Tuesday, December 25, 2012

SHENGDANJIE KUAILE!!!!!! December 25


Feliz Navidad!!! Today is Christmas here in Taiwan!!! I love Christmas with my whole heart. Being a missionary last night was the best. Riding around the streets of Taipei spreading Christmas Joy to the people of Taiwan. SO FUN! Last night we visited our friend Shi dixiong and gave him some gifts. We left it outside his door (we couldn't knock because he wouldn't hear it) then slid a note that said: "Merry Christmas. -Love Santa" I love Christmas.

Yesterday we had a huge Zone meeting for Christmas. It was awesome. Ate turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, salad, fruit, sweet potatoes, and rolls. It was delicious. I have haven't had american food(besides Mcd's) In so long. So good. Then there was a talent show. I helped my homie Elder Davidson play guitar for his. And Elder White (Not Caleb's relative, I asked) played pinano. Elder Davidson is probably one of the most Christlike people I have ever met. In the MTC he wrote a song and yesterday he got to perform it. To say the least it brought some people to tears. Pulled hard on some heart strings. Including mine.

I love Christmas because we get to remember our Saviour. The perfect example that he set for us. I am so beyond grateful for Him and everything he has done for me. I love him so much. I am so grateful for this opportunity I have to represent him. To serve my brothers and sisters here in Taiwan. I love this work. It is the happiest work. I LOFF IIT.

I love you all so much. Have the best Christmas of your lives. Remember the Saviour. His love for you. And mine. :)

Love, Elder Relyea

Sunday, December 16, 2012

December 16

Yooooooooooooooooooooooooo What upppppppppppppppppp!?!?!

How are you all?! I have my son! I will send some pikachurs. He is adorable. Seriously so funny. Makes me laugh so hard. The first picture is before we knew we were companions. It is called baby-sitting you go out with a brand new missionary and just Chuan the Jiao. Aka do missionary work. We saw so many miracles. We met a Huang Dixiong. So cool. We set a baptismal date with him on the street. This hardly ever happens. It was so cool. The Spirit was so strong! I know we are going to see some crazy miracles and success!

My son's name is Elder Weng. He is from Gaoxiong. Which is the South of Taiwan. It is Taiwan's second biggest city. Elder Weng and I have a ton in common. He likes skateboarding, can beatbox, plays ukelele, likes to cook, ect... All in all we are best friends. I love my son. Every time I introduce him I say, "This is my son, Elder Weng!" He is great. And the best part about him is he loves missionary work! He is already such a great missionary. He knows all the lessons, he is a G. I love my Son.

Other than that everything is about the same. This past week we met with a super cool guy, Wang Dixiong. He is super cool. Two weeks ago he said a prayer and then after he was done praying Elder Zhong called him and set up a time with him. So cool. He felt the Spirit so strong in our lesson. He said when he walked into the Chapel and started meeting with us he had a super peaceful feeling. Yeah, that is the Spirit, Homie! He is cool. We are meeting with him this Wednesday after English class. We also are meeting with a Lin Dixiong who is so good. He will get baptized. I think with his wife too. We haven't started teaching his wife yet, but it is coming. No worries. Heavenly Father wants them to be baptized together. It'll work out. Our good friend Shi Dixiong is not doing so well. He might get kicked out of his house. I'm gonna talk to our Bishop see what we can do. Pray for him! He needs it.

You guys, I love missionary work with my whole heart. It is the greatest invention. Makes me so happy. I love this Gospel. I have seen it change lives. I know Jesus Christ is our Saviour. He loves us all so much. He died for us. He knows what we are going through. This Christmas Season remember the Love the Saviour has for all of us and spread that love with everyone you see! I love you all so much! Merry Christmas!

Love, Elder Relyea



Sunday, December 9, 2012

December 9th

What is uuuuuuuuuppppp?!?!

This week has been so off the walls crazy good. Our good friend Hua dixiong was baptized on Satuday. The ward I am serving in (Wanda) has three companionships. And on Saturday every companionship had a baptism. It was so cool! So very cool. This Church is so true. :)

On another note I got a call this past week from my mission father (Elder Peterson) and my good friend Elder Thatcher (they are the assistants to the President) and they told me next transfer I would be Training!!! Haha. I'm so beyond stoked. Just a tad nervous because I still don't know how to order properly at Restaurants. At McDonalds I just say "that hamburger." Haha. It is going to be so fun though. I'm stoked to have a son.

Other than that everything is about the same. Did I tell you guys I went to Ping Dong? Probably... That was awesome. Close to no missionaries get that opportunity because it is in Taizhong's mission boundries. That was an adventure.

I love this Gospel with my whole heart. I have seen it change lives and I know without a doubt it has changed mine. Before Hua dixiong met with the missionaries he chewed Binlang and drank so much alcohol. He could drink a whole bottle of some hard stuff and not be phazed. But through this Gospel and Heavenly Father's help he is a changed man. And so happy. So cool. This church is so true. I love it. I love missionary work. AND I love TAIWAN!

Love you all with my whole heart!

Elder Relyea



Monday, December 3, 2012

December 2nd--ping DONG

What uuuuuuupppppppp?!?!

This week was awesome. So great. Yesterday was such a crazy day. We got to go to Ping Dong! Which is almost the very bottom of the island, and it is in Taizhong's mission. Haha. My companion had to go and have his body checked because he'll go to the Army pretty soon. After he's home. But he got to see his family! It was so cool. He's family is great. I got to chat with his family for like an hour and a half as they were checkin his bod. After he was done we went to Ping Dong's church. The second hour and Priestood. When we walked into Sundae School my friend from the MTC Elder Magnuson was there. Haha. We walked in and he was like "ELDER RELYEA!" There were like 30 people watching us. Haha. So funny. So Pind Dong is the most beautiful place. Literally for the past two weeks, it has rained everyday. We go to Ping Dong and it is sunny and beautiful. Then we went and visited Elder Zhong's Aunt and Uncle. Susu and Gugu. haha. Then we left. It only took two hours to get there because we took the fast train. Gao tie. So crazy. I fell asleep for 5 minutes then we were in Taipei again. Weird. Then last night was so awesome. We met two families that became new investies! YES! One family we only met the two brothers but they are great. We told them about the Book of Mormon and the older brother was STOKED. Haha. When we told him we could give him a copy he was so excited. He was like, "Ohhhhh. Really?!" Haha. It was awesome. Then we met a Lin family. So great. So humble. So ready for the Gospel! It is just a dad, daughter, and a son. Praying with them in there little house was so great. The dad was so grateful for us sharing with them. I love them so much.

Our friend Hua dixiong passed his Baptismal interview so he will be baptized on Saturday! YES! We met with our friend Shi dixiong and he was so grateful we washed his clothes. Elder Zhong has collected tons of white shirts, so we gave him three. He was happy. I gave him a Hi-chew and he showed me inside his mouth again. He has probably 3 1/2 teeth. Haha. Good news though, I saw toothpaste and his toothbrush, so he still brushes. I love him so much.

Well guys, I love bean a missionary so much. I love these people with my whole heart. There are not more humble people walking the earth. I love it here. Thank you all for being my homies. I love you all. A LOT!

Love, Elder Relyea