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| Caring for the Sick |
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| I love the Tawainese people! |
Hello Hello!
How's the family holding up these days? Sounds like you all had a killer week: Homecoming, campaigning, working,
and studying for school. Yeah! Love it! Taiwan is holding up
alright and things went pretty good this week for us here in XiaoGang. A
bit crazy, a few changes, but overall went really well. Here's a quick overview
of what went on this week:
We had a wonderful service opportunity
this past week to feed the elderly and those who are physically unable to
survive on their own. It was such a great experience and I had some great
conversations with some of the people we were able to serve.
Brother Tan, Jerry, is doing super
awesome. We visited with him every single day last week to help keep him
away from the temptations to drink. We just made small little goals with
him, to get him throughout the day without drinking. As a result, he
didn't drink one sip at all over the last week. Such a big change
compared to the week before we he started drinking more than usual. It
was such a blessing to see how that through prayer and reading the scriptures,
those desires to drink vanished. In his own words, "I have
completely quit drinking!" I love the scripture that says through,
"small and simple things are great things brought to pass." It
is the little things--reading daily, praying often, and going through with
commitments--that has helped Brother Tan overcome this addiction. I know
as he continues to do the small and simple things, he will be able to fully
quit smoking and chewing betel nut.
Yes, I am training a new missionary
again. I absolutely loved it a few move calls ago and learned so much
from that experience. My new companion is Elder Lathen, fresh from
America (Colorado), and is already super awesome. This past Saturday we
were completely packed full with teach lessons and my companion has such a huge
desire to help bring souls unto Christ. He was able to invite quite a few
people to be baptized, they accepted, and one of them even attended stake
conference with us yesterday. I know we will see miracles, big and small,
with him as a missionary in Tawain. I remember around this time last year
I was still pretty knew to Taiwan. I look back and see how time has flown
right out the window, but cherish the experiences I've had. I hope I can
help my new companion do the same so that when he looks back a year from now he
can cherish these precious moments we have as missionaries.
Well, I love and cherish each and every
day. Each day is another day for me to grow spiritually, physically, and
mentally, as well as to help my fellow brothers and sisters of Taiwan do the
same. There is no better time and place for me to do so then right here
and right now. I love this work. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ,
and for the sacrifice He made for me, allowing this change to become a reality
for me. I love my Heavenly Father and for the love He has shown towards
me. I love the Book of Mormon. Each time I indulge in the
scriptures I learn more about myself, and how I can continue to change myself.
I love our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson. He is an inspired man, called
of God. I love that this is the true church, and
I'm grateful and honored for the privilege I have to be a missionary for the
Lord. I love you all! Miss you all!
With all my love,
Elder Nick Smith
司馬長老
