Week 41 - April 28, 2014

Hello everyone!

As most of you all know, I am very childish. I make silly and
ridiculous jokes, while also being selfish, impatient, and prone to
complaining. But this week, I had an opportunity to feel truly
child-like. This week, I was praying for a miracle. I was praying for
God to grant me a measure of the Spirit that I have never experienced
before. I wanted His love to shine through me so powerfully that it
"giveth light unto all that are in the house". As I have been
pondering and contemplating how to show love to my friends
(investigators), I realized that the best way is to exemplify Jesus
Christ. And so I asked Heavenly Father to let me feel His love in a
powerful way.

There was a moment this week where I was praying deep within my heart
for the love of the Savior in order to show it to one of my friends,
specifically my friend named Edward (who has a problem with some of
the commandments). As I did so, I felt a light in my heart. This light
grew brighter and brighter until it practically consumed me. In that
moment, I know that I was filled with Our Savior's Love. And in that
moment, I know that if I had the confidence and courage, I could have
spoken the words or done the action that would have touched Edward's
heart and helped him change. I know it, because it was similar to the
feeling I had when I met Takumi. That all consuming love is what I
have been looking for my entire missioin. And Heavenly Father let me
feel it again.

However, much like a child who is presented with a new food that his
wonderful parents make for him, I wondered, "Is this food going to be
good?" Or in other words, "Can I really do this?" (example thanks to
Niki Chun!) I'm sure had I confidently moved forward, I could have
said like Niki, "Mmmm! I remember this is delicious!" But instead, I
doubted and the feeling diminished. But I shall not give up. Having
felt that once, I will keep working until I feel that love again. I
say this not because I'm boasting that I felt the Savior's love. Far
from that. I simply wanted you all to know that if I, in my imperfect,
selfish, and impatient self can feel the love of God so purely, you
all can too. We simply need to ask; seek; and knock. Have we done so?
Are we living our lives in such a way that if we were to be granted
the opportunity to have our deepest desires, we would be confident in
going forward and claiming them from God? I hope so. I pray so. I know
there is nothing I have ever experienced that compared to the love I
feel when working for the Savior.

Nothing.

I love you all! You're great. And also, personal shout out to Jesse
Jones. I got your letter about 3 months ago and tried writing you
back, but I just got the letter I tried to send (3 months ago) saying
that it didn't have a sufficient address. I promise I tried!!! I'd
love to send you an email but I don't have that either. 失敗しちゃった!

Peace out.

--Elder Chun

Week 40 - April 20, 2014

Hello everyone!

Miracles and miracles! SO i was transferred to a new area called Maebashi. 1st week here? Baptism.

Yeah. It's a miracle land. 

I have yet another companion! Yes, for those of you counting, that makes number... (Drumroll please) 10!!! That is, counting my MTC companion. Sad thing is, he is the companion I've been with the longest so far... :D

Anyway. My new companion's name is Elder Sansing, from Utah. He's a goofball that is the most humble and wonderful guy I've met. I've learned a ton from him already! Also...

It's easter weekend! That means a cool easter message. So I wrote a short story that isn't very good. Please try to look past the errors in writing and lack of skill, and see the message within this story.

Once upon a time, there was a family of 14 boys. The Father of this family was the boxing world-champion, and wanted all of his boys to grow up to become strong. He created an exercise plan for all of his sons and said, "Alright boys. Here's the plan. This will definitely get each of you to be strong champion boxers like me. However, I need one of you to volunteer to go through the training completely by yourself so you can not only learn how to help your brothers, but so you can be strong enough to do so."

The eldest son said, "Ok, dad. I'll do it so my brothers can become strong." The 2nd  oldest son said, "I'll do it even better! I will do it all alone, and I'll even make each person get up on time, work out harder than ever before, and I will MAKE them all become champion boxers! Because I will do this all alone, I want you to give me your world-championship belt."

The Father was surprised. He knew that would never work. He said, "Ive decided to leave it up to my eldest son."

The firstborn bowed his head and said, "I trust you, Father." The 2nd, however, became angry. "NO!" He cried. "I'm better! I'm stronger! I can do this! I am sick of living in my brother's shadow!"

The Father disappointedly shook his head at his foolish son. However, he knew that his 2nd son was too stubborn and foolhardy to change his mind. "Ok." said the Father. "We will have a boxing match. You will then see who is stronger."

The boys all eagerly hurried to the ring. A match between the eldest sons! Some wanted the 1st to win. Others the 2nd. Needless to say, they all eagerly awaited the match.

