Taoyuan # 67

Hello family!!! Today is also a lot more short because of some busy stuff, but I'm alive :) The work here is going great!! We have finally met same neighbors of a member family (Jiang Family) here and invited them to start learning about the message of the Restoration and they accepted!!! They are middle-aged, have no children (yet), have a cute little dog, the Husband (John) likes to bike, and they are Awesome!!!! Sister Jiang came to church (John couldn't come because of work) this week and the topic was Eternal Families... :) She liked it and we are going to meet with them on Saturday, so please keep them in your prayers as well as the members of our ward that we can work with them to help the people in their lives recieve the Gospel. Enjoy Conference!!!! I won't see it for another two weeks, but... you all enjoy!! I love you all alot. like a lot, alot. :) Love, Elder Westover

Taoyuan # 66 with great pictures this week :)

Dear family and loved ones, I love being here. We had an awesome exchange with Elder McKay, and we had alot of "fanged" (stood up) appointments, and rejected as we went out with one of our members, but right as we were heading up to the train station to exchange, we had a quick time that we could find. We prayed about where we should go and asked for the Powers of Heaven to come down and lead us to the prepared. After that prayer, we went and talked to everyone, until we stopped and talked to one of the guys that was doing advertisement on the side of the road. His name was Yang Dx, and as we shared with him about the Savior and the baptism of remission of sins, he asked us, "If I wanted to get baptized, where would I go?" Hahah so amazing!!! He set a date for November, and was touched by the Book of Mormon. We shared about the Loving Heaveny Father that he has and the Plan that He has for us. I love Elder Clyde 'nuff said..... :) I love being a missionary. Specifically here in Taiwan. I have been thinking about it.... This week in one on my studies I studied how Christ ministered One by One, and it made me think of President Monson's talk this last Conference (Love-- The essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ) The first and greatest of the commandments of God is to Love Him and then to love our fellow men. As we love our Father in Heaven through Obedience to His laws and the covenants we make, we will be able to naturally love our fellow men, whom just so happen to be the Children of God also.... It's an Eternal Circle of LOVE that never ends :) Love, Elder Westover

Taoyuan # 65

This week I'm just sending a picture, and Mission President's email, because I liked it alot... this was just our ward picnic and my companion caught a snap of me :) We have a golden investigator who just returned from China last week!! I'll share with you more next week, but pray for him... Brother Zheng. President's Email: Every person we see every day is not merely another human being. They are all immortals. They lived before they came to earth. They live here on this earth. And they will continue to leave after they depart this earth. Consequently, everyone we deal with is a fellow immortal in merely a mortal shell. Consequently, 0ur every interaction with each immortal can potentially have consequences far more reaching than what we see in this life. In our dealings with these fellow immortals, are we taking an eternal perspective of our daily actions? As we consider our individual immortality, do we weigh the consequences of our actions today and the influence it has on our salvation tomorrow? As we take this more profound perspective, we will become much more aware of and alive to the many possibilities for doing good that are present in life’s daily situations. Even the moments that seem ordinary are full of possibilities. In this regard, Elder Neal A. Maxwell provided some deep insight when he said: “We must look carefully, therefore, not only at life’s large defining moments but also at the seemingly small moments. Even small acts and brief conversations count, if only incrementally, in the constant shaping of souls, in the strategic swirl of people and principles and tactical situations. What will we bring to all of those moments small and large? Will we do what we can to make our presence count as a needed constant in such fleeting moments, even in micro ways? Do you and I not sometimes say appreciatively of individuals who have helped us, “They were there when we needed them”? Will we reciprocate?” In daily interactions which impact immortals and possess potential eternal consequences, we need to be even more sensitive to the Holy Ghost. Promptings for us to do good come from the Holy Ghost. These promptings nudge us further along the straight and narrow path of discipleship. The natural man doesn’t automatically think of doing good. It isn’t natural. Yet, these promptings enlarge our awareness of other people’s needs and then prod us to act accordingly. It takes faith to persist in doing good, especially when it is an action or effort perhaps only noticed by our loving Heavenly Father and his angels. Are we willing to remember our true identity—as immortals—as we seek to magnify our stewardships as divinely called disciples and representatives of Jesus Christ? Consider this example found in the New Testament: “And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go. … “And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, “Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. “Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” Notice the significant language: “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? “And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him” (Acts 8:26–31; emphasis added). How many times are we too busy, out of touch with the Spirit, or distracted to “come up and sit” with someone who needs our help and who the Lord has actually prepared? You and I have divine promptings all the time encouraging us to do good, but we often ignore them instead of doing like Phillip, who “ran thither.” While we may not always be free to choose just when and how all of life’s interactions will occur, we are nevertheless free to choose our responses. We should base these choices on eternal principles that will bring God’s immortal children back to Him. Let us revise our thinking. Let us refocus our efforts. Let us have an eternal perspective in our earthly interactions which affect fellow immortals. Let’s assist more powerfully in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Hurrah for Israel Love, Elder Westover!! the poem is a poem his companion wrote

