Week 33 - May 21, 2012
- Sagamihara
Hello,
How is everybody doing this week? Kauluwehi, is your graduation this Sunday the 27th? I was logged into my lds.org account and saw the calendar for the stake. That's a little bummer that it's on a Sunday morning, but congratulations on graduating. It's almost summer, I bet it's been a little more dry lately? It's definitely warm here. Today it's only about 25 degrees Celsius and a little humid... I think that's about 78ish degrees Fahrenheit.
Anyway, this week was a lot of fun here in Sagamihara. On Tuesday, the day after I talked with you, we had an all mission conference with Elder Clarke of the Seventy. So we took the trains to Shibuya, the center of the world, and the conference was held in the Temple Annex Center, a building just off of the Tokyo Temple. It was a great conference as they always are. I really enjoyed Elder Clarke's "no nonsense, just work hard" kind of attitude. He trained a little about how, if we have the potential to become Gods, how could we ever have an "I can't do that" or "That's just how the people are here, there's nothing we can do." kind of attitude. I liked that a lot. Really, each of us, each of God's children, has the potential to become a God or Goddess. Our Father in Heaven sees us with that potential in all we do. If you believe that, how can you not believe in yourself when it comes to small things in this world? Later in the conference, Elder Clarke also brought all of the former bishops to the front of the chapel (there were about eight of them, comprised of our mission president, one of the translators, and a few of the couple missionaries) and asked them how many times the missionaries in their wards took flowers to their wife and a card to them, thanking them for their hard work. None of them could say that it had happened. Elder Clarke also asked all of the missionaries who had prayed for their bishop by name that morning to raise their hand. Nobody raised their hand. He told us that he had done that in innumerable conferences with thousands of missionaries and the result was always the same. It was a good reminder for me that our bishops are the ones who hold the keys to the missionary work in our wards and areas. After the conference we had a lesson scheduled, but it was raining so that was cancelled. Because we had a little bit of time Elder Richmond and I bought a vase and some flowers and two pairs of socks to take to the bishop and his wife. We have such an amazing, hard-working bishop, and I really am so grateful for him.
At Wednesday night English class we had 19 people in attendance.
That's a change from four the first week of the transfer, and it's
been a blessing being able to schedule shoukai (introduction) lessons. We have a 30-minute introduction lesson with each new English student. If they have interest, we teach them more. If they don't, then they're of course still welcome at Eikaiwa each week. On Saturday we had a ward barbecue at a riverside area called Takadabashi. It was about a 45 minute bike ride, actually just past the area I sent pictures of a little while ago. I'll send more pictures. We were able to get one of our new Eikaiwa students out to that. Through our love and sincere care for these new friends, they will see the blessings that they have been searching for. Other than the new Eikaiwa student, we had four investigators, one less-active member, and a bunch of members friends in attendance at the barbeque as well. We all had a great time.
Yesterday we ate dinner with a young part-member family. It was their only son, Yoshiki's, fourth birthday. The mom is Chinese and a member, her husband is Japanese and not a member. We didn't know much about their family at all before leaving for their home. We only know the mom, not how old her son would be, how many children she has, or who were members, but we grabbed a few of the small wallet-sized 'For the Strength of Youth' foldable cards. They proved to be great for the husband, who knows a decent amount about the church, but will be able to appreciate more the standards that strong church youth have. Members maintain their agency, God will never take that, but through Christ we know what choices will make us happiest. We can of course choose what we may, we just know the choices that lead to the most happiness.
My companion says that 60th west is kind of near the Old Bingham Highway. He says that past his house is a road called U-111, then the mountains after that.
This upcoming week we have a Mini Zone Conference (just my zone) and interviews with president. The week after that is the last week of this transfer, so next week we'll be able to go to the temple again, meaning P-day will be on Tuesday instead of Monday. And we'll get transfer calls at the end of that week too. It seems like I'll be staying here and getting a new companion, but nobody really knows!
As for the scripture stickers, just one compact set would be great.
Thank you so much!
Two scriptures that I read recently that touched my heart:
"Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with
anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things
should be done away." (3 Nephi 11:30)
"And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works. And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments are spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out." (Alma 7:23-25)
Recently I've been working harder to develop Christlike attributes.
Over the past little while I feel like I've grown a lot in terms of
learning how to overcome frustrations with love. It's definitely hard at times, to hide frustrations or to respond to opposition in a loving manner... but it's always possible. The old adage, "What would Jesus do?" is good here.. When it's essential to be in tune with the spirit, which really, is always, it's important to remember to not be angry.
Quoting a talk I read recently, "Irritations and frustrations will
occur, but frequent anger and contention do not persist where the
gospel of Jesus Christ is practiced."
Anyway, I love you all so much. Take care and have a great week!
