PHOTO ALBUM - MTC (May 29, 2013 - July 30, 2013)

Taiwan Taichung District 25L
with our new Mission President and Sister Blickenstaff.

My MTC roommates.

The MTC elders in my district.

The MTC sisters in my district.

The MTC sisters in my district.

My personal backpack with my lucky Snowtrooper.

My goods all packed and ready for Taiwan.

Departure day. 

I got to ride the UTA Front Runner. 

Our district's last day at the MTC.

One last photo in front of the MTC world map before our departure.

Oct 20, 2013 - letter to Mom

Alright then, this will have to be a short letter. I am so sorry. I really enjoy my email time. But today I had to make a sacrifice of the time for only having an hour to do it since we went south to Kending.

Yes I love my LEGOs. I have moved my little Snow Trooper guy to the front of my backpack strap so he is in front now. Too bad you can't see through his eyes what I see everyday.

Alright if its wrapped I won't open it. Like the LEGO Star Wars Advent calendar that you sent and I already opened the first one. Yeah pretty much you can always send me Star Wars stuff. Star Wars is my most favorite.

Thanks for what you shared about responses to my email and what you were blessed in feeling. That touches me and means a lot. 

Also know that I read all of your emails, everything all the way through. Sorry I won't have much to reply to. Just trying to say what I can.

I am sending a letter with Elder Dailey so I will write down my new convert's story in that.

Good Luck with your Beehives and the song. It will go great! I know it will!

If you want me to reply or say anything more, say it again in next weeks email.

Love You!

Elder Dayley

Oct 20, 2013 - letter to Dad

So I read through all of your email. Don't really have much time to reply. Sorry. If you want me to reply or talk about anything, remind me of it in next week's email and I will.

But so I really appreciate all that you have said. It's really touching and moving. It's helpful, its strengthening. It's a blessing.

So even Elder Dailey notices how fast I learn, more so on the language side. He said I am ridiculous like last week with a less active we had shared with him the previous time a Elder Holland talk about belief and faith and him saying to lean on his testimony. That talk. But this time I had prepared something that I thought I would have to have Elder Dailey say it. It was a more real life example to talk about having a desire to believe, believing, and faith. I ended up basically sharing the whole thing (of course in Chinese) about creating a car, seeing other peoples' cars, but not really believing or having faith until you actually start the car once it is created and driving it. This is like to when you have a desire to believe you can create the car, but until you act, until you read, pray, and attend church, it won't grow and develop.

Well got to go! I love you lots! Will have a letter being sent with Elder Dailey

Love,

Elder Dayley

October 14, 2013 - letter to Dad

Hey Dad!!!

Yeah I wish I could be there to comfort the puppies and play with them. I don't think I mention it much, but I see a lot of weiner dogs here actually. I was really sad though one day because twice I saw two of the fattest weiner dogs ever and I felt so bad and sad for them. :(

