Sunday, August 6, 2017

The Absence of Clocks

This week my word was ABIDE.
First, because I realized that after looking back at my mission, one of the most important lessons I have begun to learn is the importance of hope. Hope is an ABIDING trust that the Lord will fulfill his promises to you. I desperately want that kind of trust in God. It doesn't come in a moment, and it's not easy, but I am learning! 
Another reason is because of the song Abide With Me 'Tis Eventide. I love that song. I know that Jesus Christ has been with me throughout my time as his representative. 
Thinking about this word has given me so much hope! I just think about all the attributes I want to develop, and how I want them to be abiding. I want them to be a part of me. So it helps me have hope when things are hard, because I know long-suffering and time help develop an abiding trust. That is what patience is about! 
Time truly is a gift. It's something that only exists on this earth, in mortality. I am grateful Heavenly Father doesn't have clocks and To Do lists. He sees us in terms of forever, He understands our potential. He is constant and His purpose is all about His children's progression. He knows everything we need. And one of those things is time....so He's given that to us too! So, try to seek God's perspective. Use the time as HIS time. It is precious, but it is there for progression. Heavenly Father doesn't use clocks-We can always repent. He loves us how we are. He accepts us in our weakness. 

So yesterday we went to the baptism of one of my companion's (I'm in a trio) friends from an area she recently served in. So Yan Ching is her name, and she is 17. She is from Hong Kong but attends a boarding school in Mainland China because her mom works full time. Her mother was baptized many years ago, but has since become too busy to attend church. Her baptism was so special. She was so excited, and cried when she saw Sister Percival. I got to sing with some missionaries the primary song I Like to Look For Rainbows. It was really powerful to sing that familiar, joyful song in Cantonese. 
After she was baptized, Yan Ching bore her testimony. She explained how her mom wanted to go to the closest Christian church to their home, but she wanted to find the Church she remembered attending as a little kid. She encouraged her mom to attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She said, through tears, "I wanted to find this Church, because I missed those feelings." Her testimony was so sincere and so powerful. Chinese people don't often get emotional, so I was especially touched. I was just overwhelmed with the Spirit. I know that the things we learn in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are unique and life-changing and complete. Most of all, I just felt that the belief that we are all children of God is absolutely true! I just saw Yan Ching as the daughter that God had been leading, blessing, and pleading with to make it back to Him. Her spirit is strong, and I will be praying she can be an example in China, amidst so much secularism and with no close churches around her strict school. 

WHEN I AM BAPTIZED
I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.
I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,
And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
I am thankful for rainbows :) After the rain; the trials, we see rainbows. We realize the rain was a blessing-it makes things grow, and it cleanses us. And we can see all the colors of the rainbows and understand them. I just love how the deepest, most complicated aspects of the gospel can be wrapped up in one primary song. All that matters is that we are children of God. He loves us and will always be with us. Love you all!!

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