After the Trial of Our Faith, Miracles Come

Hello Family!

 

This week it has been certainly hot here in Aizu.  It's been close to the 80s so that means summer is coming in soon! There is an awful cold going through all of Aizu and I was lucky enough to catch it just in time for my Birthday! ;)

 

But thank you so much for the package. It was good to hear from the family! For my birthday, a less active who was recently reactivated took me to lunch, so it was fun!

 

I am borrowing a members' bike who got it from an old missionary. But I also got another bike from an old missionary and well, lets just say that back tire has problems too. So I have 3 bikes :) Yay!

 

This week has been pretty good.  We are just working on helping Tatsuya Kyoudai get strengthened in the church and preparing him to recieve the priesthood. He is pretty awesome and is wanting and willing to do anything we challenge him to. He just seems to get everything we say.

 

This week we had the opportunity to go to the castle and walk and talk to people.  When I saw a group of cops, I looked at one of the Japanese people who came with us and asked if they wanted to see Gaijin POWAA! (Foreinger Power) And I got a picture with the police ;) It was a lot of fun.

 

We also had the opportunity to teach the Hoshi Family.  We taught at first just Izumi and Tatsuya (New Convert) jointed with us that lesson but she is not a fan because she has been studying three times as long as he has but doesn't understand it like he did.  So unfortunately she wasn't too willing to listen to what he had to say. She is a little stubborn but that's okay. We were able to meet with Izumis husband whose name is also Tatsuya and we had Tatsuya Kyoudai Joint with us for him and they hit it off really well.  We talked about why Nephi killed Laban and jumped into the plan of salvation.  He really enjoyed the lesson and really liked what Tatsuya had to say about the Plan of salvation. So its a bit tricky teaching the Hoshi family.... But they pray together as a couple every night, and they understand the importance of family which I absolutely love. The family meaning here in Japan has certainly been attacked. It's really sad but it's awesome when you find people who cherish those family values.

 

Thanks for studying PMG I really enjoy PMG. I have read it over about 6 or 7 times now, and it's just going to keep on going up. 

 

One thing I read that I really enjoyed in PMG I believe was in Chapter 5 about the Book of Mormon. There is a quote that says something like, "When it all comes down to a line, everyone will be backed up against a wall of faith where they will have to choose whether it is true or not."  And I think about that all the time with our investigators.  Some of them expect something miraculous to occur without showing their faith.  I think it is in Ether where it clearly says that, "It is only after the Trial of our faith that the miracles come". So once we put our faith in Christ and believe he can save is when we will see the miraculous and miracles. Just like repentance and anything in this Gospel. You must first show your faith to recieve the blessings.

 

Well I don't have too much more to say for this week.

 

Elder Nebeker

Great Week

So this week was a really good week, me and my companion were able to get a lot done. I almost don't know where or what to talk about!

 

I just have to let you know how tired I am right now.  My companion and I rode our bikes 66 Kilo meters on Saturday, which if my calculation is right, is about 41 miles. After, we went to a sports activity that we had to find new investigators which was 3 hours of playing basketball. Then we woke up at 4 a.m. the next morning to fill up the baptismal font!

 

Wow such a crazy but way fun week.

 

We rode our bikes with an investigator to a really pretty park next to a huge lake here in Japan. It is called Inawashiro. I saw some wakeboard boats and well, let's just say the temptation to "touch the boat" was there.

 

We also got to work with a lot of less actives this week which was really fun. We visited a lady that I haven't been able to contact for almost 5 months now and she was home.  We talked to her and she was probably one of the nicest people I've met here in Japan.  It turns out that she has a daughter who is 9 who hasn't been baptized yet :) So we arranged for the sisters to meet with her.

 

Speaking of miracles, we also had a random phone call from a lady asking when our church services are and where the church was.  She said she wants to know who God is and she has been searching for the Truth. So we got her to Church this week and better yet, she brought her 10 year old daughter and wants her to learn about God too. We arranged for the sisters to work with her. Apparently she had called the church to figure out how she could find the church and got hold of a missionary in Salt Lake who just so happened to be Japanese.  She was able to speak to her and gave her our number. Wow its a miracle.

