Sunday, August 31, 2014

August 2014 Baptisms

Yuanshan, August 30
Qianzhen, August 30
 Together with her daughter, returned Taiwan Taichung missionary!
Taibao, August 16
 Double baptism for Taibao!
Tainan 2, August 16
Tainan 2, August 8
Guiren, August 9
Jiayi, August 9
 Tainan 3, August 9
Yongkang 2, August 9

A Visit from Our Very First APs on Island!

We love it and feel so honored when our missionaries in the states come back for a visit. 
Even better when they bring their family!
 What a TREAT when fathers can take advantage of business trips to Asia and break away to tour their son's mission. Even better, this returned missionary's older brother is dating this elder's sister. So sweet:)
 Back in the office just like old times!
 And just as endearing as ever...
Haha, one of their mission goals was to camp out in the MP's backyard. So on their last night in the mission field, President granted them permission, but by the time they were done packing, it got too late and they never made it. This trip, they were determined to make it happen:
Except for the lack of set-up instructions, and the thunderstorm that broke out early evening:(
At last, they just crashed under the stars!
But of course, they had to buy breakfast from the blue truck on the corner, just for old times' sake!

P90X in the Mission Home!

Yoga is not for me, but these missionaries are mad men!
This doesn't even look natural!
But I'll join in on Ab Ripper X (that's my matt below):
 One of them even makes contact, elbow to the knees!
 Best way to end a morning of P90X? Whole wheat waffles with blueberry sauce!
Celebrating with a Birthday Breakfast for our Operations Manager in the green tie!

8-21-14 All-Taiwan Youth Conference, National Chi Nan University, Puli

This year's Youth Conference was island wide, accommodating over 800 youth across Taiwan!
Our missionaries hosted an activity on Thursday afternoon, rotating through four groups of youth:
 They started with a game to help the youth understand the missionary purpose:
 Our Mission Recorder did a fantastic job leading the activity:
Everyone is familiar with the Rock-Paper-Scissors game. Each individual was to turn to the person next to him/her and play the game. The winner formed a "train" behind the loser, until in the end, only one train remains with the winner at the head. First a demonstration by our missionaries:
 And the winner is...
 Here they go!
 Everyone participates...
 Trains are beginning to form...
 And getting longer...
loonger still...
 even loooonger...
 and yet loooooonger...
 having so much fun…
everyone is part of one train or another...
 even loooooooonger, how many trains left?
 The final winner:
 Next group:


 President joins in...
 lots of smiles...
Only a few trains left...
 Only two left now...
 The winner!
 Now how does this game relate to the youth conference theme, Coming Unto Christ?
 The youth gather into groups for discussion:
As we come unto Christ, we can bring others unto Christ.
 As we bring others unto Christ, we become one with Him.
 Until we are all united as sons and daughters of Christ.
 Followed by a scripture discussion on Joshua 24:15, 24.
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
 "And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice we will obey."
 I love Scripture Mastery scriptures!
 The youth share their testimonies:





And record them in Book of Mormons:


 We are so grateful for the strength of the Taiwanese youth!

President's counselors attended:
 Our missionaries did a great job!
And not only our currently serving missionaries…
but many, many of our released missionaries attended in various leadership roles.
It was SO GREAT to see them!


Some released only two days ago!

These three stalwarts all served as APs in the Taichung Mission:
 This new RC is preparing for a mission:
 We attended this valiant young man's baptism last November, he is preparing for a mission too!
 THREE GENERATIONS of missionaries: grandpa, son, grandson!
(trainer, trainee/trainer, trainee)
 This missionary met her former companion's mother and little sister, who is preparing for a mission:
 And we met another Taichung missionary's brother who is also preparing to serve a mission.
We hope he comes to our mission as well!
Such a wonderful youth conference event!