A Reflection of the Year 2024

December 31, 2024

A Reflection of the Year 2024

Dear Elder Yu,

This is a brand new experience for you to celebrate New Year in a different country. I do not why I feel you are a little bit stressed out and down during the last Monday video call. I hope you are not.

For these past few days, I kept on reading this unknown author’s article about what he/she has been through for the past year of 2024. I don’t know if it’s because of the algorithm or because the text is so pertinent. I feel it is so resonant to me and my current situation:

I do not hate you, 2024, but you were a difficult year, full of challenges, changes, and learning. You showed me that life can change in the blink of an eye, and taught me to trust myself more. But above all, you made me understand that my health, whether physical, emotional, or mental, is what really matters. You showed me that not every question needs an immediate answer, and not every ending is a loss. You taught me that stillness is not stagnation. Sometimes, it is just like life making space for something new.

So no, I don't hate you. But I won't forgive you either, at least not yet. You dragged me through truths I did not want to face, through loss I was not ready to feel. You left me with wounds that have not closed, with breaks that have not settled into anything I can understand. I do not see light pouring in, not yet. But maybe that is the lesson. You did not come to fix me or redeem me. You came to strip away the illusion that life is anything but unpredictable, relentless, and brutally honest.

You did not rebuild me. You left me with the choice to do it myself. So thank you, 2024. You were not easy, but you were necessary.

我不恨你，2024年，但你是艱難的一年，充滿了挑戰、變化和學習。

你讓我明白生活可以瞬間改變，教會我更加信任自己。

但最重要的是，你讓我明白到不論是身體、情緒還是心理健康，都是最重要的。

你讓我知道不是所有的問題都需要立即的答案，並不是所有的結束都是損失。

你教會我寧靜並不代表停滯。有時，它只是生命在為新的事物騰出空間。

所以不，我不恨你。

但我也不原諒你，至少現在還不行。

你把我拖入了我不想面對的真相，讓我感受到我還沒準備好的失落。

你讓我留下了尚未癒合的傷口，和尚無法理解的破碎。

我還沒有看到光明湧入，尚未。

但或許那就是教訓。

你不是為了治癒我或拯救我而來。

你來是為了剝去對生活任何幻想的假象，

生活是多麼不可預測、無情且殘酷的事實。

你沒有重建我。你留給我選擇，讓我自己來重建。

所以謝謝你，2024年。

你並不容易，但你是必要的。

Honestly, I couldn’t agree more with this and I am not denying Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ were always there when I was knocked off by the challenges. I can feel Their presence. There are lessons to learn and to grow. Just that, the speed I learning is not as fast as what my husband wanted to be.

I am grateful for 2024 too, because I saw both my children grow stronger in the gospel and start to live in it; because I know they know God loves them and they learn how to rely on the Savior; because I know things happened for a reason which the Lord will unfold and reveal to me when the time is right; because I know that we are in His good hand. I say this in the name of my beloved Savior, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

Love,

Mommy

Scripture Central Come, Follow Me: Book of Mormon – Ether 1

December 28, 2024

Scripture Central Come, Follow Me: Book of Mormon – Ether 1

Dear Elder Yu,

Ether 1 - Ether’s genealogy

In chapter one, Moroni begins telling us that he's going to tell us about the ancient inhabitants, he says, of this northern country, which is where the main Jaredite geopolitical center was. So, he's somewhere up north as he's writing this story, and he's abridging the 24 Jaredite plates. And, he describes how he got those. He sees an account of the creation of Adam. He sees all of the things that have happened from Adam down to that great tower, he says. And then, from the tower down until they were destroyed.

And then, he gives you a long list of 30 generations, 30 individual names. And, they're listed in order, starting in verse 6 with Ether and ending in verse 32 with Orihah, who was the son of Jared, number 29 and 30 in that list. What you have is 30 names starting with Ether, listed in order down to Jared.

So, some of you are thinking, "Well, this is boring. It's just a list. It's a long list of names." This isn't just a list. You're seeing the fingerprints of God through the history of time. You're seeing the importance of family. You're seeing God's plan moving forward, generation by generation. You're seeing intergenerational connections that span, in this case, well over a thousand-year period.

So, you have the Tower of Babel, just to put us in the context of the timeline for the Old Testament. You have Adam and Eve, and then you have Enoch, and then you have Noah, the major dispensation heads, and then we have Abraham, and then Moses, and eventually you'll get Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith. So, the timeline is the Tower of Babel comes in Noah's dispensation. So, we're going way back in time before Abraham, way before Moses. And, this is where we get the departure to the new world of this group, the Jaredites.

In contrast to Lehi and his group that left the Old World with Ishmael and Zoram, they left in 600 BC in the dispensation of Moses. So, there's a huge difference in space and time when these two major migrations occurred coming into the Americas. So, we have these 30 30 different people carrying forth to one degree or another this legacy of the Jaredites.

Three Needs for Revelation

Three things happen here in the beginning part of the story. Three needs for revelation. So, one of the principles for you and me, as we're striving to have our prayers go further than the ceiling in our room or in our chapel, wherever we are.

Principle No. 1: Don't wait for revelation to descend upon you or to hit you blindside. There will be times when that happens, but don't expect that that's the main form of revelation or where, as Elder Bednar says, we're simply making ourselves objects waiting to be acted upon.

There's a beautiful reminder to us that connects here that the Lord gave to the Prophet Joseph Smith in Jackson County, Missouri, clear back in 1831. He says this in section 58: 26 – 29,

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

This principle is easy to understand if you translate it into normal life, either in a home setting or in a work setting. Do you want the employee who sits on a chair and waits for the supervisor or the manager to tell them what to do, when to do it, how to do it, where to do it, and why to do it?

And, only then they get up and go do it. And, the moment they're finished with that task, they come and sit back down and wait for the next job. Or do you want an employee who you can teach the principle of what you're trying to accomplish, and then that employee is going to be self-motivated and think, "What could I do to help move the purpose of this company forward or to accomplish the mission of this organization or of this war or this family, whatever it may be?"

He clarifies in verse 27,

27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

So, it's very important to note that if we do sit and wait, the Lord is still capable of giving us revelation, and he probably will.

But, we multiply our opportunities to receive revelation when we anxiously engage in living the gospel, in doing the things that we think the Lord would have us do, and as we seek to follow his example, as we learn of him and do the things that we have seen him do.

28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.

It's back to President Nielson's invitation. "I plead with you to increase your spiritual capacity to receive revelation ..."

We're going to have to do the spiritual work. So, what is that?

It starts with keeping the Commandments so that we're capable of prospering in that revelatory process. But, we also seek and work towards getting more of those answers by going to the Lord with specifics.

The Language of Ours with God – Vertical Communication

One of my favorite things that President Thomas S. Monson taught when he was the prophet was that we rarely succeed when we speak in general. But, when we speak in specifics, we rarely experience failure.

The idea is that if we go to God in our prayers and say, "Heavenly Father, I'm thankful for all my blessings, and please bless me with what I need." That's general. And, we're probably going to get more of a general answer.

