Tested, Proved and Polished

President Henry B. Eyring always been one of my favourite apostles that given speech during General Conference, because I can always easily feel the Spirit during his talk. Honestly, it was quite a challenge to listen once only when I would like to get a better view of how was his talk.

Tested, Proved and Polished

by President Henry B. Eyring

President Eyring started his talk with his childhood experience of pulling weeds with his mother in his family’s backyard garden. His mother taught him that life is supposed to be hard, because it is a test.

“… God’s purpose in the Creation of this world…. was to give His children the opportunity to prove themselves able and willing to choose the right when it is hard. In so doing, their natures would be changed and they could become more like Him. He knew that would require unshakable faith in Him.”

We “accepted the invitation to be tested and to prove that we would choose to keep the commandments of God when we would no longer be in the presence of our Heavenly Father.”

One third of Heavenly Father’s children did not accept the invitation.

“Those of us who accepted the plan did so because of our faith in Jesus Christ, who offered to become our Savior and Redeemer. We must have believed then that whatever mortal weaknesses we would have and whatever evil forces would be against us, the forces of good would be overwhelmingly greater.”

Sometimes it is indeed hard for me to go through all those trials alone and wonder why it is so hard?

“God has the power to make our way easier… You might reasonably wonder why a loving and all-powerful God allows our mortal test to be so hard. It is because He knows that we must grow in spiritual cleanliness and stature to be able to live in His presence in families forever.”

“The Father’s plan of happiness has at its center our becoming ever more like His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In all things, the Savior’s example is our best guide. He was not exempt from the need to prove Himself.”

“When you wonder how much pain you can endure well, remember Him.”

“You are being nourished and comforted by a loving Savior, who knows how to succor you in whatever tests you face.”

“We can receive succor from Jesus Christ as we always remember Him and come unto Him by feast upon His words, to exercise faith unto repentance, to choose to be baptized and confirmed by His authorized servant, and then to keep your covenants with God. He sends the Holy Ghost to be your companion, comforter, and guide.”

“As you live worthy of the gift of the Holy Ghost, the Lord can direct you to safety even when you cannot see the way.”

“The greatest blessing that will come when we prove ourselves faithful to our covenants during our trials will be a change in our natures. By our choosing to keep our covenants, the power of Jesus Christ and the blessings of His Atonement can work in us. Our hearts can be softened to love, to forgive, and to invite others to come unto the Savior. Our confidence in the Lord increases. Our fears decrease.”

“In addition, we must notice the tribulation of others and try to help. That will be especially hard when we are being sorely tested ourselves. But we will discover as we lift another’s burden, even a little, that our backs are strengthened and we sense a light in the darkness.”

All those above are the quotes that I love in this talk. President Eyring reminds me that I still have a loving Heavenly Father and the Savior to look up to, whenever I think of my challenges. I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

“Yet the Prophet Joseph Smith, one of the greatest of His prophets, suffered in prison and was taught the lesson we all profit from and need in our recurring tests of faith: “And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.”⁴”

The Healing Power of Jesus Christ

I personally like Sister Cristina B. Franco use the piano metaphor to describe the brokenness.

The Healing Power of Jesus Christ

by Sister Cristina B. Franco

Unlike the piano, we have plenty to repent of and to change through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. However, there is a lot of our brokenness that stems from things beyond our control: the genes that we inherited, the culture that we were raised in, and the actions of others are a few examples. It doesn’t matter why we are broken!

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has the ability to heal it all in a way that will make us better than when we started! Our job is to learn of Christ and meekly follow Him. As we do so, we will be healed, even if the things He asks us to do, do not seem to relate to the problem.

“… aren’t we all like this piano, a little broken, cracked, and damaged, feeling like we will never be the same again? However, as we come unto Jesus Christ by exercising faith in Him, repenting, and making and keeping covenants, our brokenness—whatever its cause—can be healed. This process, which invites the Savior’s healing power into our lives, does not just restore us to what we were before but makes us better than we ever were. I know that through our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can all be mended, made whole, and fulfil our purpose, just like a beautiful-sounding, brand-new piano.”

I also like when Sister Franco’s husband asked the manager to just fix the piano and bring it over, surprisingly the manager said, “The wood is broken, and once the wood is broken, it can never sound the same. You will get a new piano.”

In the case of the piano, this is a bad thing. Perhaps parts of the piano could be salvaged, but the piano as it was has been ruined and cannot be satisfactorily be repaired. In our case, deepen our conversion and commitment to the Savior will make us better and better — and that is why we will never be the same again, and we will become anew.

“To heal brokenness by coming unto Him, we need to have faith in Jesus Christ. “Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on Him—trusting in His infinite power … and love. It includes believing His teachings. It means believing that even though we do not understand all things, He does. Because He has experienced all our pains, afflictions, and infirmities, He knows how to help us rise above our daily difficulties.”²

“As we come unto Him, “we can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is [hard and challenging] about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”³ He has counselled us, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36).”

I am grateful for His healing power whenever I feel so down and despair because of my challenges, He is always there and help me feel as He is always there, no matter how broken I was.

I feel differently whenever after I walked out from that brokenness because of all those trials and challenges that taught me something new. It is just like the old Japanese art of Kintsugi. It is the golden repair or joinery that repair the pottery.

