jeff & jam fam

Week 56 on the Island

2012-01-28T16:10:00.001-07:00

Hey!!

Yes! Get June and Esther going at piano! That will be super cool. Have you gotten the piano Tuned lately? I know that learning to play a tuned guitar is a lot better then playing an out of tuned one.

Wow! Isaac is in the MTC. You should get me his address. I would love to be in contact with him!

I have been putting a lot of prayer and study into setting some goals that I want to focus on for this next little time in my life. I had the chance to share them with President Bishop last night in a nice chat. (It is really nice when you are right next door and will occasionally have small talk with the President at the water cooler). He liked what I had come up with and gave me some ideas and pointers. I also had the privilege of asking my companion for a blessing for me to focus on these goals. I have basically taken a look at who I am now and really examined. After that I came up with a list of things that I would like to change and really see improvement with. Not just while I am still in the field but for the rest of my life.

Thank you for praying for my safety as I drive. It really is a stressful thing sometimes. This past week, we had zone conference. It just so happens that it is also Chinese New Years. Huge celebrations. And EVERYBODY goes back to their ρ產 or the place their parents live. The streets were horrible. On the drive down on wednesday night, It took 5 hours to get from い to 蔼动. That is usually only a 3ish hour drive. And it was just as bad on the way back up on Thursday night. So yeah, driving was crazy.

I did get a couple of cool pictures of the cello. It's going to be really cool it looks like. I'm excited to see how it turns out. I hope that the pick-up is good too. Sometimes, you can luck out on cheap things from foreign countries and sometimes they steal 4 dollars from you. I remember how sad lila was when she got that violin that wasn't super great. But hey, 4 dollars is definitey worth it.

Just a short story and then I need to be finishing up here. Yesterday, a man from New Zealand walked in and asked, "Do you believe in Zionism?" Elder Siebert went and got Elder Liston, the senior missionary that does finance. It was mine and his privileged to talk to this man about the beliefs of the church and our ties to Israel and Politics. It turns out that he is writing a book. He had been in Taiwan for 5 years doing some studies of the people from a foreigner's point of view. It was something that he was really caught up in and I could tell he had taken a lot of time on this. Although Elder Liston did a lot of the talking, I was happy as the discussion turned to a topic that I actually knew about; the Restoration of the Church and the Book of Mormon. I am grateful for the simple testimony that I have that the Church is true. As I shared a short bit of my testimony with him of how God really can answer your prayers, I know that it caught him off guard and was different to him. I hope that he takes the chance to read the copy of the Book of Mormon we gave him. I know that is will help a lot. Put a good focus into his mind and life. Something of eternal worth.

Thank you so much for all of you love and caring from home. I ‘m focusing and doing the best that I can, especially in this great new position. I hope that you have a wonderful week! -Elder Sanford

2012-01-25T08:24:00.002-07:00

Week 55 on the Island

2012-01-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

Hey !

So after Elder McAllister, it was Elder Kasner and then I came the the office and I started out with 3 companions (all of the office Elders), Elder Jensen (who was training me at how to be operations manager), Elder Zhuang, and Elder Siebert. Elder Jensen got done with training me and is now a Zone Leader in Tainan. So now, we are in a 3 man companionship (or TRI-panionship?). It is really nice so that Elder Zhuang (the mission Recorder) can stay and record things and crunch numbers while Elder Siebert (Special Projects) and I can do crazy cool things like going and opening a new apartment down in Chao Zhou like we did this past week and stuff like that. I am really liking this really busy crazy missionary life style. I get confused with who my companions are ever since Elder McAllister as well.

So yes it is now "Chinese New Years" This last like 8 or 9 days. It is common for people to give "Hong Bao" for this wonderful occasion to their children who are not employed. This is because usually this "Red Envelope" is just full of money. They don't ever know what to get to help the younger generations of people gift wise, so they just get them money. Smart in some ways.

So for this past week, the huge project has been ordering things and getting ready for ZONE CONFERENCE. It is going to be pretty insane. At big events like this, everybody gets a big bag of stuff full of proselyting stuff for their area. And I am the one that has to fill them all. I didn't know what I was getting my self into when I first thought about it. I think that I will be able to get it all done. I took a picture to send of me standing next to all of the bags that are going to the south half of the island. It doesn't look like much but, boy is it hard. And on top of all of that, the monthly order of copies of the Book of Mormon still hasn't come yet. It was supposed to be here forever ago. I've been talking to a few people up in Tai Bei and they should be on their way today. The only problem is that today starts the whole Chinese New Years festivities, and so the world has shut down. I'm surprised that email still works in Taiwan frankly. Literally everything is closed and people just all migrate home to their parent's house for a couple weeks. Kind of cool, but a little bit inconvenient.

On top of that, I need to get a plan done to make everybody on the island have a 72 hour kit, and do the normal reports. I am a little behind, but I'll probably take a little bit of my preparation day to finish up. It is really a lot of fun. Different, and fun.

Well, the others want to go out and see the festivities.

I hope that you all have a good time there in the cold weather (60's?). It's still pretty warm here.

Have a good week!

2012-01-10T21:33:00.002-07:00

We have had several email from Colby since I last posted. I just don't get near the computer very often. I seem to do my computer communicating mostly on my phone.

It was so fun to talk to Colby on Christmas. He is doing well. Right off the cuff he told us of his new assignment. He is the Mission Operations Manager. He fixes things and/or finds people to fix things. He will go around and do cleanliness inspections, and he makes sure maintenance is done on the cars. He is an Office Elder and now is in a foursome. If you ever need an International permission to drive, go to AAA. That's what we had to do. He now has his permission and is driving. We're pretty excited for him to be able to see more of Taiwan and interact with more of the people there. He will still be proselyting in the evenings. During the day he'll help the Missionaries and in the evening he'll help the Taiwanese. The best of both worlds.

He's pretty happy that he will be able to use his Art skills to make a new pass-along card too.

Time starting to speed away from us. I pray he's enjoying his mission to the fullest! It's such an honor to dedicate ones entire time, energy and talents to the Lord.

I still plan on sharing parts of his letters, but that'll need to wait for another day or two. I need to be in bed.

Thank you for the music

2011-12-16T05:01:00.003-07:00

Because music is such an important part of my life I was wondering the other day what I'd hear during my last Radiation treatment. It was yesterday...my last treatment. Yahoo!

Strange as it may seem I was feeling a little sad. I have met some of the most caring, fun, and loving people in these past few weeks. I am sad to leave these people. The doctors, technicians, nurses and secretary were exactly who I needed to coach me and encourage me through this experience I've just had.

I thank my dear Father in Heaven for all of this! It's definitely a bump in the road to find out you have cancer, but everything about it has been a great experience, and as crazy as it sounds, I'm glad I went through it!!! I couldn't have made it through without Heavenly Father, my family, or my friends!! My "thank you" list is incredibly long!!! Thank you!

Let me get back and tell you about the music.

As my final Radiation began, so did a serenely beautiful rendition of "Silent Night". Tears welled in my eyes as I went over the lyrics in my head...."all is calm, all is bright." So it was, so it is... As I stood up from the treatment the next song to play was the "Hallelujah Chorus"...not even kidding. I thank Heavenly Father that even the songs over the radio or sound system were perfect. He is so good with the details!!! I really want to meet Him some day, and be in His presence and truly Thank Him for everything...especially the music.

this week in Taiwan

2011-12-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

Anyways, good week! Looks like is was for you all as well. This past week, we have been working with an investigator who's mother recently passed away. Yesterday, we had a very good sitdown with him in which we were able to help him see that by living the Gospel of Christ, he would be able to see his mother again. When we invited him to be baptized though, he said that he would be too buisy for the next little while taking care of his mother's affairs. He said that he would start to read with more purpose and we set up a plan of following up with him. I think that he has alot of potential and will be ready as soon as he gets a spiritual confirmation of what we are teaching.
We also were able to meet with a former that has been to church in the past. He was doing really well and was happy to let us sit down. He told us that he was concerned that he didn't have to much peace in his life. We shared about prayer and how it can bring you closer to Heavenly Father which will then bring more peace. He was excited for this and was very willing to "give it a shot for the next couple weeks". We later shared about Baptism and the comfort and peace that it can bring. When invited to be baptized, he said that if he had to go to church, than he wouldn't be able to be baptized. He obviously didn't have that good of a time when he attended in the past. Another problem for the missionaries in the past was that they couldn't ever get ahold of him to follow up. But now he has a cell phone and is going to be expecting a call to see how his prayers are doing. I think that as soon as we turn the problem of church into the love of church, there will be now problem for him getting baptized. How did you get ahold of people to follow up on their reading when you were in Chile? Just on the house phone? Did they have house phones? Probably not cell phones...

Man, yeah it's getting all Christmasy here. I get that little excitement here and there. We are having a huge Christmas Activity on the 22nd for the whole mission. That will be fun. We also get to go to the temple on the 28th. Elder Olsen is in my zone, so I'll get the chance to ride up and talk for a little bit with him. Super fun. I love the temple. How is the new provo temple coming there? I"m excited for that.

Well, I hope that you have a wonderful week! love ya, Elder Sanford

Taiwan week 50

2011-12-05T07:06:00.001-07:00

...This past week, we had been working hard with an investigator that had some real intent. But yesterday, half way through sacrament meeting, he stood up and walked out. After talking to him, he said that he just hurt all over because of his sickness. He also wanted to give the Book of Mormon back because he said he was done. He had been investigating for 3 weeks and felt that it just wasn't super fitting. After more observing, listening and discerning and trying to ask the right questions, he said that he really likes church, but that everybody in his home is really really rallied up whenever he leaves to come to church. When we went to his house this past week they were a little cold to us, so we thought that there was some family opposition. We are going to overcome that this week with help from the relief society president who offered to help. . We also met a man on the street that had just been fighting with his mother and wanted some change in his life. He was very open and pleaded for our help. We set up a time to meet the next day, but when that rolled around he was a little bit late. He said that all day, he was trying to convince his mother to let him come. HE is 27. He also said that he really wants to help out Heavenly Father. So needless to say, we are going to be focusing on and studying for family opposition problems. THis morning, I looked over a hand out that President Bishop gave us. With that and parts form King Lamoni's father, we are going to help these people hit their goal of being baptized this month. Yeah yeah!

So this is what was said about calling for christmas:
Sunday Christmas day or Monday December 26th. Coordinate times and numbers to call. You can purchase a phone call for a reasonable price to call your family. Phone calls should be to family only, and should be no longer than 30-40 minutes total time. We have received approval from the area presidency to utilize Skype or MSM video phone calls. These services are free, but they do require both appropriate software and hardware to work. No one should purchase additional equipment to set up for Skype. If you want to use Skype, do not go to an Internet café on Sunday. For Skype to be used, there must be quiet on both parties. Any background noise will cause disruption of the audio call and be unsatisfactory. As always, we should never place a burden on members or inconvenience them. Local missionaries have the option of calling at either Christmas or Chinese New Year, not both.

I'm excited too. It will be a fun little time. I am going to be sending a small package home. It may not make it on time I guess, but I'm sending it out today and you will get it when it comes I guess. yeah.

Thank- you for all of your love. I'm glad to hear that you shared your testimony. that is always good. The same people get up in our ward every time. I think that I am going to get up next time. Just quick and simple.

Yeah!

have a good week.

-Elder Sanford.

It's December

2011-12-03T11:04:00.002-07:00

Wow, it's December already. The Christmas decorations are coming out of hiding and finding their spots in the house. The beloved felt advent (that Momma made and gave to my little family about 20 years ago), "Journey to Bethlehem" has begun. I have an antsy feeling:"will everything be ready in time for Christmas?" in the back of my mind.

This morning there was a powdery dusting of snow on the ground. It's melting as the day warms, but since it's not warming too much, maybe it won't all melt off.

Here's to a joyous, peaceful December...to one and all.

Taiwan week 49

2011-11-28T06:14:00.001-07:00

Ok, so this week was pretty great. Power week. THat means that all of our language study is cut out and our meals are eaten on the go. It is a little tiring, but super fun. We also have a theme and focus for each of the days as well. Like Thursday was handing out as many copies of the Book of Mormon as we could. Super fun. We had set a goal to hand out 20 copies that day. We handed out 5 before eating lunch and then slowly handed them out at or between lessons with people. through out the day. It was a constant effort through out the day. But coming into the door, we each still had one copy to hand out. So we went and talked to the door man who was very willing to take and read one of them. It was a little bit after nine at that point. Just a little bit down for just being one away, we pushed the button to call the elevator. Then somebody came around the corner and waited with us. He was on one floor below us. We talked to him all the way up to his floor and then gave him a copy and an invitation to read. He responded positively right before the elevator door closed. Needless to say, Elder Kasner and I started dancing in the elevator as it took us up the one last floor. A constant effort through out the whole day and hitting it right before stepping in the door at night. AWESOME. Great day. Great week.

The package was delivered to me on Friday by Elder Buenning who came on exchanges with us! He is the Assistant still so he goes on exchanges all the time. That day was also "Power go on Member Splits day". So I only got to be with him half of the day because he was with my companion. Planning for that was also super intense. I'll send a picture of my plan for the day. It has two plans and two back up plans. Crazy. but it all worked out great. The package was fabulous as well. I LOVE DAD'S GRANOLA!! The music is super fun aswell.

Well it was a wonderful week. Zhang Sheng Feng was baptized and confirmed! The ward was very warm in welcoming him and he already has a home teacher. We are going to be getting him into a priesthood interview asap and getting him a calling. He is already a great part of the ward. Pictures coming as well.

Lin Hui Long came to church for the second time and is looking great to be baptized this next month. He was just a little sketchy on his reading, but after a good review of his goal to follow Christ and what that means, he recommited firmly to read every day. Super good. We are working with the Relief Society President to get his wife on board as well. I can see them all getting baptized this next month.

Well, yeah I've got to go! Thank you so much for the wonderful package!

Love ya!

-ELder Sanford.

Taiwan 48th week

2011-11-26T15:19:00.003-07:00

(21November,2011)

Hey,

Today is going great.

We went to the church and a member from the ward brought his guitar and we messed around for a little bit, trying to pick out little parts of hymns here and there. There is going to be a talent show as part of our english class in the next couple weeks and he wants us to perform with him. It should be fun...

Zhang Di Xiong passed his baptismal interview this past week! We found out that there is no opposition from the mother, and that the family likes that we are coming and seeing him regularly. He hasn't had too much of a life other than the hospital and the park ever since he fell down the stairs two years ago and lost his eye sight, so it sounds like they are all in favor of it. We are going to keep focusing on the mother and other members of the family so that they can recieve the blessings of baptism with him as well. I think that a key point will be his baptism and getting them to see that. I think that it will help them see that this isn't just a club, but actually has worth to their souls.
Other than Zhang Di Xiong, we are working with a new man by the name of Lin. He is a farmer that says he has a lot more time now, so he called us up and came to the church. He is really interested in receiving eternal life through believing in Christ. When he first came, he told us that he couldn't come to church because he needed to work. So we shared with him from Mosiah 13:16-19 and asked him some good questions. By the end, he was willing to try it out. He came to church and loved it. When he was asked by the gospel principles teacher if he could come to the baptism this Saturday, he was confused and said,"But we are supposed to work as hard as we can for 6 days so that we can come to church on Sundays" I think he gets it. With a little more talking, we also found out that he has a wife and two kids. Needless to say, they are in our plans to work with next.
This past week was the Primary program. All of the kids were dressed up in white. They sang a lot and each had a little part memorized. In addition to that, some of them memorized different verses from the articles of faith and recited those. Pretty good really. It was followed up by a talk by our second counselor in the bishopric. 82 people in church too! The ward is on the rise.

I had a good experience that really kind of pushed my faith this past week. I had put into our plan to contact people all up and down this one street for 1 hour with the focus on finding somebody who we could sit down with on the spot. At the beginning of the hour, we found a spot to bow our heads and pray. We found alot of great people but as the hour passed, we weren't finding anybody to sit and teach a few principles to. 10 minutes left and my companion said that he was hungry. I was too. The place that we had planned to eat at was three houses down. I thought to myself. Alright, lets go eat. Then I realized that there was somebody standing outside of his house not to far from where I was standing. I hoped off my bike and started talking to him and pretty much walked inside. The Lord knew that I was supposed to find that man and he helped me put together the perfect plan for it. We gave him a copy of " The Family: A Proclamation to the World" and set up a next time. We'll see how he is!

Over all a good week. It is going to be a power week this next week, so we are going to have a little bit more time and get alot more done. It will be great.

I hope you have a great week!

-Elder Sanford.

47th week in Taiwan

2011-11-26T15:14:00.002-07:00

(from the email dated 13/14 November, 2011...)

