... They Lived After the Manner of Happiness!

Dear Family and Friends, 

I hope and pray that all of you had a wonderful Christmas.  This Christmas was very special.  I gave  

me opportunities to ponder upon the life of our Savior.  This Christmas I was filled with gratitude and joy. What a joyous message!!  over 2000 years ago a Savior was born.  For us.  That is so awesome!!  This week it was so great to talk to you all.  I loved seeing all of your faces and hearing the same funny jokes that I was still hearing before I left. hahaha!  Some things just never change... ;) hahaha!  Anyways... here is how the week went!

Elder Cox and Elder Redding

This week I went on an exchange with Elder Pun.  He is from Salt Lake and that was a lot of fun.  We were able to teach this one new investigator and President Rao was there with us.  President Rao is such a stud.  He just knows how to share truths about the gospel.  We were very grateful to have him.  We invited her to pray to God just to even know if He is there.  She accepted the invitation.  We have followed up with her and she still doesn't feel like she has gotten an answer but she is willing to keep trying.  We are hoping and praying that she can receive and answer.  

Elder Redding as Santa at Branch Christmas Party

This week Elder Cox and I decided to travel to one of our further secondary areas to go and look for LA members.  It was such a huge miracle.  We started biking and ended up in these fields and we didn't really know where we were... hahah so we just kept heading North because we knew that was the was that we needed to head! haha! Well we got there and didn't get lost.  So when we got there we went to this place that sells frogs to eat! haha!  We ate lunch and then started to search for these people.  As we were searching we decided to get a map... because asking people these random addresses were just taking to all these places that were really far away and it was taking a lot of time.  I wasn't sure about the idea of getting a map at first because I didn't want to waste the time sitting down finding where all these people were when I thought  that we might as well just keep asking people... because we were finding success.  We decided to buy the map anyways and sat down and started mapping out all of the people that lived in this secondary. (北港 beigang) It took a while to map it all out but it was worth it.  It gave us a clear vision of where we wanted to go.  So we decided to start in this corner of the city and work our way down.  Well... the first house that we went to... there was no one there and the phone number was bad.  So we started asking neighbors if these people lived there.  Luckily asking these neighbors bought us enough time so that when we went back to their home they had returned.  It wasn't actually the person we were looking for but it was his sister in law.  She told us that he was in Canada, and that she had met missionaries before.  She had 3 little kids with her and it was cool.  We got her number and she agreed to let us come back and visit her family... just like in Canada.  Well.. when we left I had such a weird feeling.  I felt like we needed to stay there and continue to talk to them.  We went of and started contacting this older couple who was really awesome.  However the whole time we were contacting them I just kept feeling like we needed to go back and see that family and wait with them until they could get in there home.  Finally I was convinced that we were going to go to 7 and buy a little treat for the kids and wait and talk to them until they got the key.  Right then the older couple gave us these couple sodas... and I just felt like we needed to rush back to their home.  Right when we got there someone was just heading in the house.  However it wasn't her... it was her brother.  We told him that we just wanted to give these sodas to the little kids so they didn't have to wait so long and be bored... haha.  Right then he called his sister and then they ended up inviting us in to have dinner with them.  We then were better able to understand them and even share with them.  We had a prayer and taught their 12 year old son how to pray.  He said the closing prayer.  It was such a huge miracle!!!  There were so many things that led up to that that allowed us to be there  at just ther right time.  God loves his children.  I know that to be true.  

Christmas was awesome.  I even got to be Santa Clause!!! hahahaha!!! Our branch loved it.  I will send you guys some pictures.  I love you all so much.

This week I read about Nephi.  I read about how Nephi and his people "lived after the manner of happiness".  I know that this is a direct result of following the commandments and being obedient.  "I  the Lord am bound when you do what I say, but when you do not what I saw ye have no promise. "  The blessings that the Lord has promised us are so great.  We can't even comprehend them! I love you all.  Live after the manner of happiness!! :) 

Elder Redding

Blessed are the Pure in Heart...

Dear Family and Friends, 

This last week has been great!!!  It has been such a blessing to be serving with Elder Cox!  He is a

great missionary with an amazing attitude!!  This week we saw some amazing miracles and I can't wait to tell you all about them.  This week it has gotten really cold here in TaiBao... well I think it is cold anyways!! hahaha!!! It probably would feel great to you guys but I think that I have become Taiwanese!!! hahahah!

On Tuesday right after we finished our studies we had planed to walk (because Elder Cox's Bike hadn't been moved yet) to this place in Taibao.  As we left the door we had the feeling to go a different way to this place.  It didn't really make sense at the time because TaiBao doesn't really have people anyways and if we walked this other way then I felt like there really wouldn't be anyone... I thought it might be a waste of time... I thought about it for a sec and decided to act on it.  Sure enough... there weren't a whole lot of people... haha and right when we were about to get where we had planned to go we saw this lady sitting on the swings at the park with her little girl.  We decided to go and talk to her.  It was so cool... the more we got talking the more open she got with us and then shared about a recent divorce that she had.  She has 3 kids and only 1 of them live with her.  We were able to talk about the peace and happiness that the Savior brings.  It was so cool!!  She said that she would be willing to come to church sometime... maybe for the Christmas party?? (We have a branch Christmas party on the 25th).  It was such a huge miracle.  We then had to hurry and take a bus to JiaYi City for DTM.  

