tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65962332710613395182024-03-13T21:03:32.991-07:00Sister Gopinath's Mission Blog...with love from Singapore!Manishahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09817979517961711639noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-60235568180069966932013-02-11T08:17:00.001-08:002013-02-11T08:17:14.200-08:00My Heart Is Full ...the last post<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I felt like this week was a very full week. More like, my heart was full. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We met with <i>Arnie</i>. His heart has truly changed. He brought out some very good questions about Joseph Smith and his role in restoring the Gospel. A strong and sweet spirit was there the entire lesson. He talked about wanting to share this Gospel with others, even though he is not a missionary or a member of the Church, but just "as a Christian" he feels a desire to extend God's love to those around him. His heart has this soft, gooey, spiritual center. We got his parents' address to send missionaries to them--<i>Arnie</i> feels this is the will of God, and he hopes to be baptized with them. He said, though, that if they don't accept, he would still step forward himself (to be baptized). The Spirit was so strong. It was one of those lessons where I felt incredibly blessed to be a missionary. I told <i>Arnie</i> at the end that I wouldn't be seeing him again, and he shook my hand with the most warmth and love I have ever seen in his eyes. He said he was grateful that he got to meet me. I cannot believe the warmth I saw in his eyes, and I will never forget it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is a less-active member named <i>Melba </i>that we've been visiting lately. After several years of being away, she really wants to repent and come back to Church. We visited her and only got to speak with her at the doorstep (she is a domestic helper, so it's not her house), but we talked to her about the Atonement and God's love for her. She expressed a desire to do her family's Temple work, and we talked about that for a while. It's hard to describe, but I felt the Spirit really strongly as we told her that Heavenly Father loves her deeply and would strengthen her as she takes steps toward full activity in His Church again. It was impossible not to feel incredible love for Sister <i>Melba</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday was really emotional for me. I got to see <i>Julius</i> (new member I taught, the one from India) in the hallway before church, but I didn't get to talk to him because Sacrament Meeting was starting and he is in another ward. So we just waved and smiled goodbye to each other. I then sat down and cried through the opening song, praying that God would continue to take care of <i>Julius</i>. I was already weepy and then Bishop Osumo announced that it was my last Sunday, and he asked me to give a short testimony, which I weepily did. My heart was just full of love for these people and a heartfelt prayer that God will take care of them, that they will take care of each other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm so grateful that God sent me here. I feel so blessed. I know that God loves each and every one of us. Jesus is the Christ. He lives today and guides this Church through a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson. The heavens are open.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
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Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-56962458793960235362013-02-04T07:57:00.001-08:002013-02-04T08:03:50.886-08:00Tender Mercies<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week was different. I spent most of it sleeping and trying to recover. I was blessed to be able to go out after three days and teach a lesson with Sister Ballantyne, though I barely made it through the lesson and even then, I only made it through that lesson successfully because of divine help. My head was so "clogged" and I was so drowsy (my ears were even stuffed so I couldn't hear) but somehow I was able to teach and Sister Ballantyne said that the investigator opened up a lot more than he had their first lesson. So that was a miracle. We talked about the Book of Mormon, and receiving answers to prayers. Even through my fog of sickness, I could feel the Spirit guiding the lesson and what I was saying/asking. I felt happy to teach, and also happy to go to bed that night. Tender mercy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Church yesterday was great as well. <i>Arnie</i>, an investigator I talked about a few months ago, has decided he wants to send missionaries to his family (his family is moving to Ohio very soon) and he wants to all be baptized together. It is a steep goal but it's a breakthrough because he came out and told us that himself, without us probing at all. He was saying how he comes to church every week and learns something new every time. He also faithfully attends Institute every week with his girlfriend (a member), and finds it very inspiring and enriching. It's taken him over a year, but he's now come out and said that he'd like to be baptized. Now we have to work on his family and help him with any concerns that come out of that, but it's such progress from where he's been. I was so happy and excited. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will save all of the mushy and painful feelings about leaving soon for the next email. Haha. It hasn't really, really hit me. I still feel like a missionary. At church, I felt and acted like I always do. I'm grateful to be here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
<br />Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-88828861763501918622013-01-27T22:57:00.000-08:002013-01-28T23:10:45.163-08:00These People Have Touched My Heart<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurDmIlJzzxxWDn-SPGE2Af_oR85a8EmEi3hZDLUM8FQsTJ4nWN4FGqweliT1LxAK6DDbyNOFFILooTUaZwhKaE1PV32eipzPdujcHv6CunokT4nOnG-6fiUE1AFbV0Wpquwk27mY_lXg/s1600/DSCF0474%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurDmIlJzzxxWDn-SPGE2Af_oR85a8EmEi3hZDLUM8FQsTJ4nWN4FGqweliT1LxAK6DDbyNOFFILooTUaZwhKaE1PV32eipzPdujcHv6CunokT4nOnG-6fiUE1AFbV0Wpquwk27mY_lXg/s320/DSCF0474%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">his week was a little different! I'll write about one highlight. I got to go on my last visit to Malaysia, to spend some time helping the senior couple in Johor Bahru (this is a regular thing that all the Singapore missionaries do). I was there for two days, and we got to teach some recent converts that Sister Crichton taught! The picture I've attached is of Sister <i>Kimon</i>. She and I got along really well. She's Iban, but she also speaks beautiful Malay, so the senior couple taught a lesson about the Temple and I helped translate (along with some of the Johor Elders, who came as well). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wish I could describe to you the feelings I had as I was there. To be in this environment again... to be in Malaysia, with its people, speaking its language. To be in such a humble home of a sweet new member. That night we visited the home of a member of the bishopric, and taught about the priesthood (again, I translated for the senior couple with Elder Tice and Elder Mayo), and I shed a few tears that came as I realized this was my last lesson with a Malaysian. These people have touched my heart. I'm so grateful to have had a small part in their reception of the restored Gospel of Christ. I'm grateful that God loved me enough to send me here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
