Monday was loads of fun. We woke up in the morning and ran to frisbee and back. It ended up being a 10K all in all. And my 5K split back home was faster then my split heading out so that was some good improvement. We then proceeded to call familia and then headed out to Costco! It was especially fun because we had YSA come with us and then the 新竹 missionaries came too so it was a big party. We had a good time and got the necessities. Then we came back to the apartment and chilled before getting myself a hair cut and then planning english group. It was a chill day and pretty relaxed.
Tuesday was loads of fun. We had District Council and watched the new broadcast from Elder Uchtdorf and it was pretty cool. We also ate dinner with the District at a hotpot restaurant and we went to a different one than usual but it wasn't as good. I guess that's why if it ain't broke, don't fix it. At night we updated our member wall and then had some good times finding. The crazy experience of the day happened in a Family Mart. I was sitting at a table and Elder Ellis was at another one talking to a guy. All the sudden a lady sits down across from me and long story short she was kinda crazy, hit on me and made me feel super uneasy so we left super fast. Very whack and glad we got out of there quick.
Wednesday was pretty cool. It was a pretty chill day because our schedule was full. We had 2 lessons set up for the day and one of them ended up happening and he became a new friend so I am very grateful to be able to share the gospel with another precious child of God. To think that 24 hours prior to that lesson he still hadn't even known about the missionaries (I street contacted him last night). It is so wild to think about how fast someone's life can be changed. Our other lesson didn't end up happening because he had to work overtime, but we got another time set up and so it all ended well. Aside from that, we had English Conversation Group and that went well also. Nothing way crazy happened but I did get an email from the Mission Secretary with my official church travel documents. Still got 101 days left and I got some big lofty goals to hit within that time. So I have no time to waste!
Good day Thursday. It was an exchange day and I was with Elder Stewart in my area. It was a good day and we went out to 湖口 and spent the whole afternoon out in that part of the area. It was pretty fun we explored the college in the process of doing our studies. It was enjoyable and I liked the time with Elder Stewart. We also had a lesson with our friend who is getting baptized soon! We reviewed the baptismal interview questions with him and he seems ready to go. The real interview is this Saturday and we are very excited for him. He seems like an honest and standup man and it's been so awesome to see him progress along the path. When we biked back to 竹北 and had dinner with the District at McDonalds then finished up the night doing daily contacting. Overall a great day. I'm grateful for everyday I have to be alive and help make this earth a better place.
Friday was a great day. It also marks another month on the mission. We are up to 21 months complete and only three left. It was a good day for sure. We didn't end up getting out of the house until almost 4 in the afternoon because Elder Ellis took his language test and passed it! Then we had lunch and our weekly planning session. So we finally got out and did some language study before having dinner. In the evening we had to run to the dermatologist (this time for Elder Ellis) and then we got stood up for our only lesson of the day. Then we headed home and did some daily contacting as well. It was also a frisbee day which meant I got two good runs in. The run out there I did no GPS or anything. On the way home I clocked a 6:07 and 5:48 miles respectively. Midway through I had a near miss with a red-light runner and that got me a mix of adrenaline and frustration that propelled me that last mile. My body is feeling good and my running is feeling better every time.
Saturday was a great day. We hit every one of our goals and it felt super good. We talked with 20 people, called 15 formers, shared 10 Book of Mormon scriptures on the streets, and visited three member homes as well as adding one new baptismal date to our teaching pool! So it was a very productive day and the best part was the lesson we had with our friend. We picked him up this week and he is honestly so ready. He shared with us some of his reasons for wanting to meet with us and it was pretty deep. Then we invited him to be baptized and he had such a great desire for it. He told us some things that have happened previously in his life and he told us he wants to become a better man. I am so grateful we can work with him and help him receive the power of Jesus Christ in his life.
Sunday was awesome. Another day where we hit our goals! We set some high goals and worked to get it done. Church was also pretty awesome. After church our friend for interviewed for baptism. It turns out that he still needs to deepen his understanding on some things so we need to keep on working with him for a little bit longer. His heart is in the right place though so we just need to step up our teaching in order to best help him. All good things will come with time. Aside from that we had a member dinner with a super amazing family and it was a nice time! We ate curry and brownies and that's such a great combination to be honest. It was way tasty and we were so grateful they invited us over!
Elder Heber Chase Ciminski
謝希伯長老