What Do I Stand For?

Often as we walk the city streets there are multiple street side shows going on. We never stop to watch, but that doesn't mean my ears don't hear. This past week a group of high school students were singing and the words to the song asked, "What do I stand for?" As I continued walking and talking to people the words stayed with me and I pondered the question in my heart: What DO I stand for?

I stand for Jesus Christ. It is the plain and simple truth. So simple and yet because of my knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ I am helping so many people change their lives and come closer to Christ, as I personally change and come closer to my Savior as well.

This week we taught a girl named April who is going to be baptized on the 26th of this month. We taught her about the Law of Chastity and she told us that she had some problems with her boyfriend and was worried if she told him about the Law of Chastity it might end the relationship. I could only understand what she was saying and had no idea how to address her concern with my level of Chinese. Usually this is never a problem because the Asian culture believes so strongly in waiting until marriage. However, Sister Ng was amazing in explaining that main reason God gave us this commandment was so that we could develop lasting relationships that could weather anything. The Holy Ghost was so strong and my love went out to April. At the end of the lesson we committed her to talk to her boyfriend and then start living the Law of Chastity. She said yes. She also made a sacrifice on Sunday and came to church to watch General Conference. It was the Sunday Morning Session and she paid very close attention. She was also dressed so cute in a dress and when I talked to her I could sense the change that is starting to take place in her.

Robin is still going strong towards the 26th of this month. When we first committed him to live the Word of Wisdom Robin was a little hesitant because every morning he goes to a cafe with his friends to discuss homework and stuff. Well Monday morning Robin went to meet up with his friends and as he relayed the story to us, spent 10 minutes at the cash register asking the worker if they had anything that tasted like coffee but didn't have coffee in it. They suggested tea, in which Robin said no I can't drink that. Finally, they suggested hot chocolate. Robin showed us a picture of his large hot chocolate. He was so happy to have made the decision to follow the Word of Wisdom. He's a funny guy.

While I have been in city I have been finding it hard to find those special souls like I was finding in SunnyBank every week. But much like SunnyBank after two weeks of really hard work in finding people on the streets the Lord is now willing to place into my hands the prepared souls. His name is Eddie and I met him on Queen Street amongst all the chaos of the city. Anyways on the street he asked me why there were so many churches. Perfect question. I whipped out my Restoration pamphlet and began to give a brief overview of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ. Afterwards I prayed with him and asked if he would like to meet again. He said yes! We met with Eddie on Saturday at the chapel before Priesthood Session of Conference. We taught him about the Book of Mormon. He opened up to us and told Sister Ng and me a little bit about the challenges he is facing in life right now. He said the thing he desired most in all of this was peace and comfort. I shared with him my favorite scripture in 2 Nephi 4: 20-21 "My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh." We told Eddie that if he would begin to read the Book of Mormon and pray everyday that he would start to feel that peace he so desired in his life. We then invited Eddie to be baptized and he accepted for the 17th of May.
I love being a missionary. It was such an uplifting week with teaching many good lessons and then of course the power of General Conference! I loved Gary E. Stevenson's talk about athletes and the 4 minutes we have to perform. I was quite emotional as I thought about how much volleyball has assisted me in performing during the "4 minutes" that is our earth life. I sure miss volleyball everyday of my life, but I am so grateful that I am able to use the lessons I learned in the gym out in the mission field.

I know this gospel is true. It brings happiness to my life and comfort to my sorrows. I am stronger because of my belief in the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. What do I stand for? I stand as one called of God to spread the truth and light that comes from knowing Jesus Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world!