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Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-79862882550725213222013-01-20T21:38:00.001-08:002013-01-20T21:39:22.162-08:00Battling to the End<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm be honest... this week was a slow week. I taught fewer lessons this week than any week of my mission. It's been hard, and battling discouragement is an ongoing thing for me. Rejection, for some reason, has lately been more painful than ever. I think it's because I am nearing the end of my mission and so I have a clearer idea of what I want to see happen... my hopes are high. And those hopes, currently, are not being fulfilled. I feel like I am trying as hard as I ever have before, but for some reason the results are just not coming. There's this part of The District 2 where Elder Murray is talking about how he feels that he and his companion have been doing their best--they feel they are they best they've ever been on their missions, and at the came time "the baptisms just stopped." Right now I am feeling that way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We got a new Ward Mission Leader yesterday! That was really exciting. Our previous one was "less active" as far as helping us out, and this new one seems really excited about getting the ward more involved. That is something that will improve our missionary work. It's hard because almost all the members work until 8 pm, or later, so we can't visit them. We've been working with the bishop, and that's been good, but we've done as much as we can right now with him. The way we'll succeed now, really, is through the link of the Ward Mission Leader. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week I have been reading about submitting our will to the will of the Father. I read a talk that talked about how there are two ways to do that. We can give up our behaviors that don't match what God wants, and do the actions we are commanded to despite wanting something else. We accomplish much good, but in our hearts we still hold on to our "natural man" desires. The other way, the better way, is to give up our behaviors that are not according to God's will--give up our habits, attitudes, ways of thinking, and our very desires. When we give it up in our hearts as well as in our actions, it is then that the Atonement of Christ can enter our lives and change our natures. Our will becomes God's will--our will is to do what God wants, and that desire becomes stronger than anything else. In this way, not only do we do what the Savior would do, we become as the Savior is. I am working on ways to better apply this in my life, and understand more about this. Christ was the perfect example of this. He came into the world to do the will of the One that sent Him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
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Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-13442993451143147912013-01-13T20:54:00.002-08:002013-01-13T20:54:39.732-08:00Peace and Comfort<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week was fun. I'm not sure what to say, but that the people in the email from last week... <i>Gus</i>, the first one, has set a baptismal date and he is working to stop smoking so he can make that date. He is awesome, but he is in the Philippines for 2 weeks because it's his daughter's birthday. It's great for him but it means we don't get to see him for a while. But he is doing great.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Katrina</i>, the girl I wrote about last week, dropped us. She told us that she wanted to stick with her original church, and she'd already discussed with the leaders that she realized she needs to be baptized so they're going to do her baptism in their church. She became hardened toward us. I don't want to go too much into it, but that is the most exquisite pain I have ever known. I know it's not the end of the story, I know I did all I could. But it feels like a knife in my heart. When these things happen, it still hurts every single time. I love her and desire her salvation. But I know that the experiences we had with her were exactly what God wanted for her at this point in her life. I find peace and comfort in that. I did all that was within my power.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's been an otherwise good week. Some new investigators are coming out of the woodwork, and we have a new energy in our companionship because Sister Crichton is with us :) She is Samoan and way cool. I'm excited to be with her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love this work. There is no work that has affected me more from the inside out. I am converted to the Gospel more every day, as I study it and apply the principles in my life. I am grateful for the chance to boldly declare this Gospel to everyone I meet here, that they might partake of eternal life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
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Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-55432997346651510382013-01-07T09:39:00.002-08:002013-01-07T09:39:41.365-08:00Epic Day!<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Best day of the week was Saturday! It was an epic day to be a missionary, as my companion put it so well. We met with two new investigators who are amazing. One is named <i>Gus</i>, whose wife and tiny children are all strong and active members in the church. He has decided since coming to work here (his family is still in the Philippines) that he wants to know for himself. He has been touched by the influence of the Church in the lives of his children, and told us that he wants to follow the example of his little children (they are 4 and 2) and become as a child before God. He has already made up his mind that he wants to join the church--not for his wife, but for himself and for God. He's fantastic. We're meeting him again soon and going to help him stop smoking.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also, our EQ President street contacted a woman named <i>Katrina</i>, who has no experiences with our church, but is so sensitive to the Spirit. We met her and just began the lesson, and the Spirit entered the room and touched her heart. She was in tears and told us she doesn't know why she was crying. We talked about the Holy Ghost and talked about a lot of things. It was so cool, because we'd planned to teach her the Restoration, but the Spirit was strongly telling both me and Sister Black that we needed to teach the Plan of Salvation. It was a beautiful experience. We're hopefully meeting her again tonight. It's lessons like that when I most love being a missionary. I treasure this time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
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Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-61663323823848024172012-12-30T22:00:00.000-08:002012-12-31T19:34:48.469-08:00Walk the Path<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi! So I guess you want to hear about Christmas? I think my favorite part was talking to you guys. Christmas is not much without family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was fun because the ward had a Christmas morning BBQ. We ate lots of chicken and grilled pork (Filipinos love pork!). It was great; we got to know some of the members a little better. A highlight was that a less-active member came along, and she approached us with a referral! We called the referral that night, met her yesterday, and both the less active member and the friend she referred, <i>Eva</i>, came to church! It was awesome! It's always been something I've wanted to focus on--bringing less-active members back by helping them share the Gospel with their friends. It hasn't worked out very well, though it seems like a great idea to me, but here it just kind of happened. I hope that this Sister keeps coming to church. She was so excited to see her friend <i>Eva</i> at church. It was so sweet. <i>Eva</i> had brought the Book of Mormon we gave her, and showed it to her friend and was so excited that she had her own copy. Her friend said, "Yes, all you need to do is read and pray. This book will really help you." She said some other things in Tagalog that I didn't understand but it was awesome! Yeah! We are meeting <i>Eva</i> again this week. She was a wonderful Christmas present! (If you're wondering what to give a missionary for Christmas/birthday/any kind of holiday, a referral is a great idea!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since all of our investigators and recent converts are out of town, we spent the rest of Christmas contacting people who didn't get to spend Christmas with their families. We shared about eternal families and the Restoration. It felt really good. We also delivered some Christmas cards to members who had stayed here for the holidays. That also felt good. Christmas as a missionary is wonderful. I'm grateful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Heavenly Father really does answer sincere, open, honest prayers. I have experienced that time and time again. He is real. The principles of the Gospel are true, the path is set in stone. Our challenge is to walk that path. We do not do it alone--we cannot do it alone, and we are not asked to. The Savior overcame it all. We can feel that in a very real way through prayer and application of correct principles. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
