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)
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