQ/s320/File+Jul+18%252C+8+41+06+AM.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Home Sweet Home</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0jhqTlNhwaOWxF6ZphYC6pjASc21FZKgBid8ANJtGhBbu166M6wCsSbrGK7SArnIUhKm14_ssN0uWzl9MFS8NuUAhS_F4Aav7O8eOolXilpsNfpA3vGeS-pl_PTJOB57jdUMeh3-a0k/s1600/Photo+Apr+10%252C+10+42+53+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0jhqTlNhwaOWxF6ZphYC6pjASc21FZKgBid8ANJtGhBbu166M6wCsSbrGK7SArnIUhKm14_ssN0uWzl9MFS8NuUAhS_F4Aav7O8eOolXilpsNfpA3vGeS-pl_PTJOB57jdUMeh3-a0k/s320/Photo+Apr+10%252C+10+42+53+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3iuFYPL9bTAAfCtN5KNOYfwy9pAsJ6FnBReKuyJTO_XAUqjDoP4CVijAihgMWBtQMr_JtdrivpXG8qSvAjPkYl_0ASwexho5wW9Mk5IKk4DHU039gEdPAZSRnHNbojNvT8k5V53tWGA/s1600/Photo+Apr+15%252C+5+13+23+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3iuFYPL9bTAAfCtN5KNOYfwy9pAsJ6FnBReKuyJTO_XAUqjDoP4CVijAihgMWBtQMr_JtdrivpXG8qSvAjPkYl_0ASwexho5wW9Mk5IKk4DHU039gEdPAZSRnHNbojNvT8k5V53tWGA/s320/Photo+Apr+15%252C+5+13+23+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcwkQOOYKUE3JofbQ4FfQHujrymRS69T0HOuWgiWao_gDcZr2QF074ya8vB-HQq5hL2SPo_hIxV4uWQ2YpRS-WzfXQoRozFlGeBtLV6Rl1b-CmZtoox2mLcRqRHoUvfXtXHq6NyRwg60/s1600/Photo+Apr+17%252C+11+02+57+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVcwkQOOYKUE3JofbQ4FfQHujrymRS69T0HOuWgiWao_gDcZr2QF074ya8vB-HQq5hL2SPo_hIxV4uWQ2YpRS-WzfXQoRozFlGeBtLV6Rl1b-CmZtoox2mLcRqRHoUvfXtXHq6NyRwg60/s320/Photo+Apr+17%252C+11+02+57+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chicken Curry</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7c1a9dNXwIXDkB1aC5F2_Z2193bP1gJokN8aG9jNPVGhfGPfOi2lohsk5nzVZuqbWzBM7H-wPwjw3bb6J15D7fnkA3pXE-D0x2sSMhImiV8KwOxhK5PQlA0rxIhi2D2yA7Ond408SBo/s1600/Photo+Apr+30%252C+4+15+15+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7c1a9dNXwIXDkB1aC5F2_Z2193bP1gJokN8aG9jNPVGhfGPfOi2lohsk5nzVZuqbWzBM7H-wPwjw3bb6J15D7fnkA3pXE-D0x2sSMhImiV8KwOxhK5PQlA0rxIhi2D2yA7Ond408SBo/s320/Photo+Apr+30%252C+4+15+15+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SVq7R-7whjBvpJAVfwtr93J5P52n6EMzRwhujg1g7AImRDnSLREAy95HfYYIZ5IU4Yi0Dp0MzcwDyWwfBituKsFb0KDJyYB0wLahHtV3IqdqZjkbxKghKVLgElvr4qx0vYnT7_7iwfk/s1600/Photo+Jun+15%252C+9+39+19+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6SVq7R-7whjBvpJAVfwtr93J5P52n6EMzRwhujg1g7AImRDnSLREAy95HfYYIZ5IU4Yi0Dp0MzcwDyWwfBituKsFb0KDJyYB0wLahHtV3IqdqZjkbxKghKVLgElvr4qx0vYnT7_7iwfk/s320/Photo+Jun+15%252C+9+39+19+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Future Site Of Gaoxing Temple. I Can't Wait!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1Qotku6KETH8QOZsoszBIOyrN18MgD2MCPksehKRbZ4aE7Lm_CcbRGupb0t7oqPXiHvejXat69gJZxrkAstwpTJlnKjWTJAoQG9Vk9A2CfSBYH_UGKyNHCKryvXXSYjZNY_fejbcrJw/s1600/Photo+Jun+16%252C+1+29+47+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS1Qotku6KETH8QOZsoszBIOyrN18MgD2MCPksehKRbZ4aE7Lm_CcbRGupb0t7oqPXiHvejXat69gJZxrkAstwpTJlnKjWTJAoQG9Vk9A2CfSBYH_UGKyNHCKryvXXSYjZNY_fejbcrJw/s320/Photo+Jun+16%252C+1+29+47+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWETxwihWkVnC7PrQw_uqIHTGI3BXLFQ3WuN1ymU7MszkYSUbbeUCk4BYnAUUiFA6QA0Oa13__69WLJ46Imi1yoSUOYgn2JlI6KopItqOQ0bG9lqyFIrcqWF8s-u8j2r0jXpGlxHApoo/s1600/Photo+Jun+16%252C+1+36+36+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWETxwihWkVnC7PrQw_uqIHTGI3BXLFQ3WuN1ymU7MszkYSUbbeUCk4BYnAUUiFA6QA0Oa13__69WLJ46Imi1yoSUOYgn2JlI6KopItqOQ0bG9lqyFIrcqWF8s-u8j2r0jXpGlxHApoo/s320/Photo+Jun+16%252C+1+36+36+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TtP45XWzsxtq35lkEqrDki5rkmQNAN76XouoCqNgX1mpAVI1mAwqZCefBjbtpKp3lcx4jBeYsjoIGBjM2bCd7PebnewCFD3yRo_QOROqSdi8QOqKBur4JAH3j3KUsZpjIDsUXIrQuTc/s1600/Photo+Jun+16%252C+3+14+42+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_TtP45XWzsxtq35lkEqrDki5rkmQNAN76XouoCqNgX1mpAVI1mAwqZCefBjbtpKp3lcx4jBeYsjoIGBjM2bCd7PebnewCFD3yRo_QOROqSdi8QOqKBur4JAH3j3KUsZpjIDsUXIrQuTc/s320/Photo+Jun+16%252C+3+14+42+AM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My Companion And I, Monkey Mountain</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-7415157244800424422016-07-11T06:37:00.000-07:002016-07-11T06:37:04.319-07:00Typhoon Week...<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey Everyone!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes I'm still alive, we survived the
typhoon!! We didn't know how powerful of a typhoon it actually was because we
were inside for all of it. Before when there were typhoons or anything bad, we
just went outside to proselyte like normal....those times were all jam packed
with lots of fun stories, but this time, our mission president said that we all
had to stay inside until the storm was gone. It kind of had the feeling of a
snow day back home when you don't have to go to school. The difference was that
staying inside wasn't fun at all haha. Eventually at around 1:30pm or so we got
permission to leave the house and we just went around in the rain talking with people that were inside stores. Since then it has rained every day,
all day, including today. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had Zone Leaders Training Meeting this week which was fun. It was nice not
to have to give the training for a change. I could just sit back and learn some
new things from the other missionaries. Actually, I was mainly focused on
translating for the Taiwanese missionaries so it wasn't super relaxing haha. I
just really love speaking Chinese. It's so much fun to learn. It's really hard
and I still have a lot to learn, but the challenge of learning this language
has been fun for me throughout my entire mission. I love it. I'm going to miss
it when I come back home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than the rain, we had a good week. Me met with
a member who hasn't been to church in a while and also with her husband who is
not a member. They, the Z... family, are both wanting to start coming to
church and learn more about how to help their family. They've only been married for
three months. They are super cool and excited to learn, but unfortunately they
are so busy with work that they can't come to church and can only meet with us
at 8:30 in the morning. We'll keep working with them though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My companion Elder Neuhaus is awesome and we are
having a great time together here in Zuoying. He is telling me that everything
in America has changed while I've been gone. He says that the clothes, music,
and everything have changed. Like what in the world are joggers clothes, or why on
earth do people where Keen sandals (yes, the ugly ones that mom made me bring on
my mission, haha). I'm a little worried that I won't fit in when I get back. Luckily, I still have some more time here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, today for pday I'm going to Tainan to see a
friend that can hopefully help me buy some super cheap stuff from China and
places like that. I'm excited to see what he can get for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lastly, I'm glad to hear that Alexa's talk went
really well. Way to go Alexa! And have fun camping this week!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That's all that I've got for this week. I love you
all!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-51392163440054771142016-07-07T05:44:00.002-07:002016-07-07T05:44:26.933-07:00Awesome Week!!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey Everyone!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After one weeks of serving here I've decided
that ZuoYing is a great place! There are so many people, places to eat, and
things to do. I love at night when everyone is out on the streets shopping and
walking around because we just get to stroll around and talk with everyone.
There are so many people to talk to and it makes things so much fun. There are
plenty of places to eat too. The thing is though, Elder Neuhaus and I have been
trying to eat healthier so we just eat inside all the time. We just stay inside
for breakfast and lunch and eat protein shakes, chicken breast, peanut butter,
salad, pb & j sandwiches and fruit. We also got a membership at a really
nice gym here (that's why I took a bunch of money out of my account) and we get
up at about 5:30am to work out every morning. I'm feeling a lot better
than I have after starting to be healthy again. I'm super glad my companion
likes to do this just as much as I do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Neuhaus is awesome. He played basketball for
BYU Hawaii before he came on his mission so he knows how to work hard in the
gym and in missionary work in general. He's really fun to be with and we are
having a great time together. He is just excited to learn what to do so it
makes working with him all that more fun. We worked a lot last week trying to
find new people to teach. We did have one lesson that we shared. He was cool and
really interested but didn't live in our area so we referred him to the other
missionaries. This week has many lessons planned though so I'm excited to meet
with some new cool people!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we also have Zone Training Meeting. It's
nice this time because I don't have to give the training, I can just sit and
learn from the Zone Leaders. It will be a lot more relaxing. On Friday we are
having a big meeting to meet our new mission president, President Teh. We are
all excited to see what he is like.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today for pday we are just going to hang out in the
gym and play pool, ping pong, basketball, and maybe exercise more. (we have to
make the most out of that membership haha) Oh I also got a Costco membership
last week. It was free because I just added it to the membership that my companion
bought. So that's fun. That's about it for today. Love you all!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-34740370901379295082016-06-27T11:59:00.000-07:002016-06-27T11:59:06.714-07:00New Area, New Companion, New Mission President...<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, the time has finally come...the very last
transfer of my mission. The last leg of the race. And I won't be spending it in
Ping Dong. I got a call and I've been moved to the center of Gaoxiong City in a
place called ZuoYing. It's kind of weird moving to a new area when I only have
6 weeks left because before I even have a chance to learn the area, I'll be coming
home haha. But there are tons of people in this area and I'm excited to serve
here. My new companion says that they don't really have anyone to teach, but
with such a great area, so many people, and God's help, I think that we can
change that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My new (and maybe final) companion is Elder
Neuhaus from Nashville, Tennessee. He's a cool guy and I'm excited to
work with him. He just got finished with training so it will be fun to work
with a newer missionary again. He also likes to exercise a lot so we are going
to have a good time finding a gym and helping me get back into shape before I
come home. Apparently there is a gym and a store for protein powder and stuff
nearby so I'm excited for that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I really enjoyed my time in PingDong. I learned
a lot there and enjoyed being Zone Leader and having many opportunities to work
with newer missionaries and help to teach and train them. I am a little happy
to not be a zone leader though because now I will actually have time to relax
in the morning and at night. This might be a bad thing though because it will
give me more time to think about to many other things haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also, in the next few days my mission president,
President Blickenstaff and his wife will be returning back to America. They've
served here for three years and it's time for them to go back. Our new
president, President Teh will be coming in this week as well. A new president
probably means that there are going to be some big changes in the mission and I
am excited to meet him. I'm debating in my head, will a mission president who
is a member of the Seventy Quorum be really strict, or will he just be a really nice guy.
I'm not sure which it will be haha. It doesn't really matter though. I'm just
excited to keep working my hardest and find as many people to teach as I can.
I've thoroughly enjoyed my time on a mission and even though it's coming to a
close, I am not going to slow down my pace. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm glad to hear that you all made it back
safely from the trip over to WV. It's too bad that the rain was so bad and kind
of messed with your plans for camping and rafting, but there's always next
time. I would love to go on a trip white water rafting over there after I get
back. We won't have lots of time do to much in the days before college but I
would be down to go rafting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well that's about it. I'll let you know next week how
great the area is here haha. I love you all lots. Thanks for all the emails you
send every week. you only have a few times left to write me, so please don't
forget in the next few weeks ;)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
love<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KTKPBG54eLDqZQn0xYKVGLwoduxN1GSFPYV5vtBmVewtb_sHp4nvpI63eX8A3f-yq5m2J2gDfzuMAFjRk8lDxuj6atfYEC7rdhfzT8tQiNFI5OiPcFtwHWe6SnoVPmULmuOhC6NAZ8Q/s1600/Photo+Jun+26%252C+7+41+24+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KTKPBG54eLDqZQn0xYKVGLwoduxN1GSFPYV5vtBmVewtb_sHp4nvpI63eX8A3f-yq5m2J2gDfzuMAFjRk8lDxuj6atfYEC7rdhfzT8tQiNFI5OiPcFtwHWe6SnoVPmULmuOhC6NAZ8Q/s320/Photo+Jun+26%252C+7+41+24+AM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYPsLGR7kj6L1DTRHaE1ne1EnK9CpUsc8P6TwQsatDigTDnb0QnbsPo2iLIvm4hMJJ10EOR4aTUbcEsyfMpU0TP3sBicqW7IocAdW64B3oQ8ai9ZKmiYe75gRcsMuN_6vobGnVPT7yw0/s1600/Photo+Jun+27%252C+3+05+21+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYPsLGR7kj6L1DTRHaE1ne1EnK9CpUsc8P6TwQsatDigTDnb0QnbsPo2iLIvm4hMJJ10EOR4aTUbcEsyfMpU0TP3sBicqW7IocAdW64B3oQ8ai9ZKmiYe75gRcsMuN_6vobGnVPT7yw0/s320/Photo+Jun+27%252C+3+05+21+AM.jpg" width="182" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-32681032667500832042016-06-20T06:29:00.003-07:002016-06-20T06:29:49.545-07:00Visiting With Friends, Training Stake Leaders, And More...<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey Everyone! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope you all had a great week! HAPPY
FATHER'S DAY to my Dad and Grandpa too!!! We've had an awesome week down in
PingDong! It was a super rainy and humid week, but it was all still good. Towards
the end of the week it didn't rain too bad.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Monday two old friends of Elder Steele
and I came to visit us. My old temporary companion J... and our friend who was
baptized in the Donghai ward when I was up there named O... Unfortunately, on the
day they came up it rained really hard so we couldn't do much. We ate a big lunch
and then went shopping for groceries. We sat in the store's massage chairs for a
very long time... and then played some ping pong at the church. (I have yet to
find someone from Taiwan that is better at ping pong than me! That stereotype
is still a lie!) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week Elder Steele and I have been working extra
hard to find more people to teach. We spend pretty much all day riding our bikes
on the street talking to anyone that will stop and listen to us. It's very
tiring and when we leave the door in the morning sometimes it's a little
daunting knowing that we will be doing that for the entire day with no lessons to teach,
but I have a testimony that if we just dive into it and work hard, it becomes
lots of fun and we meet lots of fun people!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes dad, we are getting plenty of exercise too. 3
times a week we get up at 5:45 to go to the gym nearby our apartment
and go weightlifting. It's been really fun getting back into that routine. And
on the other days I usually just work out inside with our dumbbells or just do
sit ups and stuff. Sometimes when we stay inside I am super tired, so instead of
working out I will just study Chinese because I enjoy doing that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lately our zone is doing very well. I don't know why,
but for some reason lots of companionship got sick recently and had to stay
inside for some of the time, but everyone is good now! Last Thursday Elder
Steele and I gave a training to the stake presidency and all the bishoprics in
the Ping Dong stake. It was very scary haha. I didn't know until afterwards,
but when Elder Steele wrote down some of his goals for last week, one of them
was to "survive the training meeting with the stake leaders." That's how I was feeling too.