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Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-76142878288029736542012-12-23T21:42:00.001-08:002012-12-23T21:42:31.888-08:00Chains He Will Break<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">G</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ood week... We had a good day at Church--the Elder's Quorum President, I guess, went contacting outside a mall on Saturday and invited someone to church. That guy came, and stayed the full three hours and also attended the ward Christmas party. He seemed so nice and happy to be there. Unfortunately he is only here on vacation, but we're hoping to meet with him after Christmas and send a referral to the Philippines. That was a cool little miracle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also, the Relief Society President brought a friend to the ward Christmas party, and we were all able to take her on a tour of the church (highlights included the chapel and the baptismal font). She seemed a little nervous when we first met her but by the end she felt much more comfortable and opened up a lot more. She said she would meet us again after the holidays, so we're excited about that! Our ward members are so amazing for inviting their friends and acquaintances to church!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A highlight this week was attending my last Zone Conference. The highlight was definitely not that it was my last, but because it was so great. I love Zone Conferences. In our mission, because it's so spread out over a large area, we rarely get to see missionaries who are not serving nearby (I think it might be different in the US). But at Zone Conferences, which are combined with several Zones together, we can gather together as missionaries and rejoice. It sounds cheesy but it is so filling for me to see missionaries I've known and served with throughout my mission, and see that they are still "my brethren in the Lord." That they have been serving faithfully, and have overcome trials, and have grown stronger in faith and character and confidence. There is one Elder who was in the MTC with me, who I almost don't recognize because of how much he has let the mission change him (in a good way). It's really cool and a joyful experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also love Zone Conferences because of the strong Spirit that is always there. This time it was a Christmas Zone Conference, which was really nice. We watched the First Presidency Christmas devotional (amazing) and sang so many Christmas hymns and heard talks about Christmas and how relevant Christmas is to missionary work. We had, also, a testimony meeting at the end where they requested especially for the missionaries who are going home soon to bear their "last" testimony. The Spirit was seriously so strong. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I shared my testimony; I think the entire thing was driven by this line from O Holy Night: "Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother." I have taught many people who are truly in chains, truly in bondage of many kinds -- bondage of sin, unbelief, idolatry, poverty, addiction, hatred, abuse, undesirable family situations, difficult economic situations... there are many kinds of bondage. And these weren't just random people I met. These were people that I taught and loved and desired salvation for. It has taken a toll on my heart, to see someone I love suffering and be totally unable to do anything except bear my testimony of the Savior and try to help them keep the commandments. I cannot heal them. I cannot take away their burden. Sometimes I could hardly bear their burdens. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But there is One who can. This bondage is exactly why God sent His Holy Son into the world. The significance of Christmas is not so much the fact that Christ was born, but that His birth meant that He would someday sacrifice Himself for us. Because He did that, He can heal. He can lighten burdens, and ultimately bring us to overcome every trial. Chains will He break, for the slave is our brother and in His name, all oppression will cease. Because of our Savior, our bondage does not need to last forever. Indeed, most of it is definitely temporary, and through obedience to the commandments, all of it can be ultimately removed. We will be changed. We will be freed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am so grateful for the Christmas season because of how close we can feel to the Savior, if He is the center of our Christmas. Truly, He taught us to love one another. He's the reason we give gifts. He's the reason we gather with our families at Christmastime, and through Him, someday we will be able to gather together with our families, never to part again. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am humbled and grateful to be His missionary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
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Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-42195478356936065282012-12-16T21:00:00.005-08:002012-12-16T21:03:47.262-08:00God Makes Up the Rest<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week was an intense one with all the transfer things, visa issues, and helping Sister Lim (a missionary from Singapore going to the St. George Utah Mission) get her visa ready to leave for the States. I look forward to Zone Conference this week.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also am really grateful for Sister Black. She came to me the first night and expressed her desire to work hard and to be obedient and to work on improving herself as a missionary. She is so humble and open and patient and kind. I'm really impressed with her pure heart. I'm really excited to work with her.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A cool miracle this week was that on Saturday night, I was feeling a little discouraged... we had gone out tracting and had trouble finding anyone in our area (Filipinos). I felt we had wasted time trying, and I was just feeling down and had lost some of my hope. But that night after we came home, I sat down to write in my journal, and the name "<i>Ronan</i>" popped into my head--the name of a man from the potential investigators list in the area book. I felt like I should give him a call right then and there, which I did, and he accepted the invitation to come to Church the next morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We picked him up from the train station to show him where the church was, and he is a good and humble man. He said he is a Catholic, but he is looking for some "peace of mind." When we walked up to the chapel, I told him, "This is the Church," I could suddenly feel the Spirit. He could feel it too. He really enjoyed sacrament meeting as well, and meeting the members of the Third Ward. He felt very at home. His wife and children are out of town for the holidays (he had to stay because of work), but when he come back he wants to bring them to church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was a testimony to me that when we do everything within our power, God makes up the rest. When we push ourselves to our limits, the blessings come. He is excited to come again next week and we are excited to start teaching him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span>Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-51387493747824273452012-12-09T21:54:00.001-08:002012-12-16T21:00:48.640-08:00Sacred Responsibility<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The most pertinent news is that transfers are happening this week... it's like I've received my death sentence! I am very blessed to be staying in the Third Ward (Filipino ward). It's exciting. I'm also going to be with a new companion--her name is Sister Black, and she's from Utah. I'm looking forward to it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week hasn't been so eventful... we have been teaching Brother<i> Julius</i> about the priesthood, since he was ordained as a priest. I was so proud of him. He described the feelings he had as he was being ordained--he said that though he didn't understand everything that was involved with it, he felt that God was trusting him with a sacred responsibility and that he now wears an invisible badge on his chest that he has to uphold. I love the priesthood and I'm so grateful for the effect it has on the men that I know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've found a couple of new investigators, but they are all leaving Singapore for Christmas... it will be interesting to see how it goes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I forgot to mention that I met someone named Gopinath! He pulled me aside and told me his name was Gopinath. He was from southern India and I wish he had wanted to learn about the Gospel, but he wasn't interested... but that was the first time I've met someone with the same name as me. So it was cool :) haha.