21st week in Japan; 2nd Area. I'm doing it for Jesus, because He did it for me

It's been a great week!! Nothing can get my companion and I down.  Not even the typhoon weather. Sister Madsen and I are working really hard. She's such a power house!  I could see her training on her 2nd transfer.

I've healed quickly from the bike accident.  I can't do push-ups, but I can do dishes.

One of our lessons we taught this week was with a new investigator.  We had dinner together and after we finished she asked, "So, you wanted to talk about church?"  Let me tell you, I know this investigator is serious.  She expressed to us that she's not sure if God exists, but she wants to make good decisions in her life.  As we spoke of the Book of Mormon and how to pray she was excited.  It made my companion and I so happy!!  Slowly, we will help her build a relationship with Heavenly Father.  I'm very excited to see her change and experience for herself that God is real, that there is a creator who loves her, named Father.

I've thought about more and more how to become a better teacher, more tuned to the Spirit. As a missionary, when teaching, we are trying to help people find that connection with God. We don't know what that person needs, we just try follow the Spirit as the thoughts and feelings come to us. Although, we have many weakness, we try our best.  We try to ask them questions that help them really think and understand that God is there for them. Missionaries are not the ones who convert investigators, it's the Holy Ghost.  It's so important to follow the Spirit.  We can't truly help people come unto Christ unless we are following that guidance.

This weekend, I was able to see the celebration and dedication of the third temple to be built in Japan.  In the celebration, there was spectacular dancing and singing, and the story of what happened to the church in Japan acted out by the youth of the Church in Sapporo. During World War II, the missionaries were taken out of Japan and the church buildings could not longer be in use.  I believe religion was discriminated.  But, the members had faith and waited patiently for the missionaries to come back.  Secretly, they would have study and pray wherever and whenever they could.  It was a very hard time.  During the end of the celebration, there was slideshows of old pictures of the stakes and branches of Japan, primary classes outside, etc.  Those members waited so long for the church to come back to Japan.  As did the church members in Sapporo wait for a temple to be built. 

I felt great power in there.  I knew through the Spirit that because of temples, there is hope. It is a sacred place, a House to the Lord.  It brings families together so they can live together forever.  There is no end after death.  Only eternity.  Never to be lost. 

God's authority has once again been restored on earth.  God's first prophet of the church, Joseph Smith, and his followers underwent hard times for to bring about the work of the Lord.  Nevertheless, that great and marvelous work has been completed.  We have the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ restored.  It's perfect and it teaches people to do good.  It teaches the way of Christ.  It brings relief to the afflicted.  And it brings pure joy to all who follow those doctrines of Jesus Christ.

"2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

John 3

When someone is "born again," they feel the Spirit. They have a glimpse of the Kingdom of God. The power of the Holy Ghost is what causes a mighty change heart. Now, one can only enter into the Kingdom of God by being baptized by someone holding the authority of God. Then, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. They can constantly have the guidance of the Holy Spirit with them.

But hold up. That's not it! We must endure to the end! We are constantly changing. We must continually try to follow Jesus Christ's example and perfect ourselves. We are not only "born again" once. We are not perfect, we make mistakes. But with each change of heart that we have, and if we act on it by having the faith that Jesus Christ can help us repent, we can be forgiven and cleansed. We can only grow to be like our Heavenly Father if we diligently seek His help. He is our friend, our help, our Mediator, and Saviour.

In the name of Jesus Christ I end this email. Amen.

Yeah!! Have a great week everyone! Please pray diligently and seek to build others up.

Love,

パーカー姉妹

Sister Parker

A Window with a view

It's Back to School time! Cultural post - about school in Japan, especially Elementary school

This article is provided by K-Mom (not Sister Parker the missionary)

From:  http://www.factrange.com/japanese-elementary-school-students-dont-get-exams-reach-grade-four/

Japanese elementary school students don’t get any exams until they reach grade four.

BY ARUN PANDEY · NOVEMBER 5, 2013

In Japan only requires nine years of compulsory education to students.
The Japanese education system consists of three years of elementary school, three years of middle school and three years of high school.
The Japanese make more of a big deal about the beginning of a child’s education career than the end.
Japanese elementary school students don’t get any Exams until they reach grade four because the goal for the first three years of schools is not to judge the child’s knowledge or learning, but to develop responsibility, establish good manners and to develop their character.
More Japanese elementary school students say they enjoy school than their American counterparts.

