Typhoons & Miracles

Hey! What a crazy but not so crazy week. We had two typhoons, one level 10 on Wednesday and one level 8 on Sunday!  It was insane! We stayed inside so much this week…what a blast. But we got to update tons of records, eat a lot of junk food, and call hundreds of people!! So we found a way to make use of the many hours inside this week.

So this week some pretty funny and pretty cool things happened.

On Wednesday when we were stuck inside, I went to call a former investigator named Yoyo. Somehow I accidentally called this woman named Echo (still don't know how that happened). We got talking and I found out it wasn't Yoyo.  I asked who she was and if she remembered missionaries, and she did!  We told her that God prompted us to call her and that we wanted to meet her.  She paused and then she tells us her short life story and ended by saying, “You’re an answer to my prayers aren't you?”  At that moment the spirit just hit me so strong! I wonder if she felt it too. But it was a miracle how we got a hold of this lady, and I am so excited to start teaching her!

Then on Friday night (: SO we had a lesson this night with Sara, an investigator. And we had been trying to get a member all week to help us teach her.  Finally Friday morning rolled around and I had just given up. So we planned for the day and we set a goal to get one lesson with a member present. I had no Idea how it would happen, but we just started praying, and we prayed that God would provide. That night at English class we still hadn't found anything.  Then the last 10 minutes of English class a member walked in. We never have members at English class! When we were finished, I walked up to her and before I could say anything she said, “How can I help you tonight Sister Webb?" AWWW! I love miracles!

Now some funny things. . . so the people of Hong Kong are really worried about zits, and my companion has a few.  They don't bother her so she doesn't do anything about it, and this just scares our investigator, Sara, so bad!  Sara decided to find a remedy.. dun dun dun.. so we started our lesson the other night and Sara butts in and says, “I have something to help your face!  It’s a wonderful Chinese medicine!!”  She pulls it out, shoves it down my comps throat, then mashes some up and rubs it all over her face! At first I was in total shock and a little frustrated with Sara, but then I just couldn’t be mad anymore and started laughing so hard! I have some pictures.  It was so funny!! Aawww . . . Chinese people (:

Anyway, it’s been a good week. Miracles really happen every day, so keep your eyes open! Love you!

Love Sister Webb

This is cha siu faahn, its bbq pork and rice and its a missionary's favorite meal in HK

Too much time in the apartment during the typhoons!

A really nice member took us all out to dinner

My new companion!

Sara's attempt to rid my comp of acne during our lesson:)

These are RIBS!  First time we've had them here!

Prayers That Go Unspoken

My unspoken prayer this week was answered. God put LIFE cereal in a store here called Prize Mart, and I just about knocked over my companion giving her a hug. . .poor thing... But sometimes you can’t control yourself when God has provided LIFE!  You just want to scream and jump all over the place. SO that made my Life this week (;

anyway... This week has been very fast. I feel like I just had Pday. I actually wrote in my journal last night that I wish I could just skip Pday and keep going!  First, because we have only one investigator and I keep getting the feeling she’s not ready.  Second, there are people out there, and I’m struggling to find them!  And third, sometimes Pday can be so distracting!

But this week I learned a lot!!

So Monday was the day that I found my LIFE.

Then on Tuesday we had a zone meeting and a district meeting.  Something hit me during the zone meeting and I just started crying. I tried so hard to stop.  I prayed and prayed and prayed to stop crying, but it didn’t work so I went into panic mode!  I started reciting the Articles of Faith in my head. I think I went through the whole thing at least 10 times that afternoon!  BUT IT WORKED!  It kept my mind off of what was making me cry. I later decided I had just bottled too much up, and I couldn't hold it back any more . . . so I just broke down and let everything come and felt so much better!  It happens…

Then on Wednesday we met at Crossroads to do our service.  One of the workers told me I need to try harder with my appearance…sometimes missionaries just forget so much about themselves they forget that they to need to look presentable! (That’s the excuse I came up with...) really I'm just too lazy to pluck my eyebrows or put on mascara or do my hair. Guess I should work on that.

