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)
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