WEEK #85 - Jayin in Sibu Jaya

Week #85 - Jayin in Sibu Jaya

To "jaya" means to have success. The actual name of the town means "Successful Sibu." I just added some English grammar on and called it good!

These week was sweeeeet. It was a fast one!

In district council on Tuesday we discussed the difference between being bold and overbearing. When we are overbearing, it just means we are bold without love. In all things, use sugar not salt👍

On Wednesday we meet with one of the recent converts in Sibu Jaya named Geoffrey. We taught him about revelation. Revelation is communication between God and His children (us.) When we pray, we can receive answers to our questions. President Nelson talks about the steps of revelation in a semi annual gathering called "General Conference." The steps to receiving revelation are:

1. Find a quiet place
2. Pray vocally and ask Heavenly Father a question.
3. Wait. Simply wait while paying attention to the feelings in your heart and mind.
4. Write down the answers/revelation you've received.

Such a cool practice! If you have questions, God has answers. If you are worthy and keep His commandments, revelation will come. Give it a try!

We received a call from one of the members saying that their 8 year old child was going to be baptized that night. We helped put it together as best we could, but forgot one thing! We forgot to fill the font! It takes 8 hours to fill up here in Sibu Jaya. We found every faucet and bucket we could and tried our best to contribute to the small flow of water. She was baptized. Close one!

On Friday I had exchanges with Elder Sundberg. He came out on the mission with me. It's cool to see how people can change so much! We went "finding" (meaning we go talk with people about the gospel) with Brother Ostine who will be leaving on a mission soon. While we were knocking doors, Ostine had the idea to go to a members house and knock on the door (because Elder Sundberg wasn't familiar with the area and wouldn't know they are members). So we knocked on the member's door and they just rolled with it. Elder Sundberg was so excited because it was a family and they invited us to come in and teach them! It was when Elder Sundberg looked at the wall that he saw a picture of the Temple and knew he had been pranked hahaha. It was a good laugh!!

Saturday night was waaaay cool! We brought Chintra and her sister Florencia over to a lesson with Hendry and Allenie. Sister Chintra served a mission in Southern England, (same with my mom!!) They spoke in Iban (the native language here) and were able to connect really well. Hendry and Allenie accepted to be baptized on March 30th. Exciting!

On Sunday we met with Brother Masam (Brother Ostine's father) who had just finished working in the Solomon Islands. We taught him about the Melchizedek Priesthood. The priesthood is the authority to act in God's name. When Christ was on the earth, he established His Church and ordained His apostles with that same power. After Jesus Christ and His apostles were killed, that authority was lost. Through a living prophet, God has restored that Priesthood back on the earth. With the Melchizedek Priesthood, Brother Masam can give blessings to his children, heal the sick, receive protection for his home, and eventually be sealed in the temple to live with his 13 children and wife as an eternal family :) He's super excited to receive it!

Well that summarizes the week. Don't forget to enjoy life, see the blessings of God in your daily lives, and don't forget English like me lah!

WEEK #83 & #84 - Snails and Banana Tree

These past two weeks have just flown by!

Huuuuuuge coconut!

Broken English Lessons:

1. In response to, "Can we meet up at 5pm tonight?" Most people say, "Sounds good."

In Malaysia, everyone says "can." 

They like shortening everything. 

I guess those stickers your mom sent you to give to the kids really do work. Mothers know best! 

If you like something, just don't worry about grammar and say, "That one very nice one." 

Yes, I know, hard to understand. Maybe one day you will get it. 

These are the blocks. Crazy! 

Highlights:

-We found a jar of coins worth 42 ringgit, so we splurged at the only western restaurant in Sibu Jaya: KFC. I've had more fried chicken on my mission than my family has our whole lives.

This is why we keep cereal in our fridge.

-We had an appointment fall through, so we knocked on the next door neighbor's house. Turns out a pastor was visiting one of His church members. They were kind enough to give Elder Okelberry and I some soda. For those of you that don't know, I haven't drank soda in 10 years. So I whispered to Elder Okelberry in a very forceful tone, "DRINK IT." He quickly drunk his and was planning to switch the empty cup with mine. The owner was too quick and filled up Elder Okelberry's cup again before he switched it. He then chugged his cup again and switched it with mine. They filled mine up again and he gulped down both cups. After we left I thanked him for his sacrifice in my behalf and wished him good luck. What a comp!

I am Sarawakian 

Go Indians!

-We met with the first member ever in all of Sibu. His name is Brother Joseph. He speaks perfect English. He has been a real hero to this branch. 

Brother Joseph, the oldest member in Sibu!

-We met with Ostine's family. He is about to go on a mission to this mission! He has a family of 15 which is unheard of here in Malaysia. All are members except for a couple. The father just recently returned from the Solomon Islands and is looking for work here in Sibu Jaya. He will be a wonderful strength to the branch.

Some of the 13 member family!

