May 28, 2102 Email

Dear Mom and Dad,

Whoo, it was a fun week.  I've been having so much fun here in Gangshan, being in the south again makes me so happy.  I tried to stay dilligent in Zhanghua and Yuanlin of course, but the people are not as friendly, and are not as willing to stop and talk to you.  So talking to everyone here is a lot more fun, because the people are a lot more open.  So I've been talking to more people than usual, and I feel happier overall.  That's Taiwan, the farther south you go, the warmer the people, and the farther north, the colder the people.  I feel bad for the Taibei missionaries. 

I LOVE the ward I'm serving with.  We meet in a dalou...(uh...I don't know how to say dalou in English.)  Um...its not a chapel.  I guess its an office building.  Yeah, my English is super sucky!  HAHAHA!  Anyways, they want a chapel REALLY BAD.  They've only been a ward for 6 years, they use to be a branch, but they have between 80-100 active members, which is a pretty good sized ward for Taiwan.  They have a reputation for being really solid, and its not a lie.  I introduced myself to the Bishop, set up a time to meet with him tonight.  And he asked me to bring a ward list, so he can let me know families and individuals to focus on.  That never happens here.  Next, I met our ward mission leader, who wrote a sheet of all the members who can help us in lessons and the times they are convenient, without being asked.  He also said he wanted to devote time every month for the Elders to go on splits with the ward missionaries, so they can better understand the people we are working with.  Crazy.  Next, I went and found the young men's president.  I mentioned two of the RC's here are 11 years old, and almost 12, and man, he was all over making them Deacons.  I went to the second councilor's house for dinner, he is super solid.  He's the young men president's brother, super cool.  He said he was willing to help us with investigators any night of the week.  He's helped us a few times.  He also invites two little girls from accross the street to his house, they're definitely going to be baptized.  Whoo, the energy here is pumping!  This is by far the most involved ward I've ever served in.  I'm super excited.

Yup.

Anyways, my new companion is great, we have gotten along really well.  We laugh all day long, it makes the work so much more fun.  Elder Dailey is from Bluffdale.  He's really down to earth, and he's here for really good reasons.  He's pretty shy, but we are already friends.  He is also willing to work hard which makes things go smoothly.

I printed off a picture of Braidyn to show investigators, they love it.  He's so cute.  The only problem is I always say its my brother's son, and they say, "wow, how long has your younger brother been married?"  Yeah, its interesting.  But I love showing people my family, it makes me so happy, I start giggling everytime.  I'm so ridiculous.

Well, I love you!  Have a great one!

-Elder Travis Leatham