August 16, 2014

Good mornin' everybody! It seems as though there have been a few changes this past week... pretty big ones! It's touching to see my little brother head out and get one step closer to Ecuador. The pictures I've seen so far have filled me with the most pride I've ever been able to muster. What an incredible man. 

There's about to be some serious changes here for me as well! This is my last email to you from the office! The time has truly flown by! I guess time flies when you're busy all the time! haha! 

I've had a blast this week. We've had some great lessons, and we continue to find more and more investigators... all miracles, considering the amount of time that we  have to proselyte. On top of the lessons and contacting, we've been welcoming in a group of 18 new missionaries! That's a good story...

They were supposed to be coming in on Wednesday night, so the whole office was going crazy on Monday and Tuesday in order to get the place ready for our guests and whatnot. Wednesday came, President and the Assistants all went up to the airport... and no missionaries. There travel information got changed and we didn't get the email, so everything had to be pushed back a day... hence the lateness of this letter. :) 

Everything turned out totally fine. Everyone got to Taiwan safe and sound, and they're all totally pumped to be here. The whole group is incredible! They're all full of unquenchable fire, it might just burn the whole island up! My favorite part of being with the new missionaries is feeling of that fire. Especially on the night of Dan Jones, when they stand in the middle of a market and yell at the top of their lungs, then contact for an hour or so afterwards. As Operations Manager, we're in charge of the whole thing, so we don't actually get to participate a whole lot, but I was free for this last time, so I got to go out with a new Elder named Elder D! He's super tall, and way nice! We had a great time together as we talked to some people and actually found a few pretty awesome referrals! 

Think about the awesomeness of New Missionary Week, and now add in a Temple Trip as well and you just about understand how awesome this week was. I absolutely love the temple! I learned a lot of new stuff this time, and it was nice to be able to take some time and just ponder on what I'm doing in life and where I should be. The beautiful atmosphere of the temple and the strength of the Holy Spirit within those walls is enough to cure any wounded heart, or calm any troubled mind. 

Lastly, I'd like to share with you an inspiring personage in my life. You probably all saw this coming, but I'd like to share with you about Jessi Noll one more time before I take off my badge. We started out as co-adventurers, heading out into the wild world with Mom and Dad always close behind. Only now I realize that Mom and Dad were much closer than I ever thought. I think this first picture illustrates those memories beautifully.

We continued to grow closer as we learned to play together... some of those memories include ocean-side ball, wrestling in the parks, and many others, too numerous to share. I can honestly say that we were pretty close growing up together... but it wasn't until I came to Taiwan that I started to truly understand the relationship that we had fostered. 

I never knew that leaving the house was what needed to happen in order to come closer to the members in my family. That's exactly what needed to happen. I've grown closer to Jessi over the past two years than I ever imagined possible, being this far away! 

I can't even begin to explain how I feel as I see the picture on the bottom here. The two flags waving in the wind. These two countries literally mean nothing to the stranger driving by the Noll house today, but the sight of them together brings me to tears. Those two flags represent everything I'm feeling at this moment. Although I may be torn and tattered to pieces, I feel absolutely majestic being placed alongside my comrade in arms. I thank each and every one of you for the influence you've had on my brother and I. I thank you for the patience as you've watched the two of us throwing footballs into your yards, wrestle outside, party in the pool and all the other loud and disruptive adventures that we've been on together. How grateful I am to stand here now, at his side and supporting him. 

I love all of you a lot more than you probably know! I'll know by tonight where I'm going for my last transfer. I guess that means I'll be talking to you all in a few days then! I promise to send another email with some more "juice" in it!!

Love, Elder Noll

August 9, 2014

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE!! I hope it's been a great week. This week has gone by quickly once again. We're getting ready for the new missionaries to arrive next week, and we're also working on training Elder F to take my spot! He's doing great! He'll be an awesome ops manager, and I'm excited to see what differences he'll make in the mission! One of the highlights of this week... I'm working on a new textbook for our free English class in the mission, and it's almost done! I'm excited to finish it up this next week and then let Elder F introduce it to the mission in the next coming months! It's gonna be totally sweet!

