12 days until Christmas!
No, I don't think I need anything else in my package. I'll try and call around 2 New York time. I think all of the family's christmas morning rituals will be done by then.
We invited Jiang Ping to be baptised. She'll be going to china and won't be back til february and the baptism will have to wait til then. I think Jake will be coming in next week. That'll be cool to see him. That's absolutely insane that Will is turning 14...
Well, I'm sending my resume to Cui Xiao Feng (formerly ELder Cui) in Xi'an. He's gonna help me apply for work in english schools there. If I get accepted I don't wanna go until at least June... But I think I only plan on staying 6 months to one year. We'll see.
I hope you're having a great holiday season. The greatest thing that I have seen is a boost of unity between the missionaries and the ward. I'm just so happy with our busy, busy bishop who is making the best of what he can with the little bit of time he has for his calling. His mom had a stroke so please pray for her and him (Bishop Wu). The missionaries have also initiated tri-chinese ward temple trips for 2011. That's awesome.
Love you all!
Elder Eddy
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Email Home December 6 2010
Last saturday we got to help prepare food from the Bishop's storehouse with some recent converts. It was a great chance to show them what happens with our fast offerings.
It's been an interesting experience being a district leader for quite some time now. I think I initially took it upon myself to just supervise but I've been trying recently to inspire and help them grow, to realize greater potential for themselves.
Ummm... I don't have a coat. I honestly don't know what in the world happenedc to it... So maybe some money of my debit card would help. People keep telling me I'm not wearing enough and I just keep telling them I can handle it... It's snowing today...
Love ya!
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
狄俊明长老
It's been an interesting experience being a district leader for quite some time now. I think I initially took it upon myself to just supervise but I've been trying recently to inspire and help them grow, to realize greater potential for themselves.
Ummm... I don't have a coat. I honestly don't know what in the world happenedc to it... So maybe some money of my debit card would help. People keep telling me I'm not wearing enough and I just keep telling them I can handle it... It's snowing today...
Love ya!
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
狄俊明长老
Email Home Novmber 29 2010
Thanksgiving was really fun. We had a ward party with lots of normal american thanksgiving food. The Chinese members were pretty confused. China doesn't have wild turkeys like we do so most of them don't even know what the bird looks like and like me think it tastes really bland. Qing Qing really enjoyed the gravy... and was eating/drinking it by itself. May Asai, a little japanese girl, shared the history of thanksgiving which was really good because I think less than a quarter of the people there were american.
Chinese people find it really odd how close western people get to their dogs... They probably wouldn't understand why Grandma and Grandpa were sad. Send them my sympathies.
Shirt sizes ... I would say most chinese people range between and men's small or medium. I don't know if we have anybody who needs anything right now... They're too new or they've already got the clothes but I'll let you know.
Last monday Elder Graham and I started reteaching somebody Elder Gabrielsen and I taught over a year ago. Seems like her year here has been tough and she's matured a lot. We also found some new investigators last week. Sang Yang Yang, and Sean Nie.
Well, I love you all!
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
狄俊明长老
Chinese people find it really odd how close western people get to their dogs... They probably wouldn't understand why Grandma and Grandpa were sad. Send them my sympathies.
Shirt sizes ... I would say most chinese people range between and men's small or medium. I don't know if we have anybody who needs anything right now... They're too new or they've already got the clothes but I'll let you know.
Last monday Elder Graham and I started reteaching somebody Elder Gabrielsen and I taught over a year ago. Seems like her year here has been tough and she's matured a lot. We also found some new investigators last week. Sang Yang Yang, and Sean Nie.
Well, I love you all!
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
狄俊明长老
Email Home November 22 2010
My socks, like my shoes, though bulky and unattractive, have held up better than any other missionaries socks I've seen. I haven't had a single hole and I'm pretty sure I haven't lost any... though they might be a little too warm for California.
I don't know how much the health test cost. They're gonna see if missionary medical will cover it. If it won't they're sending the bill to you.
As far as Christmas goes... Music is always nice. I'd love to have a live Christmas tree but that might be a little inconvenient. I honestly don't need much. I'd love to get slacks and white shirts for recent converts but that may get a little pricey. After my mission I'd love to learn how to paint landscapes Chinese style like Ma Yuan, but I would rather use my time on the mission for learning the language. So don't get my a Chinese painting book/set... yet. I was thinking of what I'd like for Christmas... One thing I'd love is for the family, you guys, to start having monthly service projects together, or maybe give up something that there's a monthly bill for and give that money to the church humanitarian aide, perpetual education, or mission fund. Do your home and visiting teaching. Fellowship new members and less actives. Pray for China to open. Pray that my recent converts, no matter what temporal situations they may be in, can feel Heavenly Father's love for them. Pray for the gift of charity. 'Have faith, have hope, live like his son, help others on their way.' Become like *'the house of Stephanas... they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.'
These are some things I wouldn't mind getting.
*1 Cor 16:15
We went to the temple on Saturday. we had some issues that delayed us a little... A slightly mentally... slow brother who wasn't endowed did about fifty confirmations that all had to be redone. And we definitely have some members who could improve their baptizing form. But they've got the right spirit and they're willing to do the work. They just need some guiding hands. The trip, though a little... odd, ended on a good note. I got to baptize and confirm Kevin Lin for his Grandpa.
