89th week in Japan
4/24/2017
Meeting Simon Robinson!

Dear Family and Friends,

Elder Busby and I have had a fun transfer full of hard work. We have
been really searching to find those who are prepared to hear the word
of God and accept the gospel into their lives. One thing that we have
been struggling with lately is finding new investigators that will
hear us.

President Welch came to our zone a couple of weeks back and talked
about how finding is not an activity, but rather it is an attitude. It
is a mindset that we need to create in order to find those that are
prepared, and we must do so diligently. President Welch also asked us
to start the new doctrine of Christ challenge, and I have started
recognizing what it means to seek diligently with the right mindset.

My companion and I weren't in the area all that much this week due to
companionship exchanges and meetings, but with the short time that we
have been in our area we have been working to get new investigators.
We received a referral a while back that seemed to have some good
potential but lived very far away. We didn't know what would be best
to do with our time, but we felt like we should try following up with
this referral. A long the way to the referrals house we tried stopping
all those who we could to teach them about the restored gospel. We
faced many rejections. Eventually we came to the area of the referral.
It was late at night and we didn't have much time before we had to go
back home before curfew. We knocked on the door and a man from
Scotland named Simon Robertson came to the door. He talked with us for
a while about how he met with the missionaries in the past. He had
been through many trials in his life and he feels like he needs to
follow Jesus Christ in order to live a better life. He talked about
his desire to be baptized and live a better life.

Finding out that Simon has been prepared by the Lord brought great joy
to Elder Busby and I. It has strengthened my faith in what Nephi says
in 1 Nephi 10:19 "For he that diligently seeketh shall find." I know
that what President Welch has testified about finding being an attitude
rather than an activity is true. I know that God is looking out for
his children and that each and every soul is of great value in His
eyes. He loves us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Questions:

What are some things you like to do in Nara?

1. We liked going to the Nara park. Next week we will go bowling with
some investigators. We also go to do service for a family at their bakery
every Saturday, which is fun.

Is your companion getting the language down?  Does he like Japan pretty well?

2. Yes. He is doing great. He has improved a lot. He likes Japan.

How are your investigators doing?  How are your English classes going?

3. They are doing well. We are currently working to find more new
ones. Well, we started out with about 6 or so people coming each week
and last week 17 people showed up. We have been working hard to help
people come to eikaiwa.

Have you had any game nights lately like ping pong?

4. We wanted to start ping pong, but the members didn't seem to be too on board.

Do they have any holidays there in Japan in April or May?  When is kids day there?

5. I don't think so. I am not sure when kids day is.

Have you been learning the song we sent for the piano?  Do you still have your easy piano hymn book?

6. I played a little bit, but I haven';t had time lately. I still have
the hymn book yes.

How do you like being in the Osaka zone? 

7. It is fun. We get to go to a lot of fun places.

Have you been able to see Brother Kei Iwaki at all?  I think he is somewhere in the Osaka area.

8. Yes. I have met him a few times. We went to Himeji together when
I was in Kobe.

Elder Hirschi

88th week in Japan
4/17/2017
The Doctrine of Christ challenge #2

Dear Family and Friends,

Not a lot of time to write this week. I hope that everyone is doing well and loving life because life is great. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for God's plan for us and our decision to come here. 

This week we got a new Book of Mormon challenge from President Welch. We are going to be doing the Doctrine of Christ again! I am so glad that I get the second opportunity to try this challenge again. When I first came to the mission they had just started the challenge and now before I go home I will have one more chance to do it. I know that it will be completely different this time around even though I will be reading the same book. 

Ponderizing scripture: (I forgot again....) next time

Questions:

 Will you guys do anything for Easter there?  Does the ward have a party or anything?  Does anyone color eggs in Japan or do they even celebrate Easter there?

We haven't done anything for easter. People talked about it a little bit, but they don't really celebrate it much here.

Have you met any new fun people lately?

We met a guy named Tanaka the other day. He was really kind and wanted to come see our church. We took him on a tour and he seemed really interested. He said he was busy, but we will probably be able to meet with him again.

Did you have zone conference recently?  How was it? Are you in the Osaka zone?