Alright now for our young investigator. So this past week has been fun and interesting. First I went on exchanges again with Elder Vandiford, but this time he came to my area. So I was senior companion for a day and was in charge of leading and handling the cell phone. That was fun. But so we stopped by the young investigator's dian that him and his family work at (we usually always stop by about 6 or 6:30 at night) and he was running out the door for class. So I told him we only wanted to talk for a few minutes. We sat down and went a little more thoroughly with him about the Sabbath day because I think Elder Dailey and I hadn't fully emphasized about not buying things on the Sabbath when we met with him before. But he said that wasn't a problem especially since he doesn't have any money. But he also got to meet Elder Vandiford who would do his baptismal interview. We had a prayer with him and then he had to go. Then last Saturday Elder Dailey, a ward member, and I sat down and taught Wayne about the Ten Commandments, Following the Prophet, and Obeying and Honoring the Law. It went really well and he is willing to obey all of them. We then talked with him a bit more about the baptismal interview and also seeing where he was at in his conversion. We were a little bit nervous because he was saying about baptism that it seems like the right thing to do and that the Book of Mormon seems right. So we invited him that night to pray about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, but to sincerely pray and pray with the desire to know and understand. We had set up to have his baptismal interview the following morning at 8 before conference started, but than his Dad came up and said that he needed to stay home to help out at the dian (I think if I heard right his Dad wouldn't be there in the morning). But so we managed to be able to have the young investigator at least come for an hour at 8 to have his interview (we were sad that he didn't get to hear conference). So that night Elder Dailey and I prayed for the young investigator, as well as our ward member that was helping, that he would receive his Spiritual witness and could firmly say that he knows the Book of Mormon is true. Sunday morning came, and we went to pick up the young investigator and ride bikes together to Church. We got there and Elder Vandiford went through the interview with him...........and he passed! He is ready to be baptized. Elder Vandiford was telling us that at first when he asked about some things that the young investigator was saying that it seemed like the right thing to do. So Elder Vandiford was a bit nervous. But he is a really great Elder and is a good person who knows how to talk and listen, so he was able to talk to the young investigator and really have him open up. Elder Vandiford said that he is super solid and really good. He said the young investigator knows these things are true. That he has thought these things out logically but as well as spiritually and has felt the Spirit when praying and about the Book of Mormon. So we are way excited. Because this next week is Stake Conference and the week after Saturday can't be done because some meeting for recent converts is going on and that Wayne has a very limited schedule to work with, he will be baptized next Sunday from 3-4 and will be confirmed right after. Yeah this is the investigator we stumbled into (and by no means was it actually stumbling, but that the Spirit directed) because Elder Dailey and I had been obedient following our plan of trying to visit less actives in the ward in that area, and then we both really needed to go to the bathroom and tried 3 different Family Marts and Seven Elevens, but none of them had bathrooms. So at the last Family Mart, Elder Dailey just decided lets go across the street to this dian and ask to use their bathroom. And that is how we met Wayne.

So as for Sister Goldade's information there might be a way. I can't email her. But I found out that Sister Goldade will be going home the same time as Elder Dailey. So he will see her at the mission home I presume. So I will already be telling Elder Dailey to say hi and everything to her since I haven't seen her at all since I have been to Taiwan (she is the only one from my old district I haven't seen which makes me really sad because she was one of the ones who was most supportive and wrote me). So I guess I could go through Elder Dailey to get info sent along to you.

Ok well here goes my last part. I have a lot on my mind and I will try to get as much out and as clear as I can with the time I have and everything. I also hope I am clear so I can hear back as best the response possible. I really do believe that you know what I feel and think and go through even though you are 10000 miles away. Also your letter that I got talking about inspiration really was a miracle. I got it on Friday and it was nice to read. But we met with one of the less actives that we have been working with. But he feels like that he doesn't really know anything and such like God, BoM, or Joseph Smith. So your letter I actually shared parts out of it especially the last part (this is the one letter where Eva got lost) and it really I think helped him. Elder Dailey and I really felt the Spirit and I feel it helped to testify to him.

Well so first is General Conference. When I heard President Eyring's talk in Priesthood I just thought of you. I didn't really write much on what he was exactly saying, but I did write this:

My Dad, the Elders Quorum President, is the good Samaritan. I am thankful for the example my Dad has set for me. Even before being called to such a leadership position with much demand and need for self-devotion, my Dad was a good Samaritan. He was, is, and will always be a selfless man. He never questions, never doubts, never mumbles or groans, but simply, humbly, willfully rises up to his calling as an Elders Quorum President, an Elder, a husband, a brother, a father, a son, and most importantly a son of God, to serve and raise arms that hang down weak, to lift knees that fall down in hopelessness. My Dad stands as a beacon to me as well as others to follow and lift with him. To stand where we are and lift together. I am glad that I can call my Dad, Dad and that I have been and am blessed to be his son.

