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.

越來越冷,越來越光亮

It gets pretty cold in Renton during the winter, but not like here! The weather is soo cold! And unfortunately along with that, the work that I've been doing is cooling down too. Perhaps that is why we need the holidays, because otherwise people would just put their heads down and push through the more difficult times. The one glimmer of hope was the voices of an adult and children's choir from Virginia that performed at the Washington DC Temple visitor's center. Hundreds of Chinese families came to enjoy an evening of Chinese and American cultural music. I've never spoken to so many Chinese people in one setting in my life before! Music brings people together, just like the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are all seeking out the best things! Things in life that will calm us, bring solace to our souls and joy to our hearts. We don't find those things when we are alone. We find them in families, we find them in God, our Heavenly Father. At the end of the evening I walked out of the visitor's center with my three Chinese speaking missionary associates to discover the first snowfall of the year! As cold as it may be, there is light to be found. May we ever find that light, and may God give me opportunity to bring His light into the lives of others. -Elder Lim

At least I'm not THAT cold! The sun still shines on them (:

Elder Zwick 和許多奇蹟

     What kind of difference can one man make? I have the deepest desire to be an influence for good. I feel like those kinds of things are what really matter in the long run. I'm not speaking of a few good acts, nor a slew of sacrifices, but a transformation into something or someone that can really help better the lives of others, and my family. I feel like that happens when I follow Jesus Christ -the supreme example of human existence, and when I help others to do the same. This week was so wonderful, I don't even know where to begin. Elder Zwick of the church leadership came to visit our mission. He shared the depth of the calamity in the Philippines. My heart aches for my suffering brothers and sisters. He told us of the miraculous evacuation of missionaries from the most heavily destroyed island. They were saved by exactly obeying their mission president. A companionship of sisters narrowly escaped by finding passage into an attic and then climbing to the roof, only to have to cling together and endure 180 mph winds. Elder Zwick promised me that if I followed the doctrine and counsel of my president, it would bless my life forever. What a strong man he is! Not only in stature, but in spirit as well. He inspired me with his words this weekend, speaking of this work that I'm doing is like a wave, a tsunami even. That we missionaries are to become the undertow to the wave. We need to be that influence that I've been thinking of. I can do this by following Christ, for He is the ultimate force for good. Becoming like him, is becoming that force.

     This week we were blessed to meet so many people, willing to listen to the words of the gospel. A couple from Shanghai staying with their member sister, a couple from Guangdong staying with a part member couple, a man taught by my trainer Elder Mclane over a year ago, a young man that decided not to meet with the missionaries anymore because he feels like there are more important things to focus on, a woman married to a member who has been trying to learn English to pass the citizenship test for 7 years. So many new friends! I know that following Jesus Christ and His prophet will bring them greater blessings than they can imagine. Yes, the path of anyone's life can be fulfilled with a good career, a prosperous family, or great accomplishment. But there is just no other way to obtain greater happiness, greater fulfillment, nor stronger family than to follow Jesus Christ and His living prophet. I love teaching so much! We taught this 11 year old this week about the young man unwilling to give up his riches to follow Christ. There he could simply understand that it's so much better, to leave the things of the world to the world, and take up a better road! I hope I can help all these people and more in my life, to influence them for good. The wish of a missionary -Elder Lim

家譜活動

Could your 爺爺的爸爸 ever imagined you? And all the people he will have influenced by the goodness or the mistakes of his life?? It's so interesting!!! Family History is amazing. The Montgomery Chinese Branch knows how to start! I am so happy that members of the Chinese community from every kind of Chinese background got to spend an evening to appreciate the value of knowing about our ancestors, and learn how to preserve their memory for generations to come. I believe that those whom we love so dearly in this life can also be redeemed in the life to come. Such is the power and influence of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I love representing him as an ambassador of both sides of the veil. It is so worth the effort to get into researching your ancestors. I myself am converted to the importance and excitement of family history! It can definitely be difficult, especially for the Chinese people, but it is ever so worth it!! Our sights are now upon a regular English class to serve the Chinese community here.

I had one of the most interesting teaching experiences of my life last night! We've had this member referral for quite some time that has never had time to meet with us. Last night Elder He and I had a strong impression to go and invite him to the festival next month. He straightway invited us in and made fun of the fact that we were so ecstatic! He assumed that not many people let us in, and we told him it was true unfortunately. He has the most interesting religious background. He has sought the truth diligently his whole life. He knows the entire history of Christianity in China, and the resulting churches in America. That intrigued me so greatly! He then asked to receive the message that we bear. And so Elder He and I taught him the restoration of the fulness of the gospel! He is such a great teacher, and I was able to bear my witness in this man's native tongue. That is the greatest joy and gift to me! To speak to a man in the language that he was raised to speak. He sincerely took the invitation to read the book of mormon and to ask God in the name of Jesus Christ if it is scripture! I know that if he does, God will surely answer him. Because God loves us. He truly does. I've felt it and seen it time and time again. And this man lives right down the street from our chapel! It's God's will (: I love my job! -Elder Lim