As the 2 brothers stepped into the ring, the 2nd son hissed to the 1st. "After this match, you won't be Father's favorite son anymore. He'll see I'm much stronger than you!" The 1st son simply strapped on his gloves without saying a word. 

Infuriated at being ignored, the 2nd grabbed his gloves. 'How dare he!' thought the 2nd son. 'I will show him soon enough.'

The two brothers turned to face one another. Silence came across the ring and the spectating family grew quiet. Tension filled the air as they awaited the ring of the bell that would signal the start of an epic match.

Suddenly, the bell rang! In a flash, the 2nd son rushed in and with a terrible cry, he threw his fist with all his might into his brother's face. With a crack, the 1st's face snapped to the side, a broken nose suddenly streaming out blood. The 12 younger brothers gasped! Was that it? Was it really that quick? Perhaps the 2nd son WAS that much stronger than the 1st!

But it was not over yet. Without mercy, the 2nd relentlessly threw yet another punch at the object of his envy and hate. This time, the punch pushed the 1st back against the ropes of the ring. Suddenly, to the 12 watching boys, the Father's confidence in the 1st seemed quite foolish. Some even began to cheer and chant the 2nd's name. Others could not bear to see their beloved elder brother losing so pathetically. It seemed as though the match would be over before it had even begun.

Once again, the 2nd rushed forward, eager to end the fight quickly. Feeling his superiority, he began to throw punch after punch at the 1st's face and ribs. Urged on by the feeling of eminent victory, the 2nd son continued to mercilessly pummel his brother's already battered and bruised body. 'Ha!' thought the 2nd. 'He doesn't even have time to defend himself! I will win with ease.'

After agonizing minutes of nothing but the 2nd son continuously beating his brother's pitiful frame, the 2nd son paused for a minute, and with heavy breathing, asked, "Give *pant* up *pant*?

The 1st son, with blood dripping from his nose, with a swollen and black eye, with a broken cheekbone, and several cracked ribs, turned and looked at his younger brother. Regardless of his injuries, he stood tall and strong. "The round is not over yet." He quietly whispered.

At that moment, the 2nd son understood. He had been ALLOWED to do this! This eldest son fully intended to take on his strength without a single retaliation! Infuriated at being treated like a child, the 2nd son roared like a lion, and using his remaining strength threw a furious and hate-filled blow that sent his brother sprawling to the ground.

The 1st son fell close to the edge of the ring. There, he lay motionless for a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity. No one moved. No one spoke. Aside from the heavy panting of the 2nd son, all others caught their breath and simply waited in silence.

"ONE!" The Father's voice cracked out over the speakers, shattering the silence. Startled, the 12 watching boys gasped. Their eldest brother and lifelong hero was down for the count! How could this be?

"TWO!" Again the cry shattered the silence as each boy looked at their brothers in the ring. The youngest son, Benjamin, inched forward to where his eldest brother was lying in a small pool of his own blood and began to plead with him.

"Jesus. You have to get up. You have to win."

"THREE!" came the relentless cry. Simultaneous with the cry, Jesus moved. He reaching up towards the ropes of the ring and began to pull himself up. 

No one made a sound. Even the 2nd son's panting stopped. Swallowed up in fear and intimidated by the raw majesty and power of his elder brother, the 2nd son's knees went week. They buckled, and he fell to the ground. As he knelt, paralyzed by his own emotions, the 2nd watched as the 1st stood. He could not see his brother's face. All he saw was his back. Finally, the 1st stood tall and turned to face the 2nd. With even more blood on his face that before, this older son, who had never done wrong or touched an unclean thing, who submitted to every blow of his selfish younger brother, pierced his brothers' souls with these words.

"It is finished."

Having neither the strength nor the determination to win, the 2nd son crawled off of the ring. Silence overcame the room. No one moved. No one spake. The 12 younger brothers simply watched. There was no denying the superiority of the Elder son. Suddenly, the Father's voice came once again over the speakers.

"This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased."

Every boy felt the impact of those words in their hearts. They all looked lovingly at their champion, eager to hear whatever words he would say.

Slowly, ever so slowly, Jesus turned to face his family. Casting his eyes on them all, he quietly, yet with power, told them this.

"Behold, I am the light and life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hat given me; and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which i have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning."

With those words, the 12 tribes of Israel fell to their knees in awe, reverence, adoration, and gratitude for their Savior.

This easter season, I do as well.

Happy easter, everyone! Remember what the Savior did for each of us individually in submitting to the powers of the devil completely alone and winning. Through Christ, we are all made alive, whether it be through giving us joy in this life or eternal life in the next! I know my Savior lives and loves us all personally. I pray you all remember this weekend!

