Nov 16, 2011

Hey all,

I loved hearing from so many this week. I would ask you to use email and not dear elder because dear elder goes to the mission home which is an hour and a half from us, so we only get there like once a month. I just got dad’s letters from Daniels birthday, so yeah.  One more request, can you get me Ian Darcy’s address? I would like to write him. Also with the pin number, Bro. Calvert whom dad talked to, suggested you send me a new credit card in one envelope and my pin number in another. I thought this was a good idea because my card expires  in the 2-3 months anyway. Whatever but I really do want to pay for my bike.

A few of you asked what I would like you to talk about. I love hearing about anything. I would like to hear more about specific funny stories like grandpa being in the same room as Josh, any cool spiritual ideas or experiences or mission experiences that would help my mission, maybe sports, and obviously girls. Dia's getting back soonish right?

About my week, We see little miracles every day.  I love it. We met a woman down a road I choose to go down, but my companion was the one who went back and talked to her, her name is Amon from Jakarta, and she lives close to the church. She said she always wanted to go to the church but never had seen anyone in it. We set up and meet with her, she used to be a Christian, and still is but her church is far away so she never goes. In the lesson we felt the spirit strongly. I testified of priesthood power and after that she said,  "It's true." We committed her to baptism, and at the end of the lesson she said "I have money but am not happy, here I am happy." What a miracle. The Shi Jiating (family) met again and this time I could tell that there was a difference, they were excited to meet with us and had been praying and reading the BOM together. They committed to baptism to. I guess it's really rare to commit an entire family to baptism; the dad even seems to be developing interest when before it was just for his kids. We meet with a 17 year old whose family has no religion and was searching. He also committed to baptism. Also the miracle Wu dixiong I told you about that came from an hour and a half to hear our message, he came and understood the importance of reading the Book of Mormon and is progressing, except he had something on Sunday so couldn't come to church.

Some spiritual thoughts- I loved Alma 1 and 2, I realized that it really could apply to us in our days, Amlici teaches a new religion similar to Nehors and wants to become king, but was out voted but didn't give up. (Kind of like abortion in California with title 8 I think) This is encouraging how the majority is rarely wrong. I like to compare his religion to the idles of our day- cars, sports, porn, ads, etc. So he decided to fight instead, Yet Alma had time and prepared with all manner of weapons. In the fight the verse starts out with the Amalicites slaughtering the Nephites; nevertheless the Lord did strengthen the Nephites and they ended up winning. Even though prepared, still only in there need did the lord help. So Alma sent spies to watch them, and the spies came back rushed saying, “make hast for the Amalicites joined a Lamanite army and unless we hurry we will lose our families and homes”, so they went. Even though way outnumbered they went. The joining of the armies is significant, how often can we see porn, cars, sports and ads together? In the fight Alma prays to the lord to spare his life so he can be an instrument in his hands and save "this people." Then got up and lo and behold there is Amalicai which he quickly dispatches and they end up winning even though greatly outnumbered. I said the same prayer because I need strength to resist all worldly idles so I can help this people. I liked comparing Almas prayers to King Noah’s plead for his life to Giddianton, I would suggest you do it. Noah wants to save us first then "my people.' All about himself still. Also he is on a tower not low and humble.

Love you all,

Elder Matthew Sabey