2024 FSY Asia Conference: "I Am a Disciple of Jesus Christ" 16-20 Dec 2024

As I read about Annabelle’s experience at the 2024 FSY Asia Conference in Bangkok, I found myself thinking about my own children and their journey through life. As a mother, I want my children to be happy, make good friends, and find their place in the world. But more than anything, I hope they will develop their own faith in Jesus Christ and learn to turn to Him when they face challenges. I know I cannot always be beside them or protect them from every difficult experience, but I hope the things I teach them will stay in their hearts as they grow.

One thing that touched me was Annabelle’s honesty about feeling nervous when meeting people she did not know. I can imagine how uncomfortable it must have been for her at first. Sometimes, we look at young people and assume they will naturally make friends and enjoy being with others, but they also have their own fears and worries. As a mother, I sometimes wish I could make everything easier for my children. I want them to feel accepted and confident, and I do not want them to feel lonely. But Annabelle’s experience reminds me that sometimes we need to let our children face these situations and discover their own strength.

What I liked most was that Annabelle and her friend Cherrie wanted to help other first-time participants feel more comfortable. They remembered how shy they had been before, so they wanted to make the experience easier for others. This made me think about how our own experiences, even the uncomfortable ones, can help us understand other people better. I felt happy to see that Annabelle was not only thinking about herself but was also looking for ways to help others. As a mother, I hope my children will develop this kind of heart—to notice people who may feel left out and to be willing to reach out to them.

As I continued reading, I thought about the question Annabelle was asked during FSY: “Why be a disciple of Christ?” It made me ask myself the same question. I know that following Jesus Christ is more than attending church, reading scriptures, or participating in Church activities. It is also about how I treat people, how I respond when I am hurt, and whether I am willing to keep trusting the Lord when life does not turn out the way I hoped.

I want my children to learn these things, but I also know I need to keep learning them myself. It is not always easy to be patient, to choose kind words, or to respond with love when I am tired or worried. Sometimes, I know what I should do, but putting it into practice is another matter. Annabelle’s experience reminded me that discipleship is a daily choice. We do not become more like Christ overnight. We learn little by little as we keep trying to follow Him.

Another part that made me reflect was Annabelle’s lesson about the covenant path and the need to keep going even when things become difficult. Her experience reminded me that faith is not built only during the moments when we feel the Spirit strongly. It also grows through ordinary days when we still choose to pray, study the scriptures, and do what is right even when we do not feel particularly strong.

There have been times in my own life when I have needed to rely on Heavenly Father and remind myself to keep moving forward. I am learning that I do not need to have everything figured out before I can trust Him. Sometimes, I only need enough faith to take the next step. As a mother, I hope my children will learn this too. I cannot promise them that life will always be easy, but I hope they will know where to turn when it is not.

I also liked learning how Annabelle experienced a sense of belonging among the young people at FSY. They came from different places, but they shared their faith and encouraged one another. Her company was called Zion, which reminded me of Moses 7:18 and the idea of being of one heart and one mind. It made me think about my own family. We may not always see things the same way, and each of us has our own struggles, but I hope we can continue learning to listen, forgive, support one another, and turn to Christ together.

As a mother, I sometimes wonder whether I am doing enough to guide my children spiritually. I want to teach them the gospel and help them make good choices, but I know I cannot make those choices for them. They need to develop their own testimonies and learn through their own experiences. I can share what I believe, pray for them, and try to be a good example, but I also need to give them room to grow. This is not always easy because, as a mother, I naturally worry about the people I love.

Annabelle’s experience reminds me that Heavenly Father is also part of my children’s journey. He knows them personally and understands their needs better than I do. I need to remember that I am not the only one watching over them. I can do my best as a mother while learning to trust Him with the things I cannot control.

As I reflect on Annabelle’s experience, I realise that I am still growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ, too. I may be a mother, but I am also a daughter of Heavenly Father who needs His guidance, comfort, and love. I still have things to learn about patience, faith, and how to respond to difficult situations with a Christlike heart. Perhaps one of the most important things I can do for my children is to keep working on myself and let them see that I am still trying to follow the Saviour.

I am grateful for Annabelle’s experience because it has helped me look beyond the activities and friendships of FSY and think about what it really means to become a disciple of Christ. It is not just about what we experience during a special event. It is about what we carry with us after we return home and how those experiences influence the way we live.

As a mother, I hope my children will always remember that they are loved by Heavenly Father and that they can turn to Jesus Christ whenever they need help. I hope they will find good friends, have the courage to reach out to others, and continue to grow in faith even when life becomes challenging.

And for myself, I hope I can keep learning to trust the Lord with my children and with my own life. I do not know everything that lies ahead, but I believe I can keep moving forward with Him. Sometimes, that may be all the Lord asks of me for now—to keep loving, keep praying, keep trying, and take the next step with faith.

