Monkey Mountain PDay and Finding Amazing People!

Dear Family and Friends, 

Monkey Mountain PDay!

Monkey Mountain last week was a success!  It was awesome!!  These monkeys were all about

stealing things! haha... We were walking by these monkeys and all of a sudden this monkey jumps on Willie's back (A member in GangShan) haha he starts screaming hahaha it was so funny!  So after that I got the idea that it would be down to just jump on my back!  So I went up to this monkey sitting on this railing and said get on... hahah (I said it in chinese thinking that naturally it would understand chinese more!) haha but right after I said that it jumped on my back! haha it was awesome!!  It started trying to get in my bag and then I grabbed my hat because I think he was a blackhawks fan! hahaha!!

Well this week was great!  We were able to see a lot of great miracles!! This week we started with some heavy contacting.  We have been having trouble finding new investigators lately... so we said a prayer of faith and went out!  I have come to really have faith that it is for sure -  we will get rejected... but it is also sure that Heavenly Father has prepared people to receive us.  We just have to be diligent in the work.  So this week was a big finding week.  And we found.  

We had a great meeting this week in ShiZhong.  It was great to be there and learn from president.  He is a great man and I feel so lucky to be able to serve under his direction and learn from him.  

The real big miracles this week came while finding.  After we ate we ran into this guy who seemed cool, and when we asked about religion he said he was daojiao.  ....we told him that we share a really happy message and would like to share.  He said that we could for sure... but he would have to ask his wife.  So we called him later that night... he said he couldn't then next day he was like.. do you have time right now?  So we ran over to the church and met him.  We got talking to him and wanted to do a prayer and he refused to because of his religion.  We said one anyways... it was neat how the spirit worked on him because by the end of the lesson he said the prayer.  We will keep meeting with him!  

I was calling formers this week and found this guy who had met with missionaries 8 years ago.  I called him and he set up a time to meet.  We met with him and he was really neat.  He is open to the message, and wants to change his life right now.  He told us he is just having trouble finding the strength to do so.  We testified that the power of Christ and his atonement can help anyone change.  He ended up coming to church yesterday and He set a baptismal goal for the 1st of August.  

We also ran into this awesome family on the street.  He had a red sox shirt on.  I asked if he was a fan, and then saw that his family was in the back.  I started talking to his son and tried to speak English with him... and set up a time that they could come and meet.  That was really good because most parents with oppose to them learning about Christ... but they were right there and agreed.  So we met with him and his dad and found that they are really open to things.  His dad just wants to give his son opportunities and let him discover himself.  In the lesson we found out that the mom is also Christian... the dad never knew it either.  She prays with the son every once and a while.  I think that they all have the potential to set and hit a date to be baptized.  That was a real miracle.  

The last story is last night... we were contacting and I saw this house with these people out playing the guitar.  When we walked up.. they did not look happy..  So i just asked the daughter if she played the guitar.  She did a little and then let me play.  We sat down with them played the guitar.  Then the uncle asked to play.  Haha he grabbed the top of a beer can thing and used it as a pick and then started playing sweet child o mine! hahaha!!  He played and played.. and even played some cool Taiwanese songs.  We got to find out that they are all Christian.  They are Taiwan's aborigine people.  Most of them are Christian.  We shared aobut Christ and our missions. We tried to set up another time... and they did too, but it wasn't their house. They said we could come back on the weekend and see if they were there and could share about Christ!  

The work is moving forward.  I feel so blessed to be able to be out here serving the Lord.  This is his work.  It is the greatest work in the world.  The gospel is true and I know that it has the power to improve every single aspect of our lives.  If we just take the time to use it.  I hope that you all get a chance every day to really use and live the gospel.  I know that by doing so you will see your lives change and improve every day. You WILL find yourself a more happy person every day... no matter what trials you face.  

Love you all, 

Elder Redding

Being Actively Engaged in a Good Cause

Dear Family and Friends,

My new area is awesome, and it is hot.  haha.  We are just starting the hottest months of the year.  June, July, and August in GaoXiong are hot.  haha!  So I better buckle up.  haha! This week was a lot of learning about the area and stuff and meeting everyone here.  It was great though.  My new companion is Elder Davis from Logan Ut.  He is awesome and his Chinese is great. He is a hard worker and a great missionary and example.  It is really fun to serve with him.  He taught me how to play chinese chess...and he is super good.  haha we play everynight before we go to bed!  so far I am 0-4...hahaha!  Last night was closer though. haha! 