We basically prepped for this coming week all week... our computer crashed a couple weeks ago, and we're in the middle of trying to get back all the information and all the software going again... It certainly has been quite the project! It's a good thing that Elder F is pretty good with computers, and we've saved almost everything. Now we're just waiting on a new computer from Church HQ! So excited! :)

Everyone is asking me, "Elder Noll, where do you think you'll go now??" I just tell them that I've got no clue, but I'm excited none the less! I'm grateful that I've been given this time to serve missionaries from the background a little more... It's been a great learning experience for me! I've grown as I've served, and I've learned what it truly means to serve with all your heart. 

I'd like to try something for the next several weeks... I want to briefly talk about anything special that happened during my week, and then I'll share with you about someone who has greatly influenced my life or taught me a valuable lesson. Today, I'd like to dedicate this email to my little brother, Alec. What a stud. I've recently heard of a little activity that he decided to do over the summer break. My dad went along with him throughout 30 days of service. Each day, Alec would pick an act of service to do for someone. A stranger, a friend, a neighbor, anyone! I'd like to share some pictures and a scripture with all of you. 

Matthew 18:3 "... Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven."

As I look at these pictures, I can't possibly imagine anyone else being worthy of the kingdom of heaven. This is a kid who gave up hours upon hours, days upon days of his summer break in order to serve others. This wasn't a scout project, or homework from school! He just wanted to do it. I can't possibly imagine doing that when I was his age... I find it hard imagining myself doing it now! As Alec did these acts of service, I would receive little weekly updates about it... my dad would send me a note telling me about some fun little act they did, but I never really took into perspective what they were actually doing. Seeing these photo's was an eye opener for me. I see a brown little kid in muscle shirts, shorts and flip flops (takes after his older brothers for sure) doing all kinds of jobs all over town! You'll also notice, that there's not one picture of him frowning or being grumpy or even the least bit put out that he's losing personal time. Thank you Alec. You've taught me the meaning of Christlike service, and it's something I'll never forget. 

It's been an awesome week, my friends! I'm excited for a new one! There's always miracles in the weeks to come! 

OH yeah! I almost forgot to share about one of our new investigators! I met with him when I first came to Taichung back in March, and then he left the country so we lost contact with him... He came back recently, and he's totally a changed man. He is so humble. It brings such a special spirit when we teach him. We taught the Plan of Salvation this last Tuesday and it was incredible. I had the chance to share my testimony of the resurrection, judgement and our eternal potential. The spirit was so strong! He needs a little time to really pray and read the scriptures, but he'll be coming to Church tomorrow, and he'll be ready to be baptized in just a couple months. He's one of the most prepared people I've ever met here in Taiwan! He truly has a kind of light about him! 

Well, I love you all! You're all awesome, and I hope you have a super great week! 

Love, Elder Noll

 

 

August 2, 2014

Typhoons, explosions and a whole lot of moving made for an excellent week! I find that I've come to enjoy each week of my mission more than the last... no matter how much more difficult or how much more tired I may be! I'll start by saying that everyone in the mission is totally safe, despite the typhoons and explosions. I'm sure that you've seen the news about the explosions. It was absolutely horrible. It just so happened that we were down in Gaoxiong Thursday and Friday... I know Mom probably didn't want to hear that... :) The whole day, we were transporting luggage and furniture on the very road that exploded that night. We slept in an apartment less than five minutes away from the blast! And to tell you the truth, none of us heard a thing. We were pretty tired and slept right through it! We're all safe and were able to do our work just fine.

I'll apologize in advance for this letter and whatever grammatical errors you may or may not find in here... we just got back from a 30 KM bike ride with the Blickenstaffs, and I'm exhausted. :D

Last Saturday night, I received news that I'd be training a new office elder! His name is Elder F, and he'll be formally taking my spot on the 18 of August. :) I promised myself that I would love each and every area that I ever served in, and I can honestly say that I've loved this place... but it's time to go. I'm excited to get outside and start hitting the streets again!

Today, we had the chance to ride bikes with President and Sister Blickenstaff up a nice steep mountain to see some waterfalls. It was awesome! You'll have to look on the blog to see some epic pics! We found a bat cave and had an awesome little adventure as we crawled through a tunnel full of water with bats flying over our heads! It was a fun one.

