This was a CRAZY week for us in every way possible.
First, we were running around all week trying to get things ready for the Chinese New Years party that the family ward and branch we work with were putting on. We were running invites around, visiting members and encouraging them to come, spent some time doing service for a semi-active member to help her get food prepared, made some decorations. It was crazy. But it turned out soo well! Around 120 people came, which was WAY more than we were expecting. We had some Chinese dancers perform, there was tons of food (an honest loaves and fishes miracle, considering the tiny budget we were working with, an answer to many prayers on our part). It was such a success that they've agreed to do it again next year and to provide a bigger budget. Success! We really wanted to get this started as an annual way to get the Chinese members more integrated in the ward and help them feel needed. It's going to be so good for our members! So happy! Also, on the huge success front, TONS of non-members came. Super success!
Second, WE HAD TWO BAPTISMS THIS WEEK! Isabella, who's been investigating since September finally got baptized on Saturday. The weather did everything it could to keep the baptism from going through (a practical blizzard took place the night before) but things worked out! The font did start draining during the service though, which was way strange. Sunday, our investigator Yushi got baptized. There was a bit of a fiasco with the font there too. The principle of delegation failed as the font didn't get filled up. So when we discovered that the font was empty after Sacrament Meeting and only half an hour until the service was supposed to start, things got crazy trying to get it filled with water in time. Usually it takes over an hour to fill, but with the help of nearly every member of the branch, tons of sinks, utility faucets attached to hoses, and drinking fountains in combinations with over 30 water pitchers, a big blue bucket, and several GIANT pots, we got it filled in only 30 minutes. Ain't nothing going to stop our investigators from getting blessings! So after a crazy start with tons of dashing back and forth through the hallway, several water spills, and a near flood in the utility closet, Yushi had a great baptismal service.
And thirdly, we got a call from the AP's last night for transfers. I'll be heading off to Toronto to serve in the Bayview Mandarin Ward. I'll be companions with Sister Connor, who's been there for the past three transfers. Sister Willoughby and Sister Mak will be staying here in KW. And Sister Hsiung and Leung will be coming here as well to open a new Chinese area! They will actually be sharing the area with Sister Willoughby and Mak, and will just have to battle it out for investigators. Who you find, you teach! Crazy!
Hope y'all are doing welll! Check out my latest pictures in the blog.
Love ya!
Sister Makena Bauss
包爱蕾姐妹
First, we were running around all week trying to get things ready for the Chinese New Years party that the family ward and branch we work with were putting on. We were running invites around, visiting members and encouraging them to come, spent some time doing service for a semi-active member to help her get food prepared, made some decorations. It was crazy. But it turned out soo well! Around 120 people came, which was WAY more than we were expecting. We had some Chinese dancers perform, there was tons of food (an honest loaves and fishes miracle, considering the tiny budget we were working with, an answer to many prayers on our part). It was such a success that they've agreed to do it again next year and to provide a bigger budget. Success! We really wanted to get this started as an annual way to get the Chinese members more integrated in the ward and help them feel needed. It's going to be so good for our members! So happy! Also, on the huge success front, TONS of non-members came. Super success!
Second, WE HAD TWO BAPTISMS THIS WEEK! Isabella, who's been investigating since September finally got baptized on Saturday. The weather did everything it could to keep the baptism from going through (a practical blizzard took place the night before) but things worked out! The font did start draining during the service though, which was way strange. Sunday, our investigator Yushi got baptized. There was a bit of a fiasco with the font there too. The principle of delegation failed as the font didn't get filled up. So when we discovered that the font was empty after Sacrament Meeting and only half an hour until the service was supposed to start, things got crazy trying to get it filled with water in time. Usually it takes over an hour to fill, but with the help of nearly every member of the branch, tons of sinks, utility faucets attached to hoses, and drinking fountains in combinations with over 30 water pitchers, a big blue bucket, and several GIANT pots, we got it filled in only 30 minutes. Ain't nothing going to stop our investigators from getting blessings! So after a crazy start with tons of dashing back and forth through the hallway, several water spills, and a near flood in the utility closet, Yushi had a great baptismal service.
And thirdly, we got a call from the AP's last night for transfers. I'll be heading off to Toronto to serve in the Bayview Mandarin Ward. I'll be companions with Sister Connor, who's been there for the past three transfers. Sister Willoughby and Sister Mak will be staying here in KW. And Sister Hsiung and Leung will be coming here as well to open a new Chinese area! They will actually be sharing the area with Sister Willoughby and Mak, and will just have to battle it out for investigators. Who you find, you teach! Crazy!
Hope y'all are doing welll! Check out my latest pictures in the blog.
Love ya!
Sister Makena Bauss
包爱蕾姐妹