DON'T PULL OUT THOSE PHONES IN SACRAMENT MEETING!

TRANSFER 10 - WEEK 1

"Sometimes here in Taiwan, well actually a lot of the time, things can get physically but also spiritually exhausting. I am just soooo tired. But I loved all the talks from General Conference on love, fasting, charity, and service for OTHER people. They lift you up and keep you going.  When we really give our everything to Christ he will immensely bless our lives and give us that drive to keep going. He's that voice that through the spirit is telling you to open up the scriptures, get on your knees and pray, do 1 more push up, do your homework, 

do good things, and ENDURE to the end. Love that. 

Keep going and persevere in all righteous desires.  ...Endure to the end is wassup."   

Elder Tan, Elder Westover and Elder Willes

Hello from Taiwan,

I'm now on my 10th transfer. It is crazy how the time flies. I'm loving every minute of being a missionary. I love and miss everyone, but I really don't want to come home. I love it here. I love the people. I love the work. And I love the LORD. This week was a bitter sweet one as I said goodbye to my trainer Elder Westover. I can't really put it into words how much he has influenced my life. When I got on the island he taught me so much about obedience, patience, love, and following the spirit.

General Conference was awesome this week. Just incredible. (Members in Taiwan watch General Conference a week later). I had a lot of favorite talks. Two were on Saturday by Elder Oaks and Elder Perry. I loved how the focus this conference was on families. The hope for eternal families becomes a REALITY through Jesus Christ. Only through HIM can we receive that blessing God wants to give us. This general conference was so special. I took 10 questions for myself, others, investigators, etc., and received really cool answers to every one of my questions.  I love seeing so many members of the church gathered together.  It is inspiring.  We are such a minority out here.   

Sometimes here in Taiwan, well actually a lot of the time, things can get physically but also spiritually exhausting. I am just soooo tired. But I loved all the talks on love, fasting, charity, and service for OTHER people. They lift you up and keep you going.  When we really give our everything to Christ he will immensely bless our lives and give us that drive to keep going. He's that voice that through the spirit is telling you to open up the scriptures, get on your knees and pray, do 1 more push up, do your homework, do good things, and ENDURE to the end. Love that. Keep going and persevere in all righteous desires.  Christ is everything. I love Him so much. 

I love my comp Elder Tan. He is a hard worker and so loving. My pants ripped in a place that needed sewing immediately and he sewed them for me. We get along great and we see miracles daily and enjoy the work so much together. 

Elder Tan's mom sent us these Superman t-shirts

This week I learned a lot about charity. One thing that mom and dad have always taught me was to do things for the right reasons. If you don't do something with a happy heart why bother doing it at all? So this week as I've tried to just have charity in all things, the work has been so much smoother and interestingly this week has actually been a little harder. A lot of our investigators have dropped off. Xiao1 JM still is having doubts and questions. We are still working with her. Ding1 DX is doing better, but still smoking. And our investigator Wei Wei her parents oppose so bad that she can't meet with us anymore. 

Wei wei with the Elders from our apartment

We had a really sad experience yesterday, Sunday. We were out contacting and started talking to this 15 year old girl. All the sudden her uncle came out and just started yelling at her for talking to us and screamed at her to get in the house. We tried to talk things out with him and apologize but he wouldn't talk to us. It was kinda depressing. We just sat on the side of the road, sang a few hymns, said a prayer, and went back at it! Then we found all these potential families that said another day we could meet with them, but not today. But then, in a little alley we ran into a college student. We prayed for her to read the Book of Mormon and she still said she didn't feel anything. We then invited her to pray. She said a prayer and after she was all teary eyed and said she had a very special feeling she didn't know how to describe. I was really grateful that the Lord let her feel the spirit as SHE acted. As we act and give our souls spiritual food we will be nourished and have joy, peace, and comfort in all circumstances. 

We gave out 6 copies of the Book of Mormon this week and that was really cool! They switched the districts around so our district now is with the 2 elders in our apartment and 2 other elders. It should be tons of fun! I'm loving the work and don't want to be anywhere else. Endure to the end is wassup! One cool thing I realized this week is how priorities change on a mission. It's not because I've changed them, but Heavenly Father is HELPING me see what really matters in life. Don't pull out those phones in sacrament meeting! Love you all! 

Elder Willes

The Yu family.  They are great!

A bug flew into my eye during a lesson

We went to Taipei 101 for p-day.  That is the sickest building ever!

BECAUSE HE LIVES

TRANSFER 9 - WEEK 6

After a LONG day.  It is getting HOT again here.  Sweating TONS.

