Week Fifty Two Photos

A box arrived from Grandma Reynolds!

The table where Benjamin serves as the translator for Sacrament Meeting!  One year into this and now others rely on him to translate this difficult language for them!  God is great.

The mission Winter coat emerges for the season.

A midnight feast of leftovers found at the church after a long Sunday.

At the temple with Elder Li.

A little more sophisticated in this shot.

On exchanges with the San Francisco elders.

What are they thinking?

Chinese speaking missionaries in San Francisco - these four young men have lots to do!

The San Francisco Zone - Sister Ellis is still around with that lovely smile.

Week Fifty-Two (That would be THE week 52)

NiMen Hao!

This week has been full of many memories, primarily due to the fact that this past Thursday, I passed my year mark as a missionary! It is hard to describe the incredible influence the past 365 days have had in my life. I can honestly say that I am a new person. Already this mission has changed my life, and I am very grateful for it. The good, the bad, the in-between, its all been something that has meant so much to me. I feel as though I have become more converted and more determined to serve my Savior. This has been the adventure of a lifetime, and an adventure I didn't realize I needed until I was dropped of October 26th 2016. I am so grateful for this experience already, and cannot wait to see what the next year has in store. Yes, I'm halfway there, but I intend to ALWAYS be living on prayers!

Like I said, this week has brought a lot of memories. It began with a great study session in Mosiah 18. As a missionary, one of the scriptures that I read and share a lot is Mosiah 18:8-10, over-viewing the baptismal covenant that we invite others to commit to. This time, I realized that I at times do not always live up to the covenant that I made at eight year old. There is a lot more to that covenant than we realize. It involves not just taking Christ's name upon us and holding it high, but also becoming like Him. He mourned with those that mourned and comforted those that stood in need of comfort. I've committed to more fully live by my baptismal covenant in a effort to truly become more Christlike. 

This last Thursday, I went on exchanges with one of my Zone Leaders, Elder Scholes. He is a great missionary, and we had a great time doing service in Golden Gate Park and hunting down members who live downtown. I love the fact that should I ever return to Golden Gate Park after my mission, I will be able to find a tree/shrub and tell my family that I planted it! I feel like I'm truly "planting my roots" in San Francisco! It was also my actual first-year anniversary day, so we went to get ice cream, which was a nice little treat!

We are still working with some of our Less Active members, and have been given a special assignment by our Branch Presidency to search out a TON of them, many of whose records remain in our Branch, but we've been unable to contact/meet with in months! Elder Li and I have spent the last few days running all over town finding them (or not), some being much happier to see us than others. It feels good to be doing something that seems so effective and will build trust with the leadership of our Branch. 

In addition to trying to find a new investigator, we've done more Tai Chi, more knocking, more bus rides...and a tap-dance-off with a street performer one afternoon. That was a highlight!

I love you all! Thank you for the support and love that you have sent to me this past year. It wouldn't have been the same without all of your contributions, encouragement, and belief in me. I am so grateful to you all, and cannot believe that I will be seeing you all in about 365 more days!

Here's to another great year! 

Happy Halloween! (Sorry I didn't email yesterday, I had a shorter P-Day to accommodate a Temple Trip today.) 

Wo Ai NiMen!

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

One Year Mark - A Letter From Mom

Dear Benjamin:

It has been a year - to this very day - a whole year since we left you off at the MTC.  I could recreate that entire day almost perfectly, I think.  The best part was the ride to and from Provo when everyone was relating their favorite memories about you.  I hope you noticed that every person in the car had specific favorite memories that centered around you and them.  That shows effort on your part to be an effective part of your family - to make sure that you really mattered to each member of your family.

Wow!  Do you ever matter!!

And, as I look back on the year that has gone by since that day, I am blown away by the people you have touched and the lives you have effected since then.  I am also grateful and forever in debt to those people who have taken the time to effect you and lift you and to question you, doubt you and challenge you.

I am grateful for Elder Li.  I doubt you will ever forget him.  Good, bad, in between, crazy, tired, humorous, silly, focused and well-intended; regardless of your memories over time, Elder Li has effected you.  I am glad you have each other.

Your blog book is becoming quite the memory record.  I am sure your journal will be much more valuable in the coming years as you work to remember all that you have learned.  But, your blog book will be fun for your children!  It will spark questions and you will have occasion to tell them stories - I hope I am around to hear you tell some of them.

A year is a long time for a Mom to go without seeing her boy.  No doubt, there will be long stretches like this in the future.  But, these mission years will be my favorite of all the ones we will spend apart.  I have treasured by bird's eye view into your growth, your frustration, your learning, your stretching and your achievements.  There is no question that you are not the man you were 365 days ago.

