WEEK #44 - Mothers Are the Best!

Well hello Everyone!

I'm excited to email you today, there was a lot of stuff that happened!

On Monday, we did a family home evening with Jiki, a recent convert. All 15 of the youth came and shared their testimonies. We were able to share the story of Joseph Smith but acted it out! We compared Joseph's Smith's experiece to light and darkness. When Jesus Christ established his church, the light bulb was on and shining bright! After Jesus Christ was killed and His Church was lost, there was no light. Joseph Smith lived in a time of darkness. There were so many different churches with conflicting doctrines. So, we told Jiki to turn off all the lights. It was pitch black. We picked Jiki to be Joseph Smith. We read James 1:5 that says, "If ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God." So, Joseph Smith lacked wisdom! He prayed to God, and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. Elder Schindler and Elder Bennion stood over Jiki and shined a powerful bike light over him. I said the First Vision (Joseph Smith's experience). It just seemed real. I felt the Spirit very strongly confirming that this experience really did happen. I hope all have had this same confirmation too.

Remember Brother Ing? He's that Chinese less active member who just walked into church one day. Well he had us over for dinner! His wife was phillipino, so guess what she cooked? CHICKEN ADOBE! I haven't had it in 5 years. It was reallllly good.

We had house inspections on Thursday. Guess who passed? We didn't! Just kidding. We got an A+. Thanks mom and dad for teaching me life skills!

Ever since there has been a lack of missionaries, We have been going to both Malay and Chinese areas. We got news that a Chinese elder would be coming to Miri. It is Elder Tan!! He was my companion in KL! Previously, he was my District Leader, and now I'm going to be his district leader! Good to see him again.

We did some English class advertising on Friday! We are going to start it up again and see how it goes. Anyone want to come learn English? My English has declined due to my immersion into the Malay language  :)

Elder Young Yen, one of the missionaries serving in my mission, is a 271 lbs Samoan. He heard some news from other missionaries that I liked to wrestle. So, he challenged me to a wrestling match. It was interesting. Wrestling really is all about skill. I got a nice single leg on him and pinned him in the cradle. Good match though😂

On Saturday we were just walking to boulevard where we saw one of our PIs. This potential investigators name is Greyson. We asked if he still wanted to meet and he said, "Do you have time now?" We excitedly said yes! It turns out to be one of the best first lessons I've ever had. He completely understood the Restoration. He's like, "Ya so Jesus Christ's Church was lost, and people still wanted to follow God so they did it in the best way they knew how. With the creation of many churches, the full gospel was taken from the earth. Joseph Smith was called of God to bring back Jesus Christ's original church!"

My first thought was, "ok where are the cameras. Where is the script haha."

He is amazing.

On Sunday we met with a bunch of youth! They are all really excited to serve missionaries. We taught 5 simple ways to prepare for a mission!
1. Pray every day
2. Read God's work everyday (especially the Book of Mormon)
3. Come to church every week
4. Follow the missionaries
5. Share the gospel with family and friends!

These simple 5 steps are not just for missionaries, but for every member of the church.

Last but not least, This past Sunday was mother's day. I am so grateful for my mother. She has done so much! It's sad that I realized that the most when I'm the farthest from her. My greatest advice is to love your mother! Happy Mothers Day :)

I got to FaceTime my family today. It is always bitter sweet. They are so supportive and willing to help me with everything :) They are doing good!

Hope everyone had a good mother's day and week! See you next week.

Love,
Elder LaRose