Then later that night we met Sam from Nepal, the man I mentioned last week.  He is a great man and it’s obvious he has a burning desire to know which church is true, but it must not be a strong enough desire because he's not doing anything about it. But it was a really good lesson . . . weird giving it in English . . . but It was good (:

Thursday I got my new companion, Sister Peck. She is adorable and she’s from Logan, Utah.  She is also an unspoken prayer answered. She is so loving and so easy to talk to. I'm super excited to spend at least the next 9 weeks with her, maybe more (:

Then on Friday we taught our Investigator Sara, and turned her son, Nico over to the Elders. We gave them a baptismal date for October 15th.  They seemed really excited. I'm excited to see if they actually keep this one!  This is there 3rd baptismal date we've set this year!!  They can do it though!!  This is going to be it!! Also as we were talking I noticed a huge change in how much I understand in Cantonese! It’s crazy and really exciting!! However my vocabulary outside of gospel stuff is quite weak!  I'll get there though!  Gospel vocab first, then onto other things (:

Then we had a super fun ward activity Saturday night . . . a HUGE ward water fight!! I'll get pictures soon but it was a blast and we were DRENCHED!!  Man, I haven’t had a water fight in a LONG time!! (:

Sunday was just full of miracles. We had so many members offer to have us over for dinner.  We've been praying for God to help us find ways to get closer to the people in the ward, and He heard our prayers! I’m super excited to meet with all these amazing families. I have just fallen in love with this Butterfly area!

I learned this week how much a mission is a reflection of our love towards our Heaven Father, and His Son.  I just hope I'm doing all I can! This last Tuesday as I cried and cried, I pleaded for Him to help me remember why I came out.  I opened up to a talk that said, 'hold on, keep trying. God loves you. Things will improve. Christ comes to you in His 'more excellent ministry', with a 'future of better promises'.  I know this is true. I also was reminded that the oil in our lamps is earned drop by drop. God really is there!  He answers our prayers and he is filling our lamps! He really has 'better promises for the future.' So just hold on!

Love you all!! Good luck with school starting (;

Love Sister Webb

Not sure on the story with this . . . more to come!

Last day with Sister Flynn in our lovely apartment!

We celebrated our last night together with our favorite CINNAMON CHICKEN!  It's amazing!!

My new companion, Sister Peck, from Logan Utah!

New companion initiation . . . Tim Tam Slammin!!

A Princess with Butterflies by Mary Jane Tuttle

This poem was given to Amanda by Sister Tuttle who was like a mother to Amanda in the MTC.  Sister Tuttle's husband was in the Branch Presidency in Amanda's branch at the MTC.  Amanda felt the words of this poem come to life this week as she courageously opened her mouth and trusted the Lord to fill it with the words she needed to say this week . . . 

A Princess with Butterflies

                                     

By Mary Jane Tuttle

I remember, as a little girl, crying to my Mama,

I’m afraid to sing my song to them,

Standing up there all alone.

My knees are always shaking

And my voice has a frightened tone.

My stomach’s sick, my head is light,

My heart is pounding so.

I want to share this pretty song,

But please don’t make me go.

Then Mama sweetly comforted,

               My dear you just have butterflies,

Think how funny if they’re real.

Talk to the pretty flutterers,

And tell them to hold still.

You’re Heavenly Father’s princess

He’s always there for you,

He’ll use your voice and spirit

To share His love through you.

Sometime later I went to Mom,

A little older, but being no less frightened, I cried,

I’m afraid to give my lesson,

Standing up there all alone.

I’ve studied, listened, read and prayed,

I know that I have grown.

Yet my stomach’s sick, my head is light

My heart is pounding so.

I want to share this message,

But I’m scared that it won’t flow.

Then Mama knowingly replied,

              

Honey, you’re learning humility,

               Your reliance on your God,

               Through is the Spirit teaches,

               As you grasp the iron rod.

             

Be grateful for your butterflies

               And think of them as real.

               Think how high they’ve learned to fly,

               Then tell them to hold still.

               You’re Heavenly Father’s princess

               And He’s always there for you,

               He’ll use your preparation

               To share His love through you.

Just recently I sat by my mother, and I cried,

               Oh Mama, look I’m all grown up,

               But I’m not feeling very wise.

