I Will Probably Never Forget That Night

      Before I say anything at all....... HAPPYYYYYYYYYYYYY BIRTHDAYYYYYYYYYYY MOMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!! and hello to everybody else-

    Happy Birthday Mom. From everyones letters it sounds like you are doing awesome. Thanks so much for all that you have done for me these past 18 years. I have noticed so many times on my mission that the things you have taught me have been a great blessing to me and to those that I serve. Also because of you I actually do the laundry and clean my dishes. Not a skill that every missionary has mastered but because of you I'm getting the hang of it.

    When I think of all that I have learned from you I think of the story of the 2,000 strippling warriors and there faith which they had because of their mothers. In Alma Chapter 56 verses 47-48 it talks about how although the strippling warriors had never fought in war (or served a mission in this case) they did not fear because of the things their mothers taught them.

      47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

      48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.

     Mom I would say that you are comparable to the mothers of the strippling warriors but I think I would have to say that you are even better. You raised me which I'm sure was a much harder task then the moms of those warriors. And not only did you raise me but you did it in a way that you really can't describe. It's like you knew the person that you wanted me to become when I was just a wee little lad and then you did everything and more to make sure I became that person. Because of that I'm not sure I'll ever be able to thank you enough. One more thing that you tried to teach me before I left on my mission was writing thank you notes. I realized that I never said thanks for the Christmas packages... sorry. But now I am officially giving you a huge thanks.

     I hope that this week was awesome for you and that your birthday was bodacious. Also when you see all of my friends moms at lunch if you could tell them two things then I think that'll do. 1. Tell them thank you for feeding me all the times that I was over at their house. 2. Tell them thank you for raising me like a son of their own. I looked up to all of their kids so much(since I was the youngest of all the boys) and I really will never forget all that their sons did for me.

     So this week has been a really good week and I have learned so much from all that happened. One of the families who we are teaching (I will put a picture in this time) was really struggling and my companion and I had an awesome lesson with them this week. There family has been struggling to get along and to have peace in their home so my companion and I decided to go over eat some pie, watch some mormon messages, and play some games. The lesson was going ok but it wasn't quite the spiritual bomb that we were hoping for. Before we left my companion asked them to all sit down on the couch together and he would take a picture of them. After he took the picture he handed the camera to the mom and said, "What do you see?" She paused for about 30 seconds and didn't say anything. Then she started crying and said, "I see a happy family." After that my companion and I both bore powerful testimonies on the plan of salvation (I think that since Chandler's death, and with my companions cousin and grandpa passing away both of us have gained such a sure knowledge that we will live forever) and I have never felt the spirit like that before. All of us in that room were quiet for a little bit and we just sat there and listened to the Spirit. I think it's safe to say that they know now what they need to do to be a happy family. I will probably never forget that night for as long as I live. Just the look on the mom's face when she looked at my companion and I and she knew that her family could be happy through the gospel. If I never do another thing on my whole mission, I could say that it was worth it just for that.

     That's all for this week and things are going really well. I love all you guys and hope that you've been keeping busy. It is spring time here in Minnesota and it's been really nice. Yesterday I think it got up in the forties so my companion and I decided to bust out the short sleeves and the Hmong ties. Peace out

     

                                                                                                        Love Elder Muaj Zoo Vwj

P.P.S. Dad thanks for those scriptures, they are so awesome.

A pic of a little p day activity that I chose for me and the other elders. Best P Day of all time.

This is the family that we taught and this is the picture that we showed them.

Chandler Webb has the Heart of a Champion

          Mom my mission president wants you to forward this to the Webb family when you get their email. Also I need you to pray for my companion today. Last night his cousin who was one of his best friends was murdered. They grew up together. Please pray for him to know that his cousin is happy and is in paradise.

