There Can Be Miracles When You Believe

June 26, 2017

There Can Be Miracles When You Believe

This week has definitely had some ups and downs, but overall it's been a great week for missionary work. I barely have time to breath, but it's making the time just fly by. However, we also don't have enough time to do everything we want to do. So I don't have a ton of time this week, but I'll try to include all the good parts ^^

To start things off on a good note, here's a miracle! We went housing for the first time this week. (Housing is when you just go door to door asking if people want to hear about the gospel, haha.) We went housing at this huge apartment complex downtown. We started at the top floor (11) and started working our way down. We had...no success, haha. People were nice enough--most of them--but just weren't interested. Which was fine, it's kinda what you expect when you go housing. But when we reached the seventh floor we were getting a little...exhausted, haha. It was hot, humid, and there were way too many large spiders. But we pushed forward. We knocked on another door and after a minute of silence, someone finally answered. She was a younger Brazilian. We were nervous at first--most of the Brazilians here don't really speak Japanese and we don't speak Portuguese--but decided to just start speaking in Japanese. Luckily she spoke fluent Japanese. We started talking to her and it turns out she's Christian--some church...don't actually remember--and has received a Book of Mormon from someone in the past. But a Japanese Book of Mormon, and those things can be tricky to read. So we gave her a Portuguese one and asked her if we could meet again. She happily accepted and gave us her phone number.

But the story doesn't end there! After reaching home we realized that we never wrote down her apartment number! Rookie mistake, really. So we tried texting her. Turns out she gave us the wrong number. It was...discouraging. But we prayed and felt prompted to go back to the apartment complex and try to find her. So we found some free time and headed back. We felt good about floor 7, so we went there and started looking at doors. We tried one, but no one answered. Then we passed another and decided it couldn't be hers because she didn't have plants outside. So we passed it. But before we knocked on the next one, the plant door opens and she steps outside! We were totally shocked! Luckily we played it off and quickly told her that we had her wrong number. She apologized, gave us the right one and actually had us move the appointment (to tonight) due to some conflicts. We went home and gave a huge prayer of thanks. It was truly a miracle that we were able to find her again and I'm so excited to teach her tonight <3

Another fun adventure this week was doing calligraphy with one of our (now past) investigators! She was kinda shy, but it was really cool to see her open up once she started talking about Calligraphy. It reminded me that sometimes people just need to know you care about what they care about before they open up. I need to make sure those I interact with can feel my love for them through that. Sadly she discontinued her lessons with her because she's not ready for the church right now, but I know that down the line she will be able to feel the spirit and come unto Christ.

Also, the weather in Japan is so crazy right now. One day it'll be pouring rain--like just...insane amounts of rain--and then the next it's totally hot and humid. We're never quite sure what to wear. And apparently we had an earthquake? But I was in the shower when it happened and literally did not notice at all. I only know it happened because my companion told me about it, haha. Hopefully that is a good sign for the future.

A couple days ago we went back to the Homebu (where the mission president lives) in order to have a conference with three other zones. It was fun to see lots of other missionaries and I was able to see Porter Shimai again too ^^ We had Elder and Sister Yamashita (of the Northeast Asia Presidency?) come and speak to us. It was really motivating and a really spiritual experience. He just emphasized how believing in ourselves and believing in God's power will allow us to get more baptisms and more converts. What he said really stuck with me and I'm going to try even harder over these next few weeks to have confidence in myself and the Lord!

Sadly, for every up there is a down. With one of our investigators we were doing 30/30's with him. (30 min. English, 30 min. Gospel) But when we gave him a baptismal invitation this last time, he quickly informed us that he couldn't change religions--nor ever would. Which was hard to hear, but sometimes it's necessary. He said he wanted to still meet with us, but just for the English. We had to tell him no because our purpose is to bring others unto Christ. It was...rough. But a good lesson for me. Sometimes people just aren't ready to hear the gospel. And there's nothing I can do about that. All I can do is bear testimony and share with everyone I meet. And I know that as we keep doing that, we'll find someone who the Lord has prepared.

Speaking of English, at our English class this last week we made oreo shakes! It was super fun and the students all loved it. I did too ;) I'd forgotten how good milkshakes are on a hot day. I may have to make more soon, haha.

Okay, just a couple more things. First, I finished reading the Book of Mormon this week! When I first entered the MTC I started the Book of Mormon over and this week I was finally able to finish it. The Book of Mormon truly is the word of God. As I was reading, I was able to find so many truths among its pages. They preach so much of Christ and His gospel. I know the stories included in the Book of Mormon really did happen and I know that it was translated by the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that through the Book of Mormon we can gain knowledge and become better, happier people. I challenge everyone to try reading the Book of Mormon. Read it and then follow Moroni's challenge to pray and receive your own testimony.

Finally, we had a talent show this week! The ward put it on and it was super fun. Some of the members sang, others did a hula dance, and a mother and daughter played piano together. It was so great! Jones Shimai and I did a couple songs as well. I borrowed a guitar from a member and Jones Shimai sang while I played. I was glad that I could put my talent to use to bring us closer to the members. I'll attach some photos and video ^^

Other than that, life goes on. Japan is beautiful--there are so many pretty trees, houses, and rivers that we pass everyday--and the church is true. However, there are some huge, kinda terrifying birds by all the rivers. They haven't attacked us...yet. Haha, but it makes our bike rides fun. We also see lots of turtles in the river which is always fun.

Thanks for all the emails and I hope you are all doing well.

<3/Armour Shimai