The stake president didn't really give us a super specific topic to train about, they just said
that we needed to tell them how to improve missionary
work...which is a very broad topic haha. It turned out alright though. We
just talked about the basics and the importance of the member's support. We
discussed the advantages of having the members allow us to teach our
investigators in their homes so that they could feel the special spirit there.
I think that it was a decent training, but I am thankful that it is over and we
can worry about others things now haha. (Dad don't get me wrong. If you invite
the missionaries to do a training I believe that they would be happy to do it. I
usually am super pumped to give training because it makes me feel like the
members trust me with the responsibility. Maybe it was because it was a broad topic haha)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a great day yesterday. We had two friends that
came to church included a guy named L... He has been coming English
class and other activities for 7 years now but has never really showed any
interest in the church itself. But now he has been progressing a lot and is
preparing to be baptized in July. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I've gotta go now. We are going with some other
missionaries to eat at a buffet. That's pretty much what we do here for pdays.
We go out and eat a lot! It's super fun though. We pay about 10 bucks for
all you can eat Chinese food. It's the best. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love you all!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-85225646770153030852016-06-14T11:31:00.001-07:002016-06-14T11:31:06.408-07:00Still Very Hot...<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you for your prayers that I would be able to
withstand the extreme heat of Taiwan. God has heard your prayers because it has been pouring down rain for the past three days and is expected to last all
week! Now that it's raining though I wish I could go back to the heat
haha.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This past week was pretty fun! On pday I went with
my good friend Elder Lauti and some old members from my first area in Tainan to
go eat at an all you can eat grill. I love eating at those! It was also fun to
hang out with some old friends. Then on Tuesday we had a great Zone Training Meeting ZTM.
Our zone has been working really hard and doing a great job so we decided to
have a fun ZTM for a change. We made a scavenger hunt for them all to do. Each
team had about 6 stations to go to and at each place there was a riddle that
they had to solve which led them to the next clue. And at some of the stations
we had a teaching skill that they had to practice; like, talking to someone on the
street, teaching with their companion in unity, and giving an invitation for
baptism. We had them go in groups of 2 or 4 with people other than their
companion so they could learn of other missionaries ways of teaching. Everyone
really liked the scavenger hunt and had a really fun time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also got to go on exchanges twice this week. Once on
Tuesday with Elder Porter and Elder Pothier who are in our zone, and then
once on Friday with the APs up in Taizhong. They were both super fun. On
Friday we took the train up for 3 hours to Taizhong and did our weekly
planning on the train. It was raining the entire way up so I was glad I was on
the train. On the way back on Saturday afternoon, it was raining
super hard as well. We took the train past Ping Dong all the way down to
Chaozhou so Elder Steele could do another baptismal interview with on of the
Dong Gang Elder's investigators. Her name was Sister S... She is such a sweet
lady about 50 years old and she was so grateful that she could finally be
baptized. For the past two years her parents would not let her, but they
recently changed their minds and said that she could. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our investigator S... is really hard to get a hold of. He says that he hasn't been doing well
recently so he just turns off his phone and doesn't want to use it. So we were
really worried about what happened to him, but then we bumped into him at a
Family Mart (convenient store) and sat down and had a good talk with him. He
expressed to us some of the guilt that he had been feeling about some of his
past actions that had really hurt his family. He wondered if God would even
accept him because of the things that he had done. We had a good talk about the
Atonement of Jesus Christ and that as long as we truly desire to change and
make things right that God would readily accept us. It's not going to be easy
for S... to get his life in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ, but he
wants to very badly!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a great week and I'm looking forward to an
even better week coming up! Love you all lots! (I hope our apartment doesn't
flood with all this rain haha)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HUvuS9aCzxjZ4zZMTrEbSvououu44f7SATOmwZid3-JFEANrZpT-p1lA4fuaWGeh-HFI_VuQXKJy7ncHsKAcwuMV_ivNS-vZ14pskrUS8DYTyMrZ2W-GYDIzSzWl2ZFmQp5Buk4XZBI/s1600/Photo+Jun+13%252C+12+31+00+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HUvuS9aCzxjZ4zZMTrEbSvououu44f7SATOmwZid3-JFEANrZpT-p1lA4fuaWGeh-HFI_VuQXKJy7ncHsKAcwuMV_ivNS-vZ14pskrUS8DYTyMrZ2W-GYDIzSzWl2ZFmQp5Buk4XZBI/s320/Photo+Jun+13%252C+12+31+00+PM.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-5665886030620026492016-06-06T05:38:00.004-07:002016-06-06T05:38:28.302-07:00Hot Days!!<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was another scorching hot
week and we were outside biking for most of it. Elder Steele and I are getting
some good tans! All the members are telling us to wear jackets outside so we
don't get tan haha. What they don't understand is that if we wore them...we
would die. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got to go on companion exchanges with Elder Varvel
this week. We were together in the MTC and he's a great guy. We had a fun
time catching up on how each other's mission has been going so far. He's a
really great Elder so we had a really fun time. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I also had the opportunity to do another baptismal
interview with a guy named C... He is a 27 year old Chinese teacher from
Hengchun and is one of Elder Grisenti's investigators. Since it takes about 3
hours to get down do Hengchun, we just decided to use skype to do the
interview. C... is a really cool guy and very prepared. He had lots of really
good experiences with seeing answers to his prayers and he has a very strong
testimony. He is very excited for baptism. The small branch down in Hengchun is
going to be very happy to have him because right now they only have 15 to 20
members and only 3 priesthood holders. Interviewing him was a good
experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a good lesson with S... this week. He is
super excited to follow the word of wisdom. He has no problem with it other
than drinking and he wants to give that up quickly! It's going to be hard
though. The whole next day he kept calling and texting us telling us how happy
he was to learn about Heavenly Father and that he feels so good every time he
reads, prays, or meets with us. He is so excited about learning with us, more
excited than almost any of my other investigators in the past. He just needs will power to stop drinking!! Please pray for him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also had our last Zone Conference with President
Blickenstaff. It was a good one about the importance of the Book of Mormon and
about diligence and developing faith. Elder Steele and I gave the training on
how to, like Jesus Christ, use the scriptures to overcome the concerns of those
we teach. It was a good training.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have a training meeting with our zone tomorrow and
Elder Steele and I are busily preparing our plan. It should be fun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I gotta go. I spent too much time sending you
all those pictures haha. I love you all lots!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyds1f20-o0ec_49cCmnj5IA68kvAHnl-rLsZrtBbK9EyIH_e9O0g2chwEnt4Sp2e_BVHHAA5IvPlkJO84BOrXOt_K_RMzTZ25Uki-JD8XFq_bB504VtwJ4Y5aOhyphenhyphenBl3WEOSCoc_k9MY4/s1600/Photo+Nov+20%252C+8+17+04+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyds1f20-o0ec_49cCmnj5IA68kvAHnl-rLsZrtBbK9EyIH_e9O0g2chwEnt4Sp2e_BVHHAA5IvPlkJO84BOrXOt_K_RMzTZ25Uki-JD8XFq_bB504VtwJ4Y5aOhyphenhyphenBl3WEOSCoc_k9MY4/s320/Photo+Nov+20%252C+8+17+04+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Xiao Liu Qiu Island</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTYbaqzCKq1iQT5Fb-GBa6YRvfXltHWqD3Cj6J6XzubLfaB7IqOs3JCAmWDoHmKsAV3es5NrMMoinXAFWjGRDkJEaeR4H7iw_Y2u0VkYZPNybhUfxtMtwDfXKMHwQWz5U0wr43LkVZSk/s1600/Photo+Nov+20%252C+8+25+51+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHTYbaqzCKq1iQT5Fb-GBa6YRvfXltHWqD3Cj6J6XzubLfaB7IqOs3JCAmWDoHmKsAV3es5NrMMoinXAFWjGRDkJEaeR4H7iw_Y2u0VkYZPNybhUfxtMtwDfXKMHwQWz5U0wr43LkVZSk/s320/Photo+Nov+20%252C+8+25+51+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcIVZ6Xzoki30qcd8F6T4t331oMeJIaQqShAfcSBcH41PJTNZ3ezrtPgtqnwGmKNIECDu8dH1aqC4gjFW9w8q1heeNL2Odqtbv4Ua8CdFGKu95tTGkHd91xS2ljIupsnrNv-uorlHO5M/s1600/Photo+Nov+20%252C+10+04+37+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCcIVZ6Xzoki30qcd8F6T4t331oMeJIaQqShAfcSBcH41PJTNZ3ezrtPgtqnwGmKNIECDu8dH1aqC4gjFW9w8q1heeNL2Odqtbv4Ua8CdFGKu95tTGkHd91xS2ljIupsnrNv-uorlHO5M/s320/Photo+Nov+20%252C+10+04+37+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_d58jWtPJhBzdqicXaT2EEpgJllC-y21_1JrIT0wJUByErhS5tyjeZguzy8cjdeMZg68kQgyiPc6fs4Cg5D4h3QRd5KRgkTyguKsDNHbs8jc06nlu_wbZWUeF4m2L-bhDo-zzoH2b-I/s1600/Photo+Nov+20%252C+8+20+15+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_d58jWtPJhBzdqicXaT2EEpgJllC-y21_1JrIT0wJUByErhS5tyjeZguzy8cjdeMZg68kQgyiPc6fs4Cg5D4h3QRd5KRgkTyguKsDNHbs8jc06nlu_wbZWUeF4m2L-bhDo-zzoH2b-I/s320/Photo+Nov+20%252C+8+20+15+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WNZ9pZUt5bxSz_prCKRFhTeHYOsrgekkidiPrnCJMEETqxG7jncYnUvgGVaHztkBEhIoXvp1SWE__y3AMiJdRhM1q1nw8TKwntE3roS2KmUEnhoR3l4QBL7PYVGpXS1Qk2K2DzPZ2Sk/s1600/Photo+Nov+20%252C+8+09+13+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WNZ9pZUt5bxSz_prCKRFhTeHYOsrgekkidiPrnCJMEETqxG7jncYnUvgGVaHztkBEhIoXvp1SWE__y3AMiJdRhM1q1nw8TKwntE3roS2KmUEnhoR3l4QBL7PYVGpXS1Qk2K2DzPZ2Sk/s320/Photo+Nov+20%252C+8+09+13+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_94yR6mYOHXV5nHyF-cX8VaWY3KvMjno21gdB9vp5hRKbIzvUos5-VLujkS35N57nFMmMZtV94QNBWsBCjm_etM8Xo9W79NfNyMcdaKB0AEe3t2dwg4mIbqSI-LH0kMGqYN2v4haVxXw/s1600/Photo+Nov+20%252C+5+52+52+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_94yR6mYOHXV5nHyF-cX8VaWY3KvMjno21gdB9vp5hRKbIzvUos5-VLujkS35N57nFMmMZtV94QNBWsBCjm_etM8Xo9W79NfNyMcdaKB0AEe3t2dwg4mIbqSI-LH0kMGqYN2v4haVxXw/s320/Photo+Nov+20%252C+5+52+52+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Random Train Station</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_Ew6_ieGa5c7sLlR3FYb6o7v-EIG6qV9WXSpqIzIsBEvxGbnsdMHlLCx18HfJVjLZpc_JT642sN76j-J0sUz3rZ5CgyLHqOmcEpO6u8q_AuX_gxMneAjC349a5tM3OEWVT2aODYGUFw/s1600/Photo+Nov+20%252C+10+01+29+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_Ew6_ieGa5c7sLlR3FYb6o7v-EIG6qV9WXSpqIzIsBEvxGbnsdMHlLCx18HfJVjLZpc_JT642sN76j-J0sUz3rZ5CgyLHqOmcEpO6u8q_AuX_gxMneAjC349a5tM3OEWVT2aODYGUFw/s320/Photo+Nov+20%252C+10+01+29+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPv_eRj84FSdqk7TKPkz0hIBPEqM8EyJ0c8yag5IHs9gqDRPVgtCB3gs1ZF5LhuBnxfI3hs-XavCWUGTfSpkpqSv9JXqeb9CJuzs36lc0CNyy16XMPcw6XYnkfynGGTibd19cbqfmRuPM/s1600/Photo+May+27%252C+3+22+35+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPv_eRj84FSdqk7TKPkz0hIBPEqM8EyJ0c8yag5IHs9gqDRPVgtCB3gs1ZF5LhuBnxfI3hs-XavCWUGTfSpkpqSv9JXqeb9CJuzs36lc0CNyy16XMPcw6XYnkfynGGTibd19cbqfmRuPM/s320/Photo+May+27%252C+3+22+35+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPJXSN-yz1zn9nZHV9aaOZu-Kn79a3Fz8baHo0xwcI_2YkjyYg_8bJ9gsdWoh8bu-yCdRLTwhbZv83FGiGIuTwAdL67pwDiZfTliaqmk6pfa-mH-n0AyZqwAnWvFDQeSX4O-YNmmmjH0/s1600/Photo+May+23%252C+10+55+21+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitPJXSN-yz1zn9nZHV9aaOZu-Kn79a3Fz8baHo0xwcI_2YkjyYg_8bJ9gsdWoh8bu-yCdRLTwhbZv83FGiGIuTwAdL67pwDiZfTliaqmk6pfa-mH-n0AyZqwAnWvFDQeSX4O-YNmmmjH0/s320/Photo+May+23%252C+10+55+21+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i9JsxuFmkoR5DGBCQHhcj7i9rs9CpBIg6vr811pHmvY4QdM2Dvers9pEO7rX57AYWxv_gLn35eY0JCDOORMimR5JJ414XjVkp4ZQKgPpXUDG12xgPd_o-yWBR0jCAl-nHAewlQrnNxQ/s1600/Photo+May+27%252C+2+38+07+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i9JsxuFmkoR5DGBCQHhcj7i9rs9CpBIg6vr811pHmvY4QdM2Dvers9pEO7rX57AYWxv_gLn35eY0JCDOORMimR5JJ414XjVkp4ZQKgPpXUDG12xgPd_o-yWBR0jCAl-nHAewlQrnNxQ/s320/Photo+May+27%252C+2+38+07+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-35324516686635144292016-06-02T09:47:00.001-07:002016-06-02T09:47:07.335-07:00<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey Everyone!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well this week was a little slower than most
but that's ok. You know you're doing a good job
talking with everyone if you recognize many of the people that you see on the
street or in the park or in convenient stores as people that you've met and
talked with before. It's really great to be able to talk and meet so many
different people here in Taiwan. I've learned a great deal about the people
here in Taiwan and their thoughts and feelings about God, life, and their
families. Many people aren't sure of who God is, why we are here on Earth, or
even how they can have a happy successful family. It makes me very appreciative
of the knowledge that we have through the gospel of Jesus Christ! It opens our
eyes to a larger picture and gives us hope and new direction! It's really
comforting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Thursday we also went up to Taizhong for
our Mission Leadership Council. It was the last one that we will have with
President and Sister Blickenstaff . The next time they hold the meeting will be
with the new mission president. It was a good meeting where we talked about the
importance of planning and about setting a good example for the other
missionaries in the mission. It helped me realize that there are still many
