November 29, 2010

Continued...

Ok so this is my continuation from the last email on Friday! So lately my companion has been asking me a lot more questions about english grammar so he could learn more english. He was looking at random idioms on his dictionary and he found a couple that he really likes that just crack me up. His favorite new idiom to say is "Put up your dukes" haha. I love my companion and things are going so well out here. We have been cleaning up our area book by visiting a lot of former investigators and potential investigators. We were able to reconnect with a couple formers and taught some of the potential investigators! So not yesterday but then Sunday before that, it was the Chinese branch's one year anniversary! We had an overwhelming amount of non members come (enough to where elder Kim and I didn't even get a chance to meet all of them!) There is one food that the members make a lot out here and I really haven't had it before but it has pretty much become my favorite! Almond Jello! AMAZING! We went on exchanges this week and I got to work with Elder Brown in our district while Elder Kim went to work in his area with Elder Bannister. Elder Brown is an awesome elder. He and I decided to go tracting in a certain area, and as we were tracting we saw two girls on the opposite side of the street also going door to door. At first we didn't really notice but then as we made it to the cul-de-sac (or however you spell it....I have never actually written that word before now that I think about it), we saw the two girls at the door right next to us, then I realized they were Jehovah witnesses. It was pretty funny that we were both tracting the same street and then we both ended up overlapping each others sides that had already been knocked. It was pretty funny, we tried to talk to them but they really didn't want anything to do with us. We had thanksgiving dinner at the Branch Presidents house (President Bayers). I absolutely love the Bayers, I am pretty sure I was completely meant to come serve in the same branch with them! They have a funny tradition where while we eat, everyone in the house has to wear little turkey hats that their kids make. I will send some pictures later. There was one thing that happened recently that I think was better than all of that. We got back in contact with David Ong!!!!!!! He was the man we found while tracting when I first got here, and he had a baptismal date set and was progressing so well and then he just disappeared. It made me really sad, but we finally found him and his son again and I am so happy! We also recently had the privilege of going to the temple!! I feel like it has been so long since I had the last opportunity to go, but it has completely revamped me spiritually and I am ready to get out there and go find more people!! Today is transfer day! Elder Kim and I are staying in the same place but we are getting a new third companion! Presdient Watrous called me as a trainer. I am excited and hope I can do well as a trainer given I have only been out for 4 transfers. This new elder actually served in Taiwan for 4 months and then had a health problem and had to come home and is now being reassigned here. His name is Elder Brae and we will pick him up tomorrow. There are so many things to talk about and so much to say but all I can really say is everything is amazing!! The work is moving forward and I can't believe about 8 months have passed by. The language seems like it is starting to pick up again! It is tough but I can definitely see the improvement and I take absolutely no credit for it. The Lord has given me the help and strength to do it. I love you all and I hope everything is going so well! This is the time of year where the weather is a perfect 70 or high 60's and sunny, while everywhere else is cold and snowy and freezing :). I do miss the cold but I can live with this weather too ;). I love you all!! Please write me! I would love to hear from all of you! Zaijian!