Feb 24, 2014 "Elder Holland - Zoe baptism”
Dear Family,
What a week of miracles! Two of our investigators set baptismal dates in March, each progressing well and increasing in their desire to come closer to God. The members have been taking good care of them and we are thrilled to watch their spiritual journeys beginning. This week, we also had one of our investigators (Zoe) meet her baptismal date. Her story is incredible. Over a year ago, she was contacted by the missionaries in Yilan. She took all the discussions but was unwilling to be baptized because she feared family opposition. Eventually, she stopped meeting with the missionaries and fell out of contact with the Church. Over a month ago, one of the missionaries who previously taught her was serving in the JinHua ward. While making phone calls outside, he miraculously caught sight of Zoe and felt he recognized her. They made the connection and the Elders retaught Zoe how to pray. Zoe's name and new Taipei address were given to us and we began meeting with her. Only weeks later, we got to witness this sweet, loving, honest sister be baptized. It was such a beautiful day! It has been extraordinary to see her change from a young woman feeling alone and frightened to a loving new convert who is full of faith. I love this gospel of change. The last miracle I want to share took place in the office today. We were all sitting and eating lunch when someone tried to buzz into the door of the office. She is a former investigator who asked if she could have a chance to meet with us! Sister Chu and I were stunned. We are excited to meet with her tonight. Sometimes, God blesses us so greatly that we feel happy and grateful to the point of bursting! This week was one of those weeks!
This weekend left me pondering about so many beautiful things. It's hard to know where to begin to share! Elder Holland and Elder Hallstrom came to visit our mission. Their words were inspiring, alive with the spirit, rich in power and truth. However, there is one beautiful principle I would like to write about. I was really grateful Elder Holland invited the leaders and mission presidents on the stand to stand up before our group of missionaries. It provided the chance to think, to self-evaluate, to think beyond our beautiful and short missionary service to a life full of giving to the Lord. As I looked at all the people standing and pondered how much I admired them, the lifetimes they had spent sacrificing, trying to be faithful and Christlike I thought about the absolutely extraordinary nature of the gospel. Nothing changes, refines, and enables us more than the gospel of Jesus Christ. Following it's principles in every facet of our lives... as parent, primary worker, or full-time missionary... produces glorious and magnificent changes. It filled me with the desire to do so much better, to strive to do so much more, to work harder, to "reach for heaven" and never miss a day of the precious life God has given me. The fire of that truth hammered in my heart every time Elder Holland pounded the pulpit in emotion. Extraordinary.
I also thought of sweet Zoe who we'd seen baptized only a few hours previously. I thought about her journey... her new beginning. I thought of all the joy and change and beautiful blessings that the gospel has the chance to give to her, and I became giddy with excitement for her. This weekend, I came away with an overwhelming desire to "be more perfect" in every area of my life... by continually striving one day at a time.
Sister Holland's address was so powerful. She asked us to open to the end of Mark 4 where the Savior tells the waters of the Galilee to be still. She invited us to look together at a few verses before the famous "calming" of the storm where Christ tells them they will cross over to the other side. This is important. He ALREADY tells them they WILL cross over. When they are afraid in the boat and doubting they will make it to safety, they have forgotten that the Lord already gave them the knowledge that they will make it to the other side of the water. Beautiful. What things are we upset about because we forget the promises the Lord has already given us. I hope I can never be "of little faith" in the storms of life. Sister Holland also wore a stunning, classic purple jacket and simple, red framed glasses. Refined and spiritual. Elder Holland then spoke to us. I don't have time now to write everything that he said... but I will say that he was as fiery and full of the spirit as we have ever seen him. He looked exhausted but passionate, full of love and fire for the gopsel. I learned SO MUCH that night by watching and listening to these amazing leaders speak and interact. It's all in my journal- I'll have to share it later!