Love,
Elder Rindlisbacher
How is everybody doing this week? Kauluwehi, is your graduation this Sunday the 27th? I was logged into my lds.org account and saw the calendar for the stake. That's a little bummer that it's on a Sunday morning, but congratulations on graduating. It's almost summer, I bet it's been a little more dry lately? It's definitely warm here. Today it's only about 25 degrees Celsius and a little humid... I think that's about 78ish degrees Fahrenheit.
Anyway, this week was a lot of fun here in Sagamihara. On Tuesday, the day after I talked with you, we had an all mission conference with Elder Clarke of the Seventy. So we took the trains to Shibuya, the center of the world, and the conference was held in the Temple Annex Center, a building just off of the Tokyo Temple. It was a great conference as they always are. I really enjoyed Elder Clarke's "no nonsense, just work hard" kind of attitude. He trained a little about how, if we have the potential to become Gods, how could we ever have an "I can't do that" or "That's just how the people are here, there's nothing we can do." kind of attitude. I liked that a lot. Really, each of us, each of God's children, has the potential to become a God or Goddess. Our Father in Heaven sees us with that potential in all we do. If you believe that, how can you not believe in yourself when it comes to small things in this world? Later in the conference, Elder Clarke also brought all of the former bishops to the front of the chapel (there were about eight of them, comprised of our mission president, one of the translators, and a few of the couple missionaries) and asked them how many times the missionaries in their wards took flowers to their wife and a card to them, thanking them for their hard work. None of them could say that it had happened. Elder Clarke also asked all of the missionaries who had prayed for their bishop by name that morning to raise their hand. Nobody raised their hand. He told us that he had done that in innumerable conferences with thousands of missionaries and the result was always the same. It was a good reminder for me that our bishops are the ones who hold the keys to the missionary work in our wards and areas. After the conference we had a lesson scheduled, but it was raining so that was cancelled. Because we had a little bit of time Elder Richmond and I bought a vase and some flowers and two pairs of socks to take to the bishop and his wife. We have such an amazing, hard-working bishop, and I really am so grateful for him.
At Wednesday night English class we had 19 people in attendance.
That's a change from four the first week of the transfer, and it's
been a blessing being able to schedule shoukai (introduction) lessons. We have a 30-minute introduction lesson with each new English student. If they have interest, we teach them more. If they don't, then they're of course still welcome at Eikaiwa each week. On Saturday we had a ward barbecue at a riverside area called Takadabashi. It was about a 45 minute bike ride, actually just past the area I sent pictures of a little while ago. I'll send more pictures. We were able to get one of our new Eikaiwa students out to that. Through our love and sincere care for these new friends, they will see the blessings that they have been searching for. Other than the new Eikaiwa student, we had four investigators, one less-active member, and a bunch of members friends in attendance at the barbeque as well. We all had a great time.
Yesterday we ate dinner with a young part-member family. It was their only son, Yoshiki's, fourth birthday. The mom is Chinese and a member, her husband is Japanese and not a member. We didn't know much about their family at all before leaving for their home. We only know the mom, not how old her son would be, how many children she has, or who were members, but we grabbed a few of the small wallet-sized 'For the Strength of Youth' foldable cards. They proved to be great for the husband, who knows a decent amount about the church, but will be able to appreciate more the standards that strong church youth have. Members maintain their agency, God will never take that, but through Christ we know what choices will make us happiest. We can of course choose what we may, we just know the choices that lead to the most happiness.
My companion says that 60th west is kind of near the Old Bingham Highway. He says that past his house is a road called U-111, then the mountains after that.
This upcoming week we have a Mini Zone Conference (just my zone) and interviews with president. The week after that is the last week of this transfer, so next week we'll be able to go to the temple again, meaning P-day will be on Tuesday instead of Monday. And we'll get transfer calls at the end of that week too. It seems like I'll be staying here and getting a new companion, but nobody really knows!
As for the scripture stickers, just one compact set would be great.
Thank you so much!
Two scriptures that I read recently that touched my heart:
"Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with
anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things
should be done away." (3 Nephi 11:30)
"And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works. And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since the world began, having your garments spotless even as their garments are spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more out." (Alma 7:23-25)
Recently I've been working harder to develop Christlike attributes.
Over the past little while I feel like I've grown a lot in terms of
learning how to overcome frustrations with love. It's definitely hard at times, to hide frustrations or to respond to opposition in a loving manner... but it's always possible. The old adage, "What would Jesus do?" is good here.. When it's essential to be in tune with the spirit, which really, is always, it's important to remember to not be angry.
Quoting a talk I read recently, "Irritations and frustrations will
occur, but frequent anger and contention do not persist where the
gospel of Jesus Christ is practiced."
Anyway, I love you all so much. Take care and have a great week!
Love,
Elder Rindlisbacher
 |
| Riverside area called Takadabashi. |
 |
| Sagamihara Ward BBQ. |
No comments:
Post a Comment