Jesus Christ is just like the master of Kintsugi. He makes the most of what we already are, highlights the beauty of what we have, flaws and all, rather than leaving us eternally grasping for more, different, other, better.

After all, our cracks are what give us experience and shaped our characters. And, Jesus Christ heal us and make us whole and shine like the polished gold on those pottery.

Promptings to Minister?

Yesterday during I was driving out to buy lunch as I did not cook for Sunday after the virtual sacrament meeting. I received a WhatsApp message from Sister Joyce.

Sister Joyce was mentioning that she can’t help but notice that one of the sisters whom previously at Subang Jaya branch but lives at Shah Alam was not in the ministering list. She asked if she has overlooked.

I just texted her back that particular sister’s name is listed in the District 2 list. Then she replied to me that she managed to see her name in that list.

After I came into the office this morning, my mind was thinking of this particular sister. Sister Luisa birthday is today and so many members that wished her in the WhatsApp chat group.

I checked the birthday calendar, and so co-incidentally that sister’s birthday shared the same day as Sister Luisa today. Thus, I think it is an opportunity for me to wish her happy birthday and starts a conversation with her. I just get her hand phone number and start to WhatsApp her.

I wished her happy birthday and introduced myself as the Relief Society President from Puchong branch. Surprisingly she replied me. I asked her permission for me to add her contacts into the both Puchong Branch chat group and Puchong Relief Society chat group. Briefly introduced to her that there are the group which we will post any branch activities and Relief Society activities. She gave me the permission to add her in our chat group.

I continued to brief her that, we are conducting our Sunday School through Zoom every 1st and 3rd Sunday after sacrament meeting. And Relief Society classes every 2nd and 4th Sunday after sacrament meeting. There is a Mandarin gospel class on Zoom every Sunday which joined by the Mandarin speaking members from different cities in Malaysia. She was quite happy to know that.

I suggested that I would send the Mandarin zoom link to her if she would like to try it out so that she can decide for herself if she is feels good about the class, then she can join the Mandarin class chat group. I invited her to join for this coming Saturday Relief Society Ministering Workshop Online Activity too if she has time.

I am glad that I finally acted upon the thoughts or promptings that came to my mind this morning, and Sister Joyce’s messages yesterday. Her name has been came to my mind for quite sometime, and I kept on delaying the promptings of contacting her. It was like Sister Joyce reminds me on the promptings that I need to reach out to this sister.

I texted to Sister Joyce and thanks her for reminding me of that particular sister. I mentioned to Sister Joyce that I thought that particular sister does not want to join our Puchong branch chat group, because previously all the sisters had been added in but without her. Moreover that particular sister’s name was in the less active sisters list.

I shared with Sister Joyce my thoughts and feelings as it was quite surprised to me that, that particular sister replied my messages and she is willing to join our branch chat group. I learned my lesson here today that I need to follow the prompting to act.

Sister Joyce shared with me that the sister became less active because she had misunderstand with the sisters in the branch before, but after Brother Felix and she fellowship and encourage her, then they manage to ask Presidency to add her name back to their branch chat group and the sister was fine with it, as earlier on the sister just leave the group.

Later I just shared with Sister Joyce that I had assigned 3 sisters to minister to her, as part of our efforts in ministering to the less active sisters. Sister Joyce shared that it would be a good idea as this sister also need new friends too.

I thanked Sister Joyce again for reminding me, if not I surely will miss her out. It is because the fears of rejection and feelings of shyness, inadequacy, or being an inconvenience keep on came to my mind that hinder me from following the prompting to minister.

I am grateful to the promptings and the patience that the Lord has for me as I am so slow and sometimes ignorance the promptings from the Spirit.

Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity

“Righteousness and unity are profoundly significant.¹ When people love God with all their hearts and righteously strive to become like Him, there is less strife and contention in society. There is more unity.”

Hearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity

by Elder Quentin L. Cook

Basically what I learned from Elder Quentin L. Cook’s talk that righteousness and unity work together. When we choose to be righteous, we become unified with one another. and the most important thing is when we love God with all our heart, we will love our neighbor as ourselves.

When we follow this, there is an increase in unity in our homes, church, and in our society. Another thing I learned is that:

“With our all-inclusive doctrine, we can be an oasis of unity and celebrate diversity. Unity and diversity are not opposites. We can achieve greater unity as we foster an atmosphere of inclusion and respect for diversity.”

Elder Cook shared about his experiences during he was served in the San Francisco California Stake Presidency. This reminds me of my first experience during when I joined the Church Christmas party long go before I became the member of the Church.

I was quite surprised that all those ‘white people’ were so friendly, even we look different from each other and I was not treated like a foreigner or an outsider. I can feel the love, righteousness and unity among the members.

This type of feeling continue during when our family were baptized into the Church, and even we attended sacrament meeting in the different country such as in Philippines and Vietnam.

I feel grateful as my children able to grow up in this harmonious environment, and both of them have been live in even our small branch composed of people from many racial and cultural backgrounds.

It is actually not new to us as we are Malaysia and we comes from different races such as Malays, Chinese, Indians, Ibans, Kardazans and other minor ethics. Instead, we find comfort from each other on how to cope up with different cultures.

