Why Didn’t the Lord Direct Me Through My Trials?

There are always promptings I guess from the Lord, during I am seeking and cried to the Lord for comfort.

This week really started with a foolish thing that I had done - accidentally knocked Alvin’s car. And this accident had started the sparks of series of angers and quarrels from him.

I was thinking about personal revelation and how I have felt like I have so many times cried to the Lord and I cannot hear anything at all. It is like in this accident of mine, I was still in the shock or blur that do not understand why this happened? And, why do I acted so carelessly? Why do the Lord did not warn me or helped me prevent this from happened?

As today I read a similar blog at the Church website, as the author said, “So many of us struggle with a similar problem. We ask the Lord for help, yet the heavens feel close to us. It is like getting the answer, “Good luck, kid, but you are on your own this time!”

“It’s especially hard when we are told we can “hear Him” and receive revelation like Joseph Smith, who asked Heavenly Father a simple question and got such an incredible answer! The silence can cause us to feel isolated, lonely, and abandoned by our Heavenly Father, even when we have faith that He does want to guide us in some way.”

At that moment I was immediately feels as this is the message that Father in Heaven wants to tell me and want me to know what is in His mind that He wants me to know.

The author was mentioning about a talk that late Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1928 – 2015) said about recognise the answers from the Lord.

And, it was exactly the same General Conference talk that I was studying and pondering for the whole last week, before this accident happened.

While I was reading this point, this bring back to my memories and remind myself again that Father in Heaven has never abandoned me! I remembered that I had this doubt before and I wrote down in my journal, and now the same trial of faith happened again but in different scenario and background.

What if He has never abandoned me? What if I am the one who are a stranger to Him? What if I am the one who do not hear His voice or recognize His gentle Spirit calling me by my name?

No wonder the first thought that came into my mind after I had expressed my fears and worries to Him that night, was to “Hear Him”. I was listening to President Russell M. Nelson’s General Conference talk of the same title – “Hear Him” repeatedly over and over again for the past few days.

And today after I had read this blog, helped me to know that the Lord is always there beside me even before the trials or making my big mistakes. He was already there to prepare myself to help me search for the answers that I would need. I am the one whom did not realized it. It reminds me of the same thing that happened to me last 2 years back.

I just surrendered and asked Heavenly Father if all these were the things that He thinks is best for me to experience and I will just take it. It was exactly what I felt yesterday when I was at the workshop.

I am grateful that I can always rely on my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ to be there when I just want to cry or express out whatever I feel to Them, and the most importantly I can always feel the warmth, peace and comfort in my heart and it get me through.

I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me, I know that They live and always watching over me!

Regretted Decision Turns Out Right?

I am still a little bit stressed out because of last night argument, but it is a little bit better as this morning meeting with SSDU was OK and can be comprehend after the commercial part of the tender evaluation part that I involved had been concluded around 12 noon.

After which I was asked to join their consolidation of Technical part and Commercial part together which might be end at 3.00pm. I asked to excuse myself earlier around 1.45pm. while their SSDU internal project committee were discussing on some of the procedures which they need to do.

I need to go to the workshop to change the car tyres as asked by Alvin last night. The initial plan was to fetch both children from school then just go to the shop nearby our house.

I felt as I still a little bit time, so I drove to the mechanic that did the spray paint for my car last year during I was involved in the motorbike accident where the motorcyclist knocked my car bumper and rear tyre. I just need an estimates about how much it will cost and I need to arrange the monies and how am I going to get it done by this month as instructed by Alvin.

I went to TT Auto Workshop Ah Tee there. After Ah Tee saw my car, then he noticed that my rear tyre already worn out and he did check the price from his friend who opened the tyre shop. The Continental Tyre is about RM160+ for the size of my car tyres and he advised me to change only the both tyres at the back as I do not want to change all 4 tyres because there is 1 still only 1 year and 2 months old only.

