From: Braydon Carter <braydon.carter@myldsmail.net>
Date: Sun, Jan 13, 2019 at 9:04 PM
Subject: I will follow God's plans for me. 01/14/2018
Date: Sun, Jan 13, 2019 at 9:04 PM
Subject: I will follow God's plans for me. 01/14/2018
Hello Everyone!
I am so excited to write this email today. I have realized more and more that I really like writing about life, and the experiences that I go through in hopes of inspiring or helping others along the way. So if I every don't write enough, or you want to know more, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! I will add more things if needed.
This week was really, really good. We had a lot of awesome experiences and stories that I'm excited to share with all of you.
To start, I want to to write about an experience that we have had with someone that has been taught for a really long time. I haven't been able to completely understand her story due to a little language barrier, but as we met with her recently I was able to better understand. Basically, as she has been taught throughout the last year, she feels like she hits a lot of stress in her life, especially as she is progressing. The words that she used is, "Every time I get better, or make a goal to stop doing this thing or the other, that's when Satan attacks". She said she didn't understand why. Shouldn't life just get easier as we follow Gods plan for us? As she was sharing these things it helped me realize that following God's plan isn't always the easiest, but as we follow Him, He will bring us into a life that is the very best for us. And I know that is absolutely true. For example, my companion and I have recently both faced some things that haven't been super easy for either of us. But, as we decide to give it all to God and trust Him, we see the happiness and joy in everyday life.
Actually, I was facing a challenge this week and I really did not want to do what I knew I needed to do. I prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and asked God what I should do. Then, I turned to the scriptures because if there is one thing that I have learned while being on a mission it is that every answer you will ever need in life is in the scriptures. You just have to let the Spirit guide you to the answer. So, I turned to the scriptures and found this verse:
3他也讲到他们已获得的应许地——主多么慈悲，
Yes it's in Chinese. I have made a really solid effort to only read Chinese lately. But here's the translation:
Nephi 2 1:3
3 And he also spake unto them concerning the land of promise, which they had obtained—how merciful the Lord had been in warning us that we should flee out of the land of Jerusalem
As I read this verse, I was kind of taken back a little bit. It was exactly what I needed. I love the last part where Lehi was telling his kids about how merciful God was for leading them out of Jerusalem and into their promise land. As I read that, it lead me to think about all the challenges and things that Nephi and Lehi and all of their family had to give up. Including their house, their valuables, their comfortable lives, ect ect. But they all did those things because they knew God was leading them to the promise land. And for Lehi, as soon as he got to the promise land, he rejoiced and was so happy they went through all those trials to get there. As I read this, I realized God has His own promise land for us. But, just like Nephi and Lehi, we will never get there if we don't trust in Him, and have the faith and obedience to guide us there. :)
I also think that a lot of times we forget the power of God, and what He can do in our lives. Not only that, but a lot of time that promise land that we are looking for is right in front of us. We don't need to be surrounded by gold and fancy cars for us to be happy. I mean, yes, of course I still want my Tesla, and I still have my million dollar dreams. But Happiness itself doesn't come from the things around you, but from how you look at life.
For me, I am sitting in a house, in a poor down, in west Malaysia. I get chased by dogs and scream at least once a week. I face rejection in my life every 30 seconds. Sometimes, I am super tired and just want to sit down. But, as I push forward on my journey to the promise land, I realize that it is right in front of me.
I love all of you so much! Thank you for you prayers, love and support.
Until next week,
Elder Carter
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From Ranes
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