Another thing that strike my eyes is the Oneness.

“[Jesus Christ] prayed for His disciples and for those who would believe in Christ: “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us.”²⁹

“Oneness is what Christ prayed for prior to His betrayal and Crucifixion.”

One by One

It was about nearly 8.00pm, I received a WhatsApp message from Sister Sally. She need my help to choose for Frank, her son a Chinese character names from 2 different source: one is from Frank’s kindergarten teacher and the other one is from Frank’s primary teacher.

After which during our text and voice messages, I got to know her family name and she would like to put her family name into Frank’s Chinese character name. I seek her approval for me to share it with Sister Vivian, as she is a sister from Taiwan and her Mandarin should be better than me.

After discussed with Sister Vivian then both of us agreed that we choose what we think is the better one. Then I called Sister Sally and shared with her about our thoughts on Frank’s Chinese character name.

After checking with her how is Frank’s first online school day today, then I only got to know that she and Frank had been quarantined in the home for few days already. It was due to her brother had been diagnosed with COVID-19 positive.

Sister Sally shared with me how she and her brother were trying their best in overcome this challenges and she was not able to go to work and all these days were unpaid leaves. But she sounds very positive facing all that had happened. She reassured that she and Frank are in good conditions as they do not have the COVID-19 symptoms.

It was indeed feeling great to hear her nice and beautiful voice that transpired through the hand phone sounds so happy and joy during this period of time. I did ask her please do not feel shy to reach out to us if she needs anything or our assistance. She promised that she would. We wish take care and stay safe to each other before we ended our tele-conversation.

After put down my hand phone, there is an impression come into my mind – One by One. That was and is how the Savior do His ministering work. This had reaffirmed to me that what the Spirit is trying to teach me.

As what Elder Ming-Shun Kuan of the Seventy taught,

“Ministering one by one is the way of the Savior… as we follow His example, learn of His ways, and minister to those family members, friends, and brothers and sisters around us. When we do this, we will feel and experience the meekness and lowliness in heart of the Savior and find rest unto our souls.⁵”

And, I am grateful that the Lord reveals to me that I should Ministering One by One. One at a Time.

Ministering Assignments

It took us quite sometime to put up the new ministering list, and I had decided to post the detailed ministering list in the Relief Society WhatsApp group chat.

The purposes of which letting the sisters check the information as stated in the Church record is the latest information of theirs and their family, such as the hand phone contacts, home address and email address.

And at the same time, can let the sisters know who is who’s ministering sisters. I did this before in the group chat, but this is the first time I did after we have joined by more sisters into Puchong branch.

After a while, I received a message from Sister Annie that one of the sisters was not comfortable as her home address was shown in the public. Immediately after that the sister personally message me if is it possible that the addresses can be removed from the list and kept private. Thus, I deleted the detailed ministering list and replaced with the proposed ministering assignment list, which without information but just the names of the sisters.

Later I just checked with the sister would want her information to keep private from her companion sister too, and I apologized to her for putting up the list that had made her feel uncomfortable.

The sister shared with me that she is ok sharing her information with her companion sister and all the sisters whom are ministering to her and she is ministering to. She was not comfortable with having that information being made public and she is staying alone, so she just wanted to be safe than sorry.

After which I apologize to her again as I being not sensitive enough and I will forward the ministering list separately then. She asked me not to be worried about it, thanks and appreciate for having the trouble to send the ministering list separately to the sisters.

This incident have given me some thoughts that I never experience before when I serve my calling. I guess all these while I am not sensitive enough to the needs of the sisters. This is quite an embarrassing experience as I am like in the spotlight and being watching by all the sisters in the group chat.

After the text communications with the sister, I feel more easy and comfortable. But I am grateful that it gives me a chance to sort of get to know the sister and knows about her concerns.

The first thought that came to my mind is the Lord is teaching me to minister His sheep one by one. Ministering one by one is how the Savior does.

I have been struggled with ministering for quite sometime even before I received my current calling as Relief Society President. I think my calling came as a result of my prayer to the Lord seeking for help to improve in my ministering. Not knowing before hand, this small prayer of mine had caught me red handed and such a weight just landed on my shoulders.

For the first year of my calling, I have tried and juggling between my work, serve in the Church, my family responsibilities. I had already wanted to give up especially after came back from Kuching which we celebrated Chinese New Year there.

I had been lectured much from my sister in-law as my roles as a mother to monitor and cultivate both my children’s interest and attentions into their studies. Well it is a good wake up call for myself, and at that moment I was feeling not up to standard of being a ‘Mother’.

Last year after I talked to the branch president, then the MCO lockdown occurred in our country. While during at home busy preparing meals and household chores, both of my counsellors came up to me and reminded me that we should strengthen each sisters so that they would be spiritual uplifted during this pandemic.

Even though I thought that I would be released soon but I still need to continue to fulfil my calling till the day I will be released. Sisters were happy when we did our video calling them. And that was how I learned more about sweetness of the fruits of ministering. Seeing the beautiful faces of the sisters and how firm their foundation are strengthen me.

After our country started to go for the recovery order, my life again with the work, daily chores, everyday errant and I kind of lacking in my service while the Church from last March 2020 till now is unable to open again due to the spike of Covid-19 cases again.

