Well this week has been an amazing week with one sad part. I didn't get attend my former investigators baptism in Ankang because of a new technicality in the rules for doing this. Super bummed out about it. But he is baptized and I was able to talk to him on the phone and give him some encouragement.
Happy part. I think I finally figured out how to pray this week. I can't believe it took my 21 years to figure it out. There have been three times in my life where I have prayed audibly for an extended period of time. 1st was seeking an answer to the question of whether or not to serve a mission. 2nd was in the MTC while trying to figure out if I should stay on my mission. 3rd was 2 days ago in a low moment when I needed some personal help. Praying out loud and for an extended period of time has a deeper power than does normally praying within your heart. Every time it has taken me nearly 10 minutes to build up the courage to do it but every time I have spent a significant period of time on my knees completely pouring out my heart. This is what God wants us to do. I have really made a goal to pray out loud at least once a day and really focus on sharing my feelings with my heavenly Father.
I would also really like to share an experience I had at a baptism this week. We had the opportunity to attend the Sisters investigator's baptism. I really feel like I received a lot of personal revelation and really felt the Spirit confirm to me the truthfulness of this gospel. God really loves us. No matter where we are in life or in our conversion He truly does care about each and every one of us. The Taiwanese people's testimonies are huge! A lot of times it doesn't come out in their words that they say but through the universal language of the Spirit. Through the Spirit you can feel what they are trying to say.
The testimony of X---J--------i that she bore after the baptism was very short and simple but when she said it I was hit by the Spirit so strongly. Her testimony went something like this (she's 18 and super shy): "I am happy I have joined the church. I'm happy I could be baptized. I hope my future will be better. I want my future family to be better than my family is right now." She then paused for about 2 minutes without saying anything and then with determined look on her face she said, "I don't want to get divorced like my parents. I want my future children to all get baptized like me!" She then smiled and sat down. Simple! Real! Sincere! I truly believe she will be blessed with this blessing. She will be in my prayers for sure.
3 Nephi 27:30 Heavenly Father, Jesus christ, and the angels of Heaven truly do rejoice in those people who choose Him. Who follow Him. Who come back to Him. How I want Him to rejoice for me. Russell M. Nelson said, "Salvation is a personal matter. Eternal life is a family matter." How true that is. We are responsible for our own salvation and baptism is the door we must all enter in order to receive that blessing. Alma 5:62 The prophet Alma says it perfectly. He invites members to repent and be baptized and he invites non-members to repent and be baptized. We do this in order to become "partakers of the fruit of the tree of life," and as 3 Nep 11:33 says, "inherit the kingdom of God."
We don't have time to mess around anymore. This life is to short and the stakes are to high. why take the chance?Living the principles of the church brings happiness. That has been proven since the dawn of time. But partaking of the ordinances of salvation brings the everlasting peace and contentedness that every person here, on this earth, is looking for. I'm not waiting anymore. I'm changing. And I hope ya'll will change with me. :)
We are working with a great family. the dad is less active and the wife and dad's best friend are taking the lessons. They have a 3 months old. They are all under 22. Super xinku. We really hope we can help them overcome some challenges and really gain something from the gospel and church.
Miracle we had this week. We had wanted to visit a L-- D-- a less active member. I had completely forgotten where he lived though. The next day I just had a random feeling to stop and tract on this street and as we were walking down the street we saw L-- D--- outside of his house (smoking haha) but he was super willing to let us meet with him and we had a great lesson with him about the prodigal son. He was super touched and I think will figure it out at some point.
One thing that bugged me this week was that there was a guy that I met on the street who gave me an excuse that I'd heard a million times. I asked him, "Why have you never been to church?" He said, "because I like freedom." I don't know why but that time it freakin bugged me!!! I don't want to rant to long but seriously was ticked off. Freedom is gained from living the principles of the gospel. BAM! haha
I'm learning to recognize the Spirit slowly but surely. It is coming more often and I am striving to remain worthy in order to have his constant companionship. Well I have spent way to much time preaching today. Sorry haha. Ya'll have a great week and keep serving others.
Love,
Elder Meeks
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