Family and Friends,
This week was great as is every other week in the mission! I have seen the power this week in studying about the doctrine of Christ every single day and how it strengthens my testimony in the Savior Jesus Christ. I focused on this topic this week because of the invite but also because of the Christmas season we are in. It makes me happy seeing the people of Taiwan enjoy the Christmas holiday. The lights, Santa, presents, trees etc. etc. but I have found that I am sad when I ask people who are celebrating what Christmas is. Most of them know that it is Jesus Christ's birthday but they just don't know anything about JEsus Christ. The holiday has been so commercialized and there is not mention of Christ anywhere. I have enjoyed sharing the joy of Christmas and the the story of the birth of our Savior and have seen the power that it holds. My testimony of the Savior is being strengthened daily and everyday I realize how far I need to go to improve that testimony. It is so incredibly worth it though.
We found an amazing investigator this week. His name is A--- and was definitely a miracle find. We were meeting with another investigator when this man sat down really close to us and kind of seemed like he was listening. Elder Gerrard and I both felt prompted to speak to this man. We quickly ended our lesson with the investigator we were meeting with and Elder Gerrard walked off a little ways with our investigator while I introduced myself to Alex. He speaks English pretty well and was just so willing to meet with us. We set up with him and shared the first lesson which went very very well. He set up a return appointment and we have a lot of faith that this is the family we have been praying to find. He has a two year old son and has been married for about two years. So golden and looking for the truth in his life. We are very grateful for the blessings the Lord is showering down on us.
The past week has been a little crazy because of all the performances we have had for the choir. But little by little we are hearing miracles that have come because of the choir. We recently heard that a less active heard us singing in the train station and was so touched that he decided to start attending church again. We have heard of success with other missionaries as well with setting up with people that attended our performances. The Christmas music has power to influence people and the Holy Ghost is able to testify to people's hearts about the reality of our Savior.
I also went on exchanges with Elder Illu which was a great experience. He is an incredible missionary. Has the strongest desire to do the will of the Lord and works harder than any missionary I have yet to meet. I would love to be companions with him. I learned so much from his diligence and SanXia is definitely seeing miracles because of his hard work. His Chinese is also very good and he works incredibly hard to maintain the things he has learned.
I feel like I am finally, this week, truly starting to discover what it means to control your thoughts and actions. I have realized how many times I am tempted during the day and it is astronomical. Satan is trying to destroy us and it all starts in our thoughts. It is so rewarding when I am tempted and immediately distract myself with a scripture or hymn. It is starting to come naturally and I feel the companionship of the Spirit stronger than I ever have. As my focus on my investigators is changing and my love for this work is growing I feel the hand of the Lord in the work. I still have many weaknesses but I recognize that and I am striving very hard to overcome those weaknesses one by one. I know that it is only through the atoning power of the Savior Jesus Christ that I am able to do this. Our Savior truly loves us so much and is just waiting for us to make the effort to become closer to him. As we start he will truly help us pull up the slack and I really feel like he is doing that for me.
During the past little while I have constantly thought about how many people there are in the world who have it worse than me. Everyone in the sound of my voice needs to realize this. We really don't have much room to complain..about anything. Our Heavenly Father saved us for the most amazing time in history, with the most comfortable standard of living, and now he expects us to help those people who are in need. I love my God for this blessing and thank him literally everyday for the blessings he rains on me.
Please find someone this Christmas season that you can serve. Service can come in many forms. A phone call, a letter, taking someone to dinner, a smile, (cheesy I know) but just find something! There are a lot of people who need something simple. I have not had an incredible amount of oportunities to serve the past little while because Taiwanese people are to embarassed to except help. SERVE SOMEONE FOR ME! haha
Love you all and Christ loves you all,
Elder Meeks
P.S. It has rained 7 days in a row :( haha
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