Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Week 17

Taiwan Bound!
I have exciting news! I guess I have to share the whole story, because it is a pretty cool story and a testament to the fact that God answers prayers in mysterious and diverse ways. A couple of weeks ago, exactly a week from last Thursday, I had the opportunity to go to a Chinese restaurant. That day I was particularly anxious about my visa, and I prayed so hard that God would simply let me know when I would get my visa. It didn't have to be soon, I just didn't want to have to worry about it anymore. So I was at the Chinese restaurant, and as usual, I got a fortune cookie. Before I opened the fortune cookie I prayed to please let this fortune cookie give me some guidance about my visa. As I opened the fortune cookie I was surprised when my fortune read "At this time next week you will receive something long waited for". It was too good to be true! Could Heavenly Father answer my prayer through a fortune cookie?

As the week went on I heard no news about my visa. A week after that day at the Chinese restaurant, last Thursday, was the day the fortune cookie read I would receive my visa. Miraculously, I got a call almost exactly a week after, at the exact time I got my fortune cookie, that my visa had arrived. I was speechless! The Lord is merciful, he answers prayers, even if it isn't the way we expect him too.

So I will be leaving to Taiwan next Tuesday. I am excited, even though I will miss Washington. This last week has been particularly beautiful, it hasn't been too cold and the sun has been out all week. I think Washington is just giving me a going-away gift.

Another great thing that happened this last week was Zone Conference. President Eaton taught us about the gift of the Holy Ghost. He told us we all live under our potentials.  We have the companionship of the Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead. If we live in accordance to the laws of God, we have the right to the power of the Holy Ghost and the gifts that come with it. Sometimes I think we forget how amazing it is to have the Holy Ghost.  He is not just a compass that points us to the right path when we make mistakes or when we are in danger, but he brings us comfort, teaches us eternal truths, and magnifies our gifts and talents. Through, and only through the Holy Ghost we can become the kinds of people we were supposed to become, Sons and Daughters of our Heavenly Father.  As members of the church, we have the glorious gift of the Holy Ghost, so we have to make sure we do not waste this great gift.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission, because I have learned so much that I would have never known if I didn't serve my mission.

Thank you all again for the emails and letters. I will probably email you again before Taiwan, but if not, I will let you know how Taiwan is!

Love,
Elder Quist

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