FORGET YOURSELF AND GO TO WORK

March 6, 2016

Family,

Mom - I already knew the other elders in the apartment. They were in my district before. We don't know when our next temple trip will be. I'm glad Sydney and Jake are doing well. By now they probably have had chashu fan more times than they can't count and enough rice to last them a lifetime. Pretty soon though, they won't know what to do without rice. That is what happened to me at least. Tell them to look out for PrizeMart or Kaibo. They might not have them where they live, but if they do, I guarentee they have the cheapest prices for about everything they will need. And it is not cheap quality either. If they like to eat certain american stuff they might have to go to a wellcome for that.

That story of the Walentines is awesome. Thanks for sharing.

Dad - That's good to get the Priests prepped.  People tell me that constantly. They say, "I don't believe in God, I just believe in myself."  

I am glad the knee is slowly improving. 

It seems like you are always speaking lately. The thought just came to mind as I was writing this of something mom said to me back in the MTC. She said that she feels the winds of change are coming for the family and asked me to pray for the family to have the faith and courage for whatever might come. I don't know if that means anything, but kind of interesting. Also I just realized that it coinsides with what mom just told me that she has recently been inspired to increase her faith. Maybe not a coincidence. Just a thought. Sorry if I freaked you out.

Thanks for fasting for me. I failed pass off 9 last tuesday. I actually this week have seen a difference in a few things regarding language. One of my goals for the transfer is the counsel President Hinckley father gave to him of "Forget yourself and go to work." I have tried to make a concentrated effort on that specifically regarding language. The problem is that too often I am worried about my language and how far below it is off my peers especially those who are my same age in the mission. This is so self-centered. I am just wasting time by worrying and  I could be doing other things (like studying the language). I don't even know what I am worrying about. I have tried to focus out more, follow the character of christ, and stop worrying about things that aren't going to make a different. Now, this week, this Lord has helped me to remember to emphasize my tones and sounds as I am speaking (i often just forget all about it when I speak). Also, with grammer things, I have been able to remember and apply a lot of the grammer I usually struggle with. Just a little tender mercy. It reminds me of something we recite here often, "What are you willing to give up or to put away to show the Lord your desire to have his blessings...work. pray as if everything depends on the Lord and work as if everything depends on yourself." They Lord is waiting and willing to bless us, we just need to by our actions show that we desire to have his blessings. Sorry about that big tangent about langauge.

The Lord's investigators here in Hong Kong that we have the privelege (sorry I can't spell that word. I tried 5 times and it looks weird every time) of teaching are great. We met this wonderful young mother and her son last week and they both came to church on Sunday. Her name is Jiang JM. Chen JM has disappeared all of a sudden which is kind of weird. Hopefully we can meet with her this week. She didn't show up to a lesson last week and hasn't answered her phone since. Zou JM is doing great. She is great friends with the ward and just got permission from her husband to be baptized. Working with the members is so important. She told us that she didn't really like to meet with us till we introduced her to A-goon. Now they are best friends and spend a lot of time together when we are not around. Chen DX has been to busy to meet or anything and Zheng DX won't keep a commitment, so we are not to teach him anymore. Also, we got in contact with a few less-actives this week. One of them is doing great and coming to church now. He bore a great testimony yesterday in Sacrament meeting.

My favorite thing from studies this morning was this from President Benson of which I have gained a testimony of this past week. He said, " Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life." I testify that is true.

Love,

Elder Stratford

far right is the best member in Hong Kong.

my new chair mat thing