WEEK #47 - Makai for Gawaii

What a great week everyone!! 

The topic for District meeting was: Go and Do Missionaries. 

In 1 Nephi 3:7, Nephi says, "I will go and do the things which the Lord has commanded..." What is the difference between going and doing? Nephi's brothers, Laman and Lemuel, were just "goers." They went with their family to the promised land, they went to go get the plates, etc. The difference between Nephi and his brotheren was that he did what the Lord commanded him to do! He didn't just go with his family to the promised land, but did as the Lord commanded. So, in our spiritual lives, are we going through the motions or really doing what it takes to become a Disciple of Christ? Just a thought :) 

Elder Bennion experiencing Lehi's dream

Elder Schindler gave his "dying" testimony. That is when a missionary is almost finished with his or her service and gives one last testimony or "speak" to the other missionaries. He has a really powerful testimony! He was telling a story that really impacted my life. I hope as you listen, you too will experience a change of attitude. 

Elder Schindler was wanting to receive an answer that the Book of Mormon is true. He promised God that if he received an answer, he would commit to become the missionary God wanted him to be. He was talking to a stranger named Kit. Kit has just got a haircut and was walking outside of the store. It turns out Kit's wife recently miscarried a child. He bore testimony of the Book of Mormon and at that point he felt the Spirit so strong. When he walked away from Kit, he asked Heavenly Father, "Why would this man deserve this? How could this happen?" Then he said that Heavenly Father gave him a very clear and distinct thought: "The miscarried daughter gave up her chance to come to earth so that Kit could meet the Elders outside this specific haircut place at this specific spot at this specific time! She gave up her life in hopes that she could have an eternal family someday. Very powerful. 

Our little kid gang

We were talking to a stranger on Thursday. A lot of people ask, "What happens after this life?" This time we asked him, "What happened before this life? Where did you come from?" His response was quite hilarious. He said, "Uh, my house??" Hahaha we had a good laugh. 

On Friday we visited our investigator Brother Matthew. We had Sister Emmielda (the one who just received her mission call) follow for the lesson. We taught about revelation! We shared with him the steps of revelation from President Nelson's talk:
1. Find a quiet place
2. Ask God a specific question
3. Wait
4. Write down the thoughts and feelings you have

Simple as that! At the end of the lesson we all kneeled in prayer and Brother Matthew asked God if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. We waited. The Spirit was definitely there! 

This week was Gawai! Gawai is an Iban tradition that is basically like Thanksgiving for America. After they harvest the rice from the patty fields, they celebrate with festivals! We were invited over to a good amount of houses, they fed us a lot! 

French breaaaaad

I went on exchanges with Elder Schindler. What an honor I had to serve with an Elder going home in a couple of days. He really showed me what I can become. We taught Simon, a recent convert in the Miri 3 Branch. It was special because Elder Childs facetimed into the lesson. He was a senior missionary in Miri, but recently finished his mission. 

Exchanges with one of the best! Elder Schindler! 

Do you remember Elder Rowley? He is the next mission president for the Singapore Malaysian mission, but is currently serving as a senior couple. He wanted to see our planning session and how we use the online system. He gave us some advice and gave us some secrets to being a mission President! I am excited to serve under him this coming summer! 

Our upcoming mission president and his wife Elder and Sister Rowley! 

Transfer news came out!! Guess what's happening?? I am going to Masai!! Masai. Johor Baru!! Its in West Malaysia. It is the only place in West Malaysia that has Ibans!!! It's so exciting!! My companion is going to be Elder Judd, I came out with him in the mission!! Really exciting :) 

Have a great week!! 

Love yalls.

Love,
Elder LaRose