Week #95: Elder Buhler Had A Great Week in a Three-Some!

Dear family and friends: 

My new companion is super cool.  His name is Elder Otte. He is an awesome missionary from Washington, just totally a great guy. Its been crazy.  I have spent the last week with the other elders in a 3 man which was a blast. This entire week I have not gone to bed until past 1 in the morning we just talk about everything. Elder Pennington is a total beast and Elder Andy is hilarious. Well ya its been a ride. We found a bunch of golden people like B for example. He is a Protestant and man oh man he has a lot of questions. He is golden we actually have a lot of people lined up for my last week of the mission. Dec 13th  so hopefully they all work out. Looking back on my mission I realize all the hard moments on my mission are some of the most beloved.  I am at the point where I even look back at the MTC with fondness haha. 

Ok my last comp dropped an article of clothing on a ledge 30 feet below and instead of being mature and going down and grabbing it we decided to maneuver the entire situation and tied 3 jump ropes together to a hook.  We just fished it up  and it was totally interesting thing. super fun. well we have had a pretty crazy week but all in all its been worth it I can' really delve it a lot of it but just know that its been great. Pray for B, H, A and A and A.

I bear you my testimony that families are ordained of God that they are eternal that they were meant that way in the beginning.  God is the same now, then, and forever. Man may change laws but he has no authority to change God's laws. I believe that God listens to our prayers and even though sometimes we fall short or realize that maybe God might not give us what he wants, the fact is He listens. Reading the Book of Mormon has been a sense of hope for me and that the primary hymns have so much meaning to me . The lyrics "Heavenly father are you really there and do you hear and answer every child's prayer."  I also love the words to" How could the Father tell the world." 

How could God do all of that I don't know how but I believe God loves and cares for us. I believe that O have a huge capacity to doubt but I have also a huge capacity to believe for without doubt there can not be belief.  I bear you my humble testimony in the name of Jesus, my brother and my friend. 

Amen

Week #94: Elder Buhler Shares His Testimony of Joseph Smith. He Has No Food but He Loves His Companion

Dear family and friends:

This week had a crazy activity where we invited literally everyone we knew and watched the Joseph Smith movie which was pretty cool.  Most people have never seen it, and at the end of it I played "Praise to the Man"  and the congregation sang it. So thank you Tracy Young for teaching how to play the piano. It was beautiful. I think everyone should go watch it.  Its truly an amazing movie. I think a lot of people should realize Joseph Smith really did something amazing. The things he did are simply amazing and not many people realize this. Also to make a point he was tarred and feathered  and not once during all the trials did he ever say "OK, uncle. I give up. I made it up." 

All his closest friends left and his life was just falling apart but not once did the guy say I made it up. and then above all he died for it  which is crazy. I feel people who think the BOM is just something made up should actually read it and see the utter complexity of the entire thing. Its truly a beautiful book. 

Well for the rest of the week. we moved apartments!!! It was crazy!! We moved from our small humble abode to a huge vast kingdom apartment. I can jump rope all I want on the deck... well not anymore... the land lord chewed me out and said I can't anymore... but ya there is no food.  We have food but it is in the form of Reese's pieces ahahha but we had no food on Sunday so we ended up eating moldy bread but it was pretty good if anything it was a good weight loss thing. 
Well I got to go. I would just like to say I love my comp Elder Randall and he is a total stud  and I respect and love him. 

I would like to bear my testimony and saying that this work will go forth boldly and nobly tell everyone hears it. I would also like to say I know that families are the most important thing ever and an eternal marriage is not something to be taken lightly and if we follow the gospel nothing will ever go permanently wrong.  We just have to hold onto to the rod like this necklace which my mom gave me. It says hold to the rod. Do not look at the world in the building and keep your eyes firm on the tree ... 

I love you all

J. R. Buhler

Week #93: Baptisms

Dear fam bam,

This week was pretty alright. I got to go on some pretty gnarly exchanges with some pretty cool elders. This week has been very cool, because of how much I have relied on prayer. I feel that even if you don't believe, it's always good to pray. It makes you feel good. This email will be short. I actually got to help baptize 2 people and man oh man, it was awesome! I loved it. It's cool too see all the cool things that happen on the mission. Well, i will talk more next week . Super excited to see you all! Can't wait. Be safe!!!

Elder J. R. Buhler

Week #92: Keep Going, and Have Faith

Dear Family,

This week has been quite the week. We have a baptism this next week, and we are really trying to get more. This week 1 of 2 sisters is getting baptized. We are trying to get the other one to get baptized too. The goal is that on the fifteenth of Nov., that they be sealed to there parents. What a great goal, to be sealed for time and all eternity. That's nuts.

I have also been reading a book by Spencer W. Kimball called "The Miracle of Forgiveness." Ya, the book has some rough edges, but it's a really good book in general. I don't agree with everything, but one part i love is that he says  “Soul mates are fiction and an illusion; and while every young man and young woman will seek with all diligence and prayerfulness to find a mate with whom life can be most compatible and beautiful, yet it is certain that almost any good man and any good woman can have happiness and a successful marriage if both are willing to pay the price.”  He also says that an eternal marriage is something to fight for. In fact, its the greatest thing to fight for. Yes, we all have our differences, but what the Lord intended was a celestial unity. We could be as different as cats and dogs, but if we follow the gospel, we can over come everything and make it.

