Well, I'm Goin' South...........Goodbye 東海, Hello 屏東

Hello Family,

I hope that your week has been a good one. Ours has been pretty good. But definitely lots of crazy 東西 happening. Emails won't be very long today, but I just thought I would update you. 

So, yes, I suddenly had to move. With a lot of missionaries going home, as well as some new positions needing to be filled, I got a call from the Assistants on Saturday night telling me that I would be moving the following Monday! Yeah, kind of crazy. So, after rapidly packing up all of my junk, and saying goodbye to the ward on Sunday, I left this morning to travel down to PingDong, one of the furthest south areas in the mission. It would be considered pretty rural. We have a city as our main area, but we have a lot of secondary areas. So our proselyting area is huge. I'm not quite sure how close the ocean is, but I can't imagine it's too terribly far. You pronounce it (Ping Dough-ng) if that makes any sense. As far as how far it is from Taichung, on the other side of the island. It was a 3 hour train ride from the Taichung Station to the PingDong station. The only things lower than us are ChaoZhou (Sister Kwong moved down to ChaoZhou, just a transfer before I came down here. So, it seems like I've been following her around the whole mission!)  and HengChun (Elder Quist is just two districts down. So we are in the same zone.) . I had to say goodbye to Elder Chen, which was kind of sad because it was so sudden, but it was fun to see how close we'd gotten. I am district leader down here too. But there are only two companionships in our district, just us and the sisters. So yeah. But yes, definitely some new adventures ahead. Because I am more south, it is definitely warmer down here. (Mom preceded to tell him that St.George had a chance of snow..here was his response...)Pft. Snow....I forgot what that stuff looks like. Because it's still like 80 something degrees here most of the time!!! But I guess that comes with island life! But it is super green and super pretty here. I will try and take some cool pictures this week to send to you! 

So, my new companion is Elder Rogers. He is also from San Diego. That is pretty much all I know about him right now. But I'll fill you in on all of the gruesome details next week. Sorry, no pictures right now, I forgot to put my camera in my proselyting bag. But I will get those to you next week! Anyways, know that I am safe and happy. And I am looking forward to living the southern life! Love you guys and I will talk to you later! 

Lots of love,

Elder Chase Joseph Millett

屏東的長老 雷長老

Elder Millett first served in Chiayi, then to Taichung, now down to Pingtung. He is seeing all parts of the island.

This was Elder Millett's Facebook Post

Elder Chase Joseph Millett

5 hrs · 

嘿嘿嘿，我回來了。我今天有搬家了。我有搬到屏東！好，所以，我今天要跟你們分享一個很酷的事。你們有沒有看過認識摩爾門？它是我們教會作的電影。我自己覺得它很好看。我希望你們都會有機會去看。它真的有幫助我培養我對耶穌基督的見證。謝謝你們。雷長老

Hey, hey, hey, I'm back. I have moved house today. I have moved to pingtung! Okay, so, today I want to talk to you guys share a cool thing. Do you ever meet Moore door? It is our church for the movie. I think it's very nice. I hope you will have the opportunity to go to. It really helped me build me the witness of Jesus Christ. Thank you. Ray Elders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5uoGMZbt9U

Automatically Translated

認識摩爾門官方電影── FullHD - 國語

認識摩爾門剖析了六名虔誠的耶穌基督後期聖徒教會成員（摩爾門）不同的多樣生活。本片拍攝地點橫跨世界各地，認識摩爾門帶領觀眾踏上旅程，看到住在美國、哥斯大黎加、尼泊爾和其他地方的一些人的日常實際…

YOUTUBE.COM

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Mission Tour, Interview with Elder Wong, and the Work Goes On

Hello Family,

I hope that your week was good. Ours was really awesome on this side of the world. So, I might as well get right too it.

So, this week, we had our mission tour. Essentially, what the mission tour is is every year, a general authority of the church comes and speaks to all of the missionaries in the mission. So this year, it was Elder Wong, one of the members of the Quorum of the Seventy. He is a native on Hong Kong and is a really friendly guy. Well, at the mission conference, we talked about what success really meant as a missionary. Apparently, President talked about a trend moving through the mission of missionaries comparing themselves to each other based on numbers. He basically came out and said that this can't happen. So, we talked about how the most important thing to remember is that our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ. As long as we are working our hardest and being obedient, than the blessings will come. We also talked about some teaching skills with Elder Wong and about what being a missionary means. There was so much more that we talked about, but I don't think I have time to write it all. All in all, it was an incredible experience.

