18 Months in Samoa Apia (Marah Dixon)

Where to start? So I have met Marah when her and I attended Grade 12 Graduation Trip with was a few years ago. I remembered when me and her saw each other a few times at the Temple and forgotten each other's names. We finally get to be Facebook Friends since towards end of July last year. We stayed in touch since, via phone calls, text messages, Facebook messages and spending heaps of time together filled with memories.

I considered her as one of my best friends ever since we got each other's phone numbers. I always loved spending time with her.

My best friend Marah texted me when her mission call has arrived. All the excitement arrived. I felt impatiently when I was waiting for her to call me on Saturday about where she is going, when she reports to the Missionary Training Centre, and what language will she has to prepare to speak during the mission.

She called me and mentioned to me that I have 3 guesses. She ended up allowing me have 2 guesses. My guesses Scotland or New Zealand and when she told me, I was so surprised. 

Marah has been called to serve in Samoa Apia Mission for 18 months. She reports to Provo Missionary Training Centre on Tuesday 28th of July, 2015 and she is to prepare to teach in Samoan language. I was so happy for her.

I can't wait to come back and spend some time with her. I told her "You will be a great Missionary wherever you get called to serve." She has done so many mission preparations, scripture studies, etc. I have been trying my best to follow her example slowly but knowing it hasn't been easy.

Preparing for a mission is one of the greatest preparations for life. I know Marah will be a great Sister Missionary, I know that she will miss me heaps, I know that I will miss her, I know that she will miss heaps of friends before leaving and other things.

It has been a month or 2 months since I saw last her and it feels like that we haven't seen each other more than 5 months or so.

All the best for your mission Marah!! I will try my very best to stay in touch with you even if it is Dear Elder everyday when you are at Provo Missionary Training Center. 

The Power of Service

I have been noticing this whole week that I seem to forget about myself and think about the needs of others. When I see something needs to be done, I go and do it straight away. I know Heavenly Father appreciates me when I offer others for help and I do feel a bit upset whenever someone rejects my offer to help.

It makes me happy when I serve others. I think a lot about Christ-Like Attributes and Missionary Work. We all can become like Jesus Christ by trying our best to follow his righteous examples and show those examples unto others.

We all have challenges that we face in our daily lives, we all have fears over some things, we all have temptations to face, we all make the wrong decisions but that's okay. We can always have a desire to be willing to change, repent and forgive today. We can always try to strive to be better.

I loved a video that is on Mormon Channel called Lift. If you haven't seen the video before, I most recommend for you to watch it in your own time. I enjoyed watching the video and here's the link below. http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/lift-the-power-of-service

I know what I will be sharing next, it isn't about service. It is a friendly remainder.

"Always remember Heavenly Father knows who you are, he knows your weaknesses, he knows your strengths, he loves you, he cares about you, he is always mindful of you and he wants you to be the best you can be! You need to act who you truly are. Don't be pretending of being like someone else to impress someone. I know it isn't a nice feeling."

SERVE OTHERS! HELP A NEIGHBOUR! What can you do today to help someone in need?

Stay Tuned.

Trust in God When Accepting Challenges

Most times, I have been noticing that things and people could change a lot within a day to long period of time.

This post will be one of the long posts that I have ever done.

I would like to share with you a scripture. It is found in Alma 36:3 and it reads "And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day."

I must admit, it is one of my favourite scriptures. If we can put trust in God through our day to day and nigh to night, he can help us to overcome the trails, troubles and afflictions. Sometimes we need to forget ourselves, think about someone else and seek for the needs of that someone. It could be anything. I have done so much service for this week so far and I know Heavenly Father sees that.

I trust in Heavenly Father for when it comes to accept challenges. It can be little as getting up early in the morning each morning. I encourage you to trust in Heavenly Father when it comes to accepting challenges and everything; starting from today.

So since I moved into Rockingham Ward on Sunday with a family in the ward, I have learnt a lot of things. I was in Baldivis Ward for 2 weeks. One of the major things that I have learnt, was to sacrifice my sleep ins to wake up at 7am each morning.

My schedule for weekdays is the following;

7am: Get all 4 children including the mother of the family to wake up including myself.

Between 7am to 8am: Make breakfast for the kids, make school lunches. I get the dishes done and I eventually have breakfast before everyone else is ready. The children gets ready for school, and their Mum gets ready for work.

8am: I take the children to school and their Mum comes with me too so she can get a ride to work from school.

Around 8:15am to around 3pm; I always achieve productive things throughout that time frame. I always try my best to find time to send daily text message updates to my parents, my sister Emma, and a few closest friends.

I recommend you to try your best to give a moment to think about the things that you have achieved. If you haven't achieved what you would like to achieve, try again tomorrow and you can always put your trust in God with that through personal prayers.

Stay Tuned.