We had our primary program too :) I love primary :) It was interesting though, all the parts were in mandarin or Cantonese, all spoken by abc's (American born Chinese) who speak more English than Chinese, and all the songs were in English. And our primary's pretty small; each kid probably had to go up 2 or three times. But it went great, the kids were heard in the back of the chapel and that's what's important right?
I also really love the primary songs... I wish I could just use them to teach people. They present doctrine so simply and you really could feasibly teach the doctrines of the lessons with a couple primary songs :)
Well, transfers are tomorrow, and I'm step-popping (being his second companion) elder Chen. So my mandarin will SKYROCKET next transfer, I hope for his sake I can help him improve his English. He's a good guy... but we'll probably be using dictionaries to talk to each other.
Umm... Raymond Lin is moving to Connecticut for 2 weeks (yes Chinese people do that here) but when he comes back we can start teaching him again. Urrggghhhh... I just feel bad for Chinese people. Their whole lives are about work - that is their first priority. I've really learned to love the middle class - because i've seen how ideal it is. In china there is none, just rich and poor.
Honestly not much has happened this week, hopefully I'll have some more to report on next week :)
Thanks for the letters, I love all you!
- Elder Eddy
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Email Home October 19th 2009
Well, works going good. Raymond invited some friends of his to church on sunday, and that's always good. You know at that point they don't think we're crazy :)
Yeah I'm getting other peoples letters, but I haven't got any from the wheelers yet. The address is:
85-69 60th drive
elmhurst, ny 11373
I even got a reply from my mtc companion in taiwan, so letters are getting to me.
Well, the greenwood cemetary was pretty cool, and I think we're going to some cool places today, so I should have some pictures for you next week :)
Yes I do get more dinner appointments here... but honestly chinese food is gross. It's very boring or really gross. It's stuff you eat to survive or because you're sick - not to enjoy eating.
I don't think we realize as regular members just how important members are in missionary work. In places with lots of mormons the missionaries CAN'T tract or find people on the street, that would be a waste. All investigators have to come from members in utah/idaho. In New York, sure you can find people on the street, but once they're baptized they're supposed to be in the members hands... not the case here though. Because the church is so weak here president wants us to continue to meet with recent converst once a week for 6 months.
I've also realized some important things lately.
Yeah I'm getting other peoples letters, but I haven't got any from the wheelers yet. The address is:
85-69 60th drive
elmhurst, ny 11373
I even got a reply from my mtc companion in taiwan, so letters are getting to me.
Well, the greenwood cemetary was pretty cool, and I think we're going to some cool places today, so I should have some pictures for you next week :)
Yes I do get more dinner appointments here... but honestly chinese food is gross. It's very boring or really gross. It's stuff you eat to survive or because you're sick - not to enjoy eating.
I don't think we realize as regular members just how important members are in missionary work. In places with lots of mormons the missionaries CAN'T tract or find people on the street, that would be a waste. All investigators have to come from members in utah/idaho. In New York, sure you can find people on the street, but once they're baptized they're supposed to be in the members hands... not the case here though. Because the church is so weak here president wants us to continue to meet with recent converst once a week for 6 months.
I've also realized some important things lately.
3rd Nephi 12: 48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.What is our ultimate goal? to become like God. but is that what we're working towards? Or have we reached plateaus of complacency? We need to be continually throughout our lives to try and become more like God and the Savior. In Preach My Gospel at the end of the christlike attributes chapter they've got this: http://broadcast.lds.org/Missionary/PreachMyGospel___13_06_ChristlikeAttributes__36617_eng_013.pdf
and it's really helped me to see measurable ways I can improve. also the missionary handbook sections on companions, I think has great advice on how we can improve relationships with anyone.
I love you all, have a good week, byebye!
- 狄长老
and it's really helped me to see measurable ways I can improve. also the missionary handbook sections on companions, I think has great advice on how we can improve relationships with anyone.
I love you all, have a good week, byebye!
