Exceeding Perfection

Week  43:

*This email was written last week, but wouldn't send due to issues with my phone

A common trend has continued. This week we have continued to drop people and have been doing alot, maby even a little too much street finding. Right now we have maby 4 investigators which aren't progressing to quickly. This week we have plans to teach new investigators. Since we have only 30 active members in our ward, we were able to text them all individually asking them to bring a friend to church. About 2 of them responded back, and no new people were received. Although a little discouraging, we have a plan to meet everyone personally. Hopefully we will see blessings through millions of baptisms.

Our zone had an activity in Taipe where our zone participated in a Mini MTC. I was able to be a fake investigator and was surprised about how much I was able to understand. The people that I taught were amazing, but will deffinatly need more practice at the real mtc. When I told them I was budist they told me that I have been worshiping a fake God my whole life. They also had a tendency to start talking about temple ordinances in what was supposed to be a first visit with an investigator. I gave them small tips here and there, but I mainly wanted to get them pumped to go on a mission, which I did.

We have also been holding more ward activities. During exersizes time we were able to go on this super cool hike. Out of nowhere it started raining super hard and at that time the bishop gave us a short and powerful spiritual share. On the top we were able to see the true concrete jungle. Blessed to be serving in Taiwan. 

Our district also made a new moto that had to be under 10 words. "with urgency and cherity, go all green". (going all green meaning hitting the key indicators, which are statistics that a 'good' missionary would have. Don't quite agree with using numbers to associate sucsess, but what can I do). My suggestionfot the moto was "exceed perfection" but no one seemed to like it haha.

Today we went to play some beach volleyball, which was on a sand court rather then at the beach. The sand was horrible. In reality it was similar to 10% Carlsbad sand and 90% gravel. I ended up slicing one of my toes pretty bad. And last week we went to a cool dinosaur museum. 

Other pics for the week:

Day 100 Of My Mission

Week 40:

For P-Day, our district went to Danshui. It's like a big market selling everything from whole fried squid to fake Supreme clothes. Anything you can think of, they had it there. Very fun despite the weather. Only 100F.

This week we have been working alot with LA and creating a good relationship with them. We have been meeting them with members and planning small activities to do with them. We went on a cool bike ride on Saturday and then LA went to church the next day. He has been to church for the 3rd time in a row for the first time in over 10 years. 

We also held English class on the 4th of July. We decided it would be a good idea to paint our faces, which turned out to be a nightmare for me. My companion said it looked like someone threw up on my face. Not the most artistic person in the world.

As for investigators (now mentioned as 'friends being taught' in the updated preach my gospel) , we are working on that. We had a couple people that had a baptismal date, but they dissapeared, so they were dropped. We are hitting the streets tonight. Tommorow we are going to try a little basketball finding because all I do is win. I have never lost, I have complete control. Everytime I shoot the ball, I make a perfect swish. Not only do I break ankles, I break sight. Blink once and you will miss me. Blink twice and the score will be 100 to Zero. Never missed a shot. Accepting challenges from anyone. I dribble with passion, dribbling for a cause, humbling everyone on and off the court to listen to the gospel. I have something I like to call the gift of champions. Every court I have stepped on, every player I've played will accept baptism. I do what it takes to be great. There is a saying. Strive for perfection and you might just catch excellence. Or you can be like me. Strive for perfection and exceed perfection. Now this email is long enough. Peace.

Extra Pictures:

My Goal: To Be Great

Week 39:

This week big changes have been made to the mission. Our last mission president, President Jergensen, has left. We now have President Peterson, who we will have a time to meet tomorrow. Although I'm sad that President Jergensen has gone home, I'm exited and curious about the new change. Along with the new president, we also have about 55 missionaries going home in the next couple months and only 20 new missionaries are coming to replace them. Many areas are being temporarily closed down, hence why they made me leave Jilong (an area way to big to be managed by only one companionship).

Luzhou has been very different for me. Back in Jilong, it was very hard to get a setup, but in Luzhou it seems as if every other person we talk to has a good chance of wanting to meet with us again. The problem is that when the appointment comes, they don't show up. It's also hard to meet with the investigators that we have because they are all so busy.

This week, because we haven't been able to meet with our investigators, have been getting in contact with formers and potentials. So far we have had about 5 setups. And all of them were made over the phone. 

I've also been sick the last week and right when I'm feeling better, my companion gets sick. I'm so nice.

Today we played basketball and went to eat at all you can eat Pizza Hut. Got to talk with other missionaries and shop for groceries after. Here are some pictures of my last P-day. We went to a presidential museum and saw Taiwans capital building.

Until next week

If you've read till this point, congrats. 

Other pictures for the week: