February 20, 2012

The Baptisms of Steven Dai, Gump Zhao, and Amy Jiang were yet another
amazing experience to be a part of. I can't express my feelings via
speaking let alone writing. I feel extremely honored to be a part of
this great work. Seeing these three baptized and then confirmed
affirms my testimony of this work and the ability it has to bring
happiness and peace to all people who are willing to learn and live
it. All three of the teaching processes were not very quick, but I
feel that all three are firm and dedicated in their conviction to
follow the example of Jesus Christ by now enduring to the end. It
continues to amaze me to see the difference in the Chinese work now
from what it was a year ago. I was once again pondering the importance
of other members with the same background fellowshiping investigators
into the church. Without this already established group of Chinese the
work would not be going forward as well as it is. Now the we have this
foundation, all the Chinese will have a greater chance at
understanding and then accepting the gospel in their lives. There is
no greater work than this!!

Having recieved the AUF names this past week we were astonished to see
that the Liverpool ward had 61 names and 1281 doors to tract. After
distributing them out between the three companionships we were all
left with an average of 20 people to find. Elder Okeson and I looked
at each other and were wondering how we were going to manage to find
time to go to these far away areas to speak to these people. We have
been very busy with teaching investigators and Recent Converts and
have had barely enough time even for them. Now we need to make time
for these people as well? Then our testimony of this program and work
was confirmed to us last night. After stopping by and teaching a LA
AUF named Stuart Bailey and commited him to come to church we made our
way to the first new AUF.

In an hour and a half we knocked a total of 4 doors. I made a mistake
and knocked one door to the left of the AUF. So we had a QGC and then
he let us in the door. After speaking to him and setting up a future
time to teach him we knocked on the right door. Unfortunately she was
not interested in the Church and does not want to see us again. So we
proceeded to knock the 10 doors on the left. We met an uninterested
man and then the fourth door we had another QGC and were let in the
door. President, people are being prepared to hear the message and
seeking the people on the AUF list are helping us to find them. Elder
Okeson and I know that this program is inspired and that it will bring
miracles if we will just allow it to. Lets just say that we will be
making more time to complete this work knowing that it is what God
wants us to do. Find the Lost Sheep and speak to all those on the
side.

February 13, 2012

Well The start of another transfer is underway and we are excited what we were able to speak about at Zone Leader Council and as well District Leader Council. We feel that we were able to counsel well together as to how we can not only help the mission progress but specifically our Zone. As we discussed together we ended up making our Zone Transfer Focus under the Title of "Expect the Unexpected." We feel that missionaries as a whole need to start expecting miracles every day as they go out and diligent seek those that are ready to hear the Gospel. As we start truly expecting the unexpected we will be more positive and optimistic always expecting the Lord to fill in the Gaps that we leave while we put all our effort in. Sometimes I feel that we get into a rut of the way things are done or need to be done and then we don't think we can do anything else different and we start expecting less. That being said, Elder Okeson and I are excited for this transfer and the miracles that we expect to see in our Zone in the upcoming weeks.

Something that has been heavily weighing on my mind recently is what President Preston mentioned at the Zone Leader Council. About the Area Presidency taking an interest in the Chinese work here in the England Manchester Mission and especially here in Liverpool. For the second week in a row we had 21 Chinese people at church on Sunday and the Chinese Gospel Principles class went even better than last time as we smoothed out some of the rough edges from last week. Thinking that they might want to make a Chinese Group here in Liverpool is very exciting! Thinking that all the work we have been doing for the past year and a half has been successful and we are seeing the fruits or our labors. In thinking that, I realized that we need the Recent Converts that we have now to be strengthened even more so than they are now so that they can carry the load that would be placed on them. We feel we have not been working with them as much as we should have.

