Brother Zhang Got Baptized!

The Snow's Found Elder Barton

Hello Hello!

Well these last few days have been very interesting! A few days ago we decided to use the oven... That was the start of this great story! After which some strange and very strong smell began to take over our apartment, then the whole building! It got so intense that the fire department had to come (aka the china town dragon fighters) and take care of the situation. Let me tell you these men do not mess around! I have never seen more tactical gear used in my life just to simply unplug an oven! But even after the oven had been unplugged and a few days later, the smell has not gone away! We were told by our mission president to go and sleep in the church last night! That was an adventure! We are not in a normal church building so we had to sneak past the front desk security! I am not going to lie it was exciting! We had to sit in the church with the lights off, not moving or talking so that no one would get suspicious! haha! We are hoping to have the situation resolved soon. Our mission president has given us the assignment of finding a new apartment! should be pretty interesting!

This week was full of incredible miracles. I am absolutely speechless. To start off Brother Zhang was baptized! It was such a great baptism. Although we did not meet with him long before his baptism, he really went through alot. I love the guy so much. Baptisms are so incredible. As Brother Zhang walked down into the baptismal font, I had a flash back of when we met him on the street. He walked by us with his head down, hair covering his face, and a cigarette clinched between his index and middle finger. He took a card, but did not give us much opportunity to talk with him. For some reason, this image was so powerful to think of as he walked into the font. He is a changed person. He carries himself with a confident, and glowing Ora. I am so grateful for him...he strengthened my testimony so much.

It is very ironic that last week I addressed the topic of food miracles with you all. Because, this week, I experienced probably the biggest one I have experienced my whole entire mission. Our zone had set a goal of getting 20 baptismal dates and we decided that if we hit it, we would have a zone pizza party. Well with many incredible miracles, the goal was accomplished. Numbers do not determine the success of a missionary but when things like this happen, it is incredible evidence of the love and existence of our heavenly father. It is incredible how he will answer our righteous desires.

When the pizza man came this last Monday, we had the money prepared and ready to go. As we proceeded to hand the money to the pizza man, he told us that there was no need. He said that the bill had already been payed. We looked at the credit card number on the receipt and it did not match mine or elder huangs. The man wished us a nice day, then was on his way. We stood there dazed and confused as to what had just happened. We have no idea what happened but we are so grateful for this incredible tender mercy.

Well I love you all so much! Thank you for all of the great support that you all offer! I hope that you have a great week!

Elder Barton