Keep the Change

Keep the Change

by Sister Becky Craven

“[Jesus Christ] gives us much, much more than the value of what we can ever return to Him. So, what can we give to Him, who paid the incalculable price for our sins? We can give Him change. We can give Him our change.

… So, unlike the purchaser at the market who would take back the change we offer, our gracious Savior beckons us to keep the change. …”

One illustration particularly stood out to me in this talk, is followings:

“When I was younger, I visualized myself walking along an upward, vertical path toward my goal of eternal life. Each time I did or said something wrong, I felt myself sliding down the path, only to start my journey all over again. It was like landing on that one square in the children’s game Chutes and Ladders that slides you down from the top of the board back to the beginning of the game! It was discouraging! But as I began to understand the doctrine of Christ⁵ and how to apply it daily in my life, I found hope.”

This resonated with me so much, because I have felt the same way. It is like life that I am constantly climbing, try to get higher. When I make a mistake, I feel like I slide back down to the bottom of the hill and have to start all over.

It gives me a kind of feeling as like I am forever climbing a hill. And, it is so tiring whenever I think that the forever summit of the hill is so far away from what I currently stand now.

But as I was growing in the Church, I recognize that this is a silly thought of mine. Instead of seeing life’s quest as climbing a hill, look at it as a path I am on. If I stray from the path, I can just move back on. I do not have to go all the way back to the beginning of the path and start over. When I think of my mistakes this way, I realize that I do not need to beat myself up; I just need to move back over and onto the path.

“Jesus Christ has given us a continuous pattern for change. He invites us to exercise faith in  Him, which inspires us to repent. As we repent and turn our hearts to Him, we gain a greater desire to make and live sacred covenants. We endure to the end by continuing to apply these principles throughout our lives and inviting the Lord to change us.

“Enduring to the end means changing to the end. I am not starting over with each failed attempt, but with each try I am continuing my process of change.”

“Small but steady, deliberate changes will help us improve. Do not become discouraged. Change is a lifelong process. I am grateful that in our struggles to change, the Lord is patient with us.”

“Through Jesus Christ, we are given the strength to make lasting changes. As we humbly turn to Him, He will increase our capacity to change.”

This way of seeing my personal growth gives me more hope. Being mortal, I will deviate from the path, but I can quickly repent and get back on track.

By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God

I was not surprised when this topic was talked during the October 2020 General Conference. This world seems to be increasingly filled with hatred, division, and isolation. This is especially happened in many parts of the world including United States and Malaysia.

Sister Eubank gave three areas of focus on: How can we understand people around us better? How can we create that “union of feeling” when all are so different? What power from God might we access if we are just a little bit more unified with others?

Have Mercy: Sister Eubank encourages us to be free with our mercy.

“We often think of substance in terms of food or money, but perhaps what we all need more of in our ministering is mercy.”

Make Your Boat Swing:

“Differences can be turned to advantage instead of disadvantage. Only then will it feel as if the boat is moving on its own. Only then does pain entirely give way to exultation. Good “swing” feels like poetry.⁴”

We can be united in our hearts and our purpose that we each adjust our efforts to each other and work together in perfect harmony. It may seem like a hard thing to do, but I know from experience that with God all things are possible.

Clear Away the Bad as Fast as the Good Can Grow: We can just clear away the ground to the dirt, weeds are going to spring up. The quote Sister Eubank uses refers to growing olive trees, but the idea is the same.

“Unity doesn’t magically happen; it takes work. It’s messy, sometimes uncomfortable, and happens gradually when we clear away the bad as fast as the good can grow.”

There are few more quotes that I love in Sister Sharon Eubank talk:

“Each of us is going to have deeply wounding experiences, things that should never happen. Each of us will also, at various times, allow pride and loftiness to corrupt the fruit we bear. But Jesus Christ is our Savior in all things. His power reaches to the very bottom and is reliably there for us when we call on Him.”

“But if we are one—if we can spare a piece of our pie or fit our individual talents so the boat can swing in perfect unison—then we are His. And He will help clear away the bad as fast as the good does grow.”

“We may not yet be where we want to be, and we are not now where we will be. I believe the change we seek in ourselves and in the groups we belong to will come less by activism and more by actively trying every day to understand one another.”

“As covenant women, we have broad influence. That influence is applied in everyday moments when we are studying with a friend, putting children to bed, talking to a seatmate on the bus, preparing a presentation with a colleague. We have power to remove prejudice and build unity.”

