My Brother

     With the beginning of my brother AJ's mission approaching, and the transfer of one of my closest companions Elder Hansen, this post is dedicated to them.

     There is no word to replace the word brother. It represents more than just two people passing through life together. It means that you share an origin, and that puts you in a position to look out for them. Recently I've grown a liking for the story of Jean Valjean in Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. After hearing the following quote from Elder Causse in conference, I've never thought of being a brother the same way. 

"A passage from the novel Les misérables illustrates how priesthood holders can treat those individuals viewed as strangers. Jean Valjean had just been released as a prisoner. Exhausted by a long voyage and dying of hunger and thirst, he arrives in a small town seeking a place to find food and shelter for the night. When the news of his arrival spreads, one by one all the inhabitants close their doors to him. Not the hotel, not the inn, not even the prison would invite him in. He is rejected, driven away, banished. Finally, with no strength left, he collapses at the front door of the town’s bishop.

The good clergyman is entirely aware of Valjean’s background, but he invites the vagabond into his home with these compassionate words:

“‘This is not my house; it is the house of Jesus Christ. This door does not demand of him who enters whether he has a name, but whether he has a grief. You suffer, you are hungry and thirsty; you are welcome. … What need have I to know your name? Besides, before you told me [your name], you had one which I knew.’

“[Valjean] opened his eyes in astonishment.

“‘Really? You knew what I was called?’

“‘Yes,’ replied the Bishop, ‘you are called my brother.’”

     I was once the prodigal son returning home. I felt so undeserving to be a brother to my fantastic siblings. How I was received by my brother AJ emulates the response of the Bishop in the story, and the response that Jesus Christ has for us when we repent. When I arrived back in Seattle a year and a half ago, I expected to be shunned, cast out, and condemned. I walked to the baggage terminal alone, without home and without friend, my brother AJ opened his arms to me with complete forgiveness in his heart. There was no resentment for the shame I might have brought to him, there was no judgement in the wrongs I might have done, he just loved me. I am so grateful for the time I was gifted with to be with him while I was home. Especially now that he is leaving for 2 years, and it will have been almost 4 when I do see him again. Some of my favorite memories are of sitting in his room teaching him the principles of "Preach My Gospel," and sharing with him the glory of being a missionary. I have dreams of meeting him at train stations and telling him to remember to love people, and to be bold! I am just so excited for him to become the close brother of so many more people in this world.

     Elder Hansen is a great missionary, but he is an even greater brother. Yesterday we went around to visit all the people we have gotten close to the past 6 weeks, and hearts were broken to learn that he is leaving today. I don't think that affection comes out of mere respect or friendship, but out of a closeness that develops from brotherly care and kindness. We have continued to teach the 21 year old mother of 4 children the lessons. This past week while teaching the Plan of Salvation the spirit was so hard to be felt! We gave her the straight doctrines without applying them to her needs, and the kids were being crazy in the background. Afterwards we felt devastated because this Sister means a lot to us, and we want to provide her with the best opportunity possible to accept the gospel. We want to be better brothers. Every week we work out with a man that reminds me a lot of my coach Dersely, and my best friend Luke. These are also brothers that I have been blessed to be close with. Last night we talked with this man and his adorable family about Christ and the atonement, I felt the spirit so strongly. I will miss that level of care and consideration my companion has, but I am so excited for him to continue to serve in his new assignment!

     There are so many people to be loved, and so few willing to give of themselves to be a true brother or sister. My challenge to you this week is to put your arm around someone and be their brother. "Now behold, this (Elder AJ Lim) was a man who had been with (Elder John Lim) in the more part of all his battles; and he was a man like unto (Elder John Lim), and they rejoiced in each other’s safety; yea, they were beloved by each other, and also beloved by all the people of (God). Alma 53:2