I gave Elder Kasner a little taste of what it means to be a Sanford this morning and made him some awesome French Toast. I also made some delicious Apple syrup to put on top of them. I kind of made up the recipe, but it was basically just boiling chopped up apples with a bunch of sugar until it got thicker. yeah. Simple but good.

So sorry that last week was a lame week for emailing. This week, when I sent my president's letter it did the same thing, but I was smarter than the computer and I saved a copy of it so all I had to do was copy and paste. YEAH!

Sounds like your week went nicely...

We have had a chance to study alot about family history as a part of missionary work. I'd be pretty interested to get a few pictures of you with your family when you were all young and if you have them, it be cool to see pictures of your parents with their parents. It be fun to talk to people and show them the pictures names and a few stories to get the Spirit of Elijah burning in them. Yeah, and I kind of already have the Spirit of Elijah burning in me and really want to know. Thanks!!

We have seen miracles with a Zhang Sheng Feng. He is the blind guy that came to church last week. He is very sure on his baptismal date of the 26th. After talking to his care taker and giving her a copy of the Book of Mormon, she very bluntly rejected to learn more, but I think that most of it is a language barrier, so we will be praying for the gift of tongues this week. However, the mother did bring him to church. She couldn't stay for very long, but she did say that she would get time off to be able to come the whole time. So that should be good. He is getting ready for his interview on Saturday. He is awesome.

... How about the Christmas Choir thing. How is that going? I am getting just a little bit of Christmas fever. Little bits here and there when I see little displays in the bakeries and when I drank some hot cocoa at night while writing in my journal. Christmas will sure be something this year. I can't wait.

YEah! I hope that you have a great week,

-Elder Sanford.

Having fun-T46

2011-11-26T11:16:00.005-07:00

All LDS meeting houses have the same look to them. I'd like a close up of the EXIT sign above the door. I'm guessing this is a Preparation Day activity. Pingpong in Yuanling...of course.
HEy Family!!
So yeah, I pretty much failed this week at emailing you all. I spent a good amount of time emailing President Bishop. Giving a good accounting of what you are doing to your leaders is very important. And after slaving over that letter for a long while and pushing the send button, a lovely little screen popped up that said... "ERROR IN SENDING". And that lovely little letter went poof. Yeah I pretty much was crying while rewriting it really fast.
Here are some bullet points .

-Elder Kasner and I saw a miracle with Brother Zhang coming to church. A blind man who we only invited to church. Elder Kasner led an amazing first lesson that I was very proud of and Brother Zhang accepted a goal for the 26th
-We had previously through the week had all of our other progressing investigators drop. Which was sad.
-We fasted to be able to work better with the ward. We will be sitting down with five families from the ward this week and seeking referrals by teaching the message of the Restoration.
-Pei Ke's were low due to dropped investigators. We exceeded our goal for other sitdowns and lessons to recent converts and less actives as well as lessons on the street. Good week as far as diligent work goes.
-Elder Kasner is amazing. He did the first Evaluation for Phase 1.
- We had a great activity with the ward. We broke our fasts right after church together and then it was my pleasure to give training to the 25-30 people that were there. Then we paired up and went to work. My companionship alone received 11 referrals from the members that came. We are going to focus on working with these referrals and publicizing what fruits we are going to see to increase the wards faith to do missionary work.

I also went through my 'DRAFTS' box and found out that I'm super pro at pushing the send button some times. Sorry.

I will make sure to spend some good time emailing everybody next week individually. I'm sorry.
LOVE YA ALL!

He's a handsome boy! ( Not sure about the tie though... ;D)

a little about me

2011-11-26T10:41:00.006-07:00

Here I am in the middle of catching up with all of Colby's Mission letters...but I should tell other stuff. I, Jamille, started radiation on 31 October, 2011. Daily I'm thankful that in August I got a mammogram & that the technician really looked at. They had me come back for an ultrasound and performed a biposy on the spot. The day after June turned 13 (30 August) I got word that I did have Invasive Ductal Carsinoma. I was not surprised and also not happy, but I didn't feel all "Doom and Gloom" either. I knew things would work out as they were supposed to, and I just needed to take the most optimistic approach.

I had a Lumpectomy on September 12. My surgeon is none other than Jennifer Tittensor. She is amazing. She performed a fairly new operation method. I had a teeny radioactive seed implanted in my cancer. During the operation she used a Geigher counter and found the cancer and scooped it out, some of the surrounding tissue and the three lymph nodes nearest the spot. A test was run on the nodes. They were clear which means the cancer hadn't spread to other areas. HURRAH!!! All of the cancer is out of me! Another test was done and they determined I would not need chemotherapy. Radiation is enough to keep the cancer away. I feel almost guilty that my cancer experience has been so bearable...Don't get me wrong--I'M THANKFUL!!!! I just wonder "Why me, Why did I get this, the "easy version" of cancer and others get it full on hard!???" I'm so oooo thankful that I got what I got. I don't think I would've been able to handle it, had it been any other way! Thank you Father in Heaven!!!

As I write about this, it's not easy. All of my emotions about this whole ordeal are still close to the surface. SO many people have helped so much, without asking they've stepped forward to offer rides and meals. Listening to me babble... It's been so nice. It's strange, too, that others whom I wished would've talked to me, to see how I am in the very least, have said nothing, nothing at all. It's weird. I feel awkward even mentioning that, and yet it's true. We all deal with stuff differently from each other...so I need to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Fast forward to now. I will have my radiation appointments until the 15 of December. Things look good. Radiation makes me a little queasy for about 30 minutes. It has given me a "sunburn" and made me tender. It makes me tired too, but I can live with that!!!! Naps are nice! As soon as I'm done with radiation I will start taking a medication, for years apparently. I think it's called Tamoxifen, or something like that. I think I'll wait to take it until after the holidays. What if it makes me sick? I'm handling tired and tender ok, but if this other stuff gives me the urge to regurgitate I'd rather wait until after Christmas.

2011-11-26T10:32:00.001-07:00

This letter came AFTER week 45, but it was talking about week 44

" ...Nope, our trees have no autumn. Just green all the time.

So the time is a little short. But I'll just say that this week has really been great. My companion is super great at testifying and telling people how much the church means to him. I am giving him as many chances to do this as possible. Last night we went and visited an active member's family just to introduce Elder Kasner and ask for a member referral, but ended up that the non-member father cooked us dinner. Really cool guy. We are going to teach him more this next week. All over the place, we are finding cool miracles. I am loving it. I can see that the Lord really does love his missionaries and helps them out.

I'm glad to hear that your birthday went all well. We had a party here for english here aswell! It was really great and alot of people showed up. I was incharge of doing it all, but I didn't plan super well. That being the case, I saw the hand of the Lord work miracles as we had a very wonderful turnout. and everybody had a very fun time. I'm interested to see how many people come to this next week's english class.

Well I've got to write the other's quickly. I hope you have a wonderful start to your next year of life! Loves

-Elder Sanford. "

In case you were wondering ...

2011-11-26T10:29:00.004-07:00

We received this email from the Mission Office. We've had people ask about packages, so here's what we've been told. (By the way his address is in the rightsidebar...Scroll to the bottom) He'd enjoy a letter anytime!! We email him weekly, but I'm not sure how often he gets "real live letters".

Dear Parents,

Each year many of our missionary’s parents send a package to their sons or daughters at Christmas time. We want to do all we can to make sure none of these packages get “lost in the mail.” Here are three things you can do to help your son or daughter get their package:

1. Do not use any mail service other than U.S. Postal. No Fed Ex. No UPS. No DHL. Why? Taiwan’s mail service is very good, but they will only Forward U.S. Postal mail and packages.

2. We highly encourage using the “Flat Rate Boxes” available at your local post office. In nearly all cases they are actually more inexpensive, and they are very easy to forward from our mission office. Odd shaped packages are hard to “re-write” an actual missionary’s address on them for forwarding.

3. Get your package off early. Most packages take about ten days from the states. Holiday mail in the U.S. could easily add more time to that.

We love serving with your missionaries and we wish you a wonderful Christmas, knowing your missionary is faithfully serving the Savior, whose birth we celebrate.

Sincerely,

Sister Liston 劉姐妹

Taiwan Taichung Mission Secretary

T45

2011-11-26T10:18:00.002-07:00

(from 30 October, 2011)

... I'm training Elder Kasner. And boy is he sharp. He's really doing great in testifying and inviting people to be baptized. This past week, we focused alot on increasing our number of Investigators with a Baptismal Date. This week, we are going to be focusing on Church attendance. We want to get 8 investigators there. I know that we can do it as we have faith and focus. We also are going to be involving the ward alot more. We got a new ward mission leader. He just barely got off of his mission in Taibei. THe old ward mission leader is going to the english ward in Tai Zhong right now. I think that he will probably do a wonderful job at that there. He's a good man.

One thing that I've been doing better and better at that I was super afraid of when I knew that I was going to be the senior companion is planning. It was always a super hard thing for me to do, but I have been able to get a plan done every single day pretty quickly. I do not entitle this to my own ability increasing but that I have been relying on the Lord more to know what to do. It actually comes pretty easily. I really need to start doing better in my journal though. I have been writing everyday, but not in a whole lot of detail . I guess that that is better than nothing, but I'd like to get a little more detail.

...

This week, we got to watch a small segment about using Family History in our missionary work. It was so good. I really want to start using it more in my work. I didn't get it. Now I do. There is a reason why everybody is getting more and more internet capabilities. It's so that everybody can gain interest in Family History and then be baptized. Yeah!!

...I love you and am so glad to write you this week. ...

Your son,

Elder Sanford.

2011-11-18T05:14:00.002-07:00

It just occurred to me that I haven't posted in a while. I need to post several weeks of Colby letters. Someday I'd love to take my good friend Jessica's lead and get a BOOK book printed of the blogs. That's one of the reasons why I post most of Colbs' emails--or portions of them. Someday he'll want a record of it all...our whole family will--and most probably his family,too. When he comes home in less than a year it'll be time for him to think about that part of his life. I think he's got all of that on the back burner now. He makes no mention or hint of that at all. He's being a missionary right now, and that's all he has time for right now....and that's the way it's supposed to be right now.

2011-10-26T07:20:00.002-06:00

So strange. I must admit, I don't understand. In times past there was so much gush...sickening sweet. And now, when one would expect some sort of recognition, or remembrance...just SOMETHING....nope, nothing. Worlds change drastically in one year.

T44

2011-10-25T07:44:00.002-06:00

Perhaps he's trying something new. Perhaps he's busy training his new companion (he's unnamed at this point, but we do know his nationality: Canadian). Perhaps he doesn't know there are peops who are interested and like to hear of his comings and goings? He didn't send a "public, passalong" email this week. In fact I didn't get a letter from him. I'll passalong snips from emails to Jeff and Lila.

Colby was grateful for Tofu recipes Lila sent. The Internet place he went to had no USB ports or if they existed, they were disabled. So no new pics this week.

Colby said :" read a talk by Elder Bednar this past week. It is called "Things As They Really Are". I think. Well it's just how computers and simulation should be used to enhance life and not be a substitute for it. We have an investigator who just spent three days at an internet cafe and nobody knew where he was. Very addicted."

Colbs has had a fun time showing his new companion around the area. There are great places to eat.

He also said, "it is interesting training. After every contact, I am trying to stop and talk about what we did, things that he might have wished to say. and that kind of stuff. I'm really grateful for the chance to train. He is for sure my best friend right now, and he will always be a great friend. THank you for all of your love and advice.

The good thing is that we DO get contact from him weekly. I think I'd go really nuts if I had to wait for paper letters. Some might argue that I'm already nuts. You know what I really mean.

2011-10-24T08:07:00.000-06:00

oh no...this is too funny.

Taiwan week 43

2011-10-17T05:30:00.001-06:00

Hey mom!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! this week.

The Chinese hymn book does have "Once in Royal David City". It is page 126 in there.

Well it has been a pretty good week. Elder McAllister have been learning alot and eating really healthily. I found out how delicious and cheap tofu is. Great stuff. You can get two pounds for 30 cents american. AND YOU CAN DO ANYTHING WITH IT. Also, it is a great source of protein. Good stuff.

Nothing particularly special happened this week until last night until about 9:30 when Elder McAllister and I got the call that we will both be training next move call. Cool stuff. We are going to be splitting the area that we are in. He is going to move to the other Elder's Apartment which is being turned into a 4 man and I am going to be staying right where I am. (Yeah! I don't have to pack!) DId you ever get to train on your mission? How was it? Any tips? I'm really excited. We will be going to a training meeting on Wednesday and then we will go back to pick up our the new missionaries on Friday morning. After that, we will just get to work like usual! There have been some changes recently about the way that the church is having people be trained. There is a strict 12 week program that is going to be followed, so I am certain to be with my new companion for two move calls. I'm really excited.

In thinking back to General Conference, one thing that really hit me was that I didn't have a huge source of memorized scriptures in my mind to pull from. So this week I have been taking a little bit of personal study time to memorize some. I have been loving it alot. I memorized D&C 121:34-46 because it has always been a favorite of mine. I also have been starting to take a bite out of the Book of Mormon Scripture Masteries. I have the first five or six of them. I love it. I also find that as I am thinking about the scriptures that I am memorizing, I can very easily apply them to my situation RIGHT NOW. It has strengthened my testimony of the Scriptures even more. I have a plan to memorize all of the Book of Mormon Scripture Masteries in the next two weeks and then hopefully start into memorizing all of Moroni 7. Good stuff.

Well, I'm glad to hear that everything is going well.

Thank-you so much for all of the prayers and insights this week!

I hope you have a good this week.

Love ya!

-Elder Sanford

13 Oct., 2010 to 13 Oct., 2011 equals ONE YEAR

2011-10-13T21:27:00.001-06:00

Well, it has been ONE YEAR since Colby began the life of a fulltime Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As you know from my posts of his letters---he loves it and enjoys it.

We ate Chinese food, ate with chopsticks and had fortune cookie fun. (I wonder who comes up with the fortunes inside the cookies. They are generic enough that they could be applied to almost anyone, and they are true enough that you're sure it was meant for you.)

I was a Missionary in Chile from 1985 May to 1986 November and I can tell you it was wonderful!!! There is nothing greater than to give ones complete existence to the Lord. 24/7 . 365 x 2....

I'm so glad he gets to give this service. He'll never regret this time away from "normal life". It'll be a help to him every day of his life in one way or another!

Time has started going more quickly. We'll get 2 more phone calls from him and then he'll be home.

42nd week in Taiwan

2011-10-12T18:56:00.002-06:00

Hey !

Yeah, Conference was really good. I got the impression that we all just needto work hard and endure to the end, be a testimony of Christ at all times and read/memorize the Book of Mormon. I am personally going to start memorizing alot of scriptures. I am also going to write in my journal alot. I have been a little bit behind lately, but I know that it is important.

Last Tuesday, we met with our ward correlator who is also american. He doesnt' know any chinese because he teaches english here. We ate these really great egg roll rice things. We also were lied to and drank just a sip of hong cha or red tea. Ooops. Accident.

Wednesday was cool. we are planning this big English open house thing for the end of the movecall to invite more people to come to take part in the English program.... so that we can get more people to come to the church and get more people baptised. yeah. It will be fun. I have to put together a play of the Three little pigs.

On Thursday, we met again with one of our progressing investigators who is pretty much done with smoking. He is the one that I got the chance to fast with afew weeks ago to help him over come this problem. His addiction is going away! he's a really cool and happy guy who I will be so happy when he is baptised.

On Friday, we took a train to meet with a 14 year old. We shared with him about what the Lord expects of him. He set a goal to be baptised in a few weeks. Cool. He brought two friends with him as well. I thought that they would be a distraction, but they actually did really well and helped us read.

Saturday: CONFERENCE. I really liked the saturday sessions. I got alot of personal revelation and I know that the things I learned will help me with my investigators aswell.

Sunday: what? yess... CONFERENCE. It was all very good. I really liked Elder Bednar's talk. I think that it makes so much sense for kids to get into family history work. I also really liked all that was said about The Savior. I am excited to read over the talks again. Favorite? Maybe Ian S. Ardern's talk.

Good week.

Today, we had an interesting Zone activity and went up to the zone leader's area. We first played Ultimate Frisbee and then had a little devotional followed by going and eating at a huge all you can eat Steak place. When it was first announced, I was a little bit frustrated. It sounded like the exact opposite from what I wanted to do at the time. I'm not super fond of playing sports or eating meat at all, but I went into it in the right spirit and really had a good time. and alot of salad! It was a good day in which, despite the circumstances, I strengthened my relationship with the Zone, which was the idea of it all.

I have been loving waking up and having granola and cranberries. It' pretty much all done now. THanks again for sending me such a wonderful birthday package.

I hope that you have a good week!

