We have had some interesting developments recently. You know how last week I said that Taiwan was so under control that the church thought it would be better to leave all the missionaries where we were? Well that is still true; BUT the twelve apostles decided this Wednesday that, despite how safe it is in Taiwan, it would still be better for us to be at home with our families, or at least in our home nations, just in case the situation gets worse and travel becomes difficult or any missionaries are at an increased risk. So that happened! it has been absolute madness since then!
After the announcement on wednesday afternoon we taught some lessons and met with some members but spent a lot of time packing before we had to meet the rest of the returning missionaries on Friday afternoon- at which point we went to the airport, said our last goodbyes, took our last pictures, and split off for our various flights. I was on a large flight of missionaries to California and then after a few hours layover, to New York landing Saturday morning.
It's super bizarre to be back in the USA. It feels a lot like I never even left. Although it was exceedingly weird to watch this weekend's historic General Conference in my own home the day I got back, and not in a chapel a week from now when it would have been shown in Taiwan! In any case I am super happy to have been allowed to serve the Taiwanese people for 22 months with some of the best missionaries in the world. I like something my Mission President says about the whole situation... as full time missionaries we are working at the pleasure of the quorum of the 12 apostles and we are simply assisting them in their work. If they ask us to do that work in a different way, or go home early or anything like that, it is the Lord's will. I know that despite the fact that a lot of missionaries are no longer out doing standard full time missionary work, the Lord still has a plan for us all and has a work for us to do.
Anyways, it has been a good run. I had a great mission and I loved being able to serve in Taiwan, learn the Chinese language and how to be a better follower of Jesus Christ. I loved being in the middle of the plan of salvation and learning so much about God's plan and love for each of us. I learned a lot, changed a lot, and I am excited to see how those skills and habits I formed on my mission will help me to make the world a better place now that I am back to being a normal disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Love you all! Stay COVID free!
Tustin Neilson
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| We visited a famous Buddist and Daoist Temple on p-day. Super fun cultural adventure. |
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| My companions like to take pictures of me as I fail to stay awake in language study. I am excited to be home and get some more rest! |
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| Biking up a hill to one of our last member visits, |
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| the tripanionship |
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| taking a selfie with some of the elders on the flight to CA. |
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| All the missionaries from my mission going home on friday night. |
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