Week 3- Pray For Patience

Aloha Minasan!

How's everyone doing? 

I feel as though this has been the LONGEST week ever. So much has happened and it really has been such an interesting week. But one thing that has for sure stuck out throughout this week was patience. When I was getting set apart by President Chun to be a missionary my mother had asked him to pray for patience. Pray for patience so that I may have the patience to deal with whatever obstacles or trials that come my way throughout the mission. When she first said that I honestly thought nothing of it. In my personal opinion I am a decent person when it comes to patience. Oh how the MTC has humbled that patience I thought I had. Throughout the week my patience has been tested whether that be by the new missionaries playing rugby at 11pm in the dorms (this was a real test). Tested through food lines, and fasting. And even choices I may not fully understand.

 As I reflected on what patience means and how to become a better, kinder person who is more understanding I came to truly realize how imperfect I am. But that is okay. For we as people are all imperfect. We all make mistakes and sometimes may let our emotions consume us. However as I came to know this, I saw myself looking towards Jesus Christ's example more and more each day. Although we may be imperfect, Jesus Christ himself was the most perfect example we can look towards. How could someone be so loving and kind to everyone he met? I honestly could not fathom having as much control over myself as Jesus Christ had. However, that is alright. We do not come to Jesus Christ because we are perfect beings, but we come to him because we are imperfect. If we continue to look towards Jesus's example each and every day and strive to work to become like him little by little, more and more each day, that is enough. Some days we may falter or even lose progress. But if we commit to follow his example and grow as people little by little, maybe one day we can be as loving and as kind as he was. So for everyone who is reading this I urge you to commit with me to look unto Jesus's example each day and strive to be a little more like him each day. And also to pray for me to have patience, because I really need all the help I can get in here.

Highlights of the week!!!

-Japanese lessons & full immersion

-Fasting for immersion

-President & Sister Hao

-Shoots Hawaii Missionaries 

Japanese & full immersion

Honestly, Japanese has been super tough. Whether it be on purpose or not I naturally compare myself to those around me. As we study Japanese and I see certain people in my district seemingly excel in the language and understanding of the language I became disheartened. Hearing the testimonies of my teachers talking about how faith had carried them through learning the language with the gift of tongues I felt as though I was not adequate. I had doubts that I did not have enough faith or a strong enough testimony to ever gain such a gift and I became worried. Worried that I may be unable to learn the language enough to do the Lord's work. It wasn't until our district had sat down with one another one night to review a devotional that I learned I was not alone in my worries. I learned that nearly everyone in the district was comparing themselves to one another in some way or another. Through this we talked together to remind ourselves that we have only been here for such a short period of time. We reflected on how far we have come as people and made promises to stay focused on ourselves and try to not compare ourselves as it truly is the thief of joy. It reminded me that if I continued to compare myself to others that I truly will never be happy or satisfied with anything I do. Which was great timing as full immersion started this week too. For those who don't know, language immersion is when Missionaries classes are done completely in their mission language and no English is allowed. It was truly a humbling experience but at the same time it helped me to reflect on truly how far I have come. 

Fasting for immersion

If you know me well. You know I have an extreme love for food and eating. Food is truly life. Eating good food is a sure fire way to make me instantly happier. So most of you would be extremely surprised to hear that after deep study of fasting and Jesus's 40 day/night fast that I suggested to my district that we should all fast for immersion. As the immersion date came closer and closer everyone seemed eager but also a bit nervous. I in fact was no exception. Still, I myself was surprised that I even suggested that we should fast to help us with language immersion. Yes I knew fasting can bring many miracles but food is so essential to me. Luckily it felt right to me and my district agreed. As we started the fast I felt extremely good and sure that I was doing the right thing. That was until I woke up extremely hungry the next day. Walking around the MTC and doing all those classes on an empty stomach was probably the worst idea I ever had. The second worst was playing volleyball during the fast. Nevertheless I know that it would bring me blessings and help me have strength not only for immersion but for the MTC as a whole!

President & Sister Hao

So at the MTC there's Uncle & Aunty Hao whos from Hawaii and works at the MTC.I had heard they made the most delicious musubis ever.

So of course I get a message to go over to their office while I am fasting. During my prayer to start the fast I specifically asked Heavenly Father to NOT give me any distractions and give me strength to get through this fast. Well he definitely thought it was funny to have the Hao's give me musubis and macadamia nut chocolate. After talking with them for a bit about home (THEY SAY HI TUTUMOMMY!!) and the paintings on their wall they finally gave me the food I so dreaded to see. I don't think I have ever hated having a musubi in my bag the entire day ever. But I guess there is a first for everything. I was extremely grateful though to be able to break that grueling fast with something made with such love and care. I also promise I never have loved taking the first bite of a musubi as I had in that moment. So 100% the rumors were true.

Shoots Hawaii Missionaries

Had to say couple goodbyes this week. I think its always cool to see how eager and ready some friends stay to go on a mission.

 I know Sister Yuen and Elder Miyamoto are ready though. Seeing people off always makes me even more eager to get onto the mission field and be in Japan but I'll just have to wait. But I just wanted to wish both of you goodluck in your missions and that I know you have people waiting for you. AND THANKS FOR THE SNACKS ELDER MIYAMOTO! frfr those li hing snacks HIT.

Japanese word of the week:

ぶっころしたいか = do you want to get beat to death?

So apparently one of my teachers was asked this while he was serving a mission in sapporo. He was just trying to talk to some guy and I guess the guy never like him so he said that to my teacher who had no idea what that meant. Luckily he was saved by his trainer but unfortunate for him he told us all that story so now we all know how to instigate fights (as a joke i swear) and what it means. He did have to plead with us never to say that to any other district who knows japanese though. I think if we did, all the elders from Japan would be scared to death. They are all way too nice.

Shoots!

エリスちょうろう 

Elder Ellis

The Rising Son