Hello Everyone! I have some really good news! So Sister Ito was scheduled to be baptized on the 19th, that is next next Saturday. However, we really felt like she was prepared and didn`t need to wait. So we did her interview on Saturday, and moved her date up to the 12th! So this Saturday she is planning on being baptized. And Elder Gordon is coming back to Shonan for that day to do the baptism. Were really excited! I'm really excited for elder Gordon. He was here for half a year, and didn`t see a baptism. This ward didn't see a baptism last year, so its a little overdue for a baptism. But anyways Elder Gordon never saw a baptism here, and he really deserves it. She was a self referral. Just walked into Church. At Zone Leader council President said something really interesting. he said that when we have self referrals walk into Church saying they want to be taught, it is a gift from God, saying that were working hard. Then he said, and don`t you ever thing otherwise. When he said that I thought of Elder Gordon and how he was working through a really hard companion.
This last week we had a new investigator named Kimura san. Hes 32 and is really cool. We found him on the street, and got an appointment to meet on Sunday night. We went over, and gave us juice, and he was drinking sake. (alcohol) But we started talking and he talked about how he used to be in a yakuza (Japanese Mafia) called Yamaguchigumi. My companion told me its the biggest yakuza in all of Japan. His Uncle is the head guy, and h was a part of it. Well for an assignment he killed a guy, and was is prison for about 8 years. Then quit the Yakuza, and what they do when a member quits is they cut of their pinky. So he had a missing pinky. Anyways he told us that, and said he really wanted to change his life. Believed in Christ, and wanted to get baptized. However as we were talking he kept drinking and time started getting later. We said we`ve got to go, but he didn't want us too. He lives alone, and he kept saying that hes going to get lonely. He started getting angry, and me and my companion were just praying like crazy. Praying that we would get out safely. Finally after 25 minutes and listening to amazing grace like 4 times on my dictionary, he finally let us go. we decided from now on when we meet were going o meet at the church. He also commented on how it would better to not be drinking when we talked next. He realized he was being rude by not letting us go, and apologized. He seemed really sad and thought we wouldn`t meet again. But yesterday we called and set up an appointment to met tonight at the Church. Were looking forward to that. Planning on talking about Alma the Younger and how he was tormented because of his sins, but through Christ he was forgiven and found redemption. we think that will apply to him well. Were hoping to get him baptized this transfer. We think we could.
So were looking forward to another good week. Thanks for all the love and support you all give me! I love you all so much!
Elder Stewart
Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
December 14, 2010
Hey I apologize I`m not going to be able to write a lot, but things are going great!! Last week we had a new student to Eikaiwa, who had also studied a lot about the Church with a missionary in a different area. So we set up a lesson for the next day, and were able to get a baptismal commitment with him. Then we met a couple days later again. His name is Yamaguchi, and he is way cool!! He really is such a funny guy. Hes a stud too. He is learning very slowly, but we feel he has a testimony, and it will just keep growing.
Hey mom I got the Christmas package. Thankyou so much!! I called the Sakurais yesterday evening to let them know I got transfered, and they told me something really funny. That day they were planning on Driving out the Ushiku to celebrate my birthday. But fortunately before they left, they called the Ushiku missionaries, and they said I wasn`t there..... They were shocked and suprised. Haha. Its a good thing they called first right? They`re so funny.
Things in Shonan are going great!! I love being so close to the Ocean, and being so close to Fuji. My companion is the biggest stud. I love him. (No homo....) He went to BYU before the mission, and were planning on being roomates and stuff after the mission. Hes way cool. His mom is Japanese, and is actually from Kiryu, and lived way close to where I lived when I was there. We really want to go visit them. But things are going really good.
Thanks everyone for all the love and support! I love you!!
Elder Stewart
Hey mom I got the Christmas package. Thankyou so much!! I called the Sakurais yesterday evening to let them know I got transfered, and they told me something really funny. That day they were planning on Driving out the Ushiku to celebrate my birthday. But fortunately before they left, they called the Ushiku missionaries, and they said I wasn`t there..... They were shocked and suprised. Haha. Its a good thing they called first right? They`re so funny.
Things in Shonan are going great!! I love being so close to the Ocean, and being so close to Fuji. My companion is the biggest stud. I love him. (No homo....) He went to BYU before the mission, and were planning on being roomates and stuff after the mission. Hes way cool. His mom is Japanese, and is actually from Kiryu, and lived way close to where I lived when I was there. We really want to go visit them. But things are going really good.
Thanks everyone for all the love and support! I love you!!
Elder Stewart
December 6, 2010
Hey family!!
Well As you are all wondering, I got transferred. I am no longer un Matudo Zone, Ushiku Ward. I am now in Fujisawa Zone, Shonan!!! Its way sick!! Its on the completely other side of the mission, and our area is on the beach. The name of the City is Hiratsuka, Kanagawa ken. Look it up. Way sick. Definitely more city than Ushiku. My companion is Elder Gordon. He is way cool!! Hes half Japanese!! So his Japanese is really good. His mom would always talk to him in Japanese, and he would reply in English. So he just pretty had to learn speaking. Hes way good at Japanese. I`m definitely going to learn a lot from him. Hes on transfer 4, and still in his bean area. Now I`m here. Its a way cool Area. I haven`t really seen much of it, but on the way back from the Eki I got to see quite a bit. Its way cool. I can`t wait to go to the Ocean.
Leaving Ushiku was a little difficult, but I felt a lot of Love from everyone. Especially leaving Darlington Behind. I think those were the funnest 12 weeks of my life. We had a lot of fun. Eikaiwa was really cool, we become really good friends with a lot of the members, and me and him for the most part got along really well. That was realy hard to leave behind, but I`m really stoked to be with Elder Gordon now, and work here in shonan. It seems really good, and looks like it has a lot of Potential. It feels like leaving another family, and now its time to make a new family here in Shonan.
Thankyou everyone for all your love and support and letters. I love and pray for you all!!
Elder Stewart
Well As you are all wondering, I got transferred. I am no longer un Matudo Zone, Ushiku Ward. I am now in Fujisawa Zone, Shonan!!! Its way sick!! Its on the completely other side of the mission, and our area is on the beach. The name of the City is Hiratsuka, Kanagawa ken. Look it up. Way sick. Definitely more city than Ushiku. My companion is Elder Gordon. He is way cool!! Hes half Japanese!! So his Japanese is really good. His mom would always talk to him in Japanese, and he would reply in English. So he just pretty had to learn speaking. Hes way good at Japanese. I`m definitely going to learn a lot from him. Hes on transfer 4, and still in his bean area. Now I`m here. Its a way cool Area. I haven`t really seen much of it, but on the way back from the Eki I got to see quite a bit. Its way cool. I can`t wait to go to the Ocean.
Leaving Ushiku was a little difficult, but I felt a lot of Love from everyone. Especially leaving Darlington Behind. I think those were the funnest 12 weeks of my life. We had a lot of fun. Eikaiwa was really cool, we become really good friends with a lot of the members, and me and him for the most part got along really well. That was realy hard to leave behind, but I`m really stoked to be with Elder Gordon now, and work here in shonan. It seems really good, and looks like it has a lot of Potential. It feels like leaving another family, and now its time to make a new family here in Shonan.
Thankyou everyone for all your love and support and letters. I love and pray for you all!!
Elder Stewart
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
November 22, 2010
Hello Everyone!!
This has been a really really good week here in Ushiku. We got a new investigator named Gina, who is from the Philippines. She was a referral from Miyake Shimai who is from Peru. We met with her, explained the Book of Mormon a little, and then testified. It went really good, and we set up an appointment for the following Friday. Then on Sunday we had Nakamura Shimai come to Church again which was awesome!! And we also had our investigator Kato come to Church as well.
Then on Monday we had a big Conference in Matsudo again. Four Zones met together, and Elder Evans from the 70 was there. He trained us for pretty much the whole time. He taught some things that really changed the way I look at Missionary Work. He asked how many of us have taught a first lesson without extending a baptismal commitment. Everyone raised their hands. He then talked for a while, about the Baptismal Commitment. He said he was here on a special assignment from Boyd K Packer, and that we needed to Change the culture of our Mission. He said "I don`t care if this is not how your trainer did things, or how your follow up trainer did things. From now on we cannot be shy about the Baptismal commitment. I hope that if I were to come back here in a year or so, and ask how many of you did not extend a commitment on the first lesson, I hope that none of you would raise your hands." He said that there was a reason it is worded the way it is on Page 40 in the Preach my Gospel book. It has a lot of power. He said that he has never seen a real truth seeking person say no to that question.
So Elder Darlington and I though about it a lot. About that promise. We had a lesson that night, and we knew that we were going to do a baptismal commitment. We first talked about prayer, then we talked about baptism. I tried to commit him one, but he said no. Then I asked the follow up question. Will you prepare your self to be baptized on this date? He again said no. Then my companion talked for a little bit, tried again, he said no. I still did not know. But my companion felt like we should ask one more time. We talked some more, and then my companion asked again, when you know that these things are true, will you be baptized on December 19th? He thought for a second and then said okay. We were really shocked. Really happy. We promised him that because he said that, he would receive more blessings than he can realize. We promised that this week, he would see miracles and amazing things, all because he said okay. It was amazing. We also have two or Three other Investigators were going to do the same with. Sugai had a date, but it fell through. He has work on that day. But were going to try and get him next Sunday. Also on Friday were meeting with Gina the Philippino lady, and try and get a date for her and her daughter. That would really be neat. It really reminds me of something Elder Holland said. He said something along the lines of, `this is eternal life. They may not understand the importance of this, but at least you do, so take advantage of the situation.` That is really what I think of when I think about this Baptismal thing. And I do feel like ``this could be the start of something new``. (High school Musical) My companion and I talked about it a lot, but our faith really has grown because of this recently. Especially with Kameshita. At the beginning of the lesson, he did not even believe in God, and we got him to say yes to Baptism. Now he is just opened the door for God to bless him.
