week #58 Monday, April 14, 2014

Hey everyone,

 

       Yet another week has passed and it's been filled with learning. Elder Lieske (from St. George) and I tried to end the move call by having as much happen as could be happening. We were handing out invitations to be baptized. Confirming people for church. Visiting as many people as we could. We had a great Zone Training Meeting to start off the week. Wednesday we did our English party, the theme was Jeopardy and they loved it. 

      Other than that, not a ton happened until Friday. So Friday morning we woke up early, headed to the train station in Tainan. Elder Handset and I went up to Taizhong to go pick up our new missionaries. We sat down, President talked to us a bit, then we got ready to meet the new missionaries. We greeted one (not knowing which one we were gonna be with) We grabbed one, greeted them and sat down. We sat through some training. President had us talk about preach my gospel, we watched some videos about how the companionship study would be. We discussed a bunch about what's coming up. Then they said it's time for the suprise (us trainers knew that they'd be picking who's going with who, but the new missionaries had no idea). They showed an introduction video of the mission to the new missionaries. It quoted a lot of talks about missionary work, it showed pictures from our mission of missionaries contacting, teaching, baptizing. As it was going on they showed some clips from the Dan Jones Activity they did the night before, as they're showing this montage it shows some clips of some of the missionaries contacting, as one of them got put on the screen, I felt a rush of spirit and I was like, "he might be my new missionary....maybe...well I don't know" Then they had the new missionaries take a red envelope and open it and read who was their trainer. Elder Faddis (the one I saw on the screen) got up and as he opened it I was already getting up. and sure enough He read off "Elder Bean, Guiren" I went and greeted him. We spent most of that day traveling, we met with an investigator in the evening. Then this Saturday and Sunday I watched conference for the most part, he was super jet lagged and had already seen conference, so he had some great Lehi Dream moments.;p

     Elder Lieske is headed to Qishan. Our district is changing quite a bit, Elder Gassman from my generation is coming down to be our zone leader, that'll be fun. Elder Faddis is from Sandy, Utah, graduated at Skyline. He's the youngest of 4. He has an older brother who served in Korea. He did tennis in high school, he's 18, He'll be turning 19 in June. He's the blonde one with glasses, I'm not sure if Sister Blickenstaff has put up pictures at all but...ya. 

So training has proven to have some challenges, like not having a companion who speaks a ton of chinese, hasn't used a phone before, never contacted someone before, however; we are seeing miracles. We are running into people who are prepared, some who want to buy the Book of Mormon from us because they see the value. Some who have been wondering their entire life why there are so many different churches and how to know which one is true. He's a great Elder, He's still a little jet lagged but I think he'll make a great adjustment once he gets the hang of it all. 

         Ya so all is going great. Elder Faddis is awesome, he's still a little shy and trying to get around the language barrier but I know he'll come around soon. 

        Well that's all, I love you all I loved conference, had some great talks. I know that President Monsen is our prophet, he leads and guides in these days.

Until next week,

Elder Bean

week #57 Monday, April 7, 2014

Hey,

 

So it's been another week. It's been crazy filled with miracles. First off on Monday, we went tracting, trying to find some investigator's, but we weren't having any luck. Then we just happened to run into a Philippino house. Had a lot of people from the Philippines (I obviously have no idea how to spell that). Well long story short, one of them came out and said "Elder, I've been looking for you" It was a Philippino that I ran into my first day in Guiren. He's a member who got to Taiwan the same day I got to Guiren, he's a return missionary, he'll be here for 2 years. He lost my number and he couldn't find the chapel, so we exchanged numbers, I told him to meet us at the McDonald's. Such a crazy miracle, I was so excited after that. 

Tuesday we went out met with one of our investigators who we haven't seen in a while, he's gonna be ok. Then after the lesson Elder Lieske went to grab something at a 7 as we were waiting there, my phone started ringing, I looked to see it was President Blickenstaff. I thought it was weird, then I thought, oh he might be coming to DtM today ok. I answered "Hello this is President Blickenstaff" "Hello this is Elder Bean from Guiren" "How have you been lately Elder Bean?" "Pretty good" "Well Elder Bean I was calling to let you know that you're going to be training this move call"......WHAT!!!! ya so I'm training. We had a DTM on talking with everyone, it was super fun. I felt like I was really able to help the other Elders and the sisters in our district, this week their new investigator's increased a lot. Elder Lieske keeps commenting on it. I focused on making sure to get a contact number and talking about baptism in a contact situation. I guess it worked. I went on exchanges that day with  Elder Cao. We saw some crazy awesome miracles including tracting into a family!!!! that was an awesome moment, the spirit was strong. I hope they continue investigating. 