- 狄长老
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
EmailS Home October 12th 2009
I really enjoy Brooklyn. It's got a different vibe about it. And I really feel the Lord is watching over this part of the vineyard. The Branch president is really dedicated to his calling - he's so awesome. and the branch, though pretty much all first generation members, functions pretty well. Kind of a rare thing for new york.
The mission president is gonna work with stake leaders in getting missionaries more involved in the wards. and training leaders here. Because except for the west-coast Mormons who are here for school, there's not too many people who... know how the church works.
But our little branch is great :)
Mercury and Raymond are progressing well and hopefully we can set baptismal dates this week.
I love you all!
- Elder Eddy
What is up with us? Why do we like Halloween so much? And why are we amused by the macabre? It doesn't make any sense! I'm a little sad that I'll miss two Halloweens, but what I'm doing right now is a lot more important than dressing up and going to haunted houses.
That's good that James loves dogs, it always made me sad that Zac was scared of them growing up - Of course he had a good reason to be, but it still made me sad because dogs are usually so happy and playful :)
I don't know how things are going with Danny. He's only available on Sunday so he just comes to church and then Elder Lam talks to him in Cantonese, and I either talked with Mercury or Raymond, our mandarin investigators.
Raymond is really cool, he really enjoys learning about the gospel and reading the book of Mormon. and he stayed for all 3 hours of church, and was gonna stay for the baptism afterward but had to head to flushing to go to some religious freedom in china rally or something.
Oh, another thing about Yun Yun (Mercury), she's already investigated before! She investigated with her brother, who was baptized, but is now inactive, and this time it was three friends who were just baptized who invited her to investigate. So we've basically just gotta review and help her build a testimony again.
So, I guess that's all for this week, thanks for the letters, love ya!
- Elder Eddy
The mission president is gonna work with stake leaders in getting missionaries more involved in the wards. and training leaders here. Because except for the west-coast Mormons who are here for school, there's not too many people who... know how the church works.
But our little branch is great :)
Mercury and Raymond are progressing well and hopefully we can set baptismal dates this week.
I love you all!
- Elder Eddy
What is up with us? Why do we like Halloween so much? And why are we amused by the macabre? It doesn't make any sense! I'm a little sad that I'll miss two Halloweens, but what I'm doing right now is a lot more important than dressing up and going to haunted houses.
That's good that James loves dogs, it always made me sad that Zac was scared of them growing up - Of course he had a good reason to be, but it still made me sad because dogs are usually so happy and playful :)
I don't know how things are going with Danny. He's only available on Sunday so he just comes to church and then Elder Lam talks to him in Cantonese, and I either talked with Mercury or Raymond, our mandarin investigators.
Raymond is really cool, he really enjoys learning about the gospel and reading the book of Mormon. and he stayed for all 3 hours of church, and was gonna stay for the baptism afterward but had to head to flushing to go to some religious freedom in china rally or something.
Oh, another thing about Yun Yun (Mercury), she's already investigated before! She investigated with her brother, who was baptized, but is now inactive, and this time it was three friends who were just baptized who invited her to investigate. So we've basically just gotta review and help her build a testimony again.
So, I guess that's all for this week, thanks for the letters, love ya!
- Elder Eddy
Emails Home October 5th 2009
你好！
Thanks for the emails! It sounds crazy that James is able to move around in that walker of his... sounds crazy that he's able to do anything but poo/eat/cry etc. Can't wait to see him/you/Matt again :)
Y'know, you had him at a convenient time, you know how far I am in my mission, and I know how old he is.
Oh, I have to correct something from my last email. See I thought Me + in Brooklyn + seeing big bridge = Brooklyn Bridge... Right? Nope, it's the Verazzano bridge or something... connecting to Staten island - not quite as exciting as Manhattan.
So, this transfer has been full of finding. We've hardly had any teaching opportunities. It was getting a little frustrating. But conference weekend brought us three new investigators :) So we'll be able to teach this week :)
Yang Yang and Ching Ching came from flushing yesterday and brought a classmate of theirs, Mercury, whos lives in Brooklyn and told her i could teach her the gospel and baptize her. those two are really good fellowshippers. they've already given elder gabrielsen back in flushing two referrals and me, in Brooklyn one. and they haven't even been members for a month. They just really love the church.