Yesterday for P-Day we went to the Ushiku Daibutsu http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushiku_Daibutsu which was awesome!! It is like three times the size of the Statue of Liberty. We went with a big group of people. Nakamura Shimai, A PI named Takahashi, and the Ferreira Family. It was so much fun!! We rode our bikes all the way there. Probably about an hour and a half there and hour and a half back. So much fun.
I`m really excited for the rest of this week. We have already seen one miracle, and I think were going to see more, and I`m very excited!! This Church is True!!
Elder Stewart
This has been a really really good week here in Ushiku. We got a new investigator named Gina, who is from the Philippines. She was a referral from Miyake Shimai who is from Peru. We met with her, explained the Book of Mormon a little, and then testified. It went really good, and we set up an appointment for the following Friday. Then on Sunday we had Nakamura Shimai come to Church again which was awesome!! And we also had our investigator Kato come to Church as well.
Then on Monday we had a big Conference in Matsudo again. Four Zones met together, and Elder Evans from the 70 was there. He trained us for pretty much the whole time. He taught some things that really changed the way I look at Missionary Work. He asked how many of us have taught a first lesson without extending a baptismal commitment. Everyone raised their hands. He then talked for a while, about the Baptismal Commitment. He said he was here on a special assignment from Boyd K Packer, and that we needed to Change the culture of our Mission. He said "I don`t care if this is not how your trainer did things, or how your follow up trainer did things. From now on we cannot be shy about the Baptismal commitment. I hope that if I were to come back here in a year or so, and ask how many of you did not extend a commitment on the first lesson, I hope that none of you would raise your hands." He said that there was a reason it is worded the way it is on Page 40 in the Preach my Gospel book. It has a lot of power. He said that he has never seen a real truth seeking person say no to that question.
So Elder Darlington and I though about it a lot. About that promise. We had a lesson that night, and we knew that we were going to do a baptismal commitment. We first talked about prayer, then we talked about baptism. I tried to commit him one, but he said no. Then I asked the follow up question. Will you prepare your self to be baptized on this date? He again said no. Then my companion talked for a little bit, tried again, he said no. I still did not know. But my companion felt like we should ask one more time. We talked some more, and then my companion asked again, when you know that these things are true, will you be baptized on December 19th? He thought for a second and then said okay. We were really shocked. Really happy. We promised him that because he said that, he would receive more blessings than he can realize. We promised that this week, he would see miracles and amazing things, all because he said okay. It was amazing. We also have two or Three other Investigators were going to do the same with. Sugai had a date, but it fell through. He has work on that day. But were going to try and get him next Sunday. Also on Friday were meeting with Gina the Philippino lady, and try and get a date for her and her daughter. That would really be neat. It really reminds me of something Elder Holland said. He said something along the lines of, `this is eternal life. They may not understand the importance of this, but at least you do, so take advantage of the situation.` That is really what I think of when I think about this Baptismal thing. And I do feel like ``this could be the start of something new``. (High school Musical) My companion and I talked about it a lot, but our faith really has grown because of this recently. Especially with Kameshita. At the beginning of the lesson, he did not even believe in God, and we got him to say yes to Baptism. Now he is just opened the door for God to bless him.
Yesterday for P-Day we went to the Ushiku Daibutsu http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ushiku_Daibutsu which was awesome!! It is like three times the size of the Statue of Liberty. We went with a big group of people. Nakamura Shimai, A PI named Takahashi, and the Ferreira Family. It was so much fun!! We rode our bikes all the way there. Probably about an hour and a half there and hour and a half back. So much fun.
I`m really excited for the rest of this week. We have already seen one miracle, and I think were going to see more, and I`m very excited!! This Church is True!!
Elder Stewart
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
November 15, 2010
Hello Everyone! Greetings from Japan.
Today is very cold, very cold, and raining a little bit. But things are going good. This past week has been a lot of fun. On Tuesday we went to lunch with a less active, which we found out it was her Birthday that day! So we bought her lunch. Then the next day at Eikaiwa we had her and another student with a birthday so we made a cake, and played a fun family game. We wrapped them up in Toilet paper! It was a hit. Everyone had fun with it. The teams had about 6 people. They wrapped up the birthday girls and about tied. It was way fun! Then we brought out a cake with chocolate inside, chocolate frosting, Reeses peanut butter cups everywhere, M&Ms on the sides, and peanut butter drizzled on the top and sides. It was so delicious. Everyone loved it. It might have been too sweet for the Japanese mouth though. But it was still way good! Also the less active who’s birthday it was came to church on Sunday for the first time in about a year! And it was the Primary program, so it was really good!
On Friday we did splits with the Zone leaders. Elder Remington and I stayed here in Ushiku, and it was really fun. We got a little taste of what Dendo would be like in South America. We had a shokuji meal with a Peruvian member, then contacted one of their friends, who wasn`t Japanese. They were way nice, and spoke English. We talked and gave them a Book of Mormon, and said we would like to visit again, and maybe share more. She replied, Yea I`d like that...... Wait what?!?! I was surprised. But hey I`ll take it. So we set up an appointment for this Friday night. That was pretty cool.
Then on Saturday we played futsal in Matsudo for a couple hours after splits, then went back to Ushiku and played futsal again for a couple hours with some really cool PIs. They`re in like Junior High, and are on a Junior League team for a good Japanese soccer team. It was really cool. Then Sunday was Church, and we had the Primary Program which was awesome!! We have some of the cutest kids here. And there are a lot of them. My companion and I started bringing candy and when we shake their hands we give them a piece of candy. I did that one week, and then didn`t the next week. Then this week a 6 year old walks all the way up to me in Sacrament Meeting right before it starts, and shakes my hand. Then after he let go, he looked at his hand, saw nothing, then looked up at me with a really sad face.... I said I`m sorry I don`t have anymore. Then the next I saw him he was crying on his dad`s lap.Now I make sure every week from that point to bring a piece of candy for him. I felt so bad. There is also this other kid who always comes up to us, shakes our hands, and then just says ame...ame... which means candy. It is way cute!! Way funny!! Japanese babies are so adorable!
On Monday we went on Splits with Tsukuba, and I went with Elder Cooper who is a new missionary this transfer. We had a lot of fun, and I took him to eat Sushi for his first time in Japan! It was really good. Then yesterday, Tuesday we all gathered at Matsudo and had a big fun Zone P-day party. It was way fun.
So this week has been a lot of fun as you have probably got the drift. We`ve also had some really spiritual experiences too. With Sugai we watched Finding Faith in Christ, and it went really well. At the end he was like crying. We then shared the Scripture from 1 Nephi 2:20 when Nephi is promised a promised land. Then in Mosiah it says almost the same thing, but to everyone. Then we testified that there is a promised land waiting for Him. All he had to do was keep the commandments of God. It was really good.
Everyone thanks for all you do!! And I hope everyone has a Happy Holidays!!
Elder Stewart
主忠和徒長老
Today is very cold, very cold, and raining a little bit. But things are going good. This past week has been a lot of fun. On Tuesday we went to lunch with a less active, which we found out it was her Birthday that day! So we bought her lunch. Then the next day at Eikaiwa we had her and another student with a birthday so we made a cake, and played a fun family game. We wrapped them up in Toilet paper! It was a hit. Everyone had fun with it. The teams had about 6 people. They wrapped up the birthday girls and about tied. It was way fun! Then we brought out a cake with chocolate inside, chocolate frosting, Reeses peanut butter cups everywhere, M&Ms on the sides, and peanut butter drizzled on the top and sides. It was so delicious. Everyone loved it. It might have been too sweet for the Japanese mouth though. But it was still way good! Also the less active who’s birthday it was came to church on Sunday for the first time in about a year! And it was the Primary program, so it was really good!
On Friday we did splits with the Zone leaders. Elder Remington and I stayed here in Ushiku, and it was really fun. We got a little taste of what Dendo would be like in South America. We had a shokuji meal with a Peruvian member, then contacted one of their friends, who wasn`t Japanese. They were way nice, and spoke English. We talked and gave them a Book of Mormon, and said we would like to visit again, and maybe share more. She replied, Yea I`d like that...... Wait what?!?! I was surprised. But hey I`ll take it. So we set up an appointment for this Friday night. That was pretty cool.
Then on Saturday we played futsal in Matsudo for a couple hours after splits, then went back to Ushiku and played futsal again for a couple hours with some really cool PIs. They`re in like Junior High, and are on a Junior League team for a good Japanese soccer team. It was really cool. Then Sunday was Church, and we had the Primary Program which was awesome!! We have some of the cutest kids here. And there are a lot of them. My companion and I started bringing candy and when we shake their hands we give them a piece of candy. I did that one week, and then didn`t the next week. Then this week a 6 year old walks all the way up to me in Sacrament Meeting right before it starts, and shakes my hand. Then after he let go, he looked at his hand, saw nothing, then looked up at me with a really sad face.... I said I`m sorry I don`t have anymore. Then the next I saw him he was crying on his dad`s lap.Now I make sure every week from that point to bring a piece of candy for him. I felt so bad. There is also this other kid who always comes up to us, shakes our hands, and then just says ame...ame... which means candy. It is way cute!! Way funny!! Japanese babies are so adorable!