Wednesday we started setting up for the Family History event that would be happening this week. We had a pretty good English class. Thursday we helped the Family History thing some more.... a lot of time this week was there, about 24 hours worth of time.....but it was fun. Friday we went to the train the trainers meeting. It was super great. First, it was fun to hang out with other missionaries for a bit. But also Elder Handset helped me set goals for training, and the meeting was a super relief. I feel so much more prepared than I did beforehand. Saturday we had 2 really great lessons with new investigator's both accepted a date to be baptized in May. Sunday we had a pretty busy schedule because all the members wanted to say bye to Elder Lieske. It's gonna be sad to see him leave here. We were doing great together, but I'm confident he'll do just as great in his next area. 

Well That's pretty much all for this week. Love ya all. I know the Lord prepares those whom he has called. I know that this work is going to keep growing. I know that the church is true and these moments are what's going to affect the rest of my life. I love my savior and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Elder Bean

week #56 Mon. March 30, 2014

Sweet so here's the low down for the week.

     So first off this week's Tuesday I led the DTM we talked about helping our investigator's rollover and continue progressing towards baptism. It was a really good day for me. I read and studied about how we can help our investigators. I figured there are 2 keys, they need to be more excited for baptism, we need to help them better understand how awesome and great it is. In order to do that we help them better understand that they really do want it. We need to help them see the blessings that come from the commandments they are living in order to help them continue to grow their faith. The other thing is we need to help them know what they need to do in order to hit there goal, so I challenged everyone in our district to better understand the commandments, help their investigator's see the blessings they are experiencing, and also to lay out what they need to be doing in order to receive baptism. It was a really good DTM. From listening to my own advice we've helped each of our baptismal candidates become more excited for baptism. 

     Our English class was super fun, Elder Lieske and I co-taught the lesson and we were just playing off of each other, we think everyone loved it. It was really good.  

     Friday we had that musical activity, I played All of me (John Schmidt), Elder Lieske sang I know my Redeemer lives. It was way fun, a lot of our investigator's came and enjoyed it. We are still getting comments about it. After the activity I did an interview for the Zone Leaders investigator and then Elder Handset and I went to his area for exchanges. It was way fun. We learned quite a bit. Then came back and Saturday Chen Jiemei got baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Such a great baptism. Font was filled on time. She came ready. Great service, they told me right before I would be giving a talk.....so I did, I shared about the first vision and how because it happned that night's baptism would be done with the proper authority. I think it went ok. Then after the baptism. Sister Chen shared her testimony and it was so professional. Her testimony was shared just like a talk, everyone was super impressed. Then after the service the Bishop asked if we knew we were giving talks in Sacrement meeting....NO we didn't. They told us that we'd be speaking for 15 minutes and to prepare it on Faith. So that's what we did. And after all the comments and the spirit was there, I think Elder Lieske and I did pretty good.

     Yesterday we saw a couple really cool miracles, but one that was amazing was we met with a guy we contacted on the street. After meeting with him and discussing the first we taught him how to do prayer, and we invited him to try it. As he did it, we felt the spirit and then he said "amen".  We opened our eyes and he just had the biggest smile, we asked him what he felt like and he responded "I...I feel like He heard my prayer" SAFDKAPOGHAPJVNSAPODI SUCH A COOL MIRACULOUS MOMENT!!!!!!! He's gonna be great, I'm excited to meet with him next week. Ya that was this week.

Well I gotta jet we're are hanging with the zone Leaders and the District, 

Love ya all!

Elder Brandon Bean

week #55 Monday, March 23, 2014

Hey everyone,

     So shockingly, another week flew by. But that's not to say nothing happened this week, because it was filled with miracles and lots of growth. So first off, Tuesday we had zone conference with the Jiayi. It was so great. I got to see Elder Gummow again, he's doing great, rocking it up in douliu. At the meeting we discussed a ton, like the doctrine of Christ, the vision of the area presidency, we got new rules and clarifications. Something we also discussed that I want to implement more, is President Blickenstaff told us a bit about how talking about our families brings in the spirit. I want to start using that at the beginning of lessons by having them talk about their families more. Hope it will help. Then we had a meeting after with the district leaders and the mission president. It was really great, we discussed Baptismal interviews, exchanges, and a bunch of other things. In the end I was super pumped to go and do stuff, unfortunately we didn't get back until.....8:30, so we didn't get to use our energy that night. But the next day we had Elder Yang, one of the assistants with us, and it was a great day.