-Elder Sanford

41st week in Taiwan

2011-10-05T18:50:00.001-06:00

WHOOO!!
That's SO COOL I am so happy about the Temple. It's like the best birthday present ever! I am so excited. I really am so stoked I don't know what to say. Wow. I can't wait to go!

Yes, this week was pretty great. We worked really hard and had a great filling of the Spirit in Zone Conference.

The most interesting thing that happened is that Elder Liu and I got a call from President Bishop at the end of the day on Saturday. He moved to Tai Zhong to be a Zone Leader there and the other Elder that he replaced came here. So yeah. My new companion Is Elder McAllister. None of us expected the change, but I'm really excited. He's here now. He used to serve here at the beginning of his mission, and he is going to be training next move call here, so I'm going to be kicked out at the end of the move call. I don't know what all is going to happen, but I"m going to work my hardest. Yeah!.

I am so happy for the temple.

Other than that, we have been seeing the work moving well here. There is one investigator who we have been working with that has a problem with smoking. Other than that, he is all ready to be baptized. This past weekend, he, his family and Elder Liu and I fasted together. Last night. I cooked up a HUGE pot of pasta and we broke the fast together and we are ready to see Christ work some miracles.

I am really excited for this next week and having General Conference. I made a flier for the stake to advertise General Conference. I included a picture of it. I really hope that as many people can attend. On it is just says "Ting Ta Shuo" which means listen to God speak. Pretty direct. I'm super excited. Conference is going to be great.

Oh, my birthday was great. I got the package on tuesday at Zone Conference and opened it on thrusday morning. THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I really needed these wonderful shoes. and I am really excited to have cranberries to eat. The package was wonderful. Apart from hitting up the streets with the gospel, my companion took me to a nice waffle dinner at this one cool waffle place. Very good. Great birthday. THank-you.

-Elder Sanford.

a great new quote

2011-09-27T10:50:00.002-06:00

"Don't judge those who choose to sin differently than you do."

Wowzers!!! When I saw this on an email, as someone's signature quote, It hit me hard! It's so very good!!! I immediately put it on my Facebook Status. True words to be shared and pondered by all need to get out there!

I need to be a better person and if I can keep this quote in my head maybe I'll truly internalize it and quit judging.

We never know why "people" do the things "they" do, and just because "they" choose to do something differently than I would have, it doesn't mean "they" are wrong OR right. It is what it is. "They" are who "they" are. I am who I am. I can be better--and I'm trying!!! "They" are trying to be their best self, too!

I should cut other people slack, and tighten-up on my own doings/sayings/being.

Tunnel Singing

2011-09-26T08:58:00.002-06:00

When I was at BYU I went tunnel singing at least once. Last night Claire (a Senior at Provo High) and her friend Andrew along with Junie and a bunch of others went Tunnel singing. There is an underground walkway (tunnel) near the Marriott center. She's telling me about it and it's bringing back warm memories. They sang LDS hymns a cappella. Halfway through the hour (10:30 pm) the leader said "Okay, everyone sit down. Now is the time we are going to acknowledge the Missionaries. All who have received their calls please stand." They introduced themselves and stated where they were going to be serving as missionaries. Next the crowd sang "Called to Serve". As I imagine it I can hardly stop crying. It sounds so cool. Good kids singing hymns to Him is a great way to end the Sabbath!!!

Taiwan 40

2011-09-26T08:26:00.002-06:00

Hey

Today is a good day. I left the apartment and just had a good feeling. We have plans this week to get a lot of work done. And we saw a big miracle with two of our less active recent convert friends. Two kids who's father doesn't have a job. We went over there earlier in the week and just simply told him about the covenants his children made when they were baptized and the help that he needed to provide for them. They showed up at church. And even though he couldn't make it (to church), he was very glad to have a second sit down with us yesterday night where we shared a little bit out of the Book of Mormon about Captain Moroni. He was very willing to accept a copy and start to read. Wonderful.

So I haven't told you about any of my fixing drier experiences. All of the driers that I have had in all of my apartments have had one problem or another. In my last one, the belt broke. I took it apart and looked at it. I made a new wheel out of water bottle. I put a new belt on and It snapped again. The spring that wheel was on was bad and didn't line up correctly, so I ordered a new one. When I was putting on the new wheel, I wasn't careful and didn't unplug the machine. Yeah electricuted. It was weird and I'm pretty sure I almost went into shock, but hey, the drier works now. In the drier I have in this apartment, they didn't use the drier because it left a lot of black marks on the clothes. ALL OVER the clothes. I looked at it and saw that the main drum was loose and sagging so where it met the rim , there was a little gap that the clothes would get caught in and then pulled back out of, leaving the black marks. So I just turned it up side down. THat put the drum in the right place and the drier it working great!

So other than that, I have been trying to study "Preach My Gospel" It's been pretty good. I also had a chance to attend "Leadership Training Meeting" which is only for leaders. I am not a leader or even a senior companion, but I was asked to attend. We'll see if that means anything. I learned a lot either way.

Anyways, I hope that you have a good week.

-Elder Sanford

Taiwan 39

2011-09-19T08:30:00.000-06:00

Hey

So this week was pretty intense. I have been focusing alot on working with the Lord and using the Spirit to Teach the people.

Last Monday, we went back to our apartments and got all settled in. Then we hit the streets running. We went to a big ward activity where I got to meet the people that I wiill be working with for the next how ever long I'm Here! and let me tell you, it is already too short of a time. Elder Liu is such a good missionary. The ward is really good about working together with us, so on Tuesday, we were taken out to one of our secondary areas by the High Priest Leader. Working with him was fun because he has a big family and alot of good stories to tell. We taught a few people out there with him.Wednesday was good. We met a few new investigators and started working with them. The people are great here. Then on Thursday, we had a really really good day. we went out and met with A LOT of people. THe last one was out in our secondary again. THis was with somebody who is overcoming "work on Sunday" problems. But we had a great member there that bore some great testimony about making the church the priority in his life and the blessings that it has brought. A big problem here is that people are farmers and the best time to work is in the mornings, so Church isn't super great for them. But I know that when we make sacrifices, that is when the Lord steps in. On Friday, We had our weekly planning session and made some great goals. Then at night, we got to go to visit this one kid who was really humble and happy. He has had some run ins with the law even though he is really young, but he is really wanting a change in his life. we had a great sincere talk about the Book of Mormon and got to bear testimony. Good stuff. Saturday, we met for the second time with this one guy who came and self contacted us earlier in the week. He is really great. Sunday, we had an activity where we met right after church and shared with the attendees the power of the Book of Mormon and then gave everybody there a copy. We challenged everybody to give a copy to their friends. I think it was a hit. A lot of people were excited to do it. I'm really excited to see the power of the Book of Mormon in the lives of the friends of the members. Should be good. YEAH!

THank you for sending the package. I'm excited to get it. The 29th we just so happen to have a Zone Conference, So they will probably get it too me there.

THanks for all of the love and prayers!

-ELder Sanford.

T38--Lost and Found

2011-09-16T08:37:00.000-06:00

Colby wrote more on the 12th and it was jumbled in with eBay mail so I didn't find it until the 15th. He sounds happier. I'm so glad!!!

Hey!

OK,

So Yes, new companion, new area. ELDER LIU in YUAN LIN. Party. He is a really great missionary and we are going to get a lot done this next move call. The apartment is cool and has two floors. I get the bed right next to the window! I really am going to miss Elder Gardner and his wonderful humble example of missionary service. But I'm really going to love getting the work done here in Yuan Lin.

YEAH!

So this week, we had a great time just getting to work. On Monday, we got Elder Gardner's bike fixed. Tuesday was District training meeting. Later in the night, we met with some really great people. Zhang Jie Mei. She started coming to church and really loves it. It is hard to meet with her because she is doing so many ward activities and playing with the members. Just the way it's supposed to be. Wednesday, We met this really amazing man that lives in China. He knows that the Church is true. He goes up to the mountains and prays all of the time. We gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and he said that next time he comes back to Taiwan, he will have it read. He's getting baptized for sure!

Thursday, we met with and had an amazing lesson with an Aboriginal lady who has three kids. She is really amazing and loves the church. She even used the term "OUR church" in reference to the LDS church. Yeah. Friday.Good hard day. We did alot of contacting on the street and found a lot of people. On Saturday, I finally had a chance to eat the famous "Cold Hot Ice" in Chao Zhou. People come from all over Taiwan to eat this stuff. It like a snow cone that has a bunch of hot (temperature-wise) things in it. Like peanuts and Lu Dou Pieces. Really good. Thought it'd be good to get in before I left. Sunday, we had 102 people at church and at night we celebrated the Mid Autumn Festival. HUGE holiday. Anybody who is anybody does a barbque. cool. Got a good good bye.

Great new changes. I am loving my scripture study as well. I have recently started the Book of Mormon over again. I am taking a lot of time to write things that come to my mind and I am getting a lot of personal revelation. I love it.

Thank-you for everything!

Love Ya!

Elder Sanford.

2011-09-12T09:46:00.002-06:00

The letter from Colby was brief this week:

" I have a new companion. His name is Elder L**. He's pretty awesome so far. He served and was trained in Chao Zhou. I'm really liking it so far. there are a lot of people to talk to and the apartment is really cool. Two floors! still small though."

"At the end of this last week, I was having a kind of hard time. A lot of things hitting together. I of course prayed. Then the next morning, in my morning studies, I grabbed a random Ensign. That act alone is a miracle because I try really hard to not just do random things too often. But I opened up to a talk given by President Eyring in 2008 October Priesthood session. It was an EXACT answer to my prayer, all about the priesthood. I read it and I loved it and I cried a little bit and I felt the love of the Lord."

So it sounds like he may be hitting one of those rough spots in the mission. (He's been out 11 months tomorrow, it was bound to happen sometime.) I remember all too well about rough spots. But he's doing the best thing by praying, recommitting and relying more fully on the Lord.

So please remember him in your prayers, and a letter to him might be just what he needs, too. His address is in the side bar-----> at the bottom. :D

I love Colby!!! (Lila, Clarents, WilliamPeterman, Whacki & Googlah)

As a parent one of the hardest things is knowing ones child is having a difficult time. I wish I could take the pain away--go through it FOR him..., but I find comfort in knowing that the pain will be eased as he passes through the trial, and he'll be that much more strong for having passed through it.

Labor Day

2011-09-07T06:32:00.004-06:00

On Monday we had a fun thing happen. We were roasting hotdogs on our driveway in our fire ring, and the fire department--with a bright shiny red truck--came to visit. Apparently the Head Fire Chief from the Provo Fire Department received a text that we were having a bonfire of yard waste. Jeff and Logan were pulling dead branches from the tree to use in the fire. I'm wondering if the good soul who called us in was concerned about that? The firemen talked to Jeff and then one came over to see our fire. He saw that it was contained in a "commmercial pit", snickered and walked back towards the truck. They went on their way. I'm guessing they went back to the normal Firemen Labor Day activity of collecting money for MDA.

Later in the day I got an email from someone I didn't recognize. I also got a Facebook friend request from the same person. I was a bit leary. I looked further and realized that this person is a friend of Colby's, a recent convert to the Church (just a few weeks) in Taiwan. He sent a picture of Colby and his companion Elder Gardner with his family. This friend's non Chinese name is "Gene". How nice of him to contact our family!

We kept our fire going all day. Our new friends Brandon and Mary Reas came over. They wanted to play the piano and study . Mary played showtunes and Brandon studied (and sang falsetto to the tunes---multitasking! :D) for a few hours and then we had another hot dog roast, this time sharing with our friends. It is so wonderful when we find friends who love us as much as we love them. They are keepers for sure!

Wow. Taiwan week 37

2011-09-07T06:27:00.001-06:00

Wow. Taiwan week 37.

It went like this:

Monday, Elder Gardner's bike fell apart, so that took alot of our time away. And we were recovering from a Typhoon that hit last weekend. We went and ate at Wang Shang Ming's house. He's the First in the Bishop Ric. Tuesday was exchanges in Ping Dong City. One and a half hour bike ride one way. It was a good experience though and we had some really amazing Curry and Vegtibles. We also met with a reall cool simple man that is progressing. Wednesay, we switched back and went back to work. Met with Sun Bei Bei which consists of reading a chapter of the Book of MOrmon with him and Eating Crackers. HE's a reall cool old old man who got baptized a few months ago and raises fish for a living. Thursday was a day of absolute miracles. We had many great opportunities to teach. Mr Xie from Taipei at his food shop. Tornado Chen who want's to help his family situation with the gospel. Which is totaly cool because that is exactaly what we can do. Booking it out to secondary and having a sitdown with Chen Mao Nan who really wants to come back to church. Friday, we found a few old formers. and had a good talk with a recent convert on the steps of the churhc. We also had a good time practicing contacting people two by two. On Saturday, we had ASSISTANT EXCHANGES. So yes, Elder Buenning came down from Tai Zhong and came around with us and had an absolute blast. We had a mass meeting of alot of people tha we got up and taught in front of. THen we had a really cool experience with one guy who completly rejected us at first and then came back and told us to pull into his home. We sat down with him and found out that he has had the worst few days and really just needed somebody to talk to. He's going to get baptised soon. Really great guy. Sunday, our goal of 100 people at church was completely destroyed. yeah. 117. yeah. Intense. We almost didn't have enough seats. So good to see the growth. ANd then today, we went out to Ping Dong and had lunch with the Elders there. It was at a pretty fancy place. It was fun to just talk to them though. I love doing missionary work.

SO yeah that was my week. I hope you liked that overview. not too much detail. sorry just a little pressed for time, we still have to get Elder Gardner's bike fixed today.

Thank-you for all of your help and love.

Love Ya!

-Elder Sanford

Happy Birthday Junie

2011-08-30T21:40:00.002-06:00

happy birthday sweetie!!!

She's 13-a real live certifiable teenager.We love you so much June!

Taiwan 36

2011-08-29T21:31:00.006-06:00

I've really liked that I get the chance to work out and run in the mornings and it is something that I will do for the rest of my life.

Yes I did get new shoes, but I really want to get my old ones resoled. Is that possible? I like the old ones alot more, not to mention that they are alot more comfortable and waterproof and awesome.

Wow, sounds like there is alot going on and alot of people are getting old. Man.

So yeah, one quick story. There is a kid on our convert action list that we haven't been able to track down ever since I've been here. I was thinking about how Iknew that he was out there somewhere. I remember saying a prayer to find him one night. His family all used to be investigators of the church, but weren't really ready to make the full commitment. The son was the only one, but without that backing, he quickly fell away. Elder Gardner pointed out who we thought the kid was yesterday at church on our bulletin board. His baptismal picture was still up. Standing next to him in a red shirt was his father. I only looked at his face for a matter of seconds. But later on the street, I recognized it as I was riding home quickly to get some food in before the baptism. I passed him and kept riding for about a block before I made the connection. I slammed on my brakes and biked back to him and started up a good conversation. We are going back to their place later this week. The Lord has been working on them for a while and now we're going to be going in for try two. I'm excited.

The coolest thing was that we have been working with a part member family and the oldest son got baptized yesterday. Yeah! The mother is really close behind him and the father expressed strong desire to follow in his son's footsteps as well. The younger brother is going to get baptised in January when he turns eight. So yeah, really great family, really great week. So yeah, the tall one is Zeng Di Xiong. BAPTIZED! party (even though it looks like I was photo shopped in, I was really there)

Thanks for all of the love from home! Tell everyone hello from me. I'm working hard out here! I hope that all is going well with school and stuff back there. Time for another good week of hard work!

-Elder Dib Sanford.

To St. George FAST!!!

2011-08-24T18:50:00.006-06:00

It was a quick trip!

A week ago today I made a yummy dinner -- worthy of Sunday dinner status. Sister Carol Crilley and her friend with a granddaughter showed up. What a treat to have a decent meal to share (and the house was even clean--miracle!) They brought an ice cream cake for dessert. Delightful.

We then packed up the car and waited for Junie to get home from Young Womens. Mirielle, Esther, Junie, and I didn't have plans until Friday afternoon, so we were able to MAKE and execute super fun plans: a roadtrip to St. George to visit my sister Jonna, her husband Kimand as many of their children and grandchildren as we could see. Junie came home and it was about 9 p.m. before we could start the trip.

We headed off to my sis' house. When I am the "sole driver", I tend to get a little nervous. I can NOT get tired, well I CAN, but I MUSTN'T (that's a weird contraction!). SO I am glad that someone (I think it was Jonna) years ago told me about the miracle of the Sunflower seed. If you put the seed in your mouth, suck the salt off, crack the shell, careful--Don't swallow it, pull the shell out of your mouth, and eat the seed, you can drive for hours....The reason it's a miracle is I CAN do this and never get tired, not even in the least. I remain alert and functi

onal as a driver. YAHOOO!!!

