6-2-2014 - Dragon Boat Festival

Hey everyone!

This week was a little bit slower but we did some great work with new converts. We have some wonderful new converts that are so willing to learn and meet with us. I really do love working with each one of them. They are some of the strongest people in the gospel I have seen and am just so happy that I get the opportunity to be there friend and help them develop their personal testimonies of the gospel. We've also been doing some great work with less active members in the ward. We've recently seen quite a bit success with just calling and inviting them to come to church and calling them the morning of church as well. A lot of people just get out of habit of going to church and just need a little push and love in order to get them to have the desire to go again. 

We have two investigators who are getting pretty close to being baptized. I believe that Z-- D--will be baptized in the next 2 or 3 weeks and X-- D-- will be getting baptized in about 3 weeks to a month. They are really great kids who are about to graduate from high school They have both seen the benefits of church and enjoy the feelings they feel when they learn about the gospel. I'm happy to help them continue to increase their knowledge and help them find happiness in their lives. Because that is what it's all about right? If the gospel didn't bring us happiness then what would be the point of being apart of it? I really believe that when we live the gospel and just do our best God will help us feel that happiness. The trick is being consistent. 

We had an investigator introduce us to a couple of friends who are sisters and they loved church on Sunday. they are really excited to learn more. One is in college and one is about to graduate. They both are really nice girls and I can't wait to continue to help them understand the importance of this message. 

As far as personal progression is concerned I feel like I am progressing slowly but surely. There are many things I wish I could just snap my fingers and change but I guess that it just not how it works. Trials are for a reason and when I come out on top I will be that much stronger for it. I really do believe that the atonement can heal any wounds or shortcomings and I want to be able to practice what I preach. I believe that the atonement works for me as much as it works for the investigator that I am teaching. I am grateful that I am on a mission so that I could gain a testimony of this principle. 

Love Elder Meeks!

5-20-2014 pics

5-4-2014 - Great Week in Maoli

The past couple of weeks have been great. We have been focusing on helping our new converts develop good habits and feeling like they are members of the ward. Our ward members are also really pulling through in teaching our recent converts the new member lessons. We are also pretty happy because our members are inviting many of the new converts and less actives over to their houses for dinner. 

Our recent convert, C-- D-- who is a trash collector, was also given a job by a member in the ward and is making three or four times more than he was before. This is definitely a tender mercy and since he has been baptized he was a new light and happiness about him and the ward members are reaching out to him more often. We also have a member reading the Book of Mormon with him because he has a harder time understanding it. 

Miaoli has seen a huge growth in the past few months. When I arrived here there were approximately 70-80 people that would come each week. About the past month the average has grown to upper 90s'. It is so cool to see the whole chapel being filled with new converts, less actives, friends of members, and amazing investigators. There are only a few chairs that are empty each week. I believe the members are starting to catch the fire and see the missionaries are putting in their effort and want to be a part of it. They're starting to pull behind us and bring their friends and less active aquaintenaces to church. We have been really satisfied with their involvement recently and are expecting 3-5 baptisms in the next 2 months!

I really love Miaoli. This is my favorite place that I have served on my mission and I really hope that I get to continue toserve here. Elder C--- and I are also doing really well. We have learned a lot from each other especially when it comes to the language. I believe we will continue to see miracles together. 

Have a great week everybody and do what you know is right. :) 

Elder Meeks

4-29-2014 - Baptism

Hey everyone,

We had the awesome opportunity of baptizing c-- d-  this week. He really has just done a complete 180 since I have met him. I just can't even describe how happy I am to see him make the commitment and the changes necessary to get baptized. He has gone nearly a month without smoking and has gone months without drinking or chewing binlang 檳榔. I really do love the guy and know that he is going to be helped a ton by the members. I have tons of faith in him. But I really do believe that this is what it's all about. Finding the people who are ensnared by addictions and terrible situations in life. I really think that I was sent here to find those people and help them out. I hope that I can continue to do so. 

We got the chance to go to the temple. It was a really great experience. It's always really nice to get new insights and just rest for a little while from doing missionary work. Good stuff.  

Well I just honestly don't have to much to say this week. It was good and I'm excited to see what happens next transfer. I'm even more excited to skype ya'll on mother's day. ;) Hope you had a great week. :)

Love 

Elder Meeks