Dear Family and Friends,
I feel impressed to share the amazing experiences I've had this last week or so. Kofu is so busy it seems that we can't keep up. But that's a good thing. The ward members In Kofu are so amazing, and it really feels like home. The people here are so kind! So, last week, a volcano in Nagano prefecture erupted. Or so I hear. In Yamanashi Prefecture, I can't notice any problems except that the mountains seem a little hazy. Must be ash? I'll put in a picture. Of Mt. Fuji. :) On to the most important things, though. Like, what kind of title is that, Sister Blake? Well, you see, we had Zone Conference. We were able to learn through the Spirit so powerfully. Lately, there's something I've been struggling with since even before my mission, and that is how to to be bold and loving. I testify that President Wada knows what his missionaries need to know in order to help these people in Japan to come unto Christ. I also testify that you can change now. Anyhow, I digress. I've learned through a really complicated confusing lesson that simplicity is how the Spirit speaks to us. Also, I realize that you cannot skip the fundamentals and expect to be a pro. (教えてくれた、ありがとう、 MTC先生たち) So, one of the best ways to teach is from the Book of Mormon, and it goes like this. RPLA (Read, Ponder, Liken, Apply). I want to help you know that through this, lives are changed. I want to explain this more next week, though, so I can explain it in greater detail. The gospel is true. I'm glad I'm in Japan for my mission. I hope to be as bold as I need to be. I hope you know I love you all, even when my letters aren't as long or as fancy as you'd want them. I hope you know how awesome it makes me feel when I get and read your emails!. Love, sister Blake Dear friends and family, Dear Family and friends,
I have been caused to reflect on the opportunities I have been given as a missionary, in this time, in the mission I am serving. For example, I can email my friends and family every week, without having to wait three weeks for a letter to come, for which my family would wait another three weeks to read my reply. I do not have to use a type writer to write my letters, and I can read my emails on any given day of the week, as long as I adhere to the mission rules regarding email. I have a loving mission president, who trusts his missionaries, and allows us as much agency as we could possibly hold. We have been given the advantage of using Facebook to send uplifting messages and posts, which can not only be seen by those in our areas in which we are serving, but by those who live across the world! What a gift! There's a primary song that says, "The Lord has blessed me in many ways" and I love to count the blessings. As a missionary, life is rough, but at the same time, The Lord has promised us great joy, if we will thrust in our sickle without might. These people need what we have. The time has come for members and missionaries to work together. The missionaries, though called of God, cannot do it alone. So, there is a period between the time your transferring companion gets on a train, and the time your new companion arrives. Usually, you need to wait with a missionary of your same gender, but if you live in Kofu... You are so far away, that it cannot be done reasonably. So, President Wada advises those kinds of situations to be dealt with in his way: have a member stay with you until your companion arrives. So, Akamatsu Shimai and I searched for a member who wouldn't be busy in the middle of the day. And we found Mochitsuki Shimai! She came and we saw Sister Akamatsu leave on her train for her new area, and then, we talked about what we were going to do for the hour and a half until my companion arrived. I had intended to pass out English Class flyers at the station, and though I thought I would be doing it alone, since that's missionary work, and she was doing enough by just being there, she offered to help. We passed out flyers for nearly the entire hour and a half, until we completely ran out, and had to wait for the Elders to come to the station. It was so much fun, and we passed out all the flyers I had! Never underestimate something as simple as just going and being with a missionary. We need you, so much. Another blessing that has recently come is this: when I first came to Kofu, I wanted to clean up the apartment! And now, the bathroom floor has been fixed, and our tatami was replaced! Wow! It's a totally new apartment! I can't believe it! So next week, we get to go to the temple! I'm excited, because next week is also Zone Conference! やった! Lots of friends in Kofu! Love this place. The grapes here are the best in the world! Literally. If I could send some home, I would. Sincerely, Sister Blake So this time, I'm staying. It's bitter sweet to see Akamatsu Shimai
go, but I know she'll do amazing things in her new area, and I am blessed to have a friend of mine, Imano Shimai, be my companion for her last transfer! Wow! So, I testify that when we work hard, we see miracles. When we give our all to God, He helps us become what we can become, which is something greater than we know. We went an hour and a half drive out to Fushiyoshida, and visited some members the and did some housing. When we housed, we found a woman who was the youngest of six, like me, not only that was the same, but so was much much more! What a miracle I thought! She almost shut the door on us, but we started talking to her about family history, and I told her about how my great great grandfather moved to America alone when he was ten years old, and from there we were able to have a great conversation. I remember not being able to figure out how I would use family history in my missionary work, but now I can see that there are many opportunities here. Other miracles are many! Another example is that we had so many people come to our summer festival! We were so busy that night! I am excited for a new transfer! Thank you all! Love you, Sister Blake Dear family and friends, |
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January 2019
Sister Blake
"You are hereby called to serve in the Japan Tokyo South Mission." Categories |