Part 2: Week 37--HOME AGAIN!!

Aurelia is home from her mission!! Here are some pictures of her greeting party at the airport, including a candygram welcome sign with a message made of candy bars.

Part 2: Week 36--Miracle of a Mission--My Report

Sister Aurelia Eve Wilcox

China Hong Kong Mission and New York New York North mission

October 14, 2015 - May 16, 2018 +

Miracle of a Mission

My journey starts in Provo, UT. I prayed and prayed to have a strong desire to serve a

mission-- and it worked! I had many spiritually building experiences that led me to the point of

sending in my mission papers. Later, in Vienna, Austria (on a study abroad), I skyped my family

to open my call. Expecting a call to Austria or Germany (I had been studying German for a

while), my roommates and I were astonished to see China Hong Kong Cantonese speaking, to

say the least! None of my family members had ever served anywhere near Asia (not even in my

entire genealogy lineage documented). I had never heard of Cantonese before. I was surprised

and excited and left with a great feeling of duty and respect and love for my Father in Heaven

and His children!

Hong Kong. It was a whole different world. A new culture-- new experiences. Fun,

adorable people, with a unique way of living and doing things. However, inside the church, it still

felt like home. It was still the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. When in Tuen Mun

Hong Kong, I experienced the gift of tongues so strongly. I remember praying so hard constantly

that I could just speak the language enough to communicate with the people and share with

them the principles/ lessons of Jesus Christ's restored gospel. My trainer and I set a plan to

never speak English. It was after making this plan, and the constant prayers, that one day… the

language just clicked. The vocabulary still had to be learned little by little, but everything else

began to be fluent and easy to communicate. It was truly a miracle for me to witness this answer

to prayers and to be given this gift! To be able to communicate the gospel to the wonderful

people of Tuen Mun (they spoke with an accent and quicker than the people we taught at the

MTC!).

I remember the fun we had as missionaries in Hong Kong. We really enjoyed every

moment of the work, and loved meeting the people who were so cute and full of humour and

life! I remember how strongly I felt the spirit as a missionary here and how strongly I felt a love

for the people. My investigators, like my first convert a-Yan, meant so much to me. I cannot

explain how deeply one comes to love their investigators, after you've shared such spiritual

experiences and growth together. What a choice opportunity to be gifted a fraction of the love

that Heavenly Father has for us. To be able to have that deep love for them. It means

everything to me. I have never forgotten those feelings. A-Yan is so sweet; she means

everything to me. I will never forget the sincere questions she asked of how to know if Heavenly

Father really had heard her prayers, and how to recognize the spirit. She was willing to listen

and to learn. Her heart was prepared. She once asked if she was “dreaming,” because she had

never before felt the love that she experienced when she was meeting with members and

missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She became so happy and

full of light. Meeting and working with her was life changing! 

I will also never forget the things I learned from my trainer. Charity, patience, exact

obedience.. my trainer and I had such an awesome relationship. I love her with all my heart.

She changed my life in so many ways. Even after the mission, we have kept in touch. We call

each other sometimes (though she lives in the Phillippines). The thing that means most to me, is

how receptive to the spirit we were as a companionship. We chose to be exactly obedient. We

had such a love for the people we met. We hummed hymns and lived our missionary lives with

bliss and service. She would constantly be cooking something to give to someone we knew who

needed food.

It is no wonder that through these experiences, I knew I had to return to the

mission field. I had to finish what I had started. The most important part of missionary work to

me, was the spirit that I felt, the love and desire for the eternal salvation for the people around

me, and the gratitude and love I had for my Father in Heaven and for my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I found much healing in the time period home, between Hong Kong and New York City. It

was a much needed spiritual, physical, and emotional healing, and it does not happen all at

once. Healing takes time, and it has helped me learn to continuously rely on/ turn to my Savior

and Redeemer. I have come to know Him more and use the atoning gift of His life and sacrifice

to find that comfort, healing, and a fullness of joy. I also had the blessed opportunity to serve as

a ward missionary in California, Glendale YSA (the California Arcadia mission). Being set apart

in this ward as a ward missionary was another life defining moment. It was a spiritual experience

that I will always look back to-- one that will always turn me to remembrance of the how much

my Father in Heaven knows me, and just how true this restored Gospel of Jesus Christ is. I

remember in the blessing being told, “Sister Wilcox, think of this as the next transfer of your

mission.” The blessing told me how much my Father in Heaven loved me and how there were

people in this area who would find the Gospel because of my efforts. This brought me to tears…
 

