Started out on some exchanges with Ethan Stuart's trainee, Elder Spach. small world. hahaha He's hilarious! We had much fun. We went up to the super tall 85-story building in their area and talked to people around there. I also caught him sleeping during language study. haha whoops! He thought it was funny though so I don't feel bad about keeping the picture.
Spiritual highlight of the week: some temple square sisters called us last last Friday about a mom who had contacted the church on mormon.org and asked for some missionaries to come over. We were so pumped, of course. So we tried knocking the address we had. Her mom was not happy to see us and Sister Chen (the lady we were looking for) wasn't home. So we went back a couple days later and still not home. This time her dad answered the door and said Sister Chen didn't live there and was basically telling us to give up and never come back. Bummer. BUT, we decided to give it one last try cuz third time is always the charm. Except not. This time nobody was home. So we kept knocking the other doors of the street and ended up talking to this old lady for a long time, which was cool cuz we ended up getting some free t-shirts. haha so random. Anyways, we were leaving and as we passed her house we saw a scooter in front of her house! We knocked again and this time she answered! And she was soo excited to see us! She just started firing off all these great questions and we gave her a Book of Mormon and set up for this week! When at first you don't succeed, try try again. For reals.
I got to play the piano at an LA's house. A little rusty, but it was fun. She used to be the ward pianist so she was really good.
Strange highlight of the week: an old dude showed me his catheter on his leg and explained in great detail what happens when he needs to go to the bathroom. TMI.
Getting to skype my family yesterday was the greatest. I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!家庭是永恆的. Yup. Also, life didn't come with a manual. It came with a mother. (I totally stole that from the church's mother's day video). Love ya mom!! Thanks for always being there.
I've been thinking a lot lately about where I'm at with the Savior. Kind of like a companionship inventory, but with the Lord. I think it's still an ongoing process, but I love this cool promise the Lord gives us in Doctrine and Covenants 88:63 where He says, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me..." He promises us that as we strive to grow closer to him, He's not going to keep moving further and further from us, always out of our reach. Rather, He also grows closer to us and "[His] arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will [the Lord] receive..." (see 3 Nephi 9:14). I think that imagery is just so beautiful. I love my Savior.
Have a great week! FIGHT ON!!!
Love ya!!
柯長老
Elder Barker