Here are some excerpts from some of the President's letters that the missionaries have allowed us to share
Myself and the district had a good time with the rest of our zone and with you, Sister Daniels and AP’s. It was funny because when everyone left, the district all became sad. The shimai’s said, ”It’s like a part of our family left”. President, please thank Sister Daniels for the delicious food. To sum it up, yesterday and Sunday were an awesome learning experience.
I just wanted to thank you for teaching us about commandments at zone conference. Today we naturally introduced commandments into lesson 1. When our investigator was asking if we liked coffee or tea, we politely declined telling her we don’t drink either of them. She then asked why not so we told her that we would like to talk about that in our message. We taught about prophets and how God gives us commandments because He loves us and sometimes we fully don’t understand the reason behind every single commandment but we know we will be blessed for obedience. The best part is that she understood. She no longer saw them as rules but a way to show our desire to follow God. I know you guided by the Lord in teaching us president. Thank you.
We have been teaching our investigator for a while now and in our teaching and in his progression, we hit a plateau. So about two weeks ago, we decided to push him and try him. We started reviewing all the past commandments required for baptism. I used the view that you taught in zone conference and this was the cool part. As I was teaching, I was learning. I was reviewing the blessings, and in doing so I began to understand the meaning behind those commandments. Really looking at the commandments as God’s love really opened my understanding, and by teaching it this way, I think it helped my investigator as well. After we taught this, we talked about baptism. And we set a baptismal date! The cool thing was he chose the day to be baptized. I wanted to tell him this quote but I didn’t know how to say it in Japanese, so I’ll tell you. From Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The gospel of Jesus Christ is not a gospel of chains but a gospel of wings.” I know as we follow your direction and teach the gospel as a gospel of love and salvation, we will see success.
I am very excited to be working here in my area with my new companion. He is really amazing, bold, eager and faithful. As soon as I saw him I knew he was my companion, in fact I had a dream the night before you called me and said that I would be training. Not that I am a prophecier but the spirit communicates to all of us.
Girl investigators are difficult. I never know what they are really thinking! At one appointment she told me she cried after reading the Book of Mormon and thinks Joseph Smith is really a prophet of God. Then the very next appointment she gave us back the Book of Moron and said she can’t join our church because she’s buddist. I hope dating isn’t this confusing or else I’ll never get married.
We are so hardcore. We walked 6 miles home…..walked. On foot! But we found 4 people on the way, just goes to show you the more your feet hurt, the more the Spirit leads you. I don't know if blisters and new investigators have a relationship, but if they do we should get 3 next week.
One thing that my companion and I have really realized this transfer is how short 2 years is. On the street we often tell people how long we serve as missionaries and they are often surprised in that they think 2 years is so long. But we always tell them how short it is and stress the fact that we only have so much time to share a message that is so important. I feel the urgency and if they don’t have interest or don’t want to hear more, we smile, show our love, ask for a referral and move on our way. Grateful that person let us know up front so we could use the time to find those who are really waiting.
I also know God wouldn’t have a area open that doesn’t have many people ready to accept the gospel. I have a very strong determination to turn this area around and find many new investigators. My skills are weak and we are almost starting from scratch, but I know God will guide us as we work diligently and are obedient.
Then I felt that I should pray. So I said a short prayer in my heart. Then I saw this young girl who crossed the street and walked to us. I felt that she wanted to listen to the gospel. So I talked to her and she said she wants to meet us again! She wants to know the purpose of our lives. I am so grateful for Gods help.
I have seen a miracle this week. It maybe small one but it was a wonderful experience. As you know I was at the hombu to help with translation. Personally I did not think I was able to do it at all. I cried unto the Lord for help. I did not want to miss other’s spiritual experiences. I was sitting in the chair using the computer and my fingers kept moving, I haven’t used a computer for a while except doing emails, so usually my fingers don’t move very well. But that day was different. Every time I read a sentence, the translation came to my mind and I was able to type faster that I am used to. I know Heavenly Father answered my prayer. And I also know if the reason is good, He will bless us more than we think. Jacob 2: 18-19
