Dear Family-
Did I tell you about how the LDS.org site is now available in Japanese!!! H-O-O-R-A-Y! ~!~!~!~~!~!~!!~!!!~!!!
When I heard that I had to really restrain myself from standing up and letting out a little shout of joy. After I got over my excitement I realized just how much I love people here in Japan and how badly I have been hoping that they would have more resources available to them in Japanese like we do in English. The Japanese members are still waiting for a church-produced version of the Bible in their own language. I hope someday they can enjoy a Bible that has full foot-notes, cross-references, a Bible Dictionary... all the works.
Another thing I have noticed lately is how neat it is to be able to hear General Conference talks right from the speaker rather than having a translator. Listening to talks in Japanese is so monotone, and there's no way to tell who the original speaker is. I didn't realize how comforting it is to me to hear the voices of the apostles giving their own talks and putting emphasis on the parts that mean a lot to them. Just not the same in a translator's voice.
Yesterday in church a guy named William came. He speaks no Japanese and has only come to church a couple times in the past year, which I would say is pretty good for not understanding anything. I was his best option for a translation. I didn't do very well, but I realized that my language has been improving the past few months even though I didn't think it had. More importantly, my listening has increased immensely. I'm really grateful for that. Being with Sister Stevenson, this is the first time I have been the senior as far as language goes. Wish us luck! Thankfully you don't need to understand much to still share the gospel.
I've gained a testimony of technology lately. I e-mail links of short-videos that have little spiritual messages to investigators a lot. I used to kind of think it was a cheap cheater's way of helping others having a spiritual experience... I mean you can't gain a testimony by watching movies right? I still think that's true, but I have realized that the Holy Ghost isn't limited by what means He can use to bear testimony.
There is a part-member family we have been working with lately trying to help the dad get baptized, but the mom also needs strengthening too. She has an i-phone and since I showed her that she can listen and read the conference talks right from her phone, she's been doing it every day since it's so convenient. I can't believe the light that has come into her life just from that. Also yesterday in a lesson we referred to a quote from an article in the Liahona, and a member there pulled out his i-pad and had the original a few seconds later. (That's how the work gets done in Tokyo... : )
Stevenson Shimai is hilarious by the way. I sort of forgot how much humor Americans have. We've been having a great time this week. She is like the little-sister version of Derricott Shimai, and actually she was companions with Sister Derricott right before becoming my companion. By the way today is my Mission President's birthday, so that explains the picture attached.
I can't tell you how neat it is to hear about all the missionary opportunities that are in Clifton ward. How cool. Keep it up everyone. I'm especially impressed by Hallie and Mom's efforts with Abby.
Mom thanks for sending Cam's letters. I love that guy.
Have a great week you all! がんばってね～！愛しているよ。
-ウェイト姉妹
No comments:
Post a Comment