Well, I gotta go.
Love ya!
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
狄俊明长老
I don't know how much the health test cost. They're gonna see if missionary medical will cover it. If it won't they're sending the bill to you.
As far as Christmas goes... Music is always nice. I'd love to have a live Christmas tree but that might be a little inconvenient. I honestly don't need much. I'd love to get slacks and white shirts for recent converts but that may get a little pricey. After my mission I'd love to learn how to paint landscapes Chinese style like Ma Yuan, but I would rather use my time on the mission for learning the language. So don't get my a Chinese painting book/set... yet. I was thinking of what I'd like for Christmas... One thing I'd love is for the family, you guys, to start having monthly service projects together, or maybe give up something that there's a monthly bill for and give that money to the church humanitarian aide, perpetual education, or mission fund. Do your home and visiting teaching. Fellowship new members and less actives. Pray for China to open. Pray that my recent converts, no matter what temporal situations they may be in, can feel Heavenly Father's love for them. Pray for the gift of charity. 'Have faith, have hope, live like his son, help others on their way.' Become like *'the house of Stephanas... they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.'
These are some things I wouldn't mind getting.
*1 Cor 16:15
We went to the temple on Saturday. we had some issues that delayed us a little... A slightly mentally... slow brother who wasn't endowed did about fifty confirmations that all had to be redone. And we definitely have some members who could improve their baptizing form. But they've got the right spirit and they're willing to do the work. They just need some guiding hands. The trip, though a little... odd, ended on a good note. I got to baptize and confirm Kevin Lin for his Grandpa.
Well, I gotta go.
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
狄俊明长老
Monday, December 6, 2010
Email Home November 18 2010
OK, well I went to the doctor and... My cholesterol's a little low. The doctor says I should eat more and exercise but everything else is fine. I gave a copy of the test to sister Baum to email/fax to you.
(Ben's brother Zac got his mission call to serve in the Riverside California Spanish Speaking mission, he reports on his 19th birthday January 5th 2011)
Haha! Maybe Zac will get to serve in the Corona Stake. He's gonna have lots of people willing to feed him :) Does his mission president know he lived there for 13 years? He's gonna be having to ask the president for lots of family/friend meal permissions.
I could probably ask president bout eating with uncle steve again. We'll see what he says.
If Zac's able to I would say get the same shoes! I have seen SOOOO many missionaries (including ones who've been in driving areas) who's shoes' soles have worn down horribly! I've been in walking areas the whole time and my shoes have hardly worn at all. No, they may not be the prettiest but they'll hold up!
I was on exchanges with the zone leaders and we were looking up less active members and we found a brother Chen. I recognized him once I saw him, he comes to church maybe once a month. He's a really great brother and Even served as a branch president in Taiwan. I just wonder what's keeping him now. We invited him to keep coming.
I've realized my time is getting smaller and I keep desiring to make it better and better.
Elder Cui (who just went home) knows a Canadian member in Xi'an China who has an English school. He's going to recommend me for teaching and help me look for other jobs there. So I could be in China sometime next year. We'll see how that goes. President gave me permission to email him because writing letters to china is a pain and I'm one of the few friends this elder has.
I love you all,
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
狄俊明长老
(Ben's brother Zac got his mission call to serve in the Riverside California Spanish Speaking mission, he reports on his 19th birthday January 5th 2011)
Haha! Maybe Zac will get to serve in the Corona Stake. He's gonna have lots of people willing to feed him :) Does his mission president know he lived there for 13 years? He's gonna be having to ask the president for lots of family/friend meal permissions.
I could probably ask president bout eating with uncle steve again. We'll see what he says.
If Zac's able to I would say get the same shoes! I have seen SOOOO many missionaries (including ones who've been in driving areas) who's shoes' soles have worn down horribly! I've been in walking areas the whole time and my shoes have hardly worn at all. No, they may not be the prettiest but they'll hold up!
I was on exchanges with the zone leaders and we were looking up less active members and we found a brother Chen. I recognized him once I saw him, he comes to church maybe once a month. He's a really great brother and Even served as a branch president in Taiwan. I just wonder what's keeping him now. We invited him to keep coming.
I've realized my time is getting smaller and I keep desiring to make it better and better.
Elder Cui (who just went home) knows a Canadian member in Xi'an China who has an English school. He's going to recommend me for teaching and help me look for other jobs there. So I could be in China sometime next year. We'll see how that goes. President gave me permission to email him because writing letters to china is a pain and I'm one of the few friends this elder has.
I love you all,
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
狄俊明长老
Email Home November 8 2010
It's Raining Slush!
Well, I'm really excited to find out where he's going! (Zac, Ben's brother is awaiting his mission call)
I've got a doctors appointment at 4:30 on Friday - it's been quite the headache trying to find a doctor. Some are closed for a few weeks, othhrs don't accept new patients, some only let schedule appointments on certain days (they wouldn't let a me schedule a future appointment if i was calling on a wednesday), and others receptionists don't know which insurances they accept or under which circumstances they accept certain insurances. So, I'll be paying for it in cash. I don't know how much it costs though but I'll need some money on my debit card.