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love the Gospel and I'm grateful to be a missionary. We have such a sacred responsibility as missionaries and also as members of this incredible church. I'm grateful for Temples as well and the blessings that come to us spiritually and as families because Temple ordinances have been restored.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Savior lives!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-72939787526427663482012-12-02T20:39:00.001-08:002012-12-16T21:00:59.152-08:00These are the Lord's "Elect"<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week was a humbling one. I'll tell you why.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">During our district meeting this week, we were talking about teaching people who don't come from a Christian background, and the discussion began to be about finding investigators who are not from a Christian background. A concern popped into my head, which I brought up. While I was in KL (Kuala Lumpur), I met very few Christians. I taught several non-Christian investigators, but they were exceptional people who'd had a fascination with Jesus Christ for years. I loved them with all my heart. But I talked about how these days, I talk to a stranger and invite them to learn about Jesus Christ and if they are turned off by the name "Jesus Christ," I let go and don't try to push it because I don't think it will go anywhere. I tell myself that to be saved, all men need to believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and if they don't even like his name then there's nothing I can do. So I bring up his name and see their reaction, and if it's negative, I move on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I got a few responses from other missionaries that really impressed me. One Elder said that the Lord is preparing people specifically to receive the Gospel. These are the Lord's "elect." But we, as missionaries who are imperfect mortals, will not always recognize the elect. So we need to try to find a way to relate to Gospel to anyone we meet, because although the name Jesus Christ may not be important to them yet, it will be someday. They may not know what they are looking for, or where to look for it. But we need to do our best to help them receive the Gospel. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This really humbled me and caused me to reflect. I will not always recognize the elect. Even people whose baptisms I have attended... at first, I didn't know that they would be baptized. It will require more patience and faith and energy on my part, but I am going to work on adjusting my teaching to meet the needs of anyone I meet... to do the best I can. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A highlight of the week was seeing <i>Joachim</i> in the hallway at church! I'm not in his ward anymore, so I haven't seen him in about a month. But yesterday we bumped into him! I was SO happy to see him! He has changed in the last month! He was wearing a tie! He was smiling so big! He said, "Sister, finally we meet!" He talked about how he holds the priesthood now, and he passes or blesses the sacrament every Sunday. He said he is very blessed. I was so impressed with him. He seemed more confident--he was glowing just as bright as the day he was baptized. Even his English had improved. Even though he's a few years older than me, I feel like he is my son, in a way. He is like a bud that is blooming into a brilliant flower. I'm so proud of him. The holy priesthood makes men into men. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speaking of which, Brother <i>Julius</i> received the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday, and was ordained to the office of a priest. It was so great. He felt the Spirit strongly all day. So rewarding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know the Gospel is true. I love being a missionary. It is not easy, and I think it won't ever be easy. It's okay that way, though. It was never easy for the Savior. I know our Savior lives and loves us. This is His Church. Families can be together forever. The Temple is the house of God.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
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Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-16837408795955533652012-11-25T21:47:00.000-08:002012-11-25T21:50:32.453-08:00"I Am a Changed Man"<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The highlight of this week was definitely yesterday. Brother <i>Julius </i>was baptized! I wish you could have been there, and seen him. He was so happy all day--smiling, laughing. He was glowing with excitement and joy and inner peace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the beginning of his baptism, Brother <i>Jesse</i> (baptized in August) gave a very good and personal talk on baptism. The funny thing was the primary, in the next room, was practicing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and it was very loud and very long. We had to strain our ears and work to focus on Brother <i>Jesse</i>'s talk, and I was a little stressed about it, but it was also funny. Near the end of his talk I could feel the Spirit strongly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Julius</i> has developed a friendship with the first counselor in the bishopric--Brother <i>Raoul</i>, and he baptized <i>Julius</i>. It was great. But the best part was<i> Julius</i>'s testimony. He has a very strong spirit about him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">During his testimony, <i>Julius</i> recounted his "spiritual history." He told us that he was born into a household of faith, that he'd jumped around churches, and when he was 18 years old he had a traumatizing experience that left him in doubt and darkness. He told us these stories and it led to, "And then I was offered a job in Singapore." He met missionaries. He said that at the first meeting, his heart was hard, but soon he gave up his pride and let God in and Spirit came into his life. He feels like a prodigal son that has come home to his father. His faith has returned and is strong. He said, "I am a changed man." He compared his life to Lehi's dream--he was wandering in darkness, about to fall, and someone (the missionaries) came to rescue him and bring him back so that now he is holding to the rod, on the path. On the way back to his Father.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bishop <i>Osun</i>, who is also close to <i>Julius</i>, bore his testimony of baptism as a beginning and of the need for constant nourishment. He was very bold and loving. The Spirit was there in such abundance. It was a deeply rewarding experience.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am so grateful to be a part of this work... to be the Lord's missionary, to be a tool for Him. It's truly humbling, and it's something I thank God for every day. I know that Christ lives and that this is His church. The Book of Mormon is true.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
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Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-31680733134718404322012-11-12T20:07:00.001-08:002012-11-12T20:07:34.073-08:00Pictures!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT1guHP6YrKDJBun7dBru39ZzWiN8j24Pu96PhqGixHleYSuWhKlTqAlra629g94CiZ8DLZNXSJ7Unjcu3SAKQq04HcbHPYT0FWbvWd-G6i-UtMNySmguYpbqolMsgoFRHGQsVEg9Gr8/s1600/PA280177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtT1guHP6YrKDJBun7dBru39ZzWiN8j24Pu96PhqGixHleYSuWhKlTqAlra629g94CiZ8DLZNXSJ7Unjcu3SAKQq04HcbHPYT0FWbvWd-G6i-UtMNySmguYpbqolMsgoFRHGQsVEg9Gr8/s320/PA280177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our apartment in Singapore</div>
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The place where we do our laundry - ugh - full of cockroaches.</div>
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My study desk.<br />
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The Singapore sister missionaries....and Elder Law, from Hong Kong. He just went home.<br />
