Hello Everyone!
Hmm, where to start? This week just blurred together so much. Our zone took a tough loss this week. We lost 23 of the missionaries but we are only getting 7 today. All those missionaries that left are some of my best friends ever. The brotherhood that we have in the Mandarin branch is incredible. Especially because we are here for an eternity. I really can't believe that September is already half way over though. It seems like yesterday was the first.
This week I hit my first wall with Chinese. I'm not having a hard time learning anything really; but, it seems to me that I really can't learn much more here in the MTC. I just want to get out in the field and meet all the people and just see how little I actually know! We did a Skype lesson today with a member in Taiwan and it was so fantastic! The whole time we couldn't really understand here though. And it wasn't because of the language, just the technology. I could understand a lot of what we could hear and that made me so happy and excited! All the Taiwanese people that I have met are so happy and kind and I just love all of them already! I keep getting videos and pictures from the groups that left before me and I cannot wait to be there!
Yesterday, Elder Cook gave us our devotional and he spoke about the four loves that we need for our missions. 1) Love for our companion. 2) Love for the people. I already talked about that a lot but I just love the people of Taiwan so much already! I want to help them with whatever testimony I have. Be it small or large, I know that I can make a difference and help at least one person! 3) Love for the Mission President. He shared an incredible little insight with us. He said that more often than not, the mission that they decide for the missionary is because of the mission president and how they can learn and grow from them. I don't know much about mine yet but I am so excited to meet them and interact with them. And finally, 4) Love for the Lord. I know I have this one already, I wouldn't be out here still if I didn't. But I know every person in the world, even the prophet can work on this each and everyday. He gave us everything that is good in this world. Every time I go to the temple I am just reminded of this again and again. His love for us incredible so we should try to do the same for him.
I really loved this talk because as I hit this Chinese wall, I fell back into just studying the gospel as much as I can and it has boosted my testimony so much. I know that if I can accomplish these things and gain love for each of them then I can be the best missionary I can be.
We also had Elder Ballard here on Sunday night and the spirit was just as strong then. I know for sure that there is no way the Apostles would give up everything that they have if this Church wasn't true. Every time that the speak with us they make sure to bear their witness and their testimony to close. I love it so much.
This week we also had a sad yet happy story. Elder Johnson, one of the Elders from the transfer just above us, (He was supposed to leave yesterday) went to the doctor to check back up on his back problems that made him delay his mission for awhile got told that he would not be flying to Taiwan with the rest of his district. Instead, he has to stay here for another week and then go home and recover. He doesn't know if he'll be able to serve at all or if he will get another delay. The first presidency is deciding today. But for now, he is in our companionship so we're back to three again! He really has been just a blessing for us all though. His testimony is so strong even though all these problems are happening to him. It's hard to see him go through this however.
I love you all! I don't have a lot to talk about right now though so that's all I think! Here's that picture I talked about last week of our whole zone.
Love you all so much!
Elder Holderness
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