Week 54- There's A Reason For Everything
Aloha 皆さん、
This is something I think about a lot but especially lately I've been thinking a lot about God's plan, and how everything the bad and good things that happen in our life have a reason.
Everything that has happened in my life has led me to the place I am right now. For the sake of everyone's time we will specifically keep this to my mission. My experiences in highschool and eventually college led me to start a mission a year after I had started college. I wonder if I had started a mission right after high school if I would have been called to Japan? Or later reassigned in Utah as I wait for a VISA, and then sent home before going to Japan?
“What if” can be a dangerous question however as I've reflected recently I start to see the reasons things have progressed as they have become clearer. Obviously I still don't know the reason for everything but I wouldn't change my journey up to this point at all. There were hard times yeah obviously but through those experiences I've been able to meet amazing people, friends, and missionaries. I've been able to help people grow their testimonies and grow closer to God.
In Utah I was able to meet people like Iaesha Faddis, Sophia Marichal, Charlie Ehlers, and Jameson and help them come closer to God through baptism and go on that journey with them. I also got to meet so many amazing members and missionaries! I loved the Skinner family and loved Nolen Park & Eagle Mountain North Stakes (Eagle Mountain 1st, 2nd and 3rd wards were my favorite🙊). In Japan I've met even more amazing missionaries, members and friends (shoutout Hirotaka and Seiya bro I love both of them to death).
As I pondered those “What if” questions I realized I wouldn't have met the people and had the experiences I've had until now and that made me sad. The people I've met and the experiences I've had so far have shaped me into who I am today. Adversely my journey has also helped others on their journey as well! As I was pondering this topic this past week I got a text from a slightly inactive member in Utah who was dating a friend that we were teaching! The message was about my time in Utah and my visits to their home when we were teaching Stephen (the friend).
As I read the message my heart filled with so much joy! The timing she could have sent that message couldn't have come at a more perfect time. The work has been hard, I've never been more tired in my life (yes even those early morning seminary sessions that made me wake up at 5:30AM couldn't prepare me for this). Reading the message rejuvenated me in a time of need. It reminded me further of the impact that we and others can have on each other. Although a brief stop and interaction with other people on our journeys can seem short and small to us, may have been a vital point for another person.
God leads us and guides us all so that we can have these vital points in our lives. EVERYTHING has a reason. And even if we don't understand it at that point in time as long as we trust in God's knowledge and plan for us. I can promise that eventually we will see the reason and we will be especially grateful for Heavenly Father for guiding us.
Isaiah 41:10 says
10 ¶ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
In a talk labeled the Currant Bush it furthers on this topic. I encourage you all to read it, study it, and pray.
The Currant Bush
I know one day we will thank God (Our Gardner) And say:
“Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down.”
If you read all that, I love you❤️
Highlights!
-Malasadas & Curry pan
-Udon
-Zone pday
Malasadas & Curry pan:
On Monday I tried my first attempt at making Curry pan. Didn't go so well because I made the curry to runny so it didn't hold in the dough at all and kept spilling. So when I cooked it I got curry flavored bread instead of curry pan. Instead i decided to use the rest of the dough to make simple malasadas instead. It wasn't as good as getting em right from the Leonard's bakery food truck but it did the trick for sure. (Thank you God for brown sugar). Since I had figured out how to make a (decent) dough I tried again Tuesday morning before DCM. Needless to say I learned from my mistakes and made the Curry extra thicc this time. It turned out pretty good but I still need to figure out frying temp and time but everyone liked it (along with the pancakes and popcorn I made for them!) Had an awesome DCM and ended it with McDonald's for lunch
Udon:
Did visits with the branch president this past week and after he took us to this udon place and ordered the biggest thing of udon for all of us to share. He said apparently he had done this with a set of two companions before (total of 5 people including him) but it was just the three of us. Needless to say we moped the udon because momma ain't raise no quitter BUT that's definitely the most udon I've ever eaten in my life.
Zone pday:
We have zone pday today. Mainly looking forward to the Costco pizza that is supposedly going to be there and ofc seeing everyone else in the Zone! Other than ZL exchanges and Zone conference it's definitely felt like saijo district is pretty isolated from everyone else. I've gotten more used to it but Fukuoka was crazy with the amount of missionaries I saw and interacted with compared to Kure (duh). Needless to say though super stoked for Zone pday!
Kay Das all for now, I'll see you guys next week!
Shoots!
愛してるよ！
エリス長老
TheRisingSon
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