Wednesday, December 16, 2009

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

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