Welcome to Songshan - a 2 in 1 update

Elder Smith from Lehi, UT

Well I left Tianmu.

And now I'm in Songshan with Elder Tan. Him and I were in the MTC together and we were already great buddies. So we're pretty excited for these coming weeks. Our area is looking great. We have some pretty solid investigators that should be enjoying the blessings of baptism and confirmation here in a little bit. Great people.

As of right now, nothing to crazy to share. I lost my card reader, so hopefully I can get some pictures to you guys next week.

I am trying so hard to remember something cool that happened this week, but the entire week was just so cool that I've forgotten everything. Taiwan is still great. I can see 101 from the kitchen window.

Just to make this email a little more exciting, one of our investigators from Tianmu, Alec Wu came and visited me. He seems pretty pumped to be baptized next week! Good guy.

Well, look forward for an awesome email next week! I love you all.

Peace be the Journey.

5/1/16 Update

Elder Tan and I had another good week

Songshan in the day time

Monday: We went to XiMenDing and Elder Tan bought a new suit. We also went to the activity center and tried swinging at the batting cages. I now know why I never played baseball. Thanks mom and dad. Monday night finding went way went. Elder Tan tried something new: fake falling from his bike to see if any one would stop and help him. Didn't work out for him.

Tuesday: Biked for an hour out to NeiHu for district meeting. Came back and found for the rest of the day because our other 3 appointments all no-showed. Finding in SongShan is a little different. We are on bikes all day and just stop people. In TianMu we would bike to an area that is packed, get off and walk contact. Here we bike it all day. Good stuff.

Songshan at night

Wednesday: First English night in SongShan. I'm back teaching the Advanced class. Super fun. Our class was packed. Lots of people who are really confident with their English speaking abilities get frustrated with each other sometimes. I love learning with them though. English Class is always one of the best parts of the week.

Thursday: Weekly Planning and more finding. We met with an investigator named Sonny. He fed us lunch and then we discussed his efforts in searching for Heavenly Father. He tells us that he's been trying really hard. Elder Tan and I are just trying to help him follow through on all his commitments. Good guy.

Friday: We attended Missionary Leadership Council. Straight 6 hours of training from President and Sister Jergensen and the Assistants. Learned a lot of good stuff about the greatest leader to ever walk the Earth: our Savior Jesus Christ.  Then we headed back to our area and had Texas Road House for dinner. Yes, Texas Road House. My favorite.

Finding with Elder Tan

Saturday: Got stood up by more people, turned out to be another whole day of finding. Found some solid new investigators. Hopefully they'll turn out to be more than hopefuls next week! I love Taiwanese people.

Sunday: Happy Sabbath. Best day of the week! Great services. I spoke in sacrament meeting about the simplicity of the Gospel. Our ward here in SongShan is way awesome! We did a little more finding, then a member fed us dinner. Every First Sunday of the month, they hold a new member/ investigator fireside for anyone to come. For all missionaries serving in the Taipei area, if they bring and RC or an investigator, they can come with them. BUUUT I had a special assignment. Last week Elder Anderton called and asked me if I can sing in it. a duet. He asked me who my MTC comp was, when I told him Elder Liston, he said, "perfect. You and Elder Liston are singing the Spirit of God." NORMALLY I would reject something like that really fast. But I thought to myself, "Mother's day is coming up, mom would like this....maybe.".. so, happy mothers day mom! I sang the Spirit of God last night for you in front of like 200 people.

That's my week.

Christ lives!


See ya next week! Love you guys,
Elder Chase Matua

Saw this at a members house and thought it was funny
Mate ma'a Tonga!