Taoyuan # 64

Hello my loved ones!!.... Yeah... That's everyone. I don't care what color you are, where you are from, what you smell like, or what you do... I love you ( I <3 U) :P I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for His wonderful work. This week I got to go on exchanges with my trainer (Elder Hopper), and we saw so many miracles. The Spirit was super strong as we had many opportunities to serve the members and Testify of Christ. Elder Clyde and I are working really hard to find people to find, and we are working with the ward alot. Hahah our Ward Mission Leader came out tracting with us and it was super fun because he was just talking about how not easy it is to find someone to teach. The Lord really blessed us with the work we are doing with the Ward. We have a LA family (Liu Family) came to Church with their 16 year old LA son and it was good. : ) He is doing really good. Thanks for your prayers because Lu Dx came to church this week and the Lin Family came too, they rejected the invite to be baptized right now, but they still want to learn :) There is a light that is coming into their lives! :) Thanks for your prayers... It's going great here!! Missionary work is not easy. There are lots of stresses, and trials, but I have come to know some wonderful things that have brought me peace and hope to me in the times that I am low. It's two words... HE LIVES. I know that I have said that before, but I know that He Lives and there is nothing that can stop us from going forward. If He didn't live... there would be no purpose, but I know by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the Christ. He is the center of it all and through following his perfect example and striving to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we can all get HOME. I'm going to the Celestial Kingdom, and I'm going to take as many people along with me. :) Have a great week this week. I love you all. I'm praying for you. Hurrah for Israel!!!!!!!!!!!! Love, Elder Westover

Taoyuan # 63

Dear Family, We had just eaten our dinner and were about to go exchange back and he had to go to the restroom. I took the trash and then I had to go to the bathroom too, so I went in and didn't see anyone in the urinal but the door to the only stall was closed, and I naturally thought it was Elder Broeder so I messed with the door, and then made some scary noises, and then started just talking to him.... but there was no response... I didn't think anything of it until I was washing my hands and saw Elder Broeder come out of the handicap stall right next to the men's restroom... Hahahahah Elder Broeder said my face was priceless, when I saw him come out of there!! I told him to wash his hands and we got out of there!! Luckily before the guy came out, hahah but I learned a lesson. Not to mess around. But it was so funny!!!!!!!!!! Recently all of our investigators are not really progressing. But I know the power of prayer!!! Please pray for Lin Family, Lu Dx, Wang Dx, Xu JM, and that the people of Taoyuan will have their hearts softened to hear the message of the Restoration. This week there were a ton of miracles!! So many, but I think the most wonderful was finding a potential through a service opportunity!! We go to service every week at the yang lao yuan, and I met a Chen Ama. She didn't like to talk at first and then we started to chat about her family and she opened up a little bit more. She then told me that her husband had passed away, and normally I would just say that I'm sorry to hear that and talk about something else, but I felt that I should ask her if she would want to see him again. She thought for a little bit and then she responded that she would. Then I shared with her the Plan of Salvation, sharing the pamphlet and sharing scriptures, and she was eating it up!! I can't wait to meet with her this week and see if we can help her understand more :) I really felt good at that time. She was so great! Even though she was hard to hear and understand I know that her spirit was eating up the things I was sharing and the Spirit touched her several times. I have started to read the Book of Mormon again!!! I love it, but this time I have a pencil in hand and I am writing the thoughts that come into my mind that testify of the doctrines in PMG and I am learning alot. I testify that the Book of Mormon will bring us closer to the Savior and if we are willing, it will help us overcome trials and heal scars that we new not even existed. Hurrah For Israel!!!! Love, Elder Westover

