聖誕快樂！！！

It was hoped for since the beginning of mankind, it has been remembered everyday since! The miraculous birth, life, atonement, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When He was born in that simple setting 2013 years ago, he didn't know what His mission was. He didn't know how many souls needed Him, how I would need Him. I rejoice that he accomplished all that He came here to do! I rejoice that I also have an opportunity to go on a mission, and taste of the victory, joy, and contentment that comes from helping brothers and sisters find their way. What a mission it has been! As I play the role of the messenger that told the shepherds where to find the baby Jesus, I also find myself in a role among the shepherds themselves. As I lead people to find Jesus Christ, I come closer to Him myself. What greater cause could I be working towards at this time in my life?! This week we taught a lot of people who have family members that already have been baptized as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and have long been familiar with the message we share. They are just a few steps away from entering into so many blessings that they have not yet realized. As I draw closer to them, and feel more like their good friend, I feel their faith growing. I feel their willingness to do more, because they sense the goodness of more closely following Jesus Christ. I love Christmas! I love how it gives the common world an opportunity to accept part of a message that Mormons live every day of their lives. The best way to end a year, the best way to live another year, may we take this reminder into the next. Elder Lim

The Spirit of CHRISTmas

This week I had two special experiences that helped me to better understand what it means to have to spirit of Christmas. A couple days ago we were helplessly trying to get into a locked apartment building (which, sad to say, is usually not a problem) to visit someone that investigated the church over 4 years ago. After deliberating for a while on what we should do, since the call box didn't help us find any apartment over the 3rd floor, we decided we should just move on. As we were walking back to our car, I felt to ask this asian looking lady for help in Chinese. It's always scary to do that because you don't know if someone will get irritated at you for bothering them! She was on her way in to see a friend who was coming out to meet her! They were both so very nice to us, and Chinese of course! They said they would look for our friends and contact us. Later that night we got a call from one of them saying that the people we were looking for had passed away, but that she would love to take us up on our invitation to go see the Washington DC Temple! We'll see how that goes tomorrow! I learned that the spirit of Christmas is having extra faith to do things that Christ would do. That could be taking time out of your day to do good for others, or following the path that God wants you to take. The other experience happened not 2 hours ago. We were standing in the checkout line for our groceries, and this lady named Judy cut in front of us and insisted on paying for our food. This touched my heart in a way I can't described. She said she knew we didn't get paid, that her brother was on a mission in Washington state, and that she wanted to do this as a Christmas gift to us. It wasn't an outrageous act, but it was wonderful to me. I felt the love of my God through someone's divine act of service. There are angels all around us today. It truly feels like Christmas. What shall we give? "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

May you find that spirit of Christ in your heart this week, as I have -Elder Lim

Using Christmastime to become more like Christ

I've found myself reflecting a lot on the things that I invite people to do. The most important suggestion that I ever give to people as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, is to become more like him. I ask them to do this not just because I think it's a good idea, or just because I think he lived the most exemplary human life, but because I know with all my heart that following Him has brought more peace, love, and true joy into my life than anything else. Gymnastics makes me happy when I finally get a new skill, playing the cello brings me peace when I finally master a song, hanging out with my parents and my brothers and sisters laughing about how we're going to eat mangos at my Dad's funeral brings love into my life. But nothing compares to the blessings that come when I learn how to be a more caring brother, a more humble worker, a more faithful servant, a virtuous man and so on. In 3 Nephi chapter 19, Christ  is with the surviving people of the Americas. After He teaches them the principles of salvation, words that couldn't even all be recorded, He goes aside and prays for the people. "And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one." That's my goal, during this special time of year.
This week there were so many miracles! I was finally able to talk about the gospel to this wife of a member who I personally have done many hours of service at their home over the course of my mission. We met this former investigator who's father purchased a copy of the Book of Mormon for her when she was in middle school. She has had a testimony of the book her entire life, and has so much faith! It just strengthened me to speak with her. The only thing keeping her from baptism is her husband who strongly opposes religion. I met this wonderful couple from Shanghai and Beijing, who have had 2 generations of teachers in their family. That is quite rare for the opposition that educators have faced in China. They are both doctors and very interesting to talk to and teach. Our branch had one of the best church activities I've been to! So many people came, even our investigator that just got into MIT with a full-ride scholarship! I love the people I'm meeting here, and  I'm trying to show them what Christ is like through example. We got a call from the VC on our way to an appointment saying that there was a Chinese family that wants to learn more about the gospel! So we raced down there! They said I smile a lot ;) I'm just so happy!

Snowed in!!

Don't let it snow!! Because then we can't have church! This picture is just the beginning of a snowfall that turned out to be 3 inches! We were confined to our apartment and couldn't make it to church where the children were going to give a special musical performance. Sometimes I don't understand how these crazy things happen! Doesn't God know that we need to go to church?? Doesn't he have control over the weather?? In any case, I trust that He knows better than I do! We got to spend the evening riding around with our branch president in his SUV shoveling driveways! :D This week we met an especially sincere young man. The English missionaries knocked on his door, and met his chinese speaking grandfather. He called the young man over to come "deal with it!" Luckily, this young man is at a very important time of decisions in his life, and accepted the opportunity to meet with us. He's been in America for 7 years now, and was just blessed with several amazing educational opportunities. I know that God is showing him that He is there for him, and that He wants to bless him through these great blessings. And that is the message I shared as I stood on a chair, and read the proclamation of the Savior's birth by Samuel the Lamanite at a dinner with our branch members. The Lord wants to bless us through coming unto His son, even Jesus Christ. He's given us this special time of year, to do things that Jesus Christ would do. Visit the lonely, the sick and afflicted, give gifts to our brothers and sisters and sing praises to God together. That is pure religion. That is what will make us happy. I am so completely happy that I have a chance to represent Jesus Christ. To say what He would say, to do what he wants done. To be a living modern witness of the divinity of His great and marvelous latter-day work. I love my calling! May you find purpose and blessings in this special time of year. -Elder John H Lim

Second Thanksgiving!

今年我非常感謝,

1. The Atonement of Jesus Christ, that has changed my very heart. That has helped me feel stronger and better than I could ever become on my own.
2. My awesome family! They are a light to me and strengthen me in every way.
• My Dad - The greatest missionary that ever lived
• My Mom - The best cook that ever lived
• Hannah and Tyler - Best couple married this year
• AJ - The future Elder Lim!
• Antonio - The strongest Lim.
3. Being a Missionary. A real, fully qualified, full time, called of God, servant of the Lord.
4. Witnessing the sealing of my dear sister and new brother this year.
5. Leaders who love me. My mission presidents have been like fathers to me, and the prophets that have always led me.
6. The scriptures! They bring me so much peace, direction, and just make me happy.
7. My bestfriends, though far away, I still feel their love and faith.
8. My gymnastics family, they raised me to be the man I am today.
9. Learning to speak Chinese! Along with the best Chinese companions.
10. The opportunity to serve the Montgomery branch, and all the amazing families in it.