Weeks 65 & 66: A little different email...

New Years has people at the shrines in lines like it's Disney Land.

Something I'm learning on my mission is how important it is to always
show love to those that are closest to you. Why is this important? I
look to the example of Jesus Christ, and I think: How can I not try to
love others better, after knowing how much He suffered for each person
individually? Jesus Christ has engravened each of us on the palms of
His hands. He loved those and suffered for those that may never love
him back... Surely, then I can find more ways to love those that have
supported me, helped me, and encouraged me.

Isaiah 49
15....yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls
are continually before me.

If Christ is the reason for what we do, complaints and doubts can be
replaced by gratitude and conviction. Jesus did so much for people who
ultimately, in return, can do so little. He is my strength! I want to be
a better person to show gratitude to Him for that.

This gospel of Jesus Christ uplifts, informs, and inspires me. It
gives me a lifelong goal that extends beyond what the world sees. I
want to measure up to a standard that's engraved on my soul. When I
pray, I can see glimpses of my divine potential. There's so much more
than this mortal perspective. Sometimes it's so hard to think beyond
it, but this week try reading your patriarchal blessing and try to
imagine the person God wants you to become.

Christian philosopher Søren Kierkegaard said,
“Life must be understood backward. But … it must be lived forward.”

Maybe it seems overwhelming to be the person God wants you to be. I
think as a missionary I've never tried so hard to align my life to the
Savior's...Following Christ is no easy task. In fact, I'm always
falling flat on my face. But I know we can do it to the point that we
would feel comfortable to dwell in God's presence, because of Jesus
Christ. Jesus Christ is always walking beside us.

Isaiah 49
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun
smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by
the springs of water shall he guide them.

Please read "Always Remember Him" Elder Gerrit W. Gong. This talk has
been my life line!

Have a wonderful week. I love y'all. hehe

Sister Rogers

Fog on the mountains

Goodnight from Hikari Shimai >:)

These are everywhere for New Years.... looks tasty.

She drew us

Sister Sakura has the best smile!

A pillar of light above the brightness of the sun...

We made 75 valentines cards with a member 😅

My new comp Sister Wright!! She's drop dead gorgeous right? She's single too. hehe

Weeks 63 & 64: There are no Coincidences

Sayaka-Chan

We were accidentally biking up a mountain a few days ago and about half way up there were some promising looking apartments. We'd worked pretty hard to get to that point, so why not stop there? But nope. We had to keep going, even though neither of us knew why. When we got to the top of the mountain, we were greeted by the heavenly sight of a random vending machine, and it felt like we were on the right track. After walking our bikes through rows of houses, we parked and began knocking on houses at the edge of the neighborhood. On the third door, I pushed the intercom button. As I started to say, "Konbanwa," I was cut off by a woman through the intercom saying, "Rogers Shimai!" The door opened and it was a cute young mom that comes to our English class with her two kids. She was just as surprised as us, because, wow, what are the odds of finding someone like that in a city? We had no idea where Ai-san lived, and yet God had led us right to her. She gave us a bag of tangerines, and in exchange we gave her the Book of Mormon. It would have been the perfect night except on the way back down the mountain in the dark, there was a wild boar right next to the road. Needless to say, we were kind of terrified. I got a video, but it looks like a Bigfoot clip. We chased off the boar and were able to make it home safely (but maybe a few minutes late). Just another day in Hikari.

Ai-san's daughter and Sister Yagai

Ai-san's son

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! The greatest gift I received was the letters from my family and extended family. Thank you so, so much for your love and support. It means so much to me.

Sayaka-chan received baptism!! I was a wreck that day, but I am just so grateful my companion and I had the opportunity to teach her about the church. Whenever I can recognize just how much the Lord is guiding us to people as I did when we met Ai-san, I am reminded that God loves all people, and He has a plan for each of us. There are people we were friends with from before this life that need our help. We can find our friends. I know this is God's work! Everyone has a part.

Happy New Year!!
Sister Rogers

Baptism day!

Christmas Fort

Kiribayashi family

My sweet companion

Tanaka family

Red-eye correct 😂