Due to Puchong branch Relief Society members became larger after the ex Subang Jaya Relief Society sisters joined in, we need to adjust the new ministering list.

I feel as it is quite difficult for me alone to do the assignment list. I have been hearing about that I can get the revelation I needed to do it because I the Lord will inspire me to do so.

I am not sure if the list which I came out is good enough for all the sisters, but I hope that everyone of us the sisters can able to try to do that little part of this caring about a sister life and becoming part of her life.

And today I know that, the Lord is further to teach me to minister one by one as He did, which I am grateful for – that I still able to recognize this impression that came.

I thanked for the continuous teaching that He willingly to pour unto me, even though sometime I have become numb to that still, small yet powerful voice that is always ready to guide me daily.

I know that He is there to give me experience that He knows that I lack of. I am grateful for that I did not miss the opportunity that He gives me to truly hear and connect with that sister and getting to know her better.

Keep the Change

Keep the Change

by Sister Becky Craven

“[Jesus Christ] gives us much, much more than the value of what we can ever return to Him. So, what can we give to Him, who paid the incalculable price for our sins? We can give Him change. We can give Him our change.

… So, unlike the purchaser at the market who would take back the change we offer, our gracious Savior beckons us to keep the change. …”

One illustration particularly stood out to me in this talk, is followings:

“When I was younger, I visualized myself walking along an upward, vertical path toward my goal of eternal life. Each time I did or said something wrong, I felt myself sliding down the path, only to start my journey all over again. It was like landing on that one square in the children’s game Chutes and Ladders that slides you down from the top of the board back to the beginning of the game! It was discouraging! But as I began to understand the doctrine of Christ⁵ and how to apply it daily in my life, I found hope.”

This resonated with me so much, because I have felt the same way. It is like life that I am constantly climbing, try to get higher. When I make a mistake, I feel like I slide back down to the bottom of the hill and have to start all over.

It gives me a kind of feeling as like I am forever climbing a hill. And, it is so tiring whenever I think that the forever summit of the hill is so far away from what I currently stand now.

But as I was growing in the Church, I recognize that this is a silly thought of mine. Instead of seeing life’s quest as climbing a hill, look at it as a path I am on. If I stray from the path, I can just move back on. I do not have to go all the way back to the beginning of the path and start over. When I think of my mistakes this way, I realize that I do not need to beat myself up; I just need to move back over and onto the path.

“Jesus Christ has given us a continuous pattern for change. He invites us to exercise faith in  Him, which inspires us to repent. As we repent and turn our hearts to Him, we gain a greater desire to make and live sacred covenants. We endure to the end by continuing to apply these principles throughout our lives and inviting the Lord to change us.

“Enduring to the end means changing to the end. I am not starting over with each failed attempt, but with each try I am continuing my process of change.”

“Small but steady, deliberate changes will help us improve. Do not become discouraged. Change is a lifelong process. I am grateful that in our struggles to change, the Lord is patient with us.”

“Through Jesus Christ, we are given the strength to make lasting changes. As we humbly turn to Him, He will increase our capacity to change.”

This way of seeing my personal growth gives me more hope. Being mortal, I will deviate from the path, but I can quickly repent and get back on track.

By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God

I was not surprised when this topic was talked during the October 2020 General Conference. This world seems to be increasingly filled with hatred, division, and isolation. This is especially happened in many parts of the world including United States and Malaysia.

Sister Eubank gave three areas of focus on: How can we understand people around us better? How can we create that “union of feeling” when all are so different? What power from God might we access if we are just a little bit more unified with others?

Have Mercy: Sister Eubank encourages us to be free with our mercy.

“We often think of substance in terms of food or money, but perhaps what we all need more of in our ministering is mercy.”

Make Your Boat Swing:

“Differences can be turned to advantage instead of disadvantage. Only then will it feel as if the boat is moving on its own. Only then does pain entirely give way to exultation. Good “swing” feels like poetry.⁴”

We can be united in our hearts and our purpose that we each adjust our efforts to each other and work together in perfect harmony. It may seem like a hard thing to do, but I know from experience that with God all things are possible.

Clear Away the Bad as Fast as the Good Can Grow: We can just clear away the ground to the dirt, weeds are going to spring up. The quote Sister Eubank uses refers to growing olive trees, but the idea is the same.

“Unity doesn’t magically happen; it takes work. It’s messy, sometimes uncomfortable, and happens gradually when we clear away the bad as fast as the good can grow.”

There are few more quotes that I love in Sister Sharon Eubank talk:

“Each of us is going to have deeply wounding experiences, things that should never happen. Each of us will also, at various times, allow pride and loftiness to corrupt the fruit we bear. But Jesus Christ is our Savior in all things. His power reaches to the very bottom and is reliably there for us when we call on Him.”

“But if we are one—if we can spare a piece of our pie or fit our individual talents so the boat can swing in perfect unison—then we are His. And He will help clear away the bad as fast as the good does grow.”

“We may not yet be where we want to be, and we are not now where we will be. I believe the change we seek in ourselves and in the groups we belong to will come less by activism and more by actively trying every day to understand one another.”

