Hey Family!
So this past week has
been as it feels always a week of difficulties, challenges, and burdens. But
that I have grown and have been so spiritually fed, it is amazing.
I don't know about
you, but when General Conference comes I love it so much. Maybe just being a
missionary has allowed me to appreciate it on a galactic scale.
So yes we get to
listen to all of the sessions over the span of Saturday and Sunday.
They set it up in the chapel building having Chinese in the cultural hall and
then English in a classroom. Needless to say, yes I watched English (ain't no
way I am going to watch Chinese. Sorry but I am not a native). But so it
started Saturday with 2-4, then 4:30-6:30, then 7-9 (the Sisters
do not get to watch Priesthood session, so they leave at this point). Then Sunday
is 8:30-12:30 (yeah pretty much no real break, just a straight shot
through).
I won't lie but I feel
like my 6th move call will go down in my books as probably one of my most
difficult and trying times ever. The morning of conference ended up being hard
and we didn't get a lot done that morning, just mainly trying to make some
calls. I ended up not being hungry at lunch. And this is my prelude into
General Conference.
When I went to General
Conference it literally just rocketed me into outer space with so much hope, so
much desire to improve and change, and so much motivation. Sadly the talk I was
looking forward to listen to (Elder Bednar) because you mentioned it, I
actually didn't get to listen to all of it because at the latter half of it
Brother NNN had just gotten to the church, so I needed to go out and get him,
get him set up sitting by Elder Chen in the Chinese session (and thank goodness
he came before President Monson's talk, and he stayed for the second Sunday session).
For me though I feel
that one of my actual favorite and most inspiring talks was by Elder Nelson.
Which is surprising because as of the past few years he hasn't been one who has
touched and reached out to me. But this time it felt like what he was sharing
was what I exactly needed. I hadn't ever really formulated it in my mind, but I
know now more than ever I need to develop my faith greater than ever in the
Lord Jesus Christ.
Which is why I feel
that Priesthood Session ended up being a power play for me. Elder Oaks taught
for me became very informative and opened up greater understanding. Then it
just took off from there as it move through Elder Hallstrom to Elder Ridd, then
onto the First Presidency. What it taught me and has helped to really give me
the greatest direction in how I want to improve right now starts with the Book
of Mormon. I am committing greater than ever with a much more fiery passion to
read the Book of Mormon from the beginning, but with this specific focus:
building upon the rock of our Redeemer. This comes from Elder Andersen's talk
to read the Book of Mormon to strengthen trust and faith. By strengthening and
developing my faith in Christ it will help me to have greater courage in facing
my fears (whether from temptation and sin to things I don't like or are
uncomfortable). And by this courage I will have greater virtue and I feel
self-confidence. Then by this I may more powerfully testify, teach, and preach
the gospel. I will not feel burdened down and letting the rocks of mistakes,
past sins, current temptations and weaknesses get at me and pummel my
foundation into dust. For I will be built upon the rock of Christ. So this is
my current undertaking and what I am working towards (by the way Priesthood
session ended up being the session I took the most notes on, 6 pages).
As for the work here
in Zhanghua. Yes I am staying in Zhanghua. Elder Chen moved to Yuanshan (that
was the neighboring area my MTC companion Elder Turner was trained in). Elder Oldham
(who is actually quite funny is moving from Yuanshan) is moving to Zhanghua to
become my new companion. I think he is only one move call behind me. So you got
me senior on my 7th with Elder Oldham just on his 6th. We are going to have a
hard fun time. Sadly our new investigators has been harder this last move call
and is something I will focus and pray more than ever that we can find. That is
why I am undertaking the improvement and change to myself to read the Book of
Mormon to strengthen my faith and testimony. So I can more fully let the Spirit
into my life to guide and direct us. Brother NNN is having his baptismal goal
moved back a week. He isn't quite there. He is coming to the baptismal service on
Saturday and will have a baptismal interview after the service with Elder
Kou. I pray for him always. But this is a lot of my doings here on the island
of Taiwan.
Dad, Mom, family, I
love you all so much. There isn't a day that goes by I don't think of you. You
have some invites as well from Elder Ballard to study Preach My Gospel
(something I need to improve upon) and to share with your missionary ;)
Love you so much!
Elder Roo
