Happy Easter!

It's weird to be writing again already since we had preparation day on Wednesday last week, instead of Monday! But I'm grateful that I only have 1/2 a week to write about now so I can write a little more about it :)

I'm so happy to hear that you got to enjoy a wonderful Easter Sunday, especially with family. I enjoyed sharing the Easter M&Ms you sent (I shared the peeps on the bus to the Temple since I knew there would be some missionaries that would LOVE them!).Our Easter was nice, especially since President and Sister Bishop came to speak in one of our wards! I was lucky because it was my turn to visit that ward this week (we have two that Sister Ko and I alternate between). I loved hearing their message about what the Resurrection has to do with missionary work.

President Bishop shared a particular story that touched me. As a doctor, he once had a patient who had an extreme illness and would most likely have not muh longer to live, yet whenever her husband and little son came to visit they would play games and were always laughing. The nurse told President Bishop he should probably make sure the husband understood the severity of his wife's condition, because it didn't seem like he was aware. Even though they had told him before, he decided to pull him aside and tell him again. The husband responded with faith as he said, "I might not understand everything about my wife's condition, but I do know that it is severe. I know she won't have much more time, but our family has been sealed in the Temple. We know we will be able to see her again." That assurance took the sting out of death for this family, and because of their faith, they were blessed with peace and happiness, even (and especially) during the final moments of that mother's life on Earth.

That story gave me a lot of peace and comfort as well. What an incredible expression of faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ and His atonement. And how important it is to "make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth!" That is my calling as a missionary! Sometimes that responsibility seems overwhelming to me and I feel terribly inadequate to represent the Savior in doing His work. But that is a blessing, for the Lord gives us weaknesses that we may be humble.

I thought last Sunday as we were participating in Ward Council, "Man, it would be so much easier if we didn't have to worry about all these less-active members--if only everyone would just stay active!" But then the thought came to me, "Then you would not have the opportunity to help save them." Working for the salvation of others (whether living or dead) is a refining work. That was the mission of the Savior himself, and He set the perfect pattern and example.

Therefore, the only way to do this work is to become like Him--develop His attributes. Any other way is in vain. But as we turn to the Savior and learn from His example, we will be able to take part in the most sacred work our Heavenly Father has given us, and in the process, we become refined.

What a blessing to reflect on the Savior and His Atonement, which makes our salvation possible, during this Easter season. I testify that Jesus is the Christ, that He is our Savior and Redeemer. I know that He sacrificed Himself completely so we could be saved. I know that He loves me, you, and all of us. May we all turn more to Him to recieve of His love and mercy which He is so willing to give.

Love and HAPPY EASTER!!!

Sister Morey

Amazing Investigators :)

This week was so awesome!! Heavenly Father is really helping us with our work here. When Sister Ko got here at the beginning of the transfer we didn't have very solid investigators so we've been working hard, sifting through a lot of our old investigators, finding new ones, and doing a lot of praying, and the fruits are finally starting to come. We met with 2 new investigators over the past week that are extremely prepared. They're both students at Dong Hai Da Xue (university) so it's fun to teach people our age that we can relate to in a lot of ways.

 

One is named Anne (at least that's her English name) and she is SO cute! Every time she sees me she says really enthusiastically, "MorAy!!" (with the emphasis on the "a," haha). We're trying to help her understand that she needs to call us Sister Ko and Sister MorEy, haha, but it still is so endearing :) She has met with us 3 times already, and has expressed her desire to change her life, especially so she can help others. She's had some amazing experiences with prayer already, which have laid a firm foundation for us to start teaching her. When she prays, it's from her heart, and it brings the Spirit so strongly. She has such a repentant heart. We are so excited to see the Gospel of Jesus Christ bring the peace, stability, and change she desires in her life.

 

The other one is Lin jiemei. She is so wonderful and pretty much acts like a member already! She meets with us frequently, is so eager to come to any activities, and loves church! Both her and Anne came to a singles FHE on Monday at our recent convert's (Peng Family) home, which was a huge success. During the gospel share at the end of the activity they both shared how when they come they have a really happy, warm feeling, and expressed their desire to keep learning. It was a wonderful blessing to hear them share their seedlings of testimony, and afterwards everyone was so excited to attend their upcoming baptisms! They've already got incredible support networks of faithful members, which is the best way for missionary work to progress. We are so excited for them!

 

It was also really nice to go to the temple again today. I always get so excited to go and remember all the times I visited the Taipei Temple as a Young Woman. I felt a lot of peace and encouragement there, especially as they prayed for the missionaries. I thought about how every temple in the world prays for the missionaries, and how I have so many of my friends and family praying for me, which gave me a lot of strength. It always does when I think about it. I can't thank you enough. I love you all soooooo much, I can't even express it!!

 

Since I forgot my conference notebook last week, here's the list of my favorite speakers (and the ones you can include on the CD for me, Mom): Elder Perry, Elder Richards, President Eyring, Elder Nelson, Elder Oaks, Elder Ballard, President Uchtdorf, Elder Bednar, and Elder Holland. They were all so good though!! It's hard to limit it to these!

 

Oh my goodness, I LOVE the Gospel. It brings me so much comfort in times of trial, and so much joy when things are going well! I love seeing people's lives change when they start living it faithfully. There is incredible power, safety and joy when we live the principles of the gospel complete with its ordinances. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, and brings the fullness of God's blessings, most importantly of the Atonement, to those who follow.

 

All my love,

Sister Morey <3