I don't know how it was for all of
you back in the western hemisphere, but man, it feels that January hardly even
happened at all. Thinking back on it, I've been in Mihara for a full
month now, which I'm sure isn't true, except for the fact that I know it
is. Oh man, that wibbly-wobbly time vortex, it's coming back to haunt me!
So I vote that this was a pretty
good week for Dendo. This past District Meeting we discussed the
importance of sharing your own personal experiences, and how that is one of the
best ways we can improve our teaching. I love sharing my own experiences
as I teach, it always seems to make what I teach 'real'. You can flap
your mouth all you want, and say some really good things, but when you show it,
and demonstrate how it’s true, that's when the spirit can come in and testify
of truth. Recently one of my favorite quotes is thus, "What you do
speaks so loudly that I can hardly hear what you say." Oh how true
that is. Anybody can say something good, but it takes somebody truly
special to go and do something good.
One of the main investigators we've
been working with is also progressing really well. She's really hesitant
about setting a date to get baptized, but she's already inviting her friends to
go and hear what the missionaries have to say! She's found the joy of
living the Gospel and is so close to having the spirit with her to help her
more fully polish and let her faith flourish. I can only imagine how hard
it is to change your lifestyle in your 70s but, she's going strong and is a
great example to me.
Elder Urakami and I were also happy
because we were able to find more time to go Finding this week! We've
been so focused on contacting members, investigators, and so many people that
we've been sacrificing time to just go out and find people who are
waiting. Now we've been working harder on finding people and trying to
help them see the goodness of the Gospel. We've both become more proficient
at starting and holding a conversation, and even teaching as we go. Sadly
people don't quite seem so ready to meet again, but that's going to be our next
step, transferring from a good conversation on the street to a second
meeting! It makes me think of the scripture "Many are called, but
few are chosen". We call out to many people, but only few ever agree
to hear more. I've got the influence of the world against me, but that's
okay, because I have the power of God behind me.
Its great to see the power of God
work in people, especially as we go and visit the less active members in the
church. So far while I've been in Mihara we've had 2 people reactivated,
coming to Church regularly, and have 5 more promising people that we are
working with. Most of whom have non-member families who are bound to see
the difference of the Gospel in the lives of their family member. The
work of the Lord continues to go forward, and no un-hallowed hand can stop the
work!
Go out and do something good in the
world today. Make it a habit and before you know it you'll find yourself
surrounded by friends and those who will go and help you, too.
Elder Everett
エベレット長老
No comments:
Post a Comment