“As covenant women, we have broad influence. That influence is applied in everyday moments when we are studying with a friend, putting children to bed, talking to a seatmate on the bus, preparing a presentation with a colleague. We have power to remove prejudice and build unity.”

Sister Eubank offer this following invitations to the sisters of the Church, to be part of a collective force that changes the world for good:

• Our covenantal assignment is to minister
• to lift up the hands that hang down
• to put struggling people on our backs or in our arms and carry them.

“The women of this Church have unlimited potential to change society. I have full spiritual confidence that, as we seek union of feeling, we will call down the power of God to make our efforts whole.”

I personally like her quote this the most, or it is the most appropriate that describe me the most at this time:

“It isn’t complicated to know what to do, but it often goes against our selfish interests, and we have to try.”

So, let’s remind myself try and try each time!

I Believe in Angels

“When it comes to your happiness and salvation, it is always worth the effort to keep trying. It is worth the effort to adjust your lifestyle and traditions. The Lord is aware of the challenges you face. He knows you, He loves you, and I promise, He will send angels to help you.”

I was drawn to this talk after listened to it. It is very easy to see life, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and blessings from a very nature man point of view or transactional viewpoint.

I Believe in Angels

by Elder Carlos A. Godoy

Without realizing it, we start to see God much like a magical vending machine: I put a quarter of good deeds in, and I get the blessing I want out – and it hurts when the Lord proves that he works very differently.

We also expect everyone else in the Church to be much further along the path of discipleship than we are ourselves, and become very hurt when someone shows us how very human they still are.

If I had still been at that point in my life where I was expecting God to prove that he loves mw through great miracles and expecting my brothers and sisters in the Church to fill voids in my heart and mind that no human could fill, then this talk would have hurt.

“Where are my angels?”, “Why aren’t there people in my life making such great efforts towards me?”, “How come I try so hard to be righteous and I still feel like I am left sitting on the sidelines?”

The problem is that I am too focussed on myself and my own trials or problems. The longer I live, the more I believe that the Lord has given us commandments and covenants, and gospel standards for our own personal growth in temporal and spiritual.

As I have progressed in living the gospel, I have come to realize that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I have already been healed of many mental or wounds and the voids that once seemed to fill in my life.

I also know that as I continue to choose to improve, change and take actions of my impressions, plans or thoughts, the Lord will provide me everything in His own time and in His own way. Thus there is no need for me to worry about when I have faith and putting my trust in Him. Still, this is a learning process that is ongoing.

Instead I need to focus on trying to be an “angel” for the Lord despite all of my imperfection and leave the rest to Him.

“The Lord is always looking for willing volunteers to be angels in others’ lives.”

“Brothers and sisters, I believe in angels! We are all here today, a giant army of angels set apart for these latter days, to minister to others as extensions of the hands of a loving Creator. I promise that if we are willing to serve, the Lord will give us opportunities to be ministering angels. He knows who needs angelic help, and He will put them in our path. The Lord puts those who need angelic help in our path daily.”

I have been surrounded by angels since the day I was born into this earth, from my loving support parents till now. I have felt angels next to me every step of the way in this journey. From this side of the veil and from the other. I have countless prayers and the strength that they given upon me. All of them are indeed my angels.

The Tudor Villa 30 Dec 2020 - 1 Jan 2021

Alvin was the one who booked the Tudor Hotel. We prefer to search for exceptional stays when we are looking for a hotel. And occasionally we are lucky enough to locate a decent price that allows us to stay in one of those amazing locations! I admit that I was first a little skeptical because I don't wear hotel style.

We arrived early after we had our early Dim Sum breakfast, the hotel looked great from the outside. Additionally, even though the reception was closed, the security man who was on duty was aware of our arrival and was able to give us the keys to our room. Easy and quick to do!

The entire house, including the entrance, is very remarkable. You wouldn't quite expect the "very British indeed" style in Malaysia. The detail is what makes this so charming.

Whether it's the exquisite chandelier that hangs from the five-meter (18-foot) high ceiling or the Knight in Armor that welcomes you as you up the curved staircase. There's a ton of tremendous discovery. Almost all of the items in the entryway are available for purchase. Undoubtedly, fascinating mementos from Malaysia!

When the Tudor was first constructed in 1980, it was a secluded, extravagant, octagonal house for a pilot's cherished family. The turtle, which is seen as a symbol of longevity, good fortune, and happiness in many cultures, served as the original inspiration for the design of the house.

 

Standing tallest in the neighborhood and facing east, the house provides a stunning view of the whole community garden, accompanied by a gorgeous mountain backdrop and an amazing dawn.

To turn the house into a stunning, enchanting, and retro castle, we went to tremendous lengths to retain every interior detail. The Tudor is a luxurious property filled with charm that will make you feel perfectly at home as soon as you enter.

Above all, Tudor provide comfort and relaxation along with tranquil surroundings, attentive service, a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and peace of mind. A real home away from home, that is!

The bottom floor, which comprises family suites and the main lobby, is illuminated by a bronze crystal chandelier that hangs from an eighteen-foot ceiling. The attic rooms, a family room, and double rooms are on the first floor. An amazing curved staircase composed of exquisite original solid wood banisters leads to the first floor's rooms.

