Week 74: Its about Time! 時間がやっと来た！

WOAH!

So we got a call Monday night. A Secret meeting was called for all missionaries working on the island of Shikoku. We were to not tell anyone about it, including other missionaries or members. Also, the only thing we knew about the meeting was that it was from 11AM to 4PM, nothing else. It was on this past Friday, in Marugame.

The meeting was called because we are going to establish the church officially on the island! We are forming a STAKE! the goal is to submit the application before April General Conference for the first stake in Shikoku. (well, there was a stake before, but because of the massive area it covered and lack of technology, it dissolved). So the missionaries in Shikoku right now will all get to participate in the establishment of a stake on Shikoku, never to be dissolved again!  In order to fulfill this goal, a lot of less actives have to come back, so some of the missionaries will be called as `Stake Missionaries`, so they will focus all their efforts on members. The sisters in our area are the stake missionaries, so nothing changes really for us except we will inherit their investigators. ^^

Then this Saturday was the Christmas Party! One of our potential investigators came and several ward member`s friends. Us, as six missionaries, did a Christmas Singing / story reading thing. it was great.

Before the Christmas Party, we met with our investigator who was getting baptized! When we visited though, he was super sick and said that he probably couldn`t come. woah. hold on. I had consecrated oil on me, so after a quick explanation, we gave him a blessing. ( my companion`s first first time participating! and it was in Japanese. ^^)

The next day was the BAPTISM! He showed up right on time, and told the other missionaries enthusiastically about how we gave a blessing with oil and he was miraculously healed over night. Everything went so well! This man was so well prepared. The second time we met him we set this baptismal goal, and he was ready when the day came. Lots of people from the ward, and it was just great all around. It was my companion`s first baptism, so he performed the ordinance ^^  The water was only half what there should have been though! the branch told us that it takes 2 hours to fill. wrong. it takes probably 4 ish hours. So he had to lay all the way down practically to get baptized. He was confirmed by the Branch President and it was a beautiful blessing. He is going to be such a strength to the branch! he first learned that there were less actives and he was shocked. `We have to help these people!!! they need to remember what I am feeling right now!`

During a lesson last week, I was trying to tell him to remember the feeling he will receive at baptism.... but instead of kimochi (feeling) I said kimuchi (kimchi.....) haha. It was pretty funny. But I gave him a little kimchi as a baptism gift and told him to always remember the kimchi he received at baptism. haha. I`ll get him a better gift as well, don`t worry. just have to wait until I can go to Kobe to get a triple combination for him.

Well it was a really great week! this week we will go to Okayama for Trainer trainee meeting, and I will go to Niihama on Friday to do some translation for a district meeting. (after that, there is only one area I haven`t been to on shikoku, tokushima)

Love you all!
Hurrah for Israel! and Shikoku!
Elder O`Reilly

There was a McDonalds right outside the marugame church. yeah..... 44 missionaries, mostly American, swarmed a Mcdonalds all at once. They were going crazy.  You`ll regonize Elder Hunt (my current district leader, MTC companion), and Elder Ogasawara (now a zone leader in Marugame, was a district leader in Kouchi, and in the same district in Fukuyama). 

Just in case you wanted to know if I am awesome. haha.

A picture at the Christmas Party! that is Elder Waters, another missionary in the apartment. The girl came to English class and has met with the sister missionaries a few times. She likes to take pictures with us. ^^

Its a baptism! He progressed so fast. Met him while knocking some doors at the end of October. 

And with all the missionaries.

P.S. I got the package today! all sorts of fun. Saving basically everything for Christmas day though ^^

I did watch the DVD. was WAY funny. haha! My roomates loved it too. 

love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

me

Week 73: Planning Salvation

Yeah, we`re going to baptize our investigator on Sunday. He is so ready. Its been incredible seeing how fast he progressed. We only met for a little over a month. Now he`s changed a lot and he is getting baptized. We really kept up on our planning for him, so we were able to have his interview, announce it at church, and still have a week to make sure all the little details are in place. We set the baptismal date on our second visit with him, and with careful planning everything worked perfectly. That is, of course, because the Holy Ghost helped us out selecting the date and doing the actual planning. ^^

The ward loves him. And they noticed we had planned so well and complimented us on that as well. He is going to be a strong member and great help in this branch.