<br />Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-65704967815202467972012-11-12T19:55:00.000-08:002012-11-12T19:56:03.094-08:00The Work of Salvation<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So a few highlights from this week...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Reeves, from the General Relief Society Presidency, came to Singapore this week and did a series of conferences. It was so great! There was a YSA Family Home Evening she did, along with Elder Wilson who I believe is in the area seventy here in in the Asia area. They also did a Leader-Member Meeting the following night--we all went to both, and brought new members/investigators. Sister Reeves talked about family roles, faith and sacrifice within the family, and holding fast to the standards in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet (everyone should read it--this year's new revised version is incredible). It was great! Elder Wilson discussed using media to do missionary work. They also introduced us to Come, Follow Me: the new youth curriculum which looks AMAZING! I want to be a Young Women's leader so badly!!! I think that will be my dream calling when I am no longer a missionary. Youth teachers in the church will really have to step it up, but it will be SO good. It will be updated so frequently so that it's current and relevant to what is happening now, and based on recent Conference messages... ah! So great!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After the Family Home Evening, Sister Reeves went around and talked to people... she talked to me and Sister Ballantyne and honestly I have now forgotten what she said, but I remember my impression of her. She is so pure. Her face radiates light. She is a woman of virtue and integrity and strength and joy. I admire her a lot. She has thirteen children! I just got my Conference Ensign (YEAH!) so I get to go back and read the talk she gave at the General Relief Society meeting. It will be different reading that now that I have met her and her husband! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Elder Wilson and I had a short chat as well--all of the General Authorities are interested in my name. :) I love it because it always leads us to the topic of the growth of the Church in India. So uplifting and hopeful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another highlight of the week was going into the family history center (with an investigator). It was cool for the investigator (<i>Pei</i>, who is getting baptized this week after over a year of investigating the Church) to see Sister Ballantyne's lines that go back to Adam--she was able to open those up and show him. It was cool.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I opened my account for the first time, and now I am so glad that I got to familiarize myself with the new.familysearch.org website so I feel more comfortable telling people about it. I connected my family tree with names that my mom has so diligently worked on, and got to see names of my ancestors who still need work done for them, and for some who have already received a chance to get the blessings of the Temple. As I looked over those names, I suddenly had some very deep, spiritual feelings that I wasn't expecting to feel. I felt my Savior's love very strongly. I felt connection to my family, and love and concern for their welfare. I felt feelings that normally I only feel in the Temple. It was humbling and edifying. I know that this is the Lord's work. Family History work is missionary work. It is the work of salvation. I am grateful to be able to participate. The Gospel is true.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span>Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-26198147825094199312012-11-04T22:38:00.001-08:002012-11-04T22:43:16.818-08:00Perhaps This Was the Reason<br />
This week, there were transfers again. Sister Song (my 2nd companion, in KK) is going home tomorrow and I will get to see her because I am serving here in Singapore, where she is from. :) I'm excited to see her. Sister Noorda, Sister Song's current companion, will be training a new missionary who is from Singapore, and has her call to go to Utah, but her American visa hasn't come in yet. So although she has not been to the MTC, she will be trained in KL by Sister Noorda! I am excited to "be a grandmother" and feel proud for the trust God has in Sister Noorda. I knew she would train early in her mission.<br />
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The transfer that affected me and Sister Ballantyne is that our Zone Leaders are taking over the Singapore 1st Ward--the ex-patriot American/European and Indian ward. I cried a little bit when I found that out because I wasn't expecting it, because I don't get to teach<i> Liam</i> and I don't get to teach <i>Jairam</i> his recent convert lessons. It is sad. But the Elders that are replacing us (Elders Steadman and Tice) were in the MTC with me and are very, very good Elders. I feel peace and trust that they will take care of everything. (All missionaries should be like that!)<br />
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And, it's great that we will get to focus solely on the Third Ward. Yeah Filipinos! I really feel blessed to be in the Third Ward. Yesterday at church, a guy from the Philippines wandered in to the church and went to Priesthood (he got there late) and absolutely loved it. He was looking for a different church, but saw ours first and decided to come in. We were talking to him and he said he is looking for deeper meaning in his life, and to understand the purpose of his life here. He said he wasn't sure why he came to Singapore a month ago, but said that perhaps "this" was the reason. He wanted to sit down and discuss right then, but we had a different appointment. We are meeting him tonight with newly-baptized Brother Jess. So exciting! He seems really prepared. His name is <i>Carlos</i>.<br />
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Also, something awesome about<i> Julius</i>! He said the closing prayer in Gospel Principles yesterday, and (I love his prayers--they are so sincere) he thanked God for loving us enough to send us prophets and giving us a chance to be in His church. It's so cool. He has a testimony of the Restoration! I love it. <i>Julius</i>'s testimony was greatly strengthened by General Conference--that was a turning point for him. I think it is so cool. We are all excited (the ward included) for his baptism.<br />
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<i>Jairam</i> was interviewed for the Aaronic priesthood and passed! :) I will miss him.<br />
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<i>Jesse </i>bore his testimony in church yesterday for the first time! After church I texted him and thanked him for doing that, and he responded, "Thanks, I really wanted to share my testimony today. my faith has been strengthened a lot. I am grateful to be a member of this church." SO CUTE! I love new members!!! (Especially ones that I got to teach before baptism :)<br />
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I have been reading "The Infinite Atonement" lately. And it is AMAZING. It's SO important for us to always be learning about the Gospel--especially the Atonement--so we remember it is real, and that we feel it is in reach for us. It expands our vision and gives us strength to live the Gospel.<br />
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Sister Gopinath<br />
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Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-24415240150306901272012-10-28T22:12:00.005-07:002012-11-04T22:38:33.062-08:00Glowing!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jairam</i> finally was given the Gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday! (Last week he came late to sacrament meeting so it was delayed a week.) Bishop Petersen confirmed him and his blessing talked about doing family history work, receiving Temple ordinances, serving as a priesthood holder, and doing work for his ancestors and blessing his posterity. He was glowing with happiness. We took him to a member family's house for dinner. It was happy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another miracle a church... a lady came for the first time with her daughter, and when I started talking to her she said that her husband is an inactive member. She decided to come for the first time yesterday. It was great! Her name is <i>Cheri</i>. I really hope we can teach her. I felt a lot of love for her and her family instantly upon meeting her. She seemed to really like Sunday School, which was about modern-day prophets. She participated and kept nodding her head. It would be so exciting if we could teach her and help her husband come back as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And other investigators continue to do well and make us proud...<i> Julius, Lao,</i> and others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been sick for a little bit of this week, but feeling better and I hope that this week we will see lots of miracles. I am very grateful to be a missionary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span>Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-61107444326335226182012-10-21T22:03:00.003-07:002012-10-21T22:03:59.133-07:00Champions!