Leaving the mission field early was such a sensitive subject to me. My mission meant everything

to me. I would never choose to leave it, while I was in Hong Kong. To hear the words of this

blessing, and then this Brother’s response, really affirmed to me the truthfulness of the Gospel

and the love that Heavenly Father has for each of His children. It also proved how divine a plan

our Father in Heaven has for each one of us. He leads and guides. He is at the helm. This

brother sat me down after the blessing and told me that I had to explain, because he had no

idea what any of that meant. He had no idea why he had said those things. He didn’t know

anything about my background. Our loving Father in Heaven knows us; He has a plan. It is

awesome that through living in this area and serving my calling fully, some of my friends in this

area came to know more of the Gospel and come to church, and one young man that my friend

and I found after church one Sunday as we were visiting less active members, ended up joining

the church. Through this, he also discovered he had a friend who was a member. His friend

began to come to church as well. I am so glad that we followed the promptings of the spirit and

taught the Restoration, even though we weren’t full time missionaries at the time. We are

always missionaries. Let us always strive to be disciples of Christ and to serve love and teach

as he would. 

#RepentanceIsCool #AgentForChange. It was amazing being called to NYNYN

Mandarin speaking. Partly, because part of me was really drawn to NYC Mandarin speaking

(the only other place I was drawn to for visa waiting was California Arcadia). This is because

one of my home teachers in Provo, UT who had really helped me and encouraged me in my

process of returning, had served NYNY Mandarin speaking. It meant so much to be called here,

because it was yet another testament of Heavenly Father’s awareness and love for me and for

each individual. In Chinatown I learned to trust. I learned little by little to have the spirit with me

moreso and to recognize it. I found healing. I think one of the most amazing things I

experienced as a missionary in Chinatown was I began to have a vision and hope for the future.

I found joy in remembering I would have a future family… And learned to empathize with others

more. I have so much gratitude for my family and for ability to return to serve fully. I had been, in

a way, stuck before coming here… and serving has opened so many doors and windows-- it

has brought me a light and hope for the future, and an excitement for it. We witnessed so many

miracles in Chinatown, and talked to everyone on the Subway and in the streets! I remember

when we were planning for Li Hai Yan’s baptism, and were so worried about how we were going

to get light refreshments for it. We wanted her to feel loved and special, and felt that it would be

important to bring something for her baptism all the way up in Lincoln Square. That very

morning, one of our investigators showed up at the church with two huge boxes of sandwiches.

Tender mercies like this, testify of how our simple prayers are truly heard and answered.

Teaching a cute investigator from Macau in Cantonese with Sister Tai was also amazing… It is

so special to see these converts become part of the humble Chinatown ward-- to be embraced

with open arms by loving members in a cute little office building in Manhattan. The Gospel is for

everyone everywhere. What a blessing to be granted a part in the work of Salvation! This is His

work.

In New Rochelle I found joy. I learned to find joy in each moment. As a trainer, I wanted

to distil faith and diligence into my sweet companion. In praying and working to do so, I also

found a strong testimony of it for myself. We have seen so many miracles. It has been a

blessing witnessing the light that comes to our investigators as they learn to change and to

repent; as they implement the joyous truths and commandments of the restored Gospel of

Jesus Christ into their lives, it is a great blessing to witness the happiness and unity that comes

to their lives and families. Seeing our recent convert Mamale enter the temple, and then give a

tear-jerking talk in Sacrament about how much it meant to her to do baptisms for her

grandparents… The testimony she has grown and conversion she has experienced is amazing.

She loves the scriptures and has a habit of reading, pondering, and applying. She teaches her

friends and family truths of the Gospel and invites them to learn and to attend church and watch

General Conference. Being in the temple all together and seeing how much it meant to Sister

Au and Mamale was such a faith-building experience. It really touched my heart! And the

members who love these converts and came with us to the temple, I will forever be grateful for.

