Elder Taylor: The week's change and some important people...week 16

Merry Christmas everyone. Hope you have all seen the amazing videos and devotionals that have been coming out for this amazing time of year. They are so inspirational and thought provoking. Definitely a good tool in China, especially since there are so many people that don't even know who Christ is, let alone what Christmas is or what it means.

There were so many miracles that came out of my challenges this week. Elder Tung and I really tried to get one of our investigators to come to church this week. He's been keeping his other commitments, but he just doesn't have the dedication or faith to set aside the time for Church. We are actually going to be talking to him about Faith next time, so I think that will help either way. We got a less active at church though. For those who don't understand the weight of that, in HK there are on average about 60% of the members in the ward that are considered "Less-Active" because they are baptized, but decide that they would rather make money and go to work than go to church and sleep. This Less active wasn't asleep though. He brought his children. He was attentive. He asked us when English class was. He participated. We almost forgot that he was an inactive in the first place! What a good opportunity for him as well as for us.

The monkeys are not so spread out anymore. We used to see them half of the nights on our way home from Tai Wai, but its probably because it's getting colder. It's actually really funny. We visited another set of missionaries' apartment because Elder Tung has to do his number report for the week on Sunday. We showed up a little early though, so we studied for a little while. I loosened my tie and took off my shoes and got to work. Elder Tung was in the corner farthest from the window though, freezing and shivering trying and failing to turn his pages with his fuzzy little mittens on.

"Are you cold?" he asked.

"No, are you?"

He just mumbled something about me being fat and went back to his studies.
Note from Mom: this is very common in the culture. It is not meant as an unkind statement.

That is all what I wrote this morning. Let me tell you a little bit of what happened today:

I went to Sha Tin with Elder Tung and 6 other missionaries to a buffet because we were "Chenged out by one of the Ma On Shan Members. He paid for everything. He does stuff like this all the time (but he's not fat at all, as you will see by the pictures). I actually had this REALLY GOOD stuff called "Almond Tea". Completely okay. It's like almond milk that has sugar in it and is heated up. It's AMAZING! If you ever have a chance to try it, DO! I feel so full right now though. So...much...food. I've never seen a mountain of noodles that big. They had a chocolate fountain too. A really big one. I recall fuzzily accidentally putting a shrimp in, but I think it actually tasted all right.

Afterwards, we shared stories (of which I have very few). Elder Peacock, one of the Assistants to the President, has TONS though. Gruesome, funny, and strange. All inspiring. He's an amazing missionary.

After that, at 2:30, we went to go get groceries in Lok Fu. We had just arrived when we received a call from an investigator who has actually been progressing quite a lot. I was not expecting what happened next. He said that he didn't want to meet with us any more. He said that he will be really busy for the next few months getting ready to become qualified to teach english. He thanked us, and before he hung up, all I could do was testify that if he read the Book of Mormon, he would know that it's true, and that our message is true. His last words to me were "I will, thank you". I don't know what will happen, but I hope he keeps his promise.

After Groceries, we headed home and cleaned the apartment. Now I'm here. All in a couple hours. Obviously I'm devastated, but I have a testimony, and I can't stay sad with the knowledge that I have of what is most important. I definitely have a greater understanding of what missionary work is like. You can't control people. If they are ready, they will accept it. If not, all will be well, and God will never forsake us.

Tomorrow I give my first training in District meeting on teaching the restoration. I not only feel unqualified, but I am actually unqualified, at least as far as normal standards go. Remember though, "Faith, Hope, Charity and Love with an eye single to the glory of God qualify him for the work."

Otherwise, I really don't have much left to leave with you. Never give up. Even though it's hard. Even though you may feel like your efforts are for naught, remember what you have been taught.

My ponderizing scripture this week has to do with gifts, being a christmas season. Not wrapped gifts though. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 tells us that, as the body of Christ, we should covet the best gifts: of discipleship, healing, service, leadership, tongues, teaching, and miracles. The greatest miracle of all, the greatest servant, teacher, healer, speaker, and disciple was Christ Himself.

May God support you all. My heart now is heavy, but 2 Nephi 4:19 "...I know in whom I have trusted." I love you all. If you are reading this, you hold a special place in my heart. Be willing to share the message of the true joy of Christmas this year. Find someone who needs that true happiness and feel the joy that comes. You know what I decided to do on the bus ride after the investigator called me? I talked to someone. A random lady that I actually wasn't able to get the name of. I gave her a flyer with our phone number on it. Told her if she had questions, call us, but I bore testimony of Christ, and told her that we can become forgiven of everything we do wrong if we change. That really is the best way to boost your spirits, ESPECIALLY if you're a struggling missionary.

These are some important people. Elder Peacock, who is one of the assistants with Elder Liew. Elder Peacock is from Ireland. Was a professional golfer. Super nice. Knows a lot of stuff, and is one of the best people overall that I have ever met.

Then we have elder Chu. He's the most busy of all the missionaries in Hong Kong because he's the OFFICE ELDER. He makes flyers, takes care of technical problems (of which there are many). I wasn't able to get a picture of his companion, who is the other busiest missionary, but Elder Tam is the Housing Elder. He takes care of ALL of the apartments and keeps track of all the problems and maintenance.