I feel like numbering this letter somehow makes it more organized or
something (I'm aware it doesn't). But here are some random thoughts /
interesting experiences I encountered this week:
1. Today I was blessed to be able to sweat. The weather took a sudden
dip this past week and I pulled out all the tights and cardigans I
just packed up, so I am grateful for today's sunshine. I almost fell
asleep from the heat in a lesson today because our investigator said
air conditioning made her back hurt but I am counting it a blessing
that the blustery winter of Sado is OVER. My companions are nice and
let me run in the mornings (while they ride next to me on their
bicycles at my slow pace if they aren't really feeling a run).
2. We went grocery shopping and this old man walked up to me and got
really close to my face and says in English, "It is the first time I
have ever seen you before." And then he walked away. Interesting
observation.
3. We went to visit a potential investigator that we hadn't seen for
about a month. Her doorbell was broken, but we could hear CNN blaring
about the tension in the Middle East so I called to her through the
window. After a few minutes she comes out with a hose and tries to
soak us with water, until she realizes who we are. "I though you were
that one Japanese girl who won't go away," she said. I guess I could
fit both of those categories. And then she smacked me in the head
(playfully, I think) for not calling her before coming (I guess I
wasn't a surprise that she wanted to show up on her doorstep, but it's
okay, we're friends now) and fed us some muffins and herbal tea as we
sang her "I Am a Child of God." She's a hoot.
4. "Let patience have her perfect work." (James 1:4). A friend quoted
it in a letter I received this week, and it struck a chord in me. At
the beginning of my mission, I thought to myself, "How can I be the
best missionary I can be?" My answer at the beginning of my mission:
study the Christlike attributes (PMG Ch. 6). Which is all in all a
good thing, but without patience, THE ULTIMATE PERFECTOR, it's a lofty
goal that one can only read about in an attempt to achieve. It's
ultimately the force that drives us to be able to achieve other
Christlike attributes. It really is perfect work.
5. Be grateful for what you have. And positivity is a good thing.
Sister Mayama says, "佐渡の皆さんは金人ですね." ("Everyone in Sado is golden.") I guess I hadn't considered everyone in Sado to be golden, but then I
gave it a thought and realized how blessed we are to be surrounded by
so many people who are really are so ready to learn about the Savior.
Everyone has interest in the way to find true happiness, sometimes as
missionaries we forget and assume otherwise.
6. Happy belated Father's Day to all my favorite fathers. Watch one of
my favorites as of late, "Earthly Father, Heavenly Father."
(https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-01-002-earthly-father-heavenly-father?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2013&lang=eng&cid=HPTU061014222).
We're all part of one giant family. You and me both.
Love,
Sister Margaret Willden
(Monday, June 16)
Pic 1: After our branch BBQ, aka cooking vegetables on a hot plate in
the chapel / eikaiwa classroom / all-purpose room.
Pic 2: I had no interesting pictures to send. (Sister Mondano
transferred). So I folded a crane and sent it for your viewing
pleasure. The extent of my artistic creativity this week.
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