My birthday was good. It seems like forever ago now. Heavenly Father allowed a lot of wonderful things to happen. It started of in the morning. I actually had woken up and forgotten it was my birthday, but my companion helped me remember by giving me a peanut butter castle on a toasted piece of bread. The peanut butter is glorious in Taiwan. Afterward my companion, being lead by the spirit, figured out what was wrong with the water system. We switched gas tanks and I was able to shower with warm water on my birthday!!! Hooray!!! The weather has been cold lately and we live in a tile house. The Su family came over and gave us a lot of stuff and to see them was my favorite part of the day. Then we went over to the church were the district had surprised me with a cake and a new Book of Mormon. What a wonderful gift! That night, my companion hid a new bike lock under my pillow that I didn't notice until the middle of the night! We had to saw off my other bike lock because we lost my keys in my companion’s pocket. It was a great birthday. By the way, the day before my birthday, we went out with the Lin family for our preparation day activity. They are the miracle family that Elder Barton had baptized when I first got on the island. They took us to a beautiful dining place to eat on the side of a huge river. It was so awesome and the food was amazing, plus I got to play with Jia Li, the world’s cutest mei mei. Good stuff.
We met with a lot of people last week and we worked really hard. We reached our goal of 20 lessons! Heavenly Father blessed us so much. In the past, twenty lessons a week has been a goal rather hard to achieve but we applied "the language of faith" and Heavenly Father answered our prayer.
Here is an example of the language of faith: Take out the “maybe's” and the “would it be alright?” and simply use commands. Such as, “Hello, I am Elder Daniels. Would it be alright if we come in and share a message with you?” Or, this, “Hello, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and we want to teach you how to achieve your ultimate potential and obtain eternal life. Where do we take off our shoes?”
It works a lot better, as long as you remember we are here to invite and never force, then you are alright. However, when you have the language of faith burning in your mind, Heavenly Father allows you to command them to come unto Him and then they will do it willingly, humbly and most important, meekly. Have faith that the message you are bringing is what they need to hear. It is the path to eternal life. It is God’s eternal plan, not just a church that makes you happy.
This past zone conference was amazing, again. It was all about humility and meekness, the exact thing that Heavenly Father has been teaching me the past couple transfers. It doesn't matter how good a person is, if they aren't meek or teachable, they cannot enter into the kingdom of God. You must accept God's teachings in order to find that ultimate potential that each and every one of us has inside of us. You can't be prideful, you can’t pick your own path, we follow Jesus Christ’s perfect example of submissiveness, and then we don't miss a single blessing. We receive all of the knowledge. Alma 12:9-10 is awesome! I got to share it at zone conference.
We shared all of this with Ryan. Our lessons go so smoothly with him. We prepare spiritually before hand and then Heavenly Father allows us to be Preach My Gospel teachers when we meet with him. He is so dang close. He almost believes, he just wants to see the affect immediately. We’re working on his faith. He will be a good missionary. We need to help him with his parent’s opposition of the church as well.
It’s in the Lord’s hands.
We've also met two other young singles looking for answers, named Tony and Wendy. And then two more, named Sandy and Jake. They are awesome. We shared a first with them finally, and they loved it. They had a warm feeling. They are both very smart and the message gives them that warm feeling, they said.
We're always looking for the families and we've been blessed with a lot of singles. However, one family we've been blessed to work with is the Zhuang family. The dad is a member but insanely inactive. He never had a testimony of the Book of Mormon and he never had an understanding. His family is the hardest family to teach of all time and it’s kind of awkward, because they don't say ANYTHING. They don't look you in the eyes ever, but Heavenly Father sent them to us. We were bold with them last night and said, "Hello, I'm paying money to teach you a message of happiness that you aren't willing to listen to! Listen to what I am saying. Listen to my experience and it will bless your life." Then we boldly taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ and it went well. The dad felt pressure, which I think is good actually, because all we did was invite. He wants his kids to come to church.
