Sunday, June 25, 2017

Yamatokoriyama Ward



Hello there!!

Its been a while since I sent out a big email update, so I apologize!
These last couple weeks have been really busy! First off, I got
transferred to a new area called Yamatokoriyama. It is the area next
to Nara, where I served about a year ago! So its been fun to be back
down here! My new companion's name is Elder Samuela. He is from
Australia and he is also Samoan. For some reason, I have been
companions with all of the Samoans on my mission. Its been really fun
working with him, and working with the Yamatokoriyama ward.

Lately we have had the blessing to teach an investigator family named
the Yasui's! They have 4 kids and they are all adorable. So far, we
have taught the Restoration and about half of the plan of salvation.
They all love it! Its so cool to go over there because they are all so
behaved and they sit right down to listen to us. This is the first
time that I have been able to teach an investigator family on my
mission. Its definitely been a blessing and a challenge! I love them
all so much!

Last week was pretty busy. We had a companionship exchanges with 3
different areas. The first one was with Elder Anthony (My MTC
companion) and Elder Courter. It has been fun to be back with Elder
Anthony again. He has been a role model to me my whole mission, and Im
grateful to be able to work with him again. For the exchange, I worked
with Elder Courter. I learned so much from him about following the
spirit. He loves being a missionary and has such a strong testimony.
It was a blessing to be able to work with him and learn so much from
him! After that exchange, we went to kobe to work with the assistants,
and then from there we went back to our area to work with the nara
elders.

This week we will be getting a new mission president. I am so grateful
that I have been able to spend most of my mission serving under
president and sister welch. They have changed my life and I love them
so much. I am also excited for President and Sister Smoot to come. It
will be fun seeing what changes come. Missions are the best!!


Love you all! Have a great week!

Elder Evans





Monday, June 19, 2017

June 19 - 2 more months

Hey momma!

Thanks for your email this week. It's been a good one! I got transferred to this week and it sucked! I love my new area though, it's a great place. Shimogamo was a really city area. We had to take a subway to get to our apartment. But now I'm in an area that is really rural. But it has the strongest Ward in the whole mission. There are about 130 people that come every week and they love to do missionary work. Their Ward plan is to be able to split into 2 different wards in the next year and a half. Im really lucky to be able to serve here. I don't know how to do missionary work in the country though haha! It's been a lot harder to work here than in any other area that I have served in. But I'm excited.

So speaking of Eric buying things to go, what things do you want me to bring home? I have packed my boots and my nice winter coat to bring home (which are both is perfect condition so Eric can use both of them). I figured he could take my really nice bike lights that grandma gave me, because they are so so good. And I'm making a list of things that he needs to buy for his mission so we can remember everything. I figured that I would leave all of my old church clothes and my old regular clothes that I am never go to wear again. I'll bring all of my books and stuff as well. Is there anything specific you want me to have with me when I get home? 

By the way, i took the rest of the money out of my account so I could send a package home. And I did buy my birthday presents. I bought a Japanese sword and a Japanese scroll thing that's really cool. Then I used the rest of the money to ship a bunch of my book of Mormons, some souvenirs for friends and family when I get home, and some other books that I have collected on my mission. It was rarely heavy, so I sent it by boat because it is way cheaper and I don't need it home at a specific time. I'm sure it'll take some time to get there, but keep your eye out for it. 

This week we have to do a lot of traveling for stuff, and because I transferred, I don't have a lot of money. I am waiting for it to come in my reimbursements. But just in case I don't have that reienbursment in time, can you stick like 20-30 dollars in my account to spot me? I would really appreciate that. 

Anyways, I love you much!

Love, 
Al

Monday, June 5, 2017

Hikari



 Its been a while since I sent out a good email, so I sincerely apologize. Life has been really good lately. We have been working hard and seeing a lot of miracles. This past week was super busy, and we were blessed to have Elder Choi from the Area Presidency come and visit our stake for stake conference this weekend. He talked a lot about member missionary work and how we need to be sharing the gospel everyday, just by the way we live our lives, and by understanding and living the gospel of Jesus Christ. As a mission lately, we have been reading the Book of Mormon together, reading 4 chapters a day studying the gospel of Jesus Christ. Its been a lot harder than I thought it would to stay caught up on my reading, but I have learned so much and it has changed my mission. I think its so cool that we have the opportunity to share the gospel everyday. I cant wait to continue doing so when I get home. 

This past week, I went on splits with Elder Molina. We got a call from a less active member who comes to church with her friend who isnt a member. She told me that her friend has decided to get baptized and wanted to sit down and start the lessons with us. We sat down with these two old ladies and had a powerful lesson on the restoration of the gospel. It was super good, and we are excited to see what happens with that.

We also have been working with a guy named Hikari. He was found by missionaries (My trainer, elder barton) about a year ago. When I first got to the area he wasnt really able to meet with us, but this transfer he has been taking off on the lessons! Ive never seen an investigator change their life around like Hikari has. We finished up his lessons this past week and he had a baptismal interview yesterday which went really well. He will be getting baptized this coming sunday, so we are super excited. His life has turned around quick and it has all been because of the power of the Book of Mormon. Please keep him in your prayers this week as he continues his preparation for baptism. 

In sacrament meeting last week, my friend Seigi shared a scripture that really struck home to me. It was Mosiah 24:14-15 14 "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.
15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."   I know that the lord keeps his promises, and that he is there to comfort us. All we need to do is to ask for his help. He is waiting to help us.

I also wanted to tell my little brother Eric congrats on receiving his mission call to the England, Birmingham mission. You are going to be a great missionary and change so many peoples lives out there. Im so proud of you, and cant wait to see how your mission impacts your life. Watch out England, Elder Evans is on his way!!

I love you all and hope you have a splendid week.

Love, 
Evans Choro 

May 29th

Sorry! I didn't write an email this week, but here are some pictures.