Elder Tolen's Adventures in the Japan, Tokyo South Mission: Week 3: Lost, Losing It, and Loving It!

Well everyone, this was a very eventful week.

To begin the week, I got lost. Yup. The three of us were trying to get on a train, but just as Elder Livingston was getting on, the door closed right behind him. The train left with my two companions, and I was left alone at one of the biggest train stations I had ever been at. It was fun. I just stood there and prayed. I followed the Spirit and watched a train go by, and then got on the next one, then got off at the next stop. I said, "Alright, I'm here. What should I do now..?" And the Spirit just said, "Wait right there." So I waited. And not 5 minutes later, my companions came running up, and it turns out they had gotten on the wrong train anyway. It was a fun experience to have in my first month in the field.

On Wednesday we had to drop Elder Squire off at the mission home. It was the strangest feeling. I felt like we were missing someone for almost 2 days. He's home now, and I'm sure he's having a blast at home. He was a fantastic missionary.

Saying farewell to Elder Squire at the Mission Home

One night my companion, Elder Livingston, and I were walking around, trying to carol (trying is the key word there. People in Japan think Christmas caroling is super weird. So that makes it really hard to sing to people), when we just hit a wall. I had gone on splits that day, because my companion became the new District Leader, so he had a meeting up at the mission home. So I went on splits with someone that was the same transfer as me, which made things really interesting. I don't think I've been rejected so many times in one day so far. It was really hard. But as we were caroling, with absolutely zero success, we decided to say a prayer. After that we just started walking. As we walked up these stairs, I turned and saw a house. My feet just stopped moving, and before I knew it I was ringing the door bell. What happened next was even more amazing. This old lady came out, and didn't do much, but told us how grateful she was to see two people working so hard. It was exactly what I needed to hear. She was so nice; she didn't want any lessons or anything, but she just came to tell us how grateful for us she was. It was amazing.

I've never felt so in tune with the Spirit before. It's crazy what can happen when you have faith, even when you're lost at a train station. I have a challenge for you. I want you to make each day memorable. Find at least one good thing every day. I promise you, when you do this, you will feel so much happier. I was having a bad day this week, and I was trying to pass out English class fliers, but no one would even acknowledge my existence. I was about ready to snap. But then this mom and her tiny child came up and the child reached up his hand. I gave a flier to him, and he quietly said "Thank you" in English. Then the mom said to say it louder. That, of course, was said in Japanese. So this little boy yelled, "THANK YOU!" so loud. He yelled it at the top of his lungs. And because of that, I was so happy. I was able to keep going, instead of going on a killing spree, which probably wouldn't have ended well. I know the Lord knows our limits, and I know he is going to push us to those limits, but He also knows when we need help.

I love it here in Japan, and I can't wait to Skype my family! It's going to be awesome! I haven't seen their faces in 3 months. That's a weird thought. I just want you guys to know that I love you all and hope you're doing well!

Love,

Elder Tolen