On Monday we went on Splits with Tsukuba, and I went with Elder Cooper who is a new missionary this transfer. We had a lot of fun, and I took him to eat Sushi for his first time in Japan! It was really good. Then yesterday, Tuesday we all gathered at Matsudo and had a big fun Zone P-day party. It was way fun.
So this week has been a lot of fun as you have probably got the drift. We`ve also had some really spiritual experiences too. With Sugai we watched Finding Faith in Christ, and it went really well. At the end he was like crying. We then shared the Scripture from 1 Nephi 2:20 when Nephi is promised a promised land. Then in Mosiah it says almost the same thing, but to everyone. Then we testified that there is a promised land waiting for Him. All he had to do was keep the commandments of God. It was really good.
Everyone thanks for all you do!! And I hope everyone has a Happy Holidays!!
Elder Stewart
主忠和徒長老
November 8, 2010
Hello Everyone!! This week has been a very fun week here in Ushiku. I got the Halloween package Family!! Thankyou very much. Thanks for all the Candy, and games. Me and my companion have been loving UNO. Way quick and easy to play. This week me and my companion decided to go for an adventure down to the Daigaku or College in the Area. My trainer who served here about a year ago, told me we should go there. So last Thursday me and my companion got on our bikes, and headed down there. Well as we were going we found something amazing. A huge park, shopping center, Toys R Us, and a ton of other stores. Found a sports store, where we took a break and hit a couple of balls, (Golf) and went to Sukiya. (Way delicious restaurant) It was amazing. Me and my companion have decided to call it Narnia. We stepped from a world we`ve known for the past few months known as the Ushiku area. And we stepped in A new land Narnia. Full with people to dendo, Koens with kids to play soccer with, and a number of other things. Our perspective of this wonderful land has definantaly changed. It has become much more open. Much more amazed at this world. We have other days planed to venture to the world of Narnia, and other lands further south, and west, which the map shows signs of Shops, and people who need the gospel.
Today we met with a less active who started coming to Eikaiwa 2 weeks ago at our Halloween party. She came to Eikaiwa again last week, and at the end, asked for our number and said she wanted to meet with us. So today, we went out to Lunch with her. It was really cool. She speaks really good English, and lived in Canada and America for a while. She heard the lessons in Japan, and then a year later went to Utah and got baptized there. Shes really cool. Way nice.
Yesterday me and my companion saw some really cool things happen. We went to Sukiya for dinner, and while eating Gyudon, (which is one of my favorite Japanese foods) a guy sat down next to us. I started to talk to him. We talked for a while, and in the End, I was able to give him a Book of Mormon, teach a little about Prophets, and show him the Promise of Moroni in Chapter 10. I told him that I believed that there was a reason he sat next to me. A reason why we went to Sukiya that day, at that time, and a reason why he went to Sukiya. I told him it wasn`t by accident. He seemed pretty impressed. So i told him, to read, and then to call us if he wanted to talk more. He was really nice, and me and my companion were talking after, and we both feel that if he does read, he will get the feeling that its true, and he will call. The amazing thing was is, when he sat down, i had this feeling like i should talk to him. Then I got the thought of maybe his parents, or ancestors were praying for that moment to happen. For him to go to Sukiya. And to sit next to us. I couldn`t ignore a prompting like that. I talked to him, did my thing, and now the rest is up to him. I apologize if it seems like I`m bragging about what I`ve done, but thats not the thing I learned. Truly meeting the missionaries is no accident. It has a purpose. Every person we talk to, I know its because someone was praying for that to happen. And all we have to do is do our part. Let them decide, and we do our part.
I truly believe that what happens here on this earth as far as dendo or missionary work wise, is just the tip of the iceberg. We have no idea how many generations of people or how many people are in the Spirit world praying for this, or hoping for that. We have no Idea, how much meaning everything we do has. Everything we do as members of the Church, it has a meaning. Everywhere we go, we can do something. We can answer a prayer by stopping someone. Not even as a missionary. We can take our headphones out, and talk to the person next to us on the plane, or train, or wherever you may be. We don`t know the prayers that have been offered unto God, just so that specific person would have the chance to be baptized, to accept the Gospel, to listen to the lessons, to hear a portion of the truth, or to even sit next to a true follower of Christ. We really don`t know what we have until we take the time to share it. Then we can truly discover what we have. I know this church is true. I know that Everyone on this earth can find eternal peace through Christ.
Elder Stewart
Today we met with a less active who started coming to Eikaiwa 2 weeks ago at our Halloween party. She came to Eikaiwa again last week, and at the end, asked for our number and said she wanted to meet with us. So today, we went out to Lunch with her. It was really cool. She speaks really good English, and lived in Canada and America for a while. She heard the lessons in Japan, and then a year later went to Utah and got baptized there. Shes really cool. Way nice.
Yesterday me and my companion saw some really cool things happen. We went to Sukiya for dinner, and while eating Gyudon, (which is one of my favorite Japanese foods) a guy sat down next to us. I started to talk to him. We talked for a while, and in the End, I was able to give him a Book of Mormon, teach a little about Prophets, and show him the Promise of Moroni in Chapter 10. I told him that I believed that there was a reason he sat next to me. A reason why we went to Sukiya that day, at that time, and a reason why he went to Sukiya. I told him it wasn`t by accident. He seemed pretty impressed. So i told him, to read, and then to call us if he wanted to talk more. He was really nice, and me and my companion were talking after, and we both feel that if he does read, he will get the feeling that its true, and he will call. The amazing thing was is, when he sat down, i had this feeling like i should talk to him. Then I got the thought of maybe his parents, or ancestors were praying for that moment to happen. For him to go to Sukiya. And to sit next to us. I couldn`t ignore a prompting like that. I talked to him, did my thing, and now the rest is up to him. I apologize if it seems like I`m bragging about what I`ve done, but thats not the thing I learned. Truly meeting the missionaries is no accident. It has a purpose. Every person we talk to, I know its because someone was praying for that to happen. And all we have to do is do our part. Let them decide, and we do our part.
I truly believe that what happens here on this earth as far as dendo or missionary work wise, is just the tip of the iceberg. We have no idea how many generations of people or how many people are in the Spirit world praying for this, or hoping for that. We have no Idea, how much meaning everything we do has. Everything we do as members of the Church, it has a meaning. Everywhere we go, we can do something. We can answer a prayer by stopping someone. Not even as a missionary. We can take our headphones out, and talk to the person next to us on the plane, or train, or wherever you may be. We don`t know the prayers that have been offered unto God, just so that specific person would have the chance to be baptized, to accept the Gospel, to listen to the lessons, to hear a portion of the truth, or to even sit next to a true follower of Christ. We really don`t know what we have until we take the time to share it. Then we can truly discover what we have. I know this church is true. I know that Everyone on this earth can find eternal peace through Christ.
Elder Stewart
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
October 31, 2010
Hi Everyone
So this week has been very good!! We met again with Sugai on Wednesday, and we got a baptismal date for December 1st!! He still has problems with Tobacco and Sake, but were working with him to stop smoking. We have been calling everyday to see how many cigarettes he at, and he says hes down to about 20. Normally he does about 30. So that's doing pretty well. His goal was to be at 15 tomorrow. I think he can do it. This is my first investigator with this kind of a problem, so its a new experience for me. He really wants to get Baptized, and I think if he hangs in there, he can be baptized on the 1st.
Also the Chinese lady that came to Church last week. He name is Chou. We were not able to meet with her last week. We had an appointment but it fell through. We tried calling on Sunday, but she did not answer. Then yesterday we were planning, and we started talking about her, trying to figure out what we can do. Right when we were doing so, she called us!! So we set an appointment for Thursday. Way cool!! We hope she turns into a good investigator. Shes Chinese so maybe.
So right now we are in Tsukuba emailing. We had to come in last night for a baptismal Interview here, and we spent the night, then just had all you can eat Pizza and Shakies.
Oh!! On Wednesday we had our Halloween party at Eikaiwa which was awesome!! It was seriously my funnest Eikaiwa. (English Conversation class). We talked at first about Halloween Traditions, and then got out the pinata which was the best!! Everyone got a swing or do at it, then we pulled out something harder, and the last person destroyed it. Then the candy went everywhere!! One of our students son Yuuki comes every week. He dressed up, and it was awesome!! He loved the pinata. It was way good cause some Potential Investigators came, and we build a good relationship with them, and we had this one less active lady come for the first time, and I met her for the first time. We talked after and she said she wants to come next week. Yosh!! It was a very good night. Crazy day, and was one of my best days here.
Well I love you all Thanks again for all your love and Support!!
Elder Stewart
So this week has been very good!! We met again with Sugai on Wednesday, and we got a baptismal date for December 1st!! He still has problems with Tobacco and Sake, but were working with him to stop smoking. We have been calling everyday to see how many cigarettes he at, and he says hes down to about 20. Normally he does about 30. So that's doing pretty well. His goal was to be at 15 tomorrow. I think he can do it. This is my first investigator with this kind of a problem, so its a new experience for me. He really wants to get Baptized, and I think if he hangs in there, he can be baptized on the 1st.