This week a lot of crazy things have happened, and I can't really disclose everything, but man, it's kinda been a hard week.  However, I feel that something I need more of is faith. I can admit it freely, I doubt. This week has been really hard for to say, "Man, I believe it will all work out."  Because honestly, sometimes I don't think it will. One thing I can change is my out look, my view on it. My faith. I rememeber before my mission, I said I had faith in everything. If you knew me before the mission, I said "Man have faith" a lot. Right now I am eating my own medicine. I need to have faith. Right now, it is a tad bit hard, but I am trying. I don't know if there is anyone out there that is feeling what I am feeling, but what I would say if there were, is to keep going and have faith. Faith that it will all work out. No one ever got anything done by quitting.

I love you all, and I hope that you are all having a great life.

Elder Buhler

Week 91: This week has been crazy!

Photos provided by http://taiwantaichungmission.blogspot.tw/ 

Dear family,

Whats up everyone!!! This week has been crazy. I will try to remember everything that has happened. I got to go on exchanges with Elder Pennington . He went to Alta, and was a captain of the football team, and was a total g. Pretty cool guy!!! We bonded pretty well. Super cool kid. This email will be pretty short . So the main story of the week is that this kid wandered into our church and started asking about how he could sell his soul to the devil and stuff. We all just looked at him like he was retarded.  We gave him a Book of Mormon, and sent him on his way. The feeling with him was super weird. But ya. Nothing new this week. We have some baptismal goals, so pretty sick about that. I got pretty emotional during a lesson about eternal families, but besides that, nothing new. I love you all. I have to go. Talk to you all next week.

The quote of the week is, "Come what may and love it."

Elder Josh Buhler

Week #90 Part B....Elder Buhler's Talks About Families and Temples....

Dear Everyone:

So today I got to go to the temple. Now for those of you who know me, you know that I was at first not the biggest fan of the temple, because I did not understand it all. However, now I love the temple. It is super peaceful. I actually get a lot of thinking done in there. I feel so calm that I can almost feel like something is there with me. So today was kinda cool. I got to watch sealings. This is when married people are sealed for all eternity. It was interesting. I have never really been a marriage kinda person. I kinda view it all as beyond me in a sense. This last week, I think in a sense, I am excited about marriage. Not for anything that you all might be thinking, but more for the idea of being a parent and a father. You all might be thinking, "Wait, aren't your parents getting a divorce?" Yes, they are, but that does not mean they have not done a good job parenting. I think with what they had, they did a fine job.  I am excited to be a parent, because my dad was the best dad for me, and i want to be like him. I know that sounds cheesy, but that's how I feel, and my mom is such a great mom. I wanna marry a girl like her. Plus idk, I think it would be cool to find someone you loved and be sealed for time and all eternity. That's my opinion, and it is cool to see people do that in the temple.

The talk is about a asian military officer who when questioned by the prophet, tells him that he will likely be kicked out of his home and banished and ridiculed, all because he joined the church, and then the prophet says it will be difficult will it not? The officer looks at him and says, well its true isn't it? BAM! Conviction . I don't have that conviction. I pray someday I do. I don't really have any where near that but I hope someday I do. You may be ridiculed because of standing up for something you believe in, or the church, or for something you know to be true. You face armies or even your own parents who disagree with what you say. All I can say is that the wicked or even the misled or even the lost do not like the truth because the truth hurts. it always does. Finding out on the mission that what I had believed before was not true and not what I truly believed hurt. Finding out that so and so in my 10 grade year did like me hurt . Finding out that I did not make grades to transfer to a higher school hurt, but it was the truth. Learning that my parents were getting a divorce hurt, but it was the truth.  You will be ridiculed . People will make fun of you for what you believe. They will say 50 million people do it they all can't be wrong, but Elder Nelson says, yes they can all be wrong, very, very, wrong. They will say the world is different, but we must remember we are not of the world, we are different. We are Mormons. Our standards tend to be a little bit higher. We are not better than them, we are just different. When you are getting yelled at by some people for your beliefs or when your parent is telling you divorce is valid, and telling you that you are wrong, or when your entire world is crumbling down. Stand firm in what you know to be true, and if not, then stand firm in what you believe. Remember, its true isn't it? Then thats all that matters.

I bear my testimony that this is true, I believe that this church true, and there is a God who loves us, and that marriage, though changed by man, and laws, and policies, is ordained of God from the beginning, and is intended for the eternities. One thing that has comforted me since day one of my mission, has been in preach my gospel about the Atonement. The Atonement makes it possible that in the next life all our losses will be made up. That it will be fixed. So take it. Perfection does not come in this life, only in the next life. I bear you this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Buhler

Week #90: General Conference was Amazing!

Dear Everyone,

This week has been awesome! First off, I want to say how amazing conference was!!! It was off the charts man!!!! So good. I felt like they all were preaching with fire, which is my favorite.

I want to share my favorite parts, which is from Thursday on. We actually teach a college class, like a legit class, and they even call me Professor Buhler. We teach English to them. It’s kinda cool.  This last week I taught them dating etiquette, which is funny, because I never went on dates. It was cool.

Friday was a national holiday for exercise and stuff which was pretty cool. We biked up this ridiculous mountain, and i was dying. I am so out of shape, it is ridiculous actually. Pretty disgusting. Then we hiked up these trails with all these whack looking spiders that make Shelob look like a puppy. Ah man, Mckray would have hated it. Then at the top, there was this cool stone path that you had to take your shoes off. It was kinda like an old school foot massage, but the thing was like crazy the more you walked on it. It hurt like crazy. It’s like life in a sense. Sometimes there is no support, and every further step you take it gets more painful and painful, but if you endure it well, all work out. I will elaborate later on that.

