"I Have Learned...."

So I have about a day and a half to the new year.

I guess I'll start off with a quick Christmas update. We had a wonderful time at my house for Christmas Eve. The whole Zone came over. It was a real treat to be home, to be able to meet up with some non-member friends. We got to share a little more about what we believe in. As we were leaving, President got us do sing some carols, which really brought the Christmas spirit.


We spent the next day at President's house, starting with a sleepover that night, then having an awesome breakfast and reading of Luke 2. We emailed, made calls home, watched The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, walked at the Botanical Gardens, had a great dinner, oh, and played Mafia multiple times! It was a good day, though I ended up getting sick after that.

The Bangladeshi men are doing great!

I had the privilege to be asked to perform the confirmation for a sweet little girl, who happens to be the daughter of a lady who was in Young Woman's when my Mom was the Young Women President.


So, I decided that my new year's eve spill could be a little about what I have learned this year.

As a missionary, you learn much. Talking to different people everyday, spending 24/7 with your companion, studying the gospel, looking at the world through a different set of eyes. It really is a learning experience. Once again, it has been a time of ups and downs, but something that I wouldn't trade for anything. When the gospel changes someone's life, and you have been an instrument in the hands of God to help with that, "how great is your joy!"

Over the course of this year as a missionary, I have learned, in no particular order (because they are of equal importance... that....

1. Family Matters Most
My family meas more to me than I can say. I just received a letter from a friend yesterday who said that the more times she spends in college, the more time she wishes she could spend with her family. How interesting and rather sad it is to only be able to understand what matters most when it's not right there anymore. I love my parents so much. Now, I love the nagging and whatnot. I know that that is part of my parents expressing their love for me, because I can see the care in their eyes as they "nag." It is not nagging at all, but rather, a parent dispensing all the advice and information that they can out of pure love. I am going to do all I can to spend time with my family after my mission. I wish I had spent more time with my parents when I was younger. But, I will not regret. Instead, I will do all I can to make up for it, and, hopefully into the eternities! Challenges and obstacles some along the way, but family is always there.

2. The Lessons Taught By The Spirit Are The Best
There are times on my mission where I've said to myself "That was a great lesson. I taught really well!" Wrong. I was an instrument in the hands of the Lord. The Lord spoke through me to those people, and the Spirit touched and moved them. My patriarchal blessing talks about the need for me to come to understand and remember that, and I have. For that I am grateful.

3. Seeing People Struggle and Change and Become Better is Priceless
With a few of our investigators who were baptized, some had to go through enormous personal challenges to become members of the Church. As I saw them grow and change, as I saw them cry and feel the Atonement in their lives, I gained a better understanding and feeling of the Atonement in my own life. I t truly is being in the service of others that makes our own lives better. I'm still learning that, one day at a time.

4. God Loves Me
Knowing that I am a son of God, and that He loves me. To know that he is watching out for me, knowing everything I go through, knowing that I can turn to him.... enough said.

5. True Friends Are Like the Wheat and the Tares
You learn on your mission how to differentiate between a real friend, and a not so real one. I won't go into how, but there are certain things, missionaries and non-missionaries say and do, that tell you all you need to know. Sometimes it takes awhile, but when the "harvest" is ripe, you know.

6. Diets Don't Work
I've tried to diet so many times and in so many ways. They don't work. At least for me they don't. It's ridiculous! :) Moderation seems to be the key. When you're on a mission, people feed, splurging and binging on chips and big meals from time to time is part of the whole game.

7. The Future Is Bright
The future holds much in store, both for the rest of the mission and after the mission. A positive attitude is key. The trick is to be able to keep that positiveness around you all the time. I can only hope that I can continue to do that. There are days when the world, and other circumstances get you down. But, we hope, we hope for the future that brings much, we focus on that oft cliched light at the end of the tunnel, because it really is there. As we do so, as I do so, I know that things will work out, that trials and adversities are for only a small moment. The Lord will bless us as we have that eye towards that light.

8. You Can't Receive Revelation On Who You're Going To Marry While You're on Your Mission
President Clark talked to everyone about that during Zone Conference :D

9. Budgets Are Great
I'm learning to budget. It helps so much, and it'll help after my mission too!

9 1/2. Planning Is Great
I've been working on that too. Helps a lot, especially with goal-setting.

10. The Gospel Is True
As we have talked and taught people throughout the year, we have been rejected many times. Some nice, some not. It is interesting to see how people react to us and our message, whether it's during a contact on the MRT, or a lesson at the Church. As these people have come by, in and out of out lives, it has been an experience in itself, learning what people are looking for in life, what priorities certain people have. Along with they, we've learned about new belief systems, about what people really think about us, and how to act with certain people. Working with different companions is interesting. You get along with some better than others, but you still have a common cause (most of the time). You love some people easily, and some takes a biy more time. But, all in all, I have learned that no matter the circumstance, lesson, or experience, the thing that I have a testimony of is that the Church is the Church that Jesus Christ restored to the Earth. I love the Church and what it has taught me, about how to be more like the Savior and the joy that comes from that. There is much to hope for.

