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| Elder Kampenhout and a GIANT jackfruit |
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| Look Closely on the stick---A super poisonous centipede! Yikes!! It almost got Elder Ahmad |
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| Elder & Sister Perkins (L) visiting President & Sister Clark (R)at the Hospital, 2 days after President Clark's heart surgery. He looks good!!! |
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| Sister Marlita and her family we visited. Super Spiritual lesson there! |
Hey Everyone!!!!
This past week Elder Martin and I went on exchanges in Sandakan! Yay!!! It was way cool being back, even though the missionary work has slowed down where we were at. It was incredible to see who sticks around and who leaves. In the end, the choice is in everyone's own hands as to what they do in life. Many people choose less than great, but when one does choose to empower themselves in always doing right, and imitating the Savior in all things they do, it makes those around them so much happier. As my father consistently guides me to do, by just being Kind, so many of our lives will improve. I start by just talking to everyone and making them smile. Saying hello to all the countless check out clerks, the immigration cops to chop my passport, the bus drivers. Everyone. It really is amazing to see how your simple expression of energy and love can lighten their day. Try it :D
Wow. So after working for a few days hunting out some new investigators, visiting less actives, and attending Sacrament Meeting in Sandakan, we flew back to Singapore. It was a bit sad to see how the Branch has fallen on hard times, and how the missionary area has dwindled. I could feel this evil spirit resting over the city as we were there, and it left as we too left. It will take some real killer missionaries combined with a re-dedication from the Branch to cease its wickedness and follow the Saviors call to "Love one another." The gospel one day will flourish in Sandakan though. Of that I have no doubt. I know there will be a stake there someday :D.
So as we flew back to Singapore, we were welcomed into the presence of Elder Perkins, the Area President. Wow!!! It was way cool to be around him. It wasn't as awesome as it should have been because President Clark was still in the Hospital waiting to be released after suffering a heart attack on Saturday, but it was still great to be around him :D (By the way President Clark is in great condition, out of the Hospital, and could go on a 10 mile run tomorrow [he probably will]) So since President Clark has been grounded for the Mission Tour, we as the Assistants have had to step up to the plate and fill in his role. Intimidating? Yes....but definably possible. On Monday when we met in Singapore, the West Assistants (Elder Whittaker and Jones) did an amazing job, and the meeting truely was a revelatory experience. Elder Perkins talked with us about approaching our sacred experiences (sacrament meeting, scripture study) with questions on our mind that we want answered. Instead of going to a meeting waiting to see what they say that makes you feel good, go to a meeting seeking to have a question answered. Go Hungry. Seek and ye shall find me. That alone completely turned around the SMT and made it a revelatory experience. He also had so much good counsel that I just wrote it all down. So much good things! Like:
1) Doubt not, but be believing (We need to talk with a language of faith) (We need to eliminate fear out of the equation)
2) Use Joseph Smith's own words when describing the first vision.
3) We need to create a record (Area books for missionaries)(Family History and Journals for the rest of us)(If the Savior showed up at a missionaries house, he would ask to see the areabook)
4) Obedience will empower you. You might be able to get by for a little while living a wicked life, but things will eventually get fouled up.
And so much more. Wow. I can't wait for tomorrow when we get to hear from him tomorrow. I certainly hope I can continue to progress in my Missionary work and become a better Man in all things. I have been thinking alot how being a leader is much like being a Father. Lots of lessons to learn. One thing I want to do is read through the Book of Mormon again and look for where the Father is Present or talked about. :D I would invite you to do similar. We need to study the scriptures looking for examples and patterns of what the Apostles, Prophets and the Savior have done. Look for the real life application :D I know that whenever I have preformed a work with an objective, it has always gone better. I know you can do so as well. Im not sure what you need, but the Lord does. Whether newly married, long time married, single, or seeking how to deal with wayward children, deal with co-workers, parents, all of the answers really are in the scriptures.
Well I hope this letter finds you well. I love you all and hope that you will make choices that bring the best of life upon you.
Your Loving Friend, Brother, and Son,
Elder Willem Kampenhout
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