We had a basketball activity and man oh man was that a blast. Got a bunch of thugs in the building and when they walked in they said how weird that they felt so peaceful. Kinda cool. My comp and I balled hard!! He is a stud. His name is Lincoln Randall. He swam for BYU, but now he is with me. Super cool kid. Love him to death.

So I can't really describe to you all why I love conference, and why I think it was so awesome but it was. I loved it all. I love conference and how it has really influenced me a lot on my mission. Before my mission, I hated it. Now I have really grown to love it, ya know? I loved the Swedish guy who just told me to shut up and work out. Ahhah! Super duper funny! I really enjoyed Elder Ballard’s talk, and Elder Bednar. Ah man, it was all so good. I can't really write a lot right now. I will finish writing my full letter on Wednesday. Today we only get an hour because we have temple trip this week, but Wednesday I will finish.

Love you all. Bye.

Elder Buhler

Weeks # 88 & 89:89: Committed to Being Faithful Until the Very End

The last 6 weeks have been excruciatingly difficult for Elder Buhler as he has struggled with finding out that his mother has filed for divorce. Its really hard to understand that when you are 8000 miles away from home teaching about eternal families. After struggling with whether I should post this weekly update, I  (his mom) realized that in fairness to Josh, that we should post it. Its a part of his journey and to deny him that right to freely express himself would be unfair.

Dear Fam Bam,

My comp is a stud of a man, and has ignited a fire in me that I have not felt my entire mission. Even with my parents getting a divorce, I feel I have a desire to do the work! Divorce or not. I will give it my all for these last two months, and whatever happens, happens. He is a stud. We have worked a lot over this last week and I am not too tired to write in my journal. We had a baptism last week, and we have 8 goals. I am excited!

I have learned that I need to forgive, even when I clearly do not want to, but because Christ forgives me for constantly screwing up.

My comp is an inspiration to me. So this last week I have decided to get back into shape, and needless to say, it is hell. However, it will be worth it. I taught a lesson because my comp was gone. He had to teach another lesson, so I went to this member’s house, who the mom and dad want to go to the temple so bad so they can have an eternal family, and I was supposed to take a female member, but she brought all her friends, so I had about 7 piekes with me, and ah man, I thought this was gonna go downhill so quick. Everyone was talking. My teaching methods are always a bit unorthodox to say the least, but anyways, I tried everything. Magic tricks, ward testimonies, but in the end, it was all those girls, who were all like 30, telling that little 12 year old how awesome church is and how it can really help her. I told her about how at the age of 12, she does not really understand it all. When i was 14, my dad had cancer, and I did not understand till my coach, Coach Jensen, explained it all to me. I told her that someday, her parents would pass away, and through all of this she could see her family again. Finally, I told everyone to shut up and it got all quiet, and I asked her, “Look, I don't want you to get baptized cause your mom, or dad, or anyone else wants you too, I want you too because you want it. Do you?” It got quiet, then she nodded and gave a thumbs up, and I was like, “Alright!”
Everyone was leaving, and I asked the father to walk me out. As we were walking back to the church, the man started crying. All he could say was xie xie, and he just hugged me. Not many things will pull my heart strings, but that would do it. It was cool. The father wanted it so bad, so right now we are working for that.

We have a lot of goals. I am excited. I believe this place will be on fire. I truly believe that everyone will have times in life, and sometimes more than once, we will be faced with a choice to believe in god or not too. It is as simple as that in my situation. Even with my doubts, and my parents getting divorced, for at least these 2 move calls, I choose to believe. I promise, you will not find a more hardworking missionary, or one who will shy away from bearing his testimony, as small as it may be, and you will not find one who prays more than i do for a miracle here, and back at home with my parents.  I will work on humility. Elder Holland says to keep trying, and keep working, and moving forward. It will be all right in the end. Elder Wirthlin says come what may and love it. I remember when I found out i was leaving my area, and to leave my good friend Shen Bei Bei, that old man who I have so many pictures with. I realized I would never see him again in this life unless a miracle happened. But I knew that if anyone in this world deserved a body, it would be that old geezer. I realize that someday, if I play my cards right, I will see that happy old man, and we will be able to speak, and he will talk to me and walk, and run, and jump . Oh what a joyous day that will be.

Something important to know about Shen Bei Bei is that he does not care that he can't use his body like we can. He will find a way to do it. Shen Bei Bei doesn't care. He could stare the stain out of a shirt. He has tried, but I believe he is a perfect example of enduring to the end. Follow Shen Bei Bei, and find a way to get things done the right way.

I realize I have not always been the best example in everything, and even right now with my parents divorce. But I can liken myself to a quote by Winston Churchhill "You can always count on America to do the right thing. After all their resources have been exhausted." So, in this you can say you can always count on Josh Buhler to do the right thing after all my other resources have been exhausted. Well, here is my email. If you don't like it well than go to outer darkness. Ha ha I’m kidding.

Elder Buhler

I love my family, and I love my friends. I do not know everything, but I believe God is there, and Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God. I believe that Jesus somehow died for me, and I believe if everyone lived the gospel, the world would be a much better place. I actually know that if everyone follows the gospel, the world will be a better place. I love my mom and my dad equally, and my siblings. Something that Paul said, “When I was a child I spoke as a child. When I grew up and became a man, I put away childish things, and acted like a man.” I butchered that quote, but I need to grow up and be a man.

