Part 2: Week 8--People Miracles

My new outbound missionary from Hong Kong, who is serving in Temple Square right now, will come here on November 1st.

My companions try their best, and that is all I could ask for! Good things.

Thank you to the lovely people who sent a package and to those who sent letters. You know who you are, and you are so appreciated. I am thankful to have people who care, and it means a lot. I love you!

Congratulations, Stephen! (He can now ride a bike)!

My goal is to be able to read the Book of Mormon well in characters before returning.

P.s. How do you help someone addicted to video games? They've given up church because of their obsession to spend every hour on the computer.

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Miracles/ People

Zhang JM. We found her in the old area book, and she has a baptismal date! There are a couple of members in her PA ward who speak Mandarin and were able to translate for all three hours. A senior missionary in the ward made a huge effort to get her there and get her translators! She told us of how big a miracle the situation it was. She doesn't usually open messages from unsaved contacts (we found her number on the online ward locator), but she opened ours, because the area code was from the NYNYN mission, the same mission her son served in under Elder Rasband as Mission President. She happens to be assigned to this very ward, far from where they live. I felt the prompting to ask her to share the miracle with her son, who I then learned was inactive. The members will help to testify in our lessons and we will help her to become a part of the ward there, to then switch her off. Lovely missionaries helping with that. We want to help her have a lasting conversion, so perhaps we can get them a gospel principles book (and a Book of Mormon) in chinese.

Mariah. Knocked on her door, and she said "Can you come and teach me every week?" She asked why we knew to knock on her door. We asked her why she thought Heavenly Father wanted us to knock on her door. She then said, "Because He knows I want to learn!" It was very touching. In her prayer she asked for her friend Angel to know that Jesus Christ is real. Her grandmother would like to be part of the lessons and only speaks Spanish, so we will be giving some Hermanas their info and the opportunity to teach them!

Ryan. He is an EMT who we met near Lincoln Square. We have been trying to help him get to church for a couple weeks now, because he had seen the Temple before and loved the light we had as missionaries. He was always working on Sunday, but we told him we would pray for him to do well on a certification test he had coming up. We prayed every day for nearly a week until the test came, that he would learn well, have clarity in his mind, and know that the prayers helped him. After we followed up on his test, we were able to have a kneeling prayer over the phone together. He was so touched and made a point then to look for time to meet with the missionaries. We were able to set up a meeting with the Lincoln Square YSA Elders on Tuesday. After the lesson, he told us how intrigued with the Book of Mormon he is, and how he will do all he can to make it to church on Sunday. He is reading so fervently!

Cathy. We prepared for her lesson. Our Hong Kong miracle, Amber (her niece) showed up randomly, when she had not responded for a long time. We were able to teach them the Plan of Salvation together! We learned that Amber's mom had a bad experience with church and religion earlier in life, and that her family often asks Amber why she takes church so seriously. They don't want her coming. Inspired questions helped us to uncover parts of the iceberg! She knows who to turn to when she feels alone. The Missionaries and prayer. The ward youth are still texting her and helping her to feel loved.

Sister Li. She has a testimony of gospel blesses families. Her son loves the other kids in sacrament meeting and class (he used to be so shy and never smiled-- now he is always smiling at church!). She stays as long as she can before work, and makes sacrifices to be there every Sunday. It is so special to see the change and happiness, and the closeness she already feels with the ward. Their effort, love, and lesson testimonies have helped them to feel that.

On splits, our goal was to get a number of someone who will be interested in the gospel. We went all day and as walking home from tracting, just kept saying we can't go home until we find someone! On the last stretch before home, we kept praying in our hearts. Right before our house this lovely lady (50-60s) who speaks Mandarin was able to feel love through my testimony and our promised blessings of the Gospel (Isn't it the best when Heavenly Father blesses you with the ability to speak a language super well in a matter of a couple months? Gift of tongues is real. Thankful. Alma 26:11-12). She will be coming to Halloween FHE and is so excited for us to call and teach her. The Lord will help us to obtain our goals!

