5-21-14 New Trainers Meeting

While I was with the missionaries at the Taipei Temple, President trained the new trainers in Chiayi.

 I made sure, in my absence, that cinnamon rolls were brought down, heated in the oven, and smothered with buttercream frosting. We love our trainers!

5-2014 Taibei Temple Trip

This month we had two very special days at the temple. On May 14, missionaries of the Taichung and Taichung North zones attended. One of our elders was able to perform temple ordinances for his deceased father. As well, the Beiqu sisters and I performed ordinances for deceased family members of our investigator, Sis. L, who has still not been able to be baptized yet (see April posting). But now she has helped her father and grandparents to receive the ordinances of salvation by proxy!

Bus ride home to Taichung:

The following week on May 21, we returned to the temple again with more missionaries of the Taichung and Zhongxing zones. We had the special pleasure of seeing a couple of recently released missionaries! It was a rainy day, but we were able to squeeze in the foyer for a picture:

5-19-14 Zhanghua DTM

Zhanghua Second and Third Districts combine for their weekly FIRE TIME devotional, presented by Sister Training Leaders this week. After sharing a spiritual thought involving the word "fire," they fervently ask each missionary...

Are your souls on fire?!?!?!

Zhanghua Second companionships report on current progressing investigators (district leader on right):

PMG Activity: Helping Investigators to Attend Church...

Zhanghua Second District:

5-2014 Specialized Training

While President was training missionaries who were either soon-to-be senior companions or had just turned senior companion, I had the opportunity to meet with their companions. After some health related discussions, we jumped into my favorite topic: Hastening the Work of Salvation!

We were having a soft pretzel baking activity, so I asked the missionaries what ingredients were necessary to make pretzel dough, and what scriptures could they share with me?

Wheat: Missionary Work

D&C 4:4 

For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

D&C 101:65

Therefore, I must gather together my people, according to the parable of the wheat and the tares, that the wheat may be secured in the garners to possess eternal life, and be crowned with celestial glory….

Water: The Gospel

John 4:14

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Salt: Our Missionaries

Matthew 5:13

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt hast lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted?

Oil: Testimony
Matthew 25:4
But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Leaven: Members Hastening the Work

Matthew 13:33

And another parable spake he unto them; the kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

In Gaoxiong, rolling out long strips:

Linking pretzels together in two symbolizing: Missionaries working with Members:)

In Taichung (the mission home):

Hot baking soda water bath:

Brothers brushing with an egg water wash:

A sprinkle of coarsely ground salt:

Delish!

Lots of happy smiles!

And for staff meeting devotional:

5-19-14 President's Weekly Letter

Dear Elders and Sisters,

As a mission president, one of my greatest desires is that my missionaries will find the peace, joy, and power that are the result of obedience to the Lord, to gospel principles, to the commandments, to mission rules, and to the direction of priesthood leaders. The standards, rules and guidelines set forth in the Missionary Handbook and Preach My Gospel provide essential guidance for those who desire to serve the Lord with all of their heart, might, mind and strength. “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is a light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23).  The power and protection that comes from obedience is a valuable thing for each missionary to learn, as it will bless him or her during their time of service but, more importantly, it is an eternal principle that will help us become more like Christ.

Here are a few reminders from my recent experiences and review of the Missionary Handbook:

•  Missions should be an emotionally safe experience for every missionary. Love and respect your companion. Look for good in each companion. Find ways to serve each other. Study together every day. Pray together frequently throughout each day. (MH, pg. 30)
• Help your companion. If you notice any inappropriate situation or behavior, discuss it with your companion. If the matter is not resolved, have the courage and love for your companion to ask your mission president for help. (MH, pg. 31)
• Do not use headphones (earbuds); they isolate you from your companion. (MH, pg. 25)
• Missionaries are not to give their new phone number to members, investigators, friends, etc. when moving out of an area (Rules and Clarifications, pg. 27). If you are receiving calls or texts from someone from a previous area please inform them that this is contrary to mission policy, then call the Operations Manager to have their phone number blocked from your phone.

Cell phones and computers are valuable resources, provided by the Lord in these latter-days, to help us in our sacred work. These devices can also be distracting and even sources of temptation. Use of phones and computers is a privilege and can be withdrawn. We did not have either of these items when I was a missionary; we were less effective missionaries, but we were not tempted to waste time or commit sins by these things.

“Wherefore if thy computer or thy cell phone offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having a computer or a cell phone to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine electronic device offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with no electronic device, rather than being fully connected to be cast into hell fire” (Matthew 18: 8-9, President Blickenstaff Inspired Version).

