17 Oct 2016

I got a lot miracles and my faith is growing day by day. When I take over the area and try to follow the counsel of leaders I can see myself become even more involved with the missionary work. In PMG (Recognize the spirit) I learn how to pray with focus to the work. Woah! I'm grateful for PMG that make me realize the thing that I should improve on. I want to share these scriptures in Alma 7:
 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his onlybegotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should notperish, but have everlasting life

That scripture make me realize that I should use atonement of Jesus Christ and believe in enabling power. I read my patriachal blessing the other day and I feel the spirit. It' was so powerful for me. It said "You receive many revelations as I make my journey through this mortal life." How great is that blessing. Last few day I was fasting (Personal Fasting)  to ask heavenly father will help me with something, I knew it's hard to become a reality but I still fasting for it. Some reasons that I fasting because I want to strengthen my own testimony about the book of Mormon. Sometime I still doubt about the truthfulness even though most of the time I know it's true. I was fasting that day and I got the answer thru dream. I was in some places and then I attended one meeting, eventually I got to see President Thomas S. Monson gave a talk. He said : Be thoughtful and positively and that will bless you. Very short message but it does mean a lot to me when I wake up. I should not doubt about the book of MOrmon. I know it's  true. I'm grateful for our living Prophet.

Miracles?

I felt prompted by the holy ghost that I should be more smarter in this work. Use my experience and apply it to this area. So I texts to all our former investigators and some of them responds to it. Once we done we are about going to new investigator's house.  When I talk with one muslim in LRT to asked referrals, one girl staring at me and smile but I felt uncomfortable, once we need to get off from that train she text us and said "Hi elder I think we just meet to each other in the train. Elder Gara said good bye to me. Who's wear the black dress its me clarrisa." and I felt I had missing that opportunity but I grateful for heavenly father that He open that former investigator heart and she set appointment with us this coming Tuesday . Yahoo. Other day I like to find Texas Chicken Restaurant I asked a lady that stood side of the road. Since we asking her and gave us direction we still didn't get it. We asking her if she is christian and she is! We taking about Christianity, the taxi driver gave her a call because she booked taxi but then she canceled it because she wants to listen to our messages. She shows us the way to get their. We met her again in the mall after she done show us the way. She referrals her husband to us. and we are able to talk a little bit about gospel to them. We are so excited to meet them again. Family!!!

26 Sept 2016

I know that my redeemer lives, that is the words that I always sing and I love it so much. I really need to be a lot of patience in my missionary work. I facing a rough times this last week but I was thinking about this is the lord work. It kind of really challenge me to do more work and test my patience. I've been so frustrated this last week. Last 3 days I got headache because thinking so much. I exercising my faith thru hymns. Now in order to make ourselves enjoy the missionary work and be happy we will work toward our goals and set a theme for our district. "O KL mountains high" refer to hymn number 34. I do really enjoy it.

12 Sept 2016

Faith? 

In the new testament said " Faithful and just faith without an action can't save you". I remember hymn number 219 I've been given much made me feel that I should be even more humble. I would say that I gain my testimonies according to my faith which is true but without repentance it's nothing. WE DONE NOTHING. In the book of mormon and the bible always mentioned about REPENTANCE in our lives. We have give so much that we can do to all things according to his will. In process of repentance we are really need a HUMBLE heart. Humble heart is very important to receive a revelation and to have a spirit of God. I still remember in the bible said "a rich guy are very humble to ask but very hard to keep his commandment, which is share his money to other people and to help them". Faith meaning believe that Jesus is the Christ and thru him we are able to change our heart, repentance with action, and become like Him.

Miracle? 

This last week we brought our investigator to another potential investigators' house and to learn about Jesus Christ. While we explain with her about pray she couldn't understand it very well. Our investigator that we brought interrupted the conversation and explain to her even more and that made us impressed. He is solid investigator. Eventually, out potential investigator got it but she was so shy to pray.

7 Mar 2016

Hello, How are you guys? what about this week? I'd been so much feel the savior love this week. That's awesome hu? haha. I would like to invite all of you to think about "what the savior done for us"? Well, this week gonna be awesome week ever! How could? As long as we work hard and invite the spirit to accompany us we'll find the happiness. 

Last monday we went to sister Dara's house and we had the best role play ever! We asked them to be a missionary and we became a potential investigators. What a flip! We felt the spirit very strong there and we taught them a lttle bit about missionary work. Also, we had a great dinner in their hose! They are so awesome. The next day  we met with 1 sabah guy named "Affah" and we taught him about the restoration and suprising thing was his girlfriend is a member of the church from Philippines and consider as LA since she moved to Malaysia. She helped us a ton in the lesson and she wants to back to the church again because she didn't know where the church is but right now she already knews it. On wednesday I was exchanges with elder Shirley. He is one of nice elder because I can see that he is brave even though his chienese not that good but he still wanna try to  talk to everyone. We working together since I also can speak chinese. We went to our investigators house and I helped him a little bit how to speak iban and malay. Sister Siti and her family is very nice members of the church. She gave me a call and she said "I didn't know what to tell and dont know what to do." and I asked her "What happened sister maybe we can help you?". Her voice kin of want to cry and she said "My sibling already gone few hours ago and I want to ask you what can I do?". We asked president first how tohelp them. So, we back to home like almost 10pm but we visited her at 9.30pm because she  just gave us a call at 9pm. We tried to make her happy and I can see that sister Siti is very sad. I didn't see her smiling and her kidding. She just silent for like 20 minutes we been there. The next day we visited one of our PI and we talked a little bit about background and found out that they are apart of my family and that's way cool. I had one of my favorite kid. She is so cute and I love her so much! On Saturday we need to do all things very deligence because we had a goal to make a foundation of Bintulu work together. So we had 22 people coming to english class. Yahoo! Lord answered our prayer!

Last Sunday, we had fasting sunday. Sister Connie shared about her life and she said she had a sugery 10 years ago and now the agreement was expired few week ago and she feeling not well right now. She shared a testimony that if the lord's wants to take her back to heaven she ready for it but since He let me alive till today because maybe He has asked me to accomplish something that  missed. She didn't cry and she way strong and she said "My faith led me to know that heavely father's plan is real." She is awesome isn't it? Also, we met with awesome family. They are Terry's family and they dont really know about the gospel and I know that they a real intent to close to God. The end of that day was, I cooked fried chicken for ending my fasting.

P/S: I learned how to understand people. Understand people is so important because that will invite the spirit always accompany us. I know that this gospel is true. I live in it and I love it. 

See you again next week!Bye now!

Love,

Elder Gara.

Singapore Mission.

29 Feb 2016

       Hello, How are you guys doing? Last week was a sick day for everyone of us. We played rugby together and it was exhausted. That is first time I made a goal for our team. 2 times goals less than 20 minutes. Feel so much good! We were looking for elder Bloem name tag because his name tag was gone while play rugby and we pray but we couldn't find it. Before go back we check it again and elder Shirley found it in the place that we been looking. At night we contacted around the church. We decide to pray and God help us. We asked us to put them in our path so that they are ready for the gospel. I love miracle! We had a cool district meeting and with a cool role play. It was help us to do missionary work even better even though we facing the same circumstances every single day. (Finding)

      The way that we go finding the new area we saw moniter lizard and it's not really big but it scared us. On wednesday we had an appointment at 11.30pm and it was with radang and we met him in the church and we shared about restoration and the important thing is Priesthood and he kind of love it. We commit him to be baptize and he said YEAH! Yahoo!!! Wonderful and we put him on date. I didn't get a lunch that time and we decided to go to time square and having a lunch there. We had a cool lessons with our investigators in miles 5. The other miracle for next day was while we want to teach our new investigator, one old lady came and starred at the pamphlet and she talked about Jesus Christ and she said "I never been to church for long time already and this is good you guys teach about Jesus Christ". We said we want to teach her but she kinda rush and we gave her pamphlet and she asked us our phone numbers and also we got her phone numbers. We are so excited to teach her. She's really nice. We had a funniest lesson with sister lily and we asked them to be a missionaries and we are Potential investigators.

