Nagoya Higashi, Kariya | Week 1 T.8 :: You Aren't the Teacher, the Spirit is, So Get Out of the Way!

hey fam!

dont have a lot of time today, so I'll keep it pretty "short". I hope this email finds you well. :)

Week one with MTC comp Jolley Shimai has been pretty great. It feels just like yesterday we were struggling in the MTC trying to figure out how to plan a lesson in a language we had no idea about...and now were out on the streets of Kariya teaching people on the spot! Shes still a sweet angel, and I really am so thankful to be with her again. 💕

The biggest miracle of this week was accidentally running into a recent convert who is now less active. Its one of the people I taught and saw baptized earlier this spring. Its actually a funny story, on Wednesday night we didnt eat dinner, so I got hungry (nothing new) and decided I wanted a Chicken kabob...so we go to the nearest convenience store, which was my beloved "family mart". Jolley Shimai notices her first because shes wearing a hat that says "Hawaii" on it, but had no idea who she is. We sit down and I see her face and realize who she is! My heart dropped. She was very suprized too. I've been trying to message her, but shes been too busy to respond. We talked for about 10 minutes, she told me how she felt bad she cant come because shes so busy. She really is so busy, I felt bad because she just looked exhausted. She was actually on her way to work, she does the night shift 8pm-8am :(. It was a little heart breaking to see her like that, but also a miracle to finally talk to her and just see her. She said she actually has a referral for us, and wants us to come over soon. I'm hoping by the end of this week we can see her again.

Hayano 兄弟 is doing great, hes preparing for the Priesthood now! He was really cute and wore his CTR ring and kukui nut lei to church :,).

I san was not able to come to church this week, please keep him in your prayers.

We also found a really nice man who had 2 near death experiences and said "I have interest in your message", he also has 4 cats. We can't go back to visit him unless with have another woman with us (importance of working with members). But he gave us his card, so we'll see what happens.

I've been listening to missionary broadcasts in the morning, you can find them on Gospel Library in the missionary section and its the "Teach Repentance and Baptize Converts". Its been a really good refersher for me. I think the thing that stood out the most to me was the part that talks about the spirit. I remember my MTC teacher telling me that "you aren't the teacher, the spirit is. So get out of the way!" Hes so right, and thats something I've really learned. No matter what I say or do, its not enough. The spirit will carry it unto their hearts, and then they have the agency to accept it, or not. My job is to do all I can to be a worthy, prepared and willing vessel, then the spirit does the rest. Just something I've been thinking about a lot lately. I'm so thankful for the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I truly is a gift from God, something desireable and valuable. Working with our recent convert Hayano, and even teaching I san about this gift have been such a refreshing reminder of Gods love for his children and the beauty of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I hope you all have a great week and remember the special Gift of the Holy ghost that you have!

💓堀人姉妹