PS: There is always room for change, and its never too late to change your mind, no matter what.

Week # 87 District Leader Meeting and Zone Conference

Weeks 85 and 86 - What I am Grateful for...

This last week I have had a pretty persistent cold, which has kept me in bed for the past two days. Two birthdays in a row haha... so I have had time to think. Here is what my email is.

What I am grateful for:

I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for my father who would take me out on walks in the hills and would teach me how to tell time with looking at the sun, who would take me on camping trips and stay up late with me and play video games or watch movies with me. He would pick me up from friends’ houses at unreasonable hours. I am grateful for him loving me unconditionally even when I made mistakes. He had so much patience with me when I honestly deserved a good smacking. He would hold me when I cried, and would come to all my sporting games. He above all is a good dad, who never ever wanted the spotlight, but always pushed it on me. He taught me to love God, and all will work out who trusted me enough to watch me walk away from beliefs I held dear to the point where I came back and went on a mission. 

I am grateful for my mom, who literally sacrificed every waking moment of her adult life into bettering my life, and my sibling’s lives and others. She would come up with the most extravagant birthdays imaginable. She would sleep outside of Walmart in the cold, so her stupid son could get an xbox 360 for Christmas. She would push me to my limits, so I could know my limits, but also know that I can push for higher limits, that my best could be better. She taught me that honesty is better than promotion. She taught me if I gave it my all, then I could be happy with that. She taught me that truth and everything good is better than what ever pleasure the other side could offer me. She taught me that racial barriers and whatever stood in my way were nothing. She would hold me when I was a little kid, and who I could always count on to champion my cause. I am grateful for my mom for the things I know she has done for me and things I don't know she has done for me.

I am grateful for my siblings. They as a whole have been my pride and joy of my life. Jacob has always been there in the sense of presence and on my mind. He has always been my little brother and my inspiration. He has been the guy who brings me down to earth, and in a sense, he has always been my go to play mate. Cassie for her humor, for her criticisms and her skepticisms, and everything that God has endowed to her. She has always been the humor that I needed when I least expected it. She is braver than I ever was.  I am grateful for her riding the roller coasters with me, for doing everything. Jared for being my mini me, for being strong in hard times when he didn’t want to be strong. He always, without fail, emailing me and just being the bear of the family. For Caitlin, ah man she is the princess, and always reminds me I need to be more well behaved. I thank her for also being brave. I could write a page about what I am grateful for with my siblings, but I can't, because I don't have time. 

I am grateful for my friends. All of them. I can't name everyone, but I will name off a few. Mckay, Miles, Troy , Jalon, Andrew and Pickles, etc. every one of my friends has held me to the highest standard in all my conduct. They have been there for me in my darkest moments, and each one has influenced me into what I am today. I am grateful for their families. I am grateful for everything they give me, and how they have let me into their homes against their better judgment in there gut. I am grateful for that very much. 

I am grateful for heroes, who ever they may be in my eyes. Brandon Curtis, Cody Towse, Veterans, Firefighters, Neil Armstrong, Albert Einstein, JFK, Abraham Lincoln, my mom and dad and whoever else might be a hero to me. Heroes inspire me. 

I am grateful for this church even though I don’t have the best testimony, and at times I want to leave, because I dislike the rules, or something else. I find that if people live the gospel, they are happy. I am grateful the hope it offers mankind in general. I am grateful for the leaders, who have inspired me, who have always been there for me. Bret Nelson, Chivers Cutler, Grasseley. There are a lot of people who have been there for me. I am grateful for what Joseph Smith claimed to have seen, and what he did. I am grateful for the idea of God.

I am grateful for my doubts. I am grateful for my ever questioning mind. As weird as that may sound, it keeps me sane. I am grateful that I have these fears, and have this longing to figure out everything, because if I didn't, I would be an awful human being. I am grateful for my mission president who though even with all my short comings loves me. 

I am grateful for challenges that we have because it gives us chances to overcome them.

Elder Buhler

Week #84 Elder Buhler is Doing Fine

Elder Buhler didn't have time to write this week.  He is doing fine, he has just been to busy to write.  He would love you to email him: joshua.buhler@myldsmail.net

Week #83 No Time

This week, Josh didn't have enough time to write an email to share. We are excited to hear more from him next week.

Week #82 Crazy Mission Week

Well Fam Bam, it has been a crazy ride to start off everything. We had a kid show up at the church and say he ran away from home and is suicidal. S,o we sat him down and started talking to him and just tried to calm him down. I called my superiors, who then called a social worker who then came. Over 3 hours later the social worker was like he is fine and leaves. Then this kid says he has a bomb and ah man all this crazy stuff so finally we let him go, and then bam he came back five min later, saying he was joking the entire time and so that wasted our entire day. Turns out the kid is mentally crazy, and ya. Super duper annoying, and I was mad to say the least... that was it in a nut shell...

Then we saw Kuahhu. He is the blind Hawaiian guy who plays the piano super duper well. He was pretty cool dude. Got a picture with him.

So, we are not supposed to talk about what happened to the 2 missionaries. I do not know much. I knew one of the Elders. He went to Springville, and was a really nice and quiet kid. It is crazy how stuff like this happens.  One thing I have come to realize is that I can search for all the logic I want on the existence of God, or for Atheism, but in the end, both sides need faith. You can't through logic prove anything you need faith. Food for thought.

