Welcome to Butterfly! June 10, 2013

Well this week has been jam-packed with changes. Transfers were earlier this week so I am no longer in ShaTin. I got moved to the New Territories! My new area is WuhDihp, which means Butterfly! My new companion is Elder Fong. He is a Hong Kong native who doesn't speak English... It has been quite an adjustment. He is awesome though. We both started our missions at the same time, so we are a really young companionship. Hopefully our time together will help my Chinese and him to learn a little English!

So my new are is really nice. The New T's are weird. By that I mean that they aren't stereotypical HK. It is a lot more forresty (that a word?) with huge buildings just coming out of the jungle. Butterfly is on the ocean, so we go to the pier to make new friends. It is beautiful! The salt in the air, the ocean breeze, and the sound of the waves make everything so much more pleasant in the heat of the Summer. I haven't been here for long, but I already love our area!

Since my companion is a native, that has resulted in a few funny things. His old companion forgot to update records before the transfer. So it was up to Elder Fong and I to get the job done. Its hard enough trying to record information about lessons and people when you weren't there, but this time it is even rougher. Elder Fong would tell me what he needed me to write down because he has almost no base in English. So I would listen to him explain the meetings and I would try and record what was important. This is all in Chinese may I remind you, so hopefully I got the gist of things. I wear many hats, and this week I was not only a missionary, but a translator! haha. Having Elder Fong is already helping my language a ton! He is a solid missionary. I have a ton to learn from him. He is a convert himself when he was a teenager. He is now 25! Serving a mission. Talk about an example!

Another thing that happened is there was a bit of a mishap when we had transfers. My suitcases wheels broke so we just ended up having to drag them to our new apartment. Turns out that will burn a whole in your bag pretty quick! I was unpacking and settling in when I noticed not only did my bags disintegrate, but a few white shirts as well! That's what P-days are for I guess. I am now in the market for some baggage and shirts... haha.

Our new apartment is really nice! Word in the mission is that it is one of the nicest apartments. We live on the 31st floor so we have quite the view. Luckily the air conditioner here works just fine, so no more miserable nights without it!

Butterfly is in a different stage of missionary work than in ShaTin. In Shatin, we always had people to meet with and teach. Not a ton, but enough that we stayed pretty busy. Here in Butterfly, the teaching pool is so small. That means that we spend almost our whole day out on the streets trying to meet new people. This can be exhausting, but it is also so rewarding. The last few days we haven't had a ton of luck trying to teach. One thing that does stick out is that even when people don't want to talk, they always make a remark about how happy we are. I think that's success. If people don't know anything else about our church other than that they have missionaries that are really happy, that is success. It can be hard, but smiles make all the difference.

All is well with all the changes that have taken place. There is a lot to do and a lot to learn. Hopefully by next week I will be able to tell you all about the people we meet!

Remember to always do the simple things. Little things lead to big things, whether positive or negative. Just some food for thought.

I think of you all often!

Love,

Elder Woodburn

June, already? June 3, 2013

Family and Friends!!! How is everyone? From what I hear, things are going great for everyone! Summer is always a lot of fun.

Summer in HK as a missionary is just a little different... Still fun, but I have never been this hot in my entire life. And according to our members, it is just going to get worse! It's a lot like a steam shower, only 24-7. Our AC broke for a day, so we had to sleep without it. Not much sleep that night... haha. But I'll quit complaining...

But it has been another great week in 沙田! The transfer is coming to a close this week. Elder Kho and I have had a great couple months. We have had 3 baptisms, which in Hong Kong is straight madness! We have really been working hard. But with all that success, there is a lot of rebuilding to do. Since we don't meet with Peter or Avis as consistently, we have had to do a lot more finding. Finding here is hard work, let me tell you. What is awesome though, especially for white people like me, is that the people here have no expectation of me being able to speak any Chinese! So while finding, I just try to spit out as much Cantonese as I know to get their attention. Surprisingly, it works really well. For only being in HK for 2 months, everyone here is taken back, which is a perfect time to explain why I am learning it. I have come a long way since April language wise. I was just noticing today how much I can pick up. Little stuff like understanding what someone on the bus is talking about makes me happy to realize I have progressed! My English is still good thankfully... haha, but I do notice as I write these emails that I have to consciously not use Chinese grammar... haha that's success. haha.