The DTM topic this week this week was the DL's choice.  So I decided to teach it on how to have an effective personal study.  As I was preparing the DTM it really hit me how vital the hours are before we leave the door every morning.  The literally make or break the day.  It is the key to keeping our spiritual fuel from running out for the day.  So we talked about some key things to having an effective study in the morning.  I think that it was Elder Holland who once said the a missionary will either make or breaks his mission in the first few hours of every day.  The DTM was very uplifting and motivating.  In the end it came down to something that I have heard President Blickenstaff say a few times now.  " This is your mission, you are responsible for what happens out here ... take control of it. " It is simple.  This is our life that our loving Heavenly Father has given us.  You better believe that He wants us to have success and happiness.  It is up to us to take control of it.  The beauty is that in this process we are not alone.  As we use the gospel of Jesus Christ and His atonement to pattern our lives it as if we are never alone.  He is always right beside us.  

I came away from that DTM with a greater desire to study the gospel and change myself.  In our apartment on the wall there is a scripture.  It has become one of my favorite scriptures... 

Mathew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

This scripture means a lot to me.  I have read it over, and over, and over this week.  It has hit me seeing God, we will all have the chance to do that some day... but when we purify our hearts we have the chance to see him every day.  We can see him in every little thing around us.  We will see his hands in all things!  I want more that anything to purify and allow the desires of my heart to see God in everything that I do.  We we see god in everything we do we will be filled with the Holy Ghost.  This is literally Heaven on Earth.  

Christmas Party

This week we also had the opportunity to participate in the JiaYi City parade!!! It was so cool!! It so amazing to see the streets of Taiwan filled with Christmas cheer.  There was a special power in our little band of members.  There was a difference.  I was so happy... I also got to see an old friend named Chester.  I met him in DaKeng when he came and visited Elder Munger.  It was great to see him!!  

Family, I love you all so much.  Thank you for always making Christmas so special for me.  You have made this time of year unforgettable for me.  I love you all.  I pray this you all can be filled with the love of Christ in these next few days.  He loves you is always ready to remind you of that love.  I hope that in the next couple of Days you all get a chance to sit alone in a quiet place and think of the Savior.  Imagine you were there sitting next to that manger.  Just you and Him.  And you could look into His eyes... those pure eyes and know and feel the deep love that he has for you!!! I love you all!!!  

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! 

Elder Redding 

Short on Time - Mini Move Call

District Training Meeting Splits

Thank you so much for the letter!!  It means a ton!  I just picked up my new companion!  His name is

With Elder Larsen and Visitor from MingJian

Elder Cox and he is awesome!!! I can't wait to work with him.  I am still in TaiBao.  We had a mini movecall come out on Sunday because of so many missionaries leaving in December.  It was so great to serve with Elder Larsen.  He will be really missed! He is a great friend!  :)

We Have A Savior!

Dear Family and Friends, 

Biking in TaiBao Area

This week has been fantastic!!  It has been full of miracles and I am so grateful that I have been given this sacred opportunity to serve the Lord.  I love him.  I love the people here in Taiwan.  I hope that this Christmas season I can be the servant that the Lord would have me be in order to bring more people to a knowledge of their Savior.  That is about the happiest news that I think I have ever heard in my life.  We. Have. A. Savior. I testify that he loves each and every one of us very personally and he is not only willing to do anything for us... he has already done it all for us.  I hope that during this time of year that all of you can feel of the love that our Savior has for us.  

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which 

shall be to all people.

 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

That is one of my favorite scriptures. 

This week we had the opportunity of meeting with "J" again.  She is doing so well.  She came to church this week and the ward just loved her to death.  It was a really neat thing.  When we met with her this week she actually brought a friend.  We invited our Branch President to join in the lesson with us.  We taught about the Book of Mormon.  It was very peaceful and spiritually.  We were able to bear powerful testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon.  It was so awesome.  

We also had 2 other investigators come to church yesterday... which was so cool.  That is really rare I guess in this area.  The branch seemed very excited about it!  Also, during fast and testimony meeting I had the opportunity to share my testimony.  I bore my testimony of the pure love of Christ.  I shared of why I came out on my mission and told the story of my amazing older brother courageously going out and serving the Lord.  I shared of what an influence that had on my life.  I want this type of love to fill the whole world.  I really was grateful for the opportunity to share my testimony.  

We did a ton of biking this week out to all of our areas to track down LA's and see if they still live where the records say they do.  It was a lot of work and we still have a lot of work to do.  It is kinda fun though.  They are long rides in the middle of fields and I love my companion.  We talk a lot about baseball and our futures together.  I am grateful for the companions that I have had that have been so kind to me and have truly become my best friends.  

This week we had like 5 new investigators.  This next week will be very busy.  Elder Larsen and I have high hopes for TaiBao.  ...I know that the Lord does as well.  So Elder Larsen and I have committed to giving it all we can here and relying on the Lord.  So far the Lord has blessed us more that we could ever even imagine.  

Thank you for everything you guys have done for me in my life.  I love you all and hope that this Christmas season fills you with joy with the reminder that we have a Savior.  Those are some of the most beautiful simple words that I can think of.  We have a Savior, Christ the Lord.  

Love all of you, 

Elder Redding

Elder Redding and Elder Varvel (MTC Companions) at Sun Moon Lake Christmas Party

Mission Christmas Party - Sun Moon Lake Area

Mission Christmas Party

Elder Hamula and Elder Redding - Sun Moon Lake Christmas Gathering

2015 Christmas Gathering - Sun Moon Lake

Powerful Week!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was so amazing!!  It was a crazy week filled with biking, buses, trains, an apostle, baptisms, and miracles!!!  It was pretty amazing. haha

So my new area is really big... and I love it!!  It is beautiful!  It is in a place that at night I can actually see the stars.  It is beautiful!  They are nothing like the stars that we can see from our house in Bountiful... but they really are neat.  Because we are on the outskirts of JiaYi, we have to travel back to downtown JiaYi for District meeting and stuff. We are about a 40 min bus ride from Downtown.  We have a lot of secondary areas... and this week was just cool seeing a lot of them.  

