阿彌陀佛

Family and Friends,

Hey everybody!  How's it going lately?  So yes, it is Wednesday and feels weird having preparation day today.  Monday we had a Mission Tour where Elder Evans from the missionary department came and talked with us, and then today is temple day for my zone, but because we're too far in the mountains we couldn't go . . . So it's p-day.  One thing I forget to write in last weeks letter was HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPECER!  You're 18, and what does that mean?  I hope that filling those mission papers out soon goes smoothly for you.  This past week went pretty good, and this week has been off to a great start.

The most interesting thing that happened this past week was when we visited former investigators.  We went and visited a Wang family and they invited us in.  We sat down with the dad and his son and began sharing about the gospel.  Well, the dad's interest wasn't there, but his son just so happened to be attending a Christian school in the area and quite loved reading the Bible and praying, and so it was easier to focus the attention on the son.  Well, as things were wrapping up, the mother came down and decided to join the conversation and was just prepared to listen.  Ever since her son began attending this school, she herself opened her heart to Christianity and began to read the Bible occasionally and pray as well.  We will be visiting with them again this Friday, and even though we don't know the turnout of this lesson, it just goes to show that the Lord truly is preparing people to receive this message.  This family wasn't prepare five years ago when missionaries began visiting, but who knows, this may be the time they have been prepared for.  It was just a testimony builder to know that the Lord continues to prepare people to accept this gospel. It's almost like hide-and-seek.  We just gotta go out and look for them and not give up.

Last week we visited with Brother Xu and his son Jia Xiang, the one we are working with to get baptized.  Long story short, Jia Xiang changed our entire lesson plan, but it was for the better.  We had originally planned to finish teaching the Message of the Restoration with him and focus on giving him a spiritual experience and desire to actually want to be baptized.  Well, in previous appointments to be funny, him and his little brother would go through the hymn book to find the shortest hymns and would only want to sing those songs.  Well, this time he found one of the shortest verses in the scriptures which was Alma 18:27, where Ammon is teaching King Lamoni about God.  He helped change the topic on to where we needed to focus the lesson for him.  We were able to help him know more who God is and what relationship He has with him and everyone of us.  He really enjoyed the lesson and was able to share with us the things he learned about God.  Teaching Jia Xiang this time really made me think about Landon because they are about the same age.  Hey Landon, can you do something for me?  I want you to read Alma 18: 24-32 with either mom or dad, or both, and to talk about who God is and what relationship He has with us, especially with you.  And then in next week's letter you can write to me about what you learned, ok?

I began thinking about why it's important to know about God.  I then thought of the scripture John 17:3 that says, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."  Eternal life is to know God and His son, Jesus Christ.  As we come to know more about God, we come to know more about the plan of happiness he has for each and everyone of us.  Without going into a whole lot of detail, I was able to see how important it is for each of us to have a firm testimony of the plan God has for us.  Life is uncertain, and can come to an end when we least expect it, and for that reason we need to be prepared at all times, and in all places.  It is only the gospel of Jesus Christ that can unit families for eternity.  As our knowledge and testimony of this plan grows, so will our determination to serve Him to the end.  I'm know that Christ is our Savior, and His atoning sacrifice is the center of this plan.  I know that through faith, repentance, keeping and living our covenants, and enduring to the end, we can be stand blameless at the last day and be welcomed into our Father's kingdom.  This is the wonderful message I have to share each and every day and I'm grateful for it!  Thank you all for your prayers and support! 

Elder Nick Smith

司馬長老

Happy Chinese New Year

Sun Moon Lake

Hello Everyone!

Happy New Year!  This week was the start of the Chinese New Year, probably the biggest holiday that the Chinese celebrate.  It is a time where family from all over travel and unite together to celebrate the new year.  This year's Chinese New Year has taken on more meaning this year since I actually understand what everyone is talking about, especially my Taiwanese companion who has explained a lot for me.  So again, Happy New year!  This week was good, it still had it's ups and downs due to this holiday.

So, Thursday we were able to visit with two recent converts, Brother Xu and his son Yi Xiang.  What made our visit much more special was that Brother Xu brought his 12 year old son along as well to start learning the gospel.  At first his son was it kind of in a bad mood, but as we got things rolling along he warmed up to us and later on was super receptive to the message.  On Sunday, he even attended Sacrament meeting and enjoyed it a lot.  This family is almost complete.  Just one more and then they'll all be learning and growing together in the gospel.

Due to the Chinese New Year, families from all over are traveling back to their relatives homes, and are all inside gathered together, which makes tracting our main way of finding.  It has been interesting to see all these families united together, and the joy they are experiencing during this time.  To most, this joy will end when death is encountered.  Although those bits of joy can once again be experienced as we remember those who have already gone on, but it is because of the gospel that we know that the relationships we share in this life can extend beyond the grave.  I'm grateful for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and the eternal happiness and joy it can bring to families.  I'm grateful for my family and I love them all!  I'm grateful for the experiences I am given each day to help an individual in need.  This is the Lord's work and I'm grateful to be a part of it.  Happy New Year!