things that I can improve as a missionary. I'm working hard to be though!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm glad that Dad, Mom, and Alexa had a good time up
in Washington DC! I'm sorry the weather wasn't the best. I know how you all
feel though. I can't remember the last time that when I came home for the night
I wasn't completely drenched with sweat. Now that I mention it, I can't
remember the last time I was ever not drenched with sweat all throughout the
day haha. I guess that's just what it's like for Taiwan Taizhong missionaries
haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This next week will be fun. We have a big Zone
Conference this Thursday and it will be President Blickestaff's last
one. Hopefully it will be a excellent one! I'm excited! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I love you all. I hope you all have a great week!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWfXEQzXpkPfUOsDdh_3g_Ho0-FbqpV8qzn3FIOLjTqThs6kmJKIFOF0IxdXbf7Vs23a7y1YFkgDGSrYytcE36RzRUn6-yRNhjnf6n-ns_ahvqZWFWVtp9-NFmmG8vB9az9udnvT3TwQ/s1600/Photo+May+29%252C+9+30+04+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWfXEQzXpkPfUOsDdh_3g_Ho0-FbqpV8qzn3FIOLjTqThs6kmJKIFOF0IxdXbf7Vs23a7y1YFkgDGSrYytcE36RzRUn6-yRNhjnf6n-ns_ahvqZWFWVtp9-NFmmG8vB9az9udnvT3TwQ/s320/Photo+May+29%252C+9+30+04+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn1iLWFvjZUeFuNYsBZniMtJ8-2mQQ14XefOjwf8bOFL6UIM_FAVznTbm87IQW17d6MdgpWNHz8_HKrcgMXbms_26K1ZkKQ9a5mhxwo6MOMcnMP3dmb2t3-dM0NIeXCnMU9EZC2WmA-I/s1600/Photo+May+29%252C+9+29+55+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn1iLWFvjZUeFuNYsBZniMtJ8-2mQQ14XefOjwf8bOFL6UIM_FAVznTbm87IQW17d6MdgpWNHz8_HKrcgMXbms_26K1ZkKQ9a5mhxwo6MOMcnMP3dmb2t3-dM0NIeXCnMU9EZC2WmA-I/s320/Photo+May+29%252C+9+29+55+PM.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Two New Missionaries Assigned To The Arizona Mission</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eDo8u8wiooh1MDSuBWxE1dx6DJ8m6MDEKZxaAaE7H5jlO8FoX6dTVvZ8E_fk8xBZQlYK4glwUixWY6HPxpacmvNXu7Bt9Cyv5MfJBkPlbhspjT7DRkl8InWBCTeSYpE7Tmahr8acNn4/s1600/Photo+Jun+02%252C+10+32+04+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5eDo8u8wiooh1MDSuBWxE1dx6DJ8m6MDEKZxaAaE7H5jlO8FoX6dTVvZ8E_fk8xBZQlYK4glwUixWY6HPxpacmvNXu7Bt9Cyv5MfJBkPlbhspjT7DRkl8InWBCTeSYpE7Tmahr8acNn4/s320/Photo+Jun+02%252C+10+32+04+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uTP3ITphAojE4mjjVBbekF2BZQ0Yq9QlKMua1QRXaa_pCklsrnI4KIMO7yw2u2xvNzS7o-7yikoTd7X4LDmtgyKctcZw6ehJW2Ume66CXgRaFPDTCbOR5vV3l6DzbfSKVnqTdhwFR0M/s1600/Photo+Jun+02%252C+10+32+23+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uTP3ITphAojE4mjjVBbekF2BZQ0Yq9QlKMua1QRXaa_pCklsrnI4KIMO7yw2u2xvNzS7o-7yikoTd7X4LDmtgyKctcZw6ehJW2Ume66CXgRaFPDTCbOR5vV3l6DzbfSKVnqTdhwFR0M/s320/Photo+Jun+02%252C+10+32+23+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNJC4Dc34thozJb1sxZ_UVgB0ZXFGJOjj91lIZyTNezzTLHmi420IkZnsTMmPnAFR4xdva9rN5eOa83MC5EfRgl6PQRH6h7xpsCS9YBiqVKcxEy-3cVGLG002JzoU7oy1-MBpmca3uhg/s1600/Photo+Jun+02%252C+7+20+42+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNJC4Dc34thozJb1sxZ_UVgB0ZXFGJOjj91lIZyTNezzTLHmi420IkZnsTMmPnAFR4xdva9rN5eOa83MC5EfRgl6PQRH6h7xpsCS9YBiqVKcxEy-3cVGLG002JzoU7oy1-MBpmca3uhg/s320/Photo+Jun+02%252C+7+20+42+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-10651706842510171372016-05-23T05:41:00.001-07:002016-05-23T05:41:38.412-07:00Beach Time...<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello Everyone!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We just got back from a fun trip to an
island called Xiao Liu Qiu just off the coast of Dong Gang. It was a fun trip
and I took some good pictures, but the downside is that I don't have much time
to email now. So hopefully the pictures will make up for my lack of an email.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This last week was a little slow on the teaching front. We're hoping that this coming week will
be good though. S... was in the hospital again so we weren't able to visit
with him. Please pray for him! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I did my first baptismal interview! Can you
believe it, I've been out for this long and still hadn't done an interview
before haha. The Elders in Dalio (Elder Clayson and Giles) have been teaching a
young couple, L... and D..., who are going to be baptized in two weeks.
I was a little nervous before and was praying really hard that I would be able
to distinguish clearly whether or not they were ready to be baptized. I had an interview with
the wife, D.... She was super nervous to have to do an interview with me
haha. But I showed her my family picture book to start out and as soon as she
saw the picture of Chloe our dog she was so happy! She loves dogs and she said that
Chloe is one of the cutest and well behaved dogs that she's seen. It made her a
lot more relaxed and the rest of the interview went really well! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Sunday we had a fun situation. On
Saturday night, the Sister missionaries ran into a homeless man (who also
has some mental problems unfortunately) on the street and invited him to come
to the church sometime to meet with Elder Steele and me. He went that night and
before Elder Steele and I had locked up the church to go home, he hid in one of
the classrooms and spent the night there. When everyone came the next morning
for church, he was still sleeping there, but he had decided to put on some
baptismal clothes to wear! Then during sacrament meeting he kept walking up and
down the aisles and wouldn't sit down haha. It was a very interesting meeting.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I have to go now! Love you all!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpuuVsBijxvZR00Poctmvhl1tA5W97Dtuuh1vgOupLQNIxNwkAsjV0KIclrzyHGB9oOL_yMEcGMMOl23559qZ1TZltWhSC0p1Phyhy0X6S2AZlJ2n0vSLtFN7KXaHom4h1E_3lyB1Hp0/s1600/Photo+May+23%252C+5+26+17+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpuuVsBijxvZR00Poctmvhl1tA5W97Dtuuh1vgOupLQNIxNwkAsjV0KIclrzyHGB9oOL_yMEcGMMOl23559qZ1TZltWhSC0p1Phyhy0X6S2AZlJ2n0vSLtFN7KXaHom4h1E_3lyB1Hp0/s1600/Photo+May+23%252C+5+26+17+AM.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLD7M1j0n0toUphvTensEVpV36wuJQInDE7RjmAGYcMOSx0CcjPp3mBB5m5iOmR-J-UN8IselPYQhCkBDH_waJbGZndDc837WGZI9cIwXxghv3aNrpscDVPzLd7na1qm0YyxdTYEm9nQ/s1600/Photo+May+23%252C+5+25+21+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKLD7M1j0n0toUphvTensEVpV36wuJQInDE7RjmAGYcMOSx0CcjPp3mBB5m5iOmR-J-UN8IselPYQhCkBDH_waJbGZndDc837WGZI9cIwXxghv3aNrpscDVPzLd7na1qm0YyxdTYEm9nQ/s1600/Photo+May+23%252C+5+25+21+AM.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOrjGsf8nsnKYJO_FscAxaY1cRZlZfbVIvZtMDxoVpRxa1DU0Xo8A3jq8wguwGqMVlcYA2N7m4qo-m69v_wJDxBpZ4SCtwsSJvQCa8WCwOInqM6REXXETSerrNDn0hrFQ7uNKfB3Ptsk/s1600/Photo+May+23%252C+5+25+46+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOrjGsf8nsnKYJO_FscAxaY1cRZlZfbVIvZtMDxoVpRxa1DU0Xo8A3jq8wguwGqMVlcYA2N7m4qo-m69v_wJDxBpZ4SCtwsSJvQCa8WCwOInqM6REXXETSerrNDn0hrFQ7uNKfB3Ptsk/s1600/Photo+May+23%252C+5+25+46+AM.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9WJ0dLlDooaWh-_F5Ds-gs5TWXgIai4KveN6GTQIPCCVMtSPR7nGcPTXjXCiWT7UtYomMCytDs9o8lDqn5Cml9BJ4NFXLONvkESTVJ8rRCo-sAAkf9cqs2uU0-FD9QdObxcEp2zDipY/s1600/Photo+May+23%252C+5+25+58+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9WJ0dLlDooaWh-_F5Ds-gs5TWXgIai4KveN6GTQIPCCVMtSPR7nGcPTXjXCiWT7UtYomMCytDs9o8lDqn5Cml9BJ4NFXLONvkESTVJ8rRCo-sAAkf9cqs2uU0-FD9QdObxcEp2zDipY/s1600/Photo+May+23%252C+5+25+58+AM.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lJ7yaR4AF0GCzXW37xz8Y3SRcNxVYE9Y1Y2HOnVKl_dVJhO6Nvlgr_cpna_HE2xlmIcnipHSQltVIxpai2BSUowbQW20AwW-RgNvYADHPtKtqtSluffjbkNHmVjde5voNVvW0kdIOL8/s1600/Photo+May+23%252C+5+26+39+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lJ7yaR4AF0GCzXW37xz8Y3SRcNxVYE9Y1Y2HOnVKl_dVJhO6Nvlgr_cpna_HE2xlmIcnipHSQltVIxpai2BSUowbQW20AwW-RgNvYADHPtKtqtSluffjbkNHmVjde5voNVvW0kdIOL8/s1600/Photo+May+23%252C+5+26+39+AM.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-55949140156306091462016-05-16T05:15:00.002-07:002016-05-16T11:52:35.592-07:00Transfers...<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well it's transfers again and I was really
wondering what would happen to me this time. And the verdict is..that I will be
staying in Ping Dong! I really wanted to train for my last two transfers like I had always wanted, but it's okay. I enjoy serving as a Zone Leader down in Ping Dong. I really love being
able to call all the missionaries in my zone and talk to them about how they
are. We started a thing in our zone where whenever anyone sets a baptismal goal
with an investigator that they should call us and talk to us about it and then
we have a giant white board where we right all of their names so we can pray for
them. All the missionaries are super excited when they can call in and talk
about their awesome investigators. I really love all the missionaries in the
zone. Unfortunately, many of them are moving out today. Elder Ludwig from
Fengshan and Elder Flemming from KenDing are both leaving to serve as Zone
Leaders somewhere else. So at least I will be able to see them when we go up to
Taichung for Mission Leadership Council in 2 weeks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I went on exchanges with Elder Giles,
another new missionary that just came to Taiwan. One of Elder Giles teachers in
the MTC was actually my trainer Brendan Smith! I was super excited when I found
that out. He said that whenever Brendan would pretend to be an investigator
that they had to teach he would always go by the name Andrew. Very interesting
haha. Elder Giles is a great missionary and we had a fun time together. I was
really hoping that we would be able to see some great experiences during our
time together so it could strengthen Elder Giles drive to serve and we
definitely had a great time. Right when they met us at the church, a less
active member named L... pulled in (I'd never met him before) and we sat down
and talked with him. He said he has been very bad for the past few years but
wants to come back now. He said he wants us to meet with him and to especially
teach him the commandments so he can know how to obey God! I have never ever
had a person come up and tell me they wanted to learn the commandments that
badly! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we also met with S... our good
friend who owns a fishing company. The last time we met with him we gave him a
Book of Mormon and encouraged him to read it. We didn't explain anything about it
because we didn't have time. But when we met up this week he sat us down
quickly and in a super excited voice started telling us everything he had
learned from reading! He had read every single page started from the
introduction all the way until 1 Nephi chapter 11. He really liked Joseph
Smith's testimony and said he also thinks that Lehi and Nephi's stories were awesome. He is excited to keep reading more and he says every time he reads the
scriptures, he feels super good. He said it was strange that every time he reads the Book of Mormon he would feel super energetic and he didn't know why. We told
him that it was the Holy Ghost! S... wants to be baptized on July 9th. In
order to do that though he needs to work hard. He has been a heavy drinker for
the past 30 to 40 years and it's going to be hard to overcome it. He really
needs to though because his body is starting to fail. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "ms gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> </span>Well I have to go now. I'm excited to keep working here a
little longer with Elder Steele. We are having a good time and finding many
people to teach. I hope we can continue to find success. I love you all lots!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-829196118122980782016-05-09T06:42:00.002-07:002016-05-09T06:42:30.476-07:00Happy Mother's Day!<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey Everyone!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Mother's Day!! Well, I just got done
Skyping with my family. Thanks for everyone who came, it was a lot of fun to
see all the family. Especially Uncle Bob who came all the way from Wyoming just
to Skype with me. (Well, I guess he came to visit Grandma for Mother's Day too
haha) It's too bad that the time always seems to go too fast. But when we talk
the next time, we won't have a time limit! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I just Skyped and said a bunch of stuff, I
don't really know what I should email. I'm enjoying my time in Ping Dong. It's
starting to get super hot, but we're doing alright.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was super fun though! I went on exchanges
with my son Elder Grisenti!! He is in my zone, but he's all the way in Hengchun
and Kending so we never see them. But on Tuesday they came up for our
Zone Meeting and afterwards we did exchanges with them and then they went back on
Wednesday. We had a great time and saw some miracles. All three of our lessons
cancelled on us so we just went tracking and contacting all day long. At
night we only had time to tract for a little bit (like 15 minutes) but since we
had planned it in, we decided to go. The street we chose wasn't that promising,
and only one or two of the houses had any lights on. So we went to the closest
one with lights on and the guy opened up and let us right in before I had said
two words haha. His sister is Christian and he said he would love to learn more
about it so we could come back this next week. We also saw a miracle from
talking to everyone, even old amas. We originally weren't going to talk with
her because sometimes they don't even speak Chinese, but we decided we should
and she immediately pulled over and said she has always wanted to be able to
meet and learn with the missionaries. So we met the next day and she's super
cool and wants to come to church.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Elder Grisenti and I were companions, we would
always play "pig" with his mini basketball hoop. To remember old
times we played two games that night for "all the marbles!" And I won
both times! I can't let the young missionaries show up us experienced ones
haha.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also had a little BBQ on Saturday with a
bunch of members and investigators. It was a lot of fun. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a great week and I'm having lots of fun.