The next is Raymond. he's been here since 2003. He already has some christian background because when he was in high school in china, he had a math teacher who would also squeeze a little Christianity into his classes - totally against the law in most places - but especially china. The teacher was fired but something stuck with Raymond. He really enjoyed conference, and he was invited by a member who's his friend, so he's already got a contact at church. Another thing, he only speaks mandarin and English, convenient for our companionship.
Like you said in your email, having a friend in the gospel is soooo important.
Then there's Danny. He only speaks Cantonese and English. (I really think we're being blessed with investigators we can actually teach together.) He's lived in Brooklyn all his life and has come to church for the last three weeks. He seems really interested.
Then there's another one that I haven't actually talked to yet. I was on exchanges when elder Lam met him.
These investigators have really taught me patience. We spent hours upon hours for three weeks just being rejected on the streets. But in retrospect, I think the Lord lets us have those trials, to see if we're ready for the investigators (/insert blessing of choice here).
The Book of Mormon is so great. I've really had it come alive for me on my mission. Especially Alma the Younger. I'm in first Nephi right now, and can't wait to get back to Alma. he and Amulek teach things so plainly and powerfully. :)
Well, I'll write you letter, thanks for setting up the blog for me :)
我爱你！
-狄长老
Thanks for the emails! It sounds crazy that James is able to move around in that walker of his... sounds crazy that he's able to do anything but poo/eat/cry etc. Can't wait to see him/you/Matt again :)
Y'know, you had him at a convenient time, you know how far I am in my mission, and I know how old he is.
Oh, I have to correct something from my last email. See I thought Me + in Brooklyn + seeing big bridge = Brooklyn Bridge... Right? Nope, it's the Verazzano bridge or something... connecting to Staten island - not quite as exciting as Manhattan.
So, this transfer has been full of finding. We've hardly had any teaching opportunities. It was getting a little frustrating. But conference weekend brought us three new investigators :) So we'll be able to teach this week :)
Yang Yang and Ching Ching came from flushing yesterday and brought a classmate of theirs, Mercury, whos lives in Brooklyn and told her i could teach her the gospel and baptize her. those two are really good fellowshippers. they've already given elder gabrielsen back in flushing two referrals and me, in Brooklyn one. and they haven't even been members for a month. They just really love the church.
The next is Raymond. he's been here since 2003. He already has some christian background because when he was in high school in china, he had a math teacher who would also squeeze a little Christianity into his classes - totally against the law in most places - but especially china. The teacher was fired but something stuck with Raymond. He really enjoyed conference, and he was invited by a member who's his friend, so he's already got a contact at church. Another thing, he only speaks mandarin and English, convenient for our companionship.
Like you said in your email, having a friend in the gospel is soooo important.
Then there's Danny. He only speaks Cantonese and English. (I really think we're being blessed with investigators we can actually teach together.) He's lived in Brooklyn all his life and has come to church for the last three weeks. He seems really interested.
Then there's another one that I haven't actually talked to yet. I was on exchanges when elder Lam met him.
These investigators have really taught me patience. We spent hours upon hours for three weeks just being rejected on the streets. But in retrospect, I think the Lord lets us have those trials, to see if we're ready for the investigators (/insert blessing of choice here).
The Book of Mormon is so great. I've really had it come alive for me on my mission. Especially Alma the Younger. I'm in first Nephi right now, and can't wait to get back to Alma. he and Amulek teach things so plainly and powerfully. :)
Well, I'll write you letter, thanks for setting up the blog for me :)
我爱你！
-狄长老
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Email Home October 6th 2009
你好！
Thanks for the emails! It sounds crazy that James is able to move around in that walker of his... sounds crazy that he's able to do anything but poo/eat/cry etc. Can't wait to see him/you/matt again :)
Y'know, you had him at a convinient time, you know how far I am in my mission, and I know how old he is.
Oh, I have to correct something from my last email. See I thought Me + in Brooklyn + seeing big bridge = Brooklyn Bridge... Right? Nope, it's the Verazano bridge or something... connecting to staten island - not quite as exciting as manhattan.
