Week 55... Happy Thanksgiving

November 20, 2016

Happy Thanksgiving! The one time in the year that we remember all that the Lord has done for each of us. No... It should be all the time that we remember what He has done for each of us.;) There is much to be thankful for!

As I have been growing in my mission, I remember when I started my prayers were simple and basic. As I have had the opportunity to help others learn how to pray, it has become evident in my own life what I need to be praying for. I realized it is never enough to simply ask the Lord for blessings and favors, but we must also have a heart of gratitude and thankfulness. As I have been able to pour out my heart to my Father in Heaven, I have felt the Spirit's influence much more stronger than times before. I know that Heavenly Father listens and answers prayers as we strive to be sincere. I know that His love is real and Eternal.

This past Saturday, we had our weekly English class which has been doing quite well lately. Thursday, about 25 people had come and all of them were amazing! In English class, we try to focus on helping those who want to practice English, learn English. After class there is an optional Gospel Discussion that we hold for those who would be interested in talking more about Gospel related items. Usually for that side of the class, we will watch a Mormon message and then discuss what we have learned. This past week we watched "Flecks of Gold" about a man who sold all of his possessions to journey to California for the famous Gold Rush that was taking place. He travels a long distance, searches the rivers and is focusing on finding those big nuggets of Gold. He is upset when all he finds are rocks after rocks. All of the sudden a man comes and tells that there is gold, but you need to know where to find it. He shows him a rock with little flecks of Gold. He explains how he was so busy looking for large nuggets that he is missing the opportunity to fill his pouch with precious flecks of Gold. In our everyday lives are we looking for some massive blessing that once found, will sustain us for the rest of our life, or are we seeking for the small opportunities that come each and every day? 

Just as Alma counsels Helaman in the Book of Mormon;

6. Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

 7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

We met a man waiting for the MRT. He talked with us and then asked if we were Latter-Day Saints. We told him yes and that we were missionaries. He asked us about the Book of Mormon in which we were able to share with him. He told us that a few years ago, he had met missionaries but then never had a chance to learn more. We offered him a copy of the Book of Mormon and challenged him to read it and ask God for himself if it was true. He accepted and said that he will call us to meet again. The seeds that missionaries plant from the past are now being harvested. Never give up. Effort is never wasted.

Sometimes on Sunday's we will go down to China town to talk with others about English Class. This particular time it seemed way busy and everyone was rushing to and from places. There was an uncle just singing some songs in the court yard. I was thinking about just trying to focus when all of the sudden I hear someone singing silent night. Granted it was in Chinese but the Spirit came and my heart was at peace. I have learned the true definition of peace is not everything being calm and still but simply being calm and still amidst the hustle and bustle of life.

Dinner's with the members have been amazing. They are very generous and kind. It is respectful to eat all of the food that they give you so I have no problem doing that. One of our members had so much beef and food and they expected me and Elder Boud to eat it. Well, we got through most of it and then this members daughter was like, "I knew you couldn't eat it all." I really do have a competitive side so I took the food and I ate it all! That was a proud moment in my life. But besides that, meeting with members really does help us gauge what our ward needs, to pray about it and then to act and go hard.

A scripture that I will be pondering for this next week is found in 3 Nephi 5:13 which reads,

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."

I know that I am a disciple of Christ. He has called me to serve in the Singapore mission region. I have a testimony that a living prophet of God by revelation has assigned me to come here at this time. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord for these two year. I share my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love,

Elder Shirley