               I thought I’d be so in control

               When I grew to this size.

               I’m afraid of all this challenge,

               Work, family, church, and home.

               I want to have, and be, and do

               But I feel so all alone.

               My stomach’s sick, my head is light.

               My heart is pounding so.

               I want to be so perfect,

               But I have too far to go.

Then Mama tenderly helped me,

               Dear child you’re having growing pains,

               I know they bother so,

               But as long as you still have them,

               You’re having a chance to grow.

               Can you think of them as butterflies,

               And think how they must feel,

               With all their lovely changes?

               Just ask them to hold still.

               You’re Heavenly Father’s Princess,

               He’s always here with you.

               He’s much more eager than you think

               To share His love with you.

                 

I Did My Best!

This week we had transfer calls and zone conference. It was a good week, but so many people are going home and it makes me a little sad . . . but it has to happen one day I guess.

I noticed this week I really am starting to love my mission!   I have loved Butterfly since I arrived, but I am finally falling in love with being a missionary. If only I would have figured that out 6 months ago. I heard something this week that describes this feeling perfectly: ' On a mission the veil between heaven and hell is very thin!'  This is so true!  You have days where you know the Holy Ghost is not with you. You have moments where you know Satan is right by your side doing everything he can to ruin you. But then you have days where God is there. (I personally enjoy His presence much better!). There is a distinct difference between the way the two talk to you.  I've noticed Satan’s voice can be quiet too and that can be troubling . . . especially when it’s easier to listen to Satan’s whisper over God’s whisper.  Then you’re in trouble. I think the very beginning of my mission here in Hong Kong, I experienced a pretty good mix of both. But as the days went on and I was able to distinguish the difference in voices, my days became much happier and I know I'm not even half way done!  There is definitely a difference between how I used to face the adversary compared to how I now face the adversary.

This week we had many, many miracles. Not anything that shows in numbers or improvement in our area, but in my mind they are miracles. We were asked by our mission president to visit his brother who lives in our area. We went out the other night to this area, which I had never been to.   It took us a good hour to find his house. When we finally found it, he wasn't even home. As we were walking out we ran into an English speaking man from Nepal. He doesn't know why he came to Hong Kong, but he knew he needed to find out who he was, what his purpose was, and which church God needs him to join.  If you have read the Ricardo letter, then you'll understand this story better. So we started talking to this man and he started to really listen and it seemed as though we were making progress.  Then we asked him if he felt different talking to us.  He said no. We tried again (cuz we could feel it, so we knew he could feel it) and he still denied it. I felt impressed to bear a powerful testimony and ended by saying that “the Holy Ghost that I am talking about is here with us right now, and He is the one giving you that feeling in your heart.” 

He went from this 'curious-to-find-out-which-church-is-true' kind of guy to a 'what-are-you-doing-to-me' kind of guy.  He got angry and defensive and tried to deny it, but the words that came out of his month made no sense and he knew it. At that moment I knew he had felt what he needed to feel.  He had heard what he needed to hear, so we invited him to do everything we previously invited him to do(pray, and read) and we left. When I walked onto the public bus I felt like I was on cloud nine, ready to baptize that whole bus. This moment changed a lot of things for me on my mission, as I'm sure you could imagine. I really do speak with the power of the Holy Ghost, and angels really are around us. This experience helped me gain the confidence and desire to start opening my mouth more, and to start trusting God to fill it, and He has!

Sister Flynn's last week with Amanda so they celebrated with ice cream!

Amanda loves her ward and this was a ward activity where the Bishop and his wife dressed up and participated in a skit

This is Kelly, a girl in their ward who just received her call to serve in the Laie, Hawaii Temple Visitors Center!

Facing Trouble With Courage

I feel very weak right now on my mission.  I have not been able to open my mouth like God commands his missionaries to do. I felt that I am lacking courage! I fear man more than God, and I need to change. So my goal this week is to 'FEAR NO MAN.'   And when I feel that fear, I need to face it with courage! (A lot easier said than done...) but God promises, “And I will give unto him strength such as is not known among men.” This week I hope to find out that this promise is true! haha (:

Anyway this week was pretty good:

Monday:  we went on a hike with an investigator and the other Sisters.  Then an investigator brought us food to the church that night that could have fed an ARMY. We called more missionaries half way through and invited them to come help us finish it haha (:

Tuesday:   just a normal day.  We had district meeting and got me meet all the new missionaries that just came into our area.  Then we made some brownies and took them to member’s houses that we love and appreciate.  They told us they prefer their desserts crunchy though...