We had the training meeting in Kobe on Tuesday, and then the Zone Training meeting on Friday. Me and Elder Mergist trained the zone (22 missionaries not including us) for over 3 hours. It went really well. Received many compliments and I really think it is going to be a great help to many of the companionships.

Looking forward to a great Christmas Party on Saturday and a Baptism on Sunday!

love you all,
me

There were a lot of missionaries this time. this is Elder Mergist at the pulpit type thing we constructed. ^^

This is what I look like when I`m giving training! haha. maybe.

This is an area right by the church. The church is seriously the most inconvenient place ever. haha. middle of no where. It does have this catholic school nearby though. (pictured) I thought it was funny that it was right by a Shinto shrine. and then there was like a communication tower right by the shrine.

Week 72: Power of Prayer 祈りの力

So our companionship had a miracle that made the mission wide E-mail! pretty great.

Our super awesome investigator just got more awesome.

So the only thing stopping him was he needed to stop smoking... he was at about 10 a day. He said it was impossible. But we told him it was and we`d pray so he could stop. He said he would try.

We also assigned him to read the 10 commandments as homework, because we were going to teach that next.

We come back and the first thing he says is he stopped smoking cold turkey. flat out.

He told us he was smoking one day, and thinking about the 10 commandments he read. especially the part about bearing false witness. He realized that he was lying to us when he said he would try to stop smoking. then, he started a coughing fit, really bad. He said he almost died. but he made it though, and he trashed all his cigarettes and committed himself to never smoke again. He told us it was because we were praying for him.... he could feel our prayer power. He then told us that there was nothing stopping him from baptism any more, he has faith and has repented of his sins. His interview is on Friday!  So excited.

The work`s going good. should be a good week

love you all!

going to kobe again today for mission leadership conference. Me and Elder Mergist will leave our brand new missionaries for a whole day to go. Should be fun for them! haha.

Elder O`Reilly


sorry, took no pics this week. :(

Week 71: Helping those around 周りの人を助ける

Merry Christmas! (Thanksgiving is over-rated)

I love doing missionary work in the Christmas season!

Remembering the great gift of the Son so that we could all return to the Father.

I`ve really thought a lot of how awesome of an opportunity I have to help all those around me. There`s a lot of people around me. haha. The people outside, in my zone, in my apartment, and my companion! There really isn`t any time to worry about personal wants or other things of no importance. What a fantastic opportunity!

Transfers was last Thursday. Went all the way to KOBE to pick up a brand new missionary, Elder Fuller. He is 18. woah. He just loves Japan and is excited to be here.

Spending a lot of time with many young missionaries, I`ve really noticed how much I`ve changed. They always talk about what part of missionary work is `fun`, when they eat and what they eat, etc. Reminds me that I was much like that when I first got here. Now, its a little different. Doesn`t really matter what we have to eat, what we are required to do, or honestly whether or not you think you get a long with your companion. Doing all you can to help those you connect with will help you to focus outward, and those things that we may think are important to us...... we gradually realize they never were important.

The Savior of the world gave the perfect example. Never seeking his own, and taking on the sins of the world, so that we could all return to God. He knows what is truly important.

Love you all!

Me

us with some members

Going to transfers! (the night before we had to stay at okayama..... my companion is here.... just not in the picture)

We had a meeting yesterday in Takamatsu, so that`s why today is Preparation day.  The meal there by the members was fantastic.

My companion(left, Elder Fuller) and Zone leader companion (right, Elder Mergist)

Week 70: Primary Program プリマリ発表

So we had our Primary program yesterday. Matsuyama branch has a grand total of TWO kids in it. haha. soooooooooo....... the primary presidency (yes they have a president and 2 counselors) asked us if we would be in the program. We accepted instantly. haha. we are the next youngest in the branch after the primary. We got to sing all the primary songs in Japanese. it was great. also gave a one minute testimony. For the primary program, they take away the podium and the wood wall things around it, so the stand becomes like a stage. Kind of weird to bear testimony at sacrament meeting on a stage with a hand held mike, but still way cool.