I am so thankful for Angela and Aya’s families as well. Meeting both of these families

separately were undoubtedly spiritually guided miracles. Watching these families blossom in

friendship and conversion has been a gift! Seeing Abraham receive the priesthood and be such

a strength to his family and watching Angela give a Family Home Evening Lesson (where she

asked what makes us happy, and picked scriptures from the Book of Mormon to read together

and expound upon) has meant so so much. The spirit at their baptism and confirmation was so

powerful... it was truly a miracle to see the way their hearts were prepared, and to see and hear

their impressions of the spirit afterwards. Angela said she felt calm and a deep feeling just

sinking into her heart. She felt the spirit. And now they have that gift of the Holy Spirit to be with

them always. It brings me a peaceful feeling of spiritual confirmation just remembering what it

meant to her. It will always mean something to me.

What a blessing; what a gift to be a part of this great work. It is so much greater than us--

what a blessed ability to witness the finding and conversion of God’s beloved children. To

witness the joy of the Gospel as it is infused into their lives. I am so grateful for the strong

spiritual experience I felt in the temple, allowing me to know that I was truly to stay in NYNYN

mission, and that the Lord would have me to train Sister Au. Heavenly Father knows every one

of us perfectly. I’m thankful for the tradition my trainer set of always sharing your love for your

trainer and the good things with your trainee. A tradition of love and gratitude for all the good

and the miracles and the spiritual experiences. It is a process of gratitude and spiritual

experiences that will never end, and sets a spiritual and hopeful expectation for the rest of your

mission, and life. All of my companions have been blessings to me; they have each come at the

exact time I needed them; they have helped me to learn, to grow, and to love more fully and to

be loved. I am thankful for the members and leaders who love and lead by example. They have

supported and been a part of this work in every aspect. They are always lifting. May we strive

to do that as we serve those around us for the rest of our lives. What a beautiful mission

experience-- it has set a path for the rest of my life. I am hopeful and grateful and excited for the

future. I love this Gospel and am so thankful for my Redeeming Savior, Jesus Christ, and his

healing, guiding WAY that he has provided. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Part 2: Week 35: Hello Goodbye

感謝天賦賜給我這個很偉大的經驗。And many more to come. 

Miracle of a mission. To witness Angela and Elisha get their marriage license, and then see Angela give a lesson at family night , and pick her own scriptures without even being asked to do so... She asked "what brings you happiness?" And then shared Alma 22:15, Alma 29:9, 2 Nephi 2:22-25. It was lovely. True conversion! Blessed to be a part of this great work. Blessed to get to know these good good members and share restorations with them, and see how powerful that simple message of truth is for them to hear. What a blessing to know of the restoration and the plan of Salvation and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Truth of our salvation -- our eternal life!! With our families forever. 

We have had so many miracles and funny stories that it overwhelms me to think of trying to write them... So I am leaving at a simple email.

 I love this gospel. I'm thankful for the way things have all worked out as I've put my trust in Heavenly Father. I'm so excited for the future. I am thankful for our blessed leaders who minister to the one and are a great example of faith and love. I'm thankful for my Savior and Redeemer. My perfect brother. I'm thankful for the way he has provided. For the book of Mormon which is evidence of these things ! For the holy spirit and the light of Christ ; these gifts have been given to us so that we can know with a surety for ourselves. I'm forever grateful for Jesus Christ's atonement and saving grace and the ability to return to serve my very fullest as a missionary to bring others the truth that has brought me a fullness of joy-- a lasting joy. I love this gospel. I know it's true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen 阿們。

韋姐妹

Angela at hers and Matai's confirmation.

Missionary disguises 

Newlyweds

With members

Sister Missionaries

Zone conference and transfers

Part 2: Week 34--Overwhelmed

Sorry that I haven't had much time to write. Just overwhelmed with investigator drama !! Lol!

Part 2: Week 33--Home soon

Busy getting ready to come home but trying to stay focussed. Just three more weeks.