Well, in addition to that, the night before the tour, I got a call from President Blickenstaff. He called and said that he would like me to have an interview with Elder Wong before the tour starts. (Apparently, the General Authorities like to interview a few missionaries before the meetings, probably just to get an idea of how missionaries in the mission are doing. So, I had to be at the WuQuan chapel a little bit earlier for this interview. I walked in and started talking with him. He is such a friendly man. And he had a light about him that really let you know that he was a representative of Christ. He asked how I was doing, if there was anything he felt I wanted to learn in the meeting and so on. He got to know me, where I'm from and things like that. He shared with me about how the Lord will help us to move forward, so long as we are willing to keep trying, so I thought that was pretty awesome! So, yeah, I got to have my once in a lifetime chance of having a one on one interview with a General Authority. So, it was really awesome, and I will treasure that experience for the rest of my life.

Lastly, the work goes on here in the East China Sea (Dong Hai). We have been blessed with many tender mercies here as of recently. One of the biggest ones I think though is a new investigator that we are meeting with right now. So, when I first got to this area, the first lesson I had was with Wang Feng Yi (Elder Wang) and one of his best friends, Liang DX. Well, the lesson went ok, but afterwards, we never really heard from this friend again. Well, just before he left, Feng Yi asked us to try and meet with him again. Well, this friend had just attended a dinner at the Wang Family's house when they said a prayer on the food. He explained to us that he felt something that he had never felt before, and that he wanted to keep having these feelings. He explained to us that he had seen the change in his best friend preparing for a mission, and that he also wants to change his life around too. So, we are now meeting with him again. And he says that he is willing to prepare for baptism. It was one of the most spiritual lessons I've had on my mission. To be able to see Feng Yi, through his example, help a friend feel the Spirit and desire change is just so touching to me. So, to be able to have this opportunity to help Liang DX is a privilege, and I know that the Lord will help him to progress.

Well, that is about it for this week. Sorry, no pictures this week. But I will try to take more and more. I mean, I've got a good sized memory card for the job. But, if you have any other questions, you know where to find me. Love ya! Talk to you guys soon! 

Sincerely,

Elder Chase Joseph Millett

雷長老

#LeFans, #EastOcean #GGWP

The Taichung East, West, and South Zones

翻桌, 鳳儀走了, and Stake Conference

Hello Family, I hope that you are doing well! We have had a splendid week! Not too much crazy stuff going on, but I'll fill you in on what happened.

So, the first subject of my email is 翻桌, or "flip table." Something funny I've learned recently is that there is a Taiwanese phrase that they will say when they are angry. It sounds like "Bean Duh La." It literally means, flip the table. The first time I heard someone use it after I knew what it was, I thought is was too funny. I laughed so hard I couldn't breath. But, we don't use it often, only because people only use it when they are REALLY upset. But, Elder Chen and I use it as kind of an inside joke. So, I found this picture a little while ago and I thought you guys would find it funny. It is a picture I took on the day of the typhoon. Enjoy.

Ok, now that you're done laughing, I'll talk about the second thing. So, this past week, right after I introduced you guys to my good buddy 鳳儀, telling you that he was waiting to go on his mission, he called us and told us that he would be going to the Taichung Mission until his visa came through! Yup, he is now a full time missionary, IN THE SAME MISSION!!! I thought it was funny and awesome! But even better, President Blickenstaff told us at Stake Conference who his companion was going to be. And do you know who it is????? IT'S ELDER MOORE!!!!! That's right, Elder Wang is now going to go be with Elder Moore, my old companion. Elder Moore and I became very good friends with Elder Wang, and now he is going to go be his companion in the mission field!!! So awesome!!!! We wish him the very best.

Lastly, Stake Conference was this last weekend. It was super awesome. It was all about Hastening the Work of Salvation, encouraging unity between members and missionaries, as well as more active temple attendance. We got to hear President and Sister Blickenstaff speak, as well as the Taipei Temple President and his wife. Our Stake Presidency spoke too and it was just a very spiritually powerful weekend. So, I am so glad to be able to serve in the Taichung West Stake. 

Well, that about sums it up for this week. I am happy, healthy, and getting more used to my position as District Leader. It has proved to be a good, and neat experience thus far, so I am so thankful for the opportunity. Well, I love all of you. I hope to hear from you soon. Know that I miss and am praying for all of you!!!!!

Sincerely,

Elder Chase Joseph Millett

雷長老

Goodbye Elder Galura, District Leader, and Fun with 鳳儀

Hello Dearest Family of Mine,

I hope that your week was full of surprises and fun. Mine certainly was. I got quite a curve ball thrown at me this week, but I will get to that in a bit.

So, this week, we had to say goodbye to Elder Galura. He had to suddenly move to help another Elder finish training. He had been here the longest out of any of us, and his leaving means that Sister Geddes and I are the oldest missionaries in the FengJia District. Elder Galura is such a fun guy. We miss him and we wish him the very best, as this is his last transfer before he finishes. I learned a lot from him and I am glad for the opportunity I had to serve with him. So now, the new Elders in FengJia are Elder Clayson, a missionary that came on island with Elder Chen, and Elder Lin, a native Taiwanese who is "duan chuan" ing until Elder Clayson can get a full time companion, so we may only have him here for a couple weeks. But, we are happy to have them here and I look forward to working with them.

Well, this little change caused a big change in my world. So, before Elder Galura left, he was our district leader here in FengJia. Well since he left, President Blickenstaff has to assign a new District Leader. So, I found out from the Assistants that I would be the new district leader here in FengJia. I am definitely a little nervous about that. I know that I have been on island long enough to know the ropes and everything, but I am definitely not sure about leading an entire district! But, President said that he feels that I will be able to handle it, and that he feels I'm ready, so I will definitely be putting this into the Lord's hands. A line in my Patriarchal Blessing says, "Never turn down a calling from the Lord, for he will make you equal to every responsibility." I feel that this is definitely a part of that promise, and I know that the Lord will bless me as I take on this new responsibility. And I am going to do my best to lead this district and continue doing this great work.

Lastly, I decided that today I would tell you guys a little bit about a really awesome member in our ward, 王鳳儀, (Wang Feng Yi). So, Brother Wang is a 20 year old YSA who is getting ready to go on a mission to Salem, Oregon. (Yup Kaden, be keeping your eye out for him!) He is super super ready to go. He helps us with lessons and things all the time and he will wear shirt and tie out in public just to practice!!! He always helps us English Proselyte and other things. And he is just such a stud guy! HE is super funny too. He was supposed to report to the Provo MTC tomorrow, but due to some visa problems, he really doesn't know what's going happen for the next little while. The only thing that they told him is that he will be to the Provo MTC (Guaranteed) by no later than December 1st of this year. So we are definitely praying for him. But, for now, I figured I could just introduce you to this wonderful friend of mine by showing you a couple of pictures of has "Having Fun with 鳳儀!!!)

​Well, that is about it for this week. Wish me luck as a new DL! I hope that all of you have a good week as well. The work moves on here in 東海! I love you all and wish you the very best!

GGWP. GLHF! 

Sincerely,

Elder Chase Joseph Millett

雷長老

"Better Planning Would Provide," Back in Business, and Pants‏

Hello Family,

This week has been pretty good. We have found a renewed vigor in the work, and we are starting to see the results of it. So, I guess I will get right to it. 

So, the reason that planning is the first subject of my email is because that has been one of the biggest reasons we have been seeing more and more success. When we had our interviews with the Mission President back about a month ago or something, he said that the first step to seeing more success is to have quality planning sessions. So, we put that to the test, and we have been more effectively using our missionary planners to make the best use of our time. So, for all of you who feel like your days are hectic and not effective, "Better Planning Would Provide." I encourage all to start making plans and setting goals and I know that it will be of great use to you. Don't figure it out late like I did.

So, because of our new determination to plan and set goals, we have seen some miracles this week. Our investigator from a few weeks ago, 陳弟兄, finally met with us again. He has been facing some family opposition to his believing in Christ recently, so he has been wondering whether or not he should continue to meet with us. Well, this last week, we had a really cool lesson with him, in which we reassured him of the converting power of the Gospel. He will be able to set an amazing example for his family and he will be able to help them see the changes in his own life. He was really touched by what we shared with him. And, following the promptings of the Spirit, we invited him to be baptized and to set a goal date. He accepted and we are hoping that he can get baptized on November 14. So, we are going to keep working hard and praying that he will be able to overcome these trials and continue learning and applying the Gospel in his life. So, we are back in business!!!

And lastly, pants. Kind of a random topic, but I will explain. So, since all of the missionaries here in Taiwan ride bicycles, clothes tend to take a beating. So, recently, as I'm getting off of my bicycle, I realize that my pants, (that I've only had for like a month or two), have ripped in the back. I was like, "Oh....MAN!!!!! SHOOT!" But I guess that's what happens, and thank goodness nobody saw. But, yeah, for any of you who plan on coming to Taiwan, TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR CLOTHES! Just a word of advice.