Elder Okeson and I have been thinking of plans that we can put into action to see them strengthened. We need to spend more time nourishing the new members before we bring too many more in. I really believe that the Chinese activity we had on January 28th and the Fireside we are planning for March 17th will be great starts to this goal we have. I am loving the work here in Liverpool right now. There are many great souls who have entered the Church and there are more that are waiting for us to find them. Recently I have been very grateful for the support of the ward, especially the support of Bishop Murphy. I know that he is extremely busy with his schooling and being a husband and on top of that we magnifies his calling every day. I feel the great concern he has for the welfare of those we bring to church and those that are already in the church. It is amazing to have such a devoted Bishop who is doing all he can to help the work move forward. Though young he is wise beyond his years, which comes with the calling he has been called to. Whom the Lord calls, the Lord Qualifies.

Life really is Good, I love the service I am a part of. And I love the Chinese people!!! Keep building your own personal skills and keep smiling!!! Good luck with everything this week from, travel, work, school and play!

February 8, 2012

We have 4 dated for baptism along with another in the Liverpool ward. Steven Dai- His date is Feb. 18 A chinese student here in Liverpool. His date has been pushed back a couple of times and he is now very anxious to be baptized. He said "before when I was not sure about being baptized I could get baptized every week, and now that I want to get baptized there are things coming up all over the place that make it hard, I am so ready for next week."

Gump Yi- His date is Feb. 24 Gump is the husband of a Recent Convert named Jacqueline Ye. He has been to church now for over 3 months straight and he is completely prepared. He still feels like he needs more preparation but he truly is the most prepared person I have taught on my mission. He is completely devoted and dedicated to joining the church. His wife is a big help in preparing him as well while making sure that it is his choice and not hers.

Max Guo- His date is Mar. 18 Max is a Chinese student who is roommates with a Recent Convert. He has finally decided on a date and is looking forward to being baptized. He also talks about how he wants his girlfriend to be baptized with him, but as of yet we have not met her. Max loves reading Gospel Principles but has a hard time with reading from the Book of Mormon. He has made friends with one of the YSA Nathan Gill and they sit together in Sacrament meeting.

Sister Chuo & Longmore are teaching:

Amy Jiang- Amy is also a Chinese student who has had her date pushed back a couple of times because of lack of commitment when it comes to church attendance. Her testimony is strong but has a hard time putting church over her school work. She is very nice and has great friends in the church. She has also gone out fellowshiping which has really strengthened her own testimony. She is committed to being baptized and is ready to follow Jesus Christ.

This past transfer has been one of miracales and of success. I have truly loved every minute of it especially the time I have had to serve with Elder Eggers. Honestly I feel that Elder Eggers and I were completely unified in all aspects of the work and we became true friends. We were able to work together to build each other up, the area up and all of Chinese work as a whole. Like I said, the Activity brought a lot of stress but with it we learned much and we wouldn't have changed it one bit. Also during the stressful time Elder Eggers and I were able to come closer together which I will always be grateful for. Saying that I am sad to see him go but am looking forward to this new transfer with a new companion who also speaks Chinese. I don't know much about Elder Okeson, but I surely will after a couple of weeks. The success and miracles are ready to continue throughout this transfer.

I would say that the greatest thing about this past transfer as a whole was the complete concentration and consecration to the Chinese people here in Liverpool and in the Mission as well. Something I have never done before was to devote all of my time and attention to the Chinese investigators. I feel because of that focus we have seen great miracles and I feel that we are fully fulfilling our calling as Chinese speaking missionaries. As of now we have four Chinese investigators dated in our companionship and five in the Liverpool ward. At church on Sunday we had 21 Chinese people!!! That sight brought so much joy and gladness into our hearts that we have been so excited to continue this work to help the Chinese not only recieve the restored gospel, but to see the difference that it can make in their lives. I absolutely love the Recent Converts here in Liverpool, they are such a great help and support to those who we bring to church, absolutely incredible.

I feel now more than ever that my Chinese needs to improve in the next few months because I need to use the language even after my mission. My love of the Language and the people has grown so much that I can't stop thinking of how I could possibly use the language in the future to help the 20% of the population of the world that speak Chinese to know about the Gospel. In Preach My Gospel Chapter 7 it says that we have to master the language now and even after our missions. The Lord has invested much in me by giving me these experiences, now I need to continue to improve and do my best. It is fantastic to see all of the principles I have been able to learn on my mission thus far from different experiences and as well as the principles I will continue to learn as I progress in the Gospel while serving the people living here in England.