Simply by striving to be obedient, you are all champions in my eyes.

President Blickenstaff

Mentor of Champions

2014 Mother's Day

Mother's Day started by departing at 6:30am in order to attend the Xinying Branch conference ward council meeting. We were pleased to see both senior companions of the Xinying Branch missionaries invited to attend, with the ward mission leader seated between the two of them, indicative of the good relationship they had established with ward members.

The best part of the branch conference was that I was not assigned to speak:) Haha, I truly would have welcomed an opportunity to encourage ward members to hasten the work of salvation by engaging in Elder Nielson's invitations, but alas there wasn't time on the program!

 Afterwards, several sisters had prepared a delightful lunch for us, consisting of all my childhood favs:)

 Red date & longyan soup, red bean buns, and pork zongzi (Chinese tamales)!

 First time ever tasting this Best From Germany Black Cherry soda…pretty good stuff!

Then stopped at Jiayi on the way home, and was able to sing Happy Birthday to this new sister missionary in training:) Luckily, I had something special treats to give her!

We didn't get home until about 6:30pm and were quite exhausted.

Nevertheless, my wonderful husband fixed me a delicious Mother's Day dinner, grilled to perfection:)

Of course Mother's Day wasn't complete until I was able to Skype with my family the next morning, bringing together four families, including five grandchildren, spread throughout the world in Taiwan, Korea, California, and Utah!

And a big SHOUT OUT to all you wonderful mothers of our missionaries, for whom we are so grateful that they have been called to serve in the Taiwan Taichung Mission, the BEST MISSION IN THE WORLD, because your sons and daughters are serving here!

5-6-14 Gaoxiong West Zone Training Meeting

The zone leaders patterned zone training meeting after the instruction they received at MLC. He asked the missionaries in the Gaoxiong West Zone, "Who has faith great enough to go out and find someone within an hour that the Lord had prepared to be taught and baptized?" Again, many hands were raised. 

These two elders were among the first. They immediately left. Afterwards, their zone humbly knelt and exercised their faith as President was invited to offer a prayer. Divided into groups, the zone leaders asked us to share our favorite scriptures on faith. I had to share Alma 32:41-42, wherein we learn that as we exercise faith in the word of God, it shall take root in us and spring up into a tree of everlasting life, whereby we may pluck the most precious fruit of all, a representation of the love of God, even the gifts of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Imagine having our own personal tree of life in our very own backyard, to harvest from according to our wants and needs!

After what we witnessed during Mission Leadership Council, President and I smiled, and were not surprised, when the two elders returned within 20 minutes:)

Because these two elders were serving far south of Gaoxiong city, they asked to borrow the local elders' bikes. The four missionaries left to fetch the bikes outside, and afterwards, together offered a prayer that Heavenly Father would direct the two departing elders to someone who needed the gospel. Not to their praise or admiration, but to glorify the Father, and to inspire and empower missionaries to exercise faith in finding those who are prepared to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

As the two were about to leave the chapel grounds, a young man was walking on the sidewalk outside the front gate. The elders engaged him in a conversation and, owing to the time, showed him a baptismal leaflet and began testifying of baptism as a means of starting anew. The young man asked if it was possible to be baptized in a river! He was sincerely desirous to learn more, and willing to set a baptismal goal and exercise his faith in coming to know Christ:)

After the miraculous experience, the zone leaders led another activity, dividing the missionaries into two groups. This group represented "golden" investigators, however, only "golden" to a specific missionary.

This group represented missionaries, whose task was to find their "golden" investigators. The best way to succeed? Talk to everyone!

Ready, set, GO!

They might be unwilling at first:

At school:

In the park:

At the gym:

At the store:

At work:

On the road:)

In the library:

At a family gathering:

Getting a haircut:

At the beauty salon:

At the post office:

During a lunch break:

Next door neighbor:

Your teacher:

At the beach:

With your best friend:

Even if he happens to like wearing sock with his flip-flops:

While waiting for the bus:

On your commute:

Could he be the one?

 YES!

One of our missionaries, in sharing her experience with this activity, said she offered a silent prayer to be able to find her "golden" investigator. President was touched by what we learned that day from our missionaries, concluding that if faith-filled prayers could help missionaries be successful in a finding activities, how much greater could faith-filled prayers help missionaries find those who had been prepared by the Lord to receive the gospel. In order to attain our mission goal of 60 baptisms in May, we needed faith-filled prayers coupled with diligent finding!

The Gaoxiong West Zone: