Taichung Time
First
things first, Elder R is gone! Man, it was sad to see him go! He
will definitely go down as one of my favorite companions! I feel like we
did SO much together! We baptized 2 awesome new friends, worked with a
lot of different less active brothers, established a truly GREAT
relationship with the ward, and had the opportunity to lead and uplift
the other missionaries in the zone all the while! So much fun!! It's a
lot different with Elder G... No less happy, but it's definitely a
little more stressful to be training a new zone leader who doesn't speak English! It's a good thing that he's the most Christlike person I've
ever met in my life!! He's got a heart so full of love and charity that
it makes me feel like I'm a horrible person every time I open my mouth!
haha... we're pretty happy together!
I picked him up from the Mission Home on Tuesday
morning, we spent a day in our area, and then got ready to head to
Taipei on Wednesday! That's right! we went to the Temple!!! It was
absolutely incredible. My mind was totally blown away, and I'm pretty
sure my Spirit is still in shock from the epic-ness of it all. On the way
up to the temple, we watched a new movie called: "Ephraim's Rescue." I
don't know if you've heard of it or not, but if you haven't seen it yet,
go and see it! It's done by the same guy that did 17 Miracles, I think
it's T.C. Christensen or something like that... it's incredible guys. I
loved it! I was also such a blast to be there with all the missionaries
in the Zone, and we also picked up some missionaries in another zone on
the way up... much to my surprise when I saw Elder B walk on to the
bus! ha, he's a fun guy to be around!
I had an awesome chance to exchange with Elder C
on Thursday and Friday... so much fun! It's definitely a little odd to
be exchanging with an old companion and be in a different area! Kind of
feels like old times, but in a TOTALLY different place! He's doing
really well! His Chinese is getting a lot better, and he teaches like a
boss now! It's so much fun to be in the same zone as him!
On Friday, we had a pretty awesome/funny experience!
We went to an appointment at an investigators house, but when we got
there, the lights were all off and no one was answering the door. We
were really disappointed and a little embarrassed because we had taken a
member with us over there... I was about to just turn around and
apologize to the member, but Elder G says: "Let's say a prayer really
quick!" I thought that was a little ridiculous. It was hot and I was
sweating, I was annoyed that our investigator had stood us up and I'll
even admit I was a little annoyed that Elder G was still so flippin'
optimistic!! haha, we said the prayer, called for the investigator once
more, and he came walking down the stairs! I was absolutely shocked!
There you go, even though I've been out here pretty long, I learn more
and more every day. Lesson learned for Elder Noll!
As we continued to go about our lessons throughout
the rest of the day, we had another really awesome experience! We were
meeting with a new investigator and a member for the first time, and we
decided to talk about the role that we have as missionaries, and the
role that they would have as "investigators." We ended up speaking of
the incredible relationship that we can have with God and the peace and
love that it can bring into our lives. The investigator stopped us in
the middle of a sentence, looked at me and said: "What is this feeling? I
feel... something! It's in my heart!" He was so sincere. It was almost
like looking into the eyes of an 8 year old child as I explained about
the love that God had for him and how the Holy Ghost helps us feel of
that same love. The man then committed to be baptized on the 22nd of
March, and he told us he's already starting to give up smoking and
drinking! I was so touched! Such an awesome experience.
Saturday was a special day. We have been meeting
with this guy for a long time. I think I told you about
him last time.... Everything
that goes against God's commandments, he was doing it... and the worst
part was that he didn't even care. He came to us one day 2 months ago,
and his remorse and desire to change was very visible. It wasn't easy
for us, and it definitely was one of the hardest things that HE has ever
done, but he changed. On Saturday night, I had the honor of helping him
enter the waters of Baptism. It was actually the first person I've
Baptized personally! It was a special feeling as we both entered the
water. As I said the prayer, I didn't feel anything to special, but as I
thought of the words that I had uttered later the next day, I felt like
I got hit by a sack of bricks! The power of those words are not only
for this world. They are binding and sealing blessings for Eternity!
I just want to share what I learned in personal
study on Saturday morning really quick. I was reading in Jacob 5
(possibly Dad's favorite parable in all scripture) and I was trying to
find a way to see a different meaning in the parable than I have before.
I've always only connected this chapter to missionary work, but this
time was a little different. As I read the first few verses, I thought
of the man that we were going to be baptizing that night. The master of
the vineyard cares so much for his vineyard and he takes so much care
with each separate and individual plant. He will prune, dig about, and
nourish each and every area of his vineyard every so often, and he is
constantly thinking of ways to help his vineyard be more and more
healthy. The master is the Savior in this instance, and His vineyard is
the world. I am one of the plants, as is the man we baptized, as is the
bum begging for food on the street, and as are you. We are all a part of
this vineyard, and the Savior is pruning, digging about, and nourishing
us with all the strength that He has. We only need to accept His love
and labor and we will become what He knows we can! Accept the hard
advice that the Holy Spirit whispers to you. It might not be all that
comfortable to be "pruned" or "dug about" but in the end, all the Savior
is doing is nourishing us.
Love you all with all I've got! Have an absolutely incredible week, and go out there and love every day!
Elder Noll
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