With Tons of Love,

Elder Nick Smith

司馬長老

Oh, It's On!

Xu Yi Xiang's Baptism Day

HEY YOU GUYS!

What a wonderful day here in Puli it is!  Not to hot, and not to cold.  Just 剛剛好! How is everyone?  I hope you all is well and that the cold is treating you all alright. With this wonderful day brings some wonderful news, Xu Yi Xiang, the son of our recent convert Brother Xu got baptized yesterday!  What was even better was that Brother Xu was able to receive the priesthood the same day and baptized his son.  It was such a great experience to experience and it'll be a moment for them both of them to remember!  

We were able to find some new investigators this week to start progressing towards baptism, and one in particular was with a mom and her son, the Gao/Zhuang family.  They are both aborigines (I love aborigines so much) and with that usually brings a Christian background.  It was so great to share about the truths we have in common, and then to add more on to what they already have.  In a sense that is all that missionary work is.  It was awesome to see the desire in the mom as we shared about the Book of Mormon and how it contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel of Christ.  As with all, "he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them."  The process is the same for all, but the results received come in different ways and are given according to our desire.   

I know this is another short letter, sorry!  Although it's short, I hope there is something sweet you can find. 

With Tons of Love,

Elder Nick Smith

司馬長老

A Chill P-day

HI FAMILY,
So last Monday we kept it kind of chill and went to the church and watched some church films and I was able to start up on my piano practicing.  Haven't played the ivories in a while.  We began the day off by visiting Sister Huang and she is the nicest lady in the entire world.  She has been a member for a long long time, and she made us an apple pie.  It was delicious!  We then visited with Brother Xu, our recent convert, and prepared him to receive the priesthood and prepared his son to be baptized.  They are looking good for this week and so we are excited to see Brother Xu see him baptize his son!

Tuesday and Friday we were went and visited Brother Zhuang.  I forget if I have mentioned him in previous letters, but he was one of the previous branch presidents and is now in a carehome because things aren't convenient for him at home by himself in a wheelchair.  He is pretty much the only one who is "all the way there in the head" and so he really enjoys our company and actually being able to converse with somebody.  We took him some dumplings and had a great little feast with him and were able to share with him a few things that we have learned from the scriptures over the past few days and strengthen his faith.

Well, sorry today's letter is a bit short.  We went and played with a member at Sun Moon Lake and our time for emailing is a bit short.  Sorry!  Things are going well though, we haven't been able to visit with that big family yet.  We have only got a hold of them twice ever since, went undercover and found their address.  We're hoping we can help this big family!  The gospel of Christ is the only thing that can bring eternal joy and happiness to this family.  

With Tons of Love,

Elder Nick Smith

司馬長老

The greatest tragedy is to suddenly realize an opportunity to grow (share) has been lost.

Hey! How's it going? How'd this week go for you all? Enjoying the cold? I hear it has been a bit colder this past week back at home. Well, it was cold here for us in PuLi as well. Even though we are in a warmer climate, the area I am in is enclosed by mountains and it brings is a humid cold, which is pretty cold. All seems to be alright for you all other than the cold, and same goes for us here in PuLi. All is going good, and can't complain about anything. Monday, was a super busy day for us. As I mentioned a few weeks ago my bike got stolen, and so my companion and I spent some time taking bits and pieces for old missionary bikes and bringing them all together. Finally decided to get rid of the girl bike I was riding. Later on in the day we went tracting and ran into a super nice man, Mr. Chen, who was willing to let us into his house. We were able to share about the blessings of the gospel and how it will bless him and his family. It's always sad to see individuals hear so much good that the gospel will bring to their families, but then not want it. Oh well, right now just isn't his time. Tuesday we held Zone Conference where we focused on Baptizing, Rescuing, and Retaining. So much was learned and I was given more drive to bring those "lost" back into the fold. I felt a bit like dad that day as well. I always hear stories how dad has been asked to play the piano and organ for meetings with very little notice beforehand. Without a lot of notice, I was invited to accompany for the musical number and then play the songs during the meeting. It's been a long while since I've played the piano and I'm so glad I had enough practice before my mission and was able to "wing it" just fine. So again, thanks mom and dad. Upon returning home we were able lift and brighten another man's day. We went tracting and ran into a Mr. Xu. He has had a lot of struggles physically lately, and he mentioned he was comforted as we sang "Families Can Be Together Forever" and shared about Heavenly Father. It felt great to be reassured to know that God is our Heavenly Father and that He has prepared a plan so that we may be together with our families for eternity. Wednesday we went and visited with a less active previous branch president, Brother Zhuang. He has been welcoming these past two times as we've visited him at the caretaker home. Just like dad shared in his letter to me last week, we need to help them shovel the snow covering their pathway towards the chapel. We were able to strengthen his faith and he committed to come to church with us. Yeah! Saturday we visited with a former investigator, Mr. Yang. Upon walking up to his doorstep we were greeted with open arms and led into his home. Those first few moments made me super confused about what was going on. Mr. Yang is a kind, lonely man, who loves missionaries. All he could talk about was about previous missionaries, how they all lived in Salt Lake City, and how he wants to be like us missionaries. We're not sure how much interest he has in learning the gospel, but was more than willing to begin praying and reading from the Book of Mormon that has sat on top of his TV for several years. As I said he is super lonely, but seeing him learn about God and prayer and the smile it brought to him just made that moment that much more special, making his day. In my last package, mom sent me several envelopes with little quotes for each day to ponder. As I began writing in my new journal I decided I would expound on each one each day. The first one I came upon said, "The greatest tragedy is to suddenly realize an opportunity to grow has been lost." I really like this one and I decided to switch the word "grow" with the word "share." We all have the opportunity to share the gospel with those without. Even though the individuals I was able to visit with haven't fully accepted the gospel of Christ, I was glad that I was able to help them work towards doing so. I'm grateful for each opportunity to share the message of eternal families and glad that it won't end after two years. I'm grateful for the testimony I have gained and for the comfort this testimony brings to my soul, and I hope each day that I can help someone else be comforted by the restored gospel of Christ. I hope that each of you can too! With Tons of Love, Elder Nick Smith 司馬長老

