PRAYERS, PUPPIES & NAPPING

This past week has been one of the best experiences of my entire life. It is crazy to think that I used to get excited to play basketball, hang out with friends, buy a new game, or finish a big homework assignment, but now I can truly say that I love and get excited to feel the Spirit, read the scriptures, and come to church. I am so grateful for the changes that Christ is helping me make in my life as I strive to serve Him and align my desires with his. There were many miracles last week, but one of the highlights was being able to go down to Ipoh for District Conference (like stake conference). I will share a few things from that, things I've learned as a missionary, and maybe a miracle from last week as well. I love this mission!!!!!!

Like I said, District Conference was incredible. There were a few hundred people from Penang, Ipoh, Butterworth, and Sitiawan all gathered together in a hotel conference room...quite different from the regional center back in Bountiful. As the speakers shared their testimonies, thoughts, and experiences, I truly felt like I heard the Spirit speaking directly to me for the first time while I listened to something else. I want to share with you a few of the things that I realized while I listened to these inspired men and women. 

Something that I came to know very quickly when I came to Malaysia (and should have in America) is that we live in a world where we are constantly being divided. Satan divides us by race, culture, language, education, wealth, age, status, beliefs, hobbies...the list goes on and on. We often recognize that certain things are bad such as racism, but how often do we discriminate or separate ourselves even in our own wards/families based on age, likes, and jobs? 

When we enter into the temple and receive our endowment, we see that Heavenly Father has no favorites. We are all completely equal-even people who have important callings in the church receive no special treatment. I know that this is the way Heavenly Father and Christ see us. We are all promised the same blessings if we will exercise faith, repent, and keep the sacred covenants that we've made.

I know that we are all of equal worth. In Moses 1:10, Moses tells us that he only truly understood that man was nothing until after he saw God. I know that as we do our best to draw closer to the Lord, we will gain a love and charity for others that is simply impossible when we rely on our natural man. We will be able to look past the honors and pride of man, and we will begin to love out of a desire to serve the Lord. In the scriptures we learn that if we are not one, we are not his. The Lord makes it pretty clear that we are meant to work together, and that's why Satan tries so hard to disrupt that. I know that if we are a TEAM, together everyone achieves more. We can do it!!! As we hurt one person in our family/ward, everyone else falls with them. As we build them up, everyone else is also encouraged. 

We all make mistakes, and we are all beggars before the Lord. In Mosiah  8 king Limhi automatically assumes that a seer is greater than a prophet, but Alma responds very wisely and simply outlines the duties. We all have certain callings and things in life that separate us from others, but our overall goal is to fulfill what Heavenly Father wants us to fulfill. We have each been given certain duties, and no duty is more important that another's. 

Please focus this week on trying to become one as a family and one with the people around you. When we are unified IN FAITH, we can truly become a team with the perfect captain. I know that we will conquer Satan if we follow the Savior and the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

I know that this church is true, and I know that by following Christ's example, heeding the words of the prophets, and praying sincerely we will begin to understand how to change our lives and align them with the Lord's plan. I know that we are all on the right path and simply need to continue making the right steps. Thank you for all of the love and prayers! I would not be here without you!