We went to Zong's house yesturday. He's so awesome. He did have a little confusion about baptisms for the dead though - haha. He also showed us where he grew up on google earth:
Latitude (Y):36.858403 Longitude (X):114.403328 around tehre in this tiny place called Beizhang.
Transfers are tomorrow and I'm still in FLushing with Elder Graham. Still district leader.
We had stake conference on sunday. I love our stake president. He's a weirdo but also somewhat of a genius. Kind of liek Dumbledore or something. Zong really liked his talk and asked if I could get a copy for him.
I've kinda got a head ache ... So I'll wrap this up. There's some things I'd like in a package but I have to get onto the church store to look it up but this computer's web browser is out of date and so I can't see the new church store.
Love you all,
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
狄俊明长老
Well, I'm really excited to find out where he's going! (Zac, Ben's brother is awaiting his mission call)
I've got a doctors appointment at 4:30 on Friday - it's been quite the headache trying to find a doctor. Some are closed for a few weeks, othhrs don't accept new patients, some only let schedule appointments on certain days (they wouldn't let a me schedule a future appointment if i was calling on a wednesday), and others receptionists don't know which insurances they accept or under which circumstances they accept certain insurances. So, I'll be paying for it in cash. I don't know how much it costs though but I'll need some money on my debit card.
We went to Zong's house yesturday. He's so awesome. He did have a little confusion about baptisms for the dead though - haha. He also showed us where he grew up on google earth:
Latitude (Y):36.858403 Longitude (X):114.403328 around tehre in this tiny place called Beizhang.
Transfers are tomorrow and I'm still in FLushing with Elder Graham. Still district leader.
We had stake conference on sunday. I love our stake president. He's a weirdo but also somewhat of a genius. Kind of liek Dumbledore or something. Zong really liked his talk and asked if I could get a copy for him.
I've kinda got a head ache ... So I'll wrap this up. There's some things I'd like in a package but I have to get onto the church store to look it up but this computer's web browser is out of date and so I can't see the new church store.
Love you all,
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
狄俊明长老
Email Hme November 1 2010
I've tried calling the doctor to schedule an appointment - I've apparently got to learn that doctors work at different times than the times I'm at home - after nine o'clock at night. Hopefully I'll get an appointment before the end of the week.
We had a baptism this sunday for Brotehr Zong Zuo-Ling 宗作领. He was such a quick baptism but such a great brother to teach. He reminded me a lot of King Lamoni and his Father who in their humility beleived anything Ammon and his brothers, the missionaries said. On the otehr hand he also reminded me of Captain Moroni - He's very zealous about helping China.
I feel like my mission has opened my eyes to a much larger and complicated world but also made it possible for me to find my place and friends needed for my part in changing it.We had a baptism this sunday for Brotehr Zong Zuo-Ling 宗作领. He was such a quick baptism but such a great brother to teach. He reminded me a lot of King Lamoni and his Father who in their humility beleived anything Ammon and his brothers, the missionaries said. On the otehr hand he also reminded me of Captain Moroni - He's very zealous about helping China.
It makes me so pleased to hear that you're doing the essentials of family scripture study, prayer, and family home evening - It is treuly amazing the strength and enthusiasm that comes from a sincere effort to study and apply the word of God. There's a scarily sharp contrast when those things are neglected, so 加油！(jia you (jya yo) add oil, ie keep going!)
I love you all!
"A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.”
- Jospeh Smith
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
狄俊明长老
Monday, September 27, 2010
Email Home September 27th 2010
We've started teaching Daniella and Jackie. We're actually gonna help them get married and baptized - a first for me. They're great. Daniella is so ... lively and loves learning the gospel. Jackie just loves Daniella so we're trying to work on him a little more. There's Oscar from Taiwan, and Chen Wang, Tommy Chen. All kinda progressing but doing well. There's also Hu Jian Mei, she comes to church every week but doesn't have any time during the week to meet with us :( We've also been meeting with some members to help them start doing their genealogy. We're gonna go to the temple on october 16th which is Chongyang Jie, a chinese holiday where you honor the elderly and hike on mountains, we'll be helping our ancestors at the mountain of the lord.
My companion, elder egbert is great. He's from utah but lived in Hawaii, just for fun, before his mission. He's willing to do whatever and is a diligent missionary. But I'll be switching companions on tuesday. I'll be going with elder graham. He's just a few months younger than me in the mission but has not had the best time on his mission and his chinese has progressed slowly. I'm happy to help.
Characters, I'm at 400. I love learning them. It's like small puzzles or Lego bricks.
Wow, sounds like we're both having some weird weather.
Lately I've been doing great. I'm just having a tough time balancing working with people here and trying not to worry about my friends in Brooklyn - sometimes I get caught away and think about them way too much. But I'm learning how to balance that out a little better as a get to know the people here better. God's got people he needs me to help here to and I've gotta stop worrying so much.
- Love you all!
