Back Out!

The plans that Heavenly Father has for us are so wonderful. Sometimes we don't understand why for the moment, but in time, we come to see the hand of the Lord in every aspect of our lives.

As you all know, my Dad, out of love, had me come off my mission. For a period of time, I really could not understand why this had to happen, why I had to go through this ordeal. But, throughout these past few months, I have come to see what the Lord wants me to learn, and the blessings that come from being patient when it comes to obeying and patiently understanding His will.

Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to serve in various callings in the two wards that i have been at BYU. The callings have helped me prepare to go on my mission again! I talked to my Dad over Christmas, and continued talking to him on the phone. Amidst the prayers and love of those around me, he allowed to go back to the mission field!

I love my parents dearly, and hope that i will be able to be a good missionary as i go back out into the field!

"He Sees Into the Eternities"

Dear All,

Some of you might know, but the rest of you won't know this. I've been released from my mission at the request of my father. While I was training at the Manila MTC, my Dad called my Bishop, Stake President and Mission President, and informed them that he wasn't allowing me to serve a mission.

I had no idea about this till I returned to Singapore from training and found my parents waiting for me instead of the missionary couple who were supposed to pick me up.

The rationale that my Dad gave was that he couldn't accept the fact that an insitution could prevent him from seeing his son for two years, and not allowing him contact except though email and three phone calls a year.

I have been instructed to obey the will of the Patriach of my family, and as such, I have. Pressure has been placed on him by my relatives too, who don't understand that they are taking away my agency.

I am hurt, and confused, and distraught. But, I trust that the Lord will show me what to do in time, for I have learnt in the 3 weeks in the MTC that the Lord will bless thse who serve him faithfully, but in his own time. We just have to wait patiently, and know that he is there, and he knows all, for he sees into the eternities.

I have come to love him so much the more for the gift of his Son, and I know that he lives, and I know that my Redeemer lives.

I will be at BYU in three weeks, for those of you who are in Utah. So, I'll see you then.

Whatever happens in the future, I know it will be well as I trust and believe in the Lord.

Take care and God Bless.

--

Ee Chien

Obedience is the Price

Faith is the Power

Love is the Motive

The Spirit is the Key

Christ is the Reason

Eternal Families!

Hi Everyone!

It's been a good week. I'm really gaining a testimony of the Lord and of his sacrifice and the restoration of the gospel. First things first, Grandpa and Grandpa Chua were sealed today! I was proxy for Grandpa and Sister Smith, the MTC president's wife, acted as proxy for Grandma. It was such a special experience. Elder Yapa Gopal, one of the missionaries whom I'm really close to, was sealed to his family, and he acted as proxy for his father when his parents were sealed. Oh, the Spirit was so strong in that sealing room. I also went through two more endowment sessions.

The day before yesterday, we were able to go across to the temple and teach people there about the plan of salvation. It was a little awkward at first, but, oh how sweet it was when we got into the work! I taught the section on the atonement of Christ. That was the first time I've truly understood it! We can't comprehend it, but we sure can understand the love that our Savior has for us! The feeling I had inside was amazing, and I truly felt the love that my Savior has for me. I talked to Brother Orlando there who plans transportation for visiting groups so I told him about the first ward visit that's coming up over Thanksgiving.

My MTC teachers are really great. My two favorite teachers are Brother Cardino and Brother Lozano. We have a rowdy district but they are really nice and patient. They truly show us the Christlike love that each of us should have within us. The kitchen staff is treating our district really well. They know we don't like fish so they cook curry and other dishes specially for us. Elder Shewe, my companion, is growing in the gospel but it still gets frustrating at times because his English is bad and he doesn't understand much. His knowledge of the gospel is severely limited too. I'm learning to be more patient.

We've watched a few videos here, two of which I've already watched, The Restoration and The Testaments. When I watched The Testaments this time, I really felt the Spirit. It's wonderful being surrounded by people who are so eager to serve the Lord. I am proud to wear my name tag each day. It's wonderful being surrounded by people who are so eager to serve the Lord. I am proud to wear my name tag each day. As much as I love the MTC, I can't wait to get out into the field. The other video that I really loved was a devotional that Elder Bednar gave on becoming a missionary. He said that there are many people who serve missions but never become missionaries. We are on a higher plane as we serve the Lord. I hope that you young men will prepare to serve a mission worthily. Know that the Lord loves you and wants you to serve Him. Trust Him and not in the arm of flesh. Another thing that Elder Bednar talked about was about how we should go home at the end of our missions but never leave the mission field. We also learnt about retaining new converts. I've come to realize how important that is.

Take care and God bless!

"Our Missionaries Are Going Forth..."

Howdy!

I've been having a great time at the MTC. While I have my struggles from day to day, Im praying and working to keep my mind on the gospel. My companion is Elder Shewe from Burma. His English isn't too good but I can tell that he is really trying to learn and understand. His understanding of gospel doctrine is severely limited so I'm trying to help him gain a better understanding of the basics. But, it gets frustrating at times. I'm in the Mosiah district, which is the foreign district. They are all from India and they are really great. Most of them, including Elder Shewe, have only been members for a little over a year, but their faith is so strong. Elder Yapa Gopal is one of them and he really inspires me. He strives to learn and study and his faith and love of the Savior and the gospel is unwavering. We just went to the temple today and performed the endowment for a number of missionaries. The Spirit was really strong. Yapa Gopal is one of them and he really inspires me. He strives to learn and study and his faith and love of the Savior and the gospel is unwavering. We just went to the temple today and performed the endowment for a number of missionaries. The Spirit was really strong.

It's been fun but also tiring learning more about the gospel. It's pretty intensive and the teachers can be pretty strict at times. But, we also have our fun. Our district loves to sing, so we we take every opportunity to do that. There are two sisters in our district, one from Thailand and the other from Micronesia. Sister Yuangnun from Thailand can't speak English. She can only understand a little bit, but she is really learning through the Spirit. Sister Tinngig is great! She has an amazing love for the gospel and is often emotional about it. I can see in her eyes the absolute love that she has for the gospel. My faith and testimony is slowing building with these great people surrounding me. The food is something that I definitely won't miss. The missionaries in my district and I aren't used to having just fish and rice with no sauce whatsoever. We get too much fish. But, the cooking staff is making an effort to accommodate our preferences. got eggs along with our rice for dinner! The Filipinos are really nice and fun to be around. The MTC President and his wife are also really great. Sister Smith is so nice and sweet. Whenever she talks to us, the Spirit fills the whole room.

I'm going to see if I can be sealed for Grandma and Grandpa Chua. I hope that will work out. I'm learning to love the gospel more and love the Savior so much the more for his atoning sacrifice. Obedience really does help and the work is easier if we just listen.

I'll be going to Singapore before I'm posted to Malaysia. But I don't know how long I'll be back in Singapore for. We can't listen to music so I'm going a little crazy, but other than that it's ok. I know that Jesus is our Savior and I love him so much for it.

I Love To See The Temple!

I had the opportunity to have my endowment done on August 4th, 2007 in the Hong Kong China Temple, one of President Hinckley's favorites. :) I went with Brother Pendergrass, and got to meet up with Brother Morey, one of my best friend's Dad. They were my escorts through the temple. It was a wonderful privilege and experience, being able to make covenants with the Lord and learn more of his plan for me and for each of his children. I loved being in the Celestial Room, knowing that I was and I am that much closer to Heavenly Father. The temple is a beautiful place, and I absolutely love being there, knowing that the Lord himself has walked down its halls, and sanctified it with his presence.