Thanks for all the love and support!! Love you all!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SN8KnSLmkhp2cSFT80xMC_yHrYSF1BHyFuEmmJHAFc8Wh4P7OvDjKm1h8D6Un7MDFgp-UQ-vCu4UD5FzS9ezbPKj6wYUYKfcOUDHCFVyJLJ7ScI2WCg7pO8D9GYfn4CiP0_P7yhrUQk/s1600/Photo+Oct+30%252C+12+15+14+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SN8KnSLmkhp2cSFT80xMC_yHrYSF1BHyFuEmmJHAFc8Wh4P7OvDjKm1h8D6Un7MDFgp-UQ-vCu4UD5FzS9ezbPKj6wYUYKfcOUDHCFVyJLJ7ScI2WCg7pO8D9GYfn4CiP0_P7yhrUQk/s320/Photo+Oct+30%252C+12+15+14+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Early Mornings, Late Nights, The Work Of Zone Leaders</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu4sv8jKgX3FSIU2YZDsRjRA-8Ku8w_oUxUS0FCVQGDMfFUkFYJ0Fd4tx8Xupx2W7yLHYnu-55eMPI2FZZn9FVLKxlS_33rju-FeLH_tBzGRq35fISP-WU0FfJ0CQ3-DpqMTWuijHepo/s1600/Photo+May+09%252C+5+53+06+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSu4sv8jKgX3FSIU2YZDsRjRA-8Ku8w_oUxUS0FCVQGDMfFUkFYJ0Fd4tx8Xupx2W7yLHYnu-55eMPI2FZZn9FVLKxlS_33rju-FeLH_tBzGRq35fISP-WU0FfJ0CQ3-DpqMTWuijHepo/s320/Photo+May+09%252C+5+53+06+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJXhvmwEbnuk1ou3io0EEruyEKtmghXUyjFwea1JnECl0QjjnkXDVZsEt7_DKXC1ocGHepYlfd4BJPIenMvgXWSQtDXwEZ0XCYyes_0sqvjQ62voIZJ0X-DcOTCV5gczpGqY_9NvZDRQ/s1600/Photo+May+02%252C+5+13+07+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJXhvmwEbnuk1ou3io0EEruyEKtmghXUyjFwea1JnECl0QjjnkXDVZsEt7_DKXC1ocGHepYlfd4BJPIenMvgXWSQtDXwEZ0XCYyes_0sqvjQ62voIZJ0X-DcOTCV5gczpGqY_9NvZDRQ/s320/Photo+May+02%252C+5+13+07+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
P-Day Fun</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6NXml-fjrk-MpP2rmdlD9ZZgLip6zBmcLN4yitLhpl79mCD3oRimOxelvDyM5lHzfkVE2bYk7XINYwmzp7sZanIrFL1WWrcc-YnCQ4YDvs4NM6PQSUevbpO_z8nmn3bq6nHgD6lgQYc/s1600/Photo+May+05%252C+12+38+30+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY6NXml-fjrk-MpP2rmdlD9ZZgLip6zBmcLN4yitLhpl79mCD3oRimOxelvDyM5lHzfkVE2bYk7XINYwmzp7sZanIrFL1WWrcc-YnCQ4YDvs4NM6PQSUevbpO_z8nmn3bq6nHgD6lgQYc/s320/Photo+May+05%252C+12+38+30+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Typical Street In Ping Dong</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-72568872053311321612016-05-02T05:55:00.000-07:002016-05-02T11:22:27.150-07:00Site Seeing, Meetings, And Changing Lives...<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello Everyone!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had another great week! I'm sorry that
I'm so bad with writing emails. But after writing so many, I just run out of
fun ways to start them or fun things to say haha. So I'll just tell you how the
week went.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Monday I went to the Lotus Ponds with my
companion Elder Steele. I've gone twice before when I was in Gaoxiong, but
Elder Steele had never been before so I took him there. It was cool going again
though. There were a lot more lilies in the pond this time than there were when
we went during the summer. So that was cool.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Tuesday we went to a District meeting and
then went on exchanges with the Elders Porter and Pothier from Chaozhou (a city
south of Ping Dong city). Elder Pothier is brand new on the island, he got here 3
weeks ago so it was a lot of fun serving with him for a little bit. He is super
tall, about a head taller than me, and really big. Therefore, sometimes people are a
little afraid to talk with him, but he's such a nice guy so they can feel that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Thursday we went up to Taizhong again!!
This time was for our Mission Leaders Conference. It was a really good one about Finding. We talked
about how we need to prepare ourselves to be ready to find the people who want
to hear the gospel. We have to let God know that he can trust us to find and
teach His children. If we aren't doing all we can to prepare ourselves, then He
won't trust us with this great responsibility. We got back to the Ping Dong
train station at about 8:30 at night and while riding our bikes from the
station, we ran into a member from our ward. She called us into her bread shop
and gave us some super good cream puffs and some pudding! Those cream puffs
were super good! Talk about miracles!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Thursday we met with an investigator
named L... We've been meeting with him for a while, but it's been hard
for him to really live a gospel centered life because he is in the Army here
and the people all around him are pretty mean to him. He doesn't want to do
anything to stand out from the rest of the people so he falls into peer
pressure a lot. We're still working with him though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We finally were able to meet with a guy named
S... that I had met in a convenient store when on exchanges with Elder
Gilbert about 1 1/2 months ago. He just never had time until Saturday night.
He came in and he said he had been drinking a little bit at a family get
together an hour or two ago. We talked about how the gospel could help him
improve his life and his family's and that it could help him stop drinking too.
He then told us that he had been trying to do that for many years and
especially wanted to do it now because his liver is failing and needs to stop.
We taught him about prayer and asked him to say one. He said a simple prayer in
which he asked for help to overcome his drinking problem. After the prayer he
just broke down and started to cry and thanked us over and over again for
coming to help him. He is a really great guy, and wants to do all he can to be
a better person so that he can help his family. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We've had a great week, and I'm excited to Skype with
you all next Monday!! (Monday morning here) I hope we can find a way
to Skype you all, because as of now, we don't have anything to use haha. Wish us
luck!! I'm happy everything is going well back in the states! I love you all
lots. I hope you appreciated all the pics that I sent. They are all courtesy of
my companion haha. love you all!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A0V5WvCT8HIBJ9jRgBRLVWcNC_hQJWNp_EuRai5bBQQ7LW87pwxpDUsuBGjvUyJxIpSAnQKlLr9WLnUcnMcSnULPVviFw1On9ic17gmSuIvCN4VmNWq6EYI780YCpzVulHFgaCMsxIQ/s1600/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+27+18+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2A0V5WvCT8HIBJ9jRgBRLVWcNC_hQJWNp_EuRai5bBQQ7LW87pwxpDUsuBGjvUyJxIpSAnQKlLr9WLnUcnMcSnULPVviFw1On9ic17gmSuIvCN4VmNWq6EYI780YCpzVulHFgaCMsxIQ/s320/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+27+18+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lotus Pond, Goaxiong, Taiwan, April 2016</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSWgZSH61lLErfiRL_T4MkoFBjgz7N8z7dvMD0u8bC4aDaWA7balpe8BafUJHWuKxqGZgUDL1ewVgh7qC0RZkdqcmaAi7RPWuvi6K2Vq7mW_PUU6d7RO2qCjL6mxGk498Y17x36j-8Lk/s1600/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+11+56+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSWgZSH61lLErfiRL_T4MkoFBjgz7N8z7dvMD0u8bC4aDaWA7balpe8BafUJHWuKxqGZgUDL1ewVgh7qC0RZkdqcmaAi7RPWuvi6K2Vq7mW_PUU6d7RO2qCjL6mxGk498Y17x36j-8Lk/s320/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+11+56+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHBUqTuJmyAFzEEVNf1uB95AMMRLfZJ_h5GdAgKTIStPYcnkj3VHz3fiG5hGVHbw8cRQBg0y24e_XsIfEGhu-Lo8Kogkf-9gzkk1sclxetC8PpHBqGRC9RecFpmQHz8Ppnq5YB6muBQk/s1600/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+20+08+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHBUqTuJmyAFzEEVNf1uB95AMMRLfZJ_h5GdAgKTIStPYcnkj3VHz3fiG5hGVHbw8cRQBg0y24e_XsIfEGhu-Lo8Kogkf-9gzkk1sclxetC8PpHBqGRC9RecFpmQHz8Ppnq5YB6muBQk/s320/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+20+08+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmvSbw7uTHOoe9r1tsHZ5bFYsDog9BrCgK1eWKbkvDcgTw11omRXjcpG-5BPkY1ShmJ31sRzgp_hUUl_yfv-MVxAmgV0eyrtzmOOst61yY7EMamQMsmNQfUkdiDgu9uWK4Fm1K3LT8wY/s1600/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+26+11+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNmvSbw7uTHOoe9r1tsHZ5bFYsDog9BrCgK1eWKbkvDcgTw11omRXjcpG-5BPkY1ShmJ31sRzgp_hUUl_yfv-MVxAmgV0eyrtzmOOst61yY7EMamQMsmNQfUkdiDgu9uWK4Fm1K3LT8wY/s320/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+26+11+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0NIMMUS51qT4TjxzsvRjcJFfeUMF1Kf0jEb9m5fLxKcbaHLV3Pggsl9d50WgJYqKYtXz9_Gi32iTKCUUUiavip1sIUeMEgM1D9APTt3hZjY_OAqpKwmLqIU4CSdpp6a45uhoPVrLClw/s1600/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+27+09+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV0NIMMUS51qT4TjxzsvRjcJFfeUMF1Kf0jEb9m5fLxKcbaHLV3Pggsl9d50WgJYqKYtXz9_Gi32iTKCUUUiavip1sIUeMEgM1D9APTt3hZjY_OAqpKwmLqIU4CSdpp6a45uhoPVrLClw/s320/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+27+09+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaK-ebGD5lKSJAjGUOUCdy4QPfjI0iuB_fVEaV6Q5yTm_kg-pOMvQH3h0-iJOL6tZEJS-gKjsv960c9eTFYJ0hfk4NAX9HQhdCmEtMlL1spQ0792boAYryuIegVX42rPb-VquM8lMkq4/s1600/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+34+29+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaK-ebGD5lKSJAjGUOUCdy4QPfjI0iuB_fVEaV6Q5yTm_kg-pOMvQH3h0-iJOL6tZEJS-gKjsv960c9eTFYJ0hfk4NAX9HQhdCmEtMlL1spQ0792boAYryuIegVX42rPb-VquM8lMkq4/s320/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+34+29+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4xZKgF65S9YoDVtACmDKQklEL6bSy-Ph5XOiH_GdOvv3b4svZHzW5hPnbTDFmB-ECYrgvfVRuYIdw5XRPlMbnwC2OyTgoWmV8x_-5-cwZmt95CYiECtjDehynV3TL-W9-YD2QEMnM9M/s1600/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+36+29+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4xZKgF65S9YoDVtACmDKQklEL6bSy-Ph5XOiH_GdOvv3b4svZHzW5hPnbTDFmB-ECYrgvfVRuYIdw5XRPlMbnwC2OyTgoWmV8x_-5-cwZmt95CYiECtjDehynV3TL-W9-YD2QEMnM9M/s320/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+36+29+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSpgmRvN0f2bqJqpYz3iYUV12HjHDy4a3ONIv5NZvhncb6AS3am2BBRgthR0l7KzSUcY8QTKpB9kfHZQC0gYazS5XELx8tBfA4Fq-s5_en24kXBpWe3iJyy0IWODCmGFBa-lKEVN8YAg/s1600/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+39+41+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSpgmRvN0f2bqJqpYz3iYUV12HjHDy4a3ONIv5NZvhncb6AS3am2BBRgthR0l7KzSUcY8QTKpB9kfHZQC0gYazS5XELx8tBfA4Fq-s5_en24kXBpWe3iJyy0IWODCmGFBa-lKEVN8YAg/s320/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+39+41+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWSTW4gJbGIB2oxx7kuogc9u6SQnbJhT7N6yzixMpdEk8q2-sGYEq6pqGNPKT-n1ZXE8ULvGccMq3MA3NLAJ5mP2EKB1tjdyjRbPR3050J974pnROTv9esmVBvAQmRfS8EeswmUftp4M/s1600/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+48+40+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlWSTW4gJbGIB2oxx7kuogc9u6SQnbJhT7N6yzixMpdEk8q2-sGYEq6pqGNPKT-n1ZXE8ULvGccMq3MA3NLAJ5mP2EKB1tjdyjRbPR3050J974pnROTv9esmVBvAQmRfS8EeswmUftp4M/s320/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+48+40+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCJ05ogon1bGoV4UgtAqgJJ3-MtBS6FqBhiemsUIysvZo-X4Nkgpr61mNRE7Xnn5cS28CVCmnofnO9e_LsJSJMcWdZQSVWf8w9bE5BDDob3gelx4LuIvPu-c09TAz5LuvJmxKr-0Xjjc/s1600/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+54+46+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCJ05ogon1bGoV4UgtAqgJJ3-MtBS6FqBhiemsUIysvZo-X4Nkgpr61mNRE7Xnn5cS28CVCmnofnO9e_LsJSJMcWdZQSVWf8w9bE5BDDob3gelx4LuIvPu-c09TAz5LuvJmxKr-0Xjjc/s320/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+54+46+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK54Flx4haLV2V1GcHkiRwn09WxE5t6wQ0GR4_Oss4_NwGOsWdduhDLZJBhYL0d1ei0sWLieK8flOd2d33rl-A4Rf4cc_5BXaw35foWRX7xuaVuno8DYkzQ_jpR2dPZ79GMjBLOYrwLQ/s1600/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+57+06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSK54Flx4haLV2V1GcHkiRwn09WxE5t6wQ0GR4_Oss4_NwGOsWdduhDLZJBhYL0d1ei0sWLieK8flOd2d33rl-A4Rf4cc_5BXaw35foWRX7xuaVuno8DYkzQ_jpR2dPZ79GMjBLOYrwLQ/s320/Photo+Apr+25%252C+3+57+06+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupMyePvUIHlnu5z2SO2TuiP890ztfKfmmfesaQmsSilPE2FIffLNiYMaK5_4purO_bYFRF6cfCCxXz-NAllSqeoB7AtfPveC41tGfyJVRqrutq_zVoAI7Pr0tWYPppZeb8rdc1iHEkSI/s1600/Photo+May+02%252C+7+14+14+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupMyePvUIHlnu5z2SO2TuiP890ztfKfmmfesaQmsSilPE2FIffLNiYMaK5_4purO_bYFRF6cfCCxXz-NAllSqeoB7AtfPveC41tGfyJVRqrutq_zVoAI7Pr0tWYPppZeb8rdc1iHEkSI/s320/Photo+May+02%252C+7+14+14+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mission Leaders Training Meeting, Taichung, Taiwan</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSL7ZELdSW9_d0-4HJNbuX0DrABKMKrnzsNGClgMI082p7wWRaFHLDAgEs_ycr8DjfC0YWI-iMKvfcmxNSFeehwNMBCFCSiuPu3MAhKA5Ca_BYRQkxphI7Rj7yWG-wIF6amh8ct97cTI/s1600/Photo+May+02%252C+7+15+01+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZSL7ZELdSW9_d0-4HJNbuX0DrABKMKrnzsNGClgMI082p7wWRaFHLDAgEs_ycr8DjfC0YWI-iMKvfcmxNSFeehwNMBCFCSiuPu3MAhKA5Ca_BYRQkxphI7Rj7yWG-wIF6amh8ct97cTI/s320/Photo+May+02%252C+7+15+01+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Taichung Mission, Mission Leaders, April 2016</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-46208825522002773092016-04-25T05:38:00.000-07:002016-05-02T05:38:18.460-07:00Missionary Exchanges, Meetings With Mission President...<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was a pretty busy week in terms of meetings and
the like, but it was a really good one. There wasn't a whole lot of success or
improvement with regards to our teaching opportunities, but it was a great week for me
personally! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Monday we just kind of chilled around
town and tried to find fun things to do. We didn't really find anything, just a
few places to take pictures. The zebra guy was pretty cool, and the illusion
drawings are cool too. I wish they had more though. The best was definitely the
guy on the motorcycle haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Tuesday we went over to the Yuanshan
chapel to attend another district's training meeting or DTM. I love being able to go and interact
with other missionaries and see how they are doing. We also brought the
Yuanshan Elders, Elder Weatherford and Elder Jones, over to our area to do
exchanges, and I got to work with Elder Weatherford. It was pretty fun.