We got to Jonna's at 1:30 a.m. Thursday. We got in the beds (--comfy!) and slept the night/early morn away. Rebekah had to get her Wisdom teeth extracted so Jonna didn't get home until after 10 a.m. Then Eliza and Elise came. Shortly after, Amelia, Lincoln and Sydnee came. I love my nieces and nephews and the grands, too. It was so good to see and hug them. Here's a pic of Sydnee and one of Grandma Jonna with Lincoln. I didn't get one of Elise. :(

Taiwan 35

2011-08-23T18:41:00.000-06:00

So here are those wonderful pictures that I promised to send.

I hope that you all enjoy them alot.

There is also a picture of my companion ELDER GARDNER.

He is a beast. And an awesome missionary.

Then there is a picture with Zhuang Jia Rong and his family (minus the father)

and then a picture of Zou Jia Rong and a member that helped her a lot named Han Jie Mei and her little grandchild who likes to look different places and sing and dance on occasions

Then there is a picture of Huang Yu Fang who is was baptised not by me but by her boy friend who used to be a less active but now comes every week and was baptized on the same day as Zou Jia Rong (not Zhuang Jia Rong, I know they're close) which actually turns out to be the same day as a "How to Make Jam" Social that was taught by Zou Jia Rong... (not Zhuang Jia Rong, I know they're close).

Party.

So this past week, we had the chance to have Combined District Training Meeting. It was a really good experience. Each time we have CDTM, we have a chance to have a face to face interview with President Bishop. We talked a little about some of the recent converts in the area. When we were done, he said "Well enjoy Chao Zhou while you can, you may not be there for too much longer." So we'll see what happens. It is half way through the movecall and at the new movecall, there will be 25 new missionaries, maybe more, coming on island.

Wow that rush before school starts feeling came back for a second when I was reading your email. Well I hope that you all have a good time getting into the new school year.

-Elder Dib Sanford.

Sweet Grand nieces/nephews of 2011

2011-08-16T14:00:00.004-06:00

Our family has truly been blessed with babies this year (...and one more already announced for 2012). Bryson Glunt came first this year on May 11th. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get a picture of him. I'm still trying to negotiate one. Next came Hazel Cooper on May 15th. In third was Sydnee Miles on July 28th. Last week three offspring from the Merrill's arrived. Scarlett Merrill was born on August 8th, then came Mikey Logan and Alicia Merrill on August 10th, a mere 6 hours apart. Here's a glimpse of five of them. I've only held Mikey so far, but hopefully by the end of this week I'll get to hold Sydnee. Babies are such a blessing and so sweet!

ps--I love ALL of my grand nieces and nephews. All have come to our family in the last 9 years: Jillian, Paige, Joanna, Matthew, Elise, Lincoln, Reagan, Keaton, Katlyn, Sean, Faith, Celeste and Jude. WOW! What a decade of delight!!!

Taiwan week 34

2011-08-15T12:58:00.000-06:00

Hey!
Yeah, the whole Allergy thing is done with. They say that it is shellfish. I had eaten a dish with shrimp that I picked out and didn't eat, but I think it still had some sort of an effect. Yeah, whatever it was it's all over now.

So yesterday, I ran into somebody who spoke english. He was from washington. He had recently been in Hong Kong for a year so his english was a little weird, but I talked to him a little bit about the church and found out that he had been to our church a bunch and that in washington his family had been meeting with the missionaries. He said that he liked it but that they didn't have missionaries in Hong Kong. So I took his number and am sending it in the referrals system. I thought that it was a pretty good experience. He was a cool kid. I hope that his family finally gets baptised. I bet he didn't think that he was going to run into missionaries while on vacation..

Ok, yeah, so this week was a good, hard working week. We're going to see some good results from this week, but mostly because of Heavenly Father's help. The more and more I go out and work, the more and more I remember that this only has a little bit to do with me and pretty much everything to do with the Lord and what work he does.

I always hear about being an instrument in the Lord's hand, but this week, I was thinking about it and I got it. I had to turn it into something that I knew a little bit better. All I am is a brush. The Lord is the Painter. You don't ever hear about how amazing that little brush was that Rembrant was holding. No, you hear about Rembrant. And yes, it does matter what kind of a brush I am. I have tried to use brushes that I have made myself or that are cheap and not that great of quality and let me tell you, nowhere near as good. I may be able to put out something that looks good in the end, but if the brush were better, then the finished picture would be of better quality and chances are, it would have taken alot less time. So as I sharpen up my skills, the work WILL be able to move along better, but only because I am a better tool for the Lord. Yeah. Just something I had been thinking about.

Yeah. Good hard working week after getting over the itching. Elder Gardner and I are working hard and trying to focus as much as we can on establishing the church here in Chao Zhou. We took one morning to go and visit an old farmer that lives way out in our secondary area. I didn't think that he would be home, but it turns out that he actually was. Since the last time that we met, he had a lot of stress because of a second home that he needed to sell. He said that he had prayed and that in the end Christ helped him to sell the house and now he is alot more comfortable and happy and less stressed. We're going to try again with him because he actually has a testimony of Christ and how he can help.

Yeah, Esther's talk sounds so good! I remember having to give talks in primary in spanish. That was interesting. I'm sure Esther did a great job.

Well, I hope that you have a good week and get a chance to swing down to St. George. Chou Zhou is a Taiwanese version of St. George. Yeah. Tell them all hello.
Love Ya!
-Elder Sanford

Book of Mormon Challenge

2011-08-14T08:34:00.002-06:00

Start reading the Book of Mormon on September 1st and end on December 31. This is a good challenge and a great way to end this fabulous year! I'm in!

Sep 1 1 Nephi 1-3

Sep 2 1 Nephi 4-7

Sep 3 1 Nephi 8-9

Sep 4 1 Nephi 10-11

Sep 5 1 Nephi 12-13

Sep 6 1 Nephi 14

Sep 7 1 Nephi 15

Sep 8 1 Nephi 16

Sep 9 1 Nephi 17-18

Sep 10 1 Nephi 19-20

Sep 11 1 Nephi 21-22

Sep 12 2 Nephi 1

Sep 13 2 Nephi 2

Sep 14 2 Nephi 3-4

Sep 15 2 Nephi 5-7

Sep 16 2 Nephi 8

Sep 17 2 Nephi 9

Sep 18 2 Nephi 10-13

Sep 19 2 Nephi 14-17

Sep 20 2 Nephi 18-20

Sep 21 2 Nephi 21-24

Sep 22 2 Nephi 25

Sep 23 2 Nephi 26

Sep 24 2 Nephi 27-28

Sep 25 2 Nephi 29-30

Sep 26 2 Nephi 31-33

Sep 27 Jacob 1-2

Sep 28 Jacob 3-4

Sep 29 Jacob 5

Sep 30 Jacob 6-7

Oct 1 Enos & Jarom

Oct 2 Omni

Oct 3 Words of Mormon

Oct 4 Mosiah 1-2

Oct 5 Mosiah 3

Oct 6 Mosiah 4-5

Oct 7 Mosiah 6-8

Oct 8 Mosiah 9-10

Oct 9 Mosiah 11-12

Oct 10 Mosiah 13-15

Oct 11 Mosiah 16-17

Oct 12 Mosiah 18-19

Oct 13 Mosiah 20-21

Oct 14 Mosiah 22-23

Oct 15 Mosiah 24-26

Oct 16 Mosiah 27

Oct 17 Mosiah 28-29

Oct 18 Alma 1

Oct 19 Alma 2-3

Oct 20 Alma 4-5

Oct 21 Alma 6-7

Oct 22 Alma 8

Oct 23 Alma 9-10

Oct 24 Alma 11

Oct 25 Alma 12

Oct 26 Alma 13-14

Oct 27 Alma 15-16

Oct 28 Alma 17-18

Oct 29 Alma 19

Oct 30 Alma 20-21

Oct 31 Alma 22-23

Nov 1 Alma 24

Nov 2 Alma 25-27

Nov 3 Alma 28-29

Nov 4 Alma 30

Nov 5 Alma 31-32

Nov 6 Alma 33

Nov 7 Alma 34-35

Nov 8 Alma 36-37

Nov 9 Alma 38-39

Nov 10 Alma 40-41

Nov 11 Alma 42-43

Nov 12 Alma 44

Nov 13 Alma 45-46

Nov 14 Alma 47

Nov 15 Alma 48-49

Nov 16 Alma 50-51

Nov 17 Alma 52

Nov 18 Alma 53-54

Nov 19 Alma 55-56

Nov 20 Alma 57

Nov 21 Alma 58-59

Nov 22 Alma 60-61

Nov 23 Alma 62-63

Nov 24 Helaman 1-2

Nov 25 Helaman 3-4

Nov 26 Helaman 5

Nov 27 Helaman 6-7

Nov 28 Helaman 8-9

Nov 29 Helaman 10-11

Nov 30 Helaman 12-13

Dec 1 Helaman 14

Dec 2 Helaman 15-16

Dec 3 3 Nephi 1-2

Dec 4 3 Nephi 3-4

Dec 5 3 Nephi 5-6

Dec 6 3 Nephi 7-8

Dec 7 3 Nephi 9-11

Dec 8 3 Nephi 12

Dec 9 3 Nephi 13-15

Dec 10 3 Nephi 16-17

Dec 11 3 Nephi 18-19

Dec 12 3 Nephi 20

Dec 13 3 Nephi 21-23

Dec 14 3 Nephi 24-27

Dec 15 3 Nephi 28-30

Dec 16 4 Nephi

Dec 17 Mormon 1-2

Dec 18 Mormon 3-4

Dec 19 Mormon 5-6

Dec 20 Mormon 7-9

Dec 21 Ether 1-2

Dec 22 Ether 3-4

Dec 23 Ether 5-7

Dec 24 Ether 8-9

Dec 25 Ether 10-11

Dec 26 Ether 12-13

Dec 27 Ether 14-15

Dec 28 Moroni 1-5

Dec 29 Moroni 6-7

Dec 30 Moroni 8-9

Dec 31 Moroni 10

2011-08-12T14:29:00.004-06:00

Claire is back!!!!! Yahoo!! We've been following the World Scout Jamboree Blog and it's been fun to imagine what she was doing. Once someone blogged about Germany and their Yurt. I imagine she felt very at home there, since we've had a yurt for years now. Jeff built it (and we all helped) several years ago when the Ward was having a camp-out. Anyway, it was hard to have her away for so long. While she was gone Junie went to and returned from Girls Camp, and the second week of Claire's trip Logan went to and returned from Timberline, which is a Scout leadership/training camp. There were a few hours one day when the only children at home were Mirielle and Esther---and Mirielle really doesn't fall into the category of children, as in "young children", she's an adult. It was strange to have so many of the children gone. It'll be that way some day, "for reals". weird.

Taiwan Week 33

2011-08-08T08:32:00.000-06:00

Hey--So we had a pretty cool week. Mostly full of seeing the Lord work miracles. The Lord really is too good to us here in Chao Zhou. One of the coolest things was when we were deciding to go with the back up back up plan or the back up back up back up plan; either Lin Jie Mei or this one Hong guy that Elder Braby and I didn't think had too much potential. We decided to go to Lin Jie Mei's. BUt the Lord had other plans. We were stopped by the train and took that as a sign to go to the Hong guy's house. It turns out that he was sitting there asleep. We had a great sit down with him and then he came to church on sunday. Why? Because the Lord led us there. We were going to go to Lin Jie Mei's but the Lord knows what we need to do, and he will lead us in doing it.

This week was only a little bumpy in the idea because I think I may have found something that I am alergic too, not sure what yet, we'll see.
I hear that Shan is getting pretty big into rock climbing. Sounds pretty cool.
My companion right now is a Cello player and he was pretty good. I have been listening to a lot of his classical cello solos and they really are great. Some cool stuff from Bach. yeah.

There was an old missionary that came to visit. He was cool and brought his wife who also speaks Chinese. I think they go to BYU? Anyways, just fun to talk about the differences in the ward and mission from a year and a half ago to right now.
Yeah BAPTISM! Cool stuff.
Thank-you for all of your prayers and love! Have a good week.
-Elder Sanford

2011-08-07T11:02:00.002-06:00

Wow --I feel like crying!! I hope that all is well with Claire, and with Colby. Sometimes as a mom I get sad feelings and then I find out that a child of mine was/is passing through a rough time at that very moment.

Claire is on her way home from the Jamboree. I'm guessing she's missing a crew of people already! Hugs to Claire!!! ...and Colbs--well, y'all know he's on his mission in Taiwan. I hope he's feeling an outpouring of love and the Spirit, so the Missionary work will go on, AND that he will be truly happy. I love all of my children so much. One of the hardest things a parent lives through is seeing/knowing that their child is hurting/suffering and not being able to take that pain away... no matter how diligent one tries to ease pain, it is something that all must endure and rise above.....Prayers are the only way to help a smidgen.

Taiwan 32

2011-08-02T14:03:00.002-06:00

His letters are getting shorter (he's working harder--right?!!!), and are directed to specific people instead of the general audience.

Basically he said hello to all and said to Esther:

I have been having a great time here in Taiwan! Have a good week too!

He was glad that June had a good time at Girls Camp. Here is some advice he gave June:

Strengthening your testimony is very important. Keep up the great work. Any time that you want to get away from the world, you can find a nice quiet place and read the scriptures. Opening up your mind to revelation is VERY important. Don't ever be afraid to ACT on that revelation either. YEAH!!!

Here's my entire message from him:

Hey Mom!

Wow crazy week. I hope that every thing is going well. Yeah, the humidity was a little much at first, but I'm used to it by now. I really love just going out and working. The humidity makes me feel like I am working harder than I am because I am constantly sweating, but yeah, I"m used to it.

Wow, Claire is in Sweden. Cool.

Yeah! This past week, we had 4 Baptisms! I don't have any pictures though because I had a run in with a card machine and a picture printing shop... I'll do my best to send those pictures next week :)

Yeah, Start of a new move call! Elder Braby is in Tainan with my trainer as the Zone leader there. So cool. ELder Gardner is my new senior companion. He's really cool. I'm going to love serving with him. He only has 3 more move calls, so he is pretty experienced. I'm going to learn alot from him :)

Sorry, a little short on time today I'lll tell you more next week.

YEAH!!!

and part of his letter to Jeff:

Hey Dad!

Thank-you so much for sharing that story with me about the lady. ... I have actually had a couple people who just started living the word of wisdom recently because we taught them. We also have a lot of other people who have been working a long time on keeping it and have failed.

... Does the ceramics room still have the full wall of windows? ....

Thank-you for all of the help and encouragement.
-Elder Dib Sanford

He sounds busy and happy---just the way a Missionary should be.

Have a happy week all--Love ya, Jamille

ps--I have his address permanently on my "side bar". I'm sure he'd love letters from all of you....however his writing back isn't a guaranteed thing. "write at your own risk" :D

I'm back (sorta)

2011-07-28T11:45:00.002-06:00

Don't get confused when I insert the Posts that I haven't created yet. I will insert them on the day they SHOULD'VE been. So in a way, this post is in and of itself is a teaser, because I don't have any of my travels blog entries ready. I'll put in the Colby Missionary entries. They're ready. Don't give up on me. I have Minnesota, Kansas City, and California blogs on the back burner (charring).

Week 31 in Taiwan

2011-07-26T10:30:00.001-06:00

Yeah!
Hey!

Cool, you're in California. that's really fun. Mom, I'm glad to hear that visiting the parents in KC went well. I hope that you have a good time on the road and at the Oakland Temple!

I gad a great week this week . We just got back from Ping Tung where a member took us to the Shabu Shabu place where we ate. It is a place that you have a pot of boiling soup in front of you, and you can go to this big bar of things to throw in. There is a lot of great selection. A lot of great things that you can eat without boiling them either. Eggs, Tomatoes, Lettuce, Tofu. You usually make up a little bowl of seasonings to dip the stuff that you boil in. Probably a step up from what you had... you went to Chinatown? Cool. I want to go! I hear that they speak a lot of Cantonese there. but they probably still speak alot of Mandarin there as well. That be a fun thing. Yeah don't drink the tea.

We had a baptism this week! His name is Pan. Very cool guy. He already has his masters in electronics, but he is testing to get into another big university. He was first introduced to the church when he came for free English class! Yeah!

Yeah, I was reviewing some of the Conference talks from this past session. Going through them, I found a couple of really good parts. One thing that President Monson said that I liked was, "Don't ever do or say anything of which you would not be proud". When I read it it made a lot of sense to me. I also read over President Uchtdorf's talk, "On the Road to Damascus". I think that it is so great. Just go out and do. Don't wait for the miraculous confirmation. It will all come over time. Good stuff. I'll have to look over Elder Bednar's talk again.

