Short email... But that's ok

We couldn't meet any of our investigators this week and nobody came to church. But we will meet tsunoda in Tuesday so we are looking forward to that!

I got Taylor's email! That is so exciting! I can't believe she is getting married! 

I heard about Joey too! He went in pretty young. I guess elder hattanda did too. I saw him for the first time since the office! He lost so much weight! I didn't even know he was at the conference until after I just heard, "draper Choro, hello!" And then he gave me the biggest hug! I miss him so much! He is still covered in joy as always! :)

This week Elder Yoshikawa asked me for s blessing. So I gave Elder Yoshikawa a blessing in Japanese! That was so cool. It was my first time doing so in Jaoanese. 

This week I started studying the two Almas' lives. In the Book of Mormon, Mosiah:18:30 I found this scripture. "...the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon, how beautiful are they to eyes of them who there came to the knowledge of their redeemer..." and I had a series of thoughts. I love Japan. It is a beautiful place to me. But the reason I think it is beautiful isn't because of the greenery or the ocean or the Buddhist temples or any other reason (however those are very very beautiful). It is because it is here that I have come to know my Redeemer more personally. It is here where I have sacrificed my self to share the gospel with them people so that they might receive the grace of Christ as abundantly as I have. Another thought I had was that life becomes more beautiful as we come to know our Redeemer. I know that is true. No matter how dark life may seem, coming to know your Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will fill your life with light and hope. No matter how happy your life may seem, I promise that as you come to know your Redeemer, Jesus Christ, you will be filled with more light and more love than you ever though was possible. The last thought that I had was a quote from Elder Bednar in his face to face event. "'Love' the noun comes after 'Love' the verb." He was talking about how you may love somebody just by seeing them or knowing that we are all Children of God, but you don't know true love until you give a part of yourself to that person. In other words until you sincerely try to love them by serving them and learning who they are. I think that's partly why we all get callings in the church. We are given an opportunity to serve others whether that be a primary president or a Bishop, and therefore an opportunity to love others. 

I love you all so so much! 

ドレーパー長老