Act.

"Seeing a full rainbow from a bridge."

Hello everybody!

This week had a lot of ups and downs. We had some appointments we were excited for fall through, and people who seemed to have potential just kept having things come up that made them unable to meet with us. So pretty much typical missionary work.

This week we also saw a lot of miracles. We met with Brother Xu to review the 10 commandments and his mom was there too. She isn't a member, but loves talking about Christ and loves us, so we were having a nice chat, and before we knew it Brother Xu led us into a conversation where we were able to share about the Restoration of the Gospel and the Book of Mormon with his mom. The Spirit was incredibly strong, especially as we shared Joseph Smith's experience and testified of it. That always brings the spirit so powerfully when we get to share it with someone who honestly wants to find truth. Brother Xu was also balling out and excitedly sharing his own testimony of what we were sharing, and he was especially excited to emphasize how he was really impressed missionaries don't try to force the message down people's throats and try to argue, debate with, and logic people into agreeing with them, but that we share what we know and invite people to learn for themselves by experiencing the power of prayer and the Book of Mormon. I was glad to hear that was what stood out to him as he was learning the gospel, because that's one of the most important things I've learned, is that you can argue all day with someone about science or the bible or whatever and both sides will always be finding more evidence and reasoning to back up what they think.  But, when we can sincerely listen to the thoughts, feelings and ideas of the people we teach, tell them why we believe the message is true and how we think that knowledge will help them, and say "Here, this is what we did, these are the real results we have seen, go ask God for yourself. He will answer, and He doesn't lie", that's when people can receive answers themselves and see the fruits of the Gospel in their lives. That's probably one of my favorite things as a missionary.

Going right along with that, we have a friend who is the nicest aged guy everyone calls "Jiang Baba" which is basically "Papa Jiang" (kinda like Papa John with a g haha). He has a lot of thoughts about society and he loves the earth. He loves Christianity, but isn't sure if he believes Jesus really is who He said he is, but is willing to believe it if he receives the answers we promise him he can receive.  But, he hasn't had motivation to seek for that knowledge. Then he was reading in the pamphlet about the Plan of Salvation and read that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" and realized that those are exactly what he wants in his life! We were able to share how he can receive the spirit and those blessings in his life and for the first time it seems like he'll actually take that action, so I was glad he found his desires and learn how the gospel can help him get them, we'll see if he waters that tree. He loves that analogy too because he's a farmer. What a great guy haha.

Anyway, as we were studying for zone conference tomorrow and as I was reflecting on my experiences this week, I learned even more about the importance of action. We have the gift of agency, the ability to make choices, and the ability to learn and discern right from wrong. Because of this, no one can control the choices we make. We always have that ability, but through using it poorly we can become more easily convinced to continue to use it poorly, and in the end lose the happiness Heavenly Father wants us to have. Luckily, because of our Savior we can shed the burden of our past mistakes and take control back over our lives. I'm grateful for that gift, and the ability choose to follow Jesus Christ and find happiness therein. 

Love you all, have a great week!

Elder Joshua Ogden
Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
武忠樂長老
耶穌基督後期聖徒教會的傳教

3D Printer at the Xinzhu Exhibition 

Pokemon characters that the 3D printer made

"Cool tourist village by the train station."

"Gift of passionfruit gelato"

"Eating dragonfruit"

"Eating dragonfruit"