Shinko no Saka (Hill of Faith)

Dear one and all,

Can I first say, HOW IS IT DECEMBER? You will probably have gotten tired of hearing me say this, since I've said similar things in past emails, but because it's true, let me repeat myself one more time: how time flies!

Hanayashiki continues to be an amazing experience! It feels like I've been here so much longer than just two weeks, but in a good way! I feel very at home here, and it took me much less time to feel that way. In Akashi, it took me a bit longer to become adjusted and feel comfortable, but then again, it wasn't so much like I was having to adjust to a new area so much as a brand new country, culture, and language.

Winter has come upon us here in Japan in one swift "WHOOSH." It has become very cold very fast, and I almost find myself longing for the hot summer days I experienced in Akashi... that is until I remember those hot summer days in Akashi, and then I think twice about that. I don't know if it's just me, but I feel like seasons here are more decisive than they are in America -- they decide they want to come one day, and then BAM! it's here and here to stay. I think that kind of mirrors the Japanese people, in a way -- they are a determined people who stick to their decisions. They work hard. I love them. 

So, the Hanayashiki Church building is situated upon a hill, which brings to mind the scripture, "A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14), which is very poetic and all, but at times...it doesn't feel so much like a hill as it does a cliff. On my bike, I feel like I'm trying to ride up the side of a cliff. It's that steep of a road. When talking to a member of the ward, she affectionately referred to it as the "Shinko no Saka" or "Hill of Faith."

Are You A Light?

I remember last week, when my companion and I decided to visit the church for the first time, my first thought was, "Are you SERIOUS? I'm going to have to bike up THIS hill to get to church?" To say the least, I was not a happy camper. Every visit to the church has been filled with lots of huffing and puffing, and yes, walking. We always need to get off our bikes to get up the hill. I was thinking about this recently, and why it is that we bike up this giant hill so regularly when it is so hard and so difficult. Why even bother? What's the point? The reason? The destination.

With the image of the church set vividly in our minds, we are able to find the motivation to push up this "Shinko no Saka." As I huff and push and sweat up this hill, I can see the golden letters on the front of the church building in my head: "Matsu Jitsu Sainto Iesu Kiristo Kyokai" or "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints."

Do we know our destination? Do we know why we are huffing and pushing and sweating up this hill of life? Do we know where we can turn when we ourselves don't have the strength to keep peddling, or even walking?

My companion knows. She is such an inspiration to me. She has some kind of sickness that she has been dealing with ever since she was fifteen years old. She could let this become a stumbling block for her. She could say, "The way up this hill is too hard" and decide to turn around and ride back down the road she battled to come up. For, as we all know, it is much, much easier to ride down a hill than it is to ride up. But, when we reach the bottom of that hill, and the thrill of the wind in our face and the speedy decent ends, what do we have? A view of the hill that we failed to conquer. Not a very satisfying view, in my opinion. But, when we hold fast to our faith, look to Christ, our Redeemer, and continue up that hill, like my companion does everyday, we will one day reach the top. And when we do, what will we see? We will have the glorious view of all that we have accomplished.

May we all continue to bike up our own "Shinko no Saka." May we ever have our goal in mind. May we one day look at all we've been able to accomplish with the help of Christ, and be able to rejoice with Him.

The road might be steep, but we can do this!

Sister Weigl