Michael is Back and he is transferring! Week 36

Hey Friends & Family!

I'm not surprised one bit on Sam’s call to Japan! For some reason, I knew inside my heart that this is where he needed to be, I just knew he was coming here. I had a dream that he came to the Kobe mission, and I got to train him. I woke up and felt promptly in my heart that he would be coming to Japan. And look at that! He's just next door to me :) I can pop a letter in the mail and it will get there in a bout a day or so. I really believe this will strengthen our relationship even more! Can’t wait!! Congrats Cuz!

For me Andie’s birthday was yesterday, and I can say that I felt her presence all day. I felt this warm sweet presence within myself and it seemed that all my worries were taken away of my people here, and really just anything! I love being a missionary.

Yes you heard it folks, Michael has resurrected, and he is back, "This is NOT it", there is more. We had a very fun ward talent show this last Saturday! It was so fun to see everyone's talents and share what they got. I myself got to participate in one of the performances. Brother S LOVES Michael Jackson, and I got to participate in his performance! SO FUN! Considering I love Michael and his music, and have always listened to it growing up. I got to let out a side I never knew I had.



So, sadly, that talent show was the last event I have in this area... IM TRANSFERRING to a place in the middle of nowhere called Shingu. I'll have the opportunity to share this experience with a Japanese Missionary named Elder Nitta, my first Japanese companion. I'm so, so sad that I'm leaving this wonderful ward here in Fushimi. I believe I have met my mission mother here, Sister Diamond Well. She's the best! I still need to visit my mission Father, Brother River of Light in Hashimoto. Maybe one day! I'm also sad to be leaving Brother S... He's literally a brother... But I'm happy with his life and his desire to serve a mission for the lord in the near future. 

I have not too much else to report on. I'll paste a part of my letter to the mission president on one thing I learned this week:

"Well this week was a good week I'd say. In other aspects it was slow. Lately we have been struggling to find some new investigators. Which I guess.. Is a good thing? At least right now because it gives us a better chance to focus on our progressing investigators with baptismal dates. But then again, it's hurts to get turned down. As I have really grown to love the people here, I find myself in truly thinking about them and their welfare and salvation. It hurts to walk up to a man, introduce the restored gospel, and then have them say,"Keko desu". It's as if I hear the cries from everyone's heart pleading for happiness...it's just a matter of following that cry and finding the needy. We are working to find them President. 

Other than that, we had the opportunity to meet with our highest potential for baptism, Ootsuki 兄弟 this week! We gave him the rundown and set up a plan on how we are going to reach his special day. Scheduled lessons, and set forth the doctrine on what we are going to teach him. He said," I'm still not sure, but if I find it's true, then I will." I have full faith in the Lord that he will prepare this man’s heart. I've also learned how important creating a plan is. Really, for anything. I was checking out 3rd Nephi and came across this section in chapter 4 verse 23-29.

23 And it came to pass that Zemnarihah did give command unto his people that they should withdraw themselves from the siege, and march into the furthermost parts of the land northward.

24 And now, Gidgiddoni being aware of their design, and knowing of their weakness because of the want of food, and the great slaughter which had been made among them, therefore he did send out his armies in the night-time, and did cut off the way of their retreat, and did place his armies in the way of their retreat.

25 And this did they do in the night-time, and got on their march beyond the robbers, so that on the morrow, when the robbers began their march, they were met by the armies of the Nephites both in their front and in their rear.

26 And the robbers who were on the south were also cut off in their places of retreat. And all these things were done by command of Gidgiddoni.

27 And there were many thousands who did yield themselves up prisoners unto the Nephites, and the remainder of them were slain.

28 And their leader, Zemnarihah, was taken and hanged upon a tree, yea, even upon the top thereof until he was dead. And when they had hanged him until he was dead they did fell the tree to the earth, and did cry with a loud voice, saying:

29 May the Lord preserve his people in righteousness and in holiness of heart, that they may cause to be felled to the earth all who shall seek to slay them because of power and secret combinations, even as this man hath been felled to the earth.

Gidgiddoni is a good man! He was aware of their design, he knew the problem, he knew the person, etc. he set up his plan, and went for it. The important thing was that he followed through with it! He didn't stop midway, or half effort. He knew it, he trusted it, and he did it. He was able to meet the robbers and was PREPARED and ready for them. He had all power over it, he knew what was going on, and he was simply ready for it all. This is where I love this quote, “stick to your task until it sticks to you, beginners are many but finishers are few" - President Monson. He even was successful at killing the problem at the root of it. He took out Zemnariah! I especially love verse 29. 

"May the Lord preserve his people in righteousness, and in holiness of heart..."

As we really set forth a plan, whether that be with our investigators in helping them be prepared for any temptation, problem, or just getting them ready for baptism, whether it be a personal problem that we are trying to overcome, or really anything, we can see the lords hand in our lives in helping us get there so long as we trust in him, and are accountable to him. I've experienced this first hand President! And seeing the same kind of thing in the Book of Mormon really just strengthens my testimony, and love for the book in general. I love learning new things like this."

That's all for this week folks! I'll send some videos too of the performance we were in! 

I love you guys a lot. Thanks for the love and prayers I feel from all of you. You're all the best!

Love,

Elder Preciado

I am on the right side lol 

                          Yes, big mistake, cut my own hair :D