Scarf Weather

This last week and a half we've met a bunch of awesome people. We have a new person we are teaching named Cho and he's a 21 year old Chinese kid who believes that God is real and that he's felt God's influence in his life. We met him on the street in downtown Shimonoseki and made a return appointment. We saw him the day before the return appointment as we were just riding around and he said "hey! You're still coming tomorrow right?" And so we think he's pretty kinjin (lit. Golden person aka golden investigator) and we teach him on Sunday a little bit about the restoration and about God and prayer. We asked him if he would pray as we showed him the steps of prayer and he did and it was very simple, but he said afterwards he felt a hot feeling in his chest. The only problem with Cho is he is very busy and works and goes to school so we can't teach TOO much but we are teaching him. We're thinking about teaching at lunches or dinners because he has to eat sometime right? We made other return appointments but they didn't show up or weren't home but Cho is great. We are probably going to drop our other investigators because they won't keep their commitments and grow spiritually despite them both being interested. Interest only goes so far, desire takes the rest and we've done our part. 

Last week Egan Kaicho did a surprise tour with the Assistants on boosting faith and Yamaguchi zone was the first place they went. Just imagine the first thing your mission president says when it's his turn to speak is "Where is your faith? Where is your faith?" It was a very edifying experience that made everybody wonder where our faith was, and why our mission is one of the lowest baptizing in Asia North Area and why the church isn't growing. He said the problem comes down to consecration and that missionaries here aren't as consecrated, meaning we aren't as dedicated to the Lord. Yes we are still hard working but there's a completely different level needed, meaning that we have to give EVERYTHING to the Lord. As we've done that and worked on building our faith, dendo has improved. Our quality of teaching has improved and we have been making return appointments, even if they don't show up, we are making them which is improvement. That's only been a week's worth of differences. Over the next two years as my faith grows and turns into pure knowledge (see Alma 32 and also read Ether 3 and how he had faith and after he had faith it become knowledge, also Ether 12) there will be more and more success, but more importantly is that I will become more of the person that God wants me to become. Being asked where your faith is isn't very comfortable, but nobody ever grew through comfort, but through effort. Work on your faith too! As you consecrate, you WILL see blessings. Live the higher law in Matthew and 3 Nephi. Live it and do it. You will see great blessings. I have.

Anyways I love you all! That's what's been going on!

Elder Tschirki

Us and Tomita Kyodai in one of his greenhouses. He's one of the funniest people I've ever met in my life. 

Scarves and neckwarmers WOOT

My new old man pajamas with little birds on them.