We booked a 2-bedroom family suite with a living area. It is located on the ground floor. Our family suite had a beautiful design. Above all, everything was spotless! Anything that holds great significance for me. There is nothing to be unhappy about because everything was excellent.

The living area with 2 seater sofa besides a vanity counter and mirror.

The TV console complete complimentary coffee, tea condiments & mineral water.

Smaller Double Bedroom in our Family Suite.

A water dispenser is located in the entryway. We truly appreciate that this gives guests free water and contributes to less plastic waste. A mutually beneficial arrangement.

Every room has a mini-fridge, a safe deposit box, a hairdryer, a TV (but sadly only one station was in English), a kettle, and other amenities. Additionally, there is tea and 3-in-1 coffee, and WiFi.

Overall we have a lovely good stay at the Tudor Villa. We enjoyed our stay very much and were happy that we booked for 2 nights.

Waiting on the Lord

I loved Elder Holland’s talk in this pass General Conference. His talk always are comforting, encouraging, inspiring, assuring and with a little bit of sense of humour that make me remember his teaching.

Waiting on the Lord

by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Sometimes I feel like so tired of the current situation or condition and wish I can improve it. Needless to say, I was dissapointed with the unanswered prayers or silence. What have I done to deserve this? I am so patience and being obedience most of the time in most of my doings. What did I do to placed on here at this circumstances?

“How long do we wait for relief from hardships that come upon us? What about enduring personal trials while we wait and wait, and help seems so slow in coming? Why the delay when burdens seem more than we can bear?”

Life reminds us that we are not always in control of things. There will be moments when we have to put our faith in the Lord’s timing. I learned this truth to a greater degree, and I am still in the process of learning it even now.

All these while I just feel like my marriage is at the edge of the cliff – that would just simply falling down and break into pieces, and that is just the matter of time.

I remember what President Thomas S. Monson taught, “the future is as bright as your faith.” I had faith in the Lord, and I had faith in Him that He has provided me and my family with a wonderful plan for the future. But trusting in His timing was just so hard to wait.

I remember that some of the days in the middle of doing some chores or taking my bath, my heart was overflowed with heaviness, anxiety, and hopelessness for the future. I know that the family can be last for all time and eternity, but it seemed as though it is were out of reach even ours had been sealed in the temple. I felt being guilty of my failure in fulfilling the covenants that I had made in the temple.

The people around me seemed to have the desires of their hearts granted; were my hopes and dreams just solely for my family not right? With tears in my eyes, I asked the Lord if I was not worthy of His promised blessings.

In the midst of my frustration and despair, a thought came into my mind. It is as though I was transported back to the time I read something like this, “The Lord answers our prayers in three ways – Yes, No, and wait a while.”

There is that word again – wait. Sometimes I would rather taken the No than Wait!

“…So while we work and wait together for the answers to some of our prayers, I offer you my apostolic promise that they are heard and they are answered, though perhaps not at the time or in the way we wanted. But they are always answered at the time and in the way an omniscient and eternally compassionate parent should answer them…”

“The point? The point is that faith means trusting God in good times and bad, even if that includes some suffering until we see His arm revealed in our behalf.⁹ That can be difficult in our modern world when many have come to believe that the highest good in life is to avoid all suffering, that no one should ever anguish over anything.¹⁰ But that belief will never lead us to “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”¹¹

Right then and there, I realized that all along, it had been about “my” plan and the timing “I” want. I had never tried to ask the Lord what He has planned for my family and me. I was too preoccupied with the thaought that “my” plans were not working out, which lead me to feel sad, angry, frustrated, and bitter. I failed to realized that I needed to trust more in the Lord’s timing.

“…Christianity is comforting, but it is often not comfortable. The path to holiness and happiness here and hereafter is a long and sometimes rocky one. It takes time and tenacity to walk it. But, of course, the reward for doing so is monumental.”

“Many lessons are taught in this remarkable chapter, but central to them all is the axiom that the seed has to be nourished and we must wait for it to mature; we “[look] forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof.”¹⁴ Our harvest, Alma says, comes “by and by.”¹⁵ Little wonder that he concludes his remarkable instruction by repeating three times a call for diligence and patience in nurturing the word of God in our hearts, “waiting,” as he says, with “long-suffering … for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.”¹⁶

“COVID and cancer, doubt and dismay, financial trouble and family trials. When will these burdens be lifted? The answer is “by and by.”¹⁷ And whether that be a short period or a long one is not always ours to say, but by the grace of God, the blessings will come to those who hold fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ. That issue was settled in a very private garden and on a very public hill in Jerusalem long ago.”

I still had little struggles with being faithful and positive about His plans and His timing. But as I learned how to put my faith in His timetable, I was able to see the many blessings that I never saw before.

The blessings may not have been as extravagant as what some other people around me received, but they were many and they were a testimony that the Lord was absolutely mindful of His faithless daughter.

During these past few months, I was prompted and started to learn to take care of myself spiritually and temporally. I feel as it is the promptings from the spirit to let me know that I should improve my talents or skills, He gives me more time to prepare and improve myself in order to serve others, such as in my calling.

Because I can understand what they are experiencing, and because I have already developed the faith that waiting upon the Lord’s timing can bring blessings, I am given the ability to succour and serve the sisters.

