75th week in Japan
1/16/2017
Covered in Snow!

Dear Family and Friends,

Last Saturday my companion and I woke up in the morning only to see
everything outside buried in the snow! It came a little late for
Christmas, but it has been so much fun to take advantage of the snow
and use it in our missionary work. Riding bikes around in the snow
isn't the most effective thing to do, so we have been walking around a
bit, but it has helped us find more opportunities to serve and love
the people.

Something that I have noticed lately in my study and focus on how I
can improve myself is the importance of desire. Sometimes it is very
difficult to have faith, but having faith really just starts with our
desires. I think Alma describes this principle perfectly in the Book
of Mormon. "But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties,
even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith,
yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire
work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place
for a portion of my words," (Alma 32:27).

For example, President Welch gave us a challenge from around October
for each companionship to get a baptism by the end of the year. When I
received this challenge I feel as though I did not have the complete
faith to accomplish it. What my next step should have been was to look
at my desire to believe and let it work within me. I failed to do so,
but I have learned from my mistakes. Now I have the opportunity to
repent and improve. Even though we may not have complete faith in
being able to accomplish something God asks us to do, that is okay.
When God gives us a commandment he always provides a way to accomplish
it (1 Nephi 3:7). In order to do so we have to look at where our
desires are, where our will is, and align it with God's.

I truly believe that this simple principle can change our lives. I
invite each one of you to try this in your lives. When you feel like
you can't find time to pray together with your family, to read your
scriptures at the end of the day, or to help someone in need, look at
your own personal desire. Then trust in the promise that Jesus Christ
himself gave the Nephites many years ago. "And whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall
receive, behold it shall be given unto you," (3 Nephi 18:20).

Ponderizing scriptures: 2 Nephi 4:28

Questions:

How are the members doing in your area?  Have you met any new fun people lately?

1. They are doing well. It is getting pretty cold so everyone always
talks about how cold it is, but they are so faithful. They work hard.
We have met a few really cool younger kids who we set up lessons to
meet with again. We are trying to focus on younger people to help
strengthen the future generation of the church in Japan.

How did your leadership conference go?  How are the new Elders in your area?

2. It was incredible. The spirit is there the entire time and I was
able to learn so much. The Maizuru Elders? They are doing very well
actually. They found someone who has a strong desire to know the truth
and it seems like he will progress very well.

 Have you been able to play any ping pong or any sports lately?

3. Not much... we want to start something with the branch, but most of
them are older so we don't know if it will be the most effective thing
to do.

 What has been your favorite area that you have been in and why?

4. That is an extremely tough question. I don't know if I can pick
one, but if I had to I would probably say Uwajima. It was able to meet
with Sister Katayama and help her come unto Christ by having faith,
repenting, and being baptized. I also loved the Hasegawa couple so
much! They were like my parents away from home. I wish I could go
back...

How are your English classes going? Does anyone that come to the English class sometimes have a gospel lesson too?

5. Our English classes are going to be completely different now. We
are changing up a bunch of stuff to turn it into more of a finding
activity. All of Japan is going to be changing their English classes.
Some people listen to the gospel, but with the new English classes we
should be able to find a lot of new investigators.

How has your health been?  Is there anything that you need?

6. Actually very good. Dad and I have been setting some new goals and
I haven't gotten sick or injured at all. I have been trying to eat
healthier foods. My companion and I eat smoothies for dinner almost
every night. I am good. Thanks so much for the protein shake stuff
too. It is really good and helps me get up in the mornings.

Do you know if they have water parks, ice skating rinks or bowling alleys there in Japan?  Are there activities like these that the Japanese like to do a lot?

7. They do have bowling. I don't know much about ice skating, but I
bet they do up north. I am not sure what they like the most. Karaoke
is very famous though in Japan. People love it.

Thanks for all of your support everyone. I hope you all have a great week!

Elder Justice Hirschi