<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week's highlight was <i>Jairam's </i>baptism! We got to the church about an hour before his baptism was to start, and we sat down to talk about what he would say in his testimony. Usually people here just share how they met the missionaries, or their testimony/why they decided to be baptized, or some other short feelings. It's always great.<i> Jairam's</i> English isn't perfect so he wanted to run through it with us beforehand, which he did. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was clear he had been deeply pondering what he would say. He compared himself to a lost sheep who had strayed from the flock and had become lost, but that he had heard the voice of his Shepherd, his Redeemer, calling him back. He said he heard the Savior's "voice" speak strongly to him when he came to this church. He felt the Spirit of God. He shared a scripture from Psalms, and another from 1 Nephi. He is so great. It was a powerful experience for me to be there at his baptism and to see how strongly he felt about this decision. This may sound funny, but in a way it felt like I was getting baptized.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">He will be a strength to the church here, and later also when he is in India again. (I am also excited to have contributed, in a small way, to the Church in India... but it's nothing I did. It's all God, and <i>Jairam's</i> correct choices.) He is a pioneer!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also, something cool:<i> Julius </i>has been in China for a business trip this week, and his plane back left on Saturday night and got in on Sunday morning... and he decided on his own to COME TO SACRAMENT MEETING! What a champion he is! It's exciting to get back to teaching him this week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know that the Gospel is true, and that God lives and loves us. Our Savior is always in tune with us--the only question is whether we are tuned in to be able to hear His voice, to hear the Spirit of God as it whispers to us. I am so grateful that the Gospel was restored and is available to us today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
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Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-5863736631713640052012-10-14T21:50:00.000-07:002012-10-21T22:05:31.971-07:00Becoming a New Person<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The big thing for this week, again, is<i> Julius</i>! We had a wonderful lesson with him--we taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson (faith, repentance, baptism, gift of the Holy Ghost). God's Spirit was there! We were all alert and focused and felt warm and happy. We talked about how faith in Christ leads us to repent, and that a final and essential step in repentance is making a covenant with God, meaning baptism. We testified of how all the guilt of his past could be completely washed away and he could become a new person. We read from 2 Nephi 31 about how Christ set the perfect example by being baptized, and when<i> Julius </i>read that, he said humbly, "Even He humbled Himself and was obedient." The Spirit was so strong, and I nudged Sister Ballantyne as a green light, after which she invited him to follow Christ by being baptized. He quickly said yes, and then smiled. "I think that is the right decision for me. It's been a while. It's about time," he said, referencing that he felt it had been too long since he felt his life was devoted to God. He is really excited.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also, he came to as many sessions of Conference as he could (three) and then told us afterwards that he "really felt the Spirit during those messages." That is amazing because he was able to recognize that he was feeling the Spirit and even articulated it to us. He had been having a hard time recognizing the Spirit when it was so obvious to us that he was feeling it... but he is resolving his own concerns. He has been reading the Book of Mormon and finding for himself the answers to his questions. He is awesome.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also! He told us at that same lesson, "This week has been my first week without coffee." We haven't taught him the Word of Wisdom yet, but at church the previous Sunday he'd heard it mentioned that we don't drink coffee. He said, "I chose to try that out." He was really addicted but has began brushing his teeth every time he wants to drink coffee. Here, you know someone is doing well when they follow the Word of Wisdom without being nagged or even told! :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The amazing thing about <i>Julius</i> is that he is not someone who was humble from the beginning. He's not someone who, after the first lesson, I knew was going to progress and "make it." Sometimes you know early on, but with him, I didn't. He is an educated man, a scientist, and he is choosing to humble himself before God. His entire countenance is changed from how it was when we first met him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Conference was truly touching and inspiring. I took a lot of notes, and wish I had time to write about what stood out to me... maybe in later emails. We were blessed to have Zone Conference this week as well as General Conference, and I felt I was given exactly what I needed. I know that God speaks to us through a prophet. Without a doubt, Thomas S. Monson has been called of God to be God's mouthpiece. He speaks to us though him. God knows us personally and loves us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span>Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-38206086428027745132012-09-30T12:30:00.000-07:002012-10-02T12:34:59.843-07:00I. LOVE. BEING. A MISSIONARY.<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was a very BUSY week. I don't have time to write about everything that happened, so I'll pick just a few highlights...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So remember how I was fasting for new investigators? Blessings are coming. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We met with a man named<i> Julius</i>. He was raised Catholic but became Baptist when he was a teenager. When he started college, he abandoned religion and went to Atheism, which he realized recently is also a religion :) So he is very lost and confused and has had a hard time in Singapore. When he met a missionary, he decided to give it a chance. He said that he'd lately been thinking about religion. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We met with him and he opened up to us well. We testified of things that were relevant to his concerns and questions. His body language started off closed off and unsure, and he was always looking at the ground, but by the end of the lesson the Spirit was there in full force and he had opened up and you could tell from his uncrossed arms. He looked me in the eyes as I boldly testified of God's love for him and of how His arms are open and waiting to receive him. He accepted a soft baptismal invitation. He then gave the most sincere, open, and honest closing prayer I have heard in a very long time. It was a beautiful, spiritual experience. He came to church yesterday, and we are meeting him again tonight. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also yesterday we had two miracle new investigators who accepted a baptismal date. We had met one of them--a woman named <i>Amorata</i> --before and we had an appointment with her after Church. A member's friend who came to Church heard about it and asked to join. We sat and talked of prayer, of prophets, and the Book of Mormon and they wept as we testified of the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was SO strong! They both accepted a tentative baptismal date for two months from now. I LOVE. BEING. A MISSIONARY.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know that this Gospel is true, and that God knows and loves perfectly each one of us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-22467814945240470782012-09-23T12:05:00.000-07:002012-09-29T12:07:00.525-07:00The Little Miracles<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week was certainly exciting! The biggest group of missionaries in the history of the Singapore Mission arrived. It was really exciting to be a part of.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm here with Sister Ballantyne, who is working on her culture shock. She is from Caldwell, Idaho... she was a BSU student. Enjoys writing fiction (suspense, fantasy), telling stories, and playing video games if she has nothing to do. So basically she is awesome. I'm excited to be with her. I feel a large sense of responsibility both for her and for the area. It requires a lot of me, and a lot of relying on the Lord. A lot of prayer. It really is an answer to my prayer to be training--it keeps me fresh and full of energy. I'm excited.