Week 43... 'We Made it a Goal to Pray for Trials

August 28, 2016

This week was a really good week. Elder Schwemmer has honestly been such a good companion and I am grateful for his willingness to continue to press forward regardless of what is happening. This week has definitely been full of trials and challenges but it was the challenges and hardships that have helped me to become much stronger than I was before. Elder Schwemmer and I have decided that in order to grow and become stronger we need some opposition and trials. We made it a goal to pray for trials.... and the trials came tumbling down. Each day was a good day but there was always a great trial that was included. The blessing was that it did not get me down but instead pushed me to go even harder. I knew that the Lord was behind it all and I am so grateful for his help in all that I do! He is my light!

Something else that helped me to be able to strengthen my faith in Christ was praying specifically for people. One of the concerns that we had in our branch is the number of our young men. We prayed that we would not only find people who were prepared to learn but for prepared young men to fulfill their priesthood obligations. As we went out that day all we found were young men upon young men! The promise of the Lord is true! Ask and you shall receive!

As Elder Schwemmer and I were finding on Saturday we were about to head to dinner, when we saw a man just outside his house. We went up to his gate and called him over to us and just starting having a normal conversation. We brought up the Book of Mormon as an additional witness of the Savior Jesus Christ and went on to give him a copy. He told us that he already had a copy and that he had read from it time and time again. We asked if he would be willing to allow us to come share with him for a few minutes and he agreed. We gave a powerful lesson on the Book of Mormon and shared with him the promise that Moroni gave to each of us concerning the Book of Mormon. He was really touched by it and we have a return appointment with him this Tuesday!

This past Sunday, we talked with Elder Wiser about some things to help our branch in Kuching to grow. We wanted to focus on getting home teaching more prominent and helping other families to be able to start coming back and to also keep our recent converts from leaving. We hope this week to get some things happening and continuing to press forward!

Scripture of the Week:

Doctrine and Covenants 58:26-29

"26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

 27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

 28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

 29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.

One thing that I have learned while serving with each companion is that if we do not take the initiative to magnify our callings in whatever position we hold, then in a sense, we are dammed. We can not move past the obstacle unless we humble ourselves and do all that we can. I know that as we do all that we can, regardless of who is watching then great things will happen. We will see change within our self and others. 

I love the Gospel. If you feel you do not have the kind of testimony that you desire of the Gospel, search, ponder and pray. We will receive a witness only after the trial of our faith. I share my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love,

Elder Shirley