Tuesday, December 31, 2013

December 2013 Meetings

December 31, Daya District DTM


December 24, Dongying Chapel
Taiping District DTM
 District Reflections (upcoming transfer):
 Sharing why he came on a mission:
 Finding Activity:

 Wufeng District DTM

December 17, 2013 Zhanghua DTM

Zhanghua Districts combine to begin their meeting. Their tradition is for one companionship to share a talent every DTM. This week's was a back flip, which was repeated several times in order to get a video and photo for the blog:
The Zhanghua 1 District focused their meeting on the PMG Fundamental: We Invite, They Commit, We Follow Up. The DL led out using the Training Model, after which we all practiced.

December 15, 2013 Tainan Stake Center Sacrament Meeting

We were invited down to the Tainan Stake Center as President was asked to speak in sacrament meeting, together with the S&I Director and the stake president, to address the freshman class of a local theological seminary. Afterwards a Q&A session was held, during which we all sat on a panel along with the bishop, RS president, and our four missionaries. The missionaries were asked how they were called, if they were able to choose where they would serve, how they adjusted to Taiwanese culture, what would they do after their mission, etc. We were so proud of each of our elders and sisters, who answered confidently and testified with sincerity and devotion.

There were about 30 students and several leaders from the seminary.

Monday, December 30, 2013

December 2013 Baptisms

Our missionaries exceeded the December mission goal with 64 baptisms this month! Here are a few pictures....
Wuchuan, December 28
 Xiaogang, December 27
Tanzi, December 22
Mingjian, December 7
Gangshan, December 7
Tainan 1, December 1

Remind your missionaries to submit their pictures to me!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

12-2013 Magong Branch Conference

 Saturday, December 28
Branch Christmas Dinner and Activity

Christmas Carols:
 Christmas Program: 
This good brother and his wife shared wonderful Christmas stories. They just finished a temple mission and five of their children have served missions as well. Their son, who was just released last May from the Taichung Mission sang a rendition of "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables, likening the lyrics to our Savior's desire to bring us all home to our Heavenly Father. President concluded with thoughts on Christmas gift giving, and our Savior's greatest gift to us all.
 Beautiful children enjoying the festivities:

 And a special Christmas surprise waiting to make his entrance...
 Santa, Taiwanese style!
 Loaded with treats for everyone:)
 This member in the red coat brought four of her classmates to the activity:)
 Members who invite their friends are the best! In red as well...
It was wonderful to see this good brother again! The first time I met him, I was privileged to participate in the lesson, as the missionary's companion was attending a correlation meeting. He was baptized a couple of months ago:)
Ending the weekend with a delicious meal prepared by the Relief Society president.
Joining with us, the branch president.

12-27-13 Departures

Thursday, December 26, Taibei Temple*

*See 2013 Mission Home Christmas for more pictures:)

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

2013 Mission Home Christmas

Christmas Eve Dinner at Little Italy
 Christmas Carols and Apple Pie a la Mode ...
 Opening presents Christmas morning...this one from our missionary in Korea:)
 Skyping with our family abroad!
 Sis. Blickenstaff in Korea, our two granddaughters with their moms, 
son in Irvine, CA, and daughter in Sandy, UT. Modern technology at its best!
 Christmas Dinner with departing missionaries:

 Evening fireside:
 Gingerbread dessert, inspired by Elder Rasband's Christmas Devotional message, Glory to God:

Sunday, December 22, 2013

2013 Christmas Music Fireside

Taichung Stake
Saturday, December 28, Wuchuan Chapel

Hastening the Work of Salvation with the stake president:
Missionaries, Taichung Stake choir members, and National Taichung University of Education students
join in singing praises to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:



Message from the president:




Taichung Women's High School performing traditional Chinese instruments: 
Students from several universities in Taichung join their talents in an orchestra:

Stake member performs:
Message from our Area Seventy:
Disabled children from Love Home, Taichung City, perform on the drums...
...and sing!
Taichung Stake Primary, so cute!
Welcoming visitors:
Sharing the Gospel:

Sunday, December 22, at Top City Mall


 Opportunities to teach:











Everyone wanted a picture of this adorable little girl!
No charge for the photo, but you had to accept a pass along card:)
Members and missionaries laboring together to hasten the work of salvation!







 We are so proud of our missionaries for the many hours they spent practicing and serving!