Thus I called Alvin and asked about his opinion. He was in the tender interview at 3.00pm. So decided to just do it at Ah Tee’s workshop. After I fetched both Issac and Annabelle, it was already 4.00pm when I reached Ah Tee’s workshop. So I asked the children to stay in his workshop office and he drove the car to his friend’s place to change the tyres. According to him, it would only took 1.5 hour for that.

We were waited at Bandar Sunway from 4.00pm to 5.30pm, and Alvin was calling to chase us back to home and asking why it took so long to do it. He started to feel annoy on me as it was already started to rain and we know that it will going to be very jam later in the evening.

After I asked Ah Tee if the car is ready, then he called his friend and about 6.00pm he went off to take the car. I was wondering why it take him so long to get the car back, then only I know that he drove the car to his friend’s shop at Sungai Way. No wonder it took him so long!

I was kind of regretted about my decision to change the tyres at Ah Tee’s workshop, it would not be this late if I change it near our house there, which is just outside our home. Both kids would have at home already; I could send them back home first then only drive out to change the tyres; We could have dinner already near the shops there while waiting for the car to be ready; the most important of all, Alvin would not have worried and raised his voice to me because of this late.

I was thinking and wondering, why am I ended up here and change the tyres here? The clock is ticking, the sky is getting darker, the rain seems still and I yet to see any sign of my car back to the workshop. My mind was already stressed out and blanked. All kind of thoughts came into my mind. Why? Why? Why?

After what had happened last night, I thought everything was going to be better after the whole day of calmness and serene, and this is how I am going to end up for the day? Another day of quarrels again from Alvin? Oh gosh!

I just quietly prayed to the Lord that if this is the things that He wants me to go through, I just take it and go through it. I totally surrender! I do not want to think it anymore, be it the outcome will become worse or even Alvin and I can just split up, it is OK with me!

Finally Ah Tee drove back the car with the new tyres, and I asked children to go to the car while he was finalizing the cost. It was RM419.00. Immediately I WhatsApp Alvin about the cost and he transferred the amount to Ah Tee’s account.

It was about 7.00pm that we started to drive back home, and it was about 7.30pm when we reached home. Surprisingly Alvin asked us to go up to the home to take a bath first when I asked Issac to call him that we were at the downstairs if he wants to go out dinner.

We went to the Medan Selera Puchong Prima which is near our home and had our dinner there. Everything seems OK and normal with the presence of the children. I am grateful for the day end as it is. At least no quarrels.

I feel as Alvin unable to sleep well throughout the night and there is something on his mind that bothering him. And I do not know what is it. I just feel as I do not know the storm that lays underneath the calmness of the sea when will blow up someday?

I am grateful to the Lord that He was there and I know that I was so so worried at Ah Tee’s workshop, and I feel as He was there listening and watching me having my fears all around me and I know that He knows, that I know that I need to go through it.

I do not know why it is so difficult for me to hear Him and I am still trying my very best to listen to Him to guide me. But one thing for sure is that I know that He love me and my family, and that is enough for me at that moment.

Extraordinary Daughters of God #6

The Importance of the Home & The Family

~ Sister Amy Lee Lim

What Does Home Mean to You?

What is the "Family" in Your Mind?

In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the centre of our lives and the top of our priorities. The Family is ordained of God. Families lie at the centre of our Heavenly Father’s plan.

This statement from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” declares the responsibilities of parents to their families:

“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”

With this belief in mind, Sister Amy came to know about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in one occasion. She learned about the restored gospel and the Church teachings humbly, working hard in ensuring her home is a safe and warm place that her family can go to, no matter what circumstances happened.

Please do come in and listen what she would like to share with you.

May it be our resolve this year to build a gospel-centred home, a safe harbour from the storms of the adversary. 

神非凡的女儿 #6

家與家庭的重要 。永恆的家庭

~ 林李鳳珠 姐妹

家, 对您有什么意义?

