Hi everyone!
Lately, I've been learning a ton about studying the scriptures. Before I came on my mission, I liked the scriptures and knew they were good, but there was always something more pressing or more interesting to distract me from spending too much time in them. As I've been out, I've slowly been learning to love them more. I think a lot of it has to do with learning to ask questions. At first, it was just questions about my own life, and looking for parallels in the scriptures that could help give me guidance. Lately though, I've been learning to ask more questions about the scriptures themselves. The scriptures are remarkably small volumes for Heavenly Father to fit in the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the road map to eternal life and happiness. I've learned as I dig into the words and stories He inspired the prophets to include, more questions arise than I have time to answer. Looking for answers to all these questions has increased my hunger to know more. And of course, with each question comes the accompanying question, 'therefore, what?' How does this apply to me? I've learned that the scriptures truly contain the pattern for achieving eternal life. Studying them helps us understand God and our own eternal natures. I love the scriptures so much. I'm so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the added light and knowledge that it brings to the world.
Happy Mothers' Day! We celebrated with our ward yesterday and with our own families over Skype today. It was so amazing to see my family. Holy cow they've grown! I'm so grateful for technology so that we can still keep in touch despite the fact that we're half a world apart. Having a cell phone makes it especially easy-- Sister Hancock and I didn't even need to leave the house.
This week has actually been full of reunions, thanks to exchanges. On Tuesday and Wednesday, I got to exchange with Sister Chan, whom I was roommates with in the MTC. We had a great time catching up and doing missionary work together. One thing I am constantly impressed with is how different each person's mission is. Even though we've been on the same tiny island for the same amount of time, our experiences have been completely different. I love seeing how every missionary's mission is tailored specifically to them. Our mission call doesn't end at the end of the letter we open. It's ongoing, including specific areas, companions, and people. Only Heavenly Father knows the full extent of our call. It's so fun to get to a new area and slowly learn why you were sent there.
This week I also got to go on exchanges with Sister Wu, my trainee! It's been about 4 months since we said goodbye, and it was so fun to be reunited for 24 hours. Also, she's training, so I'm an Amah!! Her trainee, Sister Bateman, is adorable. Before we split ways, we took a 3 generations pic:
It was so cool to be back together with Sister Wu and see how much we've both grown. Training was kind of rough because I was a brand new missionary, and I had no idea what I was doing. Also I couldn't speak Chinese and I was really shy. We sort of ended up training each other as I taught her how to be a missionary and study the scriptures and stuff, and she taught me Chinese and how to enjoy talking to people. We've changed a ton since then. Sister Wu is an incredible missionary. She loves the scriptures and the gospel, and she especially loves sharing with others. We had a lot of fun riding around doing missionary work together, reminiscing, and marveling at how far we've come.
We also got to do some service on Saturday morning acting as crossing guards for some mothers' day performance. We're not really sure what was going on, but there were hordes of small children in sequin costumes dressed like genies, fish, and other exotic creatures who needed to cross the street, so we helped them out.
Lately, I've been learning a ton about studying the scriptures. Before I came on my mission, I liked the scriptures and knew they were good, but there was always something more pressing or more interesting to distract me from spending too much time in them. As I've been out, I've slowly been learning to love them more. I think a lot of it has to do with learning to ask questions. At first, it was just questions about my own life, and looking for parallels in the scriptures that could help give me guidance. Lately though, I've been learning to ask more questions about the scriptures themselves. The scriptures are remarkably small volumes for Heavenly Father to fit in the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the road map to eternal life and happiness. I've learned as I dig into the words and stories He inspired the prophets to include, more questions arise than I have time to answer. Looking for answers to all these questions has increased my hunger to know more. And of course, with each question comes the accompanying question, 'therefore, what?' How does this apply to me? I've learned that the scriptures truly contain the pattern for achieving eternal life. Studying them helps us understand God and our own eternal natures. I love the scriptures so much. I'm so grateful for the Book of Mormon and the added light and knowledge that it brings to the world.
These mango smoothies may even be better than mango bing. It tastes like pure liquified mango with little chunks of mango inside. This is what heaven tastes like.
I hope you all have an amazing week!
Sister Hull
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