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.
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.
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)
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