Empathy to Minister

I have read an article in the February issue of Ensign magazine “Developing Empathy to Minister”. I was drawn to the first few sentences that strike my eyes.

Ministering is lifting. We can lift others as we try to understand what they are experiencing and show that we are willing to walk with them.

What is Empathy? Empathy is understanding another person’s feelings, thoughts, and condition from their perspective, rather than our own. Walking in someone else’s shoes. Being emphatic is important in our efforts to minister to others.

Honestly I was a little bit of exhausted for the past few weeks, struggling on what I needed to do and supposed to do. This article have gave me a new insight on how Jesus Christ ministered with empathy.

When the Savior appeared to the Nephites. He taught  them until He perceived that they could not understand  everything He had  to teach them. But as He considered them, He knew that they didn’t want Him to leave, but He felt compassionate for them.

He responded by shifting from expounding on the gospel to ministering to their temporal needs, inviting them to bring forward those who were sick, lame, blind, or maimed. He healed them. Then He prayed for them and ministered to their children, spending them with them individually to bless them.

When I have read this, I am starting to ponder about what can I learn from the Savior’s example of empathy in ministering to the Nephites. It is indeed troubled me with this due to what I have experienced and I personally find that it is quite difficult for me to apply this principle when it comes to minister to temporal needs.

During I was at Church today while Annabelle and Issac were having their seminary and violin classes, I have the opportunity to sit down with Sister Robinia and we have a little conversation about this.

I shared with her this article and what troubled me on this principle especially the ministering to temporal needs. How sometimes it seems to be difficult for me to do. After listening to my concerns, Sister Robinia gave her opinion or what she understand about this principle.

Sister Robinia shared that, ministering work is just like missionary work. When Jesus ministered to the Nephites, He knows and aware of what their temporal needs. In this context, when we minister to the sisters, they might have their own temporal needs which they think they need, and most of the time the temporal needs they think they should have are not the things which the Lord think they need.

As we minister to the sisters, we would rely on the Spirit guidance to know what we see or feel that the sisters’ temporal needs. She counselled to me that, if the temporal needs which the sisters requested are beyond my comfort level, it is ok to decline it. Sometimes, every each individual has their own challenges or trials that they need to face it of their own.

Sister Robinia shared with me her experience during her missionary. She said that, during when we minister to others, we will rediscover ourselves, we realise our weakness and we try to make it better. As we serve others, we get to know ourselves.

I was comforted today and the uneasiness and what was troubled in my mind for the past weeks. I thanked her for her counsels and her testimony.

The article also shared how we can develop empathy by understand, imagine and respond. As we consider the circumstances of those we minister to, imagine being in their situation and what we would find most helpful if we were in their shoes. Pray to understand how they feel and follow through. Our response may be simple, but it may be more meaningful.

Availability : In Stock!

I was browsing the Church online store and something indeed caught my eyes. I still remember that yesterday when I checking on the New Testament 2019 Come, Follow Me – for Primary manual for teaching younger and older children in Primary class this year, it stated that only can be delivered after 31 March. Today it have been in stock!

Immediately in my heart I know that the Lord have made it easy for me! I was thinking of getting one of this Primary manual for Sister Sylvia.

Last two Sundays, 27 January 2019, during Relief Society class, Sister Sylvia did ask and check with me on how to use the new manual New Testament 2019 Come, Follow Me – for Individuals and Families to teach her children.

At that point of time I shared with her how I use the manual to teach both Issac and Annabelle at home. Then, at that Sunday night I was thinking that my children are much much more older than her kids. She might need more children resources than the individuals and families manual.

After I searched around in our Church website and Gospel Library app, later the next day on Monday I WhatsApp her how she could do it. I messaged her to go to the Come, Follow Me for Primary in the Gospel Library app. As that is the teacher manual which they use to teach the children on every Sunday, but I think it is no harm that she can read through the contents, because it have many ideas to teach younger children and older children.

As Melvis and Sonia considered younger children, I suggested to Sister Sylvia that she can use the ideas to teach them. She may not need to teach all, but spread it out every night at a fix time, suggested may be after dinner 8.30pm – 8.45pm, that she can have some activities with her children.

I told her that it is OK that only 15 minutes. Younger children would love some interactive activities such as stories, watch videos, drawing, role play or object. I suggested to her that she can try all these out.

Another resources, would be go to Church website. Under the Resources for Teaching Children, lesson helps by topic. She can search for the related colouring pages or activities under those topics.

I messaged Sister Sylvia that it would be a bit troublesome for her, as she might need to do some research online and print out the materials, but I assuring her that I know that her family will be blessed if she follow this Come, Follow Me program.

I messaged her that she can get the help from the Primary teachers if she need their input or help on this, I think they will gladly to help her out too!

Sister Sylvia later messaged me that she is very appreciate on the ideas that I shared with her.

It has been 2 weeks passed since our WhatsApp messages, I was keeping in my mind about this and how I can make it easier for her? May be a Primary manual would be helpful and hands on for her. Thus, I was looking at our Church online store, can I purchase the manual and give to her as a gift.

For days, the item is not available till yesterday, I was thinking and praying in my heart that, if the Lord might make it easier for me and no need to wait till after 31 March 2019. I can able to minister her. I was really glad that Sister Sylvia took the effort to ask on how to teach her children which is very awesome! I hope that my suggestions is helpful for her.

Today the Lord is make it possible for me to minister Sister Sylvia! I have ordered 3 Primary manuals just in case I can still share with other sisters whom have the children in the Primary.

