So yes. Today I finally got to go to the temple. I feel like it's all I've been able to talk about, and now it happened. I'm exhausted. It was inspiring.
Remember how I told you about purple snake Mayumi San? She came to church on Sunday a couple weeks back. Well like I said, I realized I need to pray more specifically. And last Sunday a miracle happened.
So we get to church on Sunday morning. And this sister we had met with and shared a message about missionary work was talks to us. She is so determined to find someone she can share the gospel with. (She has introduced a lot of friends to the missionaries, seriously a lot! But now there doesn't seem to be anyone ready/willing) so she has been praying very faithfully and told us about how she's searching. And we wait for a little while downstairs but none of our investigators show. So we head up to the chapel and as we're singing the sacrament hymn there's a lady who walks in. No one seems to know who she is. And Matsumoto Shimai asks is that your investigator? But we've never seen this girl. Anyways, when there was a break in the speakers I was able to make my way to the back of the chapel and sit next to her.
Well, now she's one of our investigators. She actually studied with the sisters a couple years ago and said she had been thinking about God more and more lately so she wanted to come back and attend church again! We have two appointments with her this week including attending church! Yay! Her name is Akiho. She's 24 and has tons of potential. She was definitely guided by the Spirit. God is helping all His children!
Other highlights of the week.. Did I tell you about Kikuchi? She wanted English lessons, and were also teaching the discussions now! So we had committed her to read the Restoration pamphlet before our lesson on Thursday and she said she would try to be able to make it through all of it. When she came for the lesson she had read it 2-3 times! She had lots of things that didn't seem to make sense but as we explained and testified and had our member friend share an experience she grasped it really quickly. She is doing really good!
We went out to eat with Park, Dayon, and Son. Son is Park's husband and it was my first time meeting him. We teach Park every week and she's doing really well reading and studying. But her husband just has "no interest". In reality he has tons of interest because she has lots of questions, but he doesn't really want the answers. And doesn't like religion. So it was kind of sad. He was really kind and has lots of respect for the missionaries, but not the message. The gospel and Christ teachings are best lived as a family. Hopefully as she continues learning and applying what she can her husband can see he wonderful blessing and changes it will surely bring to their lives. :D
The weather. Bleh, It was really hot. Then it was really stormy. You just never know what the next day will bring. Or the next twenty minutes for that matter. But you're always going be sweaty. Hope mom and dad are excited for that! Also it's Japanese pear season and we received so many pears! Nashi is way different from the pear you're probably thinking of. But it's delicious! And Kamagaya is especially famous for nashi. :D
Well, the other main thing was we had zone conference. All the returning missionaries get 5 minutes to bear their testimony. It was the shortest five minutes of my life. But I feel like I've been learning what is most important to me over there past few years and even if I only had 30 seconds, I know I would use it to testify of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know He lives. And He's here beside me every step of the way. I know He will never abandon you. And all you need to do is trust Him, love Him, and follow Him. And we'll all be back with Him someday.
Ai shite imasu!
Sister Hakes
Remember how I told you about purple snake Mayumi San? She came to church on Sunday a couple weeks back. Well like I said, I realized I need to pray more specifically. And last Sunday a miracle happened.
So we get to church on Sunday morning. And this sister we had met with and shared a message about missionary work was talks to us. She is so determined to find someone she can share the gospel with. (She has introduced a lot of friends to the missionaries, seriously a lot! But now there doesn't seem to be anyone ready/willing) so she has been praying very faithfully and told us about how she's searching. And we wait for a little while downstairs but none of our investigators show. So we head up to the chapel and as we're singing the sacrament hymn there's a lady who walks in. No one seems to know who she is. And Matsumoto Shimai asks is that your investigator? But we've never seen this girl. Anyways, when there was a break in the speakers I was able to make my way to the back of the chapel and sit next to her.
Well, now she's one of our investigators. She actually studied with the sisters a couple years ago and said she had been thinking about God more and more lately so she wanted to come back and attend church again! We have two appointments with her this week including attending church! Yay! Her name is Akiho. She's 24 and has tons of potential. She was definitely guided by the Spirit. God is helping all His children!
Other highlights of the week.. Did I tell you about Kikuchi? She wanted English lessons, and were also teaching the discussions now! So we had committed her to read the Restoration pamphlet before our lesson on Thursday and she said she would try to be able to make it through all of it. When she came for the lesson she had read it 2-3 times! She had lots of things that didn't seem to make sense but as we explained and testified and had our member friend share an experience she grasped it really quickly. She is doing really good!
We went out to eat with Park, Dayon, and Son. Son is Park's husband and it was my first time meeting him. We teach Park every week and she's doing really well reading and studying. But her husband just has "no interest". In reality he has tons of interest because she has lots of questions, but he doesn't really want the answers. And doesn't like religion. So it was kind of sad. He was really kind and has lots of respect for the missionaries, but not the message. The gospel and Christ teachings are best lived as a family. Hopefully as she continues learning and applying what she can her husband can see he wonderful blessing and changes it will surely bring to their lives. :D
The weather. Bleh, It was really hot. Then it was really stormy. You just never know what the next day will bring. Or the next twenty minutes for that matter. But you're always going be sweaty. Hope mom and dad are excited for that! Also it's Japanese pear season and we received so many pears! Nashi is way different from the pear you're probably thinking of. But it's delicious! And Kamagaya is especially famous for nashi. :D
Well, the other main thing was we had zone conference. All the returning missionaries get 5 minutes to bear their testimony. It was the shortest five minutes of my life. But I feel like I've been learning what is most important to me over there past few years and even if I only had 30 seconds, I know I would use it to testify of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know He lives. And He's here beside me every step of the way. I know He will never abandon you. And all you need to do is trust Him, love Him, and follow Him. And we'll all be back with Him someday.
Ai shite imasu!
Sister Hakes