Taoyuan # 62

Dear Family, Oh my dearest, beloved, beautiful Sarah and Tarah. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ZHU NI SHENG RI KUAI LE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 祝你生日快樂!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love my twin sisters alot. jiu zhe yang. (just like that!) This week was great!!!!!! lots of things learned again. hahah We had a Zone Training and two exchanges and it was super busy. :) but Elder Clyde and I are doing really good. I am so blessed to have a Mission President, called of God who is inspired to help me and other missionaries become more converted to the Lord and to help those that we teach com e closer to the Savior. Presidetn Day has invited us to really focus on the attributes of Christ and to become more like Him. This has made me think about the following: Through out my mission, I have been with just the right companions. Some of them were a little disobedient, and lacked the desire, but I can say that those times I am truly thankful because they were the times that I really went through my own Gethsemane. Earlier this year we had an opportunity to have a Mission Conference and have Elder Holland speak to us, and he got right up in our faces and shared with us his bold, fiery testimony he shared with us that we should remember that we are no better than the Savior. He himself was scoffed and rejected. Took upon Himself every pain and sickness imaginable, and we can not expect that it will be any different. I have been called of to represent Him and so if I am really accomplishing my purpose, I praise my Father for every trial. For just one more opportunity to become like Him. We have a loving Father in Heaven. I know that for sure. Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Ask. He will give it to you. :) Strive to keep your baptismal covenant of always REMEMBERing HIM. Love, Elder Westover

Taoyuan # 61

I love you all. Miracles, miracles, miracles. So many wonderful blessings from the powers of Heaven. Peter Wang, miracle with Elder McKay, an awesome English Culture Activity, service, a wave of humility (naturally because I asked for it), and member miracles. Last, last Sunday Peter Wang, just randomly walked in and come to attend Sacrament Meeting. We went over on Monday, met him and shared the Message of the Restoration with him. He is 50 yrs old, likes to speak a little English, very excited to learn and said that he just feels that he has a great need for God in his life. We set up a follow, up for Wednesday after noon to go back and read the Book of Mormon with him, but it ended up that his father had some medical problems in Taibei and he had to cancel, but my companion told him to pray for his dad. He did and his dad was all good the next day!! Then to go on top of that... We walked out our door the next day to find that he was the new security guard at our apartment building!! Hahah, with his new work he has to work on Sunday. So he couldn't come to church this week, but in our visit yesterday night while we were sharing the Plan of Salvation he said, "If I feel these things are true, I will have no problem with finding work that will allow me to go to church." We are praying that he will feel and we are going to rip of the roof to help him prepare for baptism in September. Brother Lin hasn't drank for two weeks!!!!!!!!! Thanks so much for your prayers. We just need to have his baptismal interview this week and help his daughter prepare for baptism later this month! :) Elder Clyde and I had a period of time this week that was specifically hard to find. No one was wanting to talk, and so we just prayed. We prayed to do what he wanted us to do, and right as we finished there was someone who had broken down. Their battery went dead and was pushing their car back home. :) Elder Clyde and I were very happy and so blessed, at that moment I felt that God was so, so merciful because he gave us an opportunity to help one of our brothers. Even though he wasn't willing to listen, we got to push a car( it reminded me of pushing the sled at football... :D) and it led to us finding someone who was willing to be baptized about an hour later when we finally arrived back to where our bikes were parked. God's plan is so much better than anything we could put together. My exchange with Elder McKay was great! We had a fun time :) He is the one missionary in my generation that I have gone on exchanges with, ever. Haha. Anyway, it was good. It was super cool because we had a miracle member willing to come out that day with us to a lesson. When we got there it ended up being that the investigator went to Taoyuan, but the member, right after they said he wasn't there, asked the lady in the home if we could share with them!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahah wow. I was in awe.... It was a wonderful lesson. She was from Vietnam. She wouldn't set a baptismal date, but she said if she felt it was true she would be baptized. Super cool testimony to me and a learning moment for Elder McKay and I to always remember to be bold and ask (invite). One of the things Elder Clyde and I wanted to do this month was for every companionship to push for 20 total lessons, but I feel like I have been focusing on that too much the last two weeks. That's what I mean by the wave of Humility that hit me. The end of the week was really hard. We were talking to everyone, doing everything we felt that we should do. Praying mightily, and striving to be diligent, but we still didn't get the 20. I realized yesterday... it's not all about that. This month we are going to go with the vision that you and the Lord have set forth for us. We are going to use the Christlike Attributes to increase the conversion of every missionary. I really loved this: "But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be." (Matthew 24: 37-39) Love, Elder Westover