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So in the last few months I have really been loving church! Yesterday two women came to the Filipino ward--they just showed up. One of them said she looked up the address on the internet and decided to show up. They were super nice, and one of them has investigated the church before. It's awesome to see little miracles like that occurring so often.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mostly this week has been new missionary conferences and getting settled in. We've had some fun appointments, a lot in Malay so I'm getting used to being mostly in charge :) It's fun helping Sister Ballantyne get more comfortable and confident to express her testimony as we teach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am out of time again but I love the work and the Lord!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span>Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-32369023430324939312012-09-16T12:04:00.000-07:002012-10-21T22:06:09.441-07:00From Humble Circumstances<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hello!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So this week was good. First of all, we got the transfer news. I am going to train another new missionary here in Singapore! That's what I was hoping for, so I'm excited. Being with a new missionary gives you fresh energy and perspective, and it stretches you to really do your best. The new missionaries come in two days. We're all really excited! There are a lot of changes going on. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Other than that, this week was a good one. This area is stretching me. It is challenging to teach people from very humble circumstances, for a lot of reasons... and it's challenging in many other ways to teach educated and intelligent people. We have a Flipino investigator named <i>Arnold</i>. We have taught him twice this past week, and I am nervous every time beforehand but I'm learning not to be. He is around my age, and smarter than me. He is dating a member of our ward, and has been coming to church for a while, but he is a very strong and intellectual Roman Catholic. He has common concerns and questions about the Church... and for a while I was feeling like I had to know everything and research everything before I could teach him. I usually don't feel nervous teaching people anymore, but he is intimidating... until we actually get into the lesson. Our lessons have been intense, but also always spiritually edifying and uplifting. He has a good heart, some hidden concerns that he hasn't yet verbalized, and strong faith in Jesus Christ. He really is quite a spiritual person. I've realized that I am not obligated to answer every question he has--and we talked about this during the lesson, that in the end, the thing that will let him know if it's true or not is the Holy Ghost. It won't come through intellectual exploration, although studying the Gospel is essential. <i>Arnold</i> understands that his answer will come not from any fact or figure, but directly from God through His Spirit. He has a hard life, but he loves his family and always talks about how if the Church is true, he would need to be baptized by priesthood authority and he would want to bring his family with him (through his family is, like him, strong Catholic). I think deep down, he can already feel what the answer is going to be as he reads and prays about the Book of Mormon. He's on track for great things. The members in the ward are so good at helping him--at our lesson, we had five members who asked to come, and who bore their testimonies to <i>Arnold</i>. The Spirit was really strong.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another really cool lesson was with someone very different--<i>Lavell</i>. He is from western China. He saw the Church, and decided to come in on the morning of Stake Conference two weeks ago. He seemed to really like it, although when I tried to invite him to a baptism that was happening right after conference, he had no idea what baptism even was. He came from no religious background... it's almost weird to get to know people who not only are not from a Christian background, but to whom religion in general is foreign and is based on concepts that are difficult to comprehend because you didn't grow up with them. But <i>Lavell </i>is the sweetest, purest guy that basically I have ever met. He's in his 20s, working here in Singapore. He glows with friendship and love, and we finally got to meet him this week. We talked about Heavenly Father, and how to establish a relationship with Him. We taught him about prayer, which he seemed to know about. And he prayed for the first time in his life, and it was a beautiful sincere prayer in which he expressed desire to know Heavenly Father and come closer to Him and find answers to his questions about life. HE IS AWESOME! He's been researching the Church, and he actually came to church last week without us knowing... so anyway. It's exciting, and his English is really good which is awesome. He's leaving for a month but we are excited to meet him again when he comes back.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are more stories, like the 5 new people who showed up at church yesterday (AWESOME!!!), but I'm out of time... so... I know the Gospel is true, and the God loves each one of us as His child. He hears and answers prayers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span>Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-63419256758053172672012-09-09T21:53:00.000-07:002012-09-09T21:54:37.417-07:00Now in Indonesian!<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unique spiritual experience! Yesterday I had the most powerful experience I've had with fasting so far in my life. I decided to fast for 1) new investigators and 2) strength to be a missionary Heavenly Father can trust with the people He's been preparing. I don't know what was different this time, but I felt my faith strengthen and deepen as I fasted and I was sad when I had to break my fast that evening. I really did feel closer to the Spirit as I put my hunger aside so I could receive blessings from Heavenly Father. I felt Him close to me. And that day, 5 new people that we'd never met before came to church with their member friend (go members!!!). One of them cried during sacrament meeting because she felt it was true, which was amazing, but she doesn't live in Singapore so we now have a great referral for the missionaries in the Philippines... so I won't get to teach her but I was still so happy she came and I got to meet her! One girl came with our recent convert said she wants to meet with us. So yesterday we had a total of 6 contacted member referrals! That is one of the highest I've gotten in one day on my mission. I felt that it was all directly connected to my fast. I felt really grateful and happy and invigorated. YEAH MISSIONARY WORK!!! Can I just tell you that I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This past Saturday, we went to a baptism of an Indonesian girl named Wendy who was amazing. She was raised Muslim, and also raised in a very rough home and has been mistreated her whole life. But she started working for a member family, and felt more love in that home than she'd ever experienced. She cried her first meeting with missionaries. She is absolutely adorable. Her testimony is so strong. She is feeling love for the first time. I get to teach her recent convert lessons! In Indonesian! YEAH! I love my life!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. Funny things about Singapore: 1) My bed is too short. My feet and my head both touch the ends of my mattress... me with my towering five feet and four inches. 2) We have a boatload of giant COCKROACHES in our apartment! I am afraid to leave the bedroom at night for fear of what is crawling around in the kitchen or living room. Hooray for living in a big city... on the equator!</span><br />
Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-78990438301483527872012-09-02T15:19:00.000-07:002012-09-10T08:14:14.948-07:00"It's Sunday. I'm okay!"<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Let me tell you about one cool investigator... his name is<i> John </i>and he's getting baptized soon. He is from South India (I think Canai?) and he is one of those people who is probably near-perfect. His heart is full of love for God, and he wants to be baptized because although he was baptized Catholic when he was a small child, he feels that he wants to make the choice for himself (and he's ready) to devote his life to God. So he is really excited for his baptism. He works the nightshift on Saturday nights, so he gets off work right before church starts. He is never tired at church, he says, because... "It's Sunday. I'm okay." He LOVES church. He has such a bright smile, and bright eyes. He is great. He has deep and profound answers to all of the questions we ask him. He is really prepared. I love teaching him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jesse</i> is not yet confirmed because yesterday was Stake Conference... we have to wait until next week. But even so, he was GLOWING at conference. He loved it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our investigator<i> Sushma</i> is trying to stop eating betlenut, which is addictive and against the Word of Wisdom, so she can be baptized soon. It's sometimes hard to get through to her but we are working with her slowing but surely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some HUGE transfers are coming up in 2 weeks. The biggest group of missionaries is coming in... bigger than we've had in years. Because of the abundance of missionaries, our mission will open or reopen around 14 new areas. That is a LOT!!! Also literally 30-40% of us will train a new missionary. It's gonna be crazy. Who knows what's going to happen?! They will open up two new Sister areas. My companion Sister Anderson will probably leave, since she's been here for 6 months. I will get a new companion. Who knows? Everyone is really nervous about all the changes coming up.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm out of time but I KNOW the Gospel is true and that God lives! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is truly God's church, and all sincere seekers of truth can know it by reading, pondering, and praying about the Book of Mormon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span>Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-51454491632543228082012-08-28T10:10:00.001-07:002012-08-28T10:15:35.896-07:00A Small Part in His Work<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week... it's been good. We've met a lot of people, even people who would meet with us, but it's hard because they are all so overwhelmed with work. People from the Philippines are mostly housemaids that work 12 hours or more every day, with on average 1 or 2 off days a month. They are all exhausted, and a lot of them are struggling emotionally... so we've met a lot of people who we feel would accept the Gospel, but maybe right now it's not their time. We're still working on finding the people whose time is now. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The other day I contacted a family from Switzerland while doing door approaches. This is noteworthy because western-culture people are generally very rude to us missionaries, so it's intimidating to talk to them in general, but I didn't feel scared at all as I bore testimony of the Savior and of eternal families. They didn't want to learn more, but it was a personal victory to be able to testify boldly and feel no fear. Someday they will know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Success/highlight of the week: Brother <i>Jesse</i> got baptized yesterday! It was the sweetest baptismal service ever. His good friend<i> Jenny </i>(she was the one who first invited him to church and has been there for everything) gave a talk on baptism, and talked about his example has impacted her life. She said, "Never once did I see in him any doubt or fear about anything. Only faith." She was close to tears the entire time as she bore testimony of the Gospel and the blessings that baptism has brought to her life. Jesse really is an amazing example--what <i>Jenny</i> said about him is true. He is full of faith, not fear. His heart is soft and he finds it easy to believe the word of God. He is a great man. I can see him in the Elders Quorum Presidency soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then we watched the baptismal ordinance. I have been to many baptisms on my mission. The Spirit of God is always there. This time, when we saw brother Jes go down into the water, God's Spirit pierced my heart. The image of them standing there in the font, heads bowed in reverence and solemnity, touched my heart. When I got my mission call, it came with a booklet full of information about my mission. On the cover is a picture of a man being baptized. That image came to my mind--I felt I was looking at the real-life version of that image, and I cried. Brother <i>Jesse</i>'s heart is so humble and sincere and willing to do whatever God requires of him. He is on the path home to His Father's kingdom. He's on the path to the Temple. (We are trying to get him and <i>Jenny</i> together... hehe.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I feel so privileged that God let me come here and get to play a small part in His work. Times like these remind me why I am here and what we are really trying to do. I love being a missionary and I'm excited for whatever is next. I feel that there's something good coming around the corner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span>Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6596233271061339518.post-45287984322498849602012-08-19T12:23:00.000-07:002012-08-25T12:24:58.583-07:00Making Choices<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This last week included August 17th. August 17th was the day I reported to the MTC last year. It was fun to be here in Singapore for it, because four or five of the Elders who were in the MTC with me were also there. We all talked about it, about how FAST this last year has gone and how different we all are now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I remember the day I went into the MTC as if it were four months ago instead of twelve. I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into. I had no idea what a mission was even like. But I was excited and I felt that God wanted me there. I can't believe that was a year ago. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the same time, though, so much has happened. I feel I have aged (matured) at three or four times the normal speed. On my 22nd birthday, it felt strange to be turning 22 because I feel that internally I have been 24 all year. I still have a lot to learn, of course, but I have seen and experienced things this past year that I never knew existed. Feelings I didn't know I could feel... people in live situations that I never knew about. People in spiritual places I never knew anyone could be in (good and also very bad). I am still growing up but I feel that in many ways my mission has made me an adult, made me a woman. It's given me a chance to see the world through spiritual eyes, to see the world for what it really is. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This week we visited an inactive part-member family... the husband is an American and hasn't been to church in at least 15 years, probably more like 20+. He married a Catholic Singaporean. She passed away earlier this year, but their three children are still Catholic and are brought to church every week, from what I understand, by their relatives. He told us that he wants to wait until the kids are old enough, and he'll let them follow whatever religion they want when they're old enough to make the decision. It was interesting to spend some time with them. They have a good relationship with each other, from what I can see. They joke around that seem to like spending time with each other. He says that sometimes he tells them Book of Mormon stories, and he keeps the Book of Mormon by his bed. I started to ask him questions about what his concerns are why he is not living the Gospel. I wanted to ask him more questions... but he said he felt gloom in the room so he was going to change the topic, which he did. That gloom was the Spirit (or absence of the Spirit) teaching us about how we should not let others' sins or mistakes lead to our own personal apostasy. I didn't say that to him, but it was a good learning experience for me. I wonder what will happen with this family. We want to teach his children so that they CAN make that choice, and make it with an understanding of what they are choosing. We'll see how it goes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know that the Gospel is true and that God is real and loves us. He gives us commandments so we can be happy and have His Spirit with us. I've experienced that firsthand in my life--that obedience brings the Spirit of the Lord into our lives.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sister Gopinath</span><br />
Manisha's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14764669834838169503noreply@blogger.com0