WEEK #59 - Wasn't Yesterday Last Year?

Hello Everyone!

Bowling time!!

Family Home Evening with Brother Awie's family was great! In our family we always start with a little family theme song. It is too hard to translate in Malay and everyone would think I'm crazy. So I'm probably not gonna introduce the LaRose way of doing family night. Sorry mom! We had a lot of fun and they know how to bring the Spirit into their homes. We told them we would no longer be doing FHE (shortened version) because it really is for their family. They already know how do to it! I encourage us all to have family home evening every single week. Doing so will bring the Spirit in the home, greater peace, and well-behaved children! What more could a family want or need?

 They put pictures on their doors! Way cool!

District Council was titled "All-In." We took all focus skills from this transfer and combined them into one. The skills for this transfer were: "Testify, listen, use scriptures, recognize the Spirit, and resolve concerns." In lessons (when we teach people who are interested) and contacts (when we talk with strangers and share what we believe) we can apply these skills to become better a more Christ-like teachers.

Ever tried this food?

Tuesday morning we had a soccer activity with the branch! I haven't played soccer in a while. There wasn't enough players, so we invited people walking out of a mosque (a Muslim house of worship) to come and play. They did! They were from Bangladesh and played bear foot. It started pouring rain (and you know how Malaysians deal with rain) so everyone ran for shelter and covered their heads so they won't get sick. Still fun!

Playing soccer

As we were biking to an appointment we stopped to talk with a man along the way. His name was Dennis. It turns out he is a member from Sungai Plan!! That was my second area in East Malaysia. He didn't know where the church was over here so we helped him out. The Spirit prompted us to talk to him and look what happened!

Wednesday night we met a man named Stanley. About a couple weeks ago he came walking into the church when we were in the middle of teaching Brother Raymond. He said he'd seen us at a restaurant and wanted to meet up. Normally before we begin a lesson we do something called "How to Begin Teaching." We basically set expectations for meeting frequently and helping them understand the blessings of acting upon our message. This normally tells you who really is interested or not. I'm glad we did it with Stanley. We asked, "Stanley, what made you want to learn from the missionaries?" His response was this:
"I work at a steel company and have been very impressed with the American steel. Can you teach me about how you make it?" For the next 5 minutes we tried telling him we represented Jesus Christ and taught his gospel. He just kept talking about American steel. We had to close with a prayer and encouraged him to call when he wants to learn about Jesus Christ haha.

Restaurants are nice!

Brother Awie's family is doing so so good! They can't wait for their baptism. After we finished teaching them at the church, they stayed around to teach Valentino, a new person learning! Normally, we invite members to teach those who are currently learning, but Brother Awie is basically already a member! They bore powerful testimony on the importance or reading, praying, and coming to church.

Exchanges with Elder Olive

On Thursday I had exchanges with Elder Olive. I've been waiting for this day! He was my zone leader when I was in Cheras. He is 26 years old and has already graduated college!! He has a lot of wisdom and dedication.

One of the members here has a mother in Sarawak that makes scripture cases out of cool Iban fabric. Check it out!

There are a lot more miracles but no time to share them.

Have a great week and see many miracles as well!

Love,

Elder LaRose.

WEEK #58 - I Love to See the Temple

Hello Everyone! This week was sweet.

We had Family Home Evening with Brother Awie's family. He led everything, we just had to come and enjoy! So proud of that family.

On Tuesday we met Brother Brian, a YSA in the Branch, and continued to train him as the Branch Mission Leader. We had just talked about revelation and asked if he'd ever received revelation. He said he didn't. When he prayed and asked God if he should serve a mission, God didn't answer.

Elder Judd and I knew that serving a mission is a commandment from God. So right then and there we all got on our knees and had Brian ask God if he should serve a mission. In His prayer he said, "Heavenly Father help me to know if I should serve a mission." after the prayer, we asked if he felt anything. He said he didn't. Why you might ask? It's because a specific question was not asked. So we prayed again! This time I prayed and asked, "Heavenly Father, should Brian serve a mission?" after I asked we waited in silence. After a while we closed the prayer. Brain looked at both of us and said, "God wants me to serve a mission. I felt it and I know it." Specific questions bring specific answers.

