Week 84: March 11, 2018 - True Happiness

Hey Everyone,

It's been an odd week on Ishigaki. We had interviews with President

Egan, and Zone Conference the next day, and that led to a lot of time

inside, which has become an odd feeling. But it was good for us,

because it all ended up being a refocus on the things that really

matter, primarily our personal testimony of the gospel. As a boiled

down point, the idea the difference in my mind of knowledge and

understanding. If a missionary, in this case, knows the gospel is

true, they will serve a mission, and be able to go through the

motions. But when you understand in your heart, when the Holy Ghost

has witnessed to you beyond a doubt that Jesus Christ is the Savior of

the world, and only by Him and through Him we can find any measure of

lasting hope, you aren't just going through the motions. As anyone who

has served a mission knows, and most people that haven't have heard,

it's not sunshine an rainbows every day. People turn us down. People

reject the gospel. And if you only know it's true, then that's the

end. But as we received in training, when you understand it, the

Spirit will speak through you, because God will not give up on any of

His children.

A personal experience with that happened Saturday, as Elder Smith and

I were knocking doors in an apartment. As we go down the stairs, we

meet a 20 year old kid named Aoi, just sitting in the dark, on the

edge of the light. I tried to talk to him, to introduce us, and he

wasn't really having it. But I'll give someone multiple chances, so we

talk again, and he slowly opens up, telling us a little about his

life, about his basketball dreams and work problems, his life up until

this point and a little of what he wants to do. As Elder Holland has

promised everyone, when you listen with your heart, there will be

something the Spirit will relate to the gospel, because, the gospel

literally covers everything. Christ suffered everything, through which

He can heal everything. And as this is going through my head, we get

to testify to Aoi of what his life can become through our Savior.

About how God wants him as a missionary, to spread light and eternal

life to all of His children. You can tell when someone wasn't

expecting what you said, when it causes them to think. It happens when

you let the spirit take control, and he was definitely touched in some

way. Even though we couldn't set up anything else with him now, it

also touched me. Because in that moment, for that man, I was blessed

with an understanding of why I'm here. It's not just because it's a

good thing, or it will help people lives, which of course it will.

It's because this is the only way to find true happiness, the type

that lasts through trials, the type that crosses the veil to eternal

families. No one can do that, unless the have the help, power, and

authority of God.

I don't know near everything, even though there are times that I feel

like I should. After all, haven't I been out over a year? In the life

of a missionary, that feels like a life well lived. So I look forward

to learning, and understanding more each and every day, for my mission

and my life. But I do know that God watches each and every one of His

children. As Elder Rasband taught last conference, He doesn't work

through coincidences. When He calls those we know and love to other

places, other countries, or even across the veil, back to our eternal

home, it is through His timing.

The fact that in this life, I will never again get to see Aunt

Lindsey is hard for me to comprehend. And I don't think I fully have

grasped that yet. I wish with all my heart that I could be with all of

you, to hug you and just be together. But somehow, this is what I need

to learn, this is how we will learn, until the day we meet again,

rejoicing forever. Until that day, I have already felt her presence,

and that of others who love and care for me. We are guided by our

Father, and loved by our Elder Brother, the keeper of the gate, who

has welcomed one of His siblings back home.

I love all of you, and my heart goes out to everyone I can't help from

Japan, especially the Cantwell family at this time. Know I'm doing my

best, and that I know that this is Gods work and His glory, of which

we are all blessed to play a part.

With Love,

Elder Mitchell Woodhouse

Week 83: March 4, 2018 - Almost Conference!

Hey everyone!

I guess it might be a little early, but I realized when Elder Smith

and I were looking at transfer goals that it's almost general

conference! I think that it has become one of my favorite times of the

year, because it's when God speaks to us personally, through His

servants. There are so many people that I have talked to that say they

would be interested in talking to God, to hear what He has to say. And

this is one of those chances! As we prepare, the Spirit will bring

into our hearts exactly what we need personally, thus teaching as the

Savior does. His ministry, in Jerusalem and now, is one by one. Even

though there are billions of people, He still knows us and teaches us

one by one, which is amazing. So of course, I'm excited for the chance

to learn (not that we don't do that everyday).

It's also been great to work and learn with Elder Smith. Tracting has

been a little slow recently, so we've had a lot of time to talk, to

discuss the gospel and how it relates to us. And it feels like we've

been talking for more that a week! If that's any sign of God guiding

this work, I've felt connected to my last few companions on more than

just a surface, we get to work together level. Rather, this is someone

I've known, that I've gone through almost the exact same things I can

see him going through, and I get the feeling that that feeling is vice

versa. It's amazing to work under the divine hand and guidance of our

Father in Heaven every day.

