May 24, 2010 - Families Can Be Together Forever

Hello My Beautiful Family!
 
Wow time flies, my little cousin is married! Congrats Talia and hey David, welcome to the FAMILY! You guys all look really good in Green.  Send me lots of pictures.
 
So this week was way hard until, last night came the blessings. We went over to the Zheng family’s house to eat dinner.  They are awesome members, the Dad has been baptized for 5 years but the wife just got baptized last December.  I told them for my spiritual share that when I come back to Taiwan I would love to go to the Temple with them to see their family sealed. They said probably Dec. 26th they will go.  So I am looking forward to that.  I invited them to start going to the temple once a month.  The wife hasn’t been yet for baptisms for the dead.  We committed them to go next month! Then I noticed in their house no picture of the temple.  I invited them to go up to Taipei next month and buy a picture and hang it on their wall so they can always have a desire to go back.  I feel really strong about that.  For my family anyways there will be church pictures everywhere. That’s what a true Latter Day Saints house should look like.  If we don’t have a picture of the temple let us all make sure to get one! I know it will make a big difference.
 
After dinner we casually asked for referrals like we always do.  They were hesitant at first and said none of their friends would accept the gospel they are all Buddhist.  I said so let’s go tract into your neighbors. We went outside and the first door next to them rejected us fast, but then a miracle.  The next door they actually knew these neighbors really well and we asked if we could come in.  The mom said yes and we started to get acquainted, then the dad came in and sat down. At that point last night I was thinking is this the family for me to baptize? The zheng family left after like 5 minutes because the Bishop came to visit them so we got to stay and teach them a first lesson. They have a little son and a 7 year old girl.  We did the Prophet parable with her and she he liked it.  I will explain that another day. So I said the opening prayer and afterwards the Dad was smiling like the Cheshire cat! After we shared Joseph smith I asked them do you believe, they said yes I believe he saw God because of the peace I just felt. Now let me tell you on my mission I have never heard that kind of response after the first vision!!! Usually it’s like uh I don’t know! But now both the Mom and the Dad said they believe.  After the lesson the Dad said the closing prayer and again was smiling and full of joy. I clarified expectations I told him with God’s help we will help you stop smoking!!! He said you can? Man I am so excited to go back tomorrow night! They both were excited for the next visit and to give them their own copy of the Book of Mormon. I don't want to say they are golden yet, but I prayed so long last night to have them be my first family I have found, taught and baptized on my mission! Actually just teach and baptize, the members found them! I have a strong testimony of asking for referrals from everyone now! 
 
After that we went home so happy even though it was pouring rain down on us really hard. I was so happy I contacted a car the guy said to me what do want? Haha I said I have a happy message to share with you. He said you are crazy! It’s too dangerous right now! And drove away! I don't care any weather is perfect weather for a missionary! So ya it gets better to top off the night as we were walking into our apt.  I heard a Mom and Dad fighting really bad. They were screaming at each other in Taiwanese, I didn’t understand a lot because they kept changing to Chinese and back to Taiwanese but I do know it was about money! The fight started getting louder.  My companion wanted to start planning.  But I said no hold on I need to pray.  I prayed to be able to speak with the Mom about this gospel. Immediately after my prayer I ran outside and rang their doorbell.  A kid 14 yrs of age answered the door and said go away my parents are fighting as he was fighting back tears. I said no let me talk to your mom. The mom screamed no missionary go away!!! Go away!! No thank you!!! Now missionaries have lived in my apt. for over 20 years she runs into us all the time, she’s been there for 30 yrs.  We invited her 2 days ago to meet with us, she politely refused.  But last night my prayer changed everything! She ran out of the apt to the door and she was sobbing. I think her husband hit her a couple of times, I heard some skin 3 or 4 times. Her face was red and she had tears all over her face! When I saw this mom I started to cry and saw the love that our savior has for her! She tried to push away from the door but I said in a quiet voice.  Quote" Mama my parents have been married for 23 years and I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ can save your marriage. She said no! Leave! I again testified by saying I testify that as you meet with us your family life will change and you can become an eternal family like mine. I pulled out my picture of my family that I always carry in my front pocket and showed her.  She started crying and sobbing on my shoulder! I said what’s your number? She said don't worry we are neighbors. Sorry for bothering your resting time. I said No you are not going to reject this gospel anymore, this can give your family more happiness and harmony than you will ever know!! I said boldly when can we meet tomorrow? She said 6! I said ok I will bring a friend for you to meet.  Is your husband going to be home? She said no, he is leaving the country tomorrow. I said ok we will see you and your son tomorrow, have a good night.  And that was it. I never felt the spirit that strong in my life. God touched her heart the time I was testifying to her soul that families are forever! What a huge miracle. After that I was shaken up and prayed to thank God for that miracle and wanted to know what member family can help this Mom in distress! At first I thought of the Bishop and started to call him but saw an awesome Gao family that is so good to us missionaries. I hung up before the Bishop answered and called the Gao family and told him what happened and he said he was willing to come over tonight at 6 with his wife! What a huge blessing, he even will sacrifice FHE with his family tonight to help us with this broken Mom. I am grateful I was brought up in a loving home where the spirit abided frequently. If I didn't have the gospel in my family who knows where we would be today! I know this church is the only true and living church on the face of this earth, and that families are ordained of God of this I testify today in the name of Jesus Christ AMEN!