Unfortunately we just went contacting, tracking and survey contacting. In the afternoon, when we
advertised for our English class, we had lots of success. The sisters missionaries asked us 4 white American men to stand outside an all girl's senior high school
right when they were getting out of school! I think I handed out more flyers in
those 30 minutes than I have in the all of the other times combined!! And
during that Wednesday's English class, we saw plenty of people from
that high school. The sister missionaries are pretty smart haha.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Thursday our zone had interviews with
President and Sister Blickenstaff. I always love interviews because I always
learn a lot of good things from them. We had a little devotional for Elder
Hatch, the missionary who recently passed away, and then started our
interviews. Elder Steele and I had the super tiring job of doing planner and
area book checks for all the missionaries there! It took forever, but it was
good to see that we have a zone full of excellent missionaries! And then when
President Blickenstaff checked my planner, he said that it was too good to be a
Zone Leader's planner haha. Usually ZLs are always so busy taking care of stuff
at night after we get home, that many times their planners are not that well organized. But
most of the time I am able to get good planning in at night. Sometimes I don't
get finished with everything until 10:30 though haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During our interviews with our President, we were asked
to share with him something from "Preach My Gospel" or the scriptures that has
changed our lives. I really liked this assignment and the scripture that I
chose is from Alma 32:17-18. I really love how Alma tells us how we can develop our faith by doing consistent things like studying the scriptures, praying, and going to church. I don't think I've ever had a big miraculous experience in which I
came to believe that God is real, or that Jesus is the Christ, or that Joseph
Smith was really a true prophet of God. Rather, my experience has been how Alma
describes it, a slow growth that will make us happy as we continue to nourish
our faith and testimony. I love that he says that "even if we only have a
desire to believe" that we can let this be the start of our testimony. If
we want to believe in God, but you can't bring yourself to do it, just let
yourself believe and then as you begin to learn more, and experiment more with
the things you learn, you will begin to see little changes in yourself, and
because of those changes, you will be able to see that God is really there and
that as you come closer to Him, you will be happier and happier. I'm still in
the process of growing and will always be. But I have felt enough to know that
I am on the right path, and the things that I'm teaching here in Taiwan are
truly from God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Thursday we went to Taichung to do
exchanges with the APs. It was fun to work with Elder Taylor (he came to Taiwan
the same time as me) and we found a lot of cool people on the streets next to
the mission office. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All in all, it's been a great week! I'm having a
great time and I'm loving it here! It's not always the easiest to keep going
when your tired all day every day, but it's worth it! Love you all! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCNMuG3koSNHEiHD96hJtlLvP4R1n0Kq3CgcwXaOXRMpW4AeqXF1TQ06gV6lNSVZ1-FvCqwX3EGLd4mo-FF2hdbNB1IIULemJH18jLco0q1wnLuRRfJfAw2lnAolsUgs61MQQbnKhFU8/s1600/Photo+Apr+23%252C+11+20+39+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCNMuG3koSNHEiHD96hJtlLvP4R1n0Kq3CgcwXaOXRMpW4AeqXF1TQ06gV6lNSVZ1-FvCqwX3EGLd4mo-FF2hdbNB1IIULemJH18jLco0q1wnLuRRfJfAw2lnAolsUgs61MQQbnKhFU8/s320/Photo+Apr+23%252C+11+20+39+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30zrMGalD2IMQJsd8Glx9cTiRqlib5tO0Lhu3OVRIjGbGX2ZwPkCsJBTRkhMox4dJIcTJmwHx86Nh4higMMzJQ7mzz2gS11mrLTJbpUreSrWrOd8Je5LpJoKM-ypVmZxHHCzN62aqfAk/s1600/Photo+Apr+05%252C+11+18+48+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30zrMGalD2IMQJsd8Glx9cTiRqlib5tO0Lhu3OVRIjGbGX2ZwPkCsJBTRkhMox4dJIcTJmwHx86Nh4higMMzJQ7mzz2gS11mrLTJbpUreSrWrOd8Je5LpJoKM-ypVmZxHHCzN62aqfAk/s320/Photo+Apr+05%252C+11+18+48+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Family History Conference</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ybpF6QJ_VPrrskGsPWHZhUzsiZNSyDx2p19hpoZkuBRaE40Xx3imoGVzHXNmE2huPolDUgfChcVqVhLK79fDvI4IucyJJjAmBGcMPBTbtr5WQR3IRj27s487SyzWn3ArlKkBvDDtTsI/s1600/Photo+Apr+05%252C+12+21+23+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ybpF6QJ_VPrrskGsPWHZhUzsiZNSyDx2p19hpoZkuBRaE40Xx3imoGVzHXNmE2huPolDUgfChcVqVhLK79fDvI4IucyJJjAmBGcMPBTbtr5WQR3IRj27s487SyzWn3ArlKkBvDDtTsI/s320/Photo+Apr+05%252C+12+21+23+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lr9YB0sZJX5h_P5M9irde4H_HH7SIA3ysEoPChMRw1wNu4Eel18Z6wtf4HF7LG96tlAD5hEZRi3ypyv_Uw8ufk0_3mHg10p1-slN-qp4E8iCEUXWaHsGoW4NqQ14O1EDATLXh7VdWXU/s1600/Photo+Apr+18%252C+5+03+06+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lr9YB0sZJX5h_P5M9irde4H_HH7SIA3ysEoPChMRw1wNu4Eel18Z6wtf4HF7LG96tlAD5hEZRi3ypyv_Uw8ufk0_3mHg10p1-slN-qp4E8iCEUXWaHsGoW4NqQ14O1EDATLXh7VdWXU/s320/Photo+Apr+18%252C+5+03+06+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZEC5jBbq9pU9i3bzw6awf5YcQBEWcuJ-Y79j-PBml2C6ApBZPXYIJe92t9AH1grS2es-OAD-keu47F55TPpxJeZiDCWKAk_QGVZxTxytvqslgYHar7HC1XTBI5lGq4LyIYVCg0DCqXg/s1600/Photo+Apr+18%252C+5+14+44+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZEC5jBbq9pU9i3bzw6awf5YcQBEWcuJ-Y79j-PBml2C6ApBZPXYIJe92t9AH1grS2es-OAD-keu47F55TPpxJeZiDCWKAk_QGVZxTxytvqslgYHar7HC1XTBI5lGq4LyIYVCg0DCqXg/s320/Photo+Apr+18%252C+5+14+44+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Public Exercise Equipment. I Am Out Of Shape!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFRAf6Zn_UewfJxUGDdvlhBcgLp9tJVP8vYiILpsuWr8N2yoKtfXUXPQ3J4EPXUndv8wlr3dBcxo6C0YFNRyQ-o6SGvrSY57_u63RMkBhJzC43KmmCPVicb6YcDPutkHyP3l3rqDeVSM/s1600/Photo+Apr+18%252C+5+01+36+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFRAf6Zn_UewfJxUGDdvlhBcgLp9tJVP8vYiILpsuWr8N2yoKtfXUXPQ3J4EPXUndv8wlr3dBcxo6C0YFNRyQ-o6SGvrSY57_u63RMkBhJzC43KmmCPVicb6YcDPutkHyP3l3rqDeVSM/s320/Photo+Apr+18%252C+5+01+36+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsgT6U5jXUigSbVSn12L80Yv8jJw_A66-twsE4lcNULXW3ZeJyAE9gOZNhq24-WJ0YFXuR3dLrLwXqVEw8cwlrSu3CBqi3n9_7cFO3xnTqc8KoJ_l2vufE2Ns90UAyMKQ7oEtwqQ3JVM/s1600/Photo+Oct+16%252C+1+17+04+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlsgT6U5jXUigSbVSn12L80Yv8jJw_A66-twsE4lcNULXW3ZeJyAE9gOZNhq24-WJ0YFXuR3dLrLwXqVEw8cwlrSu3CBqi3n9_7cFO3xnTqc8KoJ_l2vufE2Ns90UAyMKQ7oEtwqQ3JVM/s320/Photo+Oct+16%252C+1+17+04+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwciBqzHmSzrwX7A0suLPbjZZmk7cbtmQBdDf_ivePokq60VddSczM2Pt4qr1oXfeqHLdXyT8iKPimPKfEJH9cRAZIgm5sD0uCO8HChep2jJEQRpjj8pEldFoDmBgZsLO4sUYcqKZmiVc/s1600/Photo+Oct+16%252C+1+23+46+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwciBqzHmSzrwX7A0suLPbjZZmk7cbtmQBdDf_ivePokq60VddSczM2Pt4qr1oXfeqHLdXyT8iKPimPKfEJH9cRAZIgm5sD0uCO8HChep2jJEQRpjj8pEldFoDmBgZsLO4sUYcqKZmiVc/s320/Photo+Oct+16%252C+1+23+46+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGFrRiTqd0NvOafyUzQUwpXIAnDvOLcM6bQtRYA3QqwJPtvX_oN2J0l53sn9U6Q9nh-cbiQcEJDjqsTftknB5VoSVdqzD-dJ74mkzFsyxS5CmDeGJKo490mnDjoewhLptupXhb8TO25Y/s1600/Photo+Oct+16%252C+2+40+36+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGFrRiTqd0NvOafyUzQUwpXIAnDvOLcM6bQtRYA3QqwJPtvX_oN2J0l53sn9U6Q9nh-cbiQcEJDjqsTftknB5VoSVdqzD-dJ74mkzFsyxS5CmDeGJKo490mnDjoewhLptupXhb8TO25Y/s320/Photo+Oct+16%252C+2+40+36+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-24699763464748351882016-04-18T06:14:00.003-07:002016-04-18T07:14:51.569-07:00Miracle Part 2...<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello Everyone!!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First off I'd just like to say that H... from Xihu got baptized two days ago and in the picture that they took, he looks
the happiest that I've ever seen him!! He really did not have a happy life and
didn't care about anything. Elder Osborne (my MTC companion who is in Xihu
right now) said that he had a little analogy that he told during his baptismal
interview. He said he always was carrying around a heavy rock, and when he
started learning the gospel the rock broke and every time he learned a new
principle a piece was taken away. I'm so happy that he was able to feel of the
joy that the gospel of Jesus Christ can bring into his life!! Way to go
H...!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week was also full of other miracles! My
companion Elder Steele and I love to find people to talk to and sometimes we ask them to help us do a survey. Usually we will go to people who
are sitting at 7-11s and Family Marts (the best convenient stores in Taiwan)
and then talk with them. So this week we went
to a 7-11 and there were lots of people there and we didn't know who to talk
to. There were two guys we wanted to talk to but one was outside and
one was inside. We had to choose one so Elder Steele and I flipped a coin and
it landed on heads so we went inside and talked to that guy. He saw us and
instantly told us to sit down and talk with him. He is Christian but is still
searching for the right church for him. He says everyone's thoughts are all
different and he has no idea how to find which views are correct. We talked
with him some and then he agreed and came to church on Sunday. He
seemed to enjoy it and we will keep meeting with him! When in doubt...I guess
flipping a coin does really work haha.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On a sadder note, yes we were informed of the death
of Elder Hampton this week. He had just come to Taiwan 2 months ago so I never
had the opportunity to meet him, but from the pictures I can tell that he was a
excellent missionary! We were all very sad to hear that he died on the
way to the hospital after the car accident. Please remember to keep his friends and
family in your prayers. Also remember to pray for his companion Elder Quist. He
must be feeling devastated as well. I know that God has His hand in
everything. Even though we don't understand the reasons why bad things happen.
We just need to have faith in God's plan and to trust Him.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our zone as a whole is doing well. We are all working
hard and have great missionaries here. I'm lucky to be serving in such a great
place! It's getting a little hotter and it's been raining recently, but it's
not too bad. I love you lots! Have a great week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
ps. I have to go, but my favorite talks were about the
greatest follower, and about our identity as children of God. There were others
too but I have to go, sorry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChwCtfh59j5Kj3qWgrUyZk5wruoSagBkipvVGW7dXsr_kfEJtgmLpb6pxoHHEnfomG2m_HvRJwiMMSe1D4AjXwUfNYHo5dqH54ZU1qEqFsb3JENvXES0pct6tl68_bWf4RahK_JYKNSc/s1600/Photo+Apr+18%252C+5+06+29+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChwCtfh59j5Kj3qWgrUyZk5wruoSagBkipvVGW7dXsr_kfEJtgmLpb6pxoHHEnfomG2m_HvRJwiMMSe1D4AjXwUfNYHo5dqH54ZU1qEqFsb3JENvXES0pct6tl68_bWf4RahK_JYKNSc/s320/Photo+Apr+18%252C+5+06+29+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Great Miracle!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-89075085971715953332016-04-11T05:32:00.000-07:002016-04-11T05:38:02.501-07:00Miracles, Family History...<div class="MsoNormal">
Hey Everyone!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well my first week with Elder Steele was
super busy and stressful, but now it's all done and it turned out to be a
pretty good week! On Monday and Tuesday we were at the big
cultural center helping out with the family history activity. The activity was pretty
fun and was a great opportunity to let other people learn more about our church
through helping them with their family history. It was a big success
and each day there was over 6 thousand people who visited the exhibit! We
didn't do a ton to help out, but we gave people maps of our exhibit and
told them to go check it out. We weren't allowed to proselyte at the cultural
center because it is a government owned facility, but we were there to make
friends and encourage people to start doing family history work. It was fun
having the whole zone at this activity participating and being able to meet all of
them. Because we just had a movecall, most of people are new to the zone.
Actually, half of the zone members are new to the zone, and 3 of them are brand
new to Taiwan!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our Zone Training Meeting went well. I was
surprised how well it went because it was only Elder Steele and I's second
full day together and we had done all the planning in a cafeteria at the
cultural center during the activity on Monday and Tuesday haha.