Well, that is about it for this week. Just one more little bit of news. This last week was my HUMP DAY!!!! As of this last Thursday, I have been on my mission for a year. It is really crazy to see how fast time flies here. It is pretty insane. It seems like only yesterday I was writing about my "6 Month Mark." But yes, I have learned a lot of things being here and I plan on using this precious year that I still have to the best of my ability. The first year has been a time of learning and growing, and now is the time to just "Go and Do." So, I plan on doing just that. 

Well, I love you guys! I hope you have an awesome week. Know that I love you and am praying for you guys every day. Stay safe! Have some fun when you can and I look forward to talking to you very soon.

Sincerely,

Elder Chase Joseph Millett

雷長老

Thanks, haircuts here are super duper cheap. 100 Kuai, which is just over 3 American Dollars, and it took like 10 minutes.

Halloween, Stake BBQ Activity, General Conference, and Transfers‏

Me Doing "TaiJi" on the Top of AoFeng Shan‏

Halloween

Bike Riding through the city

Advertising Free English Class (I love these because it gives a small glimpse of the city)

English Class

Hello Family,

I hope that your week has been a great one. I hope that all of you enjoyed General Conference. I know that I did, but I will get to that in just a little bit. But I hope that all of you are safe and that life is treating you well.

Well, this last week was the last week of the transfer. So that means that we have the chance to throw and English Party for our English Class. Since we will only have one party in October, we decided that we need to have a Halloween themed party. It was really fun. We played a few games and we made some mini "toast-pizzas" to give to the students. And yes, most of us dressed up in some costume or another, (although mine may have been a little too extreme for mission standards. Oops, got too into it...XP). But we had a good time and we were glad to see our awesome English students!

Nextly, on Friday, we had a Stake BBQ Activity at a place called AoFeng Shan. At first, it started raining, so we were possibly going to have to cancel the activity, but they decided that we could hike around a little bit first to see if the rain would clear, so I got some fun pictures of that. Eventually, the rain did clear up and we enjoyed some yummy food with the members of the West Taichung Stake. 

Well, as I'm sure you are all aware, this last weekend was General Conference!!!! AND OH MY GOODNESS, WHAT A CONFERENCE IT WAS!!!!! There was such a high concentration of spiritual influence in one place that I could barely contain myself. Oh, believe me when I say that amongst us missionaries, there were gallons of tears being shed! The Spirit was so strong, and I don't even know where to begin sharing. Maybe I could just make a list of three of my favorite talks from Conference.

1. Meeting the Challenges of Today's World - Elder Robert D. Hales

   -This talk was awesome in that Elder Hales really focused on the young people of the church. He spoke like a Father speaks to his son. He spoke of the importance of setting goals and how our choices in this life, every aspect of it, will have some form of eternal consequence. This talk really made me want to improve and organize myself.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/meeting-the-challenges-of-todays-world?lang=eng

2. Behold Thy Mother - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.

   -This talk left us speechless. Elder Holland spoke of the divine role and importance of mothers. I leave this simply as a message to my mother. I hope that you watch this talk and realize that I feel the exact same way. I love you so much and thank you for all that you do.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/behold-thy-mother?lang=eng

3. I Stand All Amazed - Elder Ronald A. Rasband

   - This talk from one of the three newly ordained apostles touched me dearly. The weight of such a calling would be difficult for any human being. But this talk gave me hope. I too stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me. I am so grateful for His blessings and I know that he will make us equal to every responsibility.

So, I invite all of you to read these talks. I know that they will touch you as they touched me.

Well, lastly, transfers. I will be staying in DongHai with Elder Chen for another transfer!!! Elder Nelson, Elder Galura's trainee, is moving down to GaoXiong to white wash an area with his new companion. Elder Quist, my MTC companion, is moving from the northernmost area in our mission to the southernmost area in our mission. He is moving down to HengChun, which is a really rural place with a really small branch. But I hear that it is beautiful. So, I am so excited for that!! Elder Galura's new companion is an Elder Clayson, whom I do not know. And this will be Elder Galura's last transfer, so he will be finishing in FengJia. We love him so much and are going to miss him. 

Well, that is about it for this week. I hope that all of you have a nice week. Know that things are going well and that I am still, at least partially, sane. So, talk to you soon! GLHF!