Sister Eubank offer this following invitations to the sisters of the Church, to be part of a collective force that changes the world for good:

• Our covenantal assignment is to minister
• to lift up the hands that hang down
• to put struggling people on our backs or in our arms and carry them.

“The women of this Church have unlimited potential to change society. I have full spiritual confidence that, as we seek union of feeling, we will call down the power of God to make our efforts whole.”

I personally like her quote this the most, or it is the most appropriate that describe me the most at this time:

“It isn’t complicated to know what to do, but it often goes against our selfish interests, and we have to try.”

So, let’s remind myself try and try each time!

I Believe in Angels

“When it comes to your happiness and salvation, it is always worth the effort to keep trying. It is worth the effort to adjust your lifestyle and traditions. The Lord is aware of the challenges you face. He knows you, He loves you, and I promise, He will send angels to help you.”

I was drawn to this talk after listened to it. It is very easy to see life, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and blessings from a very nature man point of view or transactional viewpoint.

I Believe in Angels

by Elder Carlos A. Godoy

Without realizing it, we start to see God much like a magical vending machine: I put a quarter of good deeds in, and I get the blessing I want out – and it hurts when the Lord proves that he works very differently.

We also expect everyone else in the Church to be much further along the path of discipleship than we are ourselves, and become very hurt when someone shows us how very human they still are.

If I had still been at that point in my life where I was expecting God to prove that he loves mw through great miracles and expecting my brothers and sisters in the Church to fill voids in my heart and mind that no human could fill, then this talk would have hurt.

“Where are my angels?”, “Why aren’t there people in my life making such great efforts towards me?”, “How come I try so hard to be righteous and I still feel like I am left sitting on the sidelines?”

The problem is that I am too focussed on myself and my own trials or problems. The longer I live, the more I believe that the Lord has given us commandments and covenants, and gospel standards for our own personal growth in temporal and spiritual.

As I have progressed in living the gospel, I have come to realize that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I have already been healed of many mental or wounds and the voids that once seemed to fill in my life.

I also know that as I continue to choose to improve, change and take actions of my impressions, plans or thoughts, the Lord will provide me everything in His own time and in His own way. Thus there is no need for me to worry about when I have faith and putting my trust in Him. Still, this is a learning process that is ongoing.

Instead I need to focus on trying to be an “angel” for the Lord despite all of my imperfection and leave the rest to Him.

“The Lord is always looking for willing volunteers to be angels in others’ lives.”

“Brothers and sisters, I believe in angels! We are all here today, a giant army of angels set apart for these latter days, to minister to others as extensions of the hands of a loving Creator. I promise that if we are willing to serve, the Lord will give us opportunities to be ministering angels. He knows who needs angelic help, and He will put them in our path. The Lord puts those who need angelic help in our path daily.”

I have been surrounded by angels since the day I was born into this earth, from my loving support parents till now. I have felt angels next to me every step of the way in this journey. From this side of the veil and from the other. I have countless prayers and the strength that they given upon me. All of them are indeed my angels.

The Tudor Villa 30 Dec 2020 - 1 Jan 2021

Alvin was the one who booked the Tudor Hotel. We prefer to search for exceptional stays when we are looking for a hotel. And occasionally we are lucky enough to locate a decent price that allows us to stay in one of those amazing locations! I admit that I was first a little skeptical because I don't wear hotel style.

We arrived early after we had our early Dim Sum breakfast, the hotel looked great from the outside. Additionally, even though the reception was closed, the security man who was on duty was aware of our arrival and was able to give us the keys to our room. Easy and quick to do!

The entire house, including the entrance, is very remarkable. You wouldn't quite expect the "very British indeed" style in Malaysia. The detail is what makes this so charming.

Whether it's the exquisite chandelier that hangs from the five-meter (18-foot) high ceiling or the Knight in Armor that welcomes you as you up the curved staircase. There's a ton of tremendous discovery. Almost all of the items in the entryway are available for purchase. Undoubtedly, fascinating mementos from Malaysia!

When the Tudor was first constructed in 1980, it was a secluded, extravagant, octagonal house for a pilot's cherished family. The turtle, which is seen as a symbol of longevity, good fortune, and happiness in many cultures, served as the original inspiration for the design of the house.

