Just Reach Up

This has been a pretty cool week. On Tuesday we had a worldwide missionary devotional and they made some changes to the missionary schedule. I'm sure most of you have already heard of this by now. Anyway, they are allowing us to retire to bed at 9:30pm, as well as arrange our days with our own agency, as long as we get everything done that we are asked to get done. This was astounding to me! God loves his missionaries so much! He has put so much trust in us! I'm grateful for his love and constant care over all of us!

In choir this week we are singing Where Can I Turn For Peace. Refresh yourself on the words of this song. We were told to look at it as an investigator for the first part and as a missionary for the second part.

Investigator: "Where can I turn for peace? Where is my Solace? When other sources cease to make me whole. When with a wounded heart, anger or malice. I draw myself apart searching my soul. Where when my aching grows, where when I languish, where in my need to know, where can I run? Where is the quiet hand, to calm my anguish. Who, Who can understand?

Missionary: He only one.

He answers privately, reaches my reaching.  In my Gethsemane, Savior and friend. Gentle the peace He finds for my beseeching, constant He is and kind. Love without end.

This is just such a touching song to me. I think of Peter as I sing this. Peter, in Matthew 14, sees Jesus walking on water. Anyone would think, "WOW!! I want to try!!" So Peter, (perhaps knowing that unless the Lord told him to come to him, he couldn't) asks God in verse 28: "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water!"  And the Savior said, "Come."

Now stop and think for a second on Peter's faith!  He's about to get out of this boat and walk on water to the Savior. He doesn't just cannon bomb in and start walking, expecting the Lord to be there when he sinks. He asks if this was God's will! So important!!

So then continuing on, Peter gets out of the boat and starts walking to the Savior. In verse 30 he sees the waves and begins to fear. Now can Peter swim? I don't think so!  Otherwise it would have said, "  . . . and Peter swam back to the boat".  Instead it says that Peter began to SINK. Peter, knowing this was the Lord's will, reached up his hand and cried saying, "Lord, save me."   IMMEDIATELY the Lord stretched forth his hand, and caught him.

I just want to testify that no matter how low you think you have sunk, Christ has been lower. When He knelt by the tree in Gethsemane and hung on the cross at Calvary, He knew better than anyone what it means to hit rock bottom. He will IMMEDIATELY reach out His hand if you are sinking. He will go to the lowest of lows with you and carry you in His arms till you are out! God is all loving! I testify if you reach up like Peter did, nothing can stop God from immediately reaching down to save you!

I love this Gospel and I am praying for all of you! I hope you all have an amazing week and remember the Lord is always with us!

Palangga ta ka (: (not Cantonese, so good luck translating if you don't already know the language)

Love, Sister Webb

The Elders stole my camera . . . 

What?  She must have shopped at Mika Rose too!!

We do look pretty cute together!

I ran into Elder Angelo Crosland!!  SO FUN to see him!!

Endure to the End

This phrase is a lot easier said than done. The MTC has been really hard this first week. I didn't realize how difficult it would be to wrap my head around the fact that I really have left life as I know it for a year and a half!! But I know that there is no way, save it be through God, that we can endure to the end. We can't do it alone - and Thursday night taught me that lesson with a HARD slap in the face!

Thursday was by far the hardest day for me. I woke up, got ready, then started personal study with my district. I started writing in my journal and just started bawling. So I stopped writing in my journal and tried something different.. patriarchal blessing.. started crying again. Opened some notes from my setting apart . . . cried.  Opened the scriptures.. cried. I thought everything was hopeless. Then we went to lunch. So I had calmed down a bit by then. Then class started. Cantonese for the next 6 hours with an hour break for lunch. I was able to contain myself during all the Cantonese lessons and what not. But then we had a devotional and the tears came back. I cried for 5 hours straight! I couldn't stop!!  So by 10:30 I had all the sleeping pills in me you could possibly take, and said a 'quick' prayer (not meaningful) in Cantonese and went to bed. This day was a SLAP in the face but taught me something really valuable! YOU CAN NOT DO IT ALONE!! ANYTHING!! Relying on the Lord and humbling yourself is essential if you plan to stay afloat!!

SO Friday morning I realized what I had done wrong the day before. I was complaining in my mind about everything. I had negative thoughts about everything. (which gets you nowhere..) and I wasn't praying hard enough. I was complain-pray-ing. (This is not how you should ever pray by the way.. bad things happen.) God has a mighty powerful hand!

I can testify right here right now that God is there. He will carry you! Just like that story of the footprints in the sand,  you see them when life is easy and smooth sailing, but when life gets hard, you can't see them anymore. Its not because Christ has abandoned you or left you to fend for yourself.  It's because he is carrying you. I know that these last 4 days have been easier and more fulfilling because of God and His love, mercy, compassion and atonement. He knows us, He knows how we feel, ALL THE TIME . . . and he WILL NOT abandon you.

