Photos From A Busy District and a Birthday Party

Ok - mother shout out to my boy who takes the time to make birthday pancakes for his mission companion.......100 points for this boy of mine!!

Zoe gets baptized and her husband and dog attend!

A photo of Giants Stadium just for Oscar!

A visit to Land's End on P-Day.  Beautiful and a bit eerie, too.

Caves to explore together.

More of Land's End with the District.  The group seems to have a great time together on their day off.

That smile!

Look at those seals on the rocks!

Still Going Strong at Week 43!

JiaTing He PengYou Hao!

Honestly, we've barely had room to breath this week! Lots has happened, and I've learned so much about the small little specks of light that the Lord puts into our worlds that often seem so dark. 

We had a few cool miracles happen this week! I went on exchanges with Elder Chapman, one of our Zone Leaders, this week, in the Golden Gate Area. We spent the day walking around trying to contact less-active members. He had also selected some Chinese names that we went and contacted. The only person we managed to run into the entire afternoon was Rebecca Bu. She met us at her front door, walking to a nearby laundromat, and asked "Are you the missionaries?" I managed to have a conversation with her, and it turns out, she's been familiar with the church for a long time, but has never been taught. Her best connection with the church was a "Teachings of the Prophets" Sunday School manual that she read (She started telling me about tithing and fasting, and I couldn't believe it!). I gave her a Book of Mormon in Mandarin, and we were able to make a return appointment for Wednesday. Thus far, Rebecca seems really solid, which may just be the miracle that Elder Ho and I have been working for right now, especially because we don't currently seem to be having much success with our current investigators. Obviously, I cannot wait for Wednesday. Fingers crossed!

We had some great associations with our members this week, too. Patrick Tzeng, one of the elderly men in our Branch, is currently in the hospital preparing for a few extensive eye surgeries. We were able to visit him a couple of times this week, during which times we gave him a priesthood blessing, and he shared with us his incredible testimony of the Book of Mormon. We were also able to attend and contribute to our Branch's first Institute class of the year. We read through "The Living Christ," which was great. Finally, we were able to visit Coco, who asked us to do some service in cleaning up her backyard a little bit. She also had us over for a MASSIVE hot pot lunch. That was fun!

As ever, we are on the hunt for new investigators. Now that classes are back in session, Elder Ho and I are planning to be around the campuses of City College and San Francisco State University a lot more. We have also seen some miracles in calling potentials while trying to organize and clean out our Area Book. We sure hope that something comes from it. 

Speaking of Elder Ho, he turned 20 this week! I had the pleasure of treating him to a traditional Butter Birthday Pancake Breakfast, lunch out, as well as smashing his face into a birthday cheesecake! Yes, missionaries show their love to their companions in mysterious ways...

The highlight of my week was conducting my first baptismal interview with the Chinese Sister's Baptismal Candidate, Zoe. I was worried at first; having to judge someone's preparedness and worthiness for acceptance of a gospel ordinance is a big thing, and I was wondering if I would be able to do it. I prayed a lot before the interview, and it turned out to be an incredible experience. Zoe talked all about her story of first coming in contact with the church via the church's website over 20 years ago, and threw her hands up in the air and squealed upon me telling her that she could be baptized. It was a really cool experience to "feel" that she was indeed ready. Zoe is the first baptism in a long line of baptisms that are scheduled to come to our District over the next few weeks. We are truly being blessed at this time. We did a Finding Blitz this week, and I think it brought a real sense of unity and purpose into the District, which we could always use more of. 

I love you and miss you all. I am sorry that summer has come to an end for most of you, but normal routine is good too. Have a great week! 

A quote from this week that I like

"Life by the Yard is Hard. By the Inch, it's a Sinch!" - Thomas S. Monson

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

More Photos of the San Fran District and Bobbie Hong

The District - it is so great that Sister Ellis has been alongside Benjamin since the first day in the MTC.  I think that is super fun.

The San Francisco Zone.

Benjamin and Elder Ho have been visiting Bobbie Hong, an inactive member of the church.  Surprise, surprise.....they lived in Suzhou and know OT Benson and family!  They loved that Benjamin knew them too!

Downtown together on Day!  Love these smiling, fun-loving people in my son's life.

Photos from Week 42

A Walt Disney saying on the wall of the Disney Museum in San Francisco - a great P Day activity.

Posing with Elder Corrigan after spending the day doing exchanges with the Spanish missionaries.

