My first real teach!

Dajia hao!                                                                                                             July 28, 2014

Hope everyone is doing well! This week was way fun because Wednesday we got 2 new district's of Mandarin speaking missionaries! And I have seen a ton of people I know from MC which was way fun! We now have the 3rd LARGEST branch in the MTC. Our building is almost filled up, the work in Asia is hastening!

 

 This week we taught our first lesson at the TRC. Which is where it is real life members of the Church which volunteer to come and hear a message. (in you mission language of course, just clarifying) So we were all a little nervous. But it was problably the best experience I have had so far! The first lesson was with to men, one from Beijing and the other from Taipei. The were so kind and helped us out a lot with the words we didn't know or mispronounced. The next to gentlemen were pretty young, one from Taipei and on from Provo. I got about halfway through the lesson and then asked them if they had had any experiences with prayer that they would like to share. The younger, who was 16 shook his head, and the other informed me that he was not a member of the Church. So yup, I guess I have already taught an investigator! Wahoo! But in all seriousness, it was a very spiritual experience. And challenged both of them that if at any time they feel stressed of upset to pray to our Tianfu (Heavenly Father) he will help us and give us peace.

 

 

Our district!!!

Now for the funny story of the week. So here in the MTC, I have found that you have to make your own fun! So I prank. What else would I do. So the night before I had made Elder Perkins "guess the password" So Elder Jacobson the night after went to the bathroom and it was just about time for lights out. So I got Elder Casper to go and jump into his bed and hide unto the covers! So when he came back in I shut off the lights (so he wouldn't see him) and told him LIGHTS OUT!!! So he was like whatever Elder Roe and got into the bed and me and Perkins are just trying not to laugh. Then out of the darkness I hear "What is this?" And then Elder Casper (who has the best laugh ever) Let's out this little "huhhhhhhhh" then "CASPER GET OUT OF MY BED!!!" I don't think I have laughed this hard here before. I was crying and I am pretty sure Elder Jacobson was scared. But he has been a good sport about it!

 

 

Kameron Christensen and Porter!!! Swim buds!

Last night we watched Elder Bednar's Character of Christ. And he said so much good stuff but I loved the part where he talked about. "This isn't about you, it doesn't matter how you feel or what you want. This is a mission" It really put into perspective that we are here on God time and if he could be here doing this work he would be. So we need to buck up and go to work every single day. 

I love this gospel, I know it's true and no one can ever tell me otherwise. Strive to have Christ in your daily life and don't forget to thank him for everything thing that is good and everything that is bad.

Another buddy at the MTC!

Much love,

Porter inherited his sarcasm from home....yikes!

Luo Zhanglao

(Porter)

The days are long and the weeks are fast!

Hello everyone!                                                                                          July 21, 2014

Well I can now say what everyone before has said. The day's are long and the weeks are fast. I think the most part of why this is true for me is because; when you spend 6 hours of hearing a language you don't understand your brain get's fried and you just want to sleep! Haha, but the truth is it is a blast! My district is the best mix of personalities you can imagine!

Me and Perkins!

 

 We are all picking up the Language fairly quickly! During class I can understand about 90% of what is being said which is so cool, except when I need to respond I realize how frustrating it is to not have the vocabulary of what I want to say! Our lessons have gone pretty well, this week we will be teaching two new investigators and then on Sat. we head over the the TRC. Where we will teach real member's of the church in Mandarin. So that won't be intimidating at all.

 

 

 And then I love going to Church where we sing, pray, and speak in Chinese. But I gotta say I can't wait for the day where I actually understand what they are saying. This experience is by far going to be the best, and hardest adventure of my life. I have found that although many other missionaries focus mostly on Language, it doesn't matter if the Holy Ghost is not present. So what I have tried to do is develop a strong testimony, and learn how to say that effectively. It has strengthened me and helped me to know that this is the right choice. Even though I might not yet speak as well as other's I DO know that this is Christ's true gospel. I feel so thankful to have that knowledge.

My 1st Package...probably my last!

 

 Last night in our Sunday Devotional we had T.C. Christensen speak to us. He directed the film(s) 17 Miracles, Ephraim's rescueetc. And something he said was very profound. When Brigham Young ask for those to go and rescue those that where basically stranded many people volunteered, but it was a couple days before they would be ready. But Ephraim could tell him "I am ready now!" I think that, that is something we can all do no matter where we are. Prepare ourselves so that when God calls we can say "I am ready, NOW." 

McNeil had his 19th Bday! We may or may not have a caffeinated drink under lock and key!

