Deschamps choro is the man. We learned this week that God sees the efforts that we are putting into the work, and that he blesses us for that! It was a week of finding here in Okayama nishi. We decided it was time to get a new teaching pool. So we did hours and hours of knocking doors, and talking to people on the street. We tried so many different approaches, and so many different methods of finding, but no results were coming. By Friday night, we were so tired, we came home to the apartment and both fell asleep at our desks. - We still had not found any new people to meet with. Saturday, we gave it one try! We talked to everyone, and we were literally so tired, we couldn't stand. It felt like the week was a waste. We still had no one new to teach... THEN CAME SUNDAY:
On Sunday morning, the Okayama sisters had a baptism, so we watched that, and then headed to our church in Okayama nishi. The spirit was so strong during the baptismal service, and it really set the tone for the rest of the day. At church in Okayama nishi, a member from the Fukuoka temple presidency, and his wife came to speak. Jessica, Jay, kouno, and hamano were all able to come and listen. During Sunday school, I went with a member to talk meet with Jessica (recent convert) and Jay (investigator), and Deschamps choro went with another member to teach kouno. (Our deaf investigator) When I asked Jessica how her baptism went and how it felt to get the Holy Ghost she said "it felt like I was floating on the clouds". - The spirit is real people. - Jessica was able to testify about her journey to the church and baptism, and Jay was taking it all in. In that lesson, I invited Jay to be baptized in 4 weeks and he said yes. I am way excited for him! In that same lesson, Jessica told me how she wants her 14 year old son to get baptized. She said they talk about the church all the time, and he has some questions. So we set up an appointment with them to teach him so he can get baptized as well! AWESOME!!!
After church, we had an appointment with the nishiyama's. They are a mom and a daughter who have been taking lessons for a long time, and they are struggling to let go of Buddhism. We talked about the Book of Mormon, and addressed their concerns. After that it felt right so we invited them to prepare to be baptized together. They said yes, and although they still have some concerns, they are working toward the goal of being baptized! - we were amazed.
Last night we were able to watch a special fireside done by Elder Bednar. He was in Tokyo and gave a talk addressed to everyone in Japan. It was awesome! Two things that really stood out to me were- 1. The name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. - a couple days ago, Deschamps choro and I were talking about how we are known as "the Mormons". We both talked about how we weren't the biggest fans of that, and that that is not our name. The church is Christ's church. We are followers of Christ. We literally live in the latter days- the days that have been prophesied about and talked about forever. The days where the world is bad, where prophecies are being fulfilled of the second coming of Christ. Elder Bednar said These days are "THE GREATEST SEASON OF THE CHURCH". He said "the attacks against the church are proof of the truthfulness it has!" These attacks are Satan, so elder Bednar said we will have lots of challenges. But we should not be surprised when these challenges come, because we understand the season we are in here on earth. THE LATTER DAYS! Satan is doing everything he can to stop the progression of the church, - but we already know who wins. So press forward. Know the season you are in here on the earth. And when trials and challenges come, be prepared. Welcome them as growing opportunities.
On Sunday morning, the Okayama sisters had a baptism, so we watched that, and then headed to our church in Okayama nishi. The spirit was so strong during the baptismal service, and it really set the tone for the rest of the day. At church in Okayama nishi, a member from the Fukuoka temple presidency, and his wife came to speak. Jessica, Jay, kouno, and hamano were all able to come and listen. During Sunday school, I went with a member to talk meet with Jessica (recent convert) and Jay (investigator), and Deschamps choro went with another member to teach kouno. (Our deaf investigator) When I asked Jessica how her baptism went and how it felt to get the Holy Ghost she said "it felt like I was floating on the clouds". - The spirit is real people. - Jessica was able to testify about her journey to the church and baptism, and Jay was taking it all in. In that lesson, I invited Jay to be baptized in 4 weeks and he said yes. I am way excited for him! In that same lesson, Jessica told me how she wants her 14 year old son to get baptized. She said they talk about the church all the time, and he has some questions. So we set up an appointment with them to teach him so he can get baptized as well! AWESOME!!!
After church, we had an appointment with the nishiyama's. They are a mom and a daughter who have been taking lessons for a long time, and they are struggling to let go of Buddhism. We talked about the Book of Mormon, and addressed their concerns. After that it felt right so we invited them to prepare to be baptized together. They said yes, and although they still have some concerns, they are working toward the goal of being baptized! - we were amazed.
Last night we were able to watch a special fireside done by Elder Bednar. He was in Tokyo and gave a talk addressed to everyone in Japan. It was awesome! Two things that really stood out to me were- 1. The name of the church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. - a couple days ago, Deschamps choro and I were talking about how we are known as "the Mormons". We both talked about how we weren't the biggest fans of that, and that that is not our name. The church is Christ's church. We are followers of Christ. We literally live in the latter days- the days that have been prophesied about and talked about forever. The days where the world is bad, where prophecies are being fulfilled of the second coming of Christ. Elder Bednar said These days are "THE GREATEST SEASON OF THE CHURCH". He said "the attacks against the church are proof of the truthfulness it has!" These attacks are Satan, so elder Bednar said we will have lots of challenges. But we should not be surprised when these challenges come, because we understand the season we are in here on earth. THE LATTER DAYS! Satan is doing everything he can to stop the progression of the church, - but we already know who wins. So press forward. Know the season you are in here on the earth. And when trials and challenges come, be prepared. Welcome them as growing opportunities.
The second big thing that stood out to me is: IF WE WANT TO BE HAPPY, WE CAN BE HAPPY! Happiness is a choice. Joy is a gift from the spirit. We will not receive this gift if we are asking for it in a selfish manner. We WILL receive this gift if we use it to bless gods children. And through blessing Gods children, we will receive that gift for ourselves as well. It's all about getting rid of the natural man, and becoming like Christ. - Christ, who would give of himself in every situation. Who would turn outward when the natural man would turn inward. SO GIVE OF YOURSELF THIS WEEK! AND CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY!!
I love you all and hope you have a great week!
Love,
Ebanzu Choro
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