- Elder Eddy
My companion, elder egbert is great. He's from utah but lived in Hawaii, just for fun, before his mission. He's willing to do whatever and is a diligent missionary. But I'll be switching companions on tuesday. I'll be going with elder graham. He's just a few months younger than me in the mission but has not had the best time on his mission and his chinese has progressed slowly. I'm happy to help.
Characters, I'm at 400. I love learning them. It's like small puzzles or Lego bricks.
Wow, sounds like we're both having some weird weather.
Lately I've been doing great. I'm just having a tough time balancing working with people here and trying not to worry about my friends in Brooklyn - sometimes I get caught away and think about them way too much. But I'm learning how to balance that out a little better as a get to know the people here better. God's got people he needs me to help here to and I've gotta stop worrying so much.
- Love you all!
- Elder Eddy
Email Home September 20 2010
This first part is in response to what a family friend should bring on his mission, he got called to the same mission as Ben, but spanish speaking.
I shop at the Met. It's a tiny ghetto grocery store they have all over new york. And I also shop at chinese (super)markets.
I would say you don't really need any pants besides your suit pants. In the winter you'll want a beanie, earmuffs/head band to cover ears (more convenient than earmuffs, a scarf, a sweater (i'd bring 3-4), a warm jacket any conservative and warm one will do, a long waterproof coat to wear on top of everything that's not too thick, it's just for keeping you dry, mittens, snow gloves (for when you have to shovel snow), and long garment bottoms.
About the tornado in NYC...
I didn't even know there was a tornado, we were inside eating dinner and it all the sudden got really windy and rainy for a few minutes, one of our windows fell into our apartment (didn't break though, it just fell out of it's frame. and then it was done. when we went outside though there were trees all of the place. I just thought it was really windy...
We had another baptism of sunday. Lei Yu 'Cayden'. He's pretty awesome. He learned most of the gospel through missionaries on the church website and his uncle who's a bishop in texas.
I've been trying to study a lot lately about charity. It's the one thing I hope to bring home with me. Yes I'm probably gonna be stuck somewhere between china and america for my life (i hope to be) but even if I hadn't been on a language learning mission I would still hope to learn charity. Everything else is gonna pass away right? And my chinese is only useful if I'm trying to have charity. and Patience. that's another I need to be better with. I think when I write I'm more free with my words but when I'm speak I'm a lot more careful.
Well, I love you all and I don't have any sort of trunky feeling (I do sometimes wanna go to china or brooklyn really bad) but it does make me a little sad thinking that Zac's probably gonna be gone before I'm home.
Love you all! 我爱你们！
——狄俊明长老
Monday, September 13, 2010
Email Home September 13 2010
I'm almost down to half a year, which is crazy to me. CRAZY. and when I think about all the things going on back at home I feel like I'm not gonna recognize anything. I guess in my mind everyone back home is on pause for two years... Guess not. Well, I'm thoroughly jealous of Matt going to China - You don't know how much I want to go there. I'm guessing he would go to Beijing or Shanghai - I wanna go to Fuzhou or Chang'le - Who knows when I'll be able to do that. By the way I think the name of Matt's calling sounds either epic or silly.
I'm trying to do more muscle building exercises instead of just running - I definitely don't wanna weigh any less than I do right now.
Here's an Ensign article that may interest you and you could share it with others. I found it while exploring a church library.
A Latter-Day Saint Perspective on Muhammad
It's 'A Latter-Day Saint Perspective on Muhammad. It's from about a year before 9/11. It's really great and has helped me understand better the roles of people like Muhammad and Buddha and other such 'wise men'.
I really want to read Fojing (Buddhist Scripture), the quran, daodejing (Taoist scripture), and the writings of kongzi (Confucius), especially because of what that article has to say.
It's not because of any doubt in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I just wanna read the writings of other inspired people. We believe the US constitution is inspired, that doesn't mean doctrine, but worth reading and applying.
Why do people forget about the 1500+ year tyrannical reign Christianity had in Europe? Urrrgghhh... 'Christians'. My mission has convinced me so much more of the truthfulness of the gospel.
The way I look at it is this. Sure you need baptism and other ordinances to get to the celestial kingdom but if you haven't striven to become a celestial being (someone who is filled with charity) it's not gonna do you much. People who've been baptized and what not have bought the plane ticket but they're gonna be real confused when they land and don't 'speak the language' (charity) which in many times is 'spoken' more fluently by those not of our faith who just haven't bought their ticket yet.
I gotta go. I love ya!
- Bye!
Elder Eddy
I'm trying to do more muscle building exercises instead of just running - I definitely don't wanna weigh any less than I do right now.
Here's an Ensign article that may interest you and you could share it with others. I found it while exploring a church library.
A Latter-Day Saint Perspective on Muhammad
It's 'A Latter-Day Saint Perspective on Muhammad. It's from about a year before 9/11. It's really great and has helped me understand better the roles of people like Muhammad and Buddha and other such 'wise men'.
I really want to read Fojing (Buddhist Scripture), the quran, daodejing (Taoist scripture), and the writings of kongzi (Confucius), especially because of what that article has to say.
It's not because of any doubt in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I just wanna read the writings of other inspired people. We believe the US constitution is inspired, that doesn't mean doctrine, but worth reading and applying.
