This week was a really hard one. Mostly just the last part of it. We did a lot of good work this week and we invited two people to be baptized and they said that they would. We were able to introduce a less active to a member and now she has a friend. And were able to find some new people to teach. It was a fun week and I was able to improve in some things but the last few days have been very stressful and hard. I guess because I have been going through out my mission trying to push myself to work hard, thinking that I wasn't working hard enough. But during this transfer I am coming to find out that I am working almost too hard and not being as productive when I do it. It is hard because to accept that I need to slow down a little and even change my tactics. But the Lord has given me ideas of what I can do better so I plan on doing them. But it has been very very stressful. And to add to the stress and anxiety that I have been feeling, on Friday (a day I basically woke up crying) morning when we left the apartment to meet a potential investigator I come to find out that my bike is missing. It has been stolen. I just stared in shock. I just thought of all the days it was today. Very ironic. But strangely after seeing it gone I was able to feel better. I was even laughing at the fact that it happened to me. But then the stress came back yesterday about what I was going to do about a bike. I found out that the mission home doesn't have one and I have no money to buy another one. I was stressed out of my mind and I was exhausted. I cried very very hard yesterday and I even felt like not praying because I had the quick thought that I am alone and the Lord isn't with me. But after the thought came I knew I had to pray more then ever.
So after getting down on my knees I just prayed that my heart will be filled with peace and that things would work out. I was then able to sleep and this morning when I woke up I felt better and when I did personal study I felt great. I read President Eyring's talk “where is the pavilion?” and it really hit me hard. I learned what I needed to change. How I could be more productive. I think during this transfer I am learning how to balance and prioritize and to recognize where my efforts are needed. Right now we have a lot of p.i.'s and investigators. But many of them are not ready at this point. Yes they are all very special and important but I need to be and do the things where I am needed, where my testimony will be most beneficial. And if I am more bold and upfront about the reason why I am here that will cause less stress and will hasten the work even more. I have learned a lot the last few days of which I am grateful. These are skills that can help me in the future. And the Lord is watching out for me and providing a way. Today we got a call from a member telling me that she has a bike I can have for the rest of my mission. Sister Vail told her about my problem at church yesterday. The Lord really is there and is watching out for me. And like President Eyring said, we are the ones that cast up the pavilion but the Lord is always watching over us and always always helping us. Some lessons were learned the hard way but they are learned and I have the opportunity to change and become better. What a wonderful gift.
In other news I am sure everyone saw that there is a new mission in Japan. The Japan Tokyo south mission. The change will happen at the beginning of July of this year and the new mission president I know actually. He is the bishop of the English ward in my last area. He is a very nice man and will be great. Sine they are splitting the mission that does mean there will be changes. They are realigning the mission boundaries and that means that some of the missionaries in this mission will be moved into the Tokyo south mission. We still don't know who will go but it will be starting probably in July. I guess we will wait and see.
I love Utsunomiya, I LOVE the ward members, I love our investigators, I love Japan and the food and I am hooked on herbal tea right now. But most of all I love the Savior and the challenges He gives to me because through them I am learning more to lean on Him and I am changing for the better. This work is so important and I love being a part of it and I am honored to be apart of it. Again sorry that I didn't tell about the people we met with this last week. I will for sure next week. And you should all look forward to next week's e-mail because it will be exciting. I will be able to tell you something. :D And just so everyone knows. I have decided to change my major and my career path. I will be majoring in English.
Well that is all for this week. I really love you all and miss you with all my heart!!! Have a wonderful week!!!
