Dismal Dusks

 Sister Milan lived in Saudi Arabia for two years when her dad worked there. Channeling her inner Saudi.

 Golda said, "This is from a really old Ensign article about Faith, Hope and Charity. It personified those attributes and talked about how nobody really likes Hope. But as the author got acquainted with Hope, he liked her company. Hope is knowing, well-acquaintd with grief, with eyes luminous, wet with past tears...or something like that. The author said it better. I also liked it because it reminded me of me, Ruby and Araceli. We support and love each other even though our lives right now are really unique."

When the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was established, the first President, Emma Smith said "We are going to do something extraordinary. We expect extraordinary occasions and pressing calls." And they did! And still are.

Besides my immense gratitude for Relief Society, I love this quote because of the hopeful spark it ignites in my soul. Whenever I read it it feels like watching a marvelous sunrise, or standing at the base of a high mountain. There is possibility, potential, and opportunities laid out before us, connecting the heartaches, disappointments, and failures into a beautiful web. How grateful I am for the trials of night, so that the constellations can shine clearer, for the unknown paths that make my map more specific and familiar, for the heat of challenges that lead me to the living waters, and for the hope of a better horizon. And although I love looking to that horizon, and remembering what may be in store, I think the best part is looking right down in front of me to find footprints that take me there step by step. 

I know that the Savior has been here in every landscape, in every wrong turn, in every dismal dusk, and every sublime dawn.

I am grateful to know that the beginnings I enjoy have a divine author, and that every end continues to crescendo to grander and greater things.

This week has been amazing. It hasn't been the poetic quotes I write in my journal, or the pretty pictures my companion captures on the clear Hong Kong afternoons, but it has been great. I am learning that life doesn't have to be perfect, or picturesque, or explainable even. Yes, I see much beauty in the gospel, specifically the Plan of Salvation and Jesus Christ's Atonement at the center of it. But sometimes utilizing His Atonement, and stumbling through those dismal dusks are not exactly the stuff that missionary weekly emails are made of. There have been tears and frustrations and questions and weaknesses. But isn't that when we find the beauty of the gospel? The moment we can see these mortal situations, and hold onto hope and look to Christ and say "Yes, I expect extraordinary occasions and pressing calls. I expect you to be there with me through them all, and I expect them to lead me to our Heavenly Father." And with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, they will!

There is more to this life than what we can see with our physical eyes. I testify that Heavenly Father loves us and has a plan for us. It's not easy, but it is joyful.

Pok Fu Lam is fitting into that plan so well. Our RCs, Sister Cheung and Sister Hung are doing so well. I have seen how church attendance and The Book of Mormon have cultivated their love for the gospel and their conversion to the Savior. I am so thankful I can see all these things unfold here in this area. It is exciting! Love you all! This week write your testimony in a Book of Mormon, and pray to know who to give it to.