Week 13 - A Birthday and Chinese New Year Together!

NiHao Everyone!

Firstly, Happy Chinese New Year. The year of the Rooster is upon us, and started off very well here in Union City. At times it made work a little hard for Elder Li and I, but it also made some other times very exciting and fun. It reminded me a lot of growing up in China and experiencing Chinese New Year there. It was a very special week.

I also need to say THANK YOU to everyone who contributed to my 20th birthday festivities. It was a very memorable first birthday as a missionary. Fun fact, my birthday was the actual day of Chinese New Year this year, which was especially cool, and I'm sure involves added luck or blessings in the new year, or something deeply philosophical in Chinese culture. 

 On Tuesday we had Zone conference, where we talked a lot about improvements for the mission. We also did some fun training in street contacting, which Elder Li and I were able to put into practice later in the week. The next day, we received worldwide mission training, and learned that the church is making significant changes to the schedule missionaries follow, as well as how we report on our work using information called Key Indicators; We will still do the dame activities everyday, but will have more freedom to choose at what time we do them. We will also only need to report on investigators baptized, confirmed, with a bap. date, and investigators who've attended sacrament meeting. This is all done in a hope to focus and direct our purpose as missionaries more, and allow us to use our agency to utilize each day to the best we can as we see fit. 

We haven't had baptisms for a while (pretty hard in the Chinese program) but Elder Li and I have set some new goals about how we teach and how we plan that we're excited to implement!

Saturday was awesome! I got to fulfill some of my family's birthday traditions as well as observe some Chinese New Year ones as well. I love how family-centered the Chinese culture is. On Satuday night, everyone was home celebrating with family, so Elder Li and I went around doing "Bai Nian." Essentially, this is going around and wishing loved ones a very happy new year, We managed to visit most of our investigator's homes that night, which was really fun. We hope that the small gesture of love really made them feel not only our love for them, but the Savior's love as well. We want so badly to help them and continue to love them!

We were also very well fed, which is always nice!

I love you all. Thank you for all you do for me and my family. I know your Heavenly Father loves you all and is so grateful that you are His!

Xin Nian Kuai Le! 

Love

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

Photos from Week 13; Chinese New Year

Hanging with the Chinese elders during Chinese New Year - that smile.....I miss that smile.

Made his own #20 chocolate chip pancake for his special day .... we made some too.....just for him.

Elder Li opted for his favorite dumplings while Benjamin enjoyed this pancakes.  I noticed the sun beaming into their apartment after weeks of rain. Blessings!

Enjoying birthday surprises sent from lots of good people! Again, that smile - feeling so blessed to see my boy feeling  so blessed.

This lovely sister invites the missionaries over to eat her awesome cooking - they do not seem to mind.  Sister Ellis was in the MTC with Benjamin and they still get to serve together in the field.

Happy Birthday To My Boy!

We missed our missionary today more than normal - 20 years old - we are hoping and praying and wishing that all those good folks he is spending time with, take good care of him on this special day.

Just in case he asked, we made his pancakes as per tradition!

Photos from Week 12 - Benjamin Is Being Protected From Rain and Fire!

Elder Li has been taught how to make french toast by Elder Butters!

Benjamin went on "exchanges" with Elder Kulka, the District Leader, and spoke English all day!

So, the smoke alarm went off....the back of the couch is scarred.....the heater is fixed....the boys know not to put the couch too close to the wall.....lesson learned.

Elder Li is in heaven, as is Benjamin.....making dumplings for an early Chinese New Year celebration.

A hike to Coyote Hills for the Zone on P-Day!  It was the first spot of sun all week.  Benjamin enjoyed the outing and sun very much.

He enjoyed it so much that he took a photograph just for safe keeping. Love this boy!

Week 12 - Rain, Rain, and Rain.....and a Smoke Alarm!

NiHao JiaTing He PengYouMen!

This week has been busy and a lot of missionary firsts for me. As the title suggests, its been wet...very very wet. Its a blessing for California right now, but there are times when I would really like it to STOP! Oh well, at least we have a car!

The biggest thing of my week was exchanges. We switched companions for a day and worked in a boundary in Hayward. I was paired with Elder Kulka, our District Leader. We fulfilled a lot of leadership duties for the day, as well as had interviews with President Frandsen, and tracted a lot. He's very athletic, and is looking to play football on his arrival home. It was strange to spend a day almost entirely in English, too!