您心目中的家庭,又是什麼模样的？

在這動盪不安的世界，我們從未如此需要將家庭視為生活的中心，並將之置於一切事物之首

家庭是神所制定。

家庭是天父計畫的中心。

「家庭：致全世界文告」中的一番話，闡明了父母對家庭的責任：

「夫妻肩負神聖的責任要彼此相愛、彼此照顧，也要愛護和照顧他們的兒女。『兒女是耶和華所賜的產業』（詩篇127：3）。父母有神聖的職責，要在愛與正義中教養兒女，提供他們屬世和屬靈所需要的，教導他們彼此相愛、彼此服務、遵守神的誡命，並且不論住在何處，都要做一個守法的國民。丈夫和妻子──母親和父親──將在神前為履行這些義務負責。」

凭着对这个信念，林李鳳珠姐妹接触与认识了耶稣基督后期圣徒教会，她谦卑与虚心的学习，努力履行家庭責任的同時，讓自己的家成為温煖，安全和家人躲避暴風雨的避難所。

請務必進來，聽聽她想與您分享的內容与见证。

但願今年我們能下定決心，建立一個以福音為中心的家庭、一個安全港灣，能抵擋敵對勢力的暴風雨。

Extraordinary Daughters of God #5

The Plan of Salvation & The Eternal Family

~ Sister Ritcher Ng Guat Yong Tan

What Does God's Love Mean?

What Is the Purpose of Life?

Why Am I Here?

What Happens When I Die?

Will I Meet My Family Again?

How Can I Find the Answers?

If you've ever had questions about God, sometimes the best way to find answers is with a little help. That was what happened to Sister Ritcher Tan.

Sister Ritcher joined the Church in the year 1986. Currently she is a teacher teaching at a Private School. She has 3 sons including 2 had served missions in Taiwan and Australia.

Please do come in and listen to what she would like to share with you about her journey finding the answers to her questions.

You are most welcome to request from us a free personalized study session from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Alvin Birthday 1 Aug 2020

Today is Alvin’s birthday. Also, a little bit of an unhappy incident happened at the Sungai Lembing homestay that we have to shorten our weekend trip at Kuantan.

We drove back home at noon, reached home to our bath and a quick nap to rest. In the evening, we came out again to USJ21 Main Place Mall.

We walked into Komugi. Alvin selected a cheesecake as his birthday cake, and we just had our small candles blowing celebration at Komugi cafe.

As the birthday present for this year, I bought a hand-painted face mask for him, as the face mask would become quite essential things that we need since the outbreak of Covid-19.

We wished him a happy birthday and loved this man of our life very much!

Sungai Lembing Underground Tin Mines 1 Aug 2020

After our breakfast at Sungai Lembing food court, we decided to go to the Sungai Lembing Museum. After we reached there, we changed our decision not to go in, but we went to the Sungai Lembing Underground Tin Mines actual site, just a few meters away from the museum.

Alvin bought the entrance tickets for four of us, and we were all waiting for the Tin Mines Museum to open. Before heading inside the underground tin mines, we listened first to a short briefing and introduction on what to expect inside the tin mines.

After the briefing, we rode in with the mini train to enter the mines. Till at one point, we were asked to walk into the tunnel inside. We just stepped out from the train and continue our journey on foot.

As we went further inside, we can feel that the temperature is getting colder, and it is due to the air holes which give ventilation inside the underground mines.

We can see different mining paraphernalia and other related artifacts used during the glorious mining days in Sungai Lembing Museum. Still, inside Sungai Lembing Underground Tin Mines, we see the tunnels where miners dig and pass.

The significance of Sungai Lembing tin mines is evident through its tunnels that total 322 kilometers in length, making it among the longest tin mining tunnels in the world. But today, travelers can only venture 600 meters into one of its 14 tunnels called Tabeto, the main tunnel known as Tai Pei Tong among locals.

