Monday, January 25, 2016
On my way home!! :)
Sitting in the eki (train station) right now with no companion, some members, and elder Strauss...weird. Baaahhhh!!!! See you soon!!!!
Monday, January 18, 2016
The eagle is flying for the last time
Haha. Sorry that's what keeps popping in my head.
#shaycanwewatchprincessdiariespleeeeese?!
Fam! My cute cute family, you sound so great. Mom, I also feel so
incredible blessed. In fact this morning as a knelt and prayed, I was
overcome with gratitude. Dad the stake president spoke in our ward
yesterday and I thought of you at stake conference and said a little
prayer in my heart for you and the members. Our stake president,
Hirose kaicho is an ANGEL, they are the ones that took us to Costco.
We started talking about the grossest food that we have eaten and he
wants me to eat something super nasty before I go back to America.
Yesterday he asked if I'd eaten anything gross lately, I said no and
he said he was thinking about it and would bring us something this
week. Yummm haha. But I loved what he talked about. He introduced the
Asia North Area Plan and Vision for this year. He says the most
important part is our vision. Goals are important, but they just help
us along the way to achieve what we have in mind as our vision. See
your future in regards to your vision. For us and investigators,
returning with God is part of the big vision. And God and Jesus have
set up a perfect plan with little goals along the way--like Baptism.
Going to church. Feeling the spirit. Repenting. Loving. We CAN reach
our vision- it is so possible. And while fulfilling these goals
'happiness can be found along the journey.' I know this is true.
The members are so awesome, yesterday Kanou Shimai had a little
farewell party for Elder Strauss and I that she's been planning for
weeks haha. It was SO FUN and the best part was that her husband that
has been less active for years has been coming back to church for the
last month, he shared his thoughts and testimony with us. BAH THE
SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG. He said he realized that there comes a time in
your life where you need God, because you have nothing else. He reads
scriptures with his wife everyday because he wants to know what God
wants him to do. He realizes that God truly just wants us to be happy,
and when we do what he asks, we are happy. The gospel is SIMPLE my
friends. Simple and beautiful and just simply beautifully perfect.
We witnessed our fair share of miracles this week. ❤️ I know it is
because of Sister Jacobsons faith. I'm so grateful for a companion
that pushes me to be better. She is a disciple of Christ! She is
helping so many people here and I'm so proud and happy and grateful
that she is here in Japan, in Kanazawa, with meeee how am I so
lucky?!? On Thursday, we had not met our goal of finding a new
investigator that day. We were headed out the door to eikaiwa, so no
more finding time :( however, we knew that the whole purpose of
eikaiwa was to bring people to Church and help them feel the spirit
even if we can't teach, we prayed for a miracle and headed. HIRO, a
girl that Satomi, our other investigator had brought to the ward New
Years mochi party, showed up at eikaiwa!!! She is darling, afterward
one of the members was talking to her and asked if she had ever been
to a Christian church before. I asked her if she would like to come
next week because I will be speaking in church. Fiiiiirst she said
YES, THEN She asked if she could meet with us earlier so we could
explain church and prayer and whatnot. We have a lesson with her in a
few minutes with some members and just bahhhhh isn't that awesome???
God is preparing so many!
This Sunday, we were not expecting any investigators at church. :(
they all bailed last minute because of tests and work. However, right
before we headed out the door, we prayed that we would witness a
miracle and be able to help someone come closer to Christ at church.
After ward council, HATA SAN walked out of the bathroom. Ok I about
cried just seeing her haha. Ever since she told us her husband didn't
want her to get baptized, we have completely lost contact. We'd tried
to visit multiple times, called, not response for a couple weeks. :(
super bummed, we dropped her and kept the faith that she wil accept
the gospel later at her own timing. So she just walks out of the
FLIPPIN CHURCH bathroom and looked suuuuper skinny, she said she had
been really sick and couldn't contact us. I asked her why she came
back to church, she said she likes the feeling at Church and wanted to
come back. After she walked in the chapel, Jacobson Shimai pulled a
best two years and hugged each other and jumped up and down and
laughing and dying of happiness. ☺️ She said she feels the same
feeling whenever she comes and hears the hymns. Yes dawling, yes you
awe. We are meeting her this week and can't wait to try to help her
understand the SPIRIT.