Why do people forget about the 1500+ year tyrannical reign Christianity had in Europe? Urrrgghhh... 'Christians'. My mission has convinced me so much more of the truthfulness of the gospel.
The way I look at it is this. Sure you need baptism and other ordinances to get to the celestial kingdom but if you haven't striven to become a celestial being (someone who is filled with charity) it's not gonna do you much. People who've been baptized and what not have bought the plane ticket but they're gonna be real confused when they land and don't 'speak the language' (charity) which in many times is 'spoken' more fluently by those not of our faith who just haven't bought their ticket yet.
I gotta go. I love ya!
- Bye!
Elder Eddy
Monday, September 6, 2010
Email Home September 6 2010
Well, this week went well, I think I'm getting used to Flushing. Hopefully this week we'll be able to step it up. I really wanna figure out how to inspire my district to become the best they can be. I know that's not something that happens overnight and I've certainly got room to improve, I just want us all including myself to keep improving. I also need to learn to deal with the small things like reporting numbers and records... Organization in general. That's my next goal.
We had a baptism yesterday. Sister Xiong Lin Lin. I couldn't make it to the baptism though - The bishop wanted me in a meeting. This is an interesting ward... But I've decided to deal with it differently than I did a year ago. I think last summer I blamed a lot of things on the ward. Now I'm trying to just worry about my part.
Last Sunday David Archuletta came to our ward. I didn't recognize him of course and just assumed he was a new member, then a member scared him out. Later that evening we ran into a guy who was captured by the taliban for7 months because he protected an american - he was a new york times reporter. Tahir Ruddin or something. He thought our church was great because we had polygamy - he has two wives. I love meeting Muslims. We both realize we're not trying to convert each other so it's easy to just have a friendly conversations like civilized people. christians can be some of the most annoying people. We also ran into one of the counselors in the Brooklyn Chinese branch presidency.
A guy, Cayden came into church yesterday. A couple weeks ago he started taking the lessons through the phone at the churches referral center and so he already knows everything. He'll be baptized in two weeks.
Another man we met on the street, Chen Qi, was really worried about meeting with us. He thought we were a crazy cult and were gonna take him into the church and hurt him and leave hi there. We set a baptismal date later that day. The next time we met he asked if polygamy was aloud. I said, as usual, sometimes god permits it, but not anymore. Then I asked why he wanted to know. He said he's got 3 girls he likes and wants to marry all of them. He asked how do we know if God will give permission for polygamy. I said a Prophet will tell us. He wanted to know how fast I could help him ask the Prophet.
Well, not a whole lot else has happened but I love you all. You have a good week :)
- Elder Eddy
We had a baptism yesterday. Sister Xiong Lin Lin. I couldn't make it to the baptism though - The bishop wanted me in a meeting. This is an interesting ward... But I've decided to deal with it differently than I did a year ago. I think last summer I blamed a lot of things on the ward. Now I'm trying to just worry about my part.
Last Sunday David Archuletta came to our ward. I didn't recognize him of course and just assumed he was a new member, then a member scared him out. Later that evening we ran into a guy who was captured by the taliban for7 months because he protected an american - he was a new york times reporter. Tahir Ruddin or something. He thought our church was great because we had polygamy - he has two wives. I love meeting Muslims. We both realize we're not trying to convert each other so it's easy to just have a friendly conversations like civilized people. christians can be some of the most annoying people. We also ran into one of the counselors in the Brooklyn Chinese branch presidency.
A guy, Cayden came into church yesterday. A couple weeks ago he started taking the lessons through the phone at the churches referral center and so he already knows everything. He'll be baptized in two weeks.
Another man we met on the street, Chen Qi, was really worried about meeting with us. He thought we were a crazy cult and were gonna take him into the church and hurt him and leave hi there. We set a baptismal date later that day. The next time we met he asked if polygamy was aloud. I said, as usual, sometimes god permits it, but not anymore. Then I asked why he wanted to know. He said he's got 3 girls he likes and wants to marry all of them. He asked how do we know if God will give permission for polygamy. I said a Prophet will tell us. He wanted to know how fast I could help him ask the Prophet.
Well, not a whole lot else has happened but I love you all. You have a good week :)
- Elder Eddy
Email Home July 5 2010
Sorry about last week. I was trying to find some information for a member moving to Iowa. He doesn't speak English but still wants to go to church. Outside of work he won't have much freedom (he can't drive) so he intends on studying English. He should be fine. I'm living proof you can understand most everything that goes in in church after a year.
Tuesday in tranfers. I'm staying in Brooklyn, still district leader, and I'll be training an American from Utah. Tomorrow brings lots of changes. Members I'm close to moving, switching companions after 4 and a half months, training etc. But It'll be good. Elder Gabrielsen had to do this about a year ago to - switch from being the white guy who sat shotgun, to leading the lessons. He said he never has really had much equal time during lessons.
I've learned a lot about charity this last month or so, how much a difference you can make in somebody's life by loving them. Their physical situations might not change much, but when they know you and God love them they themselves change.
We didn't do anything for the forth of July. We taught some people and them went home. Elder Cui had to pack up so I didn't see a single firework... but it doesn't bother me.
