6/12 Signing Out

What mixed emotions I have writing this. 

My final report.

The area was blessed this week with the baptism of J and Sister C. They were all ready to go on Sunday and the ward was ready to receive them. Sometimes missionaries worry about a hand off of investigators to members, but I feel comfort that it was all of us supporting them from underneath to get them here. C (preparing missionary) baptized J, and RC Brother L baptized Sister C. It was great, a spiritual witness again of the preparedness of our ward. It was a topic yesterday, and at ward council. The ward has seen a lot of people start their paths in the gospel and feels so blessed. We achieved our ward baptismal goal yesterday and over! It is only June. On to setting a new goal, but to continue to work to retain these new people in the fold. What an amazing ward. I will be forever grateful for their examples to me.

Bishop asked me to bear my testimony again yesterday, unfortunately the crying side of me came out and it took a second to gather myself. I love these people like my family. Each one of them. I spent so much time at their sides working in the vineyard in a time where I have grown so much. I have striven to emulate their examples of service and dedication no matter what it takes. They love. They are successful. It was like saying goodbye to my actual family.

My time here has flown by, as I said earlier, on wings of lightning. I have come to realize that history will continue to tell me what is possible, but it will never be able to tell me what is impossible. The Lord has sent us here to do the impossible. Do things that we don't think we can do, and in the midst of the turmoil, sometimes heartache, and beautiful sunrises, to grow and to become like Him; and thereunto, fulfill the measure of our creation. We came here to emulate Christ. We came here to prepare to return unto the Father a different person than we are now, a perfected spirit child with experiences to help us govern in the world to come. If we are not doing things now to change ourselves, we might consider a, "course correction." 

I have learned love, I have learned patience. At first, I tried to keep who I was, but not until two years later after decided to forget it, do I really have an idea of who I am. I have come to know my purpose. As to what will happen in the future? "我還不完全知道這些奧祕，所以不再說了" (Alma 37:11). All I do know, is that I will fearlessly serve the Lord. I will strive to be a clean vessel, a shiny tool, and faithful servant to the Lord. 

I love the Lord my God. He lives and loves me too. I will face Him one day I know, and I wish to be prepared, and to recognize Him as my Savior. This is His church and His gospel. It stands on the pillars of the Book of Mormon, the priesthood, and modern day prophets which I all know and believe to have been restored again to this earth. Families are eternal, and our faith is key to this plan.

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation." (2 Nephi 22:2)

I leave my testimony with you all again, He lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen

Elder Sargent signing out. With love and respect.

夏禮勳長老

Ever Stalwart

Elder Sargent gets home June 16th

Elder Colt Sargent is returning from his mission this Friday, June 16th! Please join us in welcoming Colt home. You are invited to stop by his home and see him anytime that Friday evening 7:30 or later. We will have food, good weather and the chance to hug and visit with this wonderful, faithful returning missionary!

Elder Sargent loved his mission and will have a hard time leaving.  He is already looking forward to returning to Hong Kong to show us around and to meet the many friends he made there!

6/5 Final Lap

The work is great! We were busy up to our nose last week. It was fun to see H again, he is ready to go. So prepared, in this last year and a half away from the church, I think he has seen what blessings it brings. He will be coming back to church soon. Our last lesson we were able to see what he wanted from us, which all fell right under the plan of salvation and our purpose in life. He will do amazing things in the church. HK is well, still progressing at a good pace, we are taking it a little more slow with him, which I feel is good, but he is doing well. Sister C and J have done everything to progress to their date, Sister C has quit coffee and tea which was really hard for her, except they missed church on Sunday. Has kind of made a funny situation on whether they should or should not get baptized. We did have a great lesson with them on Tuesday, J said he didn't want to get baptized, we talked about it after and we decided to pray about it. It was amazing to see how even a wild 10 year old can have spiritual experiences if desired. After he prayed, we all sat there and he just kept his eyes closed, then after a minute or two, sat up. Brother L asked him how he felt and he said he wants to baptized on the 11th for sure. He just said, "My heart, it is so hot! Hot! Hot! Hot!" God will use the Spirit to witness truths and answer prayers of anyone when sought with real intent and faith.

Finding two new investigators was great last week and both have great potential, none came to church on Sunday though which was 慘 because it was a great fast and testimony meeting. Absolutely great. Spirit packed and touching. I bore my testimony, and it was even fun to see J McS again. Can't believe I sent him home a year and a half ago. 