Elder Ho and Benjamin having light saber battles with baseball bats - these two companions enjoy having fun together as well as teaching together.

And the battles continue.....

And for lunch we have.......chicken feet.....check out those toe nails!  Yummy!

Back at the Disney museum - an impressive replica of the Disneyland Park.

Forty-Second Email: High Ho, High Ho, It's Off to Work We Go!

NiMen Hao,

I hope everyone enjoyed their week, especially the Solar Eclipse...the smog that sets on San Francisco obstructed or view completely...so I hope that that was a highlight for everyone else's week! But, never fear, we had some great experiences this week that made up for the lack of sunshine! 

Firstly, we had Zone Conference on Wednesday, and it was wonderful! Pres. Frandsen spoke on and trained us on the power of using the Book of Mormon as we teach. I also loved Elder Pimentel's message (he's our mission boundary's Area 70) on bringing the power of the Spirit into our teaching appointments. It was a much-needed spiritual boost that brought a lot of revelation to both my companion and I. 

Both Elder Ho and I felt very inspired to use that teaching technique with one of our current investigators, Hu Li Bang. We read sections of Alma 32 with him during a lesson we had before we attending a baptism on Saturday. Bro.Hu loved the analogy of faith being compared to a seed that we plant within ourselves, and then work and strive to help grow bigger and bigger. I think he now has a much clearer understanding of what faith truly is; its more than just belief, its being willing to do all things necessary to stand as a witness of those beliefs! We later asked him, when he begins to plant the seed of faith inside himself, and starts to come to a knowledge of the truth, if he would be baptized. He said YES! We do not currently have a date for his baptism, but just the knowledge that it is something that he wants to work for was enough to make us so happy! We also said a kneeling prayer with him, in which he asked for help for his faith to grow. It was a moment that showcased his progress in a great direction!

We also went on an exchange with the Spanish Elders of our District. I was with Elder Corrigan, who arrived in the field only last month, and has jumped right in with both feet into the "deep end" that is missionary life in the field. During our day together, we mostly filled our time with finding, where we tried to talk to everyone and anyone. We later studied about that same effort in companionship study that day. He said that one of his greatest fears coming out to the field was opening his mouth and declaring the gospel to everyone. It was a great day to really work on that with him. I have a strong family story from my father's mission that confirms to me that no matter what we do or who we talk to, we make an impact, regardless of whether it is in that moment or at some other unforeseen point in time. 

In other news, our week included a Sports Night with our branch members, meeting with  potential investigator and talking for a hour and a half in Chinatown, my first time working as a translator during sacrament meeting, and having a few students SHOW UP TO ENGLISH CLASS! FINALLY! It also included a P-Day to the Walk Disney Family Museum, and being the Disney fan that I am, it was AWESOME! 

We also had a lesson with Bobbie Hong, a less active in our branch, and his wife. Upon telling them about living in China, they discovered that I've visited the southern province of SuZhou. Turns out, they know the OT and Julie Benson family! It was so cool to make a connection that I NEVER expected to make while serving my mission! Totally fun!

I love you all! Thank you for your love and thoughts and support! Have a wonderful and Spiritual week!

TianFu Ai NiMen!

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

Photos from Downtown - Some Work and Some Play

Baked Ziti for Elder Ho to taste -

Visiting the Visitor's Center with an investigator and hoping for good things to come.

The tie-dye shirt arrived from Snowbird - quite the combination with his pajama pants.

Elder Ho and Benjamin played bean bag toss in the middle of Ghirardelli Square - these two know how to get the attention of passing crowds.

An ice cream treat for the District on P-Day.

Week 41 - Visitor Center with a Visitor

Wan'An!

Another week has come and gone. With temple day last week, it feels like it hasn't been very long since I've been on the computer. 

This week has been an interesting one... We have seen a lot of blessings, but also have faced quite a few frustrations. 

