11/7/2016 "Love is the center of all that we can do"

Minnasan Konnichiwa!

This week was fantastic, the only down side was that most of it was spent away from home. We had three separate meetings this week, two in Kobe with our mission president and his wife, and then a zone meeting in Kyoto. I learned so much to the point that my small head couldn't take any more, and I couldn't even begin to write it all here. One of the things that stood out to me, though, was the importance of showing love. Love is the center of all that we do, love for our brothers and sisters, and love for our Heavenly Father. If we aren't feeling the love and joy of the gospel, there is no way we can expect anyone else to do so. When we do have this love, it changes our obligations into opportunities to serve God and others.

I also got to see some long-lost friends at the meetings in Kobe! I got to spend time with both Elder Wood and Elder Jones, who came to Japan at the same time as me. They are still as awesome as ever, and are such great examples to me! I also got to spend a lot of time with Elder Matsumoto, and we even went out and worked together on Wednesday night since we were staying in Kobe. It was so much fun! So much has changed since last year when we lived in the same apartment, I almost can't believe it. Missions change people for sure.

Like I said, that was most of our week, but once we got back to Otsu we still had some good experiences. We had testimony meeting on Sunday, and I had an opportunity to bear my testimony. As I considered what I should share, I remembered something from studying the scriptures a few days before. It came at a time when I was feeling the stress of all of the small things and responsibilities we have to fulfill as missionaries. I was wondering how to accomplish all that was before us, when I read Mosiah 4:27. "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." I felt so much peace in that moment, and I felt in my heart that God knows me personally. He knows my abilities, my desires, and my situation. I knew that even though I am far from perfect today, as long as I am diligent in following His commandments and teachings, I can become like my Father in Heaven. I know the same is true for all of you, and I hope you feel the same peace as you search the scriptures. Love you all, see you next week!

Winegar長老より