To end off, the three stanza in the hymn, How Firm A Foundation has found its way to being my motto and motivator for the year ahead:

Fear not I am with thee, oh be not dismayed.
For I am the God and will still give the aid.
I will strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand.
Up held by my righteousness, omnipotent hand.

I am grateful to be alive in this world at this time, to be a missionary and a member of the Church. I am grateful for my family and friends, and for the love and care that they provide. Have a wonderful new year's eve. I'll write again next year!

-Elder Chua

A Gift To The Savior

This has been a wonderful week, not only because it's Christmas week, but also because of the experiences that I have learned and the experiences gained. I'll share three of them this week.

First off, we met up with Jeremy, Sister Maureen's nephew on Monday. Jeremy had promised us that he would come to Church on Sunday, but he didn't make it, so we set up an appointment for Monday and went over. We were on exchanges so I was with Elder Stone. The lesson started off relatively normal. He's been doing good. We read through some of the scriptures that he had been reading, and things were going well. But, as we talked about why he didn't come to Church, he said that he wasn't ready yet. He said he wasn't able to explain it. But, as we continued to talk to him, the Spirit became the teacher and the Spirit prompted him to tell us what his concern really was. He told us that he hadn't been to his Church for three years, and when he went a few weeks ago for his family members' baptisms, he felt rotten about it. He had been dressed and ready to come to Church on Sunday, but felt that he couldn't come. It was wonderful to teach him about the Atonement o the Savior, and remind him of what it does for all of us. He was rather emotional about it all. It was really a good thing to see that mighty change working within his heart.

Met with Rick and Jean Howe again after a few months. I was on exchanges with the Assistants again, but this time with Elder Troxel. It was another great lesson. Brother Howe has a bad leg and suffers because of it. We talked about the need for him to come to Church and to bring his wife, who does want to come, and who isn't yet a member. We shared Alma 7:11-12, which, with the Spirit, gave me a greater insight and more especially a greater appreciation of the Atonement that I have yet had. Elder Troxel and I recited a couple of our favorite verses from How Firm A Foundation that taught me more again. Funny that you really learn with you teach people in service.

A member from Bangladesh has brought four friends here for us to teach. There is a huge language barrier, but through love, and the Spirit, we are now teaching them. The first lesson was amazing. We had an amazing time with them, and I love them. It is so intensely powerful when you are able to love someone almost immediately when you see them, or feel them for who they really are.

I gave a talk last Sunday (again), and I was asked to speak on gifts that we can give the Savior at Christmastime. I hope you enjoy it, it's my Christmas message to you all also for this year.

A Gift to the Savior

Giving is such a wonderful thing, because the feelings that we feel and the blessings that we receive surpass the supposed sacrifice of the gift. During this Christmas season, we focus much on the presents that we receive from loved ones and friends, and also find joy in seeing the excited and satisfied faces of the recipients of our gifts. While that might be good, what more can we do to give to the one who has given us all? We too often focus on the physical act of giving and receiving. But, true giving prevents us from needing that reciprocation. Instead, we give out of love. And, as we reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, then we know what we must do to truly give. This season is the time for us to reflect on the gifts that we have received from the Savior, but more than that, to proactively do our best to repay the Savior in the very best way we can.

The Savior taught His apostles a powerful lesson that very much applies to us as disciples of Jesus Christ. In the 21st chapter of John, we read of the Lord having a meal with His disciples. Verses 15-17 read,

So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

My personal feeling is that the Savior's most wanted gift from his children is that of personal ministry, of ministering one by one to His children who need His love the most. We are to feed His sheep with the living waters of His gospel. In our world today, there are many who need to comfort and love of another human being, and we are those who are charged to serve Heavenly Father's children. In our day, it isn't so common to see angels ministering to the people of the Earth, but rather, it is the Saints who are given the charge to be, as the Savior said, "even as I am(3 Nephi 27:27)." As we do so, we will see the relief and comfort they feel, and in our very own way, receive of that peace and comfort that comes from a grateful Father and Son in Heaven.

The act of ministering is to literally act in behalf of the Savior to perform His work among His children.

Ministering to Heavenly Father's children is an expectation. Servants of the Lord Jesus Christ are expected to not only provide physical support to our fellow brothers and sisters, but also to be a guide with emotional and spiritual challenges. Heavenly Father wants us to minister to each of His children, one by one. As we do so, we will be able to draw closer to the Savior, because we will feel His love and approval for what we are doing. As we keep an eternal perspective, we will see that we are but helping each child of God return to Him, as we participate in that work of ministering in our own little way.

Amulek's great discourse on prayer reads: "But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto Him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you. (Alma 34:26-27)."

"For the welfare of those around you." We are to be mindful in our prayers especially for those around us. Personal ministry through prayer is a powerful tool.