Hey some bummy wanted a new bike so they STOLE MINE 10 days before I
leave Japan hahahahaha. So I get to ride a MAMACHARI around and it's
the cutest thing ever I'll attach a vid. :)
We were able to give 3 books of Mormons to investigators, and I can so
testify that there is so much power in that book. It is truly the work
of God. I love studying about Jesus Christ. We studied the names of
Christ at church yesterday. Savior, redeemer, shepherd, friend. But I
think my favorite is Mediator. He is between us and God. And the only
way we can return to our Father is through Jesus Christ. His grace,
mercy, teachings, love get us there. How grateful I am for our savior.
I hope through continuing in strengthening my conversion, together
with Jesus Christ, we can help others back to the truth. In enduring
to the end, our only way of making it back to Heaven is through
helping others. By becoming like the Savior. These wonderful Japanese
people have Christ in their eyes, and the spirit in their hearts.
Angels are all around. I love this place. I can't tell you how
grateful I am that I will be returning to a place where angels and
Christ and the spirit are present. Sorry this email is all over, the
members are here and we are waiting for Hiro so for now FAREWELL but
see you SOOON. Whoa that does not feel real. I love you so much.
Thank you for everything.
"Because I have been given much, I too must give." Give the gift!!!
Love love love Sister Wilcox
#shaycanwewatchprincessdiariespleeeeese?!
Fam! My cute cute family, you sound so great. Mom, I also feel so
incredible blessed. In fact this morning as a knelt and prayed, I was
overcome with gratitude. Dad the stake president spoke in our ward
yesterday and I thought of you at stake conference and said a little
prayer in my heart for you and the members. Our stake president,
Hirose kaicho is an ANGEL, they are the ones that took us to Costco.
We started talking about the grossest food that we have eaten and he
wants me to eat something super nasty before I go back to America.
Yesterday he asked if I'd eaten anything gross lately, I said no and
he said he was thinking about it and would bring us something this
week. Yummm haha. But I loved what he talked about. He introduced the
Asia North Area Plan and Vision for this year. He says the most
important part is our vision. Goals are important, but they just help
us along the way to achieve what we have in mind as our vision. See
your future in regards to your vision. For us and investigators,
returning with God is part of the big vision. And God and Jesus have
set up a perfect plan with little goals along the way--like Baptism.
Going to church. Feeling the spirit. Repenting. Loving. We CAN reach
our vision- it is so possible. And while fulfilling these goals
'happiness can be found along the journey.' I know this is true.
The members are so awesome, yesterday Kanou Shimai had a little
farewell party for Elder Strauss and I that she's been planning for
weeks haha. It was SO FUN and the best part was that her husband that
has been less active for years has been coming back to church for the
last month, he shared his thoughts and testimony with us. BAH THE
SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG. He said he realized that there comes a time in
your life where you need God, because you have nothing else. He reads
scriptures with his wife everyday because he wants to know what God
wants him to do. He realizes that God truly just wants us to be happy,
and when we do what he asks, we are happy. The gospel is SIMPLE my
friends. Simple and beautiful and just simply beautifully perfect.
We witnessed our fair share of miracles this week. ❤️ I know it is
because of Sister Jacobsons faith. I'm so grateful for a companion
that pushes me to be better. She is a disciple of Christ! She is
helping so many people here and I'm so proud and happy and grateful
that she is here in Japan, in Kanazawa, with meeee how am I so
lucky?!? On Thursday, we had not met our goal of finding a new
investigator that day. We were headed out the door to eikaiwa, so no
more finding time :( however, we knew that the whole purpose of
eikaiwa was to bring people to Church and help them feel the spirit
even if we can't teach, we prayed for a miracle and headed. HIRO, a
girl that Satomi, our other investigator had brought to the ward New
Years mochi party, showed up at eikaiwa!!! She is darling, afterward
one of the members was talking to her and asked if she had ever been
to a Christian church before. I asked her if she would like to come
next week because I will be speaking in church. Fiiiiirst she said
YES, THEN She asked if she could meet with us earlier so we could
explain church and prayer and whatnot. We have a lesson with her in a
few minutes with some members and just bahhhhh isn't that awesome???
God is preparing so many!
