Sunday, May 29, 2016

BaFang Err Day, We Got Fanged How Many Times?!, Transitioning

Hello Big House,

大家好.

Well, this week has been ok I guess. Just been out tryin to find some new people to teach. Not too incredible, but not bad either. But we have seen some neat miracles this week. Elder Baxter and I are getting along great. We are very much the same person, at least in some regards. Haha. But, I guess I could try to find a couple things to write about this week.

Well, let's see. So, in our area, the East District of Taichung, there are not a lot of restaurants, at least not tons that are really cheap. So, recently, we have been eating a lot of BaFang, a big chain restaurant that is all over the island. It is a dumpling place, but they have some other really good stuff too. I don't know if I'd written about them before, but yeah, they're pretty good. And since we're both still trying to figure out the area, we are also in the process of finding new places to eat food. So, we have pretty much eaten 70% BaFang this week. Lol. But it could be worse.

So, our numbers for this week got utterly destroyed! We were pretty excited because we had a day that was just completely filled with lessons and potential investigators. But then that dream day turned into a nightmare. We got fanged once and it was kind of like "man." But, that's ok, we still had a bunch of other lessons right? Well, as the day went on, we got fanged (or cancelled on) again. Then again. Then again. And so on. So, in that one day, we got fanged 6 times! Yes, in one day! GAH!!!!!!! Some days! Our dream day of new investigators soon turned into being out on the roads again. But hey, just another part of the work. The Lord will definitely try our faith in many different ways. But, maybe things were supposed to happen that way. Oh well, life goes on. The work goes on.

And lastly, I figured I would talk about transitioning to a new area. I have done that a few times in the past now. It can be fairly tricky adjusting to a new area! You have to get used to a brand new place, brand new ward, and brand new circumstances entirely. Some areas have been quicker to adjust to than others. I have made it my personal goal to get as acquainted with the area as I can as soon as I can. If you can get close to the area, the work can progress faster. You don't have to worry as much about that transition period. But, it is still kind of difficult. I am still trying to figure out where things are and stuff. But, it is definitely going faster than before. So hopefully that will help the area to pick up soon. But, we are still going. We are doing our best to find some new people to teach and whatnot. So, another week in the life of a missionary! I love the work. I love the people. I love the language. I love life! Love you all too and I will talk to you guys next week.

Sincerely,
Elder Chase Joseph Millett
雷龘鬱長老 (Lei2 Ta4 Yu4 Zhang3 Lao3)
(I forgot to mention, another Taiwanese person gave me a new Chinese name again. The characters in this new name were super cool, so I decided to change it again. I know! I shouldn't be able to just randomly change my name, but this is the last time. I think this name is super shuai!) the first character is a really old character. Not a lot of people recognize or use it anymore. It just depicts a dragon in flight. And the second one is like luxurious I think. (But the second character could also mean melancholy.) I just like the name because the characters are super advanced. haha

Taipei Temple Trip


Sunday, May 22, 2016

Back to Taichung!, Taipei Temple Trip, and Some Tainan Reflections

Well Everybody, I'm back.

Sorry for the lack of an email last week. I know that some of you were very worried and rather disappointed at this fact (shoutout to you, Mom!). But know that I am alive and well. As my heading states, I have moved back up to Taichung. I kind of figured it would work out that way. Yup, after 5 months in Tainan, I have moved to what could possibly be my last area, or my second to last. But I guess we will have to see. Guess I'd better start filling you in.

Well, my 2nd time in Taichung! Yeah, I am in the Taichung East Zone, in an area called DongYing (東英). It is in the East District of Taichung, but our area also includes the central part, where the train station is, so there are quite a few people. My new companion is Elder Baxter, yet another companion from Syracuse, Utah. He is fresh out of training, so I am his second companion on island, or his "mom" as some missionaries call it. He is just like me, just without Chinese, at least that's what everyone has told me about him. He is super cool though. Like me, very nerdy. Loves games and being sarcastic. Our district here has 3 companionships, the Taiping Elders, Elder Smith (Elder Crockett's trainee), Elder Bradford (needs no introduction.) The DongYing Sisters (Sister Zhang and Sister Yao, both Taiwanese), and Elder Baxter and I, the DongYing Elders. We meet in the biggest chapel in Taichung. There are four wards that meet here. It is the Stake Center, so it has all the goodies, like free computers for email. Free is good. There is a basketball court and everything. Just a really nice chapel. So, should make for quite a fun time. I'll fill you in more as time goes on I'm sure.
The District: Taiwan Edition

Yes, that is the Taipei Temple behind us. This last week, just two days after I moved here, we had the temple trip. This is the second time I've gotten to go to the Taipei temple, and I am so thankful I had another chance to go. Every time I go, the experience gets better and better. You really don't want to leave. We got to do an English Endowment, which was kind of nice, but it would've been cool to do the Chinese one. Maybe next time. But, took lots of pictures. Probably won't be able to fit them all into one email. But I will give you guys at least one. 