The ward in GangShan is awesome!  I love the people here.  There are a lot of Filipino's here in GangShan and Vietnamese.  We have a member here from the Fillo...he is awesome. His name is Jonathan.  He speaks English.  He really can sing.   He is also one of the kindest people I have met.  

So on Wednesday we went to this 88yr old man's home.  He is a member and we go and play ping pong with him every week.  He is amazing... He beat me... it was one of the lowest moments of my life... hahaha!  No missionary has beat him yet.... it was 6-11.  He then beat me again 11-2.  haha When he comes to church he carries his paddle with him in the back of his pants.  hahaha!!!  Its hilarious.  He calls me newcomer. I saw him at church and told him I was going to beat him this week.  hahaha!  

After we visited him we went to visit this older man.  He had a stroke a while ago and isn't in good shape.  However... he is the happiest man alive.  He just makes me so happy. When we left we gave him this huge hug.  He has a Filipino lady that takes care of him.  

We had a lot of lessons this week and have a lot of really cool people that are progressing towards baptism.  We hope to help these people follow through with the commitments they are making.  I read in preach my gospel about when we invite people to keep commitments and they do, we are actually helping them repent.  Repentance takes action.  It is impossible to be passively repenting... The adversary has too much power.  If we are not actively engaged in a good cause over time we will find ourselves under the influence of the adversary.  

I love you guys and am so grateful for the efforts you put forth to do good everyday.  I can tell you that it doesn't go unnoticed.  We are never alone.  We have the best example that ever lived right by our side helping us along the way.  Trust Him.  I love you all so much. 

Elder Redding

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

Goodbye 名間 (Mingjian)‏ - The Land of Miracles!

Dear Family and Friends, 

Hello everyone!!!  Another crazy week in good ol Taiwan!!  To explain the title of my email I will start off by telling you all that I found out this week that I will be leaving MingJian... :(  My comp found out this last Thursday that he will be training for the last 10 weeks of his mission.  So this next Friday I will head off with either the Zone Leaders or head up to TaiZhong and serve in Dakeng again until next Monday.  I don't know where I am heading yet, so I will find out on Saturday and head out next Monday.  I was kinda bummed when I first heard... I really loved serving in MingJian and really loved the people and the branch

With Brother W and His Daughter

here.  I really wish that I could have spent more time here.  It is okay though... I know that the Lord wants me to serve somewhere else for the next little while and I will trust him and will love the people there as well.  I hope that this next Friday I get to go up and serve in Dakeng again for a few days because next Saturday they are baptizing Brother W.  I was teaching him with Elder Munger and Elder Ju!  That would be so awesome to get to go to his baptism.  

One thing that I have learned here in MingJian is that the Lord is truly over this work.  That us missionaries are young and this work is way above us all.  I have found that he is so willing to help us and guide us if we will just do our very best to move forward this work and look to him in every thought.  MingJian is the land of miracles.  I will be forever grateful for the opportunity that I had to serve here.  

The last two weeks it has really rained... haha.  The people here hate the rain so much.  It is kind of hard to schedule meetings with people because right when it rains all of a sudden staying out of the rain is way more important than their word... hahaha! It has been good though.  Elder Roberts got sick this last week... so that was tough on  him.  He is getting better though...  he just can't talk right now.  His voice is all the way gone.  We will be praying that come Friday when he gets his trainee that he can speak again.  

This week we had a couple really cool experiences.  On Wednesday we traveled to zhushan to meet with This older family... we brought a member with us... because they speak a lot of Taiwanese haha.  We sat down with them and shared what our purpose is.  They are very religious Buddhists... but at the end we invited them and their two daughters to church.  The Dad said that he would.  He said he couldn't this week but next week he would.  I thought that was really awesome!!  I hope that as he comes to church that he can feel the spirit.  

