NiHao, Everybody!
On a mission, the weeks seem like days, and the days seem like weeks. This week was no different.
As always, we are still trying to find investigators to teach, and I have gotten a little down about our recent disappointing prospects. Its especially hard because I really want to give the best to Elder McKean for his first few weeks in the field. No one is interested, and all we want to or regularly meet with are busy...ugh...
We continue to knock doors, and that "opens" some great opportunities for us. This past week, we met a Philippino man named Salvador, and were able to teach him of the Apostasy, and left his doorstep with giving him a Book of Mormon. A highlight though, was contacting a woman named Dana Cheng. We knocked on her door Tuesday night, but she was busy playing Ma Jiang, so she brushed us off telling us to return during the weekend. We did so last night, and were able to pray with her on her doorstep. Both Elder McKean and I had the chance to bear testimony of the power of prayer to Dana, as well as to pray for her husband Byron, who is currently recovering from hip surgery. Its been interesting to see just how significant the little meetings we make and have can become.
We continue to knock doors, and that "opens" some great opportunities for us. This past week, we met a Philippino man named Salvador, and were able to teach him of the Apostasy, and left his doorstep with giving him a Book of Mormon. A highlight though, was contacting a woman named Dana Cheng. We knocked on her door Tuesday night, but she was busy playing Ma Jiang, so she brushed us off telling us to return during the weekend. We did so last night, and were able to pray with her on her doorstep. Both Elder McKean and I had the chance to bear testimony of the power of prayer to Dana, as well as to pray for her husband Byron, who is currently recovering from hip surgery. Its been interesting to see just how significant the little meetings we make and have can become.
We taught one of our less-active members this week as well. Bro. Tzeng is in the process of going blind, which is horrible, but the man has faith unlike anything I've ever known! Elder McKean shared with him the story of Enos, and explained that our faith in prayer should prompt us to do better at praying for those who need our help. In Enos' case, the apostate Lamanites. Thinking of others before yourself while you pray is a good way to add to the power of any prayer we say!
I've also found great hope in my studies this week. I've been reading in the Book of Mormon, Alma 26-32, and boy, was there some great doctrine therein! On one particularly frustrating day, I found Alma 31:38, saying that our trials are promised to be swallowed up in joy if we endure them! What a powerful promise. These chapters helped me to understand a little more about my personal desires to develop hope in this, the last transfer of 2017 (cannot believe its here!). Alma 32:21 defines faith as "a hope in things which are not seen, which are true." I In previous studies, I've come to define hope as having "confidence, optimism, and enthusiasm" in the Lord and his blessings. Placing my definition of hope into this scripture helped me to understand that I need to develop my faith just as much as my hope; the two are inseparably connected. I need to do better at having faith: confidence, optimism, and enthusiasm in my work and in the restored Gospel.
Christmas is well under way here in San Francisco. I'm SO EXCITED to spend the holidays here! We've gotten the chance to go around a little bit, see some gorgeous views from up on hills and streets around, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas! Its a little weird at times; because we're so busy, it almost just feels like any normal time of year. But, thanks to some awesome family, Elder McKean and I now have a house with a trimmed tree, Christmas pillowcases, and enough Peanut Butter/Chocolate candy to sink a ship! Man, I love this time of year. I love my Savior!
I'm grateful to be able to share the ups and the downs with all of you! I'm grateful for the Christmas season, and the time of reflection and love it is for our world.
Love and best wishes to you all!
Elder Butters/Bao ZhangLao
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