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. ❤️

Finding Joy in Christ

Finding Joy in Christ

by President Steven J. Lund

This is a talk by President Steven J. Lund whom is the Church Young Men General President. He shared about his youngest son Tanner Christian Lund, taught him and his wife Sister Kalleen Lund a timeless lesson in finding joy in Christ shortly before cancer claimed his young life.

One Sunday, 12 years old Tanner climbed out of bed and dressed himself and prepared himself to go to the Church to fulfil the assignment to pass the sacrament. His mother assured him it was not necessary as someone else in the Church could do that for Tanner, while he should stay home and rest.

“Yes,” he said, “but … I see how people look at me when I pass the sacrament. I think it helps them.”

“It seemed that every eye in the chapel was on him, moved by his struggle as he did his simple part. Somehow Tanner expressed a silent sermon as he solemnly, haltingly moved from row to row—his bald head moist with perspiration—representing the Savior in the way that deacons do. His once indomitable deacon’s body was itself a little bruised, broken, and torn, willingly suffering to serve by bearing the emblems of the Savior’s Atonement into our lives.”

Tanner’s commitment to serve the Lord and others signalled an “unspoken miracle.” He answered the call to “enlist in God’s battalions and join in the work of salvation and exaltation.”

The sacramental symbols point to the gift of the Redeemer.

“We contemplate the bread that He once broke — and the bread the priests before us are, in turn, now breaking. We think of the meaning of  the liquid, consecrated then and now, as the sacrament prayers solemnly pass from the mouths of young priests into our hearts and into the heavens, renewing covenants that connect us, in that moment, to the very powers of Christ’s salvation.”

“The Savior’s mission has always and forever been to serve His Father by saving His children.

And the surest way to find joy in this life is to join Christ in helping others.”

And this lead to the Children and Youth program which inspired by this.

“All Children and Youth activities and all Children and Youth teachings are about helping  young people become more like Jesus by joining with Him in His work of salvation and exaltation.”

Basically, the Children and Youth program was based on the scripture Luke 2:52,

“Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”

It focus on 4 aspects or areas which is:

Spiritual “Favour with God” – You can grow spiritually by showing your love for God and your willingness to live the gospel.

Social “Favour with…man”. You can grow socially by showing love to all people.

Physically “Grew in stature”. You can learn to work and take care of your body, your mental health, and God’s creation.

Intellectually “Grew in Wisdom”. You can study in school, learn new skills, and improve your talents.

President Lund mentioned that,

“Our youth cannot wait for the world to right itself before they come to know the Savior. Some are making decisions even now that they would not make if they understood their true identities—and His.”

“Moms and dads, your sons need you to support them now as passionately as ever you have in the past when they have been about lesser things like badges and pins.”

My heart was sunken when I listened and read these sentences, as I am not so upkeep with the goals that both children need to set for 4 of the areas above. It is so difficult to ask and check on them to set goals. They seems like not motivated at all for doing it. Sigh…

President Lund ended his talk by talk to the youth,

“And to you of the rising generation, I testify, as one who knows, that you are beloved sons and daughters of God and He has a work for you to do.”

“As you rise to the majesty of your stations, with all of your hearts, might, mind, and strength, you will come to love God and keep your covenants and trust in His priesthood as you work to bless others, beginning in your own homes.”

“I pray that you will strive, with redoubled energy worthy of this time, to serve, exercise faith, repent, and improve each day, to qualify to receive temple blessings and the enduring joy that comes only through the gospel of Jesus Christ…”

I have been inspired to do it myself as I started my physical goal to get fitness and I hope by doing so, able to motivate them doing the same for their own.

I know that if I continue to do and work by example to them, it will craft into their mind and remind themselves that their mother was doing it and they will do it one day in the near future.

I am grateful for the gospel in my life, and keep doing it and applying it, by small and simple things, are great things brought to pass.

A Surprise Welcome Gift for Seminary

Today, Issac and I went to Church for our tithing settlement interviews after our church online sacrament meeting. We met President Augustine at the new chapel in his office.

After our interview, President Augustine took out a paper bag and told us that these presents are from her daughter Sister Anita. Anita was called a seminary teacher who teaches the youths in the Church in seminary.

Next year Annabelle would turn age 14, and it will be her first year to attend seminary class every Saturday morning. After came back home, Issac and Annabelle opened out their presents happily.

It was a box of chocolate for each of them and with slight notes from Sister Anita. Both are happy about the little surprise welcome gift from their seminary teacher for next year.

Here are all the photos of them and the small notes from their caring teacher ^^

Young Women My 150 Challenge

The Young Women organization is celebrating its sesquicentennial anniversary this year. Young Women's general presidency is inviting young women worldwide to join in celebrating the 150th anniversary.

Earlier in the year, the Young Women general presidency had extended invitations to the young women striving to improve themselves, develop their talents, serve others and strengthen their testimonies of Jesus Christ through the challenge called "My 150".

Leaders are encouraging young women worldwide to think of the activity related to 150 to commemorate the anniversary. They had done it through the cookies baking for last June. Now they are planning to do a bookmark. Thus, I helped Annabelle printed out the selected bookmarks.

Both Issac and Annabelle work as a team to do the cutting, laminating, and punch the hole tie the ribbons for all the bookmarks. Finally, let's have a group photo together with all the bookmarks.

The bookmarks are intended to give it away to their friends or someone they know or pass along to others to spread the gospel of the things that the young women believe in.

Of course, the first one that Annabelle gave was her best friend and beloved brother Issac.

Belated Mother’s & Father’s Day Gift Packs Delivery

When I heard about the Young Women Baking Activity, suddenly it reminds me of our Relief Society during early of the year, we were planning activities and gifts for the Mothers and Fathers in the Church.

No one would know that the Covid-19 just came as a storm and would turned to a global pandemic and affect globally and have disrupt all our lives and planning. The situation might be a little better now as from last 4 May 2020, Malaysia Government has replace the Movement Control Order (MCO) with CMCO as the Covid-19 cases become lesser and it seems like it is better.

I feel as it is time for the Relief Society to do something for the sisters and brothers in the Church, especially at the time like this. We were planning to prepare healthy dried fruits and nuts for the sisters during Mothers Day and big red apples for the brethren during Fathers Day early of the year.

After some discussions with both counsellors Sister Annie and Sister E Chin, we decided to go ahead with our original plans. We would prepare for both Mothers and Fathers and hopefully able to distribute before Fathers Day.

Sister Annie was helping buying the apples, dried fruits and nuts and the beautiful wrappers as well. Together with the help from few sisters, she managed to prepare all that needed.

Combined effort with the cookies made by Young Women and Young Men yesterday, we planned out and get our lists to deliver. I am getting help from both Issac and Annabelle to deliver.

Started from Sister Saffron’s house for Sister Saffron and Bro Tan, Kelvin and Beam. Then we went to Sister Sylvia’s condo, after which is Sister Jennifer and Bro Tesh, then Sister Josie and Sister Michelle and Peter. We went to Sister Parames’s house before we went back to home.

It took departed from our house at 10.00am and we were only back around 2.30pm in the afternoon and taken our lunch at that time. We were so hungry as we did not take the breakfast.

Of coarse the last delivery destination is our home to deliver to the children daddy Alvin. We took a moment for some photo shots for remembrance. What a meaningful day!