Week of Diamonds

 

This week has been one of those that will influence the rest of my life. As
things in Hong Kong transpire, and the things happening in my hometown in
Utah continue and are active in my mind, an eternal perspective is more
comprehensible to me than ever. I am deeply sad about the passing of a
noble, strong, deliberate, powerful, humble woman in my home ward, Julie Karren, and
surprised and aware of health problems in my immediate family. It makes me
grateful for the Plan of Salvation and the testimony I have of it. These
events have also made me realize I need to be closer to the Spirit. So many
promptings are more like nuances in a fast-paced, crescendoing symphony. It
is difficult to notice and play them, but they are the most important, the
most sublime. Although my weaknesses here in China are magnified and at
times frustrating, I know that the Christ-like attributes of faith, trust,
patience, long-suffering, and humility are attributes I need and
desperately want to develop. Heavenly Father is so merciful to give me the
trials and weaknesses that He does, amidst the excitement, the strengths,
and the outside influences. The path paved with diamonds I spoke of earlier
in these emails is absolutely sparkling right now. I have never been more
aware of the light that causes these gems to shine and beautify my journey.
It is the light of Christ, and as I grow closer to him, seeing the diamonds
is easier and they reflect his light more brilliantly. The light of Christ
is given to each one of us and the pathway back to our Heavenly Father is
already laden with the footprints of One merciful, One perfect, One loving
person. Our Savior.
This week I was able to mention, as I do almost daily, that I have 4
sisters and 2 brothers, and that I have one sister who is adopted from
China. I love telling people about my family back in Meigwok (United
States) and also love telling them about our Father and Brother in heaven.
We taught a 14 year old this week who has had a very difficult life. I
won't go into details, but she has had so many trials I can never relate to, 

and that brought me to tears. I never would have thought she had gone
through these things, or had such a heavy heart. I was again taught that we
can never judge others or assume their happiness. We were able to teach her
again and tell her Joseph Smith's story. It hit me how amazing it was that
a 14 year old's prayer changed the world, and now, in Hong Kong China we
can tell a 14 year old girl about the Restoration of Jesus Christ's church.
We also gave her a picture Book of Mormon book and talked as she flipped
through it. She acts like she doesn't need religion and is not interested
in prayer, but she likes meeting with us because we listen. However, she
perked up and listened when she looked through the Book of Mormon stories.
As she looked, I was singing "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus" primary song in
my head. We all yearn for stories of the Savior. We are all children of God.

I love this quote by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "We can all partake of an abundant
feast of spiritual opportunities and universal blessings."
It is from a talk about living up to our potential. I memorized the word
for potential in Cantonese this week, and has been thinking about divine
potential lately. I hope we can all have hope and faith that this is true.
That we can all be partakers of joy and salvation.
-- --
*Sister Dopp*