Our super solid investigator got sick again and couldn`t come to church, but is sooo solid. We gave him the Joesph Smith history to read and after that he asked if he could read the whole book of Mormon. haha. ummmmm..... sure. ^^

We had a cool experience with another investigator this week. We can`t call him so we always visit him right when he gets back from work. When he got back he was obviously pretty depressed about something. When we asked if we could share a message we prepared for him, he said he wasn`t really in the mood. He said he messed up at work and wasn`t sure if he would still have a job the next day.  Right away, I went to grab the present we brought for him from out of my bike, and then I asked if we could say a prayer with him. He agreed. Following the spirit, I prayed that he would feel God`s love and have his protection. By the end of the prayer he was in tears.

We weren`t able to share the message we had carefully prepared, but following the spirit, he was really able to feel something. The next day, his job was fine and everything returned to normal.

So we got transfer calls today! I`m staying, and I am also Training. which means that another companionship will be coming to Matsuyama, and that companionship will have the other zone leader.  the apartment CAN NOT fit 4 people, so it will be interesting to say the least...... it`s tight with 2 people.

since I`m training, the new missionaries are not in Japan yet. so I know absolutely nothing about my next companion.  The other zone leader is one transfer (six weeks) my senior, and he is a great guy. Elder Mergist.

Looking forward to a great transfer full of miracles!

Love you all,
me

the line mall type thing in matsuyama. 商店街

WENT TO MATSUYAMA CASTLE BY LIFT!!

Me and Elder Dickson. got you a good picture mom. ^^

Couple pics of the outside

Me!

Another cool pic!  ^^

found some samurai armor. oh yeah.

maybe not very good at putting it on right but it was pretty great. ^^

Got to the top and there was a golden sun shining through the clouds. Waaaayyy cool.

the whole group that went. The guy is a member and the lady is an investigator. Our investigators couldn`t come. :P

random pic from the top

SO. finally found the right way to eat persimmons. Wait until you think they are super rotten, and they actually aren`t, they are delicious. then you can cut off the top and eat the soft fruit with a spoon. soooooo good. yum! ^^

sorry..... took hundreds of pics last monday. haha. 

Week 69: Rich blessings are upon us! 豊かな祝福は私たちの上にある！

ohhhhh gosh. The gospel is probably even more awesome than you are currently thinking it is right now.

So having received some training from the assistants and such, we decided that we needed to take time out of our finding time, and prepare more in depth for our investigators. We have a lot that aren`t really progressing.

Its been said, The Lord doesn`t need powerful finders, he knows were all the Elect are. He needs powerful teachers.

I`ve gained testimony of that line this week.

With all the investigators we have, we were planning for them for a few days actually. A lot of thinking, praying, and seeking revelation. But slowly and surely, we were able to set up spirit-guided lessons for each one of them, to help them receive the gospel.

The miracles started as soon as we started planning.

English class on Wednesday -> a girl showed up who had followed the map on the English class flier I gave her when I was passing out fliers last Sunday night. (that has never happened.... the fliers are horrible and sound creepy). With the sister missionaries invitation, she also came to church yesterday and told the sister missionaries that she is super interested in Church and wants to learn everything about it. Also she is going to invite her friend as well.

Thursday -> taught our awesome investigator. (the one who was sick and couldn`t come to church?) yeah, he`s getting baptized next month. Probably even before the date we set with him because he is soooooo prepared. came to church yesterday in a great suit tie and everything. asks nothing but golden questions and understands everything we teach fast and solid. He loves the gospel. He was even telling the members on Sunday that he`s getting baptized.

