I also hit my 20TH BIRTHDAY last Friday!! I am officially out of the teen years. Should I grow a beard or something? My older brother Kyler has been growing out a beard, and isn't gonna shave it until September. Go check it out. Time goes by so fast!
Insight of the day: for missionaries serving in the Singapore Mission, preparation days (our day to basically be a tourist) normally consists of going to the bike shop and getting something fixed. If you are lucky and go the whole week without any problems, then you can go and have some fun :) So last Monday, we were at the bike shop. But hey, still fun, right?
On Wednesday we had a cool miracle. We were looking for a members house in Bayan. When we knocked on the door, someone came out and said that they had already moved. We were bummed. We then talked to this lady and it turns out she used to live in Australia. There, she would invite the Elders over every Sunday and they would share with her! What are the chances? That was a God-directed miracle.
We went to Kota Masai on Thursday. I remember when I was a little scout, the cycling merit badge seemed very daunting because we needed to cycle 50 miles. After having being on a mission, I could easily pass off that merit badge. :D Kota Masai is around a 2 hour bike ride. We visited a member who hasn't gone to church in a while. We watched "Finding Faith in Christ" with Sister Madeline. It was powerful. Do people really understand faith? Faith is not just trusting God but relying on His help when it's there, and doing your best when it's not there.
1 Nephi 3:7 "The Lord giveth no commandment until the children of men save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he hath commandeth them."
Do we really understand this scripture? Every commandment, if faithfully followed, will automatically bring God's help needed to overcome any challenges. I have been so impressed with the people of Malaysia. Some of them live in very poor circumstances. Some know if they come to church on Sunday, they won't have enough money for food the next week because of the expenses of travel. BUT THEY STILL COME. Somehow, miraculously, every week they have enough to eat. Isn't this true faith? Isn't this an example that God will always prepare a way for us? If we put Jesus Christ first in our life, and sacrifice for Him, then He will always provide.
In each of your individual circumstances, find what you need to do to have more faith :) Take that leap of faith. Wade into the water with both feet. Walk by faith, even when you cannot see. This is the joy of trusting our Loving Heavenly Father :)
I had exchanges with Elder Johnson in JB! I have been on exchanges with all three Elder Johnsons in the mission haha. The Chinese Elder Johnson was in Miri while I was still in Bintulu. Now we have the privilege of getting to serve with each other for a day. He is a really good Elder and I learned a lot from him.
On Saturday we did some English Class advertising! There was this huge gathering of Ibans from all across West Malaysia. They all came to celebrate the close of their month long harvest season called "Gawai." It was intense. There also, we talked to an Iban family who happened to live close by. We shared with them the Book of Mormon and promised greater peace in their family. We set up an appointment for Monday night! Also we ran into a guy who's father happens to be a member in East Malaysia. Two really cool miracles and we didn't even deserve it!
-the majority of people don't have fridges, so whatever they cook you ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO EAT. Unless it is bad, I have never been scared to eat food, especially in abundance. But, now I am haha.
-You should never whistle inside someone's home. It will bring the ghosts in.
-If someone offers you food and you want to decline, you have to touch the plate. Otherwise it is super offensive!
-Walking inbetween two people (only while they are talking) is incredibly rude. So, you have to bend down with one hand almost touching the ground as you walk past, indicating to them that you are trying your best to be invisible and not a bother to their conversation.
-When someone goes up to give a talk at church, the first thing they say is "selamat pagi" which means good morning in Malay. The congregation then replies "pagi." It is kind of like when people say "aloha" and the crowd has to say it back.
-Anywhere and anytime, shoes cannot enter the house or store. Everyone takes their shoes off. When I went to an emailing store, we walked in barefoot! Very considerate :)
I hope all of you have hit your year mark in something, because I sure hit my year mark on my mission and it is great :) Have a great week!!
Love, Elder McKayd LaRose
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