Tender Mercies

Hello Everyone!

This past week was good here in Taidong. Elder Niedfeldt and I have been making some good goals and plans together and we are working hard to accomplish them. Elder Niedfeldt is a great example of someone who is sooo committed to the goals he sets, I wish that came easier for me. but I am learning a lot from him and doing my best to set more meaningful goals that will guide the missionary work. It was easier for me to make goals when I was at home running, or at school and things, because I felt I had most all of the control on how the outcome will be. I've learned that It really does take faith to set goals on the mission, but I know they show God our desires and hopes. 
This past week we met with the Zhuang Family again. They are doing well. We taught them about the 10 commandments.  The mom in the family has some concerns about her own mother opposing her joining the church, because her mom is a pretty devout buddhist, but I think that our peike was able to help her a lot. This week when we meet with them on tuesday we want to invite them to take a step of faith and set a baptismal goal for the 28th of this month. They are so good! I hope the mom will overcome the fear she has of her mom and know that baptism is the best decision she can make in her life right now, even if she doesn't necessarily see or understand ALL the blessing its will bring her. Its a step of faith.
Another "tender mercy of lord" this week actually came on monday. We had biked out to this beach-side park that was up the coast. It was really pretty there and after seeing the ocean we were walking back up the trail to where our bike were parked and we ran into some of the landscape workers there. They had a pile of coconuts and when they saw us the yelled out "Foreigners!" then they picked up a coconut and called us over, chopped it open and had us drink the milk inside. They were so nice! It brought a good spirit to our day. Im glad the Lord often blesses us through the people around us.

Well my time is about up for this weeks email. The work is going well and I am continuing to work hard until the end! Im glad to have the Lord on my side, helping me along the way.

Hope everyone has a great week.

Love,

Elder Bastian