So Conference was really great for me though. That much of each part really applied to me and have helped. So the hard part that I have been completely honest and open and striving to be obedient.  I firmly believe that I can obtain this as well and really am earnestly striving to obtain this gift. I have been praying about it and have actually felt Heavenly Father's strength already being blessed to me this morning. Another part was that Elder Dailey and I had been struggling a bit with making sure to go to bed on time. We sometimes stay up talking. But last night we went to bed on time and we have made it a commitment that we will go to bed on time. One of my other greatest struggles and I mentioned this last week how it is manifest even sometimes in my missionary work is beating myself up, being to hard on myself, and not forgiving myself very easily. Well I went to conference for Sunday at Church  and the morning session really helped in many ways. In most particular was Elder Scott's talk. I did get a little disappointed because I really felt that Elder Scott's talk was what I needed to hear right at that moment and Elder Dailey and I had noticed out the window our investigator go walking by. So we thought he was leaving, so Elder Dailey gets up to go out and go talk to him. I got pretty upset because I was not wanting to leave listening to Elder Scott (because I have to remain with my companion) but I had to leave anyways. We went out and talked with our investigator and found out that he was just walking around and moving to wake up some (he has been doing good to not smoke and not drink coffee at all). But so that took about 5 minutes and I came back in at the point where Elder Scott is talking about how the Lord sees weaknesses differently than rebellion. At the end of the talk I realized how I was acting wrongly and asked HF to forgive me for when we got up to go talk with the investigator. But I most particularly liked that Elder Scott talked about how that the Lord sees weaknesses differently than rebellion, that He sees weaknesses with mercy. And that to fill your life with service to others. As you lose yourself in serving others, Satan's temptations lose their power. So we had gone out tracting after dinner last night for about an hour and a half, almost 2 hours. But it felt good and helped me to feel better. Granted I am still working with the contacting on scooters (they still make me nervous and everything, especially when having a time limit. But Elder Vandiford told me something to help for me is to look at them as mini-lessons). I know you said in your email that you are proud of me and everything. I feel so many times as an imperfect missionary, that I feel inadequate, that I let you down and others, that my confidence in myself sometimes is really low. Am I a good missionary? I hate sometimes seeing other missionaries because then I feel so  inadequate unlike them. I know I am not perfect.  I am sure through prayer and other aspects this weeks I will receive answers and line upon line. I will look forward to your wisdom and advice and love though.

So that is a lot from my week that has happened. Elder Dailey and I will be going today to pick up our suits. Hopefully it will be all ready and not need to be altered anymore or anything.

Dad, I really love you with all my heart, I miss you, and look up to you in so many ways.

Love,

Elder Dayley

Oct 7, 2013 - letter to Dad

Hey Dad!

Way cool that you got to attend General Conference again! Definitely, I feel there is a difference when you make the commitment to watch Conference when it is live rather than saying "oh it's ok, I can just go back and watch it later". I think when we make that commitment we are more focused and intent on listening and receptive to the Spirit. Then we are better prepared to hear the messages. Then, of course, it is even better to return again to listening or reading the talks after we have heard them the first time. Basically modern day scriptures.

Because of General Conference this upcoming week, Stake Conference the following week, and a fireside the following Saturday for all RC's from the past 2 years, it has really thrown a wrench in our plans. We have worked it out now, so we will be finishing up teaching our investigator the Commandments, Law of Chastity and Follow the Prophet this week. He should be ready for a baptismal interview on Saturday. We're planning to have his baptism on October 20 from 3-4 with his confirmation immediately following his baptism. (Usually, new members are confirmed in sacrament meeting). He has been doing really well and seems pretty solid. We might need to review over Sabbath Day Observance with him again, especially about buying things on Sunday. But he has been doing well with the Word of Wisdom. He has told us he hasn't been drinking any tea leaf tea and has been drinking a lot more milk now.