Bear cat.

Good luck Jacob.

Elder Buhler

Week #81 Good Luck to all the new Missionaries

Well, you are all looking at the brand spanking new district leader... ghaha. Before all my RM friends roll their eyes, ahahah it’s a big deal for me, because I get to do DTM the way it was supposed to be...but it will be interesting. Anyways, this week has been an interesting week... I have found that I have preached with way to much fire, and I need to be less blunt.... a couple of members who I would say are dear friend have gone less active, and man I feel like it’s because of me. Sometimes I am way to blunt. I have found that part of being a missionary or a representative of Christ is that sometimes you have to say something even when you obviously do not want to say that. But you have too because it’s what you believe.

Well, my little brother is going on a mission... I am super proud of him I will miss him like crazy but I know he is going to be the best missionary ever. He has all the skills and talents and he is stubborn like me so he won't give up. He is an awesome kid. Elder Noll and I were talking last night and we both believe that the hardest part of all of this is watching both our younger brothers walk off on this huge adventure, and we won't see them for a total of 3 and half to 4 years... I know that Ryan and Zach know how we feel, but we feel that they are going to do amazing. We are both super proud of Jessi and Jacob. Go forth to serve.

This week in a nutshell… was insane. One thing that is hard about Taiwan, is that there is pornography everywhere!!! It’s ridiculous, and no one even cares ... It’s really sad.

The other elders had an investigator drop out this week, which was really sad because he was super ready ... I had the font filled and everything.... I actually almost flooded the chapel which is pretty funny! ahahha

I found out that I am staying in Gangshen, and I might be able to finish my mission here!!! I only have about 4 months left. It’s crazy to think. I am glad I am here. It’s a wonderful place, and I love it.

My new comp is awesome

One thing that I have found to be a blessing is a site called fairmormon.org. If anyone has any problems or questions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) or the Book of Mormon, I beg you go to this site. It will answer a lot of the questions you may have. When people here about anti-mormon stuff, they assume the church ignores it. Oh no they don’t! The church has some very, very smart people on their side and they answer all the questions. It’s a really cool thing.

Good luck to all the new missionaries! You are all awesome, and will do so well!!!

Elder Buhler

Week #80 No One is Perfect

This week, ah man, has been interesting!!! It has been a trying week of realizing I am not as in shape as I think and getting rejected all day.... So, we have this thing called NO COMPANIONSHIP LEFT BEHIND, which sounds a lot like President George W. Bush’s no child left behind, and while it sounds like a good idea, I hate it, and I am sure my Grandpa John doesn’t like it. Ahahha! It’s just a lot of work for a purpose I do not know why, but hey! That’s part of being a missionary. Sometimes you don't know why you do it, but in the end it all works out. Well, the AP's decided to text me 20 min before they suprised us for an exchange, and all I could text back was why is this happening!!!! Anyways, it was fun! Elder Vandi and I took the seats off our bikes so that we would not be tempted to sit down and rest. So that’s pretty you Banfa. Anyways, we also had to drop an investigator after an hour long argument of the logical answer with the Church, and Joseph Smith, and Commandments and all that I knew that I could not win over logic, because the Book of Mormon while it has logical evidence is a faith based thing. Ya. So I just bore my testimony. Sam, I could sit hear all day and I could tell you logically why the BOM or Joseph Smith is a true prophet. I could sit here and tell you how imperfect I am. I could argue through science why this seems to be right, but what it all comes down to is reading and praying. You have done neither and you laugh now, but I promise you Sam, in the near future, you will be brought to your knees, and I hope by then you will read this. I can't say I know if this is all true. No one can really know. But I can promise you that I believe, and I try. I have been through trials like you. I have seen friends die, said good bye to loved ones, and so on, but Sam, I promise you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that if you read and pray sincerely, this can help you". Sadly, he needed to be dropped. So that was rough. Elder Vandiford came down as you know, and we took the seats off our bikes, because we do not have time to sit down. I have always dreaded going on exchanges with him, but always walked away feeling more enlightened about myself. He is an awesome guy. I feel he really helped me with finding out there are really people who get answers to things. I relate to how he talks to go as a quarterback with a mike in his helmet and God is the coach. God calls the plays he runs them. Touchdown! Me on the other hand.. I didn't study the plays, so when God gives me the sign, I can't read it, and just run my own play. Not always a Touchdown. Something that I read is about Ammon, about how he asks the king about God, and he answers and says, Ya know, I don't really know a lot about said God, but I am willing to believe in him, and exact obedience. Sometimes, it’s like football the coach, through a lot of experience, calls a play, and the new time QB has no idea why he is calling the play, and he actually feels that the coach is making the wrong decisions. A lot of times the coach’s choice pays off. That’s an example. I am really working on respecting authority.

That’s a copy and paste version of it all. Well, I feel impressed to tell you about Sunday nights. No matter how bad the week is, no matter what, without fail, Sunday nights bring us back.  Good things always help us and if we spend the entire week wondering what the hell we are doing and why the hell we are here, Sunday night’s show us. It’s a magical thing. We had a member lesson and, ah man, I love this family. They are way too good to us, and just hearing there conversion story. It was nice hearing it. The father said that all his life he was looking for the meaning of life, and Buddhism, Daoism, and the Christian churches spread out, couldn't really give him the whole picture, but when he heard the plan of salvation, it clicked and was like cake to him. Pretty cool thing.

