Last year when we moved to Macau there was only two branches, the Macau 1st branch Cantonese speaking) and the Macau 2nd branch (mainly Filipino and English speaking). A few months after we arrived the 1st branch was divided in to two making the Macau 3rd branch. Last weekend we were privileged to be part of the conference making Macau its very own district, the Macau China District. Eric was reading in one of the church handbooks which says in order for a district to become a stake there needs to be at least 1900 members. Right now in Macau there is probably about 900-1000 members. There is still a lot of missionary work that needs to be done here. During the conference I was asked to be the chorister for the songs and for the tri branch choir. The choir sand "Let Us All Press On". The first verse was sung in Cantonese. The second verse was sung in English, then the last verse was sung in Cantonese and English. It was such an incredible experience that I am so grateful I was able to a part of. I was also able to officially meet some of the members of the other branches. Even though I could not speak their language I could feel of the strength of their testimonies. I am sure many of them have been waiting for this day for a long time. I am also grateful I was able to meet most of the members who can also speak English. I am starting to really envy people who can speak more than one language. What a gift!
During the meeting the Spirit was strong and could really be felt during the songs and all of the testimonies born and talks given. Because of this historic event the Asia Area Presidency, and their wives, came to preside. The Hong Kong China Mission President and wife and his counselors were also at this meeting. Because of Cam acting very much like a 3 year old Eric stayed home with him and Connor. We both doubted Cam would have made it through a two hour meeting. Our wonderful branch president, President Marcelo, is now the 1st counselor in the District Presidency. We are excited to see who our next branch president is, but will be sad we might not get to see President Marcelo as much. He is an incredible person with a firm and strong testimony of the gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is a quiet and humble guy who shows Christlike love to all of the branch members. Some of you might be wondering how we were able to understand everything. Well, they handed out these little translators. There is an earpiece to put in your ear. Elder Hui then translated into a microphone which goes to each translator. When the speakers were speaking English a wonderful sister named Tammy from the 3rd branch would translate with a second microphone that was set up. We are so grateful we could be in Macau during this special and historic event!!
Here is Kade and Kyle with Elder Fong. He is the president of the Asia Area Presidency. I believe him and his wife are from Utah and they also have four boys. One attribute I noticed about all these church leaders is their humility and love for everyone they meet. They really are spiritual giants.
Kade and Kyle with President and Sister Hawks. He is the Hong Kong China mission president. We cannot express how grateful we have been to know these amazing couple. They have both inspired Eric and I so much. Even though we don't see them often we appreciate the love and inspiration they give us each time we see them. Their mission is over at the end of June and they will head back to Utah. They will always have a special place in our hearts.
Kade and Kyle with Elder and Sister Wong. Elder Wong is the one who spoke in Cantonese during the October 2014 General Conference. This is the second time we have met him but I made sure I got a picture this time. The first time he was here was about a month after we moved here last year. It was during his talk and Elder Funk's talk that I received another witness that being in Macau is where our family needs to be right now.
Some of the wonderful members from all three branches.
After the meeting. The little boy with the rainbow tie on was the pianist. He is amazing!! He is only 9. I told Kade we need to get him back into lessons.
Some of the choir members.
I absolutely love all these sisters in this picture. Each of them holds a very special place in my heart. Each of them has taught me and been example to me of a few different Christlike attributes.
This is most of the primary aged kids in Macau. Some of the senior missionaries asked Jessica, who is the primary president, if the kids could draw a picture. Jessica then gave all of the pictures to Sister Hawks, who then is going to give them to the senior missionary couple. They are going to take them to the primary kids in Nepal where the earthquake happened. I hope the boys are able to remember the experiences they had had so far by living here.
A video of all of the people after the meeting.