So besides all the finding that we have been doing, our investigator Harry has been doing great. What I love about Harry is that he always reads what we suggest. He even highlights his favorite parts! Isn't that cool? I think it is... haha. But Harry had the opportunity to come with us to a fireside in Kowloon Tong. It is where all the converts from the last few months come and share their conversion. Calla spoke and did a wonderful job! She is now in the ward's Primary presidency! But back to Harry... He just loved it. I had the opportunity to talk with him, and he talked about the feelings he had as everyone spoke. I tried to help him realize he is starting to recognize the Holy Ghost. He is on track to be baptized next month. We have total confidence in him staying on track. Harry is just a wonderful person, but different than the typical Hong Konger (is that what you call HK people?) He is really laid back and just does things he likes to do. He understands priorities and he never deviates from them. I have a ton of respect for him, especially in this aspect.

Avis and Peter where confirmed this week. It was a really cool experience for both of them. Elder Kho had the opportunity to confirm Peter. All around, it was another special day for them, that's for sure. I don't think I have ever been happier than when I see how much happier those two are now. It isn't just in the way they talk, but more in the way they look. It is hard to explain, but they are just totally new people. The gospel does that. It can make anyone happy knowing they now have a purpose. Missionary work is a happy work.

All is well in this part of the world! Twenty five(ish) new missionaries are flying into HK tomorrow. I am excited to meet them. All from good ole' Provo. The first weeks are extremely tough, so I am looking forward to being able to help empathize with them. It's hard, all around just different. But it's an adventure. Hopefully I can have a small impact on helping them adjust.

No food update, sorry! Only thing that is of note is we found the best Turkish Kabob place in the world. It is ridiculously delicious. Who would of thought? Come to HK, find great Turkish food. haha. They blast this weird hardcore Arabic rap music. A new genre to me... haha. Not in Kansas anymore, that's for sure.

I love you all. Your examples to me have been a great help. I couldn't do it without you. It's tough, but we all can do hard things! Until next week.

Love,

愛

Elder Woodburn

胡 長 老

May 26, 2013

So everyone, another week in the books! It is crazy to me how the days fly by. It helps that we are busy. It takes it out of you, but that's why they call it work, right?

So this week was a shorter one since last week was a long one if we are talking about P-Days, but a lot has happened! I'll do my best to sum it all up. Easier said than done, trying to convey a weeks worth of missionary work in one email...

So this Friday we had the opportunity to hear from an Apostle of the Lord, Elder Neil A. Anderson! He was doing a tour of the missions in Asia and so he was able to stop by and speak to us. The meeting was on the island, which is a completley different world than good ole' 沙 田, that's for sure. So busy, so many high rise buildings, and most of all, sooooo many people. It blew my mind. The church has a 13 story church building there that serves as the Asia HQ for the church, so most of it is for that, but it has all the amenities of a regular church building too. All the missionaries in the mission were invited to the meeting. so we got a mission wide picture with Elder Anderson. He is actually really funny. He cracked tons of jokes. Sometimes we forget that they are just people too, minus the mantle of apostleship... haha. But really it was great as we got to shake his hand and have a quick exchange. Then he talked to us for about and hour. His advice for the China Hong Kong mission: Anchor your lives to Christ. I don't know about you, but it seemed like pretty good advice for everyone. He is a talented speaker, and the spirit he carries with him is undeniable. You can feel it as soon as he walked in to the room. As quickly as he came, he left. It was a quick meeting, but it was a good pump up for everyone. It seemed like everyone was ready just to go back to work, and so that's what we did. The meeting was great, a very special experience with an apostle of the Lord.

