I can hardly even believe that it's already March here in Mihara. I still remember very clearly the day I came over from Fukuoka, and oh man, what a quick little trip that has been!
Thing here in Mihara are really heating up! This week we were able to visit with a lot of our investigators, especially ones who are hard to meet up with, and they are all doing really well. This past Monday at the family home evening we have every week we challenged the family to have family prayer every day this week and to let us know how it went, today we're making them fried rice and planning on seeing how it went! Before we visit them on Monday we drop by another family that lives around that area to talk to their son, who was baptized just over a year ago. He's pretty much our only young man in the ward, so we try to spend a lot of time with him and help him stay active in the Gospel. He's a really awesome kid and I love to work with him.
Speaking of, a little over a week ago we had him joint for a lesson with our main investigator, and his testimony really seemed to strike a chord with her. He's 17 and she's 76, but even with the 60 years of difference, that's no barrier for the spirit to testify of truth. This last week when we met with her again we reviewed the requirements for a person to be baptized and she set a goal to get baptized next week! Now we're looking forward to the 13th and working with her to strengthen her faith and help her feel her savior's love throughout her life! (I'm really happy that it's the 13th, because this transfer is only 4 weeks and if I get transferred, than it would be on the 14th.... If the only 'result' that comes from a short stay in Mihara is her baptism, then I am utterly and completely satisfied.)
One of the things that I've been coming to really appreciate is the effectiveness and the simpleness a phone call during the week can do for a person. Even if we don't have something to really teach them, just checking up on how they are, getting to know them a little better, and really caring about them beyond Sunday is something that I've really come to appreciate this past week. There's a quote that was said in General Conference that has stuck with me ever since I heard it. It's been my motto for this last part of my mission and I think is more than worth sharing.
"The Church cannot hope to save a man on Sunday if during the week it is a complacent witness to the crucifixion of his soul.”
This is why I go after all of the less active members I can in every area I go. This is why we, as missionaries take time to visit members, hear their stories, lift them up and inspire them. We are the Lord's hands in the service of his children, and we cannot fail as long as we pray to know and perform the will of the Lord.
This past week we made an extra effort to recontact former investigators and found ourselves in a brand new part of our area. It took a good hour or so bike ride to get there (in the dark no less) which was possibly one of the more dangerous bike rides I think I've taken in the past 2 years. Our options where either on the side of the highway with no bike paths or side walks (literally right next to the trucks whizzing by) or on the narrow walk ways between the maze of rice fields on either side. We ended up taking both ways at different times, relying on the kindness of the drivers while on the highway, and our little bike lights trying to navigate the maze of rice fields.... We're planning on going back, a good 2 hours earlier this time so that we have the Sun on our side.
Yesterday was a busy Sunday! So March 3rd is a holiday here in Japan, the Doll Festival. It's mainly for little girls, so there's pink things everywhere and dolls on gorgeous ornate stands everywhere we go. It's to celebrate the start of the Cherry Blossom season here in Japan, which I think is just about the most beautiful time in Japan. We were invited over to the Branch Presidents house for a sort of Family Home Evening where we made Pizza and had delicious ice cream (with pie filling as topping...?!) But before that we got news that the son of one of our investigators was turning 13! My companion and I made him a nice batch of brownies and got a member to take us over the 25 minute car ride to hand deliver it to him! He's a really quite reserved kid, but oh man, he was so happy we were there to celebrate his birthday. It's just like I was saying, going out of your way to go and do something nice for somebody else... there's not much of a better feeling then when they give that smile of appreciation back!
The work goes on and the heat rises! The cold winter is nearing it's end and the new life of spring is coming up. 皆さんの上に神様の平安と慰めがありますように。 (May the comfort and peace of God be upon you.)
Elder Everett
エベレット長老
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