As another transfer comes to an end there's missionaries who are close to going home. Some can't wait to go back... Some younger missionaries say they're jealous. I sometimes can't help and think about home... No offense but I feel like I don't ever wanna go back. I feel like if I went a day without Chinese I would be lost. I guess I should feel that right now. God wants me to focus on them and the work. But you are my eternal family, and I'm so grateful for that. I know that you need me and I need you.
Well, I think that's it for this week.
- Love ya
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
Tuesday in tranfers. I'm staying in Brooklyn, still district leader, and I'll be training an American from Utah. Tomorrow brings lots of changes. Members I'm close to moving, switching companions after 4 and a half months, training etc. But It'll be good. Elder Gabrielsen had to do this about a year ago to - switch from being the white guy who sat shotgun, to leading the lessons. He said he never has really had much equal time during lessons.
I've learned a lot about charity this last month or so, how much a difference you can make in somebody's life by loving them. Their physical situations might not change much, but when they know you and God love them they themselves change.
We didn't do anything for the forth of July. We taught some people and them went home. Elder Cui had to pack up so I didn't see a single firework... but it doesn't bother me.
As another transfer comes to an end there's missionaries who are close to going home. Some can't wait to go back... Some younger missionaries say they're jealous. I sometimes can't help and think about home... No offense but I feel like I don't ever wanna go back. I feel like if I went a day without Chinese I would be lost. I guess I should feel that right now. God wants me to focus on them and the work. But you are my eternal family, and I'm so grateful for that. I know that you need me and I need you.
Well, I think that's it for this week.
- Love ya
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
Email Home June 7 2010
Here's Ben's latest letter.....I knew he would not mention it....but he has been given the added responsibility of being the district leader now. So keep him in your prayers please.
Well, where to start. Sorry about the lack of letters. I keep finding all my P-Day time slipping away!
Here's some pics on the Brooklyn Bridge. that's what we did two weeks ago... then I got us lost of the subway going home and so we didn't have time to email...
The we had memorial day. We went to John Lam's house for a Branch BBQ. No Hotdogs/Hamburgers. Shrimp and beef covered in green stuff. But it tasted fine.
We also had the chance to take Chen Long to the temple. He seemed to really enjoy baptisms for the dead.
I gave a talk, it went pretty well... It'll be a breeze to do a talk in English now :)
we've commited Lin Hao and Lin Bin for baptism on the 26th. No, they're not related. We may end up commiting another Lin, also not related. We had set a date of june 5th for Lin Hao but he didn't seem to commited and occassionally had some Word of Wisdom problems so we dropped the date... he called on the 4th to see if the was getting baptized the next day, so things are going better for him.
I tihnk Elder Cui's doing better with his parent situation, at least his attitude towards it... But his prejudice towards fujianese people keeps getting worse. He bore a 10+ minute testimony criticizing Fujianese people - who make up 3/4 of investigators and 1/3 of the ward. So, one problem pushed aside only to unveil another... I just try to take things one step at a time. Elder Cui really likes me which is good. I I really like him too... most of the time.
I've really come to love Alma:26. I love what Ammon says in verse ...3. He says something like the great bessling they recieved was the being tools in God's hands to bring about his work. I couldn't agree more. I don't care what influence my mission has on future career/wife/etc, as long as I can use whatever I have to better serve the Lord.
Well, I let you go with that.
I love you
Well, where to start. Sorry about the lack of letters. I keep finding all my P-Day time slipping away!
Here's some pics on the Brooklyn Bridge. that's what we did two weeks ago... then I got us lost of the subway going home and so we didn't have time to email...
The we had memorial day. We went to John Lam's house for a Branch BBQ. No Hotdogs/Hamburgers. Shrimp and beef covered in green stuff. But it tasted fine.
We also had the chance to take Chen Long to the temple. He seemed to really enjoy baptisms for the dead.
I gave a talk, it went pretty well... It'll be a breeze to do a talk in English now :)
we've commited Lin Hao and Lin Bin for baptism on the 26th. No, they're not related. We may end up commiting another Lin, also not related. We had set a date of june 5th for Lin Hao but he didn't seem to commited and occassionally had some Word of Wisdom problems so we dropped the date... he called on the 4th to see if the was getting baptized the next day, so things are going better for him.
I tihnk Elder Cui's doing better with his parent situation, at least his attitude towards it... But his prejudice towards fujianese people keeps getting worse. He bore a 10+ minute testimony criticizing Fujianese people - who make up 3/4 of investigators and 1/3 of the ward. So, one problem pushed aside only to unveil another... I just try to take things one step at a time. Elder Cui really likes me which is good. I I really like him too... most of the time.
I've really come to love Alma:26. I love what Ammon says in verse ...3. He says something like the great bessling they recieved was the being tools in God's hands to bring about his work. I couldn't agree more. I don't care what influence my mission has on future career/wife/etc, as long as I can use whatever I have to better serve the Lord.
Well, I let you go with that.
I love you
Email Home May 3 2010
大家好！
Well, we started doing english tutoring alongside of teaching english classes. Honestly the classes aren't to effective for teachign english OR finding investigators. Nobody really wants to learn english, they just want to memorize sentences that'll get them through their daily lives. The already have the vocabulary to do so, they've just never bothered to learn any grammar, so all their memorized words don't help them much when it comes time to use them.
