Week 39: Guess where I'm Going? (the 30th week on field)

Hey,

    It's time for a new phase in my mission. I am leaving from Urasoe (After staying there for 5 Transfers-- 8 months), I'm headed off to the island of Amami-Oshima.  This island is even smaller than Okinawa and guess how I'll get there?  I'm going by a boat.  The crazy thing is that this boat ride will take 12 hours!  I'm excited as to what is to come.  What adventures will await me over there in, what I hear is, paradise.  As my days in Urasoe come to a close, this area will definitely be a memorable one.  I've seen people come and go.  I've found people and I've lost people.  I've served and been served.  Life has gone SO fast, and it's crazy to think that 8 months have gone by.  I've been trained and broken, and now am ready to take on the world.  What is to come is exciting!  As I look at the present, this all looks terrifying, but I know that God has His eyes on me and will guide me to do what is needed to be accomplished--AS LONG as I stay obedient and humble, keeping faith in His timing.  Urasoe has felt like home.  I've felt like a part of the ward.  I have been trusted by the Lord to gather His children here in Urasoe, and I know it WILL BE BLESSED.  Someday, in the near future, Japan WILL have baptisms as frequent as South America.  Soon, the temple will stand as a witness of the Okinawa wards' dedication.  I love Okinawa and I'll miss it!

    

   This morning, we went out with members of our zone to watch the sunrise upon Hacksaw ridge.  We woke up at 5 AM to see it.  Luckily, we don't live in Itoman so we didn't have to wake up at 3AM to ride over.  The view was amazing!  We got some really nice pictures.

    

   Yesterday, we had a mini-zone conference and We reported miracles that we saw throughout the transfer and testified of how much the Lord has been merciful to us.  I could really feel the spirit and in so doing, have been motivated more to accomplish his work.  This transfer had so many miracles that just passed over my head without a thought.  I now know God is looking out for His children and as I've been trying to help His children, and I've been changed as well.  Days go by without any realization of how much one changes throughout a mission.  I'm sure I was called here for a reason I may never know.  "I know that [Heavenly Father] loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things".  

As Phase 2 of my Missionary days has been accomplished, and I write next week, I bid thee adieu.

Love you all,

Elder Jacob Wilson