COMPANIONS:
MEMBERS:
WEEK #89 - "Heaven" Week
Every single week I have to check the previous weeks email and check which week it is haha. I am very forgetful.
Things that I've forgotten on my mission:
-my helmet
-my keys
-my name tag
-my towel
-toiletries
-my wallet
-my phone
-my belt
-my tie
-my pen (very crucial on the mission)
-my companion (not good)
-to pay for a meal (don't worry, I payed the next day)
-the fact that I'm a missionary and I've been living in Malaysia for almost two years haha.
I'm sure there's more but I already forgot what I've forgotten haha.
Welcome to Sibu Jaya
On the road again with Elder Okelberry
Monday was great! We went to a rice patty in the middle of nowhere and met some Iban grandma and grandpa's harvesting their rice. Amazing.
We visited a member, Sister Entayang. Her children were there too. Her husband recently passed away, and helped remind her of the pervious truths of the plan of salvation. Many of us have heard the phrase, "till death do you part." We believe that family relationships can be perpetuated beyond the grave, creating an everlasting bond. Through following Jesus Christ and His Church, the plan of happiness is made possible. Throughout the lesson we asked her children their testimony of the Book of Mormon and the 3 kingdoms of glory. They all gave wonderful testimonies. At the end of the lesson we found out that NONE OF HER CHILDREN WERE MEMBERS. They gave such great answers though😂 Now it's Elder Okelberry and I's privilege to complete their family.
The jungle trek
For some odd reason, this past Thursday must've been a "pitty the Elders day" because everyone was extremely nice to us. There were no slamming of doors, glares, shouting, spitting, or swearing! In fact, when we knocked one door, this man came out of his house. Instead of shaking our hands, he opened the gate and said, "come in!" Later that night another man saw us from the window, came outside and welcomed us in. These were two very nice families that now have the full gospel in their lives. 😊
Saturday must've been the "enough pitting the Elders Day" because EVERY APPOINTMENT WE HAD FELL THROUGH. People weren't interested, no one was answering, and more. There are a lot of good and bad days.
Looking at houses!
Sunday sealed the deal. As we were walking by a group of houses, I saw a deer head and immediately walked into the house😂🦌 The family was great. The father was just about to get retired from the Army and the mother worked for the hospital. We are excited to work with them.
Well, transfer news came out! I am moving! Crazy right?
It's in a town called Mukah. I've gone on a couple of exchanges there. It is the only outpost in the entire mission, meaning there are no missionaries around us for daysssss. I will finish my mission there. My new companion is Elder Vijayakumar, a local Indian from Malaysia. I get to learn more tamel! Thanks for all your support, see you next week!
Look at our mtc group! Have I changed? 
Things that I've forgotten on my mission:
-my helmet
-my keys
-my name tag
-my towel
-toiletries
-my wallet
-my phone
-my belt
-my tie
-my pen (very crucial on the mission)
-my companion (not good)
-to pay for a meal (don't worry, I payed the next day)
-the fact that I'm a missionary and I've been living in Malaysia for almost two years haha.
I'm sure there's more but I already forgot what I've forgotten haha.
Welcome to Sibu Jaya
On the road again with Elder Okelberry
Monday was great! We went to a rice patty in the middle of nowhere and met some Iban grandma and grandpa's harvesting their rice. Amazing.
Rice!!!!! I will probably be eating that soon.
For some odd reason, this past Thursday must've been a "pitty the Elders day" because everyone was extremely nice to us. There were no slamming of doors, glares, shouting, spitting, or swearing! In fact, when we knocked one door, this man came out of his house. Instead of shaking our hands, he opened the gate and said, "come in!" Later that night another man saw us from the window, came outside and welcomed us in. These were two very nice families that now have the full gospel in their lives. 😊
The "come in!" family
The storm is here
Sunday sealed the deal. As we were walking by a group of houses, I saw a deer head and immediately walked into the house😂🦌 The family was great. The father was just about to get retired from the Army and the mother worked for the hospital. We are excited to work with them.
Well, transfer news came out! I am moving! Crazy right?
It's in a town called Mukah. I've gone on a couple of exchanges there. It is the only outpost in the entire mission, meaning there are no missionaries around us for daysssss. I will finish my mission there. My new companion is Elder Vijayakumar, a local Indian from Malaysia. I get to learn more tamel! Thanks for all your support, see you next week!
