So ready to be out of here. As much as I love the MTC, I want to teach what I've learned!
So, something interesting I noticed a couple days ago. My relationship with the one irritating zone leader has changed, as has that with my companions. I am actually pretty good friends with both of the zone leaders now, and Elder Conover, who I had previously wanted to smack at the beginning of my time here, now spends a fair amount of time joking around with me. Turns out, he likes some video games too, and hadn't wanted to admit it. So yeah, now we chat about Smash Bros Brawl together and have a lot of fun.
I am super excited to get to Japan! I've always really loved the culture, the people, the food, and basically anything else you can think of, so I bet it'll be a lot of fun! I'm hoping that maybe I can learn a few Japanese recipes so that I can cook something when I get home, since I've always had a fairly small repertoire of food I can make due to my complete lack of cooking skills.
Oh, here's a fun note: I came to the MTC with only about 8 pounds of weight to spare, even though I really only brought the stuff that was on the list. We found out why. Turns out, I was supposed to have three suitcases in addition to my shoulder bag, when I only had two. We thought my shoulder bag counted as my carry-on, but it's actually small enough it counts as a personal item. As a result, my awesome parents sent me the last suitcase of my set, and I have a solid 48 pounds of weight I can use. Chances are I'll only use 4 lbs, although it will be nice when I am trying to get some souvenirs home at the end of my mission.
So, something interesting I noticed a couple days ago. My relationship with the one irritating zone leader has changed, as has that with my companions. I am actually pretty good friends with both of the zone leaders now, and Elder Conover, who I had previously wanted to smack at the beginning of my time here, now spends a fair amount of time joking around with me. Turns out, he likes some video games too, and hadn't wanted to admit it. So yeah, now we chat about Smash Bros Brawl together and have a lot of fun.
I am super excited to get to Japan! I've always really loved the culture, the people, the food, and basically anything else you can think of, so I bet it'll be a lot of fun! I'm hoping that maybe I can learn a few Japanese recipes so that I can cook something when I get home, since I've always had a fairly small repertoire of food I can make due to my complete lack of cooking skills.
Oh, here's a fun note: I came to the MTC with only about 8 pounds of weight to spare, even though I really only brought the stuff that was on the list. We found out why. Turns out, I was supposed to have three suitcases in addition to my shoulder bag, when I only had two. We thought my shoulder bag counted as my carry-on, but it's actually small enough it counts as a personal item. As a result, my awesome parents sent me the last suitcase of my set, and I have a solid 48 pounds of weight I can use. Chances are I'll only use 4 lbs, although it will be nice when I am trying to get some souvenirs home at the end of my mission.
Now, for the scriptural thought of the week...
I was reading through John, and noticed something I thought was interesting. First, I need to talk about Job. Job was a 'man [that] was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.' Satan saw this, and that he had no power to tempt him because of his faithfulness. So, Satan goes to God, and actually asks for permission to basically make Job's life miserable as a trial. God grants permission, as He saw that Job wouldn't be tempted otherwise. Anyway, what I noticed in John is that the same thing happens for Jesus:
26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.
28 Now no man at the table knew for what intent he spake this unto him.
29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor. (John 13)
This is at the Last Supper. 'That thou doesn't, do quickly' sounds an awful lot like he was giving Satan permission, doesn't it? This is probably the greatest proof I've found so far that we have to invite Satan to tempt us, and that if we live the gospel perfectly he will have no power over us. Remember what was said about Captain Moroni? If everyone was like him, 'the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.'
Obviously this is much harder than it sounds, but look at the blessings we'll get if we can pull it off!
Next week when I email you guys, I'll be in Japan! I look forward to next P-Day! I'll probably add a note saying which day is my P-Day in my next letter, as it probably won't stay Friday. Cya later!
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Elder Harper
"Failure is simply the fuel for success"
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