Elder Willes and Howard.  He is an awesome member!

Aloha! (Just felt like putting something random right there!) Hope everyone has had a good week! I am so sorry about the Leishmans. I will be praying for them. This week was great here in Taiwan. Saw lots of miracles. 

Our investigator Ding1 DX is still struggling. We met with him on Monday and he just can't seem to give up smoking. I had the chance to give him a priesthood blessing and the spirit was so strong. The priesthood is such a special gift. As long as we are worthy and use it in righteousness and love we can use this special gift to bless the lives of others. I'm always reminded of when I broke my jaw and Dad, my uncles, and grandfathers all laid hands on my head and gave me a blessing. The spirit was so strong. I felt so comforted. So grateful Heavenly Father trusts and loves us enough to let us have this gift. Also, it gives us men an obligation and responsibility so we will live to a higher standard. Love it! 

In District Meeting this week we talked about the Book of Mormon. We did a cool little role play where I had everyone randomly flip to a scripture in the Book of Mormon and use that scripture in a role play. Everyone had really cool scriptures! I shared Helaman 5:9 ["...Remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea remember that he cometh to redeem the world."] Super cool. We all need to rely on the Book of Mormon. I testify that when we seek God through the Book of Mormon He will lead and help us and give us answers to our questions in the Book of Mormon. I've seen it countless times. It's the truest book out there. One of my biggest regrets before the mission is not reading the Book of Mormon as much as I should have.

Our district 

Our board after district meeting.  We made a list of many of the things we can do
in missionary work and how we can use our time wisely.

We had a really cool experience this week meeting with a less active member. He was pretty hard-hearted. We met with him and at one point in the lesson after my companion testified of the Sabbath Day I said, " I know what my companion says is true." This man just started laughing and said, "Why do you missionaries always say that phrase? You don't need to say it." I'm not even kidding, the Spirit just like filled my mind and mouth instantly and I thought of this really cool example I could share with him. I started telling him about how EVERY time Heavenly Father has introduced His son Jesus Christ whether to prophets, at Christ's baptism, to the Nephites, and to Joseph Smith, He says, "This is my Beloved Son. (In whom I am well pleased/ Hear Him) EVERY time. Because Heavenly Father loves His son Jesus Christ so much He wants others to hear Him.  He is pleased with Him and they share common purpose. They stand together.  After I told him this I told him I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and I love my companion too.  We stand together.  We share common purpose and I testify that what he had said is true." SO COOL! He didn't say anything! We walked out of his house so pumped and just filled with the spirit.  So so cool! 

Also I got a call this week from my recent convert Xiang4 Mu4 JM! She's in Japan and doing well! Super cool to hear her. She's going to church every week and preparing to go to the temple. Super cool. Also my investigator Ian from Zhong1 Li4 got baptized on Saturday and Lai4 JM my other recent convert, her son Hao4Wei3 was baptized too! So sick! Also Elder Jensen got called to be a trainer so I will be a grandfather now :) ya! 

Ian with Elder Jensen in Zhongli

Lai4 JM's (a recent convert in Zhongli) son Hao4 Wei3

Some cool things this week. We felt prompted to invite this member to share her testimony about baptism at Sacrament meeting for Xiao1 JM. And we also felt like we should invite Yu2 JM (the mom in our recent convert family) to share her testimony. Super awesome. They both did an awesome job. The spirit in Sacrament meeting yesterday was so strong! Xiao1 JM loved it. She's progressing well! Keep her in your prayers please. She's just struggling with not feeling ready and with her health issues. 

Xiao1 JM with Elder Tan and Elder Willes

We found another investigator, a lady on the street, Li3 JM. She's from Indonesia. She came to church! It was awesome. She loved it. We also have another investigator, Mr Lin who is our recent convert's, Lin2 Di4 Xiong1, twin. They look so alike. Mr Lin came to church too. It was awesome. Our recent convert, Lin2 Dx was just leading him around the chapel! 

Super great week! I am SO pumped to hear General Conference.  Love being a missionary. Alma 26 is my favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon. Just explains how I feel.  Go read it. Love you all! Sorry this thing is long. 3 Nephi 15:9 "...Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life."  Just look to Christ. He is everything. He LIVES  helives.mormon.org

#becausehelives

Tang2 DX took us to lunch

Home after a long day.  Lots of rain. Lots of humidity. Lots of sweat.  It's getting hot.

Elder Willes

Mamoo and Boppy thank you for the package!