So, this transfer has been full of finding. We've hardly had any teaching oppurtunities. It was getting a little frustrating. But conference weekend brought us three new investigators :) So we'll be able to teach this week :)
Yang Yang and Ching Ching came from flushing yesturday and brought a classmate of thiers, Mercury, whos lives in brooklyn and told her i could teach her the gospel and baptize her. those two are really good fellowshippers. they've already given elder gabrielsen back in flushing two referals and me, in brooklyn one. and they haven't even been members for a month. They just really love the church.
The next is Raymond. he's been here since 2003. He already has some christian background because when he was in highschool in china, he had a math teacher who would also squeeze a little christianity into his classes - totally against the law in most places - but especially china. The teacher was fired but something stuck with raymond. He really enjoyed conference, and he was invited by a member who's his friend, so he's already got a contact at church. Another thing, he only speaks mandarin and english, convinient for our companionship.
Like you said in your email, having a friend in the gospel is soooo important.
Then there's Danny. He only speaks cantonese and english. (I really think we're being blessed with investigators we can actually teach together.) He's lived in brooklyn all his life and has come to church for the last three weeks. He seems really interested.
Then there's another one that I haven't actually talked to yet. I was on exchanges when elder Lam met him.
These investigators have really taught me patience. We spent hours upon hours for three weeks just being rejected on the streets. But in retrospect, I think the Lord lets us have those trials, to see if we're ready for the investigaros (insert blessing of choice here).
The Book of Mormon is so great. I've really had it come alive for me on my mission. Especially Alma the Younger. I'm in first Nephi right now, and can't wait to get back to Alma. he and Amulek teach things so plainly and powerfully. :)
Well, I'll write you letter, thanks for setting up the blog for me :)
我爱你！
-狄长老
Thanks for the emails! It sounds crazy that James is able to move around in that walker of his... sounds crazy that he's able to do anything but poo/eat/cry etc. Can't wait to see him/you/matt again :)
Y'know, you had him at a convinient time, you know how far I am in my mission, and I know how old he is.
Oh, I have to correct something from my last email. See I thought Me + in Brooklyn + seeing big bridge = Brooklyn Bridge... Right? Nope, it's the Verazano bridge or something... connecting to staten island - not quite as exciting as manhattan.
So, this transfer has been full of finding. We've hardly had any teaching oppurtunities. It was getting a little frustrating. But conference weekend brought us three new investigators :) So we'll be able to teach this week :)
Yang Yang and Ching Ching came from flushing yesturday and brought a classmate of thiers, Mercury, whos lives in brooklyn and told her i could teach her the gospel and baptize her. those two are really good fellowshippers. they've already given elder gabrielsen back in flushing two referals and me, in brooklyn one. and they haven't even been members for a month. They just really love the church.
The next is Raymond. he's been here since 2003. He already has some christian background because when he was in highschool in china, he had a math teacher who would also squeeze a little christianity into his classes - totally against the law in most places - but especially china. The teacher was fired but something stuck with raymond. He really enjoyed conference, and he was invited by a member who's his friend, so he's already got a contact at church. Another thing, he only speaks mandarin and english, convinient for our companionship.
Like you said in your email, having a friend in the gospel is soooo important.
Then there's Danny. He only speaks cantonese and english. (I really think we're being blessed with investigators we can actually teach together.) He's lived in brooklyn all his life and has come to church for the last three weeks. He seems really interested.
Then there's another one that I haven't actually talked to yet. I was on exchanges when elder Lam met him.
These investigators have really taught me patience. We spent hours upon hours for three weeks just being rejected on the streets. But in retrospect, I think the Lord lets us have those trials, to see if we're ready for the investigaros (insert blessing of choice here).
The Book of Mormon is so great. I've really had it come alive for me on my mission. Especially Alma the Younger. I'm in first Nephi right now, and can't wait to get back to Alma. he and Amulek teach things so plainly and powerfully. :)
Well, I'll write you letter, thanks for setting up the blog for me :)
我爱你！
-狄长老
Friday, October 2, 2009
September 29th 2009
Q: How is Brooklyn different from Flushing?
