Elder Ryan Woolley in Hong Kong!: Moving the Work Forward

HELLOOO!!

The weeks are just flying by it is crazy that it is already pday today! This week was full of miracles!

We had a great MLC, with some big changes that are really going to help the mission keep moving forward, I received lots of personal revelation as well on how I can be a better missionary as well. I'm excited to see how everyone applies the principles throughout the mission! It is amazing to see revelation received from above, then see it slowly be distributed throughout the mission until it ends up in every companionship, and being taught to every one of the Lord's investigators.

We started up a children's english class a few weeks ago and it has just been taking off recently, it is so fun teaching the little kids and the parents are loving it! Recently, a street contact of ours from a few months ago came, then brought her sister and kids, then her brother, then her friend and her kids, and then they all came to church on Sunday! It was amazing! They all have such great family relationships, they really are a da jia! I sat with them at church and kept some of the little kids entertained with drawings throughout the meeting, probably one of the most enjoyable Sundays of my mission. As we sat their listening/ coloring I just felt the Spirit so strongly, this is what the Gospel is about, helping these wonderful families to know their purpose, to know that they can be together forever. And it isn't just something nice that we say to help us feel better or to try and comfort ourselves when a loved one passes, but it is real. I know that families are an eternal unit. All of the kids that were there were little girls ages 4-9, I just couldn't help but feel like a big brother with them all around us haha reminded me of my wonderful family and sisters. I am so blessed to have the gospel in my own family, the blessings it has brought us are immeasurable, and undeniable. I am so happy the Lord blessed us to encounter these families, and so happy that they felt the warmth of the church da jia feeling. I can't wait to see where they go from here!

Our other investigators are doing ok, we are really focusing on part member families right now, but are struggling with a lot of stubborn chinese dads haha, it seems I have some lessons to learn about families and the plan of salvation in this area, because we are teaching a lot of them, which is great! There is no better environment to teach in then that! We are hoping to help the fathers see the blessings of the gospel, and hear it from their family members. They'll have changes of heart soon!

Lastly, as we were pondering some moves for our mission, I was struck with a thought about how or Heavenly Father views us. Often times there will be a missionary struggling in an area, with problems of one kind or another. President Lam is very aware of it, and prays for them. But rarely does he ever move them out immediately and get rid of the problem, often he trusts them to figure it out on their own, to grow, to learn of themselves. Often times we are much like that, but it's easy to think that Heavenly Father has forgotten or is not there. But of course, much like President Lam is very aware of the problems, our Father in Heaven is infinitely more aware, more so than even ourselves. But He would have us grow. It's amazing seeing the process of growth in people, investigators, less actives, members, missionaries, everyone. I know that so much growth in people, and in my own life is a direct result of the enabling power of the Atonement. With the Atonement, everything works, everything is possible.

I'm excited to see where these families go in the next few weeks, I love teaching families!

Love you all!

Elder Woolley