          Last Sunday we were contacting in certain area that we just always pass but we decide to contacting there and we met with one of the leadership from the other church. we are so happy that they receive our messages and we were able to shared about Restoration a little bit. we love to share with them again. Also they want to meet again. 

"Knock and it shall be opened unto you".

I love being missionary!

Love,

Elder Gara.

Singapore Mission.

22 Feb 2016

Hello guys! How are you doing last week? I'm doing good here. 

Last monday I met with my best buddy Elder Tessers and he got transfer here. We went to one old lady who just moved from Miri to Tanjung Kidurong and our members brought the us (Elder Tessers, I elder Hadley and Elder Sasser). The old lady so nice, she shared a lot of her stories and she offered the closing prayer. She cried because she missed the church so much. The chinese elders got flat tire at night and they got flat at miles 5 and they need to walk to get home. The next day we had district meeting and I asked elder Shirley to give the training. Before the training, two of the chinese elders left their stuff in the meeting room and the door is lock by itself. the chinese elders wasn't able to go in and I got 1 idea and brother Alexsonlly and I out from the window to open the next window and we did! we opened that door. They are grateful for the idea. At night we wen to sister Siti house and we brought brother Antonius to come with us and yaay we did! We had a game for all of them. Treasure the scripture game. All of them enjoy it.

On wednesday we went to miles 5 and had a meeting with 4 of our investigators and we love them so much. I feel so good when I surround sister Chew meelans's family and sister Lily family and our investigators. Love them so much!

On Thurday we had a wonderful lesson with brother Cosmas and we taught him with MSL (Malaysian Sign Language) and I love sign language so much. On saturday we went to Miri and we had zone meeting and Elder Hadley and I gave a training for last minutes. We haven't prepare about it and we did it last minute. Anyways, we did it very well. We had a good time with KFC in  Miri. All of us love KFC so much!!! At night all of us sleep in the malay's elders house and elder Tessers and I slept in the chusion and elder hadley slept in  the floor with pillow and elder sasser slept in matress. 3 of us not sleep enought. Dang it.

Sunday last District Conference for everyone. We had 3 investigators and they are so awesome. we headed back to Bintulu about 2pm-6pm and we had a lot of fun with the youth in the bus. yahoo! at 7pm we contacting and we home at 8pm and preparing for report.

PS: I remembered the things that help me a lot during my mission "I glad I did not I wish I had". Many things that happenedd and some of them are not our expectation. I love that quotes and I know that as long as we rely to God all the things that we want to make for the next day, believe that God will help us! 

Thanks for you time.

Elder Gara

Singapore Mission 2015-2017

15 Feb 2016

Hello Guys How are you doing today? I'm good. Well I'm so sorry that I wasn't send you another story of my mission last week it's just because I was so busy exchanges with the AP but I will include 2 weeks of my missionary work here. OK?