Also the Chinese lady that came to Church last week. He name is Chou. We were not able to meet with her last week. We had an appointment but it fell through. We tried calling on Sunday, but she did not answer. Then yesterday we were planning, and we started talking about her, trying to figure out what we can do. Right when we were doing so, she called us!! So we set an appointment for Thursday. Way cool!! We hope she turns into a good investigator. Shes Chinese so maybe.
So right now we are in Tsukuba emailing. We had to come in last night for a baptismal Interview here, and we spent the night, then just had all you can eat Pizza and Shakies.
Oh!! On Wednesday we had our Halloween party at Eikaiwa which was awesome!! It was seriously my funnest Eikaiwa. (English Conversation class). We talked at first about Halloween Traditions, and then got out the pinata which was the best!! Everyone got a swing or do at it, then we pulled out something harder, and the last person destroyed it. Then the candy went everywhere!! One of our students son Yuuki comes every week. He dressed up, and it was awesome!! He loved the pinata. It was way good cause some Potential Investigators came, and we build a good relationship with them, and we had this one less active lady come for the first time, and I met her for the first time. We talked after and she said she wants to come next week. Yosh!! It was a very good night. Crazy day, and was one of my best days here.
Well I love you all Thanks again for all your love and Support!!
Elder Stewart
Thursday, October 28, 2010
October 26, 2010
Hello everyone!
Well its been another week, and another Transfer. I cannot believe its already here. Me and Elder Darlington did not get transferred. We are still here in Ushiku and the Ward seems happy about that. We have really seen some cool things this last week. On Sunday we had a lady come to church totsuzen. No one knew who it was, but shes the friend of a member and decided to come. We taught a semi lesson at Sunday school, and we have another appointment for tomorrow. She Chinese, so KINJIN!!!! (金人) A golden investigator. They have that rep in Japan here. Everyone one here loves Chinese investigators. So it went really well. She came to Japan A little after I did, and she has really good Japanese. She studied a lot before she came here so shes really good. A lot of the Church vocab she didn`t understand like Prophet, but we just drew the Kanji, and she understand. Same with Prayer, and faith. Way cool. I`m excited to talk more with her tomorrow. I think that will be a lot of fun. We have a sister here who served her mission in Taiwan, so were going to try and get her to Joint for us.
Tomorrow night we have Eikaiwa as usual. And were going to have a Halloween party!! I`m way excited!! We`re making a pinata and everything. We`re way excited. We hope well get a lot of people there. Yea.......... Then the primary asked us to make a pinata too, so were making one for them too. Its way fun. Well yea things are going normal here! Just starting a new transfer off. Me and my companion are excited. We`ve got a lot of things going. Oh yea!! On Wednesday we met with Sugai san again. We talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost, and Enduring. And of course, like everything he said he believed it. So we asked and committed to be baptized. He said he was not sure because he has things he needs to stop before that. But in his prayer, he said that he wants to be baptized, and hes going to work hard so he can. But then asked God for help. Way good!! I really think Hes going to be baptized. Hes another Kinjin!! So yea things are going good. We have got Halloween coming up here. No one really celebrates it, but decorations and stuff like that are out. Its kind of cool. Pumpkins, and things of that nature.
Well I love you guys!! Japan is amazing!! Its starting to get colder here, and from what people say, we don`t get snow in Ushiku..... NO!!!!!!! Bitter cold, but no snow..... I guess that's OK for missionaries though. We can still ride our bikes. Until next week!!
Elder Stewart
Well its been another week, and another Transfer. I cannot believe its already here. Me and Elder Darlington did not get transferred. We are still here in Ushiku and the Ward seems happy about that. We have really seen some cool things this last week. On Sunday we had a lady come to church totsuzen. No one knew who it was, but shes the friend of a member and decided to come. We taught a semi lesson at Sunday school, and we have another appointment for tomorrow. She Chinese, so KINJIN!!!! (金人) A golden investigator. They have that rep in Japan here. Everyone one here loves Chinese investigators. So it went really well. She came to Japan A little after I did, and she has really good Japanese. She studied a lot before she came here so shes really good. A lot of the Church vocab she didn`t understand like Prophet, but we just drew the Kanji, and she understand. Same with Prayer, and faith. Way cool. I`m excited to talk more with her tomorrow. I think that will be a lot of fun. We have a sister here who served her mission in Taiwan, so were going to try and get her to Joint for us.
Tomorrow night we have Eikaiwa as usual. And were going to have a Halloween party!! I`m way excited!! We`re making a pinata and everything. We`re way excited. We hope well get a lot of people there. Yea.......... Then the primary asked us to make a pinata too, so were making one for them too. Its way fun. Well yea things are going normal here! Just starting a new transfer off. Me and my companion are excited. We`ve got a lot of things going. Oh yea!! On Wednesday we met with Sugai san again. We talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Holy Ghost, and Enduring. And of course, like everything he said he believed it. So we asked and committed to be baptized. He said he was not sure because he has things he needs to stop before that. But in his prayer, he said that he wants to be baptized, and hes going to work hard so he can. But then asked God for help. Way good!! I really think Hes going to be baptized. Hes another Kinjin!! So yea things are going good. We have got Halloween coming up here. No one really celebrates it, but decorations and stuff like that are out. Its kind of cool. Pumpkins, and things of that nature.
Well I love you guys!! Japan is amazing!! Its starting to get colder here, and from what people say, we don`t get snow in Ushiku..... NO!!!!!!! Bitter cold, but no snow..... I guess that's OK for missionaries though. We can still ride our bikes. Until next week!!
Elder Stewart
Sunday, October 24, 2010
October 19, 2010
Yosh......Another week, another transfer. Almost. It is now week six here in Ushiku, and transfer calls come in a few days here!! Crazy. We`re thinking that me and my companion are staying here in Ushiku for another transfer. We`re starting to get some new investigators, and are starting to really work with the ward more. But you ever know.
So right now I am in Tsukuba. Its about 13 kilometers away from our apartment in Ushiku. Today has been a very fun adventure. Last night we rode here on our bikes, and spent the night at the Tsukuba apartment. Then we woke up, and rode our bikes to Mount Tsukuba, and climbed it.....Then we came back to Tsukuba and now I`m Emailing. On my bike speedometer, it is at about 50 kilometers. Now we still have to bike back to Ushiku. I`m so exhausted. Me and my companion are very very sore. I think once we reach our apartment again, we`ll have biked about 50 miles. I`m insanely tired.
So dendou wise, me and my companion are very excited!! One of the guys me and Elder Renfroe found housing, we were able to get a hold of him, and met with him again!! And we have got another appointment. Its way exciting. We have received a number of referrals from the Tobe family, and have a lot of progressing investigators. Things are really going well here. We should be able to see some miracles in the near future. Sugai san is still reading the Book of Mormon a lot, and is believing everything we have taught so far. L1, L2, L3!! So Restoration, Plan of Salvation, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its doing way good.
Well I love you all back at home!! I hope life is going well for you, and I hope you all know I love you, and care about you!! Thank you very much!!!
Elder Suchuwaato!!
So right now I am in Tsukuba. Its about 13 kilometers away from our apartment in Ushiku. Today has been a very fun adventure. Last night we rode here on our bikes, and spent the night at the Tsukuba apartment. Then we woke up, and rode our bikes to Mount Tsukuba, and climbed it.....Then we came back to Tsukuba and now I`m Emailing. On my bike speedometer, it is at about 50 kilometers. Now we still have to bike back to Ushiku. I`m so exhausted. Me and my companion are very very sore. I think once we reach our apartment again, we`ll have biked about 50 miles. I`m insanely tired.
So dendou wise, me and my companion are very excited!! One of the guys me and Elder Renfroe found housing, we were able to get a hold of him, and met with him again!! And we have got another appointment. Its way exciting. We have received a number of referrals from the Tobe family, and have a lot of progressing investigators. Things are really going well here. We should be able to see some miracles in the near future. Sugai san is still reading the Book of Mormon a lot, and is believing everything we have taught so far. L1, L2, L3!! So Restoration, Plan of Salvation, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its doing way good.
Well I love you all back at home!! I hope life is going well for you, and I hope you all know I love you, and care about you!! Thank you very much!!!
Elder Suchuwaato!!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
October 12, 2010
Hello!! Well we just had General Conference a couple days ago! It was way good!! We had to go to Matsudo to watch which was fun. Its about an hour away. I did miss Elder Hollands talk which i heard was very good. I`m actually listening to it now. I love his voice. I also loved Elder Uchtdorfs talk about beautiful Simplicity. I loved the quote, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. That hit me, and I related it to the way I teach. I`m so grateful for the opportunity to teach this gospel to a non-christian background people. We are able to keep things Simple and pure. Simple and clean. This Gospel truly has a beautiful simplicity. Its very easy to get deep and worry about the little things about our Church and its doctrine, but we must step back and once again find the pure and wonderful points in order to keep our testimony. We can not always focus on the strings, but look back at the puppets they`re holding up. Look back at the thing worth focusing on. This Church is truly Amazing!!
