No words, except...week 104

I gave a talk in the Victoria 1 branch as a farewell testimony. The spirit was strong. I love each of them. I'm very blessed to have been able to serve these people for such a long time.

The gospel is true. Two years is short. Chicken feet taste better than American bbq.

Aim High. It's better than the alternative.

To all of my companions, especially the ones who are waiting for me at home in my house, I give my thanks for carrying my seemingly dead weight across the city of Hong Kong. I couldn't have made it alone. A tribute to you.

PS. I need to wear socks and sandals for the next couple of days due to an ingrown toenail. The first one on my mission. I got lazy in caring for my beat up feet.

I also love each missionary that has blessed me with their presence including these last apartment mates Elders Wong, Evans and Banihit. A very diverse tripanionship indeed. Not a single American.

Notes from Mom:  This is a feeling I didn't think I would have:  sorrow for his return.  We are thrilled to see Ian in just a few days, but I am feeling so much empathy for his leaving Hong Kong.  It has been better than I could have ever imagined.  We wrote briefly, and here is what Ian said:  "Yeah...I'm excited to come, but do you think you could buy me a return flight ticket for something like the week after. I'll just go to the airport with Simon!

Love you mom. Keep the Faith. See you Friday."

For the last time,

Elder Ian R. Taylor戴依永長老

Time is running out...(smeagol voice 是必須要的)...week 103

Well, we extended a baptismal date invitation for the third time to an investigator that I found a month ago and she finally accepted it...watch out world, Elder Taylor is not one to give up. September 17 is the date. I won't be here, but I am okay with that. I am still here. I'm staying. It's like when God sent the saints to Ohio.

16 And I consecrate unto them this land for a little season, until I, the Lord, shall provide for them otherwise, and command them to go hence;

17 And the hour and the day is not given unto them, wherefore let them act upon this land as for years, and this shall turn unto them for their good.

He wanted them to not worry about what might come later. Focus on what you need to do now, for "sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof" (3 Nephi 13:34).

It's interesting how there is that specific difference in that verse from 3 Nephi and thee verse at the end of Matthew 6. Before He was resurrected, the hope was difficult to find to get through the day, and we didn't want to think about the other days because, lets face it, there was already enough evil for one day.

When He fulfilled the law through his atonement and resurrection however, that newfound hope switched the structure of this principle. The light of the day became enough. We need to focus on the day, but we have a hope in Christ that it will be well.

That's my hope right now. I believe in Christ. I believe that he will protect these people long after the "skin worms" destroy this body (Job 19:26)

It is amazing. I love it. I testify of a living and loving Savior.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

PS: I've got a triple companionship. Meet the mighty Elder Hsieh (his step-dad is chinese). Pronounced "shay."

I thought I looked pretty adorable with the suds on my face. I got a little carried away while washing the dishes...

Caught my companion falling asleep...so adorable.

Ian's companion Elder Hsieh having some fun while cleaning on P day.

I was having some back pain and went to Elder Lee's dad's shop for acupuncture. It's amazing how well it worked. I went two weeks in a row and I have one picture of what I think was the second time (20ish needles). Elder Wilcoxson said I should probably tell you now so you don't nearly strangle me when I show everyone the pictures I have.

Feeling better! Hopefully I can stay in-tact. This is sadly the time where many missionaries will get stupid and start to hurt themselves. I'll do my best to be better.

Not much left to say...everything to be grateful for...week 102

I love my mission. I don't want to leave. If I fake my death, no one panic. I'm just in mainland or something preaching the everlasting gospel. Going for 3-Nephite-status. Otherwise, I will see you in two weeks.

The scripture that got me through everything: D&C 50

41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me;

42 And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost.

43 And the Father and I are one. I am in the Father and the Father in me; and inasmuch as ye have received me, ye are in me and I in you.

44 Wherefore, I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherdand the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall.

45 And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am.

46 Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready. Even so. Amen.

He will come. I know it. I am His Servant. I am His Friend. I am His Missionary. I am His.

May the whole world come to know of His gospel...one by one.

--

Elder Taylor

Notes from Mom:  Ian received his departure interview information.  He said, "My stomach just dropped..."  He reminded me that he will see me in 2 weeks, and then said, "Remember when that was years?" He has loved his mission like I never imagined.  I am so excited to see him return, but I know he will be saying goodbye to so many people he has loved for such a long time. This has been a miraculous blessing in his and our lives. 

Dear Elder Taylor:

Thank you for your service in the China Hong Kong Mission.  The last week that you spend in the mission will be one of mixed emotions.  To lessen your anxiety and to make your departure pleasant, here is an overview of some of the events that will take place those last two weeks.

Departing Interview

•Friday August 4 Departure interview with President Lam at 3:00pm. Please arrive 15 minutes early and meet with Sister Roskelley to receive your departure package.  Then quietly wait in the office, before and after the interview.

Check in at Mission Office

•Thursday August 17  9-10am  Arrive at the mission office with luggage. • Check-out with Elder and Sister Roskelley.• 11:00 Attend the temple with the Lams.•1:00 Activities with the Lams.• You will spend the night in Patron Housing.

Departure Day

•18 August 2017 • 7:00am Leave for airport

We love and appreciate you and hope these remaining days will be very special and spiritual for you.  May the Lord bless you richly as you never stop serving Him with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.

Sincerely,

Sister Roskelley CHKM Secretary

Again...no time...week 101

Went to the temple and ran into the mission president. I will send some pictures next week when I have the adapter for my camera...

I also didn't get to go to church at all this week because we didn't go during the week and we had a "typhoon" that everyone cancelled church for. The typhoon was wimpy though. Now I feel less active. I found my old companion's glasses. He had been looking for them before he left the mission, but couldn't find them. Not exacly the best look for me, but Elder Johnson could do it.

