Hello, everyone! This week was really good, and by far my fastest week as a missionary as well. To start off the week, me and Elder Randall did exchanges in Bintulu for 3 days which was great, definitely saw the Lord's hand that first day as I served alongside with Elder Overly which was fun because we were in the MTC together, it was good to see him again. The 2nd day was with my district leader Elder Boseman who's been out 23 months, so his Malay and Iban are really really good. We had multiple member meals and did a lot of eating and there was a LOT of Iban being spoken. I'm able to understand a decent amount of Malay but still no Iban.
Then me and Elder Randall left Bintulu and we got back to Miri. The 3-hour bus ride to Bintulu and back is so sketch because it's just straight forest and crazy bumpy roads. I was trying to read a book during the bus ride and I couldn't even focus on the screen because of the shakiness of the bus😂 Me and Randall had a lot of work to catch up on when we got back and this last weekend was a lot of finding, church meetings, biking, lessons. Just the usual work, I'm getting a lot more settled in which is great though, and this upcoming week we get to fly to have Zone Conference in Kuching, which will be super fun, cause I'll get to see all my boys from the MTC there and learn and grow a ton. Can't wait!
One verse that has really helped me here that I always read is Isaiah 55:8-9. It reminds me daily of the Lord's plan and what he has in store for me and all the possibilities my mission could go and the people I'll meet and the places I'll be throughout, west and east Malaysia and Singapore as well. For me, I really was hoping to have an easier start to my mission in west Malaysia or Singapore (less culture shock, a ton of English especially in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, wouldn't have to bike) but clearly at the time I didn't realize that it doesn't matter what I wanted. I always knew I was going foreign on my mission, just had no idea where, and of course the Lord is amazing at surprises, everything about this place is unfamiliar especially Miri of course, but stuff like the food, and the great companions and the fact that I've been given a biking mission are things I'm also grateful to see. The Lord has picked out a perfect mission for me to flourish in,
and it has pushed me so hard. I know that he wants me here in Miri because he has a way bigger plan and job for me later on. He needs me to be humbled and become more than I ever thought I could be, he needs me to rely on him. All these things are for my good I've seen.
"And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" (Words from the Lord to the prophet Joseph Smith while being wrongfully persecuted and locked up in jail)
I invite you all to read this talk from one of our church leaders as well, (this email is really long--my fault.)
All Things for Our Good Best, Elder Barlow
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