          Dear Webb Family and Friends,

     This morning I got the news from my mission president that Chandler has passed away. He asked me to send an e-mail to all of you today. I feel so lucky to have been able to know one of the funniest, happiest, and best men that has ever lived on this earth. I'm sure that heaven is laughing a little harder now that Chandler is there. I will never forget all of the memories that I have with him. All of the doughnuts that we did in the burgundy sentra, all the cliff jumping in Lake Powell, all the times me and him would try and get super tan but then just end up getting horribly sunburned, his unparalelled love for the Jazz, and especially all the times that him and I would go get Panda Express together. I could always count on Chandler to make me laugh and smile.

     It's true that Chandler was funnier than anyone, but something that I loved even more about Chandler was his loyalty as a friend and how good of a person he really was. He was always out to make others days happier and to make others feel as though he cared. He was such a good example of how to help other people by bringing them happiness.

     This morning when I got the call from President Clements about Chandler. I was obviously devistated. The one thing that has brought me peace right now is the knowledge that I have that I will never ever truly have to say goodbye to Chandler. Only see you later. This morning I was reading in the scriptures trying to find something that would help me out and I found this scripture. In Alma 22:18 it says The sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory.

     As I read this scripture I realized something. Chandler Webb has the heart of a champion. And he fought hard these past couple weeks for all of us so that we could have a few more precious weeks with him. And then I realized that when Chandler passed away this morning, he didn't lose... He won. Because of the Savior and Chandler's decision to be faithful to this gospel, he will live forever and ever. I know without a doubt that Chandler is prepared to meet God. A week before Chandler went into a coma this is the email that he sent me. "Hi Marshall Tis chandler, I tried to text you the day before you left but apparently your phone was all broke but anywho I just thought if let you know I started my papers on Sunday, but enough with the boring stuff let's talk Jazz, trey Burke broke his finger and is out for 4-6 weeks, so I'm all depressed, how's the MTC, any hot girls? Lol how's Chinese class, that's cray you can speak that language soon, well I'm proud of you and all that stuff loves you"

     After that I wrote him an email telling him that I'm way excited for him and that I know he'll be an awesome missionary. I told him I can't wait to see him in two years and he wrote me this back. 

     Ya I'm way excited to see where I go (it better not be Russia or I'm not going) but ya it sucks I never got to say an official good bye to you:( but I guess we will just have to have the best hello ever in 2 years. In case you were wondering I now rep 9 plates benching and what's kinda weird is that during this letter I am writing some guys just knocked on my door and told me where the singles ward is, and that's weird because I was wondering where it was and know I know. Well I'm going to take a nap now, I'm out like a fat kid playing dodgeball

    Chandler knew that he was suppose to serve a mission. He was prepared by God to do it and I'm sure that he will be a great missionary where he is serving. Evidenced by this stirring email we can see that not only did he love the Jazz and his friends, but more importantly he loved God and was willing to give two years of his life to His service (except just not in Russia but that's ok because I'm sure he's warm enough in heaven). God has promised great blessings to those who are righteous like Chandler. In Alma 40:12 it talks about where we go after we die and where those who are good live. It says "And then shall it come to pass. that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow."

     I know that right now Chandler is smiling, that he is happy, and that he is at peace. The people in heaven truly are priveledged to have a man as great as him with them. I love Chandler so much. Chandler told me that we would have the best hello ever in two years and it looks like I'll just have to wait a bit longer then that but I'm sure it will be glorious. I can't imagine a better place to meet a friend again than in paradise.

     To my friends. Remember all the good times we had... That should be easy because there never was any bad ones. Remember Chandler and strive to do your best to honor him. Remember that he will always be with us and will walk beside us on our missions and throughout the rest of our lives. I love you guys so much.

     Webb Family. Thank you so much for your son. He was a light to the world. His smile, his hair, and his spirit shined bright in a world that is pretty dark. No matter how sad my day was I could always count on your son to make it better. I know that this is a hard time. I remember when I lost my brother and I felt absolutely horrible every second of the day. But the one thing that gave me hope was the thought of how happy we will be when we meet again. I wrote this letter this morning when I found out about your son and it is helping me get through today. "My tears are heavy because Chandler and I have a mortal separation. But I know that through the Atonement of Christ, my tears can be just tears of anticipation. For we'll be together again walking through the golden streets of heaven, we'll laugh and reminisce while sipping celestial slurpees from the neighborhood 7-11" I know you will see your son again. Thank you for all you have done for me and for your love. I love you all so much and will pray for you every day.

