June 19, 2016 - Three Baptisms and an Exciting Opportunity...Maybe

 Dear Family and Friends,

Spiritual: In my studies last week I finished the Book of Mormon. I would like to share what I found in the final words of this inspired book. In Moroni chapter 9 it speaks of wickedness that is extremely painful to even read. However the last two verses of the chapter brought some more understanding. "Don't allow these things to grieve thee or weigh thee down...but may Christ lift thee up...and his mercy and long suffering and hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest upon your minds forever." The things that surround us may be terrible but may Christ lift us up forever. 

Missionary Work: This week we were busier than I have ever been my whole mission. We didn't have enough time to do all that we needed to do. We taught over 21 lessons! All three of our progressing investigators passed their baptismal interviews and should be baptized this Saturday.  I also had multiple chances to play my violin this week, on Sunday in sacrament, and at our President's Farewell in front of three stakes and then again at President's last zone conference here in Taizhong (where I saw Elder Watson, my MTC companion, picture is attached).

Fun: After the performance at President's farewell a member who is coordinating the Taiwan EFY asked me if I would be interested in playing with David Archuleta when he comes to Taiwan to perform at EFY... Um yes!!... It is not for sure, they will have to get permission from the new mission president, but it could be pretty cool if it works out. Fun but not so fun thing is that I have started running every morning. I run in the morning then ride a bike all day. 

That's it for this week.

I love you all! Happy Fathers day to all those fathers out there!

Pictures:

Sitting on our balcony of our 7th floor apartment sporting the BYU gear... 
After being a missionary here I have been feeling like I want to go there! We will see...

Crazy selfie with my companion Elder Nipper.

Riding our bikes in the rain 

A picture of me in the mirror of a cabinet

Hanging out at zone conference Elder Watson, my MTC companion

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June 13, 2016 - Miracles in the Rain and a Baptism Scheduled

Monday: We returned to my first area in Taiwan (ZhangHua) and got a chance to hiking. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera today...Sorry Mom! Hopefully, I will be able to send them next week.

Today: I had to go to the mission home to practice the song Elder Crockett that we are playing at the farewell for President and Sister Blinkenstaff. In the crazy rush to get out of the apartment, I forgot my bag, which has my camera in it. Because it is raining, we took a taxi so my violin wouldn't get wet. It sounds like that would be a good thing, but it really isn't. Beyond the expense of it, it makes it hard to get around since we won't have our bikes.

Tuesday: Our investigator Bobby (Brother Sun) took us to "TGIFridays" for dinner which is rather expensive for what we are used to, so we were very grateful for sure. 

Wednesday: We met with two of our investigators at the college here in our area. It is hard for me to meet in places like that... It is too loud. It was still nice, just the same. We also taught our English class. I teach the intermediate one.

Thursday: We got a referral from a member! That never happens! He was pretty cool. He even set up another appointment with us again for next week and seems pretty willing to learn. 

Friday: We had the chance to meet Elder Nipper's trainee's family. The Guo family! They came down from Taipei to visit my companion. They had to get permission from President but it worked out pretty well. Their family was very kind and they all had amazing English! There was also a little miracle because my bike tire popped on the road home and we just started walking (in the rain) and then a less active family that had a van, stopped, picked us up and took us home. That really is a miracle but the big miracle happened on Saturday.

Saturday: It rained like crazy (again, we are headed into the rainy season) but I had to go get my tire fixed regardless of the weather. While we were at the bike store we realized my back brakes were broken. Later in the afternoon as we rode our bikes through the pouring rain, someone cut in front of me and I had to slam on my back and front brakes. If I would have only had front brakes I would have been sent flying over my handle bars. I was so glad that my tire popped so I had to take my bike in and get it fixed. If we hadn't done that, I don't think I would have noticed that my back brakes were broken. The Lord really does work in mysterious ways. We also found four people to set up appointments with, which was amazing because in the rain no one wants to stop and talk. 

Sunday: Best part of Sunday was Brother Liu passed his baptismal interview! He will be baptized on 6/25! 

I am sorry I don't have any pictures! I love you all have a great week!

Love, Elder Erwin

June 6, 2016 - Birthday Surprise!

Dear Family and Friends,

Monday - I got to spend my birthday at the mission home! We had to pick something up for Sister Blickenstaff and then she realized that it was my birthday and we got to go to lunch with her and President! I am so lucky! Most people don't get to do anything for their birthday. Elder Taylor and Booth are the current APs and I served with them both when I was in Tainan, so we are pretty good friends. They surprised me with a cake when we got back from lunch with President it was so kind of them. 

Tuesday - We went on exchanges. I went with Elder Ah-Fua and we all know that the Polynesian people and I are good friends so we had a great time together. 

Wednesday - Grandpa Sun (Bobby) committed to live the Word of Wisdom! Which a big deal in Taiwan because almost everyone drinks coffee, tea and alcohol and bunch of them smoke.

Thursday - We had quite a few lessons but got stood up for most of them but that is okay. 

Friday - We watched the movie about the Prophet with Bobby and he really enjoyed it! 

Saturday - We cleaned the church with our investigator and the ward.  We attended a baptism after we cleaned the church, it was crazy because they were said, "Now the missionaries will sing for us", but no one told us, so it was pretty bad. 

Sunday - We forgot to buy food on Saturday so we thought we were going to starve but the Wu family invited us over to their house and saved us. :)

This is the Wu Family, They are great people!

​This is our district, except the other Elders they didn't come. 

An investigator gave me a bracelet; it is made by the aboriginal people here in Taiwan.

Taizong Skyline

I am going to perform at a farewell for President and Sister Blickenstaff there are three stakes coming. Elder Crockett, (we served together in Tainan), is going to play the piano and I'll play the violin. I won't get the music for it until just before so I am just a little stressed about having enough time to practice it.

Taizong Skyline

Well that's it for this week. I love you all! 

Sincerely Elder Wen (Erwin)