Something amazing happened on Sunday when we showed up to the church at 7:30. A member was standing with a broken key, the other half being in the gate lock. He had called the bishop who supposedly was coming with a lock cutter, but he never came. People started showing up but we couldn't call a locksmith, it was too early. A priesthood man said, “Let’s use our priesthood power brethren. God will provide a path. He blessed the lock and nothing happened. Nobody was strong enough to break it, but after five minutes, the ma’s faith and prayer was answered. An idea was thrown out to "lift where you stand" and the huge gate was removed off of it’s hinges. Church could proceed. It was a miracle. Nobody knew that such a huge gate could be simply lifted off its hinges like that. The prayer was answered. What an awesome experience
I have learned so much recently. Elder Gong has gone from son to brother, he is the man, and I love working with him. The things I've learned with him will have a huge influence on my entire life. We will call you on our Christmas morning at about 7:00 am which will be Christmas Eve for you folks. I love you so much. (10:00 pm for us…can’t wait!)
Friday, December 19, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Six investigators came to church! Miracles!
HO HO HO MERRRRRRYYYY CHRISTMAAAAAAAS!!!!!!!!
Wow, there is so, so, so, so, so much that happened and I think most of it happened this weekend. I'll talk about Sunday. Sunday was awesome, we got up and had missionaries and members meeting at 7:30 with the mission leader, then we had church at 9:00. Heavenly Father blessed us to see 6 investigators come to church!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woooohooooo, week 6 miracle! These are the people who came to church: #1 RYAN, a stud and almost ready for baptism. #2 is an inactive who brought a nonmember family member. #3, a mom we met on the street who brought her 5 and 8 year-old mei meis, THEY WERE SO CUTE. #4, a mom we met on the street who came by herself and we gave her to the sisters. #5, a mom from English class who brought two di di's, who are really cute, too. They are really chubby and hilarious. I'll have to send you the video of them singing the ABC’s. It’s SO funny!!! I love chubby kids! #6, the Huang mom that brought a didi and came to church last week, was also added to the baptismal pool this week. It was a miracle. We are giving her to the sisters, because she is a young mom. She is so happy to have found this gospel. She already has a testimony, and she needs it. She has one kid, and the kid has a dad who has a girlfriend that isn't the kid’s mom. It’s sad, anyway. This happens a lot to Elder Daniels. Heavenly Father allows him to find awesome families who need the gospel, and then gives them up to the sisters to teach for convenience, hahaha. Oh well, it’s in the Lord’s hands, as long as they get baptized. It’s such a blessing to have run into them. So Heavenly Father blessed us to see a lot of people come to church.
After church we had a lesson @ 2:00 with a 17 year-old kid who was so nice. He had extremely good manners, to the point of shyness, but the lesson with him went really well. We had a member with us, too, to help us bear testimony. It went so well and during the lesson we found out his problem. Elder Gong asked him, "If you could ask a prophet anything, what would it be?” A wonderful question, hahaha, that’s my son. Anyway, we found out why he had that mannerful shyness feeling, his best friend died 2 days ago.
We answered his question, and the spirit was so powerful. We invited for baptism, he wants it, but he needs to talk to his parents. He so badly wants to know if the things we shared with him are true. (miracle)
Then Sunday night, 3 investigators went with us to "temple square" for a big Christmas missionary fireside. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!! The place was packed and the spirit was so strong. Each said that they were all moved, especially Ryan, our baptismal goal kid. He had been fasting for his answer to his prayers, and I think he really felt the power last night. There were musical numbers and amazing talks. My favorite musical number was a quartet singing, "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains,” my favorite Christmas song. It was AMESOME and sounds so good in Chinese. Ryan made friends with our two other investigators his age, it was wonderful. Everything was in the Lord’s hands.
Now, last but not least before I have to go. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!! I'm trying to focus on being extra thankful for everything this Christmas, because the general authorities told me too! Hahahah, so here is one thing that I am ultra thankful for, besides my family, yadda, yadda, yadda. ELDER GONG AND I ARE STAYING TOGETHER FOR 3!!!! This never happens. I'm never met a missionary who has been with one companion for three transfers except the current AP's. The AP's just called us and said that we were competing for the mission record, at the time being, besides the AP's, Elder Gong and I have been together the longest in the mission. Right now the AP's are winning. They will be together for their third in a row now, but they were also MTC companions, so that makes 5 transfers, WOAH! So Elder Gong and I still have some shoes to fill. But I feel like after what will be 4 1/2 months with another human being, staying within 15 feet of each other 24/7. Elder Gong is the man and I'm so happy to be with him again, even though his Chinese is already getting better than mine. He is ready to wear the big shoes now, going from diapers to pull-ups! We are so excited to keep working together, that this is a very special experience, and we are prepared to see a lot of miracles this transfer. Heavenly Father left us together for a reason, and we're getting’ us some families!
