I am having a great experience so far. I have another companion now...so it's 3X3 everywhere I go. His name is Elder Wu, he's going to new York on his mission. Well it's almost been a week and I am barely starting to get the hang of this place! Sunday was the only time I felt homesick, but a great BYU men's chorus fireside cleared that right up. Well the language is hard but God will provide a way for me to learn it.
"...for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 1 NEPHI 3:7
There, I will learn Chinese, Ta Dah! He will make a way. I am learning some great things here at the MTC and I am so excited to go and spread the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My love of the scriptures has grown in just one week, I am so excited I have the opportunity to serve in Taiwan. It feels as though I have no time to breathe here at the MTC. My schedule is so packed with activities, meetings, and interviews. I must say, though it is hard, the tight schedule is nice. I can stay busy so it is hard to feel homesick.
I really am grateful for you all, I love you so much and I know life is precious. "Ye pass this way but once" so make time count. My first week has just flown by, but the days have been some of the longest in my life, Probably because I haven't slept much. Hey, dad you were right about the adjusting to the sleeping schedule it is hard, but I will endure!
I hope that you are all having a wonderful holiday season. I love you.
Elder Blackham (Bao Zhong Lao)
12 years ago
Brigham,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are doing just as you should! And yes, he will provide a way for you to learn the language... it's wonderful that you 1)look to the scripture for comfort and 2)you realize that it's true!
Just to tell you, we are proud of you and your willingness to serve! You can and will do AMAZING things in Taiwan!
Thank you for having Alex go with you to see you off... you are truly a dear dear friend to her and it meant so much. She's written you but i have been a bad mother and forgot to get it mailed. SORRY! We have a Christmas thing for you but that silly place in Mt. Pleasant won't deliver it until after Christmas I think... so maybe it you can consider it a New Year's gift... lol
Serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength(D&C 4) and you will be blessed!
We love you,
The Hancock Clan
Hey buddy it is your brother.
ReplyDeleteBrittney and I held our last class today and had a wonderful experience. We wished the kids well and gave them some gifts before the lesson. In the course of our interaction we discussed something I wanted to share with you. The manual had us in the book of 3 Nephi and reviewed the run up prior to the Lords Birth, and the topic of the discussion rested on obstacles. A story illustrated by George A. Smith was included int the lesson manual so we shared it with the class. I'll give you a shortened version of that now;
A travelor was being escorted through an unknown territory and the two happened upon a beautiful city. The travelor commented, "the people of this city must be very great and righteous - notice all of the magnificent buildings and infrastructure".
Then the understanding of this gentleman was opened and he was able to see that there was one devil preasent in that city of tens of thousands. He then asked the guide - whom he also preceived had his eyes opened in a similar fashion, "why is it that I know there is only 1 devil to tept and entice these thousands of denizens(citizens)?"
To which question the guide reasponded, "These within the city wall are so given up to wikeness, idolatry and sloth that only one devil in training is needed to maintain the city's subordination to the evil master; the people have enslaved themselves".
Dubious, but enlightened by the experience, the two persisted in their journey.
After some time the fellowship encountered one single well-aged gentleman. Dressed comfortably, but plalnly the man was making evening preparations for the imminent nightfall. Again the eyes of our two travelors were opened and the forigner notices Seven devils enshrouding this fellow and attempting all manor of base temptation in effort to subjugate his soul. The travelor was inspired to ask, "Why is it that this elderly man is so deserving of such an onlaught of spiritual and physical tribulation - wouldn't the work of these agents of evil be more appropriately spend their rescources ele where?"
Again the answer was given to the trail guide, "NO, the wiked are already entangled in sin and sloth - it is the righteous who are the prize acquisitions of the adversary, and as such draw more attention by him. Obstacles and challenges are more likely to fall on one doing everything right than he who is already a loyal subject of wickedness".
Now, as I read this story aloud in class I was remined of a CD to which Brittney and I had recently listened. Chuck Goetchel said, "he who is really inspired has no need of motivation". I've thought about that all day. I remember when I was in England that many Elders and Sisters called the mission president on a constant basis in search of a sermon that would help motivate them. I realize more today that they were not inspired. Inspire mean to be in the spirit of a goal. When the goal is on the board (figuratively) no motivation is needed - A LEADER WILL ALWAYS BE SELF-MOTIVATED. When you catch a glimpse of what that goal or accomplishment is for you - no alarm clock will be necessary. You will be up minutes or even hours before the alarm sounds exstatic that you have the opportunity to pursue your goal that day. May you find whatever goal brings to to the inspiration level. Then you will have all the motivation you will ever need; because you are pursuihng that GOAL.
Now I must let you go. It is nearly 2am and I've got to sell pills in the morning.
I'm glad you are doing well and I pray for you often to find that goal which will turn the sparks in your soal into forrest fires that can never weaken.
The trials will invariably come Elder. If they don't then you are probably doing something wrong. When they do come, meet them head-on and don't forget the lessons you learn.
God speed, I'll write again soon.
Brett
Brigham:
ReplyDeleteA note to let you know that Colton got to India and had a couple of great experiences on the plane. I will link your blog to ours so that he can read up on what you have written. When I was in your position and sometimes it felt like I couldn't stuff one more thing into my little brain, a blessing helped immensely. We are praying for you and love you like our own. Merry Christmas my third son.
Leslie