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