To the best Family the world has ever seen,
Another week has gone by and it is weird to think that I only have one more P-Day at the MTC and that I will be leaving so soon. On Friday we receive our travel plans. I love the MTC and my experiences here but I am getting so excited to go to Japan and start teaching people. I know that it will be hard at first and I will probably get frustrated at times with the language but I have a firm testimony and I know how to say that and that is all that really matters. Ahh I hear Tokyo calling!!! :D
This past week has been insane and my duties as coordinating sister has intensified I guess you could say. Last week there were a lot of sisters in the zone upset with the Elders because some of the Elders have not been treating sisters with the greatest respect and I also heard from the sisters what some Elders were doing in the residence halls that were not good to do as missionaries. Stubbs shimai and I were really concerned and talked a little bit about what we had to do. In end we talked to one of the main teachers here and they were able to sort it all out and make everything right and the Elder are also being more respectful after a firm talking to by our branch president. But the biggest concern I have had is between a companionship of two sister missionaries (who are also my roommates). They have not been getting along at all with each other and it just mostly comes down to that they do not take the time to talk to each other and help one another and they also just make a lot of assumptions about the other and don’t resolve those feelings and can build and build until they explode. They are two wonderful missionaries and I really care about them but I am at a loss of what to do which can be frustrating but I know the Lord will show me a way if there is one and I guess he showed the way to the teachers. Stubbs shimai and I will be doing exchanges now with them for the last two weeks. Whether it is for a day or just for a lesson we don’t really know yet. Stubbs shimai is pretty upset because we have a really good companionship and in her words she wants to “suck me dry” before we leave because we won’t see each other again. We both understand that it will probably help them and we are grateful that we can help but it still just a little bit hard.
But on the Brightside being coordinating sister this last month has really helped me to grow sooo much in so many ways and I feel truly blessed to have had this opportunity. Because not only have I grown a lot but it has given me a chance to get to know all the sisters in the zone better and help them in so many ways. It has been amazing. I have really seen my improvements and my progression from where I started and I can see where I can end up. And like Ammon I do not boast of myself or my power but in the Lord. It is through the Lord that I have been able to improve so much and have so many wonderful attributes that will help me be a better instrument in the Lord’s hands and help teach the Gospel in Japan. He has always been with me, preparing me and He walks by me every day since I have left home. I LOVE IT!!! J
Last night I had a really amazing experience. One of the nihonjin (Japanese sisters) was really sick. Something about her stomach and something she had before she came on her mission. The doctors told her it was gone and she didn’t need to worry about it anymore but it did come back and she was in a lot of pain. She is the sweetest sister ever and I love her so much. Anyway, we were waiting for the Elders to come and give her a blessing (stubbs shimai was waiting by the door to the building to let them in). While we were waiting I tried to offer her words of comfort in my limited Japanese and just told her that I knew Heavenly Father would help and bless her and that the blessing will help. After that I asked her if while we waited for the elders if she wanted to pray and she said yes. I asked her and the other 5 nihonjin who would say it and they chose me. I was very honoured but a little nervous but I decided to keep my prayer short and simple and not to worry about the words and speaking perfect. So I said the prayer and I just felt the spirit so strong. I knew that even though I couldn’t say a lot I was able to express everyone’s feelings and that Heavenly Father knew what wanted to be said but couldn’t. Then during the blessing I could only pick up a few words but the spirit was still the same and it was a very sweet blessing. I am so excited to go to Japan and have more of these experiences and I am so grateful that I am able to get to know the Japanese through the missionaries that come here. My love and excitement always grows when they are here and it even gives me confidence to speak up because they are so understand and patient. As long as I can be a vessel for the spirit so that people can feel of it and feels our Father’s love then that is good enough for me.
On Sunday we had an amazing Fireside where a man by the name of Ted Gibbons came and he acted the role of Willard Richards (personal secretary to Joseph Smith) for the whole hour and painted a wonderful picture of the final years of the Prophet Joseph Smiths life. It was wonderful!! I felt like I was there and could it all happening, especially when he was describing what happened in Carthage Jail. I was crying by the end of it and just cried even more during the closing song which was “Praise to the Man” and when everyone stood up during the middle of it. It was very powerful and truly amazing. I am so grateful for the courage and faith that Joseph Smith had and for being willing to bring this remarkable gospel onto the earth. It brings me so much happiness and through I am able to have a relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Savior.
This morning my district had the assignment of cleaning the Temple for 31/2 hours and it was really fun. Stubbs shimai and I helped clean and polish one of the chandlers in one of the sealing rooms. It was a great opportunity.
Oh and one last thing that Stubbs shimai really wants me to say. Yesterday I was given the responsibility of delivering a package (really a sack) to Tokyo and giving it to President and Sister Budge. The package is from Elder and Sister Oaks. The sack has a bunch of bracelets to be given to the sisters in Tokyo but it seems to be really important. Sister Oaks will be checking up on the MTC to make sure it was really delivered and the man who gave it to me expressed the up most importance that nothing happen to it and that I do not lose it or else he will be in big trouble.
Also speaking of Sister Oaks, Stubbs shimai and I met her last week at the Devotional Tuesday night. She served her mission in Sendai and so we were able to talk to her a little bit. It was really exciting and we also had 10 of the apostles here that night and Elder L. Tom Perry spoke to us. The two that were missing besides the main 3 was Elder Packer and Elder Hale. It was a fun night.
Well, that is all that I can think of. I just have one more e-mail to send from the MTC and then the rest will be from the Land of the Rising Sun. I can’t believe 2 months have already come and gone. That time has gone by so quickly. I am glad to be where I am and know that I love and miss you with all my heart.
Love,
Mackenzie