The area hasn't had a baptism in the last 6 months... and at the start of this week we didn't have anyone with a goal or anything.  So Elder Larsen and I just went to work this week and trusted in the Lord.  We ended up finding some awesome people... one of which was at a 7 eleven near a college.  Her name is "J" and we met her and her friend and shared about Christ and having faith in him.  We invited them to come to English the next night.  That night we had more people than had ever come... including "J" and her friend.  At the end of English we did a spiritual share on Christmas and had a prayer.  I invited one of the new students to say the prayer.  They were willing... hahah it was a long prayer... haha but when it finished I looked up and there were just tears coming down "J"s face.  She felt the spirit!  It was amazing.  We set up to teach her on Saturday morning.  We taught her the first lesson and we set a baptismal date with her for the 26th of December.  :)  It was awesome.  

This week we traveled back to TaiZhong as you know and had the privilege of hearing from an Apostle of the Lord.  It was so amazing.  He talked about a lot of different things.  As he spoke all I could feel was love.  I had the opportunity to shake his hand.  I know that he is a chosen servant of the Lord.  It is just something that I know without a doubt in my mind.  He was so humble and kind.  I was one of the first to shake his hand and then went and sat in the chapel and had the opportunity of watching him shake everyone's hand.  As I watched him shake everyone's hand I got a little choked up... Just watching him I could feel the love of the Savior.  I imagined at that moment what it would have been like to have been on the earth when Christ was and to be able to watch him serve.  I know that we all will have a chance to meet Christ and we all will know that He is our Savior.  I know that he is and know that he loves us.  Then to close we all sang the mission song... haha i think that every time I sing it I cry... hahaha!!  It was neat.  Elder Stevenson gave us all one of the most special blessings at the end.  It was so powerful.  I cannot describe that feeling.  

This Saturday I was not able to attend the "G..." family baptism... :(  I called President and he was just afraid that it was too far away.  I was okay with his response - I understood.  The most important thing is that they were able to take another step closer towards their Savior.  That truly warms my heart.  They truly are my family in Taiwan.  I love them.  I would do anything for them.  I feel so blessed to have learned from them.  Ahhh... just awesome!!!  

Sunday we biked... and biked... and biked... hahahah!!!  We had to go to JiaYi city for a bigger meeting.  Elder Stevenson was also there... hahah so I was really lucky... I got to hear him twice.  He talked of Faith!!  It was powerful!  Sunday was also met another new Investigator and set a baptismal goal with him.  The Lord is really blessing us!!  

I love you all so much!!!  Keep up the great work!!  

Love, 

Elder Redding

Goodbye GangShan

Dear Family and Friends, 

Good-bye GangShan

Well this week was very special and very hard as well.  It was hard because I was called to leave GangShan.  I have really grown to love that place.  I have spent a half a year there... and it has been
such a great blessing.  It was special because of the true love I felt for the people here.  I have come to love these people so much.  They will forever be in my heart.  At this time of thanks giving I am grateful for the gospel which allows us through the Savior and his love to take these relationships and make them eternal. I am so grateful for that.  I can't imagine leaving these people without that knowledge.  This week was very hard to leave all of the people but especially the "G..." Family.  They are like my family in Taiwan.  I love them so much.  I am so grateful that they have decided to follow Jesus Christ's example and be baptized.  I hope that I can make it to their baptism... but if not I understand.  I am just grateful that they have made this choice and know that Heavenly Father will bless them so much.  

I have been called to serve in TaiBao! There are 30 members. It is in the JiaYi district!!!  I am really excited about the opportunities that lay in store. My new companion is Elder Larsen!  He is from Utah and he is a stud.  I am really looking forward to serving with him.  It will be a great adventure.  I am really grateful for this opportunity the Lord has given my to come to serve in JiaYi. I hope that I can work hard to help those who dwell in TaiBao.   

This week as I left GangShan my heart was full of love for the eternal friendships that were made there.  I will miss all of those people.  I believe I will see them again someday.  I pray that I will.  I love this gospel and know that it is true.  

As part of this thanksgiving I also want all of you to know that I am grateful for you.  You are my family and friends.  I am so grateful that you are in my life.   

This week Elder Stevenson is visiting our mission!!!  WE ARE SO EXCITED!!! The whole mission is going to TaiZhong to hear him speak!  Afterward I believe he is coming to JiaYi for a District Conference that we will be attending!  

Love, 

Elder Redding

The "G..." Family is Getting Baptized!

Dear Family and Friends, 

It has been such a wonderful week here on the beautiful island of Taiwan.  It really has been such a miracle filled week.  I am grateful for the prayers that you all have sent our way.  We couldn't be more grateful.  This email will be a little bit shorter... but will have the most important things that happened this week.  

The biggest miracle that happened this week was that the "G" Family did their baptismal interview and all passed!!!  They will all be baptized on the 28th!!  It has been a real ride with them and I am so grateful for them making this decision in their life.  It is the most important decision that they will ever make.  I know that they feel it.  You can tell in their eyes.  I thought that you guys might like to know "G"Baba's favorite scripture:  it is 3rd Nephi 13:31-33.  

3rdNephi 13:

32 For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

I love this family so much.  They truly are a little bit like my family in Taiwan.  They have been there for me and I hope that during this process they have felt like we have been there for them.  More than anything I know that they have felt the Lord by their side during this process.  

