Same Area, New Companion (Round 2)

Hello all!  I am sorry if this week is a short email.  Its definitely been a bit crazy with transfers and all the other stuff going on here.  My new companion is Elder Decker. Its funny because I knew him in the MTC, and now we are companions.  Its definitely different from my last two companions, but also in a good way.  I am very glad to be serving with him.  We will get work done, and I know good things will happen.  I am very glad to be here in Edmonton and to have the chance to share my testimony with those around me.  This week has been a big week of self-inspection as I try to set goals and plans for myself to become the missionary I want to be and the man I want to be after my mission.  I am grateful for my mission already, and the changes it has brought me to. I am grateful for the effect of  Christ's Atonement in my life, especially as I grow to understand the true depth and reach of the Atonement in changing every person's life.  I am so grateful for all of you, for all my friends and all my family.  I love and miss every one of you and hope you are doing well in your pursuits.  Have a great week!

Fat Makes Humility-Chinese Proverb

From April 14, 2015

Ok, so that isn't really a Chinese Proverb.  At least an old one.  But it is what a Chinese member told me at English class this week.  This particular member often teases me and calls me zeng pang pang, (fat fat Ethington).  He was telling me something about my Chinese, and I told him that it was bad, and he said that in Chinese.  And explained, if you tell a fat person, you eat a lot, they say, "no, I only eat a little"...  But I'm keeping the saying.

So this week has been very slow again.  We met with a few Less Active Members, but it has been hard to keep some motivation to be out all the time.  I was expecting this to be my last week in the area, but I found out this morning that I will stay, with a new companion.  I will serve with Elder Decker, and Elder Brown will go to the South to serve in one half of the stake with Elder Liu.  Which nobody saw coming.

Other than that, not much has happened this week. I am excited for a new companion, and the chance to work with more people.  Keep praying for us!

Elder Ethington

Finals Week: It Hits Missionaries Too

So this has been a slow week. It being finals week, we haven't been able to meet with too many of our investigators, most of whom are students. But we were asked to help on a few projects to review the English. So we did have some work.  Just not very many Gospel lessons.  

Other than that, it has been a really good week.  Lots of finding still.  We haven't found any new investigators, but we still are hoping too.

We also were able to go to the temple this morning (hence, the Tuesday P-Day).  I love going to the temple.  I feel so much peace and happiness in the temple, its great!  The blessings that come from the temple and the ordinances that can be performed there are innumerable and eternal. I am so happy to be serving so close to one, where I can see these blessings in the lives of my investigators as well as feel them when I am able to go.

I love and miss you all! Have a great week!

A Jam-Packed Weekend

As you might imagine, this has been a very busy weekend.  With Conference and Easter, its been a great time, and a great spiritual lift.  I had a great chance to watch Conference in the Institute building, where they had a Chinese translation going.  I did not stay for the Chinese translation.  But there were a few people that we knew upstairs watching, and it was great to see how much they enjoyed it.  I really loved the talks that were given, they've given me great study material for the coming weeks!  My favorite talks were on the Prodigal Son, and on Service.  I hope everyone got what they were looking for out of Conference. I know I did, and a few more things I didn't even know I needed.

This week has been good, if not super busy.  We have been doing lots of finding lately, and not much has changed with that.  However, I am doing much better with language study and have gained a super testimony of reading the Book of Mormon as a blessing to learning the language.  As weird as it may seem to some people, it truly does make a difference in the ability to learn.  I don't know why, I just know it does. 

Sorry for the short email this week, aside from Conference and Easter, its been a fairly normal week.  Love and miss you all!

A member made them surprise Easter baskets!