Finding the Message in the Middle of Chaos

November 9, 2024

Finding the Message in the Middle of Chaos

Dear Elder Yu,

My Social Science Statistics instructor shared with the class an interesting experience he had during his recent family trip to New York City, which he has been looking forward to his entire life. New York City, is truly a fascinating place.

He shared with us one experience he had with her daughter. At one point in their visit, both were standing in the middle of Times Square. He shared with us, “If you have never been there, it is unlike anything I had ever seen before. Just a crazy mass of sound and lights and people.  It is like the Vegas Strip was squished into a 3-block area.”

While standing on that spot, he asked her daughter to tell him what she observed. Her daughter mentioned the bright billboards, the sound of traffic, and the mass of people. The music, and the strange people taking photos with the tourists.

Then my instructor pointed out a strange sound coming from under the sidewalk. Kind of like a bell ringing. He shared a clip somebody took at that same spot showing what he heard. Times Square (Neuhaus), often referred to as the Hum or the Times Square Hum is a permanent sound art installation created by Max Neuhaus in Times Square in New York City.

This was a piece of performance art placed there in the 1970's. No signs are pointing it out. The sound simply emanates from a grate over a steam vent. Neuhaus stated it is intended for the sound to be "plausible", dismissed as an "unusual machinery sound from below ground" and to be overlooked repeatedly until it is discovered by the viewer serendipitously.

The location in Times Square where the sound art installation emanates.

An image of Times Square in 1977, the year Times Square was first installed.

The subway grate where "Times Square" emanates.

The point that the artist wanted to make was specifically to point out that we can have a loud sound and yet have nobody notice it. Hundreds of thousands of people walk past this exact spot every day, and very few realize it is there.

Isn't that what the Spirit is like?

Clear messages are being sent to us every day by a loving Heavenly Father. Many people know what to look for and can hear them. Many people understand what to look for and can hear them. Many people are unaware that it exists. Perhaps many others know what the sound is like, but we are too preoccupied with other noises in our lives to listen.
But the sound is there, for those who know how to listen. Sometimes, I feel as if I have fallen into the category of “too preoccupied with other noises in my life to listen to the small and still voices.”

And, by so ‘ngam hor’ or co-incident, there is another insight that I learned from the Scripture Central YouTube Channel this week when studying Mormon Chapter 7, which I will share with you in the next email.

Lastly, want to share with you something that Elder Russell M. Nelson did years ago before he became the President of the Church. He delivered the Thanksgiving Devotional to the missionaries in Provo MTC.

He said a mission is an exercise in obedience training. “Obedience brings success; exact obedience brings miracles,” he said.

President Russell M. Nelson teaches us to follow the Lord with exactness. The word exact leaves no question as to what degree we must follow the Lord. The definition of exact is: not approximated in any way; precise. It is easy to want, to pick and choose, to pat ourselves on the back for the things we do well, and to disregard the things that we do not want to do. The Lord’s way is not supposed to fit our lives, our lives are supposed to fit the Lord’s.

The best example of exactness is math. 2+2 always equals 4. It doesn’t sometimes, or most of the time, but always. As we adopt the attitude of ALWAYS following the Savior, when the calculus test comes along, we will be prepared because we pay close attention to all the mathematical details in our lives. That is how the impossible will be made possible in our lives.

Love,
Mommy

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. ❤️

14th Week in the Mission Field? IDK

Well this week has been pretty interesting and don't worry I am not sick, neither is my comp is anymore ✨️✨️ So we are back in action

Okay let's get started! 

Car license

Well my comp Elder Tang needed to get a new license as his is coming to expire soon. So guess what ... We received a suggestion from the mission office to head over and help Elder Tang get a new Utah Driving License✨️ and so off we went for an adventure

Before we began our adventure on transfer day. We went and take an Elder with us, with permission from his comp and off we went. ‍♂️‍♂️‍♂️

Elder Hall on the left is our new travelling companion. With his PURE WHITE AMERICAN BLOOD We were able to go through many obstacles and deep American words in the process of many conversation with the government workers.