I am a little sunburned because we played Tennis with Brother Benji for two hours...he is sponsored by Prince, so he's got some REALLY nice rackets...

Notes from Mom: Ian is going to bring home some things for Simon to take on his mission, but we aren't sure what size his scriptures will be, but he's on the hunt: ..." That's partly why I got some money out the other day. The other reason was because we have been traveling and I don't want to get reimbursed until the end of the transfer.

Also, about transfers, I will no longer be a Zone Leader in the China Hong Kong mission. My responsibilities will be as a Junior Companion. I'm super excited for this change to see what it will feel like. I'm going to miss the growth that always came with this assignment though.

On Facebook Ian's mission president posted a picture of the Victoria district at the temple.  It includes Ian's summer missionary.  Hopefully we will see more pictures next week!

WORK!...week 100

Well, I have 5 minutes...

We baptized another 2 Philippina sisters yesterday! Sister Bebe and sister Mylene.

Sister Mylene has a background miracle story, but I guess that will just have to wait a month 

We have a SUMMER MISSONARY! He's 18. Applying for BYU Hawaii right now. Super good English, so teaching shouldn't be a problem. We get to be with him for 2 weeks!

As of tomorrow, I will be restarting my mission, so don't freak out if I refer to still having a year (even if it's not true). Definitely don't want to go home...no offense to the fam.

LOVE TO YOU ALL! Shout out to Elder Enrique Cahua, who just finished his mission in Dallas Texas. One of the greatest missionaries that ever was! Hopefully he can teach my gringo little brother before he heads out.

Special Birthday Experience...week 99

Few people will get the chance to baptize someone on their birthday...I was blessed with 2!

I found Leila in April this year in a far away place. She learned very quickly but was nervous about baptism because of what her sister would say. She mustered the courage to invite her to an activity though, and Leah (said twin sister) never stopped coming after that. The spirit of the Lord was so strong with them. Now they can share it with their family of 8 siblings in the Phillipines!

Also went to MLC with none other than Elder CJ Belknap...the Springville reps in the Council. I also was very wet because it rained. I had an umbrella, but that doesn't matter in Hong Kong Rain...

Elders of the home bought some cake...and found a balloon that just floated down on them...a little deflated, but WOW!

Leila and Leah baptism:

Birthday celebration with cake and a surprise balloon!

Ian and Elder Belknap from Springville:

Notes from Mom: Ian has been asking about souvenirs to bring home.  "I could also get Owen a Chinese 三合一, but I don't know if they have it in simplified characters. You could ask him what he wants." I thought this was a great idea, but had to verify that this was a triple combination.  He confirmed and followed up with the following, which I thought was interesting: "The church has not been authorized to publish a Bible in Chinese..."

Interesting.

Also, last week Ian mentioned that he could "fake" his "death" to serve in Mainland.  Bryan said he could always go teach Ninja Basketball.  The Ian we know and love responded: "You know, the gospel is a lot like basketball (that would have to be the way I started every single lesson...)"  We will see him in 39 days!

A week of trial of faith...week 98

This week we had a lot of good stuff happen. For example, we had 3 baptismal interviews yesterday as well as a baptism! All passed! Two of these people that were interviewed are some twins that I will be baptising this Sunday. Their names are Leila and Leah. I first found Leila a month and a half ago. She was prepared from the beginning except for one little issue...she was afraid of what her twin sister would think about baptism. Well, she invited her sister to church and she broke down crying afterwards in the lesson, exclaiming that she had never felt so much joy before. These twins have had a rough childhood with 8 siblings and a father who died very early. They are both working here in Hong Kong to support the rest of their family in the Philippines. They only get to see each other every week, and often will go as long as 3 weeks without seeing each other. These are their only days off of work together, and they choose to spend it keeping it holy at sacrament and other church meetings.

I am so proud of them and so grateful for the blessing of seeing them progress. I may have had a hard week with other investigators 放 us (missionary lingo). It's fine though. Time is on our side! We just need to work hard!

Another miracle...a recent convert is trying to get a job in Canada. They were very nervous about the interview this week, so we invited them to fast with us. They got the job offer email just yesterday. Power of fasting right!

Take care everyone. As of now, I may be an oldie, but I'm a goodie too, and the mission isn't over yet. Actually it never will be. I'm going to fake my death and then do secret missionary work in mainland ;) That's the biggest dream ever though. Do some sort of 4th-Nephite stuff. That would be LOTS of fun :)

Scripture of the week is 2 Nephi 28:30. We may not completely understand, but if you want to, leaving is not the answer. You need to prove that you really want it. If you don't work to retain it, it will leave, so be wise stewards over what you know and NEVER STOP LEARNING!

Love, 戴依永長老 and 柯長老

Notes from Mom:  This week Bishop Choi posted some photos with the news that Brother Chan went through the temple.  He was a man Ian baptized in Sheung Shui.  I forwarded the pictures and emails to him, as well as Facebook's translation of what Bishop Choi said. 恭喜陳建業兄弟今天首次個人恩道門，從加入教會開始，陳兄弟就充分表現他對神的信心和愛。感謝聖職兄弟們今天給他强而有力的支持！ "Congratulations to Chen Jian-Yip for his first personal. Today, from joining the church, Chen brothers fully demonstrate his faith in God and love. Thanks to the holy brothers for their strong support today!" 

Ian's response: "That's a terrible translation. 'Congratulations to Chan Gin-Yip for receiving his Endowments, and from the beginning of coming into the Church, Brother Chan has fully displayed his faith in and love for God. A big thank you for the powerful support and strength of all the priesthood brethren that came!' I love these wonderful men. I know each of them. They are powerful and faithful examples of discipleship to me and all missionaries that serve in their ward."