On a little bit of the more comical side, while we were sitting in the stands waiting for the devotional begin. A Sister in front of me turns around and see's my Chinese name tag and says. "Oh your going to taiwan!" And then starts spewing out Chinese. I just looked at her like, uhhhh ni hao. She laughed and then said it again and we had a small conversation is Chinese which was a lot of fun! I can't wait to get out there and serve those people. We are so blessed to have this gospel! I love you all! Until next week!

Elder Roe

My 1st Pday!!!

Elder Wolford and me!

                                                                                 July 14, 2014


Howdy ya'all,




Well, it's finally pday which mean I get to write home to ya'all! So, let's go back to Wednesday, the day I was whisked off from you all off the curb, for the  next 2 years of my life....yep that day.



 

 

Well thankfully they rope off everything so it's nearly impossible to get lost. And then I got my name tag and on it was my super super cool: DORK DOT! Haha, yeah I you look like a dumby for sure. But it was a super tender mercy to run into Elder Wolford right off the bat!



My nametag...FOR REAL!!!



 Then I was taken to the classroom where we would not hear English. I was one of the last groups to arrive so most of my district was there. And our teacher (Ruan Laoshi) kept speaking Chinese at me and trying to sign what I needed. It was painfully awkward. We learned how to tell where we were from and how to introduce ourselves.

 We were all issued a Chinese name that we are suppose to go by. Mine is Luo Zhanglao. Yup it's freaking hard to say, it took me about three days to be able to get it down. Luckily there is another Chinese teacher who is actually from China with the same surname "Luo." So I just kept listening to how people said her name! We had a ton missionaries come in my day, I think they said it was a new record but I didn't hear the exact number, sorry!

My 1st Companion! Elder C! 

 But we had a big opening meeting together and it is an incredible feeling to be around so many people that want to have the light of Christ with them. This is a very spiritual place. I have had the opportunity give two blessings so far and it has been awesome! In my residence there is my and my companion Elder Casper who is a great guy. Strong spirit all around! We are definitely different but we work together well I think! Also there is Elder Perkins and Elder Jacobson. Both of them have been sick this week so we are praying that they can get back to full health quickly!

My roommates!

Yep, ran into my bud...Elder Steven Odd!

 On Friday we got to go outside and it was nice and cool and play soccer! It was mostly just the Mandarin speakers and it was such a fun way to start out the day and a REALLY nice time away from the classroom! I feel like I have a thousand things I want to say but I don't really have them all organized so sorry!

Also I have taught two lessons in Chinese. Now don't be mistaken, when I say "taught" that means that I ask him a question from the book and the investigator replies really fast and I have absolutley no idea what he says, then I search through the book for something close to what he said. Lots and lots of awkward silences. We are teaching him later tonight again so keep us in your prayers! I love it here and am so blessed to serve the people of Taiwan and learn Chinese. Even though I feel a little overwhelmed and it seems like we'll never be able to speak it I know it's what I'm suppose to do. I love you all! Until next week!

Love ya Kaitlyn...here's our pic right before I left!

Elder Roe

I'm a Missionary now!

Well folks this dream of mine has finally come! I am now a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Tomorrow I will report to the Provo MTC and begin my service. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my Family and friends who have helped my on this journey and inspire me to make this decision. You have made impact on me in so many ways that it is hard to describe.The patience, kindness and love have helped me realize that I can also do those things for others. I love each of you and especially those who have taken the time to listen to my dreams and my concerns and were always there when I needed you most!

 I would like to bare witness that this is God's true gospel on this Earth and that through Joseph Smith the restoration of priesthood authority was brought again restored to man. And that if we come to him and be baptized and keep the covenants which we made that we will be blessed beyond comprehension. I also know that Thomas S. Monson is the rightful Prophet today and by him we are led in the direction of returning to our Heavenly Father. Last of all, that Jesus is the Christ and he lived and died, and was resurrected and that he DOES LIVE! Come unto Christ. Look unto him is every thought, doubt not, fear not. I love you all and feel so blessed to serve the people of Taiwan. Till we meet again.

Elder Roe



We took Porter to the MTC today and as most understand that is not the easiest thing to do. We have tried to raise Porter and our other children in a way that they could make their choices effectively and hopefully in a wise manner. Though that isn't that case every single day we are so proud of Porter and his decision to serve the Lord and set aside the world for the next two years. These will be foundational in his growth and more importantly with every missionary brings additional opportunities for others to make and keep sacred covenants that will bring us back to the presence of God if we will do our part. Jody will be updating Porter and Taylor's blogs while they serve and we hope you will feel some of their missionary spirit as well. 
                                   Eldon

                                                       Here are some pictures from today.

It only took a small amount of coaxing!!

A little tender mercy...Elder Wolford greeted Elder Roe

 

It's only two years...RIGHT?