..in a thing called love!
Man.
Alive.
Life.Is.Good.
Alrighty, I gotta talk about miracles. Miracles Miracles miracles. First things first though! in order for you to understand my stories you gotta understand the past week! So one sister in our apartment went home (long story, she got really sick), and so we were made a tri-companionship. So I have two companions! Luckiest sister in the world! Bush shimai to iu no shimai and Stevenson shimai. (still going strong). So we were dendoing- and we went to these two specific blocks we had prayed about and had miraculously both chosen-out of all of Nagasaki. So we were super pumped to go to these two specific blocks. So we knocked on all the doors, talked to everyone outside-and nothing. So as we were leaving (we were running a little late), I saw this especially intriguing green door--not in either of the blocks we had prayed about. (I have been trying to follow the spirit more, and recognize it, and one common theme that I have been trying to learn for myself is that it isnt this HUGE STRONG feeling all the time. It is a still small voice, that is often times a thought that pops into our head). So. we knock on it- someone talks to us through the kekko box- but then tells us to wait!! They were coming to the door. So he came to the door and listened. We told him about Jesus Christ, how much God loves him, basketball, etc. etc. And he made a return appointment. He had so much interest! And it felt so good teaching him. We were all so excited.
I was thinking about it later that night, and I wondered if we had made a mistake. The Shotaro (the guy) hadn't been in either of the blocks we had prayed about. But then I realized NO. We didn't make a mistake- Heavenly Father was guiding us the whole time. We just needed to show that extra measure of faith by acting on a prompting we weren't sure was a prompting or not. And we saw MIRACLES. We got to tell this guy-who had no idea--that God is his loving Heavenly Father. He wants to help him, he can be happy, he can find comfort-he can be strong. I realized that YES we need the spirit in planning, but the spirit in the moment is just as important, and sometimes that means changing your course. It was just a really cool story.
But it connects with the other thing I have been thinking about! My whole mission- we have seen things happen that we always call miracles- and then when it doesn't end the way we want it to-I disregard the first miracle. Like Kitagawas dream. that was a miracle- but she didn't decide to listen to the advice and get baptized. THAT DOESN'T MATTER. Once a miracle, always a miracle. Whether or not things work out the way we want them to. I have been ungrateful for miracles without even realizing it. Poor Heavenly Father is probably so frustrated with me. So. I am glad I finally realized that. Makes life a lot happier.
Here is a quote that says exactly what I want to say----it is INSANE. Heavenly Father just puts these things all in a line for me to learn. They all relate. I love it. Here it goes. I paraphrased it a lot--it is from Jesus the Christ. It is way good.
"Achievements made possible by modern invention of telegraph and telephone with or without wires...development of the gasoline motor...these are no longer miracles in man's estimation, because they are all in some degree understood, are controlled by human agency, and, moreover, are continuous in their operation and not phenomenal...all nature is miracle...[in relation to Christ's miracles] science has not yet advanced far enough to analyze and explain...to deny the actuality of miracles on the ground that, because we cannot comprehend the means, the results are fictitious...[implies] that what man cannot comprehend cannot be...to comprehend the works of Christ, one must know Him as the son of God...to the honest soul who would inquire after the Lord, the invitation is ready; let him "come and see" " p.148-9
Wow. That is all I gotta say.
On a lighter note- today we were all talking and Bush shimai said she doesn't really like Labor day. Then Stevenson shimai said "what is labor day? Is that like onion day?".... oh man I love her hahaha
We had a great lesson with Aiko this week. We asked her all about her testimony, if she feels like she recognizes the spirit, ect. etc. She shared experiences of getting answers to prayers, feeling the spirit. I asked her how her life has changed from before the lessons, and she said she is happier. She feels peace where there used to be frustration and anger. She said she has so much hope. She is an angel. I thank Heavenly Father everyday that He let me meet her. She wants to be baptized the beginning of September. We need to get her finacee on-board. Pray for her please!
I have never been so happy! I swear! Heavenly Father just lifts us up, one day at a time. Trials are like big steps up. Takes a lot of energy but the end result is incredible! I love you all so much. SOOOOOO much. If I had the biggest arms in the world I still couldn't give you a big enough hug. Have fun the last few weeks of summer! Or the last week? Wakaran.
Love ya!
To the moon and beyond!!
Love,
Lane Shimai
ps we organized a super fun youth activity about the plan of salvation. I shall send pictures.
No comments:
Post a Comment