-The Stephens (senior missionary couple) did an inspection of the house. The first time they did an inspection was right before I arrived here in Sibu Jaya. The house didn't pass the inspection, nor did it pass my inspection. Over the last 3 weeks, we have put in over 70 hours of cleaning. Morning, nights, preparation days, everything! It is finally finished. Yay! 

When we clean, we go all out. 

-We have been teaching this couple (Hendry and Allenie) for a while now. They haven't came to church or answered phone calls, so we decided to stop by their house. We were going to read the Book of Mormon with them again, but felt prompted to talk about eternal families. Both Hendry and Allenie want to have an eternal family and raise their baby Aiden in the Lord's way. :) They came to church and loved it! 

Yes, I did it. Full rain suit baby 

Just want to give a shout out to my brother, Keldon. He wrestled his guts out and took 3rd at the state championship tournament. He won by 1 point! He has the heart of a champion. I've never seen someone want something so bad and be so physically and mentally strong. He will be an example to me and everyone around him in His future achievements. I love you Keldon! (LSC) "LaRose State Champion."

WEEK #81 & #82 - Curve Balls

 Hello Everyone!!

It feels like it has been a while. Things have been all over the place this past two weeks. Let me tell ya what happened:

When it's raining and you have a rain jacket with no pocket. 

This past Tuesday Elder Haerewa and I were discussing about the zone in Wisma Mall. We received a call from President Rowley. These were his words: "Good evening Elders, this is President Rowley. There is a bit of a shake up in the mission. Elder LaRose, can you move to Sibu Jaya and finish Elder Okelberry's training? Elder Judd (my previous companion) will be replacing you there in Sibu. You will move in 2 days." My heart just dropped haha. This was so unexpected.

 Elder Okelberry & the sunset

It was hard saying goodbye to all the members and people being taught, but I know this is the Lord's will. 

Brother Bilong's family in Sibu 2

As I walked into the Sibu Jaya house, I felt my "randy senses" tingling and getting anxious. The house is the smallest I've been in (besides apartments), and there was tons of broken and unnecessary items in the house. Elder Okelberry and I went to work. Look at the mountain we climbed this week! 

 
LOOK AT ALL THIS JUNK

 Elder Okelberry fell into the ditch! Yikes!

Sibu Jaya is a little bigger than Sungai Plan. Sungai Plan is comprised of highly concentrated flats (apartments) totaling to 2,000 Ibans. Sibu Jaya is basically the same layout, with more terrace housing. It's like Woogie World for those of you who had the special opportunity to play that game during computer time in elementary school. I love it! I will probably finish my mission here. 

sunsetssss

This Thursday was nuts! We did a blitz in Sibu Jaya. All the elders and sisters from the Sibu City came down to help out our small town. Sisters have never stepped foot in Sibu Jaya (just because it has always been an Elders area). We made history today! There was a lot of energy and I'm sure the people here were stunned by the Army of Helaman strolling through the streets. :)

The new district!! 

We are teaching Sister Christine's family, who are full of faith and have a deep knowledge of the Bible. We brought along Sister Kat. Sister Kat is THE strongest member I have ever seen. She took 2 years to be baptized and has been following the Elders for 9 years. She told us, "Every day I am free from 5pm-9pm to go finding and teaching with the missionaries." Whether its blazing hot or pouring rain, she'll come. If she has house duties, she will still come. I am convinced that because of her faith and dedication to spread this gospel, Heavenly Father has given His fullest amount of blessings and promises to Sister Kat. Please ponder how often you take time to help the missionaries. If you think you've done enough, think bigger :)

This one is for when Elder Okelberry and I are hungry! 

I love all of your sacrifices to support me on my mission, and it will mean just as much for those serving in your ward or branch!  Sister Christine was very adamant about her faith, and kept interrupting to tell us she believed all churches were the same and she was fine with hers. The moment we shared Joseph Smith's experience, was the moment her demeanor changed. She said, "I have a lot of faith. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet, that the Book of Mormon is true, and this is Christ's original church." With blurry vision I gave my own testimony and expressed how they will be able to become an eternal family, just like mine.

 Jack fruittttttt

This Sunday they came to church. After sacrament meeting, they came to us and handed back the copies of the Book of Mormon. Sister Christine said she didn't want to learn anymore, and that we are all one in the same. That was a very sad moment. Some people after having had a witness of the truthfulness of this message by the Holy Ghost will still reject or deny that very confirmation. I hope she will be willing to give it another shot in the future. :) We are here to find the elect! 

I fell asleep at the wheel. 

To end this email on a happy note, on Friday I got to do exchanges with Elder Judd! He was my previous companion in Masai. Good ole times. 

Have a wonderful week and happy Chinese New Year!! 中國農曆新年快樂

 This is a typical Iban home. Beaded ties and assortments, swords, straw hats, shields, people, and food hahaha

Love you all!