Elevator Concerts

11/30/15

I'm not 100% sure why this happened, but it did. Elder Boyce, my companion, likes to sing. His dad actually helped start Vocal Point. For some inexplicable reason, the 'Star-Spangled Banner' gets stuck in his head more often than you would expect. So we were casually leaving our apartment to start the day's work and he starts singing the national anthem. Naturally, I start singing the bass part from my 9th grade choir because... You know I'm not really sure. Anyway, he's singing the melody and I'm pounding out the harmony in the elevator. Our elevator is very sneaky. I close my eyes right for the 'and the rocket's red glare' part where you just gotta let your soul scream to the world those high shrilly notes, and a few notes in I realize that we aren't moving. As I open my eyes, I see this Taiwanese lady looking at me like a rock. No smile. Nothing. She walks in after I move out of the way a little bit, pushes the door close button, and just sits there in silence all the way down. Guaranteed most awkward thing of my whole life. Elder Boyce and I were just dying of laughter afterwards.

Unfortunately I don't have very much time do to a Christmas choir rehearsal thing my companion got us into, but I wouldn't be a missionary if I didn't share about Elder Stevenson coming and speaking to our mission. He came last Tuesday because his son is in the other Taiwan mission and his nephew is in ours. It was so amazing. One of my favorite things he said was this equation: obedience brings blessings, and blessings bring happiness. It was so simple and the way he explained it was amazing. Every single rule we keep as missionaries or every commandment we keep as individuals brings a blessing. In bed by 10:30? Blessing. Socks are a plain, dark color? Blessing. Study only the missionary library? Blessing. The way he said it really stressed the fact that any rule or commandment we keep--no matter how small or seemingly insignificant--brings blessings, and through blessings we are happy. That simple! On the subject of Thanksgiving, I truly am grateful for the chance to have living prophets and apostles in these latter days. The testimony he bore at the meeting absolutely filled the entire chapel with overwhelming power. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving filled with lots of pie! I love you all!
--

Elder Hawkes

P.S.  The picture is of me and my companion on Thanksgiving. Tell Sister McMillen that we weren't able to get burgers because a member bought us dinner, but we did have that chocolate cake and that her money went towards those little 'glutinous rice balls' on my plate that are super super tasty. They have peanut butter in them and they are super gooey.

Passing Off Phase One

11/22/15

Happy Thanksgiving!! I am so excited not to celebrate it this week! That was only halfway sarcastic because I'm not the biggest fan of eating turkey, but it is a bummer that I'm missing out on all that amazing pie! I guess you could say I am more thankful for pumpkin pie now that this year I'm not going to have it, so it will be a day of thanksgiving after all! Anyways, I don't know if I have mentioned this or not, but the Taiwanese love to compare Americans to famous actors. I have no idea why. We were eating lunch with some members, and I made the mistake of telling them about how I was called "Bella" from Twilight at scout camp for the whole week. They pulled up a picture of Bella, and the table went silent. "Wow, he really does look like Bella."

Elder Boyce and I invented this technique called "bing qi ling". Whenever a less active or investigator commits to come to church, we "bing qi ling" them. We have a little card that they have to promise to buy us ice cream, or bing qi ling, if they don't come to church. We figure it's a win-win scenario for us right? So we bing qi ling-ed a less active, and he didn't come to church. Next time we met, they were going to buy us ice cream and guess what? The ice cream machine was broken! Lose-lose scenario!! God is merciful though, and the less active came to church yesterday and he still is going to buy us ice cream.

This last week, I went on exchanges with a native named Elder Dong. We had ground mountain goat meat and spinach over rice with seaweed soup. Eating with a native and a non-native are very different experiences. Elder Dong is totally awesome though. He is also in training, so we have become pretty good friends. Him and his companion get along extremely well and they get work done. I talked with him a lot, and that night he asked me what the biggest miracle I had seen in Taiwan was. I told him a few that I couldn't decide between, but when I asked him the same question he gave me an interesting answer. He said the biggest miracle he had seen on his mission was his companion. They are very good friends, and plan on continuing their friendship even after the mission. I realized my conception of a 'miracle' was a little too grand. I found that this last conference was a lot about marveling at the plain and precious truths of the Gospel. My companion is amazing and we are doing great things. I have like 50 Book of Mormons on a shelf in our apartment. Through prayer, I can speak with God: the most important being in the whole universe. Wow. This next week I'm going to try to keep rediscovering those tender mercies. All my love to you all!
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I am so stinking excited for Elder Stevenson to come speak to us tomorrow!!!!!! His son is in the other mission, and his nephew is in this mission. It's going to be so good!!! Next week's emails are probably going to be all about it. Put some pumpkin pie in the freezer for when I get back k? Also, I don't know if I told you or not, but I got roped into playing the piano for a Christmas concert for the whole mission, and I am doing the piano guys version of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Is that how you spell it? Goodness I don't know. English. Chinese is so hard. It's funny, it feels like instead of my Chinese getting better, my English is just getting worse. We do what's called three phases to learn the language. Phase One is a ton of vocabulary, teaching phrases, and other stuff straight out of Preach My Gospel. Phase Two is 2,500 flashcards of the most commonly used words in Chinese. Phase Three is all the characters in the standard works. I'm passing off Phase One in the next week!!! It has been a ton of work, but I'm getting it done! Well, I hope everything is going well back home, enjoy your Thanksgiving! Eat an extra slice of pie for me! I love you guys!