Despite the challenges, the meeting turned out pretty well. We have a lot of
young missionaries in the zone, (I am the oldest be at least several months to
a year!!) so we really focused on the basics; what is a successful missionary,
what is our goal as missionaries, and how to find people to teach. It was
a fun meeting. It was fun especially because Elder Grisenti (my trainee) is in
my zone!!! He moved to Hengchun, the area at the very bottom of Taiwan. It was
fun seeing him again and having him at the meeting (although he didn't do much
to help out, he just made fun of me haha). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have some good news!!! One of the investigators
that we found when I was over in Xihu is preparing to be baptized this
Saturday!! His name is H... and I was very surprised to hear that he wanted to
be baptized. During my first or second week in Xihu I randomly grabbed a
handful of records with phone numbers of people who had met missionaries before
and left a phone number, but then had no interest. We call these records, the
"dead stack" because missionaries never have success calling those
people haha. We had nobody to teach so I called those numbers and called
H.... He didn't want to meet at first but I was a little pushy and got him to
come. He came and literally had no desire to do anything in his life. He said
he doesn't care about his family, job, friends, or even his own life. He didn't
want to change or learn anything. We met with him a couple times, but we
literally had no idea what to say to get him to want to change because he just
didn't care. So we stopped
officially meeting with him and just would talk to him when he came to English
Class on Wednesday nights. Then I left and my MTC companion replaced
me. And he said that H... has changed a bunch and already passed his
baptismal interview and is excited to be baptized! That is a huge miracle!!!
I'm so very grateful that my work in Xihu was not a waste!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are still working hard in Ping Dong and are
starting to find more and more success. X... came to the Saturday morning
session of General Conference and really enjoyed it. He still has concerns and
struggles to believe in God, but he's improving. We had a great lesson with him
last week. I love him and really hope that he can come to realize that God is
real and that He loves him!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
K... (the guy who likes to weight lift) came to the Sunday morning
session of Conference with his girlfriend. We had in our previous lesson shared
about Lehi's vision of the tree of life in Chapter 8 of the Book of Mormon and in that session two of the speakers
talked about that so he really enjoyed it! It was his first time coming to
church and it turns out that a super awesome family in our ward (the old stake
president's family) is actually his next door neighbors! So he knew several of
the people at church and really enjoyed it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things are going well here and I'm excited to be here
serving. I love you all! Hope you have a great week!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-5751890460081059602016-04-04T05:20:00.001-07:002016-04-04T05:20:20.224-07:00Quick Post...<div class="MsoNormal">
Hello Everyone!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sorry my time is a little short, so I will type quickly. Last week was pretty good. On our last<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
pday we just kind of went wandering around the city looking
for cool things. It was fun. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday we got up at 4:30 am to get on the
train to go to Taichung for our Mission Leadership Council. It was a long ride
and I was exhausted. I was planning to sleep on the 3.5 hour ride up, but then
some other elders I knew sat in the seats next to us... so no one got any sleep
haha. The meeting was good though. We learned a lot of good stuff. (Sorry, I don't
have time to write what we did learn).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wednesday we had our English party. We had a big Easter
party with a pinata and an Easter egg hunt. We ended up making the pinata too
thick so nobody could break it after about 20 to 30 minutes. So I ended up
having to go in there and break it for them haha.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest of the week was good but I have 30 seconds left to
type. I love you all!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdE3AhrTveaW3ZQ9QyWh3GRtKx8X3IBZmpRf7FCE8jhyh0OqUkDIhnfyTp9AE58kZ_E9oxuLwD9Q1cmBUJfb0m1X6KI6hJJwz2nSbKxcHPd_ntOx2b638l6798bfAf6sDy_sIc7JjHtpQ/s1600/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+27+55+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdE3AhrTveaW3ZQ9QyWh3GRtKx8X3IBZmpRf7FCE8jhyh0OqUkDIhnfyTp9AE58kZ_E9oxuLwD9Q1cmBUJfb0m1X6KI6hJJwz2nSbKxcHPd_ntOx2b638l6798bfAf6sDy_sIc7JjHtpQ/s320/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+27+55+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Taichung, Taiwan Mission Leadership Council, March 2016</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo1flmbBI8lDiu7PrQTjnULDlR_lz88G99sZOJDFOQI6SJx1gFopvkrLNJ0g20u-Uj3he417WQ9RL9XBKjL2XcRfh7lBc0OrTalKlJfy9RBHsK8U0LMDX7-v2tIfsSJzfHLkOeJcNnoI/s1600/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+25+53+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo1flmbBI8lDiu7PrQTjnULDlR_lz88G99sZOJDFOQI6SJx1gFopvkrLNJ0g20u-Uj3he417WQ9RL9XBKjL2XcRfh7lBc0OrTalKlJfy9RBHsK8U0LMDX7-v2tIfsSJzfHLkOeJcNnoI/s320/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+25+53+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fRJtHz941WI3AMYxweVpyEdtunyy0O3Kxju7NUX2WMPJ8NsS6xC0AtNNUN2U7NnhrQ8m-AQfN29Vz6W1agpxhfWIlQu1_F7Hy-8xBu2sXaHCQI33h6rwoi364fAWRglR6-HTYSczlfU/s1600/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+27+09+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fRJtHz941WI3AMYxweVpyEdtunyy0O3Kxju7NUX2WMPJ8NsS6xC0AtNNUN2U7NnhrQ8m-AQfN29Vz6W1agpxhfWIlQu1_F7Hy-8xBu2sXaHCQI33h6rwoi364fAWRglR6-HTYSczlfU/s320/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+27+09+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugB6A0lDnSSsflGOCIxZCHDwZwqWtdJchz_JqAk1o7BQ5DBFq-tfbK_DV_vnMOGlXg-YhAYDua2lGD4SLE8UP8T90rVyWHjMPmCJT_m7AOy-fsxY_r-YQ80t6-lBX0pl02c4t3HOSPps/s1600/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+27+34+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugB6A0lDnSSsflGOCIxZCHDwZwqWtdJchz_JqAk1o7BQ5DBFq-tfbK_DV_vnMOGlXg-YhAYDua2lGD4SLE8UP8T90rVyWHjMPmCJT_m7AOy-fsxY_r-YQ80t6-lBX0pl02c4t3HOSPps/s320/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+27+34+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKOm9C88H_mgQljskXYdFBtUdw1p-lH9H82rP5W4lt3w8OiZwdbBCOOtz0DwaxS7tnLYsbBwLdS0vxlP6BCHz-GKwRr1YbRDH-8AkaYpDcbVI45j-O2oigqd4dZ32o_0vEwlNFrlGj4s/s1600/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+45+26+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKOm9C88H_mgQljskXYdFBtUdw1p-lH9H82rP5W4lt3w8OiZwdbBCOOtz0DwaxS7tnLYsbBwLdS0vxlP6BCHz-GKwRr1YbRDH-8AkaYpDcbVI45j-O2oigqd4dZ32o_0vEwlNFrlGj4s/s320/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+45+26+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO2Iy1tMoHasGcISstDBhbdYFTNX1AyC9uvz0UcE815G4_eO6CL4-2FFKNhyk-EVtCDG_4nkGVr-3aTATfR460DpduPb7-WlYxCFfSpb-nP2KyuQ6HTWL221AO0fPPkA-Z49yBrPs484/s1600/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+26+13+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO2Iy1tMoHasGcISstDBhbdYFTNX1AyC9uvz0UcE815G4_eO6CL4-2FFKNhyk-EVtCDG_4nkGVr-3aTATfR460DpduPb7-WlYxCFfSpb-nP2KyuQ6HTWL221AO0fPPkA-Z49yBrPs484/s320/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+26+13+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_ywZq9TK0o2Rr6yJQEj16eDbbOhVBcvKL4ATJSDa9loAmhEL9IMPB4OGA9so0D7d0B4HO2Tci3tK-HT_CrUEjIRUnvbXyBPZ4sRKYJuDg6GQaiuWpwfbFY47SHK7QugGbtCy3-XXglw/s1600/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+46+15+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_ywZq9TK0o2Rr6yJQEj16eDbbOhVBcvKL4ATJSDa9loAmhEL9IMPB4OGA9so0D7d0B4HO2Tci3tK-HT_CrUEjIRUnvbXyBPZ4sRKYJuDg6GQaiuWpwfbFY47SHK7QugGbtCy3-XXglw/s320/Photo+Apr+04%252C+6+46+15+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-89849373019637595642016-03-28T05:23:00.001-07:002016-03-28T12:08:29.778-07:00Awesome Week...<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another week comes and goes. But it felt like this week was
super long because it rained almost every single day! I am really grateful that
I'm serving down south though. We have a guy in our ward that is super cool and
he's going to serve a mission in Taipei this coming week. He has to pack a ton
of rain gear because it rains pretty much every single day up there!! I'm very
thankful that it only rained 4 or 5 days this last week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week we went on exchanges with the Elders in
Fengshan, Elder Ludwig (trainer) and Elder Hatch (trainee). Elder Hatch just
got on island the week that I moved here to Ping Dong so he is still getting
used to Taiwan and everything here. It was super fun to go on exchanges with
him and remember what it was like when I first came to Taiwan; still adjusting
to the food, struggling with the language, and doubting my ability to do just
about anything. The Lord has helped and blessed me a lot during my time here
and I have certainly grown a lot. The change is really gradual so sometimes I
just fail to notice it, but when I really think about it, I have changed a lot.
Even though I still doubt myself, and struggle sometimes, I know that God has
given me lots of strength. It was a lot of fun to work with Elder Hatch for a
day and to see that change. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the exchange we met with an older man that I met
on the street a few weeks ago. He's in his late 70s, but is still active
working in his large garden. When we visited him, he instantly took us on a
tour of his garden and had us sample his different fruits and vegetables. He
even gave us two large papayas to take home! What a nice guy! He really likes
Christianity and wants to keep meeting with us and come to church, but he has
tuberculosis and is afraid that if he goes he will spread it to everyone there.
Hopefully we don't get it!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We met with our friend K... again this week. He's 19
and studying physical fitness so he's pretty strong. We had a great lesson with
him about our purpose in life and all of God's plan for us. He really liked it because
lately he's been thinking a lot about those kinds of questions. He has trouble
coming to church on Sunday though because he usually lives over at
his girlfriend's house every weekend in another city. He's a super cool guy
though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had an investigator come to church this
Sunday that we had met with a couple of times and given a Book of Mormon.
He came to church for five minutes and then said to us that he wanted to give
us the book back. He had found another copy that he had received about 10 years
ago but had never read. He said that he liked the church and everything, but
that he didn't need God. It was pretty sad to hear him say that. He has run into
missionaries several times in his life and has had plenty of opportunities accept the truth, but
he still feels that God is not important to him. Pretty sad. I wish him the
best though.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next week we have a party for our English class
so Elder Lin and I have been making some pinatas! They were a huge success in
my other areas because no one has ever seen a pinata here in Taiwan haha. Some of
them think it's pretty strange, but they love it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Saturday, Diego came up from Tainan to eat
dinner with Elder Lin and me. I've been practicing up on my Chinese Idioms and
impressed him by saying a few that even he didn't know how to say haha. It was
pretty fun. (a Chinese idiom is a saying with just four characters that make a
phrase. For example: Fu shui nan shou means "what's done is done and is
hard to change" The characters literally mean: "spilled water is hard
to gather") Chinese Idioms are lots of fun to use. Elder Lin and I like to
use them on each other to argue with and make fun of each other haha.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well it's been a pretty fun week! We're having a good
time!! Thanks for the emails! Love you all!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvsmbvqa_Ye_BM6JV7ovVW8Se4CCq7Rjh2hk9P1LIrBhpKw933qqDrdibEVkerazuz-zlHCMYvFNX-g8uNWcELHtqbRv8kLoJEXeJneV9YGNDi0-GOxmxbENxY9ahOsfiOfSVGHBqMKY/s1600/Photo+Mar+26%252C+7+20+00+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvsmbvqa_Ye_BM6JV7ovVW8Se4CCq7Rjh2hk9P1LIrBhpKw933qqDrdibEVkerazuz-zlHCMYvFNX-g8uNWcELHtqbRv8kLoJEXeJneV9YGNDi0-GOxmxbENxY9ahOsfiOfSVGHBqMKY/s320/Photo+Mar+26%252C+7+20+00+PM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Visit From Diego</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-80982345595319351552016-03-21T05:11:00.000-07:002016-03-28T07:48:15.995-07:00Military Stories, And Night Markets...<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's been another fantastic week down in Ping Dong!! (Sorry,
I really need to think of better ways to start these emails...) Things are
starting to pick up! We've been finding a lot of new people to
meet with and it's making things a lot more fun! Most of the people we've found
are older than 70 so that's pretty fun. I've always known this, but recently I
have been reminded many times that old Taiwanese guys love to talk with young
foreigners!! They just talk about anything, mostly the history of Taiwan and
the invasions from China and Japan. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We met a man that was a captain of a trade boat who had been to 80 or more countries throughout his life. We talked to him on
the street a few days before and I just gave him a flyer about our English
Class (his English was pretty good), and then he just randomly showed up at the
church as we were starting a lesson with our friend X... He had brought
his maps that he used as a captain and just went on and on about his stories,
which is cool and all, but we were trying to teach a lesson! So we told him we
could meet another day. My companion kept
teaching the lesson while I spent the next 15 minutes (no I'm not exaggerating) talking with him. Eventually we scheduled him to come to our English
class.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That lesson with X... was still really good though.
He's a awesome guy in the Air Force and he is really sincere. He always has
really good questions and really wants to learn. There are lots of bad influences
on the Air Force Base with all of his associates, so he says it's hard to live a
life following Christ's teachings. He still is working to overcome his
concerns and has a desire to be baptized.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also met a really nice guy named K... from
English Class. He's 19 and is studying Physical Fitness or something like that.
He loves to work out and wants to go with us, but unfortunately he always goes
at night and we can only go in the morning... But he's really interested in
learning more about Christianity. One of his grandparents is Christian, and one
in Buddhist, but he feels like the things that his grandma shares with him
about Jesus Christ are really special and he likes it a lot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also met with X... again. (the older man
who served in the Navy) We talked to him about the
importance of using the Book of Mormon to confirm, for himself through prayer, the truthfulness
of our message regarding the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the Prophet Joseph Smith. He is very interested and was asking lots of questions. He
loves to talk about his military days though so it's sometimes difficult to
focus though haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Saturday night we went with some of the
ward members to the night market to pass out lots of flyers for our English
Class and the upcoming Family History activity. It was a lot of fun going with
them. I was with a lot of the guys my age, two of which are preparing to go on
missions. It was fun to see them talking with people and seeing how nervous
they were. It reminded me of how nervous I was when I first came and how much I
have grown since then. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm having a great time in Ping Dong with Elder Lin.
