Dear family and friends,
Sorry this is two days late! Today is Temple Day and our
preparation day was moved to today instead of Monday. And none of us
remembered to put in our emails. But behold, we have a typhoon upon us
right now and President Bishop called us last night and said we can't go
to the temple today because of it. We were supposed to have a typhoon a
few days ago, but they said it barely missed the coast of Taiwan, so we
thought we were safe. But then we got an update yesterday that a new
one was coming and should be going through all of Taiwan. It was crazy
in the stores yesterday as everyone was buying stuff to prepare. Always
be prepared! But anyway, we're all pretty bummed that we can't go to the
temple. So far it's been pretty consistent rain today and should get
worse tonight. That's when everyone says it'll hit our area. I love the
weather here!
Speaking of crazy weather, there was a leadership training meeting
last Tuesday and Elder Allen had to go to it. So Elder Chan and I were
paired up in his area of Puli. Elder Chan is from England and has an
intense accent. And he's only one move call above me. Which means he's
still training. So we were both a little nervous to be set loose
together. And Puli is extremely beautiful and off in the middle of the
mountains. It's so cool there. But as we got there, it started raining a
lot. And it usually rains a ton there. But we got more than usual.
Actually the streets started flooding and the rivers were overflowing.
And it was just us two new guys trying to get through all of it. I've
never seen such crazy rapids of water in the streets. Turns out there
was flooding all over Taiwan and Puli was one of the worst. I'm pretty
glad to say I got to experience it. But it destroyed a lot of land.
We've had some pretty cool new investigators this past week. One
guy has been coming to English class for a while and saw Sister Smith's
cool scripture case thing and wanted it. She wouldn't give it to her,
but we gave him a Book of Mormon and told him about it. He's was a
little whatever about it, but the next week when we sat down with him,
he said he'd been going over this tract we gave him and the soul
searching questions with scripture references. He said he was actually
pretty curious as to how it can bless his life. So we've been meeting
with him and he's progressing a lot. We also met this family that owns a
clock shop. The parents are Buddhist and the kids are all Christian.
They've all moved out, but they come by a lot and we were able to meet
all of them. They have this very interesting curiosity in missionary
work and wants to learn more. So we've been teaching them a lot too.
Our investigator that had the baptismal goal for this week didn't
quite come through. He's been investigating for almost 10 years now, and
we went through the interview questions with him and he still has some
problems with prophets and the Book of Mormon. So we're really trying to
help him, but he is a little hard to get a hold of because of his work.
He has this desire to be baptized though. So we're not giving up.
One of our investigators that has the goal for next week doesn't
quite feel ready for baptism yet, but loves reading and praying and
feeling the peace that comes from it. So we're also very excited for him
still. And we still have 3 people that still have their goals for next
Saturday. Both of them the families. The recent converts wife, and the
couple with two little kids. They also have some concerns of their own,
mostly just the social aspect, but with the help of our amazing members'
testimonies, they all feel more ready and all 3 of them have their
interviews this weekend! So exciting!
On Saturday we had a ward fireside and the 6 missionaries in our
ward were in charge of it because it was on effective peike-ing (members
in lessons). We had an awesome skit in which we had a demonstration of a
good peike lesson and one with a bad peike. The members thought it was
so funny. And they said it really helped them know what to do when
meeting with our investigators. They love helping so much. And they help
so much. I love it.
Yesterday before District training meeting, I passed off lesson 3! I
was hoping to pass it off last week, but because of the training
meeting in Taizhong, I was unable. But I love the progression I've been
making! We also had a really great meeting on recognizing the spirit and
following the promptings. As well as how to help our investigators feel
those promptings. I know it'll help them so much.
Last night we met with the old Stake President/now young mens
President for dinner. He's a really nice guy and always helps peike. Him
and his family served a really interesting dinner though. Clam pizza
and Shrimp pizza. Pretty interesting right? I never thought I'd have
such an opportunity to eat such interesting things. But I ate it none
the less. I love all these experiences! Everyone here is so charitable
to the missionaries. They're such an example to me.
It's been a packed week with helping many people greater understand
this wonderful gospel and helping them come unto Christ and come into
the church. I'm so excited for these coming weeks. They're going to be
so busy and packed, and I'm so excited!
I love you all! I hope everyone had a great Father's Day! Thank you
for all the love and support! Please continue to write and keep me
updated on your lives. And I challenge you all to think of someone who
you could help lift their spirits. Help them out, and continue to
strengthen your friendship. Until next week!
Love, Elder Anthony Buckwalter
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