Week 36- I can't believe today was a good day🗿

 Aloha 皆さん、

As Ice Cube put it “just waking up in the morning gotta thank god.” Because honestly this week was chock full of awesome miracles. So much has happened that I'm super grateful for and so much has happened that I just had to sit back and just allow myself to see the miracles and blessings God has sent. For one Hirotaka, the friend I was talking about in my previous emails who seemed like he had no interest in the Gospel created a new baptismal goal for December 4th! And we had a really good lesson with our friend Grace where we all were really able to feel the spirit. But I'll talk more about them soon! 

Alma 26:12 says

12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

Recently I've been amazed at how much God can do. I've honestly been blown away at the miracles and blessings he's put in my life and our friends lives! I know that I could not do these things on my own and only through God could these things be accomplished. But if we have faith and thank God in all things he will continue to show us miracles in our lives. 

And I gotta say, I can't believe today was a good day🗿

Highlights:

-Hirotaka

-Grace

-Wataru!!!

-Yamamoto

This week's highlights is all friends but Das aight. 

Hirotaka:

Not gonna lie I was super hurt when we had that lesson with him and he was practically indifferent to the church, especially after how much time we spent together getting to know each other. I almost gave up on him ngl. We didn't really talk to him for a week and a half or so after that as he went to Universal Studios Japan for Vacation but he showed up for our group Eikaiwa on Wednesday. I don't know what changed him but he was different, his whole vibe was just happier! After the group , Eikaiwa Hirotaka and I were just talking. He started asking questions and eventually it led to me talking about P-day. He asked if every member's off day was on Monday and I kinda looked at him weird. I asked him if he thought that when he got baptized if he thought he'd become like a missionary. He confessed that he thought it was something like that. We had a long talk about what happens during baptism and what changes after and the blessings he could get. After talking he said a lot of his doubts went away! And I asked him to create a real baptismal goal! He ended up setting it for December 4th which is a little fast but definitely will help him think a little more instead of setting it super far out and not worrying about it. I hope I'm able to stay to see him baptized!

Grace:

We had a lesson with Grace about how to pray and strengthen our relationship with God. Grace went to a catholic high-school so she shared her connection with God is pretty much gone as God was just another school subject for her. We had an awesome lesson and bore powerful testimony of how we can feel God's love and become closer to him through prayer. Kinda out of nowhere she started tearing up and crying. She apologized and said she didn't know why she was crying but I know that it was because the spirit was so powerful and she felt that. We've only just started meeting with her but she has so much interest it's awesome!

Wataru:

WATARUUU! The other Elders met him at a card shop and he came to game night last Friday! I was able to play one piece with him and he said he'd bring me some cards I needed. He was super nice and also told me his Birthday was on Monday! So we met with him today and played again! He brought me some cards and gave us (Elders) one piece presents. All the Elders bought him one piece packs for his Birthday and we had a blast! He's such an awesome guy and I hope we can teach him soon!

Yamamoto:

When I first got here Yamamoto came to church in my second week. Everyone since then he really hasn't come to church. A couple weeks ago we had a real awkward conversation about whether he wants to come closer to God and he shared that he does. I shared with him that we need to put forth effort in order to do so and we do that by coming to church, praying, and reading scriptures. Ever since then he's been really diligent and came to church 3 weeks in a row! And our lessons have been awesome! 

That's all I have time for but I love you all! I'm doing well. Transfers are soon and I really don't wanna leave Fukuoka but we will see what happens!

Shoots!

愛してるよ！

エリス長老

TheRisingSon