Yes. We had one on Friday last week. It was great. We are in the Osaka zone.

Do the Japanese eat a lot of cherries since there are a lot of Sakura there?

No not really.

What is something you really like about the Nara area?

The apartment is extremely nice. The people are fun. It is fun trying to get used to an area without either of us knowing the area. 

Have you talked in church in Nara yet?

Other than our introductions the first Sunday we haven't talked in church yet. I will give a short talk next week.

 What is something you like the most about being a missionary?

Talking to people. Getting to know other missionaries. Studying in the morning.

Elder Hirschi

87th week in Japan
4/10/2017

Conference week in Japan!

Dear Family and Friends,

I hope that everyone enjoyed conference. I am a week behind, but it
never hurts to review the things that we learned at general
conference. All of the talks given were very spiritual uplifting and
inspiring. I really liked the talk given by Elder Choi, Elder
Stevenson, and Elder Palmer. Conference is a great time to learn
exactly what we need at that time in our lives. I have learned that
sincere questions can truly be answered through conference. Whether or
not someone says something that directly answers your question, the
spirit can teach us what we need to know.

 We have had another great week here in Nara this past week. On
Wednesday we invited our recently found investigator named Yoshiyama
kyoudai to baptism. He accepted, but he wouldn't commit to being
baptized on a certain date. We just need to keep working with him to
build his faith in Christ first. We have been blessed with finding new
investigators, and I hope that as we continue to work hard and follow
the spirit we can be led to those who are prepared by the Lord.

Recently during study time I have read about Ammon, one of the son's
of Mosiah. We all know the story of Ammon and how through his service
to King Lamoni helps him to convert King Lamoni and many of his
people. One thing that I noticed differently while reading this time
around was how Ammon was protected while serving the king. After
Ammon, King Lamoni, and the queen had sunk to the earth, it says

"Now, one of them, whose brother had been slain with the sword of
Ammon, being exceedingly angry with Ammon, drew his sword and went
forth that he might let it fall upon Ammon, to slay him; and as he
lifted the sword to smite him, behold, he fell dead." (Alma 19:22)

This was according to the faith and trust which his father Mosiah had
in the Lord.

"Now we see that Ammon could not be slain, for the Lord had said unto
Mosiah, his father: I will spare him, and it shall be unto him
according to thy faith--therefore, Mosiah trusted him unto the Lord."

Faith leads to miracles. The scriptures are full of examples. We also
heard in general conference many miracles that came due to faith and
the guidance of the spirit. I am grateful to know that God is there to
help us according to the faith and trust that we place in him.

Questions:

Who were a few of your favorite speakers from general conference?  Did you take the Werthers with you?

1. Elder Choi, Elder Stevenson, and Elder Palmer. We did take the
werthers. Elder Busby was my first companion that lasted the entire
Priesthood session without eating the whole thing.

Does your companion like to cook?  Does he play the piano or like to sing?

2. Not really any of those, but he does like wakeboarding and rock climbing.

Does anyone there ever talk about President Trump and what do they think about him there in Japan?

3. They do a lot. I try to avoid talking to them about politics and stuff.

How are your investigators doing this week?

4. They are doing well. We will meet with 2 of them today.

 How is your companion doing with the language?  Is it hard training someone new while learning the language?

5. He is making progress. It is difficult sometimes, but it is fun.

What are families like there?  Do you see a lot of families together?  Are there a lot of divorces there?

6. There are a lot of divorces. There are a lot of families together,
but the image is a lot different from America.

What is the ward like there?  Are there many youth in it?

7. There are actually quite a few here. We have about 50-55 active members.

When you first went out everyone was talking about Kobe beef.  Have you heard of it in any of your areas?

8. Yes. It is in some areas, mostly in the Kobe area. Some
missionaries have had it, but it can get extremely expensive. I have
heard of it being over $100 before.

Elder Hirschi

86th week in Japan
4/3/2017
奈良公園！

Dear Family and Friends,

Well, we had a great week this week and I don't have too much time to
write. We went to the Nara park and played some soccer today. We are
having fun and working hard this transfer. We also found a couple new
investigators recently. One is named Yamayoshi san and the other is
named Imanishi san. Imanishi san said that he would come to church on
Sunday with his wife after only 1 time of meeting with him. He seems
to have some good potential. I hope that everyone is doing well at
home. I hope that conference went well as well. I am excited to watch
it this weekend. Anyways, no time. We have to prepare for family home
evening. Have a great week!

