It's Cold

Dear family and friends,

I'm going to suffer in Utah. It hit 60 degrees last week and I was freezing. Pingdong is just so much hotter. That's what I'm used to. I don't have a whole lot of time. So I'll cover the highlights!

Wednesday was really rough with 6 lessons that fell through. But English class was a lot of fun. I had 8 new students. I hit a record high for my class of 24. There was a lot of people. The range of English ability is so big! It's so hard to teach all of them according to their desires. We talked about the world. It was a lot of fun to tour the world with them. I thought it was funny that not a single one of them would choose to go to America if they could go anywhere.

Thursday was a rough day during the day. But the night was full. We went to James' house and talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He really liked it. We set a baptismal planner with him. So now he knows what he needs to do to reach his goal. He's getting interviewed this week! After James we went to visit our professional badminton player. I didn't think he was really that famous, but actually a ton of people know him. He's a national champion. Pretty sweet. He didn't have a whole lot of time because he was going to train a guy. But we were able to sit with him for a second. Then we went to our computer specialist and got to share more about the restoration. It didn't seem like his interest was that big until we really got into the need for a restoration. Then it seemed like it really touched his heart and he said he'll try. I really liked that lesson.

Friday we got to meet with this really cool guy that we met at the track. He has a sweet British accent and runs marathons all the time. He has a lot of interest, but is going to Taibei for a month filled with two weddings and two marathons. So we're gonna have to wait for him. He spotted me and waved to me first at the track. And then we went around twice talking about the church before we had to go. So his desire is there.  Immediately following his lesson was a lesson with a less active. We always meet with him at his shop. But this was the first time he came to the church since he stopped over 3 years ago. He really liked it a lot.

Saturday we got to go around with the 1st counselor to help him with home teaching. We went to the ward's oldest couples' house. They were both baptized back in the 70's before they met and got sealed in the Tokyo temple I think. Taibei didn't have a temple yet. They've been sealed longer than anyone else I've ever met in Taiwan. Super cool. Then we went looking for less actives with the maps we have and our 1st counselor loved it so much. He wants to keep doing it. We found a really nice old guy that wrecked his car going to church long ago, so his kids won't let him go out to our church anymore. They say he has to stay safe and go to a different church near his house. The whole "they're all the same" thought here is a little irritating.  Then that night the bishop helped peike with James and we shared the Law of Chastity. It was an extremely good lesson. I loved it so much. It boosted James' faith a ton. I love the bishop.

Sunday James came! And it was the best Sunday of the year: The Primary Program. I cried. A few of the families got up and sang together "Families can be together forever" and "I am a Child of God". It was so GOOD!!!    Then last night we had an amazing first lesson with one of the most humble men ever. I can't even describe it. His family is everything to him and he works so hard to help them. All his views are right in line with the church. I can't even tell you the Spirit filled reaction he gave as we invited him to read and pray. When he prayed, you could feel the Spirit so strong. A great ending to the week.

I love you all. I love my mission. I'm so happy for all the experiences I've had so far. I can't wait to see what else comes my way! Keep writing!

 

Love, Elder Anthony Kai Buckwalter