That's what the Spirit is for.

I love you mom. Thank you for the pictures. It took me a few moments before I realized that was McKaya and Bethy! I was wondering what friends you let Abbey bring up with her?! But what a fun trip! Give them a hug for me! Especially Grandma. Love you all.

Wasn't conference so good! I came in with a lot of questions, specifically self improvement questions, and the answer I kept getting was...well, that's what the spirit is for. It would be too easy to take down my answers in note form from conference (although lots did appear that way). But I love all the invitations through the conference to prepare yourself and put yourself in an environment to receive personal guidance from Heavenly Father. And I've noticed that most of my thoughts that I think come from Heaven stream in during or surrounding my prayers. which seems obvious, but it's been neat to see it really happen. Of anything I have learned recently on my mission, it is how to not only feel the spirit, but have enough courage to understand and do what I feel from a thought. These past few weeks I have developed a greater faith that prayers can be answered, not just given. And though we don't have control of how or when we receive assistance, we do have power to call down heavenly help. I really believe that. So conference was good.

I was also schooled by a buddhist sifu. The elders met him on the street, and apparently his purposes in inviting us to his home was to teach us the doctrines of buddhism. But the elders were a little nervous to tell us and just said that he had a lot of christian friends (which he does) and was interested in knowing why we were different. So it was close to a breathtaking surprise at the turnover lesson to walk into his house and see his buddhist shrines and worship altars completely filling his house. It was quite beautiful actually. And he had a lovely table set up for us to sit at with drinks poured and his own lesson manual covering the table with his book of scripture. He was incredibly gracious and allowed us to start with a prayer, and we spent the time sharing thoughts on God and resolving certain questions of the human soul using our respective beliefs and doctrines. Like the origin of God. Our perfect state. Having justice in our lives. It was super intense. And super deep. But very neat to see where certain beliefs and ideas were similar. He was very dominating and it was difficult to give completely share without being interrupted, but he was very passionate on having us understand what true buddhism contains. Because, he said, all those on the streets burning their money or possessions to send to their ancestors or worshipping Buddha, were not sure buddhists and gave people false impressions of what they truly believed. We expressed that we were grateful for his time in helping us more fully understand what he believes and we, too, feel misrepresented with our beliefs, especially here in hong kong, and would love to share with him to the same level of understanding of our beliefs as he did with his. He agreed and is letting us come by again on Wednesday. Very nice man. Very very interesting experience. People are good There are so many beautiful and ancient beliefs here. It's difficult to come in sometimes and tell them about a church a young man started in the 1800's as they share about these ancient roots. But that is also the beauty of the message of the restoration. Because if we understand it, and teach it correctly, these truths were since the beginning. The power of the priesthood, the covenants made with God, the divine nature of ourselves and our families. It's from the beginning. And it brings light and truth to anybody wiling to listen and try. I have met so many people and been to so many places of beautiful tradition and deep spirituality, but the light that comes from our Savior Jesus Christ and his restored gospel cannot be imitated. Especially in it's simplicity. not when I talk about it. I turn it into a confusing jumble of words. But I love listening to the prophets and other inspired leaders. President Uchtdorf's talk was beautiful, wan't it? I'm excited to go back and read it. Elder Holland's talk was so powerful and spot on. Thank you mom, for bearing so much. Sister Marriott's talk brought a special spirit to me that I needed. I don't necessarily remember much of what she said and I don't have my notes, but I was better for listening to it.
Love you all!
Hannah