Actually we had a zone activity but we don't join them. We were in sister siti's house and we made a chocolate cake. Shared some scriptures, also we brought sister Irene to the lessons. They seem enjoy it. The next day we had district meeting and we also had Alexsonlly in the meeting. We contacting a lot that whole day and we had a dinner with James's family and that was so fun.The next day I was exchanges with elder Shirley and that was so wonderful story! We meet with sister Lihot in tthe town and I'm so happy because she gave me kacama (my favorito). We were contacting in PCM and when we walking to talk to people and we found 1 deaf people and he used sign language and since I know little bit of sign language but that was in ASL and I was able to get him and we'll share with him another day. Elder Shirley seems wanted to learn about Sign Language. That's fun huh? Brother Ethan brought us to SCR for dinner and he paid for us. We were in yi chen's house and I was able to shared a kaunti lang (little bit) ad that was chinglish (Chinese english). The exchanges were done at night. I'm so happy that I can became his companion for a day. That was fun! The next day I was companion with AP (Elder Spurier) and he's nice. We met with Rover's family and we had a good lesson with him. Elder Spurier taught me a lot. we also contacting filipino people and he said " You make me impressed on you because you can spoke tagalog with them". haha. The next day still excahnges with the elder Spurier and we talked a lot about missionary work. He like to pulled out his hand and shake with another people hand. We talked with filipino girl named melody and she felt the spirit. The spirit was very strong and she cried. Exchanges back with elder Hadley at evening and we went to cosmos places, I taught him in sign language because my companion wasn't able to use any SL but he understand the sign, I guess because the sign wasn't hard to understand it. And we had a dinner in KFC and after that we went to sister Ensuma's house and had a great lessons with them. We don't have any english class because allof our student celebrate chinese new year even though for not chinese. Ayoo. On sunday, we had cosmas who is deaf came to the church and he likes it a lot. After that we went to Rover's house and taught them about endure to the end. After that we went to brother James's house and they seem had desires to learn more about Christ and I love them a lot. Brother Alexsonlly was coming with us in the lesson.

Last week, I still stay in this area. I won't be transfer to another area in the short time. I know that will happen to me. Sometimes I hate it but somehow I love it. Again we went to brother James house and taught them about 10 commandment. The next day we were in the church because it was Tuesday and we had district meeting and elder Lloyd and elder Shirley show us the way to get the potential investigators house. One of the places that they show us is deaf person. Now we had 2 deaf person. We waiting for brother Cosmas and we waiting for him like almost an hour and when we want to go to sister Dara's house and brother Cosmas just showed up and we need to teach him and we'll late for next meeting with sister Dara's and family. We were biking like 8 minutes for more than 6 miles and without stop. That was from church to sister Dara's house. Sister Dara sent us to old SKS and we met with Nelson and he is deaf too. Long conversation with him and we get home at 10 pm. The next day we caught sister Lily's in camera  and she was so silly. at night we went to funfair to get some food. On Friday we met with sister Lily and family and we had a fun game. Scriptures game. They love it so much. We had so much rejected this week plus chinese new year almost 70% of members and our investigators back to kampung. Apu! We drop very nice families but they don't want to change their church and I really love them because I can see if they want to come to our church they will be more happy. Yesterday another sad day which another big family told us they probably don't want to learn anymore but they goes so far,they keep the commandment including word of wisdom but they are not coming to the church, that made me little bit sad. Talking with them and I felt so in love with them. Somehow I think I need to be more specific pray and with real intend.

That is all for last two weeks and see you again next week.

Love,

Elder Gara.

Singapore Mission.

1 Feb 2016

  Hello everyone? how are you doing? I'm doing good. So today I would like to share a little bit from my experienced in Bintulu about missionary work. On monday we did FHE in sister Doria's house, the FHE wasn't work well but at least we shared about the  gospel. The best moment for last week was on Wednesday. We taught brother Grambly about the law of chastity and he said lebih berzina because he doesn't understand what berzina exectly and we laughed at him. So even though we had a lot of fun but we still working hard. 

     The next day we also walking in the Bintulu town and my feet got sore but we love it because we love to talking to people and love people around us. We worked so hard this week which is the result showed that we got 11 investigators with member present and 2 other lesson and 3 new investigators. How wonderful missionary work hu? 

    On Sunday we had an investigator who will be baptize soon and he had interview in the church and we waiting for him in the church. The interview wasn't gone well just because he had limited understanding about Joseph Smith and some of deep questions. He just 11 year old anyway. I was freak out and upset so much. I just got silent and it's better don't talk so much about that. Anyways, I'm okay right now because I still remember Jesus told us in St Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemaker for they shall be called the children of God. I love that verse because we all are children of God and I would like to express my love to all of you and know that our redeemer lives. Have a good day. 

