Dear Family,
Well I feel like I could now write a book entitled
"Life's Lessons Learned while I was lying Flat on my Back in Cambodia" I
admit the title could use some reworking, but I feel like that pretty
much sums up the last three weeks of my life. Due to the fact I don't
really have time for a book I shall instead record a list of things
here. If you have any questions please send an email or dear elder for
greater explanation.
1) After another weekend spent with Chi Hoa (she is quite a wonderful
companion sitter :-) ) we have come to the conclusion that analyzing
the attributes of God is sort of life a prism which refracts light.
Take for example the patience of God, the closer we look at it the more
we see all the other attributes, so it is like shining a white light at a
prism and having the rainbow (such as charity, humility, diligence)
refracted out the other side.
2) Opportunities to share the Gospel come in all shapes and sizes.
I find it interesting that most of my contacting actually occurs in
English. Like last week when my companion and I stopped at the U Care
pharma for some Royal D (gaterade equivilant) and some vitamins for Chi
Ly's hair we started talking to the Pharmacist. A Cambodian who speaks
wonderful english and who recognized we were Vietnamese because his
father is Vietnamese. I was able to share a lot about the Restoration
as I answered his questions about Jehovah verses Jesus Christ and the
bible. It was so much fun to talk to him and really share what I
believe. I also had the opportunity to share my testimony of the Word of
Wisdom, in a small way. When one of the doctors I visited told me to
drink coffee and I told her no.
3) Last lesson, God truly is in the details of our lives and he has a
plan for us. He has so many gifts to give us, but it means putting
aside our own will and doing his. If we only follow the commandments or
keep the covenants according to what we want, we aren't doing his will,
we are just lucky what we want to do coincides with what he wants us to
do. The true test comes when we do what He asks even if it doesn't
make sense. So many times these last weeks I would pray to go out and
proselyte and Heavenly Father told me no. I don't know why, so instead I
prayed to be an instrument in His hands anyway I could and He has
utilized me in a myriad of ways. Letting me share insights that came
while I was flat on my back to a district leader in need, or trying to
help a companionship in need of some TLC. Perhaps these last weeks have
been about learning to seek His peace and realizing that even without
answers we can be at peace knowing we are doing the best we can. I have
learned that courage comes in so many forms for so many different
reasons. I wish I could explain what it is like to be a missionary and
not teach, talk about depths of frustration, but I know I am in God's
hands and I know when I trust His plan for me I have happiness no matter
what. I am excited to see what adventures God has in store for me this
week.
I am excited to meet Elder Jake Travis Barker who will be coming
into our mission next week, for some reason I didn't realize he's a
Viet, which means I'll see him every week for the rest of my mission at
district meeting, this will be fun.
I end with my testimony. I know God knows us, I know every trial we
receive is a blessing in disguise (for us and for others) and has come
as an answer to a prayer. I know the Atonement of Jesus Christ truly
can make up for every injustice and that we can bring joy to everyone
with this message, whether it is someone who has grown up with this
knowledge or is learning it for the first time. I know God hears every
prayer of our hearts and He answers them. My prayer is that you will
feel his love for you this week.
Love Chi Dao
*For those that are curious about the post title she was taken to have a CT scan of her head to see if they could figure out what is causing her headaches. The images were sent to Bangkok.
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