--Elder Chun

Week 39 - April 13, 2014

Hello everyone! Another week has gone by. This week, I was able to
watch conference. Needless to say, it was incredible. I just wanted to
give my overall impression of the revelations I received. Pretty much,
everything I learned this conference can be summarized in 2 words.

Remember now.

I didn't per se receive copious amounts of revelation about new
doctrine. Instead, I received a confirmation of things I knew and
love. Also, I simply felt a pressing urgency. Now. Now is the time to
stand. Now is the time to act. Don't wait.

It is interesting, because I have been reflecting on the power of
agency recently. We have such an incredible ability to choose. We are
"agents unto [ourselves]." And yet so often in my own life and in the
lives of other people, I have seen this mentality.

"If only God would tell me what to do. Then, it'd all work out."

Ummm no. If all we had to do in this life was listen to the Holy Ghost
directing all of our actions, would there have been a need to leave
the presence of our Heavenly Father? No. We are here to learn to make
right decisions, either through making them and feeling the blessings
or making mistakes and repenting. So now is the time to choose: Will I
abandon every unclean thing, come unto Christ, and be perfected? Every
is all inclusive. So am I ready?

I am. My question is, are you?

Please do not misunderstand this as pride. I'm not saying I'm better
than any of you. I'm simply saying I'm tired of sitting around,
wallowing in self-pity. I'd rather be perfected; be confident; be
happy. And I want to be happy now. I'm not waiting for some "golden
ticket", as President Uchtdorf describes in his 2011 Relief Society
address.

Now. Now is the time to prepare to meet God.

So yeah. That's my overall thoughts. I encourage each of you to apply
what you learned in Conference. If you don't, you wasted your time no
matter how much of the Spirit you felt. If you think that's an
exaggeration, think about Satan's plan proposed in the pre-mortal
existence. We would not have had agency; the ability to choose, learn,
and grow. And that was not the right way.

I am in an interesting mood and you all get to see it.

--Elder Chun

P.S. I love you all. m(_ _)m

Sent from my iPad

Week 38 - April 7, 2014

Hello everybody!

Another week, another letter. This time, it's Temple P-day! We're
about to go into the temple as I'm writing this. Yeah. Temples are
cool.

For those of you who live close to a temple (Utah people!!!) Take the
time to go as often as possible! I didn't realize how amazingly lucky
we are to have so many temples in Utah, and I never fully took
advantage of it. I now envy all of you and your ability to go there
often. Also, you've all seen conference already. For those of you who
regularly write me, I expect some sort of run down on your favorite
talks and insights! Being in Japan, we watch in next weekend.

Anyways!

This week was very interesting. A lot of our appointments fell
through, but having had a mental breakdown 2 weeks ago already, I
wasn't about to go 2 weeks in a row having a melt-down. So, mustering
every ounce of self-control I could muster (which I received from my
dad and brother through years of training. Thank you) I kept working.
Long story short, there were many times when I simply could not go any
further or do any more when the miracles came. They were small in the
eyes of men, but large to me. They didn't necessarily involve finding
a new family or baptizing nations, but they often involved small acts
of charity from members that really touched my heart. So for those of
you who see missionaries, please give them a shout out, full-heartedly
thank them for their service, and just show them that they are doing a
good job. It means a lot to us.

So yeah! Long week full of miracles and character growth. Not much
news otherwise! thank you for all your prayers and support. I truly
felt the Hand of The Lord supporting me this week, and I know it is in
part to all the prayers I receive from my friends and family at home
(including you, Niki!)

Thank you all! you're great.

m(_ _)m

--Elder Chun

P. S. That is a bowing man.

Week 37 - March 30, 2014

Hello, everyone! We are here once again. For those of you reading
these emails every week, you know it's going by way too fast! For
those of you not reading, well I guess this shout out doesn't really
matter, eh? I could say anything I want about the people who don't
read my emails and it wouldn't matter! Bahaha.

Because even if I said something mean about not-readers, the instant
you read the comment it wouldn't apply to you anymore!

Anyways. I am in a strange mood right now.

So this week was thoroughly enlightening. I learned a lot about my
weaknesses and about the Savior this week, but we had many miracles.
One of them was when we met a man named Clement. Clement is from
Africa and really wants to come to church and learn about Christ, but
because he doesn't speak Japanese, it's very difficult for him to get
a job. We went out to a place called Harajuku, which is a pretty
sketchy place. Especially because our instructions for meeting Clement
were "Talk to the 1st black guy you see, and they will send you to
me."