When we are in the process of waiting upon the Lord, let us remember that the Lord has specific plans for each one of us. He may take away an opportunity which we seems as a blessing now, but in His own time, He will give more that what we want that bring us more happiness. And I still hold on to this testimony of mine on the Lord knows what the best for me and my family.

Ipoh Food Trial 31 Dec 2020

After visiting the Han Chin Pet Soo, it was already 12.30 pm and it was time for us to look for our lunch. Due to it was lunch time, thus there were so many eateries in the Kopitiam. We had a simple lunch at one of the restaurant along Jalan Panglima. It was a quick lunch and we did not take any photos at all! Imagine how hungry we were!

Then we went down to the street and came to the Restoran Li Heng Fatt which famous for its Hor Hee. Hor Hee noodles is an Ipoh delicacy I can say. Basically it is noodle in a fish soup base, with small fish balls, thinly sliced fish cakes, crunchy tong choy, bean sprouts and savoury sui kao which is fish wonton, and served with sliced bird’s eye chili drenched in light soy sauce. We just ordered one to try the original good Hor Hee at Ipoh. We also ordered a bowl of hot and steamy flavourful soup with fish balls and meat balls for sharing.

After Hor Hee, we decided to go back to the Funny Mountain Soya Bean that we missed yesterday. Funny Mountain is listed as the best Tau Fu Fah in Ipoh. The uniqueness of this shop is that they only serve traditional silky smooth Tau Fu Fah with only sugar syrup with a faint hint of ginger only. They do not serve other kind of sugar syrups like other shops around Ipoh. Besides, Tau Fu Fah, they serve soya bean milk or Tau Cheong Sui, Cincau drink and Soya Cincau as well. We tried  and so far this is the best comforting simplicity bowl of Tau Fu Fah and it was smooth and literally melt in mouth.

Next stop we were heading to Deen CT Corner Cendol. There were already few customers waiting to order their cendols when we reached there. It has been so long time since I sat by a footpath pavement eating something our of a metal bowl. We ordered the standard cendol with added corns, adzuki beans on it. Alvin added glutinous rice into the mix. It is something that we never try before.

A decent place to have a bow of cendol under the hot sun! We went back to hotel to take rest after our early exploration from morning till our afternoon dessert time. It was so tiring due to the hot weather!

In the evening after refreshing and taken bath and enough cooling air-conditioning rest in the hotel, we came out again to hunt for our dinner. This time we drove a little further to Bercham. It is a small town around Ipoh. We Went to Restoran Different Taste at Taman Desa Kencana, Bercham.

It is much talk restaurant with glass noodles with big crab with another restaurant named Restaurant Rasa Lain in Bercham too. We ordered the signature glass noodles with crab. The crab was large and the broth were tasty and peppery. The taste was subtle and Chinese. There is the Thai version with very sharp taste. The flavours and sauces were concentrated and the glass noodles was baked till almost dry.

The Asam fish head using the Garupa fish head cut into chunks and cooked in a dry Asam gravy with the usual smattering of vegetables, ladies fingers, long beans and tomatoes. The taste was good and we can taste a tint of Thai flavours in the dish. We ordered the steamed parang fish balls too. The fish balls were so bouncy and juicy. The food were so tasty that we just snap a photo of our dinner only. Will definitely come back if we come to Ipoh again!

Sisters in Zion

“As the beloved daughters of Heavenly Father, and as the daughters of the Lord Jesus Christ in His kingdom,¹ you will play a crucial part in the grand times ahead.”

President Eyring is one of my favourite speakers during General Conference. This is his talk during the General Women Conference. He mentioned that the women of this gospel dispensation will be led by the Lord to become prepared like the City of Enoch in the Bible.

“You sisters, your daughters, your granddaughters, and the women you have nurtured will be at the heart of creating that society of people who will join in glorious association with the Savior. You will be an essential force in the gathering of Israel and in the creation of a Zion people who will dwell in peace in the New Jerusalem.”

The people of Zion are of one heart and one mind and God’s daughters have a gift to diminish contention and promote righteousness, President Eyring said.

“The Lord has, through His prophets, made a promise to you. In the early days of the Relief Society, the Prophet Joseph Smith said to the sisters, “If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.”³”

“That marvelous potential lies within you, and you are being prepared for it.”

President Eyring quoted from the prophets:

“President Gordon B. Hinckley said:

“You sisters … do not hold a second place in our Father’s plan for the eternal happiness and well-being of His children. You are an absolutely essential part of that plan.

“Without you the plan could not function. Without you the entire program would be frustrated. …

“Each of you is a daughter of God, endowed with a divine birthright.”⁴

“Our current prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, has given this description of the part you play in preparation for the Savior’s coming:

“It would be impossible to measure the influence that … women have, not only on families but also on the Lord’s Church, as wives, mothers, and grandmothers; as sisters and aunts; as teachers and leaders; and especially as exemplars and devout defenders of the faith.

“This has been true in every gospel dispensation since the days of Adam and Eve. Yet the women of this dispensation are distinct from the women of any other because this dispensation is distinct from any other. This distinction brings both privileges and responsibilities.”⁵

President Eyring said he has seen the influence of faithful women in the church to love, lift, and care for each other. He shared his experiences taught him that “Heavenly Father’s daughters have a gift to allay contention and to promote righteousness with their love of God and with the love of God they engender in those they serve.”