 

This week we were able to teach Tom. We had set upan appointment and when we went there his Gallery shop door was closed with the lights off.  I yelled in and no one answered, so I tried again and we called him.  He said he was sick but we could walk in. So as we walked up the stairs to the Gallery we see the top of him and he smiles then I looked down and realized he isnt wearing pants.... just in his boxers.... but don't worry we still taught him a lesson.... I love Tom.

 

We dendo`d (missioned) With Tatsuya this week and did some Flyer hand outs.  He helped us do joint lessons. I am so impressed with him and I wouldn't be suprised if he became a future leader.

 

I have to tell you Aizu is the prettiest I have ever seen it. The Snow melted and the sakura (cherry Blossoms) are every where and they are so pretty! They have trees here too that are basically like roses and Tulips on trees! It's so beautiful!

 

Oh I cant forget We had a baptism!! It was a wonderful service. He was very happy and surprised us all and wore a really good looking suit. I will have a Brother to give a big hug in Heaven now! Tatsuya Fujita (kyoudai) (Brother) He is awesome. Can't tell you too much more other than he is fantastic and it is such a faith builder to know that there are so many people out there who are being prepared to hear the Gospel and we just have to harvest the field!

 

He has a really strong testimony of prayer.  Where he hasn't had the influence from family or parents for most of his life, talking to his Heavenly father is his favorite.

 

 I have had so many blessings here in Japan - too many to count!

 

Lateley I have been reading Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. I am almost done with Luke but I just think that is so amazing that we have records of before the Saviors life, during his life, and after. One thing that caught my attention was when Christ was in his earthly Ministry and the woman touched the Hem of his clothes and Christ says I percieve Virtue has left me.  Also in Luke there is another time where Christ relates healing to Virtue. So I have been studying in the PMG a little bit about virtue because it is a Christ Like attribute. I thought that it was very interesting.

 

There was so much that went on this week, I just can't think right now. But I love you and hope to hear from you all soon!

 

Love Elder Nebeker

Winds Blow, But I Stay

Well it's been another transfer and we got transfer calls and I will be in Aizu! Still... :)

 

This means I will be in Aizu for at least 6 months. So a good quarter of my mission. I think I will maybe be here even longer than 6 months. But who knows, we will see.

 

And to answer your questions, the baptism is on and ready to go more than ever!  Today me and my companion are going to clean out the font because its been over a year since someone was baptized here in Aizuwakamatsu. Tatsuya Fujita had his interview for baptism and passed. We decided to move the date to the 20th so that is on Easter Sunday. President Rasmussen and his family will be coming to Aizu on that day so we figured it would please President Rasmussen to be here.

 

To tell you a little bit about Tatsuya Fujita; he is 29 years old, his family situation is a little bit rough so we are basically his family right now. He works in Fukushima on the nuclear power plants cleaning the Radiation. Unfortunately missionaries probably wont be allowed back into Fukushima until the second coming.  That is basically what the first presidency has told us... But exciting News - Koriyama, a place which is also shut off for missionaries has started the eikaiwa program back up.  We have been given permission to do Eikaiwa and go every week and proselyte. But it probably won't be back open for actual missionary living status for another 20 years. The church is pretty strict with it but it is very safe right now. So no need to worry.

 

This week was pretty fantastic We taught Izumi Hoshi about baptism and faith and she says that she wants to be baptized but is too worried that her parents will kick her and her husband out of the family basically if they converted.  So we keep asking her and promising her that if she will talk to them and make the decision to be baptized, she will see miracles and her situation will be so much better with the Gospel in the picture. She said that since she has been hearing our messages things in her life have started to improve and she is acknowledging the Blessings of the Gospel.  She is very grateful for missionaries and said that when she had first met us she thought that missionaries were scary.  She said now that I know they are not scary that they care for people like me.  I want to share what the missionaries have taught me and introduce people to the missionaries. So she is a great non member missionary. This last meeting we had with her we asked her to read Alma 32 about faith, because right now she has planted the seed, she has experimented, and has realized that the seed is good but now she needs to nourish it and let it bloom into a full tree to become great. A.k.a Baptism. So were hoping that by strengthening her faith she will have the courage to talk to her parents and make the decision to be baptized. "Miracles are not seen until after the trial of our faith".