A: There's lots of tall apartments and businesses in flushing, then beat up old houses that serve as ... quadplexes? what do you call a single building that has 4 different adresses? Where's I'm in brooklyn there aren't any houses, just lots of matching buildings, that are only 4 stories tall... but they seriously all look the same. and 8th avenue is covered in chinese signs. Let me just add in a quick note about chinese - Chinese is all written the same, but pronounced differently. Mandarin, Cantonese, Fujianese, Beijingese etc. All look the same, but are pronounced differently. It's just a matter of switching sounds and tones. So it's kind of like having extremely different dialects of the same language. And sometimes the grammer's a little different. Anyways, back to the letter.
Q: Tell us about your companion and other missionaries in your apartment.
A: My companion is Elder Lam (mandarin=Lin), in some ways he's a lot like me, pretty passive and intraverted, but he's a good guy. Y'know those miyazaki movies zac, caroline, and I like, he likes em to. He likes to play soccer, video games, read comics, etc. Elder Baker is from california. Umm... he likes weird indi music, the kind of stuff I would listen to. Elder Lee is an ABC (American Born Chinese), who was in the spanish program, but then the president asked him if he could speak chinese, elder lee said 'a little', so president put him in the chinese program. Elder Lee is loud, and funny. He said last week that me and elder lam combined are louder than him... yeah Umm... We don't have much investigators right now and are spending a lot of time finding... 90% of our time. but it's ok, we've got a baptismal commit :) Other than that not too much is going on. I tried bleaching my shirts and nothing happened. I don't really have time to send a package... I can see about next monday though. Ummm... I guess that's it, bye! Elder Eddy
September 21st 2009
OK, 2 weeks ago was labor day so the library was closed, last week, i was there i got on and read elizabeth's email, but the computers were super slow and when i tried to write you one it kicked me off. Last sunday was transfers and I'm now in Brooklyn with Elder Lam... I never expected to be with him. I like him just fine - but, he doesn't speak mandarin. His dad was in the police force in Hong Kong but when England lost control of Hong Kong they offered him a job in Coventry, so, elder Lam speaks Cantonese. When President Nelson talked to me he kinda said the point of me being with elder Lam is too improve my mandarin and learn a little cantonese. I feel a little bit like I've been thrown out of the frying pan and into the fire :) But it's kind of an exciting prospect.Most people that speak cantonese can also speak/understand mandarin, so I thought I'll be ok there. But, I didn't take into consideration, that while teaching people I'm not able to understand anything my companion or the investigators say... because it's in cantonese. I can understand some words in cantonese... but that's kind of like how i can understand some words in spanish. For instance, we were talking about prophets nd the only words I could understand in the conversation were Prophet, Adam, Moses, and power/strength... So I'll need to get some cantonese in fast.Also, we're pretty much starting a new pool - which means we spend all our time finding - street contacting, tracting, etc.But it'll be exciting. Elder Lam and I are both pretty passive people so we're learning how to get over that. Well, we better be. Oh, I did try to send you a letter this week, I wrote it on monday, but then I moved to brooklyn. I was gonna unpack the letter and send it off, but I couldn't unpack for the 1st 2 days here because elder law and elder chen, who were supposed to move into a new pad, couldn't move yet because the pad hadn't been inspected by the senoir missionaries yet. I could have probably sent it on friday, but I figured you wouldn't get it until about today, so it wouldn't have made much of a difference. Let's not worry about the belts and shirts, it's not a big deal, it's getting cool and i'm wearing sweaters now, and will start wearing suits in october. Well, besides finding people there's not too much going on. You said you wanted to know about the people here? in brooklyn? Depends what street you're on. everybody's got they're own ethnic clusters here and even the chinese people will ask where you ancestors are from. the white people here don't speak english. The spanish are the really strong mormons here who run wards somewhat normally... umm... yeah. Time's almost up, I gotta go. Love ya, bye!-Elder Eddy
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