My personal studies have been revealing and especially edifying this past week. I feel like that most weeks actually, can we get longer study time? Haha I have been doing some follow-up from Elder Cook, studying Ether 3 and then some chapter in D&C. Holy sacrifice enabling spiritual growth and progress. Give it a study!

I love my mission.

Hebrews 12:1-2

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

In the words of my wise Grandpa Milt, "Rise to the top."

Love Elder Sargent

Ever Stalwart

5/29 Icing on the cake

first ever MINI MTC experience in Hong Kong

Recent Converts from my time in Tung Chung, A-Pang and Chanel, it was the icing on the cake to see them

Jesus Christ with the Chinese children in Wan Chai

端午節快樂!

Another great week moves on by, a week full of great experiences, both spiritual, and just joy in others I guess. 

It was great to see Elder Cook on Monday! Leading the mission music fulfilled a lifelong dream for sure. That was amazing. It was touching to watch as we sang for 20 minutes and to see how the movement of the music and the power and the Spirit it brought touched most of the missionaries at different times. There is power in the hymns. I loved the questions and Elder Cooks testimony at the end. It was special, that's for sure. It is empowering knowing we have servants of the Lord Jesus Christ on this earth today. 

The first ever Hong Kong Mini MTC happened on Saturday. It was a full day. We have been planning for that day for quite a few months now. It really made me happy to see all the youth smiling and raving about how fun it was. I enjoyed it, we gave a couple training's, learned a little Korean, and had a lot of good food. I also saw Recent Convert's (A-P and C) from Tung Chung that are doing great, that was the icing on the cake. 

The area is also doing pretty good! Investigators are doing well, we had dinner with J and Sister C at the Y's on Saturday night, great lesson. Sister C brought up some concerns with drinking coffee, we had great support from the family and were able to work with her through it. J said he will help her remember. Sister Y asked them if they wanted to be baptized a week early because I am going home, they said yes! So that will be a great week. Another is trying to progress, but letting his doubts get the best of him. We saw X last week which was great. He is on the same boat as R, but has desire, he can do it if he is willing to act. 

The ward is awesome. Couldn't say anything bad about the ward. Trying to get some out to more ward activities to support and fellowship, but things are great. We had a ward baptism this last week. SS and I got baptized. Huge turnout after stake conference at a different building, they had lots of family there and I's non-member dad came. Great guy, I think he will join one day. Just needs some time, and an invitation. The sisters have a baptism next week, and then J and Sister C the week after! 3 Sundays in a row! That will be pretty fun. Excited. 

I went on an exchange this week. It was a great exchange, he is a humble, hardworking, obedient missionary. He didn't seem so sure of himself a little, but he was great! Teaching skills are good. I think he will be great where ever he goes.

Companionship is great. I love working with Elder C, we have a good time together. I am learning so much in my personal studies. I love it. The scriptures are a form of nourishment I don't think I could do without. 

The weather is fine, I think it's time to go enjoy one of my favorite gifts from God. The outdoors.

Love Elder Sargent

Ever Stalwart

5/22 Just a lucky Elder :)

Check out Facebook to see the missionaries singing Called to Serve to Elder Quentin Cook when he visited this week.  It was posted on the mission page for the China Hong Kong mission for President Lam

A great week! It was so fun to see the family, I was surprised how much they have matured. I guess that's what you get with a young family. This week has definitely been different, I got into the "My Plan" packet which I misplaced, on top of seeing family and a lot of members knowing I go home in month, my heart has been battling this week. Fighting thoughts of home, but preparing for such, and as well, keeping focus on the work. It has been a challenge, but I am always up for a challenge. :) 

The area is doing well, realizing we have a lot more potential coming up after these few weeks now that the DSE is over and people are starting to be a little more available. H, a potential that passed his baptismal interview but got shut down from his parents a year ago, is ready to come back now that school is up, AL (Recent Convert) is ready and scheduled this week now that the test is up, and more. Lots of people to come out of the wood work in the coming weeks. Sister C is doing great with J, it has been great to see the gospel work in their lives, enhancing their relationship and helping them become better together. They are doing very well. R is doing great and came to church again yesterday. V had his confirmation yesterday! He is great, unfortunately J couldn't come because of a work complication, but he is doing so good! We hope to see V and B with callings soon. The area is doing great, actually wish we could teach a little more, but every one last week was 唔得閒住. 