 

So I finally got to watch General conference, I really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed one of Pres Uchtdorfs talks where he talked about Gratitude being the catalyst of Chirst Like attributes. It's the attitude of Gratitude. I have noticed that so much in my mission. When we are grateful for the things that have happened and for the things we have and have a positive outlook on every situation all other things seem to fall in place easier. For example when you have gratitude, the urge to be sharp with your words goes down, your thoughts change, and your ability to show charity increases.

 

In Preach My Gospel I have studied Christ like attributes quite a bit and at the back of the Chapter there is a self evaluation portion which you can do and find out where you might be lacking and then you can study that attribute and learn what you need to do to help improve yourself to become more like Christ.

 

Speaking of PMG, dont know if you heard Elder Ballards talk when he talked about everyone have and studying a PMG so that they can know what their sons and daughters are teaching out in the world and also so when the opportunity arises they can answer and be ready. Not too mention to introduce 4 people to the Gospel....  :)

 

Anyways I loved conference and I can't wait to get my liahona to go back through and read the things that I might have not picked up on and remember a little bit more.

 

I've really grown to love this work. When I walk outside the door I look at the people and realize that they are all my brothers and sisters and are walking without purpose in life. I have a special opportunity to help bring them back to Christ and help them find happiness.

 

"For how great shall be your joy if ye shall bring one soul unto me in the kingdom of heaven"

 

Love

 

Elder Nebeker

 

Ready for Baptism

Hey there everybody!

 

So our guitarist friend Fujita is ready for baptism.  He is good for April 20 on Easter, also the day that our Mission President comes to Aizu!  He is amazing.  We teach him the gospel and he takes what we teach him and puts it in a more simple way than any of us could put it. We were teaching about how we cannot worship other Gods and we weren't doing the best job ever.  We were just praying that he would understand it, but then he looked at me and says that it makes total sense.  He said that if God was the one who created everything how stupid would it be to worship something that God has given us when we could just worship God himself. He always relates everything we teach him back to the plan of Salvation. Way cool. He always thanks God in his prayers with us that he met us. Way cool.

 

This week on the bus ride home from one of our Zone Conferences, I got on the bus and it was packed.  That's just how I like it because it's a good chance to dendo (mission).  So the bus started moving so I had to choose fast so I sat down and it was next to a business man.  With my previous rejections from business men I thought oh great.... But I started talking to him and he gave me his business card, so I gave him mine.  He looked at it and we started a conversation about the Gospel.  He took a lot of interest and I taught him the restoration, we exchanged some more information and that night he came to a family home evening thing we had. So things are going way good.

 

This week we also had a random call from some guy and he told us that his roomate is suffering and that we need to help him.  We got his address and then went to his house.  He invited us in and then we asked him why he wanted us there.  He brought in his friend who is about thirty and we started to talk this man and you could feel that there was a weird feeling in the room.  When this man walked in he was shaking and couldn't stop.  The man who called us started explaining that the other night this man kept screaming for God.  We started talking to him and he kept talking about the Holy Ghost and that is not a normal thing for people to know in Japan. So we asked him what he meant by Holy Ghost and he explained it perfectly how our church believes, so my companion randomly asks if he has scriptures and he tells us to wait a minute and then brings back the Bible, the Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price, and the Doctrine and Covenants.  He is a member. So we shared a message with him but there was a very weird feeling there.

 

But that was an interesting experience but we taught a lesson to his roomate, so we got another investigator to teach.

 

Well I have to apologize.  A ton happened this week but I am using a computer that can't type normal right now so I will write about my experinces later.

 

Love you!

 

Elder Nebeker