Feng Shan is a difficult area. Very few people who actually add with us and set up times to meet. Our investigators have a hard time keeping commitments and/or don't show up to meetings. We have a few who are pretty solid and good with keeping commitments though. So it really weighs on Elder Dailey and I how difficult Feng Shan can be sometimes. Elder Dailey recalled when he was in Ling Ya with Elder Jorgensen. An AP came and did splits with them and told them they needed to have more faith in the area. Elder Jorgensen and Elder Dailey thought he was a bit ridiculous, but later were talking about it and felt maybe it was true. Elder Dailey and I are thinking maybe we need more faith in this area. We are having to do a lot of searching right now, which can be hard for me since I am not a person that feels comfortable just going up and talking with strangers. It's just not part of my character. I try to remember what you've told me and also what Elder Dailey has told me; forget myself and think, what does the Lord need me to do today. I try to do my best, but sometimes part of who I am kicks in when we have hard times right now. I start beating myself up striving to be perfect and comparing myself with others. I just see them as being so much better, so much more obedient, so much more blessed, so much more diligent. I feel awful and like nothing next to them. This is also something I am trying to work on -- not comparing myself with others. It's a very bad and real problem, especially for missionaries. So Mom, in her email said it right. About how she pictures herself in her classes. It's just her progressing and comparing against herself and nobody else. Same with missionary life. It's my mission, just between me and the Lord. Elder Dailey and I were talking last night for a long time and he was telling me how that a lot of his mission searching has not been a problem for him. He is willing, not scared, to work long hours tracting, contacting and talking to strangers. But he, as well, has a hard time not comparing himself to others and his companion. He told me when he arrived in Zhang Hua, something just clicked in him. He began to think along these lines -- I don't care what others are doing or where they are at. It's good for them, but this is my mission. It's just me and how I can progress and improve. I feel I need to strive better to not compare myself with others. Eventually, I will come to that point where, hopefully, it will just click. The other part that contributes to beating myself up is perfectionism. I think too much and wonder if I am doing my best or if I am slacking. Is Heavenly Father proud of me? If you, Dad, have seen my last two months since I have been here, would you be proud of me or disappointed in me? So I get feelings that I am doing good and doing my best but then contradicting feelings that tell me I am a failure and pathetic. Elder Dailey gave me a really great talk by Cecil Samuelson Jr. from 2006 about Perfectionism that I read through this morning and will read through several more times. I really need to become a more positive person, not saying only the things that I dislike, but seeing the blessings, seeing what I am doing good, and then realizing I have areas where I can improve. Those don't mean I am a failure, but that I can do better and don't denote how good of a missionary I am, especially with other missionaries.

I feel that I need to strive to contribute more to our lessons. I really always want to. The language can be so difficult sometimes, and I don't want to say the wrong thing, but really teach and help according to the person's needs. Something to progress and work in is the language. Elder Dailey always tells me that my language is similar to someone on their 3rd or 4th move call.

So one thing to mention is that I had been wondering how much time I would have here in Taiwan since my call was a reinstatement with being in the MTC for 16 weeks and coming back out again and no one ever really telling me if those first 7 weeks for sure have been deducted from my mission time. I asked President about it and he got back to me saying that my release date is June 9, 2015. So that is the same as everyone that I came here with from the MTC the second time. So that will be fun going home with everyone I came over with.

That would be fun for a few weeks or so after I come home to show each other our missions. I will think about it though. Also, I think BYU should be replying back fairly soon if I remember. Sounds good for Christmas though. Everything will get worked out for contacting you. I hope that I will still be in Feng Shan since a new move call starts about December 6 or so. I would like not having to move to a new area right before Christmas. Also, speaking of Christmas I figured out that you sent me a Lego advent calendar after I opened gift #1. I am guessing I was suppose to wait until December, right? Oops. :/

Well, I love you lots, and lots, and lots!

Elder Dayley

October 14, 2013 - letter to Mom

Li He Mama! (that's Taiyu for hello, the native language of Taiwan)

That's interesting that it is getting really wet back there especially since Utah is a desert. Yeah we get wet here and such. But since we have moved out of the summer and rainy season it doesn't rain as frequently or often. Last time it rained was last Thursday, and before that I don't remember.