Elder G and I had an interesting discussion this week, in which I felt like I learned some important lessons. Do you think that God has planned out your life? Is there only one road for you to walk in order to do what God wants you to? Let me ask you a question then, do you think God cares if you're a doctor or a teacher? A lawyer or a fire fighter? Do you think it will influence your salvation if you marry Susie or Jill, both righteous and loving daughters of God? God has given us a brain, coupled with the precious ability to choose for ourselves. Brothers and Sisters, God has not set your life out for you. He expects us to ponder and ask of His advice and guidance, but that does not mean that you can sit back and wait for God to tell you what you should do! Let's be active. Let's get out and start something. The presence of the Holy Ghost in our lives is absolutely critical. Without it, we'll never be safe in our choices. But I promise that if we consult with God about the things which we want to do, He will reveal through the Spirit to us whether or not that is a good idea. If you don't know what you want to do with your life, don't ever say that you're waiting for an answer from God, because in all reality, He's only waiting on you. Think about it, ponder it constantly, and then ask Him. Once you've received the answer, don't hesitate! Go out and DO something. Go out and BE something. 

I love being out here. I love the Lord, and I love the road map that the Gospel has given me for my life.

Have a good week!

Elder Noll

July 26, 2014

What's up e'ry body??

Alright guys, not tons of time today! Same ol' same 'ol for this week! 

I don't know if I've told you or not yet, but we've got a new set of senior missionaries in the office! They're name is "Jan", but it's pronounced "Yang." Elder Jan is a total stud. He's pumped up to be here and he's inspired me to give my best effort at EVERYTHING that I do! He's so cool! His lovely wife, Sister Jan, is wonderful as well. She is as smart as can be and loves to help with anything she possibly can. They are both fluent in multiple languages, and they are already a flurry of motion around the office everyday, picking up all of my slack! I'm incredibly grateful for couple missionaries. I've learned so much by watching them serve. The senior missionaries I've served around have taught me what it means to serve selflessly. (I don't know if that grammar is correct or not...) 

I've been pretty moved by the pictures that I've seen of the beautiful baby Lincoln which was born to Steph and Stephen in the past few weeks. They're both glowing with love and adoration. Righteousness stems from that kind of love. It's a love so pure that it's impossible to understand until you've experienced it yourself. We're all on the receiving end of a love so pure... the love that our Savior has for us exceeds that of the power holding the earth in place. I know that family is ordained of God, and it's given to us so that we might experience that kind of love. Steph and Stephen, congrats!! I'm so happy for you!! You're in my prayers, along with the little angel given to you! 

I'm still doing great out here! Life is rollin! Love you all and hope you get r' done this week! have a good one! 

Elder Noll

July 19, 2014

This was one of the most exciting weeks I've had in a while! We had a LOT  of fun this week!... well, mostly we did a lot of office stuff this week, but one of the days was absolutely epic! I'll remember it throughout the eternities!

We did a lot of different stuff in the office on Monday... handling some stuff to do with the recent transfer, as well as some stuff for the English program, and a whole lot of other stuff that you probably don't really want/need to know about anyways... so we'll skip the boring day! haha

As missionaries, we have an hour and a half meeting called DTM every Tuesday of every week. It stands for "District Training Meeting." Basically, the companionships in your district (usually 3 or 4) will get together and the District Leader will prepare some training based on the needs of the members of the District... pretty fun! The first Tuesday of every month is similar, but on a larger level. The whole Zone will gather together and have what's called a "ZTM," or "Zone Training Meeting..." pretty self explanatory 吧。I thoroughly enjoy DTM! I used to think it was such a pain to have to use my personal study time to prepare an hour and a half training on something that I myself don't fully understand, but as I've come to this point in my mission, I've really realized how valuable this time is to be with the members of my District. I'm responsible for their failures, and I'm responsible to uplift them and keep them happy pretty much! It's a special responsibility to shoulder, and it's one that I'm happy to bear! This week, I had the opportunity to prepare a DTM, and I chose the topic of "Faith, Diligence, and Skill" with the overlying emphasis being on Righteousness. These three (faith, diligence, and skill) are absolutely critical in missionary work... but without the RIGHT motives, the RIGHT feeling and RIGHTEOUS desires, all of your faith, diligence and skill is just wasted. It was special for me to prepare this training! I feel like I really learned more than anyone else on this topic that day!

On Tuesday night we had to start on our way to Gaoxiong. We made it about half way, when we decided to stay the night in Jiayi with the Elders there. I was over the moon to be able to hang out with Elder W (used to be in my zone when I was in Zhongxing) again! He's honestly one of the good friends that I've made out here! We had a great time talking about the different investigators we've been working with lately, and talking about family stuff back in the States, and so on! He says that he lives near Aunt Sherri! Whaddya know?