School Rules in Japan.

> Japanese schools have strict rules about fingernail length and hair styles.

> Students who have been caught cheating have had their heads shaved and have been expelled from school.

> They are taught to fold their jackets properly and always have tissue in one pocket and a handkerchief in the other. In school they learn to have three sharpened pencils with them and always have glue, rulers and erasers in their pencil boxes.

All primary school kids eat school lunches, and about 8 percent of middle school students do. Japanese students eat their lunches in the classrooms. there are no cafeterias in Japanese schools and help prepare and serve school lunches. Food is served from stainless serving trays and large pots by students, who sometimes wear surgical masks, aprons and hair protection.  The food is often prepared in a kitchen on one floor and transported to the classroom on special carts.

Souji (honorable cleaning) is a period of about 15 minutes each day when all activities come to a stop, mops and buckets appears and everyone get busy in cleaning up. Often the teachers and principals get on their hands and knees and join students.  Japanese schools don’t have any janitors because the students and staff do all the cleaning. Students in elementary school, middle school, and high school sweep the hall floors after lunch and before they go home at the end of the day. They also clean the windows, scrub the toilets and empty the trash cans under the supervision of student leaders.

  

The students in Japanese schools are generally better behaved and there are far fewer discipline problems than in the United States. Studies have also shown that Japanese students on average spend about one-third more time learning each class period than American students do.

Bonus Post: 20th Week in Japan; 2nd area.

[Subject matter taken from a family letter]

So as I said in my letter last week, my new companion (greenie from the MTC) is Sister Madsen. She is really motivated and we have great plans for this area.  

Among other things, we wish to visit the less-actives (those who rarely attend church or have ceased attending all together).  There are 200 less-active-in-church people here.  

I'm doing pretty good by the way. I fell off of my bike, but I am good. It's nothing too serious.  I told Sister Nagano (President's wife).  We found two new investigators in one week!  They are both about 20 years old!  We are really trying to strengthen the ward and the youth!

I feel stressed sometimes, but I'm able to overcome it quickly.  Since coming to Japan, I've become much more patient.   My Japanese language skills are also progressing nicely.

As for the question in the letter about teaching others without a language in common, I have similar experiences with teaching people who don't know English or Japanese very well.  Usually they speak Chinese, but sometimes, it's Spanish.  

[Sister Kirsten Parker's words about dealing with trials]:   Don't let temptations overcome the spirit that you've been feeling.. Keep feeding yourselves with the joy of the gospel.  Satan tried and continues to try hard to make sure everyone doesn't have joy.  This may be a trial right now, but trials can be overcome and completely conquered when you continually ask the Lord for help.  Please continue to have the faith that everything will be okay.  No matter how dark the road may seem, if you hold fast to the iron rod and not let go, you will see the light and you will always have that inner peace from the Spirit.  When afflictions come, if we don't let ourselves get down, we will still feel that peace and comfort of the Spirit.   Constantly uplift each other. Have a family conference and make goals of how to constantly lift each other up even during trials.

October 2011 General Conference address:    [images not part of talk]

"You are not forgotten."

        Sisters [and Brothers], wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.

        Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!

        He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name--you are the [sons and] daughters of His kingdom. The Psalmist wrote:   [Psalms 8]

        “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;    

(images from internet search)   

        “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? …

        “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.”

        God loves you because you are His child. He loves you even though at times you may feel lonely or make mistakes.

        The love of God and the power of the restored gospel are redemptive and saving. If you will only allow His divine love into your life, it can dress any wound, heal any hurt, and soften any sorrow."

[For full text of the talk, go to: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/forget-me-not?lang=eng

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It may be hard, but Jesus Christ makes it easier!!

Remember, how powerful God is.  He created everything and His hands continually guide us when we follow Jesus Christ.  He can help you overcome the boulders placed in your path.  

Art by Greg Olsen

   

Image from giftsandbooksforchristians.com; Greg Olsen art
www.bradfordexchange.com

  

 

Never cease to pray and glorify a Heavenly Father who is rooting for you right now!! 

Thank you for continuing the Lord's work and preaching the gospel. :)

Your loving missionary daughter,

Sister Kirsten Parker

Sent from the white fields of Japan 🍲🌅