We are writing in the morning so I haven't read your emails yet!
We are sending them in the afternoon, I don't know if I'll have time to read or
if I'll only have time to send my drafts.
Anyway...New transfers start today! Hancock Choro is leaving me.
I'll sure miss that guy. But I'm excited for this next transfer. I am staying
in Aomori and Murakami Choro will be my new comp! I haven't met him yet but he
is Nihonjin and has been out for around 20 months I think. Pres. Smith said it
will be a very unique opportunity because he wasn't always active growing up,
so he will benefit from my testimony and I will benefit from his Japanese.
Exciting times ahead :)
So you're probably wondering about R's baptism...we have
good news and slightly less good news. The slightly less good news is that it
didn't happen. But the good news is that it will! We are now planning on
November 12th. I hate to keep pushing it back (this is now his 3rd date) but now
we know what we need to do in order to make sure that date happens, and it
won't be rushed like it would've been this weekend.
So he is all prepared for baptism in terms of the commandments,
the only thing holding him back was that he had only come to church one time
(it's supposed to be at least 3 times). We called President Smith and he said
it is up to us--that we should not worry so much about the number of times he
has come in the past, that we need to focus on his personal commitment and use
our judgment to gauge his readiness. But we kind of had some resistance from a
zone leader who didn't believe he was ready this week, and then we we were
having district conference in Misawa so he wouldn't receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost for another week, and since everything was last minute it would've
been hard to invite members and plan the service.
So, long story short, we decided that we will wait a couple
weeks so he can attend church and we can make sure that he's ready and we're
not rushing into it. He's doing so well, he asks us questions about his Book of
Mormon reading--like who the Lamb of God is, if the Spirit of the Lord is
different than the Holy Ghost, stuff like that. Shows that he is reading with a
sincere intent to learn, and he feels comfortable enough to ask us questions.
We did a mission-wide fast this week! It was my first 24 hour
fast, it was a cool experience. On Wednesday, all the missionaries across the
mission said a district prayer at the same time, for the Lord to pour out His
spirit on this people. Then we were each able to end our fast with individual
prayers, and I felt closer to God during that prayer than I ever have before. I
know He is here helping us and guiding this work! I am trying to work harder to
be a more consecrated missionary, and I know He will help me and magnify my
efforts. I'm excited to see things in this mission improve!
We went down to Misawa to watch district conference, with our
area seventy presiding. On the way there, Murase Kaicho was already giving 4
people a ride (including us) so his car was full. But a member came to the church
and did a joint lesson with us, then he said he could come to Misawa if he
could get a ride! We decided it was worth it so we rode there for an hour and a
half with 3 people in 2 seats haha. Hancock Choro was like halfway on my lap,
and the member kept falling asleep and leaning his head over on Hancock Choro's
face on accident haha. It was a very funny car ride. I was pleasantly surprised
that I was still able to walk when we arrived.
The conference was god, I am getting better at understanding
church talks. Still hard through. IT was way fun to see my doki again though! Nathan
Choro is doing so well! We'll still be in the same zone so hopefully we'll be
able to do splits again after Zone Training meetings. Love that guy.
So that's been my week! Looking forward to an exciting transfer
ahead :)
Love you!
パスケット長老
Elder
Paskett
 |
| My first Japanese written testimony! Gave this Book of Mormon out on Tuesday to a girl who is now an investigator for the shimai! |
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