This Sunday, we were not expecting any investigators at church. :(
they all bailed last minute because of tests and work. However, right
before we headed out the door, we prayed that we would witness a
miracle and be able to help someone come closer to Christ at church.
After ward council, HATA SAN walked out of the bathroom. Ok I about
cried just seeing her haha. Ever since she told us her husband didn't
want her to get baptized, we have completely lost contact. We'd tried
to visit multiple times, called, not response for a couple weeks. :(
super bummed, we dropped her and kept the faith that she wil accept
the gospel later at her own timing. So she just walks out of the
FLIPPIN CHURCH bathroom and looked suuuuper skinny, she said she had
been really sick and couldn't contact us. I asked her why she came
back to church, she said she likes the feeling at Church and wanted to
come back. After she walked in the chapel, Jacobson Shimai pulled a
best two years and hugged each other and jumped up and down and
laughing and dying of happiness. ☺️ She said she feels the same
feeling whenever she comes and hears the hymns. Yes dawling, yes you
awe. We are meeting her this week and can't wait to try to help her
understand the SPIRIT.
Hey some bummy wanted a new bike so they STOLE MINE 10 days before I
leave Japan hahahahaha. So I get to ride a MAMACHARI around and it's
the cutest thing ever I'll attach a vid. :)
We were able to give 3 books of Mormons to investigators, and I can so
testify that there is so much power in that book. It is truly the work
of God. I love studying about Jesus Christ. We studied the names of
Christ at church yesterday. Savior, redeemer, shepherd, friend. But I
think my favorite is Mediator. He is between us and God. And the only
way we can return to our Father is through Jesus Christ. His grace,
mercy, teachings, love get us there. How grateful I am for our savior.
I hope through continuing in strengthening my conversion, together
with Jesus Christ, we can help others back to the truth. In enduring
to the end, our only way of making it back to Heaven is through
helping others. By becoming like the Savior. These wonderful Japanese
people have Christ in their eyes, and the spirit in their hearts.
Angels are all around. I love this place. I can't tell you how
grateful I am that I will be returning to a place where angels and
Christ and the spirit are present. Sorry this email is all over, the
members are here and we are waiting for Hiro so for now FAREWELL but
see you SOOON. Whoa that does not feel real. I love you so much.
Thank you for everything.
"Because I have been given much, I too must give." Give the gift!!!
Love love love Sister Wilcox
Help (email from Jan 10, 2016)
As a sister missionary about to go home in 2 weeks, this is how I'm feeling. :
😆. Get to see my FAMILY!
🤑. I get to go eat yummy food and drive and wear pants.
🙄. Ha. Wait I have no money. Dang it 😒
😆. That's okay who needs money? I get to hang out with jare!
😫. Wait Jaren is like a man now he's got a deep voice and is taller
than me waaaah.
🤔. Also what should I do for college and job and life and whatnot?
😰. Oh my gooooshh I have no idea what to do for this thing called life!!
😭. I don't wanna leave Japan and these people and these feelings how
can I leeeeaave????????
☹️also. Peewee Brighton won't be there. Sooo glad he's on a mission
but. CMON MAN
🤗☺️😊okay. Whatevs. A lot can happen in 2 weeks. I'm just going to
enjoy this time I have to be a set apart representative of Christ and
work until the end and then worry about life on the plane. Yes. Okay.
Guys I'm a mess haha.
😆. Get to see my FAMILY!
🤑. I get to go eat yummy food and drive and wear pants.
🙄. Ha. Wait I have no money. Dang it 😒
😆. That's okay who needs money? I get to hang out with jare!
😫. Wait Jaren is like a man now he's got a deep voice and is taller
than me waaaah.
🤔. Also what should I do for college and job and life and whatnot?
😰. Oh my gooooshh I have no idea what to do for this thing called life!!
😭. I don't wanna leave Japan and these people and these feelings how
can I leeeeaave????????
☹️also. Peewee Brighton won't be there. Sooo glad he's on a mission
but. CMON MAN
🤗☺️😊okay. Whatevs. A lot can happen in 2 weeks. I'm just going to
enjoy this time I have to be a set apart representative of Christ and
work until the end and then worry about life on the plane. Yes. Okay.
Guys I'm a mess haha.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Love, Love, Love
Hellooooo happy new year! Crazy way stinkin CRAZY how fast 2015 was.
