The Rescuing Hand

Dear Everyone,

This transfer has definitely been a growing and learning experience for me. My companion has been having some health problems, so it's been an adventure trying to figure out what's wrong and how to help and take care of her. In Doctrine and Covenants 61:3, it says, "But verily I say unto you, that it is not needful for this whole company of mine elders to be moving swiftly upon the waters, whilst the inhabitants on either side are perishing in unbelief." At this point in church history, Joseph Smith and many other leaders had been traveling back to Kirkland via canoe. They had been so focused on traveling, on what they THOUGHT their goal was, that they completely missed the real purpose. Their real goal.

I am a prideful person, I will be the first to admit that. And sometimes I find myself so consumed with what I think is important, I don't realize what God is trying to tell me is important. What the Holy Ghost is trying to teach me.

I think this is a lesson I've really come to learn. It's easy to get so wrapped up in ourselves, that we don't even see those around us who are "perishing in unbelief," or in other words, need some rescuing. Need some help. That help comes in all kinds of ways; it can be as simple as a smile, or maybe something a bit more. But I have a firm belief that we each can make a difference, no matter how great or small.

Don't let Satan tell you that you can't make a difference. That you are just you, and therefore, can have little to no influence. That's as big a lie as I have ever heard.

Just smile. Talk to the person sitting next to you. Ask them about their work, their family. Tell them that you love them, if appropriate.

Well, anyways, that's all I have for this week. It's transfers this week, so we will see.

Sister Weigl

And My Father Dwelt in a Tent

Dear Minnasan,

Well, Happy “Merica Day” to one and all! Nothing special really special happened here in Japan, for obvious reasons, but we did go and pass out some fliers for the free English class that we teach at the Church every Tuesday at 7:00 pm. English=America. Also, I ate corn on the cob with butter on it. Corn on the Cob = America. So, that was my Fourth of July.

Anyways, our recent convert was just given a calling this last week, and he was called to be one of the Ward's "Greeters," which means he basically stands outside of the Chapel every week and welcomes everyone to church. He welcomed everybody like a pro this week. Yeah, our recent convert is awesome.

After church, we had dinner at a member's house. We taught a short lesson about the Restoration and Joseph Smith, which included lots of pictures, drawing, and singing because the family has a seven year old daughter and a three year old son. Speaking of this seven-year old girl, we are crazy alike. Her favorite colors are yellow and blue. MINE ARE TOO. She loves to read and go running. I DO TOO. She wears glasses. I DO TOO. She loves Inarizushi (fried tofu stuffed with rice). Of course, I DO TOO. Somehow, she decided we were best friends, and insisted that I read her and her brother a Disney book about English. We sang the ABCs about four or five times straight, and then played "JYANKENPO" (Aka = Rock, Paper, Scissors) for about ten minutes without stopping. You would think that you would get sick of that after you did it about once or twice, but apparently not. Needless to say, after this dinner appointment I felt like a pretty popular Sister Missionary. Living the dream.

We also met our new mission president this week, which was cool. He has spent the last 14 years of his life living in Tokyo with his wife and family and is fluent in Japanese. He also served his mission here in Japan once upon a time. He even served in Akashi, which was my very first area. Interesting how the Lord works, huh?

Something that my mission president talked about this week really left an impression on me, and I figured I would end my email this week with that message. We all know the short scripture verse, "And my father dwelt in a tent," and if you are anything like me, you've not really thought about this verse much (2 Nephi 2:15).

 Okay, let's review the background story for this verse: Lehi and his family lived in Jerusalem in ancient times. Lehi was a prophet called of God to teach the word to the people, but they wouldn't listen, and even threatened to kill him and his family. In order to protect Lehi, God commanded him and his family to go into the wilderness. To be obedient to the Lord, they packed up some tents and camels, and left. They left everything. Their house. Their money. All of their belongings. The Book of Mormon tells us that Lehi and his family were pretty well off. They most likely lead a rather plush life with enough money to meet their needs and then some. And they just left it all, simply because God asked them too.

So let's go back to "And my father dwelt in a tent." When you think about all the wealth and riches Lehi once had, it becomes even more significant that he is now living in a tent. He was willing to give up everything to follow the Commandments of the Lord and be obedient to Him. He was willing to do things that put him out of his comfort zone, that made him uncomfortable. He was willing to put his fear in the future behind him, trust in the Lord, and "dwell in a tent."

In the same way, we need to be willing to dwell in our own tents. We need to be willing to trust God and do what He has asked us to do, even when we don't necessarily see the end from the beginning. Church Leader Boyd K. Packer has said, "You must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you."

Sister Weigl