We usually just talk in Chinese so my language has been improving a lot. We
have 4 missionaries in our ward, me, Elder Lin and two sister missionaries who
are both Taiwanese. Now I really feel like a foreigner!!! It's fun though
haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well I hope you all have a great week! Love you
lots!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W4WzdyK5qyW19HsMqbgpJM0EJFRxoyJBCdWJrXnwTrY24xybeYOIOjaWyD3cT2yj5XMzIRO9aSIfLLx4exiL3_YoSj7xpFnsvg3I7HDpGB8JydoguiHjX3ZGVIqCeTv6ilqDk5h_UaM/s1600/Photo+Mar+21%252C+5+49+33+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_W4WzdyK5qyW19HsMqbgpJM0EJFRxoyJBCdWJrXnwTrY24xybeYOIOjaWyD3cT2yj5XMzIRO9aSIfLLx4exiL3_YoSj7xpFnsvg3I7HDpGB8JydoguiHjX3ZGVIqCeTv6ilqDk5h_UaM/s320/Photo+Mar+21%252C+5+49+33+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Night Market</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ57sT00wz6Uv7qAWpbKGiHHltqgag1iQCkKM1ryL2_XjPZrcQ_4H2HAOjvoh8PzopRvfkRoIyDfiFgXM2-Vfo4wBZEuPRWyF8Wx6VcvXn8pnv1tLLQ_2ZNOjsQd6T_C2xh6Xc1CfHOk/s1600/Photo+Mar+21%252C+5+49+40+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQ57sT00wz6Uv7qAWpbKGiHHltqgag1iQCkKM1ryL2_XjPZrcQ_4H2HAOjvoh8PzopRvfkRoIyDfiFgXM2-Vfo4wBZEuPRWyF8Wx6VcvXn8pnv1tLLQ_2ZNOjsQd6T_C2xh6Xc1CfHOk/s320/Photo+Mar+21%252C+5+49+40+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-62846219041026967622016-03-14T05:18:00.002-07:002016-03-14T05:19:44.226-07:00Rope Lashings, And Clean Teeth...<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This past week was pretty good! It feels like our
area is on the rise! We spent the majority of last week trying to get in
contact with a lot of people who had met with missionaries before in the past. Last night I called a guy named Diego who is from Columbia
and he was super cool. His English and Chinese are both pretty good and several
months ago he had met with missionaries, but suddenly had to go back to
Columbia to take care of his father and lost contact with the missionaries.
When I called him up, he said he had just gotten back about 2 weeks ago, and
kept saying over and over that he was so happy that I called him because he has
lots of questions to ask us. So we are meeting with him Wednesday so
I'm excited.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We've also been meeting with an elderly man named X... He used to be in the Navy, but many years ago was hit by a teenager
who was drinking and driving, and he's been crippled ever since. Because he
usually doesn't have a lot of visitors, he loves to talk and it's hard to say
much. But after one of his long rants about China and Japan, he suddenly
stopped and said, I really want to read the scriptures! So we read a little
with him, and he said that the Book of Mormon was very well written and that he
wanted to continue to read it. We were obviously excited to hear that so we're
going to continue going over and read with him!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Every week for an hour or two we usually go to help
provide service for a single lady in our ward. She is really nice, and needs
help with her vegetable garden. We've been helping her to construct a bamboo
shelter that she can use. Last week she tried to use little
zip-ties to lash the bamboo poles together, but it didn't work at all. Luckily
I still remembered how to tie some knots from my boy scout days, so I helped her
to lash all the poles together to make the shelter. I was impressed that I
still remembered, and the lady and my companion were completely shocked that I
knew how to do something like that haha. I guess Boy Scouts paid off after all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the last big Zone Conference that we had a few
weeks ago, they mentioned that going to see the dentist here was super cheap,
like $200 Taiwanese ($6 American). I was really shocked to hear that, because I
thought that they didn't want us to use our Health Insurance cards for stuff
that wasn't an emergency. But they actually recommended that we go and take advantage
of it. So last pday that's exactly what I did! I went to the dentist and they
did a full check up and cleaning. I thought that after almost two years of not going
to the dentist that my teeth would have tons of cavities, but to my surprise, I
only had one and he just took care of it right then and there!! So don't worry
mom, you can still schedule a dentist appointment, but hopefully my teeth will
all be good anyways!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh also, the leaders in our ward here are super
awesome. So last week, the Sister Missionaries in our ward met a man at a
homeless shelter who said he loved Christianity and wanted to come to church.
He had no way to come because he has no car and has a crippled leg, so the
Bishop drove over and brought him to church. The man's name is C... and he is a
very humble guy who seems to sincerely want to pick up his life. He also really
likes to sing haha. After church, the Bishop talked with me and said that they
were going to look for employment opportunities for him and try to do all they
could to help him get back on his feet. I was really touched at how fast the
Bishop was to help out even though he is probably so busy. We're meeting with
Brother C... tonight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well that's about it. Today for pday, we just have to
buy a bunch of bedding and food to give to the Elders who come to our apartment
when we do exchanges...fun! Afterwards we will probably just go to the
apartment and sleep...I'm super tired haha.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope you guys all have a great week! Love you all!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9zAaI0DBAHVZhysABjL_Hwuybn0F2CM9MlY-uqH3292n9sFDAkF48SJAeoeH2-mi058kjilzvP7zzo-P-UDB9BHKGPDAenK3XJDjbqH47SqMvJyzDXMH26J6jVbfTnyWf0nBtHIM5Wk/s1600/Photo+Feb+28%252C+11+00+57+PM+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9zAaI0DBAHVZhysABjL_Hwuybn0F2CM9MlY-uqH3292n9sFDAkF48SJAeoeH2-mi058kjilzvP7zzo-P-UDB9BHKGPDAenK3XJDjbqH47SqMvJyzDXMH26J6jVbfTnyWf0nBtHIM5Wk/s320/Photo+Feb+28%252C+11+00+57+PM+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We Love Zone Conference</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-10040885255970627482016-03-07T05:37:00.001-08:002016-03-07T11:25:57.006-08:00Great Week...<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear All,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This last week was a great week! On Thursday we
had our Zone Conference, up at my old stake center in Gaoxiong. When I used to
serve in Nanzi, Gaoxiong, we would take the MRT (subway) to the stake center
just about every week for meetings and such. So going back there this week was
fun because I got to see some of the old sites.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The conference and training was really good. We
talked about the importance of teaching very clearly each of the three members
of the Godhead. Because many people here do not have a clear concept of the true nature of God, it is very important that we help them understand the basics; that God is
our Father in Heaven. He is literally our Father, and we are created in the
image of Him. And because He loves us, He sent His Son Jesus Christ to come
down to the Earth to atone for our sins. And in order to help us learn and
recognize these truths, we can feel the Holy Ghost in our minds and hearts. If
people here can't understand these basic truths, they don't have a foundation
for any of the other principles we need to teach them. I realized that I take for granted the fact that we know what God really is like. But to
the people here, it's an entirely new concept. In our lessons with new people
this week, Elder Lin and I tried hard to really make sure they understood these
basic things before moving on, and they were really great lessons.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the Zone Conference, we went back to Ping Dong
and met with President Wang, our Stake President. He's a great guy and so are
his counselors. We are working hard on helping the individual wards with their
own mission plans, but it's also hard because there are many other things for a
new Stake President to focus on. In April we have a big Family History activity
which we hope can be used as a way to introduce many people to our Family
History tools and to the church. That'll be fun!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week, Elder Lin and I laid down some
expectations and a step by step plan of how to pick up the work in this area.
Even the Stake President said that the work in our ward has been too slow for
the past year or so. We really hope that we can work hard to change that! This
is a great area, with lots of people! We definitely believe that there are many
people here that are waiting for this knowledge of the restored truths of Jesus gospel!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm sorry I don't have much time to email any more.
Alexa! Congrats on winning the piano recital!! That's awesome! Also, Dad,
thanks for your advice on working with the Stake leaders. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We're having a great time! I love you all!<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOjEO7xZsz03C19wNitKwYm0XPoD-ZaWVhREvfKJ7ZRx9yCIAa32aDVLZ0QP24wjI7P4d3kD3NVWjcVBhyiSlb88_uhRAxFbhd7CjPZXG4vZt8-IvcBFTWVQHtyJJTUXqINaFkgtkuvs/s1600/Photo+Mar+04%252C+6+24+45+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOjEO7xZsz03C19wNitKwYm0XPoD-ZaWVhREvfKJ7ZRx9yCIAa32aDVLZ0QP24wjI7P4d3kD3NVWjcVBhyiSlb88_uhRAxFbhd7CjPZXG4vZt8-IvcBFTWVQHtyJJTUXqINaFkgtkuvs/s320/Photo+Mar+04%252C+6+24+45+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dome of Lights, Formosa Blvd., Gaoxiong, Taiwan</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQDAQypfmjvCbAz6Fft07gkDedRFW3naCG9HgxDQIqupdkJElw0GIi7FQ5BcxkHvmAFXsJPtgc_gfERePTeM4vHeQd1-a_kNIukbhbBvo8dP1tFTntzpQe7iAnYXQbU5sX2Jxais-HxM/s1600/Photo+Mar+02%252C+4+42+36+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQDAQypfmjvCbAz6Fft07gkDedRFW3naCG9HgxDQIqupdkJElw0GIi7FQ5BcxkHvmAFXsJPtgc_gfERePTeM4vHeQd1-a_kNIukbhbBvo8dP1tFTntzpQe7iAnYXQbU5sX2Jxais-HxM/s320/Photo+Mar+02%252C+4+42+36+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lots Of Dogs!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-26842418958653069982016-02-29T03:57:00.001-08:002016-02-29T05:22:18.176-08:00Zone Leader Training...<div class="MsoNormal">
Hi Everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It's been another awesome week in Ping Dong! The temperature
is still the warmest and nicest on the island so I'm ok with that! We had a
pretty busy week with exchanges and going to visit other missionary's district
meetings, so this week we traveled quite a bit. This week I went over to a
place called Chao Zhou with and Elder Cook. We had a good time and went and visited a new member that was baptized a few months ago. As soon as we stepped
in the door, the first thing he did was offer us tea and alcohol! I wonder how
well he was taught.... haha. We worked with him to resolve those
misunderstandings and it was a good lesson. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On last Monday night, we had a little activity at the
church with some members and our friend H.... He's a really awesome guy
in the Air Force! He's been investigating the church for a while now and hasn't
really felt that this message is true. He says he hopes that what we are
sharing with him is true, but he can't bring himself to believe. And he hasn't
really been doing the necessary things (reading, praying, going to church, etc) to
understand these things. But after the activity, before we all went home, he
started asking us a bunch of super awesome questions about things that he read
in the Book of Mormon, things like the resurrection and judgment. He is really
sincere, and I really hope he can continue to grow!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Thursday we had a big training up in
Taichung for the Zone Leaders and Sister Training leaders. It was a really good
training and we learned a lot of good things. I went into the meeting praying
really hard that Elder Lin and I would be able to know how we should help
our zone and what direction to take it in. It's a brand new zone, and the needs
of the different districts are very different. It's been kind of stressful to
figure out what we need to do. During the meeting we learned a lot of good
things that might be able to help. We are going to try to put a bigger focus on
working with the wards, and alongside their ward mission plans. This week we
are meeting with the Stake President here. He is also a brand new Stake
President (because Ping Dong just barely became a stake a month or so ago) so
we are going to try to work with him on how to do missionary work with the
members. (Dad if you have any advice to give on this from the perspective of a
Stake President, please let me know!) After the training, we took the long 3
hour train ride home and made it home at 9:45pm! We woke up at 4:45
am and made it home at 9:45! That's a long day! haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also received training on the new way of doing
exchanges. In the past, zone leaders would go on exchanges and one of us would
get to go to the other missionary's area and travel around a lot. But now, they
want us Zone Leaders to leave our area as little as possible and to just stay
and work here. So now all of the people we do exchanges with will be coming to
our area instead. Which is a little sad because we don't get to see other parts of
Taiwan and see cool places. But it's also good, because it helps us to be able
to take care of our area more instead of leaving it 2 or 3 days out of the
week! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also had stake conference this past weekend, which
is Ping Dong's first ever stake conference. It was really great. Elder Lin and
I got roped in to sing in the stake choir so that was actually pretty fun. Thanks for all the training that you gave me Grandma from
singing in the church choir back home. A member of the Seventy, Elder Zhou, from
Hong Kong, also came to speak along with President and Sister Blickenstaff.
