It's December! I don't understand what it means! Time goes so fast!
You
know, as it were, if you hadn't said something about Thanksgiving in
last week and this week's emails, I would have all but forgotten it
exists. We had nothing special for Thanksgiving, and I kind of forgot
about it. Anyway, we had a couple of snow flurries last week. One hit
when we were studying in the church. It was rather cool because from
the window we could see the snow start falling by the mountains afar
off, and work it's way over the rice fields until it reached where we
were. Otherwise, it's definitely dropping in temperature, but it's not
been too bad because most of the days have been sunny. However, I did
learn something this last week about the snow around here. There's no
powder. It's very heavy and burdensome. That's what one of our
investigators and one of the members said, guess we'll see how it is
when it starts falling more and sticking around.
This last Tuesday we had a Zone Conference at the
Honbu (Mission home). It was an excellent opportunity to hear from
President Zinke and the Assistants. It was also very fun to see and
mingle with all of the people in the surrounding Zones as well. Elder
Hoshino and I were assigned to give one of the Ansho's for the beginning
of the meeting. We recited D&C section 4 in English and Japanese.
It went well and we didn't screw up.
This week I've been thinking a lot about receiving
revelation and guidance. Specifically, lately I've been thinking a lot
about past experiences and fresh perspectives. When I review past
experiences and revelation when it comes to considering how to proceed,
I've been found that taking time to think through what the Lord has
already taught me yields solutions and opens doors for further light.
At the same time, sometimes taking a fresh look on things is one of the
best ways for me to obtain guidance. One of the best things I ever did
in the MTC was purchase a small copy of the Book of Mormon. It is
without highlight, note, marking, or any such thing. Because of that,
when I search it's pages for guidance my mind isn't led to think one way
and doesn't get distracted by past information. I'm able to see things
from a new perspective and my understanding is able to grow in a
different direction than from where it's gone before. The Spirit of the
Lord communicates with and works with our minds and hearts in very
fascinating ways. I'm grateful that as a missionary I'm afforded such
an opportunity to understand and learn more about how the Lord speaks to
me.
To answer your questions about Hoshino Choro, he is
from Japan from Iwate Ken. Iwate Ken is in the Sendai mission I
believe. Elder Hoshino is the man! We're getting along great and
having tons of fun with dendo and being Zone Leaders.
I still haven't received anything package wise.
That might be because we've got MLC this Tuesday and I'll be going to
the Honbu and they're just planning to give it to me when I go there, or
it might be because it's just not here yet. About the next package, if
it's not too much to ask, I'd like to onegai (request) some Snickers
for Elder Hoshino. He seems to like them (gets one almost every time we
go to a konbini (convenience store)).
Just a heads up, I'm probably going to be buying
some more thermals, warmer socks, and a few odds and ends over the
coming weeks. I'll be using my personal funds for that, so I just
wanted to let you know.
I love you. I'm so grateful for all of you do and for all of your help and all you do to support me.
Love,
Elder Kyle Hutchings