The highlight of the week was taking our current investigator, Hu Li Bang, to the Visitors Center at the Oakland Temple. It was my first time taking an investigator the the VC, and it was a very enriching experience. We viewed the presentations of "The Christus" and "God's Plan for Families" with him, both of whcih touched him. It was nice to recognize what we hope was the Spirit touchign him. Later that day, Elder Ho and I invited him to be baptized. Unfortunately, it didn't go quite like we thought it would. He talked about how he doesn't feel ready to live up to the "incredibly-high" standards that the church sets for those wishing to join it. We explained to him that all he needs to do is live the principles of the Gospel, and though it is hard, it is possible. We will see how he continues to strive to work toward a potential date. In the meantime, we continue to try to find. We also have plans this week to go visit some areas of the city that e have yet to try contacting in, so we hope to find success in those efforts!
In other news, we got to attend Stake Conference yesterday, which was amazing! The San Francisco Stake Presidency was reorganized, and Elder Kim B. Clark of the Seventy gave a fantastic talk, speaking about how the Lord is preparing this specific part of His vineyard to receive the gospel, and that through our combined faith and willingness to serve, we will be able to search out those who are ready and build up the kingdom in San Francisco. It was a real boost to a pretty frustrating week, and I'm very grateful that I was in attendance. 
My District is doing well! The Chinese Sisters now have a baptismal date, the Spanish Sisters text and call multiple times a week to share amazing miracles that are happening to them as they walk on the street, and the Spanish Elders have been able to start teaching another part-member family. I am so grateful the be leading them and working with such a wonderful group of dedicated and hard-working servants. They push me to do better and work harder.

Some fun things have happened this week too! I've been able to be in the kitchen a little bit, and made baked zitti for dinner one night. Elder Ho seemed to enjoy it. He is a BIG fan of spicy food, and ate a VERY SPICY pepper at the home of Hermana Betty, a member of the Spanish Branch who invited the missionaries of our District over to her house every week. Seriously, this thing had black seeds, and Elder Ho DOWNED IT! It was a little scary at first, but he handled it like a man! I was a very proud companion after that dinner appointment!

I love you all and am so grateful for all the love and prayers and blessings you send my way! Have an amazing week!

Love,

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

Photos from a Full Week in San Fran!

When you pray to be focused on the work and on your new calling as District Leader and the first think you see on the bus that morning is this......you either know that Heavenly Father has a sense of humor or that he trusts your ability to maintain your focus even when faced with the most distracting of scenery....maybe both!

If I saw this smile, this face and that box on the street, I would stop too!  Such a clever idea!

The San Francisco Zone does the temple together.

And then they invite an investigator!

Elder Ho and Elder Butters are becoming quite the dynamic duo!

Those companions who "dab" together, work hard together.

Keeping those muscles strong - can't believe the lightened hair that this missionary of mine is sporting!  Handsome man!

Week 40 - Outside the Box!

DaJia Hao!

What a week this has been for us. I know I'm a day late, but we had a temple day scheduled this week, which kept me from the computer until now. Anyway, surprise!

 

I am starting to come to grips with the city and all that surrounds missionary work in San Francisco.Least to say, I have seen some pretty interesting and unforgettable things this week...oh boy... It is a busy area, and we often find ourselves out on the street looking for new investigators and potentials. 

Elder Ho is awesome! I have been able to really have some fun with him this week, and have introduced him to a lot of American and/or Western culture. This week he had his first lasagna, and we are obsessed to talking to each other in British accents (his preference when it comes to speaking English)! He's also introduced me to a lot of Chinese culture, as well as teaching me some (very) basic Cantonese. There are SO MANY Cantonese speakers here, I almost feel like I was called to speak the wrong language! Lots of our branch members speak both the languages, and they love the fact that I used to live in China. We had dinner with our 2nd Counselor and his wife this week, which was nice. 

Like I said, finding has been our focus. We have recently restarted the English class that we provide to the community, and we went out to finding in a pretty interesting way. Sis. Xiao, one of the sisters who work with Elder Ho and I, served in Taiwan while waiting for her visa to the States to arrive. To advertise English class there, the missionaries built a wearable box, with phone numbers and addresses and basic information about the class written all over it! So, we decided we would give it a try! We spent four-five hours on Saturday contacting and advertising people all around the city, including Chinatown and the Richmond District. It was super fun, and we were a very eye-catching sight! Lots of Mormon families visiting on vacation stopped to say hi and take pictures, and one man, named Rex, actually accepted a Book of Mormon from us when we ran into him! That was something really cool. I never thought that wearing a big blue box would allow others to have hearts open enough to begin accepting the gospel. 

Things continue to surprise us, frustrate us, and make us so happy we may burst! I am grateful for all of the things that I have already experienced in this crazy city. I'm very lucky I get to call this area the place I served my mission for the rest of my life!

Love you all! (Elder Ho says he loves you all too!)

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)