Tender Mercy

Hi Family,

 

We had a lesson this week with M. san. He was feeling that God doesn't want us to have knowledge, and we explained to him that that is the very reason we were sent to this earth was to gain more knowledge so we could become like God. I explained to him that if we were taking a test with a cheat sheet we wouldn't actually be learning anything. He agreed and I told him the reason why God doesn't let us know everything is because he wants us to learn on our own.  We would not learn anything if God just gave us all the answers and prior knowledge of our pre earth life.

We also were teaching a family about the plan of salvation when a question came up about baptism and why it is important and what are the benefits. I also explained to them that this life is like a test and if we had all the answers to it we wouldn't learn and grow to be more like God but when we receive baptism we make a promise to do our best to become like God and we get the Holy Ghost who is like a tutor. So while we are taking the test, he won't give us the answers, but he will help us through the problem and help us learn when we may not be able to do it on our own. 

This week we had a great miracle.  We decided to visit a less active and invite him and his son to a basketball event that we have planned but he told us that his son doesn't really like sports and that they were good. So we felt like we needed to start talking to him about his son so we started talking and we asked him how his schooling is going and he told us not very good because he gets picked on so he doesn't go to school sometimes. So the Less active let us into his home and we were able to meet his son. Turns out the less active is a returned missionary and asked us to teach his son the Gospel. So we were able to teach him on Friday, but that day we had just gotten back from a zone training meeting and my head was hurting way bad, and our appointment was in like 15 minutes. So I said a prayer asking that when as we teach him the Gospel  my head won't hurt. As we started teaching, my headache disappeared and I felt great. As soon as the lesson ended my head began hurting again. But I realized it was a tender mercy from the Lord. The lesson went really well. You can tell his father really loves him. And he asked us to give him a commitment and set up a new appointment for next week. It was great! His name is super cool too, the Chinese Characters (Kanji) used for his name mean, gentle lion.

  We also on Sunday were able to find another Investigator his name is  Seiya, Which means to be holy. He just moved home after going to college in California, so his English is pretty good. We taught him about God and that we are his children. He said he agrees with our point of view and he gave the closing prayer! And we have another lesson with him today. So hopefully it goes well.

This week while I was at church I felt so much love for this small branch in Ichinoseki. The members are so humble and way nice. The mission President told me in an interview that I would be here awhile so by the end of this transfer it will be at 4 months. So maybe another transfer here or more, I hope!

 

Love,

 

Elder Nebeker