Elder Chase Joseph Millett

雷長老

我愛你最最最最最最最最最最最最最最最最最最最最最最最最多!!!!!哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈哈！我贏了。

不好意思。我聽不懂。你在說什麼東西？

(He was sending me all of this, and I told him I was going to have to go to Google Translate because I had no idea what he was saying: Here is his reply "Don't do that. It will only bring you grief. Essentially I said that I love you the most most most most most most most. And then I said HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA. I win. And then I said, Sorry, I can't understand what are you saying. What the stuff are you saying? That's about it."

And yes, a haircut is in the plan!!!!

Transfers

Yet Another Typhoon, Transfers 快到了, and FHE

Well Family,

I hope that all of you had a stupendous week. Ours was pretty good. We have definitely seen some of the Lord's tender mercies this week, especially in regards to finding people. We have had a few referrals given to us that have some really good potential. So we are hoping and praying for their success.

Well, as you are probably aware, we had another typhoon come through this last week. In fact, in hit us on Monday night, so that was fun. The winds in this typhoon were a lot faster than the last one, but this one didn't last as long. We were ok. It blew throughout the night, but in the morning, everything had cleared up. But we were required to return home early that night, about 6:30 or so. We left our bikes at the church because there is a covered place that we could park them and keep them safe, and then we walked home. So yeah, typhoons, fun stuff.

Well, another transfer is about over. It seems crazy to me. I can't believe that I've been with Elder Chen for like 6 weeks already! Whatever happens, I've sure become really good friends with him. He's probably the companion that I've gotten closest to. So, I've been here in 東海 for 2 transfers now, and Elder Chen is probably at the time to go senior companion, so I may be leaving. But, it is not uncommon to be in one area for 3 transfers, so it is also very possible that I will stay here. But, I guess we will see what Saturday night's phone call brings.

Well, every Sunday evening, us missionaries host a Family Home Evening activity, (mostly for YSA's). We have a spiritual share, we play some (usually hilarious) games, and then we have a treat. But, they are always very fun. At last night's, I finally took some pictures so that I could give you a small taste of what we do! So I hope that you enjoy.

I did get the package!

​Thank you so much! It was so much fun! And the jelly is soooooooooo good!!!(Referring to the Ghost Pepper Jelly that we sent to him) I did get the package!

OHHHHHHH MY GOOOOOOOOOODDDDDNEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! They were so good!!!!! (Referring to the Oatmeal Cream Pies that he and Elder Chen requested!)

And by the way, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, the new member of the Twelve, is the father of an Elder in this mission. He was Elder Watson's last companion before he finished. He is a zone leader over in Taichung East. He is a really awesome, friendly guy. I have talked with him a couple of times. I haven't listened to conference yet. That will be this coming Saturday and Sunday. 

For P-day we are going to FengJia to look at some stuff and then we are going to be meeting the FengJia Elders at one of the only Outback Steakhouses in Taiwan for dinner.

Well, that is about it for now. We are going to be having our English party this week. It is a Halloween theme, so we will be playing some fun games and eating some yummy food! So, we are going to be preparing for that. If there is anything else that you have questions about, feel free to hit me up! I am always willing to try and answer the best I can! I love you guys and I hope that your week is fantastic!!! Talk to you soon!

GG,WP

Sincerely,
Elder Chase Joseph Millett
雷長老

From Elder Millett's Facebook:

"Brothers and Sisters, I hope that you are getting excited and are spiritually preparing for the upcoming General Conference. I am so grateful for the opportunity we will have to hear the words of our living Prophets and Apostles. They, being called of God, are also called to receive his will and to share it with the world. With the passing of Elders L. Tom Perry, Boyd K. Packer, and Richard G. Scott, we will also have the opportunity to witness the calling of new members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I am so grateful for the example they have provided and I am so grateful for the Priesthood leadership in the church. May we all strive to be open and accepting to the will of God as we prepare to receive it through those whom he has ordained to be his mouthpiece. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

弟兄姐妹們，我希望你們現在是為總會大會在作準備。我很感謝我們可以有一個美好的機會聽我們活著的先知跟十二使徒作演講。他們有被按立把神的旨意傳給世界。因為我們最近有三個使徒過世，我們也會看三位被按立為基督作見證。我很感謝神有給我們他們的榜樣。我希望我們都會接受神的旨意。我也希望我們會為聽神的喉舌作準備。奉，耶穌基督的名，阿門。

Elder Chase Joseph Millett
雷長老"

"Told you I got the package"

Typhoon Dujuan

Typhoon Dujuan