 

Standing tallest in the neighborhood and facing east, the house provides a stunning view of the whole community garden, accompanied by a gorgeous mountain backdrop and an amazing dawn.

To turn the house into a stunning, enchanting, and retro castle, we went to tremendous lengths to retain every interior detail. The Tudor is a luxurious property filled with charm that will make you feel perfectly at home as soon as you enter.

Above all, Tudor provide comfort and relaxation along with tranquil surroundings, attentive service, a warm, welcoming atmosphere, and peace of mind. A real home away from home, that is!

The bottom floor, which comprises family suites and the main lobby, is illuminated by a bronze crystal chandelier that hangs from an eighteen-foot ceiling. The attic rooms, a family room, and double rooms are on the first floor. An amazing curved staircase composed of exquisite original solid wood banisters leads to the first floor's rooms.

We booked a 2-bedroom family suite with a living area. It is located on the ground floor. Our family suite had a beautiful design. Above all, everything was spotless! Anything that holds great significance for me. There is nothing to be unhappy about because everything was excellent.

The living area with 2 seater sofa besides a vanity counter and mirror.

The TV console complete complimentary coffee, tea condiments & mineral water.

Smaller Double Bedroom in our Family Suite.

A water dispenser is located in the entryway. We truly appreciate that this gives guests free water and contributes to less plastic waste. A mutually beneficial arrangement.

Every room has a mini-fridge, a safe deposit box, a hairdryer, a TV (but sadly only one station was in English), a kettle, and other amenities. Additionally, there is tea and 3-in-1 coffee, and WiFi.

Overall we have a lovely good stay at the Tudor Villa. We enjoyed our stay very much and were happy that we booked for 2 nights.

Waiting on the Lord

I loved Elder Holland’s talk in this pass General Conference. His talk always are comforting, encouraging, inspiring, assuring and with a little bit of sense of humour that make me remember his teaching.

Waiting on the Lord

by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Sometimes I feel like so tired of the current situation or condition and wish I can improve it. Needless to say, I was dissapointed with the unanswered prayers or silence. What have I done to deserve this? I am so patience and being obedience most of the time in most of my doings. What did I do to placed on here at this circumstances?

“How long do we wait for relief from hardships that come upon us? What about enduring personal trials while we wait and wait, and help seems so slow in coming? Why the delay when burdens seem more than we can bear?”

Life reminds us that we are not always in control of things. There will be moments when we have to put our faith in the Lord’s timing. I learned this truth to a greater degree, and I am still in the process of learning it even now.

All these while I just feel like my marriage is at the edge of the cliff – that would just simply falling down and break into pieces, and that is just the matter of time.

I remember what President Thomas S. Monson taught, “the future is as bright as your faith.” I had faith in the Lord, and I had faith in Him that He has provided me and my family with a wonderful plan for the future. But trusting in His timing was just so hard to wait.

I remember that some of the days in the middle of doing some chores or taking my bath, my heart was overflowed with heaviness, anxiety, and hopelessness for the future. I know that the family can be last for all time and eternity, but it seemed as though it is were out of reach even ours had been sealed in the temple. I felt being guilty of my failure in fulfilling the covenants that I had made in the temple.

The people around me seemed to have the desires of their hearts granted; were my hopes and dreams just solely for my family not right? With tears in my eyes, I asked the Lord if I was not worthy of His promised blessings.

In the midst of my frustration and despair, a thought came into my mind. It is as though I was transported back to the time I read something like this, “The Lord answers our prayers in three ways – Yes, No, and wait a while.”

There is that word again – wait. Sometimes I would rather taken the No than Wait!

“…So while we work and wait together for the answers to some of our prayers, I offer you my apostolic promise that they are heard and they are answered, though perhaps not at the time or in the way we wanted. But they are always answered at the time and in the way an omniscient and eternally compassionate parent should answer them…”

“The point? The point is that faith means trusting God in good times and bad, even if that includes some suffering until we see His arm revealed in our behalf.⁹ That can be difficult in our modern world when many have come to believe that the highest good in life is to avoid all suffering, that no one should ever anguish over anything.¹⁰ But that belief will never lead us to “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”¹¹

Right then and there, I realized that all along, it had been about “my” plan and the timing “I” want. I had never tried to ask the Lord what He has planned for my family and me. I was too preoccupied with the thaought that “my” plans were not working out, which lead me to feel sad, angry, frustrated, and bitter. I failed to realized that I needed to trust more in the Lord’s timing.