There were mostly ups, some downs, however those ups and downs are
part of our mortal experience and I'm truly grateful for every
experience I've had in 2015. I hope that we all feel closer to our
father in heaven, and understand the Saviors atonement a little bit
more from crazy 2015.
Just something I've been thinking about lately....
"Come into Jesus. He'll surely hear you,
If you in meekness plead for his love.
Oh, know you not that angels are near you
From brightest mansions above?"
It is so comforting to know that our family and friends on the other
side of the veil are helping build the kingdom of God! They may have a
larger perspective than us, and I believe they are incredibly
successful in bringing souls back to the fold. Papa, gma Schwartz,
great grandparents, Sister Zelaya, Sean (I can't remember his last
name:(). I know they want to work together with us in what is right,
in what is true. Is this true or is it not? Will we do what we are
asked or not? Will we choose liberty and eternal life or will we not?
Do we love the Lord? Do I love the Lord?
I know this gospel is true, grateful beyond words for Joseph Smith,
for the Book of Mormon. I Looooooove the Book of Mormon. We finished
the Book of Mormon on December 31, and have started a new project
together as a mission. We should totally do it together! The members
are all doing in with us. It will be a great tool in blessing the
lives of others.
This week we weren't really allowed to do normal missionary work, New
Years is crazy here! We were asked to deeeeeep clean apartments, do
area book, and go to members houses for appointments and food. :) I
swear all we did was eat this week. But Jacobson Shimai had a ton of
chances to bear her testimony and I think her confidence is building a
ton. She is opening up and little more and talking a little more with
members and she's so excited about it! Had so many awesome experiences
with the members, I'll just read my entire journal to you when I get
home haha, these people are so close to heaven. I see their light and
I want it! For fast Sunday we woke up early and went up to the
mountains with some members and had a little testimony meeting and
prayer to begin our fast. It was so awesome, how cool that they do
that?! Giving themselves opportunities to feel the spirit...so. Cool.
Sorry not a ton happened this week #thanksforreading BUT HATA is still
on for the 17th, please continue to pray for her and her husband to
also join her in coming to church! The members love her! We love her!
The lord loves her! And 🎶the prophet said to say hello! Heehee
Love you allllll California looked so nice! Glad yew had funnnn. :)
parks happy new yeaz! A whole year to be a missionary is THE BEST
THING EVER! Just enjoy it. ;)
Love you xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Pics:
Sister Iwata wore kimono to church for New Years. Little cutie.
This is former investigator sakamoto San. They dressed us up in kimonos and we walked around higashiyama for a while. So fun!
Miyazawa shimai
Obaachan kimonos versus modern kimonos haha
FAVORITE FAMILY the right side peeps are members from Toyama! Left side is the Nishimuras in Kanazawa. So fun! New Year's Eve.
Nishimuras and tokuzawas. Bishop/first counselor families.
There were mostly ups, some downs, however those ups and downs are
part of our mortal experience and I'm truly grateful for every
experience I've had in 2015. I hope that we all feel closer to our
father in heaven, and understand the Saviors atonement a little bit
more from crazy 2015.
Just something I've been thinking about lately....
"Come into Jesus. He'll surely hear you,
If you in meekness plead for his love.
Oh, know you not that angels are near you
From brightest mansions above?"
It is so comforting to know that our family and friends on the other
side of the veil are helping build the kingdom of God! They may have a
larger perspective than us, and I believe they are incredibly
successful in bringing souls back to the fold. Papa, gma Schwartz,
great grandparents, Sister Zelaya, Sean (I can't remember his last
name:(). I know they want to work together with us in what is right,
in what is true. Is this true or is it not? Will we do what we are
asked or not? Will we choose liberty and eternal life or will we not?
Do we love the Lord? Do I love the Lord?
I know this gospel is true, grateful beyond words for Joseph Smith,
for the Book of Mormon. I Looooooove the Book of Mormon. We finished
the Book of Mormon on December 31, and have started a new project
together as a mission. We should totally do it together! The members
are all doing in with us. It will be a great tool in blessing the
lives of others.