Angela and Elisha went to get married but got there at the wrong time apparently. So we will postpone the baptism until the next week or two. Sister Bandeaux wants to postpone it until May 6th for some reason . I will try to be logic but faithful at the same time. I have to be an influence for good!

There is good in the work. I'm thankful for the spiritually guided transfers I've had in the mission field. Consecrated missionary work!

Joseph said, "It takes 3 days to get baptized, right? Because I'm looking to get baptized." He's so cute and sincere (his mom is a recent convert who just moved here from Missouri. He and his mom read the book of Mormon together! They will be getting a ride from Rye on Sunday.

Sister Wilcox

韋姐妹

Part 2: Week 32--Always miracles, even if unwritten

Angela and Elisha have a wedding planned for next Saturday and a baptism planned as well! The relief society are helping put together the wedding. Angela also brought a friend to church.

Mamale is going to the temple this Saturday with some of the ward members and with her own names. 

My new companion is really great and funny. 

Sister Wilcox

Part 2: Week 31--Who rocks New Roc? (我）

Area is doing great! Mamale brought her friend Purity to conference. She loved it. We taught her the restoration in between sessions and invited her to watch with the question if this was Christ's true restored church on earth and to say a prayer in her heart. Afterwards, she told us the answer to her question was yes! But that she needed to learn more! It was such a miracle, and we are so thankful that this sweet recent convert us actively sharing the joy of the gospel that she found, with those she loves. We are glad we taught her how simple missionary work is when we went street contacting with her! She says she is so excited to support her friend as she learns more of the truth of Christ's gospel!!

Angela and Sister Sainbert's family came to general conference as well. It was so sweet to see them all there. And we are so happy to have learned that Angela's family visiting lead to Elisha (her husband) getting the help he needs (to live gospel fully)!! Her and our prayers have been answered. Heavenly Father is bringing everything into alignment for this family. It is amazing to be a part of the work. We now plan on having Bishop Neilson meet Elisha and Matai and Angela want to do everything possible to still be baptized on April 22. They are so grateful and even remember the scripture stories we read them (in church they get excited when they recognize it)! She is on a road trip right now to North Carolina.

General Conference was so powerful! I loved the talks on receiving revelation. 

My new companion, Sister Bandeaux, is so sweet and fun! Love her so much already. I recognize that God leads His work and gives divine revelation and inspiration to His called leaders. Staying in New Rochelle and being with these missionaries feels right. I'm at peace. And my companion also went to BYUH! I also, cried and couldn't stop telling Sister Au how much she means to me when I found out she was going to Chinatown. I love her with all my heart! She will always be special to me! So many amazing and kind and diligent missionaries in this mission. Thankful.

Sister Wilcox

韦姐妹

pics are more snow, cute trainer and trainee Sister Wilcox and Au ,  Sister Wilcox and new companion Bandeaux, the Chong family, the Sainberts, and Angela and members. Love them all so much. 再见 💓💓

Part 2: Week 30--Dun, dun, du dun.(Wedding March)

D and B mansion. Two families with huge mansions.. big white columns. And they are super fit young couples. Wow, I want to set high goals and achieve them.

M babies. and O baby. These cute little ones make my life. They always walk right up to me as soon as I enter and give me a huge hug. They really look up to us. They can feel the spirit, I think. Little T (4 years old) in a lesson, soaked in everything we said. He started covering his mouth when he sneezed, and he taught his little 2 year old sister to "fold your arms and close your eyes." So impressionable and sweet. And they play with my hair. So cute.

J and J boxing in the hallway.  Cute family. Super interested in coming back to the fold (christianity in general). In watching General Conference (he will join the pizza party priesthood session on Saturday; we referred him to the Mount Vernon elders). When we follow our plans and the spirit, and then keep our eyes open, we will find people who are placed in our path. 

Marriage! Wow. A and E will be getting married and the whole family came to church on Sunday. E said it felt like he was "coming home." The priesthood really just took him in with open arms and Brother S helped with a miracle lesson on Sunday that helped him to really desire change and understand the doctrine of christ/ understand the purpose of church and following God's commandments.

We love love love working with the Relief Society President, Sister S. She is so loving yet bold and an amazing teacher. The lessons with her (and other members), are always really great! We taught M's cousin with her-- she had many questions! It was really awesome!

