Thursday, January 18, 2018

Part 2: Week 20--Yeah

My brother Stephen is going to be baptized by my brother David on January 21st! That is so special. 


The area is great. We are hitting the standards of excellence, and seeing people come unto Christ. Mamale and chong have baptismal dates so we hope to continue to have members fellowship and love them, and to help them read the bofm and grow their own testimony. Last week we all walked home together from church and Chong and Mamale said to each other, "See you next Sunday!" It was awesome to hear, and to see their genuine desire to come and to learn and to be a part of the ward.
On Monday we were on a split. Sister Neria came to New Rochelle and Sister Au went to Scarsdale. We saw many miracles and met many people whom desire to know more! Who were looking for something in their life (due to life changes, or hardships, or circumstances) and knew themselves that it wasn't a coincidence to meet.

We found the Tswana BofM for our investigator from Africa! It was a miracle / prompting from the spirit.

My companion is so sweet. She has so many strengths. I love her and continue to pray to love her even more. We've seen so many good things. She's taught me a lot! I just want her to be happy (through obedience and work and joy).

Testimony. I've grown a love for my studies everyday. I love the book of Mormon and the Bible. They bring me such peace. I learn so much and my soul is filled. I'm thankful for them.
Luke 12, Acts 16 (James 2:19 they know and tremble! Truth), John 14, 1 Thessalonians 1-2
Alma 5, Mormon 6

Miracle:  We found a man who was struggling with his faith in Jesus Christ because of past experiences he had had growing up. But he remembered the faith of his sweet mother. We testified and shared concepts from the plan of Salvation and also from the restoration. It really touched his heart and you could see his heart soften and his soul fill with light, in a way. We asked about his children and he told us he had a very close relationship with them, and that two of his daughters lived in Florida. One of the daughters just happens to live in the exact small hometown I'm from. And she has three children who are the same ages as my siblings. He told us that it would be good for missionaries to visit and build their faith and share a message with them. We requested for my family to help fellowship this family when we sent the referral. What a blessing.


Thomas Paine memorial in New Rochelle and Edgar Allen Poe went to Fordham University! So much rich history! 



很可愛的同伴!She is learning and growing everyday, and my vision for the future (what I hope I can instill in her heart as a trainer) is a deep love for the mission, and the people/ places Heavenly Father has prepared for her-- recognizing and being grateful for His hand in all things. Positivity, peace, and love for each other and those we teach and serve. Faith in our goals and diligence. Most importantly that charity and joy and sacredness of our calling! What a joy it is to serve and be a representative of Christ. 


I always gain insight at the temple. And it is so peaceful. Thankful. (Went today !)

Mormon 5 and 6: 15-21
Words cannot explain or describe the feeling in my heart. And how powerful, how much I FELT that. Like I was experiencing it myself; and then as I imagined myself to stand before Jesus Christ at that day of judgement. The desire to live well and follow Him and have a pure heart, with light and righteousness and joy in all that I do (to have become that and to have changed my nature to become more like Him. Comfortable and full of joy in His presence Moroni 7:48). To be excited and full of love for Him in my heart and for all around me. Not to escape His presence or feel uncomfortable. I have nothing to hide! To look Him in His eyes with confidence and gladness and joy and exclamation. To finally see Him. To be ready and prepared and pure in heart. I love Him, and am so thankful for His WAY. His saving grace and atonement. Thank you for this beautiful, Redeeming plan, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I say this in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, amen. 

Sister A Wilcox 
韋姐妹

Me and my companion


Going to the temple--views from the commuter train, NYC street, street view of temple




Part 2: Week 19--Snow Miracles



There was a blizzard last Thursday , and  Sister Au and I prayed and prayed to know what to do. We felt that we should try to get to all our appointments. However, at the time when we went out, the wind was so strong that it blew us flat into a fence and we couldn't walk any further! We went inside to the lounge and were wondering why we felt that we should go, but decided to video call our appointment downstairs in the lounge. At that moment, a Chinese mom with her baby walked in. We were able to talk to her and teach a bit of the restoration and get her information . She came to church with her cute little son this Sunday, and has been taking lessons. What miracles. We can see her family in the temple. I love them so much, she is so sweet, and from China! It is awesome. We knew that was the reason we felt the answer Heavenly Father had given, he had prepared someone who would come down at that moment.

We were looking for a less active member, and we could not find her house anywhere, so were knocking around the area. We had to go to district meeting so I asked my companion to find one more door to knock before we left. She felt strongly about a certain door, so we went and knocked. When the young man opened the door and we introduced ourselves, he directed us to his mother who happened to be a less active from a nearby ward. She told us that none of her family were members of the church and that her daughter was going through a hard time (it was her daughter's house we were at, but the family happened to just be visiting at that moment). She told us that it was time they had the gospel in their lives, and that it was no coincidence we had felt to knock on their door that day. We were able to pray with her and reschedule her. Miracles.

We walked with the two cute families from China to church on Sunday! It brought us so much joy to be there with them and see their kids really enjoy the primary, and to see the ward members reach out. A couple of them even speak Chinese! We also happened to meet a recent convert on the street on the way to church, who had been baptized during my last transfer in Chinatown . He had not been as active lately in Chinatown , but no one had any idea that he was up in new Rochelle working and living now.  He will help us to fellowship, and we can all strengthen each other's faith. Not a coincidence.