But there are also times when it's sad. I think the most disappointing

thing is meeting people that have used their agency to give up. In the

past week we met a couple people that you can tell need joy, need

light in their lives. This gospel has brought nothing but light into

my life, that's why I'm spending this time to share it, so we share,

we testify, and we invite them to act. And you can see when people

start to understand, to grasp a little of what God is telling them.

But for whatever reason, they choose not to try. It's like the

children of Israel and the brazen serpent. Not a single thing can

separate us from Gods love, nothing can keep Him from reaching out to

us. It's impossible. And to know that, to have the faith that no

matter how hard the road seems, no matter how dark life may be, that

it's impossible to sink farther than Christs atonement can reach, is

something I've grown to treasure. That is what helps in the end. As I

said, how amazing to work, to live, with this knowledge.

Love you all, keep working hard and enjoy the Easter season!

Elder Mitchell Woodhouse

Week 82: Feb 26, 2018 - Off Come the Suits!

Hey everyone!

With the new transfer, the islands are really loosening up. And it's

time for suit season to end! The weathers crazy, the people are

exciting, and I get to work with Elder Smith, a swimmer from Saratoga

Springs, Utah to go through it all. It was way crazy, and fun, to head

up to Fukuoka last week to pick him up, even if it was odd to be by

myself for most the day. There's something comforting about always

having someone with you, someone who had your back, and it was great

to pick that companion up. I think the most odd thing is that he kinda

looks like Elder Welch, my trainer, and it just keeps bringing back

memories. He's really excited to be here and to get to work, so we

look forward to seeing the miracles of the Lord.

As for one of those, one of our investigators, Yamashiro, has been

progressing really well lately. It's a little hard to put into words,

but as he has read and prayed and listened, as he has come to church

and built a relationship not just with the members, but also with our

Father in Heaven, his countenance has changed. There are small outward

signs, like a cleaner house, or a nicer shirt, or him being quicker to

smile, and it's been crazy to see. One of the craziest things might be

that I don't know if he has noticed it yet. It reminds me of another

man, back from Omuta. As we met and talked to him, and he came to

understand his potential as a divine son of a loving father, he

changed his life without us even asking. But I never think he realized

why. It just seemed like the right thing to do. It constantly amazes

me what miracles God can perform, and the power of the Holy Ghost in

our lives, to change our hearts.

One of the changes I know it has wrought in my life is bringing light

into it. Because of the Book of Mormon, we have the chance every day

to allow the spirit to work in our hearts. And being blessed to have

time, it's become simpler to notice how important that spirit is, how

much that light matters. Elder Smith and I met another man yesterday,

and he just had an air of sadness around him, of despair, of giving

up. What an amazing chance to share what we have found, indeed, what

God has provided for us! And he accepted the Book of Mormon, accepted

a chance to continue communicating, and I am really excited to watch

his life light up, as Yamashiros has.

Every day is a blessing, and I'm so glad to be able to be out here

focusing on the Lords work. He truly guides it, and every companion,

every person we talk to, is because it is His will.

Love you all!

Elder Mitchell Woodhouse

Week 81: Feb 19, 2018 - It's Transfer Time Again

Hey everyone,

I always forget to give a heads up, but as you can tell by the late

email, it's transfer week in the Japan Fukuoka mission. Being in a

trio, all it means for us is we will get a new elder, but it does

involve some switching around. Elder Hafen, my companion to start last

transfer, will now be Elder Arpellidas companion, and I will be

leaving to Fukuoka tomorrow to pick up a new missionary, who should

arrive from the MTC tonight! It's going to be a blast, but I don't

know anything about him yet, so I'll send more info and pictures next

week.

As for our past week, the trio has been, as expected, a new and

exciting experience. We've gone all over the island, visiting members,

less actives, investigators, and all the people we haven't met yet. I

think one of the cool visits was to one members gallery exhibition.

She runs a calligraphy school, which makes it near impossible for her

to come to church, but we heard through the grapevine about the

gallery hall. So, we stopped by Saturday morning and got to talk to

her, her son, and enjoy the culture. None of us could put it into

words, but looking at the words on the walls was extremely peaceful,

even though we can't read most of it. From the things we could read, I

think my favorite read (roughly): "Until you are able to achieve your

dreams, put for effort and make yourself". Thankfully, through the

atonement of Christ, we can make ourselves, and remake ourselves,

until we are the best person God wants us to be, better than even our

wildest dreams could have taken us.

And that's where I think I am right now. Even a few short months ago,

let alone a year or two ago, I could never have imagined ending up

here, on Ishigaki, surrounded by amazing missionaries, with thousands

of our brothers and sisters living around us. I'm speaking Japanese,

but more importantly, through the blessings of God, speaking with and

through the Spirit. I feel more patient, more caring, brighter, and

have energy as I follow His teachings. I don't think I ever guessed

that this could happen. Looking at where I came from, and to where I

feel like I've come, sometimes looking forward appears to be a sheer

cliff wall. But I get the feeling that living life like a missionary,

one day, one experience at a time, I'll look back and wonder how I

ever climbed so high. Probably a little early to be reflecting on

things I've learned, but that my goal, to be focused on living each

day I have left a little better than the last one, and letting the

Lord work his mighty miracles around me, as a tool in His hands.

