It was a beautiful, BLAZING HOT week in the Chiba zone. I am fortunate
enough to have spent the winter in the coldest region of the mission
and summer in the hottest. Mmm. On Saturday we attended an activity
two hours away by train. Our two Chinese friends who came with us kept
saying, "This place is hotter than China." Mmm.
Anyways. I realize that I start off nearly every one of these letters
talking about the weather. (I guess that is also what I do when we
start conversations with people on the street. Some things never
change).
Yesterday, the elders had a baptism. He is a nineteen year old
Japanese boy with the heart of an American. Literally. He told this
miraculous story of how his heart is too big and he needed a
transplant, so he received the heart of an American boy who was in a
car accident. Luckily he has a sense of humor and makes many pun-y
jokes about the situation.
Also, Sister Yasui and I are planning a baptism for next week! Once
upon a time I thought, "Housing to find people never works." But then,
once upon a time months later, the elders knocked on a door, found the
cutest mom, and she has decided she wants to be baptized. She said she
probably would have turned the missionaries down had it been years
ago, but she thought her little boy had come home from school early so
she peeked out the door and ended up talking to the elders and well
... Ta-da! It's really one of the biggest miracles. I'll leave it at
that. Oh me of little faith.
As a lover of green things (as in vegetables), I was (maybe slightly)
worried because our fridge was running out of vegetables. And then, a
member calls us moments later and says she went to the farmers market
and wants to bring us vegetables. Oh me of little faith.
This week was also full of some strange moments. Like, going to teach
a couple (supposedly on the word of wisdom) but having them break up
in the middle of the lesson in front of our very eyes. A strange
experience that taught me the importance of communication in more ways
than one.
In various encounters with members, investigators, less-actives this
past week, one theme was repeatedly emphasized: obedience to the
commandments. Why on earth do we have them? One college student told
us this week, "I just don't get why they're necessary." Well, I did
some studying. (See picture). It's a whole lot of diagrams and charts,
but I suppose it all boils down to the fact that God is God, and we
are not. So we are best off being a little humble and trusting in the
one who knows all.
 |
| From Margaret's notes: "Knowledge encourages obedience. Obedience enhances knowledge." - Elder Dallin H. Oaks on "Testimony" |
"Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things,
both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all
power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not
comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." (Mosiah
4:9).
Life is great. You're great. Have a great week.
Love,
Sister Margaret Willden
(Monday, July 28)Pic 1: Chinese Night!
Pic 2: We got really sweaty. On the plus side, we ran into our friend
and she gave us some lovely balloon yo-yos from the festival going on
nearby.
Pic 3: The rice patties of Togane.
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