Date
February 8, 2015
Area
Kurayoshi, Japan
Companion
Violette Shimai
SNOW!
Welp, it finally happened- it snowed in Kurayoshi. It snowed and it snowed and it snowed. Which only means one thing- SNOW DENDOOOOOOOOOOO
(dendo=missionary work)
We shoveled snow for a few hours today, and that will probably be a regular occurrence from here on out (at least until it gets warm and the cherry blossoms start sprouting)!
I love japan. I love the branch here. Yesterday, the old branch presidency was released, and the new one called consists of two brothers who got off their missions a little less than two years ago, and one 20 year old brother. In japan, there`s a bit of a hierarchy feel to the way things are usually run. It`s not super strong in this ward, but that`s just the way things have been for forever. So when the new presidency was called, I think a lot of people were really surprised- but, as the stake president made that announcement, the spirit was SO strong. That call was from God, and everyone knew it. These men are young, but their testimonies are solid, and they are going to do so much good for this branch. I feel like the dendo fire is just going to burn brighter and brighter- I`m so glad I get to be here in this area at this time! The faith of the members is such an example to me. There`s quite literally a few angels in this ward, I`m sure of it.:) I am way too lucky.
Some days I`ll have my hard moments, (for example, whenever I have to bike fast, I have to be panting hymns as I bike or I get negative REAL fast) and I get frustrated when I can`t convey the main idea of what I want to say (which happens quite a bit) but I`ve been learning that attitude is a choice, and every day is a new day. And most days are really good days if you want them to be.:) I`m having such a good time here in Japan- i just got here, but I already don`t want to leave! I love it here. I love the culture, the people, the language I can`t speak, and I love that I get to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I love that my only job as a missionary is to share God`s love in whatever way I can, and I love that I have so many awesome examples around me to look up to. Mormons are crazy- there are 250 18-26 year old young men and women in this Mission. Most of us are not from this country. We just barely know the language, we don`t usually know the areas super well, and we go wherever we are told to go. We are given a place to live that is paid for, 300 dollars a month, and a charge to go out and open our mouths and invite others to come unto christ. How many other teenagers this age would spend every hour of the day either studying, teaching lessons, doing service, or otherwise trying to find people to share God`s love with? What other teenagers would wake up at 6:30 (many of them waking up earlier to have more time to read their scriptures) and not return until the day`s work was done? And there`s THOUSANDS of us around the world. It blows my mind. If this church wasn't 100% true, then why would so many people give up 18-24 months of their lives so willingly? Why would they give up the things of the world, their favorite music and clothes and tv shows, and trade it all for hymns and church videos? But so many people do. I`m not perfect, but I want to do my best to do the work that God has called me to do, and I`m not alone in that. Whenever I`m having a bad time, I remember that my calling is the coolest calling in the world, and I`ll never be able to have this opportunity ever again. God doesn`t call anyone to fail- He wants me, and everyone else, to succeed gloriously. If one day in god`s time is 1000 years in our time, the amount of time i have to preach the gospel is 1 minute and 26.4 seconds. (that`s not counting sleep time haha) I`m already a month in! And there`s so much work to do. It`s a daunting task at times, but there`s good things about every day, and I have no reason to be unhappy as I do what God asks me to do. He always provides a way:)
Life is always good, minasan. Always:)
1. Violette Shimai was kind enough to doll me up in her Kimono
2. love biking through the $nowww