Sister Bonnie D. Parkin, former Relief Society General President spoke of prayer in relation to personal ministry. She said, "We can become better acquainted with Heavenly Father through prayer. Personal ministry can answer prayers. We can offer a daily prayer that enlists the help of the Lord Jesus Christ as we ask: "Help me to be the answer to someone's prayer today." The Lord consistently answers this prayer as we tune our eyes and ears to discerning the needs of those around us…. Asking to be an answer to someone's prayer has a powerful impact. We become the hands of our Savior as we do His work. There are sacred, quiet experiences for those who participate with the Lord in answering prayers. As we go about listening, watching, and feeling for the answer to those prayers—even in the midst of our busy schedules—I testify that our earthly ministry unfolds by revelation and divine empowerment. Our testimonies, faith, and feelings of connectedness to the Lord expand in amazing, unexpected ways.

My challenge for you today, for the upcoming year, and for the rest of your lives, is to ask the Lord each day to be the answer to someone's prayer. As you (and I), live worthy of the Spirit, we will receive the inspiration necessary to be the answer to someone's prayer each day.

As a new year comes about, let us remember the words of Will L. Thompson which read,

Have I done any good in the world today?
Have I helped anyone in need?
Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?
If not, I have failed indeed.
Has anyone's burden been lighter today
Because I was willing to share?
Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?
When they needed my help was I there?

There are chances for work all around just now,
Opportunities right in our way.
Do not let them pass by, saying, "Sometime I'll try,"
But go and do something today.
'Tis noble of man to work and to give;
Love's labor has merit alone.
Only he who does something helps others to live.
To God each good work will be known.
Then wake up and do something more
Than dream of your mansion above.
Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure,
A blessing of duty and love.

I know that as we follow the counsel of this hymn, as we do our best to minister personally to each of Heavenly Father's children, to "feed His sheep", that we will "help others to live" the true gospel of Jesus Christ. As we give of ourselves to serve and minister to our fellow men, we will be giving the Savior the best gift that we could possibly give Him, because we will be remembering and applying the great commandment that states, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." As we do so, we will truly become the instruments of God in His hands, serving His children, and becoming the people whom He so wants us to be.

I know that as we focus on what really matters, and what gives us true happiness, that we will be HAPPY! The new year is coming along! I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity to be a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Savior has given us all, and I am grateful for it.

Be your own gift to the Savior.

Merry Christmas.

-Elder Chua

Knowing

Rhea was baptized on Saturday! It was a great baptism, and she sent a text after that that made my day!

We had a couple of teaching experiences this week that left me to think about the things that we teach to people as missionaries.

Oh, we had the yearly live Christmas nativity at the Stake Center, which worked out really well. We had a great time meeting members and non-members alike, who enjoyed going through the different stages leading up to the birth of the Savior. Elder Klemm acted as the scholar reading and studying the prophecies of Christ's birth, and he did a great job! It was rather hectic trying to man the missionary booth, and to talk to people at the same time, running around to get supplies and to do some caroling by the entrance. I'm just glad that I didn't have to act again this year. It all worked out though. Now we just have to sort through the referrals.

We met up with Shu Yang and Angel yesterday. It's the first appointment we've had with them in a month, so we went straight into the lesson, starting off on the plan of salvation. When we got to Earth life, I decided to start teaching them lesson three so that we could set a baptism date with them. But, when we started talking about that foundation step, faith in Jesus Christ, we found out that they were just beginning to work on developing that faith, so we talked to them about that, and helped them to understand the steps they needed to take if they really wanted to find out that Jesus Christ was more than just mortal. Inspiration comes during the times you need it most, especially when you are prepared. As we talked about church, prayer, and reading, it came into my mind how that could relate to them in school, needing to attend classes, ask questions, and to study! It was a simple thought, but one that I was grateful to use as I received it. As the lesson continued, we were able to promise blessings. As I promised them that they would receive certain things as they heeded the things that we taught, I once again received a confirming witness that those things would come to pass if they were obedient to that which we had asked them to do. It is a humble but motivating feeling, to know that you are acting in behalf of Heavenly Father and His Son to teach these people. To be an instrument in the hands of God!

Shu Yan met up with us in the evening, after a bunch of scheduling conflicts. She's such a good person and willing to learn, but I've never really come across her concern before, and I don't really know how to help her! Well, Elder Klemm and I are truing to figure that out. The thing is, she's trying to figure out what she believes in right now. She believes that there is a God, but she says that it is not necessary that God is a being, that He has to be a who, but rather, God can be a what. It is perplexing, because we do not know what angle to take, or how to even begin to answer her, or guide her through the steps that will get her to believe that Heavenly Father is a tangible being who loves us. It is interesting to see someone who is having a hard time reconciling the concept of God with an actual being. We're going to have to really pray and rack our brains on this one. The Holy Ghost, as always, but especially in these lessons, is going to have to play the main part in teaching Shu Yan.

Well, preparation day is on Christmas Day next week. Hopefully we do have some time to email. It's going to be busy. I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas, whether you're with family and/or friends. I know that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, are very mindful of each one of you, because we are all His children. Thank you for your encouragement and support. I always appreciate it. I hope that we will all remember what truly matters during this time of the year, and know, really, the reason for the season.

The Christmas Spirit is always there!