So on Friday we were out visiting members, and after we had visited one, We were coming back, me and my companion were racing up a hill, and a car pulled out. From that I had my first experience in an ambulance, and in a Japanese Hospital! Don`t worry it wasn`t me, but my companion. I swerved out of the way, but we wasn`t so lucky. He hit his front brakes, and flipped and hit the car. He got cut by his ear, and the blood started dripping into his ear, so when they saw that, they flipped out and thought he was bleeding from the ear. So they called the ambulance, and went to the hospital. We didn`t even leave a dent in the car!! I was so suprized!! He hit it hard, and hes a big guy. But now hes ok, and all well. Well I love you guys! Bye bye
Elder Stewart
So on Friday we were out visiting members, and after we had visited one, We were coming back, me and my companion were racing up a hill, and a car pulled out. From that I had my first experience in an ambulance, and in a Japanese Hospital! Don`t worry it wasn`t me, but my companion. I swerved out of the way, but we wasn`t so lucky. He hit his front brakes, and flipped and hit the car. He got cut by his ear, and the blood started dripping into his ear, so when they saw that, they flipped out and thought he was bleeding from the ear. So they called the ambulance, and went to the hospital. We didn`t even leave a dent in the car!! I was so suprized!! He hit it hard, and hes a big guy. But now hes ok, and all well. Well I love you guys! Bye bye
Elder Stewart
Monday, October 4, 2010
October 3, 2010
Konnichiwa!!
This last week has been way fun!! We had splits a couple of times, and had a lot of fun!! On saturday we went on splits with the Ward mission leader, and with one of the youth preparing to go on a mission. After we showed them what a Tim tam slam is!! So good!! Do they have those in America? I never knew about Tim tam's before I came here to Japan. They Australian chocolates. So good. Look them up!! Anyways we did that, and talked about serving a mission with the youth. It was way awesome!
Then on Sunday we had church, and a guy who was born in Zimbabue came. He married a girl who used to live in this ward. They live now in Oyama, which is North of here. It was way cool to talk with him. So many members here speak English!! Every Sunday I find more and more people who speak English.
So yesterday we went on splits with the Zone leaders. We left the apartment, and talked to someone like 30 seconds out. I stopped him and started talking, and he said he could speak English and that he used to come to the English class we do. So we got his number, and said we would call him. I said we would come next week. Then the next person we talked to was also way cool. We got his number, and gave him a pamphlet about the Plan of Salvation. This was way rare. Getting numbers like that is extremely hard. Well at the end of the day, we had two more phone numbers, and an appointment set for the following week with a guy we met housing. It was so much fun! We saw more success yesterday then I have this transfer so far. As far as finding on our own efforts go. It was way cool. Now were in Matsudo. This ward building is like the biggest in Japan. Its five stories tall. Its bigger than the Temple!
So things have been going great lately! Its been getting cooler here. This summer was one of the hottest summers in Japan. So hot, and so humid. I remember Elder Kings glasses would just fog up the minute we step out of the apartment in Kiryu. Way funny. Well I`m having fun here in Japan. I can`t believe I reached six months in Japan last week. I can`t believe it. I love it here though. People are way nice, and its fun being a missionary. I know this gospel is true. It is the greatest thing in the would we could be apart of. As members, we are missionaries. We must rise to what the Lord wants us to do. And as we do so, we will gain such greater blessings! I know that is true! Ganbarou!!
Elder Stewart
This last week has been way fun!! We had splits a couple of times, and had a lot of fun!! On saturday we went on splits with the Ward mission leader, and with one of the youth preparing to go on a mission. After we showed them what a Tim tam slam is!! So good!! Do they have those in America? I never knew about Tim tam's before I came here to Japan. They Australian chocolates. So good. Look them up!! Anyways we did that, and talked about serving a mission with the youth. It was way awesome!
Then on Sunday we had church, and a guy who was born in Zimbabue came. He married a girl who used to live in this ward. They live now in Oyama, which is North of here. It was way cool to talk with him. So many members here speak English!! Every Sunday I find more and more people who speak English.
So yesterday we went on splits with the Zone leaders. We left the apartment, and talked to someone like 30 seconds out. I stopped him and started talking, and he said he could speak English and that he used to come to the English class we do. So we got his number, and said we would call him. I said we would come next week. Then the next person we talked to was also way cool. We got his number, and gave him a pamphlet about the Plan of Salvation. This was way rare. Getting numbers like that is extremely hard. Well at the end of the day, we had two more phone numbers, and an appointment set for the following week with a guy we met housing. It was so much fun! We saw more success yesterday then I have this transfer so far. As far as finding on our own efforts go. It was way cool. Now were in Matsudo. This ward building is like the biggest in Japan. Its five stories tall. Its bigger than the Temple!
So things have been going great lately! Its been getting cooler here. This summer was one of the hottest summers in Japan. So hot, and so humid. I remember Elder Kings glasses would just fog up the minute we step out of the apartment in Kiryu. Way funny. Well I`m having fun here in Japan. I can`t believe I reached six months in Japan last week. I can`t believe it. I love it here though. People are way nice, and its fun being a missionary. I know this gospel is true. It is the greatest thing in the would we could be apart of. As members, we are missionaries. We must rise to what the Lord wants us to do. And as we do so, we will gain such greater blessings! I know that is true! Ganbarou!!
Elder Stewart
Monday, September 27, 2010
September 21, 2010
Hello again!! Well this has been another fun week in Ushiku. Me and Elder Darlington have been working hard to learn more Japanese, find people, memorize the members in the ward and more. We have a ward of over 100 people, so learning the name of all the members is very hard. But were hanging in. On Sunday President Albrecht is coming to our ward in Ushiku to visit. So I`m a little nervous for that, but it will be very fun. That is another big reason we`re trying to learn all the members, is for when he comes. Yesterday we went to Matsudo and played soccer with some other missionaries, members, and investigators. It was way fun!! But now I`m way sore. When it come to riding a bike i have no problem, but running like i did before the mission, i can`t do it. Its impossible. It was so much fun to play. Brought back a lot of memories.
We`re looking forward to doing a lot of dendo this week, and trying to find a lot of people. Oh yea!! Last week to our Eikaiwa we had like 7 new students, so we`ll see if we get some new investigators from that. We have taught the introduction message to two of them, and they seemed pretty interested, but they said they wanted to read over and study it themselves a little. We gave them a pamphlet either the gospel of Jesus Christ, or plan of salvation and they said they would read it. That was really good. Oh yea!! On Saturday we went to Kiryu for Sakaki`s baptism. It was way good! When he bore his testimony after it was way cool. He said that Sakurai Kyodai really helped him overcome his problems, and helped him to be baptized. It really is a miracle that he got baptized. It really shows that anyone can accept this gospel, and experience the love of Christ. That was a really neat experience. Well I love you all. Thanks for all your love and support!! Bye Bye!!
Elder Stewart
We`re looking forward to doing a lot of dendo this week, and trying to find a lot of people. Oh yea!! Last week to our Eikaiwa we had like 7 new students, so we`ll see if we get some new investigators from that. We have taught the introduction message to two of them, and they seemed pretty interested, but they said they wanted to read over and study it themselves a little. We gave them a pamphlet either the gospel of Jesus Christ, or plan of salvation and they said they would read it. That was really good. Oh yea!! On Saturday we went to Kiryu for Sakaki`s baptism. It was way good! When he bore his testimony after it was way cool. He said that Sakurai Kyodai really helped him overcome his problems, and helped him to be baptized. It really is a miracle that he got baptized. It really shows that anyone can accept this gospel, and experience the love of Christ. That was a really neat experience. Well I love you all. Thanks for all your love and support!! Bye Bye!!
Elder Stewart
September 13, 2010
Well hello everyone! I cannot believe a new week has come, and also a new transfer. I am still here in Ushiku, and I have a new companion!! His name is Elder Darlington. He is from Flagstaff Arizona and is really funny!! he is 19 years old. His birthday is October 1, so that is coming up pretty soon!! He has been in the mission for about 2-3 months. Hes a transfer 3 missionary. I`m now a transfer 5............Its going to be a really fun transfer. We don`t speak Japanese, Were still very young missionaries.... Yea. We`re going to learn a lot! My Japanese companion got transferred up to Kiryu zone in the utsunomia area. Oh! Guess where I`m going this Saturday!! Kiryu!! I`m probably going to go to the temple with the Sakurai family on Saturday, then after that I`m going to Kiryu with them. Sakaki is getting baptised!! He is this investigator who me and stabi worked with, but then with King he really started making progression. And now hes getting baptized!! I`m not going to lie, its a miracle. It really shows how anyone can change their lives and be baptized! I was talking to him on the phone the other day, and he was way Genki and happy! He was reading the Book of Mormon when i called, and from the person who did his interview, he said that he has a deep love for the Book of Mormon! So Good!! I`m so excited to see the sakurai family on Saturday, Then to see the Ward too! Yosh!!
Put things here in Ushiku are going great. One of our investigators, Shirley, I think will be getting baptized soon. She has been having a hard time lately, and has not really come to church. She works every night, like the graveyard shift. But I called her last week, and she was way happy. She said she found a new job, and a new apartment. Shes had a baptismal date before, so like she is ready to be baptized. And now with this new job and stuff, it seems like shes starting over, so right now is a key time to be baptized. Start again! I`m way excited about that. Also President Albrecht is coming to visit Ushiku next week. So me and Darlington are going to start working on memorizing names, and getting to really know the Ward. We have got some preparation to do. It`ll be way fun. And hopefully we`ll get a baptism on that day too! Yosh! Kawakami shimai has a date for then, and were hoping that follows through.
Well things are going good here! I love my mission as usual. I love you family and friends. Thanks for all your love and support and letters! We`ll talk to you next week!
