大家新年快樂！Happy Lunar New Years!
龍馬精神 (lùhng máh jīng sàhn) or the title of this email, literally translates to 'dragon horse vitality,' which we use to wish towards everyone we say it to!
Because of the new years, we are having big celebrations in Hong Kong, and it might be a slower week as half of the population go up to Shenzhen and the other half stay in HK but are super busy. It is really cool though because this holiday is bigger than any other ones, so for the first time we really are getting to see all of the different generations of Hong Kong coming out to spend time together.
This weeks email will be a little shorter because we have had a busy busy pday, but I wanted to give a quick update on the mission! It has been a grind of a week cycling through many new people, but it has been so fun seeing the miracles as we are exactly obedient and putting our minds to the work. This week we met a new friend named Colin who was a referral from his grandma who is a member. He wasn't able to be baptized for a while because his parents wouldn't give consent, but just this week he met with us for the first time and he will be able to be baptized! I am so excited to teach and help him learn more about the gospel.
Additionally our friend Mike is on track to be baptized as well! We were able to help him overcome his addictions and I look forward to sharing more about him soon. Since his work schedule is very rigorous, we hope to help him take this first step to Christ within this next week. It is so inspiring and humbling to see the power of prayer and sincere faith as we have been able to teach him.
//
Friday I had the great opportunity to be on exchanges with Elder Brenchley, and it was honestly such a good time to talk about the nuances of missionary work, especially in companionship work and helping others. It gave me time to reflect on my leadership opportunities as well. Although it gave me much to improve on and also think about, I came up this verse in Alma 37:44 during a following personal study.
"For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land."
The word of Christ and this gospel is easy and straightforward but we must make sure we give heed to this compass! All of our questions will be answered as we turn to Him and follow in His footsteps.
//
I hope you all have had a great Valentines Day and Lunar New Years as well! Thank you all for your prayers for my grandmother and your kind emails :)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qkaoEe965etiYQuj7
See you next week!
趙長老
