Last email on my mission

Hi all,

Well... I really don't know what to write about this week. It's really hard to accept the face that a week from today I will be on the flight home. Since this Sunday is Stake Conference, I already had my last regular church meetings two days ago. It was really sad. The Bishopric announced at the pulpit that I was going home in 9 days, so of course a lot of members came up to me after Sacrament to give me hugs and to talk to me. It was a miracle that I didn't cry at church, but I did cry after church. Honestly, I have no desire to go home. 

This morning we went to the Temple to do Endowment. I am very thankful that I got to go to the Temple one more time right before going home. I was praying the whole time that the person I was doing the work on behalf of would accept it, and I did feel that she accepted the ordinance that I performed. I love being in the House of the Lord as I can always feel the peace that I can't find anywhere else.

I don't really have a lot to share about this past week as it was kind of rough, but I'm just grateful that Bishop and our Ward Mission Leader have great trust in us and really appreciate for what we have done. And I know that there are still a lot of things that I can be grateful for even though we haven't seen a huge miracle yet. It's definitely getting harder and harder to stay focused on the work at all time as that day is so close... When we were in the Celestial room at the Temple, President Choi came up to me and said "Oh Sister Leung this is your last trip". I was like "President I don't want to hear this". I still wish he would just let me extent my mission, but I know it's not happening. He said he would be talking to me about marriage at my exit interview... I will try to distract him but I don't know how well it will go...

I'm not in a mood of typing anything more... see ya!

Love,

Sister Leung

With my companion (:

Sister Policarpio, me, Sister Vander Hoeven, Sister Nelson

Good things are happening!

Hi all,

This past week was pretty great. First, I absolutely get along with my companion (: That's a great blessing! I had been praying for a long time that my last companion would be a good one. Sister Vander Hoeven is just awesome. I love her dearly! Second, Elder Falabella, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, came to visit our mission, so we had a special Zone Conference. My favorite thing of the whole conference was "Are you really a full-time missionary? Or part-time?". We have been called and set apart to serve as a full-time missionary, but how many of us are really constantly doing missionary work? Elder Falabella said whether we are FULL time missionaries or not depends on what we do during the day. That was very inspiring to me. The sad thing of that conference was I had to bear my departing testimony along with all the missionaries that were leaving after this transfer. I was trying very hard not to cry because no one would be able to understand me, and I didn't cry. I mostly shared my testimony of the Atonement and expressed my gratitude for being able to serve in the Washington Seattle Mission. Third, we had Thanksgiving lunch/dinner with the Rencher's from the ward. They already offered to feed us on Thanksgiving two months ago. They always have good food, so I was really glad that I didn't get transferred. We had turkey, sweet potatoes, mashed potato, fresh pumpkin pie... everything was just sooooooooo delicious. Fourth, we gave talks and performed a musical number at Sacrament meeting, and it went well. Fifth, my companion and I both love shopping/window-shopping to the mall after emailing time (: LIFE IS GOOD!

We have been looking for people to teach for a long time. Tracting houses hadn't been successful, so we accepted the suggestion from our District Leader to tract apartments. Tracting apartments has never been my favorite thing to do, but I knew that we should give it a try. So for the whole week we only tracted apartments, and we found a few people that were willing to set up a return appointment to learn more. We don't know how solid they are yet, but it's a good start.

Another good thing from this past week was exchanges with our Sister Training Leaders. I stayed in our area with Hermana Hales, and Sister Vander Hoeven went to Bellevue with Hermana Boley. Hermana Hales and I have been friends since we served in Bellevue together, which was a long time ago. It was fun to catch up with her and to learn from her. She is an amazing missionary and a hard worker. We saw quite a few miracles during our exchange. Almost all the people that we planned to visit were home when we knocked on their door. We visited a less-active lady, and she said she had been thinking about coming back to church (: We definitely were there at the right time.

At the beginning of my mission, I felt like I would never get to go home. However, time actually goes by fast! Two weeks from today, I will be on the plane going home, and you have no idea how scared I'm about that day... My Mission President already said no to my request of extension, so I guess all I can do is to work hard for the next 2 weeks and to be a FULL time missionary.

