Winter Winds January 16, 2017

Hello!

Things have been slowing down a little bit on our little island out here off the coast of Taiwan. The winter winds are constantly blowing here and have been keeping the residents of Magong City in their homes. This has made finding new investigators a bit more difficult as of late, but we continue to see success as we show faith and diligence in the work. I feel like I have really adjusted to life here now and Elder Fear and I ready to go hard during this last week of the transfer. 

Many missionaries when asked, "What are your hopes and dreams concerning your mission?" will respond by saying that they hope that by the end of their mission they want to be able to say that they gave it their all and have no regrets. I've been thinking a lot this week about what it means to have NO REGRETS. 

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is central in missionary work. I think to have no regrets towards one mission would have to include understanding that the Atonement applies to the missionary just as much as it does to the investigator. I can only speak for myself, but I there are definitely times on my mission when I've made mistakes, when I didn't follow a prompting that I should have, when I didn't use time as effectively as I should have, when I didn't get out of bed right on time, etc. These are definitely things that will prevent a missionary from having the spirit (which is the single most important element in missionary work). However, I know that through the power of the Atonement, real intent, and action on my part I am able to overcome my shortcomings and move past my weaknesses with faith towards the future and NO REGRETS. My hope is that during the last few months of my mission and throughout the rest of my life that I will have continue to build a stronger and stronger testimony and understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I hope that you all will be able to as well. As you do you can ponder this piece from David A. Bednar in his last conference talk titled "If Ye Had Known Me". In that talk, President Bednar states, "I am acquainted with Church members who accept as true the doctrine and principles contained in the scriptures and proclaimed from this pulpit. And yet they have a hard time believing those gospel truths apply specifically in their lives and to their circumstances. They seem to have faith in the Savior, but they do not believe His promised blessings are available to them or can operate in their lives. I also encounter brothers and sisters who fulfill their callings dutifully but for whom the restored gospel has not yet become a living and transforming reality in their lives. We come to know the Lord as we not only believe in Him but also believe Him and His assurances."

I love you all! The gospel and the Atonement apply to each of you individually on a personal level!

-Elder Poon