I ordained Chen Long on sunday - I was a little nervous, I've never done it in english OR chinese... and my first time confirming didn't go to well. But the ordaning went just fine.
Chen Long's awesome. He really wants to go on a mission and is a bit dissapointed he has to wait a year. It's cool to see the changes he's made in the last little bit. When we first met him he was smoking, had a couple earrings, some ugly necklaces, a tatoo on his arm, and seemed so unsure, hopeless and... jittery. the earrings and necklaces are gone (we didn't even tell him to take them off), he much more collected and now he has purpose. He came to america when he was 16 and has been working in chinese restaraunts for 6 years - a common story for fujianese people. He just needs hope for the future, to realize he doesn't have to do the whole restaraunt thing til the day he dies like most fujianese people. he'll have to learn english though, so pray for him.
Sometimes I feel so limited. I wanna go and help all these fujianese people... But I guess I just have to accapt what I can do. Like Alma when he talked about wishing he was an angel.
No, I haven't got any packages yet. If the packages don't come before thursday mornings I usually won't get them for another week.
I guess I call call at 4:30 NY time.
It's starting to get to the point where you can feel the humitity when you go out. Yuck.
Elder Cui and I have been talking a lot about... doing something good in the world. He's convinced I'm gonna be some great politician or something. I'd say the same about him. He really has a good heart, but it's been through a lot to get that way, and still has a lot going up against it.
I've got to find some talks for my investigators to read.
I love you all,
- 狄俊明长老
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
Well, we started doing english tutoring alongside of teaching english classes. Honestly the classes aren't to effective for teachign english OR finding investigators. Nobody really wants to learn english, they just want to memorize sentences that'll get them through their daily lives. The already have the vocabulary to do so, they've just never bothered to learn any grammar, so all their memorized words don't help them much when it comes time to use them.
I ordained Chen Long on sunday - I was a little nervous, I've never done it in english OR chinese... and my first time confirming didn't go to well. But the ordaning went just fine.
Chen Long's awesome. He really wants to go on a mission and is a bit dissapointed he has to wait a year. It's cool to see the changes he's made in the last little bit. When we first met him he was smoking, had a couple earrings, some ugly necklaces, a tatoo on his arm, and seemed so unsure, hopeless and... jittery. the earrings and necklaces are gone (we didn't even tell him to take them off), he much more collected and now he has purpose. He came to america when he was 16 and has been working in chinese restaraunts for 6 years - a common story for fujianese people. He just needs hope for the future, to realize he doesn't have to do the whole restaraunt thing til the day he dies like most fujianese people. he'll have to learn english though, so pray for him.
Sometimes I feel so limited. I wanna go and help all these fujianese people... But I guess I just have to accapt what I can do. Like Alma when he talked about wishing he was an angel.
No, I haven't got any packages yet. If the packages don't come before thursday mornings I usually won't get them for another week.
I guess I call call at 4:30 NY time.
It's starting to get to the point where you can feel the humitity when you go out. Yuck.
Elder Cui and I have been talking a lot about... doing something good in the world. He's convinced I'm gonna be some great politician or something. I'd say the same about him. He really has a good heart, but it's been through a lot to get that way, and still has a lot going up against it.
I've got to find some talks for my investigators to read.
I love you all,
- 狄俊明长老
Elder Benjamin James Eddy
Email Home February 8 2010
About the Suits, elder Law, he'll be heading home soon, he has 3 suits and says he'll give me 2. No, I didn't ask for them, he volunteered. Oh, I bought some white pants at the distribution center at the temple, sister Lai will fix em up for me.
Lynn is doing well. She admitted she's starting to beleive (after months). She's been refusing tea from her mom. We asked why. She said 'because it's a rule'. Elder Gabrielsen kept asking why. She said because she has faith. The ward's been really good about fellowshipping her so maybe we'll get a baptismal date soon :)
Elder gabrielsen says the quality of baptisms is based on the quality of missionaries teaching. He says the only people who have stayed active are the ones that he taught with me or Elder Graham. He says it's because it was those times where BOTH people in the companionship were obedient and were out there for the right reasons. I can't really tell you how my mission is going, but that's Elder Gabrielsen's opinion.
Ummm... My brithday went well. We went to Outback Steakhouse. Ummm... Not much is going on. I tihnk we're finally picking up some new investigators through english class. We don't get much success from tracting or talking to people on the street. we warm people up to us through english class and then invite them to learn about the gospel.
I love you all. Tell Mady thanks for the letters.
Love - Elder Eddy
Lynn is doing well. She admitted she's starting to beleive (after months). She's been refusing tea from her mom. We asked why. She said 'because it's a rule'. Elder Gabrielsen kept asking why. She said because she has faith. The ward's been really good about fellowshipping her so maybe we'll get a baptismal date soon :)
Elder gabrielsen says the quality of baptisms is based on the quality of missionaries teaching. He says the only people who have stayed active are the ones that he taught with me or Elder Graham. He says it's because it was those times where BOTH people in the companionship were obedient and were out there for the right reasons. I can't really tell you how my mission is going, but that's Elder Gabrielsen's opinion.