Glorious

     I have seen so many miracles this week, the hand of the Lord is working all around us! Last night the mission filled the Temple Visitor Center for the "Why I Believe," fireside. So many of my good friends participated in the program. Matt Josephs a recent convert in the White Plains 2nd ward shared his conversion story and his testimony. On the ride up, he let us read what he had prepared. His words were so deep and genuine, I knew it would be powerful. Despite how nervous he was to address over 500 people, a few lines into his testimony he closed his paper, and began to offer what was in his heart. That was such an epic moment! Watching someone new to the church and to the gospel taking that leap of faith to rely upon the Lord and the spirit in front of so many people. The keynote speakers were Randy and Meredith Casto from the Lexington Park ward. Since I served in the Patuxent Ward I didn't get to spend as much time with them, but I have so much respect and admiration for their faith and testimonies. Imagine changing from a lifetime devotion to a familiar denomination. Even though I didn't spend much time with them, they walked up to me and greeted me as if we were close friends. I love the way the gospel plants relationships of love even with people we hardly know.
     The Lord has led us to so many prepared people! Last transfer the Elders met this man walking his two kids in a stroller, and expressed a willingness to have us into his home to learn more. On Tuesday evening we were able to teach him, his wife, and their 12 year old daughter about the restoration of the gospel. They were so open to the principles we taught. At the end, the daughter got her guitar and played us a song! They intended to perform at the ward activity on Saturday, but the mother went into labor with their next child. On Saturday we met another amazing person in La Plata. She was out walking her kids when we met her and started talking about prophets. Her 3 little boys are adorable! And they came with us to the ward activity. She will start preparing for baptism after she has her 4th child. I can hardly believe all the amazing things that are happening, I can't imagine if this month was not a part of my mission. I'm so excited for the next half year to serve the Lord, there is no greater glory!

Overjoyed!

"Behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God." Alma 26:1

It's difficult to describe the great feelings that I experienced this week. Robert McNeely was finally prepared to receive baptism, and there was no way I could miss it! He has been a good friend and brother to me, I love their family so much. Elder Fisher and I made arrangements to go down to Lexington Park for the baptism, it was fun to be companions again for the day. I can truly say that I miss that transfer we served together, we worked so hard and he is like my brother. We caught up on the past few months and shared some of the things we've learned. When we got to the church and saw the Patuxent Ward Bishop he approached us and started talking to us like we were the missionaries for the ward, then he realized that we had both been transferred away! It was such a joyous reunion to see the Metcalfs, the McNeelys, and all the missionaries I love and served. The baptismal service was beautiful, and there was only one hold up.. There was one of the 8 year old girls really anxious to get baptized, and set things back an hour.. But good things come to those who wait, and the spirit was so strong as Robert was baptized by his father Ken. That was so neat!! It strengthens my testimony of the truthfulness of the restored priesthood ordinances. There isn't just a good feeling about the baptism, there is a solemn atmosphere that bears witness of the proper authority. I will definitely need to come back for when they go through the temple, and hope that Robert will be able to serve a mission next year. It is so worth the effort to share the gospel, I have made eternal friends and experienced everlasting joy. I have found that as I've given such a small portion of my life to the Lord, He has blessed me with so much more in return. You give Him a crust, and He sends down loaves.

True Humility

     Recently I've been studying and pondering the subject of humility. I didn't feel like I really understood how to be humble. Sometimes people make it seem like humility is just something that a few select people are naturally good at. I hear them say, "He is a humble man." And I wondered how I could possess that divine quality. It isn't just a natural tendency, it is a choice that we need to make. In an attempt to become humble, I would often try to humiliate myself. Have you ever done that before? Someone praises you for your good work or talent and you put yourself down and make it sound like you're garbage because you want to be virtuous. But if that isn't the way to be humble, what is? I had this feeling that it had to be a more positive mindset but still a choice nonetheless. Preach My Gospel says that humility is not a sign of weakness, but of spiritual strength. It is when you are willing to give the Lord the honor and glory for what is accomplished. Now that is something that I can do. I can gracefully accept the compliment that is given, but give credit to God for that blessing that He has given me. When we undertake to downplay the good things we do, we downplay what God has done through us. After all, we ourselves and everything we have come from him. Even the energy to do good works can be traced back to Him as the great source.
     Last Friday we had a zone conference that we were asked to give a training in. As we prepared throughout the week, we had a great struggle in trying to figure out what we would teach and train the zone on. We would spend a few hours planning, and just feel like we weren't getting it. We would stop and pray, and plead for help, but it felt like we had to scrape for inspiration in knowing what to prepare. When we finally got to the presentation, it went smoother than any training I have ever given before. The spirit was powerful, and I felt like what we taught came from God. Afterwards I had this feeling of gratitude for how well it went, and then I realized why it was so hard to prepare the training. It was to help us recognize where the ideas came from. They were not our own, they were the Lord's, and He helped me be humble by making us work for the inspiration.
     This weekend when President Monson began by saying that he was humbled by the task to address us, I understood what that truly meant. He recognizes the greatness of the task, and he knows where he needs to have help from. We watched a session with the Weimers, a couple that we have been meeting with lately. I felt like I was watching the session with family, they brought snacks and everything! At the conclusion of the session, we reviewed the messages that were shared and they were touched by the spirit in the room. After his leg recovers, he wants to be baptized and participate fully in the blessings of the restored gospel. I am humbled to be their friend and brother, and grateful that God has sent me here to be with this people. Let's go out and do extraordinary things and not shrug them off, but give praise to God for His help in accomplishing them.