Elder Landon Paskett's Journeys in Japan: May 22, 2017--Miracles, blessings, and transfers

My dear, beautiful mother,

What an awesome, crazy week! So many miracles.

It started off on Tuesday morning, we had a lesson scheduled with I Shimai. We called her during daily planning to confirm the appointment, she answered and told us that she was hospitalized! She had caught some kind of illness in her digestive system, and was on an IV since she can't keep any food down. We had a quick change of plans--we called the member who was planning to joint teach with us (Miyakawa Kyoudai), and he just happened to be at the same exact hospital! He was waiting while his pregnant wife had a check-up, it was perfect. We hopped on our bikes, buzzed over to the hospital and bought some flowers on the way. We met up with Miyakawa Kyoudai then went to her room, we offered her a blessing and she gladly accepted. I anointed with the oil, then Miyakawa Kyoudai sealed the anointing with a beautiful blessing. I Shimai was so grateful and said she felt so much hope and comfort from the blessing. Her faith is so strong!

We called her every day, and each time we talked she expressed gratitude for the blessing and talked about how much it has helped her. We went to visit her again after church Sunday with Miyakawa Kyoudai and his wife. Right as we sat down and started to talk, I Shimai's husband came in to visit her! It was perfect, because we had told I Shimai that her husband is welcome to come to church and to lessons with her, but she had just told us that he's probably not interested. We had been wanting to meet him, but never really had a good chance. Him coming in to see the 4 of us visiting his sick wife was the perfect way to start off a good relationship! He is very friendly and even offered to buy us tea. We had a good opportunity to explain some of our beliefs, he was pretty curious and even asked some questions about the Bible. She is getting pretty close to being baptized, so hopefully her husband will start to take lessons as well! The biggest blessings of the Gospel are in ordinances for families, so we are hoping and praying that they will be able to receive these blessings as a family.

We had splits in Akita, and I got to work with Hisaka Choro, who is on his 1st transfer. We knocked on the door of an old man who told us right off the bat that he wasn't interested in religion, but we kept talking with him. He invited us to come in and talk, so we went in and talked in his living room for almost an hour. He told us jokingly that he is part of the "sake-kyou", and that as a bartender, he does missionary work just like us. Even though he was decidedly not interested in religion, he said in passing that he wishes he could be like us--with purpose and joy. Even though he wouldn't admit it, he was looking for what the gospel. Or at least, he was looking for what the gospel will bring--he just didn't know that it would be found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. When the time was right, we shared some of the Plan of Salvation, and he listened. He took a Book of Mormon and we set up a return appointment!

Su is still struggling with acting on what he learns and feels, but we are making progress. We had a nation-wide Devotional with Elder Oaks, and Su came to watch it, he said he really enjoyed it. He has a lot of respect for prophets and the priesthood in general.

One cool thing they talked about in the Devotional was how the Gospel will grow like a tree--the roots must be strong enough to support the branches before there can be more growth. Elder Oaks told the members to not be discouraged if the growth of the church isn't as rapid as they would like--as long as they keep strengthening the roots, it will prepare the way for the growth of the branches. He also encouraged the members to not just pray for the missionaries, but pray and search for ways that they can share the gospel personally! Being a missionary, I have started to understand how important member missionary work is. I want to be a great member missionary when I get back!

We got transfer calls this weekend, I will be headed to Kitakami! It's a city that is much bigger than Yokote, over by Morioka. It was sad to say goodbye to all the friends I have made here, I didn't realize how close everyone here in Yokote is to my heart. But, I know the Lord needs me in Kitakami now. We are leaving tonight, I am grateful that it is so soon so that I don't really have any time to mope and be sad about leaving haha.

One awesome miracle was that we ran into. The F family at the grocery store when I went to pick up my suit from the dry cleaner! I was so glad to be able to see them one last time :)

I love you so much! Thanks for being perfect!!!
XOXOxoxoXOXOXOxoxoXOXO
パスケット長老
Elder Paskett