First off big shout out to the AGGIES FOR BEATING BYU!!!!! Payback is so beautiful! Anyways! Second week in Japan and boy am I exhausted! Mission work is so freaking hard! But very worth it! It seems like it's been a year since I last wrote!
We taught Shinji Kyodai over delicious ramen! He was just baptized and is starting his after baptism lessons. We got him prepared for conference by talking to him a little about it and he was really excited to hear from Thomas S. Monson! I was led by the spirit so many times during this lesson! I told him something I love to do is write down a list of questions that I would like to find answers to at conference. We sat down with him and made a list. He thinks he has faith in Jesus Christ but he really wants to with his heart. I think that is so cool! Too many times we just think things and think that is enough I know that we really need that desire to know in our hearts if something is true. He is such a great example to me. It was cool because it was my first time meeting with him and he really opened up to me and we become way good friends. On the ride home he asked me if it was hard to grow up in America being Japanese. I told him it was really hard but I found strength in knowing I was never alone. I had good friends and I have Jesus Christ that knows exactly how I feel. Shinji deals with some schizophrenia and also has started smoking again. I told him I find comfort in knowing that no matter what our situation no matter what we are going through Jesus Christ not only knows but has felt that same thing. Even if we think no one else knows, He knows. I think that got him thinking. I told him also that whenever he has a desire to smoke that if he prays before he makes a decision that he will be helped. When we were saying bye to him he told me "I will read and I will pray!" He is amazing! I know that if we follow those prompting that we are given that something great will come from it and maybe that's just what that person needs to hear.
On our way to visit someone we ran into 3 people who had so much interest in the church. Especially this guy named Suzuki San he was really smart and such a hard worker. I asked him what he thought happened when we died. He told me when I get their I will get there but right now the only thing he knows is that we need to work hard everyday and do our best. That was deff what I needed to hear that day! It was really cool. I told my comp that he really needs to start listening instead of sales pitching everything. I could really tell a difference in the way he is starting to talk to people. I think too many times missionaries get to caught up with saying as much as they know or can get out they forget to love the people and listen and cater to their needs. I came out here to help people with their problems and bring them more happiness not to list off all my knowledge of the gospel.
Yesterday we were at the church for conference and this guy named Ken from the Philippines. Everyone was talking to each other about him and what language he was going to watch it in and all this stuff. I just got to know him a little bit. He then said "are you going to be the one that talks to ME?" I said yeah as everyone else was talking about him. He said I saw Jesus and everyone thinks I'm crazy! Do you think I'm crazy? I told him absolutely not. While everyone was busy trying to help him I got to learn a lot from him. He asked me what I was afraid of... I said well... I'm afraid of.... He stopped me and said you can't say that! Don't be afraid of anything even if I die tomorrow I will be ok because I know what comes after is great and I can be with him again. He's been an investigator for a month! He taught me so much! I am grateful to have been able to talk to him and learn from him. He kept telling the people he was fine with English I could tell he wanted to join us and watch in English. It really taught me that even if we are trying to help we need to stop and take a second to really care for the person and see what they really need.
I have decided to help motivate me more and remember why I came out here to think of someone specific throughout the week each week. Whenever times get rough or I forget my purpose I think of that person and what they would say to me and their testimony. I find so much strength in doing this and really helps me remember my purpose. It has honestly saved me lots of times his week from just giving up.
Tweets of he Week!
*When I first got to our apartment I acted like I was Japanese and had the other two elders going for 2 days until I was like "What the heck you doin brotha!" #youshouldhaveseentheirfaces #priceless
*I'm not saying i'm training my trainer.... But I mean I teach him more than he teaches me...
*Was reading Ensign and was like what... That's my friend! #KaitlinArchibald #reppin #LiaHomie
*I never thought I'd say it... but I kinda miss the MTC
*For the first time I started feeling homesick... Tough stuff when your only coping method is study and work... #onwardeveronward
*Someone on the street asked how much we did our job. My comp said full time... Literally full time... All day everyday.... #Missionaryworkisworkson #illgetadayoffin2 ;)
*Every missionary here is scary... Like all they think about is missionary work... We talk about like where we are from then they are like that reminds me of my favorite scripture! I'd imagine this is what BYU is like...
#LordisitI?
*All my MTC chorotachi killin it on that choir grind during priesthood!!!!
*I heard a way funny joke! But it is a Japanese joke so... I guess I'll share it... And explain...
Naze Hawaii de haishasan ga nai? Ha-wa-ii Kara!!!!! Hahahahaha I realize that 99% of you don't get it but I think it's hilarious!
Haishasan= dentist
Ha=teeth
ii = good
Why are there no dentists in Hawaii? because their teeth are good!
Challenge for the Week!
Sorry I forgot last week..
I want you all to recognize the spirit and ACT on it! Maybe take one day this week and really just make recognizing the spirit be on your mind the whole day. Sometimes we wonder is that really the spirit.... Maybe not and we second guess it. STOP DOING THAT! Follow the spirit and act upon those prompting I promise something great will come from it! Something you say or do might be exactly what that person needs that day!
Being a missionary is really hard... I didn't think it would be this hard we are constantly doing stuff and working every minute of everyday. When I close my eyes to sleep at night it feels like not even 5 minutes later the alarm goes off. One thing keeping me going is I LOVE the people so DANG MUCH! Geez I love them! After every lesson or talk or anything I remember why I came here, to help people. The schedule, rules, missionaries, my companion, and area are all very different and it's hard for me to get used to it but I came for the people and that's all that really matters. Kind of like why we were sent to this earth was to be tested, tried, strengthened, and feel joy. This is why I know it's going to be ok because I am growing so much and learning so much about myself, my savior, God, and the people I love. Like climbing a mountain I know at the end of these two years I will look down at a beautiful view and realize that all my hard work was worth it. When I started up the mountain it seemed impossible but little by little with hard work I will be able to make it! The journey maybe far but I know it will be worth it. Especially with so many great people encouraging me on my climb!
I love you all so much! I don't think you realize how much I think and pray for each and every one of you! No matter what mountain you are climbing know it maybe be tough but you can make it! As soon as you reach the top you will see the beautiful view and know it was all worth it. And KJ is there encouraging you every step of the way! Love you! Have a great week!
Love, Rice, and PIKACHU!
Adachi choro
安達長老
愛しています！
No comments:
Post a Comment