I'm Organized What

This week was super fun. It started out playing futsal (soccer) on the roof of a building overlooking the ocean next to the mountains with a couple of investigators and two of the members, Seko Kyoudai, Makoto Kyodai and his friends. It was super fun and a good way to introduce some investigators to each other and to he church. We didn't do a short message or anything but they came to church and enjoyed the YSA (there's like three that just got back from their missions within the last three months). The YSA is definitely doing their part with the investigators and being GREAT missionary members. They invite them to activities, shokujis (eating activities, like a potluck but with Japanese stuff) and just befriend them. Everybody needs to get involved with their investigator friends and with the missionaries and we'll flood the world with happiness and the gospel!

Anyways this last week was transfers and we're all staying, probably because we're all training, and life will be good and everything is set for the next six weeks.

Can I just say I love it when our investigators come to church? That's the first step of faith often times and they need to feel the love and warmth of the gospel at church. One of our investigators had gone to church about 2 years ago and didn't feel cared for and sat alone, but now that he came this Sunday he said it was a completely different situation. Everybody, make sure people aren't sitting alone at church! Make sure people are loved and understood! Do as the Saviour would do!

This week I had a miraculous change of heart. I'm actually clean and organized. I became obsessed with cleaning because "cleanliness is next to godliness" and now I CANT STAND messes. As we've been cleaning the apartment in our free time there is a definite change in the spirit. We're supposed to teach through the spirit and if we don't prepare to teach in the spirit, there's no way we can teach with the spirit, and like the scriptures say, "if he don't have the spirit you can't teach." So hey mom, I'm actually clean and you were right, I would learn how to be clean and hate messes while on my mission. I'm sorry for doubting you.

This morning I had a cool experience. As I was praying I felt two promptings that were really just thoughts but turned out to be promptings. The first is "the spirit is easily offended" and the second was "read about the 12 apostles in Third Nephi" and I was like "what the heck okay" so I did and I was lead to Alma 41:8-9 which says: 

"8 Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved.

9 And now behold, my son, do not risk one more offense against your God upon those points of doctrine, which ye have hitherto risked to commit sin."

And then in Third Nephi 28:35: 

"For do ye suppose that ye can get rid of the justice of an offended God, who hath been trampled under feet of men, that thereby salvation might come?"

And I thought about it and anything we do against God's decrees or commandments offends the spirit thereby offending God. When we offend God we are subject to Justice, but through Jesus Christ and the merciful plan of redemption we are able to become clean and pure and
God "will remember our sins no more". It was amazing how the spirit taught this to me and I guess I needed to hear that, so as I go throughout my days I will be looking for ways to become more Christlike, because if you're Christlike you won't offend God. It's really simple. Plus who doesn't want to be like Christ anyways? I think having a perfect love and brightness of hope will be an amazing thing and gift to have. :)

Anyways I love you all! Thank you all so much!

Elder Tschirki

This is our futsal activity. Our investigator Shuhei is the second from the left, back row. Seko Kyoudai is bottom left, Makoto Kyoudai is third from the right, back row.

  

My newfound love for organization plus thousands of Mikans.

 

  The beautiful sunset after futsal.