I know that the Lord will make a way for us if we sincerely come unto Him and serve Him and labour in His kingdom. I really hope by my new calling as Relief Society President, I can reach out to more sisters and help them strengthen their homes and families, and stay on the covenant path.

Ministering Thoughts…

I was sharing with Sister Robinia that I have a feeling as like every each time after ministering, I myself is the one whom feel more edifying than the sisters whom I minister with.

I feel the spirit speaks to me while I am ministering the sisters. Most of the time, it is not on the spot kind of things, but it is the realization that I had and only know that I learned about them. And I feel spiritually uplifted.

I hope the sisters would feel the same as I feel when we minister to them too, because I think and feel that it is very important to have the spirit to be with us and that is the reason why and we are striving for.

I asked Robinia, how can we minister to the sisters till this extend? Meaning help them to achieve that? It is not easy because I myself still learning how to listen to the spirit and do what was prompted? Sometimes I am still not sure how to differentiate spirit prompting and my own desires.

Sister Robinia replied, “When you feel the spirit the other also would feel it too unless they choose not to feel it. What you are doing is fine. They did said, before you convert other you have to first convert yourself; It is the same principle for ministering, if one feel the spirit then they too will feel the spirit. My Mission President once said, speak to inspire yourself then you will inspires others.”

I feel as I am edified by reading her messages on phone! See how can I make it better.

Go and Do

Initially I wanted to pass the journal that prepared to Sister Shiyu last Sunday, 3 February at Church, but she was already left when I came out from the President’s office.

So today after Church, I managed to pass the journal to her together with Sister Robinia. I thanked her for the scripture that she shared with me, and I have learned a lot from that and I testify to her that the Lord was sending the His words to me through her and reaffirmed about the things which He would wants me to do.

As we do not have much time to sit down and talk, I promised Sister Shiyu that I will WhatsApp to her then on the experiences that I have been through, and how her favourite scripture enlighten me in certain way.

Last night I shared with her about our family first temple trip and my desire to go to the temple again. I shared with her how Sister Anita favourite scripture had opened my eyes to the word of God, that I was touched by the Spirit reading and realize the meaning of 1 Nephi 3:7.

The Lord does not stopped His revelations there, but continuing flowing in to my life by sending Sister Shiyu to our ministering list. When I got to know Sister Shiyu shared the same favourite scripture with Sister Anita, I was kind of shocked and pondering the scripture 1 Nephi 3:7.

This really reaffirm on the things that the Lord wants me to do! It is really not a co-incident that these two sisters share the same scripture at this point of time. Both Sister Anita and Sister Shiyu were bringing the word of God to me, that it seems clearly to me that the Lord wants me to return to the temple, and I have work to do.

I was teasing Sister Shiyu that, even though she is just in our list for almost 2 weeks, but it is no co-incident that she was just ‘misplaced’ by Sister Peggy, our Relief Society President then to me and Sister Robinia.

I was pondering and thinking what was I thinking about the temple after I got to know Sister Anita’s favourite scripture, was my impression true? Then God send Sister Shiyu to me with her favourite scripture and it really reaffirm the thoughts or impression that I have is true.

I thanked her again for sharing her favourite scripture to me. And I indeed feel the power of ministering, because I have been strengthen by my ministering assignment sisters.

I shared with Sister Shiyu that, I try my best to write whatever thoughts and what I experienced, by doing so that is how I discover the things that the Lord wants me to do. That is the reason why I encourage sisters to write it down, because we would never know, the things we write would be the light that light up us when we need it the most.

Today I received Sister Shiyu’s reply. She is so happy to read and to know that her favourite scripture helped me a lot. She is being frank that she does have a lot of favourite scripture, but in the end she still choose 1 Nephi 3:7, and she believe that the Lord wants her to share it again to me!

I told her that, she is indeed beautiful angel that ministered to me. I shared with her a General Conference talk – O Remember, Remember by President Henry B. Eyring on October 2007.

I shared with her that, I started to write more frequently after I read this talk. And, writing the experiences that I have, bring me to remember Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me and my family.

Homemade Bak Gua

These are the homemade ‘Bak Gua’ that I did at home today at home. It is the pork grilled meat that I make using oven. The ingredients and recipe is from Alvin of coarse.

We made a few during the Chinese New Year Eve night, were planning to make it another round but unfortunately he already left for Johor Bahru due to his work.

So I decided to bake all the ingredients that we have as now still is the Chinese New Year holiday. It looks not so bad too! I am happy with it! The children also love it! It is so yummy!

Main Place USJ21 CNY Outing

Today is the 3rd day of Chinese New Year and Alvin had to leave to Johor Bahru due to his job site.

The children and I are feeling like this year is the loneliest Chinese New Year that we ever have, because this year their daddy and my husband only accompanied us for just that short 3 to 4 days only.

Despite the challenges that our family been going through right now, I decided that tonight will bring the children go to the Main Place USJ21 see the mall Chinese New Year decoration theme.

The theme is quite attractive and not bad because it is quite a small mall but still manage to come out the theme and limited space the mall has.

We had our dinner at the Texas Chicken as it is considered the cheapest meal that we can have there.

This is how we end our 3rd day of Chinese New Year with 3 of us.

Gospel Stuffs

All these are the stuffs that I bought the other day from the online store. There are some books, the statements of Family: A Proclamation to the World, and not only that I feel joy and peace when I see this portrait of Jesus Christ.

Being the member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints really is a blessing in my life. I purchased all these gospel stuffs through the online store and the Church did subsidize us as we are part of the members at this part of the world. With that I can learn more about Jesus Christ!