Sep 23 2013

Hullo! This week was really good, definitely an improvement over the previous week. We set another baptismal date! Anyways, let me back up.

On Monday after P-day we had a dinner w/ an investigator. She was 30 minutes late, so we went and tracted! With no success, unfortunately, save the satisfaction of not wasting time, haha.

On Wednesday, I went on exchanges with one of the Zone Leaders (In my area). It was a great experience, I showed him how to GQ on foot (English missionaries usually just GQ at bus stops, if they GQ at all). It gave me a push as well, and that day we set the aforementioned baptismal date. It was with an awesome investigator from Vietnam, a University student, a very humble guy. He has been learning about Christianity for a few months, and did not shy away when we explained how different our message is from that of other Christian churches.

Thursday was a great day of GQing -- it was Mid-Autumn Festival! It's a Chinese holiday, you can look it up. As it relates to missionary work: it meant all of the Chinese students were waiting on Queen street for their friends to go out and eat together, the perfect opportunity for missionaries. :D All you had to do is say:

Q: "How are you?" 
A: "Good." 
Q: "Where are you from?" 
A: "China" 
Q: "Really?? 中秋节快乐!! [Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!]"

On Friday a potential investigator even gave us a Mooncake, the treat that they eat during the festival.

On Saturday, in the evening, there was a baptismal service in the other ward which we attended with the investigator we set a date with (he was unable to come to church on Sunday because of work). It was a great experience. The fellow who was baptized is a student from India, actually, who's conversion story is incredible, although it's pretty personal to him so I don't think it would be appropriate to share it without his permission. Our investigator really enjoyed the service as well, especially the hymns we sang. (I developed an appreciating for hymn #128 "When Faith Endures")

On Sunday, my recent convert who was baptized in April went to Mission Prep!! He is considering serving a mission, how cool is that? Additionally, my friend in Taiwan also wants to serve, although he is over the age limit for full-time missionary service apparently he can still do a short-term mission thing, which would be cool.

All told, it was a good week. Take care!

Elder J. Colton Ladd