Elder Roberts, Brother L, Elder Redding

On Saturday we went over to sister M's home.  Her son J was there to.  We had dinner with them and it was soooooo goood! haha!  We had planned to share to short movie finding faith in Christ.  We pulled out the usb... and couldn't find it.  We picked this other video... and the spirit was so strong.  ... I kinda got all emotional and pulled a Dad. haha.  It was really neat though.  I hope that you guys can watch the video as well.  It is called Come unto Christ.  It was the 2014 theme song.  It was filmed at Bountiful High actually!  haha.  

Sunday was great... I got called on to give my testimony because I was leaving.  I also got called on a lot that day during lessons... hahah because Elder Roberts couldn't speak.  It was a great experience.  The branch was so kind to me.  I really will miss them.  I love them and will pray for them.  I talked to the Branch President and he is going to play ball with us thursday morning with Brother Lin.  (Bro Lin played in college) haha.  It should be really fun.  That is the day before I leave. 

This week we had to go to this Train the trainers meeting in GaoXiong.  It took all day, and on the way home we met these Aborigines.  The Aborigines in Taiwan for the most part are all Christian. It was super funny.  They came and found us on the train, and so we started talking to them.  The Aborigines are always so happy.  They have very simple lives but are always so happy.  I think that it is because of their belief in the savior.  Everytime we meet one they see our name tags and ask all excited like, "Are you guys christian?" haha we tell them yes and they get really happy.  It is super cool.  

I love you all so much and am so grateful for your wonderful examples to me!! I love and pray for you all!!  Keep the faith my friends.  

Love ,

Elder Redding  

The Love of God is Most Precious

Dear Family and Friends, 

With Brother Xu Taking Us Back to Our Area

Halou from 名間!! (mingjian) Another week come and gone!!!  Too fast!!!  This week was miracle week. haha.  The branch president was right when he said that there are just miracles that happen here. haha... they just come out of no where.  Sometimes I really don't feel deserving of them haha, but we are trying to work as hard as we can to help these people and the Lord is really backing us up! 

Here is how a normal day goes.  We set a plan for the next day, try to fill the day with what we feel the Lord would have us do... and then nothing goes according to plan! hahaha... its almost like he is just up there like... nope... that isnt who I want you to see now... Go here! haha so we start tracting or calling and then miracles happen. haha! 

Another day we went to 水里(shuili) and had a bunch of lessons set up.... well it rained.. and the

people hate rain... hahah so they no showed.  So we went and visited a member L, and then we went to go eat dinner with him when out of no where he said.  Lets go here.  I want you guys to meet someone.  It turned out to be a former who was really cool.  We sat down with her and talked then out of nowhere this lady and her kids showed up.  They were talking about her husband in the hospital and stuff and somehow it came up that we were the new missionaries here.  Then she told us that yesterday for the first time she had learned a little about Christianity, with another church.  Out of nowhere she decided to come to this lady's house and ran into us.  She told us that she really feeling like Christianity is right, and that it was God who set it up that we could be there together.  We had only been talking for about 10 min and started talking about prayer, and somehow baptism came up.  So I just felt like it was right and we invited her to be baptized the following month.  She said yes. It was a miracle.  We got her contact info and stuff and are meeting with her this week.  It was amazing.

The next day we had plans to go to 集集...(jiji) and sure enough we got there, it was raining of course! haha and we got fanged! haha  (canceled on)... haha.  We ended up talking to these two neighbors one old guy who is so nice to us.  After that we went tracting because all our plans fell through... we went to this one little part of town and started.  hahah and were just getting rejected... until we came to this one house and before we even said who we were he invited us in!  hahah it turns out he doesn't believe in God, but we got him to commit to pray and ask if god exists.  That was a big miracle.   

After that we called M and she said that her oldest son was home so we could come over to their house instead.  So we did.  We got there and met her son and just sat for like 45 min ate and talked.  Then we decided to share the Joseph Smith video and right when we wanted to start her husband who is against her getting baptized walked in.  So we introduced ourselves and the video and watched it.  The spirit was there and i think it touched his heart.  We invited them to church after and they all said they would come. 

So we went to church and it was raining and the husband didn't show up... but M and her son did.  After church we sat with them and had a small lesson, we invited him to be batpized on the same day as his mother!  He said yes... hahah he then said that he was already ready!!! hahaha!! It was awesome!! It was just a great week!!!  