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I'm hoping for a change. But. Heavenly Father knows best (commandments, gospel, leaders, transfers, life).

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Snow again-- probably the last time. Spring is in the air! Easter= resurrection, reborn. Repentance is cool. And a gift. The Savior's life and sacrifice was a gift. He overcame physical and spiritual death. Thankful.

I've loved reading Mosiah 18-28 this week (one of my favorite story lines in the Book of Mormon). Beautiful. Wrote notes in the spaces of my book of mormon. Testimony and scriptures/ experiences that came to my mind as reading. Lovely.

Excited for General Conference. I invite and encourage you all to watch it with questions in mind. You will find divine inspiration and your questions will be answered-- even if not in the way you expect it!

..........................

韦姐妹

Sister Aurelia Wilcox

Zone Conference and companionship goal setting.

Part 2: Week 29--大家好好好好好好

We knocked a door to find a bible referral (previously a man had said she didn't live there, but we thought he might be bluffing). We stopped by again and the exact time we pulled up to the house, a woman walked out on her cell phone. It was J, the Bible referral's mother-in-law. We taught her some gospel principles and learned that she had met with missionaries before and gone to church in Scarsdale. Her son passed away, T - the Bible referral - 's husband. She wants to meet together with T and learn together of the gospel (plan of salvation truths)! As soon as we left, she walked back inside. By divine design; we know the Lord's hand is in His work.

M has been filling out her family history booklet, and is excited to do baptisms on April 14th in the Temple. Her heart was touched at the idea of allowing this blessing for her grandmother, as a way to show her gratitude and love for her grandma who passed when she was young. She had been wishing for a long time that she had been kinder to her as a child to her, so this really means something too her, to give this gift and blessing to her grandma.

We stopped by the apartment building where M and J live (Nigeria cancer-free husband miracle). The girl who opened the door for us downstairs-- we had a feeling that it was J's daughter (though there are a lot of families in the building)... we only talked to her a little, but when we later knocked on their families door a different high school aged girl opened the door. As we talked with her, her heart really softened as we talked of meeting her sister downstairs and shared the miracle of meeting her parents previously. She told us that her mom was confused of the book of mormon, and that she had explained that she thought it was an additional book of different prophets also testifying of Christ-- She was right, of course! We had an awesome discussion with her, and we will be meeting all together with their family. The families' first names are Joy, Peace and Goodness. And it accurately describes the miracles we've been experiencing with this sweet family!

Angela desires to go to the Temple with her family. And learn her family history. We are working on getting her husband's records! 

We have a cute new investigator from Gothenburg Sweden.

Elder and Sister Young came with us to a family's FHE, and they not only helped fix their broken light, but also encouraged/ helped their son to be excited to serve a mission in 6 years! This young boy just got the priesthood and it is amazing how a small miracle of finding this family who had moved here from the Bronx, has turned into a young boy passing the sacrament and the entire family fellowshipping and reaching out to other members/ investigators (Sister Au strongly prompted to run to someone and give them a pass-along card... and she was a member whose prayer of finding a job had been answered that day, and wanted to start coming to church again)!

Community service soup kitchen is a lovely service we did this week in Mt Vernon. The community was so thrilled to see us there. It was amazing how both the workers/ volunteers, and the people we were serving had so many gospel questions, and we were able to teach principles of Christ's Gospel in all of our conversations. It was lovely, and many asked for us to come back. They love the spiritual addition to the service given.

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Snow storm again! Late winter.

Sister Au is a cutie and a sweetie. Joy.

I know that my Redeemer lives. Thankful for Doctrine of Christ. Our light, life, salvation, exaltation, freedom, and Way.

Focus chapters for this week! :) 2 Nephi 10 and 11. 1 Ne 14. 

Plus scriptures that came to my mind as I read those chapters... 2 Ne 28:21. 1 Ne 17:45. 2 Ne 2:16. 3 Ne 18:18. John 14:6. 2 Ne 9:10. 2 Ne 8:11. 2 Ne 9:18. Matt 18:20.

I am reading the Book of Mormon and taking note of thoughts that come to my mind that help me to remember the good/ the joy/ the spiritual experiences.

