Whom Say Ye that I am?

Dear Minnasan, 

Well, another week. Another faith-building week. Can I just take a moment and express how much I love my mission. How grateful I am for the opportunity to serve the Lord. To be a representative of Jesus Christ and wear His name on my chest...truly it is a blessing! It is a blessing I will never regret choosing - sure, some days are hard. But I NEVER feel regret for deciding to come on a mission. NEVER. Just thinking of being at home right now, well, it makes my heart weep. That seems a little backwards, you would think. And don't get me wrong, I love my family so much. But there are some things that are more important, than the personal desires we might have. And that is the SOULS of my Brothers and Sisters. It is my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

I have really been pondering and thinking upon my elder brother, Jesus Christ. Who is He, really? Do I know Him as well as I should? As His representative, as a missionary who shares His teachings with others, I must know Him. I must learn of Him. I must "come unto Him." I must understand exactly who He is and my relationship to Him. In fact, we all must. We all must come to personally know our Savior, for it is only then that we can believe in Him and put our trust in Him.

One of the many names of the Savior is "Advocate." He is our advocate with the Father. In Doctrince and Covenants, Jesus Christ introduces Himself in this way, "I am He who liveth, I am He who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father" (D&C 110:4). As I thought about that, I asked myself, "What exactly does that mean? What exactly does the word, `advocate' mean?" I looked it up, and this is what the dictionary told me, "An advocate is a person who supports or speaks in favor of another person; a person who defends another person in court." 

We all have a debt to pay, and we cannot pay that debt ourselves. We don't have the ability to overcome the sins and mistakes we make in this life. We don't have the ability to raise ourselves from death. But Christ does. And He is willing to plead our case before the Father. He is kind of like our lawyer. Now, I know in popular culture, lawyers have a bad rep. But just think of the beauty and magnitude of having Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, as your lawyer!

He is ever on our side, and because He loves us so much, He is never willing to give up. He understands our pains, our sufferings, our weaknesses, our joys. He understands everything about us. And He understands it all perfectly, because He felt it too. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He felt it all. He experienced it all. He suffered it all. For each and every one of us. I testify with all the fiber of my mortal being, with my whole soul, that Jesus Christ died so that we could live again. He truly is our Advocate; the most perfect and loving lawyer who is always ready to speak up for us.

Church leader Joseph Fielding Smith explained it like this: "No man could do what He did for us. He did not have to die. He could have refused. He did it voluntarily. He did it because it was a commandment from His Father. He knew what the suffering would be, and yet, because of his love, He was willing to do it...think of the Savior carrying the united burden of every individual -- torment-- which caused Him to suffer an agony of pain, compared to which the driving of the nails in His hands and feet was very little..." 

My friends, my dear brothers and sisters, The Savior loves us each so very much. I testify of that. I know it. I can feel it. Can you? Do you know Him? Do you know what He did for you? 

When Jesus came into the coasts of Philippi, He asked his disciples, saying, "Whom say ye that I am?" (Matthew 16:15). Who do you say the Savior is? Can you say that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God? Can you say that He is the Savior and Redeemer of the world? 

I can't say that I know Christ perfectly. I can't even say that I know Him very well. But I can say that I know He loves me, and that He loves you. I can say that He died for me, and because of that sacrifice, I can return to live with God one day and have eternal happiness with my family. I can overcome death. I can overcome sin. All because of my Advocate with the Father, my Lord and Savior, even Jesus Christ.

So, my final question to you is this: "Whom say ye that He is?"

Please think about your answer to that question this week, maybe even write it down on a piece a paper or in your journal. I promise that once we know who He truly is, everything changes.

Everything. 

Sister Weigl



FIVE QUESTIONS:

1. Do the youth meet during the week for Mutual (young men and young women activities)  in Japan?  What Night? 

Yes, they do. I have no idea to be honest...I think they meet on Tuesdays.

2. Do they have seminary in Japan? Yes

3. What do the youth do for activities and for fun in Japan? 

The same sort of things we do - Personal Progress, making food, sports, that sort of thing.

4. At what age do the Japanese finish high school and start college? 

The same age as America.

5. Do they have institute (a religion class for young adults) or something for the youth in college? Yes, they have Institute in Japan.

Extra questions: Does you companion know how to cook?  

No, she REALLY, REALLY doesn't. Haha; she almost put some metal in the microwave the other day. I had to run and stop her, haha! 

Any funny things happen this week?  Well, this past Sunday, we had Dinner at a member's house, and T-Shimai said something really funny - she said "akachan o tabetai." Which means,"I want to eat a baby," when what she was trying to say was,"Does the baby want to eat food?" hahaha, so great!

Sister Weigl with a member

T-Shimai goes home!

Skyscraper Love: A Love that Casteth Out Fear

Dear Minnasan, 

I am rather short on time this week, so let me just share a scripture that really impressed me this week: 

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18).

Love is the key to dispersing all of our fears. 