“…Christianity is comforting, but it is often not comfortable. The path to holiness and happiness here and hereafter is a long and sometimes rocky one. It takes time and tenacity to walk it. But, of course, the reward for doing so is monumental.”

“Many lessons are taught in this remarkable chapter, but central to them all is the axiom that the seed has to be nourished and we must wait for it to mature; we “[look] forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof.”¹⁴ Our harvest, Alma says, comes “by and by.”¹⁵ Little wonder that he concludes his remarkable instruction by repeating three times a call for diligence and patience in nurturing the word of God in our hearts, “waiting,” as he says, with “long-suffering … for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.”¹⁶

“COVID and cancer, doubt and dismay, financial trouble and family trials. When will these burdens be lifted? The answer is “by and by.”¹⁷ And whether that be a short period or a long one is not always ours to say, but by the grace of God, the blessings will come to those who hold fast to the gospel of Jesus Christ. That issue was settled in a very private garden and on a very public hill in Jerusalem long ago.”

I still had little struggles with being faithful and positive about His plans and His timing. But as I learned how to put my faith in His timetable, I was able to see the many blessings that I never saw before.

The blessings may not have been as extravagant as what some other people around me received, but they were many and they were a testimony that the Lord was absolutely mindful of His faithless daughter.

During these past few months, I was prompted and started to learn to take care of myself spiritually and temporally. I feel as it is the promptings from the spirit to let me know that I should improve my talents or skills, He gives me more time to prepare and improve myself in order to serve others, such as in my calling.

Because I can understand what they are experiencing, and because I have already developed the faith that waiting upon the Lord’s timing can bring blessings, I am given the ability to succour and serve the sisters.

When we are in the process of waiting upon the Lord, let us remember that the Lord has specific plans for each one of us. He may take away an opportunity which we seems as a blessing now, but in His own time, He will give more that what we want that bring us more happiness. And I still hold on to this testimony of mine on the Lord knows what the best for me and my family.

Ipoh Food Trial 31 Dec 2020

After visiting the Han Chin Pet Soo, it was already 12.30 pm and it was time for us to look for our lunch. Due to it was lunch time, thus there were so many eateries in the Kopitiam. We had a simple lunch at one of the restaurant along Jalan Panglima. It was a quick lunch and we did not take any photos at all! Imagine how hungry we were!

Then we went down to the street and came to the Restoran Li Heng Fatt which famous for its Hor Hee. Hor Hee noodles is an Ipoh delicacy I can say. Basically it is noodle in a fish soup base, with small fish balls, thinly sliced fish cakes, crunchy tong choy, bean sprouts and savoury sui kao which is fish wonton, and served with sliced bird’s eye chili drenched in light soy sauce. We just ordered one to try the original good Hor Hee at Ipoh. We also ordered a bowl of hot and steamy flavourful soup with fish balls and meat balls for sharing.

After Hor Hee, we decided to go back to the Funny Mountain Soya Bean that we missed yesterday. Funny Mountain is listed as the best Tau Fu Fah in Ipoh. The uniqueness of this shop is that they only serve traditional silky smooth Tau Fu Fah with only sugar syrup with a faint hint of ginger only. They do not serve other kind of sugar syrups like other shops around Ipoh. Besides, Tau Fu Fah, they serve soya bean milk or Tau Cheong Sui, Cincau drink and Soya Cincau as well. We tried  and so far this is the best comforting simplicity bowl of Tau Fu Fah and it was smooth and literally melt in mouth.

Next stop we were heading to Deen CT Corner Cendol. There were already few customers waiting to order their cendols when we reached there. It has been so long time since I sat by a footpath pavement eating something our of a metal bowl. We ordered the standard cendol with added corns, adzuki beans on it. Alvin added glutinous rice into the mix. It is something that we never try before.

A decent place to have a bow of cendol under the hot sun! We went back to hotel to take rest after our early exploration from morning till our afternoon dessert time. It was so tiring due to the hot weather!

In the evening after refreshing and taken bath and enough cooling air-conditioning rest in the hotel, we came out again to hunt for our dinner. This time we drove a little further to Bercham. It is a small town around Ipoh. We Went to Restoran Different Taste at Taman Desa Kencana, Bercham.