Lovely! Word of God. Love of God. Direction for us. Grateful.

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Sister A Wilcox

韦姐妹

Photos: American Idol contestant Sister Clark! (They look like judges!!) Me being kissed by a Beluga Whale!!!! (Not in NYNYNM, don't worry not Buhngaausih).   Hong Kong Lions peak? Also not in NYNYNM . Yan Yan. At her baptism before, too.

Part 2: Week 28--Cutie cutie 区姐妹 and 韦姐妹

I am so grateful that heavenly father has a divine plan, and I really can trust his decisions most (transfers) and will continue to seek spirits guidance in all decisions. But I love this New Rochelle ward so much-- I wouldn't mind staying here forever! They are wonderful and the work is going so well. So blessed to be a part of these good members/ investigators lives. 

We watched "Remembering your missionary purpose : Robles family." at FHE with our member an investigators family. A cried and said it was such a special moment and wants that for her family (temple sealing and baptism). Sister s husband will come back June or July and they will work to be sealed then. 

We love allowing the Book of Mormon to do the teaching. The Spirit is always there, and our investigators and members get so much out of it.

It is amazing how this family's hearts have been prepared. Ever since we knocked on her door in the split and through inspired questions were able to learn that she met with missionaries 15 years ago before she was married. Now her husband happens to be a member (she did not know until we asked him to join our lesson). A's husband's family/ inactive mother is living in los Angeles and we talked to her on the phone and told her we knew god loved her and missionaries would be happy to do service for her/ meet her anytime. E grew up in Queens and went to young men's because he was baptized when he was 8 or 9! He is now in the discussions with us with A and her children. We read 3 Nephi 18:19-21 and he read it a second time because they loved it so much. "It is so true." They want to have an eternal family and go to the temple. He said he would get March 24th and 25th off for Matai birthday and church and April 22 off for A's baptism. We asked him as the head of the household to offer a kneeling closing prayer; it was very special! A said she loves that the Mormon members actually follow Christ's teachings in doing good and service and loving each other without judging. She loves that. 

We also visited a couple sweet young women and got to know them better (we brought them ice cream and shared scriptures). It was amazing and one of the mothers teared up as she shared thoughts on the scripture we shared. The mother of the other young woman had such a huge smile on her face. We are so blessed to know and have such a deep love for these sweet members.

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Where Heavenly Father has me to go will absolutely be the best option, and there I will go.

I love my sweet sweet companion so much. She is so sweet and adorable and caring and genuine and a loving, great teacher. She's doing well.

Scriptures I loved this week.

John 14:27 Peace.

Mosiah 24:13-15. Strengthened. He will ease our burdens, even if it is not the timing and way that we expect. Will strengthen us.

2 Nephi 9!!!!!!!! Absolutely amazing. This whole chapter brought me a lot of joy, just realizing the big picture of it all. We are free to choose. This plan is given for us, because of their love for us. So it seems so simple. They know the way that brings happiness and the way that allows us to receive exaltation and eternal life with our families. They've provided so much for us as guidance and help. So grateful. 

Reading the BofM remembering joy. So much good in there already between spiritual experiences and methods and gratitude (marked and written in my scriptures). !!  I will continue to do so. A promise that every time I open the pages I will feel God's love! It truly does help me to see good and find peace. Thankful.

Sister Wilcox

韦姐妹

Photos from Zone Conference (there was a blizzard!)-- Can you find me?! :) And a selfie with cutie Sister Au. And a get together with Filipino family and Mamale.

 

 

Part 2: Week 27--Hen Kuai

The Temple was lovely and peaceful. I realized I would actually love to go back to Chinatown for my last transfer. I think it would be a positive and good experience. Whatever is Heavenly Father's will, but I think it could be good and fun! I love that cute ward!

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A came to church on Sunday and to scouts! And she came to our members home for an FHE. It is truly amazing that she has connections in the ward already. Her daughter did cheer with another girl in primary (Mighty Mite Pal), and A used to teach one of the youth when she was in elementary school! A said, "thats why she was always so sweet and well behaved. Because she was mormon!" Her children love primary and scouts.