This week we weren't really allowed to do normal missionary work, New
Years is crazy here! We were asked to deeeeeep clean apartments, do
area book, and go to members houses for appointments and food. :) I
swear all we did was eat this week. But Jacobson Shimai had a ton of
chances to bear her testimony and I think her confidence is building a
ton. She is opening up and little more and talking a little more with
members and she's so excited about it! Had so many awesome experiences
with the members, I'll just read my entire journal to you when I get
home haha, these people are so close to heaven. I see their light and
I want it! For fast Sunday we woke up early and went up to the
mountains with some members and had a little testimony meeting and
prayer to begin our fast. It was so awesome, how cool that they do
that?! Giving themselves opportunities to feel the spirit...so. Cool.
Sorry not a ton happened this week #thanksforreading BUT HATA is still
on for the 17th, please continue to pray for her and her husband to
also join her in coming to church! The members love her! We love her!
The lord loves her! And 🎶the prophet said to say hello! Heehee
Love you allllll California looked so nice! Glad yew had funnnn. :)
parks happy new yeaz! A whole year to be a missionary is THE BEST
THING EVER! Just enjoy it. ;)
Love you xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Pics:
Sister Iwata wore kimono to church for New Years. Little cutie.
This is former investigator sakamoto San. They dressed us up in kimonos and we walked around higashiyama for a while. So fun!
Miyazawa shimai
Obaachan kimonos versus modern kimonos haha
FAVORITE FAMILY the right side peeps are members from Toyama! Left side is the Nishimuras in Kanazawa. So fun! New Year's Eve.
Nishimuras and tokuzawas. Bishop/first counselor families.
Monday, December 28, 2015
Parker's Blog
I'm not sure this ever got posted, but Parker's blog is here: http://elderparkerwilcox.blogspot.com/
Christmas
Wow Betsy. BETSY!!! Guys sorry I bawled the whole time talking to you.
I was really happy, I promise. :) That was so FUN, Michael it was so
nice to kinda almost finally meet you sorta. Mikell sent me a vid of
you guys kissing after the sealing so that was fun. And more pics! It
looked like such a perfect dream, so happy that you are so happy. I
bet the sealing was so special.
Don't have a ton of time today, it is compy's bday so some members are
taking us to Costco and sushi. Some quick deets I failed to mention on
skype:
Christmas Eve! The nicest less active you ever did meet invited the
missionaries and a couple members to go Christmas caroling at her
apartment complexES. (There were at least 6 bldgs) it was a blast. One
of the elders was dressed as Santa with a big bag of treats and we
were dressed as rain deer. Nomura Shimai had a huuuge list of people
to go carol to, so we'd sing a Christmas hymn, Santa would give a
treat, then we'd RUN to the next door and do it again. It was
hilarious and a perfect way to spend Christmas Eve. One lady opened
the door and just started sobbing! She couldn't even speak.
#seeyouagainsoon #wewillbringthewhitejumpsuit. Singing of the savior
and bringing a little light into their homes was the perfect way to
spread Christ's love. One of the members brought Christmas cake and
hot chocolate, cutest way to spend Christmas Eve!
Something I heard from another missionary: A successful missionary is
one who never settles. Is never content.
Change is not fun, but it's needed. So in dads words: buck up buck
squat and start changing. Our cute little companionship on a cute lil
Thursday afternoon doing a cute lil session of weekly planning, we
made a companionship goal to be 1) More diligent 2) More faithful. We
wanted to work on Christlike attributes, opened PMG and prayerfully
chose these two attributes of Christ. Guys don't just pick attributes
that you don't actually want to work on cuz we've been whipped in the
bum ever since choosing these- it's been a testimony builder to me
that God does not leave us helpless, and if we have true desires to
change, he will most definitely be the one to help us (or be the one
to whip your bum ;)) Had a mission phone conference where we were all
called to repentance. Japan has received new digital pamphlets, and we
haven't been using them as much as we should. We were challenged to
use them in every lesson, and keep inviting investigators to be
baptized in first or second lesson. Jshimai and I decided to be
faithful, diligent and obedient in this challenge. As we have been
working on it, we were blessed with huuuuuge miracles!!!!!!! We called
Hata San who had come to church last week and the Christmas party to
try to set up another appointment. She said "hey so. I read the Book
of Mormon. I didn't understand it and it was kind of boring, so can we
study together?" "Um. Yes. Yes definitely yes." "Also, will you be at
church on Sunday? Can I come again?" "..uhhh what? I mean yes yes
PLEASE yes." (And you hear the heavens shouting praises and singing
gloooooooorriaaa). So she came to church (walked 45 min in the cold to
get here!) and stayed all three hours. We had a lesson with her after
church where we reviewed the plan of salvation..she remembered
everything! Perfectly! We talked about our goal of the celestial
kingdom and the steps to get there. She names them off perfectly. We
used the pamphlet to explain baptism, showed her a video, and invited
her to be baptized. She SET HER OWN DATE, it was a Christmas miracle.