This week as I was looking in the phone I came across a name that I wasn't familiar with... His name was "O...".  I decided to call and see if he was interested in meeting with us or not.  To my surprise he was very very willing.  We met up at the McDonalds and ate together and then went to the church and had a lesson.  He was super cool.  He is in the military... so his time is never really sure.  He had the rest of the weekend off.. so we set up with him before he went back.  We met with him again and shared of the importance of the Book of Mormon.  We promised him that as he read he would also be able to have a special experience with it.  We invited him to be baptized and he accepted.  He has a goal for the 26th of December... WE will be praying for a WHITE CHRISTMAS!! ;) haha.  The coolest part of the lesson was the prayer that he said at the end.  He prayed so sincerely.  He prayed to know if it was true.  He prayed that the Book of Mormon could help him become a better person.  It was really special. 

The other miracle of the week was so cool.  We got home on Thursday night and were planning and there wasn't a whole lot set up for Friday.  I had a thought that we should go to one of our secondary areas... specifically that we should go and visit this LA.  We had visited him about 4-5 months before... twice and both times he was really cold to us.  He owns a scooter shop and both times we went there was no one in there and he said he had no time for us.  I had the thought to visit him... but had no idea what we would say.  We were praying very hard that night and that day that we would at least have a chance to talk to him this time.  We got there and once again there was no one in his shop.  This time we saw him and he was completely a different person.  He looked happier..this time he invited us in.  We spent the next 45 min just getting to know him and talking.  In the end I felt like we should share about the tree of life.  We shared about that (1st Nephi 8) At the end we were able to testify to him how important is is that we stay by the tree.  I expressed how important it is to him that we stay by the tree.  That when trials come we can simply reach up and eat the fruit and feel of Gods love.  As we leave the tree however it gets really hard to feel that love in the middle of our trials.  He really appreciated the share.  I know that he felt it.  This was so important because we asked if we could come back again some other time... he told us yes.  I know that he will make it back by the "tree".  It was such a miracle.   

I love you all so much and am so grateful for your safety.  I know that Heavenly Father loves all of his children.  I love you all so much!  

Love, 

Elder Redding 

A Whirlwind Week!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

Mission Training Meeting with Elder Wong

It has been another whirlwind of a week. It has been awesome though.  This week was our mission

tour.  So Elder Wang of the 70 came and visited our mission.  It was great.  So we all went to the ShiZhong Chapel to have our mission tour.  It was really interesting the way we started this time... all of the District and ZoneLeaders all went into a room about 30 min before it started with President and with Elder Wang and Elder Wang gets up and tells us that we can ask him any question.  Based on the questions that we asked he answered them and then did the whole mission tour.  hahah it was crazy and all just by the spirit! haha The Assistants and I were talking and they told me that every single time that he did it... it was different.  haha.  So that was cool.  One thing that we focused on was teaching to the needs of our investigators rather than just telling them everything that we know.  It was cool because right after we had a chance to do this.

Mission Training Meeting with Elder Wong

Yesterday after church we had a new investigator come to meet with us.  I met him almost 4 months ago... at that time we got his number and he said that he didn't have time until November!! hahaha!! Usually when people say that... it just kinda means that they don't have interest.  haha but for some reason this time I kept his number in a place to and would see it periodically for the last 4 months.  Well this last week rolled around and I saw it once again.. so I called and sure enough he was back and he said that he would come. When we met with him I had in my mind what Elder Wang had taught us... It really helped.  We taught to his needs and helped him feel the spirit!!  He was great.  We meet with him again this next Thursday.  

I am so happy about Kennedy and her team winning it all!! That is so awesome!!  I am very very proud of her and her hard work!!  Super super cool!!  

The other miracle that happened this week was on Saturday.  We went over to the "..." family and they committed this week to doing a baptismal interview... Which is huge!!  We hope that afterward they can be baptized within a week! It would be very very special if I could still be here for that.  I sure do love that family.  They mean a lot to me and I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to learn and grow with them!  

The scripture that I really felt come to life this week is found in Revelations 21:3-4.  I had an opportunity to share this scripture this week in a lesson.  It was right after an investigator of ours had just shared some very personal challenges with us and afterwards we were able to use this scripture and testify of our Heavenly Fathers love for us.  As we shared this scripture we could feel the spirit tell her that it was true and could see the hope in her eyes.  It was very special.  

Sure do love you guys!! Keep up all the great work.  I am sure proud of all you guys!! 

Love, 

Elder Redding

Happiness is a Choice!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week was another crazy barn-burner... haha! The weeks fly by out here.  It honestly feels like just yesterday we were sitting here doing emails.  

This week started off great.  We met with a family.  We met them a week and a half ago.  We were riding our bikes by the husband and he was outside washing his car.  I automatically thought about baptism and washing away our sins... haha. (naturally)  So we pulled up by him and I related baptism and washing our cars to him... hahah he seemed to have interest.  So we set up a time.  Sure enough sunday came around and we met with them.  It went great.  We shared the first and invited them to pray about joseph smith.  We saw them on saturday as well, and we shared the Joseph smith video with them and talked about baptism and the sacrament. It was really special.  The husband seems to be a pretty devout Buddhist... but he said he would be willing to read and pray about the book of mormon with his wife!  

English Class of High School Students

About a month ago as we were biking a lady approached us and told us that she was a teacher at a local high school and heard about our English class.  She wanted to know if we could come to the

school.  I told here that we could... but that we would also need to share the gospel as well.  She was great with that.  She wanted to give us money... haha but we told her that we would like to do it for free.  I think that she was surprised! haha.

So this week we went to their class and taught them.. It was really fun!!  at the end we took about 20 min and taught them about the gospel.  We asked how many had met missionaries before... out of about 30 of them only about 1 or 2 had.  We shared about Heavenly Father and Prayer.  I think that it touched their hearts.  It was so cool.  We will be going back in a couple weeks.  I was really grateful for that opportunity to share the gospel with these students and let them feel of the holy ghost.  I have full confidence that they will have opportunities in the future to learn more about our church and about Jesus Christ.  I believe what we are doing now is preparing them for a future day.  Although we cannot see the immediate fruits of our labors we must have faith that the things we are doing now are not going unnoticed.  No act of goodness no matter how small, is ever wasted. 

