Dear Mom,
This past week has been a pretty crazy, hectic week. From MLC, to the Jobbers meetings, to zone training, to moving houses we feel we've had very little time to actually work. Despite this, we have of course been richly blessed this week. I'll keep my letter short this week because today we'll be doing some house shopping.
A highlight of the week was the baptism of three investigators. We had a baptismal service on Thursday, and another on Saturday. Always a great highlight. Each one of these three have such unique, and truly awesome stories. I think that one consistent thing for all three of them is the time that it took to reach a point of strong faith/confidence/testimony. One was learning with the missionaries for several months, but it wasn't into just recently that she has 'realized' that it is true. She has since wondered why it has taken her so long to get to this point. The 'point' of receiving an answer to prayer is one that I've seen is a pattern of those who come into the church. A power witness that affirms truth to us has been the focus of our work for the past week. I've learned that it's a witness tat we must continually nourish and strengthen. We had the opportunity to conduct some zone training on Saturday as well. I find it a huge responsibility and an even bigger chance to learn and grow to get to bring training to others. We went on a switch off with the Assistants to the President on Friday. What I learned from switch offs, training, and MLC was the things that we are most passionate about, that mean the most to us, will be the things that we are able to put all of our heart and soul into. When I see converts who are genuinely converted to the Gospel, they have a passion, fire, and desire about them. The thing that will really change our lives is a knowledge of Gods true love for us and a testimony from the Spirit that He lives.
This past Missionary Leadership Council was centered on this witness and specifically the Book of Mormon. This week, we were each challenged to seek a reconfirmation from the Spirit. No matter how many times we may have followed Moroni's promise before, we can always ask the Lord to reaffirm a witness we have received if ever we feel that we need it. I was thinking earlier this week that the thing that is of most value to me is my testimony of the Gospel, BoM, the Savior, and this love. I've set a goal to make the Book of Mormon a greater center of my life.
A very cool miracle that happened in regards to missionary/member work happened this past Sunday. There was one granddaughter of a member that we have been trying to contact and teach since the start of the transfer. Despite our best efforts, we could never get through. At the end of church on Sunday, a member walked up to us invited us over to their house to teach this family and granddaughter that we've been trying to work with. We didn't even have to do anything, the member just set up the appointment for us. It was truly a miracle and showed the huge importance of working through members.
Another super cool miracle with members came from a visit that we did to a long time member two weeks ago. We just stopped by and shared a typical message about the importance of families, missionary work, and the temple. We talked about all the things we need to do to be able to go to the temple and live with our families forever. She mentioned how ever since she has been a member, she hasn't paid tithing. We committed her to pray about it and to pay her tithing. She is one of the many members that is in a very tough financial situation. We hadn't mentioned it to her since then, but just this past Sunday, she stood up and bore testimony about the need to pay tithing and keep all of the commandments. We also paid her tithing for the first time in 10 years. It was way cool hearing her new found testimony of tithing and obedience.
This month, on the 27th, is Easter. What a great opportunity to spread the Gospel with a specific message of the Atonement. Without Easter, there would be no Christmas.
Another big change is that we are again taking another step to working with members more. We will be going into member's houses and sharing messages of the Restoration, Book of Mormon, and temples with a focus on getting referrals, spreading enthusiasm for missionary work, mapping out houses, and strengthening EVERYONE's testimony of the Book of Mormon.
I love pretty much every moment of everyday of missionary work. The days seem to go by faster and faster. My companion is entering into the period of his mission where he has to seriously think and plan about what he's going to do after his mission. He had a meeting all about it last Thursday. It has kind of influenced my thoughts on it as well. My dying date seems so far away, but in reality, it'll come way, way quick. Next transfer, the sisters in my group will be dying and six months after that, I guess I'm going too. It's way, way weird to think about.
Next email will come this Saturday because transfers has been moved up to next Monday. Wish you a great week.
ขอแสดงความนับถือ, Sincerely,
เอ็ลเดอร์ ซัน Elder Sun
ผู้สอนศาสนา Missionary
ศาสนจักรของพระเยซูคริสต์แห่งวิสุทธิชนยุคสุดท้าย The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
คณะเผยแผ่ กรุงเทพฯ, ประเทศไทย Bangkok, Thailand Mission
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