But according to President Monson, if we can be a little more specific, if we can counsel with the Lord in all of our doings, to quote earlier prophets in the Book of Mormon, then we're more likely to get those specific answers and specific responses.

In this case, watch what happens. With the very first request in verse 34, Jared says to his brother,

34 And the brother of Jared being a large and mighty man, and a man highly favored of the Lord, Jared, his brother, said unto him: Cry unto the Lord, that he will not confound us that we may not understand our words.

So, at the Tower of Babel, where the languages were confounded, Jared is saying, "Go and ask the Lord if He will allow us to still maintain our language, our ability to communicate."

35 And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord, and the Lord had compassion upon Jared; therefore he did not confound the language of Jared; and Jared and his brother were not confounded.

Isn't that an amazing principle for revelation? Our ability to talk to God and recognize God speaking to us – translates into, I want to be heard and understood, and I want to understand those around me as well. So, we have horizontal communication and vertical communication education.

The Language of Our Friends – Horizontal Communication

In this case, Jared asks his brother to go vertically to the Lord to preserve these horizontal connections of language. And, the Lord had compassion upon Jared. "... therefore he did not confound the language of Jared;" Then, you get the second one, verse 36.

36 Then Jared said unto his brother: Cry again unto the Lord, and it may be that he will turn away his anger from them who are our friends, that he confound not their language.

He says, go, "Cry again unto the Lord, ... that he will turn away his anger from them who are our friends, that he confound not their language." It began with our language, and now it has become the language of our friends and those in our circle of influence around us.

We begin at the core and principle of revelation, begin, get our soul in the right place, and cleanse the inner vessel before we start trying to fix other people's problems is a beautiful principle of revelation here.

We focus not selfishly on our problems, but actually with an eye to becoming a better instrument in the hands of the Lord. "More fit for the kingdom, More used would I be, More blessed and holy— More, Savior, like thee."

That's the intent of asking for blessings for us. Then, we turn outward and ask for those around us to receive some of those blessings.

Place of Refuge

That leads to question number 3 in verse 38. He says,

38 And it came to pass that Jared spake again unto his brother, saying: Go and inquire of the Lord whether he will drive us out of the land, and if he will drive us out of the land, cry unto him whither we shall go. And who knoweth but the Lord will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth? And if it so be, let us be faithful unto the Lord, that we may receive it for our inheritance.

Notice this add-on, because that's a pretty general question. "And who knoweth but the Lord will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth? And if it so be, let us be faithful unto the Lord that we may receive it for our inheritance." So, a place of safety, a refuge.

It's hard to receive revelation when you're surrounded by too much noise, too much commotion, too much chaos, too much misunderstanding. It's a little harder to have those open channels of communication.

And, so, it's this beautiful principle of, is there a place, a choice place, a place of safety, of refuge for us where we can go to live our life, and raise our families and build our culture.

And, the Lord, it says in verse 40,

40 And it came to pass that the Lord did hear the brother of Jared, and had compassion upon him, and said unto him:

41 Go to and gather together thy flocks, both male and female, of every kind; and also of the seed of the earth of every kind; and thy families; and also Jared thy brother and his family; and also thy friends and their families, and the friends of Jared and their families.

There's this long-term plan being put in place. We're not just going on a camping trip. This is a permanent change God going to make with these people. And, He tells them to gather the families. And verse 42,

42 And when thou hast done this thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley which is northward. And there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth.

This is more than revelation.

This is a covenant connection. This is a relationship that is being built, a connection with the Lord, and He gives them step one. And, it's a gathering set of instructions. Gather people, gather flocks, gather food and provisions, gather everything you're going to need, and then begin the journey and take the first leg of the journey up to the valley northward, and I'll meet you there and go before your face.

So, God didn't tell them, "Here you are at point A, and I'm going to now give you every step, point B, C, D, and on and on and on." God didn't do that. He said, "Here you are at point A, and I will give you point B. Gather all these people and things and go northward, and I'll meet you there, and I'll continue to guide you," which leaves all of this future travel, all of these future events in the realm of the unknown.

Pulling Out Principles from Our Study

So, we're building our faith in Christ to take those first steps of a journey. So now, watch the contrast that I started with. You can bring questions, situations, and concerns into the scriptures, find principles and look for ways to approach them. Or you read the scriptures and see what they teach and then pull principles out.

So, let's give some examples of what that might look like, here. You could say, you've got people who are in an environment or in a setting or in a state of being where chaos is raining, where things seem to be getting worse, and they want more peace in their lives.

So, they're seeking direction from the Lord, and the Lord gives them inspiration of how to get out of that and move towards a promised land. All of a sudden, this starts to feel and sound an awful lot like the plan of salvation.

It starts to sound like more than just a story of a group of people clear back in the ancient world thousands of years ago on the other side of the planet who are on a physical journey. And, it starts to sound like, wow, this is our story.

And, the tower, the Tower of Babel part, could symbolize we could be a symbol of, rather, this Earth and mortality and the struggles of mortality and our efforts to come under Christ and follow His path, His covenant path, as He leads us to the ultimate promised land, which is exaltation and eternal life as a joint heir with Christ in heaven. And, that's a big-picture application that can come out of the story or off of the page.

And then, there are a whole bunch of little microcosm pictures that could come off. When you embark to serve a mission, whether you're an 18 or 19-year-old young man or young woman, or whether you're an older couple embarking on that mission, all of a sudden, Ether Chapter 1 becomes very applicable, very relevant as you say, "Wow, I'm embarking on this mission and God gives instruction of what to do in phase one, how to prepare for that mission and go to the MTC." But, we don't know all of the adventures that await. But, we move forward in faith, faith in Christ, that He will guide us.

It could apply to marriage, going into an engagement, and we're all excited and it's a thrill, and we have no idea what's going to come down the road. But, we move forward because we trust. We trust in Christ, and we trust in those around us to move forward together on the covenant path. So, these stories can come to life off of the page, and they can be motivating factors for us to give us more hope to not be governed by fear and to not be governed by what we don't know in the future. But, rather, make our decisions based on what we do know. And, the Lord gave them instructions, and I love this phrase,

42 And when thou hast done this thou shalt go at the head of them down into the valley which is northward. And there will I meet thee, and I will go before thee into a land which is choice above all the lands of the earth.

"... [And] there will I meet thee..." And, [there] might be a mission filled, it might be marriage, it might be parenthood, it might It might be a career, it might be an educational opportunity. It might be day one in a calling, a new calling that you've received in the church. It can be all these things.

But suddenly, when we take these kinds of approaches, the scriptures are never boring. They are never black words on a white page that are meaningless. They become a handbook for revelation, a handbook for hearing the voice of God.

We've had general authorities tell If you want to talk to God, you pray. And, if you want God to talk to you, read your scriptures. And, I would add, Listen to the living prophets. It's this beautiful principle that we don't try to make up some new way to connect with heaven. It's pretty simple. Pray specifically and then go into scriptures as we ponder and record our thoughts, specifically looking for those answers.