Wednesday:   we got stood up by potential investigators....so that was sad, but we got to go to Crossroads that day and do service! LOVE CROSSROADS!

Thursday: met with a less active member in the morning. Super nice guy, but you can tell his priorities are not in the right place. We also met another man while we were English class finding, He's Buddhist but not a practicing Buddhist.   He talked and talked and talked about how much he loved his family and respected God, so we invited him to meet with us so he can learn more.  He said no, and the conversation went on, but we finally just realized he didn’t have much interest.   So I gave him our number and said his eternal salvation was on the line, and if he was interested in living with God for the rest of eternity, he could give us a call!  We shook hands and walked away.

Friday: English class!! We taught this one, and since my companion is from England, we decided to do an English night.  So fun (:

Saturday:   weekly planning, English class and Book of Mormon class.   Oh!  And we woke up and 6 to go on a hike with our former investigator Shelly.  She's a cutie, could've walked all day if we let her! It was the Longest hike of my life haha (:

Sunday:   I can't put into words my gratitude for fast Sundays and the humility and peace they bring me. I and Sister Flynn started our fast Saturday afternoon, and we fasted with our Elders in behalf of our area.  We are all struggling really bad right now. I think overall the fast just brought us all a desire to be bolder in our approaches, and have a brighter hope towards our finding efforts. Funny how we fasted for this and the same day got a call from our main investigator saying that she had prayed to God and He said she needed to temporarily take a break from coming to church, and she couldn't meet with us anymore. God is definitely preparing us for someone. We just gotta find them!

It’s been a humbling week for me, not much noticeable success, but I’m starting to see a difference in myself, and I think that’s the first step to it all.

Love you all!

Love Sister Webb

Our Beautiful Hard hike with our investigator

Coming home feeling like we earned a Tim-Tam Slam!

We were introduced to the Tim Tam Slam in Singapore by Lisel Stevens.  You get a cup of hot chocolate, bite off a corner of a Tim Tam, and such the hot chocoalte through the cookie until it's all melty!  Then eat the cookie.  It makes all of us really HAPPY!!

A Miraculous Week in Long Beach Visiting Jessica's Mission

Jessica and I had an incredible experience as we visited her mission in Long Beach this past weekend.  I was so touched by our experiences there that I’ve decided to write it down and include it in Amanda’s mission book (that will be made from this blog) at the end of her mission.  Amanda knew some of these converts so I think she will also find it very faith-building.

As Jessica stepped off the plane in Long Beach in September of 2015, the reality of a mission had hit her.  She was overwhelmed, tired and homesick.  As in many missions, she was put to work proselyting that very day.  One of the first doors she knocked on was Mike and Lurene Flynn.  Lurene told me later that she will never forget Jessica’s tear-stained, blood-shot eyes and the sweetness of her demeanor. 

A few years earlier, Mike and Lurene’s daughter had passed away at the age of 22.  She was beautiful (like Jessica) and even looked similar.  When Lurene saw Jessica and started visiting with her, she was vividly reminded of her daughter.  Over several months Jessica and her companion taught these two and they accepted the invitation to be baptized.  It was a wonderful day and my parents (who were also serving full-time in the Long Beach Mission) attended this baptism with Jessica. 

Then a few months ago we got a call from Lurene telling us that she and Mike were going to be sealed and would love us to attend!  We got our plane tickets and made arrangements.  We boarded a plane last Thursday to be there for this BIG day.  

The BIG day was Saturday at noon. On Friday we got a text from Lurene asking Jessica if she would stand in as proxy for her daughter, Natalie, who had passed away.  Jessica was ecstatic and accepted this invitation.  We also learned that Mike had lost a 3 year-old son several years earlier and he would be getting sealed to him as well.  