T is progressing. We walked with her as she picked her kid up from school (5 minutes) and taught then and a lesson after. She has been reading the book of mormon and her son Nevaeh wants to be as obedient as possible and sleep as well as possible so his mom will be able to take their family to church (he really wants to go)! It is awesome how the 4 families we are teaching have kids who truly encourage the parents to keep commitments and get so excited for us to teach and visit. 

Mamale is hoping to go to the temple soon and is continuing to learn about family history.

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Sister Au is a sweetheart. She is so genuine and caring. She is a wonderful teacher. I realized how Sister Au and I are truly able to have balance and look to each other to equally share insights and listen to the needs of our investigators. It works so well and we always teach with the spirit rather than with our own "talent" or social ability . I am thankful for that. I recognize that all of the good and joy and sweet sweet people who continue to want us to return is attributed to Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It is not by our own strength. I am thankful. But I am so grateful for our leaders and their kindness and service and love for others. We are all brothers and sisters trying our best to do the Lord's work. 

2 Ne 25:23

It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do. And I am so thankful for those who "labored diligently to write" these records, so that we could have knowledge and truth of God's love for us and of eternal salvation. What a gift! Countless people devoted and sacrificed their lives for us to have these records. Truly a gift and a blessing. So thankful.

Sister Wilcox

韦姐妹

 

Ready for snow in NYC and a trip to the temple

 

 

Part 2: Week 26--Healthy

A met missionaries 15 years ago in the Bronx.  Her daughter M is 5 years old and did pal cheer. She happened to be friends with our members daughter! They were on the same cheer team and live in next door buildings! Has another son who is 8 next month. We offered service to fold her clothes and she said that it was an answer to her prayer. And a miracle, because she had 4 big bags of laundry she was stressing out about and we came exactly when she needed. Heavenly Father is good, and is so aware and she knows it. She also said the elders used to help with her computer and do service for her all the time (in 2004?) and she felt like they were family. She wanted to know more about family search. We showed her the "find relatives around me" button on the app, and how far back we trace our families back and how cool it is to see our lineage. She also wants to bring her son to scouts on Wednesday at 7 and her daughter to achievement days when she is old enough. We did htbt and showed the Because of Him video. She still remembers the idea that Christ came to New York! She has another son who is 26 and in Washington with a son too! Her husband's family are from Samoa and they are Mormon!

We want to invite her family to FHE and Scouts!

T is from Ghana and excited to meet our members from Ghana!! She read the pamphlets before we came and asked about the premortal world. Her uncle and friend passed away and it made a huge impact in her life so it meant a lot for her to know that she will see them again. She wants the celestial kingdom so she can be with her kids together forever and she wants her kids to be baptized too. She said that we could bring members to her home. She felt like the bofm was her guardian angel that helped her a lot and we gave her alma 32 to read because she wants to know how to have firm faith and to strengthen it. She always has a prayer in her heart and she says it was a miracle that she found our church offering the Bible online for free right when she was searching/ praying for something to help her change. She wants to learn of repentance and how to prepare for baptism. We showed the chapel tour videos of sacrament and primary and of Sister T introducing testimony and primary and they are excited!  She says she has improved so much since she's started meeting and learning. 

D met missionaries and added them on facebook around this time a year ago. She believes in prayer and it helped her get through a lot and find peace in these times. (He helped her when her house was almost in foreclosure and when her dad passed away recently). Both my companion and I just started walking towards a big white house because we both felt to knock it, naturally. She was there! 

Mamale is working towards family history work and baptisms for the dead.

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BofM . I am... Reading and writing down these things that come to mind: how to remember the good/ joy/ spiritual experiences. I am thankful for good. For Christ and Heavenly Father and the true peace that only comes through the gospel, when we move away from the "good" the world has to offer.

Maybe Connecticut or upstate new York for my last transfer? I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord.

Sister Wilcox

韦姐妹

 Me and my companion

The missionaries in our apartment

Part 2: Week 25--Sociality is a principle of heaven

The subject line is just something cool that I was thinking of this week. People are awesome! They are our brothers and sisters; our friends! It really is so enjoyable when you are able to be friends/ support for your district missionaries, members, investigators, companions, roommates, etc! Have joy! It is a principle for all of life.. Simple.