     We started off by meeting with Sister C, taught her a bit, made sure she was prepared for her interview and then she had an interview w/ Elder Yang and......SHE PASSED!!!! so she's gonna get baptized this Saturday night. woot woot!

We had a few other lessons that were both very chaotic, our peike's (investigators) were not on focus, and we just were not on game, it was pretty sad, but Elder Yang didn't judge us too hard (he's too nice, he doesn't judge). We had advanced english class that week. It was super fun. We also got one of our english students to come to church, so that's going great!

Thursday was crazy, we had a flood.....in our apartment......So about 8:30 during personal study Elder Lieske says "well I gotta go to the bathroom" and then yells "Elder Bean, there's water everywhere!" I was pretty confused, so I came out and there was a huge puddle in our guitar room, changing room, and in front of the bathroom. We called our land lord and our office. They came and tried to fix it, but it was pretty all over the place. Most of everything was soaked (we had to use all our clothes, rags, and mop to try and soak up water, and it still didn't do the job, so we just built a wall of soaked clothes around the puddle so it wouldn't spread. Took up a ton of time Thursday. But it didn't distract the work too bad. 

We are looking to rescue quite a few of less actives, it's so exciting. I don't know what happened, but they are all changing their hearts. It's great! They're starting to read and pray daily, come to church, now we just have to help them receive a calling/assignment and they'll be set. Sometimes I feel less active saving is so much fun. I really hope it builds up the ward. I think we are seeing a revolution in the ward. 

     Sunday after church we had a lesson with that english student who also just happens to be a student of Chen Jiemei. She's super excited, loved church, has a ton of friends now, and already accpeted a date to be baptized. The works rolling. 

     Well I'm excited for this week. Thing's I'll be doing this week include but are not limited to another set of exchanges with the seconders. They've dropped a ton lately in their work and I've been asked to try and figure out what's going on, exchanges with the zone leaders, chen jiemei getting baptized, a musical concert our ward is putting on, oh ya and a ton of miracles. I know This is God's work, Elder Lieske and I constantly are amazed how we don't have the skills required, we lack in a ton of ability, but it just shows that we aren't the ones doing this work, it's all on the Lord. It reminds me about the scripture where the jews go to war and the leader is told to cut down their forces so that there is very very few present to fight. It helps them know the Lord is the one who won the war. I definitely feel right now the Lord is the one finding, teaching, and helping people prepare for baptism because for some reason  it's happening. 

I love the work and all of you,

Elder Bean

week #54 Monday, March 16, 2014

Hey everyone,

     This week zoomed by. I really don't feel I just experienced a week but I'll try my best to relate this weeks events. Here's the rundown. So Monday night we went to go visit one of our investigator's and his family came to the door and told us that he wasn't home and that we shouldn't come back because they'll kick him out if he comes to church....ya that was awkward and sad, but then he texted us later and said he still wants to meet us, we just need a better place to meet. He's such a pioneer, I'm so happy! Then Tuesday I went on exchanges with the 2nder's it was a good exchange. My focus with him is they can find at anytime and they can have a ton of success. I think there were a lot of learning moments. Then Wednesday our English class doubled, that's right we have double the people we are teaching, so this week we are gonna try and do an advanced class in addition to our beginner class. We've been doing pretty good on the streets. Been talking to a ton of people. I'm really starting to feel the streets just recognize us and everyone has seen us before. It's fun when it starts getting to that point. 

     We went tracting the other day and ran into a guy who was so prepared. He is blind, so he's been trying to find the purpose of life. Such a great meet, he says he's met other church people and they all have the problem of just trying to share, no one listens to what he's gone through. It'll be a great time teaching him. 

We went to ward council, it was pretty good. The ward just showed us how involved they are in the work. I was so pumped. I want to help this ward so much have the success they deserve. That's pretty much what happened this week. 

     I know this is God's work. I know the possibilities are endless here in the mission. It's really just a giant 神安排(God organized) time. We just happen to run into the people who are asking the questions. We are able to find the members that need strengthening. God really does lead this work, he doesn't let us fail for nothing. I know Jesus Christ Lives. I know he's my Savior and I know that he loves the people of Guiren, I'm so grateful to serve them!

