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頼もう！

Lot of fun this week. We got to pet a saint bernard. It was heavier than me! Easily the biggest dog I've come across. Then we had a combined district council with the Atsugi/Hodogaya district. 16 missionaries..way more than I was used to this transfer. 

On Thursday, we did some park service with the Kamakura elders. We planted some seeds and had some good talks with the other volunteers. Then we had blitz with the Fujisawa/Kamakura district. It started to rain a bit, but it was still a lot of fun! We were able to talk to quite a few people. 

Recently, we've been invited over to a few members' homes cause it is my last week. I also bore my testimony in sacrament meeting. I can honestly say that serving amongst the Japanese people has been one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. There were many hard times that I felt would never end, but now I can look back on them with confidence for the future. I met a lot of great people and I've learned how to love them as the Savior does. I didn't get to see any of my investigators receive baptism, but I saw others experience the joy of the gospel and as a result, I got to as well. Many of the members I met here decided to serve a mission. Truly a wonderful sight! 

Serving a mission has taught me how to turn outward and serve others. I am sad that this opportunity as a full-time missionary is coming to an end, but I know there are more great opportunities ahead. I am so thankful for President and Sister Warnick, their dedication to their calling, and their love for us and the work. I am thankful for all the wonderful members and friends that I've been able to meet and work with. Japan will always be a big part of my life. I know that the work will continue to press forward here in Japan. Thank for all the love and support. I love you all. Stay strong!

-Elder Chab

チャブ長老

Blurry, but I hope this puts into perspective how big the dog was

Combined district council

Last blitz!

The best 伝道主任

The 中部 family!

T'was an interesting week. Lot of rain. And a typhoon. But we are all good!

We had to say goodbye to our third link this week, Elder Hansen. Selling a bike took much more time than anticipated; lesson learned. We then went on splits with the zone leaders. Elder Knapp and I went to good ol' Kamakura for district council; I forgot what it was like to have more than 3 people in your district haha. After making it back to 藤沢, we celebrated Elder Hansen's birthday at Tonsai, a tonkatsu restaurant. We filled ourselves up and then parted ways. After finalzing some packing the next morning, we went to the 本部 to drop him off. It was a sad goodbye but I know the Lord will watch over him as he enters the next chapter of his life.

Had some pretty awkward conversations with people on the street. One guy stopped after I asked for some good restaurants to eat at. He paused, as if he was thinking, looked at my nametag, then my companion's, told us to wait for a bit, put back his headphones on and then dashed away. I was blown away. Luckily, I've gotten used to that kind of treatment but wow, seems like my nametag is like a gun or something haha. 

We did meet some really nice people though while housing, including a kid from Brazil. He accepted a Book of Mormon and we'll probably be stopping by to visit him and his family this week.

Sunday was a busy day. My companion and I had to split for the 3rd hour of church because I was to be part of a missionary fireside in Yamato and my companion and I were assigned to give talks in the Zama branch. I talked to the ward members about using social media to do missionary work and then booked it back to Zama, in time to catch the last 5 minutes of my companion's well done talk. I went up next and talked about some things that I have learned on my mission, including the guidance of the spirit and loving others. This was the first time I had spoken in sacrament meeting in English since I left, so I didn't know how it would turn out. I pretty much ditched what I had written and kept going. I don't remember too much but many of the members thanked us after and Sister Giles had told us, with tears in her eyes, that what needed to be said today was said. I was a bit surprised but I remembered that it was not me that spoke, it was the Holy Ghost. I am so thankful for the Holy Ghost and his guidance!

Well, this is my last full week in Japan, as much as I hate to admit it. We have a lot of work to do with the ward and branch members this week. I'm super excited! 

Also, if there is anyone wanting to know more about my homecoming, please contact my mom, Montira Chab on Facebook!

-Elder Chab