And that it's my second one in Japan!
I'm not really sure what to do actually... the time flies by, the
weather is nice, I'm living on a tropical island, speaking a language
that by conventional wisdom I should not be able to speak still, and
it's the times like these that help me reflect on what I am doing, on
who I am serving.
This Christmas, I am once again blessed to be in full time service of
God, representing Him and His holy son, Jesus Christ. It's through His
grace that I got here, through His guidance that I can speak, and
through His love that I can testify. It's the times like this that I
find myself saying "I stand all amazed", because really, how can you
not be amazed? We are blessed to share the Christmas message with all
the people on this island, and how can you not be amazed that the
Savior of the world was born in a manger? That He descended, in order
to succor us individually? That we have a Father in Heaven that cares
about is individually, enough to send His son as a sacrifice? I know
that it is Christmas, but as President Hinkley said, and I'll
paraphrase, 'Without the events of Calavary and Gethsemane, the babe
born to Mary would just be another babe in Bethlehem'. But the latter
events of His life did occur, and it was for us! I can't comprehend
even the smallest bit of it, but I can promise that it is true.
As an example, there was a member that Elder Arnold and I visited
yesterday, on Christmas Eve. She is older, and hasn't come to church
in a while, but we thought it would be good to stop by, and share a
little about Christmas. So we go, share our message, and are about to
leave, when the Spirit whispers to me 'Ask a question'. My companions
already half packed up, but I say the first thing that pops into my
head, 'Is there anything you would like to say or add, Yamada
Shimai?', and then we have the chance to listen. Listen to her
worries, her concerns, her fears. Everything that she has been holding
in for who knows how long. And then, through the same Spirit, we can
testify. It's simple, but we promised her that God is there, He does
care for her. No matter how many times you ignore God, or don't follow
Him, He still reaches out His hand, because He loves you. His goal is
for us to return to Him, because heaven is a real place. And like any
father, He will do anything and everything to help us reach that goal.
And I can make that same promise to everyone. God cares, and He guides
us through the Holy Ghost to bless His children. Sometimes we are the
ones guided, and sometimes we receive the help, but no matter what, He
is there.
It's crazy to think that for all of 2017 I have been in Japan,
privileged to work with these amazing people. I've learned so much,
and just wanted to share that little bit with you. Love you more than
you can imagine!
From Ishigaki,
Elder Mitchell Woodhouse
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