Another week in the books, and with this one, another transfer for the books. This has definitely been a transfer to remember; my companion is awesome, the area is always interesting, and more than anything, I've been able to see the Gospel work in people's lives. It's been a great culmination of learning and growth for me.
We started with exchanges with the APs, and I got to work with Elder Wilkinson in our area. He is a great lovable guy, and we had a good time passing out excess supermarket food to the needy. We also gave him a Chinese name and tried to find a few potentials. I am grateful for the example of our leaders and the fun they bring into the work. We continued finding efforts, trying to incorporate several new ideas into our proselyting. We set up a stand right in the heart of UC Berkeley Campus, complete with pictures, pamphlets, and copies of the Book of Mormon, which we tried to disperse as we talked to passers by. We managed to place a couple of Book of Mormons, and surprisingly talked with a lot of Chinese students who are here studying for the summer. They were pretty excited when they found out we could speak Chinese! We also spent our Saturday in Antioch, the most eastern part of the mission. It was a scorching 105 degrees! We sweated through everything... It was a cool experience. However, we still have found no one.
Nonetheless, God has put us in the paths of people who needed our help. We got a call from a random Bishop in the area on Thursday night, saying that he needed missionaries to give a blessing to a child in the hospital. It was no coincidence that we were able to drive to the hospital in about five minutes and rush upstairs, where we found an unconscious 5-year-old Duncan Robins and his parents. We were informed that Duncan had just hours before past into a diabetic shock.His brain was swelling and his temperature and heart rate unstable. I had the opportunity to give him a simple blessing. The Spirit in the room was something I will never forget; it was amazing to feel such love for a little boy I'd just barely met. Little did I know that I would be giving Duncan his last Priesthood Blessing in mortality. We found out about his passing two days later... It was an experience that I will never forget, because I got to see the Gospel in action. I am comforted to know that Duncan will be reunited with his family one day, as a perfect being. I am so grateful that we were able to bring hope through the Priesthood. I know that the Plan of Salvation is real, and that through our Savior, we can return to live with our families eternally! I am grateful that even though my mission has not been one with massive amounts of baptisms, it has been one full of little impactful events that have accumulated to one amazing mission. And that is something that I am even MORE grateful for. Funny how well the Lord knows us and blesses us. I am constantly in awe of Him.
In other news, transfers happened...and Elder Mitchell and I are STAYING in Oakland!
BUT.......I will be welcoming my SECOND SON!!! Yes, I'm training again!! We will be in a trio with a missionary who will be waiting with us for him visa to Taiwan to come in. Should be a party, seeing that I haven't been in a trio since I was in the MTC. We have a packed first week planned for him, with a lesson with a potential, several meetings we need to attend, and the departure of our Mission President. Lots going on this summer.
Love you all! Have a great week! Thank you for all of the amazing things you do for me!
Love,
Elder Butters/Bao ZhangLao
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