I was asked why I was so excited about this and meeting the men and their wives who are in the seventy. I was told they are just men. True, they are just men, but things like this does not happen very much in Las Vegas, not that Las Vegas is a bad place to live. The church is just very well established there so getting to meet people like this is very rare. Being part of something special like this is also rare. I am grateful Kade, Kyle and I were able to be a part of this special day in Macau. In Las Vegas it is difficult to feel alone in the gospel because there are so many members. By living here it is easy to feel alone, especially after this summer when our family will be the only LDS family at the school. However, from living here my testimony has grown so much more. At times when my testimony could have weakened it was just made stronger. By living here I have learned a few things. Because everyone has to live in an apartment here and the public transportation is pretty good it is difficult to envy others. I remember in Las Vegas it always seemed like everyone devoted a lot of energy into buying bigger houses, nicer cars, cute clothes, etc. If they couldn't do this they spent a lot of their time comparing themselves to others and being hard on themselves that they did not have exactly what someone else has. Some people thought it was cool to say how busy they were. I remember feeling like I was always busy. From taking the boys to school, piano lessons, sporting events, etc. I felt really burned out. Our house was never perfectly clean and it seemed more difficult to really do the things that really mattered, like family scripture study, prayer, FHE, quality family time, etc. By living here in Macau we have, in a way, been forced to live a slower pace life. This has been a blessing in so many way. Each night we are able to have uninterrupted family scripture and prayer. We are able to sit down and have real conversations. Life is not nearly as stressful as it was while living in Las Vegas. By living here our family is more spiritually in tune and closer to each other. I hope that this is laying a strong foundation for our family, especially for our boys so that when the really difficult times come they are able to lean on each other and know they can rely on us. Kade is already starting to really gain a testimony. He has asked me how we know our church is the true church and several other questions. Hopefully from these talks and the Holy Ghost he will gain a firm testimony so that when trials and temptations come he will know what to do and what to say.
I know that this is the gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that it is the gospel that He established when he lived here on Earth with his disciples. I know He restored His gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I am grateful he had the courage to kneel down and ask a question. Because of this we now know about the plan of salvation. We know that families can together forever. When Eric and I were married a really remember the part of the marriage ceremony that talked about how we would be together "til death do us part". What a difference it was when were sealed in the temple and we made covenants with our Heavenly Father. We were promised that our family would be together forever, for eternity as long as we follow the commandments and strive to always be a disciple and example of our Savior. I know that it is because of our Savior that we can repent of whatever we have done wrong. I have felt the peace that comes from being forgiven for a wrong decision I have made. I am grateful that because of the atonement we can receive grace. That we can become better than we were yesterday. That we can look to the future instead of looking at our past. I know when we try to do the best we can to live the way we know He wants us to we will receive the strength and courage to face whatever obstacle may come our way. I am grateful for the family He has given me. That Eric has the job he does so we can provide a good living for our boys. I know that He loves each of us no matter what. He is always there for us, even when we have made decisions that distant us from Him. Because of this incredible love He has provided prophets and apostles who guide us in these Latter Days. They are truly inspired and I am so grateful for the guidance I receive from the words they speak. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon. It is another source that allows us to stay on course and focus our lives on eternity, not just the "here and now". I am grateful for the guidance and companionship of the Holy Ghost. I know that He leads me and keeps us safe. He testifies to me of the truthfulness of the things I read and study. I hope that I can continue to be worthy of His companionship and that I will be able to really listen to His promptings. I have had a few friends say in their lessons each year they choose one word they want to exemplify or work on during the year. This year I chose light. I want to be a light to those I am around. I know I am not perfect, but I hope that through my life and our families life people can feel "light" instead of darkness when they around my family and I. It is my prayer that Eric and I will be the best parents we can be so that our boys will grow into the young men our Heavenly Father needs them to be. I know our prayers are answered, whether they are answered fast, in time or never. I am grateful for all of the people whose example helps me be a better person, not just the people in the church but everyone I am friends with and associate with. I am grateful for how Heavenly Father is "chiseling" me into the person He needs me to be. I am grateful, despite what I do, He never gives up on me. I know He won't give up on any of us. All in all, I know our Savior lives and that He is the only begotten Son of Heavenly Father. I am grateful each and every day I have this knowledge and testimony. I am grateful for the opportunity to grow and become a better person each day. It is my hope that I will always be an "instrument of light" to everyone I meet. I know I can be with our Heavenly Father and Savior's love and guidance. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