I also after reading Elder Krieger's email feel impressed to say that part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is loving and forgiving. It’s sad, but true. The most judgmental ones are ourselves inside of Utah. That’s part of the reason I went inactive, is just the judging. That’s the biggest reason for inactivity here, judging. I think we should all realize that none of us are perfect, so we have no right talking about so and so who did this. I am by no means perfect. Sometimes I swear, even when I try not to. Sometimes, I want to punch the Taiwanese Mafia guys in the face. Sometimes, I don't have the best thoughts. But, I am trying to be better. So, I invite everyone to be less judgmental.

Elder Buhler

Week #79 Basketball Contacting Works!

Hey fam bam! Its me, Elder Buhler!!!! 

Well, this week's will be kinda short. This weekend we contacted a lot and I feel we have seen some fruits from the labors....look at me with my scripture vocab. Allan, the homeless man, has progressed and this week I gave him my white shirt and a cool tie so he can look like a stud. He gave a 7 min prayer for the people effected by the Gaoxiong explosion. At the end, he was in tears. Ah man made me really think of how awful of human being I am and how awesome he is. Well he is progressing. I feel I forget that Jesus said in the gospel of Luke that the gospel is preached to the poor and all that and I really forget that. We went on exchanges this week and well it was interesting. I was sitting in class and this dude walks in and asks if this is a church and I was like ya who are you and he was driving home when he saw the sign so he came to check it out... Golden. So I sat him down taught him and gave home a goal... the funny part is he is the other elders' investigator cause he is in their area.... so that sad but whatever.  I am happy for him. Ya, that explosion was crazy. Its in our city.  I was nowhere near it so no worries.  Oh someone tell Mama Garfield that I made spam masubis all by myself!!! 

I got the care package and oh man it was good.  I realized that I compare myself too much and try to be the best but obviously i can't be the best. Um well I also feel that the mission has really changed me a lot.  I am trying to think of a super spiritual thought but i can't. Um oh I picked up 2 new investigators from basketball!!!  I gave one a goal... so any one ever tell you that bball proselyting is a waste you tell them that Elder Buhler did it and has 2 RC's from it. I want to let you all know I love you and if I have ever wronged you in the slightest please contact me and let me know so I can make amends for it. I love you all. 

Elder Buhler

Week #78 Had a Great Baptism

Ni hao everyone! 

Well, first off this week has been long. We got hit by a typhoon which was not the best. We had a RC try to apostatize and tell me Satan is coming for me. 

We had a baptism which was beautiful!!!  The guy totally changed his life. It was beautiful. He was crying the entire time. It was hard to watch.  I had the honor of carrying him into the font and out of the font. He had a stroke. It was a really cool thing... former mafia dude... super amazing.

I had exchanges will the ZL. He said I was like Porter Rockwell so I will take that's a compliment. Its been a good week. This week has also been super duper slow. I have been trying to get new investigators. I went back to basketball contact in and it has been working so I am happy about that!!! 

That's it ya'll.

Elder Buhler

Week #77 We Got to Endure...It's Worth It In The End

大家好 All is well in the Republic of China. This week has been another long week of contacting but its all good cause we have a baptism this week which is awesome.  His name is Tang and well I can't tell you a whole lot about him I am thrilled to say that he has turned his life around.  I am super happy to help  helped him turn his life around. 

We literally contacted this entire week and nothing has happened. I have been taking some heat from some of my superiors.... but I have not faltered yet!  Just kidding!!! Anyways I always thought my Chinese was pretty bad but last night I got a call from an Asian elder and we had a like 20 min conversation and then I realized it was all in Chinese. I never ever thought that could happen. I have been studying characters and grammar like a mad man so I hope by the end I can read the book of Mormon better. 

Anyways we have been focusing on member lessons because if the members trust you then everything will fall into place.  I got to meet with Brother H. and they have this room mate who is from West Africa who is fluent in 5 languages and has a masters in business and law.... and is 27 so basically the future president of West Africa. Honestly he is a super cool guy with an insane work ethic...really inspiring ahha.

We got qinged out by the members. They gave us Costco food.... it was amazing. We went on member splits which is always super duper fun. I honestly hope I finish in this area. I love it here.  Anyways for those of you who are deciding whether to serve or not and think you would hate it or not be good enough ..... I would say try it . A mission will change your life. It sometimes won't be the most enjoyable thing in the world but man it will help your life and you will help so many. Growing up I never imagined I would be here, in Tainan or even on a mission but by the grace of god I am and its going swell. I love it here. I actually don't want to go home which is ironic cause this last week was one of the hardest on my mission but it is all worth it in the end. We just got to to endure. Love you all.

Elder Buhler

Week #76 Sunday was a Day of Miracles!

Dear fam bam!!!! Greetings from Zions Camp.... First off this week was rough ... morale was extremely low, but then help arrived in the form of a brown box filled with certain supplies. (We sent him a care package). It was the most timely rescue .... really though morale has been low for the last 2 weeks. We decided to drop all but two investigators and go contacting.... and man oh man is it hot as Hades out here!!! But we love it. We are working on our farmers tans. It has been worth it! 

Ah man,  anyways I got letters from the young women's of my ward. I was taken aback.  They are the last people next to a Division 1 football  coach that I thought i would receive a letter from. In it, there were three letters that all offered moral support. From Sister Crandall's "you are cool " to Sister Acors " these are the best two years." If you only knew. My favorite letter was a certain sister Katlyn Johnson who i have no idea who she is. She wrote something profound that  really helped. She said " I hope you never lose hope but if you do I hope you find it quick" .

