Spring Break and Turkish Kabobs 💯 🌊 (Week 82)

皆さんこんにちは! If you’ve ever wandered what Spring Break is like as a missionary, then let me tell you, it’s the best! It’s not much of a break at all though, lol. We’ve been able to get out and get to work a lot this past week and see some awesome miracles. The Lord is good and the work is sweet.

So, our story begins this past Monday as we traveled down to Kamakura as a district for p-day. Now Kamakura is a place with no shortage of tourist attractions; ranging from the breathtaking beachfront real estate, to a giant statue of Buddha, to the great shrine of Hachimangu, which lies atop a mountain that makes me feel like King-Fu Panda as I crawl up the stairs to the top. And our adventure this past Monday took us right through it all. Amongst all our tourist destinations though, was this one way sweet Turkish kabob and ice cream place. But as good as the kabobs were, the real entertainer is the white-bearded owner of said Turkish joint. Let me tell you, this guy is the best non-member missionary I have ever met. So we roll up, six missionaries deep, and the second he sees us, he’s like “Yo! Missionaries! What’s up?”. And we’re like “Nothin much, just doing some sightseeing down here in Kamakura!”. And then this guy is like, “Yo, you guys got any more of your church pamphlets? I give them to my customers so they can find Jesus! I love Jesus man!”. So we do what any good missionaries would do and load this guy up with like twenty Restoration pamphlets. My only thought this whole time was, dang, this guy puts members to shame in their missionary work. The only reason this guy isn’t baptized already is because of his religious background - his lifespan would be shortened to the day he decided to convert. Unfortunately, he probably won’t be baptized in this life, but the Plan of Salvation gives him and me hope in the life to come.

Second way awesome experience this week was General Conference! Because of translation things and such, GC is released a week after the actual showing in America. So yes, I know y’all have already seen it, and yes I know I’m a week late, but as usual, GC was a great experience. Unfortunately, it was my last time to watch as a missionary, but it did not disappoint. What an amazing blessing it is to have and hear from a modern day prophet. This is the Lord’s church and he guides it by revelation. There were some way awesome changes announced that I am way excited for. The Lord is hastening his work and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be apart of it. Honestly not too much to report on. If you haven’t seen GC, I would recommend going to watch it and then doing what President Nelson invited us to do: continue to read and study the talks that were given over the next six months. If you do, I can promise, your life will be blessed!

Well, that brings us to the end of Elder Sadler’s spring break crusades. A lot happened in between the moments that I shared this week but unfortunately I don’t have the time or the will power to write them all. Just know that missionary life is the best, the Lord’s hand is in each of our lives, and life is too short to not enjoy. Not sure what the weather is like where you are, but if it’s nice, go outside and take it all in. The Lord created this beautiful creation for you and for me and we have a responsibility to enjoy it and take care of it. I love you, God loves you, and the church is true. Have a good one!

Elder Sadler