I can’t believe that I was able to see the real thing. It was pretty spooky inside but fascinating. Aside from the info boards located along the visitor’s pathways, there were some interactive areas to enjoy as well.

There is a legend of the one million dollar chamber story at the tin mines. One of the most exciting parts is the Million Dollar Chamber, said to be the tunnel dug illegally by unsatisfied and unpaid miners after the closure of the mines in 1987.

After laboring for some time, the miners managed to haul MYR1 million worth of tin, hence the chambers’ name.

After finishing the ocular tour for about an hour or more, we went out to this hole near Minecraft. It is just a few steps from the exit of the tunnel, and there is a mini gallery where we can see some more old mining tools and types of equipment.

And the photographs of the olden glory days are displayed at the gallery as well. It was amusingly fun! Both Issac and Annabelle did not miss trying the railroad handcart before we leave the place.

After we visited the Underground Mines, we decided to come to the 100 years old hanging bridges across the Sungai Lembing.

A few hanging bridges are connecting houses built along the river to the other side of the river.

We went to the first one, but it was closed due to under maintenance. We went to the other, which is still accessible.

We took a few photos at the center of the hanging bridge. We were so fortunate to find another hanging bridge that we were able to cross to the other side of the river.

We visited the famous Sungai Lembing noodles factory. We bought a few bottles of noodles soy sauce that are famous delicacies here.

After we came back from our morning outing, we managed to take a photo in front of our homestay mural wall. It looks a little bit 3D and funny at the same time! It as we were walking towards the hanging bridge!

Another one is under the rainbow waterfall which we actually do not intend to go too, due to a lot of tourists and the whole journey need to take another morning too.

The whole weekend trip was quite happy until we encountered an unhappy experience with the homestay we were staying in. The low water pressures make us impossible to have a decent bath, and it has happened almost for two days since the day we checked in.

We decided to check out from the homestay and drove back to KL instead. It was kind of spoiler in this whole weekend trip for us and it happened at Alvin’s birthday!

Sungai Lembing Panorama Hill Sunrise 1 Aug 2020

We woke up very early at 5.00 am to get dressed, put on our sports shoes, take our handphones and headlights. We wanted to hike Panorama Hill so that it is not too late for us to see the sunrise.

As we arrived yesterday, so many local tourists came here to spend the long weekend. I still remember the first time when both Issac and Annabelle together with me came here a few years ago.

This time we come here again as a family. We quickly stepped out of our homestay room. We walked out to the town and towards the staircase leading to the hill.

Even though we had walked up this hill before, but it never makes it easy for us. It is indeed really a steep staircase. With the help of a handrail, all of us started our walking journey up.

The sky was dark, and we have to use our handphones lights and headlights to light up the staircase as it was dark. Many people were climbing the hill too. Alvin and Issac were fast, and we did rest awhile at some of the small rest areas at the side.

This time too, Annabelle has tried earlier until she almost reached the top. She kept on saying she cannot climb the hill. Alvin and I keep on encouraging her only to leave 20 over steps only. And for almost 60 minutes, all of us finally reached the top of the hill.

There is a small resting pagoda for the hill hikers to take a rest. We finally sat there and took our sweet time to rest. After resting for a while, we went to a place where we can see the sea of clouds.

It was amazing to see the clouds before the sun rises, and it is just like we are on top of heaven. We were waiting to see the sun rises.

And, there were a lot of people on the hill right now. From 6.00 am till almost 8.00 am, the people get more and more, and the hilltop is getting crowded.

It was a tiring but fun experience. When the sun rose, the sea of clouds just disappeared, and we can see the small town of Sungai Lembing down the hill.

Unfortunately, today is not the day that we see the sun rises. Thus, after waited for quite some time, we decided to go down to the hill and walked towards the only food court in the town to have our breakfast.

What a good hike for all of us! All of us managed to get up to the top even though Annabelle was almost giving up just now!