Knocking doors is so fun! It is like a language roulette, you never know which Book of Mormon to have ready.

"If we spend all day tracting in faith, the Lord will give us a referral that night, because we've shown he can trust us."

A lady came into church today asking us for family history help for her boss and herself. She only speaks Cantonese. She will come to church on Sunday and is so excited. I believe this is because we spent so much time praying about and searching so earnestly for new investigators. Sister Qian, Sister Su, and Wendy are our miracles! They are our new investigators gained through the Lord's trust in our efforts.

2 cor 9:6
Accountability. Jacob 1:19. We must always be diligent. It is important to make the most of our time to find those who are prepared, or will be prepared, to learn and change and come unto Christ. That is our purpose. We must have charity, it is everything, but we must not waste our time being best buddies with everyone, when we could be helping others earnestly make commitments and repent! Do all we can to find and teach. To preach repentance and to serve as examples as Alma also did.

What can you do to show your family member your love and heavenly fathers love for them? How would that change your relationship with them for the better! Will you do that for me?

爱你，
为姐妹
Sister Wilcox

Can you guess who is in this picture?

Part 2: Week 7--Staying in NYC

We were able to go to the Temple with President last week. It helped me to find the answer I've been thinking and praying so hard about. President told me that as he was thinking about how our companionship has been doing well here and having many successes (pondering on where I should go), he learned of a new sister coming in from Hong Kong. He then told me, "Sister Wilcox, the Lord would have you to train this sister." The spirit was so strong when he related all of this to me. I will never forget it. I know that the Holy Ghost bears witness of truth, and I know that regardless of what happens, this is God's will for me right now. She is coming in next transfer! I love her already.

President Smith called President Lam, and they discussed everything. President Lam said, "She served her mission fully in Hong Kong. Now is her time to serve in New York. I'm happy for her to be where the Lord wants her!" They are both so awesome. I love them.

We gave out Book of Mormons and have had miracles! On streets and subways and in houses and hallways and parks.

Sister Lin and I almost trained a Taiwan visa waiter this transfer! We have a new trainee, Sister Ellsworth, in our apartment.

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Weekend Baptisms!

Dasiy and Lin DX's baptism was great. The members were supportive and brought lots of yummy food, too! They felt the spirit, and I loved hearing their simple and sincere testimonies. Daisy was the one I found on splits with Sister Jacobson. What joy it brings me to see her enter the waters of baptism, and to commit to follow Christ and accept Eternal Salvation (free... priceless)!

We kept thinking of Sister Li; we wanted to bring something for her baptism to help her feel as special as she is! The last moment before we traveled to the Lincoln Square Chapel for her baptism, an investigator called us. He said he had some sandwiches for us. We went to meet him, and found that his work had provided us with around 40 boxed sandwiches and two cases of fruit (however, we had never asked him to bring anything. He wanted to give something for the baptism that day). God provides through His awesome children!

Sister Li's baptism was so spiritual! The power of the lesson of the Restoration (even when listening to Chinese, if you do not know it.. there were English investigators who attended!) is so strong. You could feel it. I was full of so much joy that morning. Sister Li showed us a video of her son, flipping through pages of the chinese Children's Book of Mormon Storybook. They read it together every night! The gospel blesses families. She testifies of that now, too! What joy, to also see her learn and be baptized from start to finish.

Annie Zheng RC made it to the Temple for the first time! She did baptisms, and stayed for confirmations on her own free will. It was awesome, and a beautiful experience for all of us!

Sandy, a RC, has been meeting with us to read specific Book of Mormon stories with us and see the Storybook pictures that go along with it. It has been awesome to see her respond to our messages about these stories as well (she does not often respond, but she did when we showed her the story!). We have stayed a little after the lessons to help her with a bit of English (service!), and it has helped her to feel loved and to trust us more! Through inspired questions, she wants to introduce us to her friend Emily! We are excited to teach our referrals this week.