So we went to the DLD (Driving License Division)

In which we have obtained all the requirements for our quest to attain Elder Tang's license. So off we went to get a proof of not paying tax. So we head over to the......

IRS WOOOOOOO✨️✨️✨️, they then sent us over to theeee.....

SSA!! (SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION) WOOOOOO it's soo funnn going to government building

To which we then had to attain a proof of residence, so we went to the....

MISSION OFFICEE!! HAHAHHAHAHAH! 

Which eventually we were able to get Elder Tang to gain his driving knowledge test ON THE SPOT so he passed and something I realized was the Lord's hand an love in our journey through all these hardships. That the busy our came later, we were always the first, staffs were patient and we were able to plan with wisdom and order on the spot where ever we go. And I am eternally grateful for that experience.  ✨️

Downhill Slop

The next day we got a call from the mission office informing us that Elder Tang's Driving privileges were taken away due to our disobedience of allowing another missionary who is really annoying and persistent which eventually we are now a pair of walking missionaries. Covering an English stake and also a Chinese mission that's about 53 miles or 85 Km long soo yeah DING FR like just .

From that experience somehow I am actually grateful. For the experience of managing on the resources we have, planning on how to overcome obstacles and make a plan on overcoming and coordinating with everything we have. So issue we have is

1. No sim card

2. No car

DINGG✨️✨️ ITS GOING TO BE SOO FUNN

but just like the notes I learned that this transfer is going to be really hard nonetheless it's ⏳️ (in words) and we are going to have to work extra hard. I love challenges, especially like this. To overcome its spiritual, mental and physical obstacles. Helping me to grow stronger and better

Thermometer and Thermostat

I learned a really interesting analogy from a book called "Does You Bag Have Any Holes?" And the author compared people like a thermometer and thermostat. In a sense that there are people who follow their environment. Like people if our surroundings are sad, negative and etc, we can follow them and be like them. Like thermometer our reading is determined by the environment around us. However, why not be a Thermostat. No matter what happens around us hot or cold, we can maintain our temperature and be different from others. To be happy, positive and etc even when everything around is is the opposite. 

Likewise this applies to obedience and I even came to find that as we are obedient we can have more freedom. Like my example if we were obedient we could choose where to drive, who to visit, which ward we want to change and focus on. However through the sudden events, we can't do any of those but depend on the mercies of those around us. Yet the best part is no matter what, we will always be in the Mercy of our Lord.  While no sim card meant no receiving or texting messages. And no car meant we will have to really take account of time and distance. There is always something we can do. Even when there are things that's out of our control. And I am grateful for this lesson too.

So be obedient guys and stand for what's right. I am 3 months in and already in trouble it's soo FUNNYY and sooo WILDDD to see how life can go . I am soo glad to have the Lord always by my side and guide me through my hardship. I truly know He is there for us.

EXACT OBEDIENCE ✨️

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT 

Well for today I was studying through Alma 29-40 and it's a BALLER to see the journey and love Alma has for his children and the people all around him. Something that got my attention was Alma's reason to continue in his ministry to the Nephites and Lamanites. Alma 36:24-26

24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

25 Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors; 

26 For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God.

当我读到阿尔玛在分享他的见证和智慧关于神的事工和珅的爱。我很感谢我有这个机会来传讲他的福音。不折有这样，但我也能得到特别学习机会✨️ 我也很快乐我能见到很多乐子的挑战✨️✨️ I love missionary work as it's always exciting and fun.

I know why I am serving a mission and still learning more about why I am staying and serving a mission I love it✨️✨️ To bring others to come to the joy we know in our lives to those who does not. 帮助大家会到天父的家✨️

Extra photos

Hehe it's soo funny

Five Loaves and Two Fishes

November 3, 2024

Five Loaves and Two Fishes

Dear Elder Yu,

I believe that you might have heard about the Christian TV series “The Chosen” before you went on your mission.