Ummm... My brithday went well. We went to Outback Steakhouse. Ummm... Not much is going on. I tihnk we're finally picking up some new investigators through english class. We don't get much success from tracting or talking to people on the street. we warm people up to us through english class and then invite them to learn about the gospel.
I love you all. Tell Mady thanks for the letters.
Love - Elder Eddy
Email Home Hanuary 11 2010- For Everyone
I had a weird dream a few nights ago. I went home. It was all pretty normal, everyone was happy to see me. I sat down to rest for a minute then I realized it was only janurary 2010! I had to get back! I kinda freaked out and panicked. I found a phone and tried to dial the number I had when I was in flushing - the only number I've memorized. but I kept dialing it wrong! I kept saying it over and over but dialing the wrong numbers. I was so scared. I had to get back to New York. after dialing over and over I woke up and was still shaking.
I kinda laugh about it now and realize it was a very Wizard of Oz-ish ending. haha. But I wasn't trying to go home. I was trying to leave.
Lian Xiao Jun was baptized on sunday. I'll throw in a picture of her. She's way awesome. We hardly had to do any actual teaching. She was the one who asked to be baptized. Now she wants to know when our next temple trip is. She already knows she can't go to the one on saturday because she won't be confirmed yet but she wants to know when next month's is. We haven't even planned it with the branch president yet. So, she's super awesome. I'll attach a picture.
Umm... i don't know what I want for my birthday. the only useful things might be money or... new white pants. But those will have to be hemmed. I think I'll just buy some on our next temple trip and have sister Lai hem them. Music's great. I LOVE the cd you got me for Christmas. Maybe the Testaments dvd. I would love to lend that to some recent converts or investigators. mayebe general conference on dvd for the same purpose. as long as there's mandarin. (but do not send me legacy :))
ummm... I don't care. Toiletries and food are useful, but if I get money you don't have to ship anything :)
Ummm...
Love you all, have a great week!
- Elder Eddy
I kinda laugh about it now and realize it was a very Wizard of Oz-ish ending. haha. But I wasn't trying to go home. I was trying to leave.
Lian Xiao Jun was baptized on sunday. I'll throw in a picture of her. She's way awesome. We hardly had to do any actual teaching. She was the one who asked to be baptized. Now she wants to know when our next temple trip is. She already knows she can't go to the one on saturday because she won't be confirmed yet but she wants to know when next month's is. We haven't even planned it with the branch president yet. So, she's super awesome. I'll attach a picture.
Umm... i don't know what I want for my birthday. the only useful things might be money or... new white pants. But those will have to be hemmed. I think I'll just buy some on our next temple trip and have sister Lai hem them. Music's great. I LOVE the cd you got me for Christmas. Maybe the Testaments dvd. I would love to lend that to some recent converts or investigators. mayebe general conference on dvd for the same purpose. as long as there's mandarin. (but do not send me legacy :))
ummm... I don't care. Toiletries and food are useful, but if I get money you don't have to ship anything :)
Ummm...
Love you all, have a great week!
- Elder Eddy
Email Home January 11 2010
Another exerpt from an email Ben sent to me..
I gave a talk too! I left my notes in my english scriptures at the pad. So I gave my talk without notes in mandarin. It went ok. The 90+ year old lady, sister Lok, came up to me and told me my mandarin's really good. Though giving the talk was scary, I think it was good for me. People seemed to understand what I was talking about. (Which was exaltation. weird topic for sacrament meeting. weird talk to to assign somebody who can only read the book of mormon... which doesn't talk about exaltation)
I gave a talk too! I left my notes in my english scriptures at the pad. So I gave my talk without notes in mandarin. It went ok. The 90+ year old lady, sister Lok, came up to me and told me my mandarin's really good. Though giving the talk was scary, I think it was good for me. People seemed to understand what I was talking about. (Which was exaltation. weird topic for sacrament meeting. weird talk to to assign somebody who can only read the book of mormon... which doesn't talk about exaltation)
Email Home November 23 2009
Here's a little exerpt from one of Ben's emails to me...
Things are getting better, but I'll most likely be split with elder chen next transfer. We commited a couple to baptism on december 6th though :)
It's so great to see people change. and the change is so apparent in chinese people. christianity is just something they've never considered before, but if you can get them to start praying and reading the book of mormon, you can probably get them baptized. It's like starting from a clean slate. All you have to do is get them to have thier own spiritual experiences and it just clicks.
Well, I've got other letters to read and write, so, thanks for writing me, no matter how 'sucky' you do it. Love ya!
- Elder Eddy
Things are getting better, but I'll most likely be split with elder chen next transfer. We commited a couple to baptism on december 6th though :)
It's so great to see people change. and the change is so apparent in chinese people. christianity is just something they've never considered before, but if you can get them to start praying and reading the book of mormon, you can probably get them baptized. It's like starting from a clean slate. All you have to do is get them to have thier own spiritual experiences and it just clicks.
Well, I've got other letters to read and write, so, thanks for writing me, no matter how 'sucky' you do it. Love ya!
- Elder Eddy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)