Alma 27:

16 And it came to pass that as Ammon was going forth into the land, that he and his brethren met Alma, over in the place of which has been spoken; and behold, this was a joyful meeting.

 17 Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, evento the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth.

 18 Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness. 

I love this scripture!  As I read about Ammon in my personal study it inspired me to become a "humble seeker of Happiness. Happiness is a choice and it is up to every single one of us.  We get out of this life what we put into it.  So what ever we are doing in life let us find happiness therein. It is there.  There is happiness in this gospel.  Our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy.  He has given us countless tools to find happiness in this life.  It starts within us... it starts with a decision.  I hope and pray that we can all DECIDE to be happy.  I know that if we come to our Heavenly Father in HUMBLE prayer... he will illuminate our minds through the Holy Ghost.  He will help us know what we must do to receive this happiness.  In the end... no one can force us to be happy.  That is a decision we must make and I know that the creator of our very souls is more than eager to help us find a way that we can receive more happiness in our lives.  It starts by coming to him. 

Love, 

Elder Redding     

PDay

With the Savior's Help We Can Do All Things

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week has flown by and been a great blessing as well!  This week was full of great events.  This work is important and it is meant to be enjoyed.  It isn't always easy... but it is important to remember the eternal life wasn't a cheap price that the Savior paid for us.  Although at times the road in front of us may appear long and may look scary.  I testify that with the Savior's help we can do all things.  This work and living a gospel centered life is worth it. It always will be.  

This week we went and saw the "G" Family... they are awesome.  They are really going to need some prayers and a lot of faith.  I know that they can do this.  This thing that we hope to help them understand this week is that baptism isn't some grand ending... it is only the beginning.  We do not have to be perfect to follow the example of the savior and receive blessings from our loving Heavenly Father.  We just have to be willing to do our best.  We hope to help them understand this.  We have invited him to keep a gratitude journal every day... I remember when Dad invited us to do that that one Christmas.  That was really powerful!  We also invited him to kneel down at night with his wife before bed and pray together.  He committed to doing so.  I know that it will help.  

Yesterday we had a special experience.  We were out contacting and there was this big Daoist festival going on... and let me tell you.  when daoists party... oh man do they party! hahaha!!  Anyways the park was crazy crowded.  (the festival is for MaZhu... she is the God of the Sea)  anyways I saw this guy on the bench and went up and talked to him... I found out that he was Daoist... haha of course. So I asked him if He believed in a God that is greater than all other Gods... I usually ask this because they believe in a lot of Gods... but rarely grasp the concept of a supreme God or a creator.  He said it probably existed.. I then told him about church... and the feeling there.  We talked for a while and I asked if he had ever felt God's love in his life before... he wasn't sure.  I told him that he would feel it at our church.  It was really neat.  He committed to coming to church with us in two weeks.  I asked him once more at the end to make sure that he was legit about it.. and he said that he would be willing to come a try.  Super awesome!!  

I love you all so much!!  Keep the faith and keep on keepin on!!  Love you all so much!!  

Love, 

Elder Redding

"I Could Possibly Spend the Rest of My Days Here"

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week has flown by... once again.  I have been in Taiwan for about 11 months... crazy.  I can't even believe how the time has gone.  This week we really focused a lot with some of the RC's and LA's we had about taking the next step!!  We are hoping to help them all get to the temple.  That is the goal!! 

This week we met with an LA who has been a member of the church for the longest period of time out of any other member in GangShan.  I hope that makes sense... haha!  Anyways... he is really awesome and has recently gone through the temple to do baptisms for the dead.  We went to his house this week and brought a member with us and shared about the temple.  We invited him and his wife to come up with a goal together of when they can go through the temple and be sealed... and then we committed them to talking to the bishop this week about their goal so that he could work with them... Well when we left their home the member that came with us told us that 15 years ago they he went to this mans house with the missionaries and taught the same thing... so unlike last time,  we were very hopeful that they would talk to the bishop this time.  Well Sunday rolled around and they were at church.. haha and I thought that I better just remind him about what they committed to do.  He remembered and went up to the bishop and they set a time for next week to interview and talk about this goal!!  Awesome!  

This week we also taught JM the Filipino again.  He is awesome!  He even came to church and stayed the whole 3 hours!  We are very hopeful for him. We will meet with him again this week. They are talking about starting up an english gospel principles class for the filipinos.  That would be awesome.  

This week we also found out some sad news... On monday we went decided to go over to "Cs" home.. we hadn't seen him in a while.. and we thought that was really strange.  Well when we got there we found out that his dad was really sick... Long story short.. his dad is really old and "C" was really worried.  We took him to the hospital.  He had like no strength and I had to basically lift him in and out of the car.  This has been really hard on "C".  He is so young and is going through a lot right now.  Keep him in your prayers.  

We went running again on Saturday!!  We ran 6 miles with the GangShan running team.  It was such a blast!! hahah I love this ward so much.  I feel like Ammon when he says that he possibly could spend the remainder of his days among the Lamanites! haha 

This week I did a lot of studying in the Bible... I found the more and more I read the more it truly testifies to me of the Savior’s mission.  The Savior loves us so much.  One thought that really hit me this week was that the Savior was prepared beforehand to perform the atonement.  However, the Savior still had his agency.  He was subject to all the things that we face.. the difference is that he never yielded to any temptations and bore all sorts of pain and trials with patience.  The reason why this thought struck me so hard is that the Savior while he was suffering for us could have given up... but he didn't.  He didn't give up on us.  For that reason we cannot ever give up on him, or anyone else for that matter.  When we let this sink deep into our hearts I truly believe it is enough for us to take on any challenge that this life will throw at us.

