Week 18 - November 17, 2013

Hello! Another week has gone by like lightning! Sadly, no baptisms this week, but the members in my area are on fire. We got about 10 referrals this week, 5 of which were from members. This means that no matter who comes in (as long as they remember they are missionaries) the ward will continue to have great success. Which is what really matters.

So this week was absolutely fantastic. There were several times when I didn't have the 伝道 fire, but I prayed for strength from Heavenly Father and I got it. 

Aaaah I love prayer. If there is one thing I have learned so far in my mission, it has been the power of prayer. That being said, even now I find myself slipping into routinely prayers, versus personal prayers. This is a problem, because if we approach Heavenly Father in a routine-like manner, why should we expect Him to approach us with personal attention and help?

Doesn't make sense, does it?

Anyway, I'm not sure what else to write. This week didn't have any "WHOAMYGOODNESSSTHATISANOBVIOUSMIRACLEEVERYONEWILLAPPRECIATE" moment, but I had daily miracles within my own soul as I tried to be like Jesus.

Yeah. That's about it. If anyone has any questions, you should write me! As the weeks blur by faster and faster, it's getting hard to remember things to write off the top of my head, so questions make writing easier.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Elder Chun

Week 17 - November 10, 2013

Hey, everybody!

This week has been so much fun! I've had the opportunity of working closely with the Zone Leaders once again. This time, because it's not a 4 man, I'm doing a lot more of the planning, study, and travel that Zone Leaders do. This makes personal study time a bit scarce, but oh well. 神様の御心 (God's will). 

Miracles!

.......

I can't list them. They are way too many.

Ok. Here we go.

We were at a train station, and we started talking to this guy. Turns out, he is going to a Christian college. He has a copy of the doctrine of Christ in his backpack.

WHAT.

Yeah. We're going to hunt him down, baptize him, and rejoice.

There are many more examples. Japan is a land of Miracles.

I have a request, though. We are currently working together as a mission to achieve "white Christmas", which is receiving 1 baptism/area by Christmas. Could you all pray together for this? I trust the Lord will answer your prayers, because He answers mine.

This leads me to the main message I want to talk about this week: Prayer.

Prayer is a communication with God. We speak with Him, and He speaks with us. I love prayer. Prayer is one of my favorite things about revelation and this church. The concept that we can sit and talk with God makes me so happy. 

Recently, I have changed how I pray. 1st, I never ever say anything in a prayer I don't actually mean. This means that I have to sit and contemplate what I am saying. It makes prayer longer, but much more sincere. Next, after prayer, I sit for 10 seconds in silence and listen to the whisperings of the spirit. This shows the Lord we value any response He gives us.

And so He responds.

Finally, when I close my prayer in the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ, I remember. I remember what Jesus has done for ME. Not anyone else. For me specifically. I remember that He is MY savior. And I give Him a spiritual hug. 

I only say this because I remember that when I was at home, I thought my prayers were good. Here, I have learned they were rituals, not conversations. I would like to invite everyone to speak with God in the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ this week; Never say what you don't mean, and mean everything you say; remember.

I promise, you won't regret it.

Sincerely,

Elder Chun

Week 16 - November 3, 2013

Hello, everyone! Here we are again. This time, it`s week 1 of transfer 2!

Scary, eh? Time is flying by like lightning. Especially in this new area. The ward here is crazy good. There area bout 180  members attending regularly, with 4 investigators that have baptismal dates, and a world of prepared people. The miracles here are unbelievable.

For example, on Saturday we went to a 2 hour Japanese class and got 4 new investigators. Then, we went back to church and had 2 progressing investigators (whom we were not expecting to come) come for lessons. Sunday, we had 2 members come up to us and set up appointments with their nonmember family and friends to get to know them and start to teach them. THen, we had 2 lessons at members` houses with progressing investigators. Today, we have another one. This week, we have 2 or 3 more. 

If you have non-member friends, there is nothing better than asking your missionaries to a dinner with them. It makes the missionaries happy, and it makes Heavenly Father happy. Honestly though, the difference I see between Niigata and Urawa is not the difference between missionaries, but the members.

Shall we not go on in so great a cause?

I think so.

Sincerely,

Elder Chun

Week 15 - October 27, 2013

Dear everyone.

Big news first: Transfer one is over, and I am transfering. Yes, this means I am not going to see Takumi get baptized. True, I am a bit sad about that, but I am happy to know that one of my newest and most best friends is on the steady way to returning to Christ.

So this transfer has gone by like lightning. It amazes me how every single day simply vanishes without a trace. 1 transfer down, 15 to go, and still too much to do. Time runs out quick when you're struggling to learn haha

In terms of miracles this week, I have seen countless. Most of these miracles are the miracles that take place in my heart as I work. It's quite easy to get down at times because of the way things are in terms of my lack of skills, but I have felt utterly cared for and supported by an almighty God, so everything works out pretty well. I just feel like I'm not the right tool sometimes.

Ever heard the phrase, 'trying to perform heart surgery with a rubber mallet'? Yeah, well I feel like the Lord is performing Brain Surgery with a jackhammer as He is using me.

But hey. It's Heavenly Father. He can do it.

So yes. I just invite everyone to realize that regardless of our imperfections, the Lord has something planned for each of us to do in order to help His children.

Shall we not go on and find what He has in store for us?

Sincerely,

Elder Chun