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.