WEEK #88 - Embark in the Service of God
This week felt like I was on a business trip! Fun fact: I've flown an airplane like 3 times before my mission, and now that number has gotten a loooooot bigger. It's cool to say we have to fly to zone conferences (training meetings for groups of missionaries within a certain area) and fly to another country to the mission home.
What a unique place!
Elder Muers gave some really good training about how to have effective lessons with the people we are teaching. In all situations, we have to just care and love the people we are working with.
I got to go on exchanges with Elder Bowler, my MTC companion. It's so amazing to see how people change!
Teaching Henry and Allenie the word of wisdom was a breeze. The Word of Wisdom is a commandment from the Lord to protect our spiritual and physical health. Henry has had some stomach problems when he smokes, and drinks coffee and tea. He told us, "Yeah I stopped all of that a while ago, now I just drink milk and juice." We couldn't believe it!
Remember Jonathan wearing the red shirt that we prayed for? His family now has accepted the date to be baptized on the 20th of April. What an amazing family, please pray for them!
There is a member in our branch who happened to serve in the same mission as my sweet mother! London South. She referred her friend Dominic who really wants to find peace. Only through the Savior can we understand the difference between temporary pleasure and lasting joy. Amazing!
I am grateful y'all have stuck with me for these past 2 years. Thanks for reading the emails and understanding my purpose here in Malaysia. If you have any questions at all, hit me up! See you next week!
What a unique place!
Elder Muers gave some really good training about how to have effective lessons with the people we are teaching. In all situations, we have to just care and love the people we are working with.
I got to go on exchanges with Elder Bowler, my MTC companion. It's so amazing to see how people change!
Teaching Henry and Allenie the word of wisdom was a breeze. The Word of Wisdom is a commandment from the Lord to protect our spiritual and physical health. Henry has had some stomach problems when he smokes, and drinks coffee and tea. He told us, "Yeah I stopped all of that a while ago, now I just drink milk and juice." We couldn't believe it!
Remember Jonathan wearing the red shirt that we prayed for? His family now has accepted the date to be baptized on the 20th of April. What an amazing family, please pray for them!
There is a member in our branch who happened to serve in the same mission as my sweet mother! London South. She referred her friend Dominic who really wants to find peace. Only through the Savior can we understand the difference between temporary pleasure and lasting joy. Amazing!
I am grateful y'all have stuck with me for these past 2 years. Thanks for reading the emails and understanding my purpose here in Malaysia. If you have any questions at all, hit me up! See you next week!
WEEK #86 & #87 - The Lightening Strikes Back
This past couple of weeks have flown by just like all the others!
Slowest times of my life have been:
-waiting for Christmas day as a kid
-Classes in school that I thought were boring
-Waiting for my acceptance letter into BYU and receiving my mission papers
-waiting at the DMV
-road trips (especially on buses)
The title for District Council was: "Prepare not Repair."
My dad always said, "It is better to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent."
Our purpose in this life is to PREPARE to meet God. When we prepare for events or experiences in our life, there will be less time spent repairing things. If you had enough time to fix something then there was enough time to do it right the first time!
There have been a lot of deaths here in Sibu Jaya recently, especially among the members of the church. The Iban culture in regards to death is very unique and different from that of Western Culture. The body stays with the family in a coffin for 3 days. Everyone and their brother comes and feast. Hundreds of people come all around. There are particular people called "wailers" that dance around the coffin and sing/cry the person's spirit back to heaven. After 1 week of being buried, they then have another feast for everyone. There are a lot more details that are complicated and I'm still trying to understand myself. We were invited to come and pray with the family. Very cool experience.
Singapore!
We did service in Kampung! As you remember, kampung means "villages." it is basically like living in the good Ole days. No need for money, everyone shares the spoils, showers in the river, and more! One member lives in a kampung and invited us to come and do service at his village. (some kampung are more advanced and are located nearer to the town, so he still has a job and comes to church :)
This past week we went to Singapore for Zone Conference. It was really uplifting and inspiring. It is always nice to actually get fresh food and eat at restaurants that I am familiar with :D
Elder and Sister Cross!