It was so fun for us to bear testimony to her, and rejoice with her
for making her way toward a relationship with God and her own
salvation! It was so neat!! Please keep her in your prayers. Praying
that we can work together to be more diligent and more faithful in
order to use the spirit to help others understand Jesus Christ.
I love you! So much! President Daniels sent an email, he and his wife
had a goal to have all of their children in the celestial room
together and they achieved that goal. How neat! He says, "I know this
vision is premature as you focus on your mission but I can promise you
that through faithful and diligent service, you are laying a
foundation for an eternal family. I will always be grateful for the
decision I made to serve a mission and my life continues to be blessed
as a result."
Faith and DILIGENCE :)
I was really happy, I promise. :) That was so FUN, Michael it was so
nice to kinda almost finally meet you sorta. Mikell sent me a vid of
you guys kissing after the sealing so that was fun. And more pics! It
looked like such a perfect dream, so happy that you are so happy. I
bet the sealing was so special.
Don't have a ton of time today, it is compy's bday so some members are
taking us to Costco and sushi. Some quick deets I failed to mention on
skype:
Christmas Eve! The nicest less active you ever did meet invited the
missionaries and a couple members to go Christmas caroling at her
apartment complexES. (There were at least 6 bldgs) it was a blast. One
of the elders was dressed as Santa with a big bag of treats and we
were dressed as rain deer. Nomura Shimai had a huuuge list of people
to go carol to, so we'd sing a Christmas hymn, Santa would give a
treat, then we'd RUN to the next door and do it again. It was
hilarious and a perfect way to spend Christmas Eve. One lady opened
the door and just started sobbing! She couldn't even speak.
#seeyouagainsoon #wewillbringthewhitejumpsuit. Singing of the savior
and bringing a little light into their homes was the perfect way to
spread Christ's love. One of the members brought Christmas cake and
hot chocolate, cutest way to spend Christmas Eve!
Something I heard from another missionary: A successful missionary is
one who never settles. Is never content.
Change is not fun, but it's needed. So in dads words: buck up buck
squat and start changing. Our cute little companionship on a cute lil
Thursday afternoon doing a cute lil session of weekly planning, we
made a companionship goal to be 1) More diligent 2) More faithful. We
wanted to work on Christlike attributes, opened PMG and prayerfully
chose these two attributes of Christ. Guys don't just pick attributes
that you don't actually want to work on cuz we've been whipped in the
bum ever since choosing these- it's been a testimony builder to me
that God does not leave us helpless, and if we have true desires to
change, he will most definitely be the one to help us (or be the one
to whip your bum ;)) Had a mission phone conference where we were all
called to repentance. Japan has received new digital pamphlets, and we
haven't been using them as much as we should. We were challenged to
use them in every lesson, and keep inviting investigators to be
baptized in first or second lesson. Jshimai and I decided to be
faithful, diligent and obedient in this challenge. As we have been
working on it, we were blessed with huuuuuge miracles!!!!!!! We called
Hata San who had come to church last week and the Christmas party to
try to set up another appointment. She said "hey so. I read the Book
of Mormon. I didn't understand it and it was kind of boring, so can we
study together?" "Um. Yes. Yes definitely yes." "Also, will you be at
church on Sunday? Can I come again?" "..uhhh what? I mean yes yes
PLEASE yes." (And you hear the heavens shouting praises and singing
gloooooooorriaaa). So she came to church (walked 45 min in the cold to
get here!) and stayed all three hours. We had a lesson with her after
church where we reviewed the plan of salvation..she remembered
everything! Perfectly! We talked about our goal of the celestial
kingdom and the steps to get there. She names them off perfectly. We
used the pamphlet to explain baptism, showed her a video, and invited
her to be baptized. She SET HER OWN DATE, it was a Christmas miracle.