JOHN 16:33

  33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me yemight have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation:but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

I love all of you so much!  Thank you for all your emails and letters of encouragement!!  They mean the world.  

Love, 

Elder Redding

Deeper Gratitude for Our Prophet and Apostles!

Dear Family and Friends, 

What a crazy busy and awesome week!!  It has been a week where I have felt a deeper level of gratitude for our Prophet and Apostles than ever before. I am so grateful that we have the chance to receive over 8 hours of pure instruction from their mouths.  They have been called of God.  They are receiving revelation to guide and direct us today.  They know. As President Hinckley said... it is wonderful! This week was crazy... here is how it went!! 

On Tuesday we had ZoneTrainingMeeting and after the Zone Leaders wanted to go on exchanges

Lunch After Training Meeting

again.  I got to go with Elder Hamula!!  I love him.  I was so grateful to be able to serve with him again.  I count him as a companion.  We have been on like 4 or 5 exchanges together plus the week we spent together with Elder Ju in DaKeng.  I knew that going with Elder Hamula we would see miracles.  I went to his area and Elder Chi came to GangShan with Elder Christensen.  Elder Hamula and I went first to the Stake President's home (He actually translates for the prophet in general conference and has some incredible experiences with the brethren) ...anyways we went to their home to teach a new investigator.  She is a friend of the wife.  Elder Hamula and I knew of the importance of a first visit, and as we were there we just relied on the Lord.  The lesson went amazing.  There were questions that we asked here that were really guided by the spirit.  I love teaching with Elder Hamula.  When we teach together it always has just felt so smooth and really has just felt like the spirit has been guiding us. We invited her to be baptized at the end of the lesson and she said that if she came to know it was true that she would be.  We shared a lot about the Holy Ghost.  As we taught that lesson and we and Sister Yang (presidents wife) bore testimony, you couldn't help but feel the love in the room at that time.  It hit me so hard then how important it is that we work through the members.  That is the way to do missionary work. It is more effective and has more meaning.  After we had the lesson we ate with the whole family.. and guess what we ate???  HAWAIIAN HAYSTACKS!!!  hahaha hawaiian haystacks in taiwan!! what the heck?? hahaha!  it was so great!!!  Overall the exchange was awesome!!  I love being with Elder Hamula and it really hit me how important the members are in this great work!!

Wednesday we were traveling again.  Elder Christensen is already half way through training!!  Crazy!!  we had a follow up meeting with all the other trainers and new missionaries in GaoXiong!  It went awesome and was sweet to see President and Sister Blickenstaff!  It is a lot more rare that we see them down here in the South! It was a great treat!  

Thursday we had a lesson with a Filipino and Jonathan came to help us out.  It went awesome! He accepted the invitation to be baptized.  We are still working on a date with him.  The lesson was so interesting.  Haha.. we speak English and then sometimes they just start speaking tagolic.. haha and we don't understand most of the time but the spirit directs us what to say next.  His name is "J"... and he came to General Conference and met some of the other Filipinos in our ward.  It was great!  

Friday we had a cool stake activity.  It was a sports/hiking/running thing!  It was great!  we went with some of our ward.  I will try and send some pics... just for the record GangShan came in first... hahah but some of the other wards weren't really racing... haha but we were! ;) haha

Saturday and Sunday were so special.  I just love the church.  I left all my notes at the apartment... my bad.. haha and you know how at the end of it all it kinda all gets jumbled in you head? haha!  However... I must start out by saying Thank you mom.  You are amazing.  The talk following Elder Holland's reflected on Fathers...  So I must add a big thank you to Dad.  Thank you Dad.  I think that it is fair to say that I have been blessed with the greatest parents in the world.  They love me and they understand me, I can't comprehend how much they love me... but they let me feel it.  Thank you.  Speaking of parents... I loved what Elder Renlund said about loving.  That once we are looking through the eyes of a parent, even our Heavenly Parents is when we are able to really see others as they are.  I loved that.  So I just love you guys. haha

It saddened me to see President Monson as he was, however I know that the short council he gave is important.  As members of His church we have  a responsibility to let our light shine before others.  To be an example of the believers.  The world isn't getting any better or any easier.  All the more reason that we need to be an example.  This world is so confusing right now... it is imperative that we let other see very clearly how this church has blessed us.  With all President Monsons strength and power he shared this with us.  I know that it is important.  

There were a ton of other things that I learned but one last one that I would like to share is that I am not a Ponderizer!! :) I loved that so much.  As I listened to that talk it helped me realize that ponderizing is a way that we can more fully honor our covenants.  As we center Christ in our lives we become ACTIVE covenant keepers.  It just so happens that the covenants we make are all centered on the Savior.  This is the plan.  As we take time to read and ponder the scriptures every day... we put him at the center of our lives.  IM A PONDERIZER!! hahaha 

The last miracle for the week happened yesterday.  Last night we went to ShiHua's house for dinner with the "..." Family.  I was talking to "..." at church and he was telling me that how when he was at church it helped him forget all of life's stresses and worries.  I pondered this and realized that this was the Holy Ghost, but that he might not fully realize that.  So after dinner we shared about the Holy Ghost and brought this up.  We invited them to be baptized.  They accepted!!! :D  They will be baptized on November 7th as a family!!  He has never been ready and always said that he would need time and wouldn't set a date.  I am so excited for them.  They will hit their goals.  I really have faith in them.  

I love you all so much!!  Have a great week!! 