Ok, well, have a good rest of the month! It's almost over and it went by so quickly. Man. Thank you for all of the love and support!

Well, I hope that everybody has a good week and that the trip back is safe! Tell Claire good luck and to use her head.

-Love Ya!
Elder Dib Sanford.

week 30 in Taiwan

2011-07-18T13:27:00.000-06:00

Hey !
yeah, it was a good week. ALOT OF RAIN. I'm going to have to buy my self a new pair of shoes later today because for the past month I've been letting the holes in my soles get bigger and bigger. I actually just wear plastic bags over my socks in my shoes and the water isn't too big of a problem. But two or three times this past week, I had a couple times where I came to a stop and the wholes some how got caught on my pedals and I fell over sideways into my companion. I caught myself before I fell on my face each time, but I can imagine it being bad if I couldn't get my feet off in time and... yeah that would be bad. So there is this place that sells alot of different kind of shoes. We'll see what I get. Some thing with a pretty hard sole? How are your shoes holding up?
It's a good thing that I have to be in bed each day at a specific time or I would probably stay up late reading the scriptures. It seems like I just can't get enough time with them.
What do I eat? In the morning it is usually pretty much the same. A bowl of Quaker's Oats with Soy milk poured over it. I usually have a banana or two chopped up in there too. (I got the package this week! Thank-you so much! ) I've enjoyed having a sprinkle of cranberries in my oats every morning (and I've been sharing the candy with some of the people in the ward. They don't have anything like that here. and the butter mints were especially good because they were red white and blue so it was for sure American!) I've also had some toast in the mornings recently because a member has been giving us a loaf of wheat bread each week. For lunch and dinner there are a few different options. We always eat out on the street. I have recently found a really sharp bread shop that makes very classic loaves of bread. THey have walnuts and different berries in them. I enjoy going there every so often. we go to this place called Da Fu Jiang which is a "bian dang" place. That means that there is a huge line of different dishes that you go along and pick out what you want to eat and then at the end some lady looks at what you got and says how much you owe her and gives you a bowl of rice. It's usually really good, and not too expencive. If it's not a bread shop or bian dang place, then we just find a random street vendor and pick up a mango or a couple bananas or a guava or something. On occasion, members will invite us over to eat and it is usually just like the bian dang place. That way of eating is very popular. and delicious.

Thank-you for sharing the conversion story of your side, and the story about grandpa. What else? I really love hearing stories like that. I'm going to share the conversion with somebody this week and it's going to help them come to Christ.THank-you for my "call letter". In reading it, I realised a couple of good, key things. Have a good time. Tell everybody hello for me! (oh and the KC temple is looking great!) love ya!
-Elder Dib Sanford.

2011-07-13T06:58:00.002-06:00

I know that this blog is looking like an exclusive "Missionary Blog"...but it's not. It's for our entire family. Life has been super busy and I almost don't get Colby's news posted some weeks before the next installment should be posted. His part of the blog is easy, truthfully speaking, because it's already written. Don't think I'm slighting the rest of my family, or showing preference to one person, I'm merely busy, and hey, at least I'm posting SOMETHING? Right?!

Taiwan 29

2011-07-11T23:22:00.000-06:00

Hey!
So I was thinking this week about how dad's conversion story and I realized that I don't know the conversion story from your side mom. Who was the first to hear about the Gospel and how did that start? Why were they interested in it?

Wow! You're going back home! That will be fun. I think that you'll like it. Keep me informed. I'm not allowed to email people outside of my immediate family, but I can get permission to email grand parents as well. So I'll ask about that.

OH! So this week, I got to go to a "specialized training meeting" for people who aren't in a leadership position. When I got there, I ran into a missionary who said, "Ahh, Elder Sanford, you're translating for us today." Knowing that that kind of a thing would be impossible, I sarcastically said "Yup, you know it!" but when I got inside, and looked at the program, I found that under the "translation" spot was Elder Sanford. Nobody had told me. But yeah, I said a little prayer and translated for the chinese missionaries who attended the meeting, from 9 am until 5 pm. It was so intense. Did you ever feel like you learned completely different things from a talk because you were translating? At first I didn't feel like I learned anything, but looking back, I can remember alot more of what was said, and thinking back on it all, I have received some inspiration that I probably wouldn't have other wise. Fun stuff.

Thank you for all of your love and help and prayers. I hope that you have a good week!
-Elder Dib Sanford

Yeah Baptism

2011-07-11T23:14:00.002-06:00

Elder Sanford, Li Jun De and Elder Braby.

Yeah Baptism. Li Jun De got baptised this past week.

Taiwan 28

2011-07-04T22:38:00.000-06:00

Yeah

So, Happy Fourth of July! It's really fun to see all of the pictures and hear stories of all that is going down. I'm really missing the block party. But yeah, I guess I literally missed it this year... everyone looks like they had a blast.

Elder Braby and I "celebrated" by going to Ping Tung for a little and visit the Elders there. We ate at a super fancy restaurant and now I have to hurry and write because we don't have a whole lot of time.

I want to send out a special thank-you to all of those who are helping me financially out here. I'm using the money the best I can to help the Lord on his work.

We had another baptism this week. It was really wonderful to hear his testimony after he was baptised. He is going to be a wonderful addition to the ward. He has one of the most solid testimonies that I have seen from a recent convert yet. He really knows that this is the truth and he has a desire to do whatever he needs to, to live by the gospel. Such a wonderful guy. His name is Lin Jun De. He'll probably get the priesthood and a calling pretty soon here. I'll send a picture NEXT week. Long story...

I am having a BLast here in Chao Zhou. It is such a wonderful place.

I hope that you all have a Blast there. Have a wonderful Fourth of July and remember the true freedom that we get by following the commandments that the Lord gives us!

-Elder Sanford.

Taiwan Taichung Mission Photo

2011-06-28T16:24:00.008-06:00

Our Favorite Missionary is on the back row--4th from our right

...just past the bush, in line with the door frame.

(ps--Colby's MTC companion Elder Olsen, is in the bottom right corner of the closeup pic.)

27 weeks in Taiwan

2011-06-28T16:19:00.002-06:00

Hey,
SO this week was pretty good. Elder Braby and I are trying a new thing: Having our investigators meet at the same time. To be honest, it is kind of an accident most of the time, but it is working pretty well. It is interesting to see how it doesn't matter what situation they are in, they become friends because they are both looking into the gospel. It gives the people that have met with us a little more to testify of what they know and the newer investigators to get a testimony from somebody very close to the situation that they are in. I think that is may not be the most effective thing as far as numbers go, but that doesn't matter, we have some great investigators making some great progress. The only problem is that I don't know if we have as much of an opportunity to focus in on the one persons need as much as if we were sitting down alone with them. It is cool to see them encourage each other towards baptism though. Really cool.

I'm greatful for the chance to serve with Elder Braby because he has really put a new spin on the work for me. Yesterday, he figured out mid lesson that our investigator wasn't applying the gospel to him self. A lightbulb went off in my head like never before. It is something that I have heard over and over and over to apply what we are saying to the person, but until I was in the situation and It was pointed plainly out to me that "Look, our investigator isn't making any progress because what we tell him, he doesn't apply to his life or even think about how this can benefit him at all." I was just a little embarrassed when I thought, "Oh, so that is what they mean." It makes so much sense. I couldn't sleep because I was thinking about each of our investigators and how we could help them actually take the principles that we tell them and apply them. The simple analogy came into my mind that you can tell somebody all day how much more comfortable they would be if they would plug the fan into the wall. But they won't feel it for them selves until they plug it in. So that is a lot of what I am thinking about. Helping my investigators plug the fan into the wall..

It is going to be a good month.
The wonderful thing about the gospel it that it is true, and there's nothing that any of us can to about it. You can always be sure that the Lord loves us and will always forgive us and pull us back into the fold. The promise of help and it just so miraculous.
Anyways, have a good week!

-ELder Sanford.

Mr. Branson is retiring :(

2011-06-27T20:48:00.004-06:00

The saying on the door is:

"A Good Teacher

is like a

Candle-

It consumes itself

to light the way

for others."

I'm not sure who was in charge of decorating his door for Teacher Appreciation, but they picked the perfect quote to describe Mr. Branson! He is exactly as the quote suggests. This was Mr. Branson's last year of teaching as part of the Farrer Elementary faculty. He taught Junie 5 years ago when she was in second grade and he taught Esther this year when she was in second grade. I'm so very greatful that our two youngest daughters had the privelege to have him as a teacher. He is very kind and dedicated. He could figure out a way to get each and every child to learn any subject. He expected the children to succeed, and they did.

He certainly was a light to them.

As I drive by the school and watch the progress of it's demise, I couldn't help but notice that the bright blue banner that was put on Mr. Branson's door is still there. It likely will be the last classroom to go...as far as I can tell. If you look at the destruction photo straight up from the fire hydrant on the ground floor, Mr. Branson's door still stands, brightly decorated in blue, and the yellow flame of the candle shines brightly.

Logan--7 years ago

2011-06-25T19:21:00.002-06:00

Look Ma, no hands!

2011-06-25T19:15:00.002-06:00

Last Saturday at Marco's Goodbye party Logan made a "shelf" for his plate. Silly!!! These Sanford men think of everything. :D

Little Logan who is 6 feet tall, turned 15 today

2011-06-25T18:49:00.005-06:00

Happy 15th Birthday, Logan Timothy Sanford!

Thanks for being in our family! You're funny, and fun to be around.

We love you Logan!!!!

The little boy in the poster with his mouth wide open looks like Logan from 7 years ago, but that isn't him.

2011-06-24T07:49:00.002-06:00

Crazy times...

That is what this summer has been so far... (and apparently will be for the rest of the summer!)

They left for California late on June 5th (Lila's Birthday happened while they were gone) and were back by the wee hours of the 17th. This week was Youth Conference, so others left for the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd. Things will be relatively "normal" around here for a week or so, then for the month of July it's going to be here and there for some of us...Scouting expedition, visit to Missouri, trek to San Fran to take Claire to the beginning of her adventure: Scout Jamboree in Sweden, back to Provo in time for Junie's Girls Camp, then Logan's Timberline... Claire will come back...and then a few weeks of normal summer break and then it'll all start again...SCHOOL. Oh yeah in the middle of these things is Logan's birthday, Our Anniversary, and the 4th of July... lots of fun and crazy times this summer!!!

Taiwan week 26 --Prayers

2011-06-20T07:31:00.001-06:00

Hey,

Whoo, so now I am on my 5th move call.

I am still in Chao Zhou with Elder Braby and we are going to tear it up this next six weeks. We had an amazing sit down with a father of one of our recent converts. I feel like he believed everything that we had said in the past, but then said,"Ok, that's how Christians do it". But in "Preach My Gospel", it says that to help people with no background in Christ, you just need to help them have spiritual experiences of your own. We met with him last week and invited him to take a little time out of his day to pray with his family every single day. He had done that all this week, and I could see the difference. We had a Chen Mei Gui come and be part of the lesson. She bore some pretty powerful testimony of the Plan of Salvation and then invited Zhang Ba Ba to do a very personal prayer and ask Heavenly Father if he was there or not. It was great. On the way home, Elder Braby and I started talking about what we could do to teach with more power and more authority. It was a good conversation. I came to the conclusion that I need to focus on using the scriptures and SYLing. It's so much fun so see who you want to be and then see how you can get there. Goal setting is awesome.

I'm glad to hear that all is going well at home and that the Robin is out zipping around the streets of Provo. I can't wait to drive it.

One of the things that I have been studying alot about lately is prayer. There is so much said about prayer and how to "pray right". Communicating with our Heavenly Father is a HUGE thing. We always tell investigators that there is no such thing as a bad prayer, which I don't think that there is, but there I have had some really great prayers in the past that I really felt in harmony with the spirit. So yes praying is important. but there are so many questions that come up that can be confusing like is an out loud prayer better, or how long should it be and things like that. In my studies, I have found that the most important thing it praying with a sincere intent. In a letter that Shan sent me, I think that she said it well;"Praying with real intent is praying with the intent on actually acting on the answer that you receive." It is so true. I love feeling the power in prayers that I have had lately. I haven't been worrying about if it is to long or short or if I forgot something, but that I really mean the things that I say and am willing to act according to my answers. Just something that I've been thinking about lately.

Thank-you all for your prayers and support from home!

Love ya All!

Elder Sanford

P.s. Yeah! to June who got into advanced dance for next year. (Thank you for the lovely letters June)

"Cutting some rug" in Cupertino

2011-06-14T11:29:00.005-06:00

Going,going,gone.

2011-06-14T10:32:00.002-06:00

Jeff and Lila are at Uncle Bill's house in Cupertino CA. They are fixing things (drippy faucets, taking up old carpet...), and retrieving precious family possessions and papers because, most likely, the house will soon be up for sale. It's a great house that has served their family well. Aunt Joann passed away in April 2010. Uncle Bill, a survivor of 5 cancers, is not doing well. It's not exactly cancer that began roughing him up after Joann's passing, but a decades old leg injury...and it's taking its toll. Unfortunately the esophagal cancer has reappeared and is destroying him. I HATE cancer!!!! Dear Uncle Bill is living with Cousin Susan (Billy & Joann's first born) and her family in SanDiego. Tomorrow they are going to Susan's to "hand off the good stuff", at which point they'll get to visit with Uncle Bill. He was chipper and up and about last April. I'm afraid the Uncle Bill they see tomorrow will look/be much different.

Taiwan week 25

2011-06-13T10:08:00.002-06:00

Elder Sanford & Elder Braby last week at the aquarium in Hung Qun. Fun times.

(Hopefully at some point I'll turn it right side up.)

Hey,

Well this week was good.

The assistants randomly decided to go on exchanges with us after Combined District Training Meeting on Thursday. It was so much fun. The assistants right now are Elder Weng (from Singapore) and Elder Cocke. Elder Cocke was with us. He's a great missionary and was a big help to Elder Braby and me. He had a lot of words of advice, but I think that he helped us most in the nightly planning process. Planning has a big influence on the rest of the day, so it was really helpful. He's vegetarian too. I think that he has one more move call after this one. Oh, which this move call is over next Monday. Weird. It went by way too quickly. I should probably send a picture of my new companion before I have to send one of my next one. Yeah, I'll get on that.

Anyways, yes, this week was good. It sounds like all is good at home as well. One cool thing that happened was the Fang family invited us over for food. We thought, OK this is just like any other invitation to eat and were generally excited. The Fang father is a less active because of work, but he is solid. The wife and son are super solid and come to church all of the time aswell. There is an old grandma there as well that sits in the corner by the tv and smokes and is OLD. Not sure who she is related to actually or if she even has any relation...Anyways, when we showed up, the first counselor was there with his family. Then the second counselor in the Stake Presidency's family all showed up, and then the Bishops family, and then the Guo family who are all super cool and then the Hung Qun's Branch Presidency and his family and everybody brought a whole bunch of food and it was all just one big happy get together. It made me miss linger longers and ward activities. It was really fun though. It was as if the whole ward was just together in this little house/hair salon thing, just eating and talking. It was good to talk to some really important people about what the Ward Plan is and what we can do to help, and when they all can come help teach lessons and that kind of thing. And after that, we got Brother Wang to drive us to the neighboring township and help teach the Zhang family. Brother Wang bore some pretty powerful testimony about sacrifices and how we need to make those sacrifices in our lives. It was over all a great lesson. This Zhang family lives next door to a member in the ward who takes their recently baptized son to church every week. We have been working with the Zhang family for a while and I think we're actually going to start making some progress soon! YEAH! ETERNAL FAMILIES!!!!

Yeah to Logan for cleaning his room!

Sounds like everybody else is having a wonderful summer so far. I'm glad to hear it.

I know that the work that I am doing is a sacrifice that will bring many blessings in the future. I'm so glad that I can serve the people here in Taiwan. It is a spiritual blast. I love it.

Thank-you for all of the prayers!

Love ya all!

-ELder Sanford

2011-06-13T09:48:00.000-06:00

Happy Eight Months as a Missionary to Colby.

24 months - 8 months = 16 more months.

He's loving serving the people of Taiwan.

That makes our family so happy!

Feliz Cumpleanos Hija

2011-06-08T15:12:00.002-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our firstborn:

Mirielle Sanford

She's 22 today. We're so glad she's in our family!!!

Taiwan week 24

2011-06-07T15:09:00.000-06:00

Hey,

Yeah, I've been on island for all of 5 month now. Cool. Time flies.

Elder Braby and I are working hard. My experience here in Chao Zhou is so much different from the experience I had in Tai Zhong. I feel like I am finally getting it. Of course this is not the first time and I know that it won't be the last time. BUt so many more things are clicking. You know when you just have that moment when things are all just going right? I love that feeling. But I also know that without heavenly father, NONE of this would be possible. In reality, He could do this all on his own, but he gives me the chance to serve here to gain the experience. I love it.