We're far more likely to receive them than if we just generically sit back on the lawn chair on the side of the path and wait for the Lord to come and get us up and tell us what to do and when to do it and how to do it. So, verse 43, he gives another promise,

43 And there will I bless thee and thy seed, and raise up unto me of thy seed, and of the seed of thy brother, and they who shall go with thee, a great nation. And there shall be none greater than the nation which I will raise up unto me of thy seed, upon all the face of the earth. And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me.

I'm going to raise up a great nation because of your footsteps of faith. I'm going to bless millions in the process. It's a beautiful reminder to us to not think just of ourselves and our own situation, but to pause and step back and take a broader view of life. Think celestial, if you will, and think of the effect your decisions of faith to move forward today will have on generations yet unborn.

Share and Love,
Mommy

Christmas Week in the Mission! ✨️

Well for this Christmas week it has been AWESOME! We were able to work a lot more harder and sincere. Going with my all to bring others to come unto Christ!

Best Christmas tree we ever have, well half and half. Nonetheless the funniest tree we ever had!

Zone Conference

Well this Zone Conference was just amazing! And I loved it, we learned that gossip should never be a normal way for us to communicate with one another. But that if there is anything positive, uplifting and encouraging we can speak about a person's front or back. Let us do that! It's really beautiful to be able to learn that the Lord loves us. He has never ever talked bad about you has He? If so why do that to our friends, to others who are divinely connected back to our Father in Heaven as we are. To His children.

Surely that is never the way that the Savior wants His Disciples to be. Even though it's tempting, it is not a normal habit we should have. It is NEVER OKAY! I learned that He has never exposed us of our weakness, neither judge. But He has tried to succor us, guide us and strengthen our weakness. I am grateful for His love.

He loves you no matter what, and I too am doing my best. To have integrity and live the way He wants me too and it's like insanely hard but possible!

Promised Blessings

Something I learned is that we have the authority and power Sisters or Elders, dua-dua pun Ada that authority given by His prophet to share the gospel to all His children.

To help then make an informed decision in their lives and to help invite them to Come Unto Christ through Faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the End. Which something I learned and am applying is that, you can promise people blessings, from the scriptures or personal experiences. We an promise them in His name, that if they do the invitation we extend to them in a kind and clear language. They can see teh blessings.

How awesome is that, it's like in Spider man (Tobey Maguire) when Doc Octo said

"The Power of the sun, at the palm of my hand"

Ain't that crazy like it's soo DIVINE! We can all do that, because we all have that keys to help others in Coming unto Him. I loved it soo much✨️ now I know I'm just yapping but it's a really sacred experience. And I was able to find out Church, Prayer and Reading scriptures have soo much blessings that the Lord can bless us with! It's really amazing!

Obedience

Well ever since Elder Dubreuil has been my companion we have been working really heard, and it's been inspiring! And I want to keep improving for real! I loves it! We worked like from 1pm to 8:45pm it turned to something like 12pm to 9:00pm and beyond. Honestly I am exhausted, I am tired and fatigued it's so hard. But at the end, I have seen the blessings of pushing myself and moving out of my comfort zone. I h a very seen the growth in all aspects and lessons I can attain. It's amazing! And something I was reminded from working all the way is by President Gordon B Hinckley he said:

"Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to helping people. … Stand higher, lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ”

And from that I am eternally grateful for all that I am able to do, with all my effort! 

Lastly if you ever wonder why the work is hard, just remember. It has never been easy for our Savior to give us the gift of salvation of returning back to our Father. So why should it be easy for us? Even though the Savior suffered so much more than what we can comprehend, we can face hardship because He is there to help us.

You got this, because Jesus has got you✨️. Don't worry and move onward with His work! ❤️

Agents for Ourselves

Our KI number this week has been insane, we set a 5 knowing we can achieve them and gradually one lesson cancel at a time. Until we were left with 0/5 on Friday. And that's was just depressing all the way. Yet we continued, we strive to seek for lessons and find ways how we can teach our friends, daily contacting them too. Which at the end on Sunday our Teaching KI is 2/5 epic come back from.

From that experience something that was constantly in my mind was, it's not over yet, so how can we achieve it as best as we can. There is a bunch of factors that are out of our control, yet I learned that there is always something that we can do. We are agents for ourselves, not to be acted upon. And often the things we can do are so simple and overlooked, yet it brought hope an peace from their fruits that arise from it! I am grateful for that knowledge. And I am grateful for it!!

To know that we can always do something, even when circumstances or adversary is daunting He loves us and always hears our prayers. And I know that to be true. So just keep striving and fins ways to overcome your challenges!

Preach My Gospel

That is the best book I've ever read FR, that book teaches you so many things when it comes to missionary work and it's like another scriptures except it's not. But it's so helpful and guides me to learn so much more than what I already know. I am grateful for it!

Spiritual Thoughts

Well for this week it's Christmas! And it was the most awesome thing I've ever seen. Christ the Child was a divine film. But more than that I remembered I had the desire to find our what does the Savior's birth meant to me. But something I found was, it's okay to not know anything. Trust in Him and His prompting and act on it. He loves you and will never abandon you. In 1 Nephi 11 it's my favorite scripture as it talks about the meaning of the birth of Jesus Christ.  Yet it was also interesting how Nephi was seeking for the Lord's help and heed upon the council and vision that the angel had visited him. And I loved it.

1 Nephi 11:20-23

20 And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.

21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! Knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?

22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.

23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul

I know that Jesus is the Christ, He is my Savior and my Lord. He loves me and so does He love you too. And I say all these in the sacred name of Jesus Christ Amen.

My new Son Larry

Bob Marley Christmas Tree

Mahjong

Me and Elder Ramos!

Icelandic Ancestors & Welding Link

December 25, 2024

Icelandic Ancestors & Welding Link

Dear Elder Yu,

Icelandic Ancestors

This is the final inspirational thought from my Social Science Statistics instructor shared with us this semester. It is about his ancestors' stories. Like many multi-generation Mormons with roots based in Utah, his ancestry is not exciting. He has some good pioneer stories sprinkled in there, but the countries of origin of his ancestors are quite typical. A few branches go back to England, Scotland, Wales, and one great-grandmother from Norway. But he does have one side of his family that is rather unique. His Great-Great Grandfather and Grandmother immigrated from Iceland.

Now there are relatively few Icelandic-Americans out there. The reason is, that during the time that people were leaving the European nations in droves to come to America, very few Icelanders ever felt the need. Except for one group. A handful of them found Mormonism in the late 1800’s and moved to Utah. Thorstein Peterson was one of them. He was not even from ‘mainland’ Iceland. He was actually from a tiny island off the coast of Iceland called Vestmann Island. And this is actually where most of the converts were from.

When the Icelanders arrived in Utah, they were almost all sent to Spanish Fork to settle, and they maintained a nice little community. Today there is a monument to the Iceland pioneers in that town, and that is where my instructor stopped with his family on a trip through Utah a few years ago.

Now this might seem like a nice little story on the importance of Family History and the learning of ancestry. However, my instructor prefers to look at the present and future. While he was talking with his children about the sacrifices that these people made and the blessings that he has today as a result, he was struck with a thought.

