你好!
Well, this week really went by pretty fast, to say the least. As
for the main part of the week, it was transfer meeting. With everyone in the
mission being able to attend, it was pretty exciting, not to mention we got to pick
up our packages from the office, which was super nice.
Just as a little bit of an update on all my old areas, 苗栗 (Miaoli) and 新埔 (Xinpu), they have
changed big time. With 13 areas being closed, 苗栗 (Miaoli) and 新埔 (Xinpu) are both back down to one companionship,
which is a bit of a bummer because both of those areas both needed those
missionaries, but with the next transfer in August and 25+ missionaries
arriving, I would guess that they are going to be opened back up. Also, Elder
Brinton is now breaking, which is super cool. He was broken for a transfer and
is now breaking.
As for the week, we started the week off with a ton of rain, and
then ended the week with a ton of sun, which meant a lot of sweating. The nice
part about this week was that we were being more forward on setting up all of
our lessons, so we spent a majority of the week in lessons, and not out in the
rain to heat. With that being said, we still had a good amount of finding each
day, but not as much as we usually would in a week.
This week, we were also able to meet with a referral from the
Dragon Boat Festival, which was pretty cool. The super cool part about it
though was that he had done his homework before meeting with us. Some of the
first questions he was asking was about tithing and the word of wisdom. Along
with that, he was also asking what makes the mormon church different than other
churches. So, right now, he is looking like he is going to be a pretty good
investigator because he already has that interest in understand what the LDS
church is all about. Even though we weren't able to answer all of his questions
this last week, we are hoping to be able to meet with him this next week and
help him better understand the Church and the importance it can have in his
life.
For the highlight of the week, it was transfer meeting. If any
of you are wondering, I did not move and I am still with Elder Huang, but we
got to attend to hear President and Sister Day's farewell talks. As for the
funniest part about it all, need to explain one thing about the office. One of
the office elders is super into Disney, so he is always telling President Day
how awesome Disney is and different Disney quotes. Now that you have the
general background, this should be a little funnier. First Sister Day spoke,
sharing how she has loved serving here in Taiwan and how she feels that we are
all her children/babies. She remembers picking each of us up from the airport
and watching up learn and grow as we have been serving here. Then as President
Day was beginning his talk, his first words were, "There is a phrase that
keeps coming to my mind when I think about all my missionaries. All my babies
are growing up and saving China!" I sure hope you recognize where that is
from, but if you don't, I would suggest that you watch the mulon movie once
more. He continued to explain that it really is true. We may not be literally
saving them from the Mongolians, but we are saving them spiritually. We have
been call to serve those people of Taiwan and help them find the truth, so we
really are all "saving China." He then continued on sharing about
some of the accomplishments in the mission and also a few more things about
what our purpose as missionaries are, but it really was interesting to hear how
the mission really has changed and grown. It really has changed since President
has arrived. So, to say the least President and Sister Day will surely be
remembered and missed, but we are all sure President Jergensen will do a great
job too.
As for a little bit about our area right now, felt like I should
share about what is coming up. Right now we are working with a good number of
investigators, three of which have super solid baptismal dates all at the
beginning of August, which should be a super cool month for them. We have been
working with the three of them for about a month to a month and a half, and
they have all been progressing super well. As for the coolest part about them
though is actually seeing them willing to make the changes necessary for
preparing for baptism. So, I really consider it a blessing to be able to see
the change, as it really is just a good testimony builder for myself as well,
just seeing people willing to flip their life around to follow the Savior.
Well, that was basically the week here in 香山 (Xiangshan), thanks
for all the emails and prayers! And hope you all have a great week!
我愛妳們,
Love you,
柯長老
Elder
Okeson
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