Launching Out Into the Deep

Week two of transfer eight! The Exchange with the Zone Leaders starts tonight, bringing Elder Goto (Japanese) here to Kurashiki, and sending Elder Eagar to Okayama with Elder Gatchell (St. George).

Zone Conference will be on Wednesday and, as always, I'm excited to receive the answers I need, that have come from listening to the counsel and teachings of President Isa and the others that speak with him.

Well, we have a goal of teaching 20 lessons a week, that's a mission-wide goal. This last week, my companion and I got closer to that goal than ever before. 18 lessons!! We're going to try to up it just a bit more this week!

Lately, the Mission theme has been "Launch Out Into the Deep - 2nd Stage". I heard the phrase 'Launch Out Into the Deep' my first day at the Mission Home, but I had no idea what it meant. I think I was still dreaming, and didn't really understand. Even after they mentioned it last Zone Meeting, I just barely started to understand. Recently, I've been floating around the shallow water close to the beach of my comfort zone. But, in order to find and teach those who are prepared to receive, I have to launch out further, breaking free from my comfort zone, and following the guidance of my Savior.

We've had a lot of small miracles this week, including a couple of lessons on the train home from Takahashi on Friday night. We asked a man if the train went to Kurashiki, he helped us, and then boarded the train. He started moving to the back of the train as we sat down near the front. I started to think "Shucks", but then he came back and sat down with us. Then his friend, who boared shortly after came and sat by us too. We had a very nice conversation, and got to teach these men about the Book of Mormon, and answer some of their questions. They didn't accept a copy, but we plan on seeing them again.

Well, life it wonderful! The weather is even getting a little bit warmer. Still pretty cold though, but maybe not as much as Utah.

Love you!
Paul

Winds of Change Start to Blow

Elder Bronner is back in Brazil. I'm still in Kurashiki. BUT, a LOT of things have changed.

President Isa told me that I was becoming a Senior companion AND a District Leader. Needless to say, I'm feeling just a teeeeeeeeensy bit more stress. . . (Teensy, a word which here [in this email] meaning 'alot', but used in an ironic manner to denote the amount of stress that may or may not be phasing the person in concern).

My new companion is Elder Eagar (pronunciation: eager), from Sacramento, California (however his family moved to Logan, Utah right before he left). He came to Japan in July last year, and his Japanese is AMAZING! This will probably turn out very well, because it looks like he's really bold, so hopefully he'll help bring out some more boldness in me!

Rosalie was confirmed in Sacrament Meeting! We got to participate in that wonderful experience. Then, Elder Eagar and I both spoke.

Things with Elder Bronner ended on a really good note. We had a talk the night before he left, and I feel very at peace, reconciled, and thankful for the chance I had to work with him.

So, did I ever show you a picture of Elder Rea? He was in my room at the MTC. Well, after waiting for about half the mission, we're FINALLY in the same district!!! He transfered to Fukuyama! We got to do a tad bit of catching up on the phone. What a tender mercy!

Please pray for Jenny Lu. We had an amazing visit with her last night, and the spirit was very evident. I felt as though we really had been used as instruments in the Lord's hands. She's Christian, but was a bit afraid of coming to church. But, looks like that is about to change!

Well, I better go, but please pray for me and Elder Eagar in this new transfer! I'll probably be here in Kurashiki until at least February 18th, but we'll see!

Paul

Like Earth Right After Rain...

Yesterday was amazing. I had the privilige to see my dear friend Rosalie enter the waters of baptism. As I sat in the meeting, listening to the Japanese version of When I am Baptised, and singing it along with over half of the ward-members, I felt very nostalgic, remembering the feelings and imagery I received back when I was a child and first learned that song. The spirit was there. Rosalie seemed a little nervous, but you could tell that this was what she wanted to do. She felt very impressed, and bore a really powerful testimony, saying that words couldn't describe how she felt. What a wonderful experience. She will be confirmed in Sacrament meeting next week.

It was a little intense, helping her to prepare for baptism. We had to meet with her a few times, and even though it was the week of New Years, she made the time for us, and even had another meal with us on New Years Eve. So kind, and radiant!

I can definitely feel the winds of change starting to blow. Elder Bronner leaves for Hiroshima on transfer day this Thursday, so we'll see where I end up. Wherever I am, I think it's going to be a different ball game next transfer, because of the missionaries leaving the field, and how things might change. I'm excited... maybe a little nervous, but I'm ready to work!

Wow, we have been treated to meals a lot this last week, and looks like we have a few more ahead of us this week.

Life is good! Thank you for the prayers and support.
I love you all SOOOOO much.

Love,
Paul