Each of you can imagine your hometown. Now imagine what it could look like 100 years in the future. Now picture a family on vacation and stopping in your hometown. Perhaps they are traveling in an amazing hovercraft powered by water or maybe garbage. But this is a family that is full of solid citizens. Temple covenants bind this family. They are not perfect but are trying and they are built around love for each other. As they stop off in your futuristic hometown, the parents point out that one of their ancestors lived here. And because of the choices made by this ancestor, they can enjoy the blessings and covenants that they have.

A Welding Link

My instructor’s sharing reminds me of Elder David A. Bednar’s talk years ago, “A Welding Link” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2017/09/a-welding-link?lang=eng which I would like to share with you. He discussed with the young adults the importance of being a “welding link” in their past and future posterity and active participation in the Church. The first time I listened and watched his devotional, I could feel the Spirit so strong that echoing in my mind that I needed to be the strong link, and the urge to do the family history work. The thing that I unanticipated was that I would be facing what I am facing now – my divorce. It needs both hands to clap. I think to be fair, your daddy is not the only one who is wrong in creating this in our marriage now.

As I restudy the talk, I feel an urge for you to learn from this simple and powerful devotional that might influence you and Annabelle in your good marriage, your own family, and every aspect of your lives:

“The very fact that I had not experienced righteous family patterns in my boyhood home created in me a strong desire to work diligently with Susan to make sure such patterns were always a part of the home we created together. As we counseled one another and pleaded for help in our prayers, we were inspired and blessed to help our children learn the principles of the Savior’s restored gospel. We certainly were not perfect parents, but we received the spiritual gifts we needed and found “help … beyond [our] own.”

“You and I are not trapped in our past experiences. We are not wholly and totally victims of our present circumstances or captives of our environment. The Holy Ghost will teach us all things that we should do, including patterns of family righteousness in which we have not previously participated. It begins with you! And with the Lord’s help, you can do it.”

“Some of you have had your hearts broken by family members or respected leaders who have not honored sacred marriage covenants. You may ask yourself, “If my parents or other couples I have known were sealed in the temple and their marriages did not succeed, what hope can I have that my marriage will last forever?”

“To you who have experienced the heartache of a divorce in your family or felt the agony of violated trust, please remember it begins again with you! One link in the chain of your generations may have been broken, but the other righteous links and what remains of the chain are nonetheless eternally important. You can add strength to your chain and perhaps even help to restore the broken links. That work will be accomplished one by one.”

“We are sons and daughters of God. According to the Father’s eternal plan of happiness, we are endowed with the gift of moral agency and are agents with the capacity to act. We are not merely objects to be acted upon. We are agents unto ourselves and should be anxiously engaged in bringing to pass much righteousness.”

“A fulfilling and happy marriage is not found; rather, it is created by a covenant-keeping man and woman. I fear some of you may be engaging in an endless search for something that does not exist. There is no perfect potential spouse who can safeguard you from emotional pain and spiritual anguish. But in the strength of the Lord, a faithful man and woman acting as agents can create the fulfilling marriage and the eternal family they hope and yearn to have.”

“Selflessly serving in a marriage relationship requires patience and persistence in a world that relentlessly encourages self-centeredness and selfishness. But it begins with you as you act and press forward with faith in the Savior, continually seek for heavenly help, and righteously exercise your moral agency. You can do it with the Lord’s help.”

The Promise and Blessings

“Becoming a welding link begins with you by doing the simple things Brother and Sister Call did to honor sacred covenants and teach their children to live and love the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.”

“Becoming a welding link begins with you by having the courage and faith in the Savior to turn right, just like Brother Antwi.”

“Becoming a welding link begins with you by trusting the Holy Ghost to teach you all things and illuminate your pathway, even when you do not know precisely beforehand where you should go and what you should do.”

“Becoming a welding link begins with you by diligently and valiantly chasing darkness from among you¹² and standing strong against the seductive evils of the latter days.”

“I invoke upon you an apostolic blessing, even that by the power of the Holy Ghost you may understand more fully the importance of your place in the chain of the generations. I know you will be blessed and strengthened as you strive to become a strong welding link. And I promise that with the help of the Lord you can do it!”

“Eternal family links are only welded together through priesthood authority and personal righteousness. Whatever bad things may have occurred in your family, I testify and promise that the Lord Jesus Christ is the source of the healing, renewing, and restoring that you need.”

“Weeping may have endured during the night of your adversity, but joy can come in the morning of your new life made possible by our Redeemer and Savior.”

Just remember that our choices will impact not only our own lives but the lives of many others.

Love,
Mommy

December 10, 2023. A reference to D&C 128:18. “It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other—and behold what is that subject? It is the baptism for the dead. For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect. Neither can they nor we be made perfect without those who have died in the gospel also; for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time.” The blue circle represents a baptismal font; the small triangles represent the oxen; and the white circles in the background represent our deceased ancestors. Made with Figma and Affinity Photo.

#baptism #doctrine-and-covenants #family #family-history #genealogy

Licensing and usage

This piece is licensed under the Creative Commons. You’re also welcome to use it in church-related use cases (classes, newsletters, activities, flyers, etc.) with no attribution needed.

My Husband and I

22 December, 2024

My Husband and I

Dear Elder Yu,

As you know, your Daddy returned and stayed with us at home on 28 November 2024, when I went to the Bangkok Temple. As I told you before, we briefly discussed our marriage. He opened up, and he wanted a divorce on the Sunday I came back from the temple trip, 1 December 2024. I agreed. He will look for a lawyer for the legislation matter. He said he would temporarily stay in the house for about a month and then move out.

Throughout the whole conversation, he blamed me for not being wise enough to be a wife and a mother. He feels that all the love and time he put into this family, turned out to be the children who respected him because of afraid of him. He kept on emphasizing that he was not satisfied with the outcome or results he got from this family because the children were not close to him and he felt he failed his duty as a father. All the efforts he put in by not going to the pub or night entertainment like other contractors did were wasted.

I could understand his point of view that being a mother does not teach both Annabelle and you well, especially since most Chinese parents would teach about virtues such as one should respect the elderly and love the young; a virtuous woman brings her husband good; a kind mother brings up children dutiful to the family; the younger brother should respect the elder brother and the elder brother should be gentle with the younger brother; passing good family traditions of having gathering or dinner when there is a festival; one should run the family diligently and thriftily; one should be learned and practice etiquette; do not be lazy or idle like your mommy in doing the household chores, etc. These are the areas which I lacked.

Your Auntie Agatha commented on all these values years ago if you remember on the dining table. Well, it was indeed your Daddy's good intention when he voiced out to both of you, but it probably in a stern voice so that both of you would remember that because he knows that all these things would be beneficial to you when you stepped into society one day to earn a living.

But, I am speechless when hearing all the excuses and comments from his mouth about the dumb words on how he felt he was not been appreciate his contributions and sacrifice to this family. I thought he was the one who betrayed me in the very first place by not obeying the law of chastity. He did say he was the one who did wrong, but I did not feel the sincerity and repented in his words. He is admitted because of the sack of saying.

