The Tree in Me

This week has been truly amazing, yet again!

The beginning of this week was very hard. I had felt that the Japanese I was learning was a totally different language. Instead of learning how to count, I was learning how to bring the Japanese people to Christ. 

Nevertheless, I continued to pray, read my scriptures, and write in my journal.

I will now focus on yesterday and today:

How did the Lord answer my prayers?

Well, ten members of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles showed up of course! (I don't have photos, they were strict about that, sorry)

We had Elder Ballard, Elder Anderson, Elder Renland, Elder Rasband, Elder Christofferson, Elder Holland, Elder Bednar, Elder Cook, Elder Oaks, and Elder Stevenson. Needless to say, the Spirit was there.

I had sung in the choir (waaay fun, by the way -- our chorister is the same one in General Conference and he teaches us lessons as we sing), the song was "Praise to the Man" since yesterday was the commemoration of Joseph Smith's martyrdom. Which, was also broadcasted to all the other MTCs in the world -- I'm not sure if I was visible, but "Hi Mom!" anyways!

Have you guessed who spoke yet? Well the answer is in the next sentence:

Elder Bednar!

He spoke of many things, but he told us to concentrate on the feelings we had, so here are the things that stuck out to me the most:

The Word of God is Jesus Christ and His Authorized Servants' teachings.

When we plant the seed, that is the Word of God, in our heart, a tree begins to grow.

When that tree is matured and well taken care of, it springs fruit that is very desirable.

When we eat that fruit we want to share it with others.

Yes, the Tree of Life in Lehi's Dream can be interpreted as simply as a strong testimony of Christ. And what did Nephi want? A strong testimony. He followed that Iron Rod and beheld the great tree.

Now do ye really suppose that Joseph Smith's first draft could have just been all made up and influence millions around the world? 

I testify that if you grow and nurture that great tree of your's, you will not only see the benefits of your life, but other's as well. You will begin to see how amazing you are and how much the Lord loves you.

Today was more adventurous for us. We study in the new MTC buildings. So what do they do with the old ones? They leave them for Chōrō-tachi (many Elders) to raid those tombs. We found the old Japanese classrooms and saw where our senpai and dai-senpai studied. We of course looted the good stuff like a Japanese Flag, Maps of Japan, whiteboards, hymn books, markers, chalk, the Ark of the Covenant*, the Holy Grail*, and those weird stone things*, (pictures next week for our newly decorated room).

* <REDACTED>

Next week we're expecting 35 Japanese Missionaries coming in! Holy cat-cakes! Wish me luck until then!

I love you all very much and I thank you for the letters and love you send me.

~ Elder North

ノース長老

PICTURE TIME!

President Sekiguchi and his wonderful wife.

フライドポテいトのちく (The District of French Fries -- it's a weird name, but blame Rupp Chōrō) Left to Right:

​Kelley Shimai

Medieros Shimai

North Chōrō (He's pretty chill)

Blake Chōrō

Juchau Chōrō (turns our that was spelled right)

Rupp Chōrō

Andersen Chōrō

Mckinzie Chōrō

Dobbs Shimai

Thomas Shimai

Rupp Chōrō (left) and Andersen Chōrō (right) studying in the residence hall.

That great missionary is Mckinzie Chōrō (Companions with Andersen Chōrō, our District Leader), and we had to commemorate him on that great lesson he gave to Brother Bottle.

 Our Zone (I can't list them all, sorry)​

I'm going on a mission

The First Week!

Wow!

Giving up everything to serve the Lord has truly been one of the best things I could ever do in my entire life! It's more than hard, but the Lord has truly helped me through. I have a ton to say, so let's hop to it!

Me and ブレク長老​

 After I had said my goodbyes to my family I was immediately led through by a Host to grab my books and apply different resources. I was then directed to go to class, where my companion would be waiting there.

And there he was! His name is Elder Blake. I will continue to call him "Blake Chōrō". "ブレクちょうろう”, and "ブレク長老". So besides what I call him, he's a pretty great guy! He's from Spanish Fork, so he's not too homesick.

I then had dinner and made more friends in my District of 10 people.

​​Residence Hall

Only Sister Kelley (FYI: "Sister" in Japanese is "Shimai") is going to Sendai, Japan. I'll make sure to give more descriptions of everyone and shoot them as well.

I then I had truly learned my missionary purpose: I am to INVITE and SERVE in Christ's example. I would surely fail if I never do this. 