Elder Li and I have also had a lot of lessons/visits as well. We were able to teach one investigator the First Vision. I love the special Spirit that comes every time the story of Joseph Smith is shared. Even though I hear it quite a bit as a missionary, i always feel the sacredness of that account. Its a real testament to me that it is true, and gives me motivation to share it. 

Because our Chinese Branch is so small, we really are a "family." As such, we have Family Home Evening once a month as a Branch, and this Saturday we celebrated Chinese New Year (a little early, but still totally fun!) We made dumplings and had a fun visit with everyone, which is exactly what my family does for Chinese New Year at home. The food was delicious and the Branch is so loving and open. We're really looking to involve them more in missionary work this upcoming week. Its so important that we share the testimonies we have with others. I encourage you to find nice simple ways to do that. It doesn't have to be an actual lesson, but a simple thought or testimony can work wonders!

I love you and and think of you often. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

Week 11 Photos - HOT POT!!!

This is the English class taught by Elder Li and Elder Benjamin.  These folks love these men.

They use pictures to help the students learn things about health and wellness and body parts.

Elder Li created a Thor statue that he is very proud of!

This is the view from Temple Hill - I think this is quickly becoming one of Benjamin's favorite spots.

This is his other favorite spot....the HOT POT restaurant that he was taken to by a new convert!

This same company is all over Shanghai - seriously, Benjamin took the short cut home!

Elder Li is teaching Benjamin how to "let his hair down" and enjoy life a little more and be a little less serious than the straight-arrow Benjamin usually is - he is loving the life lessons he is being taught each and every day.

Week 11 And Going Strong As Ever!

NiHao JiaTing!

What a week this has been! Elder Li and I are really busy in Union City right now. We've had some challenges this week, but we've also seen some miracles!

This week we've been really trying to find new people. We have an area book with lists of possible investigator's addresses that we try to visit whenever we have an available second. One night, after many doors closed on us, we both felt impressed to try just one more. Lo and behold, our last door of the night was opened by a man who gave us his phone number! We plan to follow up with him next week! It really goes to show that miracles can happen, only if we're willing to give our absolute all and then some. Its been a challenge for me to learn that, a lesson that I need to learn again and again. 

We've also had a lot of rain to start off our week, which was not fun for the first couple of days. However, the past two days have been full of beautiful California sunshine. Still cold, but SUN!

Elder Li and I also took a recent convert from our branch, Bro. Wang, to Temple Hill and the visitors center. We talked to him about the blessings of the temple, and that through family history work, we can find people in our families, who we can help receive the same saving ordinances we get for ourselves. He really enjoyed out time there, and is committed to serving a mission!  He also later took Elder Li and I out for a Hot Pot dinner afterwards, which was AMAZING! (My family and all those who visited us in China will know the significance of this meal!) 

I also spoke in Sacrament meeting, which was crazy. Church never lasts very long, because our branch is so tiny, but I really hope that they understood what I said and liked my thoughts. The language is coming along. I write down new words everyday and try my best to use them. 

Thank you all for the constant thoughts, prayers, support, and love. 

I love you all and pray for you! Have a fantastic week!

Wo Ai NiMen!

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

Photos from Union City - and Carrefour!

Elder Li and Benjamin visit with these two cute kids a couple times each week.  They love being together and they help teach Benjamin Chinese. He helps them read in English.

According to Benjamin, Elder Li is adventurous and fun loving - lessons Benjamin is working on learning in his own life.  Heavenly Father makes these missions effective in many ways.

And, here we have Benjamin shopping in "Carrefour" in Union City. The labels are in Chinese, the prices are in Chinese and this boy is feeling right at home!

More of "Carrefour" to bring this smile - he has had some delicious homemade Chinese food.

The study desk of Elder Benjamin!  The kids knows how to work hard.

A member of one of the branches owns a bakery - they bring the extra sourdough bread to church and everyone is welcome to take home a loaf or two!  Benjamin reports that everyone swarms the tables!

10th Letter - This One From Union City

NiHao Everyone!

My first full week in the mission field! Its been crazy fast and busy and a lot has happened!

Firstly, it has been wet...very wet and cloudy this week.I think we're expecting that same weather throughout this week too.It kind of makes it challenging to contact people, but oh well; California needs all the water it can get right now! It is a much needed blessing!

We have a lot of visits with people. We don't teach much, mostly just visit, talk, teach English a little bit, and befriend, but we hope that people feel the Spirit all the same! I guess there are multiple ways to invite others to come unto Christ(I've been learning a lot about that this week.). Elder Li is really good at that...I'm still working on that right now. 