-Elder Hawkes

The first picture is of a sign that it took me a minute to realize how funny it was. First glance is pretty funny too though. Hey! You can take diesel fuel on the Metro! It's flammable! The second picture is what happens when we go looking for less actives. Ya, that is where the address led us. We did find a bowling ball there and fancy paper that I was tempted to send to you Mom for your Christmas present.

Christmas in a Box

Here comes Christmas, Jordan, and all packed in a tiny shoebox.

Taiwan Healthcare, McDonald's, and Glittery Sidewalks

11/15/15:  Xue Hua Bing. Literally one of the best treats in Taiwan. And it isn't even mango season. That place I ate this at is world famous. They make the ice from mango, and it is soft and fluffy, almost like the stuff you can scrape off an ice rink with your skates. Then they put mangoes, kiwi, strawberries, and mango syrup on it and you just pass out with delight. There is nothing like it in this world. It is super expensive too, about US $6.

These rock paths are 'supposed' to be good for your feet. Healthy. Imagine walking 50 yards on rocks sticking up out of the ground, think about how your feet would feel, and then tell me it's 'healthy'. Uggg. Taiwanese health. They yell at you for being out in the rain because you will get sick. Literally. Yell. Another funny thing about Taiwan, if you are sick at all, you go to the hospital. So don't be surprised if in future emails I say I went to the hospital. Everyone here wears surgical masks for either allergies or colds or any other form of the plague. Sneeze without a surgical mask and you will be shot. The common question asked when you wear a surgical mask is "have you gone to the hospital yet?" No I haven't! I have a cold! They quite literally go to the hospital for colds, and doctors are not considered reputable unless they prescribe mediation. I'm not kidding. If they don't even prescribe at least acetaminophen, people WILL NOT go visit them. The Taiwanese are crazy about health. Craaaaaaaaazy (said in a Olaf voice). 

 Asian Ronald McDonald. They had a party at the McDonalds right outside our house yesterday.

 this is what happens every time there is a red light. Granted, we are waiting because of construction, but all the motorscooters thread through the line of cars to get to the front, and then when the clock next to the red light hits 1, everyone hits the accelerator like in mario cart and goes ham.

sidewalks sparkle! They use some sort of material to make the sidewalks here that glimmers

Mango Land and Focusing on Christ

11/15/15

Family and Friends, 

So you know, it actually doesn't rain that much here. I'm totally serious. I expected it to rain every day and to be completely sick of being wet, which I am, but it never rains. Maybe it just isn't rainy season, but it has only rained about 3 times since I've gotten here, one of which was a typhoon. I am always wet with sweat. It's disgusting. It has never been so hard to put on clothes after you shower. Anyways, it is getting colder here (about 70s and absolutely perfect) and all the Taiwanese pull out their jackets and winter coats. Apparently it doesn't get too much colder here, so I am in for the best winter of my life. Without mangoes. Mango season ended right as I got here. Are you kidding me? I'm in the land of mangoes without any mangoes.

Interesting thing about Taiwanese movers, they lift with the back. Literally. They will carry this huge stack of boxes with their arms stretched behind them and the boxes leaning on their back. You would think that that form of lifting was less effective, but the Taiwanese have been seen lifting whole refrigerators by themselves by using the "Asian moving method". I don't know whether it legitimately is more effective or not, but there is an interesting analogy found in this. 