Love you all,

Elder Mitchell Woodhouse

Week 80 : Feb 12, 2018 - An Island with 3 Missionaries?

Hello from Ishigaki! It finally got cold enough to unpack my gloves...

but now they just sit on my desk. The weather is doing its thing, and

as missionaries we are blessed to continue with ours, no matter what

the condition. This past week I think we had one of the craziest ones,

because our little island lost an elder. Due to transfers elsewhere in

the mission, Elder Watanabe got called up to Fukuoka on Thursday, two

weeks before actual transfers, and we don't get a replacement. So for

the next little while, it's me, Elder Hafen, and Elder Arpilleda,

working in a trio!

Thus far, it's just been odd. It's already a touch odd to knock on

random people's doors, even though most of that has died off already,

but now when they open it it's three random people! We have definitely

surprised more than one person. But it's amazing to see and hear the

power of three voices testifying of truth. So we will continue on, and

look for the miracles and tender mercies of the Lord, trusting in Him.

One of our cool experiences was on Friday, when we met with a

professional golfer to discuss the gospel. He had recognized

missionaries from when some when golfing on pday a while before, and

so he listened, shared his thoughts, and we had a solid discussion on

who God is. The interesting part for me was when he described himself

as playing 'devils advocate' with God. It was a great word choice,

because as I've reflected on it, I've realized that you always lose.

No matter how you look at the Book of Mormon, there is no explanation

besides the one Jospeh Smith gave that fits. When you look at God, and

the patterns and eternal laws He is bound to follow, the promises He

has bound Himself to keep, it makes sense. So our promise to our golf

friend, on Friday and going forward, is to try your best, and when the

wisdom of man fails, God will be ready to lift you up.

The other thing I started was a personal project to read the Book of

Mormon again. It's pretty small, but I added a picture of my board,

with the goal to fill it up by the end. As President Nelson promised

in last conference, as I've read it, every day, I've felt better and

made better choices, every day. It's a true book.

Love you all, and make sure someone tells Aunt Lindsey that I love her!

Elder Mitchell Woodhouse

Week 79: Feb 5, 2018 - Time Files!

Hello from Ishigaki!

First things first, somehow it's already February... I don't even

remember how January went. We have the opportunity to pack so much

into a day, the days start to feel like weeks, and then you look back,

and it feels like we emailed only a few hours ago last week. I was

talking to Elder Hafen earlier, and we realized that the transfer so

far has only been 23ish days, but it feels like we've worked together

for months. Really hard to put a finger on anything. But with that

feeling, excuse me for not having crazy experiences this week, because

it's really been a lot of thinking and working, but I can't tell where

it started and where it ended.

I think one of the reoccurring thoughts I've had is on sharing our

testimonies, as members and as missionaries. It stems from a verse in

Timothy, which President Hinkley quoted at times, which reads: "For

God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love,

and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of

our Lord". How wonderful, and how simple! We had a sister leave from

the Ishigaki branch to the MTC yesterday, en route to the Sendai

mission, and she talked about the blessings of sharing simple truths,

and sometimes the challenges associated therein. As I've pondered how

to share my testimony better, to help the people of Japan find more

joy in their lives, one thought that's floated around is 'why start

now?' Listening to the soon to be sister missionary, I realized that

there have always been chances. And I realized, sometimes, our actions

are our testimony. Waving, saying kind words, being a good friend,

trying my best, in high school those were all signs of who I was, a

divine son of God. On a mission, those same small things have huge

roles. We can say anything, but the true measure of a man is in his

actions, and people see those! When we get the blessing to share the

gospel in the rain, people notice. And they know that God loves them

enough to send two white kids from around the world to find them in

the middle of a winter rainstorm. That might be one of my favorite

testimonies.

Another small thing is the voice of the Spirit. Just yesterday, we had

a contact, which, really, looked like any other contact. We knocked, a

guy opened the door, we introduced ourselves, he was busy, and that

was about it. But something told me to get his phone number, to set up

an appointment, to come back. I don't know why, but we did, and have

plans to return. But why him, I don't know. I can't see what God has

in plan for him, or for me, but I do know there are plans. And no

matter how incapable we think we are, if we try, He will accomplish

His plans through us. It's crazy to be a part of it all.

Lots of love!

Elder Mitchell Woodhouse

Update -- I apologize for the delayed posts. We had some family situations that required our attention this Spring.