Love,

Sister Leung

I'm thankful for my companions

Hi all,

This past week we finally were able to go out to work. I'm glad that Sister Salabao has been feeling better with her stomach. After working with my companions for a week, I can truly say that I'm very grateful to have them as my very last companions on my mission. Sister Salabao and Sister Vander Hoeven are both dedicated missionaries. They truly understand their purpose and have a strong desire to serve the Lord. I have no doubt that they will take care of the people in this area even after I leave. Sister Salabao is the only active member of the Church in her family. She struggles with the language sometimes, but it never stops her from talking with everyone and bearing her testimony. Sister Vander Hoeven is very friendly and nice to everyone and knows how to begin a conversation without being awkward. We have been having a lot of fun together. I'm so thankful that either of them is trunky, and that really has helped me to stay focused on the work.

Last Saturday evening, we were tracting in the cold. I really enjoyed it but my two companions were freezing. Sister Salabao was the one who picked that specific street to be finding at, and I know that she was inspired. We met Daniel (name changed), who was actually a referral from the YSA Elders two transfers ago. My companion at that time and I tried to contact him but never got to meet with him, and he didn't seem to be interested in learning either. But I guess he is now ready to hear the gospel because he stepped outside from his warm house to talk with us in the cold for half an hour. He said that he would love to strengthen his relationship with his Heavenly Father, so we will be working with him. Hopefully I will be able to witness one more baptism before I go home.

Last Friday night, a family in the ward took us out for dinner at a Chinese restaurant. The husband got baptized about 5 years ago but hasn't been active for quite some time, and his wife who is from the Philippines is not a member. They have a 4 year old son. Last transfer, my companion and I stopped by their house and met the wife, but we couldn't communicate with her as she doesn't speak much English. But now we have Sister Salabao!!!! She is from the Philippines as well. So she talked with the wife in Tagalog at dinner while Sister Vander Hoeven and I talked with the husband in English. That was an awesome dinner! The wife agreed to have us come by to teach her more!!!!! And yesterday at Church, we met another family from the Philippines. They don't come to church that often but said they would love to have us come visit them some time. I surely know that President Choi was definitely inspired to transfer Sister Salabao to this area at this time.

Last night, we went to the Member and Missionary Fireside in Bothell. It was the best fireside I ever attended on my mission. We heard some very powerful testimony from recent converts and that really strengthened my testimony and reassured me that my decision to serve a full time mission was right. It was my very last M&M fireside on my mission, and I was so happy that I got to see 6 families from the North Creek ward (in the Bothell state; my second area). They all still remembered me even though it had been 9 months since I got transferred out of that ward. It made my day that I got to see them and chat with them for a few minutes before returning home from my mission.

4 weeks from today will my very last day. I used to think that that day would never come, but it's definitely coming. I'm grateful to have been called to the Washington Seattle Mission. I have absolutely gained a stronger testimony of the restored gospel, developed greater charity for people, and grown closer to my Heavenly Father and my Savior on my mission. I hope you all will always pray for opportunity to share the gospel with those around you, so that more of our brothers and sisters can enjoy the peace and happiness that we have.

Love,

Sister Leung

I'm staying in Normandy Park!

(Nov 5,2014)

Hi all,

Today has been a crazy day because of transfer. I'm now in a trio with Sister Salabao (from the Philippines) and Sister Vander Hoeven (from Utah). I'm excited about this transfer and am going to make every minute count. This is my very last transfer. 6 weeks from today I will be on the flight home. I just want to cry whenever I think about it.

Let's talk about last week. My companion went home on Friday for medical reason, so I stayed with the Sister Training Leaders (Sister White and Sister Nelson) in their area for the last few days. It was fun to be in a trio! I loved it. I also got to learn a lot from Sister White and Sister Nelson. They are amazing missionaries. They love talking with everyone and are very persistent. We just had a great time together. Last Sunday, I chose to go to my ward for Church, so the Spanish sisters came to the apartment to pick me up as they shared the church building with our ward. The Spanish branch starts at 11, and ours start at 9, so that worked out for us. I'm so glad that I chose to go to my ward because I actually had promised to play the piano for Primary that day. I didn't remember it until I was given the list of songs that I was going to play. So I stayed in Primary for the second and third hour, and it was so much fun! Those little kids had so much energy! I love being around kids and hearing their laughs.