“If the past is prologue, at the time of the Savior’s coming, the daughters who are deeply committed to their covenants with God will be more than half of those who are prepared to welcome Him when He comes. But whatever the numbers, your contribution in creating unity among the people prepared for that Zion will be far greater than half.”

“Sisters, you were given the blessing of being daughters of God with special gifts. You brought with you into mortal life a spiritual capacity to nurture others and to lift them higher toward the love and purity that will qualify them to live together in a Zion society. It is not by accident that the Relief Society, the first Church organization specifically for Heavenly Father’s daughters, has as its motto “Charity Never Faileth.”

“Charity is the pure love of Christ. And it is faith in Him and the full effects of His infinite Atonement that will qualify you, and those you love and serve, for the supernal gift to live in that sociality of a long-looked-for and promised Zion. There you will be sisters in Zion, loved in person by the Lord and those you have blessed.”

Lastly, he closed his talk by his witness and testimony that always being so comforting to us, especially during this challenging time: 

“… I promise you that the Lord will lead you by the hand, through the Holy Ghost. He will go before your face as you help Him prepare His people to become His promised Zion.”

From all the October 2020 General Conference talks, General Women Conference talks was the one I firstly listened among all the rest of the sessions. I feel uplifted as it is specifically dedicated to women of the world.

It always reminds me of the role and responsibilities as daughter of God that I should do the work: as a daughter, as a mother, as a wife and as a woman as general. It always reminds me of my divine identity and the love that Heavenly Father has for me.

Sisters in Zion

by President Henry B. Eyring

Han Chin Pet Soo Ipoh 31 Dec 2020

After our Ho Yan Hor Museum visit, we just noticed that uniqueness of the building next door. We were wondering if this Han Chin Pet Soo can enter, because the main door was closed.

So co-incidentally the tour guide came out from the door and welcomed us. He guided us to make a tour booking thru the designated app. It was due to this Covid-19 pandemic season too.

We were invited in and the story of Han Chin Pet Soo or Han Chin Villa at No. 3 Jalan Bijeh Timah (Treacher Street), Ipoh have been revealed to us by the tour guide.

It starts on 5th May 1893 when mining Towkey Leong Fee formed the Han Chin Tin Miners’ Club in a double-storey shophouse where the Villa stands today.

The club membership was restricted to Hakka miners and it was a place where they could connect with their colleagues and friends from home, smoke opium, and entertain “dancing girls”.

They could also gamble legally, with approval from the District Magistrate, Kinta. Lodging house facilities were also available for make relatives and Hakka friends.

In 1927 the club bought the building from Leong’s son and in 1929 rebuilt it into the unique structure today. On the 5th May 1930, their 37th anniversary, they held a house-warming party to celebrate their new home.

At the back portion of the building at ground floor, there is a former bedroom has been converted into a cinema screening an 11 minute black and white documentary which produced in Hollywood in the 1930s called ‘Tin From the Malayan Jungle’. It explains the various methods of tin mining.

It displays some of the products of tins. Tin used to be a monetary system in the ancient time as the traders used to trade. And it came in different interesting forms and shapes according to different kingdoms and time.

Tins were used to produce some of other products and variety usage in the past even till now from decorative items to electronic components because it is a good isolator.

There is a huge mural paintings,life-sized mannequins, authentic tools and equipment that were used during that period.

At the back yard of the ground floor, there is a miniature of the livelihood of a miner during that time.

It give us some ideas or illustrations how were the days back in time as a miner’s life of those glory days.

We went up to the first floor of the building, where it was a place for the miners to smoke the opium and place for them to gamble at those time.

It seems as those time, being involved in the 4 evils namely opium, gambling, prostitution and the triads or secret societies were the things that the entertainments that they enjoy among the Hakka tin miners.

One very special rule over here is wives were not allowed inside the club, except for mistresses or concubines.

On the top floor of the building is a gallery dedicated to the history and background of the Hakkas and how they ended up in Malaysia. The Hakkas are described as ‘The Jews of Asia’ reflecting their migrations over the centuries from China.

There is a typical resting room at the top floor for the towkays and another room displays all the automobile history during that era.

Interestingly we saw a photo of the Sir William Kellie with his wife Agnes on an antique car of those photos.

On the way from the top floor down to the ground floor, the tour guide shown us an antique safe during those era with a real block of tin in the safe, which might costs about RM3,000 according to the market price now.

We were guided to the ground floor main hall again, where there is a huge and long dining table and dining chairs. It was told that all the miners were having dining here and chit-chatting at the same time. There is a photo of Hakka dishes on the wall.

There are a pair of infinite mirror on the both side of the wall which make the reflective surface of the two mirrors, make it an infinity never ending looks.

It was about a hour and a half tour in the Han Chin Pet Soo and it was an opportunity that we rare to have to go inside a well preserved heritage building in Malaysia that has faithfully retained its original look and purpose.

In 2013, due to a dwindling membership, the club was leased to ipohWorld who spent more than one year carefully restoring the building and fitting it out with a museum-quality exhibition.

Guests may visit the club and exhibition by appointment and there are up to four appointments available per day with a maximum number of 40 guests per appointment.