I have come across and listened to a BYU Devotional talk that just happened a few days ago, 29 October 2024 by the creator of “The Chosen” TV series, Dallas Jenkins. He talked about how to embrace failure and trust in God’s plan.

Dallas stated that earlier in his career, he aspired to Hollywood's fame and glitter, as well as to create films that were box office successes. For years, he worked on smaller independent films, but in 2017, he was given the opportunity to work with large Hollywood studios and make the type of big film he'd always desired. "I had arrived," Dallas recalled thinking.

However, when the film was released to the public, its box office performance collapsed. “Within two hours, I went from being a director with a very bright future to being a director with no future,” he said.

Dallas and his wife, Amanda, were distraught. As they sat at home in tears, Amanda was convinced that her husband should study the New Testament tale of Jesus feeding the 5,000—and she sensed God telling her, "I do impossible math."
Dallas initially assumed this indicated that the film's numbers would improve. But things grew worse. So Dallas remained up late composing a report, attempting to figure out what went wrong with the film. Then, to his complete amazement, an acquaintance sent him this message at 4 a.m.: "Remember, it is not your responsibility to feed the 5,000. It's merely to offer bread and fish."

Dallas claims the moment transformed his life.

"In that moment, I knew God was there." I knew God was watching over this. I knew God had taken me to that point of failure, and He had something in store for me. …
"I was not going to be able to solve or figure this out on my own. I still didn't understand what impossible math meant in this case because success was not on the horizon. But at that moment, all I cared about was God's will. I gave up. "Probably for the first time in my life."

Following that, Dallas created a short film about the birth of the Savior from the perspective of the shepherds. Compared to the scale of production of his previous feature, this short film "felt like a significant step-down." "It didn't even feel like five loaves and two fishes; it felt like one loaf and half a fish," Dallas tells me. On the other side, Dallas had never felt more in his element.

Dallas was inspired by this sensation to create The Chosen. However, he lacked the ability to create the visual depiction of Jesus and His followers that he envisioned.
Long story short, the short video Dallas created was spotted by Angel Studios (then known as VidAngel) in Provo, Utah. The company adored it. They were also intrigued by Dallas' idea for The Chosen and wanted to pursue it. But they intended to fund the series through crowdfunding—and Dallas was skeptical.

"Crowdfunding rarely works," he explains. But then he remembered the parable of the loaves and fishes, and he resolved to try again. "And something special happened," he explains. "I'm sitting at the computer, with my wife next to me, and we break the 10 million mark, shattering the all-time crowdfunding record by 16 thousand.

"I hear my wife sniffling, and I look over and she has tears streaming down her cheeks, saying, 'I do impossible math!'" He spoke it to her again, just as clearly as He had the previous year.

“In that moment, it was very easy to realize … this is impossible math. This is the kind of math that God’s part of, not the math equation based on numbers and interest. This is what He does: He takes the small, the broken, the surrender, and makes something out of it.”

“Whether in failure or success, the message is the same: When you make your five loaves and two fish. He does ask that of us,” he continued, “He could have just waved his hand like I am in front of you right now, and in front of thousands of people and the Loaves and fish could have appeared out of nothing.”

“But He does demand for us to participate for us to do the things that we don't necessarily need Him for so that He can do the thing that He only He can do – the miracle part, so He does involve Us in the process.”

“Isn't that so gracious of Him whether it's asking for the Five Loaves and two fish? Or whether it's telling His disciples to roll the stone away when Lazarus is raised? Or whether it's telling Moses to camp out at the edge of the Red Sea, and strike the rock, so the water would part.”

“He does ask us to participate but I'm telling you… especially whether in failure or success Five Loaves and two fish when you hand that to Him and He deems it worthy of acceptance, the transaction is over.”

“It's the Five-in-Two principle you bring what you have, you give it to God, and let it go, and when you get to that place, where you don't care about the results and you don't care about what they say.”