How often do we lift things with our hands out in front of us? I personally do. It is so easy to focus on how hard the language is or how all of our baptismal investigators won't answer our phone calls this week. When I do, it is so hard to see the end goal and my true purpose as a missionary: inviting others to come unto Christ. When we lift with our burdens behind us, we find we are able to carry more and are able to see more clearly where we are walking and where we want to go. You still have the weight, you still have to struggle, but at least you know where the staircase ends (am I right? we have all felt that feeling!). Here is where you get the classic scripture found in Matthew 11:28-30: "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I hope this next week I can apply that lesson I learned from the movers of Taiwan and lift with my back, setting the language and the struggles behind me so I can focus on what I really am doing for the next two years. Love and prayers to all those affected by what happened in France this past week and to all of you as well! You are the best!

Letter to Sarah 2

10/9/15

Couldn't resist responding to all those questions you've asked. They are awesome! The music we listen to is mostly sappy Mormon music but occasionally you get a good song that is worth listening to. Missionary humor is way different than regular humor. Most of it has to do with Gospel topics, and is kind of like a Seminary joke. It's horrible unless you are on a mission. We try to give out around 5 or 6 Book of Mormons a week. Something discovered getting along with companions.... Rough. It's pretty hard. Mostly, don't look for the faults. There are so so so many little things that you can pick out and criticize, but there are also so many big things that you can praise them on. You got to get past the little things to see the big things. Also, when criticizing others, it's interesting because I use the word 'I' a lot. Who would have thought? I've found when you take the word 'I' out of the equation, you look more positively on others. How to focus your prayers so they are more meaningful? I don't know if you have heard my solution before, but I sometimes like to say two prayers. One where I get everything out that I normally say, and then the next one you are forced to really think. To think deeper. It's awesome. Give it a try. It doesn't work for everyone, but it's a suggestion. How to not spiritual plateau. That's a good one. Along with making the scripture study more meaningful. So one of the greatest ironies of missionary work is that you don't have enough time to read the scriptures. We get one hour of personal study a day, and it certainly isn't enough. When studying, I have a few suggestions that might also help with not spiritually plateauing (That's a word? My auto correct isn't underlining plateauing!!). First, have a purpose. You need a reason to study other than "I need to study". Second, set aside the time. Third, keep a study journal. Those three things have helped me so stinking much. Having a purpose helps you really focus on learning something. Go into a study with a question or a topic you would like to learn about. Study about a quality you would like to possess, etc. Make it meaningful and take steps to actually apply it rather than read a chapter of the Book of Mormon and forget it the next day like I did throughout High School. Setting aside the time allows you to have a time where you can actually focus. Study journal is a super important part. Each time you study, write one thing down that you learned. One thing. It can be super short. When you do this, it helps you reflect on what you just did and actually get something out of it. When you go back, you have a journal filled of thoughts and impressions that are meaningful. I have some other advice on the whole Kelly thing that I would like to share with you, but I've got to do it next week I'm sorry. Those are some tips you can try and use as you would like. Ultimately, it's your own study. Good luck! Also, my ponderizing scripture is Philippians 4: 11-13, what is yours and the family's? I love you!

Letter to Sarah 2

November in Taiwan

the smog here is millions times worse than in Utah, it is pretty disgusting. And you aren't sending all these pictures to everyone right? I get like 7 emails from Cole every week and they are all pictures and it is kind of annoying... The next picture is this random glowing creepy thing they set up in a random field. It isn't even a building. It's like a huge Buddhist Billboard you can worship as you drive past...







These combined make a 差不多 (not much difference) 360 degree view from the top of the Buddhist temple I just sent a picture of. Absolutely gorgeous. The pictures don't do it justice. And we got this awesome Taiwanese treat where they wrap ice cream sprinkled with peanut shavings and cilantro in a thin stretchy tortilla-like wrapping. Soooooo yummy. 

Garbage Trucks and Beethoven

11/8/15

I will just get straight into the cultural stuff because there is quite a few. First, I officially hate garbage trucks. I cannot stand them. In Taiwan, they play the first few bars of Fur Elise over and over and over again as loud as they possibly can. Yes, like an ice cream truck. All the little kids run out, "Ice Cream!" NO! Garbage truck! They come in waves of three garbage trucks, because you have to recycle and sort all of your garbage in Taiwan--even at McDonald's. Unlike Americans who hermit their garbage for a week until garbage day, the Taiwanese take out the trash in separate little bags every night and wait in mobs for the stinky sweet sound of Beethoven. I'm not about that life. I'm content to get ready for bed every night without the first few bars of an already overplayed piece being pounded into my mind. I digress.