Get Rid of Those Snowbanks :L)

Hey!

How's it going?  How's everybody doing?  Sounds like you're all enjoying the wonderful snow that just recently came on in.  Mom, thanks for the pictures of it all.  There are lots of people who would die to actually see some real snow here so I'm glad I could get a feel of what it's like.  So sounds like everything is going along great with the family and all, which is good to hear.  I'm doing just fine here in PuLi and here's the latest from this past week.  

Monday my companion and I were able to go ride around our area and visit a few Buddhist temples.  Pretty cool stuff!  Later on we were able to visit with a less active family, Liao, and got to know them a bit.  The mom and all but one of the kids are members, but they are all out and about at school in different areas.  They pulled out all their trinkets and stuff from previous missionaries and had such a great time.  Just like dad mentioned to me in his letter this week, all we need to do is to help them clear the "parking lot and sidewalk" to help them come back to church.  

Thursday we were able to visit with one of the previous Branch Presidents, who is also less active, and is now in a care-home because he recently slipped and fell and now is unable to walk about on his own.  He too showed us all the pictures of him along with missionaries and ward members and still has good feelings towards them all, his pathway just needs to be cleared to come on back to activity.  

I know this letter is a bit short, but I really enjoyed what dad sent to me in his letter.  Every since he sent it to me I have been thinking and pondering about it all.  From these two members we were able to visit this week, they both still have good feelings towards the church and to the missionaries.  Good enough to pull out old memories and talk about them.  However, there is just that snow bank that is blocking them from wanting to walk out the door and come back to activity.  Through faith and with the help of the Savior, those snow banks blocking us from progression in the gospel can be plowed away.  It won't be easy, but with faith anything is possible.   

With Tons of Love,

Elder Nick Smith

司馬長老

2013!

Family and Friends,

Happy New Year!  Yeah, how has it gone so far?  Hopefully it has gone off pretty good.  If not, you've got some time to make it good.  This week was pretty exciting for my companion and I, and I'll get crackin' down on it in just a bit.  But first of all, Mom HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  I love you and hope you have a super amazing day!  XOXO :)  Okey dokey, lets get going on with this week.

So, I remember last week I kind of talked about faith, setting goals for the new year, and some other things.  Well, my companion and I focused on faith and how we can have more faith to find those prepared to receive the gospel.  The first few weeks in this area were a bit rough due to the fact that there were no new investigators and no one willing to meet with us.  We had a wonderful DTM about it and then went and worked our hardest, went out finding in faith, and we found an amazing family of 8 kids, so a total of 10.  Wow!  We were able to visit with them on Saturday and give them a tour of our church.  I could feel the stress that these 8 kids, age ranging from 3-14, bring the parents as we gave the tour and tried to teach the family.  In all honesty, my companion and I didn't know how to best handle the situation, but all turned out in the end.  The parents had a great impression of our church and really seem accepting to the message on families.  A few obstacles lay ahead, but working with faith these can easily be jumped over.

After visiting with this family we attended the baptism of Brother Xu and it was exciting to see him get baptized.  What was even more exciting was to see the desire of his 9 year old who wanted to get baptized too.  (He even brought a pair of clothes to change in after he got baptized).  After a little bit more preparation his son will be looking good to be baptized on the 19th of this month and then after a little bit more work we will be able to help us other son prepare for baptism.  It is a small family, but it'll be a complete family in the church.  

There is nothing better for a family than the gospel of Christ.  During the time I have served as a missionary I have been able to see the difference between individuals where the family is raised on gospel principles and those that aren't.  I am so grateful for the help that this gospel has brought to the Taiwanese, as well as my family.  I'm grateful for my two loving parents who took the responsibility to raise me on church standards. I know the principles, standards, values,and teachings of the church have helped me up to this point, and for what lays ahead.  I know that the gospel of Christ bless families for eternity and hope that this family of 10 and this Xu family can begin to experience so.  I know the gospel and this church is true!  I know it!  I love living it!  and I love it!

With Tons of Love,

Elder Nick Smith

司馬長老