So, I am realizing I might have 4
transfers left....I am pretty bad at this whole math thing. It is 7 months,
which feels like a long time, but 4 transfers just seem so short. It’s giving
me a little anxiety. I have just not completed so many goals that I have set
for myself, I have not even completed the goal of learning how to set goals!!!!
But anyway, it is a new transfer and
I am recommitting myself....again. So, it all starts with diligence in learning
the language and diligence in learning the doctrine. So when it comes to
language, it is a mad-dash to learning as many vocab words on these last
transfers AND trying my best to learn characters. I have started to memorize
the radicals and it is pretty good, I hope by the end of this transfer to be
able to read the missionary handbook.
SO, it was really cool, we had an
investigator Huang Qian that was really liking what we were teaching her, but
she just couldn't give up her church. She just liked it too much. BUT during Winter
break, she skipped out for two weeks and instead of going to church she googled
our church! She then went to her Pastor and asked, "What’s the great apostasy?
Do you have the Priesthood? " And the pastor wouldn't give her a straight
answer and just kept saying we were a cult (when will they realize that never
works?) and eventually Huang Qian just got super frustrated and left. hahah and
then when she was done telling the story she said, "I think my church is
false" hah we told her, "That's what we have been saying!!!!"
She still feels she is not ready to be baptized though.....
So transfers came and went again. I
am staying in the same area again with the same companion again. It pretty
cool, I have served in all the areas possible for a Chinese Elder. I really
want to go explore Pepperdine University though, see if I can find some
Chinesers at that place. Malibu area is the only place we don't ever go, who
knows, they could have a whole trove of Chinese people waiting to receive the
good word.
Pray for Tracy and Wu Si Yuan, I
fear their spiritual train may be slowing down a little bit. ahhh You just get
so worried when people don't meet with you. Sometimes I feel like an obsessive
girlfriend. Man, if I ever dated an obsessive Jehovah Witness, that would be a
crazy time.
So we also taught a family that was
brainwashed by the JW'ss!!!! I know it is never good to bash other churches,
but for some reason I always find myself wanting to slam JW' doctrine. This is
a great opportunity to learn love unfeigned to your fellowman. It really is sad
though, so many people believe in the Bible, but they still have so much
confusion. Like Elder Holland said “They think they can find common ground with
the Bible, but really, it’s a battle ground." I truly am grateful for the Book of Mormon and
modern-day revelation that bring so much clarity. They bring an anchor of faith
so we are not tossed to and fro with every piece of new doctrine (I think I am
splicing scriptures right now) but really it is such a huge blessing. I take so
many revealed doctrines for granted. Take original sin for example. I am so
happy that I have the knowledge that I wasn't born into sin. That I am
responsible for my own actions and my own path in life. It just makes me feel
so much happier knowing it like that.
I hope that Hong Kong was cool! Are
you guys back yet? Did you got to Taiwan? Send some pics of China’s biggest
island (sorry Amanda, I am being influenced by the mainlanders!!!!) I hope Tori
is incubating well.
Oh yeah, I am so so, so very
grateful for the chance I had to make 2014 the year of missionary work!!!
Well, that's it. I love you guys, be
safe, be diligent, be valiant, and just try your best to be excellent in all
you do.
love,
Elder Burr
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