The next big thing this week was the baptism of Avis and Peter! It was one of the happiest times of my life. I had flashbacks to my first day in the area. We had the opportunity to teach those two and give them baptismal dates. It was a lot of work and prayer, but they made it! They are really special people and it has been so rewarding working with them. The ward has just adopted them right in. That is one thing about the wards I have seen here in HK, they really are just one big family. Avis and Peter are no exception, just two more to the family. Our stake president baptized them both. While they were changing, Elder Kho and I gave talks. I went first, thinking I wouldn't be able to go for long, but I gave a 10 minute talk all in Chinese!!! So cool. Everyone was just smiling, hopefully because they could understand me. Finally... haha. Avis and Peter bore their testimonies as well. They both did so well. They are solid. So awesome. Hard to describe just how great these two are. Again, one of the happiest days of my life, knowing I played a small part in helping these two experience the happiness the gospel gives.

Other than those two events, the week was pretty normal. Lots of time finding and teaching. Our area is really blessed right now. As for our other investigators... Harry is doing great! He came to the baptism and was able to really feel something. He even said himself he saw a change after the ordinance. He's golden! haha. As for Nick, he went back to mainland for a little vacation and won't be back until the first week of June. Hopefully he keeps his interest. Mainland has a tendency of killing peoples interest in the church. I'm sure he will stick with it though! Everyone is doing great! Calla is still going strong! She got a calling to be in the Primary Presidency yesterday! Striaght to the big leagues... haha. But really, callings are essential in making sure people stay active, and our Bishop is on top of it.

I'm sorry to report, or maybe not so sorry, that I didn't eat anything that weird this week. I was able to play it safe reasonably... haha The idea that authentic is better is false! The Wok in Fallon is not Chinese. If you have no clue what it is that you're eating, that's chinese food! haha. Like I said before, I am positive that I could eat anything. Even a bowl of mac and cheese. That's saying something since I hate cheese! But really, I think I am finally adjusting.

All is well in the land of ShaTin. Still humid and hot, the work is tough, I am still lost in a strange culture and language, but there is no where I would rather be. Thanks for all the support I get from you. It means more than you know!

Also a big congrats to my boy Skye for getting his call to Guatamala! Like his dad before him. The Barton legacy will live on! And Mitch is getting back this week?!?! Didn't he just leave? Time is weird.

Love you all,

Elder Woodurn

胡 長 老

May 22, 2013

So how is everyone doing today??? I'm sorry that my email is a little late, we had to move our P-Day because we went to the temple today! The HK temple was unreal.

 

So how is everything back at home? I really appreciated hearing from everyone. You all seem great!

 

So I have to apologize if my blog is starting to sound more like a tv show off the Food Network, but this week was pretty rough when it comes to food! I learned that Chinese people don't get sarcasm at all. Remember when I ate those baby pigeons? Well, we had them again at that same member's house. He uncovered them and said, "You said you like so much, I have to make again!" I'm working on getting rid of the sarcasm, my stomach will thank me. haha. Do you all remember that century egg stuff I told you all about before I left? Well, this was the week that I finally encountered it. It was hands down the worst thing I have tasted in my life! I have pictures I will send next week, but it is black and the yolk is green. Literally a rotten egg! The worst thing is that it ended up giving me food poisoning, so all of Thursday I was put out of commission. My stomach still isn't back at a 100%, but it's slowly getting there. Lastly, I had the chance of eating Durian. Durian is a gaint fruit that smells like a smelly old man. It tasted like one too. I don't know what is worse, the egg or this fruit. I'll take the fruit though. haha. That's it for food this week, it was pretty rough. The nice thing is I am pretty sure I can eat anything now. Only one way to go and that's up!

So what happened this week? We have been very fortunate to meet with a lot of new investigators this week. One we met a few weeks ago and his name is Harry. Harry looks a lot like an Asian Harry Potter so maybe that's where he got his English name? haha. But really, he is awesome. Loves reading and meeting with us. Elder Kho has been letting me teach most of the lessons to help my language, which can be rough, but Harry was really patient. We were even able to establish a baptismal date! So hopefully we can stay on the path to helping him learn more. Another new investiagtor we were able to meet with is Nick. Nick is from Mainland and just graduated University and is starting to work as a computer programmer. He is hard to understand just because his vocabulary is way refined, but he too is awesome! He is new to Christianity so we have had to start from the very very basics, but he is just soaking it up! All in all, our investigators are all doing great. ShaTin is a very blessed place to work in right now.

