Monday, August 1, 2011

July 31, 2011

Well this last week has been an interesting week! At English Class we had a party for Takei Shimai! (One of the sister missionaries here) That was way fun. Then Brother Mita brought us some food and stuff from Costco! He brought us tortillas, Costco Pizza (SO GOOD!!) salsa, chips, cheese, etc. SOO good. A costco is opening up in a month in the area next to us here, so if were still here, its going to be way cool!

The Taksaki ward here had the summer festival on Saturday, so we tried to visit as many less actives as possible. It was a good week as far as less actives goes. We had two less actives come back to church yesterday. One we stopped streeting. Haha. Me and my companion were at the Oyama ward, but the Sisters said they came, and both said they're coming again next week. Oyama Ward was way fun! It was my first time going there, but they were all so happy to see the missionaries. There are still no missionaries in that ward, so they were way happy. My bean, Elder Petersen, has a brother who married a sister in that ward. She was there with her daughter, so I met Elder Petersen's niece and sister in law as well! To get there we had to take a 2 hour train ride, so we woke up at 5, and headed out to Oyama. Its on the complete other side of the Zone, and Kiryu Zone is the biggest in the mission. On the way back, we stopped at Kiryu, and met up with the Sakurais. Exactly a year ago from yesterday, (7/31) Jun got baptized. So we wanted to go visit him. So we got off the train at Kiryu, then went with them back to Takasaki. We visited Jun, but he was completely different. He did not want to see us. He remembered us, but didn't want to go to church or anything. The reason why is because of where he is living. His real mother is quite apposed to church, and her boyfriend doesn't like church. So hes changed a lot, and probably just really really scared. I feel bad for him. I just kept looking at him in the eyes. Every once in a while he would look up at me, but then quickly break eye contact. I told him that even if he doesn't go to church we are still friends. He didn't say anything. I asked, are we friends? He didn't say anything........ That was hard. We did all we can, and I don't feel bad about that. But its sad to see him change like that. I don't know whats going to happen with him. I can kind of understand how God sees those who turn away from him. So full of love, willing to do everything to help them, but still, they turn away from God.

I read a cool scripture this week that has been making me think a lot. Corinthians Chapter 13. Its about Charity. Paul talks about how even though we may have knowledge or skill, or talents, or faith or anything, if we don't have Charity, we are nothing. So what if you know every principle every doctrine of the church. If you don't have love, no one cares! Love is the greatest commandment! Love god, and love all people. ALL PEOPLE!!! EVERYONE!! Even those who hate, mock, or scourge us. Love them. If we don't have love, we have nothing. If we don't show our love, it doesn't mean anything. A quote i really like "No one cares how much you know, unless they know how much you care". We must have love, or we are not following Christ.

Thanks to everyone who reads this. I love you all. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. Arigatou!

Elder Stewart

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