Our First Letter!!!

Dear Family, 

With Elder Lloyd - My Mandarin Speaking Buddy!
Elder Lloyd is Going to Singapore
(Every Fast Sunday Six Best Friends Wear Matching
Ties to Remind Each Other Wherever They
Are Serving of the Commitment They Have Made)

Wow, time flies by here!  My first Pday is already here.  When I first got here Elder Hayes picked me up, it was great.  It is so amazing to see so many friends here from Bountiful High.  My companion is a super cool guy, He is HILARIOUS!!! haha, he is from Connecticut. On only the second third day we had to teach our investigator.... in all Mandarin.  I have learned more Mandarin these last few days than I did in all the years I took Chinese. The lesson didn't go great, we couldn't understand what she was saying, and she understood only a little of what we said, but it was a great experience.  We went back to the classroom after only to find out that we had to do the very same thing again the next day.  I was kinda scared haha, but my companion and I really tried to teach by the spirit and not by words because we knew our words weren't enough.  So we gave our lesson the next day and focused it on families, because from what we understood the day before is her Father practiced Taoism and her Mother practiced Buddhism.  So her family from what we understood wasn't really together in everything.  As we taught we really felt the spirit and so did she.  Our words may have been broken, but the spirit can speak to anyone. I am studying as hard as I possibly can to learn this language, it is so tough. It's the hardest thing that I have ever done. It is so worth it though.  The spirit is so strong in the MTC. Everything is so organized and inspired here.  It is amazing.   I love this scripture D&C 50:22.  When I am discouraged about the language it has really helped me feel the spirit and Gods love for me and everyone here.  I also saw Elder Lloyd. I see him every day.  It is something I look forward to every day. This gospel is amazing.  

This is How We Gain Weight!!!

I have one final message, we listened to Elder Bednar talk last night. It was recorded. Not live, but it was called the Character of Christ.  I feel it has changed me.  Simply put the character of Christ looketh outward in every situation the natural man or we look inward to ourselves. Having a testimony is not enough. Even those who have testimonies fall away.  We must become converted, by developing the character of Christ.  We do that by gaining a testimony, and actually living it.  When we become converted unto Christ we will never fall away.  How powerful is that.  Think of Christ.  Even after he atoned for every single one of our sins he came out to find His best friends asleep, then came out to be betrayed, then what was he concerned about.  The guard’s ear.  Let’s all focus on becoming more like Christ in everything we do.  I love you all so much, with all my heart. 

Love, 

Elder Redding

Two Days Before Entering the MTC!

July 21, 2014 -

Two days before Tanner entered the MTC to begin his missionary service, we had some pictures taken on the Bountiful LDS Temple grounds.

On the steps of the East door of the Bountiful Temple

With Family - Including Both Sets of Grandparents

With Siblings

Elder Redding Facing West - Toward Taiwan at Sunset from the Bountiful Temple Grounds
The photographer, Faleshia Pyles', oldest son loves this picture and says it means "Miracles Await!"