It was so fun for us to bear testimony to her, and rejoice with her
for making her way toward a relationship with God and her own
salvation! It was so neat!! Please keep her in your prayers. Praying
that we can work together to be more diligent and more faithful in
order to use the spirit to help others understand Jesus Christ.
I love you! So much! President Daniels sent an email, he and his wife
had a goal to have all of their children in the celestial room
together and they achieved that goal. How neat! He says, "I know this
vision is premature as you focus on your mission but I can promise you
that through faithful and diligent service, you are laying a
foundation for an eternal family. I will always be grateful for the
decision I made to serve a mission and my life continues to be blessed
as a result."
Faith and DILIGENCE :)
Monday, December 21, 2015
happy. merry. genki. lovely. samui. yummy.
WOWWWW what things are getting real. Seriously unbelievable...parks it just doenst feel real does it?? Also it doesnt seem real that Christmas is here. Things have been crazy here and sitting here emailing and reading about what life really is is like..weird haha. That makes no sense but FLIP you chumps are finally getting married! When i think about skyping I just honestly get freaked out. Im meeting a new brother haha WEIRD. I have butterflies in my stomach thinking about it WHY i dont know. But really. So happy the day has finally come. Shay its crazy that you and Julia are getting married at the same time, ne? funny. MOM stop being so cute! That pic of you and shay at the bridal shower killed me. You are an angel, you and dad are like not real anymore...its like life back home was all a dream. So today as I realized that we get to skype in a few days, it made me very anxious to hear your voice again! :)
THere probably is no way that me and park could skype at the same time huh? Ill see you guys in 5 weeks so i would love to hear all about park and how he is doing, hear his voice. Parks I think about you a ton, you give me a ton of motivation. Your genkiness is out of this world and I want to be more like you- so good to your companions and so friendly. Your light is contagious! EVen to me! I love you, keep doing your thing. Remember that others are watching you all the time. You are a disciple and representative of Christ 24/7!
Well, I feel too much gratitude and love lately. I feel like I dont deserve what we have received. I literally feel like there is a new light, like a switch went off and the world is bright and happy again.
"Where can i turn for peace, where is my solace? When other sources cease to make me whole? When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice. I draw myself apart searching my soul. Where, when my aching grows, where, when I languish, where, in my need to know, where can I run? Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish? Who, who can understand? He, only One."
We cannot see Christ now, we cannot talk directly to Him now, but there are servants and people that love Him and want to mirror his works and love. As a representative of Him, we are always trying our best to focus on what Christ would do and how HE would do it. I had to be on the other side of things and needed the help of other representatives of Christ to lift me, to show His love. I activated the Power of the Atonement in a way I had forgotten that I could. Through the priesthood power and light of Christ, I was able to become whole. Never forget how much good you are doing- we are apart of Gods family- we are part of Christs family. I will accept this gift, and take His name upon me as a daughter of God. 3 Ne. 11-4 Ne. are. the. best. Please read and I know you will recognize the love Christ has for YOU.
ANYWAY sorry but GUYS. guys. This week has been the BEST. Literally so so so so soooooo good. We dropped off companions on Tuesday (and also had to say goodbye to Kittaka, it was the last time me, kittaka and humphreys would all be together. we cried. i love them) and went to the honbu for trainers training. During the meeting, Prez Ishii found out that the snow was so crazy in Utah that the beans flight was delayed. Ill explain during SKYPE but long story short, the beans stayed in a Hotel in Tokyo, and we got to stay in the Honbu! A few of us ate lunch with Ishii Shimai and got to hang out with her and Prez Ishii for a couple days. It was SO FUN. They are truly my parents here, i love them so much. The beans finally came the next night (Elder Luke Passey was here, fun to see someone again from Heber!), we were not going to make it back in time for curfew, so we got to stay another night. BAH it was awesome. So much fun, and spiritual high just being in the mission home.
CUTE LITTLE BEAN is named Sister Shania Jacobson. (yes she was named after Shania Twain). She is from California, I got the only American sister, others were nihonjin. She is so nervous and shy and darling but has a ton of dendo fire, we have already seen a ton of miracles. Not kidding, bahh just finally feel like a missionary again and all I do these days and pray and thank Heavenly Father for the blessing of working as a missionary. And Im sorry this email is all about me. blah. But yesterday Hata san came to church! She said she had started reading the Book of Mormon...and it was boring...so she came to church to continue studying with us. ha. She has a lot of potential and we know that God wants her to feel His love. We are led to many people each day, and each person deserves to finally feel His love again. Its so fun to share that love and do our best to share Christs light with everyone that we can.
