各位大家好!
We've had a decent week here in Oakland. It's been an interesting last week here...more surprises than I can really fathom, but more on that later. We've been in a lot of meetings, painted some fences, attended trainings, and had some fun here and there.
The theme of this past week has definitely been "Forget yourself and go to work." As I am staring down the tunnel at the end of my mission, I have had a lot of opportunities to reflect on my past efforts and how I want to give it all I've got these next few weeks.
A big part of the week included my Heavenly Father telling me that there is peace and joy to be found in talking with others and sharing the Gospel. We went on splits with our Elders Quorum President and our newly called Branch Mission Leader this past week, and I went with him (Elder Perrone) and a member to visit a less active member, Bro. Tan. We met a few blocks from his apartment downtown, and we were able to have a very basic discussion on showing our belief in God. Bro. Tan only speaks Cantonese, and because of his language barrier, he feels that he isn't able to express his belief for God. What I've learned is more important than speaking what you believe is loving what you believe. Our actions definitely speak louder than our words, and they should be the initial manifestations of our belief in Christ. We are to become like our Savior, not just say "Lord, Lord, etc." We are to do the Father's will, and that is a crucial indicator of discipleship. I hope Bro. Tan got the message.
I have had a lot of opportunities to share some of my deepest convictions with people. This past week, I was able to share with our friend Oscar Pemantle about the importance of family. Unfortunately, he has allowed his focus on his work to overpower his focus on his family. I was able to tell him of the eternal significance of the family. It made me sad that he was so obsessed with a material thing that he completely ignored those who loved him most. I realized that we as people really can become completely consumed with things of this world. It was a lesson to me to watch myself after my mission, to make sure I always put Heavenly Father and the Gospel FIRST! It was at times an uncomfortable exchange of words, but I'm very grateful for what was said and experienced. I felt like Abinadi, who I've been studying about recently. It is a missionary moment that will last with me.
Speaking of studies, I am really focusing a great deal on the Atonement. The study pack Pres. Durham gave us is a fantastic resource, and I've really gone into detail with the study. This week I learned that Christ literally chose to give up His life; being part God, he had the ability to remain immortial, but he willingly chose to give it all up for us. It makes the phrase "He gave his life for me" ring much more true to my heart. I also learned that the use of the Atonement is in our reach at all times. We just have to reach beyond all of our capacities, so far that we have no choice but to rely on Christ's capacities to get us the rest of the way. That I feel is what it means to access the Power of the Atonement. As I come to the close of my mission soon, I am reflecting all about the things I have learned, and all that I have yet to learn. One thing I hope to learn coming up is more about how to draw Christ's Atonement more into my life. I hope to give it my all and reach up so Christ will help me through the next few weeks.
We had transfer calls this week, and this one really rocked my world...its probably the biggest transfer I've had thus far. I have been assigned to be a Zone Leader out in Antioch! It is the hottest place in the mission, and is oretty much out in the middle of nowhere. The weirdest part, I will be speaking English... I don't quite know how to do missionary work in English... That should be interesting. I will miss being a Chinese missionary here. I have really enjoyed my time in the Oakland 7th Branch. Oakland is a special place, but I'm really excited for the future. Even with not much time left, the Lord still has surprises in store for me.
我爱你们! 感谢你们给我的帮助!
Hurrah for Israel!
Elder Butters/包长老
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