Now, let me tell you about the miracle man named John. There are few people we are teaching here in Sibu Jaya, so we were looking for a miracle. On Friday, We prayed to Heavenly Father that we would find a man named John wearing a red shirt. Throughout the whole day we looked for this man. When night was approaching, we saw a man on his motorbike and flagged him down. He was wearing a red shirt and his name was... JOHN!! We straight up told him we prayed for him. We set up an appointment for Saturday night. He lived in the "Blocks" which are apartments in Sibu Jaya. He could only remember the block (B) and the floor (2). He said for us to just call him and he would be waiting. Saturday night comes around and we show up at block B. He didn't pick up and He wasn't out side. There were 24 possible doors he could possible be in. Elder Okelberry and I prayed to ask which side of the apartments he was on (left or right). On the count of 3, we both said "right!" We then picked the door number. I said 6 and Elder Okelberry said 4. We knocked 4,5,6 and just about every other door. John could not be found. Feeling a little discouraged we went down to our bikes and were about to head out of the blocks when a man passed by us and said, "I just came back from work." It is normally strange for someone else to say something to us first. With some hope in my voice, I said, "Are you John?" It was! He invited us into his home and we were able to teach him and his family the restoration. What a miracle!
WARNING: VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED, ESPECIALLY MY MOM:
We were almost struck by lightning. As we saw the lightning and thunder come our way, we started making our way for the blocks. On my left, was a big lake. As we were riding by the lake I told Elder Okelberry of an experience at a scout camp where I saw lightning hit the lake. 10 seconds later, we hear this huge crack of thunder and a bolt of lightning hit the lake. We both liked at each other and rode as fast as we could to the blocks. The Lord was either wanting to get a good laugh out of it, or tell us we were late to our appointment hahah.
We are now on our way to Kuching having yet another zone Conference. This one is special because we get to see Elder Muers. Leaders of the church are designated over all the regions of the world. Elder Muers is an "area seventy" of the Asia region.
Love you all! I know we are doing the work of salvation and I will finish strong!
There is a carnival in Sibu Jaya, so busy!
Slowest times of my life have been:
-waiting for Christmas day as a kid
-Classes in school that I thought were boring
-Waiting for my acceptance letter into BYU and receiving my mission papers
-waiting at the DMV
-road trips (especially on buses)
The title for District Council was: "Prepare not Repair."
My dad always said, "It is better to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent."
Our purpose in this life is to PREPARE to meet God. When we prepare for events or experiences in our life, there will be less time spent repairing things. If you had enough time to fix something then there was enough time to do it right the first time!
Yoga statue
Singapore!
We did service in Kampung! As you remember, kampung means "villages." it is basically like living in the good Ole days. No need for money, everyone shares the spoils, showers in the river, and more! One member lives in a kampung and invited us to come and do service at his village. (some kampung are more advanced and are located nearer to the town, so he still has a job and comes to church :)
This past week we went to Singapore for Zone Conference. It was really uplifting and inspiring. It is always nice to actually get fresh food and eat at restaurants that I am familiar with :D
Elder and Sister Cross!
Now, let me tell you about the miracle man named John. There are few people we are teaching here in Sibu Jaya, so we were looking for a miracle. On Friday, We prayed to Heavenly Father that we would find a man named John wearing a red shirt. Throughout the whole day we looked for this man. When night was approaching, we saw a man on his motorbike and flagged him down. He was wearing a red shirt and his name was... JOHN!! We straight up told him we prayed for him. We set up an appointment for Saturday night. He lived in the "Blocks" which are apartments in Sibu Jaya. He could only remember the block (B) and the floor (2). He said for us to just call him and he would be waiting. Saturday night comes around and we show up at block B. He didn't pick up and He wasn't out side. There were 24 possible doors he could possible be in. Elder Okelberry and I prayed to ask which side of the apartments he was on (left or right). On the count of 3, we both said "right!" We then picked the door number. I said 6 and Elder Okelberry said 4. We knocked 4,5,6 and just about every other door. John could not be found. Feeling a little discouraged we went down to our bikes and were about to head out of the blocks when a man passed by us and said, "I just came back from work." It is normally strange for someone else to say something to us first. With some hope in my voice, I said, "Are you John?" It was! He invited us into his home and we were able to teach him and his family the restoration. What a miracle!
We were almost struck by lightning. As we saw the lightning and thunder come our way, we started making our way for the blocks. On my left, was a big lake. As we were riding by the lake I told Elder Okelberry of an experience at a scout camp where I saw lightning hit the lake. 10 seconds later, we hear this huge crack of thunder and a bolt of lightning hit the lake. We both liked at each other and rode as fast as we could to the blocks. The Lord was either wanting to get a good laugh out of it, or tell us we were late to our appointment hahah.
Singaporeeeee
Love you all! I know we are doing the work of salvation and I will finish strong!
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