Slightly shady.

Anyway, we met him and I just felt the Spirit so strong. Honestly, I
feel like I felt the Spirit as strong as when I met Takumi in Niigata.
If you don't remember, you can probably re-read. I think. I dunno how
you get these emails. I just assume that people get them haha :D

Long story short, I want this man to come to church and be able to
partake of the blessings he can have because of his faith. In order to
do that, my companion and I are going "King Lamoni" hunting. We are
going to find one of the big African bosses that owns a shop in
Harajuku and convert them, leading to a ton of Africans joining the
church.

Please pray we don't get killed in our attempts.

Also, please pray for a man named Martin. He has a ward-member friend,
has come to church twice, and is feeling pretty ready to meet with the
missionaries. That is the ideal situation for missionary work. If
every member could just introduce 1 friend to the missionaries in a
year, and only 10% of those people got baptized...

We would have 1.5 million more of our brothers and sisters come to the truth.

Love you all! Please try and find those waiting for the truth! It's
not just up to full-time missionaries. You can do it too!!!

--Elder Chun

Week 36 - March 23, 2014

Hello, everyone!

Too fast. Time is WAY too fast. This week was very quick. But it was good.

Lessons learned this week:
1) I got way sick on Saturday. I mean WAY sick. Trying to read and
moving forward made me way dizzy; I could barely concentrate; I didn't
want to eat. But, I really didn't want to rest. I mean, there are only
so many days I can be a missionary, so I didn't want to spend 1 of
them sick in bed. Instead, I got a priesthood blessing and then had
enough strength to fight through and make it to dinner. Granted, I
completely passed out on the floor mid dinner, but I woke up 30
minutes later, ready to go. Heavenly Father gave me the power of the
Atonement to help me push through my sickness. Lesson learned? The
priesthood is a wonderful gift we should use as soon and as often as
possible. Sometimes, I find myself saying, "Oh, this isn't bad enough
for a priesthood blessing."

Wrong.

The smallest of our problems was bad enough for God to send Jesus
Christ to create our path home. Jesus Christ has descended below ALL
things. It doesn't say in the scriptures, "Jesus Christ took upon
himself all the pains, afflictions, and temptations except (Insert
your name here)'s 24 hour cold". It says ALL. Thus, why wouldn't we
rely upon His mercy in all things? Simple. Pride.

2) During church, we had a wonderful talk about agency and
inspiration. Sometimes we ask ourselves why Heavenly Father doesn't
just tell us everything we need to do. The answer is simple. We have
our agency, and we are in this life to learn how to make good choices.
If all we ever did was blindly follow the words of our Heavenly
Father, how could we ever develop the sense of justice and confidence
to become like him? In fact, there was a study done with 2 groups of
children and new toys. They separated the children into 2 rooms and
gave them a novelty toy. To one group, they gave some basic
demonstrations on some of the functions of the toy. To another, no
demonstration. The 1st group of children learned how to perform what
was performed very quickly, but that was it. Their imaginations were
limited by their knowledge. The other group, however, not only learned
how to use the toys in a basic fashion, but over time learned much
more and became much more skilled with this novelty toy than the 1st
group.

God is not here to tell us what to do. He is here to bring to pass the
immortality and eternal life of man.

You all probably already know this. I'm probably just repeating things
you learned a long time ago. But, it was revelation to me, especially
since I have been wondering lately why Heavenly Father doesn't just
give me dreams about where to go and what to do as a missionary. The
answer: He wants ME to grow as well.

Lesson 3: There are miracles.
Due to being sick last week, I was feeling quite frustrated with
myself. I don't like being weak. It's a pride issue that I'm currently
working on figuring out. Unlike Ammon and Paul in the scriptures, I do
not "glory in my weakness", neither do I "rejoice with all of my soul"
because I can see the hand of God in my life. Instead, I get depressed
when I see I am weak. However, this week I discovered Jacob 4:7, a
different twist on the scripture Ether 12:27. In essence, for those
who don't want to look it up, it says that we have weaknesses so we
can see our Father. How merciful
! We might have the veil covering our eyes in this world, but we have
the opportunity to meet our Heavenly Father at the edge of our limits;
we have the change to embrace our Savior the step beyond our max. It's
exhausting to get there. But it is always worth it.

Thank you all for your support and love! I appreciate all your prayers
and certainly feel them in my life. I will report to you as soon as I
hear back from Richard, and would ask that you continue to pray for
him as well as a young man named Mageli, that they will both meet with
us and feel the truth of the message of the Restored Gospel.

Because it is true. And I know it.

--Elder Chun