The Week I Lasso'd a Typhoon and Rode It Off Into The Sunset 🌊⛩🌅 (Week 59)

皆さん, waaaazzzzzzuuuuuuup!? How was everyone's week? The past two weeks here in Yokosuka have been interesting to say the least. We have had two typhoons now so Elder Thomson and I have basically been swimming around in it trying to get stuff done. If anyone doesn't know where Yokosuka is, look it up on google maps. You will notice that the peninsula sticks right out into the middle of the ocean and is just begging for a good Typhoon to come through and wreck it. Well, these past two weeks, it finally happened. Eventually you get to a point where it doesn't matter if you get wet anymore. It just doesn't even phase us anymore haha. We could probably take a fully clothed dip in the ocean and it wouldn't make any difference lol.

Despite the never ending buckets of rain though, this past week has been really good! I'll just highlight the major events. Last Wednesday, we had Zone Conference. It was pretty good. Lots of great personal and District revelation. There were a lot of things discussed, including how to more effectively use technology in missionary work and several other things. As a mission, this past week, we received access to a new app called Line. It is basically a very, very popular Japanese messenger app. I can't even tell you how many times Japanese people have asked if I have a line to exchange. We are really excited to move forward with that. Another big topic that has been discussed recently and really stuck out to me was service. How can I more fully serve as a missionary, and how can I help members to serve their neighbors and be the light in an ever darkening world that Christ asked us to be? I think that we as people (and especially me as a missionary), have these personal agendas that we push a lot. I need this investigator to do this, or I need this member to talk to this person, or I need my companion to do this. When we have that mindset, we end up becoming manipulative of those around us rather than helping them (or ourselves) progress. As we focus on service and do it out of love, I think our entire mindset changes and that is really when hearts open. How can I serve my investigators to help them progress, or what can I do to show my love for the Ward members. I think those are better questions. On Friday, we had splits with the zone leaders. It went pretty good as well. I told one guy "tanoshinde kudasai" (have fun), but he thought I said "shinde kudasai" (please die) and he got supper pissed. Quite the misunderstanding haha. On Saturday night, we had our Ward Halloween party! It was way fun. Elder Thomson and I had two investigators there, the sister had a couple and the Ward members invited a ton of their friends! It was awesome. Really great turn out and lots of great chili. Doesn't get much better than that. And that was pretty much the highlights of this past week!

Elder Thomson and I are doing good. No doubt due to all the prayers, love, and support from home. It's been a great week and I am looking forward to this upcoming week. Lots of fun service. With Thanksgiving coming up and Christmas around the corner, there isn't a better time to get out and serve! Everyone get out there and go to work. Hope you have a great week! 愛しています! (☝︎ ՞ਊ ՞)☝︎

-Elder Sadler