Love, 

Elder Redding 

When You Feel You Can No Longer Stand...Kneel in Prayer

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week has been so fast!!! I can't believe it is already October!!  Where in the world did September go?? Ayyyeahhh! This week has been a very great week.  We are continuing to work hard here in GangShan to find those who are ready to receive this gospel!  It is such a great blessing!!  We are really working with the ward here - the bishopric just changed.  I am very grateful for the organization of the church and the wisdom and humility the leaders have in directing this great work.  I know that Bishop Gao was called to lead and most importantly to serve the ward here in GangShan at this time. 

We had a great opportunity this week to be able to sit down with him for about an hour and a half and just discuss some of our goals and plans and missionaries and how we can best work with him and the ward to accomplish his vision and desire for the ward.  It was such a great experience.  He is really focused on helping the members develop habits that would allow them to become the most spiritually strong they can be personally and also strengthening the families.  It was all so simple but made so much sense.  It was a great experience to sit and set some goals together.  I feel the love he has for the Lord so much when I speak with him.  It is amazing.  I am really excited for this ward.  

This week I really felt the power of the Book of Mormon and saw it in action.  We have been working with "..." who has really been struggling.  We were at the FamilyMart making some calls and I called him... he was still at work but he sounded so bad.  He had no energy or life or anything.  I asked him if he felt that at any time he had felt the Savior’s love in his life.  He said no... and that this burden was so heavy on him.  I told him that that was the role of the Savior.. to lift burdens.  That night during our English meeting there were scriptures shared in Ether 6 about the Jaredites leaving and being on the Sea for almost a year.  That really would be so hard...with all the animals and everything..  It would be tough.  However, in there it talks about the wind constantly blowing them towards the promised land.  I invite you all to read Ether chapter 6 and really pay attention to the reaction when they had reached the promised land.  I knew right when I heard that scripture that that was the one that "..." needed to hear.  I knew it.  Well that night went on... we had English class and at the end he showed up... he doesn't usually show up.  I shared that scripture with him and invited him to read it on his own.  

The following day I got a call from "..." and he called to tell me how happy he was.  He called to tell me that he was going to hang in there.  I know that the Lord is always constantly pushing towards the promised land.  I know that as the Jaredites were on the sea it wasn't always smooth and when the waves crashed over their barges it was often time probably very scary, but I know that the Lord's hand was always there pushing them towards the promised land.  We all need to keep the faith and hang in there... if we feel that we can no longer stand... that is the perfect time to kneel in prayer to our Heavenly Father and cry unto him for help.  I know that the Lord answers our prayers.  

I love the scriptures so much!  I love you all!  Thank you for your constant prayers and love.  I feel your great love.  I love you all!! 

Love, 

Elder Redding 

All of God's Children Are So Important!

Dear Family and Friends, 

This week has been a great week.  It has been full of crazy events and new experiences. This week we had the opportunity to experience the Mid-Autumn festival here.  It was full of BBQ's fruit hats, great food, and fireworks!  It was awesome!!  I really love the ward here.  I feel like everyday I meet people here and I begin to love them more and more.  I know that all of these people are so important in our Heavenly Fathers eyes.  This plan was created for all of us, it wasn't just created for a select few of us that came down to earth.  It was created for all of us.  We all courageously made the decision to participate in God's plan.  We all wanted to live with him again and enjoy all of the blessings that he enjoys.  I believe we knew before hand very well that coming to earth wouldn't not be easy... that we would be tested.  I also believe that we were very excited with the knowledge that we would receive bodies and gain happy joyful experiences that would last forever.  I am so grateful that I chose to participate in this plan and that I have the opportunity to serve here around His children in Taiwan.  Every single soul is precious in our Heavenly Fathers eyes.  This plan is perfect and was designed for our happiness.  It is the plan of HAPPINESS!!! (Moses 1:39) ''This is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."  This is what he glories in... not in himself, but in us.  He glories in our happiness.  He glories in every single ounce of effort we put in to do a little better. He is the Father and he hears and answers every single prayer. 

This week we have been working hard to help these people progress... We had to re-set some goals but that is okay.  It is patience and diligence.  The goals we have right now are really solid!  "P" has a goal for the 17th of October... that will be great for him.  

This week we met with "..."  and he took us out to eat Bing(ice) with him.  It was good, and then he got talking to us about his work and some of the challenges that he has been facing recently.  I invited him to read a chapter every day in 3rd nephi for the next month.  So far he is doing a great job.  I committed to doing that with him.  So I have been doing that as well.  Reading one chapter in 3rd nephi every day is really easy and really is one of the best parts of the day.  I love reading the Book of Mormon!!  

This weekend was crazy with Mid-Autumn festival.  We went to a ward BBQ that was awesome!!  I also saw a family from my old ward in DaKeng! That was super cool! It was super cool to see them.  I really love our ward here in GangShan.  We also got invited to go to a friends house named dark.  He and his mom taught us how to make dumplings!! That was super fun... after we ate them.. That was awesome.  He then took us to dinner at this huge night market! That was awesome!!! 

Last night Willie invited us to his home for another BBQ... the food there was unreal!! hahah there were a bunch of little kids there and I showed them the magic trick that Tay taught me of hitting the cards out of their hands! hahaha they thought that it was the coolest thing ever!! hahah... being there at Willie's home with his family reminded me again of how important all of Gods children are!  I am so grateful for last night's experience.  

I love you all so much!! Sorry this email is kinda crazy... we are going to Monkey Mtn again with a bunch of our ward for PDay!!  It should be super fun!!  

Love, 

Elder Redding 

The Gospel is Love!!!

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you all so much for the most wonderful birthday ever!!! I can't believe that I got to turn 20 years old in Taiwan.  It was awesome!!  Thank you all so much for the letters, and thank you so much for the awesome package!  Between Elder Christensen and I the treats didn't last long! hahaha!!  Elder Christensen's bday was the 18th... so I talked with Willie and he got in contact with the ward and we had a surprise b day party for him.  It made him so happy!!  That was awesome!! This weekend way nuts!!! hahaha!  It was a whirlwind!!  

