Letter #91

Hello Hello!

 

Well this was a great week. So many amazing things happened. I feel like every week of my mission just continues to get better and better. Even on the really hard weeks, you can always look back and say that you learned something.

Yesterday was my last zone conference with president smith. It was such an amazing meeting. President Smith opened up the meeting for questions. I always love these kind of meetings, because it is just amazing how the spirit with direct the conversation. Even though all of the questions were different, President Smith still managed to tie the whole meeting in to the theme of the holy ghost and the light of christ. I learned so many new things yesterday. I think that if I started to write them all down I would be sitting behind this computer all day long. But thing I took out of the meeting the most was for sure going by the spirit. I really hope that I am doing that exact thing with my investigators. I hope that each time they meet with us they feel enlightened.

There was one story that happened to me this last week that I thought was rather interesting. So about a week ago as I was street contacting a lady, a monk walked up. He asked me a few questions about our english class, took a card then was on his way. There are many monks in china town, I talk to them quite a bit, but I have never had one of them take a card! I thought that was kinda strange, but did not think to much of it. A few days later, I received a call from the same monk telling me that he would be attending english class the following day. That was the day my companion was teaching so I sat next to him through out the class to see if he needed any help. Half way through the class he looked down at my old beat up shoes, and asked what size I was. He then said that he had a pair of shoes at home that was just my size and insisted on giving them to me. As much as I tried to tell him that I was fine, he only pushed harder insisting on giving me this pair of shoes. The next day he came into english class with a plastic bag held at his hip. He reached in and gave me a pair of shoes that was indeed just my size. I was so grateful.

He also brought a friend with him that day. The both of them sat down with us after english class asking question after question about what we do and our basic beliefs. One of them even grabbed a book of mormon to take home with him to review and study. At the end of our conversation the both of them asked us if they could treat us to dinner. Knowing that the life of a monk was very similar to that of a missionary I was very hesitant. But, again their persistence overruled my hesitation. They took us to a vegetarian resturant in china town. (Monks are vegetarian) As we sat down at the table the waiter came with a big kettle of tea. As they prepared to pour me and my companion a glass, we had the opportunity to share with them the word of wisdom. They were so understanding and polite. The meal was fantastic. There were so many foods that I have never tried my whole life. Eating that made me think that being a vegetarian is not so bad after all.

I really dont know what will happen with my two knew monk friends. But, being able to plant the seed with these two individuals will be something that I will never forget. It was so great to get to know them and understand them better. Me and my companion left that appointment grinning from ear to ear. I am so grateful that heavenly father blessed me with that amazing opportunity.

The rest of the week was fantastic. I do not have one complaint. Our investigators are progressing at an incredible pace! We also had one lady just come back form china that we had taught previously. It was so good to see her again. We are meeting with her again tonight so I am very excited. We also had the opportunity to teach a lesson on speaker phone with one of our investigators that went out of state for the weekend. That was my first time doing that! The lesson went so well. He did his reading, and has been praying! He really enjoys everything that he is learning! We invited him to be baptized on the 8th of next month, and he accepted. We are so grateful for this huge blessing.

Well I sure do love all of you! I got some letters from the young women this week, and they made me so happy! It was so great to see how much you are all growing up! Thanks for the letters they really mean alot. I hope you have a good week!

Elder Barton!