We had a very intense sitdown this week. It is interesting to notice that my number of sitdowns has gone down since being in Chao Zhou. But the quality of the sitdowns is really increasing. I am getting a chance to really look people in the eye and have wonderful conversations with them. This particularly intense sitdown that we had came as a result of really listening to the investigator when he talked. He opened up and told us his whole life story and all of the trouble that he has been having in the past 20 years. He said that it was impossible to be able to feel peace in his heart. I am excited to be able to follow up with him this next week and see how the Book of Mormon has influenced him. It is so wonderful knowing that it is true and not having to wonder. Knowing with a perfectness that if he reads and really wants it, then he will feel that peace in his heart. So good!

SO yeah biking around here in Chao Zhou is really a blast.

Today, Elder Braby and I went down to Chao Zhou and saw the ocean and an aquarium. It was really fun. It was really blue and bright out. The Ping Dong ELders set up the trip. A Ping Dong member drove us down. Really good time.

I have really loved reading the Book of Mormon this past week and really feeling of the power that has. It is the best book on the planet! Everybody should read it everyday of their lives. Not because I said so, but because if you do, you will really see the change. Reading and pondering it will help you to know how to have peace in this life and salvation in the life to come. I really love it.

This next week is going to be Combined District Training meeting. It will be fun. And I should be getting some water filters soon... that will be good.

I hope that you all have a wonderful week!

Love ya all!

-Elder Sanford.

2011-06-06T07:16:00.004-06:00

Control. That's what Satan wanted. He had this "perfect plan" of how he wanted it to be. His plan would make nothing hard on anyone. It'd be exactly how he thought best. There would be no room to grow and learn, though. No chance to make ones own decisions and live with the consequences. No chance to be anything other than what he wanted.

I'm SO thankful that Heavenly Father didn't let Satan be in charge. I'm indebted eternally to Jesus because He wanted to carry out Father's plan. Yes, there is pain, but there is room to grow and share and become...we don't have to be anyone special or do things the way a taskmaster commands. We can be who we want to be or not be. We are free.

I'm extremely thankful for the service men and women who are fighting for our freedom because there are those in the world who want to carry out satan's plan of control. The servicemen and women put their lives on the line for us. They fight against oppression, for us. How unselfish. Thank you!

Food for thought...on Fast Sunday

2011-06-05T11:42:00.005-06:00

So I just realised that my life is strung together by one food event to the next...I mean... yep, that's exactly what I mean. Food is an "event"....something to look forward to. I know it should be different. Food is necessary to keep the "engine" going, but it shouldn't be one's main emphasis or enjoyment in life.

Here's an example that may or may not make sense. Monthly as we get ready for Stake Children Baptisms we remind the families that if they are planning a celebration (which usually means: food event) that it be scheduled in another place, not in the Stake Center. We want to have a separation of the Party from the Baptism. When the children remember their sacred covenant of Baptism we hope they remember it separate from the party.

Life is like that. Enjoyable, but it doesn't always have to have food to MAKE it enjoyable and meaningful.... This is a whole new mindset for me. I'm not perfect. I do think there is more to think about on this subject. It's ok to have parties and food and sharing, but I really want to try to separate it all---at least in my brain.

2011-06-05T11:30:00.002-06:00

Yesterday was a full day....Baptisms, picnic, Baby shower, Family Dinner with the Reeses in Nephi, seeing "Seussical" in Nephi...Fun times!

Good times. Fun times...friends and family. ( I sound like a telephone commercial.)

Taiwan week 23

2011-05-30T11:17:00.000-06:00

Hey,

...We had Mission Conference this week, so I got to travel back up to Tai Zhong and see all of the missionaries in the mission; everybody that I came on with, Elder Buenning, Elder Rostedt, everybody. I even had the chance to ride up on the bus next to Elder Olsen. We had a good talk about how our missions were going. He is having a great time in his new area too. I hear that you and his family all stay in touch still. That is so cool! So yeah, the whole trip started on thrusday night where we traveled by train to Gao Xiong and stayed the night at Elder Palmer's apartment there (ELder Palmer was Elder Buenning's MTC companion. He is training for his second time now). Then we woke up at 2 in the morning and got on a bus that took all of the South Area Elders and Sisters up to Tai Zhong. We heard from a member of the 70's presidency, ELder Jensen. He was such a good speaker. But most of all he was an amazing teacher. I reallly loved what he said about missionary work and what it is all about. His knowledge of the scriptures was really amazing too. His main topic was just about our relationship with our investigators and with the Lord and our investigator's relationship with us and with the Lord. He drew out at triangle and put God, Missionaries and Investigators on respective corners and we discussed what the relations were or what they should be. There were alot of scriptures used and there were alot of good points made. I really liked what he said. After is was all over, he and his wife and Elder Watson and his wife (of the Seventy. THey came too) all got back into their car and left, then we were aloud to leave the building. Coming in, we all got to shake his hand. It was cool. He said it was like a little interview when he shook his hand and looked into our eyes. It was all so good. We got ushered back onto the bus right after that and we got shipped back to our respective areas. It all went by so fast and I couldn't really absorb it all, but as I remember it all and look back at my notes, I have alot of new ideas and things that I am going to use. One of which is singing more with our investigators. Elder Jensen said that when we sing hymns, it brings a spirit of reverence and reverance brings revelation. So true, so good.

So that was the cool big thing that happened this week. Other than that, just the same old happy hard working. We have a few families that we are working with right now. They all live in our second areas, so a lot of our time is spent on hour plus bike rides out to where they live. It is pretty good. I'm trying to use that extra thinking time to memorize more scriptures in Chinese. It's fun. Reading scriptures in Chinese is a little different than reading them in English. The meaning is all the same, but some times there is added meaning in Chinese. Small things. For instance, there is no way to really just say "brother" in Chinese, only "older brother" or "younger brother", so you find out that The Brother of Jared is actually the Older Brother of Jared. Cool. Little things like that.

I FINISHED THE BOOK OF MORMON! It was such a wonderful experience. In finishing it, I flipped to one of the blank pages in the back and wrote down my testimony of it. It is so cool to look back and see how much my testimony has grown of the Savior. I know that we can be perfected in the Lord and that as we work at it, we really can develop every good gift through the atonement. I have been sharing my testimony of the book since then and I love saying that I have read it recently and seen how it applies differently to me in different times in my life. Such an amazing book, of such an amazing man. I love the Book of Mormon, and I love sharing my testimony of it with those that we meet with.
Got to go!

LOve Ya all

-Elder Sanford

one more day

2011-05-26T13:57:00.002-06:00

One more time at the majestic old building: Farrer. Next week it will be torn down. On Tuesday the last 6th grade class to walk the halls held their Graduation. Today we had our last Talent Show. Fittingly, Sasha Farrer was the first performer. (She did a FABULOUS rendition of Adele's "Rolling in the deep"...you know..."we could've had it aaaalllll, rolling in the deeeeeep.")

The last few weeks we have been packing books and records and all the classroom stuff getting ready for the move to the beautiful new school that was constructed in our south playground, nestled closer to Center street. We are retiring our school's name "Farrer"and trying out a new name "Provo Peaks Elementary". We'll see how it goes, that's the future, but for now we still have one more day.

Taiwan 22

2011-05-23T07:33:00.000-06:00

Hey,

How is everybody doing. Good to hear that this week was full of alot of fun stuff. Yeah June for getting into Advanced Dance for next year, that is cool. The Robin looks cool too. driving that is probably going to be a blast. I'm glad to hear that you are all still doing stuff together.

This past week was crazy for me too. On Thursday, there was a training meeting in Gao Xiong that my companion had to go to, so Elder Chung came up from Hung Chun to stay with me for the day while my Elder Braby and his companion Elder Petters went to the meeting together. They stayed the night in our apartment the night before and the night after. I spent the day in Chao Zhou with Elder Chung on Thursday and it was actually pretty fun. He lived in Draper, but he went to BYU as a music major. He played the Viola. He's Pro I guess. Thursday night, Elder Petters, who also went to BYU for a while, asked me if I knew somebody by the name of "Bee Money". Elder Petters actually listened to his music and knew a lot of his songs. It was fun to talk about Provo for a little bit. But then on Friday, they left and I went to Gao Xiong for Zone Leader Exchanges. It was interesting to serve with Elder Huang, my zone leader, for a day. Having a Chinese companion would be interesting. We'll see if that ever happens though. Anyways, good week and I had alot of good learning experiences.

One thing that came to mind yesterday was a scripture that I love in 2nd Timothy 1 verse 7:"For the Lord hath not given us the spirit of fear. But of power, of love, and of a sound mind." I wanted to know more of the context of that, so I read the chapter. Then I read the Chapter after that. Then I decided that I liked it all and flipped open to Matthew, the very beginning and started reading a few chapters there. I loved the feeling that I was reading and learning of Christ. I love reading the Book of Mormon, and the Bible too. Learning of Christ is fun. Christ is everything. His love is such an inspiration to me. I love Jesus Christ.

I hope that this week is just as fun packed and exciting as the last week was. It is so fun to hear all of the fun things that you all do. Thank-you for all of your prayers!

Love Ya All!!
-Elder Sanford

The early bird catches the ... Robin?

2011-05-22T19:02:00.005-06:00

It's true! Jeff FINALLY caught a Robin.

He has tried MANY times, but this time it took!

We have it at Uncle Bill's in California until we can pick it up later this summer. It will go nicely with the collection of funny small useful cars he has gathered-up. So he'll have what people think is a "Harry Potter Car" (the green daf) and a "Mr. Bean Car" ( the Robin). It just gives them something to talk about. :D

2011-05-21T20:32:00.002-06:00

This morning it was gorgeous outside. When I sat up in bed, without looking out the window, I could tell there were finally no clouds. That's something new for us these days. Of the last 50 days, 32 have had preciptation. I love rain so it's not really been too hard to bear. I have missed the sun though.

I decided to go out to the front flower garden and weed it. It was quite interesting to try and distinguish the plants from the weeds. We planted some perennial seeds last year and I don't remember what their seedlings look like. Some undesirable weeds look a lot like "keeper" plants. I did my best. We'll see in the next few weeks if I guessed right. I planted some of my Mom's day flowers. It's nice to "work the earth."

I sat on the swing and read afterwards. It was so pleasant.

T-20

2011-05-17T07:06:00.004-06:00

Jamille interjections are in blue this week. I am always trying to figure out what is too private to share or not ...I hope I'm doing an okay job.

Ok, so the past week has been pretty intense. I have been working so hard in so many different aspects. One thing that I have really enjoyed though is moving into this new apartment. The missionary that I replaced was Elder Braby's last senior. Elder Braby just went senior with me as his junior this move call. ...I have been having a blast coming in .... Scrubbing, organizing and cleaning. Any free time that I have had at the apartment, which is pretty much none, I have taken to focus on bringing the Spirit into the apartment. I honestly have been having a blast doing it too. It's so fun to just have everything organized and spotless and clean. ( I hope this holds over after the mission :D!!! ... & to be fair though he has always been the child to enjoy cleaning.) We're putting alot of finishing touches and reorganizing alot of things later today. I can't wait.

Also, I am just all around loving this new area. Everything that I have learned is going into helping this place out. The branch is awesome. The Ward mission...has everything super organized. Probably the best ward mission leader in Taiwan. We go over to his house every tuesday for lunch and there is always somebody there to teach. THis past week, we taught a guy who just recently married a member and so he is looking pretty seriously into the church. They have three children from previous marriages. Only one of the kids is a member already. This whole family is going to get this gospel though. I can't wait until they can be sealed in the Temple for forever. ETERNAL FAMILIES. WHOO!

I am so greatful for the chance to work here in Chao Zhou. The spirit and everything is just right, and I know this is where I am supposed to be serving right now. I am really enjoying being companions with Elder Braby as well. He is a great teacher. I am learning so much. He has sent two missionaries home now, so he has a lot of knowledge, I'm just trying to soak it all up.

I'm reading right now in Mormon. I am just so amazed at how amazingly strong he is in the face of all adversity. He was the leader fo the Nephite Army when they were all pretty much as wicked as possible and he still was a humble hard worker that knows what he needs to do to serve the Lord and does it. Such a wonderful example to me. Right at the end of chapter three, he talks a little bit about how everybody that is a decendent of Adam will be judged before the thrown of Christ. And because of that, he says, (vs. 22): "And I would that I could persuade all ye ends of the earth to repent and prepare to stand before the judgement seat of Christ." ONe of the biggest thing he wants in life is to persuade people to repentance. And I think that it is because he has such solid knowledge of the plan. He knows that we all need to repent. I really love Mormon.

Anyways, yes, the mission is going great. I am loving it and working hard. I am seeing the hand of the Lord more and more in my life. it is just to wonderful to rely on him for everything. Thank-you for all of the prayers. I know that they help.

Love Ya All,

Elder Sanford

2011-05-16T18:21:00.001-06:00

I'm so excited for Mirielle! She is once again in the Relief Society Presidency in her Singles ward. What a fun calling! She was the Secretary a few years ago and she really enjoyed it, she was on Activites committee too. She also enjoyed that. Then she was the Visiting Teacher Coordinator. She learned a lot about how things should run, and towards the end of that calling she was trying hard to fulfill it the best she could.

I love how in the Church we all get the opportunity to serve and grow. Lately, it has become very evident to me that it matters not what one is called to do. What is really important is that one should "dig in" and serve with full heart! Sometimes I get in a rut with my duties then, as if in a cycle, I realize that I am concentrating more on myself, than on the people I can serve...and then I try harder to do what I should do...and the self inflicted pity/burden is lifted, the Lord steps in and I CAN do my calling. If I keep the Lord and the people over whom I have stewardship FIRST, before me, then I can do my callings right!

I know that Mirielle enjoys her callings because she immerses herself in them. She tries to learn what she can do to fulfill what is asked of her, and then she truly tries to do what is expected. Thanks Mirielle for your good example!

Taiwan week-Yeah (19)

2011-05-13T23:13:00.001-06:00

Hey,

It was good to talk to all of you too. After I got off of the phone with all of you, we went to the mission office and we waited for other missionaries to show up. When they did, we headed over to the bus station. Then we got on the train and started our way down. It took about 3.5 hours to get down to Gao Xiong. At that train station, I got to meet my new companion. I haven't gotten to take a picture with him to show you yet, but he reminds me alot of Jacob Forbes. He is going to be such a fun companion. His name is Elder Braby. At that stop, I also got to see Elder Olsen for just a little. It was really fun and I got to talk to him for a little before Elder Braby and I had to get on the train to go to our area. I am really glad to see him. It was really fun. He is doing really well and having a great time on island. From what I've seen of the area so far, I am really liking it. I think that it is going to be a great next part of my mission. I'm excited to talk to people and see what all they are like. I'll probably get pretty good at Taiwanese. Man I am so excited. The email place here is so nice too. I hear that the food here is realy good and cheap aswell. I'm just excited to see what all it is like. Just in that first, fairyland stage still.

Mom- HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY. Thank-you for being such a great mother. I was glad to speak to you and that you had questions for me because I had no idea what I was going talk about. Mirielle sounded alot like you over the phone. and June sounded alot like Claire. it was a little weird. Anyways, I hope that everybody is treating you good there. Love ya! Happy Mother's Day.

So yes, new area, new move call and new companion. I'm going to be doing alot of goal setting and re-evaluating things to make sure I'm on the right track. I'm really excited because change is always a good opportunity to learn in.

I'm looking forward to getting those photos from you all (and the granola if you can). They'll be fun.

Thank-you for all of the prayers. I really appreciate them, and boy do I need them.

Love ya all!

Elder Sanford.

YAY!! Junie-Dancing girl

2011-05-13T06:40:00.001-06:00

This last week or so Junie has been kinda nervous. She was to try-out for a Ballroom Dance Team at her Middle School. She has embraced Ballroom dance since day one of seventh grade. She LOVEs it! It's a healthy hobby so we've encouraged her to pursue it. Word came on Thursday she will be on the Advanced Team next school year. Yay- Junie!!! I love to see her so happy. She loves to perform!!!

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-09T17:32:00.003-06:00

It WAS a Happy Mother's Day!!! My family did everything possible to make sure it was a wonderful day for me. I'm not deserving, but am VERY thankful!!!

Jeff and Mirielle revamped the hallway upstairs. I now have a much more suitable place to put my clothes. The hallway is nice, too. Claire played a part in it too. She relinquished her rights to a bureau, and will now be claiming a bookshelf instead....it's going to work out just fine!