IT'S WEIRD TO THINK I'VE BEEN ON THIS ISLAND FOR ONE YEAR

TRANSFER 9 - WEEK 5

"I'd be lying if I said it was easy. My mission is easily the hardest thing I've ever done. Every day brings new challenges, setbacks, tests of patience and love, but I've learned the real motivation is Christ. He's the reason for everything. I can feel Him lifting me up and strengthening me. He's there with open arms ready to receive anyone Helaman 3:27-29.  I always tell people on the street about all the things that make me happy: 

family, music, sports, friends, traveling, etc., but the one thing that brings true happiness is the gospel of Jesus Christ. As cliche as that sounds it's true :) Love being a missionary!"

Wu2 Zheng4 Rui4, an 8 year old in our ward was baptized.  We were able  to share all the lessons with him.
He is a super cool kid and comes from a great family!

We found this guy along side the road who had made these crazy things with balloons.
I've never seen anything like it.  Wait until you see the Bumblebee from Transformers (below).  Amazing!

Dear friends and family, 

This week was a great one. Gotta give a big S/O to my companion Elder Tan.  He was pretty sick this week. I think the food finally got to him. It definitely takes some adjusting when you first get on island. He was a saint though. We went out and worked hard every day! We get along great. I feel blessed because in my mission I have gotten along with all of my companions. It's super cool. I love them all. Elder Tan is a great Elder! He's working really hard, his Chinese is improving, and he's doing great!

This week was kind-of a blur. I'm pumped to send you all some really cool and interesting pictures this week. We had a cool zone training up in Taipei and that went great! District meeting also went really smoothly. I loved the Bible videos you sent and we watched one on the sacrament. I was pondering a lot this week about church and what the difference is between going to church and keeping the Sabbath Day holy? I think a lot of times when church is over we spike the football and call the game over but when we make each Sunday a day filled with spiritual nourishment and activities our Sabbath Day will be that much more rewarding and helpful. Super cool! I also think at church we develop an attribute that's harder to develop in other places. LOVE. We learn how to serve, love, grow, strengthen, and most importantly learn to Love God and Jesus Christ and learn about how much they love us individually. It was a super cool little insight this week for me! I know that if you all make each Sunday a more sacred day, sacrifice more things to get away from the world and come closer to our Savior, the Holy Ghost will then be able to help you strengthen your family, fulfill your calling, or whatever need you may have. I invite everyone to make their Sabbath day more of a spiritual day! :)

Not a lot of our investigators were able to make it to church but we met with Ding1 DX. He's still struggling with smoking. We are trying to help him. Also, Lin2 JM is doing good! Wei Wei is also progressing. We are just helping them develop more faith to overcome their trials. Xiao1 JM is doing so great. One of the bravest ladies I've ever met. Comes to church every week and even has seizures at church. I feel so bad for her. I know Christ loves her though. She will get baptized! Hopefully in April! 

Xiao1 JM standing between Elder Tan and Elder Willes

Lin2 Li3 Jun4 with Elder Willes

It's weird to think I've been on this island for 1 year. On my year mark I took the Elders in our apartment to my favorite Thai restaurant for dinner and we ate some goooood food. They have these shrimp pancake things that are so delicious. Yummm. 

The coolest thing about this week was Cai4 JM and Meng4 JM.  I interviewed both of these women for baptism last week and both were baptized this week.  Both of their interviews were so spiritual. I can't even really describe them over email. But they actually both wanted me to baptized them so I had the privilege of baptizing both. It was really cool! Just think it's so special to be able to exercise God's priesthood and to see people you care about so much make the most correct decision of their lives.  It is so so so priceless. Honestly it's too hard to describe over email but it's just the most rewarding feeling as a missionary. It's really special. I leaned over to Cai4 JM during the baptism and asked, "May I ask why you chose me to baptized you?  I'm curious."  She said, "It wasn't me that chose, it was Heavenly Father. I prayed about it." It was such a tender moment for me. Meng4 JM said similar. I love the Taiwanese People!!

Cai4 JM's baptism

Meng4 JM's baptism

I know this church is true! I know I'm really positive in these emails but I'd be lying if I said it was easy. It's easily the hardest thing I've ever done. Every day brings new challenges, setbacks, tests of patience and love, but I've learned the real motivation is Christ. He's the reason for everything. I can feel Him lifting me up and strengthening me. He's there with open arms ready to receive anyone Helaman 3:27-29. I always tell people on the street about all the things that make me happy: family, music, sports, friends, traveling, etc., but the one thing that brings true happiness is the gospel of Jesus Christ. As cliche as that sounds it's true :) Love being a missionary! Love you all! Hope everyone has a great spring break! 

