6th Transfer!!

Transfers happened again... And I'm still in Sanchong. It is a long time to be in one area, but it's all good because I got a new companion named Elder Halverson!! I actually knew him back in the MTC. He's only 6 weeks older on the mission so it's pretty fun! We both don't know how to read yet so we are having a fun time. He is from Kansas, and he has a really good singing voice. He's only a month older than me, but looks a lot more mature haha. He tells me I remind him of his little brother so that's cool! We're getting along well. When transfers happened I totally thought o would head out cause I've been here for awhile, but instead Elder Hyde left. He became a zone leader in Songshan which is the East Taipei zone. The funny thing is, there are only two missionaries in this mission with the same last name of 海(pronounced Hi). And they have both become my companion! So when people ask his name I just say he's the same person, just got glasses and became a little bit taller. 

So yeah this week has been pretty crazy getting everyone switched around to their new areas! Our district changed a lot too. One of the sisters left, and then both of the Luzhou Elders left too. We weren't expecting that at all because they have been whitewashed 3 times in the past 7 months which kind of kills an area. Elder Donalson whitewashed in when I came in, and then he got whitewashed out. His companion became the AP. For those of you that don't know what Whitewashed is, it basically means that both of the missionaries in an area get switched out with two brand new missionaries so it can be hard. If it gets whitewashed a lot, the missionaries basically have to start over from scratch in a lot of ways. Like getting investigators, or knowing who the ward members are. So yeah I've been in Sanchong for the longest out of everyone in the district.

General conference was pretty amazing!! It was a great time to just sit there and watch the prophet and the apostles speak right to us. I was sitting right behind president Jergensen which was fun. He turned back and said the main financial guy that should up to give the report is actually his cousin. I hope everyone got a chance to see that and really get help and direction from the prophet of God. 

Yesterday we taught a lesson to a less active kid's mother. We showed her the talk by Elder Uchtdorf on Jesus Christ and testified of him and what he has done for her. She just told us she believes it is good stuff and that's why she is letting her son go to church. I could really feel the spirit testifying in that lesson but it wasn't getting through to her. It frustrated me because I couldn't get her to see the importance of Jesus Christ. We did everything we could by inviting her but she wouldn't accept. 

Sometimes it can be really frustrating when people don't understand what we know can help them, but all we can do is invite them.Which reminds me of a quote in Preach my Gospel by Elder Holland: "Much of the time we are just too casual about all of this. This is eternal life. This is the salvation of the children of God. Eternity hangs in the balance. … It is the most important path this investigator will ever walk. But if he or she doesn’t know that, at least you do! … So take control of this situation. Teach with power and authority."  

I know as we understand that this gospel can help other people live a happier life, we will be more inclined to share it... So just do it!! 

Here are some pictures. By the way, we are having Temple Wednesday next week so my P day will be changed to Wednesday. So that will be Tuesday evening for everyone back home!! 

We also went to the zoo today!

-Love Elder Thayne