This week I had the chance to go on splits with our zone leaders again. (Because thus far both of my 同僚 [dōryō, companion] have been district leaders) They are super awesome and really inspiring to work with. If I can become half the missionary they are, I'd be happy. We also met the most 元気 (genki, not an exact translation but like "good spirited") 日本人 (Nihonjin, a Japanese person) the world has ever seen. He was laughing and joking and excited the whole conversation and at the end when we went to shake his hand, he said no we had to hug. I don't know how he was Japanese because neither of us have ever seen that before. He got really sick though and wasn't able to come to church which he really wants to do.
Oh, also, I am emailing today because 月曜日 (Getsuyōbi, Monday, fun fact: day of the moon) was not our p-day but 火曜日 (Kayōbi, Tuesday, another fun fact: fire day or day named after Mars the fire planet) because it is our temple p-day this transfer. Which we didn't find out until 木曜日 (Mokuyōbi, Thursday, yes another fun fact: wood day or day named after Jupiter the wood planet), so I'm sorry about that.
So I wanted to talk about how Preach My Gospel is awesome. I always hate that thing that so many missionaries say "I wish I would have known PMG better before my mission." But, I certainly know why they say it and have felt the same way. But this is how I think of it now, "I wish every member of the church had a copy of PMG to go along with their scriptures." This book, manual, whatever you want to call it is the best. I think everyone could benefit from it a ton whether they are a missionary or not! I would tell anyone that feels like they want to get more out of their lives to get this book and use it. There is so much more to this book than just for 宣教師 (Senkyōshi, missionary/ies) teaching 求道者(Kyūdōsha, investigator/s)!
If you don't know where to start I recommend starting with the Christlike Attributes section ("How do I develop Christlike attributes?"). Pick an attribute on Sunday and take ten minutes to read it and the scriptures associated with it, or spread the scriptures out and read them throughout the week (this is super important in my experience. If you just read the scripture and then move on, it won't do much. You can try what I do, which is to write a note in one word or something next to the scripture in PMG. Anything is better than nothing). Then think about them that week on the next Sunday, write anything you learned down in the notes section if you have anything and then move on to the next one. Some other great sections that can really help with life are..
"How do I study effectively and prepare to teach?"
"How do I recognize and understand the spirit?"
"How can I better learn my mission language?"
"How do I use my time wisely?"
"How can I improve my teaching skills?"
After seeing the condition of my MTC branch presidents PMG, I've decided we can probably use PMG for more than we think we can, and we can probably get a lot more out of it than what we think it contains. To quote the Missionary Handbook "Time is one of the most precious resources Heavenly Father has given you." and "Use it fully and wisely."
Anyways, this letter really got distracted... I hope you all benefit from using PMG if only just once to try it out for a week or something! And maybe I'll have something more entertaining for you next time. Sorry, I know my letters are boring. I may want to share something I learned about the title of PMG next week.
So I found a guy in the other elders areabook and I called him up. He wants to meet on Thursday. He has met other missionaries a long time ago. He works for Nu Skin and he said he heard about his boss going on a mission and he has a lot of respect for him. So we'll see what happens there.
In response to the news that Erik has received his mission call to Rochester New York:
That's awesome. One thing I have definitely learned is that it's an incredible blessing to be able to serve in your home country. One that I don't have. Not that I'm complaining, I love the mission I've been called to of course, but the opportunity to build the kingdom in your home? Let alone the promised land. He and Markee are very lucky to have that chance.
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