Elder Brandon Wallace: The Gift of Tongues and 'Merican Thanksgiving!

So the gift of tongues is real. Oh, and happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends!

Well, because me and my companions really don't speak Chinese we have just praying really hard for the gift of tongues. And guess what? IT WORKED! It's insane, I can totally have conversations with people on the street. I understand what they say to me and they understand what I say to them. And I'm able to teach and get the points across that I want with no issues. I'm no where near perfect, and there are still parts that need help, some things I don't understand, or that I can't say; but overall as soon as Monday came around I noticed a tremendous difference. For all my friends learning a language, it really just comes to you one day out of nowhere. Just have faith!

Monday night we were finding in the Metro Town mall (the 2nd biggest mall in Canada, and maybe North America? I don't know, I can't Google it.) and we were just trying to find somebody to talk too. I said a prayer in my heart and asked God if we should stay there or go somewhere else. I just felt that we should stay for just a little bit longer. And lo and behold, I saw Jacky sitting on a bench and sat down and talked to him. He is the coolest Chinese guy ever. His kids are 8, 6, and 4 and just the most adorable things ever. They loved talking to us in Chinese. Jacky loved us so much he bought us all McDonald's right there and wouldn't take no for an answer. We've met with him twice so far and he seems really solid.

Tuesday we teach a scripture class. Normally they have just been going through the whole Book of Mormon chapter by chapter which is fine, but we had a feeling that we needed to change it and instead taught about Lehi's dream. One of our recent converts came up afterwards and said that we answered her prayer. It's amazing how much the spirit really can lead you if you try and listen.

We don't have a lot of solid investigators who can meet often so it's been a LOT of finding this week. It's cold outside here but still fun, and I really do meet so many cool and crazy people all day, it doesn't ever get boring.

Thursday was 'Merican Thanksgiving. It was amazing. We made a pot roast during our weekly planning for our Thanksgiving lunch/dinner. It was really good actually. The other missionaries just had McDonald's and then we walk in with a whole roast and fancy plates and it was really funny.

I'm grateful for so many things, but most of all for my family, friends, this chance to spread the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Chinese people.

Black Friday exists here in Canada too. Just not Thanksgiving. There were SO MANY people at Metro town so finding was really nice. Of course it's nothing compared to the American Black Friday. We really just saw lots of miracles as we followed the Spirit more while finding.

Saturday we went to go see PoPo again. She is the cutest little old lady. She is just hilarious. She has been sick recently so she has been kind of sad, so she was really happy to see us. She really is just like my Chinese Grandma, it's so funny!

Sunday I got to go to Nemo's baptism. I love that kid a lot! He was so excited and he said a little testimony afterwards that was the most awesome thing ever. I forgot my camera but I'll go home and grab it and send a picture of him later. That ward is awesome, he is going to do great there! And Vaughn got the Aaronic priesthood and he asked me to be in the circle for it. He is awesome too. It's so crazy how close friends you get to be with all of these people.

Well that's about it. I LOVE being a missionary. If y'alls wants to sends me anythings for dis here Christmas, I won't complain. *wink, wink*

Shout out to my friends back home getting engaged. It's SO weird, but I'm happy for all of you!

WO AI NIMEN!

王長老

Elder Wallace

“One of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work. If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people, and he will be happy….Work, work, work- there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work.” -Ezra Taft Benson

Work hard, give everything your all and God will provide!

I stole my companion's camera so I have some pictures. I'll send more later though!