Exchanges and qing3 ke4's

Go check out the #BecauseHeLives video on Mormon.org!

Enjoy some pictures from the streets of Taiwan.  What an amazing place.  I love the people here.

We biked so fast to the internet cafe today so we could email the fam.  I am sweating so much!

Love,

Elder Willes

GOD LOVES EVERYONE---EVEN THOSE WHO DON"T LOVE HIM

TRANSFER 9 - WEEK 4

Da4Jia1hao3 (HELLO EVERYONE)!

Hope everyone has had a good week! Happy birthday Jake! Love you tons man. Eat lots of good, sweet, American food for me! Also, happy birthday to Mamoo! Love you!

Love you took!

This week was another great one. 

P-day was good. We went to this big shopping mall and ate at Chili's.  It was so, so delicious. I got this HUGE molten chocolate cake thing. Oh man. Prime. 

On Tuesday we had a really cool district meeting. I was really trying to think of ways we could all help our RC's and LA's grow because that was the topic for the meeting. I made this chart with every investigator, RC, and LA in the district with 3 columns next to the names (friend, service, and nourished by the word of God).  This is President Hinckley's counsel to use these 3 tools to retain and strengthen. I invited everyone in the district to use this method with the ward councils and everyone saw cool miracles! The sisters even had a few RC's finally get a calling and temple recommends. We hopefully will have Lin2 Zhi4 Ren2 DX getting a calling here in the next few weeks! Really cool! 

Also we were out finding Tuesday night and it was a rough night of finding until we found this one guy and he was like "I'm Atheist. I gotta go!" I answered, "Please just give us 1 minute to talk to you." I was able to teach him about prayer and pray for him and he felt the Holy Ghost! It was really cool. God loves everyone even those who don't love Him. 

Finally got a box with more copies of the Book of Mormon

On Wednesday we met with our investigator Xiao1 JM. She is great. Came to church for the 3rd straight week. She is still worried about baptism. She feels scared but after we met with her she said this really cool prayer and said, "Sometimes I feel like this impossible. Please make impossible become possible!!" She said this all in English. She's so great. I just feel bad for her. She has seizures every day and had another one at church. Pray for her. She is coming unto Christ! Also, English class was NUTS. In our beginner class we had over 30 people haha it was so awesome. If we have that many this week I will take a picture for you!

We also met with Lin2 Li3 Jun4 whose parents oppose him learning about Jesus Christ but he still comes to church every week. He set a new baptismal date for August 2016 when he turns 20! He will make that date! 

On Friday I did a baptismal interview for the zone leaders investigator.  Cai4 JM is a 24 yr old girl with so much faith. Her family opposes and she's the oldest in her family. It was such a spiritual experience for both of us. She will get baptized this next week! We also met with our new investigator Lin2 JM a 70 year old christian lady. We had our RC Lin2 DX help us with that lesson. When we got to the restoration Lin2 DX just took over and taught with the spirit. My jaw dropped. Seeing my RC teach the restoration so powerfully was unreal! Our investigator was like, "Oh I get it! That's why we needed a restoration! Because the authority wasn't on the Earth." Lin2 DX answered, "No mistake." I was so pumped.  It was so so so sick! 

We spent a lot of time finding and English boarding this week.  Met with Isabel.  Her parents still oppose but we are hoping to meet with them and help their hearts to soften.  On Sunday I did another baptismal interview for the sisters. Meng2 JM. So cool! I can't tell you how much I love seeing people just glowing with excitement and their desire to get baptized! Went really well!

On Sunday all the church topics were on the talk, "Is it I?" and then that day I got the letter from mom with the talk, "Is it I?" Super cool! 

I just want to testify of the restoration of the gospel. I don't think before my mission I realized how important the restoration is. I didn't realize how crucial it is that we have a testimony that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. I testify that he did! The Book of Mormon is true. If you doubt these things go ask God. He answers every real intent and sincere prayer. I know that because I've tested it. It works! God loves us all. The Book of Mormon is the best and most true book on Earth. Love you all! Have a great week!

Elder Willes

Another really wet week in Taiwan - We woke up early this morning, p-day, to go to McD's for breakfast and got drenched!  It's crazy!  This week we have had several dry days and apparently they were going to shut off all the water supply for a few days.  All the members told us to pray for rain so we could have running water.
BOY DID IT COME DOWN!