Dear Mother, Father, Sisters, Brothers, Family, Friends and other
people I don`t know,
Well. It`s been an absolutely beautiful week. The son is shining, the
rain has stopped, summer is rolling around and I`m sweating like mad.
But on the bright side I`m getting tan again.
Monday night me and Elder Cloward just went out and dendoed around.
Had a great time, talking to large groups of high school kids and just
trying to talk to everyone.
Tuesday we left early and I headed off to Kobe for leadership
training because my new companion, Elder Cloward is only on his second
Transfer and I am basically his trainer now. That and they just came
out with a new in-field training schedule for 1st and 2nd transfer
missionaries. So I went and learned that, as well as other leadership
skills and attributes. It was loads of fun and a great experience. I
love President McIntyre.
Wednesday after we finished training me and the two other Elders that
came up with me went and ate dinner together. It was delicious,
because it was the first bit of Kobe Beef I`ve had on my mission. xD
Yes I can now say I have eaten Kobe Beef. It was utterly delicious. It
was a Kobe Beef burger that I ate, so it may not have been the best
quality but it was just amazing. Nice and juicy and amazing (Dad,
don`t get too jealous). It was also a lot cheaper than I thought it
would be, but it was so worth it.
Thursday was just another regular day of running around trying to
find. Friday was just the same, and then Saturday was a great day of
finding. We worked 110% trying to talk to as many people as we
possibly could, testifying constantly and just trying to find someone
who would hear our message. At the end of the night, we were both
exhausted but pleased with the day, and we slept like rocks.
Sunday was a special day for me. It was fast Sunday and another
amazing day. Filled with the Spirit as we went to Church, had fast and
testimony meeting and worked with the members. We ate Dinner at a
members house again and had a great time with them, we also had a
practice lesson with a recently returned missionary who is just
awesome.
All in all this week has been a very spiritual week, even this
morning was amazing as I studied the scriptures and prayed.
Elder Tateishi`s Gospel Message of the Week
As I said, Saturday and Sunday were amazingly spiritual days, and it
all accumulated and peaked this morning during my study as I realized
what I was being taught.
This morning as I began my study, reading in Ether 3 from the Book of
Mormon. I pondered the scriptures, mainly thinking about Faith and
being in the presence of God. My mind wandered much as I pondered the
idea and played with it in my mind, but then my mind drifted to the
past few days and the experiences that I have had.
On Saturday, I spent the day testifying to everyone that would hear
me. I felt the spirit as a constant companion as I bore sincere
testimony about God, about his love for his children, about this
church, and about how we can know that he Lives.
But Sunday was possibly the greatest experience. During fast and
testimony meeting I moved to the long line of people waiting to bear
their testimonies, and as one by one they bore great testimonies I
thought about what I should bear my testimony about. As the person
before me neared the end of their testimony I said a simple prayer,
still uncertain of what to say, asking the Lord to Guide me to say
what needed to be said.
When I stood up at the pulpit and looked out at the congregation I
still had no idea what to say, and I even told them all that I didn`t
know. But with confidence that the Lord would guide me I continued and
I quoted D&C 88:84 "I will go before thy face, I will be on thy left
hand and on thy right hand, and my angels shall be round about thee to
bear thee up." It was the first thing out of my mouth, and I testified
that God has and always is by my side, and that his angels are always
there to guide me. That those angels are often the people around me,
those great members who are at times, given small bits of inspiration
that bless me and help me to become a better and greater person. As I
poor sincere testimony I looked down at the front row and saw a Mother
in tears. I felt the spirit burning strongly as I continued to speak
and then I ended. After Sacrament meeting I saw her run out of the
room, holding her 4 year old daughter close as she was still crying. I
asked if she was ok but she just nodded and quickly ran away. Later
she came up to me and said "Thank you, I really needed to hear what
you said today. You were an answer to my prayers and you helped me." I
know now that when I bore testimony I was guided by the spirit. I was
told what this woman needed to hear.
Now, as I studied this morning I pondered these experiences and again
felt another prompting. This time to pray. I went and knelt down in
silent prayer, again uncertain of what I needed to pray for. As I
opened my prayer and called upon my God, I felt my heart filled with
words and joy. I then knew what I was being taught. I then understood
that God was answering my prayers. He was showing me how to follow the
Spirit. He was showing that he was with me, that he was guiding me and
would always be at my side so long as I remain worthy of his help. I
felt at that moment an overwhelming since of being close to my God,
and I knew that I was enjoying his presence.
I know that God lives. I know that he guides this work, that he is at
the head of this church. I am simply his servant, and of myself I am
weak. It is only by his grace, by his love and great patience that I
am who I am. Without him I am nothing, I have no worth, and my words
are empty and useless. I know that Christ lives, that he has atoned
for my sins. I have felt his cleansing power, and I know that all
mankind can be purified and cleansed through his great sacrifice. I
know that this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet
of God and restored the true church of God. I know that the work I am
doing is the true work of God. I bear humble witness of these truths,
in the name of my Saviour, my Redeemer, the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
With much Love,
Elder Randall KK Tateishi
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