He had the testimony of the Church is true and told that one day he will return to church but he has to make things right first. His retirement plan is to stay somewhere in northern Thailand after 6 years and do what he wants to do – open a homestay and a café and live a quiet life there. He did mention is with his now-new girlfriend. He hopes that one day the children and I able to visit him there.

He was expecting that I still could be on good terms with him after all this happened. I told him that sorry as I needed time to go through this time. Please do not expect me to react like nothing happened. I feel he is blaming everything about this family that he felt he is not getting what he expecting from us. My thought is why want to be calculative in your giving, sacrifice to your own family, and expect instant rewards? I feel it is just his excuse to get rid of his guilt and what he had done to this family. I cried many times ever since we had the conversation, I just kept on thinking that I have to trust in the Lord so that I can move on.

Well, he finally found a new place near his job site at Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. He is planning to move out I think next month. I plan to re-home Ally through Auntie Jessie’s help next month as well. I know both of you and Annabelle would be sad, but I do not think I can take care of Ally especially Annabelle next year she will become a teacher in Mecaje, and Mr. Heng asked her to take on tuition which would end at 6.00 pm. So, when she comes back home would be probably around 8.00 pm?

I know I should not talk much about this to you, but I do not want to paint a beautiful picture for you either. It is a burden that is hard to take on and carry, I know. You know what? I started to feel I should be forgiving and let go because this would do me good because all these are the gifts that my Savior gives me.

Love you as always,
Mommy

ZC Ogden 19 Dec 2024

Elder Yu attended a zone conference in Ogden, Utah, where missionaries gathered to learn, share experiences, and strengthen their testimonies of Jesus Christ.

As I think about his missionary journey, I feel grateful for the opportunities he has to grow spiritually, learn from his leaders, and build friendships with fellow missionaries.

I hope this experience strengthened his faith and reminded him of the joy of serving the Lord. ❤️

18th Week for Christmas Season

哈喽哈喽，这是余长老。Recently we just had our transfers and I am staying in Ogden with my Golden area. But more than that I got a new companion. Elder Tang got tag out, but Elder Dubreuil is now in the ring ✨️‍♂️DING! 

And this week has really been interesting.

Transfers

While transfers were happening, one of the most scariest and frightening thing I've found out was managing and planning everything on the spot is insanely hard. Like just managing and finding the right people to help, as well as keeping in mind the situation of other missionaries and their plans to create my own one is soo chaotic. And it is soo difficult which even got me to feel overwhelmed and scared with all these changes. Getting new companion, being placed as the senior companion and just leading in area. Everything happening all at one's, or what I thought it felt like.

But I learned that things are being unfolded one step at a time. And I found out with more time and a better experience of planning. The task which I faced seemed more and more easier. But I have just gotten a few experiences. So it's still gonna be tuff.

I loved the challenges that the mission gives, it's hard but never impossible.  Just as the Lord plans it out for each and everyone of us.

Senior Companion

That is a tuff role, like just leading the area out of the blue is something I think you guys understand too. It's somewhat hard but never impossible.  But not having another companion to turn to for guidance it is scary, like feeling somewhat lonely in heart, mind always flooded with so many ideas, flushing and clashing with one another. And it feels like a storm in my thoughts. Not knowing where to start nor when to end. Yet time is going and never waits, which causes the soul to feel inadequate as well as rushing to get one task accomplished even though it's a terrible job too in the plans and ideas.

Learning that the Savior is there to help us connect back to my Father in Heaven has always been comforting me in my life. To know that I can always turn to Him and increasing my companionship with my eternal companion….

The Holy Ghost! Oops did I scare you but with the Holy Ghost, it helps to guide me in the thoughts that comes to me, gives the courage I need to act on it and helps me to accomplish with whatever I could think of. In the Lord's way. Even in His work. We do it his way.

Christ-Mas

We met with a Sister who decorated a tree which looked so beautiful! and she made it so pretty and upon looking at it. It has the whitest and purest leaves with a warm summer coat and radiating a sunset light. Brilliant in colour and accompanied with several white ornaments as well as lines of red beads hanging and coming out as if from the tree and staying on its leaf. It was amazing, being crowded with so many ornaments even with names such as Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counsellor and etc. It was a tree which represented the Savior being made for this Christmas season. And it's amazing how she expressed her Savior through her artistic creation. The pain, loneliness, hope, peace, Joy and Love the tree Radiates.

And I am grateful to be able to see hat tree that night as it taught me how much the Savior loves us.

It was lovely to see that tree it was awestrucking, breath taking and just peaceful quite and softening to view.

Kate's Baptism

We got a new Bappy too and it's for Kate a person which I rarely teach but is really elect an has been waiting to be baptised for 6 months. She had to go through many interviews and came a long way to enter into the covenant to have the Lord's presence ever more in her life✨️ She had the toughest time to in the past and it was amazing to see how much she has changes as well as the love and radiance that beams out from her after her baptism.

She is soo awesome and it just reminded me of her love and peace that covenants brings into our lives. To have the Lord's presence ever more and ever universal in our lives. And it's awesome!

With our Mission President Tooo

Holy Ghost 3.0 

Well this is my 3rd time I think talking about the Holy Ghost and it is Awesome. Something I realised is how things are brought to me by small and simple ways in my life. As we were assigned to give a talk yesterday, me and Elder Dubreuil were prepping with what we would like to share. The many beautiful and wonderful messages and experiences we wanted to give to the members in the ward.

As I pondered I realised I had nothing coming in. As I tried to write on a Wednesday, I had to restart on Friday to write it again and even just lost at how I wanted to convey my message to the members. But as the day passes by, I realised whenever I thought of the talk, a small thought came in. Which I noticed it at first, but didn't really hold on to it. Not yet, till the second and a third time. I started to record it and added it in to my talk. Gradually I saw how the message seems more and more clearer and even during the meeting thoughts still came into my mind.

From scripture verses to quotes and even songs it all slowly came. It was interesting. And on Sunday as the sacrament meet went on. I found that an Elderly member was giving an awesome talk, but it was too long To which we still had a hymn and my companions talk and finally me.

Being placed on the spot with 5 mins left to give a talk. I too felt the guidance on which part of the talks I wanted to share and eventually everything was brought to my Remembrance. Keeping the message short, sweet and simple and end it off there. And I am grateful to listen and heed on the thought and the still small voice throughout the week.

Spiritual Thoughts.

Well recently I am studying the Christmas Plan found in the gospel Library and something that stood out to me was Mary and Elisabeth experiences with the knowledge of their children's identity and purpose. But ultimately in Luke 1: 39-66 it was really awesome to see how Mary supported her cousin Elisabeth during her time of hardship (pregnancy) and I was comforting to see that as Mary received her testimony and conversion to the Lord, she shared it to others, that others may be lifted up in their struggles. To testify of the knowledge of their Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son Jesus Christ.