It is a testimony to me that unless we are progressing, we will digress. One friend hasn't been willing to share the gospel with his family or make steps to progress, and we are starting to see some of the effects. I am a little worried, not bad, but hope to see him turn the corner here and move onward and upward. It was the same with another. It goes for all of us as well. Unless we are willing to progress then we will be forced to digress.

The ward is great, we had a great correlation with Brother C, our 1st counselor. Poor guy, keep him in your prayers. We talked for a while about how our ward is kind of special since, around 30% of our people don't actually live in our area which makes it hard to take care of them all. In addition to several members really needing assistance, which makes the priesthood holders quite busy, and quite 辛苦. He asked that we seek to continue to lift the feeble arms and raise the weary heads of the Brothers and Sisters that need it. I see it and hope to be an assistance, we have been in harvesting mode in our ward these past few months, and it is looking to continue, as the ward is prepared and loving all those that come. We are in need of loving those and each member to continue to serve those around us. 

I sure love this work and these people. I don't know if I could reiterate it enough. I am excited to see Elder Cook here in a couple hours and and beyond grateful for the leadership of modern day prophets and revelation. In pondering my patriarchal blessing this week, I has seen so many miracles and revelation for my purpose in life. I am a lucky man.

I love the Lord and this work. 

Love, Elder Sargent

Ever Stalwart

5/15 Happy Mother's Day

skyping home for Mother's Day

Amazing week! A rest week will be well needed though. Zone Conference was great this week! It was fun to be a part of it this time, I hope the Spirit was able to testify to the missionaries of what they needed to hear from our training's, whether it be about PMG and faith or otherwise. Elder S, myself, and Elder Co gave a 45 min training, 4 times this week. President Lam described it as our last words, just as the prophets do in the scriptures. Truly blessed to have been a part of that. Something special. It was good to see so many of their smiling faces. I do believe that Hong Kong has the best missionaries out there. 

The area is great! V came to the Adult session of Stake Conference on Saturday, and what a session to attend. He will be confirmed this upcoming Sunday. The Spirit was so strong, a great discussion on missionary work from Elder Meredith, of the Seventy. S came as well and sat with Sister K. We had a great lesson with her this last week (again with Sister K, those two are peas in a pod) that went really well. Hou Kei is on the same route. He has felt the Spirit, he can't stop smiling the whole time. He is doing well and came to Stake Conference for his first time at church. Sister C and JC are doing great, we had to meet them outside at a Chinese checker table at the base of their apartment due to a mix up with their fellow-shipper. The lesson was ok, but a miracle came when a lady walked up behind us and had interest and wanted to learn with her baby and young daughter that she was with. Then all the sudden her and Sister C hit it off, they were from the same hometown, which is crazy, then they were from the same street!!! They started jumping and screaming. Hugged each other. Good thing we got her number before that, because we had to leave... they seemed to be instant friends. Miracles. Oh and the 70 Elder Meredith visited the L family with President M, the Stake President. He promised A he would come back when she gets baptized. 

I felt my emotions on the surface a lot this last Stake Conference. I don't know exactly what it was. The Spirit was so strong, great speakers, C even spoke! I was so happy for him. Discussing missionary work on Saturday and then all the simple truths that were testified really touched my heart. I took lots of notes. It was fun to be squashed on the front row surrounded by Ken, Tintin, Adam, Eddie, and Johnson. All people I have really seen grow since I have been here. I love this gospel. 

The work goes on. It never stops, it rolls forth out of the mountain cut without hands. He lives and He is in charge. He merely asks, "Come, follow me." 

A shout out to all the miracle mothers out there, my beautiful mother, Nana Rosy, Grandma Becky, and all my aunts. You are all the best. I have come to believe that God especially loves the mothers of this earth, those who bring His spirit children into the world. I love and am grateful for all each one of you do for me. 

Especially to my Mom, I hope you all know how much I love her. To those who don't, she is a woman of great spiritual stature who has raised me with all the patience that could be mustered. I couldn't and probably still am. Taking care of me in so many ways. I sure love her. 

Ever Stalwart!!!

Love Elder Sargent

5/8 Last weeks Pday to Lamma Island-pictures