6-11-14 Taichung Zone Conference

6-3-14 Taizhong North Zone Training Meeting

President's June Calendar Letter

Dear Elders and Sisters,

I recently attended a gospel principles class in one of the many wards in our mission. The lesson was on the first principle of the gospel, faith in Jesus Christ. One paragraph in the manual recited a number of great miracles that were all wrought by faith in Jesus Christ. It is truly awe-inspiring to contemplate some of the miraculous events recorded in scripture, such as healing the sick, restoring eyesight, causing the lame to walk, or raising the dead.

For the past few weeks we have asked people to report a new key indicator: Miracles Seen. In our mission we refer to the many daily occurrences that represent the hand of the Lord in our work as miracles. These things are sometimes so small that some would call them coincidences. Because we know that this work is His work, and He guides and directs it, we can be confident that there are no coincidences in what we do.

Many missionaries have commented in their weekly letters to me that counting miracles has allowed them to recognize more fully the bounteous blessings that come so frequently as we consecrate ourselves and go forth each day, “Not knowing beforehand the things that [we will] do” (1Ne. 4:6). As we consciously look for, and recognize, the many blessings that we receive each day, we must “…always return thanks unto God for whatsoever things [we] do receive” (Alma 7:23). In the words of President Uchtdorf, “Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes” (Liahona, May, 2014, pg. 77).

I have always loved these inspiring words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, penned while a prisoner in Liberty Jail: “Dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.”

As I pause to consider the miracles that are all around us everyday, I cannot help but feel immense gratitude for the greatest miracle of all: that my Heavenly Father could allow me, with all of my weaknesses and faults, to be a part of this sacred work. That through the Atonement, I could be cleansed from past mistakes, and given enabling power (grace) to become what He needs me to be. That I could be shown my weaknesses and, through faith in Christ and humility, my weaknesses could become strengths. That like the one leper of ten who returned to give thanks, I could not only be healed but made “whole” (Luke 17:19). It truly inspires me to “live in thanksgiving daily” (Alma 34:38).

President Blickenstaff
Mentor of Champions

6-5-14 Wuquan English Class

Intermediate English Class: Teaching About Homonyms with What to Wear

A good group of English speakers!

 Students share their sentences and choose the correct homonym:

  This young man really gets it!

I also learned a fabulous new game: Do You Love Your Neighbor?

The person in the center, IT, asks someone seated, "Do you love your neighbor?" 

If that person answers "Yes," then the people on either side must swap seats. If the person who is IT sits down in either chair before one of the two persons who must swap, then the person left standing is now IT.

However, if the person being asked answers "No," then the person who is IT asks, "Then who DO you love?" The person then answers, "I love people who are wearing blue (or whatever)." Then all the people wearing blue must swap to a different seat! Whoever is left standing without a seat is now IT:) Too fun!

Since the lesson for the evening focused on apparel, that was the topic of the game. 

Of course any topic an be used:)

Everyone gets to participate, it is SUPER fun!

Students also had some time to share their talents. A female guitarist with a beautiful voice:

 A friendly environment makes it easier to perform for the first time:)

 A member performs a hymn on her harmonica:

Ending with a spiritual share from the sisters about those who "were cast out of the synagogues because of the coarseness of their apparel" (Alma 32). Though they were poor in heart, how blessed were they for their humility and their willingness to exercise faith in Jesus Christ!

Our missionaries are great English teachers!

5-29-14 Teaching Students

After MLC, I walked back over to the chapel from the mission home and noticed a group of students lingering on the sidewalk. Inside the church building, I found our Dakeng sisters teaching English to another group of students. These young male students had an assignment from their high school to conduct an interview using English. Having seen the zone leaders close by, I grabbed them to come assist the sisters. Then noticed the students lingering outside walking towards the building. I welcomed them in and we had quite a large group of eager friends! They all had an opportunity to introduce themselves in English:

Taichung zone leader engaging them in conversation by asking who their hero was:

And then testifying about his hero, Jesus Christ.
All of us were able to share our testimony and with them why we came to serve a full-time mission.

Sharing a Mormon.org video:

Our new friends!

5-29-14 Mission Leadership Council

Zone Leaders reporting on the strength of their zone during the month of May.

Sister Training Leaders sharing miracle stories.

Lunch at the mission home: Oahu Chicken, a Blickenstaff family favorite:)

Hot fudge sundaes for dessert!

Sharing musical talents:

Assistants train on having a vision, setting goals, and planning.

President holds a council on the vision of the Taichung Mission.

Closing with the mission song:

Taiwan Taichung Mission Leadership:

6-2-14 President's Weekly Letter

Dear Elders and Sisters,

I have been thinking about the importance of striving to be happy, obedient missionaries. The ability to be happy comes naturally for some but is a gift that can be sought after for others. The joy and happiness that are the result of living the gospel of Jesus Christ have been a powerful source of motivation for each of us to come and serve as full-time missionaries. And yet the burdens associated with our service, such as homesickness, feelings of inadequacy or unworthiness, lack of success in the work, etc., sometimes leave us unable to feel cheerful and glad.

Most of you know that our daughter is currently serving a mission in Korea. She is like you: excited about life, has many friends and interests, and serves because of her love for the Lord and desire to share her blessings with others. Despite all of this, for the first half of her mission, she struggled to feel happy each day. About two months ago, her letters changed. You could really tell that she was happy. I asked her how she did it. She said it started with a decision to be happy. And she prayed earnestly and persistently for the gift of charity in order to love her companion. “And it worked!” she wrote to me.

“Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness and keeping all the commandments of God” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pgs. 255-56). Don’t you just love someone with such a clear understanding of what it takes to really be happy! There is an undeniable power that comes to us through obedience. President Benson put it this way: “When obedience ceases to be an irritant, and becomes our quest, in that moment God will endow us with power” (Donald L. Staheli, April 1998, general conference).

The happiness that can come to us in this work can be a powerful blessing as we go about our duties each day endowed with power. It can radiate from our countenances and be seen in virtually everything that we say and do. As we are spiritually reborn, we receive the image of Christ in our countenance; indeed, it is evidence of our own “mighty change of heart” (Alma 5:14). The word countenance comes from a French word that denotes behavior, demeanor, and conduct. When we receive the Savior in our countenance, we will act like him.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure” (Mor. 7:48).

President Blickenstaff

Mentor of Happy and Obedient Champions