This was a week of awesome un-expected, yet expected miracles!
First of we were able to have a lesson with Mitchell at the Carters! Have I ever told you how much I love this family? They're the greatest warm hearted hilarious southerners I've ever met. I love them! We were able to teach about the Plan of Salvation and Mitchell had a lot of great questions; stuff like about the Law of Moses and Adam and Eve, things that usually Japanese lessons never have full detail of, but it was great to have the freedom to say exactly what we wanted to say in english. But we testified of God's plan and he seamed to understand it well. He's a pretty smart kid. He doesn't just think superficially about things. He takes it to heart. The Carters shared their conversion stories and the spirit was so evident in the room when they mentioned what their life would be like without the gospel. Brother Carter said,
"I grew up Lutheran my whole life and I knew about God and went to church every week, but I knew ... I knew that something was missing in my life. There was an absence of something that I couldn't comprehend. Then when I heard about the missionaries from my buddy and took the lessons, I tried out what they said. After weeks of glancing at the Book of Mormon reading and half-hearted praying about the Book of Mormon, one night I just took it to heart. I got on my knees, put the Book of Mormon right in front of my on my bed and really prayed. I can't describe the feeling but as I prayed and looked up, I felt an undeniable feeling that what was right infront of me, in my hands, was what I've been missing my whole life." His story was powerful. The spirit was there and testifying of the truthfulness of it.
In other miracles, we've been teaching this old couple called the Sakamoto's, we taught a lesson earlier in the week and the lesson went all over the place. He likes to talk, Sakamoto-san, and we were going to teach about prayer, scriptures and church, but we dipped into the Plan of Salvation, 10 commandments, Word of Wisdom, and all kinds of things. We finally just invited them to church, and to our somewhat hopeful surprise, they said they'd come! They've never been to church! And they came and fit right into the japanese ward. The ward members didn't hestitate to introduce themselves or talk to them. They were laughing and smiling all throughout church. I love the members! Best missionaries ever!
On Thursday we go to meet our new Mission President, President Egan and his wife. They are so nice! I really felt their love and sincerity right from the beginning. I feel really blessed that I have them, even for a little longer.
On Saturday we hosted a Cooking Class at the church! Now, I know what you're thinking, "Psh, Sister Stevenson, since when can you cook?" Well in reality, I can't. But! We taught them how to make american food so they don't know that ;D We taught them how to make stuff like BBQ chicken and chocolate chip cookies. It was super fun, we had a good turn out and nothing burned or exploded so we're good! It was another great week in Iwakuni! I love this place and the people here!
Till next week
Sister Stevenson