August 8, 2016

Nothing too new to report. We had a sweet short lesson with mayumi San this week and the spirit was so soft yet so present. Getting to see and feel the spirit testify to our investigators is the sweetest, most rewarding feeling. There's nothing like it. 

We have been praying so hard lately for our investigators to begin progressing, answer our calls, meet with us, etc. During weekly planning I got a little frustrated with our lack of 'success' lately. Butikofer Shimai asked me, "well what do you consider success? How are you going to measure your success this next week as a missionary? To me I think success is simply helping people become more prepared than they were before to receive this message. That is what we do with every person we talk to no matter the outcome." It was exactly what I needed and I'm very thankful for her reminder of what success truly is in this work. 

This weekend was a firework festival at kintai bridge and we got to go with some members! Kintai is super famous and the members love right next to it, so we had dinner with them, then ran over to see the fireworks and it was incredible! I just couldn't believe I was in Japan, at kintai, watching fireworks, with an incredible family that I've learned so much from and grown to love so much- we are so blessed! 

We shared this quote with some members this week and I loved it. 

"The journey of discipleship is not an easy one. It has been called a �gcourse of steady improvement.�h As we travel along that strait and narrow path, the Spirit continually challenges us to be better and to climb higher. The Holy Ghost makes an ideal traveling companion. If we are humble and teachable, He will take us by the hand and lead us home."

I'm thankful I get to spend a year and a half of my course of steady improvement, with the people of Japan. I'm handful for these people, for the incredible branch i get to serve in, and for the experiences Heavenly Father blesses us with. 

Till next week, Sundell Shimai 

Thank you, Japanese sunshade, for warning us of the heat we hadn't before noticed.

Hitomi Chan

Sakamura Kyoudai our Asian Jack Black mission leader

Yeah it took multiple hours to clear out all those vines