Ponderizing scripture: 2 Nephi 31:15

Questions:

 When you travel to a new area is it usually by train?  What are the trains like there?

1. Yes. Sometimes by bus, but because we have bikes it is usually by
train. The train system is very nice; however, it is also very
confusing sometimes.

Will you get to watch conference next weekend?  Do you watch all the sessions all in one weekend at the church?  Does the whole ward go to watch it?

2. Yes we will watch it this weekend. Not the whole ward will go watch
it, but some people will come.

Other than dad and I and your siblings who writes to you the most?

3. Kayli for sure. Logan sometimes does.

Do you want to buy anything or send anything home? Will you want to send your bike home through the mail?

4. I will probably want to send a few winter things home since it is
getting hot. I also would like to send my bike home if that's alright.

Which foods will you miss most from Japan when you leave?

5. I will miss sushi, curry, nato, and quite a few more things.

Other than Coke, Kit Kat's, Domino's and McDonald's what American foods do you see there?

6. Not too much. If you go to Costco they have pretty much everything
there. They have burger king and Pizza hut.

Do you see very many people from other countries there that are not Japanese?

7. Yes. Our area is full of tourists because we have the Nara park
with the deer. There are a ton of people from around the world.

Who are some of your favorite people in your new area?

8. I like Nagura kyoudai. The Ono's are amazing. Also our ward mission
leader is pretty cool.

Elder Hirschi

85th week in Japan
3/27/2017
Nara!

Dear Family and Friends,

I am so full of joy to be here in Japan in the service of the Lord. Picking up a new missionary at the mission home on Thursday was a strange experience. It made me think of when I first came to the mission, which, in all honesty, feels like just a few days ago. My new companion is Elder Busby. He is from Highland Utah. We have a ton in common other than that he is about 5 inches taller than me. He loves wake-boarding, rock climbing, basketball, and lacrosse. He also has an extremely good attitude about dendou and a good work ethic. I am very blessed to work with a new missionary this transfer. 

It is sad to say goodbye to the people in old areas. They will not be forgotten. At the same time it is a blessing to get to know new people. The members here are incredible. I know I say it in every area, but it is because it is true. The people of Japan have great faith. 

While bearing my testimony in church on Sunday I could really feel how much I love the people of Japan. On my mission I have come to gain a sincere testimony of the truth that "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." Because of the growth in my testimony of the love that God has for each one of us, I have been given greater motivation and have a greater desire to serve those around me. 

A couple of days ago Elder Busby and I had the opportunity to do service for one of the members in the ward. We helped them clean out their bread shop. Because the members are so kind they gave us a big bag of bread to take home. On the way back we saw a homeless guy trying to go through some cans on the side of the road. Elder Busby said we should stop someone on the way if we feel like they needed some bread because we had so much. When we gave the man some bread he looked down and said "this will be tonight's dinner." We couldn't see because of the dark, but it looked like he had tears in his eyes. 

I know that God loves each one of us. All of us will face trials in this life, but God is looking out for us.

Ponderizing scripture: Mathew 22:37

Questions:

How is your new area? Is it colder or warmer there?

1. It's great! It's a little bit hard to get used to though because neither of us know where anything is. It is about the same temperature. Maybe a little bit more windy.

What is your new companion like? How is it to be training a new missionary again?

2.  He is awesome. It is way fun!

How was your trip to the new area?

3. It was long and confusing, but we made it alright. One of the railroads was shut down so we had to refigure out the trip.

What is your ward or branch like?

4. The ward is awesome! I already love the members.

How is your bike doing?

5. It is doing well. I keep trying to take good care of it.

Was Elder McArthur staying in Amagasaki?

6. Yes he stayed. I will miss him...

Is there a Costco in your new area?

7. No. It is somewhat countryside but also a little bit city. 

Hope everyone is doing well! Thanks for all of your support.

Elder Hirschi