Guess what is this Sunday? Avis and Peter's baptism! We are getting ready for that. It has been very cool for me to see their progression. My first lesson in ShaTin was with those two when we established this baptismal goal. And now, here they are about to accomplish it almost two months later! They are great. Pictures to come this Monday!

What else is new in HK? Well summer has officially hit! It has been deathly hot! I am not used to this humidity at all! It may only be 90 degrees out, but add 95% humidity and you are basically in a sauna all day everyday. I knew it was going to be hot, but this hot?!? All is well, I am starting to adjust. I just can't imagine how cold it will be coming back to the states once I'm fully acclimated to this hot and wet weather! It has been raining a ton. Today we actually had black rain. That just means that it rained really hard. The streets tend to turn into rivers. I had no idea it was even possible to rain like it has been! Just one more thing to get used to I guess.

In all, I am doing great! I have been able to see some progress in the language which has been really encouraging. Lots of hard work matched with faith. Like I said, we are seeing a lot of progress as well with the people we have been working with.

I love you all and I hope that I am making you all proud.

Love,

Elder Woodburn

May 13, 2013 - Happy Mother's Day from Hong Kong

Another week come and gone! I can't explain how it happens, but every day is so full and demanding, then before we even know it, I am back in the Library reporting on another week in the promised land of ShaTin. Time can be weird. Not the first time I have said that, and probably wont be the last as a missionary.

So what all went down this week? Well, this week in Hong Kong is the DSE. All "seniors" in high school have their English oral test this week so we had a ton of opportunities to help them prepare for it. Teaching English is so fun for me because I'm fluent... Its nice. haha. But really, it is an awesome experience trying to help other improve. Along with all this English help, we have been able to teach a ton of people. It can be challenging, because of language, but I do my best to stay fully engaged and make it a learning experience for all of us. Peter and Avis have their test today. I am excited to hear how it goes. They are still right on track for their baptisms. The 26th of this month! It has been a cool experience for me to see their progress. As they have progressed in the gospel, it seems like all other areas of their lives have grown too. Just a bonus to all of this is what good friends they are to me. I can joke around with them and it is just so fun. I can't say a ton, but I know enough to give them a hard time. haha.

Aside from teaching, we have had the opportunity to meet and eat with a ton of members and their families. There are some crazy stories from these meals. Last night is a good example. We met with a family who had two dogs, Toffee and Barbie. Barbie loved me and it was so great. I do love dogs. But Toffee didn't care for me too much. At one point she tried to bite me. I was a little freaked out. haha The family just said in broken English, " Oh he playing! He love you, he just sensitive." The family was so great, but Chinese culture can just be a little different. They said I looked like a short and fat Tom Cruise. haha. I guess that's a compliment? Not totally sure. All in all, the members here in ShaTin are great. And I love our meals with them.

One funny story that happened on Saturday to the other Elders, that I have been lucky enough to be a part of is, They met a lady at the church. Turns out that she thought they were rich and could pay here credit card bill. So she asked them for $5000HK. they tried to explain that we don't have money and that we couldn't help her. They got her to leave, but has been calling them nonstop for the past couple days. She has offered us food, kisses, everything, if we can pay her bill! Crazy huh? haha. It may not sound as funny over email, but trust me, it has been really funny listening to her voice mails.

Everyone want a food update? Well this week wasn't that bad. Nothing too crazy, at least I don't think so. I ate this weird steamed octopus/chicken ball thing. It wasn't bad. Maybe I am finally getting adjusted.