A Casual Lunch at Jordan Hong Kong Restaurant 26 Dec 2024

Had lunch at Jordan Hong Kong Restaurant at IOI Mall Puchong and enjoyed a little taste of Hong Kong-style comfort food.

We had a few different dishes on the table. The egg omelette topped with luncheon meat looked simple but appetising, while the noodle soup came with tofu, fish cake, and other ingredients in a warm broth. There was also a rice dish served with sliced meat, vegetables, a soft-boiled egg, and crispy diced toppings.

I always enjoy having different dishes to look at and taste when dining together. The combination of noodles, rice, eggs, and meat made for a comforting, casual lunch. Nothing too fancy—just familiar food enjoyed in a relaxed setting.

Sometimes, a simple meal at the shopping mall is a nice way to take a break from the usual routine. Good food, a little conversation, and a change of scenery are enough to make an ordinary day feel enjoyable.

Another little food memory to add to my collection!

A Little Christmas Service: Decorating Cookies with the Young Women 7 Dec 2024

After our lunch at Real Don Restaurant, Annabelle joined the Young Women for a Christmas activity at Sister Joyce’s house to decorate cookies for the upcoming Puchong Branch Christmas party.

It was lovely to know that the young women had an opportunity to gather, spend time together, and prepare something special for the visitors who would be attending the party. Sometimes, the simplest activities bring people closer together. Decorating cookies may seem like an ordinary activity, but when there is a purpose behind it, even something small can become meaningful.

I imagine the girls sitting around the table, choosing colours, decorating their cookies, and sharing ideas with one another. Each cookie would have its own little design, made with care and creativity. There is something enjoyable about making things by hand, especially when we know that someone else will receive and appreciate them.

What makes this activity special is that the cookies were not just for the young women themselves. They were preparing them for the visitors who would come to the branch Christmas party. Through this small act of service, they were helping to create a warm and welcoming experience for others.

This reminds me that service does not always require a lot of time, money, or effort. Sometimes, it is simply about thinking of someone else and doing what we can to make their day a little brighter. A homemade cookie may be a small gift, but the thought and care behind it can make it special.

I also appreciate Sister Joyce for opening her home and providing a place for the young women to come together. Activities like this give them time to build friendships, get to know one another better, and create happy memories outside their usual Church meetings. These shared experiences can help strengthen their sense of belonging and make their time together more meaningful.

I hope Annabelle and the other young women enjoyed the activity and felt the joy that comes from serving others. These opportunities remind us that following Jesus Christ is not only about attending church or learning gospel principles. It is also about putting those teachings into practice through simple acts of kindness.

As we celebrate Christmas, we remember the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the love He has shown to all of us. Preparing cookies for the branch Christmas party may be a small contribution, but it is one way the young women can share that love with others.

This little Christmas activity reminded that we do not need to do something extraordinary to make a difference. Sometimes, it begins with a group of young women, a table full of cookies, a little creativity, and a willingness to serve.

Perhaps that is one of the sweetest parts of Christmas—not just receiving gifts, but finding joy in giving something of ourselves to others. ❤️

Real Don Restaurant USJ21 7 Dec 2024

December always brings a different feeling. As Christmas approaches, the decorations, festive atmosphere, and little touches of the season remind me to slow down and appreciate the people around me. Today I had a meal with my daughter, Annabelle, at Real Don Restaurant in USJ 21. We had grilled chicken chop, and the restaurant's Christmas decorations added a lovely festive touch to our dining experience.

It was a simple meal, but sometimes the simplest moments become meaningful memories. Sitting down with Annabelle and enjoying our food gave us a little time together away from our usual routines. As a mother, I treasure these moments with my children. They are growing up and building their own lives, and I know that the time we spend together will look different as the years go by.

The Christmas decorations made the restaurant feel more festive. I enjoy seeing how restaurants dress up for the season, bringing a little Christmas cheer into an ordinary day. There is something comforting about this time of year. It reminds me of family, love, giving, and the importance of making time for the people who matter most.

Our grilled chicken chop was the main part of the meal, but what made the outing special to me was having Annabelle there. We did not need a grand celebration or an elaborate plan. Just sharing a meal with my daughter was enough to make the occasion worth remembering.

As a mother, I sometimes think about how quickly children grow up. When they are young, we spend so much time caring for them, preparing their meals, and making decisions for them. Before we realise it, they become young adults with their own thoughts, interests, and plans. I am learning to appreciate the little opportunities we have to connect, even when they come in the form of an ordinary lunch or dinner.

Looking back at this visit, I am reminded that family memories do not always come from holidays, expensive gifts, or special events. Sometimes, they begin with a simple meal, a festive restaurant, and the company of someone we love.