Dallas advised, urging the audiences (BYU students) to find peace and purpose in their efforts, regardless of the outcome.

“I implore you, starting now: Don’t wait until you’re in your 40s [like I am] for God to break you down and bring you to your knees in surrender. Starting now, get to this place — this superpower, actually — that comes from giving that up to God. It is not your job to feed the 5,000; it is only to provide the loaves and fish.”

This profoundly affected Jenkins, helping him realign his focus and trust in God’s plan. This principle, which emphasizes the importance of offering one’s best and leaving the results to God, became a guiding force in his life and work.

I know that these past weeks must have been a quite difficult situation for you to do the proselyting work due to transportation and car issues. Missionary work can be hard. And realizing that doesn’t make you a bad missionary.

When you're struggling, remember that God is on your side and that He is ready and prepared to assist you when you ask. He is always willing to listen to your heartaches and understands exactly how you feel.

Don’t be hesitant to ask for strength to manage your expectations or to control your attitude. Don’t be afraid to call down miracles for you and the work in your area. You can also reach out to your companion or leaders, who most likely have felt the same way you do at times and might know how to help you.

I feel prompted to share with you this talk because I know that you might feel a little uplifted by this talk. I know that you have offered and given to God all that you have – your Five Loaves and Two Fishes, and let God do His Maths.

Know that you are loved. And remember that Heavenly Father and the Savior are there to bear your burdens and challenges with you.

Love,
Mommy

P.S.: This is the link of the talk, it is under BYU Speeches https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jenkins/five-loaves-and-two-fishes/

I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

November 2, 2024

I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Dear Elder Yu,

I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I know who I am.
I know God’s plan.
I’ll follow him in faith.
I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ.
I’ll honor his name.
I’ll do what is right;
I’ll follow his light.
His truth I will proclaim.

This letter comes a week late after I realized that our family has been baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for already 10 years since 26^th October 2024. I saw these photos came into my mailbox as a notification from One Drive for my memories from that day.

It was so co-incident that last week we studied the Book of Mormon 3 Nephi 27 to 4 Nephi about “There Could Not Be a Happier People” when I taught the Primary children that “I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ” and sang the song together and talk about why we are thankful to belong the Savior’s Church.

Reflecting through the years, it has never been easy to be on the path of discipleship. Coming to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wasn’t just about learning new doctrines, such as the premortal life and baptism for the dead; it was a change in culture, lifestyle, and expectations. Resolving those differences was a hard road to walk. Before our family joined the Church, I still remember the churches we used to go to, which in so many ways were quite unlike the ones we know now.

The clergy and choir at church were dressed in robes during worship service—their equivalent of sacrament meeting—ministers delivered sermons and did all of the talking. The churchgoers repeated the Lord's Prayer together and sang hymns that sounded like songs. There was a cross in the choir loft. They used grape juice instead of water for the sacrament, and high school kids attended Sunday School with the adults in a class that talked about current issues in society.

You still remember that I once said to you and Annabelle that, latter-day saints indeed are peculiar people as told by President Gordon B. Hickley because the world customs and social beliefs are so much different.

The world teaches that it is OK to drink alcohol or smoke. Having a boyfriend or girlfriend as a teenager is OK. The world teaches that you could even have sexual relations before marriage as long as you believe you are in love. I never know about having a testimony. The first time I saw a fast and testimony meeting—wow! I could not believe how odd that seemed. No one ever stood to share their beliefs like that in the churches out there.

Annabelle and you considered growing up in the Church, churchy things become pretty normal. You get used to the regularity of the meetings, the building you attend, and the kind of clothes people wear at church. Things like giving talks in sacrament meetings, paying tithing and fast offerings, and fasting once a month are just a part of life. Living the Word of Wisdom, accepting callings to serve, and living the law of chastity are all part of what you learn to do.

However, for converts, it can be a big adjustment trying to take it all in. Certainly, receiving a testimony of gospel principles is the first step toward membership in Christ's Church. Having a testimony, however, does not make the transition to living as a member of the Church any easier.

