The Adventures of Elder Andrew Meeks: 1/4/2015

Hey family and friends,

It's amazing that a whole year has come and gone. You all would be shocked at the differences between myself this year and last year. I was reading through my journal entry from last year and man all I can say is that I have come a long way. I really feel the love of God in my life and really know what my purpose is. I have learned that doing service for others is the only way for me to truly be happy. I have learned that no matter how man stupid things I do that God is always waiting for me to change and to freely give his forgiveness. I have learned that I love my family and friends more than anything in this life and that I will cherish them so much more when I get home from my mission. I have learned that no matter who you are, what you've done, and where you want to go God always wants you to have a relationship with him. I have learned that I want to be a member of this church my entire life and always live the commandments that God has given me. I have learned that even though I have been hesitant to the idea of marriage in the past that it is the next phase in my life and that I will be an incredible husband and father.

I have learned so many things this past year. One of the biggest lessons that I have learned though is that I can control my destiny. I can control my thoughts and desires. I can choose to follow God in any situation or time. I really believe this is true. I really believe that in God's mercy and great infinite wisdom he allowed me a very unworthy and selfish person be allowed to serve Him in Taiwan so that I could discover my true potential. I know that even though I am so incredibly imperfect that I can, through Christ, become better. I have many doubts and fears about the future but I also know that God will be with me through it all. I love this gospel more than anything!

We are so blessed this week to see our great friend Wu kun hong dixiong get baptized. He is the most golden investigator I've taught while in Taiwan and I know he will be a lifelong member. His testimony is solid and loves being at church. He will be getting baptized this Saturday at 7:00. This will be my companions first opportunity to personally baptize someone in taiwan so we are really excited for it! :) Please pray for him that he will have a spiritually uplifting and enjoyable experience.

A few of our other investigators are in the process of progressing and really trying to feel the importance of the gospel in their lives. We hope we can continue to help them understand how the gospel will eternally influence them and their families. I am so grateful I am a part of this great work!

Okay enough with the gospel stuff lets get down to the funny story of the week! This is actually a story from a couple of weeks ago that I forgot to tell. Elder Gerrard and I were caroling with the sisters in our district and everything was going just dandy, despite the rain, and all of a sudden this woman comes out of nowhere and attacks Elder Gerrard. Well doesn't really attack him but she starts hugging him. Elder Gerrard is just kind of stunned and I'm just sitting there watching and laughing. She then proceeds to kiss him on the cheek and at this point I realize this woman most likely has some mental problems. Elder Gerrard is trying to peel this woman off of him without much success and she goes in for a kiss on the mouth. Elder Gerrard just shoves her off. Then she proceeds to go and hug the sisters and repeat the same process haha! I am just sitting here thinking, "I am not going through that experience." She starts kinda being violent when the sisters kinda push her off and she looks at me I then grab my umbrella and put it right in front of me to shield myself. I was having none of it. She tried fruitlessly for a few minutes to get around it while everyone else was just laughing at me. But needless to say she did not succeed. :) Merry Christmas to her. :)

Ｌｏｖｅ　ｙｏｕ　ａｌｌ！　Ｈａｖｅ　ａ　ｗｏｎｄｅｒｆｕｌ　ｗｅｅｋ．　

Love,

Elder Meeks

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