...all will be alright under His guidance.

Dear Friends and Family,

It turns out I am not moving!  It was pleasant news.  I love the area we are in a lot.  I also love these investigators a ton.  I'm hoping I will get to see the baptisms of a few of these people before the next transfers.  The next move date is December 18th, so I'm hoping Pok Fu Lam will have a couple more baptisms. :)

By the end of this move I will have been in Pok Fu Lam for 10 months.  Elder Groberg and I will have been together for 8 months.  I think keeping a companionship together that long is a record for our mission!  They said the reason for keeping us here is because we are doing such good work, that they figured why move us?  Hopefully Pok Fu Lam area is not destroyed by the end of this move. hehe just kidding.  

Missionaries make mistakes just like the rest of the world, and I am no exception.  I believe that God allows us to make these mistakes so that He can help us learn and correct our paths for the future.  I don't think we need to feel that everything will fall apart because of our mistakes. But rather we should feel that God has already planned for the fact that we'd make mistakes, and all will be alright under His guidance.  Perfection will not come in this life for us.  We should not expect things that are unreasonable, but we should demand of ourselves improvement. I love you all.  

Love,
Elder Phillips

It has been a great week in Pok Fu Lam.

Dear Friends and Family,

It has been a great week in Pok Fu Lam.  I think the greatest miracle this week was about a guy named Eric. 

We found him on the street a while ago and exchanged phone numbers, however, we did not hear from him afterwards.  But just last Monday he sent us a text telling us about some problems he is having in his life and how he wants to change his life.  For some reason, he knew that coming to this church would help him change.  We have met him twice so far and he has a baptismal date.  He is such an awesome guy. 

Bishop Chan's son came home from his mission last week.  He has helped us out a lot already.  Our ward is small, so it can be hard for members to come to our lessons at times.  But Bishop Chan's son is so willing to help. 

We met a new deaf guy who is a body builder.  He came to church yesterday with the Li Family.  The deaf work is still going well.  We are all pretty curious to see what will happen with move calls because no other missionaries know sign language right now.  But Elder Groberg or I could easily teach somebody. 

It's going well out here.  I'm excited for Halloween. hehe.

Love,

Elder Phillips

I've recognized the power to change comes entirely through love...

Elder Phillips and Elder Groberg serving in the Pok Fu Lam area.

Dear Friends and Family, 

I do not have a lot to write today.  I wanted to share some things I have learned from the past week (including General Conference).  I definitely cannot write out all the miracles that happen and all the great things I have experienced.  Even in my journal I don't think I could record everything.

I've recognized the power to change comes entirely through love.  I loved a talk given by Henry B. Eyering when he talked about helping correct others through love.  We must show love before we try to correct someone, and show an increase of someone after we do so.  I've also learned the most powerful corrections are not given from people, but from God.  When a person realizes for themselves that they need to change something, they will have far greater capability to carry out that change.  

I also loved the man who spoke Portuguese.  He mentioned how to make the best decisions.  We must consider our options with the end goal in mind.  I think many great decisions can be made if we have a vision of the end.  The same is with the mission.  I've had some goals my entire mission.  Even if they seem unachievable from the point I'm at now, I believe changing or lowering them would lead me to not being able to fulfill my full potential.  

I also loved that awesome Scandinavian man who said that a trial is not a punishment from God.  He said when a trial comes we should see it as an opportunity to prove ourselves to Him, and nothing else.  Evil rains upon the wicked and righteous of the world.  Is it not punishment enough for the wicked that they deny themselves the eternal support of a loving God?  They cannot overcome their troubles correctly or find true peace without relying on God.  If there is one thing I know now, it is that.  Any trial is sent from God to be a blessing to you, not a curse.  

The last thing I would share is to ask yourself: "Is it I?"  Elder Uchtdorf shared a great talk about that.  We cannot expect mercy from God if we are unjustly judging others.  I know this gospel is true.  I love you all.

Love,
Elder Phillip