This week we had some awesome experiences, not a bad way to kick start 2018!
The best part was teaching our new investigator for the first time! Kai Wang, a headquarters referral, returned from travelling around the East Coast this week, and we were able to meet for an appointment on Saturday. This was Elder McKean's first appointment with an investigator (happened a little later than I hoped it would), and it went super well! Kai's primary reason for meeting with us it to learn a little more about the church and the doctrine we believe in. Our lesson focused on the fact that the best way to get to know Heavenly Father is to become as He is, something that I've been learning a lot about in my studies this week. We introduced Kai to the concept of God as a loving Heavenly Father, and invited him to pray to begin developing his relationship with Him. He had a lot of questions about the Godhead, but committed to pray and gave a great closing prayer (his first!). The spirit was powerful, and a great first lesson for Elder McKean AND Kai alike. We hope to continue teaching him!
We've also had a lot of cool opportunities to contact. We spend a lot of time on the bus, so much so that we've managed to start recognizing people and talking to them when we see them at stops for bus lines we use regularly. One such person is named Andrew, and we managed to have a short talk with him while heading to tract this week. We gave him a Restoration pamphlet and plan to meet up some time later this week to talk a little more about our mutual beliefs in Christ. Elder McKean led the approach, and did a great job. He's teaching me a lot about how to use the similarities between religions, instead of the differences that separate us, in contacting scenarios. I'm having fun with him!
This being the first week of the New Year, I've been thinking about my new goals that I want to set for myself. We had a good District Meeting on Goal Setting and committing ourselves to becoming more converted, but I'm still trying to find some specific goals that I would like to focus on, particularly during the remaining time I have left as a missionary. My study this week has always started with a prayer to help find answers. I've primarily been in the April 2017 Ensign, and Elder Cook and Christofferson's talks were a few of my favorites. I will continue the search. However, I want one of my goals to be to recommit myself. I have kept thinking about something that my Branch President in the MTC challenged us to do; I want to be able to sit on the plane home and feel like I did my absolute best, and feel God's assurance that that is truly the case. I try to work hard, and some days I do better at that than others. I hope by the end of my mission, I will be able to confidently say to the Lord "I did my best."
Other activities of the week have included service in Golden Gate Park (almost getting attacked by a swarm of bees), tracting, and street contacting around some beautiful parks in the area. I am grateful for this area. I love San Francisco, and I'm excited to be able to complete Elder McKean's training here. That's right, we got transfer calls a few days ago, and I will be staying on the Peninsula! Hallelujah!
We've also had a lot of cool opportunities to contact. We spend a lot of time on the bus, so much so that we've managed to start recognizing people and talking to them when we see them at stops for bus lines we use regularly. One such person is named Andrew, and we managed to have a short talk with him while heading to tract this week. We gave him a Restoration pamphlet and plan to meet up some time later this week to talk a little more about our mutual beliefs in Christ. Elder McKean led the approach, and did a great job. He's teaching me a lot about how to use the similarities between religions, instead of the differences that separate us, in contacting scenarios. I'm having fun with him!
This being the first week of the New Year, I've been thinking about my new goals that I want to set for myself. We had a good District Meeting on Goal Setting and committing ourselves to becoming more converted, but I'm still trying to find some specific goals that I would like to focus on, particularly during the remaining time I have left as a missionary. My study this week has always started with a prayer to help find answers. I've primarily been in the April 2017 Ensign, and Elder Cook and Christofferson's talks were a few of my favorites. I will continue the search. However, I want one of my goals to be to recommit myself. I have kept thinking about something that my Branch President in the MTC challenged us to do; I want to be able to sit on the plane home and feel like I did my absolute best, and feel God's assurance that that is truly the case. I try to work hard, and some days I do better at that than others. I hope by the end of my mission, I will be able to confidently say to the Lord "I did my best."
Other activities of the week have included service in Golden Gate Park (almost getting attacked by a swarm of bees), tracting, and street contacting around some beautiful parks in the area. I am grateful for this area. I love San Francisco, and I'm excited to be able to complete Elder McKean's training here. That's right, we got transfer calls a few days ago, and I will be staying on the Peninsula! Hallelujah!
Love you all and I'm so grateful for all of your support and prayers. God loves you all! Have an amazing week!
Elder Butters/Bao ZhangLao
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