Sacrifice to Love and Love to Sacrifice

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been really cool. This last Sunday we talked about the Atonement and it was very powerful.  I love the Savior and what He has done for me. I can't wait to share the message with the people in Japan. The following Monday I was able to give a blessing of comfort to one of the Sisters in our District. It was very neat, She will be a fantastic missionary. Then on Tuesday we had Elder Niel. L. Andersen come and speak to us which was really cool. I really enjoyed the Spirit of his message. He talked about that we must sacrifice to love and love to sacrifice. When we love the Savior we have to sacrifice the worldly things and we need to love in doing so. He didn't go to deep into the concept because he wanted us to find out what it meant for us. But he said one of the best examples of Sacrifice was God's Sacrifice. "For God so loved the World, that He gave His only Begotten son, That whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." It quickly drew my attention to the Savior and His Atoning Sacrifice. He loved us so much that he took upon him the Sins of the World. I realize as I strive to become more like the Savior I too must be willing and Loving when I sacrifice. Sacrificing is hard but when we do it to become closer to the Savior we will feel of His Great Love and joy, and will desire to come closer to him. The Spirit of his Message was great. At the end he bore Testimony and said that, "He is the Savior's witness." I thought that was really cool, because us missionaries are a witness of Christ also. What an amazing calling we have.

As the days followed I felt as though My Japanese learning was increasing tremendously. I have started to organize my Language learning more and more each day and teaching by the Spirit with more effectiveness. My companion and I had planned on teaching The Word of Wisdom with one of our investigators though we didn't end up teaching it because the Spirit prompted us otherwise. I can't remember the exact details but it was cool. He didn't understand the importance and blessings of keeping and following the Savior's example and commandments. I shared with him 2 scriptures the first D&C: 84:45 which talks about how Christ Is light. Then I shared with him D&C: 50:24 which says something among these lines, "He that receiveth light and continueth in light will receive more light and that light will grow Brighter and Brighter Until The Perfect day. " I was able to read the last scripture to him fluent as he was in reading that scripture, (In Japanese). I then bore testimony to him and said that, "I know even though we have hard times in this life, we can always use Christ's Atonement and become happy." It was really cool. I didn't even know I could say those things in Japanese.

 

The next few days followed and yesterday, (Friday) I was able to give another Blessing of Comfort. It was a very unique experience, I love The Priesthood and Knowing that as I live worthily I can always have it.

I love you family and I hope all is well. You should send me an Email so I have everyone's Birthday, I feel bad I missed Reegan's but tell him I love him and I am praying for him. Talk to you soon!

Love,

 

Elder Nebeker