I would be a liar and a fraud if I told you all that I have never lost hope on my mission but thankfully when I did I quickly found something to find faith and to hold on and never gave up. 

I don't know if any of you have seen Ephraim's Rescue. It's awesome. One part that I love is when Ephraim is healing the sick and a sister says " brother how do you go about doing so much good " and Ephraim replies "i try."  This statement is so simple but so profound . We all can do so much good. 

So I love the Sabbath because that's the day when miracles usually happen... and man did they. We got a family referral and another referral and we had an investigator accept  a week D goal and tang baba gets baptized in 2 weeks. Shen Bei bei showed up to church finally.  I missed my church buddy. At the beginning of the week, I would of never thought  this would happen. It was hot. We had zero lessons but like Ether 12:6 we receive no witness till after the trail of our faith. It was good. The trials are far from over but we need to have more faith. I need to follow my own advice with that. 

Its kinda funny we meet people everyday who because we are Mormons automatically hate us and think we are of the devil  just because of things on the Internet or misunderstandings people don't like us. I hate it. It really bothers me. However I feel after 9/11 a lot of people were taking shots at the faith of Islam and I feel that was a mistake. A lot of misunderstandings. 

Its sad. I  have finally come to love the mission and I only have a short time left a meager 5 and half months.  it took me so long to realize this. I did the work but I did it because I knew it was the only way to go. Now I do it cause I love it. I don't know what changed. Lately some former teammates have been telling me to just give it all these next 5 and a half months and ya know they are right.  I have seen the difference between a life with the gospel and a life without in my own life and its better with it. I hope that i can finish and make up for my stubbornness and all the times where I was more of a problem than a helper. Last night we met with members and well got lost and showed up 40 min late... We ended up 15 miles off target but hey got to explore a little. It was nice meeting these convert members. They are great people. 

Well I love you all. Congrats for Cassie coming back from Bolivia and Jacob for playing in his first college game. Good luck to Caitlin and Jared as they go to dance and soccer camps. I love you all. I hope to return better than I left.


Elder Buhler

Kirk Out

Week #75 Happy Birthday America!

Ni hao family!!! How is everyone doing lately?

Well, all is well in Taiwan. I'm just loving the mission!!! So Sam was not able to attend church this week so he now needs to wait another week. I still feel he will get baptized but I feel like all your prayers are really helping. 

This week has been challenging because Elder Galrura and I have dropped all our investigators except for 2 of them and have spent the entire week finding. It has not really been in our favor. We didn't hit standards so we should expect a good ol mah session from our superiors. However we are striving to be better. 

I had exchanges with Elder Kim who was Elder Cutler's MTC comp. It was good. I learned a lot from him.  He had some good suggestions to help me improve as a missionary which I feel is what I need. I am nowhere near the missionary that I want to be and I know I need to improve. I called some elders that were leaving and going home and some remarks from them were enjoy this last bit of your mission. It comes quick, enjoy the goods and the bads and to give it my all and these last six months will define my life. Also its never worth it to break the rules so some solid advice from the veterans. 

Tough US loss. I was actually teaching a English class and the theme of the day was why America is awesome and right then a little Asian boy raised his hand and in his awful accent said "the US just lost." I think part of me died however I must move forward.... Poor Beckerman.... poor Neymar. I actually kept him in my prayers. 

Last night we visited an awesome family .... ah man they made being in Taiwan worth it. The husband, a former bishop, said we need to find prepared people not people who we just you banfa baptize because they go less active. That is what we don't want. 

Anyways on the 4th of July we went to a shi tou which is just a place where you eat a lot of meat. That's pretty much our week. Elder Galura and I agreed that you got to know the reason why we celebrate 4th of July or else you miss the entire point and just BBQ and have fire works. It's like Christmas, there is a reason and a lot of people miss the point. 

It has dawned on me i have about 6 months left on my mission. I am trying to work hard and enjoy it more. I have come to love my mission even if it has humbled the fetch out of me ahhaha.  Well I love you all. Cassie stay safe out in ... that place. Jacob don't die of heat stroke. Go Argentina. Congrats to Trevor Isofa and Ashley Huffaker... peace.

Love, Elder Buhler

Week #74 Pray for Sam to Get Baptized!!!!

Ni hao everyone,

Well this week has been a fun one!!!I went on exchanges with two elders!!! Elder Cornelius from Oregon which was so much fun. He is such a bro. I would actually like to chill with him after. He loves soccer and he really, really wanted to go pro but didn't .... but he is still super awesome at it. He loves back country bow hunting.... well now I do too.... anyways yah it was a super chill exchange. Really fun. We both really love the church. 

Anyways, the next exchange was with Elder McDougal from Idaho Falls. He is really smart. We both really like science so instead of the normal swapping sports stories we talked about black holes, God,  science and all that. And to be honest it really really helped my testimony. I think one of the biggest things I am afraid of is if I go home and still pursue physics that one day I will run into Stephen Hawking and he will just rip me a new one. I really want to have a stronger testimony and be able to withstand his brain power.

Anyways.... oh ya last week we ate a huge bowl of bing.  Pictures will follow.

I gave a ten minute talk on faith in Chinese.... which is like a milestone for me. I filled the talk with ancient Chinese proverbs so people would think I was super smart. ahahahaha.