Luke 22:32: 

32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

And I know that as we so all that we can to share out testimony as well as live to others. They can be strengthened and supported in their hardships. And I say all this things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Best cowboy in the South East Asia

17th Week in the Mission Field

Yeap I know I know your welcome you got extra stuff to read for your next meal time! DING!✨️Also we changed our P-Day to Tuesday for a temple trip so that is going to be fun✨️

Okay well we can start off

Joyous Day      

We had an amazing working for 4 days and it was interesting. Just yesterday we had a member appointment and taught a homie member and it's amazing and fun .  I like to see how they are always there to help nd guide us. And he is AMAZING. he mentioned how every day should be a Joyous Day! And it's comforting to learn about that. How whenever things are bad, we can always turn a sad day upside-down and just constantly seek the Savior's help to do so.

Chinese Lesson      

Well we are able to teach a few Chinese this week. And we got Kitty, Jin Qi and Hao Mai and they are really awesome! Practicing mandarin and improving it is really crucial and I am starting to see the fruit of my language study even though it's hard cause we are really busy too ☠️⚰️

Transfer Week      

Well this week we will be having our transfer and I am placed with my new comp which is Elder DUBREUIL ✨️‍♂️‍♂️He is Awesome and my brother in the mission! ✨️✨️ I love it and I know we can do better together ✨️ Also we had an AMAZING time together up in Logan at my first transfer✨️ and also we had a tonn of fun too for about a week.

And for English work I will be staying in the same area with these amazing members and leaders too So I am really excited. As well as having a car as well✨️ I am really excited and grateful for all teh many blessings and lesson the Lord has taught like FR it's INSANE!

Temple Trip      

We just went to the temple today an dit was amazing. Just getting back to the temple after close to 9 weeks it's amazing. I am grateful for the temple we have on earth. And the beauty and strength it brings as we stay and learn in temple. It's really a amazing to have a reminder on how important temple is, and also the power of a temple recommend. The beauty it brings into our lives✨️

Focusing our lives on the temple and seeking to learn more about the Lord is truly a blessing. I love the temple. And living worthily to go to the temple and having a temple recommend is amazing✨️

Ward Christmas Party      

It's the most interesting party I've ever seen. Like it reminded me of my home branch only it's like 20 times bigger⚰️ It's so funn and we met with so many members and was well fed too♥️ So that's is AMAZINGGG also had turkey and pies and cookies too It's comforting to be able to see and meet with so many members

Spiritual Thoughts 

Well for this short week I was able to learn about the love that the Savior has for us. It is comforting to know that He is there and wants us to be comforted and guided in our lives. I feel comforted and always felt amazing

3 Nephi 12:14-16

14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

15 Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house;

16 Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

I love this verse because it reminds me so much about the purpose of Christmas, how can we in this season ponder on ways we can glow and radiate the light of Christ. And to be an angel in someone else's life is such an amazing blessing. To help others and guide others to come unto Christ. In all their hardships✨️

We had District Lunch in B-Dubs and this time my stomach was not Beat-Up✨️DING DING DING ✨️

Us at the Ogden temple trip ✨️✨️

My comp deciding which rice cooker to buy

Exchanges with our ZL'S is the funnest thing on ✨️✨️✨️

Bangkok Thailand Temple Trip

December 8, 2024

Bangkok Thailand Temple Trip

Dear Elder Yu,

I know it is a little bit late as I only can sit down and write about my feelings or the things I went through about the temple trip.

Honestly, I think I am not prepared myself enough to enter the House of the Lord. I was keeping myself busy with work, school, home, and not all the important things that I should be preparing myself for going in.

I told your Daddy after you texted me in irregular hours because not a P-Day. His response was, “Is this trip funded by the Church or do you pay for yourself?” I told him that I paid for myself and the air tickets were around RM700.00++. I felt as if he had started calculating what is his gained and lost from me. He even asked me the same questions when fetched me at the airport on the day I returned.

I guess the timing is just nice as on the 28^th of November morning, we went to Mecaje earlier had breakfast with Annabelle, and drove back home to wait for Uncle Felix’s Grab car. On the way to KLIA 1, Uncle Felix shared that he is glad and happy to see both you and Annabelle growing in the church and he sees how both transform into a fine young man and a young woman, especially Annabelle! Haha!

He remembered Annabelle used to be so grumpy and hot-tempered, now she becomes an example to her fellow young women in her class! Uncle Felix said he was enjoying your class while you were still here teaching the Sunday School. Both Auntie Joyce and he are very proud of both of you.

There was joy, and comfort in me. I felt as Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ were there with me and reassured me that I was and I am doing the right in keep on bringing both of you to the Church despite what happened in my marriage all these years.

It indeed felt like home when I stepped into the temple. The prayers I offered the night before were to plead to the Lord to give me all the strength, courage, and wisdom I need to conclude and move forward from my dying marriage. The other so-called homework I did was reading about your first endowment experience email again and again. Haha! I know that it is funny and crazy but I want to feel that long lost feeling again. Your testimony about the temple covenant is humongous! (=v=)

When I changed into the temple clothing and walked into the waiting room, a temple worker asked if I would like to do the proxy initiatory ordinances while I was waiting for the endowment session. I just nodded my head. When I sat on the round cushion stool, I was overwhelmed and my tears filled my eyes. I was so touched when hearing the initiatory prayers or blessings – the washing and anointing that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ would want us to have. My tears could not stop. I am glad that this trip I was able to do for my great grandmother which on my mother's side.

I have to relearn everything as I have forgotten so much about all the covenants, signs, tokens, marks, etc that I covenanted with the Lord in His House. I relearn about the Creation, the Garden of Eden, the Telestial World, the Terrestrial World, and the Veil.

I love how Eve exercised her agency to invite Adam and explain or counsel him after she had eaten the fruits of the knowledge of good and evil, she still remembered the Lord’s commandments for them to replenish this earth with their posterity.

I wish I was as wise as Eve when dealing with my husband before, but I am not a wise woman, and there is no medicine of regrets and the things that happened could not re-take in our lives.

Well, the most unforgettable moment for me was when I stepped into the Celestial Room, I bowed my head, prayed, and asked what the Lord would want me to do at this moment in my marriage. I heard nothing, and there wasn’t any answer.

I think I should have expected this to happen because He wants me to use my agency to choose for myself. I cried so hard inside the Celestial Room. I was crying like a baby except I wept quietly. Even the temple worker lady came up to me twice and handed me tissues.

I know that there is no more room for me to be in denial anymore about how your Daddy feels about me, there isn’t any love left for me except complaints and blaming. I know that I should not be in denial and have to learn to accept the fact and that is the reason why God did not answer my prayer.

Or actually, as Sister Peggy shared today at the Puchong Branch Conference, “When you feel that God did not answer your prayer, He already did. The feeling you feel inside your heart…” God wants me to learn to accept the outcomes because He loves me so much that He knows what is the best for me, and something awaiting me on my path ahead.

My mind was blank at that moment and my heart pleaded to the Lord to bless me with all the courage, strength, wisdom, and knowledge I need to move on despite I do not know what would happen in front of me.

Honestly, these past weeks some thoughts came into my mind and reminded me how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ blessed me especially when I exercised my agency to decide to resign and look for a better-paying job last year.

