Dear Family,
This week was good.
Heavenly Father certainly takes mercy on his children. I only had really one
full day of just my companion, there was always something at the time that I
needed it that would give me a break. God is good. We did some housing and did
some Kubari (pass out flyers) and a lot of other stuff, and I think I got a lot
of good stuff out this week, about ways I want to do things and things
like that. But the biggest thing was when I went on splits with Elder Coggins,
one of my zone leaders in Hachioji. And instead of rewriting it all I'm just
going to include my journal entry (that I did on my iPad that night) so you can
all read.
Splits: "Today was the most intense day of my
life. I can never forget some of the things that happened today with Elder
Coggins. The day started with regular studies, there wasn't anything too
special there, I had finished the Book of Mormon earlier this week so I was
reading through it again fast and more book like. Then we went to Hachioji
after language study because we were going on splits with the zone leaders. So
while waiting for that we housed a bit and sat around for a bit so that my
companion could do his spm report. Then the zone leaders finally came and we
split up on the way to lunch but we knew we would be eating lunch together with
James and Franky and the other Takao elders so there was that. So we ate and
had a good time, I told Franky goodbye and gave him my business card. Then
Elder Coggins and I headed out to go visit a couple pi's (potential
investigators) of theirs and a less active. That went way well and we showed
them the Easter video and talked a little about what the real meaning is with
each one. And after the last one we decided to start housing around that spot.
A lot of people were coming to their doors, but not much more than that really.
So after a few phone calls that came in, we started walking and said a prayer
to know where to go, and to help us be able to get some focus and do our best
work. After that we followed where we felt we needed to go and shortly
afterwards we found a guy, his name was Ryonosuke. He has met missionaries
quite a few times and he even remembers where and what their name was. So we
shared the Easter video with him and got to know him a little better. Then we
taught him about prayer and he said he would pray every day if he has time.
Then we found out he is a DJ and that he has my same sol republic
headphones! That was a way random, way
cool connection for us. So then we went and stopped at a conbini for a snack
for Elder Coggins. While he was eating, a man with some clear mental problems,
but still a nice looking guy walked up named Haga. He asked us if we were
English teachers and missionaries and he said some things then went inside and
when he came out he had bought us both some coffee (didn't drink it but
accepted) and then gave us his phone number and said he would come to Ekaiwa.
That was cool then, we talked to a cool kid on the way back to the church but
when we made it to the church is when the crazy miracle came.
We were walking up to the
church and just before we went in we saw a man by the corner of the building
and I felt like I should say hello to him. So I did and asked him how he was
doing and he said he was good (in English) and then he explained the game that
he was playing which was like a worldwide capture the flag at random wifi
portals, of which apparently the church is one. So then he asked us straight
up, what is the difference between your church and all the other churches. So I
started telling him some of our beliefs and talked about the Joseph Smith story
but partway through, Elder Coggins cut me off and went in another direction. I
was mad at first like he didn't trust me, but then I realized I wasn't
following the Spirits guidance and Elder Coggins was. And from then on I felt
the most intense feeling of the spirit I have ever felt in my life I think. We
just taught the restoration and that God was this man’s Heavenly Father and
answered the questions we felt we needed to answer but we stayed pretty based on
the restoration points. Pretty shortly after we started teaching this guy we
found out he is incredibly learned in a lot of things. He has read the bible in
Hebrew, Greek, Japanese, and English, AND he has read multiple versions of each
of those. He has studied religions all over because he works for Hewlett
Packard and has to go all over the world to do what he does. So he spends a lot
of time near all the crazy Middle East stuff. And as much as he knew, we never
got into a bible bash (partly because neither of us knew the bible well enough)
but we just testified and I got an answer to Moroni's promise. I had finished
the Book of Mormon earlier this week and not really felt anything different
when I prayed but when I testified of it, I felt like I was surrounded by fire,
but a good fire. So we testified like that's all we knew and made him promises
like that God will answer his prayers. It was way intense and at the end he
said that he would read the Book of Mormon that night and pray about it and
that we could count on him keeping contact. He left sincerely wanting to know
the truth and I really think he has or will pray with real intent to know. So
it was an amazing experience. Right after me and Elder Coggins prayed and stood
there and took a breath and realized we were Exhausted. Spiritually, physically
(we stood for 2 hours) and mentally too. It was way intense. I plan to keep
following up with them on how he is doing in Hachioji."
So that really was the
biggest thing so far this week. It was a way good experience for me and I
really enjoyed it. The next biggest thing is that last night the Mukaitani
family had all the missionaries over for an Easter barbecue, and that was a way
cool experience. We got there and helped set up and do as much as we could and
they cooked so much meat it was incredible and it was all way good. They are
one of my favorite families in the ward, they are always way nice to us and
they have been especially nice to me since I got here. They told me that they
were going to be way sad if me and Elder Simons leave. We are the 2 longest
missionaries here, because we came at the same time. So we gave the spiritual
thought, we are kind of expecting to transfer so it was a nice way to wrap
things up if we do. It was way good, and we made sure to give them our business
cards and took some pictures and had a lot of fun. If you guys come to pick me
up we will definitely visit them while you're here. One of the kids (the married
one) speaks pretty good English and so does their dad, and the kids know a good
bit of words so it would be lots of fun, not to mention their food is amazing.
So that was this week. There was a lot of doing nothing because my companion
doesn't want to dendo much anymore, but I was still able to have a great week.
Easter here wasn't as big of a deal as I had hoped but it was still good and we
did a lot of good Easter dendo.
I'm glad Emilee is ok and
everyone else is safe and sound, although no more car crashes please! I love
you guys and I like cars so those are the worst! Thanks for all the updates on
Easter and things that you have been doing, even though Morgan was the only one
on the hunt it still looked like fun! Thanks for the eggs, Ryan included I
suppose haha. I think the bunnies looked way good mom! I look forward to eating
them and dad that picture (lunar eclipse – blood moon) is now my background,
thank you! I've learned that I really don’t have any foods that I don't like
anymore, with the exception of pickled plums, which are do-able but not fun. So
Emilee I will gladly take all those pies off your hands. Yes I like pie now...
And I would love any music or anything you send :) it's getting warmer here in
Japan so I have broken the short sleeves out quite a bit. Everyone get healthy
and have lots of fun and remember I love you! Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Gailey
P.S. Any acoustic movie
soundtracks or anything like that would be great! Lord of the rings, spirit,
anything :)
P.P.S. IM TRANSFERING! I
will be going to Hachioji where I was just on splits! I will be companions with
Elder Turley. I'm not sure what he's like bit we shall see, I've seen him a lot
and I slept in his apartment on splits. Hachioji is the closest area to Takao,
but it is a ton different! I am incredibly excited. It will be way cool!
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