Hello, everyone!
I am excited to share about some experiences that I have had
here in Sydney!
This week while we were on the streets outside of
MacQuarie University trying to find new investigators to teach. While we were
walking, I noticed a boyfriend and girlfriend sitting down and having a rather
serious conversation. It seemed like they weren't having the greatest of a time, so on my first pass by I said "Hi" in Chinese to which they stopped
their conversation, looked up, smiled and laughed, then dove back into their
conversation. I didn't think much of it and continued walking up the street then
turned around and came back. As I was approaching them, they still looked like
they were having an intense conversation, but I decided that I would just stop
and talk to them. I began a conversation with them and talked with them for a
while. They eventually asked what I was doing here in Sydney (the golden
question) to which I started to talk to them about the church. Over the next
couple minutes, we exchanged comments and remarks in regards to who they
believed God was and his role in their lives. I invited them to learn more
about God and his role in their lives to which they agreed and set an
appointment with us!
If we fast forward a couple days to the actual appointment, I
asked them, "So why did you decide to meet with us?" They both told
us that they had met missionaries before and that other missionaries tried to
force them or press them into having lessons but that they appreciated that I
just talked with them. Over the course of the lesson, it was amazing to see the
different questions that they asked and to see how prepared they were to
receive the gospel. By the end of the lesson, they asked when we could meet up
again to talk more about the gospel. They told us that they couldn't believe it
right away because that's not how it works, but that they wanted to learn and
pray to Heavenly Father to see if it was true. I share this because I believe
this is how it should be. I had no clue what I was going to say to this boyfriend
and girlfriend who were having a dispute, but I decided I would just talk to
them. Whether it was the question posed to me or another question, we can
always find a way to connect the gospel. I know that we can do this with
everyone we come in contact with!
Many of you know that I serve in the same ward as a family
who used to be my Seminary teachers in Shanghai. We were blessed to be invited
into their home, along with a few other families, for a Thanksgiving dinner
yesterday. The Spencers were kind enough to have all eight missionaries from
the ward over! Of those eight missionaries, five of us are from the United
States. The three other missionaries are from Thailand, Taiwan, and China. This was all their first Thanksgiving, so we were able to teach them and share
the traditions of this holiday.
I am so grateful for the many things that my Father in
Heaven has blessed my life with. As we approach this holiday and Christmas, I
would invite all to reflect on the blessings that you have received and the
love your Heavenly Father has for you. Furthermore, I would invite all to
reflect upon the life of the Savior and His role in each one of your
lives.
Thank you for your continued support and love. I appreciate
all that each of you do for me!
Love,
Elder Wilde
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