This week was crazy with interviews and then we had stake conference.  We spent most of the weekend in downtown gaoxiong for those events.  Interviews were great... I am so grateful for such a wonderful mission president.  I know that this church is true and am so grateful to be here in Taiwan serving these people.  Stake Conference was awesome as well.  

It also has been cool to see the change in "C" the last few months.  This is the gospel.  As members of the church we have such a huge blessing in our lives that everyday we have the opportunity to live the gospel and receive the blessings therefrom.  This is what we do.  

I feel like the longer I am out here the more I am coming to better understand the people's hearts here.  I love the people here.  I love the gospel.  It is hope, it is courage, the gospel is LOVE!!! My heart was full this week.  It has been full of love for all of you, for these great people, for my Savior, and for my God.  I love you all.  Keep the faith and keep looking to the future!!! 

Love, 

The Oldie... Elder 20yrs old Redding!!!! ;)

Love is the Unseen Force that Breaks Barriers

Dear Family and Friends, 

Street Contacting

These last couple weeks have been very good!!  Thank you for all your emails of encouragement and support!!  There are great things happening here in GangShan!  Elder Christensen and I were able to see a lot of miracles this week!  

Elder Christensen and Elder Redding Sporting New Haircuts

So... last week we were meeting with "P" and his mom when his mom said that there would be no way that she could get baptized with Paul because she had been a Buddhist for so long and needed more time.  She didn't know when she would get baptized and said to just go and let "P" get baptized.  I was pretty sad at that time... and we also moved Ps baptism to the 19th.  After the lesson "G" came in and he is facing the same thing right now as well.  His family is all ready, His son has actually been baptized and they all come to church every week... he just says that he needs time.  So after we met with "P" and his mom, "G" came in and expressed to me how he was really struggling with work and stress and he needed us to pray for him.  He also wanted a blessing.  So I gave him a blessing.  I really can see his faith being manifest right now.  Later that week we went to a fireside with "G" and his son.  The speaker was previously in the Quorum of the 70, and he did a wonderful job on speaking on the Plan of Salvation.  He taught so simple and so powerfully.  After the meeting "G" was driving us home and said that the talk that was given that night was exactly what he needed to hear.  It was really great.  

So this week Elder Christensen and I are sitting there doing Personal Study and the phone buzzes.  So I look

Zone Conference

at the phone and it is a text from Ps Mom... I got really worried.  My first thought was that she was going to say that he couldn't be baptized or something.... hahah so I opened the message and read that she had been thinking and had decided that she wanted to get baptized with P and join this Big Family!!  It was such a miracle!!!  It was great!!  We had there baptismal interview this last Saturday and it looks like they will get baptized this next Saturday the 19th.  I am very very hopeful for them.   

This week we had a lot of opportunities to touch people with prayers. On the street we meet people and a lot of times they won't meet with us again and don't have a lot of interest.  Sometimes we try to teach them how to pray and say a prayer with them right on the street.  It is a special experience for them.  This week Elder Christensen and I went to the park to contact people and saw this lady sitting off aways playing on her phone.  We went over and talked to her and asked if we could share for a sec... she said no, so we asked if we could just use 5 min of her time... haha she said yes... but wasn't super thrilled about it.  We taught her about prayer, and she wasn't all that into it.  At the end

My Great Zone!

we asked if we could say a prayer with her... she excepted... but once again wasn't to happy about it.  After we said the prayer we looked up and she was a totally different person than when the prayer started.  She had changed... she felt the spirit.  We invited her to pray on her own that night and got her number to give to the sisters.  I don't know what will come out of it... maybe nothing.  However, Elder Christensen and I know that she felt the spirit and she couldn't deny it.  

Yesterday we went over to the "G" Family for dinner, and shared after.  We asked where they were about baptism.  "G" is still not ready... he says that he needs time.  We just promised blessings and help them see the importance of the sacrament. I feel like it helped.  When we left we said a prayer and after the prayer "G"Mama had tears running down her eyes.  She is ready.  I truly feel like they are so close!!  

With Guys from Indonesia

Playing Music with Guys from Indonesia

Yesterday was also kinda funny.. we had a guy come in our ward from the Marshall Islands.  His name is Andy and he will be here for 4 years studying medicine.  He is a member and is just this big Poly!!  He is great.  He doesn't speak any chinese... so I translated for him.  He was really happy and the ward loves him.  haha also last night we went to the park to contact people and ran into these guys from Indonesia... they were playing these island drums and guitar thing.... We couldn't communicate with them... however I learned a powerful lesson from being with them.  We spent about 15 min with them and it was so joyful and felt like there was no problem communicating.  There are real language barriers, but Love truly is the unseen force that breaks down any barriers.  We sat and laughed and played the guitar with them for 15 min!!  

Happy Birthday!

I just thought of another cool story... haha the other day we were doing language study in the park and this Filipino came up and started talking to us!  He was so nice!!  One of the nicest people i have ever met.  We can talk to them because their second language is english.  anyways... it came out that it was his b day.  So I told him to wait there for 20 min and Elder Christensen and I ran off and bought a cake for him.  I was really happy we did.  It is not easy for them.  They come over here to work in these factories they leave their families and can't speak the language.  We came back and two of his friends were there.  They were just celebrating his b day with a few beers and a bag of cheetos.  They were happy and content and overwhelmed that we would buy them a cake.  We lit the candles and sang and ate cake with them for like 10 before we had to go to an appointment.  I really truly felt pure happiness then.  

The Lord has blessed me in so many ways this last week.  I love Him.  I love you all!! Thank you for all the B day wishes!! You are all the best!! 

Love,

Elder Redding