---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Braydon Carter <braydon.carter@myldsmail.net>
Date: Sun, Sep 30, 2018 at 11:02 PM
Subject: There's a whole other world out there. 10/01/2018
Hello everyone!!
Holy cow! Has it been a week! Not going to lie to you, I don't have a whole lot of spectacular stories to share this week. Although I do have a lot to say, and another challenge to give ;) You know me, gotta make sure everyone is getting a little out of this experience! I think from here on out I am always going to share my fun goofy stories and pictures at the beginning and progressively get more spiritual and into my testimony. Best for last ;)
So to start off I just have some fun pictures to share. I think I really have one or 2. The first one is a cute selfie with us and an Indian man, or Malay? I'm not 100% sure. All I know is he's awesome. He speaks almost no English, but when he does it's pretty funny. He and his friend own a chendol stand that we will often go visit and we love to just mess around with them.
The reason I wanted to share this photo is to kind of describe the place I am in. In Malaysia there is a lot of Muslim people. And I want to make something straight right now. They are some of the nicest, most loving, inviting people I've met. Maybe I'm just super handsome, but they always are smiling at me. Anything that the news or media puts out is very false. And because of Malay law we can't preach to them. Just wave and be friendly. But they are some of the nicest people in the world, and I though that picture would demonstrate how awesome the people are here.
My next fun thing I will share is I got to try and eat something called ABC. I honestly have no idea how to describe it. It's similar to cendol, which is also very difficult to describe. It basically is like a snow cone, with peanuts, beans, these like leaf things, and I don't even know what else. And it's actually pretty good. I really enjoyed it. For being in a very hot area, constantly on the move it's a nice treat ;) Here's the photo of what it looks like:
Last little culture story I will share is about their food. Oh my goodness. It's awesome. And so so cheap. Like most of there common lunches are equivalent to 1.50 in United States. Sure beats McDonald's dollar menu that's for sure. But they just have all kinds of meats and rice. Prepared in so many different ways. I think my this weeks highlight will be what they call Clay Pot. They cook their meats in this pot and bring it right to you. It's so good. Here's a photo:
Oh and last thing I will say about the culture. And if your an Entrepreneur take notes. They have a fantastic set up for their food places. Instead of restaurants, they have these like massive areas with just all kind of vendors. I believe how it works, is one " company " owns the area, and all they do is have people going around and doing drink orders. And then a bunch of separate vendors will do food. Then they just always have music playing, and as the sun comes down they put on some kind of movie, or they will have TV's with some kind of show on. It's really kind of awesome. Its a very friendly culture. Very similar to how Lucky's Ice Shake is, but on a really large scale. And they have a lot of them. They call them Hawker Centers. Tones of food to choose from. And a whole lot of people to take to. Here's a photo of one of their biggest ones in our area:
Now to get to my spiritual experiences. I fell like I have so many to share. But I'm gonna go for it and just see where my words take me.
So this week was a pretty eye opening week. A whole lot of people wanted nothing to do with us, a lot of our appointments fell through. We didn't have a whole lot of people join us at church. But the week was a blessing. I know what your thinking. I've been brain washed.
The reason I say it was a blessing is because of how many amazing things have come out of it. I'll be honest in saying my first couple weeks in a new country were very hard. A lot of home sickness, and in all honesty self doubt. I was always questioning whether or not I was learning enough or using my time wisely. Yada yada. Bunch of personal stuff. But I have to say since I have been here this last week was the best. It taught me one very important thing. Diligence. There's a lot of skill that you learn on your mission. And diligence has been my favorite. I feel like everything I do truly has a purpose and helps me grow everyday. From the exercise ( which is making me look awesome by the way ;) ) to the study, to the hundreds of people we talk to. Some one is always growing. I know my self I have been growing a ton. And it just makes me want to help more and more people grow as well. So this week my companion and I just went hard. And I think I can honestly say we gave it our all this week. I honestly believe that's what ever day needs to look like. I love the mind shift I am going through of just conquering life, and making it mine. Using every second, and every ounce of energy to helping my self grow, and bringing others to this eternal truth.
The specific miracle and message I will share with it this week is about a family. Normally families are really hard to talk to. Kids are screaming, the parents will quite frequently tune you out. But this week we ran into two separate families that were going through hard times, and really needed our message. And they both allowed us to share. As of right now they are both solid teaching people, and we are very excited to continue to help them grow closer to the gospel. The lesson that I really learned is can't is a phrase unknown. It's a cop out. Its a word we use when were not really sure what to do. Or we get uncomfortable. It's a word we use when we give up and have no plan on pushing forward. But I have really learned this week once you take off the "T" miracles start to happen. As did they for us as we just kept pushing. This goes for everyone. As you all read this I want you just say for you can all do anything. I won't say it's not going to be hard. It will be. People will get in your way. Try to stop you. And want you to quit and give up. But don't listen to that voice. Even if it's your own. What I mean is by that is this week we ran into 2 people from China they were both awesome dudes. I was thrilled, I love Chinese people. I have ever since running into good ole Scott Omae ;) But as we were talking with them, one of them made the comment that my companions Chinese was better. Now is all honesty it is. He's phenomenal. But I was taken back a little bit. I started to think " man I've given it my all, I'm not getting anywhere, am I even gonna learn this language, why can't I be better." All these negative thoughts just started to take me. But if there is one thing I learned from being with two incredible teachers from school is negativity can be used as a motivation. So that's exactly what I did. I went home that night. Prayed hard. And asked for God to help me know what to do. From that point on I had a feeling to start reading the Book of Mormon in Chinese. Which I've wanted to do anyways. But like I've mentioned before, always doubts in what I am doing is the best. So I decided, alright. You know what. I'm gonna finish the Book of Mormon in Chinese before Christmas. I want to call home, and show them my Chinese Book of Mormon and all the marks and highlights from reading. I continued to have doubts, I found my self looking for a cop out, but then I just decided to do it. I started on Friday morning. And since then I have read 30 pages of the Mandarin Book of Mormon. Using only characters and a dictionary app. And I've loved it. I have felt the spirit strong, and as I speak everyday I literally feel the worlds flowing out of my mouth.
My message is, anything is possible. If you are committed. ( Credit to the Know greater heroes foundation ;) ) That phrase is especially true with God as our father, Jesus Christ as our Savior, and the Holy Ghost as our companion. Use them. Pray to God, use the atonement, and seek for that companionship. Like I said, this week wasn't the most miracle happening week. But it was incredible because I have really started to learn to trust in the Gospel, and in my self. So my challenge for you is give it your all. In what ever you do. Focus in on the moment. I know for me I often get caught in my dreams, or in the future. But as I've brought it back to focusing 100% on the moment miracle happen.
The Gospel is so real. I honestly don't know why I didn't rely on in more when I was back home. Lose your self in the Book of Mormon. Pray for everything you do. And just trust in God. He's got a plan for all of us. As we follow that plan amazing things happen. I know for me this week I don't think I have ever felt so effective, and really focused like I was this week. The feeling of coming home and diving in bed exhausted is a great feeling. So go get after it. Trust God. Use CPR. And go make life something amazing. I have souls to save ;) But I just want you all to know I love you all so much. I was seriously so blessed to be surrounded by motivated, driven people. I feed off of that energy daily.
I love you all so much,
Elder Carter
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