Wed. Dec. 3
Tex Sensei had us plan a "5-min" overview of the Plan of Salvation. Then he pulled us out one by one... without our companion! We'd done this sort of thing once before with lesson one.
We walked with him around the perimeter of our floor. At the start he asked "What has God done for us?" (in Japanese). I understood his question and began to answer. Pretty soon I mentioned the Atonement as the center of the plan. In between my comments he would comment and/or ask questions. My Japanese flowed well and I could feel the spirit during our walk. When we returned to where we started, Tex said he didn't have any comments and that it was good. Last time he had comments. I felt humble and grateful. I'm still sick. Things are going to get better though because Sis. Kreuger, one of the MTC presidency wives, sent me some Ni-quil. I had run out!
Thu Dec 4
It's amazing how you can have such a positive experience right next to a not-so-positive one.
Our TRC went rather well. We taught one investigator, a returned Elder from a Japan mission. He was patient with us. I suppose much of that patience comes from having been in our position once before. My comp. and I had to say "wakarimasu" or "I don't understand" a couple times. We also said "mo ichido" or "once more."
I always have something to work on in order to be a better companion. Right now I'm working on being less defensive. I came up with an analogy. Getting along with people is like being an accompanist. You need to adjust to whomever you are accompanying. Adjustments don't mean you are changing who you are though. Your personality and artistic style is still there. It's always exciting to learn from new people who you accompany.
Fri Dec. 5
Today we had a super comp. inventory. Every day I learn more about myself, relationships, and the gospel. I'm still sick. I've been sick since last Saturday. Seems like an eternity though since I'm at the MTC. I didn't get any letters today. That was humbling. One elder in my district didn't get a letter for the first three weeks. Now I know how much I should be grateful for what I have and not take things for granted.
Sat. Dec 6
We heard about Elder Wirthlin's funeral today. I didn't hear about it until the end of the day when, at the fireside, they said "Most of you have probably heard....." but I hadn't.
Sis. Shaha and I went in a room with Budge and Murphy Choro. We took turns saying sentences in Japanese about Dispensations. I really enjoyed that. They are patient. I could feel the Spirit when we worked. It's amazing how you can feel the Spirit during the day even if you're not doing something "churchy".
Sun. Dec 7
Today was an effective Fast Sunday. I fasted and prayed that the talks would speak to me. Today was mission conference. The talks were just what I needed. I really enjoyed them.
I bore my testimony in church today... in Japanese! It was super fun! I remember my first week and how I didn't understand a word and here I was (very very simply) saying my testimony !
Murphy Choro sang a solo and then a duet with Sis. Shaha for prelude music and I played. Murphy Choro was super excited to to that. I was happy to see him so excited.
After the fireside (the Christmas First Presidency Fireside) my district decided to "hang out". So... we just sat on our floor in the foyer center (with the couches) and talked about "Babylon" things for a good hour. It thought it was a waste of time and it didn't feel like the right thing to do. So, I tried to study something. Wasn't too effective. I didn't join in the conversations though.
Sis. Tong (branch pres wife) gave us sisters a nylon towel. It's an oriental thing. It scrubs you super well. They only sell it at oriental places. It's Japanese. Costs $3.50. I might send one home when I get to Japan. It's supposed to be good when you sweat a lot.
Ngawaka Choro says "hello love" to us because it's Australian. It's super funny.
THANK YOU for the Christmas tree/ ornament notes!!! I LOVE it! It really touched me!
Mata ne
Love,
Sis. McMahan
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