McKayd LaRose Mission: WEEK #7

I'm in Malaysia!!

Hello everyone!

This week has gone by really fast! I can't remember much honestly! Where did I leave off.... So after P-day on Friday, we just packed and packed and packed. They encouraged us to try and pack 3 months worth of stuff into a 50 pound suitcase. Crazy, I know! My parents were probably alarmed when I sent home a package full of random clothes and accessories haha.

I managed to finish packing, Monday morning, just 30 minutes before we were supposed to leave!

On Sunday, I somehow got wrapped into a special musical number for sacrament meeting. Sacrament meeting is the hour of church that speeches are given, and the sacrament (aka communion) is passed to the congregation. It is a time that we remember Jesus Christ's sacrifice for us, and renew or recommit to Him for the next week! Hymns or spiritual music is played to increase the Spirit that is felt there. A couple of other Elders and I sang "How Great Thou Art," which is Papa's favorite hymn. I even had a solo in it, which was crazy scary. But I felt like the Spirit was able to be there during the song, and I was grateful to have been given the opportunity!

For the Sunday night devotional, Elder M. Russell Ballard came!!! He is also an Apostle for our church, which is a really sacred honor to have been in his presence. We talked about Enduring to the end. Enduring to the end means that once you have been baptized and confirmed a member of the church, you try your hardest to do your best for the rest of your life! When we commit to following Jesus Christ and trying to live His gospel, it is a lifetime commitment. Enduring to the end establishes a culture of righteousness: where choosing the right becomes a natural habit! When we endure to the end, we enjoy to the end!

Elder Ballard encourages us to be more "reverently appreciative" of Jesus Christ. How reverently do we use His name? Do our actions match His? If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do? I encourage us all, regardless of our differing faiths, to live a better life, and to be a better person! Life is much happier that way.

(picture of the missionaries leaving!)

We said goodbye to Utah as we journeyed on our 20 or so hour flight!

Here are some pictures of the area!

I have a ton more pictures to send, however the computers over here are not very fast haha. So maybe next week I can figure something out!

My companions name is Elder Chungh, and He is a full-blown native! He hardly speaks English, but is fluent in Malay, which is exactly what I wanted!! I had been praying for a companion who will help me become the missionary I am suppose to be. Because He only speaks Malay, and is a really obedient missionary, I truly have been blessed.

The area which we are serving is called TJK. The actual name is too complicated for me to remember it haha. I am in West Malaysia! TJK has been "white-washed," meaning that two missionaries go to an area that both have never been to before. So, they have no idea where the members of the church are, and where everything is. It takes some getting use to.

I have had some interesting food in the past couple of days. Some chicken skin soup, and fish patties. Those of you who know, I can eat fish as long as it doesn't taste like fish. Makes sense, right? Well, the fish patties tasted like fish. It was a humbling experience.

We have a recent convert to the church named Harry. He brought a friend over to hear our message, and we taught Him about the Restoration!

The Restoration occurred when the Prophet Joseph Smith restored, or brought back the church that Christ had established on the earth. Christ's church was lost due to the wickedness of the people, but what great joy to we have, to know that His pure and truthful church is once back on the earth! Francis (Harry's friend), received it well, and went to church with us!

I had the opportunity to speak in Church!! It was a sacred opportunity to talk about Jesus Christ in a completely different language. The members are very humble and great to work with! I can't understand a word that anyone is saying, nevertheless I know that serving a mission is the right thing for me, and I am called of God to spread the gospel to the people of Malaysia!!

Love you all, and have a great week!!!