Later that night we taught Brother Raymond (the person learning from Indonesia) the 10 commandments. Normally when we have a lesson with someone learning, it is best to bring a member of the church along. Members can testify of the blessings that have come from living the gospel standards. This lesson was a little different though. Brother Awie's kids followed! They all taught the 10 commandments with hand signs and everything! Elder Judd and I hardly said a word. Kirna, Roslind, and Geriffin aren't even members yet and they want to follow and teach with us! Miracles for days.

Unfortunately we received news that some of Awie's family were having some struggles with keeping the word of Wisdom. We have to push back their baptismal date until they can fully stop. I have faith Heavenly Father will help them!

Thursday marked my first official full year in Malaysia!! I remember the first day I landed in Malaysia. So much has gone by since then.

Thursday and Friday was zone conference! We flew to Kuala Lumpur and got to see the missionaries there. Sister Rowley taught us how to sow. Mom you would be so proud! Now I can stich, hem, and sow a buttom! I'll probably forget in a month or so.



That night we were suppose to stay at the Elders apartment near the church but it had no electricity. So we got a hotel! Very rare occasion but we enjoyed it while we could.

I learned so much at zone Conference! President and Sister Rowley are really working hard to build up Zion in Malaysia.

We learned that the Church came out with a statement that discourages the continued use of the terms "Mormons" or "LDS".

The full name of the Church, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" is to be used. President Nelson said that the Lord has impressed upon his mind that the full church name be used! Really cool.

On Friday night as we were coming back from zone Conference, there was a really cool miracle that happened. During the flight before takeoff, we saw that no one had the front row seats, so we asked the flight attendant if we could sit up front and she let us! The flight attendant normally sits in a pull-out chair facing the people. We started talking to her and she was great. She is from Kuching which is in Sarawak. She has always wondered why so many churches are on the earth. So, we taught her the restoration. As soon as we got to the First Vision she had to get up and prepare the refreshments. We had to wait all the way until the end of the flight until she sat back down. It was night time, so all the lights were off. We told her that's how Joseph Smith felt. He lived in doubt and darkness, looking for truth. Elder Bishop said the First Vision perfectly. The Spirit was really there. She accepted the Book of Mormon and asked how she can receive personal revelation. We taught her how to pray. It was such a miracle. It was a good reminder that everyone needs the gospel regardless of environment or circumstance.

On Saturday the senior couple (an elderly couple that decides to serve a mission when they are older) from KL came down. They came and taught Brother Awie's family. We really hit hard on the Temple. We asked Sister Rohzana why she wanted to go to the Temple, and she said, "So that I can have an eternal family." Right then I felt inclined to take out a picture of the Manilla Phillipines Temple (the closest temple to Malaysia). I bore testimony that I will have an eternal family and they would too. I know that God planned for us to meet so that they can become an eternal family. That was one of the strongest times I have felt the Spirit. We talked about when they wanted to go to the Temple. The date is December 11th 2019! I can't think of any other way they could be so solid. The Spirit was undeniably there.

God is really moving forth His work here. I am so grateful to be apart of it! Love you all and have a great week! Remember to always keep the Temple in your sights :)

Love, Elder LaRose

WEEK #57 - Conversion to the Restored Gospel

Hello Everyone!

Monday night was great! We introduced Brother Awie's family to family home evening! They loved the idea and we had tons of fun.

Double Rainbowwwww

As missionaries, we need to call a lot of people. Our whole life for two years is basically filling up each day with appointments. So, to-do list takes a good amount of time. We found a quiet dining place and started calling through people. About half-way through, we see this person walk up onto a stage. The next thing we know music starts blasting from this huge speaker and the guy goes off on some Chinese karaoke music. Very entertaining, but very hard to call people. We had to move places. I give credit to the singer though!

I was tempted to take the cane.

District Council was sweeeet. The title was "Spicy Spirit." When we have the Spirit in our lessons, we throw in some spice! It's like the Savior said, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men." Matthew 5:13

Really comforting picture :) Christ has got my back! 

I feel the Spirit most when I receive revelation. Revelation is when God gives us answers to our prayers through feelings, thoughts, and even other people! Remember the hymn "Did you think to pray?"

