So transfers happened just last Thursday. I am now the
District Leader and I serve in the Sheung Shui Area with Elder Love. He got to
the MTC with his group right as I was about to leave it, so he's about the same
language level that I am at. His trainer was Elder Anderson, another one of the
Legends of this mission whose Cantonese and Teaching skills far exceed what I
myself can write about. Elder Love definitely absorbed a lot of those traits
from Elder Anderson, and personally has even more to offer. My district is the
youngest in the mission, where other than Elder Chu, who's been here for about
a year, everyone else has been here about the same amount of time or less than
even me. I am really excited though because of the powerful faith that I feel,
especially from the two trainees fresh of the plane last week. It'll be good to
see them grow.
In Sheung Shui, we are definitely teaching quite a few more
lessons than I'm used to (though we can definitely fill in more of our time
with the progress that will happen). We have some very good
investigators that have so much faith and desire to learn. Let me tell you
about one of my favorites:
Umer is Pakistani. He was born in Hong Kong though. He
speaks Urdu, Cantonese and English all pretty fluently. He actually was an
online referral that we received and are still waiting for the mission
president's approval to give him a baptismal date. He has told us multiple
times that when he meets with missionaries, he feels lighter, brighter, and
happier. He wants baptism so much and is willing to do what it takes. We are
just waiting for the ok.
Our apartment is the second smallest in the mission, and the
closest one to mainland in the world. I'm about as close as I can get at this
moment to accomplishing my prediction for the mainland missionary. Maybe
later...who knows though, we're supposed to be having some weird meeting that
only includes Taiwan and Hong Kong. Maybe china will be opened then (for all I
know they have found another ancient record of scripture. Missionaries tend to
get creative here when weird meetings happen).
I hope that you are really doing as well as I have heard. To
all the Springvillites, we now have 4 missionaries here representing: Elder CJ
Belknap, Elder Chance Farr, Sister Emma Terry, and I. WOOOO! Elder Farr and I
are actually in the same District now though. I'm the district leader, which I
didn't see coming when we got transfer calls.
I also made a realization this week. There is a system
called CPR (I call it the missionaries tricycle of success). Church, Prayer,
and Reading. If an investigator does this though, why is it that it is so sure
to lead them to the gate of eternal life? In preach my gospel chapter 3, prayer
itself is said to provide communication with God. Church can be considered the
communion with him. Scriptures can then be confirmation, or an evidence of
God's will and love revealed throughout eternity and now. This confirmation,
communion, and communication can be used to "invite others to come unto
Christ by helping them receive faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement."
It just fits more and more precisely in our views every day as we consistently
read and ponder the scriptures, speak with God, and seek to feel his guidance
in our lives through the spirit (a little bit of Gospel-ception right there for
me).
Home Teaching this Month: The message from President Eyering
is beautifully simple. I personally would like to express my testimony of the
restoration of Prophets, revelation, and that it will carry on from now until
the end of time. No more breaks. We are in the final round, so let's get our
gloves up and fight with all we got. I'm so grateful for the revelations that I
receive every day and the ability through them to aid in the work of the Lord
our God. I know He lives. He is the Creator, the King of Heaven and Earth. Our
Advocate with the Father. Our one and only hope.
Strive for that hope in the gospel of Jesus
Christ...together. Your families, friends, wards, and even strangers. Hope
brings forth a Humble and Sanctified heart. I leave my testimony of the Savior
and his Infinitely effective Atonement in His holy name, even the name of Jesus
Christ, amen.
This is Elder Love
and me
This is Elder Love and I as well as (front to back) Elder
Love, Elder Wilcoxson, Elder Farr, Me, and Elder Chu on our way to service on
another farm (this time didn't get my arm bitten to pieces).
So you remember
President Uchdorf's crack about the family photos where you end up being
Chewbacca?....yeah, that happened. I also have a sword now (don't worry it fits
in the suitcase). I love the Chewbacca mask though. Elder Guinn is the one in
the Rebel Fighter Pilot mast, Elder Love is in the front trying to use the
force as a storm trooper (what a noob!) Elder Jensen is the one with the
cleaner looking mask. Never mind, Elder love actually has a feather duster instead
of a lightsaber.
Notes from mom: Ian will Skype with us this weekend for Mother's Day. "We have found a place for Skype. We will be doing it on our
Monday (pday) your sunday. We can do it no earlier than 12 our time actually
though, because the place isn't open until then." So we anticipate a call sometime after 10:00pm this Sunday!
We also had some bonus photos provided by Brother Yoshi Yu. I can't say enough about this wonderful member of the church. He is always taking care of the missionaries!
From Yoshi via Facebook: "We have 2 sets of pizza today. And we are arranging to meet with E. Taylor, Powell and Love on Thursday."
So on Thursday: "Transfer.
E. Love and Taylor to Sheung Shui.
E. Merrell and Powell to Tai Wai.
They are good."
We also had some bonus photos provided by Brother Yoshi Yu. I can't say enough about this wonderful member of the church. He is always taking care of the missionaries!
From Yoshi via Facebook: "We have 2 sets of pizza today. And we are arranging to meet with E. Taylor, Powell and Love on Thursday."
So on Thursday: "Transfer.
E. Love and Taylor to Sheung Shui.
E. Merrell and Powell to Tai Wai.
They are good."
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