Elder Stewart
Put things here in Ushiku are going great. One of our investigators, Shirley, I think will be getting baptized soon. She has been having a hard time lately, and has not really come to church. She works every night, like the graveyard shift. But I called her last week, and she was way happy. She said she found a new job, and a new apartment. Shes had a baptismal date before, so like she is ready to be baptized. And now with this new job and stuff, it seems like shes starting over, so right now is a key time to be baptized. Start again! I`m way excited about that. Also President Albrecht is coming to visit Ushiku next week. So me and Darlington are going to start working on memorizing names, and getting to really know the Ward. We have got some preparation to do. It`ll be way fun. And hopefully we`ll get a baptism on that day too! Yosh! Kawakami shimai has a date for then, and were hoping that follows through.
Well things are going good here! I love my mission as usual. I love you family and friends. Thanks for all your love and support and letters! We`ll talk to you next week!
Elder Stewart
August 23, 2010
Well its been another week here is Ushiku! Things are going great! This past week we have had more than lessons than we have in a while, and we got some new investigators, and some new possible investigators. I`m not really sure what to write to be honest. Just another normal week. Last week I ate at an Indian Curry restaurant for the first time. We ate there with watanabe san who is a new investigator. It was really funny, cause the guy asked me where I was from, and said that his brother lived in America. And of course were talking in Japanese. Then after Watanabe san turned to me and translated into English for me. He stopped and looked at her (Watanabe san) and asked, can he speak Japanese? She said yea, and he then said well then why did you translate? It was really funny. Yesterday we went with her to a nearby Lake, and a little bike ride. It was way fun. Me and Elder Ochiai had no idea where we were going! It was a little scary. OH!!! On Saturday night we went to a Omatsuri or a festival! It was so much fun!! It was way Japanesey, and really fun. I ate for my first time, ika, which is squid, and it was pretty good! Definately different than anything I have eaten before, but it was quite delicious! At the Festival we met the mayor of the town, and talked to him a little bit. I also got a picture with him! YOSH!!! Then we went to DCS(I forgot what it is in English. The Missionary meeting with the bishop and ward mission leader) meeting the next day and found out we was a member!! Crazy!!
So yea things are going great here! Japanese is coming slowly, but hopefully surely. I Still love Japan, and still love you guys! Thanks for all your love and support, and for all your letters as well! Ai Shiteiru Yo!!!
Elder Stewart
So yea things are going great here! Japanese is coming slowly, but hopefully surely. I Still love Japan, and still love you guys! Thanks for all your love and support, and for all your letters as well! Ai Shiteiru Yo!!!
Elder Stewart
August 19, 2010
Hello everyone!!
Well its been another very fun week here in Ushiku filled with good fun Japanese Dendo Missionary Work! Well this week at Eikaiwa (English Conversation Class) we had two new students!! And we had about 12 students total!! Wow!! And it was just me. It was way fun! Next week were probably going to be splitting the Eikaiwa into beginning and more advanced. I talked to one of the members who speaks really good English and he said he could do that for me. So I`m excited about that. Last week we went and played soccer with the young men, and it was way fun! Although i was hurting for a few days! My neck got burned, so wearing a collar was way hard, and me and my companion were way sore!! Yea like riding a bike we can go 60 kilometers no problem, but play soccer for about 30 minutes, and we die!! It was way fun though.
So yea being in Ushiku has been way fun, and also way humbling. I`m not going to lie, but i hear friends on there missions talking about how they have mastered the language in 3 or 4 months, and I look at where I am, and how long I have been out, and I`m far from that. Its not that I`m not studying hard, or not trying, but its just how it goes. Its been really humbling. I have a Japanese companion right now, so I`m learning a lot, but its also a lot harder. I really have found a greater love in studying the Scriptures, and relying on Christ. Knowing that he knows how I feel. He knows what its like to feel unworthy for the task at hand. Uncapable to carry the load that has been placed upon his shoulders. Inadequate to do that which he has been called to do. I have really found a lot of peace through that. I know Christ knows our feelings, and he knows our inadequacies. And if we let him, he`ll help feel in the gap. I know that is true. This work is amazing! I was reading a talk given this last session in General Conference today about missionary work, and it said that there is no better thing that you could do than to serve a mission. Its so true!! There is no better thing for YOU and for others than to serve a mission. I love my mission. I love this Country. I feel like an eternal bond is being woven between my heart, and the hearts of these people everyday. Every Kekko, or every Warui, or every Dame that i receive, that bond grows stronger. I love this Language, and I love serving in Japan. It truly is the best place on Earth. The Land of the Rising Son. The first country created by God. ;) I miss you all, and i love you all. Shall we not go on in so great a cause?! Dendo Shiyo!
Elder Stewart
Well its been another very fun week here in Ushiku filled with good fun Japanese Dendo Missionary Work! Well this week at Eikaiwa (English Conversation Class) we had two new students!! And we had about 12 students total!! Wow!! And it was just me. It was way fun! Next week were probably going to be splitting the Eikaiwa into beginning and more advanced. I talked to one of the members who speaks really good English and he said he could do that for me. So I`m excited about that. Last week we went and played soccer with the young men, and it was way fun! Although i was hurting for a few days! My neck got burned, so wearing a collar was way hard, and me and my companion were way sore!! Yea like riding a bike we can go 60 kilometers no problem, but play soccer for about 30 minutes, and we die!! It was way fun though.
So yea being in Ushiku has been way fun, and also way humbling. I`m not going to lie, but i hear friends on there missions talking about how they have mastered the language in 3 or 4 months, and I look at where I am, and how long I have been out, and I`m far from that. Its not that I`m not studying hard, or not trying, but its just how it goes. Its been really humbling. I have a Japanese companion right now, so I`m learning a lot, but its also a lot harder. I really have found a greater love in studying the Scriptures, and relying on Christ. Knowing that he knows how I feel. He knows what its like to feel unworthy for the task at hand. Uncapable to carry the load that has been placed upon his shoulders. Inadequate to do that which he has been called to do. I have really found a lot of peace through that. I know Christ knows our feelings, and he knows our inadequacies. And if we let him, he`ll help feel in the gap. I know that is true. This work is amazing! I was reading a talk given this last session in General Conference today about missionary work, and it said that there is no better thing that you could do than to serve a mission. Its so true!! There is no better thing for YOU and for others than to serve a mission. I love my mission. I love this Country. I feel like an eternal bond is being woven between my heart, and the hearts of these people everyday. Every Kekko, or every Warui, or every Dame that i receive, that bond grows stronger. I love this Language, and I love serving in Japan. It truly is the best place on Earth. The Land of the Rising Son. The first country created by God. ;) I miss you all, and i love you all. Shall we not go on in so great a cause?! Dendo Shiyo!
Elder Stewart
Monday, August 9, 2010
August 2, 2010
Hello everyone!! Okay....Where to begin... Well I guess to start out we Jun got baptised on Saturday night, and confirmed the next day! It went really well! Its crazy how fast it was. He cam to church for the first time only two weeks ago. But he was ready, and had the desire, so why not? It was really funny after, because he was putting on his tie, which was a white one for baptism, but Sakurai shimai told him he could not do that. So Sakurai Kyodai took of his tie and gave it to him. So then Sakurai Kyodai went the rest of the night without a tie. But Jun did not like the tie. I was helping him put it on, and he was freaking out because he said it was too tight. (It was not) But once again, I played the piano, and Elder king sang, and it was really good!!
Okay next news, transfers was yesterday, and I was transferred. I`m now co senior with a Japanese Companion in Ushiku. Hes on his 7 or 8th transfer, and does not speak much English. I hope my Japanese will improve with him. I`m sure it will be hard at times, but in the end, it`ll be good. So yea I`m in Ushiku which is in Matsudo Stake, and next to the apartment is a big Buddha statue. Pretty cool. I`ll get some pictures of that.
So to email we have to come to Tsukuba, and we go by train. I was sitting on the train, and I looked at the map and saw Kiryu. Then an idea flashed in my mind. I could go back to Kiryu by train, where I know the members, know the area, know the good restaurants, and where I`m comfortable. I could go home. Then I realized, wait. Kiryu isn`t home...... I think leaving Kiryu was harder than leaving home. I`m not sure why. It really does show that when you serve people and care for them, you truly come to love them. It really is such an amazing area! Sunday was fast and testimony meeting, and so i stood up and bore my testimony. I said that when i left home, I thought I was leaving my family, which i was, but its almost like i came home to my other family. Really that is what it was like. Way weird. now I know what RMs feel like. Leaving their mission, and going home, when really it feels like your leaving home. Truly I love this gospel. I love being able to share it. I love the Japanese people. I have really gained a strong testimony that we all are sons and daughters of our heavenly father. Its so true! Anyways. Things are going great here in Japan! I love it! Everyone keep hanging in there at home! I love you guys! Thanks for all your love and support!
スチュワート長老
Okay next news, transfers was yesterday, and I was transferred. I`m now co senior with a Japanese Companion in Ushiku. Hes on his 7 or 8th transfer, and does not speak much English. I hope my Japanese will improve with him. I`m sure it will be hard at times, but in the end, it`ll be good. So yea I`m in Ushiku which is in Matsudo Stake, and next to the apartment is a big Buddha statue. Pretty cool. I`ll get some pictures of that.
