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Week 23...Strive to Develop Christ-like Attributes

This week has been probably one of my harder weeks. I will be completely honest, being a missionary can sometimes be pretty stressing and difficult but through any trial the Lord will always prepare a way for us to overcome and continue on. I am grateful for the support I receive from the Branch members, from family and friends and I am blessed to be able to have this opportunity to serve. I love each of you and I am so grateful for you examples in being Christ-like and helping others along their way. 



During this week, I had the opportunity to build my faith in a number of ways and my hope is that your faith, whatever level you believe it to be at, will grow and that you will be able to more fully understand how much our Heavenly Father loves each of us and how perfect that love is. One of my favorite talks in Conference was by President Nelson in "The Price of Priesthood Power" He stated "What is the price to develop such priesthood power? The Savior’s senior Apostle, Peter—that same Peter who with James and John conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood upon Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery—declared qualities we should seek to “be partakers of the divine nature.” 

"He named faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, and diligence. And don’t forget humility! So I ask, how would our family members, friends, and coworkers say you and I are doing in developing these and other spiritual gifts? The more those attributes are developed, the greater will be our priesthood power." 


I know that as each of us strive to develop Christ-like attributes and many more, the Lord truly will show unto us our weakness that we may be humble and have a dependency upon the Lord. I know and have a testimony that as we rely fully upon the Savior, that He will lift us higher and will make weak things become strong unto us. He has all power and loves each of us. As we have trial after trial and difficulties in our lives, the Lord has promised all of us that these things will give unto us experience and will be for our good. I know that is true.

A neat miracle that happened during this week was before I had lost the phone and so we had to buy a new one. We found a Digi store to get a SIM card for the phone. I walked up to the front desk and gave them a paper that gave them the information they needed to set up the phone number on the SIM card. In front of me was a man in his 20's who was helping me and a woman also in her 20's who was sitting next to him. At this point, since I'm American, they think I speak English. This is where it gets interesting. I started speaking just basic Chinese, things like, "how was your day today, and what is your name?"

They kind of snickered to themselves and told me they had a great day. (They still don't believe I can speak Chinese, and I really don't the Lord helps me out big time) Anyway, they start talking Chinese back to me and we start having this full-on Chinese conversation and their faces were just like, "WHAT..." "But, your American and you can speak... whoa..." It was hilarious! We talked for a while longer and then the man gave me the SIM card for the phone. I asked him how much it would be, and he just handed it to me and said it was for free. So we took the SIM card and left. I got home that night and told Elder H. what happened, and his face was just like "how...?" He told me normally those would cost RM 80 and sometimes more. It was really neat to see that happen! The Gift of Tongues is real! I love the Lord!


Right now we are working with a sister in the branch and helping her be able to go to the Temple and be worthy of a Temple recommend! Each week we try to meet with her to help her continue to learn and build her testimony and faith. If there is one thing that I took for granted back home was going to the Temple. There is not a Temple in Malaysia or Singapore and it takes a big sacrifice on the member’s part to be able to go and be sealed together for time and all Eternity. Go to the temple as often as you can. Let those on the other side know of your love for them and continue the missionary work! The temple has such a special peaceful spirit and is truly the House of the Lord.


I was reading this morning; 
1 Nephi 1:14 which states "And it came to pass that when my father had read and seen many great and marvelous things, he did exclaim many things unto the Lord; such as: Great and marvelous are thy works, O Lord God Almighty! Thy throne is high in the heavens, and thy power, and goodness, and mercy are over all the inhabitants of the earth; and, because thou art merciful, thou wilt not suffer those who come unto thee that they shall perish!"

I know that what Lehi says is true. The Lord is Great and Marvelous. He knows all things. He has all power goodness and mercy. As we come unto him he will not suffer or allow us to perish. The Lord loves each of us so much and wants each of us to be successful and happy in our lives. Although it will not be easy, it will definitely be worth it, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love, Elder Shirley


Elder H. and Elder Shirley relaxing after a hard day. 
Elder W. is wiped out!










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