Wednesday was pretty tiring! I'll be honest, I was pretty much dead on my feet! haha, we had to move out a set of sisters into their new home, meet with the old landlord and negotiate all of the details that accompany moving, and then had to keep on running around Gaoxiong as we looked for a new apartment for yet another set of missionaries. I feel like the moving issues and apartment issues are never ending! hahaha, we move out one set and get them all set up, and the next day we get a call from another landlord telling us that they want to sell their apartment to someone else, so we start looking for a new apartment! I'm never going into real estate, that's for sure! ;)

We made our way back to Zhanghua on Wednesday, and had to stay the night there before coming back into Taizhong early Thursday morning... I was about ready to throw myself on my bed and just sleep until Sunday! But it just so happens that we'd scheduled an exchange with the zone leaders in my district on Thursday! So we manned up and got ourselves ready for exchanges. WOW. I've never felt so refreshed! It's been a long time since I've been able to just throw everything aside and be a full-time missionary for a WHOLE day. I had the pleasure of going around with Elder G for the day! You remember him? He was a generation younger than me (MTC time) while I was in the MTC. He's a cool cat, as pops might say! When the exchange started, I looked at him and said: "Alrighty, what's the plan, friend?" In response, he showed me his planner. He'd filled in one line on the whole page, starting at 12:00 until 9pm... "Street contact." I looked up at him with a big ol' smile and said: "Get r' done." So we did. 

The pure joy that comes from preaching the Gospel is a really weird thing. Elder G and I spent a total of about 6 hours riding our bikes around on the street in the middle of July in Taiwan. Turn your oven on to broil, wait for it to warm up and then go and sit inside for about 6 hours and you'll understand a little more about what it's like to ride around Taichung city this time of year! haha, it's not something that should be enjoyable! It really isn't! But it is. I couldn't keep the smile off of my face the whole day. The sweat was dripping down into my eyes (something that hasn't happened since I was playing football in high school!), my clothes didn't smell so great, my shoes (what's left of them) were literally baking my feet, and I hadn't had a good nights rest in over a week... but the Spirit was guiding us everywhere we went that day. We stayed pretty much right around the church. We didn't ride outside of about a one mile radius, but we found about 20 or more people who were very willing to write down their information and tell us that they'd like to sit down and talk with us about what God can do in their life. 

There is absolutely no way that 2 white kids on bikes with mediocre Chinese could go out into the world and do something like that. Let's look at the scriptures. There's no way that a kid could go into a foreign colony and protect scattered sheep by slicing off the arms of those who were doing the scattering! AND THEN that same kid went on to Baptize the whole nation, including numbers of kings, and bring them back to his home land to protect them and nurture them! These things are utterly impossible... and yet, they happen. 

There's no way that a 14 year old boy could go from a poor farmer, not having any solid religious beliefs, and then becoming a prophet and revelator in the same year. That is impossible. But Brothers and Sisters, I testify to you here and now that this very thing did indeed happen. Not only did it happen, but it changed the course of history forever. This was not some coincidence or bogus scheme compiled to gain riches or whatnot, but this was and is the plan of the Great Creator of the Universe! Everything has and continues to go according to that plan. The Almighty God, is very aware of everything that happens on His beloved earth. 

Whether it is to alter the course of history, as in the case of Joseph Smith, or whether it is only to alter the course of the life of one, meaningless boy, roasting in his old leather shoes on the streets of Taiwan, God cares. I deserve no recognition from God for anything I've ever done in my lifetime. I doubt there are any who deserve any level of recognition from such an almighty being. God so loves us, that He is willing and hoping to make up for our weaknesses. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should no perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:16-17 

God is so aware of us. Why is He so aware of us? What did the Savior do that makes Him so special to us in this day? "Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisment of our peace was upon him; and with his sacrifice, we are healed." Brothers and Sisters, I do not know why it is that we mean so much to our Father in Heaven, I cannot fathom what reasoning He has to love a being such as mankind. But one thing I do know with all the certainty of my soul: HE DOES LOVE US. You may be sick of me telling you this week after week, but it's the principle that touches my heart the deepest week by week. He loves us, He cares, He is completely aware. 

Thanks for your patience in reading my emails! I hope that someone, somewhere in the world has gotten something out of it, even if it's just a laugh at my digressing ability to use English to communicate! 

Love you! 

