Heading to Singapore

Hello!!!

This week has been really good. I was told to do a fair amount to prepare for Singapore, however, a lot of it needs to be done no more than 3 days prior to arrival and with the time change and flight duration, that means I basically have to do it the day before I leave. I haven't started packing, I'll start today. Essentially, I am supposed to get a covid test and some other statements printed saying I have no symptons, but that all needs to be done right before. I'll be sure to send you my flight plans.

I imagine I have a return flight to San Francisco because Singapore requires you to have plans to leave the country when your visa expires, but I think I'll get a visa for Malaysia prior to that.

The lesson with the guy from Pennsylvania went pretty well, he enjoyed it, but seemed to be more intellectually engaged than spiritually. He used to be Catholic but he no longer believes in God. I think that change is likely due to the fact that he's gay and it caused a lot of division between him, his family, and his church. That's hard to deal with.

The guy from Africa actually had to reschedule for this week. Wang was also super busy this week, so we texted a little, but I wasn't able to do another video call with him.

We unfortunately haven't been able to meet with Nick again, we talked to his brother who is also pretty cool, but Nick hasn't responded at all, so we may need to drop him.

I'm still riding the neighbor's bike. We talked to him the other day. I let him know when I was leaving and he told me I'm good to ride it until I leave.:) He is super cool. We had a conversation about the priesthood, he doesn't seem to think it's necessary because in Mark it talks about the signs that will follow the disciples of Christ (they'll drink poison and not be harmed, cast out devils and such), so he believes anybody can do those things with faith in Christ. He had a million other questions, but we just boiled it down to the fact that we can debate everything and he just needs to read and pray about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, but we're not the ones teaching him, so hopefully that goes well for him and the Sisters.

Tammy is progressing really well, she is definitely still planning on being baptized. We actually had stake conference today and she attended. Afterwards, our bishop took her to see the baptismal font, she's very excited. Also, her son did join for the next lesson and we talked to them about having lessons more often or just with him so we can go back and teach him about the Restoration and Plan of Salvation because right now, we're just teaching him the commandments with his mom.

Jamie is doing awesome, and we've been talking to the ward about just treating her as a member, maybe getting her a calling and other things to keep her active because she got a court date but it's not until November.

Miracle:

This isn't necessarily your typical miracle, but this week I have felt the Holy Ghost so many times and so intensely it's amazing. I run into hard moments, but when I think about it, they are nothing in comparison to the Spirit I feel in those tender moments with the Lord. We had a lesson this week where a member shared with our friend that while we are blessed and protected when we keep the commandments, it doesn't mean life is going to be easy or without hardship. I was immediately overwhelmed by the Spirit and the words came to my mind, "I will prove you in all things, whether you will abide in my covenant, even unto death, that you may be found worthy." (D&C 98:14) I know keeping the commandments will tremendously bless our lives, but we will still be tried, we will we still experience pains and afflictions. However, each of these trials will be an opportunity for us show unto our God that we will follow Him no matter the circumstances, and as we do so, He will bless us more than we can comprehend.

Challenge:

This week, I think because I'm going to Singapore, I was no longer able to access our areabook, so I could never look at our calander or report lessons. Also, whenever I do language study is often when my companions will make calls to set up lessons with members or just text our friends, so I never have any idea what's happening with people. I'm just taken by suprise all the time, we just suddenly have lessons or I think we're going to a lesson and apparently it had already canceled. There are things my companions know about those we're teaching, but I don't because I wasn't on the phone call or they don't tell me what texts we get. Honestly, it's nice because I don't have to deal with it all, but I kind of like to be in control, so it's been weird.

Good News:

We had an awesome stake conference, and Tammy came. There was way too much to highlight from it, but here's one idea that I liked. Sister Wilson talked about Noah and the Ark. We would all like to say, if we had lived in his time, that we would have gotten on the boat. Or, in the time of Enoch, that we would have been taken up as part of that righteous city. But, are doing everything our prophet is saying now? Are we building our spiritual momentum and focusing on the 5 steps President Nelson gave us in the last general conference? Are we doing it with the earnestness that we would if the floods were coming and we knew that boat was the only way to survive? I thought it was very enlightening. We know what happens next in those stories, but we don't in ours, so we need to ensure we follow the Lord's prophet.

Love,

Elder Wardle