Japan Tokyo South Mission: I'm Going to Miss This

What a week. For the first time on my mission I have felt a bit of how much I will miss being a missionary in Japan. I felt it at church this last week being with these awesome members and thinking about how next week will be my last time in a Japanese ward (at least for now). One kid, about 6 years old got up during testimony meeting with his dad to share a testimony. I was worried his dad would tell him what to say, never been a fan of that, but his dad didn't help at all. This kid had a paper that he had written and this is what he said, "my brother is on a mission and we heard recently that he got injured. I'm praying everyday that he will get better. I know God will answer my prayer and help him." It was such a simple testimony, but so touching. I was surprised as tears started streaming down my face. It's amazing that such a young kid can feel the influence of, build a relationship with, and be loved by a powerful being, such a God. I also thought of those of you at home who have prayed for me on my mission like this kid is praying for his brother. Thank you so much.

I also felt it during leadership conference as I bore mine and heard the testimonies of other missionaries going home, including Elder Belnap. The conference this last time was one of the best I have been to. I gave a training there on "streeting". It was fun to put together. It's been hard at times to go out on the street and try to talk to people but when I have, I always felt the joy of doing so. I'm will miss going out and introducing people to their Father in Heaven. Actually President just called me and asked me to give a training for the new missionaries coming in next week on a new "Who Is God Pamphlet." I guess I won't really get to die peacefully, out here ~~lol.

Alright some other HUGE news! Motoki baptized his mom yesterday! Elder Molen and I tried to Skype him after church to see if we could watch. He answered with him and his mom sitting there in front of everyone in white clothes listening to a song from the missionaries. He kept us on and passed us off to the missionaries so we could see the baptism. So awesome to see that. His mom was scared to go under the water so she resisted hard every time she was about to go under. They had to redo it like 4 times haha. So funny. I'll send pictures. So amazing, seems like yesterday we met him on the street and invited him to come play basketball with us. He has grown so much! I am actually headed out to Yokohama one last time to see him and Bro. Nakamura from Yamate. Ishii is coming too!

It's really looking like Kurenuma is going to be baptized this Saturday. As I have said before he has grown so much! He slept in for church but we went to his place, woke him up and he came with us to make it just in time for sacrament, perfect timing. He had some worries after he heard about tithing, so we pushed his interview back to tomorrow but we had an awesome lesson with him about it yesterday. It will require faith on his part but he's decided to go for it! Of course we shared some famous words from Nephi: "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

An update on Michiko, the older lady we met housing last week: the sisters had visited her apartment this last week. She was surprised to see them and asked how they know where she lives, they said I told them and she said, "ohh the ikemen one?"

lol. Anyways, she said that she knows they will ask her to be baptized and that she knows she needs to and wants to be baptized but that she thinks that in her mind but wants to feel it in her heart before she goes for it. Sooo golden. Also, more of a personal note for the future but... Elder Nelson told me that Aaron, a Hispanic guy in the group of three people we met the first day of our transfer together and took him back to the church for a lesson and never heard from them again, is back taking lessons with the missionaries! That made me way happy.

1. The kid that shared his testimony about his brother at church