We had visited a less active member with our relief society president. We told her how much she had to offer; how much the ward would benefit from having her and her testimony and input. Her sweet roommates were there, and when she came on Sunday she brought 5 of her roommates and friends, who all had questions.  It was amazing to see so many lovely faces at church because of our efforts AND because of our reliance on Heavenly Father through prayers. This is His work. He will provide a way. He will guide us to those who are prepared and will help us to help others Come unto Christ. And to come to church! Lots of sincere prayers. And they are answered.

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I have a Burberry coat from a leaving missionary, yay. And we had so many people come to church last week (10) and a lot of new investigators! Heavenly Father helps us achieve our goals. Faith in goals and diligence. So thankful.

Our investigator from Macau in Chinatown got baptized! It brought me so much joy to hear. Sister Tai and I really loved her so much and were really able to need her grow and learn and change!


It got so cold! 2-30 degrees on all the days, THANKFUL when it is 30 degrees ! Haha. I heard iguanas fell out of trees in Florida.

Area is great! There are so many of our members roommates who came to church on Sunday so we really want to focus on meeting with them as well as having meaningful daily Contact with our Chinese families who came to church and help them to understand the book of Mormon .

Companion is so sweet and lovely! She has such strong teaching abilities and testimony. Always relies on the spirit.

My companion went in her first car wash today. She has also been a bit sick lately. It's going around! Also the three Hong Kong sisters found  each other and were able to get a picture :D (sister Tai is now in Morning side heights in Manhattan South and we happened to see her in Scarsdale just before she left to temple square to get a pic.) Love these sisters!!! From Tai Wo and Sha Tin! And some of my favorite temple pics in Los Angeles and New York!

韦姐妹
Sister A Wilcox

My favorite pictures from the Los Angeles (entryway) and the Manhattan temples (angel Moroni from above)


Baptism of our investigator from Macau



Me and my Chinese companions





Friday, January 5, 2018

Part 2: Week 18--Fun in the not so Sun!

What a week! Went on a split in Scarsdale. Saw some miracles. Love those sisters.

We were looking for a Less Active member and the only house number we couldn't find was hers; every other number was on the street. So I asked Sister Au which last house we should knock on before we left for district meeting, and she felt prompted to a particular door. In the house was a less active member from Scarsdale who was visiting her daughter's family, none of whom were members of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints! The mom wanted us to come back and teach the family while she fellowshipped saying her daughter was going through some hard things, and that it was time for them to learn of the blessings of the Gospel! It was a miracle. And the woman was so touched and recognized that it was no coincidence either. This is the Lord's work!

One of our potential investigators also wanted us to pray for her friend in the hospital. We realized after we started to drive to meet her there, that he was in the Bronx (a little out of our area). So we quickly called the Kingsbridge Hermanas (who also have a new missionary in the companionship), and they were able to teach a bit of the restoration and eternal families to the wife of the man in the hospital and to our investigator! It was a little miracle for both them and us. I was so thankfuk for the faith of our investigator and for the comfort and peace the truth of the Gospel brings.

My new companion Sister Au is so sweet. I love her! When she first walked into the room where the trainees and trainers meet each other, I already knew who she was and how special she was to heavenly father and to me!

It is also really fun, because Sister Au knows Brother Smith (one of my MTC teachers who served in her ward Sha Tin). And I served in her ward for a day when I was in Hong Kong! She also knows Elder Love from my MTC district, and Elder Jensen who was in butterfly when I was in Tuen Mun and also served in her ward before. Her brother is good friends with Sister Tai, my Chinatown companion, and he also served/is good friends in Hong Kong with Brother Anderson who served in Tuen Men at the same time as me! Small world.
But most importantly, she has such a sweet personality and the spirit is with her. We have such joy in this sacred work!
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Thankful to be a part of the Lord's work

I love New York and Hong Kong. Such lovely people, and serving is such a blessing. It has really refined and shaped my life. Truly. 

We found a bunch of new investigators last week! Hard work and staying organized does wonders! Also, there are a couple Chinese families, one who speaks Cantonese and the rest Mandarin. And of course, many English investigators!
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I love and am so grateful for President Monson's service! Here are some of favorite teachings of his that our mission president sent out to us.

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved."
"The choices we make determine our destiny.”
"Our Savior is our map."
"Choose harder right, instead of easier wrong"

His final General Conference testimony - "My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives. I so testify with all my heart in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

"Faithful and true, he will enter his kingdom, Crowned in the midst of the prophets of old...Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren; Death cannot conquer the hero again."

Oh the embrace with his mother, Nephi, Joseph, Moroni, Mormon, Gordon B. Hinckley,the widows he loved and served, his childhood friends, his missionaries, and most importantly being welcomed home by his Savior. The Plan of Salvation has been reveled through the Prophets and we know this to be true.  (President Smith sent this to us; so true! ^v)

What a blessing to have had President Nelson here so recently and to receive a witness that he truly is called of God.

So thankful to know that where I am and who I am serving/ serving with is called of God. It is the Lord's will. We will learn so much from each ohter! What a blessing and opportunity.
Sister Au is so sweet and an amazing missionary who relies on the spirit and teaches for understanding so well! I'm thankful for her kindness and happiness. I love her! 

I'm so thankful for the way this mission has helped to refine and shape my life. 

I hope to help people attend church as a companionship! Agency. We will continue to find those who are prepared and teach and love those who are most ready in order to help them keep commitments! The miracle family we found is so prepared! I know it! Faith and hope for our investigators. Future eternal families!

Sister Wilcox
韦姐妹

The pictures are of my new companion Sister Au and us looking out over the water (at an awesome beautiful quiet area that not many others know about according to a nice old man we met there), and the Hermanas and sister Christensen on the day she flew back to Utah!