I'm Moving!

The time has come, I will no longer be with the people whom I love in 竹東. I will be in 台北, 新北市 三重. It is in New Taibei city, a place called San Chong (I've heard it is the nicest apartment in the mission). My companion (彭長老) will be a 本地人 (a local), even better, his first area was 竹東. He was then my trainer's second companion (like father, like son right). I'm excited for new adventures, but I will always miss the people that I met in 竹東; this is my home. I love it here. Elder Bogle is also moving (he has been here for 6 transfers), but he isn't moving far, just to 竹北 (he is becoming a zone leader). The next set of missionaries to replace us is an elder that trained 彭長老 here, 余長老 will take good care of it.

Last weekend has been packed with stuff. I will get the lame stuff out of the way first, then move into the more special/cool stuff. I passed off phase 1 this week, which means that I will now be focussing more on learning lots of new words, and now I am allowed to study characters once again. I packed up a lot of stuff and got a lot of gifts from members and investigators. I have lots of pictures that I haven't sent home yet, so here they are.

This last week we got to do some cool things. We met with 巫姊妹 3 times, about every second day. She is incredible and willing to do. She just needs to come to church, so we asked her to go to a ward in 新竹 until her boss will let her get off work early. The even bigger miracle in this was that we got some really good 陪課 (lessons with members), and when she came for the last hour of church she brought a friend, they went to young women's and then her friend she would come on tuesday when the missionaries are meeting with 巫姊妹.

黃聖文 hurt his back this week, but we still got a chance to meet with him on friday night. We didn't have a ton of time, but it was probably one of the most fun lessons that I have ever had, I am so happy for him, he just needs to come once more and then he can get baptized. He will be such a good help to the ward, he is already converted.

江姊妹 (林立's girlfriend) also met with us 3 times with week, she is coming along steadily and is great. It has been good to meet with the 2 of them, because they strengthen each other quite a bit.

These are the people that I won't be around to see baptized. I will also miss the ward and those I have helped into the waters of baptism. I have seen so many changes here that I just don't know how to express. So many miracles, and felt so much, the power of my calling.

I have noticed that this week my english is suffering. I had several times where I just blanked on english words, and grammar. Hopefully I won't lose it all, but with next transfer's companion I may have a harder time. Forgive the grammar, and the chinese that I am using, I hope it is all understandable. If not, I can explain more when I get home, with crazy actions and everything.

This work will move forward, it is our Heavenly Father's work. "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." (3 Nephi 5:13) I have felt the spirit testify of the divinity of this work. I have taught with power, words and feelings not my own. I have found a love and respect that I didn't know I had. I know that we are led by prophets, and that we have but to pray and ask to know for ourself.

Love,

沈義謙