On Saturday afternoon the crew disappeared for a while and went to search out treasures for me. While they were gone I heard a knock at the door. I had a feeling of who it could be, and was very pleased it was who I thought. Shannon was here. She returned a book she had borrowed from Mirielle. We had a good chat about nothing, and everything. It really was nice. Somewhere in the middle, friends came over to show us the fabulous job they've done with the LJ20 Jeep. They bought it from us last summer. It was Colby's mission fundraiser. The Massengill's are from Tennessee and so nice to be around. Jeff and the children came home and we all stood around chatting for another hour or so.

Sunday morning the children treated me to breakfast in bed...crepes with nutella, fresh fruit, whipped cream, yogurt, granola...yummy! They brought in gifts: flowers for the garden-- cosmos, geraniums, salvia, marigolds, lobelia... and a hanging basket--wandering jew, hosta, and a waxy green jade-ish plant?...handmade soap and also Strawberry preserves from the Beehive Bazaar, 2 stain glass ornament creations, homemade cards, the new Mary Higgins Clark book-- "I'll Walk Alone." I felt a tremendous outpouring of love! Jeff had to leave for a meeting and then the children trickled downstairs in search of their own crepes. It was a very relaxed time.

I got to Visit Teach one of my favorite people (Doreen Edwards) with one of my favorite companions (Carolyn Hirz). We always have a fun time laughing and learning together. We discussed Elder Quentin Cook's talk about Womanhood and I shared my favorite scripture: 3 John 1:4. It was a lovely time.

The kids prepared a picnic lunch. Bagels, chicken salad, ham & cheese or turkey meat, carrots, cucmbers, lettuce, pretzels or chips....it was a sandwich bar. We had the picnic in the garage. It was crazy and fun!

Church is always good. Jeff conducted. I love it when it's his turn! I enjoyed the talks. They all spoke of Womanhood/Mothers/Respecting Women. Casey, one of the newest Deacons, spoke of how Jesus in his last days was sure to find someone to take care of his mother Mary when he'd be gone. Jesus treated women with care and respect, and so should we. My niece & nephew Meredith & Jake Logan also spoke. Meredith talked a lot about her mother, my deceased sister Jill. She held it together much better than I could have. She spoke of traits a woman should acquire and then teach to her children. Jake 's talk was similar, but he said that the women should be a lighthouse of direction/guidance for their children. They did an inspiring job.

I left Relief Society early. It was hard to do because the lesson was super good.....but I needed/wanted to be home by 4. Colby was calling then. The call actually came at 4:10. He sounded SOOOOOO good! He was glad to talk to all of us. Jeff and I had listened to a talk on the "Mormon Channel" and it prompted us to write down questions to ask Elder Sanford. He got transferred and is now 3.5 hours south of the Mission Home, instead of a 5 minute bike ride away. He's excited to get to know a different, more rural side of Taiwan. We laughed because he kept slipping into Mandarin. I LOVE it !!!! I love that he is becoming so immersed in the work! Missionary life and service is unbelievably wonderful!

They made Chicken Cordon bleu, boiled red potatoes, green beans, and salad for dinner. Scrumptious!!! It was cute to see Logan pounding the chicken into a uniformly thin piece, just right to wrap around the ham slices and cheese. The kids all had some part in the preparation.

I got to talk to MY Mom. I love her so much. Because of her, I have the Gospel in my life. She is a great example of service and love. She is taking care of my Daddy...people get paid to do what she does. She serves him because many years ago she fell in love with him. She made a promise and she's making good on it now. She is an amazing woman. I'm anxious to visit my folks this summer.

Junie made Grandma Jude's Brownies for dessert. It's the best brownie recipe ever!

My day was full and rich...literally and spiritually speaking. I love being a woman, wife, mother, and daughter. Mother's Day was wonderful! Thanks!!!!

Bizarre Beehive

2011-05-05T20:39:00.006-06:00

This is SOOO bizarre! Right in my own yard!!! Where did these come from?

They are now in Orem at Beekeeper Parker's collection of 70 hives. Ann Smoot our neighborhoood hive keeper told us to call/find info through the Utah County Beekeepers. There are amazing facts and info on the website. Also,

Check out this timely article in the "Herald Extra" that Ingrid sent to me.

(p.s.: this reminds me that today the "Beehive Bazaar" begins at the Women's Center, 310 west 500 north, Provo. :D )

Taiwan * 18

2011-05-05T20:00:00.003-06:00

Here are parts of his letter:

Hey

Our Preparation day was changed to Wednesday this week because today, we are going to the Temple. yeah! so that's why this is coming not when it usually does. sorry, I forgot to mention that last week... I remember the last time, it was a blast.

So chances are that I am going to move this next movecall...It's interesting to think about the change that that means. New ward, new people, new area, new companion. Pretty much everything new. I wanted to make the most out of these last few days in my first area, so I prayed that for something to help me do that. I had the opportunity not too much later after that to have a sit down with Cai. He is a father that came a few weeks in a row to church but we hadn't heard from him because he works alot. I didn't know how ready he was until this last sunday when I had the chance to actually talk to him. I knew he was ready for a serious goal when he used the word "our church" in reference to our church. He was owning it as his church. I was so happy to hear him talking like that. Turns out he reads and prays every single day. I had no idea. The Lord prepares people who are ready... I invited him to get baptised on the 14 of this next month just before we leave. This will give me a great opportunity to focus on him a lot before I leave. He is such a great man. We're trying to get his family to come to church too. There hasn't been too much interest there, but when they come to the baptism, they will see just how amazing the church is. Eternal Families!!! WHOO!!!!

I'm starting to focus on characters now. I finished going through Phase II, so now on to Phase III which is all characters. IT'S SO FUN!!! The thing that I am most excited for is to be able to read and understand the Chinese so that I can read with the investigators and really expound on the scriptures and apply them to their lives. I can do it now ok with the Pin Yin, but some of the meaning it lost there. I also like the idea of my language study consisting of reading the Book of Mormon for an hour everyday. I can't wait. I'm going to try and get these 3000 characters needed to read the triple memorized fast. WHOO!

I'm reading in 3 Nephi right now about when CHrist comes. I am trying to slow down and really get the meaning out of these chapters with Christ's instruction in them and his coming. I'm really loving it. I know that what I read really happened. I know that Christ came and died and was resurrected for us all. When I think about it, I am filled with such wonderful feeling. The testimony of the Holy Ghost is such a wonderful treat. I is also interesting to think about all of the destruction that came before Christ and how it is all a testament of the truthfulness of the Savior and Redeemer of the world. THE GOSPEL IT AWESOME! I love it so much.

THank-you for all of your support and prayers....

Love ya all!

Elder Sanford

His letters are so inspiring to the entire family. We love hearing his stories. It's wonderful that he is part of such a great work. He truly wants to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord.

From President Bishop

2011-05-05T19:00:00.003-06:00

To make the long story short, I ended up emailing President Bishop. It was so unlike Colby to not write. I was anxious to know when the Mother's Day phone call would be, too. President replied:

"Elder Sanford continues to do very well. He is very diligent and hard working. I saw him last week and he is great. Elder Sanford's preparation day is Wednesday this week since he will be attending the temple."

I'm happy to know that he is fine...and an email did come from Elder Sanford Tuesday afternoon about the phone call and other good Missionary news.

2011-05-04T18:00:00.001-06:00

A friend recently commented that my blog is pretty much 90% about Colby's Mission. Hmmm...I guess it's the most constant easy thing to share, and so I do. I have limited time at the computer. I do write and share a lot about Colby. I'm so excited about Missionary work, and let's face it, if I share Colby's letters it takes up space and he's already done the writing...I guess I'm short on time AND lazy. I'm laughing as I write this--not down on myself. I have my work cut out for me. It's good to take a look at oneself and try to become better.

I'll try to share more about the rest of the family. I love all of my children and my husband! The whole family is busy and doing worthwhile things that I could share. So I will.

Bee still and know that I am God

2011-05-04T07:36:00.003-06:00

Last night I tossed a milk carton and some cans in our recycling bin when I was on my way to the van to resume my Taxi Mom duties, and a bee caught my eye. Actually several did. I glanced from whence came the bee: the forsythia bush at the end of the driveway. Then I saw it. The swarmy hivey cluster. The cluster was about the size of a 4.5 quart Kitchenaid mixing bowl. Weird.surreal.amazing. Ingrid, Shannon and Julia were walking by at about the same time I discovered the un"bee"lievable treat (I had to do that at least once). I had them come look at it. The swarm was kinda hidden from the sidewalk passersby, but VERY visible from the driveway side. We had a very good chat that became an hour long+ discussion. It was a needed chat and very welcome...and it was good. I thank Heavenly Father for making it all line up just exactly right for the conversation to take place. Things like bees relocating don't happen by coincidence...and friends walking by just at the right time...and Claire needing a ride right then...and me recycling right then...

This might sound crazy but I do believe the Lord is the master "orchestrater" of all things. Things come together not by happenchance. He's there when you need Him---and He knows when you need Him before you know...so He IS there when you need Him...

This all makes sense to me. Thanks Heavenly Father for "beeing" there for me!!!!!

not here yet

2011-05-02T07:56:00.003-06:00

So this morning I woke and started the day. I remembered--"It's Monday an email should've come in the night." I checked it. Nothing. I reminded myself that awhile back his email came late. I've been calm. It should come sometime today. If it doesn't I'll email his Mission President I guess. I'm sure Colby is safe. Maybe his Preparation Day is different this week? I'm hoping to hear from him to know when he gets to call this weekend. With the time change and all he could possibly call on our Saturday, which is his Sunday...tricky 14 hour difference to calculate into this all. I'll post news from him as soon as I can, after I get it.

17-Easter

2011-04-25T17:25:00.005-06:00

My interjections are in orange this week.

Hey!

Alright so last week, we went to the church to see if our 7 o'clock appointment would show up. Turns out that he decided to not come. That's ok because Guo Jie Fu came instead. He said that he had set up to meet with the missionaries. I guess he had called the Dong Qu Elder's old number and it was some other missionaries. That's ok because he lived in our area and we just so happen to be free. Turns out he had come back from China recently and had been doing some repenting and turning his life around and was ready to be baptised. He requested to be Baptised on Easter.

The question I have is this: Of the two dressed in white, which one is Guo Jie Fu?

It was a good Easter (: I love this work. Miracles happen ALL AROUND you. And if you tune in, you can see them and even take part in them. It just goes to show just how much the Lord really is in charge. I'm sure that Guo Jie Fu doesn't see it as a miracle, but I know that Elder Rostedt and I do, It was one of the best miracles that we've seen yet. We see them every day. And because of them, I know that this work is true. The fruit of the seed is just too sweet to say say otherwise.

One thing that we did this week was challenged a less active to read one chapter of the Book of Mormon everyday until he finishes it. It works out just about right that if he continues and does this he will have read it by the end of the year. We asked him what kind of blessings he thought he would receive from doing this and he said he would receive many many blessings. He wasn't sure how, but he knew that the Lord would bless him. We promised him some specific blessings and then invited him to do it. He committed and said that he would. I think that we will probably do this with a few other less actives and Recent Converts that we have.

Everything is going wonderfully here in Dong Qu. Thank-you for your constant help. Goodness this work is wonderful.

Yes the package came! Thank-you so much. It was all so wonderful and delicious. Elder Rostedt it especially thankful. I got the package while on Zone Leader Exchanges so I was able to share the Samoas with my awesome zone leader, Elder M'auai. He is also super thankful.

Does anyone have any more "Samoas" left --- that I could buy? I might make some "Brownie" points if I send more "Girl Scout" cookies. (Yes, pun intended) :D

I was thinking that in my next package, it'd be cool to put together a whole bunch of pictures of the family so that I can show people more of who I am talking about when I go on exchanges. If you do do that, please include a picture of the Daf, the Yurt, a picture of dad with his kilt visible and a picture of the Sorensens as well. Yeah! Thank-you for being such an amazing family.

Love Ya All!

-Elder Sanford

I'm pretty happy that Mother's Day is coming soon because he gets to call, and we'll get to talk to him. I'm not sure if he'll call way early on Mom's day or way late, .... it's irrelevant because WE'LL GET TO TALK TO HIM!!!!

Easter: 24 April, 2011

2011-04-24T19:43:00.000-06:00

A little mish mash of Easter 2011....The baskets--everyone received BLUE Peeps in honor of Colby...we missed having his blue basket (not to mention HIM). The kids had fun decorating boiled eggs. Mirielle got some good photos that captured the children's typical facial expressions. Esther decided to toast her peeps in the front room. Aren't the eggs pretty? I love Mirielle's pics!

Prom 2011

2011-04-23T23:07:00.000-06:00

Claire went to the Provo High School Junior Prom 2011 with Chandler Flinders. She was in a group of 3 couples. They know each other from the Provo HS band. Mirielle took photos. The group photos she took at our Church building. She was on the balcony and they looked up from the rotunda/foyer. They had a fun time. We were so glad that the rain died down long enough that we could watch the couples descend the Provo City Library steps. I'm happy to report that Claire made it down the 30+-ish steps without falling. There were a few girls that weren't that lucky. Plug for Logan--he made Chandler's boutineer. (We went to the Florist and asked to buy a boutineer. Of course that was late thinking on our part, but it was early Saturday afternoon- not 10 minutes before the dance. The attendant was VERY rude and said, "We're not making anymore today". The store was to be opened for 5 or 6 more hours. I guess they weren't service-minded on Saturday....You'd think they'd make me one and charge double...Nevermind...I bought a rose and Logan fixed it up. Yay, Logan!!!) I think we'll buy flowers from somewhere else next time, and Logan can earn money fixing them for us.

Taiwan 16

2011-04-18T08:57:00.002-06:00

I'm glad that he sounds upbeat even though it gets rough periodically. That's one of the endearing things about Colby--his positive approach on life. I pray he'll always keep that wonderful trait! (You'll see my interjections/interruptions in periwinkle-ish.)

Hey!

YEAH to Sara (our good friend and ceramics teacher at Provo High School) for having a baby. WHOO! So cool!

This week, I relied on the Lord. It started out pretty rough actually. Like what was recently said in Conference, trials are pin pointed right to you. BUt I know that the Lord would not give people trials that do not need to grow. So I did my best to apply what else I learned from conference last weekend and go forward BEING a missionary and not just DOING missionary things. (reference to Lynn G. Robbins' talk) It is an interesting transition. They have recently gotten rid of "Nightly Follow-Ups" to be more in line with what it says in Preach My Gospel and only have Weekly Follow Ups. That means that the numbers of lessons, new investigators for the day and that kind of thing is only done on a weekly basis instead of a daily basis. Alot of people are scarred (pretty sure he meant "scared") that the numbers will drop because missionaries will not be as motivated to work as hard. But I love it. I have found that the things that we do each day are more focused on our investigators as a person and not as a number. It does cause us to need to plan out and have a weekly perspective to hit our weekly goals, but it tears away any titles of "Week A" (people to be baptised in the coming week) and lets us focus on our investigators as a person with a goal to be baptised in the coming week. I love the way that Shan said it in a letter to me: "You have to have a genuine love for the people with only the idea to help them, not increase your baptismal count".

Yes, so this week, we have a goal to particularly fellowship Zhang Hong Xuen's family. His sister is already baptized and his mother will get baptized as soon as she stops drinking tea, but the older brother and the father both need some work. Some things that we're planning on doing are putting notes with scriptures of encouragement in their mailbox each day and praying for them specifically. we'll see what else we can come up with. It will be a good week either way and I'm excited to help them gain the wonderful blessing of ETERNAL FAMILIES!!

Well, time's pretty much gone.

I have loved reading the Book of Mormon this week and seeing how the Lord sends his servants to help his people. I'm trying to focus on following Nephi's example and work in accordance with the will of the Lord. Always looking for what the Lord would have me do.

Thank-you for all of the letters and prayers from home. I hope everybody has a good week!

Love Ya All,

ELder Sanford

a wonderful creation named Jaxon Roy Phillips

2011-04-17T09:27:00.001-06:00

A good friend of our family gave birth to her first baby on April 7, 2011. Sara has been our friend for 5 or so years. She taught Mirielle, Colby, and Claire how to do ceramics. She's a fun teacher. She gets straight to the point and doesn't allow students to goof off. She recognizes potential and pushes the students to achieve. She's a great teacher & person, and will be a great Mommy! What a sweet little family: Marshall, Sara & Baby Jaxon ... The Phillips'.

Dear Colby

2011-04-13T00:37:00.001-06:00

Happy 6 Months as a Missionary!!! This photo is of Colby on 10 October, 2010 at his Goodbye Lemonade social thingy. I'm sure his hair is much shorter now and he has a nametag in his pocket instead of Raybans.