So to email we have to come to Tsukuba, and we go by train. I was sitting on the train, and I looked at the map and saw Kiryu. Then an idea flashed in my mind. I could go back to Kiryu by train, where I know the members, know the area, know the good restaurants, and where I`m comfortable. I could go home. Then I realized, wait. Kiryu isn`t home...... I think leaving Kiryu was harder than leaving home. I`m not sure why. It really does show that when you serve people and care for them, you truly come to love them. It really is such an amazing area! Sunday was fast and testimony meeting, and so i stood up and bore my testimony. I said that when i left home, I thought I was leaving my family, which i was, but its almost like i came home to my other family. Really that is what it was like. Way weird. now I know what RMs feel like. Leaving their mission, and going home, when really it feels like your leaving home. Truly I love this gospel. I love being able to share it. I love the Japanese people. I have really gained a strong testimony that we all are sons and daughters of our heavenly father. Its so true! Anyways. Things are going great here in Japan! I love it! Everyone keep hanging in there at home! I love you guys! Thanks for all your love and support!
スチュワート長老
July 26, 2010
Well Well! I`ve been very excited lately to write this letter home! This last week has been amazing!! So I`ll start of at the beginning. This last week was week five of this transfer. Monday again, we went on Splits with the traveling APs. And no not a lot of areas do this. Like our mission President is just doing this once as an experiment. It was way cool! Wednesday we had Eikaiwa, and a lesson before that. (Eikaiwa is English Conversation Class. 英会話) Then on Thurday we disrict meeting in Oizumi, service with Moe at this daycare center for Handicapped people. Way fun! Then we went once again to the Sakurais. We talked about Jun for a little bit, then we went over to visit, and meet the mother. It was way cool, like we talked about Church, and how it would help him, and we asked the mother if it would be ok for him to come to church, and to learn, and maybe be baptised. She said yes. So we set up an appointment for the next day at the Sakurais. So friday came, and we went to the Sakurais. We started teaching him, and asked if he had read any of the Book of Mormon. He said yes. Talked about Prayer, and overall just reviewed briefly Sunday`s lesson. Then we finished teaching lesson one, and did lesson two. But during lesson one, we were talking about Christ, and we talked about how Christ was baptised even though he was perfect. We talked about that for little bit, and asked him how he felt. We read Alma 7.15, which is about Baptism. We then just turned to him and asked, well do you want to? You read the scripture? What do you think? Do you want to be baptised? He said yes. It was really cool! We set a date for this Saturday night. He seemed pretty excited about it. We`re way excited too! On Sunday at Church he sat next to me in Sacrament Meeting and i saw his Book Of Mormon we gave last week, and i saw some things marked. So I took it and starting looking through, and I was way shocked! He had read until 1 Ne 22, and he also had multiple scriptures marked up. I looked at some of the scriptures and they were about Baptism. Like part of the index in the back was marked, 5 or 6 notes in scriptures, and just stuff like that. I asked him if he did all that. He said yea. And i asked why? He just looked at me and said, baputesuma o ukemasune? or like, Well I`m getting Baptised right? It was way cool! I was soo impressed!
Also at Church on Sunday Juria and Haruki were finally confirmed. They were baptised about 3 sundays before but just couldn`t get confirmed yet. It was really cool though. Brother Matsuzawa confirmed them, and in Haruki`s blessing he started crying, and blessed Haruki that as a missionary he would be able to help others come to Christ, and preach the Gospel. It was really powerful. so cool!
But yea things are going well here in Kiryu! Transfer calls come this weekend. Scary! I`ve been in Kiryu for almost 4 months! Its been fun. Everyone including me and my companion are shocked at Kiryu this transfer. We`ve had 3 baptisms so far, and now another one this week. Everyone I`ve talked to is really shocked. I really am shocked too. It just shows me that not everything is about us. really we haven`t done much here. Everything has just come, and we`ve just done the rest. I know the Lord has had his hand in this area this last 6 weeks. I know thats True. I know he guides us, and also those who are ready to us. This work is amazing! After all that has been said, the greatest and most important work is to PREACH THE GOSPEL!!! -Joseph Smith. I`m so greatful for the Opportunity to serve. I love this gospel. i love Japan! I Love being able to teach in Japanese. Its such an amazing language! This church is true. And nothing can stop it from effecting every person here on Earth.
スチュワート長老
Also at Church on Sunday Juria and Haruki were finally confirmed. They were baptised about 3 sundays before but just couldn`t get confirmed yet. It was really cool though. Brother Matsuzawa confirmed them, and in Haruki`s blessing he started crying, and blessed Haruki that as a missionary he would be able to help others come to Christ, and preach the Gospel. It was really powerful. so cool!
But yea things are going well here in Kiryu! Transfer calls come this weekend. Scary! I`ve been in Kiryu for almost 4 months! Its been fun. Everyone including me and my companion are shocked at Kiryu this transfer. We`ve had 3 baptisms so far, and now another one this week. Everyone I`ve talked to is really shocked. I really am shocked too. It just shows me that not everything is about us. really we haven`t done much here. Everything has just come, and we`ve just done the rest. I know the Lord has had his hand in this area this last 6 weeks. I know thats True. I know he guides us, and also those who are ready to us. This work is amazing! After all that has been said, the greatest and most important work is to PREACH THE GOSPEL!!! -Joseph Smith. I`m so greatful for the Opportunity to serve. I love this gospel. i love Japan! I Love being able to teach in Japanese. Its such an amazing language! This church is true. And nothing can stop it from effecting every person here on Earth.
スチュワート長老
July 19, 2010
Hello!! Boy has this last week been fun! Last Wednesday my companion went to a big training with half the missionaries at the Mission Home, and Elder Lacayo who just got here to Japan came to Kiryu for 3 days. We worked together and that was way fun. Then Elder King came back on Saturday night, and we had our Baptism that night too! Iwashita Maki Shimai got baptized. Sakurai Shimai`s younger sister. (I Apologize. Shimai is Sister in Japanese) Then Saturday she got confirmed in Sacrament meeting! And this Sunday, the two Matsuzawa kids, Juria and Haruki will be confirmed as well.
Well this last week we also got a few new investigators! At church, the Sakurais brought this 12 year old kid. Jun. His dad is a member, and lives in America, and his mom is not a member and lives here in Japan. So he has not really come to church in a few years, and its quite a complicated story. He actually lives with his Step-mother at the moment, but yea. Hes had a hard life so far. But anyways, he came to church, and seemed really cool. I said he thought church was good, and that he believes in Christ. Then yesterday i called the Sakurais, and they asked me about him. They asked how many lessons until he can be baptized. I told them four, and they then asked, well how soon can he be baptized? They said they want to get him baptized as soon as possible, maybe even on the first. Its a really complicated story, but I guess his dad wants him in America, but hes having a hard time. His dad wants him Baptized as well. So we`re trying to work with that. We`re gonna try and get him baptized soon.
Another investigator is Shady, and hes from China! Spencer I wish you were here to teach these Chinese! Hes way cool. He says he believes in Christ and wants to follow him. I asked him if he wanted to be baptized, and he just said it was a little fast. So I think he may be getting baptized in the near future. Him and Jun are probably the next ones to baptism, although there are some others.
On Monday we went to Kichijoji were we did splits with these two missionaries who are going home this transfer. They`re called the traveling APs. They`re just going around with missionaries in the mission teaching them how to street, and work effectively. It was way cool! We went to this park, and there were so many people! It was anything but Kiryu! Kiryu is so Inaka!! Its so rural! There is no one! It was way cool working in a popular place. Its was more finding who to talk to rather then someone to talk to. But everyone was just giving us food, and were way excited to talk to two gaijins. Honestly it was a huge humbling experience. I was with Elder Petersen, and he is way good! His Japanese is so much farther than mine! Like I was thinking mine was ok, like I could get along, but after that, I felt like my Japanese was still not even anything! Like I still had not even started learning yet! It was way sad, and cool. Cool to see him talking like that in Japanese! Sad to see how far my Japanese is from that. I talked to him about that after, and he asked, well have you been praying for the gift of tongues? And like I have. Usually casually in my prayers. Then he told me that in Preach My Gospel it says that the gift of tongues is the most effective thing for learning a language. The most needed thing. Then I realized. I spend hours a day in Japanese. Studying, talking with people, etc, which is all good. But I maybe spend a minute or less asking for the gift of tongues. It really hit me. I have really been doing it the hard way. I have been doing relying on my ability alone. I think a lot of times we do that. In life we try to do things ourselves, but if we were to just step back and see the whole picture, we would find an easier solution. Its maybe like us trying to hammer a nail in with a fork. We`re working so hard, but hardly seeing any progress. Little do we know, God is standing right behind with a hammer. Waiting for us to ask for help. Its a no brainer right? I really think God helps us, but only as much as we`ll let him. So why don`t we let him? I know this church is true. I know that the people here of Japan are sons and Daughters of God. I bear witness of that, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
スチュワート長老
Well this last week we also got a few new investigators! At church, the Sakurais brought this 12 year old kid. Jun. His dad is a member, and lives in America, and his mom is not a member and lives here in Japan. So he has not really come to church in a few years, and its quite a complicated story. He actually lives with his Step-mother at the moment, but yea. Hes had a hard life so far. But anyways, he came to church, and seemed really cool. I said he thought church was good, and that he believes in Christ. Then yesterday i called the Sakurais, and they asked me about him. They asked how many lessons until he can be baptized. I told them four, and they then asked, well how soon can he be baptized? They said they want to get him baptized as soon as possible, maybe even on the first. Its a really complicated story, but I guess his dad wants him in America, but hes having a hard time. His dad wants him Baptized as well. So we`re trying to work with that. We`re gonna try and get him baptized soon.