-Elder Chua

Angels & Discussions

On the train home yesterday, I struck up a conversation with the lady next to me. We had a good little discussion. She was going over to visit a relative who is dying, which she said was why she was not in a good mood. It was rather awkward, so I tried to talk a little about the plan of salvation. But, she said that as a Buddhist, she took things more one day at a time. As I talked a little about hope, she said that it wasn't in her belief, but more of a fix the problem when it happens. I realized then that I wasn't supposed to be really telling her what I believed, but rather that I had to just listen to her. She talked most of the way to the stop, and she accepted my name card as she got off the train. The conversation got me thinking a little more about what I believe in, about what it means to me. It was interesting, feeling what I felt. I won't describe it, but it was reassuring.

Had another meaningful discussion with a Filipina lady as we were contacting. She was a retired professor of English and was here because her daughter married a Singaporean. However, she expressed her disapproval that her daughter had married a Muslim and given up her Catholic faith. It was interesting to listen to her talk about her upbringing, and her view of learning about other religions. There are a lot of members and missionaries where she lives in the Philippines, but she had never talked to them. I loved that I was able to bear a simple testimony about The Book of Mormon and some of the truths of the restored gospel.

We were walking in a mall a couple of days ago, and had some American yell, right after he walked past us…"Mormons…. Oh my gosh!!!" Just walked on, but it got on my nerves a little. I am learning bit by bit to love ALL men.

Went to the Daynes' for dinner (I home taught them for two years). Had a great meal with them, then shared a message that we came up with on the spot. It was actually interesting to really think about. We talked about how angels heralded the birth of the Savior. The angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and to Zacharias, an angel appeared to Joseph, as did a host of angels to the shepherds watching their flocks. Angels are those who announced the birth of our Savior, who taught of His coming and the wonderful gift that he would provide.

Right now, as members and missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we too have the divine commission to herald the birth of Jesus Christ, to spread that message of love, peace, joy and hope. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland recently gave an address that I mentioned a few weeks ago entitled "The Divine Companionship." He ended his talk, saying, "Welcome to the work of divinity, welcome to the work of angels." We play our part in teaching the world about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is interesting to note that in the hierarchy of the Church, each person is in a sense helping each other, in whatever capacity that they might serve, teach the gospel, especially as missionaries.

Rhea is scheduled to be baptized this Saturday! We are so excited for her!

Well, I hope that you are all having an exciting lead up to Christmas this holiday season. Thank you for your support and your love.

-Elder Chua

What Are You Thankful For?

The question I have for you today is this: What are you thankful for? In the news today, we see the stories of suffering and pain, of turmoil and death, of failed businesses in an ever seemingly corrupt world that is slowly degenerating into chaos. And, with school, work, and mounting bills to pay, where do we find peace in our lives?

As this holiday season comes around the corner, perhaps we find some of that peace, of hope and joy that can only come from something better than us. Perhaps it’s because we remember Christmases past, where we’ve had fun, where we’ve had our traditions each year that sears into our minds and hearts a feeling of security, because within that is a sense of constancy.

It’s that remembering, that foundation of good times past, that from time to time give us a better hope for the future. Because, when we remember what is good in our lives, then we are grateful, grateful for the things we have had and now have, and which we will have. It is a magical time of the year that allows us to forget our own problems, because we are remembering and focusing on something more.

What do we remember though? Do we remember (as my parents would say) the five stones that they got for presents, or the earrings that your husband bought for you? As we have often heard during this season, we are to especially remember the Savior, for His example and life of service and sacrifice. The purpose of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of the Savior. But unfortunately, people quickly forget the true purpose of Christmas. People spend too much time celebrating ‘Claus’ instead of ‘Christ.’

The Savior should be the center of our everyday lives, but more especially at this time, because we are celebrating the birth of Him who gave us life. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have made a covenant that we “will always remember Him” (Moroni 4:3), “and keep His commandments”, that “we may always have His spirit to be with [us].” As we come to Church each week and partake of the Sacrament, we are supposed to reflect on our week, on our lives, and consciously renew the promises that we have made with Him.

The promise we make is “to always remember Him.” What are we consciously doing in our lives to show ourselves and others that we are remembering Him?

Gratitude comes in many forms, but they mostly come as gifts. The Savior’s gift to us is one of eternal life. So, what are we going to give the Lord to thank Him for that gift?

The golden rule is to “do unto others what you would have done unto yourself.” So, the Savior has given us that gift of eternal life. What do we want others to have and experience then? Joy through eternal life too right? We are so afraid to talk to people about this marvelous present we have received, while it is easy to us to show off those new earrings or shoes that we have been given! Why?

Yes, it is hard to do missionary work, it is hard for us to talk to our friends and family because we’ve already tried it, and we’ve been shut down and rejected again and again. But, here’s the thing. We might be rejected twenty or thirty times, but it only takes that one golden person or family to change that all. We need to believe that the next person whom we decide to share the gospel with is someone whom the Lord has prepared for us. If we will do so, if we will prayerfully counsel with the Lord, we will know who we must share this priceless message with.

