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| Happy Independence Day! |
Konnichiwa!
Hey so transfers are this week.
What?! It doesn't feel like transfers and I don't think my companion is leaving
so we'`re acting like its not. Perfect. Sounds like Jonathan got a new companion
and is learning lots already :) Speaking of companions, this week was a little
rough. Miller Shimai got sick and was throwing up for literally 2 days. She slept
all day and I called old investigators and every non-attending member in the area
book. It was exhausting. I much rather would have spent the day outside riding
my bike but she just wasn't in any place too. Funny story though (she gave me
permission to share this). On Saturday we were housing and looking for an NA
and her stomach started to hurt. She wasn't throwing up anymore but her tummy
was still having issues. We were walking around and all of the sudden she goes,
Sugihara Shimai, I need a bathroom RIGHT now. My response, Okay well lets go to the
park over there, I think there's a bathroom there. Miller S: No, I need it RIGHT
now. It cannot wait. Me: Okay well lets go ring that persons doorbell.
*Pin pon [ding dong]
Me (on the intercom): Hey we
are missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are
doing volunteer work. Could we use your bathroom?
Lady: Sorry, I cant really come
to the door right now.
Me: Can we please use your
bathroom?
Lady: ...Its occupied.
Sorry!
Next house.
*pin pon. Man answers the
door.
Me: Hi we are missionaries for
the church......and we are doing volunteer work. Is your wife home?
Man: No.
Me: We are sharing this great
message. Here is a chirashi [pamphlet]. We'll come back later! (worst contact I have ever done
but Miller S was dying)
Next house. Pin pon.
Intercom me: Hi we are
missionaries, etc., etc. Can we use your bathroom?
Miller S in the background :
Hurry up!!!
Grandpa comes out to the door,
tells us to go to the park and to not ask to use people's bathrooms.
Somehow Miller S was able to
make it to the park (the one she originally said no to) and things worked out. But I could not stop laughing at the
hilarity of it. Good times.
On a more spiritual note, we
met Nakatsuka Kaicho Shimai [President and Sister Nakatsuka] and oh my, I love them! They came to Asahikawa and
did a zone conference. It was so spiritual and powerful. Totally different from
the Evans, but equally as incredible. Shimai is so loving and get telling us to
eat more at lunch haha. I really already love them and am really bummed I don't
get to see all the changes that are going to happen with them here. N Kaicho
[President N] talked about obedience and that natural man and the difference between the law
of Moses and Christ's law. It was really deep doctrine and was really
fascinating. He is brilliant and perapera [fluent] in English.
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| New Mission President and his wife at Zone Conference . They know Sho and Rie-san (Sho's wife), too! |
This week was a little
harder. Sick time is always hard but things just weren't going as well as we
hoped. We dropped 2 investigators because they aren't progressing and just aren't
willing to act. That was a bummer but both lessons went well. Then we had an
incredible lesson with an NA [non active] and her nonmember daughter. Somehow things just
totally worked out and we were able to teach both of them and invite them to
church. For the first time, they said yes they would come! We were so excited
and happy! There was also an 8yr old grandson who was there and we promised
that if he was quiet for 10 min, we would play soccer with him. He listened and
was quiet and then we played with him for a little bit. I think we gained a
little bit more trust with him and hopefully he will excited the next time we
come :) Saturday`s dendo [proselyting] was overall just a miracle. The whole week had kind of
been slow and not effective but Heavenly Father blessed us so much on Saturday.
It was a reminder that He is always aware of us and our needs. I'm so grateful
for that. Amidst those couple days when things weren't working out and Miller s
was sick, I prayed for some heavenly help. The answer I got was be more
grateful. Somehow, things always go so much better when you're grateful. The
situation usually doesn't change, but there is a new light that comes in and
just makes life brighter. So I am much better now and yes, more grateful for
what has been going on.
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| I am grateful for Genghis Khan BBQ! This family have been feeding the missionaries once a month for over twenty years-! |
I love feeling the Spirit and
feeling it work through me. I am far from perfect and still much too impatient,
but its a work in progress. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father is patient with
me. I love being a missionary and love working every day! I'm healthy, happy,
and the work is moving forward. Thank you for all of your letters. They are
much appreciated and really make my whole day brighter :) Love you all and
congrats to all of my friends who are getting married! Which, is most of
you.
Have a great week!
Love,
Sugihara S.
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