Week 40 - Surin, Thailand (November 30, 2014)

For thanksgiving we went to a restaurant that was basically a ton of raw meats and boiling water.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 ¶Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thineown understanding.

 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Sometimes as I go day by day, talking to everyone you see, getting denied harshly, your faith breaks down a little bit. But all you have to do is remember that everything that has happened and that is happening, is from he Lord and He is always trying to help us.

I sometimes forget that I'm a Missionary. One of those Young Adults with a white shirt and tie with that signature black badge. There was a time a few transfers ago, I was in what some people call a dry spell. A time where the baptisms don't come along as easy as before and most of the time spent is out contacting in the hot streets of Thailand. I got to a point where I felt, why am I doing this? I'm supposed to be helping the Lord but the Lord isn't putting forth his part. I felt lonely as if I had just made a huge mistake by serving a mission. I soon remembered that I have a journal for all my spiritual experiences. I guess my own small plates. And I looked at the first page and read my first spiritual experience. When I had prayed to the Lord and asked, "If you are really there, just let me know by placing a cloud in the sky." I know this sounds like a really dumb question, but it's what a young kid asked. The Lord was more than willing to answer me. So as I remembered that experience, I thought, "Well, I'm in that same place. Why not do it again." So I prayed. I asked the Lord for guidance and direction in what I should be doing. Asking for help and why the Lord hasn't helped me in these times as a missionary. As I sat there pondering and praying I received a clear answer. I had a voice in my head, and it was my own voice say, "Matthew, I know what you are going through. There are elect people out there, I know who they are, I know them by name, but if I told you who and where they are, WHAT GOOD DOES THAT SERVE YOU?" I sat there and realized, all the problems and trials I've had in my life, and on my mission have been trials of my faith as well as what have molded me into what I am today.

This has been something that has helped me throughout all of my mission. Even when people deny my invites, I know that those aren't the elect. I take that as a great opportunity. To continue on, to find the ones that the Lord has prepared.

Another time as we were at the last Zone Conference, we had the opportunity to be with Elder Gong of the 70 to lead a devotional. Something special that we got to do, was partake of the sacrament. As we sat there in silence waiting for the sacrament to be passed, once again I heard a voice, "I know your trials, I've partaken of the bitter cup. I have experienced every one of your trials. Have faith in me and you will have nothing to fear."

The Lord Jesus Christ did not take the sins of the world all at once. He did as he taught, One by One. The Lord atoned for our sins, One by One. Experiencing everything that we have and will do. The Lord knows best and we should always rely on him.

Elder Boonmee