We might not be the most eloquent or the most impressive people. But the Lord’s promise to us is that if we do what he asks, he will provide the way, show us the love, and extend His comforting hand. In John 16:33, the Savior says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” To his disciples before He ascends to His father, he states: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”(Matthew 28:20). As it states in the sacrament prayer, we [will] always have His Spirit to be with us”, if we will but remember Him and keep His commandments. With those promises in mind, let us be as Nephi of old, courageously stating that “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them” (1 Nephi 3:7).

As the new year comes along, let us make a conscious effort to be better, to do better, to show gratitude to the Lord by truly remembering Him. Gratitude indeed does work both ways. We are grateful for what we have received by doing our best in all that we do, and Heavenly Father shows us His gratitude by showering us with blessings that can only come to those who are truly thankful. With all of us in mind, Doctrine & Covenants 62:6-7 reminds us of a promise that the Lord gave to the Prophet Joseph Smith: “Behold, I, the Lord, have brought you together that the promise might be fulfilled, that the faithful among you should be preserved and rejoice together…. with a thankful heart in all things.”

It’s still an open-ended question that I’m asking. We are thankful for the Savior and His Atonement, but what else are we thankful for? There is so much to be thankful for. This season will give us that needed time to ponder.

These lyrics sung by Josh Groban touches much on the message I am trying to share today. It reads,

Some days we forget
To look around us
Some days we can't see
The joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.

Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say
I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue
Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each others' light
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There's so much to be thankful for

So, take the time to reflect on this question for a little while this month. What are you thankful for? As Christmas rounds the corner, and we receive Christmas gifts from our loved ones, we’ll open them with surprise and joy, because those gifts remind us of the love that our families and friends have for us. But truly, after all the hustle and bustle of this season draws to a close, what will we truly be thankful for?

Little Blessings

Elder Lamat gets transferred on Friday. My new companion will be Elder Klemm, fresh out of training! Should be good. Elder Stone, one of my former companions, is the new Assistant! I'm excited for that!

We've had a decent week. Our investigators are slowly starting to progress. We have had two great weeks with a total of nineteen investigators at Church the past two weeks. We're working on getting them on baptism date. Slowly but surely.

Rhea's back on track for baptism next week. We had a wonderful lesson with her. We haven't been able to get to the root of the concern. But, as Elder Hall(we were on exchanges) and I talked to her, and the member bore her testimony, Rhea started to cry, and told the member that she was holding out because she felt that she wasn't worthy. It was an amazing experience when we then bore our testimonies about the Atonement and how much that really meant and can help us in our lives. It was a good lesson for me to remember, that the central focus of our doctrine is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know how much it can help us.

My Dad responded to the missionaries invitation to listen to their talks in sacrament meeting!
Been getting quite a few referrals from members and missionaries, which has been a little blessing for us this past week.

Teaching an investigator who used to learn from the Sisters. She's really good. Just helping her to see who she is as a daughter of God, and how she should not meddle with things of the occult. She has some items that are rather scary, and we're talking to her about that. The power of the adversary is real.

But, I learned something this past Sunday. Brother Jay and his family are moving. In his testimony, and then his lesson in Sunday, he talked about how, through the years, he has come to know that no man or spirit can have power over us, because as we put our faith and belief in God, we can and will be protected and guided. He bore a wonderful testimony of how the Savior has always helped his family. I can't really express it as well as he did, but it was moving. One great thing that he said was that he's learned that sometimes Heavenly Father counsels and teaches him through his wife. Good lesson to learn.

Found out that a girl I contacted a while ago got baptized. Passed her on to the Mandarin Elders and thought nothing of it. It was just a short contact, but she's now a member of the Church! No effort is wasted! Heavenly Father really does work miracles in our lives. I love these little blessings.

Gave a talk on Sunday. Wrote one originally that the Assistants and President though would get the whole congregation walking out on me. So, I changed it. I'll send it out/put it up soon. I talked about what we are thankful for in our lives. Well, Happy December. Do keep in touch, especially during this amazing season!

I love Christmas!

-Elder Chua

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Another Week

Not enough time!!!!

We've had yet another decent week. Nothing too spectacular.

Elder Teng ended up spending the weekend with us because he had his hand slammed in the door, so they kept him here for a few days to make sure that it was alright.

Met a few new investigators, which has actually worked out pretty well, especially since a few have been member referrals. Sister Regina is a really awesome member who helps us with finding those referrals. She is really humble and talks to everyone about the gospel. Unfortunately not all the members are like her. I guess humility really is key to missionary work.

We had ten at Church, so that was awesome, but we are struggling a little to set people on baptism date. Have to get them to meet up with us first. Got to go to a few members' houses, so that was nice.

Received another hate letter, this time two churches had their names listed on it though. It's rough sometimes, but what to do? Just do your best to spread the gospel the way you can, and with all your might! Haha, I sound like a religious zealot sometimes, but I have less than six months left! Have to go at it.

Sister Maureen, a member, had us meet with her nephew. He's really nice and I think will take the time to see whether we teach something that makes sense to him.

