Shortness.....

OK, so...err...like Ben says, I want to apologize for the shortness.  I read and enjoyed and was astonished and just really loved reading what you all had to say this week! 

This last Sunday we had stake conference and our stake president read a letter from his son who is serving in the Japan Fukuoka mission.  It went something like this: "dear family, I'm sorry, we've been really busy and I don't have a lot of time.  We had a miracle this week.  I'll write about it later.  I love you and sorry this is so short."  He then read another letter with more detail, but that is how I feel today.  Sorry! 

This week we had an amazing conference with Elder Whiting of the 70 and I feel more determined to seek revelation from the Lord so that I may teach with power from the Spirit.  Really, the Spirit is KEY to all that we do.  And I think that often times it is so quiet, unassuming, and gentle that I can miss it is I'm not paying attention.  We are entitled to revelation for ourselves and the people over whom we have been given stewardship.  WHOA.  That is a huge privilege and blessing. 

This week we have a mini zone conference in which we will receive training and i-Pads to assist in helping people progress towards baptism and hasten the work of salvation.  Join us next week to learn more about what that means--I'm excited to find out! 

I know that God is leading Minson shimai and I to people who are willing and ready to hear and receive the gospel.  We had a sister this week who told us that she couldn't meet with us on the day that she planned, but offered her entire days off schedule to us so we could meet.  I am grateful for the Lord's blessings and know that He is generously giving them to you, me, and all His children.

Much love!

Williams shimai 

Ask, & Invite.....Then Come the Miracles

These photos don't nearly compare to Ben's outpouring of pictures, but there's a bit of Narita statues (tiger for Sadie!) and also a new year tradition of calligraphy writing.  Its not the best, but its supposed to be the kanji for miracle.  :) 

This week flew by--as does much of our times these days!  I feel like I learned the importance of just opening one's mouth and having it filled.  We talked with people on the train, in their houses, on the street, and at different activities and found people to teach in each of those places.  One girl we met at the train station one evening, found her again the next day and invited her to church.  Then on Sunday, our Relief Society president surprised us by telling us that we had an investigator in the hallway.  Having no idea who it was, we quickly went upstairs and found our train station friend!  Seriously, ask and invite and then pray for help to see the miracles that the Lord has in store.  I know that the Lord is generous in His help and promises.  I know that He keeps His promises too!  It is really, really awesome. 

I thank you all for your love, support, and prayers.  I really feel them daily and am in awe of the strength that the Lord imparts to missionaries because of the prayers of so many faithful people.  I know that this is His work, that He is involved in it and will help each of us as we seek Him.  I know that He is willing and eager to help us especially as we ask Him specifically for that which we think we need; He will answer in the way that is best for us. 

I love you all so much--more than my companions love cake baked in the rice cooker (last week's experiment)!  May you have a joyful week! 

Williams shimai

I am happy and well and seeing miracles

My dear family,

How are you all doing?  As always, the time is drawing to a close this P-day.  Firs I want to tell you our transfer news--Nagamine shimai is going to Okinawa!  She is finishing her last transfer and thus will be returning home.  Hard to believe.  Nagamine shimai is an incredible missionary and I hope that I can become like her.  I am so grateful for her.  From the bottom of my heart.  Really.

As for the rest of us, Minson shimai and I are staying in Narita!  Jones shimai is too and she will be working with another Japanese companion named Miyama shimai.  Woot!  We will have 9 missionaries in our Narita ward--which consists of about 60 (maybe a little more) members.  Woah, right?

I am happy and well and seeing miracles.  I am trying to learn to not rely on myself or focus on what I know and don' t know, but rather rely on the Lord for strength and direction and help.  I am learning more and more that without Him, we can do nothing.  It is so true!  I am grateful for His graciousness and patience as He works with us.  One thing that I am learning more and more too is that He requires us to be humble and diligent and patient.  It is only when we are humble that we can experience and recognize His abundant help--and eagerness to help us do whatever it is that He asks of us. 

OK, a miracle of this week.  One of our investigators told us that she didn't really have faith in Christ and also didn't really like coming to church.  She was willing to come this last week for Nagamine shimai's last week, but still a little hesitant about it.  So Minson shimai and I determined to fast to ask for the Lord's help in helping her have a good experience at church and in our lesson following.  And she did!  Our Relief Society lesson was on Jesus Christ and she told us afterward that she had thought that Jesus Christ died for everyone for "us" but that Sunday was the first day that she had thought of Jesus Christ dying for her.  It is such a gift to hear that and bear testimony of His love and knowledge of each of us.  She also told us after that she is feeling more comfortable at church.  Gratitude! 