Fortunately for us, our church members are patient, compassionate, and consistent. They took us to events and invited us to their house for dinner, family home evening, and so on. That made a significant impact not just in my joining the church, but also in my remaining active and finding strength when my testimony wavered. I guess I owe a lot to the sisters in the Relief Society for helping me figure things out.

Here are some of the challenges new converts face. How might our friendship and missionary work help them overcome these challenges?

1. Struggling to understand new doctrine.
2. Choosing different media, music, movies, and books.
3. Understanding scripture language.
4. Coping with lack of acceptance from non-LDS family and friends.
5. Wearing different clothing.
6. Dedicating the time to attend church and seminary.
7. Learning new practices and customs in the worship services.
8. Having to change habits, language, and ways of thinking.
9. Adapting to LDS social culture.
10. Learning the LDS-specific meanings of terms, like gospel, apostasy, and restoration.

Last but not least, share with you, President Gordon B. Hickley’s quote:

“We are a peculiar people. There is a wholesomeness about you that is beautiful and wonderful. We don’t smoke, we don’t drink, we don’t even take tea or coffee. That is strange for a lot of people. We do vicarious work for the dead. We teach that marriage in the house of the Lord is for time and for all eternity, that families can actually be forever. We are a peculiar people, and thank heavens we are. If the world continues to go in the direction it is going, families breaking up, pornography everywhere, drugs and things of that kind, we will become an even more peculiar people. God has blessed us generously and kindly and greatly. How thankful we ought to be” (fireside, Sydney, Australia, 14 May 1997).

I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ that enabled all these wonderful and beautiful things to happen in my life, most importantly I got to know His restored gospel. I am grateful for my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which is a precious thing to me. It isn’t a simple or ordinary thing; this is the Church and kingdom of God. This is the kingdom of God on earth. I share all these things in the name of our Savior, even Jesus Christ. Amen.

Love,
Mommy

12th Week in the Mission Field✨️

Well this week is soo cool, we were able to meet someone new. Teaching people is awesome and we also met with several families too✨️✨️

Also it's gonna be Wint-fall like Fall but it's going to be colder and colder I am grateful for the cold though, it's like soo funn✨️

Multi District Council 

This has been one of the most funnest District Council I have been. We were able to discuss on how we can bring people we teach to come to church and it's soo exciting ✨️✨️

Not only that but we had a wonderful meal with out District in Texas Roadhouse. Not authentic but Texas ground EeeHaa I had my first wonderful Steak, though it tasted weird. Still a wonderful experience ✨️

Best district ever ❤️

Previous P-Day

We had a wonderful game of LASER TAGG I was able to get to know all these missionaries and they are AMAZINGGG!!

Love, Share and Invite 

Well currently as we went and do LSI with as much member family as we can. I was able to train my ability to recognize the prompting of the Holy Ghost. But more than that know what to share towards the families we meet. Like it's such an interesting way that the Holy Ghost speaks to me and to each and everyone of us too. The best part is that the Spirit just prompts me with simple thoughts and from there things starts to expand ✨️✨️

I also came to learn something on my mission. "Just do it✨️" And that's how we improve by just doing it. it was so nerve wrecking at first, nonetheless I came to build courage to open my mouth even when I don't have everything I wanted to share in mind. Just do it!

How can I talk to people with more courage?

How can I be an obedient and happy missionary?

How can I know this is the right thing to share?

JUST DO ITT! using your best judgement and trusting in the small and soft thought that pops into your mind. Just trust it and gradually it will be expanded and expounded! It's soo crazy and funny with how it works but I love it

So just do it! Like Top Gun "Don't think, just do" Well with your best judgement to discern if it's from God but other than that yeah JUST DO ITT!!