Another investigator is Shady, and hes from China! Spencer I wish you were here to teach these Chinese! Hes way cool. He says he believes in Christ and wants to follow him. I asked him if he wanted to be baptized, and he just said it was a little fast. So I think he may be getting baptized in the near future. Him and Jun are probably the next ones to baptism, although there are some others.
On Monday we went to Kichijoji were we did splits with these two missionaries who are going home this transfer. They`re called the traveling APs. They`re just going around with missionaries in the mission teaching them how to street, and work effectively. It was way cool! We went to this park, and there were so many people! It was anything but Kiryu! Kiryu is so Inaka!! Its so rural! There is no one! It was way cool working in a popular place. Its was more finding who to talk to rather then someone to talk to. But everyone was just giving us food, and were way excited to talk to two gaijins. Honestly it was a huge humbling experience. I was with Elder Petersen, and he is way good! His Japanese is so much farther than mine! Like I was thinking mine was ok, like I could get along, but after that, I felt like my Japanese was still not even anything! Like I still had not even started learning yet! It was way sad, and cool. Cool to see him talking like that in Japanese! Sad to see how far my Japanese is from that. I talked to him about that after, and he asked, well have you been praying for the gift of tongues? And like I have. Usually casually in my prayers. Then he told me that in Preach My Gospel it says that the gift of tongues is the most effective thing for learning a language. The most needed thing. Then I realized. I spend hours a day in Japanese. Studying, talking with people, etc, which is all good. But I maybe spend a minute or less asking for the gift of tongues. It really hit me. I have really been doing it the hard way. I have been doing relying on my ability alone. I think a lot of times we do that. In life we try to do things ourselves, but if we were to just step back and see the whole picture, we would find an easier solution. Its maybe like us trying to hammer a nail in with a fork. We`re working so hard, but hardly seeing any progress. Little do we know, God is standing right behind with a hammer. Waiting for us to ask for help. Its a no brainer right? I really think God helps us, but only as much as we`ll let him. So why don`t we let him? I know this church is true. I know that the people here of Japan are sons and Daughters of God. I bear witness of that, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
スチュワート長老
July 13, 2010
Hello again! Things here have been great! We just had our mini zone conference yesterday, and Elder King is going on splits for the next three days. He`s going to the mission home for training with about 60 other missionaries! Insane! So all the missionaries that have been here for 6 months or less aren`t going, which I`m totally fine with. So these next few days I will be with another Beenちゃん here in Kiryu. He is a Brazilian, and he just got here in Japan about 4 weeks ago, so I`m pretty excited/nervous for that. We`ll Gambaru! This Saturday we have got Maki Shimais (真喜姉妹) Baptism! Then on Sunday she`ll be confirmed, and receive the Holy Ghost, and so will the two kids who got baptized a couple weeks ago. They weren`t able to do it this last week because it was Ward Conference. So we`re very excited about that. Usually our zone here. The Kiryu zone is pretty low on Baptisms compared to all the other zones in the mission. But our zone has done really well so far, and has a few more promising things! We had a goal of 9 baptisms this Transfer, which is the highest goal, and it looks like we`ll be able to get it.
Well things are going well here! I love Kiryu! thank you everyone for all the letters and love you send! I Truly am grateful for that. I`m sorry If I haven`t written some friends. I`m not sure if you have moved dorms at college, so I don`t know where to send things. But if you write me, I promise to write you back! 愛してます！！
スチュワート長老
Well things are going well here! I love Kiryu! thank you everyone for all the letters and love you send! I Truly am grateful for that. I`m sorry If I haven`t written some friends. I`m not sure if you have moved dorms at college, so I don`t know where to send things. But if you write me, I promise to write you back! 愛してます！！
スチュワート長老
July 5, 2010
Hello Everyone!!! Well this week, and last week was really good! I apologize I did not write an email last week. The library here was closed down. There were mice or something. But anyways, I don`t know where to start!! We had a baptismal service on Sunday. Haruki and Juria were baptised! It was way cool! Cause when they were bearing their testimony after, Haruki just really quickly said I know god created this earth and I`m grateful for that. Haha. But Juria`s testimony was way cool. She said that `I was starting to get worried that I would never get baptised. But when the missionaries asked me if I wanted to get baptized, I jumped out of the chair and said yes! Then when they asked me 2 weeks, and got really happy.` Thats a rough translation. But then in the service, the bishop gave a short talk, and shared how Haruki at first didn`t say yes. He was being really stubborn. But so were the missionaries. Everyone started laughing, and Haruki just turned around and looked at me, and smiled. Then the bishop turned to us and thanked us. That was a way cool moment. It feels so good being able to give this ward something. Its been over a year since the last baptism in this ward, and like 2 or 3 years since the last Japanese baptism. But in the last two to three weeks, we were able to give them 3. And in less then two weeks, they`ll have another. Its way cool though. Like I know I`m not really doing anything. If it was just all me and my companion, that wouldn`t have happened. I know I`m just an instrument in the hands of the Lord.
So our other baptism is Maki Shimai. (Shimai - Sister). She is Sakurai Shimai`s younger sister. That one was another miracle. She just came to church and again said she wanted to be baptized. It goes to show that people really are prepared. They`re ready. The lord and the spirit are working. We as missionaries just need to work hard so we can find them!!
I think our next investigator closest to Baptism is Shu. He is Chinese, and really believes in Christ and Heavenly Father. He`s just not sure about our church. Last night we met with him, and talked to him. We asked him if he wanted to come to Christ. He said yes. We said the only way is through Baptism. So we figured out that he wants to be baptized, and needs to be baptized. But he just doesn`t know which church to join. So last night before we left we had him pray. And in that prayer, we asked him, to ask god which church is right. So in his prayer, I said, `Heavenly Father, I want to come to Christ. I want to be baptised, but I don`t know the way. Please show me the way.` It was way cool to hear him say that. He really is our next possible baptismal candidate. I hope we can get him.
Really, like this week, we have found a few potential investigators. I really am way excited! I cannot believe I`m in week 3 of my 3rd transfer here already. I`ve been a missionary for almost 6 months now! Crazy!! I have seen so many amazing things already! Its hard to believe all the love I have felt, and the love I feel for these people. Last night we went to Hamazushi (Sushi restaurant - Pictures are on my blog) with the Matsuzawas. The two kids just got baptized the day before. But it was so cool. the kids are amazing. Its so hard not to pick them up! they have a cute little 4 year old girl, and shes way adorable! But really like, I love it here. I love the people. I love the Ward. This ward is amazing! Way small! Like only 40-50 members, but I feel like i know them better because of that. Its way cool. I`m so glad to serve here in Kiryu Japan! I`m so grateful for the opportunity to learn Japanese! I few weeks ago, we had a stake conference. It was a broadcast from Salt Lake city. this guy spoke, and he talked about when he was mission president of a spanish speaking mission, he would have missionaries calling him and saying, `President you have gotta send me home. I have been studying this language for weeks, and I still don`t have it down.` All of us missionaries just looked at each other and just started laughing. Try months! Years!! Its was way funny though. But really this work is amazing! I know this church is true! Keep hanging in there everyone!
スチュワート 長老
So our other baptism is Maki Shimai. (Shimai - Sister). She is Sakurai Shimai`s younger sister. That one was another miracle. She just came to church and again said she wanted to be baptized. It goes to show that people really are prepared. They`re ready. The lord and the spirit are working. We as missionaries just need to work hard so we can find them!!
I think our next investigator closest to Baptism is Shu. He is Chinese, and really believes in Christ and Heavenly Father. He`s just not sure about our church. Last night we met with him, and talked to him. We asked him if he wanted to come to Christ. He said yes. We said the only way is through Baptism. So we figured out that he wants to be baptized, and needs to be baptized. But he just doesn`t know which church to join. So last night before we left we had him pray. And in that prayer, we asked him, to ask god which church is right. So in his prayer, I said, `Heavenly Father, I want to come to Christ. I want to be baptised, but I don`t know the way. Please show me the way.` It was way cool to hear him say that. He really is our next possible baptismal candidate. I hope we can get him.
Really, like this week, we have found a few potential investigators. I really am way excited! I cannot believe I`m in week 3 of my 3rd transfer here already. I`ve been a missionary for almost 6 months now! Crazy!! I have seen so many amazing things already! Its hard to believe all the love I have felt, and the love I feel for these people. Last night we went to Hamazushi (Sushi restaurant - Pictures are on my blog) with the Matsuzawas. The two kids just got baptized the day before. But it was so cool. the kids are amazing. Its so hard not to pick them up! they have a cute little 4 year old girl, and shes way adorable! But really like, I love it here. I love the people. I love the Ward. This ward is amazing! Way small! Like only 40-50 members, but I feel like i know them better because of that. Its way cool. I`m so glad to serve here in Kiryu Japan! I`m so grateful for the opportunity to learn Japanese! I few weeks ago, we had a stake conference. It was a broadcast from Salt Lake city. this guy spoke, and he talked about when he was mission president of a spanish speaking mission, he would have missionaries calling him and saying, `President you have gotta send me home. I have been studying this language for weeks, and I still don`t have it down.` All of us missionaries just looked at each other and just started laughing. Try months! Years!! Its was way funny though. But really this work is amazing! I know this church is true! Keep hanging in there everyone!
スチュワート 長老
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