I Never Thought So Much Could Happen in One Day

Hellooooo!

     So glad to hear that Chandler is still hanging in there and that he is doing his best. I'm sure that all of our prayers are helping him a lot. 

     So we had a crazy week this week and it was super fun. I never thought that so much could happen in one day. It seems like every day more stuff happens than in a whole month back home. But I guess that's bound to happen when you wake up at 630 in the morning as opposed to 2 in the afternoon.

    So I guess some more about my companion first. He is from Milwaukee and he is nineteen years old and is really cool. He has been out on his mission for almost 6 months and is doing great. He tells me that back in Milwaukee he used to be a street racer and I totally believe him because we have yet to be late to one appointment. Actually most of the time were really early. Also he has 11 brothers and sisters and his family came from Thailand in 2004. His family was Shaman but and converted to the LDS church in 2007 after his dad met the missionaries. We have a lot of fun together and he's really funny. Also he teaches me all of the Hmong superstitions so that is pretty fun. One time we were walking down the street and there was a full moon and I pointed to it and apparently in the Hmong culture if you point at the moon someone will cut your ear off. I laughed pretty hard at that one but he was dead serious.

     One cool experience we had this week was when we met a family of four when we were tracting late one night. It was about 730 and we were walking up this street and we were about to turn back and leave but then my companion said we should go all the way to the end. On the last house we knocked on this older man opened the door and said that he already went to church so he said thanks but he already knew God. So we asked him if he would tell him more about his church and he of course let us in(old Hmong guys really like to talk about their church and the war back in Laos.) After a few minutes we started teaching him the restoration and he was really interested. We asked him and his wife if they wanted to be baptized but they said they wanted to learn more before they committed. We have gone back and taught them a couple times and they are reading in the Book of Mormon and praying. They told us they wanted to come to our church last Sunday but their grandma died so they were at her funeral. Hopefully they will come next week but it's looking pretty good.

     Also some more on the Tswv Tuam family. Tswv Tuam is the dad and he is an active member. His wife's name is Mim and is in her twenties. They have two girls around ten or eleven and then a baby that was just born. Also Mim has a sister that is about 13 and she is joining in the lessons as well. They all want to be baptized but they are married the Hmong culture way and not the Mikas way so they have to be legally married before they are baptized. They have been attending a marriage class and are planning to be married mid december so we are looking forward to their family being baptized. That will probably be the best Christmas present I have ever had.

      One funny and also kind of scary story that me and my companion had last night was when we were teaching a lady named Pang. The sister missionaries referred her  to us and so we had never met her before. We were in her house and were teaching the restoration but the lesson wasn't really going anywhere. My companion and I decided it was time to go and so we said a prayer and then started to leave when all of a sudden her husband walked in. They told me that Hmong people were small back in the MTC but obviously they never met this guy. He was only about five and half feet tall but he probably weighed 250 all muscle. He started yelling at us to get out of his house and that he never wanted to see us again. So me and my companion sprint out of his house and jump in our car and drive off. The funny part was that after we left we looked at the referral from the sisters and this is what it said, "Pang is super cool and is really receptive. She is interested in the gospel and really believes in the Restoration. Also her husband is really friendly and has some good questions about the Bible." >:0 Im not sure if the sisters are just the most positive people in the world or if they were just good looking because that guy was not to friendly and Pang did not believe anything we said. My companion laughed pretty hard after we read that and decided that we probably just weren't the best teachers.

     So yeah this past week has been pretty fun and really awesome and things have been going well. Love you all and hope things in Sandy are as good as when I left.

                                                            Elder Muaj Zoo

P.S. The only bad part about Minnesota is that the Panda Express is out of my area.   :'( Other than that it's awesome.