Learning day by day how to be more humble and patient, especially with people. Those really are my weak points. So how is everyone doing anyhow? Oh, right. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! We're going for dinner at the Clark's in a short while.

-Elder Chua

"Ideal Mormons" and "Desire"

This week has gone by really fast. With this one hour limit now, I keep forgetting to write out this weekly email, so it's going to be pretty short too!

Well, the week actually went by really fast. Since the other area in my district got whitewashed, I went to Church with them on Sunday, and I'll be going one more time this week. It's fun because I have worked in two of the three areas. It's been good to visit them. Monday and Tuesday, I went on exchanges with Elder Sederholm, my Zone Leader. It went really well, and we really do teach well together! We are still working on rebuilding our teaching pool. We have a couple of promising investigators, but we'll have to see how that goes.

Ethel got anti-ed again. She really must be someone that the adversary wants to bother. It really is annoying, well, more frustrating sometimes when things like this happen. I don't understand why people hate us so much. I guess I understand it, since it was all predicted in the scriptures, but sometimes, it would be nice if it were just a little easier. Heavenly Father will prepare a way for His children to return to live with Him if they want to though.

Shu Yang and Angel are two member referrals that we taught that are doing alright.

Met an Indian man who wants to learn, though I think it's more intellectual than Spiritual at the moment. Still open though.

Feline is a former that was taught in 2003 and 2006. We're now teaching her in 2009. Funny. She was Taoist when they first taught her, but now she's Christian. Go figure.

Robbie is another former we're working on. He's got good questions, but not the desire yet.

Speaking of desire, we met a man named AJ on Monday from the potential list. He was really friendly, but just said he had no desire to really learn about religious or spiritual things. He said that he had a lot of things happen to him. When we asked him if he was happy, he replied that he was content, then added that he was happy. But, it was painfully obvious to see the hurt in his eyes. Some things that have happened that have numbed him to the point where I think he just is thinking that "if there is a God, I don't want to know about Him because He doesn't love me." That really saddens me.

Did district training on "Ideal Mormons." It was a good reminder to myself that EVERY child of God has the right to learn, and then to accept or reject the gospel. No judgements on our part to decide if someone needs it. Zone Conference last week was good. Received training on teaching by the Spirit, planning, and remembering the Lord. Uplifting, really.

Working to help Elder Lamat with English and teaching. Rather frustrating sometimes, but he is trying. Good Elder. On my part, I need more humility and patience.

Well, not too much time. Got to go. Have a wonderful week. Thanksgiving next week!

-Elder Chua

A Spiritual Impression

We've had a pretty decent week, though I have yet another new companion, Elder Lamat. Elder Lamat is from Kuching, East Malaysia. He's a good kid.

My district's been going through so many changes lately. Elder Bukchuluun is going back to Mongolia because the government is not allowing anymore foreign missionaries to go into the country, so they are trying to get the locals back in. It's going to be sad. Oh well. He's excited for it. Hopefully things settle down soon. I'm going to stress out a little, trying to handle this companionship that consists of a new missionary and his companion who has never been a trainer, senior companion, and who has never served in Singapore. I'm sure that it will be fun.

Well, I don't have much time today since I forgot that I was supposed to write this. But, I will talk about one wonderful spiritual experience that we had yesterday.

Ethel finally was able to meet up with us after a couple of weeks. We had our appointment with President and Sister Clark in his office. Anyhow, we started off by answering a couple of questions that her anti friend had posed to her. It was good to be able to answer those questions for her. What it came down to was us testifying to her that we have living prophets and apostles once again on this earth. We explained to her that the only reason why we were teaching her, why we were doing this was because we knew that it would provide her the way for her to return to her Father in Heaven. It was while we were testifying of living prophets that I bore my own testimony. As I said the words I said, there came into my heart a conviction that what I was saying was fact. It wasn't even a warm feeling or anything, but rather something that told me that what I was saying was completely true. It was an experience that I have never had before, and it really left an impression on me.

This Church has the full gospel of Jesus Christ.

Christmas is coming up, I'm so excited!

-Elder Chua

Onward!

We had a wonderful weekend! Two baptisms are always wonderful! Brandon was baptized first, with me then baptizing Yuni! The really sweet thing was that I got to say the baptismal prayer in Indonesian, though it did take some practice to get that done. Brandon and Yuni were so happy when they were baptized, and the confirmations went wonderfully too! Thankfully, I confirmed Brandon, so I got to do that in English. They are so excited to be members of the Church. What a wonderful blessing.

Sister Catherine passed away on Thursday, so we went to her wake on Sunday. It's the third one I''ve been to in the last few months. It was especially hard to see Brother Woo and Shu Yan break down. It hurts when you see people whom you care for hurting so badly. I can only hope that the gospel which Brother Woo has so recently accepted will help him, and that Shu Yan will find peace as we teach her about the plan of salvation, and what it has done and can do for each one of us. These experiences have only helped me to appreciate my parents more. I'm glad that I've been able to recognize that they love me so much, and I only hope that I can reciprocate that love. It's definitely a far cry from high school when I thought the nagging and lectures were random bouts of frustration. Now I know that they were wonderful expressions of my mother's and father's love for me. After mission time is parent time!