Envision it this way. You are standing on the top of a skyscraper, in the middle of a storm. A really, really big storm. The wind is blowing and blowing, and the rain is coming down so hard, it's going sideways. To say the least, it's pretty dangerous up there. Now, if somebody asked you to walk along the edge of that skyscraper (no railings, no nothing to protect you from falling, and with that storm going on, there is a pretty large likelihood of you loosing your balance and falling), would you do it? No. Probably not. You would most likely fear falling off that edge. 

Now, let's add something to this hypothetical situation. Someone you love very deeply is walking on the edge of that very same skyscraper, in the middle of that very same storm. It could be your brother, your mother, someone you love more than life itself. And they start to slip. They are about to fall. What do you do then? 

Of course you wouldn't hesitate to run to the edge of that skyscraper. The danger, at that point, means nothing anymore, right? 

Perfect Love Casteth out Fear. 

Might we all remember that everyone around us is that beloved to God. Might we all remember that when we seek and show perfect love, we become closer to God. Might we all seek to have the kind of skyscraper-defying love for everyone. 

Sister Weigl

FIVE QUESTIONS: 

1. What do you like most about transfers?
There's a designated spot where missionaries all meet up and you get to see a lot of missionaries you haven't seen in a while -- like this time I got to see C-Shimai again, my companion from 2nd transfer. 

2. What do you like least about transfers? 
Packing. I really hate packing. That hasn't really changed though. (Katherine has always stressed about packing) 

3. What do you like about staying in your current area? 
I don't have to pack, haha. Plus, I already know all the ward members and where everything is.

4. Anything funny/unusual/exciting happen about/with your new companion this transfer?
Well, we saw this Swedish guy on the street across from us and T-Shimai just yelled out to him, "Do you speak English?" and because of that, we now have an appointment to meet with him tomorrow. 

5. What is one thing you learned about helping a companion to get ready to go home?
You accumulate a lot of junk on your mission. 

Direction Not Speed

Dear Minnasan,

This week has been a week full of miracles! Honestly, it was just one miracle right after another! I wish I had time to write about each and every one of them, because they are all so dear and precious to me, affirmations of God's love for his children, but I sadly don't have the time :(

To summarize, this week my companion and I went from virtually having no investigators, nobody to teach, to having five people who were interested to hear our message in a matter of two days! It was just a testimony to me of God's promises - they are real.

In the Doctrine and Covenants, it reads:

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed" (D&C 123:17).

When we do all that "lies in our power," which means when we do all that we can possibly do, God will bless our efforts. He will take our efforts and magnify then far beyond our own possible abilities. I can testify of this, because I know my abilities are below par. They are far beneath that of what would be needed to do this work -- this is the work of God. This is the work of SAVING SOULS. Alone, I could never do that. But, when I do all that I possibly can, everyday, the Lord has and will bless me. This same promise is offered to all of us.

I can't say that I fully understand how to completely "rely on the Lord" yet, but I do feel like I am one step closer. And I think that is the key - one step at a time. Something my mission president said that really inspired me was this: It doesn't matter how fast you are going, what matters is the DIRECTION you are moving. If your course is off, then it doesn't matter how fast you're running, you'll never reach the finish line. You'll end up someplace completely different. And yeah, that's great, but in a race, nobody cares how fast you can run to the nearest McDonalds. What they care about is the finish line.

This week especially has affirmed my faith in what I already knew -- and it has reassured me that, as it says in Matthew, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." Think about that for a moment. ALL THINGS. Not just some things, but all things. Can you imagine being able to do ALL THINGS? Can you imagine? Well, can you?

That is the beauty of having God on our side. When we believe in Him, all things truly are possible. There is no need to worry. No need to fear. God is on our side, and He will never leave.

This life is full of hellos and goodbyes. For example, this transfer I am saying goodbye to my wonderful companion. Life is just like that. You meet new people. You have to say goodbye, too. But God isn't like that. We will never once have to tell God goodbye, because He is always there for us. Even if we don't think we need Him, or if we can't see Him, He is there to love us and guide us. Always.

Let me tell you just one of the many miracles we experienced this week: One of our new investigators is named M-san. We taught her a lesson this last Monday, and my companion ended the lesson with a prayer. After the prayer, we asked M-san what she was feeling. She told us that during the prayer, she saw an eye in her mind. This eye was shinning and bright, and it was overlooking the whole earth. She said she felt this HUGE love, a kind of love that she couldn't comprehend or describe in words. My companion asked her to describe this eye more, and as M-san did, my companion pulled out a painting of Jesus Christ. At this moment, M-san gasped and told us that this painting of Jesus Christ was exactly what she saw in her mind during the prayer! She nearly started crying. She felt God's love for her.

Miracles are everywhere in this work. I can testify of that with renewed vigor because of the many, many miracles I have experienced in my own life, both big and small! I love the Lord. I love this work. I hope that I can give the Lord all my heart, might, mind, and strength everyday of my mission! That is the desire of my soul.

May it be the desire of your soul as well,

Sister Weigl

And, yes, they do celebrate Valentine’s Day in Japan. The funny thing though, is that it is sort of reversed. In America, it's usually the boy's job to give chocolates or whatever. But in Japan, on Valentine's Day, girls give their friends and boyfriends chocolate (preferably homemade). Then, on March 14th, which is called White Day, the boys give the girls something in return. I hope that makes some sense.

