A Surprise Addition To The Companionship!

Good day everyone! Another week is down and another week of adventure awaits us! So much happens each week! So crazy! My days are always so fulfilling because we are getting so much done! I love my mission so much! I am growing such a thirst and desire to feast on the words of Christ! I am learning, growing, changing, and becoming! It is crazy to see how the Lord can shape you into who HE wants when you humble yourself before him!



Australian things! 

-They love advertising Christmas bbqs. It just blows my mind that a bbq at Christmas is acceptable haha. Christmas here is just so wild! 

-Instead of 911 it is 000

-There is a specific number to call if you get bitten by a spider! There are soooo many spiders here. Got a picture of a massive one on my garbage can this week! Fun times. 

-There are sooo many ambulances! It is crazy! Literally, I see sooo many every day. It makes me sad to see so many ambulances drive past.

-An interesting thing about Australia is that it is mandatory to vote. So the Australian missionaries still have to vote haha. Kinda funny! 



Highlights of the week!

-The biggest highlight is that my mission President called us and told us that he had a special assignment for us zone leaders of the Nephi zone. He told us that there was a missionary flying in from mainland China! And he has not gotten any MTC training or anything because he was trying to get out of China super quick! So the next day we got Elder Sun! We are a trio now! And Elder Sun is epic! He has so much charity and is helping us a lot because he was a convert just 2 years ago! So in addition to not knowing much about missions, he is still learning new things about the church and everything! However, he has an incredible testimony and a desire to work hard! I have never seen someone so excited to go street contacting! And who is willing to share his conversion story over and over! He will be a big asset in the mission! And it is crazy how much of an influence our church has over in China! No unhallowed hand will stop the Lord's work from progressing!  

-Went on an exchange and got lots of door knocking in! 

-The weather has been crazy.  There has been a lot of rain and ups and downs in the temperature! Literally every day I have to wear different clothes! One day it is 95 and I am sweating bullets and then the next day is like 58 for a high and I am shivering in the rain…kinda funny! 

-Got signed up to play the piano a lot! I am learning how to play while people sing! There have been some funny mistakes along the way! 

-Got a bunk bed to fit the extra Elder! It is a little tight in our flat now, but we are making it work! 

-Played some basketball and the past couple weeks have been really fun! Still have my three point shot ;)

-Had some really good lessons this week! Lots of teaching the atonement! And the best lesson was when we brought someone from the streets and taught them the restoration and he was so grateful and shocked to hear the marvelous work and wonder that the restoration was. It was so touching to see how the truth and more knowledge can impact people! 



Spiritual thought time! 

Here is a good quote: 

2 Nephi 27:21. “In Mine Own Due Time” Elder Neal A. Maxwell discussed our timing and God’s timing: “Faith also includes trust in God’s timing, for He has said, ‘All things must come to pass in their time’ (D&C 64:32). On another occasion, Elder Maxwell said: “Faith in the timing of God [is] to be able to say Thy timing be done, even when we do not fully understand it.”



I was reading and a scripture in 2 Nephi 7:11 stood out to me! It said “behold all ye that kindle fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire and in the sparks which ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand–ye shall lie down in sorrow.” 

This scripture is talking about how sometimes we want to walk in our own light and do things our own way…but who do you trust? What light do you walk by? Who is your light? Jesus Christ said “I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led” (1 Nephi 17:13). 

I LOVE this scripture so much! Jesus Christ is my light! He is my guide in the wilderness of life! He is continually preparing my paths for me as I keep His loving commandments! Jesus Christ illuminates my life in so many ways and I know that He is leading me to the promised land! His light chases the darkness out of my life! Even when all seems dark and lost there is the light of the Savior that brightens even my darkest days! He is truly the light and life of the world! And because He is leading me I give all credit to Him! I trust in Him with all my heart and lean not unto my own understanding! “Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works” (Jacob 4:10). 

Please counsel with the Lord in all things! He is a God who knows the past, present, and future! He knows what is best for you! He knows how to help you progress to become the best person you can be! He is your loving Heavenly Father! He wants the best for you and He knows exactly the best timing and way for you to improve! Follow His light and His guidance! 



Do you trust yourselves or others more than the Lord? It goes back to that first scripture I shared….who’s light is the light you follow? In D&C 3:7 it says “you should not have feared man more than God”. You should not be afraid to uphold God’s light and love! Don't be ashamed of what you know! I will never fear man more than God! I know in whom I have trusted! I will always put my trust in the God of the universe! 



In Mosiah 7:33 it states “But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.” 

I want to end with bearing my humble and simple testimony that if you turn to the Lord and trust in Him He WILL deliver you out of your darkest, deepest, bondage! He is a God of miracles! Serve Him with all your mind! I think we all serve God with our heart and strength in the things we do. But sometimes we forget to serve God with our mind! I invite everyone to do something that will help you align your mind more with God this week! Seek to align your will with God’s will! If you turn to our Savior and take hold of His enabling atoning power you can find peace in life! He is the prince of peace! Seek Him this Christmas season! Keep Him the focus and center of your life! It's your choice! Choose wisely…what can I say more…



Here are the pictures from the past 2 weeks!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2SSxjNQDfuHMLBgz6



I love you all! Keep enjoying the Christmas season! Live with no regrets! 

Have a splendid week!

Cheers!



-Elder Jones (zhang zhanglao) 









































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