We got to see Rhea earlier this week. She is doing well and is really excited with what we are teaching her. She is asking questions about some of our beliefs in relation to her Catholic upbringing, but we have been able to clarify and answer her concerns. She excited for her upcoming baptism, and we're excited for her too! Her employers, who are members too, are a great help. It's also good that her sister is a member of the Church.

Been on exchanges these past couple of days. A companionship in my district has been having some issues, so I counseled with them, and took them on splits to separate them for awhile. Throughout the two days, as I was figuring out what to do, I asked for advice from the Zone Leaders, the Assistants, and President. They gave some advice, but mostly, they left the decision up to me. It was a relatively new experience, but a good one, because it helped me to make decisions on the spot, and also to rely very much on the Spirit as I tried to figure out what the best decisions to make were.

As we were walking to the bus stop from our appointment with Rhea, we walked past a guy who was sitting at a table and waiting. Something told me to turn around, which turned into a good little lesson on the plan of salvation. As we sat at the bus stop across the street afterward, I watched as the man read the pamphlet rather thoroughly. It was, as always, a good reminder that everyone should have the opportunity to listen to the message that we share, and that there are people who are waiting to hear it. I only hope that I will not lose that zeal after my mission.

I think Pamela got anti-ed.

Patricia is doing alright. She has her priorities focused somewhere else ow, but we're still holding her interest, and has some really good questions, so we're praying that things will continue to progress.

Marna Lee is the helper for the Daynes'. I home taught them for two years while I was still in high school, so I got to know her pretty well. It took a couple calls to persuade her, but she agreed. We had a relatively good discussion, but we'll have to go slowly with her. Slow but steady wins the race!

Cisca is progressing slowly. We hit a road block with coffee, so we're working on helping her overcome that. We're going to get her to switch over to Mountain Dew and wean her off from that! She was actually fed coffee when she was a baby! No wonder she is having such a hard time getting off it!

Well, Elder Ng-Woon is training again so he gets transferred on Thursday. I'm getting my second non-American companion in a row, Elder Lamat from Kuching Malaysia. He's an Iban! (one of the tribes in East Malaysia). It should be fun!

Still working on trying to develop quiet dignity and a spiritual maturity. It's a constant upward struggle, but we go onward!

-Elder Chua

The Work Goes On

We had a great week, except for one particular incident. But, as always, the work goes on.

Unfortunately, we have to pass Rita to the Mandarin Elders. Hopefully she makes some progress. She's great but just stuck on a couple of the commandments.

Brandon is amazing! He is going to be baptized on Saturday! It is so wonderful to have someone so excited and ready to join the Church. We're going to be seeing him tonight, so we'll be able to keep that up. He actually went from smoking a pack of cigarettes a day to quitting cold turkey. It shows what the gospel can do with someone who really has faith in it.

Yuni is ALSO getting baptized on Saturday. We finished up teaching the commandments with her, and we were going to schedule it for next week, but she asked if she could just be baptized on Saturday. So, we had her baptismal interview and it all worked out! It is going to be a blast!
We set quite a few baptism dates! Elder Ng-Woon was gone for a couple of days, so President Clark went with me for our appointment with Ethel. We taught her from lesson three, answered her questions, and committed her to be baptized! It was a little surprising that she accepted! I did not have enough faith, but the Lord does work miracles in the hearts of His children as they search sincerely. We had her over at the Clark's after Church on Sunday and helped resolve her concerns. Unfortunately, she's been anti-ed pretty badly over the past few days, so we're working on picking up on it. It should be good. She's still willing to meet.

Church was great because we had a whole bunch of member referrals and surprise investigators turn up! It is good to have the members helping. That is the ONLY way that the work can truly go forth. It was a nice end to the week.

Rhea is a member's helper who has a sister who is also LDS. We met with her on Monday and had a wonderful lesson with her, where she also accepted a baptism date. It has been a blessing to meet some prepared people. Well be able to make the baptism goal for the mission two months on a row! And in Singapore! Well, no credit to us. Heavenly Father was kind enough to place His prepared children in our path.

On the way to Rhea's appointment, we were talking to people on the MRT. Along the way, I noticed staring at us. She got off at the same stop, so I started talking to her as we were going down the escalator. During that short conversation, she talked about how she really wanted to understand Christianity more. She noted that she was a flight attendant, and would be flying off soon, so I suggested that we meet her when she got back. She gave her contact information, and then asked "Can we meet tomorrow?" Was I shocked! I couldn't find any time in our schedule, so I asked if we could just meet her then, to which she said yes! We pushed our appointment to a later time, then sat down, and taught her the first lesson. She absorbed it, stating that she had been having a hard time the last few days, and she felt that we were an answer to her prayers. We set up a time to meet again the next day after rearranging her schedule.