FIVE QUESTIONS:

1.  How often are transfers in Japan? 

Every month and a half or so.

2.  Do you go to the Mission Home to get your new companion or do they just come to you? How does the “meeting up” work out?
I'm not quite sure yet...I'll tell you about it next week.

3.  When do you find out if you are getting transferred? 

On Monday before transfers.

4.  Who informs you of a transfer?  Your mission president via phone, APs, District Leaders?  Email!

5.  Do they give you a day or so to unpack, and get supplies that you need for a new area?  How does that work?  

Usually transfers are on Thursday or Friday, so you have Monday and the rest of the week to pack for transfers.

Stop Dancing

Dear Minnasan,

This week I was able to meet with the Mission President and talk with him a bit. He told me something that has really changed how I have viewed things this week. He explained to me about how it's a CHOICE to let Satan into my head. It's a CHOICE to let him mess with my brain and "neutralize" my power as a missionary. He challenged me to just go a day without letting Satan mess with me. To go a day where I CHOSE to follow God the entire day and not give ear to Satan's voice.

The first day I tried this, I saw an immediate difference. I felt more happy and less nervous when I was out talking to people. I was really able to just say, "NO" to Satan whenever a thought came into my head that made me want to keep my mouth shut instead of opening it to share the gospel. The next day, I tried to do it again. It was harder that day. And even harder the next. It takes a lot of spiritual stamina to say no to Satan all the time. It really stretches your brain.

Since talking with the President, I've recently started to better understand the temptations of Satan in my own life. They aren't things like, "Go get drunk," but are more along the lines of not believing in myself. Not believing I can be a good missionary, or learn the language, or any other number of things. This week has really opened my eyes to something -- to the fact that I've been subconsciously listening to Satan's voice my entire life and not ever realizing it. President explained it like this - Satan isn't really all that creative. He only has one tune. Imagine that Satan has a piano, but instead of having many octaves and flats and sharps, it has only a single key. And Satan just keeps on playing that one key. Over and over and over again. But for some reason, we keep on dancing to it. We keep listening to the same temptations, and making the same mistakes.

I, for one, have resolved to stop dancing.

Why would I ever want to limit myself to listening to a single note be played over and over again, when I could be listening to Bach or Beethoven? Beautiful arrangements that fill our hearts with joy and peace and awe - Those are the word of Christ. Christ tells us we can do anything we put our mind to, because He is right there alongside us to help us.

My District Lead read me a quote this week that really solidified my thoughts on this subject: "We determine our own future...our destiny is determined by a single thought. Whatever the mind of man can see and imagine...it can achieve." Yeah I know, it sort of sounds like something you would get out of a fortune cookie. Or hear at some self-help conference. But it really hit home.

Ever since I can remember, I have been putting limitations on myself. Not entirely on purpose or consciously, but I have been doing it. I can't talk to that person, I'm not cool enough (in high school). I can't do this, I can't do that...and simply because I have always thought that way, I have never done any of those things. But it all starts with a single thought. If I believe I can, then I will.

The most important part though, is to remember the HOW. HOW can I do all those things? HOW can I say no to Satan? HOW can I stop dancing? I can try all I want, and I can think all I want, but none of that would make a difference without the atonement of Jesus Christ. I couldn't learn the language. I couldn't be a True Disciple. I couldn't CHANGE. But through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and His grace, I can. We all can. I think that believing in Jesus Christ is connected to also believing in ourselves. Remembering who we are. And remembering our relationship to Him.

It won't always be easy. I think continuing to dance to the same old tune in the same old way is more comfortable than trying to learn something new, like the foxtrot or a concerto. But President Thomas S. Monson explains it like this:

"The battle for self-discipline may leave you a bit bruised and battered but always a better person. Self-discipline is a rigorous process at best; too many of us want it to be effortless and painless. Should temporary setbacks afflict us, a very significant part of our struggle for self-discipline is the determination and the courage to try again....Eternal life in the kingdom of our Father is your goal, and self-discipline will surely be required if you are to achieve it.”

May we all develop the Self-Disciple needed to say no to Satan, and to stop dancing.

Sister Weigl

Sister Weigl and T-shimai
January 2014
Hanayashiki, Japan

FIVE QUESTIONS:

1. When you get sick, where do you go in Japan? Doctor’s office?

The hospital. The hospital and the doctor's office are the same thing.

2. Do you have to make appointments in advance or do they let you “walk-in”?

You walk in, so you could be waiting awhile. You have to get a number, just like when we pick up medicine on the Military Base.

3. Do they have drug stores to buy over-the-counter medications for colds and such?

Yeah, they do.

4. Do the Japanese use home remedies for most of their ailments, or do they go to the doctor’s for everything (like Americans)?

Mostly, they just don't really use medicine. Japanese medicine isn't as strong as American medicine. H-Shimai (my trainer) never wanted to use American medicine because it was so strong.

5. Are there any “foods” that they use for specific things, like when you get a cold, etc.?

Eh....I have no idea.