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Week 31...He will prepare a way!

As I have reflected on the past week I have been able to see the Lord's hand in all that I do as a missionary. It is truly an opportunity to be able to serve the Lord with all of our heart, might, mind and strength! I love the Savior and know that He will prepare a way. This Friday, I went on a companion exchange with Elder Gara. As we prepared to leave we prayed that we would have the patience to find those who were prepared to hear the Gospel. The first part of our day we walked and talked and for a while people seemed to have no interest or just ignored us completely and I started to get discouraged. That is, until we ran into a young man with his friends. As we talked with him, he was open to learning! He told us that he knew there was something more and he was seeking for more truth. It was amazing! I reflected on that experience and realized that the Lord timed that meeting perfectly. Even though we had run into many people who were not willing to listen, because of them, the Lord led us to the ones who were. I have a testimony that as we open our mouth it will be filled. I know that the Savior is the head of this work and that He knows what needs to be done.

I'm beginning to understand what the Atonement of Jesus Christ means to me. There is so much more that I do not even comprehend now but I do know the strengthening and healing power of the Atonement is real! Almost everyday I am ready to serve but there was always feelings of fear and anxiety that came over me and it really affected how I thought and served. As we finished our planning session, I stayed behind in the office and read a talk by Elder Neil A Maxwell titled "The Precious Promise" In his message he quotes "Cast all your cares upon Christ, for He careth for you." I personally felt that my burdens were just because of my weakness and lack of faith but I wanted to improve.
I prayed and plead for my burden to be taken from me and immediately felt the love of the Savior flow into me and never had felt so loved and guided before in my life. We do not have to wait to cast our burdens upon him but continue each day to share with Him those things that pull us down and ultimately give our burdens to Him. I have a testimony that the promise of the Savior is true!

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

The members are doing fantastic! Each week it seems to be better and better. I have really sensed their love and devotion each of them have to living the Gospel. I am so grateful for their examples and testimonies that they have of the Savior Jesus Christ. Our investigator that we met this last week came to church and everyone made sure that he felt welcome and helped him to know what was going on.
Everyone stayed for the 3 hours and it was such a spiritual experience to be able to learn from each other and share our testimonies. I have to admit it is hard to teach a class full of all the members... in English... It becomes fun when no one understands English anyway. I love Chinese! This week, we are really pushing to establish some callings and duties that will help the branch to really be strengthened.

Scripture of the Week:

Alma 26:27
   "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

The Lord will always be with us as we follow him and continue to try our hardest. I know that His promise is made sure. Bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you success. I know that according to our faith that we will see the Hand of the Lord in all that we do. I know that He lives. His Atonement is real. This is His work. I am proud to be a missionary and prepare this people for the Second Coming of the Lord. I share my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love,
Elder Shirley








Comments

  1. UnknownJune 9, 2016 at 4:21 PM

    I love Elder Shirley's message and the photos are priceless. I can't imagine how hot it is there -- bless their sweaty little heads!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Michelle ShirleyJune 12, 2016 at 4:38 PM

    Thanks Alexandra for the comment. I think I would still take the 118 degree heat with 5% humidity in Az then the 100% humidity in Malaysia!!! They are for sure troopers! :)

    ReplyDelete

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