Week 15 Taiwan

2011-04-11T12:32:00.005-06:00

Hey

Yes, this week was General Conference. and it was one of the best and most spiritual General Confernces that I have had. I really enjoyed each and every one of the talks, with special emphasis on Dallin H. Oaks' talk about Desire. So good. One talk that I am excited to reread because it all just went by too fast was from Sunday Afternoon is Lynn G Robbins all about the difference of BEING and DOING very interesting.

(Sad to hear that Arnold Freeberg died)

One experience that I want to share from this week happened last night. In our mission, the standard for sit down lessons is at least 30 in one week. When adding up the totals for the week last night, Elder Rostedt said, "Oh no, we only have 29". I was disappointed. We usually get a few morre than 30. So I went about calling back some people that gave me their phone numbers but didn't set up a time, to see if they were willing to set up. Not much luck though. On the very last one, I could hear that the 19/20 year old guy that answered he said he had no interest what so ever and was about to hang up when his friend stole the phone from him. He told me his name was Liu and that he was sorry for not coming to meet us a couple of days ago. I had no idea what he was talking about, but I started talking to him, about what he believed and then asked him if I could say a prayer to bless him before we hung up. He agreed and then set up to meet on Friday this week. We'll see how it all goes. All I know is that the Lord knows and cares about our goals. He wants us to hit them. When we set goals and consecrate our efforts into hitting them, we can accomplish them with the Lord's help. This gospel is so true.

Good to hear from all of you. I'm glad that all is well and people are having fun. YEAH Joey for getting Baptised this week, so much fun.

anyways, out of time almost

Love Ya All!

-Elder Sanford

P.S. I'll be looking for the package (:

Yeah, it's 14 weeks already

2011-04-04T07:14:00.002-06:00

Hey,

Yeah, it's 14 weeks already. Blows my mind aswell.

Time is pretty short today, for multiple reasons. We deep deep cleaned our kitchen. Even more than before. It's clean now. But we also had a Zone Activity that we attended where they introduce and answered any questions about a new follow-up system that is being implemented. Tomorrow, we are waking up at 6 in the morning and getting right on our bikes to "Sau Mu" or clean graves 45 minutes away. It's going to be good.

So yeah, just another hard working week here in Dong Qu. It is interesting that the Lord is always mindful of his servants. I have felt his love and his hand more and more this week as I have tried to concecrate myself more to the work. Elder Rostedt and I are having a great time though as well. Serving a mission is a blast.

Elder Rostedt told me a little bit about how the mind remembers things. I've been trying to find an efficiant way to memorize word because Phase 2 is straight vocab. The way that Elder Rostedt says it is that there are "drop-of points" at 2 days 4 days 1 week and 2 weeks before something is memorized. So I put together this chart to Memorize 50 words a day and then review those words on the "drop-off points". At the peak of the 1000 words I'll be memorizing 50 new words and reviewing 200 words each day. After coming up with this plan, I figured that it was going to be hard but I was excited about it. But I remembered what the Lord said to the Brother of Jared. That we are to try and figure out a way and then go to the LOrd to see what he has to say. It was great to pray and to tell the Lord my little plan and then ask to see what he thought. As I have been following my plan for the past couple days, it has been wonderful to feel the Spirit of the LOrd testifying to me that he is happy with me going forward and doing hard things. I know that as we all go forward and do hard things, trusting in the LOrd and always remembering him, we will be able to hit higher hights and grow more and more each and every day. WHOO!

It's good to hear that Conference is going to be good. I know it always will be, but I am so ready for it this time. I'm so excited for this next Sunday. I think that I have gained alot more of a testimony of Prophets and I'm so ready to recieve revelation from them, to me. YEAH!

I"m glad that you are all doing good and you got a chance to see Hair Spray together. Fun times. Keep doing all that you can and the Lord will bless you by making up the difference.

Love Ya All!

Elder Sanford

I think he sounds GREAT!!! We sure miss him, and it's hard to believe that in a few days he'll "hit" his 6 month mark!!! :D

Taiwan week 13-best week of the mission yet

2011-03-28T06:46:00.003-06:00

I love that Colby sounds SOOO good!!! I love how committed he is. I'm so thankful that he is experiencing growth and gets to see, and be a part of, miracles. Here's his letter--I interject in orange:

Hey

Let me start off by saying that this week has been the best week of the mission yet.

Today is the start of a new move call so that means alot of people are moving around and on thursday, all of the new Sisters and Elders arrived. One of the best things was seeing an old friend come on island. On "Dan Jones" night, I had the chance to take him around, and so we talked for a little bit. He is doing great. You'll never guess who it is. Remember at the MTC there was that one Atheist ELder in my District. Yeah Elder Hansen! He went home, studied alot of Chinese, got his act together and decided to try again. This time, he got further than just one week in the MTC. He's going to be a great missionary. I am actually really happy that he came back. He's already a great missionary.

Yahoo Elder Hansen--the Sanford's are soooo happy for you!!!

But that is only one of the miracles that I saw this week.

Let me tell you a little about my Elder Rostedt and my new investigator. Elder Rostedt actually found him. He was one of those that I didn't think much of because he didn't give us a phone number, only an address. Elder Rostedt and I went and visited him. We went over to his house every single day this week. Each and everyday, he was drunk as can be. But another thing was noticable, he really loved Chirst and wanted to be helped, wanted to be saved.

For the first few days, we just testified to him that we were representatives of and sent by Christ to help him. He came to the CHurch a few times at 10ish, so we got permission to step out the door early and talk with him. Still always drunk. (One time, he even asked to use the bathroom and came back smelling like smoke. We asked him and yes, he had smoked in the church. oops). So we couldn't really do anything because in this drunken state, everything would go in one ear and out the other.

This part confused me until I remembered the Elders teach an English as a second language class. Maybe that's when the man came to talk to them?

On saturday though, we were determined to get him to sacrament meeting sober. So we thought that if we got him to come to the church, he could watch movies there or something until he was sober and then he could stay at his sister's house or something over night. We spent 4 hours trying to get him to come to church with us to help him. He was the most drunk I had ever seen him though. he wasn't willing to come so we let him go and stay at his house. Saying a prayer, we went about our day. We saw alot of miracles just that night and got a few great lessons to make up for the amount of time that we used on Huang Jia Wei.

On Sunday though, was the best miracle of all we went to his house just to see him and if he happened to not have drunken yet that day, he could maybe come to church. But when he opened the door, he was fine. Had a bottle of water in one hand and said that he had just been drinking that because he promised us he wouldn't drink alcohol. He was able to come to church and he loved it. When we went over to his house later, we found him sitting and reading a gospel priciples book that he had slipped into his bag from church. He said that since church, he was just sitting and reading that and drinking water. Then we were able to teach him a powerful first. He is well on his way to baptism. Heavenly father is a God of miracles.

When we do all that we can, then He will step in and help us with our goals. I know this to be true and I feel it everyday. I love it. This gospel is so cool.

The language is going well. It being the start of a new move call, I have a plan to get all the way done with Phase 2. I'll be memorizing about 50ish words a day. Before my mission, there would be no way I could do that. But I realize now that can rely on the Lord's help, so it is totally possible. If there is anything that you want to do in life that is productive, good, virtueous, lovely, or praisworthy, then I guess, in reality it would be a waste to not ask for the Lord's help. That is a principle that I didn't take full advantage of before my mission. Anyways, yes, the language is coming along. There are still countless times in the day when I have no idea what people are saying to me, but less and less every day.

I know that this gospel is true. I have seen miracles and I can not deny it. THank-you for all of the prayers.

Love Ya All

-ELder Sanford.

P.S. I love to hear that Marco (Vergaray his best friend since birth) got his call (to Portland Oregon, Spanish speaking. He enters the MTC June 22). Say congradulations to him for me. WHOOO!

I can tell by his English wording that Chinese is coming easier for him. When I got home from my Chilean mission I spoke "backwards English". I hear that already in his English and it makes me smile!!! I love our Colby and the joy I feel for him and his successes is great!!!

2011-03-27T07:22:00.000-06:00

I miss Colby. Don't misread me--I'm so happy for him and I love to hear of his successes and growth. That is the greatest joy any parent can have: To hear that one's children walk in truth.

But I miss him. I know when he comes home, he'll come to our home for a short while, and then he'll continue on with his life. I still want to be a part of it, and I guess I always will be in his life (because we are biologically connected), but it'll be different. It's supposed to be. We raise our children to leave home and have a good life.

I am praying that after the mission he'll have a little part in his heart for our family still and that he won't just run off into the sunset with never again a thought for us. I will come to grips with this by the time he comes home, but it's lonely-ish now as I think about it.

Do our heavenly parents experience this type of melancholy, too?

The day has FINALLY come!

2011-03-24T17:25:00.003-06:00

This is my Brother John in front of the KC Temple. Today the Angel Moroni came to live atop the Temple, and John was there. Now it'll be another 10 months or so until the Temple is completely done. I say I can't wait, but wait is what I have to do. Time is passing quickly, and before you know it, it will be time for the Open House. :D

Happy Birthday Dapper Dad!!!

2011-03-22T11:33:00.005-06:00

Happy 77th Birthday to my Daddy the handsome Marine in the center--next to his gorgeous Bride Jude--My momma. I love you and miss you! Thanks for being such a great example of what a faithful Priesthood holder and member of the Church should be. Thank you for looking for the true church and thank you for finding it and Momma in the process. I love you both SOOO much! I'm sending hugs your way. Hopefully, I'll be able to come and visit again this summer and give you hugs in person.

You're wonderful, and the best Dad I could ever ask for - - - seriously! Always remember that!!!

(About the Photo: The Adams/Lippold Wedding-- 19 December 1953, in St. Joseph MO. Left to right: Walter Samuel Adams, Thelma Marie Metz Adams, John Franklin Adams, Jude Marie Lippold Adams, George Leroy Lippold, Clara Constance Abbott Lippold)

The Beautiful LDS Temple in Kansas City

2011-03-22T07:47:00.003-06:00

Jason just took this picture about 15 minutes ago (12:15 pm CDST) Gorgeous!! Thanks Jace!

This is what's happening in Kansas City...The Temple and new Liberty Stake Center fewer than 24 hours ago. Thanks to my Brother John for the photos. Thank you my wonderful brothers!!!!This is cool to see it all coming together. The faithful saints in Missouri have waited SOOOOO long for this beautiful Temple and now it's nearly ready ( on the outside. The inside will be completed by years end or early 2012).

Taiwan week 12-"Xiang some Ban Fa"

2011-03-22T07:30:00.006-06:00

"Xiang some Ban Fa"--So I put this in Google translations and it switched it into Chinese script instead of translating it into English. From the context I'm guessing it means: they are going to put their shoulders to the wheel...they are going to really work it harder! What do you think it means? Here's the letter this week:

Hey!

Well, this week was good. it was tiring but it was good. At the beginning of the move call, Elder Rostedt and I set a goal to Baptize 4 people. It wasn't just a goal that was scribbled down on a piece of paper and not looked at again. Elder Rostedt and I prayed about it and both got the number 4 as an answer. We baptised Chen Zheng Wei at the beginning of the month, so we still need 3 more this month. so needless to say In the past week, we have been putting a lot into thinking about how we can find those last three souls that are out there, ready to be baptised. We found one very special Brother. We met with him multiple times visiting him at his house and meeting with him at the church. But this past saturday, I was actually pretty sad. He couldn't commit to never drinking Tea. I guess it is good that he admitted it. We know where to work with him now to prepare him for baptism and enduring to the end. We also met with an investigator who comes and brings his mother along with him everyweek. Elder Rostedt and I decided that we should probably sit down with him and ask him a few questions. What he said was that he reads and prays every single day and feels the Spirit alot in his life, but he hasn't gotten a direct answer from God if he should get baptised or not. In asking him if there was anything that we could to do help him, he said that we should probably just pray for him. We're going to try and meet with him about once a week too. He just needs to realise that Baptism is the start. It's not the end, but only the beginning to a much more wonderful life. I guess it all comes down to if he believes it is true or not as well. I'm still in the process of praying and studying for him every day. We need to talk to the bishop too, because I think he may have more light on the subject. Anyways, the total is still 1 for the month, so my wonderful companion Elder Rostedt and I are going to Xiang some Ban Fa and hit our goal for this month. Yeah!

I'm glad to hear that everybody is fine and that Dad is up and running again. Yeah to June who went to the temple for the first time, super exciting. It's good to hear that Logan is getting into cars and stole my old blue jump suit (that I stole from dad who found it on the side of the road forever ago?) Yeah, no St. Patrick's day in Taiwan. But yes, they do have Fuhuo Jie or "Resurrection Day" So that will be fun...

I know that Christ lives. I feel his influence and guidance in my life each and every day. Thank-you so much for all of your prayers and for your mail. I hope everything goes well this next week

Love Ya All

-Elder Sanford

Taiwan week 11

2011-03-14T07:28:00.000-06:00

Hey!

So as for news of the Earth quake/Tsunami or what ever it was, I am just fine. In fact, I think that if nobody had told me about it, I would have no idea anything was even going on. The weather is nice here and just slowly going up and up in temperature. I am used to the humidity and it is actually kind of nice. I haven't had a bloody nose since I've been here!

So yes, I figured out the secret of missionary work! The key is the Spirit. I feel like I have had the spirit before, but not really focused on having it all of the time. As I have been taking alittle bit of time to do a spiritual check every so often to see if I have it with me, I have found out some things that detracted from the spirit that I didn't realize before. Elder Rostedt and 15 minutes here and there this week in companionship study and read a talk called Faith as a Principle of Power. I really loved what it said in there and look forward always increasing my faith, and increasing my spirit. In reading the Book of Mormon this week, I really loved what it said in Alma 4:19. Alma is very good at baptising people and I found it very interesting that in this verse, he saw "no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them." I know that as I use my time as instructed in the white missionary handbook, I will be making the necessary sacrifices to purify myself spiritually so that I can give testimony that will point to Christ, even if they don't understand me. It was an interesting thought that hit me, but I'm enjoying it so far and, let me tell you, I love to feel the power and guidance of the spirit.

Yeah! Go Sara and Marsh! I want to see pictures of the little guy as soon as he's here!

Love Ya All!

ELder Sanford

Taiwan week 10

2011-03-10T10:04:00.003-07:00

Colby's letter this week talked of the chance to go on "splits" with the Zone Leaders. That means he got to be with his former companion, Elder Buenning. He was happy about that. There was a baptism, too. Yay!!! :D He says:

"It is interesting to see how the time passes so quickly. Looking back on my mission so far, I can see just how much I really have been blessed. Looking forward, I want to continue to progress and obtain the goals that I have set for myself... I know that as we follow the plan that the Lord has in mind for us, we will be blessed, and become what we need in order to best serve him."

He also told us about a nut that many people in Taiwan are addicted to. When they chew it their saliva turns blood red. People buy it from scantily clad vendors. The boxes usually have pornographic pictures on it. When people buy it they rip open the boxes and throw them on the ground. SOOO EVIL!!! What a waste!!! He says:

"Luckly, it is actually an illegal drug in everyother country in the world, so it won't be popping up anywhere else. BUt I do know that it is a huge problem that is holding the people of Taiwan back from the gospel. It's completely against the Word of Wisdom and leads people to breaking the Law of Chastity. Any ways, super lame thing that just goes to show that satan is working very hard to lead away the hearts of men. But luckly, the Lord is here working just as hard. The Lord can not fail. Whoo! Who's on the Lord's side, who? Well, I know that I am.Thank-you for the prayers and love from home, I'm going to keep working hard here. Keep up the good work at home.

I know that the Lord blesses every good effort and makes up every loss in the end. He is my Reedemer and my All. Trusting in him makes you invincible."

Sunday ramblings

2011-03-06T11:42:00.002-07:00

Even though I much prefer the Sunday meetings starting at 9 a.m., I am getting used to the 1 p.m. version. I get to stay in bed a lot longer than any other day. It's nice to lie in bed and not have to jump out and get going immediately.

Today is the 5th Fast Sunday that Colby has been a missionary. It's his "Golden Month". He is 19 years old and he has 19 more months as a missionary. Isn't that a milestone of sorts? It's not too much longer before we'll get to talk to him on Mother's Day. Yeah! I wonder if his English will have an Oriental twang to it?

Well. I ramble.

One last comment. On Friday the Thurston's came over for Pizza. Glen got home from his mission a week ago. It was Junie's turn to pray. She said, "we're so thankful that Glen is here with us and that Colby is ... not". A golden giggle escaped from Claire and the rest of us, too. June was trying to say that we're thankful that Colby is in Taiwan as a missionay, it just came out THAT way. We love June and know what she meant. We love Colbs and miss him dreadfully, but we are glad he has this time to be a missionary!!! We'll have a big pizza party when he gets home. :D