We had another great week over here in PARADISE aka HuaLian. As the transfer is quickly coming to an end, time over here on the east coast is starting to get REAL precious. I'm praying to stay here one more transfer and get a nice 6 months here in Hualian, but we shall see what happens. With training ending in about a week, either Sister Birch or I will leave, and we just aren't sure who it'll be! Whatever the Lord has in store. (but I am definitely praying to stay;) hah
This week, it was cool to see many of our investigators fall into a nice steady progression towards baptism. As I have shared, we are teaching a lot of families, and this week we got the rest of them on baptismal dates, and set plans with them to help them hit their dates! We are feeling so blessed to be teaching so many people and to be helping so many wonderful families come unto Christ!
A funny thing is that though we have found these people at all different times, they have all somehow ended up on the same lesson, and so sister Birch and I taught about 8 Plan of Salvation lessons this week! ha It gave us a chance to work on our teaching skills as well as our unity in teaching! We feel like pros now! ha joking... Still SO much room to improve, but really so cool! The Plan of Salvation is one of my favorite lessons to teach because it gives everyone the WHY for everything in the gospel. It gives them incentive and reason to want to continue to learn and progress in the gospel! We had lots of very emotional and moving lessons with our dear friends and we expressed God's plan to them and felt God's love for them. It's just amazing. This is the best work in the world.
One lesson I feel like I am really coming to learn and appreciate lately is a little something I like to call "be obsessed with your investigators." When I was in the MTC, we had some RM's come that took place in one of "the district" training videos- not sure which ones because I had never seen them before, but anyways. They shared something that has really impacted me throughout my mission. They shared the advice of being obsessed with your investigators. Always have them on your mind. Always be thinking of ways to help them. Pray for them always. Study for them daily. And, as you do these things, you will be more able to receive revelation from the Spirit to know how to help them.
One hard thing that comes with teaching families is that everyone in a family is different. They all have their own needs, concerns, and feelings, but they all need to be converted. So how can we ensure that we are doing all we can to help everyone understand and be converted? Well, I think a big part of this is exemplifying this principle of always being focused on them. This past week, I have focused on keeping my mind constantly filled with thoughts of my investigators and their needs and always keeping a prayer in my heart for them, and I really have been able to be receive a lot of answers!
I know that there is a reason we commit to giving the Lord our whole heart, might, MIND, and strength when we come here. It is to help us focus and not be distracted yes, but it is also to allow us the most opportunities to receive more revelation to do this work. I am excited to put many of these promptings to action as I love love love the heck out of these people, and help them to receive their own personal testimonies through the Spirit. I just love this work so much.
Well, I could go on for days but I'll step off my soap box for now, and just invite all of you to
remember your purpose always.
Remember that you are a child of God.
Remember that He loves you.
Remember that He wants you to be happy. That is why He gave us His gospel.
Remember what our purpose is here in this life- to learn, gain experience, have joy and happiness, and prepare to return to God's presence.
Remember that all of this is only possible through Jesus Christ.
Just Remember.
The Plan of Salvation outlines the purpose of this life, and as we remember this perfect plan and everyday strive to become perfected through Christ, we will be prepared to live with God again.
I know that this plan is truly the plan of happiness. If we live according to this path God has prepared for us, we will find TRUE happiness and peace. I love you all so much. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Wishing you all the best week!
xoxo
Sister Richards
李姐妹
Lǐ Jǐemeì
Taiwan Taipei Mission
4/F, #24, Lane 183
Jin Hua Street
Taipei, Taiwan 106
1/2- SMOOTHIE SEASON BABY- dragon fruit, and mango/pineapple
3- Huang Mama
4- Li Mei Mei
5- the good life
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