It is much talk restaurant with glass noodles with big crab with another restaurant named Restaurant Rasa Lain in Bercham too. We ordered the signature glass noodles with crab. The crab was large and the broth were tasty and peppery. The taste was subtle and Chinese. There is the Thai version with very sharp taste. The flavours and sauces were concentrated and the glass noodles was baked till almost dry.

The Asam fish head using the Garupa fish head cut into chunks and cooked in a dry Asam gravy with the usual smattering of vegetables, ladies fingers, long beans and tomatoes. The taste was good and we can taste a tint of Thai flavours in the dish. We ordered the steamed parang fish balls too. The fish balls were so bouncy and juicy. The food were so tasty that we just snap a photo of our dinner only. Will definitely come back if we come to Ipoh again!

Sisters in Zion

“As the beloved daughters of Heavenly Father, and as the daughters of the Lord Jesus Christ in His kingdom,¹ you will play a crucial part in the grand times ahead.”

President Eyring is one of my favourite speakers during General Conference. This is his talk during the General Women Conference. He mentioned that the women of this gospel dispensation will be led by the Lord to become prepared like the City of Enoch in the Bible.

“You sisters, your daughters, your granddaughters, and the women you have nurtured will be at the heart of creating that society of people who will join in glorious association with the Savior. You will be an essential force in the gathering of Israel and in the creation of a Zion people who will dwell in peace in the New Jerusalem.”

The people of Zion are of one heart and one mind and God’s daughters have a gift to diminish contention and promote righteousness, President Eyring said.

“The Lord has, through His prophets, made a promise to you. In the early days of the Relief Society, the Prophet Joseph Smith said to the sisters, “If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.”³”

“That marvelous potential lies within you, and you are being prepared for it.”

President Eyring quoted from the prophets:

“President Gordon B. Hinckley said:

“You sisters … do not hold a second place in our Father’s plan for the eternal happiness and well-being of His children. You are an absolutely essential part of that plan.

“Without you the plan could not function. Without you the entire program would be frustrated. …

“Each of you is a daughter of God, endowed with a divine birthright.”⁴

“Our current prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, has given this description of the part you play in preparation for the Savior’s coming:

“It would be impossible to measure the influence that … women have, not only on families but also on the Lord’s Church, as wives, mothers, and grandmothers; as sisters and aunts; as teachers and leaders; and especially as exemplars and devout defenders of the faith.

“This has been true in every gospel dispensation since the days of Adam and Eve. Yet the women of this dispensation are distinct from the women of any other because this dispensation is distinct from any other. This distinction brings both privileges and responsibilities.”⁵

President Eyring said he has seen the influence of faithful women in the church to love, lift, and care for each other. He shared his experiences taught him that “Heavenly Father’s daughters have a gift to allay contention and to promote righteousness with their love of God and with the love of God they engender in those they serve.”

“If the past is prologue, at the time of the Savior’s coming, the daughters who are deeply committed to their covenants with God will be more than half of those who are prepared to welcome Him when He comes. But whatever the numbers, your contribution in creating unity among the people prepared for that Zion will be far greater than half.”

“Sisters, you were given the blessing of being daughters of God with special gifts. You brought with you into mortal life a spiritual capacity to nurture others and to lift them higher toward the love and purity that will qualify them to live together in a Zion society. It is not by accident that the Relief Society, the first Church organization specifically for Heavenly Father’s daughters, has as its motto “Charity Never Faileth.”

“Charity is the pure love of Christ. And it is faith in Him and the full effects of His infinite Atonement that will qualify you, and those you love and serve, for the supernal gift to live in that sociality of a long-looked-for and promised Zion. There you will be sisters in Zion, loved in person by the Lord and those you have blessed.”

Lastly, he closed his talk by his witness and testimony that always being so comforting to us, especially during this challenging time: 

“… I promise you that the Lord will lead you by the hand, through the Holy Ghost. He will go before your face as you help Him prepare His people to become His promised Zion.”

From all the October 2020 General Conference talks, General Women Conference talks was the one I firstly listened among all the rest of the sessions. I feel uplifted as it is specifically dedicated to women of the world.

It always reminds me of the role and responsibilities as daughter of God that I should do the work: as a daughter, as a mother, as a wife and as a woman as general. It always reminds me of my divine identity and the love that Heavenly Father has for me.

Sisters in Zion

by President Henry B. Eyring