It still blows my mind that I have already started my very last transfer. When I first came to the field, I thought I would never get to go home. Now, that day is only 6 weeks away. I love being a missionary. I'm so grateful that two years ago I received the answer that I had to go on a mission. I wasn't happy with the answer at that time. But now I'm just so thankful for that. My mission has changed my life. It's definitely the hardest thing I have ever done, but it's also the most rewarding work I have ever performed. I know with all my heart that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ can bring us true and everlasting happiness. I know that the Book of Mormon is the work of God. I know that Joseph Smith was the prophet of the Restoration. I know that the Priesthood to perform sacred ordinances has been brought back on the earth. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's church. I hope you all will continue to strengthen your testimony each day by studying the scriptures, praying, and sharing your testimony with others.

Love,

Sister Leung

Lessons from Lehi's dream

(Oct 28, 2014)

Hi all,

This last week wasn't the greatest, but it wasn't bad also. We were spending lots of time on finding. I set a goal to invite EVERYONE to be baptized; of course, I wouldn't extend the invitation if the person didn't even let us talk for more than 5 seconds. But I extended the invitation to everyone that we got to teach some restored truths. It is simple that we need to extend the invitation if we want to help someone prepare for baptism because people don't usually make changes unless they are invited to do so. For a very long time, I was afraid of inviting people to be baptized. I guess I just didn't want to hear a "NO". But now I understand that we need to have faith that people will say YES when we invite them to be baptized. Even if people say no, we can still keep teaching them because most of the times they say no because they don't understand the principle of baptism or the Priesthood authority to do so. And you never know what people will say until you ask.

We had a new investigator named Steve (name changed). He is a referral from Brother C., a member of our ward. Brother C. had been having gospel related conversations with Steve and had given him a Book of Mormon. Finally, Steve said that he would be willing to meet with the missionaries. Last Wednesday, we went to have dinner with Brother and Sister C. and Steve. Steve told us that he got interested in learning about what we believed because he had seen how much the gospel had blessed his friend's life. Steve really admired Brother C. that he lived the gospel and was willing to share it with him. We don't need to have a name tag to be missionaries. Live the gospel. Pray for opportunity to talk about the gospel with your friends and neighbors. Study the word of God daily so that you will be prepared to answer questions. Strengthen your testimony of the restored gospel. Don't ever underestimate the power of bearing your testimony.

We read 1 Nephi 8, Lehi's dream, with Lee. Lee is an incredible lady. Her husband is a member, but she is not. It's just a matter of time. I'm sure someday she will get baptized. I had read Lehi's dream many times before, but this time I finally was able to apply in to my own life. Lehi describes that many people have obtained the path to eternal life, but as they are walking to the tree of life (represents eternal life), a mist of darkness arises and many people lose their way. However, people who are clinging to the rod of iron (represents the word of God) and are pressing forward are able to make it to the tree and to partake of the fruit. The story doesn't end there. There is great and spacious building on the other side, and people in that building are pointing their fingers towards those who have partaken of the fruit. Some people feel ashamed and fall away. I was blessed to be born in the Church and was baptized when I was 8. Nevertheless, I wasn't clinging to the iron rod. During my teenage years, I cared way too much about what the other people thought about me; as a result, I let go of the iron rod. Thankfully, Heavenly Father has helped me to come back to the right path. "Hold to the rod, the iron rod; 'Tis strong, and bright, and true. The iron rod is the word of God; 'Twill safely guide us through (Hymn 274; The Iron Rod). I know that we can travel back to our Heavenly Father's presence in safety if we continue to feast upon the word of God daily.

We tracted into a less-active member two days ago. He grew up in Utah and was raised in the Church. However, he hasn't been active for about 15 years now (He fell away when he was a teenager). He doesn't have anything against the church and couldn't really explain why he hadn't been active. I didn't understand why people would get baptized but fell away later in their lives until I experienced that myself. I didn't officially turn less-active because I have always been going to church, but my heart was less-active when I was a teenager. I went to church simply because I didn't know how to tell my mom that I didn't want to attend church anymore. For a long time, I felt ashamed that I was so closed to falling away even though I was raised in the gospel by goodly parents. But now I have lots of charity towards those who are less-active because I know that they will come back. It would be ideal if none of us would fall away, but I'm also a firm believer that people can and will come back.

