Hello there wonderful person who may be reading this!
I hope your life is going almost as great as mine is! If not, no worries. I know that things get better. Just keep doing the good things, and have trust in God. I know that He loves you! I absolutely love serving here in Liverpool. Oh my days, if only every ward a missionary could serve in was like this one. I am sooo blessed on how quickly I have learnt names and grown to know and love these members. One thing special about this ward compared to other ones, is that we are racially rich. There are people from a variety of countries, and it is super great! The work here is great and exciting! I especially love working with the members. One lady we are working with in particular has felt the Spirit strongly two lessons in a row! Now she knows what it is, and knows how it feels to her. It's just the greatest to hear that because the Spirit truly is a master teacher. Haha, there has also been some very interesting experiences. For example, last night we were walking back to the flat, and randomly, from out of a car, an uncooked sausage just pelted me on the arm! Haha, I thought someone had ran past and just slugged me on the arm, but nope, it was a sausage! Haha, no worries, it was my first time getting hit by something. No damage done, just laughter at the randomness. Definitely worse than getting hit by flying sausages is having dreams of coming home. It's only been a year for goodness sakes! I've perhaps had a few this past month, and always wake up close to tears. I know when that time comes, I'll be more ready, but being heartbroken will be inevitable. I just love being a missionary so much! Very thankful to have so much more time left! But, anyways...
I think that's more or less what I can think of to share about what has been going on for me! So yeah! Let's move on to something very special that has recently happened: General Conference. Woohoo! We love it! We get super great quotes from it! It's so uplifting and revelatory! We get answers to questions, feel the Spirit, and before we know it... its over. :( But that's okay, right? We'll have the same or similar experience in six months time..? Well, not exactly. There's one, big concern that quite often can happen to us. A scripture in the New Testament describes it perfectly. Romans 2:13; 'For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.' Is it great to hear the words of living prophets? Yes. To read the scriptures? Of course! But the whole intent of both of these are for us to turn those words into actions. Actions, repeated over time form habits. Oh yes, and then habits become a part of us, and that's what we want! For the gospel to become a part of the way we live!
The best way that I usually describe this principle to people is relating it to university. We don't attend uni to simply listen to lectures, maybe do some assignments or pass exams and then leave it at that. Ask most people why they are attending uni, and they will say, "I'm studying film so I can become a director." "I'm studying medicine so I can be a pharmacist." "I'm studying Spanish so I can be a Spanish teacher!" Notice how we listen, learn, and do certain things so that we can become something/someone? If we keep on the forefront of our mind that we are children of God, and that our eternal destiny is to live with Him in the Celestial Kingdom, it will help us realise how important forming righteous habits are. So what righteous habit do you need forming after listening to General Conference?
Now that really is the question, innit? Well, that's not something I can answer for you! However, using things I have learnt this past General Conference may provide some guidance! First thing would be to seek what God knows you need most at this moment. It may not be something you want to work on, or even think you do, but certainly God knows you best. This is what Elder Larry R. Lawrence spoke about! The Holy Ghost is perfect at revealing such things to you. So, after praying, seeking, and received by the Spirit what you need to do, then what? Might I suggest that you simply K.I.S.S. that principle. Keep It Simple Silly! President Uchtdorf spoke about in one of his talks! Small, applicable steps over time, have a greater, more lasting effect than one massive, single instance. One speaker whom I enjoyed listening to, but sadly cannot remember, spoke of the blessings he has received from pondering scriptures. At first, it was perhaps tough, but years down the road, he is very thankful for that small habit he has formed. Not only did this bless himself, but it has blessed many others as well! Set yourself reminders. Share with others your goal. Record in a journal your progress. Ask me how I can help you, because I surely would love to! I'm so thankful for the time I've had to serve my brothers and sisters, my Saviour and my Heavenly Father. I also want to express gratitude to those who have written emails to me. I love to hear that you enjoy reading the posts on here from time to time. It really makes me feel loved. Overall, thank you for everything you do for me and others. Keep it up!
I'm working on charity, and maybe a teenie bit of Chinese,
• 碧 長老 (Bì Zhânglâo, Elder Bennett)
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| Harry the Hedgehog! FINALLY! I've seen one out of nowhere! Look at him! He is just too cute! Wish I could have taken him home.. :) |
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| Missionaries with wonderful members |
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| The street that we live on |
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The library that I emailed from in my last area    |
