That He Lives!

What a week, lots of exchanges and time in xinzhu. It was pretty cool to be able to do so many things and yet still see many incredible things this week. I know the Lord knows how to make things happen, and usually it is up to one's faith and gratitude to see it. Many of the greatest I have seen have been small, but I know they all belong to the Lord. This week we were invited to a dinner and before we went we asked if they would have any neighbors that could come and meet with us. The mother went and found one, a Vietnamese lady down the street whose husband is a taxi driver. She has lived here for 8 years and speaks Mandarin very well so it wasn't hard to teach. After dinner we went to her house and had an incredible lesson and the family that invited us to dinner also had an incredible time teaching and we hope that through their efforts we can help her and her husband taste the fruit of the gospel.


We have been working a lot on how we teach, how we act, and just the overall perception people get from us. It seems pretty common for people to be scared by missionaries. Some of our best investigators see us as friends and guides more than the stock missionary. It's so nice to hear from someone that you are their friend and that is how they think of you. While doing this we have realized that xili (baptism) is a word that scares many people because they see it as us just wanting to make a sale and get them baptized. We have been working on teaching baptism as a principle throughout our first lesson with them, so that they know that what we want for them is not to increase our membership in the church, not to get some quota, but to truly help them receive eternal happiness and true joy in this life. I have come to realize more fully through this that covenants and commandments are not restrictions, they are for my good. An attitude of obedience is what truly will allow me the most freedom.

I know that Jesus Christ lives and leads His church on the earth today. I know that just as in days of old we have men called of God, who receive revelation and authority from on high, who serve as prophets and apostles in our day. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that through it I may come closer to our Heavenly Father. I know that all is done by and through the power of Heavenly Father.





Love,