Yoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo howdy y’all <(0-0<) <(0-0)> (>0-0)>

Thanks for y’alls emails!!! Keep me updated on your lives. I love hearing random things, sports, whatever’s on your mind, etc. Even if I don’t respond, know that I read them and they keep me sane in this crazy world. Text me on Messenger too!!!

This week has been another tough one! This week, I challenged my district to come to prayer and ask to know their weaknesses. Ether 12:27 states, “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.” What an excellent verse in an excellent chapter! I certainly saw my fair share of weakness, and as a result knew there were areas that I needed to grow in as well. I feel homesick every once in a while, and it is a terrible, awful feeling. The MTC is really hard! The food doesn’t rest right in my stomach, I’m constantly busy with others’ needs, and when I’m able to unwind it’s usually only for a few minutes. I complain so much to myself and it can really drag me down. One thing that I love about Christ’s atonement and in general, the LDS faith, is that it is such a religion of personal growth and development. I also feel comforted in the fact that it also teaches self-compassion as part of the atonement of Jesus Christ (“For we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do”).

Last Sunday, I wrote the following in my journal: “I stand at the bottom of an exceedingly steep and tall mountain, but I know that Christ will give me wings, that each step I may take may be lifted by His spirit. I know His grace is miraculous enough to change even the mountain thereof, that each step may be prepared before me. Let me not walk forward with fear, but with exactness to His commandments, that each step on the climb may be easy. For it is in the yoke of Jesus Christ that our burdens are lifted, our lives are changed, and miracles are made true.” One of my favorite scriptures has always been Isaiah 48:10 (or the 1 Nephi equivalent). “Behold, I have refined thee, yet not as silver. I have refined thee in the furnace of affliction.” Growth comes from God mostly in the moments when we suffer and endure hard times. I’ve learned to look for the good in every moment in life, but I also appreciate the bad. This is because I know that Jesus Christ has prepared the way before me. No matter what happens in life, there is a way forward!

I came up with a sentence in Japanese that I love! “日本語が話せたら奇跡だよ。” It essentially means in English, “If/when I’m able to speak Japanese, it’ll be a miracle.” XD. I love the Japanese language. It really fits together like a neat puzzle. I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m able to get to a good level of mastery extremely quickly. I already learned about 1000 words in Japanese before coming to the MTC, and I’ve learned about 300 more since then. Grammar is a bit more difficult but the teachers here do a good job of explaining it. Some of my friends in my district are a little distracted in class, but I always try to set a good example. One of our teachers even called out one of them (who was playing with a rubber band in class), and said “If you keep playing with random things like rubber bands in class, you won’t ever learn Japanese!” I thought it was especially funny because he’s always complaining about that teacher. I also, towards the end of the week, started to feel bad answering questions in class cause I’m always the one to answer T_T;

Everyone, now is a time when we need to promote love using your platform, strengths, and gifts. I have always loved the part in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus Christ says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The world is a scary place with so much hate. We all have so much work to do. Promote change, good, and love.

I love you all very much! <333 (°◡°♡)

Take care y’all, be safe, have fun, live life to its fullest, ja ne, etc.
Elder Son

District Google Photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZqkGj33yCWhhYs6J8