Hide your face, close your eyes
Under the covers, deep inside
Somewhere sits between here and there
A sparkling paradise where you are heir
Weightless and pure, crisp and clear
Over here, please, over here
Take my hand, come follow me
This I wanted you to see
Rise nor set there floats the sun
Golden ball bobbing on the horizon
Not day not night not dawn not evening
Just a time and place of own meaning
Where at last the brook is hushing
Still; not pushing, gushing, or rushing
Lie on the grass, look up at the stars--
there they are, there they are
Not moving so fast, not seeming so far
Whisper all you wanted me to know
Carefully I'll listen, nowhere I'll go
How much this visit has meant to me
can't you see? Can't you see?
Before you leave, please a melody
Sing gently, softly, and sweetly
Come back again my dearest friend
It doesn't matter how, it doesn't matter when
I'll wait right here forever and ever
Next to your pillow, under the covers.
15 December 2006
14 December 2006
08 December 2006
Why This Week Rocks
The other day I got a letter from my first convert, Brother Ishihara （石原兄弟）. Actually, the letter came a month ago, but I finally got it forwarded to me. It took me a few hours to decipher everything as reading hand-written Kanji is not my forte, but having finally understood it, I don't know if any letter has touched me so deeply. He wrote of his appreciation that Elder Allred and I shared the gospel with him. He explained how he strives to show that appreciation by actions each day of every week. He wrote a detailed explanation of each day's schedule. It was my thought to write a translation of the letter here, but it is far to dear to me. He lives his life in profound appreciation for the gospel by diligently studying the scriptures at early hours in the morning, and constantly serves others despite his very modest lifestyle. I don't think I've ever known someone so converted in my whole life. I can only imagine the strength he brings to his ward as he magnifies multiple extremely difficult callings. It brings tears to my eyes to know that Elder Allred and I were the instruments by which the Lord made himself known to a man who has become one of my dearest friends.
On my way back to school I was laid over in Denver for several hours. I eventually feel asleep at a table outside one of the restaurants on the second floor of the main terminal. I awoke to the sound of a Japanese lady speaking on her cell phone. Once she hung up I approached her. We were both pleased to find out that we had an hour remaining before our flight. It was a bit of stretch, but I was able to keep up a conversation in Japanese. Well, having just finished reading the letter Brother Ishihara sent me, I couldn't not talk about the gospel. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn how, though she has never had a faith, she had many important beliefs about her ancestors, etc. I could relate very easily because I'm also very grateful for my ancestors and family. I explained that my appreciation towards Jesus Christ lies in his making it possible to see our ancestors again and be with them forever. I would have liked to talk together for several more hours. She gave me her business card, however, and I look forward to exchanging emails.
Then tonight I went to Japanese Institute. There was a testimony meeting, so I shared some of my experiences from this week. It was a wonderful opportunity and the spirit was very strong. I talked with a Japanese sister missionary who was there, too. She explained how she had once been less active for some time when a couple missionaries approached her about attending a baptismal service. Through the spirit felt at that baptismal service she regained activity and eventually decided to serve a mission. It was the baptism of Hideaki--one of the people I taught who moved away and received baptism in his new ward. I have heard many stories about that baptism from many different people: From Hideaki himself (who called me against rules... we talked for almost an hour anyway), from the missionaries who served in that ward, and from some other acquaintances. How I wish I could have been there! I'm looking forward to teaching a joint lesson with the missionaries tomorrow--the sister missionary promised she would bring a picture she took at the baptism. Hideaki gets home from his mission in a few months, so I'll have to write him quickly and tell him about this.
They say we can never know the importance of each action. I never could have imagined what a powerful ripple my serving a mission in Japan would make. I doubt Hideaki has imagined the ripple his decision to be baptized and serve a mission is making either. Neither do I believe that Brother Ishihara can comprehend how deeply his letter has touched me.
If the Lord will continue to bless me I hope to save enough money to visit these friends this summer. I cannot imagine anything so happy--even as much as I love my studies, research opportunities, recognition I have received, and business success, none of it can compare to being involved in the Lord's work.