Have a good week everyone. Next week is transfer, so I won't be emailing until Tuesday afternoon.

Love,

Sister Leung

Picture

(Oct 22, 2014)
Hi all,
Sorry I'm not just not in a mood that I want to type an email about my week... Honestly, I haven't even been writing my journal a lot this transfer.
I hope you at least had some fun looking at my pictures:) Have a good week everyone!

God qualifies those He calls

(Oct 14, 2014)


Hi all,

This past week wasn't an easy week. I feel like all we did was finding. We still haven't found any new investigators though. And in Preach My Gospel page 156 states clearly that "nothing happens in missionary work until you find someone to teach". We definitely went to visit a few members to encourage them to prayerfully consider with whom they could share the gospel. I know that member missionary work is important. But until members find people for us to teach, we will be finding everyday. I definitely like teaching more than finding, but I can certainly say that I enjoy knocking on doors. At the beginning of my mission, I had a horrible attitude about tracting. I often got frustrated or mad when people slammed the door on our face or tried to bash with us. When I was serving in downtown Bellevue with Sister Capener, she suggested us praying for charity each day, and we did. After I left that area, I still prayed for that often. Now, I have greater charity and love for the people I come in contact with each day, even when they are not very nice to us. I believe that lots of people reject us because they can't see the need of this gospel right now, but someday when their circumstance changes, they may accept it. And there is lots of anti-material online, who knows how many people misunderstand our beliefs because of it? I know that Heavenly Father is pleased with us when we do our part to share the gospel with His children, regardless the outcome. All of us have our own agency, the ability to choose, and Heavenly Father would never take it away because He loves us. I have committed myself that I will bear my testimony to everyone I see. If they are only willing to listen for 5 seconds, then they will hear my testimony for 5 seconds. we had a great Zone Conference last Tuesday. What stood out to me the most was "the language of the Spirit". We are here to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and need to teach by the power of the Holy Ghost because it is the only way that our investigators will be truly converted to the gospel. It doesn't matter if we can speak our assigned mission language well or not. Yes, we should strive to study the language because it is our responsibility to be diligent, but I know that the Lord always helps those who rely on Him instead of their own wisdom. I was the only one in my MTC District that was coming to the Washington Seattle Mission, so I was looking around at the airport trying to find a companion for myself so that I wouldn't be walking to the gate alone. I saw a Japanese sister missionary who seemed a bit lost in the airport. I didn't see any sister missionary around her, so I went up to ask her if she would want to be companions with me until we got our trainers, and she said yes. We were having training at the mission home before meeting our trainers. Training always involved role-plays. When it was her turn to be the "missionary" in that role-play, she told me that she couldn't speak English very well. I told her that she just needed to take the time and to speak slowly. When she started teaching me the Restoration, I felt the Spirit so strongly. Even though it was 16 months ago, I still remember how I felt as she bore her testimony in very simple English. At that moment, I just knew that she would do great things on her mission. And I was right. She has trained great missionaries and has been a Sister Training Leader for a few transfers now. We never served around each other, but I saw her at this conference and got to talk with her for a few minutes. Her English was A LOT better than last year. I'm sure she has worked really hard to learn the language but could also tell that she knows how to rely on the Lord.

We visited Brother T. (from Africa) last night. He got baptized last December, three months after he first came to America. His wife and his only child are still in Africa. He came here to find a better job to support his family. He was living in a distant relative's house when he first got here, but he got kicked out when he started taking lessons from missionaries. Isn't it terrible? He has been living with a couple in our ward. I just can't imagine all the trials that he has had. He hasn't even met his baby girl because she was born a month after he left home. However, he has great trust in the Lord. He was telling us that God had already blessed him a lot. My companion and I both had tears in our eyes as he shared his conversion story with us. Lots of people think that giving up 18 months to 2 years to serve a mission is a sacrifice, and that was my thought at the beginning of my mission. I really wasn't quite happy when I received the answer that I had to go on a mission. When I now look back, I can honestly say that it's a BLESSING to be able to serve a full-time mission. I have grown a lot these past 16 months. And this mission has helped me understand what matters most in life. I know that the lessons I have learned on my mission will bless the rest of my life.

Have a great week everyone!

Love,

Sister Leung