Feb 28, 1991
Alma 13:28- we must pray continually to be protected from stronger temptations than we can bear. We must humble ourselves before the Lord. If e do this, we will be led by the Holy Ghost. Being led by the Spirit will enable us to become more like our Savior. I must be led by the Spirit more often so that I can become more like Christ.
Verse 29: Having faith leads to works which leads to Spiritual witnesses which leads to a hope for salvation which leads to a love of God. we must have faith and exercise that faith in humble prayer.
Verse 30: At this point alma expresses the same desire for the people he is teaching ( including me) that I have felt many times for those whom I have taught. If only the Lord will grant repentance to them so that they can be brought to salvation and not die again. I would give anything for that to happen.
Verse 31: yes, alma spake many more things, but the things which the Lord felt that WE needed are certainly contained in this book.
It is hard to believe that another month of my mission has actually passed all ready. I decided this morning that I will start to read the Book of Mormon from cover to cover again. As a result, I won't be taking notes in my journal the way that I have for the last few months.
I got a letter from Jane today. jack has been excommunicated from the church. At least now Jane can try to get on with her life. hopefully, jack can also start to repent and get his life back on the right track again.
today went really well. We were able to teach three Hmong discussions, as well as get the Thao family (newly arrived from Thailand by 2 or 3 months) to commit for baptism. The problem is that I am not al sure who we can concentrate on next. I am sure that the Lord will prepare someone. I really love to teach the gospel. It is so much fun! I am so very grateful for the opportunity which I have to see the gospel change people's outlook on life. All at once, life has purpose, meaning, goals, assistance, and hope. It truly makes me feel a joy that I had never experienced before my mission. I have also learned how to truly have this joy throughout the rest of my life. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life as well as all of the things which I have been blessed with.
March 1, 1991
We got caught in a hailstorm today that was absolutely unreal. We were on our way to a Lao appointment. it started to rain and then the wind started to blow really hard. The hail was only about 1/4”- 1/2 inch diameter, but it was coming down hard and the wind was blowing it towards us. By the time we got to the appointment, we were absolutely drenched. Our raincoats had done us absolutely not good. They gave us some shorts and T-shirts to put on. I noticed while I was changing that I had welts all over my arms, neck, hands and back from the hail! When we rode home, some of the places in the road were flooded to about 1.5 feet deep. It was fun to ride through.
We spent all day working with Lao people, so I didn’t do much teaching though it gave me a chance to make some phone calls and study a lot of Hmong.
I scored at the mailbox today! I got letters from Kristin and from my mom. They both seem to be doing really well. I wish there was some way for me to both be a missionary and be with Kristin, but I low that I am truly doing what the Lord would have me do at this time.
March 2, 1991
Mee’s baptism was today, however, it was one of the most stressful days of my entire life. I found out at 10:30 this morning that brother cox was not only not coming to the baptism, but that he had not planned everything our the way that he said he would. he did take care of the people to play and lead the music. As far as talks went, Elder Sorenson and I ended up giving them. When we went to leave, the Baptismal recommend book was gone. AAAA! I have not idea where that is, but we finally found another recommend book with one sheet in the middle of it that was still blank. All in all, the baptism went fairly well. I baptized and confirmed her a member of the church. I love to baptize people, Than to add more stress to my life, we still have not received our monthly checks, which means that I won’t be ably to by food this P-day. Oh well, how much difference does one week make?
Right now my legs ache really bad. I’m not too sure what is wrong, but it is the kind of leg ache that will keep me awake all night.
Elder Sorensen is the greatest. We are really ably to get along and work hard together.
March 3, 1991
Today was a pretty good day. i know that my Father in Heaven really helped me to do the things that I needed to do today. Going to church twice was not nearly as strenuous or tiring as it has been in the past. In face, I think that I even liked it a little.
Today, Mee Xiong stood up and bore her testimony during fast and testimony meeting. I am so happy to have played a small part in her conversion. She said that the day she decided that the church had to be true was the day that I gave her husband a blessing. he had been very sick for three days, but I went tint his bedroom and gave hims blessing after Eler Watson anointed him. She said that from that time forward, he has been much better. I am so grateful that the Lord saw fit to heal that man. I am so grateful for the priesthood which the Lord saw fit to bestow on me. I am so unworthy of such a marvelous blessing. I truly am striving to be more worthy. I am striving to learn to use the priesthood which I hold. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to see many, many people blessed by the power of the priesthood which I a blessed to hold. The gospel is a marvelous thing. The gospel was restored to the earth, through the power of the priesthood, i know with all of my heart that the church is true.
March 4, 1991
Well, today was a true rainy-day Monday. We didn’t do anything all day long because none of us have received our money in the mail yet. Even today we didn’t get it.
March 5, 1991
Well, today was one of those days when you can't do anything but laugh. Elder Sorenson had more problems with his bike today than can even be imagined. It took until 2 o'clock to get his bike so that he could ride it. After that, it took a turn for the worse. We went to an appointment with a hmong family. By the time we got there, his tire was about half flat. After the appointment, he tried to pump it up, but he had a problem with his valve. Instead of pumping it up, all of the rest of the air leaked out.
However, despite the bike problems, we had a very successful day. We taught two discussions. One of which we taught to Chou Xiong’s ( A hmong group leader in Hanford) family members here in Visalia. It really went well. I am really hoping that we will be able to continue to teach them.
Well, our money did not come again today. That is kind of getting old. Pres. Bott called me tonight to answer some questions that I had written to him about the baptismal prayer which Chou Yang have used to baptize his kids. He said that the prayer was fine, and he also told me quite a bit about transfers. Elder Watson, my old comp, is being taken out of the hmong program. I will be getting a new comp here, but Pres. could remember who it was. Oh well, will find out in the morning anyway.
March 6, 1991
We got rocked so hard today all day long! We went to Hanford all day. Even the bishop rocked us. He forgot about our dinner appointment and Team-ups. We met with a large number of people, but they all were either busy or else the man of the house was not home. It reminded me of those days in Fresno that Elder Brown and I could not find anyone home at all.
Transfer calls came this morning! Elder Baker will be my new companion. He is the elder who was taught Vietnamese in the MTC but started learning hmong the day that he got here. He has been with Elder Brown in Fresno since he came out. I'm not too sure how his hmong is, but I'm very excited. He has been out for three months. He got here the same day that I left Fresno. Anyway, from what I know he is a hard worker and a really good guy. I can't wait!
I got two letters from members of the stake presidency. I have a hard time feeling like they really care when they send letters in March that are dated January 17 and February 4.
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