Lesson 1: The youth of the church are amazing. In Japan, they wake up early for seminary and make the long trip to the church, fully aware that they probably won't be done with school, club activities, and "after school" cram-school until the late evening. I loved being around them. Not just the youth, all the Japanese people I met were simply amazing and wonderful people. Another lesson learned this particular night: flour takes a long time to clean up.
Lesson 2: Take time to ponder. Long bike rides in the most beautiful country I've ever seen provided opportunities for me to think. I received many answers to prayer on long bike rides.
Lesson 3: Faith brings about miracles. I found that usually before really miraculous events occurred, I always experienced some of the most difficult times I've ever faced. My faith was always challenged. Sister Komai (my companion in the picture) was little in stature, but a giant in faith. From her (and others) I learned never to get discouraged because good things were coming.
Lesson 4: This picture doesn't explain anything...I just like it. In Kasai, I learned that Heavenly Father gives good gifts to His children. Sometimes it seems like He is giving us a rock when we asked for bread. But if we give Him some time, we'll realize that He can turn our rocks into bread....and He will.
Lesson 5: Rely on the Lord. It seems like the obvious thing to do for the average religious person, but throughout my life I have forgotten this and turned to other people/places, looking for strength or advice. On my mission, when I had a problem I couldn't call home or try to distract myself by watching a movie or going for a run. Then there were the language barriers that left me feeling alone at times. I definitely learned to turn to the Lord and we got to be great friends.
Now Andrew is going to start teasing me because I really could go on forever. I'll just add that I obviously learned that the gospel is true and Jesus Christ is our Savior (I knew that before the mission too). And I should also say that my companions are pretty amazing and important people to me. Ai shiteru yo!
Mata Nihon ni iru tomodachi ni kokoro kara kanshya shite imasu. Hitori hitori kara watashi wa shinkou to ai o manande kimashita. I'll be back one day.
Everyone should have at least one Japanese grandma. I have two.
3 comments:
Lo, I liked this post. I wish you would write more often. It may sound like I am getting a little sick of China, but no. I like to complain about all its idiosyncracies, but I love it. I mean come on. How many places in the world can I afford to get a two hour massage once a week? Okay, quite a few countries actually, but most definately not in Ohio. Sorry. Massages win every time hands down.
First of all I love the picture about Lesson 4. You had that in your MTC binder and I remember I would stare at it when I would be zoned out during our Zone Meetings.
I loved the post. I wanted you to write more. So lesson learned husbands areen't always right.
Missions are the best. Your post made me reflect on mine. I love how its made possible for us us to not really remember the REALLY hard time, just the amazing lessons we learn from them.
O-Hi-O!!!! That's the best I can do. What a fun and interesting mission. I feel the same as you, it will be 4 years can you believe it, 4 years that I've been home, come June 18th.
I sadly admit I've forgetten some of those wonderful lessons learned. However H. Father has this way of teaching them to me again...then the thought comes, "I used to know that, how did I forget that?".
Mission are lovely, never to be forgotten!
janay
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