So much to tell, but a way cool scripture i read this week goes like this:
Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in Heaven.
The grace of Christ is so great, but we must show Christ that we are willing to follow Him. Christ desired only to do the Will of the FAther, and if we are willing to follow our SAviors example, we will do the same and continue to do the will of God.
I love you so so much. MERRY CHRISTMAS. HAPPY WEDDING. HAPPY SKYPE.
love, sister wilcox. twim. waldo. whiterson jones.
THere probably is no way that me and park could skype at the same time huh? Ill see you guys in 5 weeks so i would love to hear all about park and how he is doing, hear his voice. Parks I think about you a ton, you give me a ton of motivation. Your genkiness is out of this world and I want to be more like you- so good to your companions and so friendly. Your light is contagious! EVen to me! I love you, keep doing your thing. Remember that others are watching you all the time. You are a disciple and representative of Christ 24/7!
Well, I feel too much gratitude and love lately. I feel like I dont deserve what we have received. I literally feel like there is a new light, like a switch went off and the world is bright and happy again.
"Where can i turn for peace, where is my solace? When other sources cease to make me whole? When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice. I draw myself apart searching my soul. Where, when my aching grows, where, when I languish, where, in my need to know, where can I run? Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish? Who, who can understand? He, only One."
We cannot see Christ now, we cannot talk directly to Him now, but there are servants and people that love Him and want to mirror his works and love. As a representative of Him, we are always trying our best to focus on what Christ would do and how HE would do it. I had to be on the other side of things and needed the help of other representatives of Christ to lift me, to show His love. I activated the Power of the Atonement in a way I had forgotten that I could. Through the priesthood power and light of Christ, I was able to become whole. Never forget how much good you are doing- we are apart of Gods family- we are part of Christs family. I will accept this gift, and take His name upon me as a daughter of God. 3 Ne. 11-4 Ne. are. the. best. Please read and I know you will recognize the love Christ has for YOU.
ANYWAY sorry but GUYS. guys. This week has been the BEST. Literally so so so so soooooo good. We dropped off companions on Tuesday (and also had to say goodbye to Kittaka, it was the last time me, kittaka and humphreys would all be together. we cried. i love them) and went to the honbu for trainers training. During the meeting, Prez Ishii found out that the snow was so crazy in Utah that the beans flight was delayed. Ill explain during SKYPE but long story short, the beans stayed in a Hotel in Tokyo, and we got to stay in the Honbu! A few of us ate lunch with Ishii Shimai and got to hang out with her and Prez Ishii for a couple days. It was SO FUN. They are truly my parents here, i love them so much. The beans finally came the next night (Elder Luke Passey was here, fun to see someone again from Heber!), we were not going to make it back in time for curfew, so we got to stay another night. BAH it was awesome. So much fun, and spiritual high just being in the mission home.
CUTE LITTLE BEAN is named Sister Shania Jacobson. (yes she was named after Shania Twain). She is from California, I got the only American sister, others were nihonjin. She is so nervous and shy and darling but has a ton of dendo fire, we have already seen a ton of miracles. Not kidding, bahh just finally feel like a missionary again and all I do these days and pray and thank Heavenly Father for the blessing of working as a missionary. And Im sorry this email is all about me. blah. But yesterday Hata san came to church! She said she had started reading the Book of Mormon...and it was boring...so she came to church to continue studying with us. ha. She has a lot of potential and we know that God wants her to feel His love. We are led to many people each day, and each person deserves to finally feel His love again. Its so fun to share that love and do our best to share Christs light with everyone that we can.
So much to tell, but a way cool scripture i read this week goes like this:
Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in Heaven.
The grace of Christ is so great, but we must show Christ that we are willing to follow Him. Christ desired only to do the Will of the FAther, and if we are willing to follow our SAviors example, we will do the same and continue to do the will of God.
I love you so so much. MERRY CHRISTMAS. HAPPY WEDDING. HAPPY SKYPE.
love, sister wilcox. twim. waldo. whiterson jones.
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