August 18th - Youth Conference

Yoyoyo what's up family and friends?!

It was a pretty busy week this week. We had the opportunity to meet with a great LA family. They are the S-- J------- and have been inactive for 2 or 3 years. Brother S--- was previously a member of the bishopric. It is really sad to hear about why they left the church. Basically they were just really offended by some members of the ward. They still read the BOM and pray together as a family. They know the church is true but refuse to attend church anymore because of what happened. They have beautiful testimonies and I left the lesson feeling better because of what they taught me. It seems like this happens a lot on the mission. You learn a lot from other people around you. I love it.

We also had the opportunity to meet with Wu Dixiong. He is doing great. He still reads the Book of Mormon every week. This week we invited him to attend church and we were disappointed that he declined. I hope that we will be able to come at some point. He is a great man and very intelligent.

We have also been focusing on some recent converts. In the ward there has been a problem in the past with people getting baptized and then never coming to church once there missionary leaves. From what I hear it happens quite often. This is really sad to me. We have been trying to help these recent develop there testimonies and have also been working closely with members to help them feel comfortable in the ward. I believe that so far it is going well and we have many recent convets that are still excited about coming to church.

I had the opportunity to particapate in youth conference this week. It was such an amazing experience. I was so surprised when I got there and saw so many youth. It really strengthened my testimony to see so many youth in Taiwan with a desire to attend this youth conference. The focus of the conference was missionary work and I was grateful to be a part of the singing portion. Before our performance I had the opportunity to talk with a few of the youth that were sitting in the audience. As I walked through the aisles I noticed three young men chatting. I went over to them and introduced myself. I was really struck with how they immediately stopped there conversation and just looked up at me expectantly. I had this strong impression to ask them why they had come to the youth conference. They all said because they wanted to learn how to become effective missionaries and develop there testimonies. I then felt very prompted to bear my testimony of missionary work. It was the first time I have felt the Spirit so strongly while I was bearing my testimony. I started crying,  which was embarrassing, but they were so kind. I know that this experience was not just for their own benefit but for my own. The mission really is a way to prepare ourselves for our lives.

We were not incredibly impressed with our numbers this week. We have made some goals to really improve for these last two weeks. My companion is such a great guy and I know that we are together for a reason. We've never had any problems and we just love loving people. He is truly a great example of just making friends with people and helping them know his genuine feelings for them. I hope I can emulate his example.

I had the opportunity to ride up to Yilan with Elder Wright. Sister Bywater, and Sister Barden. Man, what  incredible missionaries. The entire ride up we shared some of the things we had been studying and were really trying hard to figure them out. It was so nice just chatting with people from the MTC about my thoughts. I've found that there is definitely a special bond between you and the people from the MTC because you were together for so long in such a small space. We really got to know each other really well. They are definitely legit missionaries.

I've been studying about Faith, Hope, and Belief. I have agonized over trying to figure out the relationship between the three. Can someone have faith and hope and not have belief? Is faith in essence just hope? What is the power faith can manifest? What is belief? Is belief just an expression of faith? AGH! I think I've just figured out that the three are all connected and nearly impossible to define individually.

I've come to absolutely love reading the Ensign. Man it has so many good things. Truly the words from God. I find something everyday that I can use to talk to investigators about. I love Boyd K. Packer's talk from conference with the poem. I have learned some really important things from that talk and I will definitely use them to become a better person. I'm grateful for the prophets and apostles and their dedication to furthering the kingdom of God.

I love all of you so much. I seriously miss all of you all the time but I know where I am supposed to be. I hope you are all happy and healthy. I have a challenge for ya'll. When you wake up in the morning ask yourself, "What am I going to do today to further the kingdom of God?" For is that now our purpose in this life? When you think about this life what other purpose should there be? Yes we need to develop ourselves but let us try to do it in a way that will benefit the lives of others.

Keep the emails coming. And some pictures if you have time. ;)

Love

Mao Zhanglao