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!!
Tuesday was one of the hardest days of my mission and one of the best!! We woke up at 5:45am to take Elder Schindler to the airport. He was the Chinese Elder serving in Miri. He is one of the greatest missionaries I know. It was tough saying goodbye. I know his legacy will live on!
The best trio in the world!!
Afterwards we were heading home to get ready for the day. I might've left my little briefcase at the church, so I asked Brother Simon (the member taking us) if he could stop by the church. When we got there, Brother Inging as his family were there. Sister Barama, Linda, Lydia, Brother Sumob and his wife all are going to the Temple! We saw someone riding towards us on a bicycle. As it got closer, Elder Bennion asked, "Elder LaRose, is that your bike?" I looked up and saw it was my bike!!! I got out of the car (while it was still rolling up to the Church gate) and chased the man. When I got to him, I just took him down. :) We both landed on the grass on the side of the road. He took off running, so I picked up my bike, hopping on it, and got after him. The chain came off when I talked him, so Elder Bennion took off running after him. He got close to the man and the man stopped. Brother Ingin came running to help us. Turns out, the man sold Elder Bennion bike to someone. He sold it for 12 dollars haha. What are you going to do with 12 dollars? Elder Bennion's bike was worth 250$. The man wasn't all the way there, so we felt kinda bad for him. But hey, I GOT MY BIKE BACK!! With a little wrestling involved ;)
Getting the bike back isn't even the coolest part of the story. God's handprints were all over this situation!!!! Here's how:
1st miracle: Transfer news came out, and I'm leaving Miri. I called the Masai Elders and they said they have a nice bike shop over there. It would just make more sense to buy a bike over there. Elder Schindler needed to pack, so I stayed with him while Elder Bennion and Elder Tan went to bargain to buy Elder Bennion a new bike. He bought a really nice one!
On Monday, we go and print pictures for those we are saying goodbye to. So I printed out some pictures for Elder Schindler. I put them in my scripture case (the little briefcase I was talking about earlier).
On Monday night, Elder Bennion and I had a lesson at the church. When we got back home, I realized I forgot my briefcase at the church. I set a reminder on my phone to pick it up at the church so I could give Elder Schindler his pictures.
The next morning when we got to the airport, I realized I forgot the pictures!! I am seriously soooo forgetful. Sorry mom, things still haven't changed. :D
Anyways we were heading back from the airport, and I remembered about the briefcase. I told Brother Simon to stop by the church. Elder Bennion said we don't need to stop by the church, because we have district meeting later on at the church, so we could just grab the briefcase then. I still wanted to get my briefcase before District Meeting.
If we didn't stop at the church I would've not seen the guy. We literally arrived at the church the same time the man was passing by. We were suppose to leave the house by 6:30am, but Brother Simon was late. Hadn't he been late, I wouldn't have gotten my bike back.
Brother Ingin was actually heading overseas for work THAT DAY. He wouldn't have been able to help us if that scene happened 5-10 minutes later. ALSO, I was sitting on the right side of the car. If I was on the left side, maybe I wouldn't have seen him.
How could one not acknowledge God's hand in that story? I cannot deny that there wasn't some type of divine help. I am so grateful for Heavenly Father and his caring way to help His children.
This is definitely one of the tops stories of my mission! What if all my wrestling and training was meant for that one moment to takle the theif? Never know...
Hey everyone, do you remember my packing problems?? I have a hard time packing and fitting everything while still being overweight. I convince myself it is going to be easier to pack every new transfer, but it actually gets harder. I went to bed at 5am. Yep. It's bad. I know. It's really bad. I have faith though, one day I will learn how to pack. I really, really hope.
Saying goodbye to The "mission mansion" in Miri.
The topic for District Meeting was, "Be Bold for the Gold."
Alma chapter 38 verse 12 says to "use boldness, but not overbearence." Not being overbearing doesn't mean to be less bold, it means to be bold with love!!
The greatest act of love was the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The greatest sign of love is the invitation to repent. That is why God tells us to repent so much!!! It's so that we can become like Him faster!!!
We had a discussion about this question:
"What are the two most important days in our life?"
The two most important days are when we were born, and when we figured out why we were born. It's like a mission! The two most important days are when we arrive in our mission, and when we arrive ON our mission. There is a difference!!
I arrived in Masai!!!!! It is very similar to Cheras, but the population is about 90% Muslim, 8% Chinese, and 2% Iban and other Sarawakians. So we really have to have the Spirit with us when we try and find, or we just work with our members to find their friends! It is a great area.
We met with Brother Taha! It was really exciting because I served with Sister Taha in Miri for 5 months! So I felt like I already knew him and his family.
This is Brother Taha! I served with her daughter Sister Taha in Miri!
Do you know what a pasar malam is? It is when a bunch of people set up tents and sell a lot of things. Food, clothes, bags, anything! So, guess what we did? We set up our own stand!! We gave out free pictures of Jesus Christ and gave out copies of the Book of Mormon. It was really really fun! There were some cool people who were really interested.
This is the pasar malam!! When in doubt, hand out pictures of Jesus!
Church was the best! There were about 15 people came! It is a really small branch, but the members are really strong and have amazing testimonies. I am looking forward to serving in this area. It has a lot of potential. Elder Judd is a really good companion. His voice sounds like someone who introduces General Conference. It is very deep and soothing hahaha.
Sorry, this was a long email! Can't wait to talk to y'all next week!!
Love,
Elder LaRose
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