Imagine what you will be after the next 365 go by!!  

I am in awe of you.  I love you.  I have never felt the joy of the gospel as I have felt since October, 2016.  Thank you!

Go forward with faith, my son.  I've got your back and YOU'VE GOT THIS!!!

Love, MOM

Photos of Week 51

The three men on the wall are Harrison, Travis and Ryan - the musketeers from High School.  They have all returned from their missions and sent that crazy photo to Benjamin.

Doing Tai Chi with his new friends in the park - hoping that this will strike up a conversation.  All those dance classes are paying off in strange ways.

The view from the apartment window.

Pacifica Park - location for this week's service project.

Painting and sanding park benches to benefit the city!

Returning home from serving to find the surprise we left at his mailbox to mark his ONE YEAR achievement!

The show is coming back......this man plans to make waves on the street just outside the theatre when he sings his version and attracts the right kind of attention to this awesome book.

Fifty First Letter and A New Face Is Finally Found

DaJia Hao!

Here I am, at the computer again! Hard to believe that its been another week, and this has been a memorable one!

The highlight of my week was the fact that we now have a New Investigator! We managed to get a hold of our referral from SLC this past week, and had a real appointment! His name is Bro. Yue. He is from the province of Xi'An (where the famous terracotta warrior statues are) and has been in the USA for a little over a year. His wife works for NuSkin, and they have a 2-year-old daughter. The family travelled to SLC a week ago for Sis. Yue's work, and Bro. Yue spent the time exploring the Church History Museums and Visitor's Center downtown, where he ran into a coupe of sister missionaries. Long story short, they refrred his information to us, and we met with him on Saturday night at our chapel. We taught him the Restoration, primarily focusing on the power of the Book of Mormon. He had a lot of questions, but seemed willing to read the Book of Mormon and meet again with us next week! It was a very spiritual lesson! Elder Li and I both felt afterwards that it was one of the most special lessons we've taught on our missions thus far! We are excited of the prospects of working with him further coming up the road. Bro. Yue is a total miracle from heaven, and I am very grateful!

We've also been meeting with a couple of our less active members and recent converts. Bai He is a recent convert who is now Buddhist, and told us all about the massive Buddhist community he has planned to one day build....it would save a lot of time (and money) if he just felt the Spirit, especially now that he has the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We don't know exactly what we can do for him, but we promised him that if he reads the Book of Mormon and sincerely prays, he will receive the truth and knowledge that he is searching for. In addition to Bai He, we met with Bro. Tzeng, a man in our branch who has been through a lot of trials in his life, including a very messy divorce and a restraining order, and is now undergoing various eye surgeries. The faith that he showed through bearing testimony to us was remarkable. He is a profound example to me of holding fast to the Iron Rod, even through times of darkness. It was a memorable appointment.

We've also continued our finding efforts. Golden Gate Park has proven to be an interesting "hunting ground," so to speak! We have found multiple groups of Tai Chi practitioners in the mornings, and some have now recognized our faces. Dance classes have really helped with following along with the "Shi Fu's" (Masters) that lead the groups, which is nice! We hope that these friendships soon build into something more.

The Branch is doing well! We've had a couple rough spells involving our Branch Mission Leader as of late, but we've also managed to have some fun with our YSA members, with an FHE activity Friday night. Now that the YSA Ward Elders are in our District (due to a recent rearrangement of District boundaries), we plan to try to unite our various wards and branches a lot more. Its nice to have such a small District now (only three companionships), and I love how goal-focused the group has become already. We had a good District Council this week about our goals, as well a very good Zone Meeting. Both reminded me that when we put our faith in something, we WILL see results of our efforts, even if its not in the way that we expect. Ive been studying such faith recently while reading the story of Abinadi in Mosiah. He is such an example of faith to me, and a willingness to sacrifice all for the sake of the truth. I'd like to think that if I were in the same position, I would have the humility and faith in my Heavenly Father to give my all for Him.

Thank you for the prayers, love, support, and faith that you exhibit on my behalf. I am so grateful for all of you! I know the church is true!

Wo Ai Ni MeiGe Ren!

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

Photos of Week 50 - Exchanges, Strangeness and Awesomeness

Elder Li is always up to craziness and everyone around him loves him for it!

The boys found leftovers in the kitchen after church on Sunday!  This branch brings food to every single thing they do!

Exchanges with fellow elders in the district.

When you are the food service workers, you take your job very seriously!

This young man is a friend from Edison's high school years - how cool that these two would cross paths.  Benjamin sent this photo along for his brother to see the connection has been made.

Elder Li forgets his name tag on a Sunday, borrows Benjamin's extra but doesn't look much like an Elder Butters.