This Christmas season, I am grateful for the opportunity to spend time with Annabelle. My hope is that, even as our lives become busier and our paths continue to develop, we will keep making time for one another and creating these small but precious memories.

After all, the heart of Christmas is not just in the decorations or celebrations. It is in the love we share and the time we give to the people who make our lives meaningful.

Mecaje Graduation Year End Concert 6 Dec 2024

What a lovely evening to remember! Annabelle was the Master of Ceremonies for her graduation year-end concert, Cultural Night. It was wonderful to see her standing confidently on stage, holding the microphone, guiding the programme, and introducing the different cultural performances.

The evening was filled with music, beautiful costumes, and performances celebrating different cultures and traditions. It was lovely to see everyone coming together to share their talents and make the event special. Annabelle also had the opportunity to interact with the participants and be part of the team that brought the programme together.

Looking at these photos, I feel happy seeing how much Annabelle has grown and how she is learning to take on new responsibilities. Being an MC requires preparation, confidence, and the ability to communicate with an audience. Experiences like this give her opportunities to challenge herself, discover her strengths, and learn things that go beyond the classroom.

Time really flies! Sometimes, we are so caught up in our daily routines that we don't realise how quickly our children are growing up. Then, moments like these remind us to pause, appreciate their progress, and celebrate the little milestones along the way.

So happy to see you taking on this role and creating beautiful memories, Annabelle! ❤️ Keep learning, keep growing, and keep shining in your own way. May you always have the courage to try new things, the confidence to use your talents, and the joy of discovering what you are capable of. So proud of you! ✨

A Simple Invitation, A Meaningful Moment 24 Nov 2024

One of the things that made me happy recently was learning that Annabelle had invited her two friends, Kingson and Jesslyn, to attend the Kuala Lumpur District Conference, where she also gave a talk.

Looking at these photos, I love seeing the three of them sitting together, smiling and enjoying the moment. As a mother, it means a lot to see Annabelle sharing something important to her with her friends. It takes a little courage to extend an invitation, and I am glad she took that step.

I don’t know what Kingson and Jesslyn felt or learned that day, but I hope they felt welcomed and enjoyed the experience. Sometimes, sharing the gospel doesn’t have to be complicated. It can begin with a simple invitation from a friend.

Perhaps this is one small way the Lord works through us—to bring people together, help them feel His love, and open doors we may not even realise are there. ❤️

From Annabelle to Elder Yu: Seminary Is Worth It!

Hello brother in physical and in spirit,

How've you been? I recently caught up with your emails and have seen the banned privilege of the car, which was a shock on a Sunday morning when mom mentioned it Either way, I'm still impressed and really grateful that you still found positivity in situations that seems difficult. You really are a great example for me as a brother. Also, thanks for the advice to be obedient, I'm gonna need to be more careful with what I do on my missions. Speaking of preparations, I have a story or two from last week. Let's start shall we?

Graduation Lunch, Dinner and Trips???

So it was during this week I was notified that I would be having a: lunch with Teacher Chi Wei, which was happening this Saturday, dinner with the teachers and the graduating class (us!), and my friends are planning on a trip next year?! Pretty crazy stuff, but given it's close to the end of the year it's pretty normal huh? But even my feelings were in trouble because of transportations and how much responsibility I should be having as a freshly 17-18, especially on the personal girls' trip next year. But safe to say, the lunch was safe and dinner might be saved. It was an interesting situation, though I look forward to handling cases like these with information and learning my boundaries.

Last Year and Days in Seminary✨✨

Other than the physical matters, it's time to turn to the more sentimental and spiritual thoughts! Honestly, I don't think any premonition or warning of my last seminary was going to prepare me for last Saturday; my last seminary assessment. That day was so bittersweet and just felt so sentimental! My post on Instagram was the most sentimental I've had and to be honest, I'm actually going to miss seminary. I remember my days in seminary, always dreading the 8am classes on a Saturday. Yet, I always found home and welcomed from those inspiring youths. Sometimes filled with racist jokes and roastings, or just plain nagging from me to carry them ( online) to seminary classes, I still found a great uplifting spirit!✨✨ But I know that I won't need to miss the feeling of preparation of the gospel and the Second Coming, or my friends for that matter because:

1. The Restoration is still an ongoing process

2, I know my friends are also preparing for it, like me

And together we can uplift each other, as comical or spiritual reliefs.

