Guys, serving a mission is hard. Whoever tells you differently is either a liar or didn't work hard enough. We have this message that we want to share with God's children, and there are times when you just feel like no one is listening. Except God. He's always listening. So the past week I relied on that knowledge that God answers our prayers. When I felt frustrated that we couldn't find anyone, I prayed that I could improve so that God could trust me with His prepared people. I stepped up my language study, and I studied the lessons harder than ever. I asked older missionaries for advice and their insights on gospel principles so that I could be prepared to teach them.
Then today, I read Alma 8. (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/8?lang=eng) Alma's living his life, preaching the good word of God. He hits up Ammonihah and teaches people how to find eternal joy through the gospel of Jesus Christ. And he is straightup rejected. When I read this I was like, "I feel you Alma!!" I mean, I recognize I'm not a propeht like he was, but I'm set apart to teach like he is! And rejection sucks. It is literally the worst. And so he leaves. There's no need to try to preach to people who aren't ready or who don't want to be ready. He's feeling down. His soul is weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedbess of the people. Alma, I feelz ya!! My heart aches when I think about the people who have not yet found joy through the gospel of Jesus Christ! And then an angel appears to him. The same angel who saved him from his iniquity. What a tender mercy of the Lord to send someone who can remind him of his original missionary fire!! Someone to support him and to save him from himself. And that angel tells him to turn around. So Alma does just that. He turns around, with a different approach, cuz he's not just working hard, he's working smart! And you know what happens? The first person he talks to tells him that he has been waiting for a prophet of God and is ready to here the word.
At this point in the scriptures, I'm dying. All Alma had to do was open his mouth? And this miracle happens? I'm kind of dying of jealousy. I've never seen an angel, and I definitely haven't had someone just invite me into their house (or at least I don't think I have, but maybe they have and because of my horrible Japanese i didn't understand). But I thought about it, and I realized that I want to do what Alma does. I'm going to just open my mouth today! I'm going to make a difference in Japan!
So today we had a few hours to proselyte, and as we're going to the eki, we meet a girl who's really interested in English, and it turns out, she wants to learn more about church! This is a miracle. This would have made any day amazing.
But it didn't stop there. We found 5 MORE PEOPLE. Guys, this is literally unheard of. 6 people in one day who are interested in learning more about church. Not just into talking to Americans. 6 people who are prepared by the Lord to be taught the gospel. I'm not sure where they'll go or if anything will progress, but I am on cloud nine. I had an Alma experience, and my prayers were answered! The Book of Mormon is true, and from it's teachings we can learn how to live happy lives! Christ's gospel is restored and Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today!
Ah, I am so happy :)
Now that I have told you about this life changing experience, time for the funny mishaps of an awkward sister missionary!
I might accidentally tell the Japanese elders that they're adorable to much. But they are! They are just so tiny and their accents when they speak English are just so cute!
We went and visited a less active member and a child answered the door. When we asked where she was she said that she wasn't there. Which is a normal response. Except what I heard was that she had died. I was freaking out and had no idea how to react. I just tried to follow my trainer's lead who was playing it totally cool. Turns out the mom was just shopping, but it was pretty awkward.
People can't tell if you remind them more of a child or a mom. Or a Disney princess. Uhhhh thanks?
I found an import shop. SO MUCH AMERICAN FOOD. I was literally on cloud nine! :)
Okay, I think that's all for now. I love you all and am grateful for your influence in my life. You really do amaze me and I want you all to know how grateful I am for this opportunity to serve the Lord.
Love always,
Then today, I read Alma 8. (http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/8?lang=eng) Alma's living his life, preaching the good word of God. He hits up Ammonihah and teaches people how to find eternal joy through the gospel of Jesus Christ. And he is straightup rejected. When I read this I was like, "I feel you Alma!!" I mean, I recognize I'm not a propeht like he was, but I'm set apart to teach like he is! And rejection sucks. It is literally the worst. And so he leaves. There's no need to try to preach to people who aren't ready or who don't want to be ready. He's feeling down. His soul is weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedbess of the people. Alma, I feelz ya!! My heart aches when I think about the people who have not yet found joy through the gospel of Jesus Christ! And then an angel appears to him. The same angel who saved him from his iniquity. What a tender mercy of the Lord to send someone who can remind him of his original missionary fire!! Someone to support him and to save him from himself. And that angel tells him to turn around. So Alma does just that. He turns around, with a different approach, cuz he's not just working hard, he's working smart! And you know what happens? The first person he talks to tells him that he has been waiting for a prophet of God and is ready to here the word.
At this point in the scriptures, I'm dying. All Alma had to do was open his mouth? And this miracle happens? I'm kind of dying of jealousy. I've never seen an angel, and I definitely haven't had someone just invite me into their house (or at least I don't think I have, but maybe they have and because of my horrible Japanese i didn't understand). But I thought about it, and I realized that I want to do what Alma does. I'm going to just open my mouth today! I'm going to make a difference in Japan!
So today we had a few hours to proselyte, and as we're going to the eki, we meet a girl who's really interested in English, and it turns out, she wants to learn more about church! This is a miracle. This would have made any day amazing.
But it didn't stop there. We found 5 MORE PEOPLE. Guys, this is literally unheard of. 6 people in one day who are interested in learning more about church. Not just into talking to Americans. 6 people who are prepared by the Lord to be taught the gospel. I'm not sure where they'll go or if anything will progress, but I am on cloud nine. I had an Alma experience, and my prayers were answered! The Book of Mormon is true, and from it's teachings we can learn how to live happy lives! Christ's gospel is restored and Thomas S. Monson is our prophet today!
Ah, I am so happy :)
Now that I have told you about this life changing experience, time for the funny mishaps of an awkward sister missionary!
I might accidentally tell the Japanese elders that they're adorable to much. But they are! They are just so tiny and their accents when they speak English are just so cute!
We went and visited a less active member and a child answered the door. When we asked where she was she said that she wasn't there. Which is a normal response. Except what I heard was that she had died. I was freaking out and had no idea how to react. I just tried to follow my trainer's lead who was playing it totally cool. Turns out the mom was just shopping, but it was pretty awkward.
People can't tell if you remind them more of a child or a mom. Or a Disney princess. Uhhhh thanks?
I found an import shop. SO MUCH AMERICAN FOOD. I was literally on cloud nine! :)
Okay, I think that's all for now. I love you all and am grateful for your influence in my life. You really do amaze me and I want you all to know how grateful I am for this opportunity to serve the Lord.
Love always,