This is my heartland. Oh goodness gracious. Chiba it is good to see
you again. You are way hot! But I love ya!
Haha Kamagaya is awesome! Everything about the streets, the church,
it's way similar to Narita. It's like being a transfer 1 missionary
all over again.
Actually I think this is probably the biggest Ward I've been in
yet. (I'm back in a ward!!) I've been going crazy trying to remember
everyone's names and who are who's kids and whatnot. There's a bunch
of people who want to share the gospel with their friends. We're
trying to practice with more members so they can do the sharing part.
We were actually at a dinner appointment my second day here with
the Kawashima's and they both had some people they wanted to share the
gospel with. We were talking about it. My companion and I testified
hard core about the blessings, that this is their duty, etc.
(and I don't say this to disrespect the elders, but) the members
agreed yeah we should probably do something, but we're just not sure
kind of thing. And the elder's response was well what you're doing
right now is so great. You guys are showing an example, it's really
good.
Well of course it's great.. But it's time to go to the next level!
They know that they need to, and the Lord promises countless blessings
if we'll just open our mouths.
You have so many opportunities around you, I'm sure of it. Are your
eyes open? Are you in a position to hear the whispering of the Spirit?
These are questions we should be asking ourselves everyday.
I feel a lot closer to my Savior. I'm so grateful for the love and
protection Jesus offers me. It's way more than I deserve. I don't even
deserve to fall down at His feet and weep. But he calls imperfect
people to join him in the work. We're yoked together, walking together
everyday. Well He's patient and pulls the yoke as I pump my feet
helplessly through the air trying to make a difference in the work.
It's all Him. I'm so grateful for that knowledge. Actually I was
reading 1 John 2 today and I felt a lot of comfort that as I'm being
obedient and learning (and teaching) the gospel that I have actually
been coming to know who Jesus Christ is.
Isn't that awesome?
Well my new companion is Sister Fukuda. She's really smart and well
really interesting. Haha she doesn't really speak English. But hey!
It's the first time my companion has had more siblings than me. She's
from a family of 9 kids. And she's number 8. She's from Shiga-ken
which is in the kansai area. It's been really fun so far.
Anyways we also got to go to an activity with the young women. Did I
mention there are actually 6?! Also The bishop's wife looks almost
exactly like Julie Eyring which is still kind of messing with my head.
I asked Sister Katayama if she was full Japanese. She is. 笑。
We also had dinner with members three out of the four first days
I've been here. That was really strange. But this week is Obon! So
everyone will be going in and out of town, visiting their relatives
graves or staying with family. It's a really awesome time of the year.
The spirit of Elijah is in the air!! Hopefully we can find a couple
new investigators through family history finding.
Anyways! I am so glad to be here and I am seriously working as hard
as I can. Yesterday in Testimony meeting as I went up to the front and
was waiting I just started crying. Because I came to Japan last year
in April and now I can count the Sunday's I have left to spend on my
hand... It just keeps hitting me at random times, BUT that thought is
constantly driving me to talk to as many people as I can. To put my
whole heart into the work, to make every last second count.
2 Nephi 25:29 the right way is to believe in Christ and deny Him not.
And to serve and worship with all your heart, mind, and strength, with
all your whole soul! I love that in Japanese. Zenshinzenrei it pretty
much means your whole soul. But like seriously ALL of it. Ah. Let's do
it you guys! This is the Lord's kingdom on the earth! Nothing can stop
it from rolling forth. So we might as well get involved in the work!
I love you all! I love the gospel. Amen.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💕
LOVE,
Sister Hakes
Also! Congratulations McKinna and Spencer!! I can't believe they're
married. (Can you believe its coincidence how they met? ;) you're
welcome!
Haha love you McKinna W!
you again. You are way hot! But I love ya!
Haha Kamagaya is awesome! Everything about the streets, the church,
it's way similar to Narita. It's like being a transfer 1 missionary
all over again.
Actually I think this is probably the biggest Ward I've been in
yet. (I'm back in a ward!!) I've been going crazy trying to remember
everyone's names and who are who's kids and whatnot. There's a bunch
of people who want to share the gospel with their friends. We're
trying to practice with more members so they can do the sharing part.
We were actually at a dinner appointment my second day here with
the Kawashima's and they both had some people they wanted to share the
gospel with. We were talking about it. My companion and I testified
hard core about the blessings, that this is their duty, etc.
(and I don't say this to disrespect the elders, but) the members
agreed yeah we should probably do something, but we're just not sure
kind of thing. And the elder's response was well what you're doing
right now is so great. You guys are showing an example, it's really
good.
Well of course it's great.. But it's time to go to the next level!
They know that they need to, and the Lord promises countless blessings
if we'll just open our mouths.
You have so many opportunities around you, I'm sure of it. Are your
eyes open? Are you in a position to hear the whispering of the Spirit?
These are questions we should be asking ourselves everyday.
I feel a lot closer to my Savior. I'm so grateful for the love and
protection Jesus offers me. It's way more than I deserve. I don't even
deserve to fall down at His feet and weep. But he calls imperfect
people to join him in the work. We're yoked together, walking together
everyday. Well He's patient and pulls the yoke as I pump my feet
helplessly through the air trying to make a difference in the work.
It's all Him. I'm so grateful for that knowledge. Actually I was
reading 1 John 2 today and I felt a lot of comfort that as I'm being
obedient and learning (and teaching) the gospel that I have actually
been coming to know who Jesus Christ is.
Isn't that awesome?
Well my new companion is Sister Fukuda. She's really smart and well
really interesting. Haha she doesn't really speak English. But hey!
It's the first time my companion has had more siblings than me. She's
from a family of 9 kids. And she's number 8. She's from Shiga-ken
which is in the kansai area. It's been really fun so far.
Anyways we also got to go to an activity with the young women. Did I
mention there are actually 6?! Also The bishop's wife looks almost
exactly like Julie Eyring which is still kind of messing with my head.
I asked Sister Katayama if she was full Japanese. She is. 笑。
We also had dinner with members three out of the four first days
I've been here. That was really strange. But this week is Obon! So
everyone will be going in and out of town, visiting their relatives
graves or staying with family. It's a really awesome time of the year.
The spirit of Elijah is in the air!! Hopefully we can find a couple
new investigators through family history finding.
Anyways! I am so glad to be here and I am seriously working as hard
as I can. Yesterday in Testimony meeting as I went up to the front and
was waiting I just started crying. Because I came to Japan last year
in April and now I can count the Sunday's I have left to spend on my
hand... It just keeps hitting me at random times, BUT that thought is
constantly driving me to talk to as many people as I can. To put my
whole heart into the work, to make every last second count.
2 Nephi 25:29 the right way is to believe in Christ and deny Him not.
And to serve and worship with all your heart, mind, and strength, with
all your whole soul! I love that in Japanese. Zenshinzenrei it pretty
much means your whole soul. But like seriously ALL of it. Ah. Let's do
it you guys! This is the Lord's kingdom on the earth! Nothing can stop
it from rolling forth. So we might as well get involved in the work!
I love you all! I love the gospel. Amen.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💕
LOVE,
Sister Hakes
Also! Congratulations McKinna and Spencer!! I can't believe they're
married. (Can you believe its coincidence how they met? ;) you're
welcome!
Haha love you McKinna W!