The Church is true....I love you. Merry Christmas....Elder Daniels
Wow, there is so, so, so, so, so much that happened and I think most of it happened this weekend. I'll talk about Sunday. Sunday was awesome, we got up and had missionaries and members meeting at 7:30 with the mission leader, then we had church at 9:00. Heavenly Father blessed us to see 6 investigators come to church!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woooohooooo, week 6 miracle! These are the people who came to church: #1 RYAN, a stud and almost ready for baptism. #2 is an inactive who brought a nonmember family member. #3, a mom we met on the street who brought her 5 and 8 year-old mei meis, THEY WERE SO CUTE. #4, a mom we met on the street who came by herself and we gave her to the sisters. #5, a mom from English class who brought two di di's, who are really cute, too. They are really chubby and hilarious. I'll have to send you the video of them singing the ABC’s. It’s SO funny!!! I love chubby kids! #6, the Huang mom that brought a didi and came to church last week, was also added to the baptismal pool this week. It was a miracle. We are giving her to the sisters, because she is a young mom. She is so happy to have found this gospel. She already has a testimony, and she needs it. She has one kid, and the kid has a dad who has a girlfriend that isn't the kid’s mom. It’s sad, anyway. This happens a lot to Elder Daniels. Heavenly Father allows him to find awesome families who need the gospel, and then gives them up to the sisters to teach for convenience, hahaha. Oh well, it’s in the Lord’s hands, as long as they get baptized. It’s such a blessing to have run into them. So Heavenly Father blessed us to see a lot of people come to church.
After church we had a lesson @ 2:00 with a 17 year-old kid who was so nice. He had extremely good manners, to the point of shyness, but the lesson with him went really well. We had a member with us, too, to help us bear testimony. It went so well and during the lesson we found out his problem. Elder Gong asked him, "If you could ask a prophet anything, what would it be?” A wonderful question, hahaha, that’s my son. Anyway, we found out why he had that mannerful shyness feeling, his best friend died 2 days ago.
We answered his question, and the spirit was so powerful. We invited for baptism, he wants it, but he needs to talk to his parents. He so badly wants to know if the things we shared with him are true. (miracle)
Then Sunday night, 3 investigators went with us to "temple square" for a big Christmas missionary fireside. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!!! The place was packed and the spirit was so strong. Each said that they were all moved, especially Ryan, our baptismal goal kid. He had been fasting for his answer to his prayers, and I think he really felt the power last night. There were musical numbers and amazing talks. My favorite musical number was a quartet singing, "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains,” my favorite Christmas song. It was AMESOME and sounds so good in Chinese. Ryan made friends with our two other investigators his age, it was wonderful. Everything was in the Lord’s hands.
Now, last but not least before I have to go. I LOVE YOU!!!!!!! I'm trying to focus on being extra thankful for everything this Christmas, because the general authorities told me too! Hahahah, so here is one thing that I am ultra thankful for, besides my family, yadda, yadda, yadda. ELDER GONG AND I ARE STAYING TOGETHER FOR 3!!!! This never happens. I'm never met a missionary who has been with one companion for three transfers except the current AP's. The AP's just called us and said that we were competing for the mission record, at the time being, besides the AP's, Elder Gong and I have been together the longest in the mission. Right now the AP's are winning. They will be together for their third in a row now, but they were also MTC companions, so that makes 5 transfers, WOAH! So Elder Gong and I still have some shoes to fill. But I feel like after what will be 4 1/2 months with another human being, staying within 15 feet of each other 24/7. Elder Gong is the man and I'm so happy to be with him again, even though his Chinese is already getting better than mine. He is ready to wear the big shoes now, going from diapers to pull-ups! We are so excited to keep working together, that this is a very special experience, and we are prepared to see a lot of miracles this transfer. Heavenly Father left us together for a reason, and we're getting’ us some families!
