I can't believe I forgot to mention this last week, but my new companion is Elder Tupou from Tonga. He's a wonderful missionary.
It's been a great start in Summer Hill. The members are kind and the area is amazing. Elder Tupou and I went out to Strathfield and started talking to people last Thursday. In just a couple of hours, we had taught five lessons to people waiting for trains/friends/etc... One of them agreed to meet with us on Tuesday, so things are starting to get moving here. There were people from all over the world (especially Korea!) and I know there's a lot of good things to come in the coming weeks.
One of the big miracles I've experienced this week is the opportunity I've had to use Korean. Up to this point, many people have wondered why I was called to speak Korean when I have served in primarily non-Korean areas. I continued to study the language, hoping that when the time came for me to speak it, I would have the gift of tongues to help me. I can't say that since I've come to Summer Hill, I've spoken like a native speaker or that I understand everything that I've heard, but I've been given enough proficiency to at least catch people's attention and explain who I am. I've obviously got quite a bit more work on the language ahead of me, but the Lord has given me enough for now.
To describe my love for the Savior in two sentences would be tough, but basically:
Because of Him, my hope is endless. Because I love him, I will live up to the hope He gives me.
I've learned that it doesn't matter too much where you are or where you have been, what really matters is where you are going now and how far you are willing to go to get there. We teach this to our investigators every day. No matter what sin you may have committed, or what habit you may have fallen into, or what you have become. When you align your will with God's and do the basic things that He requires, you will find yourself on the path to the throne of God. It's a constant process of progression. Each day, we need to try to be a bit better than the last. It's easier on some days than others, but when we fall short, we have hope in the promise of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for us. Because of His atonement, these shortcomings are made up for. We still have to try everyday, but having tried, it is enough for now. Slowly but surely, we progress more and more towards perfection.
One of the big miracles I've experienced this week is the opportunity I've had to use Korean. Up to this point, many people have wondered why I was called to speak Korean when I have served in primarily non-Korean areas. I continued to study the language, hoping that when the time came for me to speak it, I would have the gift of tongues to help me. I can't say that since I've come to Summer Hill, I've spoken like a native speaker or that I understand everything that I've heard, but I've been given enough proficiency to at least catch people's attention and explain who I am. I've obviously got quite a bit more work on the language ahead of me, but the Lord has given me enough for now.
To describe my love for the Savior in two sentences would be tough, but basically:
Because of Him, my hope is endless. Because I love him, I will live up to the hope He gives me.
I've learned that it doesn't matter too much where you are or where you have been, what really matters is where you are going now and how far you are willing to go to get there. We teach this to our investigators every day. No matter what sin you may have committed, or what habit you may have fallen into, or what you have become. When you align your will with God's and do the basic things that He requires, you will find yourself on the path to the throne of God. It's a constant process of progression. Each day, we need to try to be a bit better than the last. It's easier on some days than others, but when we fall short, we have hope in the promise of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for us. Because of His atonement, these shortcomings are made up for. We still have to try everyday, but having tried, it is enough for now. Slowly but surely, we progress more and more towards perfection.
Last week, we covered chapters 21-25 of 3 Nephi. As I was reading the part where Jesus quotes chapters 3 and 4 of Malachi, I learned that the promised blessings from paying tithing can apply to any commandment from God. For example:
Do your home teaching (or read the scriptures, or any other commandment); and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will notopen you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Obedience brings blessings. Every time.
This week, We'll read the last part of 3 Nephi in chapters 26-30. Have a great week.
Love,
Elder Clark
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| Elder Topou and I at Cultural Day |
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One member from the American team dressed up as Abraham Lincoln for a trivia game, so we took a picture
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| Some of the Korean members from the ward, and the four elder missionaries. Elder Balmes from Australia, Elder Hung from Hong Kong, Elder Tupou from Tonga, and I. |
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