Today I read in 1st Nephi 8 about the tree of life.  It talks about Lehi looking far off and seeing his family and calling to them with a LOUD VOICE.  This to me is the voice of warning.  Everyday we come across friends and family we wish would come and partake of the love of God.  I think it is very important to remember that the LOUD VOICE can be manifest not only in our words but our actions.  The fruit of the tree of life is the love of God and it is most precious.  We can't afford not to share it with those we come across and love.  

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

Love, 

Elder Redding 洪長老 

The Lord's Hand Was in Our Week! (Plus Pictures)

Dear Family and Friends, 

Hello everyone!! It was the greatest thing ever getting to see all of you last week on skype for Mother's Day!!  It actually worked a lot better than I thought it would, considering our luck with 

Back to Dakeng for Baptism! Awesome Day!

Special Baptism Day

technology. hahaha!  You guys all looked great!! I felt right at home like I was right there with you guys again.  It was a huge blessing.  I was able to think that P Day about our skype and really am so grateful for the knowledge we have of The Plan of Salvation.  I know it is true and I know that families are forever.  As I looked into your eyes from thousands of miles away I couldn't help but feel the spirit testify to me that the Plan of Salvation is true.  How grateful I am for that knowledge.  There are times our here when we teach the plan of salvation and the people have never thought about what comes after death.  We tell them the glorious message of our Heavenly Father's plan and the opportunity we have to live forever with God and those we love most.  They look at us, and tell us that we cannot know these things.  They tell us that there is no such thing after death.  We look them in the eyes and with all the confidence in the world tell them.  I know that this is true.  I have felt it, and I cannot nor will not deny it.  They have there choice to accept it.  I can't think of a greater gift than to live with all of you, our HeavenlyFather, and our Brother Jesus Christ forever.  Its a pretty sweet deal.

This week was crazy.  MingJian is a biking area... and oh do we bike!  It actually isn't too bad.  I like biking here.  Its beautiful.... but boy is it hot!  We are never not wet.  We walk outside and we are drenched in sweat. This week was the same story.  It was full of miracles though.  

On Tuesday after a long day of tracting, we bike to JiJi and ended up getting cancelled on.  So we did some more tracting and ended up tracting into this home.  It was an older man who we went and sat with on a bench and started talking to.  We got talking and then he invited us inside.  He was incredibly nice to us.  We talked with him and finally found an opportunity to share more of the gospel with him.  As we shared he didn't quite have the same beliefs that families could live forever.  He had never thought about it and wasn't too willing to start believing.  We told him that we knew it was true.  We asked if we could come back some other time and visit the rest of his family, He said that we could.  As we left, he said: "make sure if you are around here you come visit."  That was neat. ... he also gave us a bunch of bananas haha.  The bananas here are amazing. haha

Zone Conference Lunch

Wednesday was an early day, we got up super early in order to get to Zone Conference in JiaYi! We rode the train there.  Zone Conference was awesome.  We discussed a lot about ways we can best help our investigators make it to church.  It came down to really setting that expectation in the first place and everyday doing good follow ups with them.  When they understand the importance of church and are prepared it really isn't a problem at all.  It was nice to see everyone.  I saw Elder Jenkins again.  He gave his mission reflection and it was great!  

Thursday we went tracting and found these awesome Grandma and Grandpa who let us is.  I am pretty sure she is some Buhdist leader... hahah they were so nice and we shared the first lesson with them.  We set up to go back.  Then they gave us a whole watermelon hahaha!!! 

Friday we got goose egged.... hahaha.... We were just planting! ;) 

Saturday things went awesome.  It started off with a lesson at McD's where we gave this kid a baptismal goal!! It was aweosme!!! We then went to ZhuShan and visited some people including that Grandma and Grandpa.  We started sharing the 2nd.... but they can't read the book of mormon because of their lack of education.  So we are trying to get tapes for them to listen to! After we told them next time they came we would bring a friend.  ... I had the best mangobing (kinda like ice cream). haha it was just a great day.  

Sunday was a miracle.  It has been over 2 movecalls since missionaries have hit standards in MingJian.  haha we had all these lessons set up to hit them.... and everything worked out.  We hit standards!!!! haha but it wasn't really us... the more I look at it the more I realize how prominent the Lord's hand was in our week!  It was a great faith booster.  Elder Roberts and I hope to hit them again this week.  I know that numbers are not the most important thing.... but I do know that "without a vision, the people perish."  Standards are a means to reach our end goal of bring people unto Christ.  We are seeing miracles through planning and faith.  