Elder Noll

 

July 12, 2014

So, the week has come and gone.

It was great! 

love, Elder Noll

Nah, I'll type a little more!

It was hot hot hot this week! The beautiful sun came out and heated up this place like an oven! I feel like I'm living inside of the fruit dehydrator that my mom uses to dehydrate those apples! (Do you feel like you understand a little more about Taiwan now?) It didn't help that we were in Gaoxiong for half the week... but no matter how hot it might get, it's still more than just worth it to be living in my little oven named Taiwan! It's so great here.

Monday was crazy day number one of the transfer cycle for me, and it was double the crazy because we had twice the amount of people going home... I'll admit, I was pretty stressed out!! hahaha, I'm glad that I have the chance to learn how to live under pressure and make decisions in the moment! Everything ended up alright and we had a great time with the missionaries going home!

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday! We were down in Gaoxiong doing tons of stuff. The biggest thing to happen down there, was the realization that sisters work about twice as fast as elders when it comes to moving apartments! I don't know why we always call the Elders Quorum to help people move... we should be relying on the Relief Society!! We went to move some sisters down in Gaoxiong, and they had already taken everything but their fridge downstairs at their old place! All we had to do was load it up and ferry it over to the new place! It took us just about 2 hours to get it all done! I was very grateful, that's for sure!

We returned to Taizhong on Thursday morning and started working on the interview stuff that was going on over at the Chapel with the Taizhong zone... we had an awesome chance to attend the short training that they did (way awesome) and then also had our chance to interview with President and then Sister Blickenstaff. It was fun to do interviews with them, now that I've had a chance to get to know them so much better! It was like a ten minute chat sessions with a few friends! 

Honestly, that was just about it for the week. I'd like to share really quickly about a principle I learned more about this week... The reality of the fact that WE ALL can change through Jesus Christ. Before you read on, please click the link at the bottom of this message and watch the short video. I believe that the grand majority of us have not fallen into depths as low as this man. So why is it that we think that God has given up on us? Why are we not willing to understand the fact that God is reaching out to let us change? 

Change doesn't have to be a painful thing! In fact, I felt a change in myself this week and I'm feeling a hundred times better than I ever have. I didn't even realize that I was carrying around burdens that I didn't have to carry! On Tuesday and Wednesday night, my companion and I began discussing this topic of change and I realized what I needed to do. I prayed and asked God to support me in my changes and my desires to become more like Christ, I asked for help to compensate for the times when I fail. I testify that He lives. I know that He is ALWAYS there to listen and to comfort. Brothers and Sisters, no matter where you are or what you are doing, I invite you to RIGHT NOW close your eyes and search for Him. You will find Him if you are looking for the right reasons. He is your ever supporting friend, your wise master and loving servant. Come unto Him, and live.

Thank you all for the examples you've been in my life. Without you, I'd be nowhere near where I am now! Thanks guys!

Elder Noll

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=3446112587001

July 4, 2014

Alright everyone... I'm off to see a baptism in the next hour or so, so it'll be a short one for the day. 

I've learned a lot this week. I've learned what it means to really search for God. One of the investigators that was supposed to be baptized this week is unable to reach his goal now because of some worthiness issues... the worthiness issues aren't even his, and so I think it's especially unfair. I heard the news on Sunday, and it hit me pretty hard. I had fasted and prayed so hard that God would help him reach his goal, but it didn't work. I had tried every prayer in the book, but it didn't work. I couldn't help but think to myself: "WHY didn't it work?" I thought to myself about how unfair the whole situation was and how heartbroken I felt to know that he was being kept from blessings which he could so easily reach if he would but use his Agency for good. I had put a "pavilion" between myself and God with all of these thoughts and bitter worries.

God is always there. He truly is our Father, and although it seems to us that He is so far away, He knows how close we truly are to Him. Although you may feel that you are forgotten, if you feel like God doesn't know or even care, if you can't seem to feel the precious love that He has for you, I exhort you to "de-clutter" your life right now. Take away those things that are adding unnecessary stress, those things that merely distract or take up time, and God will fill that emptiness IF it's what you're searching for. I promise that these things are true. They are plain and as precious as can be.

I love you all. You mean so much to me, and know that I'm praying for you by name very often. I've felt and watched myself change so much in the past year and a half, and yet my feelings for all of you have only grown and deepened to a whole other level. Thank you for your support and your love, know that you are loved in return.

Love, Elder Noll