Trapped in the Apartment=Baptism!

頼もう

So after returning from headquarters last Monday, my companion got a 40C fever and ended up going to the hospital. Turns out he got influenza. The doctor told him to stay inside until Saturday. The other elders in the apartment were down too. So we couldn't go out and 伝道. We did a lot of studying and played some card games. Surprisingly, I didn't get sick. *knock on wood* It was pretty boring to be inside 24/7 though. I'm glad to be back out haha.

On Saturday, we had a baptism for 大森兄弟 and 酒井姉妹. They were so excited and we could see the light radiating off them after :) Then we smashed more rice and made mochi. Yay!

We had ward conference on Sunday. The stake president, Savstrom会長, shared an amazing talk. He shared Revelation 3:20, which says:

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

The Savior is speaking to us. Our Heavenly Father and the Savior knows us as well as our challenges. No matter how far we think we have fallen, no matter how alone we feel, the Savior is by our side, knocking, waiting for us to let Him in. Whoever you are, reach for that doorknob, turn it, and open the door. The Savior will guide us and comfort us. He will walk with us side by side, perhaps even carry us if we need it. I know that is true. 

It was a super spiritual weekend, and honestly I am quite worn out. But man, it's a great day to be alive, especially as a missionary! 

-Elder Chab

チャブ長老 

愛しています(^-^)

Mochitsuki round 3!

大森兄弟 and 酒井姉妹's baptism!

 

TGI Friday’s!

TGI Friday's!

Fried Mozzarella Cheeseburger..SO GOOD!

Blitz Mania

Finally tried Gogo's Curry!

There's never too much as a missionary! 

Down with the Sickness

頼もう！

Alright I'm going to keep this one short cause I've been dancing and drumming for a couple hours. For a mission event.

We had a couple lessons with 星兄弟 earlier in the week to finish the lessons. We emphasized repentance and that's where it went all downhill. He didn't want to commit fully to repent, told us his whole story, and said we'd never understand him cause we grew up in the church. He yelled some more things at us, packed his stuff, and then left the room, slamming the door. Soo he's gone and won't be baptized this Saturday. The fact that he took the Book of Mormon with him showed it had worth to him; although it may take a while, we believe he'll come back some day. We'll keep praying for him. 

We had a stake blitz this past Saturday. It was about 40 missionaries and 10 members. I got to work with the stake president, President Savstrom, for a bit. My companion and I gave a training for Online Proselyting. Overall, it was a great experience. President Savstrom wants to do it throughout the year, hopefully more members can come. I'm looking forward to it. 

Other than that, the zone leaders in my apartment got a fever and now my companion caught it. Looks I'll be going down this week as well. Yay! Stay safe everyone!

-Elder Chab

チャブ長老 

愛しています(^-^)

Ikinari Steak!

District perk!

Party in Machida!

頼もう！

The week goes by faster and faster! So on Monday night, we had a big family home evening with Alex Boye and Bless4 at the mission home. We went with our investigator, 星兄弟. The music was great and 星兄弟 and us loved it! Definitely a once in a lifetime experience, especially as a missionary. 

We met with 星兄弟 everyday this week and were able to finish all the lessons. He's been keeping commitment and progressing a lot. I won't go too much into detail, but I can tell he wants to change. And I can see the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ working through him. All that's left for him is to get married and we'll be all clear for his baptism on the 24th, as well as the other companionship and the sisters. 3 people, one day. I'm so excited to see our fellow brothers and sisters take that huge step closer to our Heavenly Father!

I got a book containing my father's childhood. He grew up in Cambodia, during the reign of the Khmer Rouge communists. He suffered a lot and experienced many trials, including losing family members, torture and being separated from them for 20 years. Eventually, he made it to America, made contact with the LDS church, got baptized. He served a mission in Dallas, Texas and got married to my mom. What struck out to me most was his testimony of Jesus Christ's atonement. Despite having such a rough childhood experience and so much wrong done to him and his family, through the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, he was able to forgive those people and start a new life. Now I am on a mission. I wouldn't have been here without his sacrifice. I was able to be raised in a stable family, under the gospel. Sure I didn't have experiences like he did, but there are definitely times where I feel like I can't do it alone. And that's where our Savior comes it. So please, if you feel alone, or like you can do something, remember the sacrifice the Savior Jesus Christ made for YOU. Rely on Him. We can do all things in His name. Have a great week! I love you all!

-Elder Chab

チャブ長老 

愛しています(^-^)

Look Mom! I made it on the front page! Taken at the Alex Boye concert!

What is Machida??

頼もう

Transfers done, bags unpacked, and now thriving in the land of Machida. What a ride!

It was pretty hard to leave Hodogaya, especially all my 英会話 students. Despite being called to spread the gospel in Japanese, being an English teacher here had a pretty big impact on my mission experience. Transfer day was crazy; we woke up at 5:45 to finish some packing and get ready to catch a train at 6:50. My companion had to be at headquarters by 8:45 for a training meeting for trainers. I waited with the zone leaders and ate McDonald's breakfast before transferring. Luckily, Machida wasn't too far; only 20 minutes. But carrying a bike, suitcase, and backpack was an adventure.

Since arriving, we've been super busy. Our main investigator, 星さん, has an amazing story. When he heard about President Monson's death on the news a few weeks ago, he noticed the church he passed by everyday was the same church and felt like he needed to go. He really wants to change his life. He is preparing to be baptized on the 24th of February. And order to do that, we will be teaching him everyday of this week. The other two companionships also have investigators being baptized on the 24th; so a total of 3 people on the same day. I'm super excited! 

I got to meet the senior couples, the Low's, shortly after arriving. They are currently serving their 3rd mission together; wonderful people. It snowed again on Friday as we walked to their house to repair the toilet seat warmer. That was fun haha. Later on, we had sports night. This is the first ward I've been in with a gym. I played some basketball and ping pong with a couple non-members. Reminds me of home :)

About Machida, no hills! Despite being a city, it's pretty empty at night, except near the station. Bless4 also attends the same church building every now and then. The bishop is just WOW. He's in to physical training, he has 3 piano prodigy kids, and built a mini rock climbing wall for his kids. On Sunday night, we had Curry Home Evening at his house, with our investigators. It was a great experience for them to talk with the members, including the bishop, and eat curry! I love it so much it here! 

That's about it for this week. I am currently waiting with our investigator for an Alex Boye and Bless4 concert to start! Yay missionary life! 

-Elder Chab

チャブ長老 

愛しています(^-^)

Sasaki-san!

Last district meeting in Hodogaya!

Hodogaya 英会話 students

From Hodogaya to Machida!

Always gotta have a silly picture :) 

Big Buddha from weeks ago!

Machida Church

Party in Machida!

宮川姉妹's birthday!

カレーの夕べ Curry Home Evening

Some people have great silly faces.. and some not so good *cough*