Sunday night we went to a Ward activity and it was aweosme... then the branch president turned to us and told us to give the lesson.  hahaha... so I grabbed my book of mormon and read 2nd nephi 33:3.  I talked aobut Taylor's influence on me when he served a mission.  I talked aobut the love Taylor developed for the people.  I talked about reading that scripture for the first time and already loving the people of Taiwan even before I knew I was coming here. It was a great experience to share.  Elder Roberts and I also had to teach Gospel Principles right on the spot! hahaha!!!  I love it here!!! 

Love you all and have an awesome week.  Thank you all for your amazing examples!!! 

Love, 

Elder Redding

With Elder Roberts and Friends from Dakeng

First Week in Mingjian!

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been a super awesome week!!  MingJian is awesome!!  It is one of the most rural places in Taiwan and I love it!!  haha.  It is like camping every day kinda... haha.  Our area is huge as well.  We have like 8 secondary areas that we either bike to or take a bus or train to.  This week Elder Roberts and I were whitewashing the area and we had no idea where we were half of the time.  haha.  It ended up being a great week though with a lot of awesome miracles.  

The first night we got there in MingJian we went and found the church.  The church is so small.  It is just in a little garage with a couple floors. There are only like 20 people who come to church.... it is so small haha!!  After that we went to McDonalds and had dinner with a LA that we eat with every week I guess.  That was nice.  

The next few days we spent some time getting to know that area and visiting members.  We went to Lunch with the Branch President who is awesome and who speaks perfect english.  He is so awesome.  He is a young guy and he just kept telling us at lunch that this is a tough area... haha but he kept saying, the work is progressing and miracles are happening.  I believe him... I believe that miracles are happening.  

We also went to one of our secondary's called JiJi, and we had a lesson with a recent convert who is from India.  She speaks mandarin, but her Taiwanese is better because it is closer to her native language I guess.  hahah Taiwanese sounds crazy... hahah its super hard.  The area we are in has a lot of old people... who only speak Taiwanese... haha WE don't understand anything.  I hope that while I am here I can learn how to say some basic things in Taiwanese to help these people.  The RC we met with is super cool and she has a little boy and she works some of the most crazy hours.  She doesnt' have an easy life.  She has a strong testimony of the truth of the gospel.  We had the second counselor in the Branch Presidency come with us... well he actually drove us because we weren't too familiar with the area.  He is awesome.  He got baptized 1 1/2years ago.  He has the kindest heart.  When we were in lessons with him you could just feel of his love for the gospel.  After that we went over to his house for another lesson.  We had an ivestigator come to his home.  Here name is "M".  She is awesome and loves the bible.  We taught her aobut the book of mormon and how she can read it.  She is awesome.  We also met the Second counselors wife.  She was baptized 2 years ago! She was awesome too.  

When the second counselor drove us home.  He is a super cool guy and was telling us that every other week he has kongfu class so we can't come to his house at that time.  On the way home he told us that the gospel has really blessed his family.  When we were over there you could just feel the love of the gospel in that home.  It reminded me of my home.  I am so grateful to have been raised in a home where the gospel was taught and where I could feel of that love.  I love this gospel.  

On Thursday we went to TaiZhong!! wahhhhooo!!! hahaha.  My comp is our District leader so he had to go to a meeting there.  When we were there I got to go an serve in Dakeng while he was in the meeting!!! It was so awesome!!!  I served with Elder Ju's companion. He is a duan chuan... i can't remember how to say that in english.  He isn't a missionary yet... but he gets to come serve for a week.  He is Taiwanese!  It was so fun.  We got to go visit "W".  We had lunch with them and I was so happy. He told me he would send a pic when he got baptized. It was just awesome being there.  Then on the way home we ran into some miracle contacts who set up.  That was awesome!!  

This week has been so crazy and tiring and awesome!! haha!! I can't wait to tell you more over call/skype on Mother's Day call!!! This place is awesome.  We are still lost half the time but the Lord is guiding us.  I love you all so much!!!

Love ,

Elder Redding