Hello, everyone!
It feels like I just emailed you all...oh, wait...yeah, that was Thursday! Unfortunately, the Oakland Temple will be closing down until 2019, so Thursday was likely the last experience I will have in the Temple as a set-apart missionary. It was a great day, one that I really needed.
Thank you for your prayers for Kai Wang, our investigator! We met with him on Thursday night, as we usually do, and taught him a combination of the Gospel of Jesus Christ paired with some of the Commandments. He expressed that his family is still a little concerned about tithing, and he told us why; turns out, he gives half of his income to them! It shows respect in Chinese culture to give money to your parents and they then delegate the use of it to the rest of the family. They don't want to lose 10% if what Kai could be giving them. We promised him blessings and the continued help of the Lord.
Our next meeting was on Sunday, where we came out of a coordination meeting where our 2nd Counselor expressed his concern that Kai wouldn't be able to be baptized on the 18th, as planned. Kai attended church, and contributed in every class. After reading 2 Nephi 31 in Priesthood and attending Sacrament Meeting (I had the impromptu chance to speak this week!), he expressed to us that baptism is something he really wants to do! In response to the question of how he knows this church is true, he said that he's attended multiple christian denominations previously, and has never felt the way he does with "this church." It was a powerful moment and a total answer to prayer. I am so grateful that he will be baptized this weekend! He has great hope in the Savior and continues to hope that He will help him as he relies on His Atonement.
I also had the chance to go on exchanges this week with Elder Bautista, the newest Spanish missionary in my District. He definitely showed me that you can teach an "old dog" like myself new tricks. He was so lively and excited, and took the call to "talk with everyone" very seriously, especially during the days finding activities. It was refreshing for me to be with such a new Elder again; it sparked energy and enthusiasm in me, which was nice. He is a funny Elder with a big personality that he brings into his work.
Amid finding and service opportunities, we've been visiting all of our members going around and helping them make specific goals and plans as part of our combined Branch Mission Plan for 2018. We met with two of our members this week, and it was nice to be able to talk with them. They truly care about the well-being of one another, especially those who are less-active. We're excited to see what miracles these goals will bring when applied.
Thank you for all of your work and encouragement, and mostly your prayers. We hope that Kai passes his interview on Thursday, and that Sunday is a day that he will remember. It definitely will be for me.
Wo Ai NiMen!
Elder Butters/Bao ZhangLao
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