Cool experiences:

We have an investigator from Hong Kong China. Her name is A- Ching. She got here three weeks ago. She is the cutest thing in the world. I love her so much. There is a problem though, she doesn't speak English! HOLY LANGUAGE BARRIER!! BUT!! The gift of tongues is REAL! It wasn't just a story about Jared and the Brother of Jared. Its REAL!

We were sitting in our second lesson with A-ching and we were having a really hard time communicating and the Spirit was leaving... ( probably because I was starting to give up, oh my poor companion). So finally I just asked her in Cantonese, how are you feeling, what are your thoughts?  I suddenly thought to myself, "Sister Webb! Why did you just ask that!? There is NO way your are even going to know what she is saying, there was no point in that question!" So she starts talking again, "alskdjfpoqiu bpn lkajsdhfok jkaadfh oahsdf " and on and on. SUDDENLY I realized, I KNOW WHAT SHES SAYING!! I understood her concerns, I understood where she was struggling! She was concerned about how you can tell the difference bet​ween your thoughts and Heavenly Father's, and a she was confused about how to feel the Spirit. She said she had missionaries teach her once, and they stopped in the middle of the lesson and said, "A Ching, do you feel that? That's the Holy Ghost".  She said she couldn't tell what they were talking about, so she was worried that her and God don't connect with each other very well. I COULD UNDERSTAND HER!! I was literally struck dumb. I could not answer! I just stared at her when she finished, turned to my companion and we both were like, "Did you get that?" and we both nodded and looked back at A- Ching, then back and each other. It was insane!

Then came the real problem... we couldn't talk back. I tried to say, 'We understand! We have both felt that way before!  It's normal at first when you're trying to recognize the Holy Ghost!',  but she just busted up laughing.. (:At least I tried! I have no clue what I said haha (: But my companion cleared things up and we were able to finish with A-Ching saying the closing prayer. It was beautiful!!

I have so many experiences to share, but not enough time. Its okay though. That was one of my favorites.

Also Sundays are amazing! I have the best zone and district! And a girl from school in in my zone! JC Hansen for those who know her, as well as a kid from my Chinese Star Talk camp! It's really been a neat experience so far. Stressful to think that I still have 8 weeks left, and some of my closest friends are just down the street.. that's a bit gut wrenching :( It's okay though. God's holding my hand through all of this. He keeps reminding me that if I can't think about enduing to the end, then just endure to the end of the day, class, or hour. Enduring to the end is a daily thing. You can do it! AND a huge thank you to all of you who helped me get out on this mission that HAVE served before!  This is the hardest thing I've ever done, and my respect goes out to you for enduring to the end! Thank you for your examples! Love you ALL!!

Ngoi wuai Jimuih ( love Sister Webb)

Me and my companion, Sister Milan

She speaks Hiligaynon and Tagolog and English and soon Cantonese! GOALSS!! I love her so much, she is literally the cutest thing in the world! 

Sister Rodaabaugh and I went into the MTC the same day!  We have grown up together in the same neighborhood and I LOVE her so much!

My friend, Brooke, who saved me in my Statistics class last semester!!

Our Amazing District!

Instead of walking around the temple grounds today, we ended up walking around the track because some of the Elders in our zone didn't bring coats for Hong Kong:)

Our Amazing zone!

Elder Banahit received his endowment today and we all go to attend with him!  It was an incredible experience for us.  He also speaks the same 3 languages that Sister Milan speaks!

First Quick Letter From the MTC which she entitled CHING CHONG

Just about to finish our first day here. Its been incredible (: I'm excited to keep you updated on my 10 hours of sitting each day.. (; It'll be grand! My companion is incredible!  She is about 2 heads shorter than me, and when I sit and she stands, we are the exact same height. She is from the Phillipines.  Her name is Sister Milan. My language teachers are a blast! They're super cute, two girls, and just so fun to be around! They haven't said a single word in English to me though... So I just sit and smile and say ching chong ching chong.

Love you guys! talk to you next week (Monday)

Love Sister Webb

Amanda's Setting Apart

Amanda's setting apart was incredible.  President Ron Mortensen started by reading Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not to thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."  He told Amanda that Heavenly Father knew years and years ago that she would be a full-time missionary in Hong Kong.  He also knows the people that she will be teaching and finding.  He has prepared them for her.  If she tries to do the work on her own, she will not be successfull, but if she trusts in God and follows the impressions she has, miracles will happen.

He then read John 3:16 and told her this will be the most important message she will share on her mission!  God loves all of His children so much that He gave His Only Begotten Son.  This will be a new message for many who have never heard of Jesus Christ!