Understanding

Another lesson that I have recently come across is how every individuals have their own story and hardship they face. So don't judge them. ✨️ Like it's really super hard not to judge people and it's always enlightening and comforting to learn about what others face which gradually develops compassion and empathy. Charity ❤️ true love of Christ and its been super duper hard for me. However I still love everyone like myself.

A wonderful example was when I was teaching Reina, when we asked how her day went. She said it's fine and great. I thought okay that's good, let's start the lesson. My comp Elder Hall (We went on exchanges) ask how so? And immediately Reina listed out a bucket load of the wildest and crazy thing that had happened to her recently and just telling us everything to which it just slapped me. Like how could I be this oblivious to all these. Maybe thats how the Savior does it. Just asking questions to show LOVE and understand everyone. And it's just soo interesting so I am going to work on that a bit more too✨️✨️

Obedience

Recently I have been studying regarding about the Endowment and the first Law of Obedience and just what it meant. While I wasn't able to finish my study, but I came to realise. OBEDIENCE CHANGES YOU✨️ It helps us to become ever more like US or YOU BECOME MORE YOUUU as you keep the commandments and covenants Heavenly Father has given to us. I LOVED IT❤️ The line between a

1. 18 years old acting missionaries

2. ✨️ Concencrated and AMAZING MISSIONARY

3. Clanka missionary

It all depends on our desire and commitment to live and change ourselves to become ever more like the Savior. To desire and want to help others to come unto Christ and even ourselves as well. And it's just ✨️✨️✨️ But hey I can't say much cause I too am balancing myself and doing my best to be ME. There's a lot of journey I have to take but I am starting on it.

So Obedience brings us blessings and allows us to be ever more like us and also it's our own personal journey between us and the Lord. And I just love that idea and it's always a wonderful reminder for each and everyone of us✨️ So keep going guys, find your answer to the question of your soul and it will just keep expanding too!!

Companion

Well Elder Tang indeed is an interesting guy not chesme-ing. But he truly is a wonderful companion. He has his own teaching methods and while when I just arrives to be his new homie, I came to learn how much he could do better and after 5 weeks I am soo proud and comforted with the changes he is able to do!! Like he's back baby! And we are kicking in the work even being able to rekindle the stake that we were covering and it's AMAZINGG✨️✨️

Elder Tang truly is a wonderful companion with a bunch of teaching opportunities for me to gain. And I am so glad and thankful for him FR ❤️  Also I learned how important we are for our comps and it's really interesting✨️✨️ Like the love we share for the work and also to support one another. I'm just saying all comps are my POOKIE✨️ and I love them all, and also you guys too miss ya'll for real

So yeah mi compañero 怎是一个祝福神给了我们 I look forward for how the future is going to be✨️✨️

Spiritual Thought

则个星期我们在学则冠以感激。说实在，我看到当我们有一个感激的形态去面对世界。由于我们谦卑的来看我们的困难，机会，祝福和快乐。神会不断的祝福我们。透过这一个感谢的镜片，神感到快乐和安慰因为我们能认出他的帮助在我们的生命中

我知道神很爱他每一个儿女，所以他派了先知，使徒，门徒和传教士来传讲他的福音。I know all this to be true and I say all this in the sacred name of Jesus Christ Amen

Extra photos

Yeapp here's some extra photos and it's funnn. ✨️✨️

Receive Divine Help for Life’s Battles

Dear Elder Yu,

My job has been busy and having a project handover deadline and a tight schedule to catch up lately. It was always physically exhausting and drained brain come back home from work. I am really glad that have Annabelle who takes care of the daily house chores and with Ally’s stuffs.

It feels like I have to go through a mini daily battle every day to tackle things that pop up suddenly in the projects, trying to solve them one by one at a time. I feel blessed that I can feel the Lord watching over me every moment of my daily life because I can see how some ad-hoc things in projects turn out to be just fine at the end of the day. And I am grateful for that!

It is so co-incident that I read this article last Sunday which I wanted to write to you but did not manage to. It coincides with the previous week’s Come, Follow Me focus on the Book of Mormon Alma chapter 43 – 52. And I hope this sharing might help you when you go through a little storm in your days trying to be a good missionary of the Lord.