Love,

Elder Gara

Singapore Mission 2015-2017

25 Jan 2016

Hello!! How are you doing today? Okay this week I will going to share about my experienced as missionary that serve in Singapore Mission (Malaysia and Singapore). Well, it is interesting isn't? haha.I'm so sorry I don't have enough time to share with you guys about my another experience but I can do it right now. 

Okay. I will going to share about my last zone conference in singapore. Woah! My companion and I were in Singapore at last sunday and we spent there like almost 5 days and that quite fun because I love singapore the most.It's nice country but I still don't have any opportunity to serve there. Last sunday I flew to KLIA-Changi Airport and it's fun because I love airlines haha. We were lives with the AP's and ZL's. When we were arrived in Singapore I don't have a problem with the immigration but my companion did (they were talking about nationality and misunderstanding -White American aka Asian American??!! !@#$%&##@!!!) haha. That was funny. LOL. The next morning we played badminton together that was my 1st in my entire mission! OMG! I'm missed badminton so bad! Anyway, The game was quite fun actually. We did the daily missionary schedule in the morning and we went to Chinatown and emailing there. I missed all my friends when I got theirs email. =( Almost every week I got 99 inbox in the email and I felt to sick with that. In Chinatown I bought souvenir to my parents and I hope that they will love it. We wandered around Singapore and my feet got tired. We just heading to Singapore Stake and I got packages from my friends and I still waiting packages from my family (Because I came early so I need to wait till this wednesday). I met with Elder Tessers and he grab me and said "Elder Gara I couldn't believe that I will see you here!" he was so happy to see me. well, we are best friend. In the evening we had a meeting and it was training by the senior couple (Talked about the book of mormon). The next day we had zone activities. The zone activities took like forever but that was the best! The thing that I got in Zone conference was about recipe from president and sister Simmons. They're so awesome isn't. The next day was wednesday and I just couldn't wait all of my friends that from east are coming and I missed them a lot. 1 of them are my sons. Elder Martindale seems happy to see in the Zone Conference but I just felt little bit guilty. He's using the planner that I created to him and that made me happy and he's nice elders. Even though I was his trainer but I learn a lot from him. He's seems awesome, isn't it?  We'll miracle that I have seen last  week was I'm able to felt God's spirit. I will going to say that I was feel the spirit when Elder and Sister Benson taught about The Book Of Mormon because I knew that is true. After we got here in Bintulu we were teaching the siti's and her friends(the investigators) about  restoration and I felt the spirit very strong and I never felt that strong spirit touched me to saying about Jesus Christ, Heavenly Father, Holy Ghost and Joseph Smith. How wonderful that we guide by the holy spirit and the thing was even though I had been taught a lot of investigators and members about that and the spirit was there but this is my 1st I felt the spirit really strong and I almost cry. The spirit was there. Another miracles was in Singapore, I was walking with elder Caroline to Subway because my companion gone split with another elder because the zone leaders in Singapore asked them to do that (contacting in some area in singapore). I need to have a companion so that I won't have to be alone to subway.I talked to a Philippines guy and both of us spoke in tagalog and the conversation was about 30 minutes long and eventually I tried to asked him for phone numbers but he seems like he doesn't want to give me but he said "You are very good elder and you know that I'm really need the gospel." Also he said the he will give us a call so I just wrote him my email address and my phone numbers. This is my first contacting that somebody that told me "I need the gospel." I still hoping that he will give me a call soon. That was so miracle experienced isn't it? Well, that's it. we'll see next week 

Love,

Elder Gara.

7 Dec 2015

Hello!

How was this week? Actually I still sick with Bintulu. My 2nd Pday was horrible. I'm depressed using that computer that so slow and always no responding. At evening we were in Sister Kupa and Brother Loh's house. That was 1st I met them. We were inviting by them for dinner. Sister Doria's family took us there. Brother Loh seems not very well so we blessed him. The next day we're being "Tripanionship" because Elder Chao's Companion was in Singapore for MLC. We were in Brother Serit's house and the circumstances was so funny because Sister Sits keep talking nonsense and that was so hilarious. LOL. Also we're in Sister Lita's house shared very short message. I'm so tired that day also I need a lot of patience here. Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

On Wednesday I feel not well, we went to clinic and the doctor said I having a chronic rhinitis :( We went to Sister Allesia's house afterward. I sicked with Coke at every single house. At evening we taught Chinese RC and I keep quiet forever.

