12 Nov 2018 - Gather the lost sheep... One cookie at a time.

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From: Braydon Carter <braydon.carter@myldsmail.net>
Date: Mon, Nov 12, 2018 at 4:32 AM
Subject: Gather the lost sheep... One cookie at a time. 11/12/2018

Hello Everyone!!

I seriously hope everyone had a super awesome week. I'm not sure if many of you were able to celebrate Deepevali [ Diwali ], but I was and it was super fun! I've got some good photos and stories for the week that I'm excited to share, so here we goooooo :)

We were able to start off this week pretty solid! It was Deepevali, which is an Indian Holiday, similar to New Years! My companion and I are all about celebrating so we both dedicated to eating only Indian food that day! Which was way good! Here are some photos:

It was really cool to kind of use that day to observe the different culture and how they celebrated. To them, it's a pretty special holiday and has a lot of religious meanings. I was even able to sit down with an Indian family and just ask them what it was all about, and it's actually really cool. They are awesome people that have some awesome traditions and  beliefs. It's really humbling to be a missionary in a land of many beliefs. It really goes to show people just want to be the best they can. Here are some other cool " festive" pictures of some of the Deepevali things: 

Just a fun side note, those two pictures are made OUT OF RICE! It's so cool some of the things you see out here. 

But outside of the festivities that were going on this week was super awesome for another reason. This week we were able to get super close with the branch president. Many of you probably remember, but if you don't, our branch president is the same age as me and my companion and HE IS AWESOME. I really hope we are good friends for a long time. But anyways he had called us and asked if we could meet at church, and of course we agreed. We often meet with him to talk about the branch and what we can do to help the branch grow in unity, as well as with members. As we were talking we ended up talking about some members that haven't been in a while that we should reach out to. So we sat and pondered for a little bit about what we could do to serve them. It then hit us. We decided we would do what all 19 year old boys would do. I'll let you see for yourself: 

THAT'S RIGHT! We stole an idea from all the awesome Relief Society sisters! We made cookies! And it was actually so fun! Get this... In Malaysia, they don't have cookies like we do. They have like biscuit, cracker things, but the only place to get cookies is subway. And it was our branch president's first time eating a cookie. I guess there's a first for everything. 

But really it was so sweet, we were able to visit some members that haven't been talked to in a while. It was actually pretty funny to see their reactions. Two missionaries and a branch president just showing up with a plate of cookies. And of course they invited us in! It was pretty sweet. Never underestimate the power of cookies. We were able to build trusts, have a fun time, and eat a tasty treat. Really there's no negative. 

To add on to the miracles of working with the branch president, we were also able to meet up with a person we were teaching who is also 19. He's been super solid and we have almost taught him everything, but to make it even better our branch president will go visit him with us and now were all good buddies! We are all able to encourage him to keep reading the Book of Mormon and praying as well as just messing around with him. I honestly think that's what ministering is all about. It's not to have a teacher / student relationship, and it's not just to be friends, but to create a strong bond with the members, and to be able to support them spiritually as well as physically. 

Here's a picture of all of us:

To end this week's email, I just want to say we have been given some incredible revelation by some incredible prophets and apostles. Through the ministering, as well as gospel centered homes, it's just opening up our lives for so much happiness and joy. So my challenge this week is to really find out for yourself how you can help a neighbor or friend. Don't be afraid to share the gospel with them. The gospel is so special. It brings us so much happiness, don't keep it from others. And lastly just love those around you. I have especially seen this week that people don't need to be told they are doing wrong, or be reminded they aren't perfect, but just need to be loved. 

I love you all so much, and I know for a fact our Father in heaven loves you too! I promise as you turn to Him in prayer, He will always be there to help! Everyone have a great week!

Love, 

Elder Carter

龚长老