I know that God loves us and is able to help us in all things.  All things.  As we seek Him, He abundantly pours out His direction and love. 

I love you all so much! 

Williams shimai

PS--One more miracle from today.  We were walking back from the grocery store and started a conversation with a lady who happened to live just above us and had some interest in the church because she knew some members when her children were little.  She accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon and also an invitation to have us visit her.  SO AWESOME.  Open your mouth and it will be filled.  Really.  Be genuine, bold, and loving in asking people to hear God's plan for His children.  Unite your faith and prayers and experience the wonders that God will work.  I know that you are praying for me and I feel that.  Our stake is also doing a 40 fast for us and I know that it is because we are entreating the Lord that we are seeing miracles.  It is beautiful and astonishing!   

Learning, Loving, and Living

First, my apologies!  Every transfer we get to attend a session in the Tokyo temple and so our P-day changes to Tuesday instead of Monday the 6th week of the transfer.  I neglected to let you know that I would be emailing a day later and hope that the change didn`t case you any worry or distress.  :)  If it did, my apologies! 

In light of little time, I wanted to just do a quick catalouge of things that I have learned or relearned so far to give you all a recap of this week. 

1.  So I used to wonder why Ben`s emails seemed a little short and now I totally understand.  And hour and a half goes by so quickly my dear ones!  I just started and have yet to read your emails that I love every week.  Seriously, thank you so much for being such a supportive and kind family!  I know that my mission is a good experience in large part because of the prayers you offer and the love that you have--as expressed through words and actions.  I LOVE YOU!

2.  `Ask and ye shall receive` is a promise that we can count on anytime, all the time.  Anyone can count on it.  If we ask God sincerely and with real intent, He will kindly answer and direct us.  Minson shimai and I have been doing a fair bit of finding lately and we are learning how to improve daily.  We are getting more comfortable and bolder with our invitations to meet again and finding those who are willing to listen and learn.  This week we had a goal to give a copy of the Book of Mormon to someone and receive contact information from people.  When we were nearing the close of our planned streeting time, we still had yet to find someone who wanted to receive a Book of Mormon.  Minson shimai mentioned the fact and then the next person that we talked with listened and received a copy of the Book of Mormon when we offered it to her.  We have yet to set a next appointment with her, but I think that she has potential (as dangerous as that word is, my dear Mexico missionary brother, I think its OK to apply it in this situation.) 

3.  Layers are a blessing in cold weather.  Socks, tights, tights, clothes, scarf, coat, hat, pocket warmer things make one toasty camper. 

4.  Narita ward members are so wonderful.  We often find little bags of food or clothes left at our apartment and they are eager to help us in our missionary work. 

5.  I have such supportive friends and family.  Many thanks to you for your letters, packages, and goodness.  I draw on your examples and strength daily and so appreciate your outreach to me in letters and packages.  Seriously--they surprise me every time! 

6.  The Lord knows each of us personally and is so aware of our efforts to serve Him and become who He wants us to become.  Often times I am surprised when I find an answer to a question in the Book of Mormon or someone says something that I had directly prayed for or things connect in the scriptures that I hadn`t seen before.  It is beautiful.  I feel like I am benefiting from my mission more than any one else which sounds kind of arrogant, but its true.  I hope that I can work so that others can find this joy and strength that is available to all men everywhere.  

OK folks.  Thats all that I can do for now.  I hope you are each doing well, learning, loving, and living this wonderful life that is given to us.  I love you more than all the 7-11s in Japan (they are on almost every corner here its crazy!)

Much, much love,

Williams shimai 

Hello everyone!

I hope that you are doing wonderfully and enjoying this fresh start to a new year!  This past week was kind of a blur for me--we spent a lot of time with various members in the ward who wanted to help the missionaries celebrate the New Year.  We had a really interesting experience this week with a member whose daughter's boyfriend joined us for a meal.  He is an American stationed in the Marine base in Okinawa.  And we were able to share what we do as missionaries in English.  That was kind of different, but I felt like I learned that the gospel is for all people, not just one group or another--it is for all of God's children because He loves them. 

I love you all more than all the fish in the sea,

Williams shiami

Blast from the past photo.  More to come later!