The Church is true....I love you. Merry Christmas....Elder Daniels
Friday, December 5, 2008
Missionaries Ride Bikes
Oh man, I think there is wrong with my watch. It says December 3 on it and if that’s were true, then that means in 7 days I will hit the ripe old age of 20, which is practically death. Not only does that mean that half my mission is over, but it also means the 1st quarter of my mortal life has also reached its end. Whoa. Time is a special thing
Speaking of mortal life almost reaching its end, it almost happened to me and Elder Gong yesterday. Last night at about 8:43 pm, we were riding the long road that ties the cities of San Xia and Tu Cheng together. We were discussing the blindness and hardness of hearts of the people we had just met, due to their Buddhist traditions, which by the way, they don't know why they believe in Buddha! They just know that their ancestors thousands of years ago knew why, ha, ha. Anyway, in this homeward journey my young, young son Elder Gong decided it was okay to ride extra close to me on a freeway road. Low and behold, while keeping a safe “Bible” distance from each other, my companion feels the presence of a cement truck ripping past us at high speeds. The Bible distance between us quickly diminished as our blue handle bars became pretzel-linked together, causing our bodies to fly forward onto the gravel friendly Taiwanese pavement! Elder Daniels had fallen. The 8 month reign of not falling off his bike had been broken with the helping hand of his dear son, Elder Gong, ha, ha. It was AWESOME!!!! Neither of us was scratched at all. In fact, “the two warriors pulled themselves from the motionless battleground into a standing position where they thrust their voices forward with their mighty battle cry of laughter,” then they took pictures! It was awesome! We flew so far and it could have been terrible but Heavenly Father helped me miss the parked dump truck by a couple feet. What a miracle, ha ha. Elder Gong was okay too, though he felt so bad at first, but quick laughter was able to lighten his manner of sorrow. It felt so good to fall down. I haven't fallen down in a long, long time. :)
Time is short today because we're going hiking in Wulai to see some huge waterfalls!!!! Hooray, but here is some things that happened this week. We decorated the church for Christmas. I became bag happy and bought a couple bags when I saw the extremely cheap price of 2 dollars American. I’m distributing them out to district members. Dad, you might appreciate that.
We met with Ryan twice and had two spiritual lessons to resolve his concerns. He had wondered why God allows evil and suffering to occur. We used questions of the soul in Preach my Gospel to answer. He wants an answer, he will get it. After a very powerful district meeting taught by the zone leaders, we went out and talked to 7 people, all of them accepting our invites and 6 of them willing to set up with us to hear the gospel. It was awesome. Gotta go, LOVE you.
Speaking of mortal life almost reaching its end, it almost happened to me and Elder Gong yesterday. Last night at about 8:43 pm, we were riding the long road that ties the cities of San Xia and Tu Cheng together. We were discussing the blindness and hardness of hearts of the people we had just met, due to their Buddhist traditions, which by the way, they don't know why they believe in Buddha! They just know that their ancestors thousands of years ago knew why, ha, ha. Anyway, in this homeward journey my young, young son Elder Gong decided it was okay to ride extra close to me on a freeway road. Low and behold, while keeping a safe “Bible” distance from each other, my companion feels the presence of a cement truck ripping past us at high speeds. The Bible distance between us quickly diminished as our blue handle bars became pretzel-linked together, causing our bodies to fly forward onto the gravel friendly Taiwanese pavement! Elder Daniels had fallen. The 8 month reign of not falling off his bike had been broken with the helping hand of his dear son, Elder Gong, ha, ha. It was AWESOME!!!! Neither of us was scratched at all. In fact, “the two warriors pulled themselves from the motionless battleground into a standing position where they thrust their voices forward with their mighty battle cry of laughter,” then they took pictures! It was awesome! We flew so far and it could have been terrible but Heavenly Father helped me miss the parked dump truck by a couple feet. What a miracle, ha ha. Elder Gong was okay too, though he felt so bad at first, but quick laughter was able to lighten his manner of sorrow. It felt so good to fall down. I haven't fallen down in a long, long time. :)
Time is short today because we're going hiking in Wulai to see some huge waterfalls!!!! Hooray, but here is some things that happened this week. We decorated the church for Christmas. I became bag happy and bought a couple bags when I saw the extremely cheap price of 2 dollars American. I’m distributing them out to district members. Dad, you might appreciate that.
We met with Ryan twice and had two spiritual lessons to resolve his concerns. He had wondered why God allows evil and suffering to occur. We used questions of the soul in Preach my Gospel to answer. He wants an answer, he will get it. After a very powerful district meeting taught by the zone leaders, we went out and talked to 7 people, all of them accepting our invites and 6 of them willing to set up with us to hear the gospel. It was awesome. Gotta go, LOVE you.
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