We've also seen some miracles. A large portion of our investigators/referrals come from our English class. We were able to meet with one such student this week, Sis. Hu. We intended to visit and say hi, but ended up teaching her the Restoration! It was a miracle! She was interested and respectful and we really enjoyed our time with her. Elder Li then remembered another student who lives in the same complex as Sis Hu, and we were able to meet with her and her husband as well! That was absolutely revelation, and we plan to go back later this week! 

Unfortunately we haven't been able to return to the Old Lady I told you about last week, and will not be able to; her home is outside of our mission boundaries, which stinks. However, we have handed her over to some other Elders in San Jose. 

We've also gotten to meet with a lot of members, both out of our branch and other wards. We had dinner with the Tan family Thursday, and I LOVE Chinese home cooking! Holy Cow, it is the food of the Gods!

I hope you are all having a good start to the New Year! I love and think and pray about/for you all! 

Wo Ai NiMen!

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

Photos of First Few Days in San Fran/Oakland!

For the two days prior to Benjamin's departure, he was assigned to "hang with" this district of men headed to Taiwan. The man next to him on his left is Travis Bradshaw, a Beijing-ite from years ago and a Sunbeam classmate of Benjamin's!

President and Sister Frandsen greeted Benjamin on his first day in San Francisco - December 28, 2016!

Elder Li, Benjamin's new companion, whisked Benjamin away for hard work from the very first moment.  Elder Li is from Harbin, China and has only been out for five months!

This is Benjamin's apartment with Elder Li and they were thrilled when one of their English students brought them dumplings for lunch!  It is already happening - Chinese food blessings for my boy!

New Year's Day (P-Day), spent playing Monopoly Super Deal.  Benjamin also taught Elder Li how to play chess and Elder Li is a convert!

Photos of the MTC Departure (These Friends Will Be Dearly Missed) (Week of Dec 25)

Benjamin will miss his MTC District and his teachers, all pictured here together before departure in a couple days.

Elder Thacker helped Benjamin complete a Rubix Cube!

Being silly at the white elephant gift exchange with his District.

Benjamin's gift was a Chinese hymnbook wrapped in panty hose!

Gifts for Christmas morning from all sorts of folks who love this boy!

A silly Sunday walk - their last one before everyone departs - he will miss this group of friends who became so close through good times and tough ones too.

Packing Day! Benjamin said it took forever to get things organized and ready to move on to a new adventure.

The best friends this boy has ever had - or pretty close!

Always time for a good joke with these five fantastic friends and companions.

Arrival in San Francisco and Christmas and New Year All Together!

NiHao Everyone!

What a crazy past few days its been. I finished up my time at the MTC and arrived in Oakland on the 28th. I still cannot believe I'm in the field. Its scary, exciting, and nerve-racking all at the same time!

We had a great Christmas at the MTC, getting to call home and open presents really early in the morning. My companions and I participated in the Christmas Eve Nativity Pageant, and I got to sing a solo, which was fun. David Archuleta showed up Christmas Day for a private little concert, and just about every Sister lost it...seriously, pandemonium...It was a fun Christmas to remember.

We finished up our time at the MTC strong and we headed out to our missions over the course of the next few days. I arrived in Oakland on Wednesday with eight other missionaries, where we met Pres. and Sis. Frandsen, and they took us to lunch and then to Temple Hill for training. The Oakland Temple is GORGEOUS! Holy cow, the view is spectacular! 

We then met our trainers and were set to work. My trainer is Elder Li, a native of Harbin, China, and he has been out in the field for about 5 months. My first area is Union City, a small community with a lot of Chinese immigrants. Our branch comprises about 25 people (tiny...). We've literally been working ever since I got off the plane. 

We've visited with a lot of people this week, some who seem to want the gospel message more than others. However, they are all very welcoming to us and love having Elder Li and I around. I just wish i could better understand what the heck they were saying! I've gotten really good at giving a self introduction, as right now that is just about all I can do...but oh well! 

We've taught English class as well, in which we received a referral to a retirement community with a lot of Chinese elderly people. We knocked on a door, and an 87 year old woman let us in. She told us that she's basically lost all hope, and is "waiting to die." What was worse, she kept saying "no one can help me." We prayed with her and promised to return. I'm so grateful to know that there is someone who can always help us. I know that we can rely on that help, and we will be assisted. 

Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts, and well wishes. I love you all and think of you often!

TianFu Ai NiMen!

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)