They all gave great talks. Elder Zhou's native language is Cantonese so his
Chinese still is not perfect and he felt a lot like us missionaries do when we
have to give speeches in church haha. It was a great time though. The Elders
from Hengchun came up for the Saturday night session and then spent
the night over at our house before we went to the Sunday morning
session, so that was fun!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh other good news, we discovered a really nice gym
about 5 minutes from our house so today we woke up at 5:50am to go
there and work out. It's only $50 Taiwanese (about $1.66 American) for every
hour so that's super nice. I am hoping that I'll be able to get back in shape a
little bit before I come home haha. Oh and yes mom, those granola bars are
great. I'm not really a big fan of the plain peanut butter ones inside the tan
wrapper. That brand of bars isn't my favorite. you can send me the new kinds
that you found and I can try those!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well that's all I got! Have a great week! Love you!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love, <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRPBSiOXwZpK1AO1Wg59Xy0-_XDBMtg-A0kcENcWsixkaGevxIPJCiJqOCcUsUA0MDZsIoPiRTjFjhnuvuGrb7jGpUAgxGTSlJ6y9NhkCgj6X6f9qI7PN0Gu1cgfKVcP0Phgk3O-1X2c/s1600/Photo+Aug+21%252C+10+48+36+AM+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRPBSiOXwZpK1AO1Wg59Xy0-_XDBMtg-A0kcENcWsixkaGevxIPJCiJqOCcUsUA0MDZsIoPiRTjFjhnuvuGrb7jGpUAgxGTSlJ6y9NhkCgj6X6f9qI7PN0Gu1cgfKVcP0Phgk3O-1X2c/s320/Photo+Aug+21%252C+10+48+36+AM+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our Home Ward Building</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyHbRCs0evR_RxOS8qwdU0ReZQNJYpPzzhgtihRqJjkkKexG_FmwDukDeag8PkzwO5dNjzsYRyknQL8TyQB3bWeyLcEp5Hgf0la03JYypesjfJTRplzIMpAeeXJtbSwrgVrQ-gCmqaG0/s1600/Photo+Aug+21%252C+11+51+22+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyHbRCs0evR_RxOS8qwdU0ReZQNJYpPzzhgtihRqJjkkKexG_FmwDukDeag8PkzwO5dNjzsYRyknQL8TyQB3bWeyLcEp5Hgf0la03JYypesjfJTRplzIMpAeeXJtbSwrgVrQ-gCmqaG0/s320/Photo+Aug+21%252C+11+51+22+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Beautiful Mountains In Our Area</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu53pjvI7-6cXv7ZjjZuwbQtMQOm-wEgHuCBSp_1a0NpJmcukGHqjYy6TOwcAHZ4cXE7Plh59MARO9rmUkTCT74Ut1vz3QAGqqlDkNWfGWCoNRRydqafxKENHwul36mGd_sCu1xeJMj1g/s1600/Photo+Aug+21%252C+12+06+08+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu53pjvI7-6cXv7ZjjZuwbQtMQOm-wEgHuCBSp_1a0NpJmcukGHqjYy6TOwcAHZ4cXE7Plh59MARO9rmUkTCT74Ut1vz3QAGqqlDkNWfGWCoNRRydqafxKENHwul36mGd_sCu1xeJMj1g/s320/Photo+Aug+21%252C+12+06+08+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Paintings Of Native Mountain People</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL46_9XKqq1eWH7bpnMIgZO1HRTfAacAMcLZbGrw1a1RYPFMWBykS0uIKrkdu5n9iKid__BmxhArPKRNr6AoOH4qpr5WO-86jT7Ig9Ga3w-9oB6xnj7l7C_S0GJLMD9Q7FRQPWYZAUndA/s1600/Photo+Aug+28%252C+8+15+21+AM+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL46_9XKqq1eWH7bpnMIgZO1HRTfAacAMcLZbGrw1a1RYPFMWBykS0uIKrkdu5n9iKid__BmxhArPKRNr6AoOH4qpr5WO-86jT7Ig9Ga3w-9oB6xnj7l7C_S0GJLMD9Q7FRQPWYZAUndA/s320/Photo+Aug+28%252C+8+15+21+AM+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Home Sweet Home!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4M6t0UprScoQPb7ZTiBi4BO_MGYORnLhI9we7tUoDfsDAQ7gY-dXklvQMz11I9y98lNObDheJMMQHb-rGfL-sNyfKswi08fWzlHBE7U7VdGh7HrGIVkjyXoQ90gpDUV2aCIgd4muCdH0/s1600/Photo+Aug+28%252C+8+23+51+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4M6t0UprScoQPb7ZTiBi4BO_MGYORnLhI9we7tUoDfsDAQ7gY-dXklvQMz11I9y98lNObDheJMMQHb-rGfL-sNyfKswi08fWzlHBE7U7VdGh7HrGIVkjyXoQ90gpDUV2aCIgd4muCdH0/s320/Photo+Aug+28%252C+8+23+51+AM.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBN6_YApfzBOBfhlsQ4wJ-O7VnOP61zt21kYUOQUDRAs4LSGKequugehPe_pMMSWnWtpKY6hTlRufKOuCrimFT2b1YNoipcFvsu6WTdO5rUYzKql0wCgrDpFhJJfDLxZDQt-we4XlT-8/s1600/Photo+Feb+29%252C+8+09+26+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHBN6_YApfzBOBfhlsQ4wJ-O7VnOP61zt21kYUOQUDRAs4LSGKequugehPe_pMMSWnWtpKY6hTlRufKOuCrimFT2b1YNoipcFvsu6WTdO5rUYzKql0wCgrDpFhJJfDLxZDQt-we4XlT-8/s320/Photo+Feb+29%252C+8+09+26+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Training Meeting</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcqjTNmGQ6PmWcRFSgsKCl0wLNkuNo5mqRBPA-SLl1Nn3tPDVsqTSICChYvftvSyJxcDL2g7GZhTxcfGltFEudfEsLx5_TrATQMOtbQhqdxxA1s2cyBaHSh5YkEbk-UB1fJ5YTU1eptY/s1600/Photo+Feb+29%252C+8+09+48+AM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcqjTNmGQ6PmWcRFSgsKCl0wLNkuNo5mqRBPA-SLl1Nn3tPDVsqTSICChYvftvSyJxcDL2g7GZhTxcfGltFEudfEsLx5_TrATQMOtbQhqdxxA1s2cyBaHSh5YkEbk-UB1fJ5YTU1eptY/s320/Photo+Feb+29%252C+8+09+48+AM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpYbN1rUg9BItT98GZzh_lAAOrtOLEPjcS5lCNJzvYV4q9lYHpfnLoQalVXElRE-crvSj_f5v4i6p3N4VyZAXIqsjBzM15_8y80c2YTsvern1_o4DUVnlOrjsYLK5KORKMIfMEz0hHhE/s1600/Photo+Feb+28%252C+11+01+27+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpYbN1rUg9BItT98GZzh_lAAOrtOLEPjcS5lCNJzvYV4q9lYHpfnLoQalVXElRE-crvSj_f5v4i6p3N4VyZAXIqsjBzM15_8y80c2YTsvern1_o4DUVnlOrjsYLK5KORKMIfMEz0hHhE/s320/Photo+Feb+28%252C+11+01+27+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Cm03U33LXVBe32j3OFtivXAD-XzGzAEzs0G0q0zsNXXVvuuY5ujcr_TtShoHOzG7utsPoXy2vKRRaPhuJOVJ8dEdikJpws4DKQnH5ykueKprhsBt_72TS7Nzbm5B0RGvN7g9H_e4D-U/s1600/Photo+Feb+28%252C+11+02+37+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Cm03U33LXVBe32j3OFtivXAD-XzGzAEzs0G0q0zsNXXVvuuY5ujcr_TtShoHOzG7utsPoXy2vKRRaPhuJOVJ8dEdikJpws4DKQnH5ykueKprhsBt_72TS7Nzbm5B0RGvN7g9H_e4D-U/s320/Photo+Feb+28%252C+11+02+37+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First Stake Conference In Our New Stake</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-86741886140420162032016-02-23T08:56:00.000-08:002016-02-24T12:35:39.900-08:00My New Area, Lantern Festival And More...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First I want to start off by saying HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXA!! I
can't believe that it's been a whole year since you got your driving license
and haven't even crashed the car yet! Congrats! :)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well my first week in Ping Dong has been pretty fun!
It's a lot different moving from an area with almost no one on the streets, to
the middle of a fairly large city. If I didn't have someone to lead me around
all the time, I would get completely lost within 5 minutes! It's a fun place
though!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This past week was our Power Week which means we only
have one hour of studies and then leave the house at 9am and then have
15 minutes for lunch and dinner. It was a pretty crazy and interesting week
having to come into a new area on a week like that, and also trying to learn
everything for what to do to help the new zone out. It's been pretty fun
working with Elder Lin. He's from Taipei and has already finished college. He's
a pretty funny guy and is really good with the members. It's really clear to
see how Taiwanese missionaries can really work well with the members a lot
better than us foreigners so I've been learning a lot about good missionary
work and working with members from him!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We actually don't have any real investigators
here either haha but I'm used to that from my time in Xihu. The difference now
is that we are in a city and there are people everywhere. I'm super excited to
start picking this area up and working hard to find more people to teach! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This week I'm going to be going on exchanges to the
furthest south area in Taiwan...Kending so I'm pretty excited for that.
Hopefully I'll have some nice pictures to show. No promises though haha. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is actually the Lantern Festival so they have a
bunch of lanterns everywhere to celebrate. Were going with some members today to
visit a fun place. I'm not sure what it is, but hopefully it'll be cool. Well I
don't have any time left so this is all I've got! Love you all!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg5oOullCPe5wEg946eDSMt-Ct9pKIlt-9hwAXwhoaukLaofCJIysgMEL7e51UZElXzHZgCuSDeHDJgfA3PeVJ0nk-P4ddRGmIY6i5ZWaaqENaZFbsi5ikDC15IcpXwbx3mEjGSSTI2k/s1600/light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcg5oOullCPe5wEg946eDSMt-Ct9pKIlt-9hwAXwhoaukLaofCJIysgMEL7e51UZElXzHZgCuSDeHDJgfA3PeVJ0nk-P4ddRGmIY6i5ZWaaqENaZFbsi5ikDC15IcpXwbx3mEjGSSTI2k/s320/light.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lantern Festival</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_zOMYVb4nWffEsCVYUNsW8v6wuY-cr3oMXB4Sc7c5sPyipglDAHYmI82k5u3Y5K7BaUDxFnT4yZS1xOAPvqqeTVUsNRwP_MUPOF1jwHTVxhX2x8JeAsrnXfb0I0iZC4aUaZpyXpZRik/s1600/Photo+Feb+17%252C+2+35+42+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_zOMYVb4nWffEsCVYUNsW8v6wuY-cr3oMXB4Sc7c5sPyipglDAHYmI82k5u3Y5K7BaUDxFnT4yZS1xOAPvqqeTVUsNRwP_MUPOF1jwHTVxhX2x8JeAsrnXfb0I0iZC4aUaZpyXpZRik/s320/Photo+Feb+17%252C+2+35+42+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A Public Park In Ping Dong We Like To Visit</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4ThsdTIjTspPJEYAySn34Rl2L1nIDmluy5UVIXgVugxG7R8eGP15dOOCq4TxAM0zRJ4JNKz-3Y4E5TtnznFeFRrSEoXbyOrRjqnDDVQcy0mmqwv2iVNql58Df5yAuVvMggz0-0o6fh8/s1600/Photo+Feb+17%252C+2+37+15+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4ThsdTIjTspPJEYAySn34Rl2L1nIDmluy5UVIXgVugxG7R8eGP15dOOCq4TxAM0zRJ4JNKz-3Y4E5TtnznFeFRrSEoXbyOrRjqnDDVQcy0mmqwv2iVNql58Df5yAuVvMggz0-0o6fh8/s320/Photo+Feb+17%252C+2+37+15+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1332248541336727794.post-67749146566269929472016-02-15T05:23:00.001-08:002016-02-15T10:34:14.030-08:00A New Year's Transfer...<div class="MsoNormal">
Hi Everyone,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well my time of serving in Xihu has come to a
close and I was transferred today. I've been moved down to the farthest south
of Taiwan to a place called Ping Dong. It seems really pretty down here and
it's a lot more populated because we are in the middle of Ping Dong city. My
new companion is an Elder Lin. He is Taiwanese and seems to be really cool. He
was actually my old companion Elder Williams companion right before I went into
Xihu, so he served in Xihu for about 6 months. We are the Zone Leaders down
here so that should be pretty fun. I'm looking forward to doing what I can to
help out down here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week's Chinese New Year was a lot of fun
though. We were lucky and had meal appointments for lunch and dinner on every
day for the entire week! So we ate pretty well last week. In Taiwan they don't
really do anything in regards to traditional stuff for New Years, but they just
eat a bunch. Everyone gets together and goes back to their old homes and
relaxes with their family. So we didn't see any special fireworks or parades or
anything like that, but we did get to eat a bunch and meet with most of the
members of our ward. It was really fun meeting with them all. The members in
Xihu really are super awesome. Everyone was really shocked and surprised that I
was moved today. The ward was really nice and really good to us and it is a
shame to leave. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I especially didn't want to leave because it felt
that during the two movecalls I was there, I didn't get anything accomplished.
We worked and worked, but didn't get anything done. I just hope that maybe
something that we did there can help someone come to recognize the importance
of this message that we share. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Cole's new companion in Xihu is none other than my MTC
companion Elder Osborne! I hope that they can have a good time there and find
some new people to meet with.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ping Dong is a nice area and I'm excited to serve
here. I'm sorry I don't really know what else to write so I'll just end here
haha. I hope you all have a great week!! Love you all!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elder Stevens<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvAIVEbrZwSkqe1w20E-VKG8GasvgWl9rcjY6Oem0n82EjUTgG7a9ujmM0WEXyaDSoPmZ_SBCLLJa367ki13ONcmevtbxj4qDNIbFkIKNM3bsDmyVJTULdRT8sjKrNSUURYvcAFaNAQw/s1600/pingdong-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvAIVEbrZwSkqe1w20E-VKG8GasvgWl9rcjY6Oem0n82EjUTgG7a9ujmM0WEXyaDSoPmZ_SBCLLJa367ki13ONcmevtbxj4qDNIbFkIKNM3bsDmyVJTULdRT8sjKrNSUURYvcAFaNAQw/s320/pingdong-map.jpg" width="177" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ping Dong Is South Of The Island</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gRC0_6y1kuZH1UnhiF-du98YY0TxPis5ODjn9HCH3MSOKQe6mbrzYxvN-Pc7RgYXv6dfS2OHx_k4PMIRMq4SWCOyIOfTZS0o9Fo6yVzRue12JvdcGvzFLBH1e_m9IfPNQE8u1wh9yoQ/s1600/Photo+Feb+15%252C+12+42+47+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_gRC0_6y1kuZH1UnhiF-du98YY0TxPis5ODjn9HCH3MSOKQe6mbrzYxvN-Pc7RgYXv6dfS2OHx_k4PMIRMq4SWCOyIOfTZS0o9Fo6yVzRue12JvdcGvzFLBH1e_m9IfPNQE8u1wh9yoQ/s320/Photo+Feb+15%252C+12+42+47+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hard To Say Goodbye!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlBIWDIQqojn4KZEubAN7K5hboamH3-pdmnmBGfuvJFw2x-rsHdf_MFATytZiLpxqheV59tok0YE8zWI5NLfo9wQcVYAkIN4PsC8ceS5aC1BRs1xklwqy41Pmcn3dDQCcBFS0T48pwS4/s1600/Photo+Feb+15%252C+12+44+17+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlBIWDIQqojn4KZEubAN7K5hboamH3-pdmnmBGfuvJFw2x-rsHdf_MFATytZiLpxqheV59tok0YE8zWI5NLfo9wQcVYAkIN4PsC8ceS5aC1BRs1xklwqy41Pmcn3dDQCcBFS0T48pwS4/s320/Photo+Feb+15%252C+12+44+17+PM.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHDMRaf7bOaidmBcaIMFwWJbmajpNylTB4lGr9e__icfHYvSGqdlsgQjyHIuFXR02oIsDMbMpWcDztOV1DhpLgehvf0E46Ko_lDybHNzHR5QJTijF4kih3A4PN1RpdYI9T1Rv_F8YU5s/s1600/Photo+Feb+15%252C+12+42+23+PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHDMRaf7bOaidmBcaIMFwWJbmajpNylTB4lGr9e__icfHYvSGqdlsgQjyHIuFXR02oIsDMbMpWcDztOV1DhpLgehvf0E46Ko_lDybHNzHR5QJTijF4kih3A4PN1RpdYI9T1Rv_F8YU5s/s320/Photo+Feb+15%252C+12+42+23+PM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMoJpDvyHpw24cWpiGk3PTTvrq0YxKxv90n0KMYKnZvD6T_VkuVl8yEm8D2Wn09DNdhOPRsM75EveOw2PdL97qLYgEPRCvhEHeRNT3YJw-HbP16z1vbd12Rqs5u7IOVf4n3emQPnn1Fo/s1600/donglong-temple-donggang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMoJpDvyHpw24cWpiGk3PTTvrq0YxKxv90n0KMYKnZvD6T_VkuVl8yEm8D2Wn09DNdhOPRsM75EveOw2PdL97qLYgEPRCvhEHeRNT3YJw-HbP16z1vbd12Rqs5u7IOVf4n3emQPnn1Fo/s320/donglong-temple-donggang.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sights To See In The County Of Ping Dong</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEsx1nZkku5kPUlAB8khFuEhaXeiT6w0HAzLEc_IMQ_zQggmdsT30Lj8Sz-Wa6nY2dobGqURSY4u-4g9PvqAw1yiCd6400bwg8NTCREpPlAgdiCeKFitb5vZrL7nRI09oIPLxlOS107s/s1600/looks-like-former-president.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEsx1nZkku5kPUlAB8khFuEhaXeiT6w0HAzLEc_IMQ_zQggmdsT30Lj8Sz-Wa6nY2dobGqURSY4u-4g9PvqAw1yiCd6400bwg8NTCREpPlAgdiCeKFitb5vZrL7nRI09oIPLxlOS107s/s320/looks-like-former-president.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWP9UE6StPs-mpj9iGrglX19j8W_hBlnq7SDhRyEZBZo64pGEcWxBZ1TsJOjcDMc0PhGRC_HsodILeSckmvQ0_gsjpoI7IqeL2bDhWB4p97UXiO2Hdik0mIoNyKoGYIhPL5QHYv6DtmlY/s1600/shutterstock_112300820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWP9UE6StPs-mpj9iGrglX19j8W_hBlnq7SDhRyEZBZo64pGEcWxBZ1TsJOjcDMc0PhGRC_HsodILeSckmvQ0_gsjpoI7IqeL2bDhWB4p97UXiO2Hdik0mIoNyKoGYIhPL5QHYv6DtmlY/s320/shutterstock_112300820.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Lanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02462244639213953594noreply@blogger.com0