When I had the desire to choose to have a better-paying job to sustain my monthly commitment, the opportunity came through the persons I know who contacted me, and eventually I got a better-paying job. I resigned from Auntie Jessie’s company – Floorphase Projects Sdn Bhd, and joined back my ex-boss’s company – Virtuals Space Sdn Bhd (a.k.a. SUA Interiors). From RM3,500.00 in December 2022 to RM5,500.00 in January 2023 monthly salary.

And, it did not happen once, but twice. I felt stressed out at the company in the Q.S. cum Procurement Manager position, as I feel I am more into project management which can give me more flexibility and not just sitting in the office. And, looking at my age which is growing older, eventually, my current company’s boss – Emily who we knew each other since we were in our twenties called me and asked if there was any project person who could lead her project team. I called her after a few months and asked her if she had found someone for the job. I said I was interested, and you know the rest of the story. I resigned and started as a Project Manager in my current company – Zenith Projects Sdn Bhd in September 2023 with an RM7,000.00 monthly salary and was given a company car for the work.

Of course, the increased salary also comes with more job responsibilities and load, but all these are just like what you said, “I came to see how much desire and eagerness He wants to be with us, that love He wants to be next to us. Like really next to you standing there and wanting to talk to you, asking you how mortality was and if you had fun with life?”

I can feel that the Lord eagerly wants to bless me, the only thing that I need to do is to have a righteous desire and decide what I want, and He will or is always there to support and bless me in whatever I decide. He is waiting there for me to make a decision. It is just like how I can see His hand in my career path.

It is the same I feel the Lord wants me to trust in Him when it is time for me to decide my marriage. I have been ignored too long and I think I have been given multiple opportunities or I missed out on the best timings to patch back the broken vessels. My mind, soul, and strength have been drained out much because of my worries about my husband. He could not become a better man, neither am I to become a better version of myself.

It is time to make a change, change for the better. I know that I need a very big courage to cut this marriage ties because I love him so much. I need to walk out from there. As Elder Jefferey R. Holland taught, “Such dwelling on past lives, including past mistakes, is just not right! It is not the gospel of Jesus Christ… In these cases of marriage and family and wards and apartments and neighborhoods, we can end up destroying so many, many others.” I hope I am not destroying your and Annabelle’s goals or dreams of building your eternal marriage and family.

Well, besides all these things I have gone through during my Bangkok Temple Trip, all is well. I went through 3 endowment sessions and 1 sealing session during this 3 days and 2 nights stay at the temple. I think it is normal to see the temple attendance, sisters are more than the brethren. I never attended a sealing session before except for my sealing with your Daddy, Annabelle, and you while we were in Cebu City Temple.

It was a brand new experience when attending as a proxy to seal for others. It was kind of funny when I was in the sealing room. There were Thai Priesthood holders as the sealers, brethren and sisters from Cambodia, and India, and of course Sister E Chin and me as Malaysians. You imagine that: the sealer sitting in his seat; the Indian priesthood was sitting at his side to help him pronounce the names given, while the Cambodian brethren knelt at the sacred altar to be sealed. It felt funny at first when I heard the names pronounced, but it felt warmth and joy in my heart seeing all of us were doing the Lord’s work here.

On the 29^th November, 2024 Sister E Chin brought me to the Platinum Mall which is a fashion wholesale hub in Bangkok, all the clothing there is considered cheap even compared with here. I did buy a few for myself and am thinking of sharing some with Annabelle.

I could see vendors or hawkers selling street foods along the roadsides while strolling the streets. This brought me so many memories of our family vacation trips many years back – Cebu City, Bali, Saigon, Hatyai, Phattalong, etc. I could not describe my feelings at that very moment. It was sadness. I thought this temple trip should be something different, or spiritual but it turned out to be a lot of mixed feelings in it – my past and present feelings and where I go from here. I feel I should stay for more days to settle my tangled emotions.

As I sit in front of the laptop, and proofread whatever I wrote what‘s in my mind, I know that the length of my stay is nothing compared to what I know – God wants to reveal to me. I am still not completely OK, but I am ready to learn to let go and to be healed. I know that I could not do it alone, but “I can do all things through the Atonement of Jesus Christ”

Elder Yu, please do not worry about me and home. You know that we are in God’s good hands. Know that you are loved! A lot and lots from us, and God too!

Love,
Mommy

The Bangkok Temple. It is considered very convenient because we are using MAS Airline where the flight stopped at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. Using the Airport Rail Link Line, it is only 6 stops reached Makkasan Station, and reached the temple only in walking distance. 

Brother Juno and Sister Jully were on their first temple endowment session where Juno was escorted by President Lim and Jully was escorted by her mum, Michelle.

We met returned sisters missionaries here because all the returned brothers and sisters missionaries were having a Conference here in Bangkok. I met Elder Teh as well, the second counselor of the Asia Area Presidency. I think he is attending the return missionaries conference here.

Me in front of Christ. I am really fat and look fat! OMG!

Night view in front of the temple. Of course, the picture got edited to lighten the background of the temple.

Met with Sister Poh Peng and Sister Man Ling. Sister Poh Peng said that initially she planned for a solo temple trip, but it turned out to meet so many familiar faces here! Haha!

Bangkok, Thailand Temple Trip — A Journey of Faith, Healing, and Trust 28–30 Nov 2024

Sometimes, we travel to a place not just to see something new, but to find a little peace in our hearts. My trip to the Bangkok Thailand Temple was one of those journeys. I went with many thoughts and emotions, hoping to feel closer to Heavenly Father and find the strength I needed for the challenges in my life.

Before the trip, I had been so occupied with work, studies, and family responsibilities that I wondered whether I had prepared myself spiritually enough to enter the House of the Lord. But the moment I stepped into the temple, I felt a familiar sense of peace. It was as if I had come home.

One of the most touching experiences was performing proxy initiatory ordinances for my great-grandmother on my mother's side. As I listened to the blessings, tears filled my eyes. I felt deeply moved by the thought that Heavenly Father's love extends to all His children, including those who have passed away. It was a beautiful reminder that temple service allows us to reach beyond ourselves and participate in something eternal.

During the three days and two nights, I attended three endowment sessions and one sealing session. I also had the opportunity to meet members and friends from different countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, India, and Malaysia. Although we came from different backgrounds and spoke different languages, we shared the same faith and desire to serve in the Lord's house. There was something very special about feeling united with people I had only just met.

As I participated in the endowment sessions, I found myself reflecting more deeply on the Creation, the Garden of Eden, agency, and the covenants we make with Heavenly Father. I realised that there were things I needed to relearn and understand with a more mature heart. Life has taught me that making choices is not always easy. Sometimes, we make decisions without fully understanding the consequences, and sometimes we look back and wish we had known better. But perhaps part of our mortal journey is learning, growing, and trusting the Lord even when we cannot see the whole picture.

One of the most personal moments came when I entered the Celestial Room. I had brought questions about my marriage and the direction of my life. I prayed and hoped that Heavenly Father would tell me what to do. I wanted a clear answer, something that would remove the uncertainty I had been carrying for so long.

But no direct answer came in the way I expected. Instead, I found myself crying quietly as I sat with my thoughts.