✨✨✨Group photos with POOKIESS???✨✨✨  

✨✨✨Contents of Lauren✨✨✨   

The first is one of our seminary teacher and the second is their oldest son (13)

Preparation

Though you wanna know what's funny? Let me backtrack a bit, I was late 45min to that same seminary assessment! Funny enough, I was the only one late as mom had to do her test, and I'm not blaming her!!! Because, truthfully, that day was the busiest the road could get!!! There was a traffic jam all the way to the Paradiso's house ( our seminary teachers). And it was more late right after as the Youth Broadcast was right after seminary!!! Okay, we didn't reach late but we started late, cause I was waiting for more people to come while I edited the slides in front of their faces. On the shared screen. Unbeknownst to me, with full attendance!!! I have never felt more embarrassed for a split second but I remained calm and carried on. The Youth Broadcast was a mild success, people said it was good, I thought I messed up badly. In the end though, I was able to lead and introduce the broadcast and gathered the many things the youth learned of Jesus Christ that year. It was a nice activity, though all the ice breakers and game we planned were untouched as youths, predicted by Miguel, were busy with ice cream and chatting away. I'm still garam about that day, not because of the untouched activity or the kinda ruined plan of that day, but because I had priod and couldn't risk eating the ice cream, Which popped up during the assessment and at the broadcast But stick to your words, I have to be healthy, though  on the first day I accidentally ate one Magnum Sorry...

After

I tell you the sky was so pretty after that!!! It was like the kind for Second Coming? For a 5-6pm

The day that followed was Sunday and other than the attempted lesson I lead, it was good! I liked the lesson and really need to improve on my confidence in socializing Though I did see a rare...

L LORRY!!!

And that's about it! Many things happened during last weekend and more to come during District Conference and other events! There's so many things that I recorded on testimonies and it's been amazing!!! I really want to improve but for today, one step at a time. You're amazing man, I look up to you ♥️

Thine Dawg from the same mother,
Annabelle

Annabelle’s Last Semester Seminary Assessment ❤️

Annabelle’s last semester seminary assessment was a meaningful milestone in her gospel learning journey. She gathered with her gospel friends at Brother and Sister Paradiso’s house for the assessment, sharing this special experience with others who had been learning and studying the gospel alongside her.

Learning the Gospel Together

I think there is something special about learning the gospel together with friends. Seminary is not just about reading scriptures, completing lessons, or preparing for assessments.

It is also about learning to recognise Jesus Christ's teachings, understand His words, and find ways to apply them in our everyday lives. Having friends who share the same faith can make the journey more enjoyable and encourage one another to keep learning.

One of the things that touched me was seeing the young people gathered around the room, taking part in the assessment activities. They moved around the walls, matching scripture references with gospel teachings, reading the statements, and discussing their answers with one another.

It was encouraging to see them engaging with the scriptures in such an interactive way. Gospel learning is not always about sitting quietly and listening. Sometimes, it means asking questions, searching for answers, working through a challenge, and learning from the thoughts and experiences of others.

The Gift of Gospel Friends

Another thing I loved seeing was the way the young people interacted with one another. Some were sharing their thoughts while others listened. There were moments of concentration, smiles, and laughter. They were gathered on the sofa; in others, they were standing together, participating in activities or enjoying a meal.

These may look like ordinary moments, but I believe they are part of what makes a gospel community meaningful. Having friends who share our beliefs can be a wonderful blessing, especially during the teenage years, when young people are discovering who they are and what they believe.

Friends can encourage one another to attend seminary, study the scriptures, participate in church activities, and remain connected to the gospel even when life becomes busy or challenging.

Of course, each young person must eventually develop a personal testimony. Friends cannot believe for us, but they can remind us that we are not alone in our efforts to follow Jesus Christ.

More Than an Assessment—A Memory to Treasure

And then, of course, there was food! Seeing the young people preparing their wraps and enjoying their meal together added such a lovely, relaxed touch to the day. After the assessment activities, they had time to talk, eat, laugh, and enjoy one another’s company.

I love how these simple moments can become part of our most treasured memories. Sometimes, it is not the formal activity that we remember most clearly, but the conversations in between, the laughter around the table, or the feeling of being welcomed into someone’s home.

I am grateful to Brother and Sister Paradiso for providing their home as a place for the young people to gather. A welcoming home can create a comfortable environment for learning, fellowship, and building friendships. These moments may seem ordinary, but they can become precious memories for the young people as they grow older.

Watching Annabelle Grow

As I think about Annabelle completing her last semester assessment, I feel happy that she has had these opportunities to learn the gospel with her friends. Every lesson, scripture, discussion, and assessment is another step in helping her develop her own understanding and testimony of Jesus Christ.

My hope is that the things Annabelle has learned through seminary will stay with her beyond the classroom and the assessments. As she continues through life, I hope she will remember the truths she has studied, turn to the scriptures when she needs guidance, and continue building her relationship with Heavenly Father.

It is lovely to see her reaching this milestone alongside her gospel friends. More than completing an assessment, I hope this experience has helped strengthen her faith and reminded her that she does not have to walk her spiritual journey alone. ❤️