Dear Family,
What a week of miracles! Two of our investigators set baptismal dates in March, each progressing well and increasing in their desire to come closer to God. The members have been taking good care of them and we are thrilled to watch their spiritual journeys beginning. This week, we also had one of our investigators (Zoe) meet her baptismal date. Her story is incredible. Over a year ago, she was contacted by the missionaries in Yilan. She took all the discussions but was unwilling to be baptized because she feared family opposition. Eventually, she stopped meeting with the missionaries and fell out of contact with the Church. Over a month ago, one of the missionaries who previously taught her was serving in the JinHua ward. While making phone calls outside, he miraculously caught sight of Zoe and felt he recognized her. They made the connection and the Elders retaught Zoe how to pray. Zoe's name and new Taipei address were given to us and we began meeting with her. Only weeks later, we got to witness this sweet, loving, honest sister be baptized. It was such a beautiful day! It has been extraordinary to see her change from a young woman feeling alone and frightened to a loving new convert who is full of faith. I love this gospel of change. The last miracle I want to share took place in the office today. We were all sitting and eating lunch when someone tried to buzz into the door of the office. She is a former investigator who asked if she could have a chance to meet with us! Sister Chu and I were stunned. We are excited to meet with her tonight. Sometimes, God blesses us so greatly that we feel happy and grateful to the point of bursting! This week was one of those weeks!
This weekend left me pondering about so many beautiful things. It's hard to know where to begin to share! Elder Holland and Elder Hallstrom came to visit our mission. Their words were inspiring, alive with the spirit, rich in power and truth. However, there is one beautiful principle I would like to write about. I was really grateful Elder Holland invited the leaders and mission presidents on the stand to stand up before our group of missionaries. It provided the chance to think, to self-evaluate, to think beyond our beautiful and short missionary service to a life full of giving to the Lord. As I looked at all the people standing and pondered how much I admired them, the lifetimes they had spent sacrificing, trying to be faithful and Christlike I thought about the absolutely extraordinary nature of the gospel. Nothing changes, refines, and enables us more than the gospel of Jesus Christ. Following it's principles in every facet of our lives... as parent, primary worker, or full-time missionary... produces glorious and magnificent changes. It filled me with the desire to do so much better, to strive to do so much more, to work harder, to "reach for heaven" and never miss a day of the precious life God has given me. The fire of that truth hammered in my heart every time Elder Holland pounded the pulpit in emotion. Extraordinary.
I also thought of sweet Zoe who we'd seen baptized only a few hours previously. I thought about her journey... her new beginning. I thought of all the joy and change and beautiful blessings that the gospel has the chance to give to her, and I became giddy with excitement for her. This weekend, I came away with an overwhelming desire to "be more perfect" in every area of my life... by continually striving one day at a time.
Sister Holland's address was so powerful. She asked us to open to the end of Mark 4 where the Savior tells the waters of the Galilee to be still. She invited us to look together at a few verses before the famous "calming" of the storm where Christ tells them they will cross over to the other side. This is important. He ALREADY tells them they WILL cross over. When they are afraid in the boat and doubting they will make it to safety, they have forgotten that the Lord already gave them the knowledge that they will make it to the other side of the water. Beautiful. What things are we upset about because we forget the promises the Lord has already given us. I hope I can never be "of little faith" in the storms of life. Sister Holland also wore a stunning, classic purple jacket and simple, red framed glasses. Refined and spiritual. Elder Holland then spoke to us. I don't have time now to write everything that he said... but I will say that he was as fiery and full of the spirit as we have ever seen him. He looked exhausted but passionate, full of love and fire for the gopsel. I learned SO MUCH that night by watching and listening to these amazing leaders speak and interact. It's all in my journal- I'll have to share it later!
I love Sister Chu so much. One thing that I truly admire about sister Chu is her great desire to seek the spirit in everything that we do. She is always eager to lead out in prayer before making decisions in planning, hitting the streets for contacting, and discussing how we can be better missionaries for our ward. She is always anxious to look heavenward. I'm very grateful for her example and her constant reminders to "look up" and follow the spirit.
Love you always,
Love you always,
Sister Barden
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