On Thursday we were in Rachel's house and we taught her about the Plan of Salvation. After that we waiting for E. Chao's companion back. After he's arrived at home. E. Trudo and I went to Sister Chewmeelan's house and we made FHE there. So much fun!

Next day we were in Kampung Datuk to visited Sister Irene and Siti's house. We had an English class. E. Orgills here.

On Saturday just like a normal day. I didn't exercise very well. We were in 5 miles again and we were in Sister Lily's/Chewmeelan's house. After done we went to time square mall and I got new pen and I love it. E. Chao told us that E. Orgills gave the Malay's people RM42 just for numb.

This is for Sunday, my 3rd weeks in Bintulu branch. I missed Samarahan a lot. Sunday Sacrament Meeting just 30 people came. Evening I splited with Elder Lloyd for dinner in Sister Dara's house because my companion was sick. Elder Lloyd sicked with that food because he at a  lot. We shared a Christmas video and I love Sister Dara's youngest boy. Hes so cute.

PS - I still feel sick with Bintulu but hopefully I get well soon...my favorite scripture today is D&C 59:9-15:

 9 And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;

 10 For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;

 11 Nevertheless thy vows shall be offered up in righteousness on all days and at all times;

 12 But remember that on this, the Lord’s day, thou shalt offer thine oblations and thy sacraments unto the Most High, confessing thy sins unto thy brethren, and before the Lord.

 13 And on this day thou shalt do none other thing, only let thy food be prepared with singleness of heart that thy fasting may be perfect, or, in other words, that thy joy may be full.

 14 Verily, this is fasting and prayer, or in other words, rejoicing and prayer.

 15 And inasmuch as ye do these things with thanksgiving, with cheerful hearts and countenances, not with much laughter, for this is sin, but with a glad heart and a cheerful countenance—

That was a fasting Sunday :)

30 Nov 2015

Hello everyone? How are you doing? Last Monday we were visit members that who's less active in batu 5 (5 miles). I printed a lot of pictures and I'd out of money to pay it. I'll take it the next day! The next day, we suppose to have district meeting but my companion was sick and we'll do it another day. On Tuesday, I split with Zone Leader. Zone Leader's companion also sick. We were in the town and we did contacting a lot. At night we went to Sister Doria's house and had a dinner with them.

Wednesday - we did the DM.We were in Banana Leaf (Indian restaurant). At night we waited our LA in the chapel forever. AP's came to our house.

On Thursday was thanksgiving celebration. I have no idea about that. We had a bored weekly planning. At night we meet with Sister Kelikak at their house, and then we met with Brother Mambang's son and shared with him about repentances. We both spoke chinese and my companion lost in space. On Friday we had English calss but before that we visited Sister Siti/Irene and we had a great lessons. Sister Maggie invited us to join them dinner near by beach but we just made it @ 6pm. That day we had 24 students came to English class.

On Saturday I splited again with ZL because our companion totally die. We were in batu 5 (5 miles) we visited Sister Chewmeelan and LA's. We asked bro. Alexasily to guided us and we made it. We met with a lot of LA's and potential investigators. We were ate at Farley Court Since waiting for Senior Couple and Pres. Bobby are coming to the church.

My 2nd times for Sunday in Bintulu. I missed Samarahan a lot. I taught youth class and all of them are so funnjy. We went to 5 miles again to teach investigators, and we did it. We had a dinner at in Sister Darah's house. Nice foods. We went to President Engkamat afterward to talk about avtivity for Xmas. After done we home by Sister Darah's truck. She sent us home. I'm so excited for Monday (P-day).

PS - I never feel that excited for Monday, since I leave Samarahan. I'm so sick.