My companions are great. May we continue to lift, encourage, inspire, and bless one another and those around us.

Miracles. 很多的奇迹!

Alma 56:47-48

Sister Wilcox

韦姐妹

Part 2: Week 6--Last Week in NYC?

Oct 11

This might be my last week in NYC, or might not! Still unsure what decision heavenly father wants me to make

We are one of 8 companionships in the world who got to help the church with something special, coming soon! We are also the first mission in the world to test out the new referral system set up by the church. The missionary department (including some awesome leaders of the church like Elder Oaks, Bishop Waddell, and Elder Bednar) are praying specifically for our mission in this task.

My companions and I saw Wakka Flocka (I'm not sure how to spell it-- the rapper) today. He did a little service thing for the church. It was awesome.

We saw the flat iron building. People have been taking us out to eat all the time, which is so nice. And we've been given so much food, we don't even need to buy groceries this week (which is a blessing since Sister Lin's metro card money got stolen buy the machine)! Also, New York Bagels are as good as they say.

The Mandarin is coming along alright. I can teach, ask questions, and understand some, but it could definitely be better!

Tomorrow we will be able to go to the Temple with the departing missionaries. The Missionary Department has given me the decision to go to Hong Kong now or to stay in New York for another transfer. I still haven't decided. I love D&C 80. Just as Elder Bednar once said, we are called to serve and assigned to labor. It mattereth not where you go, simply that you preach repentance and teach people the truth of this earth and of eternal salvation. The NYNYN mission is so special to me. These missionaries are so obedient and steadfast, and are such good leaders. I'm thankful for the many examples I've met here of trying to always be more like Christ and pushing ourselves in the work. No matter where you serve, there are always good missionaries teaching and testifying, striving to be their best. It is a blessing that I've been able to see firsthand.

What is Heavenly Father's will for me?

What a time to be in the New York New York, North mission. We have such great responsibility entrusted upon us, for which I am so grateful! These opportunities we've been given are amazing.

Miracles.

We were able to meet with Sister Zhang to talk about the recent convert sisters in the ward. We are so lucky to have members who are enthusiastic to welcome new ward members and help nourish souls who have decided to come unto Christ!

Li Hai Yan. It has been hard to schedule Sister Li. We have been calling her as much as possible to help her understand the Gospel truths (though her work has told us to stop now). She had not been responding and did not show up to her lesson on Saturday, which had us a bit worried for the baptism date the upcoming week. Sister Lin had previously told Sister Li to get work off later on Sunday. She, however, had the prompting to text her and tell her that she could be baptized on Saturday instead of Sunday, because our ward was going to the temple that day. Sister Li never responds to her messages, but to this she said, "Thank you," and confirmed that she would arrive early on Sunday for a lesson and for the baptismal interview. She is set and ready for her baptism now (and has such a great testimony and understanding of gospel truths)! We are all so excited.

Sister Dong and Brother Chen. We visited their home in Brooklyn, and taught them their recent convert lessons. Their nonmember son Fu Hai was there, and he is very receptive of the Gospel! He said that if he knew it was true he would be baptized! We promised blessings, and were able to refer him to the Brooklyn Elders!

There have been two brothers who walked in to the church in need of help this week (people we had previously found on the street). Isn't it cool that people we met randomly chose to come to the church and to the missionaries to find help for their questions and problems in their personal lives? And we have what they truly need! The gospel-- the key to Salvation!

There are miracles all around us. May we choose to always recognize them and pray to find them, day by day.

Will you read these? 你可以读吗 ? ❤🐙🦑

Mosiah 2:17; John 21:17; D&C 112:14

爱你们，

Sister Wilcox

韦姐妹

Part 2: Week 5--General Conference Miracles

We taught Sister Li. She has a baptism date now. There were two members present, who happened to be at church early for General Conference when we were trying super hard to get anyone to call in and bear their testimony! Their testimonies were awesome. The Lord provides.