With love,

Elder Bean

week #53 Monday, March 9, 2014

Family,

 

So the new move call has already started and it's definitely gonna be an interesting one. So first thing that's new is I have to do my DTM's (district training meetings) completely in Chinese now because one of the Elders is a native, and it's a new rule so that'll be fun, get to practice my Chinese....But DTM's still seem to be good, I'm still feeling pumped to go chuanjiao(go do mission stuff...bad translation). We have been trying to work really hard and hit the standards in our mission. Sadly, Elder Lieske and I failed this week. It was the first week since Chinese New Years that we messed up. We didn't do so hot on finding this week. We called a ton of people, we contacted a ton, but in the end everyone was willing to set up this next week, instead of last....so we messed up is that the end? No. Are we gonna give up hopes this movecall? NO. Is Guiren still amazing and I love every second of it? YES!!!

We definitely hit a few road bumps this week. Our new recent convert came and told us he had a problem with the Bishop and wanted to leave. We were heart broken, but after a few days of cooling down, and someone in the bishopric talking to him, he's all good. He's gonna be fine. I feel like recent converts are even more stressful then investigator's because you really don't want your recent converts to decide to drop the church. 

This week we tried tracting, found a really cool miracle, we were tracting near an less active and a familly motions for us to come in before we even knock on the door. We went in and the family was really not interested at all, they just wanted to talk to some foreigners. However, they invited there son to come down, who was 26 and we met with him and he was so golden. He wanted to understand more about Jesus Christ and was asking all the right questions. So that was great. 

Saturday we were able to help the sisters do an interview, super great interview, their investigator is really ready to be baptized, it'll be great for our sisters. Then that's pretty much it for the week. Oh ya, today (this morning) we met with a new investigator that we found on the streets. She seemed not too interested at first, but ended up being super into the idea of prayer, was asking a ton of questions about it. I'm excited to see if she still has interest at the end of the week. If so, I'd say she'd get baptized in the next month....

Well I want to share my testimony, I know that God is with us. I know that every trial he puts us through makes us stronger. I know that sometimes we need a little wall to stop us so we stretch ourselves, reach higher than we've reached before. I know that this is his works, I'm his servant. I love everyday and I look forward to see the miracles that happen in the next year.

Love you all,

Elder Bean

week #52 Monday, March 2, 2014

Hey,

 So another week has happenend, what's even weirder the movecall ended. And here's the results,,,drumroll please......ELDER LIESKE AND I ARE TOGETHER FOR YET ANOTHER MOVECALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were super excited when we got the call, I'm still district leader, the zone leaders and sisters in our area aren't changing either. The other elders are switching out, but other than that, our distircs pretty much the same.

So this week, we started off with a ton set up, we were just meeting with a ton of people, it was crazy. We had no idea why, but on p-day we had about 4 lessons, and we were like...ok that's cool. Then Wednesday we had 5 or 6 and we were like, yes! It was all going pretty good. Wednesday we had an English party, we did a birthday party, played games like duck duck goose, musical chairs, had cake, it was really fun, I think our class enjoyed it. This Thursday we had our DTM (district training meeting) on finding, Elder Sumsion said it was really good, which is a good sign. I'm really excited when the zone leaders have a good opinion of the DTM's. 

 

Then for some reason, no one was setting up to meet. It was super weird....but then we found out this weekend is a three day holiday, so a lot of guiren people went out of town. So we were pushing really hard to get our new investigator's because that's all we needed to hit our standards this week. Sadly we had nothing set up, so we tried the alternate way. We went tracting, and despite the fact Elder Lieske and I aren't that good at tracting we got into the houses we needed to. Got the new investigator's for the week. It's so crazy how a prayer of faith can put our abilities over the top. 

We've also been trying new things to help the ward invite their friends to hear more about the church. We've been giving everyone our tracts and inviting them to give it to a friend. We'll see how that works. Yesterday both Elder Lieske and I bore our testimonies in sacrement meeting. I talked about one of my favorite scriptures Alma 26:27 (have that one memorized now). And how the Lord has his hand in the work here in Guirren, I told them that I knew he's prepared plenty of people here in Guiren, I told them I know that he lives and he's been helping the work so much in Guiren. I really do know that this is true. I know that Christ lives and he has called me to serve here. I know that this is not a work inspired of man, but of God. 

 

Until next week,

Elder Bean

p.s.1 year down, crazy how time flies!