At the temple, Jessica rented a white dress and we were unsure if all of Natalie's temple work had been done and if Jessica needed to put on the temple robes.  After much asking and no answers, a sweet lady from Lurene's ward came in.  She was Lurene's visiting teacher and her husband was their home teacher.  She told us that they were temple workers in the Newport Temple and that earlier in the week she had personally done Natalie's initiatory and endowment in preparation for this sealing!  Jessica quickly put on the temple robes and we were escorted to the sealing room .  Two other couples from their ward were in attendance.

As Mike and Lurene walked into that room, true joy came over all of us.  When the time came for Jessica to join them at the alter, the veil became very thin and we knew their loved ones were nearby.  This was an expereince we will never forget and and are so grateful to share with this faithful couple!

Julie, Jessica, Lurene, Mike, the Home-teacher, the Visiting-teacher and the Weiks 

Jessica made several appointments with investigators and new converts that she wanted to see and wanted me to meet.  We spent the day Thursday doing this and it was a day I'll never forget!

Our first visit was Sarah.  Sarah was baptized a few months ago and is the only member in her home.  Her husband and adult children don't have any interest.  We sat with Sarah at her kitchen table as she told us how happy she's been since her baptism.  She had her Book of Mormon marked in 2nd Nephi.  Jessica asked her how her reading was coming and she said she is enjoying and understanding the Book of Mormon.  She got teary as she told us about the passing of her sister.  Jessica quickly opened up to Alma and marked a chapter for her to read.  She was so humble and had such a great desire to believe.  It was also evident that Jessica had such a great love and concern for her.  We all left with big hugs!

Jessica and Sarah

Our next visit was Tami and her darling 4 kids.  Tami had been married to her best friend for 21 years when he came home one day and told her he wanted a divorce.  It was devastating to her.  Her step-father is a member and asked if she would be willing to listen to the missionaries.  She consented and Jessica and her companion began teaching her.  She felt the Spirit very quickly and her girls connected with Jessica very well.  Within a short time Tami and her 12 and 10 year-old daughters were baptized.  Tami is truly converted and expressed her gratitude for the peace and comfort she has felt since accepting the gospel.  She has been embraced by an incredible ward and her 12 year old is headed to her first Girls Camp on Catalina Island today!  

Tami and her family

Wonderful member families that have taken in Tami and her kids in Westminster.

Our next visit was to Jake.  Jake has had struggles with addiction.  He comes from a very active LDS family and grew up in the church.  He is only a few years older than Jessica.  Jake's mom is the Relief Society President in their ward and asked the missionaries to reach out to Jake.  They challenged him to go through the 12-step program the church has provided.  He did it and reported to us over lunch that he is now 11 months sober!! It was humbling to visit with him and hear how difficult his decision to stay sober is EVERY DAY!  He is clinging to the gospel and making plans to further his education and become the man he wants to  be.

Jake & Jessica

Since we had already had some amazing sushi for lunch (right across the street from Jessica's apartment in La Mirada), we next joined Bob and Judy for a drink as they ate lunch nearby.  Bob and Judy met and married around the age of 40.  They both grew up in NYC and were active in the Jewish religion.  They both experienced some health challenges about 2 years ago.  Judy had a life-long friend who was Mormon and they found each other living in California close by.  One day Judy's friend suggested that the LDS missionaries come by each week and take out Bob and Judy's garbages.  This was becoming very difficult for them with their health.  Judy accepted this invitation but was adminant there would be no "preaching", just serving:).  Jessica and her companion began going over weekly to empty and take out their trash cans.  Judy told me that they came faithfully for about 3 months and one day Jessica asked if they could come in and offer a prayer.  Judy said she was taken back, but couldn't refuse a prayer.  The next week Jessica asked if they could come in and visit with them about the church. Judy said she felt guilted into inviting them in because they had been serving her and Bob so diligently:)  Within a few minutes they had shared the story of the Restoration.  Bob knew a lot about Joseph Smith and wanted to hear more.  He was very well read in the Bible and had studied Mormonism over time.  