Sister Li has loved the children's Book of Mormon storybook and reads it every day with her son! She already has testimony of it bringing her peace and helping her temper.

We taught Eric (the doorman) the restoration and it was great. Brother Chen was there (his wife is a recent convert from this past April; she helped with Daisy' s lesson with the other sisters at the same time). Brother Chen and his wife were both so edified in having shared their testimonies and so excited to help with the Lord's work. They kept encouraging Daisy and Eric afterwards and building their faith!

Eric watched all of the general conference sessions and is still reading the book of Mormon earnestly!

Fei Fei loves the Book of Mormon story Book videos on the app (they have them in Mandarin! ) and is keeping the commitment of reading them and praying with us nightly over the phone. Her family seems so enlightened by the Gospel visits we've had. Our ward correlator really wants his daughter to help fellowship and be her friend (having her open up and trust someone from the ward is what we are having a hard time figuring out). We are excited to get her involved and so thankful for the cooperation and encouragement from those serving their callings fully in this ward.

Miracles!

Other activities:

We went to the Bronx Zoo today! I saw a baby snow leopard (my favorite land animal). Now we just need to get to the aquarium. There is a really cool old school arcade near our apartment, which also has DDR. I will be going there when I visit. Who wants to come with? 🙈 We also went to Kung Fu Tea which has the best boba! Every morning we run on a track in a park near the apartment (some do Tai Chi with the group in the middle of the track). And we have English class twice a week here with 4 different levels.

Thank you to the sweet ward from Texas who sent me a package! We all really loved the treats and cute things. And thanks to Sage and family as well (爱你们。好开型)! Carr family: you are all so great! I appreciate your cute letters and encouragement! Reuben, have you ever tasted a Rambutan? Kim, your emails are the best and always make me feel like I'm right there experiencing life with you (I love your adventures)!

传教是工给我混多的快乐。谢谢你们的支持和爱 ! 继续加油。

Answering questions:

So we have all of Manhattan island, but our zone is officially Manhattan South, and we generally stay in Chinatown area in the very South of the island. We have zone meetings, etc. in the Manhattan Temple chapel building. Our ward is 41 Elizabeth Street floor 4 (an office space, one of the most expensive rented chapels in the world), so there is no sign outside to find it, but it's nice inside! There are only 7 Mandarin missionaries currently in our mission. (But there are Mandarin missionaries in many missions, ie NYNY South, and Boston and even Jacksonville FL has Mandarin missionaries..).

In the temple, we just had English, but there are other language options, of course. Finding investigators is a bit difficult in both cities (NYC and Hong Kong), considering how many people we talk to each day! But we find the elect (those whose hearts are prepared)! That's why it is awesome that 3 of the people we found this transfer have baptismal dates already! And I will still be here for one of them who we found on the metro! It is so great. The church meetings are in Mandarin, but there are headsets that the missionaries translate English into (some of the children in the ward don't speak as much Mandarin as their parents, and there are two English families who have callings as ward clerk, and 2nd counselor, though the parents of one of the families speak Mandarin). We live in an apartment in Chinatown which is actually pretty nice and big, and probably expensive! There are currently 2 Mandarin speaking elders.

2 Nephi 25:26

I'm so blessed to know so many of you who teach their families in the good ways of the Gospel. Isn't it a joy to have the knowledge of the Savior' s redeeming sacrifice? We can be together eternally! What a blessing. Now let us rejoice.

Sister Wilcox

韦姐妹

Our Mandarin District is in Chinatown on the south part of Manhattan Island

We have our zone meetings in the chapel in the NYC Temple, which is near Central Park.

Our mission includes Manhattan Island and parts of New York State and Connecticut

Socializing after watching conference and having English class

The Bronx Zoo