Well, you know you've been on a mission too long when you are talking about Disney characters and you mention Snow White and the 12 Dwarves. That is what happened to a Sister in my district when we were talking about what to do for our Language Party. Also, church jokes just become funny. What car do the Apostles like to drive? Honda, because they are all of one Accord.

I was reading back in my journal the other night and marking up entries where I talked about some of my favorite experiences thus far on my mission. How incredible they are. My companion Elder Boyce asks me every night what my favorite part of the day is, and it really is not very hard to come up with some amazing experience that happened that day. The miracles may be small, but when we look for them they are always there. Just last night we were street contacting at a MRT station, and we talked to a girl from Vietnam who casually said she might come to our church on Sunday if she got the time and bring her friend too. Granted, there wasn't much conviction in it, and she mostly seemed like she just wanted us to leave her alone, but overall it was a good contact and she went her way. 15 minutes later, guess who we talk to? Her friend! Her friend was even less interested and more short on time, but it was such a coincidence (in reality a miracle) that we were able to leave even the smallest impression on two people that live in the same apartment. So cool. The Lord definitely blesses us when we are trying. I love you all!

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Don't let Christian read this part. I have been looking desperately for Pokemon cards. Seriously. I have three Asians looking into it without any real success. Apparently, Pokemon cards are actually short in supply in Taiwan because they just aren't popular anymore. I still might be able to get my hands on some Chinese ones for Christian, but I might not make it before Christmas.

Shipping, as far as I have heard, takes about 2 to 3 weeks for packages. They are very expensive: between $20 and $40 each, so don't expect too many from Taiwan unfortunately... Hey, tell Tim Carr that my companion's girlfriend is his niece. What are the odds? Her name is Betsy Carr. Coolest thing about Chinese ever: the characters make sense. The characters for garage is the character for car, and then another character for car under what looks like a garage. It is so awesome. 車庫. The first one is car, and the second character is the car under the garage. Awesome huh??? Chinese may be complicated, but it makes sense! Also, there is this random building that you can see from the MRT that has a bunch of racist propaganda on it. It is really funny because one of the electronic signs says, "To avoid religious sexual abuse, stay away from lamas." Another sign clarifies, "To avoid religious sexual abuse, stay away from the lamas of Tibetan Buddhism", but at first glance we just about died laughing. I don't know why, but they just hate the lamas of Tibetan Buddhism, and it is just one building.

OH! Elder Stevenson is coming to our mission this month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you all! Bye!

October in Taiwan

It is oatmeal with raisins and freshly cut apple! Yes! In Taiwan! And yesterday we had pancakes cooked in bacon grease and coated in Nutella. It was very healthy! At least we didn't eat the bacon. Nobody told us that meats go bad quicker in Taiwan and so you have to put it in the freezer instead of the fridge... The stuff we eat for dinner and lunch here is interesting enough to make up for a boring breakfast, so don't worry about me missing out on cultural experiences because I am eating a healthy bowl of oatmeal 
for breakfast every morning ;)

 me outside Yoshinoya (really expensive! we can buy two regular meals for the price of one there), and a stalker picture of the middle aged dancing granny sessions that happen every night and in every park in Taiwan. There were actually three of these going on when I took the picture all just at Beitou 

this bridge is in Shipai, and the lighthouse is a revolving restaurant! Then there is a Heron in the middle of the river. Totally awesome. We biked there for exercise one morning

Fixing Tipped Motorscooters and the Way to Happy

11/2/15

Well, this last week was totally awesome as usual! I do have to say, Taiwan has some craaaaazy people. Like, crazy. I don't know what it is about Taiwan, but the proportion of crazy to sane is much higher than any place I have ever been. People just loose their minds and then go looking for them. I will give you an example. I was sitting in church yesterday, fasting, while all of you were trick or treating, when a guy named Kevin in his early 20's walks in. Kevin's elevator doesn't go quite to the top floor, and for some inexplicable reason, he speaks English. Kevin also happens to be gay, and gives extremely awkward hugs. This time, however, he sits down right next to me, and starts trying to hold my hand. The teacher, rather nonchalantly while continuing to teach, walks over and shakes Kevin's hand, effectively rejecting the gesture of adoration. Aha! I have the solution. He tries holding my hand a few more times (to which I apply the new-found technique) and voila! He shakes my hand and then returns to just sitting there. Five awkward minutes go by and he leaves.