Me with all of my previous companions who made it on this trip, and my current companion. (Elder Yeh on my right. Elder Rogers on my left. Elder Baxter on the far left.) Man, I miss those guys!

Well, lastly, I figured I would talk a little about some of the things that I learned while I was in Tainan. I really think that Tainan has been the biggest growth period in my mission. I feel like I learned the most while serving there, and that I experienced the most change. Maybe it started with training. While I was training, I experienced some hardships, feeling like I wasn't doing good enough. But, it was during that phase of my mission that I learned about focusing on the simple things, and that the Lord would push the work forward in his own time. While there, I really came to understand the most important lesson of my mission. Looking back, I feel like the most important thing I've learned is companionship unity. Honestly, you can be working your butt off everyday, but if you and your companion are not unified or are not friends, it will be for nothing. I say that in all seriousness. You have to be willing to develop friendships with every companion, regardless of differences. I really feel that the companionship unity thing is the greatest lesson of my mission. I don't feel like that will change either. Obviously it was something the Lord has needed me to see and be a part of. And I will always thank him for that. My hope is that I will make friendships with every companion good enough that I would go and find each one of them after the mission and bro-down with them.  Yup, my mission has obviously been just perfect for me. No one else could've done the things that I've done or seen the things that the Lord wanted me to see. And oh yeah, I am definitely feeling the benefits of good relationships. Makes life more fun. And I feel like I've done just that. Tainan was also a time that I learned the most about diligence. When I first got to the area, we had like 2 investigators. By the time I'd left, we'd had a baptism and a list of other people who we were meeting with. It all came from hard work. There really is no other substitute. And I hope that I can carry that energy from Tainan to here as well. I made lots of friends in Tainan, and I will miss them dearly. But they are friendships that will extend far beyond this life. I will miss it, but there are new adventures ahead. 

Well, that is about it for now. I hope I was able to address everything. If there is anything that I've forgotten or left out, just let me know and I'll fill you in. But, I'm happy. As President Blickenstaff told me, these are the prime times of my mission. The Chinese is good. The skills are there. You just have to go do it. And I plan on doing just that. Hoping to see many miracles here in DongYing. Love this place. Love the people. Love the work. And I love you all. Talk to you very soon.

Sincerely,
Elder Chase Joseph Millett
雷長老


Saying Goodbye to Tainan and to Elder Starkweather. Wish him the best of luck with Elder Dalmer!

Last lunch with Eric before I moved. He made us Filipino food and it was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good! 

Elder Gilbert and I sat next to each other on the train ride up. If you were to say train travel in the U.S., people would probably just laugh at you. Pretty old school. But pretty efficient.  I trained Elder Park. He "mom"ed him. Small world.

My "Shuai" temple picture.
Selfie with Hector, our Investigator in Tainan.
My last pictures with Elder Quist and one of my new good friends, Elder Taylor (now home). 


Moroni standing tall. Notice how the light is brighter around him.











Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Mother's Day and Transfers

Mother's Day was fabulous! I (Mom) waited ALL day for an 8:00 pm skype call! Longest day of my life!!! But, so worth it!!!



I am one lucky mom. What fabulous kiddos I am blessed with!


I received a message that Elder Millett was finally leaving Tainan. He is heading back up north to Taichung, just not sure where to yet. I am so thankful for members who send me random messages and photos. If it weren't for Diego I would probably not know where my missionary was, and I certainly wouldn't have as many pictures as I do. Sure going to miss this Tainan connection!

Elder Millett and Diego

With Diego before moving to Taichung


Because of the transfers this past Monday, we did not receive an email from Elder Millett, so hopefully this next week we will know more about his move, new area, new companion.......stay tuned!

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Priesthood Power!, Some Food Adventures, and Elder Hampton Devotional with a Special Surprise

Hello Errbody,

大家早安!

