Monday we had a great preparation day in 花蓮. We had a delicious lunch with all the missionaries in the city and then went to the beach again to play some frisbee! I absolutely love playing frisbee it's so much fun! Then we sat and watched the ocean all together and just hung out and talked with everyone. There were some surfers out catching some waves as well. The whole atmosphere was amazing. The sound of the ocean is one of my favorites. That was basically the day though, we did play some Uno with some Elders at their apartment and that was surprisingly fun. Elder Crimm has some fun twists that make it a blast. That was basically the day though the night wasn't exciting. Just tried finding and got told no a bunch. No worries though we are trying and that's what matters.
Tuesday was pretty average. I did get to go for a run this morning and that felt good. I hope to make it more of a habit and maybe even get some speed back in my legs! Before I got ready for the day I gave myself a quick haircut (perks of having your own clippers). Other than that nothing too monumental happened, but we saw so many dogs today! A lot of dogs out here are super wild, but I'm not scared at any time. I feel like Daniel and just know that I won't have anything happen to me. Most of these dogs just want some love and attention, it's pretty hard to come by here. That was pretty much the day but tomorrow starts the busy next few days!
Wednesday was crazy. We had interviews with President Peterson and that was a cool experience. He gave us all new Language Study copies of The Book of Mormon and I was so happy! They are hardbound, have the newest Chinese translation they just finished and look so awesome! Who would have thought I would be so excited for a new book. I definitely am! President also said if he can he will leave me in this area for 4 transfers which means I'll move May 30. If that happened though I wouldn't mind at all. This area is great for learning and growing if I am fortunate to stay here for long enough it will be a great opportunity for me. However, he was saying the same sort of things about wanting to leave missionaries in areas longer before I left 淡水. So I'll still take it transfer by transfer and we'll see what happens. Other than interviews, we didn't do much today due to the troublesome train times and trying to teach English class (which nobody showed up to). Even though we get rejected a lot in this area I take solace in the fact that I am trying and doing what I can. People have agency and they use it according to their own will, I can't change that. Someday they will come to realize the truth of what we have to offer!
Thursday was such an amazing day. In the morning I went running again and have come to realize how much I miss it. There are some things I have been surprised to find that I miss about home, cross country and track being two of those things. It's been good to start running again and start the morning off great. Today we had zone council in 台東 which meant we had to take a train for 2 hours to get down there and then our train didn't leave till approximately 7 o'clock. So our whole day was spent traveling or hanging out with other missionaries. It was so much fun though we went to a burger place altogether and had such a good time talking and spending time together. They had American music playing so that wasn't too bad either 😉. I enjoy being around other missionaries it's just so empowering and makes me motivated and so happy to be a missionary. I was able to see Elder Pope today and talk with him as well. He's doing good and it was so good to see him! So many other cool things happened today it's hard to sum up here. That's what my hard copy journal is for though! I'm making so many amazing memories everyday I gotta write it all down!
Friday was a super fun day. I did another run this morning, my legs aren't used to all this work all the sudden, but I love the feeling. So I will keep on doing it! We also had our weekly basketball and spiritual share combo with our teaching friends. It didn't go super as planned, at the games they started smoking and chewing betel nut with their friends they brought with them. I didn't like that and if it happens next week we might cancel the activity and reestablish our purpose and expectations with them. Since it is ultimately about the spiritual aspect and not the basketball. On a lighter note though, I got cat-called today. We were biking by a school and I was waving at some kids playing ball and then a few groups of girls noticed me and I was still waving so they all started waving and calling out cat-calling type noises and things like that as I rode by. That definitely gave me a good laugh and a smile to wear the rest of the day. Turns out one of the students was a daughter of a member in our small group (she didn't call out though). Lots of good experiences to be remembered for sure. This area is great in a lot of aspects. Including those types of memories.
Saturday was a super uneventful day in all honesty. We walked around and did studies and also set up and waited for an English class... that never happened since nobody showed up once again. That's okay though we will have a class eventually I just don't know when. After that less than successful attempt we did our weekly planning session and had some dinner and basically, by the time we got out the door and on our bikes for the first time, it was 8 PM. I was determined to go make something awesome happen. And we did it! We knocked only 4 houses but the very last one was a kind man who is letting us come back Monday night to share more about Jesus and the Book of Mormon! Cool stuff happens with a little faith and a determination to go at all hazards to make it happen. The will of Heavenly Father is to gather Israel and spread the gospel and nothing will stop that work!
Sunday was a great day! We had church in the morning and Elder Crimm and I were blessed with the opportunity to bless the sacrament today. It brings me great joy to be able to use the Priesthood and help bless others lives. Like Heber C. Kimball said once, "being a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, I stood ready at all times to administer the ordinances of the Gospel." I have been really reading the book about his life recently and have found some great insights into how I can become a missionary as Heber was and become a servant of the Lord like him! I have been blessed to bear his name and like Helaman 5 states, "... that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good." What a privilege to wear the names of Jesus Christ, my family, and my ancestor every day on my nametag. Well, that was a thought I didn't think I would share today but there it is! Today was an awesome day and we taught two slightly crazy people today. Since most of our town is a little off their rockers I wasn't surprised.
This week was so amazing! I also want to invite all of you to read the talk by Tad R. Callister titled, "What is The Blueprint of Christ's Church?" It's such a great talk, just like all of his General Conference talks! If y'all have time give it a look. I love you all so much I keep you in my prayers everyday! And the last quote I'll end with is "I commend you for your duty, now God's blessing go with you."
宋長老
Elder Ciminski