Other Very Interesting People:

-One man who yelled at the world and went around Beitou Park tipping motorscooters by the dozen

-One 93-year-old member who speaks like Scooby-Doo and lives in a care center where they are allowed to roam the streets as long as they come back at the end of the day

-One homeless guy who has been known to lay in middle of the street outside of the MRT (Metro) station, moaning until an ambulance comes (this is a common occurrence)

-Many old ladies that go up into the mountains to feed the armies of wild dogs that live there and come down into the city

The first of those very interesting people actually turned into an awesome experience. After the crazy man left, almost getting hit by a bus in the process, my trainer Elder Boyce suggested we go and put up all the motorscooters he had tipped over. So we followed his trail of wrath putting all the motorscooters upright. A man came over that was in charge of watching the entrance of a hotel and said to us, "So nice! You very kind!" That really sunk deep. I hadn't even thought to pick up those motorscooters, but my trainer saw the opportunity to live like Christ: the opportunity to serve others. Sure it wasn't our responsibility, sure we didn't teach any lessons. We did, however, show everyone that saw us performing that act of service that the Gospel is about something much more than coming to church, much more than an excuse to not feel guilty about a mistake, and much more than a baptismal statistic. I learned in that moment, maybe if not for the first time but from a new and deeper perspective, that my work here as a missionary is much easier than I ever thought it was or even could be. You all are the best and I hope I continue to try to live up to the standard you all have set for me. Best of luck!

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So, I absolutely have no idea what to get any of you for Christmas. And don't even say 'oh you don't need to get anything for us! You're letters are juuust fine!' No! I will have none of that! Let me know next week so I can send something, even if it might be late for Christmas. I've heard it takes two or three weeks for a package so we still have some time. And now, so I'm not a hypocrite, I will ask each of you for a gift. Keep in mind that these are just examples and that I would love anything, but I will give you suggestions: Christian, I need some bookmarks! I have a lot of things I need bookmarks for so make some bookmarks that can take some wear-and-tear and make them scream "HEY! Christian made these!!" Mary, I neglected to bring any music with me. Maybe you could put some church music on my orange flashdrive, on a CD, or my little tiny ipod. MOTAB, hymns, EFY albums, BYU Men's Choir, nothing fancy. Sarah, Plan of Salvation cards! You should totally make some for me. Pre-mortal Life, Birth, Earth-Life, Death, Spirit World, Resurrection/Judgement/Immortality, and the three kingdoms. They can be little 3D trinkets or flat laminated stuff, but leave a way for me to put the Chinese characters on them. Dad, poem or haiku about the biggest lesson you learned on your mission. Or just a paragraph or two. Something simple don't get too complicated on me. Mom, you are difficult. I know you will add things regardless of what I ask for, so I'm tempted to not suggest anything specific, but a little trinket like a bookend would be fantastic. Other than that, throw in my kangaroo coin pouch and my monorail pin somewhere in my room and that is an absolutely awesome Christmas present. If anything, that all is probably a bit too much, I just want something super small that doesn't even take a lot of time from each of you. Anything that makes my body temperature raise any higher than it already is is forbidden. Just kidding, but let's just say I won't be getting snow for Christmas. I wake up every morning covered in sweat. It's just a nice perk of Taiwan. Please please tell me what you want for Christmas! It really is so hard! If you want Ponyo, Totorro, Howl's Moving Castle, or any of the Miazaki? movies I can send them in Chinese. Interesting but not too useful. Chopsticks? I really have no idea. I have one gift for one of you and that is it so help me out... Also! My family names for the temple on FamilySearch need to be done, you should do them! There might even be one for you Mary! (sorry if there isn't)

I saw the saddest thing today. It was a guy with his shirt off and his elbows wrapped with cloth, army crawling through the local market, pushing a bin of coins and pulling a crate tied to his waist full of odds and ends and a radio playing Chinese music behind his twisted legs. As he slowly crawled through the market full of people, my heart just dropped. I had no idea how to help this man. What a heart-wrenching scene. Reflecting on it now, I see that same man in every person I see: crippled, crawling through life with no hopes for the future, dragging a crate behind them full of sin. All they leave behind them is the small echo of Chinese music. Without the Gospel, these people are worse off than he was. I may not know how to help that poor poor man, but I do know how to help everyone else that lives here. I'm sharing the way to become happy: the way to live life to the fullest. I have been blessed with this incredible calling, and every day I spend I realize that more and more.

You are all the best and I can't wait to Skype you 2 months from now! Let me know what each of you wants for Christmas in your letter next week and I will see what I can do! Also let me know if you got the letter I sent with a few little things in it. I love you Dad, Mom, Sarah, Mary, and Christian!!!