It is natural to wonder why Mormon included the war stories between the Nephites and the Lamanites when he had limited space on the plates. We indeed have our share of wars in the latter days, but Mormon’s remarks are still valuable for more than just explaining the tactics and the tragedy of warfare. His teachings also equip us to fight the war that “we are all enlisted”, which is the battle that we wage every day against the forces of evil. This is a real war, and the result will have an impact on our eternal lives.

Elder Dale G. Renlund shared 3 principles that we able to be like Moroni in battling our adversaries in our daily lives:

1. Understand Our Purpose

We must never lose sight of the larger picture of our divine nature, everlasting destiny, and the evil forces that oppose us. Correctly comprehending Heavenly Father's plan will inspire us to continue battling for our eternal salvation and release from spiritual bonds.

2. Strategize for Success

We can employ the same methods Moroni used to cope with spiritual adversaries. We might begin by realizing what Satan is trying to do in our lives. He tries to derail us from our mission. When confronted with temptation, we must ask ourselves:

• How does this action on my part stack up against the revealed word of God?
• What are the consequences of taking this action?
• Will this action help me fulfill my purpose on earth?

We should also comprehend the consequences of succumbing to even little temptations. As we succumb to temptation, we swallow "poison by degrees" (Alma 47:18), a highly successful method employed by the powers of evil that can result in spiritually disastrous consequences.

I think that is how adversaries always make us feel as if we are not enough, and never enough! Just remember the Savior when this kind of thought comes into your mind.

We can fortify ourselves against Satan's temptations by following the guidance of our latter-day prophet. This helps us maintain an everlasting viewpoint from which to judge our deeds. Strategizing how we will deal with temptations in all aspects of our lives will help us make better decisions at the moment. Preplanned methods and techniques will assist us in avoiding diversions from our everlasting mission.

3. Prepare for Metaphorical Battles

Spiritually, we prepare individually by keeping the commandments of God. We make and keep covenants with God that draw the power of Jesus Christ into our lives. We can better prepare by strengthening our families. We can collectively gain strength and prepare for our spiritual battles as we join in communities of Saints.

I am indeed grateful for your companion by your side to uplift, encourage, share, and guide you along the way. Please tell Elder Fleshman that I am thanking him and grateful for being such a good companion to you!

Like Captain Moroni, we can receive divine help and power from the Lord for the battles we face in life. It is just like what you have been facing as a missionary, and myself as a wife, mother, and employee. Moroni demonstrated concepts that we can use to meet the challenges of our modern existence. As we exercise our faith in the Savior Jesus Christ, He will shower us with His strength.

After reading your email, I just felt as if I needed to tell Elder Stratfold and Elder Paewai about your thoughts on both of them and how grateful you are for them to teach our family the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I am reaching out to both on Messenger. Elder Stratfold was so happy to read my message and he is happy to know that you are already on your mission to serve the Lord. And, here is his message:

“Of course, I remember you and your family! It was the happiest time of my mission. Thank you so much for your message, it has made my week.

I am so happy to hear that Isaac is on His mission, it makes me feel very old as I remember him as a 9-year-old. It was such a pleasure teaching all of you, thank you so much for being so patient and receptive.

My Wife and I now have 3 kids, we had twins born in January last year so life has been very busy. We are planning on coming for the dedication of the Singapore temple and driving from Singapore and then up through Malaysia so we would love to see you all then, that will be a few years away of course.

Give my Love to the rest of the family, especially Isaac as he is serving the Lord, I am so proud of Him, Love you guys How are the rest of the family?”

Lastly, Heavenly Father believes you can be successful. Strive to see the value in yourself as He does! Even though this quote Elder Holland addressed to all the mothers, I want you to know that his counsel applies to you too, “Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are.” Remember your purpose and the value you bring to everyone around you. You can do this!

Love,

Mommy