Within a short time Judy had a strong witness of the truthfulness of the gospel.  She told me how amazing it was to see Jewish religion and Mormonism come together so naturally.  The only obstacle was teaching her that Jesus was the Christ.  Jessica said once that moment came, Judy was ready for baptism and has been on fire ever since.  Bob was not ready to be baptized, but was supportive of Judy.  Judy was baptized in October of 2016.  Then about 5 months later Judy said she went to the store with Bob and ran inside to get something.  When she came out, Bob had tears in his eyes and told her he was ready to be baptized as well.  He said while she was in the store, the Spirit had come to him and told him this was the true church and he needed to join it.  He was baptized in April of 2017.

As we sat and visited about their experience, they talked about the love they felt when the missionaries would come.  They made sure they ALWAYS had cookies, a drink, and a pack of gum to send home with them.  They grew to LOVE Jessica and Judy sheepishly asked if I was OK if she referred to Jessica as her daughter!  I said ABSOLUTELY YES as Judy had been a loving, caring MOTHER to Jessica on her mission.  

Then Bob and Judy told us that they were preparing to be sealed in the temple in April of 2018, one year from Bob's baptism date!  They asked if we would come back for it! YES YES YES!

Bob & Judy

We stopped by a few homes of wonderful members that were instrumental in missionary work during Jessica's mission.  We also visited all three of her apartments.  Only one of them made me nervous!

Our last stop of the evening was at Jenny's.  Jenny is about my age.  She has been married to her husband for 20 years and they have 3 beautiful daughters together.  Jessica was referred to Jenny upon arriving in Westminster, but told that Jenny did not want to be baptized.  She just wanted to be friends with the missionaries.  Jessica told me that with this preface, she went in to LOVE Jenny and her family and that is exactly what happened.  

Jenny's husband has struggles with the LDS church.  He came from an active family and served a mission but has been inactive for several years now.  Jenny grew up Catholic. In the earlier years, Jenny's husband introduced Jenny and his 3 daughters to the missionaries.  His oldest daughter, Rebecca, accepted the gospel and wanted to get baptized.  However, she was told by her father she must wait until 18 years-old.  She did and is now baptized.  

Jenny told us that she knows the church is true and she loves the Book of Mormon.  She talked about how she "visits" with Heavenly Father all the time.  She runs a house-cleaning business and recently was in desperate need for a reliable, hard-working employee.  She said she prayed about this and pleaded with Heavenly Father to help her find someone.  She then went to work making a flyer to post.  She woke up early one morning to print these out and distribute them, but her computer wouldn't connect with her printer.  She was running out of time and needed at least one.  She made a deal with Heavenly Father that if He would help her print at least one flyer that would help her find a good employee, she would be diligent in the gospel and continue going to church.  Suddenly her printer turned and ONE flyer printed. She was in shock and couldn't get the computer to print anymore after that.  She hung the flyer up and within a week had a wonderful new employee.  

Right before Jessica went home, she and her companion were alone with Jenny and asked her to pray.  Jenny is terrified to pray in front of anyone and so this was a big request, but she knew Jessica was leaving and loved her.  Jessica asked her to pray out loud and ask Heavenly Father how He feels about her and her being baptized.  Jenny told us that as she started to pray, a wonderful feeling came over her.  She felt as if Heavenly Father was resting His hands on her shoulders and the words came to her that "Everything will be OK.  Keep doing what you're doing."  Jessica described this as one of her most spiritual moments on her mission as the Spirit filled the room and was undeniable.  Jenny grew up a Seventh-Day Adventist and told me she has never had an expereince even close to what she felt that day.  

Jenny is still not baptized, but wants to be.  She is waiting for her husband's blessing and feels his heart is being softened every day in miraculous ways.  Jenny is one of the most humble, kind, responsible, and earnest women I have ever met.  She LOVES her family and is teaching her daughters and wants the blessings the gospel has to offer them, but realizes she must be patient and continue trusting Heavenly Father! 

I know that Jessica (and every missionary for that matter)  is sent to their mission for very specific reasons and people.  She found them!  It has been the greatest blessing of all to see the full blessings of the gospel being received by these wonderful people and we look forward to another sealing in a few months!

Jessica's love for these people is about as Christ-like as I've ever witnessed.  She was truly given CHARITY and continues to feel this love for her brothers and sister in California!