The other day I got a letter from my first convert, Brother Ishihara （石原兄弟）. Actually, the letter came a month ago, but I finally got it forwarded to me. It took me a few hours to decipher everything as reading hand-written Kanji is not my forte, but having finally understood it, I don't know if any letter has touched me so deeply. He wrote of his appreciation that Elder Allred and I shared the gospel with him. He explained how he strives to show that appreciation by actions each day of every week. He wrote a detailed explanation of each day's schedule. It was my thought to write a translation of the letter here, but it is far to dear to me. He lives his life in profound appreciation for the gospel by diligently studying the scriptures at early hours in the morning, and constantly serves others despite his very modest lifestyle. I don't think I've ever known someone so converted in my whole life. I can only imagine the strength he brings to his ward as he magnifies multiple extremely difficult callings. It brings tears to my eyes to know that Elder Allred and I were the instruments by which the Lord made himself known to a man who has become one of my dearest friends.
On my way back to school I was laid over in Denver for several hours. I eventually feel asleep at a table outside one of the restaurants on the second floor of the main terminal. I awoke to the sound of a Japanese lady speaking on her cell phone. Once she hung up I approached her. We were both pleased to find out that we had an hour remaining before our flight. It was a bit of stretch, but I was able to keep up a conversation in Japanese. Well, having just finished reading the letter Brother Ishihara sent me, I couldn't not talk about the gospel. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn how, though she has never had a faith, she had many important beliefs about her ancestors, etc. I could relate very easily because I'm also very grateful for my ancestors and family. I explained that my appreciation towards Jesus Christ lies in his making it possible to see our ancestors again and be with them forever. I would have liked to talk together for several more hours. She gave me her business card, however, and I look forward to exchanging emails.
Then tonight I went to Japanese Institute. There was a testimony meeting, so I shared some of my experiences from this week. It was a wonderful opportunity and the spirit was very strong. I talked with a Japanese sister missionary who was there, too. She explained how she had once been less active for some time when a couple missionaries approached her about attending a baptismal service. Through the spirit felt at that baptismal service she regained activity and eventually decided to serve a mission. It was the baptism of Hideaki--one of the people I taught who moved away and received baptism in his new ward. I have heard many stories about that baptism from many different people: From Hideaki himself (who called me against rules... we talked for almost an hour anyway), from the missionaries who served in that ward, and from some other acquaintances. How I wish I could have been there! I'm looking forward to teaching a joint lesson with the missionaries tomorrow--the sister missionary promised she would bring a picture she took at the baptism. Hideaki gets home from his mission in a few months, so I'll have to write him quickly and tell him about this.
They say we can never know the importance of each action. I never could have imagined what a powerful ripple my serving a mission in Japan would make. I doubt Hideaki has imagined the ripple his decision to be baptized and serve a mission is making either. Neither do I believe that Brother Ishihara can comprehend how deeply his letter has touched me.
If the Lord will continue to bless me I hope to save enough money to visit these friends this summer. I cannot imagine anything so happy--even as much as I love my studies, research opportunities, recognition I have received, and business success, none of it can compare to being involved in the Lord's work.
07 December 2006
This weekend I returned to Minnesota to visit Scott who just returned from his mission to Honduras. It was wonderful to hear his experiences as we reminisced our missions together, showing each other the places we served using Google Earth. While there were a lot of things we found in common--despite the obvious differences between Japan and Honduras--I was quite surprised at how different our missions seemed to be. I somehow expected Scott to gain the same things I felt I had gained on my mission and face the same challenges coming back, etc. No, I don't think so. I think Scott has returned with a clear ideas and and bright hopes for his future and will re-adapt much easier and faster. Me, I only ever wanted to serve a mission, had almost no idea what I wanted to do when I got home, and struggled to find something fulfilling to which I could again dedicate myself. One of the missionaries I served with, Hiroko, wrote on the back of her name card, 「ラップ長老も希望を持って、新しい目標を見つけて、前進してください。」 "Elder Rapp, please have hope, find a new goal, and move forwards toward it." Perhaps I am still looking for that goal as my life continues to feel somewhat disconnected, trivial, and unimportant. I am impressed with Scott's forward-looking determination.
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