Hualien - Week 41 - You are a child of God

August 06, 2018

Hualien - Week 41 - You are a child of God

Being a missionary is like being a detective. Since we've been mostly teaching in the mornings and afternoons lately, our nights are pretty open. We fill them by using the ward list of addresses and searching for people that haven't been to church in a long time. Along the way we talk with people, testify of Christ and invite to English class. And as we arrive at homes, we ask current residents and neighbors about the person we are looking for to see if they still live there. We are always seeking to find prepared people or bring back members into the fold of God. Through these efforts we have found a family and another little boy to teach so far! So cool.

This week I was reading in 1 Nephi 16 and was like, beyond inspired! Nephi and his whole family are out in the wilderness suffering--they were probably burning hot, exhausted, thinking back on how they left a home of comfort, at least a home that was much better than a shabby tent. And to add to the already-present difficulty, Nephi's bow broke and his brothers' bows lost their spring, therefore rendering them unable to hunt and bring back food for their families for a time. Everyone must have been starving! They must have felt that they were looking death in the eye. If I had been in their shoes, what would I have done? From what Nephi wrote, we know how everyone reacted. Even Lehi, the father and a prophet of God, murmererd and complained for want of food.

But not Nephi. What did he do when his bow broke? He made another bow. He went out and did something. And he never stopped trusting in God, insomuch that he was able to encourage his family members with inspiring words that came from the "energy of [his] soul (vs 24)." And so then he asked his dad where he should go to find food, and Lehi was chastened for his murmering, repented, and then he was able to use the Liahona--a compass from God that worked according to their faith and diligence--to guide Nephi where to go to obtain food.

I believe that Nephi was accessing the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in order to face this trial with added strength and resiliency. Because He trusted in God so much, that is how he was able to have the help he needed! Relying on God does not mean you are weak, it shows your humility as you humbly allow the Savior to give you the power you need to overcome your trials.

Nephi was able to find food for his family, but think of it: they might have perished there in the wilderness if he hadn't exercised faith and taken action. This is an inspiring lesson for me that when things aren't going exactly how we hope. Instead of getting discouraged when we don't have a ton of people to teach, for example, we can just go out and find some more people who are willing to listen. And we can always pray, we can always hope. The "Keep Going" theme from a couple of weeks ago has still been prevalent and motivating us these past days.

We also had Zone Conference this week, our first one with President Peterson! I learned lots of things, but through directing us to scriptures, President and his wife shared with us some precious truths that reminded me that God loves me, and I want to tell you these truths so that you can be filled with that love.

1. You are a child of God.

2. You are way more than you think you are.

3. You are good, you are pure, you are clean with repentance through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I love being a missionary because when we're on the streets and teaching lessons and everywhere, we get to testify of these truths to our brothers and sisters. We are all children of God and He loves us, He loves you!

As this transfer comes to a close, I am reflecting on my excitement to have another transfer in Hualian with my amazing companion, Sister Lee. I love working with, serving with, and learning with and from her. She is a bundle of pure joy. We are going to continue to do our best to help God's children here accept the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Love you all! Until next week.

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