Thursday was one of the craziest days of my mission. Normally the missionary schedule goes as follows:

7:00am Wake up
7:00-9:00am
Workout, Eat, Get ready
9:00-9:30am
Plan for the day
9:30-10:30am
Personal Study (studying scriptures, words of prophets, etc)
10:30am
Out the door

I've been following that schedule for my entire mission. In Masai, it's really hard to find where the Ibans go. So, we had to become the Iban. We woke up at 6:30am, were out the door by 7, and talked to all the Ibans at the morning stores! We finally found the goldmine. They all like to get in their morning tea at a local store. During lunch time, Ibans normally stay at their work place for lunch so it is difficult to talk to anyone near their homes or little stores. We found a morning market near our house that is full of Ibans! Now we contact from 7 to 10, come back home, and start the normal schedule. It's amazing! Now we eat breakfast outside the house which means we are becoming true Malaysian! Morning breakfast includes rice and noodles. Just like lunch and dinner!

President Nelson is the best. 

I had exchanges with Elder Johnson again! He really liked the new schedule we are doing. Bright and early in the morning we talked to this one guy about the Book of Mormon. When he heard we had more word from God, he literally jumped back in his seat!

On Saturday we planned to reteach the restoration to Brother Awie's family. Instead, they taught it to us! It was cool to be on the other side of the spectrum. At the end, I asked Brother Awie how he knew the Book of Mormon was true and he bore a powerful testimony about how his life has changed and how he's been able to follow the true path. The kids loved teaching and said they wanted to serve missions! Very, very touching moment.

We found Mexican food!!

 Four-square! 

This past week was Brother Awie and Sister Rohzana's anniversary! In the Iban traditions, they will take wedding pictures each year. They will dress up again, buy another cake, and play their wedding song! They asked to do it at the church because there is a beautiful picture of Christ. Take a look at the pictures!

Have a great week!

WEEK #56 - My Name is Brother Elder

This week was good!

Fun fact: in our church we call each other Brother and Sister. When we are reaching new people, they sometimes refer to us as Brother Elder. Normally we would just be called "Elder" and our last name, but it's always fun to have someone say Brother Elder every once in a while.

Plunger 'em up

Brother Awie's family is progressing really well. We read with them from Mosiah 18, where Alma, a prophet in the America's, teaches the doctrine of Christ. It explains the covanents and promises of baptism. It really hit hard with them. They are excited for the future!

The title for District Council was: Finding the Faith to Find. There is a faith scale in missionary work:

1. The faith to find people (there are definitely people around us).
2. The faith to find people who will talk to you (there's a good amount that will talk!)
3. The faith to find people who will meet with you (less, but there are friendly people!)
4. The faith to find people who will be baptized! (These are the elect and are ready to receive the word of God).

So where is our faith? This can be applied to many other life situations.

Exchanges were on Wednesday with Elder Bishop. He is from Australia! It's always interesting when you can speak Malay and your companion can speak Chinese.

Friday was so fun! I felt like a little kid. Malaysia there are no community service programs, so we have to make our own! We did some service near an Iban area, picking up trash near a play ground. 5 minutes after we began, some kids came over and started to help! By the time we finished, we had a band of kids helping us garden and pick up trash!! Then later in the day, we went to Taman Scientex. We asked this kid if there were any Christian's in the area and he said, "follow me!" we followed him for over an hour. We went to his aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, best friends, and even his girlfriends house!! (He is 12 years old).

Picking up Trash!


Our Clan of Kids


On Saturday we had church for the youth. Afterwards, we played bean-boozled. It's the worse game EVER! We separated out the beans in cups and had to bounce a ping ping ball into one. I only had to eat one, and it was the canned dog food flavor. It was horrible.

The Sabbath was great. In the middle of 3rd hour, President Rowley just showed up! What a great surprise from the mission president! Afterwards he and Sister Rowley were able to come over and bless the home of Brother Awie.

President Rowley and Brother Awie's family!

Have a wonderful week! I know Heavenly Father is there for you. He understands your every need. When you pray, talk WITH Him, not just TO Him. He is ready and willing to help :)

Splits?

  Jungle Thumbs up!

Waterfall hike!

Love, Elder McKayd LaRose