I had strep throat the weekend of the baptism. Haha, nice try, adversary! However, rest and medicine does wonders, and now we are working hard and seeing miracles again, and finding joy in all that we do. 

This mission is an adventure every day. And I'm so thankful for the ways that I've grown and learned and changed. I have only one more transfer and I'll be home for another set of adventures.

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Mamale got baptized!! The baptism ran so smoothly, and was so peaceful. President and Sister Smith attended and it meant a lot to her and to us. The ward helped her to feel so loved, and the whole experience really built all of our faith. It was so peaceful and special for her. Mamale is so excited to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. She wants that guidance in her life! Our members Brother S and Brother M were able to give her a priesthood blessing before church on Sunday to help with her headaches and give her some counsel/ direction from her Father in Heaven. It was so special to be there, because it truly showed how aware Heavenly Father is of her and of each individual. It addressed her needs and encouraged her perfectly. It is awesome the way Mamale has felt more and more a part of the ward family, and the way they are really embracing her with open arms. Our ward mission leader did a great job conducting the meeting and we are so happy for Mamale. We are so grateful to be a part of her journey! She is so lovely and so willing to do all that she can to keep the commandments and follow Christ! She even called us a couple of times asking us about questions from different pamphlets (i.e. Word of Wisdom "I read it all, and I was wondering how often we are allowed to eat meat?"). It is so sweet. The members have done a wonderful job this past transfer calling her and supporting her (we know that is key to helping her really become a part of the ward and to help her choose to keep commitments and be baptized)!

Marisela also accepted a baptismal date for April 8! It is amazing, because her family used to meet with missionaries in the Bronx when she was a child. One of the Elders had a profound impact on her life, because he used to be very overweight and he helped her to understand how to apply the word of wisdom personally, and she ended up losing weight and being healthy again. She still remembers the positive impact the missionaries had on her family, and the teachings. There are so many people here with prepared hearts! We never know what seeds are being planted in the hearts of our investigators and the people we meet. Marisela's cute daughter chimed in that she wants to be baptized as well! She is six years old. Marisela said that she knows meeting will always be remembered by her daughter in her life, too. That it really means a lot to their family. What a blessing to be a part of His great work.

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New York is so diverse! We have met with people the past couple weeks from Sierra Leon, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, the Congo, Haiti, Ghana, Nigeria, Botswana, Jamaica, the Philippines, Myanmar/ Burma, China, Thailand, Germany, and all over the United States! Those are just the ones I can remember! 

Hermana Clark's companion (our roommate companionship), Hermana Contreras just went back to Costa Rica, and her new companion is Hermana Worley from Nampa, Idaho... where my sister is serving!! We also have missionaries in this mission (some of them left recently though) from Finland, Russia, Hong Kong, China, Madagascar, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, and a lot of other cool places like that.

Sister Au is doing great! We are finding joy in each day! We both have a goal to get to know the missionaries and members that we work with better; to find joy in building friendships and in being our best selves as we respectfully represent Jesus Christ in this work! Such a funny, fun little missionary with all the best interests.

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Msh 26:29-30 Repentance is simple and is a gift! We have the opportunity and His enabling power/ grace to change.  A beautiful sacrifice/ plan/ way provided for us. It is so loving and awesome of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I am forever thankful!

Msh 26:14-16 Phrases that came to my mind: "Blessed art thou," "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Alma was troubled because some of the people had began to live in disbelief and leave the teachings they once knew and lived. Heavenly Father is so loving, and he knows our hearts. He sees the good in all of us and our potential. Keep working. Keep trying. Keep loving our brothers and sisters who have such potential! May we all return safely home.

Christ's Church is restored on this earth. They have given us a way to return. The Book of Mormon is the evidence that they preserved, so that we could know with a surety that we have a living prophet and that these are the truths. We can be with our family forever! This is the way of happiness, and it is our eternal salvation! Thankful for the proofs they've provided.

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Love you all!

爱你们

Sister A Wilcox

韦姐妹

Ward Valentine's party

 Mamale's baptism