Favorite Scripture

Favorite Scripture:

“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” (Alma 37:37)

Monday, June 8, 2015

Hello Gang Xiong (Gang Shan)!

Dear Family and Friends, 

Hello everyone!!  I got moved down to GaoXiong!!!  haha I am now serving in GangXiong.  Its summer...and it is hot. haha!  In all honesty... I can't tell a huge difference from here and TaiZhong....  they are both just hot! haha!  There is a very different feel here in GaoXiong.  Every area I have been in has a little different feel.  It is very interesting. I just barely got to GangShan and I love it already.  My companion is Elder Davis and he is the bomb!  He is a great Elder.  I met him in TaiZhong before, he has been here in GangShan for a couple move calls.  He has been out about just over a year.  He is a stud.  I already love him.  I have heard that the ward is awesome here.  I haven't met them yet...but I am excited!  I met one of the new members here today.  His name is "W"!  He is awesome!!  He is really cool and he actually went to Utah for about 2 weeks recently.  

This last week has been a little crazy.  I got to spend my last few days in MingJian!  That was a little hard.  I will really miss those people and really miss the land of miracles... haha.  I think that GangShan will also be a land of miracles.  It is pretty rural as well.  Not anything like MingJian Rural, but compared to the main cities it is pretty rural.  I got to tell everyone goodbye, and I really will miss all of them.  I hope that one day I can come back here with you guys and take you to all these places and let you meet these people.  It is really convenient because Taiwan is so small.. haha it is really easy to get around the island.  I was very grateful for the opportunity that I had to serve with Elder Roberts.  He is a great guy. We were like best friends.  It made serving really fun.  I will miss him... it was sad to say goodbye.  

After I left MingJian I went to Taizhong with Elder Roberts because he had to pick up his new companion.  I got there and spent the weekend with Elder Colvin.  Now...he is a stud.  He was super cool.  He only has 3 weeks left on his mission and then he heads back to the Air Force Academy.  His Chinese was pristine, and he was just really fun to be around.  I stayed in a four man in Taizhong.  I love the feel there.  It really feels like home.  It is hard to explain.  I LOVE TAIZHONG!!!  It was so great being back there.  I got to go to Brother Wang's baptism as well... that was one of that happiest moments I have had on my mission.  LaiJMwas there too... we taught her and her LA husband when I served there... he is now active.  She got baptized while I was in MingJian.  So picture this...I am sitting there in the chapel at the baptism and on the first row is all of the Sufamily...SuBaBa and his wife (both members), their son and his wife LaiJM(just got baptized), Their daughter and Brother Wang (daugher is a member, brother wang is getting baptized), and their little girl. (cutest little girl I have ever seen).  You look up at them and I couldn't help but just feel the most happiness in my heart and thankfulness for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  They are going to be an Eternal Family.  Elder Ju was there!  Me and him got to witness his baptism, and SuBaBa(his father in law) baptized him.  After that we went in the chapel and this video was playing about temples....  I had the most peace and happiness ever.  

On top of that, Brother Wang was so surprised when I showed up! haha.  He had no idea. He was really happy.  I will send the pic next week!!  (i left my camera in Taizhong... :/ )  I hope that I can find it... I am really worried.  If not it is okay because I actually moved all my pics to a usb just in case... I need to send that to you.  I am just praying that I left it there at the church.  

I sat there at Brother Wangs baptism and thought about the temple and about the importance and blessings of families.  I know without a doubt in my mind that families are eternal.  That knowledge makes me want to do everything I can possibly do to make sure that I am there with you guys.  I would encourage all of you to really ponder this week what a blessing our families are.  The best memories of my entire life have occurred with my family.  I know that families are forever and want to thank all of you for the examples you have set for me.  I know that having a knowledge and testimony of the eternal nature of families can literally transform lives.  I love you all so much.  I am very excited to serve here in GangShan with Elder Davis.  Expect Miracles!!!!!  

Love, 

Elder Redding

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