Skip to main content

Week 28..."Elder Shirley, Count your Blessings."

The things that happen in the missionary field are incredible and I am so grateful to represent the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a power that comes from being able to do so. This week in our district meeting we talked about putting on the armor of God. Each day as we wake up and prepare for the day, there is not only the financial or physical problems and challenges that await us in the day but there are also spiritual dangers that we must protect ourselves from. A scripture that was shared was found in Alma 43：43-44 which talks about the war between the Nephites and the Lamanintes 

43 Now in this case the Lamanites did fight exceedingly; yea, never had the Lamanites been known to fight with such exceedingly great strength and courage, no, not even from the beginning.

44 And they were inspired by the Zoramites and the Amalekites, who were their chief captains and leaders, and by Zerahemnah, who was their chief captain, or their chief leader and commander; yea, they did fight like dragons, and many of the Nephites were slain by their hands, yea, for they did smite in too many of their head-plates, and they did pierce many of their breastplates, and they did smite off many of their arms; and thus the Lamanites did smite in their fierce anger.

Just as the Lamanites began to fight fiercely so too will Satan begin to fight against each of us. He does not want us to be happy and will accomplish his goal through any means possible. It also talks about how the Lamanites were slaying the Nephites and breaking piercing their armor. Is our armor able to withstand the blows of temptation? Are we prepared Spiritually every single day? We have to wake up each day and decide to put on all of the Armor of God. I know that as we do so, we will be protected and be able to withstand every spiritual blow. 

A tender miracle this week was getting ready to leave the church building after preparing some things there and about to leave. I had an impression to look up these stairs into a shop lot and there was a lady there. So I did one of those things where I shouted from the bottom floor and she shouted from the top floor. It worked out. After a minute me and my companion walked upstairs and started talking to her a little bit more. She was a lady from the Philippines who had come here for work. As we began to take the conversation toward church. She told us of her experience losing her daughter when her daughter was very young. She told us how this experience had changed her life. Her question was, "Why God? Why would you do this to me?" Because of this, she stopped attending church and so forth. I believe on of the most special opportunities that we have as a missionary is to bear testimony of the love of our Heavenly Father. He loves us more than we can comprehend. 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

I know that Heavenly Father loves me more than I will ever know. One way that I do know for a certainty is because of my family and friends and the support they have shown. I am so grateful that a loving Heavenly Father has lifted me up and inspired me to be better each day.

This Sunday, many of our members were absent from church. With only one member baptized a few weeks ago and an investigator family. I conducted the sacrament meeting. The meeting was amazing. Elder Wimmer gave an amazing talk and we were able to feel the spirit. After Church I was a little frustrated and sad and wondering to myself, "What's going on?" It was in that moment that I learned a really important lesson. "Elder Shirley, Count your Blessings." It was true. This families father never was able to get many Sunday's off but he was there at church today. This convert of ours has a very busy work schedule, only getting a few hours of sleep each night, yet he had come. I realized that if I had only counted my blessings instead of my challenges, it would have been a much happier Sunday. 


I am so grateful for the Spirit and the promptings of how to improve. I know that as we work hard this week, miracles will begin to happen. I love the Lord and all that He does for me. I share my testimony that the Lord, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer, in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Love, 
Elder Shirley


They went to Miri in a charter bus for a Zone Meeting









                                   









Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 76..."This past week has been one of faith and might!"

This week, I had the opportunity to watch conference which was an absolute blast! I love hearing from the prophets and apostles speak and offer counsel to those that are seeking it. How grateful I am that our Heavenly Father in this period of time has a prophet upon the earth. I have a testimony that as we heed the words of the prophet and those that are called alongside him, that we will never go astray. This past week has been one of faith and might! I am grateful for the opportunity to come and serve the people of Singapore. It hasn't always been easy but I can honestly say it has been all worth it! A simple principle of faith that I learned from General Conference was what Elder Choi had said saying, "Don't look around, Look up!" I have learned that if all that I do is look around, I can never progress, however, as I continue to steadfastly look up toward heaven, then I find myself changing in so many ways. Axxxxx is awesome! She is something else...
Post a Comment
Read more

Week 75...Experiences that have increased my faith and built my testimony up this week.

The things you get to learn on a mission are just awesome! I am so glad that I decided to serve the Lord for two years. I would be nowhere close to where I am at right now. I am indeed grateful for the experiences that I have been able to have on my mission and for what they have taught me personally. I know that the Lord, Jesus Christ is very well aware of what I go through and is continuing to lift me up every hour of the day. I know that He lives. His love is real and extends to all who seek it. I wish to share with you some of the experiences that I have had this week that have increased my faith and built my testimony up. Trust in the Lord.  I have really felt the need to say that after the many challenges and trials that seem to be never ending, that I simply can not do it on my own. If I continue to try and do something on my own and just push forward, then I have already failed. I cannot do it on my own. It is sometimes painful to admit that because I feel that in orde...
Post a Comment
Read more

Week 71...The Sound of Rejoicing

March 5, 2016 Hello! I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ! It is honestly the best thing ever. I know that sometimes it feels like the Gospel can only apply to those that we teach and share with but first and foremost it is to strengthen yourself and give you the confidence and boost of energy that you need throughout the week. I love the Savior Jesus Christ. He is my teacher and exemplar and I look to Him as one of my closest friends and for that I am eternally grateful. This week I have been thinking to myself how I could better help those people that I have been working with feel the power of the Spirit and to continue to be excited to meet again and learn. It was also something that I have been thinking about as we contact other people in Singapore. We do strive to talk with everyone and look for opportunities to serve those around us, however, I have felt that we weren't yielding the same success as weeks prior. Then everything changed!  D&C 28:16 "And thou m...
Post a Comment
Read more