And then it happened. We met with her and a member at the MRT stop by her house, and found a place nearby to sit down. Had all the niceties, then said a prayer. As we were about to say the prayer, I saw a woman walking by staring at us, thought nothing about it. As we finished the prayer, the same woman came up and grabbed our investigators drink, flinging it to the ground. She walked away. It was a pretty big shock. But then, she came back a few seconds later and started screaming at us to leave, that The Book of Mormon was goodness knows what, that we better not utter the name of Christ, and that we should leave. It scared me, well, all of us really bad. We walked away, with her still screaming that we better not smiling or anything. It was a scary experience. We went up to the food court to continue, though I think it was awhile before we could calm down.

The rest of the lesson went amazing still though. She accepted a baptism date, the rest of what we taught, committed to doing her best to follow the Word of Wisdom, and to read and pray. She'll be in London this weekend, so we got her to commit to meeting with the missionaries there, and set up an appointment for her. She is golden, in every sense of the word.

I was talking to some other people about what had happened later on, and two thoughts occurred to me. One, that the adversary was working very hard to shake Pamela, and two, that the Savior really suffered throughout the whole course of the Atonement. She is a great investigator, and I guess the adversary was doing his best to scare her. It was not a pleasant experience. That woman did not have good in her eyes.

The good that came out from it was the lesson that I learned about the Savior's Atonement. For once, I understood in a sense how it must have felt for Him when He walked down the via dolorosa, along with His trial and the accusations yelled at Him. Those people hated Him, and yet He pressed on. I in no way went through anything close to what He had to, but it was a shocking reminder that the Savior died for me, and He had to suffer in a way that we cannot comprehend. I don't think I can fully express in words how I felt, but I am grateful that I am more mindful of it now.

All is well now. As I said at the beginning, the work goes on, and it will.

-Elder Chua

Just a Good week!

We've had quite an amazing week!

Well, Elder Pulver was transferred to Kuching, so my current companion id Elder Ng-Woon from New Zealand, my first non-American companion. He's way hard working, and also plays the guitar and sings amazingly well. I'll miss Elder Pulver, he was a great Elder.

Elder Ng-Woon and I are now absorbing the teaching responsibilities for the 1st Ward, my old home ward, so that's been both interesting, but also really fun.

We met up with a "new" investigator, Brandon from Korea. He was learning from the missionaries, but moved here, so the Elders there told him to look us up. We've met with him three times now, and he is set to be baptized next Saturday! Brandon's English teacher happens to be a member in one of the wards I'm serving in, so that will be a great help.

Jen is doing great! She said that she would continue to read from the Book of Mormon, and that she would pray about it. She wants her daughter in the Philippines to learn too! Along with that, she also invited a friend, so we had a new investigator from that!

Ethel has met with us twice now! It's good! She came to Church once a few months ago with her member friend, but we're now making progress!

Another of our investigators that was progressing has had a little bit of a setback, because of problems with the Sabbath day and the law of chastity. Unfortunately, the investigator feels that she is somewhat obliged to her partner because they have been together for eight years, and that they will get married, maybe. She said that her boyfriend said that they would get married if she got pregnant, which shocked us, so the member who was with us tried to help out with explaining the virtue that has to be protected, and how she can't let herself be taken advantage of. It's disgusting to see how the world has casualized sexual relations outside the bonds of marriage, and how to often, people fall into that trap of carnal security, especially when they do not know how to get out with it. She also has problems with not shopping on Sunday. It's weird that she's perfectly fine with tithing and fasting though. I guess we each have our weaknesses, but through the Lord we can become strong (Ether 12:27).

Cisca had some of her concerns resolved, and we reset her baptism date: good.

On Saturday, we had the evening session of Stake Conference, where I was asked to bear my testimony/give a talk on how serving a mission has blessed my family and my own life. As I was reflecting upon it, it was good to see the blessings come from a mission, and the things that I have learned, but also how fallible I am at time. I practiced my talk with Elder Pulver a few times, but of course it came of rather different when I was on the stand, because I don't write out my talks anymore, but just have a few points written down (I like having a bit more of that confidence now). My parents were there, (which is always a treat). It was good to be able to bear my testimony of missionary work and of the gospel to them also. As I talked about the Atonement, I learned some things about the Atonement, and understood more about it than ever before. The Spirit teaches. It was a marvelous experience.

The rest of Saturday Conference was wonderful. There were talks on relationships between family members, on how we can all listen more than ever to the counsel of the living prophets and apostles. President Lai gave a wonderful talk on how that will bless us, how reading conference talks and applying them will bless us. All too often, people just pick what they like, but I am learning day by day that we have to listen to EVERYTHING they say. President and Sister Clark were also inspiring on single and couple missionaries. Stake Conference on Sunday was great. It was a multi-stake satellite broadcast, and we had some great talks on forgiveness, virtue, endurance, faithfulness, being member-missionaries, and finding hope in the future, and in the Savior. Sister Dalton especially talked about our Stake President, about his willingness to obey the commandments of the Lord. Conferences are always so good.

Well, we'll see what this week brings. Take care.

Letters please! Encouragement! There's been a seven week dearth!

Love you all!

-Elder Chua