I had an awesome District Meeting that Thursday night! It was wonderful! I got to meet my branch presidency: President Murdock, Brother St. Clair, and Brother Sowards. These men are super cool, and they have served in Japan as well. I am especially thankful for President Murdock, for he had interviewed us in our district and I had told him I was not doing so well. Turns out, the answer was simple: I needed more water. Kind of a funny thing to say now that I think about it because the MTC continues to tell us the first week is like 'drinking from a fire hose' -- which it totally is.

Lesson Notes and Name Tag (The Orange Dot meant I was new)​

The MTC has a bookstore as well and I had gone there with ブレク長老 and I got a drawing pen and a lanyard for my residency key and missionary ID card. 

日本語 is very hard! But I love it! The teachers don't speak any English unless we can't figure out what we're saying.

And guess what else! My mission president and his wife from Japan came and visited me right after class! I was awkward and totally forgot how to speak Japanese, but President Sekiguchi knows English! So it was good to talk to him once I remembered how to speak that language as well.

Let's slow things down a bit before I write a novella. The next day, I went to the gym and apparently the Japanese Zone has a thing for Four Square! So I started gaining a reputation with a game I was pretty familiar with.

We had FHE and read Elder Bednar's talk from April 2015, "Therefore, They Hushed Their Fears". I recommend it a lot.

ブレク長老

ノース長老

Boys will be Boys (The one in the cot is Elder Rupp, the other on the bed is Elder Juchau-- not spelled right, but pronounced, "Jew-SHAH")

It was then Father's Day, Gravity Falls Day, and most importantly: The Sabbath Day! It was us and our District and I had truly felt the Spirit. President Murdock gave an awesome experience where he had thought that nobody in Japan had ever listened to his message, but 38 years later, he had found a young missionary who he had found out was the son of a ten year old boy who grew up with a picture of him and the missionaries and the Book of Mormon. He didn't do a lot of good things growing up, but then he found that Book of Mormon, and began to read.

President Sekiguchi gave his conversion story as well! He had wanted a Bible, but couldn't find any in Tōkyō, but he found himself in a crowd of a thousand people watching these two strange Americans writing about how they were missionaries on a huge piece of paper in front of an amusement park. He figured, "Hey! This is a great way to get a free Bible!". The missionaries gave him the Book of Mormon. He thought it odd that it didn't tell about Noah or Moses, but he continued reading and accepted to be taught by the missionaries. Sister Sekiguchi gave a talk as well, but that was in Japanese. It was way cool, but I didn't catch too much.

Breakfast!

Later, I had a Sunday Devotional with a very special guest speaker: (Drumroll please:) Donny Osmond! That was way cool.

He states that we should experience our missions. Not just walk around being uncomfortable or unfamiliar, but to immerse ourselves in the culture.

We also watched a recording of Elder Bednar as well. Basically: Don't be Cookie Monster. A saint of Christ is someone who turns outward and not inward.

There's plenty of roleplaying here at the MTC. Just without dice and a character sheet.

I'm also able to say quite a few good prayers in Japanese. It's best to SYL. "Speak Your Language", where you try to say as much as possible in Japanese, but then fill in with English.

And that finally brings us to today!

I want to thank you all for your love and support. I am truly grateful for all the wonderful things you have done to influence me and my life. 

I would like to apologize if I had ever wronged you or perhaps may wrong you, but I love all of you. Again, thank you for your lasting love and support. I would truly not be here today if it wasn't for that.

ノース長老

(Elder North)

The coolest guy in the world​

Email from Elder North's Mission President

Dear Brother and Sister North,

My name is Osamu Sekiguchi.  I’m from Tokyo, Japan.  My wife, Takako and I are attending trainings at MTC to prepare to go to Japan Sendai Mission as Mission President and a wife.  We arrived at MTC June 12 which was just two days before your son, Elder North arrived at here.  We visited his Japanese class on Friday and met him.  We were so excited to meet him because he will be our first missionary we will have in Japan Sendai Mission.  

When I  attended the sacrament meeting this morning, I also saw him at there.  I was asked by the presidency of Japan Mission Districts to share my testimony at the meeting.  When I was talking, I saw only two missionaries were taking notes in those groups.  Elder North was one of them.  I was so impressed. He is always studying very hard. 

I met him at the lunch time, and took a photo today.  He is doing well with his good companion.  Surprisingly, he already can understand Japanese well.  He is a polite and talented young missionary.  My wife and I love him.  I don’t doubt that he will be a great missionary who can work as a tool of the Lord.  You should proud of your son, Elder North.  We really appreciate you and your family that you are sacrificing and supporting this wonderful young man.  

We leave for Japan Sendai Mission June 29, and start to serve as Mission President from July 1.  We will wait for him at there.

Sincerely,

Osamu and Takako Sekiguchi

Japan Sendai Mission