祝大家中秋節快樂!!
Happy Mid-Autumn Festival everyone!!
I hope everyone is enjoying the weather as it is cooling down from the summer. I can't say it is getting much cooler here in Hong Kong, but I definitely hope so soon :')
Although nothing too crazy happened this week, the transfer has begun with so many things to do.
Firstly, I have gotten the opportunity to organize art posts on the mission Facebook page! It is so cool to see all of the talents of other missionaries, but it has definitely filled my plate with so much coordination and contacting. In addition, since Elder Chen is fluent in Mandarin, he is in charge of managing the mandarin social media page. Even on top of this, we have been assigned to help with editing advertisements made in the zone! Being one of the very few non-trainee companionships in the mission has definitely been noticeable haha.
But the work has been so good! We were able to teach nine lessons and help Mark pass his baptism interview. Unfortunately, some complications came through when Mark did not come to church on Sunday. We could not contact him for hours, and when we finally did it was too late for Bishop to announce his baptism next week (we could have, but it would not have been proper). I lowkey thought that he just ditched. But he had just slept in due to a fever. Due to many reasons such as general conference next week (Hong Kong is a week later because of time change), and also the council of the ward leadership, we have decided to reschedule Mark next month for his baptism.
I named this week as such because I have learned so much from my companion in just this first week. Elder Chen has been on the mission for 21 months, and is on his second to last transfer. He previously served in Tai Po for 9 months, and has shown me so many places I would have never thought to visit.
Apart from just the area, I have learned so much from observing him. One of the most interesting things that I wanted to share was his emphasis on listening. During our lessons with our friends, or even other ward members, he makes a huge emphasis on showing his understanding of their situation before sharing our thoughts. His listening is more than sitting silently and nodding, but rather showing eagerness and sincerity to know more and find a way to help. There is a quote that says,
"No one cares how much you know,
Until they know how much you care."
This cannot be any more true. As he has taught in this way, the people we talk to are so much more receptive and willing to engage in our message. It has been so cool to be able to have this chance to learn from an experienced (and also almost finished!) missionary. They will help me understand not just how to be a missionary, but also the power of becoming like Christ.
//
Lastly, I know this email is getting long but I wanted to share a poem shared in "The Touch of the Masters Hand" by Boyd K. Packer (2001).
Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin, But held it up with a smile:
“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried, “Who’ll start the bidding for me?” “A dollar, a dollar”; then, “Two!” “Only two? Two dollars, and who’ll make it three? Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice; Going for three—”
But no, From the room, far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, And tightening the loose strings, He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer, With a voice that was quiet and low, Said, “What am I bid for the old violin?”
And he held it up with the bow.
“A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two? Two thousand! And who’ll make it three? Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice, And going, and gone!” said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried, “We do not quite understand What changed its worth.”
Swift came the reply: “The touch of a master’s hand.”
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine, A game—and he travels on. He’s “going” once, and “going” twice, He’s “going” and almost “gone.”
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought
By the touch of the Master’s hand.
In what ways are we this violin, humble enough to see our worth? And in what ways could we be the crowd, who is too distracted to fully understand?
//
Not too much is coming up this week over here but I hope you all have a great Mid-Autumn festival and an amazing following week! Stay warm and cozy and I'll see you all next Monday :)
Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/qkaoEe965etiYQuj7
Peacee
趙長老 
