71st Week in Japan. 4th Area. What is your true treasure in life?

7 August 2017

I'm just trying to take things day by day. There is a tiredness that hits the last few weeks of the mission.  I've been going harder, trying to do the Lord's will in spite of feeling tired! We've talked to so many people and saw many miracles by following the Spirit.  I'm trying my best to be obedient to the Lord, and diligent.  I'm glad to be going home soon, but [after being in Japan for close to a year and a half] I'm also kind of afraid to adjust back to American culture and people.  But I know that everything will be okay and I have prayer to communicate with Heavenly Father to guide me what to do. :)

Our top investigator, H_____, is doing awesome!! We had a F.H.E. [Monday night home religious meeting with family or friends] last night organized for her by the Ward [congregation] mission leaders.  Sister Call and I shared a message about the restoration of Jesus Christ's gospel. We made it kind of a discussion and used pictures and asked the members how they came to know this message was true. At the end we  confirmed their testimonies with ours.  She really liked it, and especially liked when Sister Call talked about our testimonies being treasures.  H_____ wants to gain her own testimony of God and many more "treasures."


Background story, H_____ is a young woman and a referral from a member who is going on a mission next week to America. 

Also, going back to treasures. I've off and on thought about the scripture "treasures in heaven."

It's in 3 Nephi 13 as well as the New Testament.
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal;
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.

Laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven is through righteousness, good works and Christ-like deeds. But also in our personal experiences, or "Ahhh" moments, I believe, we have treasure.  So like holding your first child in your arms, the beginning of a family.  Or surfing on a really good tide. Or helping a random old lady into her house, for example.  It can be really small things.  Often the relationships that we make with our brothers and sisters will be treasures that we are laying up in heaven.  One of the hardest things that we need to deal with is others.  So Jesus Christ set that perfect example of how we should act and speak and think. Because of the atonement, Jesus Christ can not only cleanse us, but changes and transforms us. The verses go on and say:

"21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
22 The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be
single, thy whole body shall be full of light."

These are just my thoughts through prayer and study.  But you may know more about the Sermon on the Mount. It's "benkyouchuu" for me!  It's something I'm in the middle of studying. What are some treasures you have had in your life?

Sister Parker

パーカー姉妹
東京伝道部