April 30, 2017

Hello everyone!

This week was another great week here in Taiwan! I actually don't remember what really happened though because it kind of just all blurs together. Hahaha!

Let's see. Last Monday we went and played board games again with the other Elders in our district.

After that we had a pretty normal week. We had lots of people set up and lots of people not show up or cancel on us! Hahaha! Mostly we were just on the streets talking to people during the day and then knocking all the first floors of houses at night! It was a little discouraging but we try to make it as fun and effective as we can!

Thankfully, we also had interviews with our President on Tuesday which was really good. I love being able to talk with President Jergensen because he is honestly one of the smartest men in the entire world and knows how to help missionaries really well! He helped me quite a bit!

On Saturday we spent the whole day with the ward on a ward outing. It was a lot of fun but Elder Cooper and I definitely go sunburned. It was really fun because we are the only two white people so they were all making fun of us turning red! Hahaha!

The Sisters had two baptisms that night so Elder Cooper and I spent the rest of the night at the church. Taking pictures. With the sunburns. Hahahaha!

That's pretty much it for the week! This week is the transfer week so it will be a little different!

Love you all!

Elder Holderness

April 23, 2017

Hello Everyone!

Well this week was pretty short since I email last Wednesday! The Temple was great I love living so close to it that I get to see it almost every week and do a session every couple of months.

After the temple we went to another escape house because some of the members in our district didn't get to go last week when we went. That was a lot of fun!

The rest of the week was kind of us just meeting with our investigators. Oh wait. Actually they just cancelled on us about three times so we didn't really get to meet with them and they didn't show up to church so it was a little frustrating. But oh well. Jim is still looking for his answer and he hasn't been reading the Book of Mormon.

It's kind of hard to keep our energy up after stuff like this happens but we are trying! Hahaha! Things could definitely be worse!

I love Taiwan! I love the mission! I know this Church is true. Yesterday I tried really hard to focus on the sacrament and it's importance. (Something I really need to work on.) A lot of times I normally feel like I have to just sit there and look down and ponder. But yesterday I couldn't help but just look up and smile because of how much hope I had in partaking. It was pretty cool! Every person has a different way of following the spirit! I am still learning mine and I invite everyone to always be doing the same!

Love you all!

Elder Holderness

April 16, 2017

Dear Family,

Well this week was another great week here in Taiwan! Sorry I forgot to tell you all that this week was temple week so I have P-Day on Wednesday!

Last P-Day we had a great P-Day with a lot of other missionaries. We went and did an escape room! Let me tell you, those things are pretty hard when you can understand what is going on. But when the clues are all in Chinese Characters it is impossible! Hahaha!

This week Elder Cooper and I did a lot of work for our ward for Easter. We made cake for them and also made cards for all the members. It was great! But we are glad to have that over with!

Jim is still looking for an answer to his prayers on whether he should get baptized or not. So we are just praying for him and trying to help him keep building his faith so he can recognize the answer. Other than him we don't have too many other investigators who are really progressing super well so we are out finding everyday. Knocking, street contacting and asking for referrals! It is going alright but I won't lie, sometimes it gets a little old to find in the same places every day for four months. Hahaha

I am still loving Taiwan, but it is getting harder for me to write these emails every week! Sorry! Hahaha! I'm going to the temple in a little bit but next week's hopefully will be a little better.

The church is true! Happy Easter everyone! He is not here. He is risen. 祂不在這裡。祂已經復活了。

Elder Holderness

April 9, 2017

Hello Everyone!

Well another great week here in BanQiao! This week we didn't do anything too crazy. Oh wait. We actually went on a hike all day on P-Day with an investigator and his family. We were gone the whole day and didn't get to do any missionary work besides that the whole day! It was weird.

On Tuesday we had another Zone Conference down in TaoYuan. It was another fantastic training from President and Sister Jergensen. They are the best! And it was great to be back in that chapel with so many other missionaries.

Thursday we had exchanges with the Zone Leaders and then of course we had the wonderful General Conference! I loved it so much. There were too many talks for me to remember though and I am super excited for the coming Ensign so I can read the English and Chinese versions! There were so many great talks for missionaries and investigators! But the one that comes to mind right now is Elder Sabin. I loved his analogy about the BYU football game. We should have full confidence in everything we do because we already know what the outcome is going to be!

The work here is great and I am loving everything here! Sorry these letters get shorter but that's just what seems to happen the longer you're on a mission.

Elder Holderness

Happy Easter and Happy Birthday Dad!

April 2, 2017

Hello Family!

This was another great week! I don't have too much time to email though so this may be quick!

Last P-Day we went up to a market alley in the northern parts of Taiwan called JiuFen! (九份) It was super fun, really pretty and I was able to get all the rest of the stuff I need for the Easter Package!

I hope that General Conference was great for all of you! I don't want any spoilers!  (They will watch conference next Sunday)

This week was alright, we don't have too many investigator's in our area, but Jim is progressing pretty well, he has taken all the lessons and we are just working with him to help him build his faith in God. It will be slow but I think he will get baptized.

Other than that we just keep having fun and working hard! Love you all!

Elder Holderness