Making a plate of successful sesame balls headed to the fryer!

Week 50 - Almost Becoming a Father!

GeWei JiaTing He PengYouMen Hao!

This has been a crazy week! I don't think I will forget the events of Friday for as long as I live! Talk about Friday 13th! Stay tuned for details...

Anyway, this has been a great week, where we have seen some real miracles. Elder Li and I received a self-referral from a man and his family on Friday afternoon, which we were ecstatic about! Unfortunately, he never responded to our calls, and wasn't home Saturday night when we tried to contact him. However, the miracle of the whole situation is that he returned our voice mail on Sunday before church. He explained that he had just returned from visiting SLC, and would be available at some point next weekend to meet with us! We are overjoyed at the news of a pretty solid potential new investigator for our area! Another woman came to church and asked us a bunch of questions. We managed to receive her contact information which is great! We have really been blessed with a lot of potential coming up!

I went on exchanges with Elder Corrigan this week, and he is a great Elder. We had fun doing service in Golden Gate Park, as well as teaching some of the Spanish Elders' recent converts. I don't get to teach very much, so I loved the opportunity that exchange provided. Elder Corrigan is going to be a great trainer. 

Speaking of trainers, Friday was unbelievable...We started off a typical day, studying and getting ready to do some weekly planning. Just as we begin language study, the phone rings...Pres. Frandsen is on the line, and informs us that a young missionary in the MTC scheduled to leave for Taiwan has not yet received his visa, and as a result, had been assigned to our mission to wait it out. He asked if we would serve in a trio and called me to train him! I was shocked and completely overwhelmed. What's more, he asked if we would be able to get to the New Trainer's Meeting at the Mission Home, which started two hours after his call! ARGH!!! We flagged down a Senior Missionary and raced to Oakland, where I couldn't even think while receiving training...Which is probably a good thing, because after the meeting, Pres. Frandsen issued me over again, and informed me that just as I had walked into the meeting, he'd received word that my "son" was no longer coming...I breathed a massive sigh of relief! I've taken it as a warning, so as to be fully prepared when I evetually and officially become a father. 

The District is doing really well, no major problems among any of the companionships. We had a good District Meeting, in which we had a council on Finding. I wanted to make it more of a motivational meeting for them, emphasizing that "No Effort is Wasted" (PMG pg 170). That is a lesson that I am still trying to learn every day in this mission. I felt like sharing that with others, my own personal testimony has grown in the fact that as the Lord's servant, I need to work and patiently wait for Him to do the rest. This transfer's miracles have definitely proven that to me. I look forward to working more with these people, and seeing what greater blessings the Lord has in store. 

Elder Li and I have had some fun this week, too. We were informed on Saturday at Transfer Calls that we will be staying together for another transfer. This means that Elder Li has been my companion for half my mission! Three transfers (going on four) is a long time!

Many of you have been concerned with our current standing with the Santa Rosa and Napa county fires lately. Please know that we in the Oakland/San Francisco Mission are safe, healthy, and out of harm's way. I'm unaware as to whether or not we will go in to do some service as missionaries a bit later, but until the fire is completely gone, the Church isn't putting anyone else in harms way. Please keep all those in Northern California in your prayers 
Thank you for all of your love prayers and support for me! It means a great deal to know that I have such a massive cheering squad back home rearing me to get up and go! Wo Ai NiMen MeiGe Ren!

XiaCi Jian!

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

Week 49 Photos

Waiting for the bus downtown.

Elder Li practices for the Mid-Autumn moon festival performance with the young adults.  Benjamin said he was a total hit!

Week 49 - Testimony and Strength and Moon Festival

NiHao, Everyone!

"Zhong Qiu Jie Kuai Le!" 

This has been another good week for us in San Francisco. Not much excitement to report on, but a good week none the less. 

We are still trying to find a new investigator... Some of the other missionaries in my District have provided some great drive and motivation to help us in this effort, which was really nice of them to do. 

We spent most of the week hunting down less-actives amid finding in our previously determined new locations. Speaking of which, we went early in the morning once again to Golden Gate Park to see how exercising with the elderly Chinese people that congregate there every morning would go, and it seems like it could eventually bring some results. Doing Tai Chi with them was the closest thing I've had to a dance class since my mission started, so that was fun for me! We are hoping that as the weeks go by, and as they continue to see our faces, the people will start to ask questions and become more familiar with us. 

For service this week, we returned to the homeless kitchen and were on speed mode since we walked in the door. I plated up over 200 fish fillets in the course of about two hours! I felt like I was in a restaurant! 