The heat is something that I am still adjusting to! It is really heating up here in HK! I'm not quite sure what the temperatures are (no smart phone) but it is so humid. I die. Whenever we go to the church or a members home, they look at me then turn on the air conditioner. haha. Missing the dry Nevada heat, that's for sure.

All in all, it was a great week. Things in ShaTin are going well. Language is still a struggle, but you just try your best. That's all that is really asked. I am beginning to love it here. Still different, but you make the most of it.

That is one thing that I have noticed this past week, you just make the most of it. Things aren't always going to go your way, but as we put ourselves in the right places in the right times, things will work out. Not on our time, but on God's time.

To all the moms, and especially mine, Happy Mothers Day. Mom's are very special people. They do so much for us, a lot that goes unnoticed. I'm thankful for all the moms in my life that have helped me become the person I am today. I love you mom!

Well that's really it. Working hard each and everyday. That's what you do. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, you are all in mine.

Love,

Elder Woodburn

May 6, 2013 - Another week in the Promised Land

As I sit here, trying to think all about the week and what I have done, I think back to reading all of Elder Tommy Stockard's emails home each week. He always started out by saying how it seems like he was just emailing home, that the weeks were really flying. That is exactly how I feel! Where did the week go? Is it already May? Have I already been in ShaTin for over a month? It really is crazy how quickly time passes, especially when you are busy. And yes, we are very very busy.

So does everybody want a little food update? This week I had the pleasure of eating duck feet. Yup, that's right. Don't get me wrong, duck can be great, but the feet? Unlike the pigeon, I couldn't find a way to enjoy it. But I did eat it, webbings and all! haha. Just thought I would let you all know how different the cuisine is. I guess that isn't normal, most of the older missionaries I live with said that they have never had them. So I am one lucky missionary.

But as for the rest of the week, it was a great one. Peter and Avis are doing awesome! They have their baptism coming up in a little under three weeks. The nice thing is, we meet with them a lot during the week to help their English because next week they have the HKDSE. It is kind of like the SAT back in the states. But we meet and teach English, then see how they are doing spiritually. Both are doing so well. Keeping all the commandments, reading and praying everyday. I felt like a proud parent to hear them say that! haha. At least I think this is how parents feel. Sunday, I was talking with Avis and I asked him what he was doing this week. He said he was going to go buy a suit. I wasn't sure I heard him right, so I asked, "A suit? What do you need a suit for?" He looked and said, "for my baptism! Gema!" Gema is a ending particle in Cantonese that is sort of like "duh!" haha. So they are really excited. It has been neat for me, because I have gotten to teach both of them, and see their progress. They have progressed so much. Truly a miracle. That's what the gospel is, the ability to change. The ShaTin ward is like a family, and they have just added two more with Avis and Peter.

Another awesome investigator is Harry. We met Harry for the first time this week while we were on exchanges. He said he would come to church that Sunday. On the dot, he showed up for church! It was awesome! Since Elder Kho didn't really know him, I talked with him mostly. That was super hard, because I still don't know Cantonese. If I could gauge my fluency, I would probably say less than 1%. The more I learn, the more I understand that I don't understand a thing. haha. But Harry was super awesome, super patient with me. I hope to be telling you all about Harry next week!

One of my least favorite times of the week is sadly church. Can I say that as a missionary? haha. But really, it can be tough because it is a marathon of words and grammar that I don't understand. Usually I would just zone out, try to catch a word or sentence hear or there. But this week I pulled out a little notebook and tried to catch and write down everything I didn't understand. It made things so much more enjoyable. Hopefully it will help me listen as well! Just a thought, I'm not sure that I have truly listened before my time in HK. Here, I need to focus on every single word and tone just to understand basic meanings and sayings. Think about this, have you ever truly listened? My answer is no, and that I am really working on it!

This Saturday, Elder Kho and I had the opportunity to teach English class. It is a great community service and a great way to meet members of the community. It was nice to speak English. haha. The people here catch on really quick. Probably quicker than I do with Cantonese! haha.