Finally, before he set her apart, he told her to ENJOY her mission.  Take some time out when things are getting too stressful and heavy.  Go get ice cream!  Kick back for a few minutes and decompress.  Try to enjoy the beautiful country of Hong Kong!

Here are some of the specific blessings she was  blessed with in her setting apart:

• You will be given the gifts and talents necessary to reach the hearts and minds of those in your path
• The Holy Ghost will teach you on a daily basis
• Be humble
• Enjoy and love you companions, be postitive and be patient.
• You will be blessed with good health and the strength necessary to meet the rigorous demands of mission life
• Remember to SMILE!  You will stand out in Hong Kong!  People will be drawn to you and will ask you questions
• You will be a good teacher!
• You are given the gift of tongues and you will learn the language - in fact you will become proficient in it quickly because the people of Hong Kong need to hear what you have to share!
• Pray ALWAYS - that includes when you're standing, sitting, walking or kneeling.
• Remember to talk to Heavenly Father about everything!

Amanda felt a physical difference as she walked out of that setting apart.  She was peaceful and calm and more confident that she now had the blessings and tools she needs to be successful with a lot of hard work!

And She's Off . . .

After a whirlwind weekend of so many friends & family coming to support us, an amazing talk on the Book of Mormon given by Amanda at her farewell, and lots of teary eyes in the Webb Family, SISTER WEBB is at the Provo MTC beginning her amazing adventures!

Since a book of this blog will be made for Amanda when she returns home from her mission, I want to share an experience I had about a month ago.

I was upstairs in my room feeling very heavy about having another daughter leaving us for 18 months.  It seems like Jessica has been gone for a really long time and I have missed her so much.  I was pouring out my heart in prayer and asking for peace and comfort.  I was also asking for an increase in faith and trust in a loving, all-knowing Father in Heaven.  I ended my prayer and went into my closet to clean up.  I opened Spotify and this song came on sung by Celtic Woman:

The Prayer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InKbM9xpO_4

I pray you'll be our eyes

And watch us where we go

And help us to be wise

In times when we don't know

Let this be our prayer

As we go our way

Lead us to a place

Guide us with your grace

To a place were we'll be safe

I pray we'll find your light

And hold it in our hearts

When stars go out each night

Remind us where you are

Let this be our prayer

When shadows fill our day

Lead us to a place

Guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we'll be safe

We ask that life be kind

And watch us from above

We hope each soul will find

Another soul to love

Let this be our prayer

Just like every child

Needs to find a place

Guide us with your grace

Give us faith so we'll be safe

My mind was immediately taken back to spring of 2012.  Rachel had just turned 12 years old and we were living in Singapore.  We decided to take Jessica, Amanda & Rachel to the Hong Kong Temple for Rachel's first temple trip.  We spent a wonderful week in Hong Kong!  One evening Scott and I left the girls in the hotel room and wandered down to a Foot Reflexology shop.  This was one of our favorite things to do in Southeast Asia!  You could get the most incredible hour-long foot and leg rub for about $20USD!  I distinctly remember the details of this place because as I sat back to relax, I put my earbuds in and hit a random playlist.  This song, The Prayer, sung by Celtic Woman came on.  I wasn't too familiar with it, but as I listened to it, I was filled with this overwhelming love and gratitude to my Heavenly Father.  It was such a peaceful, loving moment for me that it caught me by surprise and I found myself in tears at the end of the song.

Return back to my closet in Eagle Mountain, Utah, December of 2016 . . . I immediately felt a peace that was indescribable and knew that Heavenly Father had given me that experience back in 2012 knowing that 4 1/2 years later He would need to recall it to my mind to help me have faith that he would indeed take care of Amanda in Hong Kong.  The words of the song perfectly expressed my plea:  

I pray You'll be [her] eyes, And watch [her] where she goes;

And help [her] to be wise, In times when [she] doesn't know.

I pray [she'll] find Your light, And hold it in [her] heart;

When stars go out each night, Remind [her] where You are.

I ask that life be kind, and watch [her] from above,
I hope that [she] will find, [many] souls to love.

Let this be our prayer, As we go our way.

Lead us to a place, Guide us with Your grace,

Give us faith so we'll be safe.

What a tender mercy that I will come back to often over the next 18 months!  I know that our Father in Heaven loves His missionaries!!  He watches over them very carefully, He protects them and He helps them in every aspect of their work and their lives!

Yes, both suitcases weigh 50 POUNDS!

Saying goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Webb

The dreadful Drop-Off at the MTC

God Be With  You Till We Meet Again . . . 

Hong Kong Temple May 2012

Amanda in front of the chapel/mission headquarters right across from the Hong Kong temple

Great markets and shopping in Hong Kong!!