Hello Family and Friends,
This is Julie, Elder Erwin's mom. He didn't have much time on the computer this week. He only had time to answer a few questions but first I have a story to share that shows how small the world within The Church of Jesus Christ really is.
Thursday, at 4:45 am I was awakened by a text. When I looked at my phone, I was thrilled to see it was a picture of Elder Erwin. It was sent by a member named Sis. Wang, and this is what it said, "Hello from Taiwan. My name is Sister Wang, and my family just moved here from Utah for 5 months. It was fun to meet your son! He is such a great missionary!" The text included the picture attached below (Sis. Wang and her children are in the picture with Elder Erwin and His companion, Elder Coleman). I responded to Sis. Wang and thanked her for making my day. She texted back and said, "Did you know we are from your stake? We are in the 8th Ward and I spoke in stake conference last May at the same meeting that your son played the violin." Both Sis. Wang and I marveled at how small the world is and how wonderful it is for her to have a tie to someone from home while they do family history for her daughter (who is half Taiwanese) for the next 5 months. And how nice it is for us at home to know that she is in the same ward as our missionary son. It really is a small world. What are the chances of her settling in the same ward as an Elder from her home stake, an Elder who played the violin at the same meeting she spoke in just last spring? Sis. Wang and I consider it a tender mercy.
Sister Theresa Wang has an interesting story to tell beyond being in Taiwan for the next 5 months. She is a single mom and when she realized that with the change in mission age that all 3 of her children, her daughter and twin boys, would be on missions at the same time, she decided to serve a mission too. So all four members of her family served at the same time and all 4 of them entered the MTC within a couple weeks of each other.
Last week, Elder Erwin mentioned that Bro Hong, who he had taught in his last area was being moved back to him in his new area in YongKang because they realized that he lived in the boundaries of YongKang. Elder Erwin was thrilled to be reunited with Bro. Hong. Here is a little of Brother Hong's story as relayed by Elder Erwin's last mission companion, Elder Millett, who was able to continue teaching him when Elder Erwin was transferred.
" 洪弟兄 (Brother Hong) has had a pretty rough life. Both his parents died a few years ago, and both within a year of each other. He is only 18 years old. He lives by himself and works at a metal shop. When I met him for the first time, he was super excited to learn the Gospel. Elder Erwin and Elder Varvel had found him while contacting on the street. He was super willing to keep every commitment and to kept coming back for more. He was so prepared in fact, that at one point we were wondering if he was actually understanding what we were teaching him! But, after hearing him bear his testimony to us, we realized that we were very wrong. The Gospel, especially the doctrine of the Plan of Salvation as it relates to his life's circumstances, touched his heart and soul powerfully. He felt the truthfulness of the message and was willing to make whatever sacrifices were necessary in order to receive it."
Here are a couple of answers to the questions I asked Elder Erwin this week.
* How is your Mandarin coming along? Are you comfortable with is yet?I feel like I have jumped leaps and bounds...If I were home right now I think I could have a full on, smooth conversation with CaiPing(Caiping is our dear friend and sister from mainland China)
* Tell us the details of how you found Minnie's family. (Minnie is a 10 year old girl and her family is taking the discussions)They came to English class last year and no one really bothered to try and meet with them. We found their record and they were happy to let us come over.
* Tell us about meeting sister Wang from South Jordan?It was so strange! Their family is so crazy and cool! They came here to do family history for 5 months. They love missionary work and keep asking when we can go on splits. They spend a lot of time at the church in the family history library and they are in our ward!
Hopefully we will get a real letter from Elder Erwin next week. He is loving his mission and the people of Taiwan. He couldn't be happier!
Best Wishes,
Julie Erwin
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