From: Braydon Carter <braydon.carter@missionary.org>
Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 2:25 AM
Subject: Chapter 3 Kuching
Date: Mon, May 20, 2019 at 2:25 AM
Subject: Chapter 3 Kuching
Hello Everyone!
I hope everyone had a really good week!
I want to apologize for my email last week. I have just moved from Penang to Kuching and we were taking care of some things and I was calling the best mom in the world for mothers day :)
So far Kuching has been an absolute dream! The second I got here I could just feel the change. There was so much energy and I was just absolutely excited to be here. And ever since I have moved here I have learned so much.
I have to say one of the really good things of my mission so far is I have been so blessed with companions. I have become great friends with all of them and I have learned so much. Elder Tauteoli has been incredible.
We often find ourselves in really deep and encouraging conversations. Almost every day in our companion studies we will talk and discuss how we can grow as missionaries so that we can be the absolute best we can for the people as well as help other missionaries become the best that they can be. During almost all of our conversations this week we kept talking about finding and how to help new people understand the importance of the gospel and how it will help them in their lives. And as we would have these conversations it all came back to agency.
As we all know agency is so important some of us even have even learned and know that a big part of God's plan for us is to have agency and to choose for ourselves. Elder Tauteoli and I saw a lot of that this week. We noticed that there are people that want to know about the gospel and are looking to change their lives and looking to learn. Then there are some people who are happy with where they are. They really don't want to change, or see a need to change. So something that my companion and I got for the week is that we need to just be loving an accepting of everyone. As missionaries we come and share the most special message in the whole world. We come and share that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been fully restored, that there is happiness ahead. That we have a Heavenly Father, and a Savior that love us and want nothing more than to help us. We come and share another record and testimony of Jesus Christ. One that brings revelation and inspiration. And although our message is not a feeble one, we still in no way can force someone. We can't argue or debate. Forcing people is not an option. It wasn't our Father in Heaven's plan and it's not our plan either.
So as Elder Tauteoli and I went out, we focused on what we could control. We could control how much energy we had. We could control how much we chose to listen to others. We could control sharing our testimonies and we could invite. It was amazing as we really focused on going out and being the best missionaries that we could be that things seemed to change. The spirit was so strong as we went out and shared with other people about the gospel. We would get to know and listen to these amazing people and their stories. We saw the ups and downs of people and their lives. The most amazing part is no matter the situation the Gospel was able to help or grow everyone person that were talked to. And so naturally we were able to share. It wasn't to force or to advertise but to offer sincere help in people's lives. We would then invite them to come and see. That our part as members of the church an as missionaries. To love one another and serve those around us, as we do invite them to come and see. This Gospel is for everyone.
Part of the miracles of this experience is we had an amazing guy and his wife come join us at church.
What made it so special I think is this is the approach that we took with these 2. Just to love them and try and help them as much as we can. He finally agreed to come to church and check it out, and you could just tell that something was pulling at him. As I asked him how church was he replied " If I didn't like it I wouldn't be here." And then he just smiled.
Friends, family, brothers and sisters I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is so real and so true. I know that all God wants is the best for us. He will never force us, but He will always be there. I invite all of you to think of just one person you could reach out to. Who can you show a loving hand to? Who could you invite to come and see. I promise as you ponder and pray about it you will realize there is a lot of good that you can do. Someone needs you. God needs you.
I love all of you so much,
Elder Carter
No comments:
Post a Comment