Another transfer in the books.

Dear Everyone,

This week is the start of the new transfer already... So fast! I am now a 15th transfer missionary. If you don't know what that means, I'll tell you. I'm an old missionary.... My trainer was 15th transfer when I became his companion, and I thought he was such an old missionary. And I still don't know Japanese... Yay!

We still don't know anything about transfers, but I am pretty sure I am staying. We have no idea what my companion's fate will be. He has just about a 50/50 chance of transferring or staying. I guess we'll find out some time this week. (Still hate that we need to wait to find out.)

This week was just another week in the mission. Had an Exchange in Tsuyama, came back, taught lessons, helped a member move, played basketball with the ward. Pretty normal week. I'll give an update on the people that we are working with.

Moose is our 18 year old college student friend. He was supposed to get baptized last week, but because of parental opposition, he was not able to get permission to get baptized because they feel that he needs to focus 100% on his schooling and work. However, he is committed to coming to church every week and following the commandments and basically acting like a member who hasn't been baptized. In fact, he's been helping us with teaching a couple of our other investigators. Having non-members fellowship your investigators and teaching them gospel principles is really cool. He's a great guy and hopefully someday, his parents will allow him to take this step.

We have his solid network of Vietnamese people. There are now 7 of them who we are working with. The cool thing is that that number keeps adding because they have other Vietnamese friends. Three of them have a great possibility of getting baptized soon. However, like most people, there are a few things that are stopping them from fully committing to baptism and choosing a date. Everything from word of wisdom issues, no free time, can't wake up to go to church, and the fear of getting judged by his future coworkers that he doesn't have yet. So many little problems that if they understood and felt the joy of the gospel could be solved instantaneously. However, they are all "thinking about baptism" and they realize that yes, the reason we visit them is because we love them and want them to experience the blessings that only come from Priesthood Ordinances.

I've come to learn that the real joy and power that comes from the gospel is found only in the ordinances of the priesthood. I love the quote by President Monson that says "Until you have entered the house of the Lord and have received all the blessings which await you there, you have not obtained everything the Church has to offer. The all important and crowning blessings of membership in the Church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of God.” I testify that that is true. Baptism is the first ordinance of the gospel and until we enter the gate of baptism, we do not experience the great blessings. So, we are pressing forward. Doing all that we can to help these people commit and make the first step to receive those blessings of the temple.

Love you all so much! Hopefully we both stay in Okayama for another one, but we'll find out some time soon (maybe). Have a great week and know that the Lord is in charge of all!

Love,
Elder Lamoreaux ラムロー長老
Japan Kobe Mission 日本神戸伝道部

   

My new ride!

After District Meeting;  the last one of the transfer!  So fast!

Curry party with our buds!

We taught the lesson for Gospel Principles and we were teaching about the war in heaven.  We made a play and had these members (and Moose) act it out.  It was great!