We also had another great Institute class with our young adult members, as we as had the chance to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival with our Branch. The YSA's actually put on a special program as part of the event, where they portrayed the legend behind the Mid-Autumn Festival. Elder Li played the role of the Hero's Wife (yes....his wife....), and his acting was adored by all those in attendance. 

I think the highlights of my week has come from multiple opportunities to feel the Spirit in greater abundance. My younger brother just began his service as a missionary in the Ghana Cape Coast Mission, and I had the chance to fast for him this week. My family has been talking to be a lot about the power of fasting, and it was great knowing that I was fasting for a similar cause as them this week. It was powerful. Another experience, while feeling a little rushed on Sunday, Elder Li suggested to me that I bear my testimony. At first I thought the idea was a little ridiculous, but I later decided to go up to the pulpit. I don't think I've ever had a better experience bearing testimony in a Sacrament Meeting scenario in my life! It was wonderful and powerful. I felt as though the words just came naturally, and with sincerity. It was a really powerful moment, one that I am very much grateful for.

I'm grateful for the opportunities that Heavenly Father has given me to feel the Spirit. I'm grateful that he knows me personally and that His guiding hand can be with me always. 

Thank you for your prayers, fasting, and love for me. I am so grateful to be influenced by all of you!

Love,

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)

Another Week Of Work and Fun!

Flu Shot Survivors!

The District!

A long journey home after exchanges one night.

The Hayward and San Francisco Chinese speaking missionaries.

Benjamin teaches Elder Li how to marinate meat for dinner!

At Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 for Elder Li's first time!

I Got Stabbed!

GeWei DiXiong JieMei Wu'An!

Wasn't General Conference just the BEST?! They are simply the greatest as a missionary, I can assure you! For this go around, Elder Li and I watched it all both at the chapel on Saturday and then at the home of our Second Counselor on Sunday. I "asked" a different spiritual question for each session, and was able to find a particular answer to each of them, which I am truly grateful for. I watched it in Chinese, but English subtitles really helped! It strengthened my testimony in the reality of prophets on the earth today.

Not only did we have General Conference, it was also the week for Zone Conferences in our mission, which is always great. Pres. Frandsen shared an incredible message of the Holy Ghost. We also all got flu shots as a part of the event (hence the title...no, other than just a little pinch, and some stiffness in my left arm on Thursday, I am totally fine!) So, that was fun!

When it came to the work this week, we were all over the place. The week began with visiting some of our members. Sis. Ma Xue Na is currently in the hospital after taking a nasty fall in her apartment. I was on exchanges with Elder Teriitahi at the time, but we were still able to accompany the sisters to visit her. She was so sweet and generous to all four of us. We were able to leave her with a Priesthood Blessing. That same day, Elder Teriitahi and I contacted a Less-Active member named Bobbie Hong, but we unfortunately showed up late to our appointment. Needless to say, he was not too happy with us, and let us know about it... Regardless, Elder Teriitahi is a good, faithful Elder, and I really had a fun time with him.

Elder Li and I, as always, have been focusing on finding new investigators. We thought we'd try our hand at going a little early in the morning to Golden Gate Park to try to find some people. When we were both assigned in Union City, we found that a lot of elderly Chinese people congregate at parks in the mornings to exercise, or be out with their grandkids while their parents are at work. Luckily, the same was true for San Francisco. We found a group of people practicing Tai Chi, and struck up some conversations with a few of them. They invited us back to see and learn some martial arts with them next week! We are exciting about this new finding prospect, and we will not pass up an opportunity to learn some fun fighting moves! 

Our English Class continues, but at times is frustrating. Some of these students want a private tutor to answer their every whim and fancy, and we simply cannot provide that. We struggle at time to know how we can best help them and provide for their most crucial English learning needs.
Anyway, as a District, we've been focusing on Finding a lot as well. We had a Finding Blitz directly after Zone Conference on Wednesday, and though no one was found, we did manage to find a potential!

The greatest miracle this week involved the investigator we had to drop after being unable to contact her multiple times. We texted Rebecca on Friday night about watching Conference on lds.org, and SHE RESPONDED! Not only did she thank us, but she reported to us Sunday afternoon that she was watched most of conference (particularly the Saturday Morning Session) and LOVED it! It was a total tender mercy of the Lord, and a massive boost for Elder Li and I. It was evident that she knew that she had just heard the word of God. I was SO grateful for that little highlight among the mass of revelation I received as a result of this weekend. We plan to find a time to get a hold of her this week, amid her recently starting a new quarter at school as well as trying to take care of her sons.

The week was memorable and warm. I cannot believe we're experiencing such wonderful warm weather in OCTOBER! Its great! Anyway, I love you all and am grateful for your examples, love, and confidence in my service. Have an incredible week!

Elder Butters (Bao ZhangLao)