I began to wonder whether I had been waiting for the Lord to make the decision for me when He was asking me to exercise my own agency. Perhaps I needed to take time to listen, reflect, seek His guidance, and find the courage to make the choices that lay before me. Not every answer comes as a clear instruction. Sometimes, faith means moving forward without knowing exactly what will happen next.

I thought about the many times the Lord had guided me in my career. When I needed new opportunities, doors opened, sometimes in ways I had never expected. Looking back, I could see His hand in my life. Remembering those experiences gave me comfort. If He had helped me navigate difficult decisions before, I could trust Him to walk beside me through this chapter too.

Outside the temple, Bangkok offered a different kind of experience. I visited Platinum Mall with Sister E Chin, explored the busy streets, and saw the food stalls filled with local treats. We enjoyed meals together and shared simple moments that made the trip memorable.

Seeing these familiar scenes of travel and family activities brought back memories of our family holidays. There was happiness in those memories, but also a little sadness. I am learning that the heart can hold both emotions at the same time, and that is okay.

This trip did not magically solve my problems or take away all my worries. I returned home with some questions still unanswered. But I also returned with a quieter heart and a renewed desire to trust Heavenly Father.

I am learning that healing is not something that happens overnight. Letting go is not always easy, and moving forward does not mean that the pain has completely disappeared. Sometimes, it simply means being willing to take one small step at a time, even when the road ahead is uncertain.

I may not know exactly what the future holds, but I know I do not have to face it alone. I can continue to pray, seek guidance, exercise my agency, and trust in the Saviour's love and Atonement.

As I look back on my Bangkok temple trip, I am grateful for the sacred experiences, the people I met, the memories I made, and the quiet reminders that Heavenly Father is still with me.

I am not completely healed, and I do not have everything figured out. But I am learning to let go, to have faith, and to move forward with hope.

“I can do all things through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”

One step at a time, I will keep walking forward. ❤️

17th Week in the Mission Field

Konichiwa! Well, another week, another P-Day , okay I can explain. I'm not being disobedient cause today is P-Day for us in the Utah Ogden Mission. And also HAPPY THANKSGIVING! ✨️

Well, since today's Thanksgiving, the work here is really chill, and the road is somewhat empty too and that's the first time I've seen it. Alright, let's get to it!

Kitty's Service    

Well, as chinese missionaries, we get the opportunity to help chinese non-members and members with any sort of service, and the best art is that we can help any chinese in our area. Which is Brigham City to North Salt Lake ⚰️✨️ We were able to help this former investigator Kitty with moving furniture from Kaysville to North Ogden

Met with these 2 amazing English Speaking missionaries from Kaysville, and they are fun and awesome. We got a ton of furniture in the van and the U-Haul truck, which was tiring. But it was somewhat dangerous, let's just say Bio-hazardous, and we're glad she's moving out of the house. We were able to sit in the U-haul truck with a member who was driving and had a blast✨️

Afterwards we got another set of missionaries to help unload things in North Ogden and gradually we finished the job, ate together as Kitty provided us lunch and had a lesson with her, making her a new friend to teach again!

Leading the Area    

Well, this week, I also got to have more opportunities to lead the area and just went around meeting with members as well as non-member, and it's been super duper fun. Just at the start of last week, we were able to contact this guy who has an E-bike and seemed like he's busy. We still contacted him anyways and learned that he has been having a rough time and was glad that we met and shared a simple message with him. He cried and just seeing people cry makes my eyes watery and I have more compassion for them. It's an amazing experience and lesson.

More than that I also got to learn about accepting changes and applying it in my life. And to be honest I felt like I just barely started learning in the mission and I am already like 3 or 4 months out. It's scary and I do beat myself up about it. But reflecting back, I've seen my growth and change in my life and I am eternally grateful for all of it. And I want to keep them always in my memory and learn from them. Not wasting each experience I've gained to learn the same lesson again. I am grateful for the Savior's Atonement and His love for all of us FR.

I felt like I am more charitable to others and especially to myself as well. Loving myself even more and taking great care of my health. Losing myself in this great work, at the same time to care and maintain an optimum condition to continue losing myself in the field.

DAA Chinese Branch    

Well I am gradually meeting and understanding the chinese branch even more. It feels like home right now. Just a sense of belonging and a comfort to just speak the language I have been training and improving on. I love my assigned branch!! Just last week we had a Primary Presentation during that sacrament meeting and it was AMAZING!! not only that but I got to meet Ethan Lowder's younger brother. Don't worry I forgotten the name but he is amazing! Heard that he is currently working as a MTC teacher. So Brother Huang and Sister Huggins tell him I said have fun and good luck with your boss !!

It was fun meeting with him and just learning he came back from his mission not long ago. I find that even though the chinese branch is really small, it's close and feels like home. Reminds me of my home branch. Hopefully I can help strengthen that branch and help in the Lord's work.

Trunky    

Chat I'm trunky, to be honest I am amazed how fast I missed home and also maintaining the desire to keep serving the Lord is really a hard thing to do. Where I already have days when I wished I could just SACK and also there are days I felt like I'm just not doing the work. Wasting this precious time while on my mission, It;s tough and also worrying about my own companionship like am I doing too much?, too less?, not working?, what does my comp think of me?, am I helping him at all?' Am I a burden? and etc. Mental struggle is real on the mission, and I just wish I could learn faster and remember it clearer... Yet that's not what I am capable of, I am not the Savior, but He has suffered all that we could possibly suffer in this life. That we may be perfected like He is eventually and through Him are we made perfect. And that's a lesson I have learned trying to remember each time I get a mental breakdown.

I came to learn that emotions are normal, trunky is normal. But I choose to continue serving the Lord, I just want to forget myself and do His work, whether its 100%, or 1% of energy left. I do want to consecrate all that I have to the Lord. I think it's gonna be insanely hard but there are people the Lord wants us to bless, I want to bless others, to bring that joy in their lives. I love my mission even though I do feel like dying, the Savior's Redeeming and Enabling power is so AMAZING!!!

Spiritual Thoughts

In 3 Nephi 17, it talks about toward the end of the Savior's first appearance to the Nephites in Bountiful. He finished His teachings to this people and was about to return to Heavenly Father. But He noticed that everyone needed comfort, peace and assurance. Even when no one told him about it, He invited all to Come Unto Him, at first it was to attain a testimony that He is the Christ but now its to let them know that He is our Savior. He began healing all the sick, afflicted and more. Gradually one person at a time Healed them and comforted them in their burdens and hardships. After that Angels came down and ministered to all of them, assuring them that it's gonna be A'OKAY. And He even offered a prayer for all of them as well as instituted the sacrament for them too.

我知道耶稣基督很疼爱每一个天父的儿女，他想要我们回到他生变。能一起集合到天父的家，永远的在他旁边。耶稣为我们而受苦和经验到死亡为了辅助我们个人的行程会到天父的大家庭。天父，耶稣基督和圣灵非常爱我们。我知道他们春在。这些我说奉耶稣基督的名，阿门。

THE TURKEYYY BOWLLLL! on snow tooo!!

Had to get a flat tire fix with a homie members help

Got some food along the way

Anyways that's all see you next P-Day!!