Another Transfer Gone...Already?!?

Hello everyone!

So I didn't mention it because nothing changed for us, but two Thursdays ago was transfer day. Another large group of missionaries came in this time, so now HALF of the companionships in the mission are in training, and with the exception of the Zone leaders, sister training leaders, and about 3 other companionships, every companionship in my zone is training right now. Which makes me an "old" missionary. That's not ok, haha. This last transfer flew by, but at the same time sometimes I forget that Elder Brady has only been in Taiwan for 8 weeks.

This week we had a Zone Council and a meeting for all the trainers and trainees who are going into the second transfer of training. We had a lot of great training about teaching shorter lessons, helping our friends that we're teaching get more friends in the ward, and helping them read the Book of Mormon. We've actually had a change in our mission where President Peterson really wants us to focus completely on finding young men who can go on missions and families who can help build the church here. So President was straight up encouraging us to go find opportunities to play basketball with random guys and just go places where guys close to our age will be, which made a lot of people happy that we're being encouraged to play basketball with people.  For me, it just means plenty of opportunities to get wrecked by a bunch of Taiwanese teenagers, haha. The meaning of President Peterson's challenge wasn't that we have to be good at basketball to find prepared people who can help build the church though, so I think I'll focus on doing things I can be effective with and relate to people well, haha. There has been a good turn to being more focused on really developing friendships with everyone we meet, while still being focused on our missionary purpose.

Our friends are doing well.  It's hard for a lot of them to find the time to do what they need to to feed their testimonies, but we're going to focus on finding time to video call and read with them for short little sessions more often in the week.  They're pretty willing to do that and I think that will be a great opportunity to be more involved in their conversion process, especially as we take that and move it more towards their member friends doing that with them.

Well, I was looking through scriptures that really lift me up and help me keep going when things are hard, and I came across this one.  It's definitely one we should read over and over again. This is in D&C 6:

"33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. (Our family's favorite scripture, BTW...)
37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen."

I really think it's so important to remember if we're doing our best to follow the example of Jesus Christ and love, REALLY love others, then there is nothing in this world that we have to fear. There are definitely a lot of terrible things in the world and it's only getting worse, but if we build our foundation on Christ, in the end we will be ok, and we will be a light shining in the darkness. We can't let the weight of the world drag us down, because that's exactly what Satan wants, for us to be miserable like himself. Remember that Christ has given us these promises, and He DOES NOT break His word:) 

Love you all!  Have a great week!

Elder Ogden

Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
武忠樂長老
耶穌基督後期聖徒教會的傳教

More food pics. The top left picture is a meal that a member served the Elders.  The bottom right photo is a croissant...maybe. :)

"A giant bell"

Hiking

View from hike

"This is a picture of a guy running to represent the section of Taipei that YingGe is in. In case you aren't fluent in Chinese yet, he's promising free dentures for anyone over 60 if he gets elected.  (He's pretty smart though honestly, that section of Taipei has a LOT of old people and they really do need dentures.  Lol.)"

Scooters for the littles