The other missionaries still have not
realized I have no idea what I'm doing. I have started to learn their
ways, and have learned basic forms of communicating with them. If I keep
this up, I might just figure out what I'm doing. Elder Shope out.
If
that paragraph doesn't adequately describe how weird I am, I don't know
what will. This week has been awesome! We have seen so many blessings,
and have had so much fun! Transfers happened last week, and my new
companion is Elder Day! He is from Georgia, and he knows a lot about
video games and anime! So, I'll know everything about that by the end of
this transfer! He is so awesome, and we've already seen so many
miracles together! I'm excited for this transfer! Elder Kimmel
transferred to DanShui, and he's doing super well!
I've
definitely seen the Lord's hand in our work, blessing our efforts here
in Taiwan. We had a baptism last Saturday, for a 9-year-old named Jaddy!
She is so sweet, and she has such a strong testimony of the
Commandments! And her grandpa, who got baptized in June, got to baptize
her! It was such a special experience! And then in sacrament the next
day, they asked me to confirm her, and give her the gift of the Holy
Ghost. So I had to do that in Chinese, which was a little scary. But it
turned out pretty well, and I felt the spirit super strongly. I am so
grateful for baptism, and for the path that God has given us to return
to Him, and find happiness in our life her on Earth.
We
also had the opportunity to teach a family last night about repentance,
baptism, and the Atonement, and the mom, Sister Zhen, asked us a very
special question: Why was Jesus Christ willing to do something so
painful, and so hard, for us? I've thought about that question so much,
why Jesus Christ would be willing to suffer so much, for people who
still rejected and crucified Him. Why He would be willing to do
something like that, for someone as unimportant as me. But I know why:
it's because He loves me, more than I can believe. He knew that I would
mess up, that I would make mistakes, and wouldn't be able to have the
happiness that I wanted. And so, as the Only Perfect Son of God, as the
only one able to overcome my sins, He was willing to make a sacrifice
that would cause Him indescribable agony, that would be pain beyond our
imagination, so that I didn't have to be alone. So that I could have a
way to overcome my guilt, and my pain, and find peace, and hope. And
through His mercy, and His infinite love, I have a way to go home, and
receive all the blessings that my Father in Heaven so desperately wants
to give me. And I am so grateful for Him, and His sacrifice. I know it
is only through Him that I can find forgiveness, and truly feel peace in
my trials. I love Him, and I know that He is my Savior, and my Brother.
I know that He is your Brother, your Savior, and He wants to help you,
too. No matter how bad things are, Christ suffered worse. And because He
has felt your pains, He knows exactly how to help, with perfect love,
and perfect understanding. I testify that Heavenly Father, and His Son,
Jesus Christ, know each of us, by name. If we are willing to come unto
Christ, and lay it all at His feet, He will help us. Because He loves
us.
I love you all, and I'm so grateful for
your prayers and your love! I hope you can all feel the joy of this
gospel, and the peace of forgiveness.
Love,
Elder Shope
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