I am feeling great. That feeling has really come through struggles though. This is hands down the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But with that, I don't know that I have ever truly been this happy. Weird to think that I have never been happier in a place that I can't speak or read or listen in. But I am. I am really happy! One thing that has also contributed to that happiness is work. I don't think I have ever really worked before either. But here and now, I am working my so hard. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am doing it! I'll never get to be Wuh Jeung Louh again. So with that perspective, I have really been able to smile when things seem hard or tough.

The Lord loves all his people. That means me, you, and the people of Hong Kong! They are a special people.

I miss and think of you all often, but for now, I am on the Lord's errand.

Love,

Elder Woodburn

Another week in the Promised Land

Well, where to really start? It was another full week. We spent a ton of time finding. Not a ton of success, but there are definitely some good potential. I'll try and give you the highlights from the week and most of them revolve around our time finding people to try and teach.

So in ShaTin, there is a giant racetrack. Horse racetrack. Reminiscent of Churchill Downs where they have the Kentucky Derby, and I can say that because I have been there (Thank you FFA) haha. Fun fact is in the 2008 Olympics, the equestrian events were here in ShaTin. But anyways, we were finding and we accidentally followed some contacts into the racetrack on race day. There were tons of people, so we just kept talking and talking and before we knew it, we were practically watching the race. Not the best place for missionaries to be. haha. So we booked it out of there and stuck to our normal area. Later that day, we had dinner at a member's house. They also invited a couple of other families over from the ward. There were a ton of people in that little apartment. Since there was so many people, they treated it like a special occasion and got some special food... See where this is going? The main course was baby pigeon!!! You heard that correctly, baby pigeon. How did I know that it was pigeon? Because the heads were also on the plates! Plus, my companion told me. haha. So that night I ate two baby pigeons. The worst part was that I rather enjoyed them. It was weird, as we left we saw a couple pigeons flying around. Then it clicked in my brain what I had eaten and I wanted to throw up.... Haha. But really, if you have the opportunity to eat baby pigeon, try it! Another little thing about the food here in HK, well maybe more about table manners. It isn't consider impolite to chew with your mouth open, so I'm still adjusting to that. Also when you eat meat, there are always bones. So what to do with these bones? You spit them onto the table of course! It is very different here... So that is my update on food. haha.

This week we found the sweetest family. I just met them on the street and started talking with them. Turns out the Mom is originally from Main Land and they have two kids. One is just a 9 month year old baby and he is the cutest. Langji as we call them. Means pretty boy. But this family talked to us for a while, then we invited them to come to the English class that we were teaching later that day. What was crazy is, they actually came! That never happens! After class, they told us they want us to come over for dinner next week. Talk about a miracle. I am looking forward to meeting with them more. Just one of the miracles finding.

This week we also started teaching another woman originally from Main Land, her name is Momo. She is also way cool. She is studying to be a nurse and was just another street contact. There is a joke in the mission that all mainlanders are golden. It is a huge generalization, but a ton of our investigators are originally from Main Land. So that is way cool.

Yesterday was Calla's confirmation. It was another special experience. Calla is a very special person. I haven't had the opportunity to teach her very much, but the hand of the Lord has really worked wonders for her. I have realized that sometimes it can be difficult seeing the blessings in our own lives, but as a missionary, we have the opportunity to see those blessings in the lives of others. Way cool. But Calla is great, she is even helping us get Avis, her younger brother, get ready to be baptized in late May. Avis is just as awesome. He is the equivalent to a Senior in High School. Super great. We are meeting with him a couple times this week. Really looking forward to that.

Things can be tough sometimes, but there are miracles happening everyday. They truly are. Sometimes you just have to push through the hard parts to realize it. I am starting to understand just a little as we go throughout our days. Cantonese is hard. But it will come. Just got to have patience, only problem is I want patience right now... I'll keep working on it. haha.

I hope these emails give you a small idea of how my weeks are, but truly it is hard to put into words this mission experience. Even when I get home, I don't think I could quite convey it. Just know that things here are great. Its hard, but it is worth it. This work is true. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't. Love you all.

愛

Love,

胡長老

Elder Woodburn