Well, this week was pretty legit. Saw lots of miracles again. And there were definitely lots of surprises! Needless to say, I feel super happy right now! Maybe just comes with the season. Haha. But, let's get going.

So, this week, we got to meet with Eric again. He is doing wonderfully. Just yesterday in fact, he received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained a Priest! We were so stoked! He will get to pass the Sacrament meeting next week, which will be one of the highlights of my mission. He had some rough times right after he was baptized, but he has proved to be a trooper. He really wants to do all that he can to draw closer to Christ and remain true and faithful. He has been a big example to me. And I know without a doubt that the friendship we have built will last into the eternities. Now, he wants to try and do what he can to help his family get baptized back in the Philippines. So we are praying hard for that. But, we finally got his baptismal record sent up to the mission home, so it is official! 

In addition to that, our investigator Peter also came to church, which is a very significant event. We have been meeting with Peter for a couple of months now, and he has been struggling to find a time to come to church. Well, with Taiwan's Labor Day being yesterday, he finally had the chance to come and check it out. He wore a suit and everything! That was a big miracle. Normally, he is pretty shy, but yesterday a miracle happened. During our first hour, the Bishop asked if he would stand and introduce himself. When he did, he said something along these lines, "Hi, I'm Peter. I am excited to be here. I am already a member of this church. I just haven't been baptized yet. I am still developing my faith, and when I have done what I need to do, I will be baptized into this church." And then he sat down. It blew me away! He said it with such sincerity and such conviction. The Spirit was so strong in that moment. We are hoping that after his church experience, he will start progressing more rapidly towards that goal. So Good!!!!!

Well, I decided that I haven't written about any food adventures recently, so I'll take some time to write about some. So, in our area, there is this restaurant that is ALWAYS packed with people. Like, there is a line out the door most of the day. And it has been like that since I got here. But, we had never had the chance to go in. So, Elder Starkweather and I decided that we would go give it a try one day. We got there right when it opened, so there weren't many people there. This place is called Maya, and it's like some kind of Korean Chicken place. So, we go in and order food. This place is one of those places where you order one entree to share between two people. They brought this out to us.



Yeah, they come and make this chicken right in front of you. It was like a spicy Korean flavor and it was to DIE for! Wish I could eat there all the time! And I also got this fun drink there too.




​Yeah, they bring out this drink with this massive blob of cotton candy on the top. The way they explained it was that you could eat the cotton candy straight or you could dissolve it into the drink to make it sweeter. I tried both ways and both were great. It's been forever since I had cotton candy. My tongue was definitely not used to it. It was SOOOOO sweet. Guess I don't have as much of a sweet tooth as I did before. Haha. But, anyways, it was a fun restaurant. (And about the glasses, yeah, they're fake. I don't need glasses, but some guy was selling these things for like 200 NT on the side of the road and I thought they were fly, so I got em. Eh, try a new look I suppose.)

Well lastly, this week I got to go up to ZhangHua to attend Elder Hampton's Memorial. Since I was MTC companions with Elder Quist, President Blickenstaff said I could go. So, we went up on Saturday morning with Diego. It was such a neat experience. Elder Quist, ZhangHua's Stake President, and President Blickenstaff, as well as one of his counselors, all gave incredible talks. The Spirit was so strong there. Everyone bore strong testimony of the Plan of Salvation, and it moved nearly all to tears. What a privilege that was to be able to attend. In addition to that, there was a surprise visitor who also attended. Someone whom I hadn't seen for a long time.

Brother Woolsey, My MTC teacher!!!!! It was so unexpected! But because he had taught our district in the MTC, he obviously had heard about what happened with Elder Quist and he had come to support him. It was definitely weird hearing him speak English, because in the MTC that almost never happened. (And for good reason!) But he is doing well and he was excited to see us here. What a wonderful treat for all of us. It topped off the day in my opinion. It was awesome.

Well, I think that's about it for now. Let's see, what else? Oh yeah, the river outside our apartment is infested with jellyfish right now. Yeah, JELLYFISH! Weird right. It's kind of cool though. There are hundreds of them! I'll try to get a picture if I can. But yeah. Hope all of you have an awesome week. Mine certainly was awesome. Happy Mother's Day, soon. And I will talk to you guys very very soon! Love ya! Take care! GG,WP.

My new ride
Sincerely,
Elder Chase Joseph Millett
雷長老