Cool cool that JD Spencer will be getting his call soon. Also, that is crazy that it is already time for Tate to go out. Wish him luck and to also not get overly frustrated or worried about the language (Chinese in no way is it easy at all). It definitely takes time to speak it and understand it. I know that I have been greatly blessed with the language and what I can say and understand. Elder Dailey has said and even when he talks with members and such that I understand about 50% of day to day talk that is said and about 80% of gospel talk that is said. He even says that I surprise him sometimes with things that I say. He said a couple weeks back that my language at that time was probably what most 3rd or 4th move call missionaries are at. So that made me feel good :)

As for Kevin I haven't heard anything of late for the last couple weeks. But he says he is progressing along and is really close to putting his papers in.

By far General Conference was amazing, awesome, stupendous, strengthening, and how President Monson said the most inspiring Conference ever! I loved it so much. Though I really missed being at home to watch it and being with you and Dad. We got to watch conference at our chapel. I guess our chapel building that the San Min Ward, Yuan Shan Ward, and our ward, the Feng Shan Ward, meet in is actually that Stake Center. But so up on the 3rd floor with the sacrament area as well as the basketball gym was where they watched the Chinese broadcast. Down on the 1st floor in the Institute classroom as well as where we have Gospel Principles and Priesthood on Sundays is where we watched the English Broadcast. Pretty much all us missionaries as well as a few members were down there watching the English broadcast. But so Conference since it was downloaded and then hooked up to the TV started at 9 in the morning. We watched pretty much straight with a lunch break inbetween straight 6  hours of conference. This is where I am kind of glad to be a guy because we got to watch Priesthood session (which yes is my favorite session) rather than the Sisters leaving after the afternoon session to go out and start proselyting. Then Sunday we started at 9 again watching both morning and afternoon with a lunch break inbetween.

So the talks I enjoyed the most were first Elder Edward Dube because it was fun to watch him speak and see his enthusiasm ("Mom! Look! Look at how much we have done!"). Then both President Uchtdorf's talks from afternoon session and priesthood session. Then Elder Scott's talk from Sunday morning session.

Now transfers happen in two weeks. Elder Dailey and I only have two more weeks together :( I will find out the Saturday night before who my new companion will be. Then come Monday I will take Elder Dailey to the train station in Gaoxiong as well as Elder Turner will be taking Elder Vandiford as well. Then most likely (depends on where our new companions are coming from) Elder Turner and I will be companions for a little bit until our new ones arrive. So yeah that will be coming up quick. But I don't know after that how long I will be in Feng Shan. I could leave in December or end of January or possibly even later.

Alright well that's a bit much about this past week. So one thing I was thinking that you could send in the Christmas package is either another Lego Star Wars key chain (preferably either one of the little astromech droids like R2-D2 or one of the storm troopers or clone troopers (I already have the snow trooper with me)) or maybe see if there is some cool Top Gear key chain (like either the Stig or Top Gear). Just an idea.

I love you lots!!!!

Elder Dayley

Oct 7, 2013 - letter to Mom

Hey Mom!

So first about the suit I bought over here...I really don't think I will wear it at all since we use our bikes to pretty much to go anywhere and I don't want to risk rubbing away or ruining the pants. This suit will be my baby. It's wool as well. 

No, Dad did not mention about the snow, but winter is coming. Doesn't really feel any different here in Taiwan, especially being on the south of the island and pretty much at sea level. Nature is so beautiful though and truly one of the greatest blessings that Heavenly Father gives us.

Alright so for letters and package. I got Dad's letter from the 26th of September last Friday. Then I got the package last Saturday. So not too bad on the timing and everything. Thank you so much for sending the things though!!! Really!!! It was all much appreciated.

