ハロー、
マイ。ナム。イズ。タイゲ。ワツ。ヨウ。ナム?
(Mai. Namu. Izu. Taige. Watsu. You. Namu?)
Reading japanese is hard(no katakana is not Japanese). But you know what is harder? Loving. And you have the ability to use all that time spent not reading Japanese on loving others and you still might feel like its not enough or it isn’t for you.
You are enough. Well, as long as you’re making your best effort. If you feel like you could be doing more, is it that or would you be sacrificing other things in order to “do more”. What is it you’re sacrificing? Is it something that brings you happiness? Is it something you need to maintain your mental health? Sacrifice isnt always the best way, well you’d have to look at why it’s a sacrifice or not but anyway. I do wish to point out that if you sacrifice, God will help you but he will also understand and love you even if you are standing on both sides of a teeter totter(they have them in Japan). But also, maintaining balance in your life will help improve others and can allow the correct changes to come more naturally.
Also a recent general conference talk I found in my search was: Bridging the Two Great Commandments
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/53stevenson?lang=eng
Which talks about balancing your love for god and love for others. This leans more towards the challenges of the commandments versus loving those who do not follow them. But it is also one of those things where it’s making a decision to align your will with gods over choosing your own path. If you have any of your own insight id love to hear it.
Questions from Dad:
What have you felt inspired to say to the people you’ve met?
Low-key, a lot of random stuff. Little of which seems like true inspiration. But, that’s why I’ve been trying to convey my feelings through ways other than speech. Sign language, charades, food, activities, texts, etc. are all ways that can get your feelings across without you knowing what is being said. It will hopefully in the long run help out friends. Like one friend said he’d pray before his tests because I felt prompted to text him after a random offhand comment from our mission coordinator about thanks for sharing our testimonies with others. I think that’s what he was talking about atleast.
What’s been one of your favorite scriptures? The one titled モルモン書.(Book of Mormon) It says some wild stuff though and low-key not a beginner read. No but actually Jacob 4:7 and ether 12:27. Which both use the word weakness but in japanese it uses 2 different words. Brownie points if you can tell why.
Is there anything we can send in our next care package?
Some people go crazy for Nutella. I miss the price of American butter and cheese. Not really stuff to send in a care package. I don’t think I could help anyone make a care package for a missionary. I simply wouldn’t know what to send. Sorry, I can’t really answer this one. I don’t miss any particular thing from America too much because there are usually healthier alternatives. Lowkey so far I haven’t been able to find malt o meal or an alternative. I kinda miss it.
Possible an encouraging note? Ive found myself more attached to a piece of paper written about random stuff from my parents than a text that really would dig deep emotionally if send in a letter.
Tell us about your favorite lesson you’ve taught recently?
Hahahahahahahahahaha. Maybe start doing Japan specific questions. Like this question but without the recently part so I can actually answer it. But as of yesterday or most recent lesson was on looking for the weakness shown to you, in order to improve your life.
Love you all,
Sorry it was late. I tried actually proof reading for once. Took a while.
