This week has been good! Busy busy busy, but that's the way we like it. :)
This past week for p-day we went to a Pixar exhibit. Gorgeous art, fun sculptures, and a whole lot of nostalgia.
This week we also had MLC (Mission Leadership Council). Our mission president talked to us a lot about setting faith-based goals and relying on the Lord to achieve them, so then we promptly set a ridiculously high missionwide baptism goal for 2018 (more than double what we got in 2017). It's definitely possible with the Lord's help though, and I'm really happy that I get to be here for aaaalmost all of 2018 so that I can see it happen! We also ate Mexican food for lunch (a rare thing to have here in Hong Kong), so add that to the highlights list.
Back to my week in the Deep South. Three things: Bible bash, fried chicken, and the word of God.
The Bible bash wasn't anything too intense. We met a friendly missionary from another church (here from Australia) who pushed through a crowd to come talk to us (as white people, we're pretty noticable). Our conversation started out pretty okay but before too long he was set on fighting out tiny little differences between our beliefs (without being willing to listen to anything we had to say), and as peaceful representatives of Jesus, we're not here to pointlessly bicker, so we peaced out after 40 minutes. Sister Risenmay and I reflected on that a lot, and ultimately it made us really grateful for the gospel truths that we have. Even if other people don't want to listen to it, I'm so grateful that not only does the gospel help me and inspire me, but it just makes sense to me. Not to say that I know everything, because obviously I don't, but for me, logically and spiritually, it all checks out. Pretty nice guy though, and really awesome that he's also willing to sacrifice to help tell people about what he believes. The second part of this whole southern thing was when we got a call from one of the members of our bishopric, telling us that there was food in the church kitchen for us to share with the elders. Luckily, we had a lesson at the church in just a few minutes anyways, so we were excited to go and see what was up. We walked into the kitchen, smelled something good, and finally came across a bowl with 5 pieces of fried chicken in it. Don't get me wrong, I love fried chicken, so I was pretty excited, but Sister Risenmay and I were a little confused as to why they would ask us to share 5 pieces of chicken between us and the elders. Pretty soon we figured it out though: we opened the fridge, and there were the two most MASSIVE tupperwares of fried chicken I've EVER SEEN. SO. MUCH. CHICKEN. The elders were very very happy to get theirs, and as for Sister Risenmay and I, we've had fried chicken for lunch and dinner for a few days in a row now. Our whole district has been brainstorming why one person would have so much KFC. Regardless, we're grateful. The third part, the word of God, isn't anything out of the ordinary. Just reading it and sharing it, make sure you're doing the same. :)
Overall, it's been a good week! We've been blessed with TWO new investigators, which is a really really exciting thing here! This coming week is Chinese New Year, which basically means that nobody will schedule us, but the good news is that we have lots of time for finding and a couple more member meals than usual. Life is good. :)
Love you all! Gayauh!
Sister Wasden
郭姊妹
My Dear Granddaughter,
ReplyDeleteOur Savior confronted his "hecklers" and "nay-Sayers" in his day. The conversations usually start out in a mild and reasoned manner. The level of intensity usually arises when points are not being made and often turns in to ad hominem attacks at the end, and civility goes out the window. Our Savior made a perfect rebuttal on one occasion when he said, "Matthew 7:16-20 King James Version (KJV)
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."
I believe there is ample evidence of "good fruit" coming from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know that you are an able Ambassador and whether you think you have "won or lost" a "discussion," The Spirit knows when not to "...cast pearls before swine" and walk away. On the other hand, perhaps a bystander may be touched by The Spirit, even though you may not be aware. Be of good cheer--life is good, and I love you more! Gramps