March 18, 2024

Sister DeVictoria writing:

What a great last week in the MTC!  On the last day, when we had to have our door cards deactivated, it was very sad to realize that we wouldn’t be coming back to the MTC.  We made such wonderful friends in our MTC district, and had so many uplifting and spiritual moments.  We also enjoyed getting to know many young missionaries, including those who would be following us to our mission. 

I think the MTC teachers especially look for activities to keep the senior missionaries moving.  I think too many of us nod off during our afternoon classes.  Lol  So we often are given assignments that have us go out of the classroom.  One of these activities we were assigned to go with a couple that we had been sharing teaching practice with to go out with them and find some meaningful activities to do together. We found some young missionaries to get to know in the recreation room.  We took advantage of the moment to play a little ping pong together.  Elder DeVictoria also made a video of our activity but it hasn’t been put together yet.

 One highlight of our MTC experience was the Tuesday night devotional.  They keep the guest a secret for security reasons, but as we were leaving the cafeteria we happened to see Elder Quentin L. Cook and his wife getting out of a car.  He gave an AMAZING talk!  I hope it is eventually allowed to be put on Youtube.  He talked about the recent acquisition of the Kirtland temple and the subsequent restoration of the Priesthood keys by Moses, Elijah and Elias.  At the end of the talk he said he wasn’t sure why the Lord gave him this experience, but he testified that he knows the Lord’s voice, and is familiar with His face.  He also shared a video from a previous devotional when two young missionaries taught him and his wife a lesson about the restoration.  Very powerful.  Elder Cook’s example made me want to study the gospel more carefully.

photo from church news.

 

One day as part of our morning devotional in class, we went to look at one of the murals in our building.  It was a picture of Martha standing by some fully set tables with dishes and food.  It occurred to me that when I looked at the pictures, all I saw was the hundreds of things that needed to be done.  I totally understood why she was feeling overwhelmed.  I have felt that way with regards to my secretarial duties.  All of those things needed to be done, but Mary chose the better part.  I have to remember the priority of seeking the Spirit to help me with the tasks I face.

 

We left our house early Saturday morning for our flight to Taiwan.  When we arrived in San Francisco (which was very nostalgic for us, particularly because Elder DeVictoria used to work right near there) we were sitting at the gate waiting when an Elder with a Chinese name tag (Elder Geis) came up and introduced himself.  He was going to our same mission!  It was fun to get to know him and we waited together for our ride to the mission office.  In general, we felt like celebrities in the airports.  People kept coming and thanked us for our service, asked where we were going, and helped us with our luggage. 

 

That was a long flight, which we have experienced many times with our trips to China.  We survived.  The mission president and his wife, as well as the 3 assistants to the president picked us up.  Between the three of us we had a LOT of luggage.  They delivered us safely to our apartment.  We will be able to choose between two different apartments where we want to live.  This one is nice, but everyone says the second one is nicer, so we will have to decide which one we want to take.  

 

The mission home is the same building as it was 40 years ago when I served here.  But they have renovated it, so it looks much different on the inside.  The neighborhood has also changed so much that I don’t really recognize it any more.  We will be staying in this area for the duration of our mission so we will have many opportunities to explore.

Taipei temple view from the mission office balcony

Chapel that is next to the temple.  It houses 5 wards, as well as the church country office

 We have started training in the office. There is a lot to learn

Elder DeVictoria writing:

Sure is great to be back in Taiwan.  The first day in the mission office was great.  Learned a lot already.  The couple who we are replacing will be leaving in two weeks.  Experiencing mild jet lag.  I'm sure we will get over it in a few days.  

8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.  Alma 29:8