Friday -> district meeting. On the way home, a guy walked up to us and started talking to us. ummm.... yeah. He wants to come to church and hear a message.  Then we get home and continue some planning, and a potential investigator calls us. Oh yeah, he wants in on the Gospel too. (I`ve never had a guy we met on the street call us up and set up an appointment! haha)

It reminds me of the promise in D+C 111 somewhere, where is says something about the Lord blessing us as fast as we are able to receive it. If we are not ready to receive a blessing, why can we expect one? as soon as we prepare every needful thing, the Lord will bless us. What is in our lives that we need to prepare in order to more richly receive of the Lord`s blessing? Our Heavenly Father loves us and always wants to bless our lives. Let us prepare for the entirety of the richness of his great blessing.  What is the entirety of his blessing? Eternal life. It is given to all those who prepare to receive it.

The gospel is so true. Lets spread the joy around. there is too much joy for only 15,000,000 people to feel.

Elder O`Reilly

found a tiny apple.

So my companion takes a while at E-mail, so I have had time to type up summaries of each lesson topic in PMG. then I got a hole puncher thing that is actually pretty cool, and found a perferator thing. I can tear out individual summaries about any topic we teach! Its pretty cool.

I translated for Imabari district meeting on friday. Multiple districts need our translation, so we will probably go back and forth.... and they just have to do without us on off weeks.  This is a shot from the ride back. the train like goes through the jungle, and also along the ocean at some parts. pretty cool train ride.

Week 68 Banishing the Darkness 暗闇を追い払う

So yeah. This week was still a little bit of swimming against the current. Some set backs and lessons delayed until next week and investigators not showing up and getting sick last moment.

GAH! JUST ACCEPT THE GOSPEL ALREADY AND GET BAPTIZED SO YOU CAN BE RIDICULOUSLY HAPPY FOREVER!

I wanted to yell that at them, but I`m not entirely sure how conducive to the spirit that would have been.

Also going out finding people this week, when we were told that they weren`t interested, they didn`t need religion, they were ok, or they already heard the message I just wanted to tell them

IF YOU DON`T ACCEPT OUR MESSAGE YOU WILL BE DESTROYED BY FIRE AT THE LAST DAY. SO IF YOU DON`T WANT TO BE DESTROYED I`D FIND SOME INTEREST REAL FAST AND INVITE THE MISSIONARIES IN.  If you like eternal destruction, by all means close the door already!

But..... I`m not sure that would help people have a change in heart. Well, I guess maybe they would have a change in heart, but it probably wouldn`t be a good one. haha.

I suppose its most likely best to trust that the Lord has prepared people, and perhaps the Lord`s time is not quite on track with mine. Teaching a people and a culture who hardly know the name of Christ that it is through his Name and Grace alone that we are saved, takes time. Its not something that will just make sense right away. But when they are prepared for the message, and as I am patient and faithful through the trials that come, I am confident that many will be able to find their way.

I suppose if you are in a dark room for a long time, and then just suddenly turn on the flood lights, it doesn`t exactly help you find your way. For someone who has been in the dark that long, starting with a smaller light, a candle perhaps, and then leading them to greater and greater light gradually is going to help them the most. Of course I want to show everyone the greatness of the light that the Gospel brings, but blinding people doesn`t equal helping people in most people`s books.

As for the investigator we found last week, he is progressing well. Probably we`ll meet again tonight. He got sick :( so he couldn`t come to church but should be able to come in the future. He is such a funny and cool guy. And he loves the teachings of the church. We are definitely not pulling out the flood-lights yet, but we have them prepped and ready to blast him with some pretty awesome truths when he is ready.

I love this Gospel and the light it brings into my life everyday. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. I`m going to banish away some darkness this week.

Love you all!
Elder O`Reilly

Watch #8 I think. Not having good luck with the watches. But then again I only spent $2 on all the other watches.... this one was about $10, so maybe it will last. haha. although it already got some rain in it yesterday, even though it was supposed to be water resistant. Still works.

Did a haunted house at the ward Halloween party. So the family that we invited (a family we found nearby the church) came, which was cool! also it was good because those kids were the only kids there. haha. The little boy dressed up as woody from toy story. ^^

My companion wearing a members jacket.

I think he is having too much fun. ^^ (one of the members) He`s pretty funny.

Oh yeah, and we had ZTM again already. haha. forgot about that. It went really well.

Matsuyama Church.