We also had a ward party and they had a watermelon eating contest... and well I won.... 4 times in a row. Needless to say they don't want to mess with the Elder Bear Cat but after I   won the 4th time I walked away from the table and just threw up all over the ground... the Lil kids loved it. um....

We also got a baptismal goal for a dude named Sam!!! so pray everyone pray!!!

I love you all. Congrats to Cassie for being in Bolivia... that's sick. Congrats to Jacob and BYU winning games.  Congrats to Jared for giving the Timberline graduation speech. Also congrats to mom for the triathlon and dad for putting up with everyone and most of all congrats to my lil princess Caitlin. 

Love you all! Elder Buhler

Week #73 Had a Meeting with a Chinese Tea Party

1. How are your investigators doing this week? Are any of them progressing? Yes,we nailed an invite.

2. How was Zone Conference? It was pretty cool. 

3. What exciting thing happened to you this past week? My comp was sick.  

4. Who are you sharing your apartment with?
Another companionship.

Ni hao everyone! Well this week has been actually super duper boring. My comp picked up a cold and we were in for 4 days and the other 2 days we had meetings so we really only had a a day and a half of teaching... so ya our numbers are super haihao.  I will be expecting the call from the President that I am getting fired soon.  The cool thing that happened was we went to go teach an lLA and well he said his friends wanted to meet us so we were pretty excited.  When we showed up there were like 10 Taiwanese old dudes and we sat down and they were all really nice and then they started playing this video... then we had a bad feeling.  It turns out they are part of a group of Taiwanese that wants the USA to liberate them. Kinda like a more radical tea party.  I said we had to go and could not really affiliate with them and that I have to love everyone, so we left.  

Apparently a lot of them came from all over the area to meet with us. I have no idea what they thought i could do.  I went to a Jr college. I felt bad but honestly our roles as missionaries are to help people change their lives. We had a guy commit to baptism which is pretty awesome. He has been investigating for a while and it’s supposed to happen next week. I had to go on splits with the ward leaders and during the 2 lessons i didn't understand anything... it was entirely in Taiyou not Mandarin.... crazy.... Anyways i am heartbroken over England losing... but how about the USA!!! See ya later Spain . World Cup is in full swing over here. Love you all. Cassie have fun in Bolivia and Jacob live it up college man!!

Week # 72: A Great Tracting Miracle

1) How are your investigators? 

Well we have 3 goals right now. I  think they are super hai hao.... so idk... i am aiming for more quality than quantity. 

2) how is your companion? What great experiences have you had together? 

We can relate together.  We are both half Asians and like to play music. 

3) Is it hot there? How do you keep cool? Do you have air conditioning in your room? In your entire apartment? 

Air conditioning is the greatest thing ever.


4) Do you still bike every where or do you ever ride public transportation? 

We ride our bikes everywhere.

5) How are you now liking the food now compared to when you first came to Taiwan? Do you eat it all the time? Do you eat on the street a lot? Do members feed you? What's your favorite food? Least favorite food? Do you like things with red beans in them? 

I like it a lot but I miss other types of food. I eat rice everyday. Yes we always eat on the street. We rarely get fed my the members. I like the breakfast food here. It's pretty good. I hate stinky tofu. I hate the red bean stuff.
 
6. Chinese.  Do you speak it fluently now? How much of it do you understand? Are you able to say whatever you want to say? it takes 10 years to become fluent in Chinese. No mom I am not fluent. I just started learning characters.  Yes, I can talk and understand.

7. What are you doing for Pday? We are going to go out and eat.

Ni hao everyone.  Well another day in the beautiful Republic of China. Well this week has been rough. Its rained the entire week and we have tr acted most of it but not with out the miracles!!! We tracted for 2 hours and not one single person let us in or listened to us. However as we were leaving we saw this one kid walking home and we said hey and started talking to him. It turns out I had played ball with him and so he invited us in to talk and then we got him to commit to a date for baptism. Now that would not of happened if we hadn't tracted that area or prayed... bam... 

We biked out an hour to go find an less active and we saw the ocean!! And so they have these man made concrete things that are about 10 feet tall and they are go down to the bottom so its about 30 feet from the bottom of the ocean to top so we just climbed all over them and it kinda got sketchy but overall it was a heart warming experiences for all. 

I almost got another root canal this week.. which is not too fun.  I might get one next week. i swear i have met with the dentist more times in the last month than in my entire life. Oh ya yesterday we had a boss day set up for Sunday full of lessons... like 8 lessons total and well it rained and everyone canceled on us.  But I got to bring this less active to watch an old church movie with us its called "ON THE WAY HOME." According to Elder Kim that movie dunks people. Its super cool. I liked it a lot. Well happy birthday to Cassie!!! ah man you are so old 16 so crazy!!! I am so happy for you !!! Currently I am in an  awful depression because I am on a mission during the world cup... but go England and the US... love you all. 

Elder Buhler

Week #71: Tracting, Tracting and More Tracting!

Hey fam bam so the email will be short but to start off HAPPY BDAY CASSIE AND JARED!!!! Ah man, I  am still writing you guys letters and grabbing you some stuff.   I am sorry to Kate Hullinger,  who is now the nanny of the Buhler family! You are in my prayers!  Congrats to Jalon... he is coming back out to the field!!!!! And to Jacob for traveling with BYU !!!  This week we did a lot of tracting... a lot of tracting... so much tracting that it was insane.... not a lot of success but I don't care,  I love it. Well I love you all. My Chinese is improving and if anything pray for Sam and Tang and Hong.... I love you all. Elder Buhler