Punch Yutaka

Anyways this week was an interesting week. Elder Reed thinks he's transferring and Elder Miyagi is for sure transferring because Elder Harrell is getting a bean (new missionary) and we are all sad about that and we love that kid so much. I also found a way cool connection with a member on Sunday. So the Sano's on Amami's daughter in law (husband is district president) was a missionary in shimonoseki who knows when and it was the exact same apartment that they have now and so I lived in the same apartment as my favourite Sano Shimai's daughter in law. Maybe that is just cooler to us because that's weird but yeah. Also the Sano's come home from Amami this month and if I stay I will be able to see them and I'll give Sano shimai a huge hug because it's not romantic and there's nothing wrong with that if you actually read the white handbook. Plus she's pretty much my grandma and I might move in with them after my mission for a bit because they'll let me without a problem. I heard they talk about me a lot down there still and still joke about me haha I love them so much. 

We were able to teach our boy Akira kun two times this week and he just continues to be amazing. We taught lesson three, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and told him that baptism isn't the end but rather the beginning and from there we get the other necessary ordinances and stuff like the priesthood and going to the temple and being sealed forever. Well we ask at the end if he had any questions and he said "no not really, but I really like how baptism is the beginning of me being able to get closer to God." Like wow. What 18 year old kid thinks about this stuff? God probably has some good things in store for this guy because he is prepared. He came to church and life is good. He's the best part of the week. Also, President Egan came to church down here in Kagoshima and he has a torn rotators cuff and we asked if he would get surgery and he says he doesn't have time and it would take rehab. Pretty much mission presidents don't get surgery because they don't have time. He's the hardest working person I've ever met. He pretty much said the gospel is more important than being hurt and that he will get surgery when he's done. That's a year and a half away but he's going to do just that. So pray for that guy please because he needs it. He is exhausted and sometimes we think he's just going to drop and die but he keeps going. He's a great role model for us missionaries. 

This week I've been thinking about conversion and things like that and I'll tell you what I've concluded. If the words of the prophets in the scriptures or in real life aren't what you live by, repent and do better. We in these times cannot afford to have our personal standards not align with that of God. If you are not aligned, you will fall away. It just takes a little step here, or a choice here, and honestly you can be gone. It's so easy to fall away and that's why the path is narrow and strait. Only those that stay on it will be saved kind of a thing. The best way to ensure not falling away from the path is by living the teachings found in the scriptures. If someone asks why you do something a certain way, if you can't find a principle in the scriptures, repent and find one. Let it be the guidebook for your life. Let it lead you. 

 

 Elder Tschirki

君を愛してるよ

 A cool Buddhist temple right in the middle of the city

 

The prettiest mountain volcano thing. My sakurajima. It hasn't exploded yet while I've been here. Pretty much no matter where you are you can see it. This is from close to the church.