So yes, the music really is decided by each Mission President. President Blickenstaff has simply stated that as long as you feel it is uplifting and invites the Spirit, and that both members of the companionship want to listen, then you can listen. So I feel that appropriate soundtracks are very good. They are instrumental and beautiful. One note though, is if you send more music, make sure it is in .mp3 format. If not, it will not work on my CD player. It's alright with the CDs you have sent. They were in .m4a format, but a very generous and kind ward member is going to convert the discs to .mp3. We are going to buy him dinner. He has helped Elder Dailey and I so much, especially with being a member present at many of our lessons.

My response for you about my Christmas package is not "I don't need anything", it is "I honestly don't know what I need". So I guess I just leave that for you to decided. As for clothes it's not too bad. It is a little annoying that on a couple pairs of my pants that the stitching for the hemming has come out. So I just need to work on those and fix them or something. But shoes are good and everything. I have 3 pairs which I plan should last me the whole time. All of my pants are reinforced in the back area, so they should be good for awhile. Later, I might have to buy another pair or two. Other missionaries, like Elder Dailey, have done that here, so it shouldn't be a problem. 

So the reason Elder Dailey does not have a bike box is because his book frame part on the back over the wheel rusted on the inside quite early on (my frame is better). So he had put a chop stick in there to reinforce it. It broke as well, so he just took his box off completely. He has a basket up front though.

Well just plugging along here in Taiwan. I wish I could share more, especially what I see each day, but we are only allowed to take pics on P-day.

I love you so much!

Elder Dayley

Sep 30, 2013 - letter to Dad

Hey Dad!

So yeah kind of crazy that already 2 months on the island of Taiwan are already gone now. But I will for sure keep Mom in my prayers. And Canada is just crazy like that. The little sticklers. Good for you though getting the big part of the project done though. Awesome! I can't wait and look forward to seeing your letter and package within the next week or so. An idea I was thinking of over the last couple days is maybe you could share more about from your mission. I sit and think sometimes that I really don't know much about your mission or what experiences you had, what you learned, and everything. So maybe if there are lessons or experiences you wouldn't mind sharing, I think that would be cool.

So one sweet thing I want to share from past P-day is I finally got my suit. It is a fully tailored, Dolce & Gabbana suit that was $11300NT so almost $400. But this is a super nice suit, all tailored, with two pairs of pants. I can't wait to get it and then be able to wear it back in Utah. It will be read on the 14th. And then it is going straight into my luggage because I don't want to ruin it at all here in Taiwan.

Also maybe try not to send anything about conference quite yet. You can type it up so you remember. But we don't get conference until a week or so later because the English isn't broadcast here, as well as the time difference. So I will be getting conference a little later. Also, you will need to tell Pat's mom that he has it so easy teaching in English. Our investigator set up to have a baptismal interview this Saturday. We have, for the most part, taught him all the lessons in English. He is 14 and has learned English just in school (which is a so-so learning place to learn English). He has also learned English from watching American movies. Even more, he understands and knows Western culture and euphemisms. So a saying here in Taiwan is "tuo1, fang4pi4", which literally means, take off your pants and fart. But when said, actually means, you don't need to go to that much effort. Any way, he understands and uses English phrases like that Taiwan one. Teaching him in English is so easy and quite nice. So Pat should be very thankful for teaching in English.

That is so awesome the ward got to 100% home teaching! I knew you could do it. But I honestly didn't think that I had that much influence or effect on people in the ward. I was just being myself, struggling through the things I had, and sometimes being selfish and thinking of myself. I am happy to see that I have helped people though and have had that deep and profound of an effect. Also, Cole ended up emailing me today. It was so cool to see an email from him, and I miss more than ever being able to teach the 11 year old boys and the Elder's Quorum. Really, I miss teaching there a lot. Here, everything is in Chinese. So I still only understand part of what is taught.

I really think we should do a Japan/Taiwan trip together. I really want to show you Taiwan, see the places, taste the foods, because there are some things words really can't describe. The sooner we go after I come home, the better my Chinese will be. So something to think about.

I love you so much Dad!

Elder Dayley