So I'm emailing a little late because we just got back from Aoba会長's house where we made stuff out of clay. I got to use all my skills that i didnt aquire in that art class i took in high school so long ago. good times. but yeah I made a bold and a cup and a very lopsided vase thing. Aoba会長 is way way good at it. way better than mrs schwartz. And we had a meal that Aoba姉妹 made and it was super good. some of the best food ive ever eated probably.
But yeah this week was really legit. last tuesday, we went to this matsuri with the Manabe family and they had us wear happys and go bounce the taiko's up and down. it was pretty fun and ill send pictures someday maybe.
Then we had to head to Okayama for the Conference with Elder Ringwood. and apparently, his wife is aunt laurie's sister. small world, eh? So that was pretty cool and it was a really good conference. I learned much.
Well Okayama takes a very long time to get to from here so it took the majority of tuesday and all of wednesday and thursday was planning. Then Friday, I did my companion exchange with Allen長老 and we had a way good day. Found some new investigators, Did some member and less-active lessons and contacted some chinese referrals who spoke no japanese or english so that didnt go far. Then we visited some random family that there was an arrow pointing to on the map in the apartment, the Noda family. The husband immediately invited us in. They had been meeting with the missionaries for a long time, the mom having first met them like 26 years ago. They have 3 kids, two twins of 5 yrs and one of 8 years of age. We talked for a while and i asked why they didnt get baptized. basically some of the commandments were hard for them and they didnt know if they could endure to the end and didnt want to go inactive. But we talked about how much the gospel helps families and would be good for their kids and after that, the mom said she wanted to go back to church. theyre busy for a while but said theyd come on the 6th of november. we'll visit before then, but that was a pretty cool experience.
Then yesterday at church, I had a talk. it was awesome. And we had a lady Aoba姉妹 has been working with who hadnt come to church in 10 years come yesterday. she was way excited and greeting people at the door and stuff. So the branch is doing pretty well. Just gotta keep things moving.
Love,
Elder Horton
Dear Brother and Sister Horton,
We are pleased to have your son Elder Horton serving in this mission. He was recently called to serve as a District Leader/Trainer. We thought you might appreciate receiving a copy of the letter that was sent to him . We appreciate very much the service your son is giving in this mission.
Sincerely,
Richard G. ZinkePresident, Japan Kobe Mission
24 October 2011
Dear Elder Horton,
Congratulations on being called as a District Leader as well as a Trainer. This choice assignment indicates that you have performed well as a servant of the Lord, and that you have the leadership ability to not only inspire a new missionary to love this work and to be successful, but to also be the leader in your district.
The Mission President's Handbook talks about the importance of a Trainer. In part, it says:
New missionaries first companions are an important influence during their entire missions.The mission president should call his most capable missionaries, those who are effective in baptizing converts and who will be able to help the new missionaries develop good skills and attributes, to serve as trainers of new missionaries. As senior companions, they need to train and motivate new missionaries so they begin their mission successfully. They should use the explain, demonstrate, practice, evaluate model as they train new missionaries. Trainers should diligently follow the daily schedule and obey mission rules. When training they should:
1. Cheerfully and patiently help new missionaries adapt and develop the basic skills and attributes from the Preach My Gospel.
2. Use the weekly companion-planning meeting to help new missionaries set goals and evaluate progress.
3. Make sure their new companion participates fully as a contributing member of the missionary team.
4. Trainers help new missionaries be successful and productive from the very beginning. Senior companions account to the district leaders and the mission president for the training of new missionaries.
In addition, to the above, as District Leader, you will also be responsible for setting an example for the missionaries in your district in your study of the scriptures and the gospel as well as in your obedience, hard work, proselyting skills and other aspects of missionary work. As the District Leader you will:
* Carry a full proselyting load in your area and strive to baptize regularly.
* Supervise, teach, and inspire the missionaries during district meetings and companion exchanges.
* Interview baptismal candidates.
* Look after the well-being of missionaries in your district.
* Demonstrate effective planning.
* Work with your local priesthood leaders and members.
* Follow up with the missionaries on referrals.
* Submit reports accurately and promptly.
As you embark on this very important new assignment, remember to teach your companion, as well as those in your district, the important principle that obedience is the first law of heaven. Teach the importance of the Spirit by ensuring, through your words and example, that the Spirit is always a third member of a missionary team. As a Trainer, help your companion to learn to teach by the Spirit. Make sure you give Elder Singleton a chance to pray and bear testimony as you proselyte.
Remember that as a District Leader, you can have significant impact on the work in your district, and on the growth and development of the individual missionaries. As a Trainer, you will have a responsibility to your new companion. In all you do, seek diligently to know the will of God. Brigham Young once said: "An individual who holds a share in the Priesthood, and continues faithful to his calling, who delights himself continually in doing the things God requires at his hands, and continues through life in the performance of every duty, will secure to himself not only the privilege of receiving, but the knowledge how to receive the things of God, that he may know the mind of God continually; and he will be enabled to discern between right and wrong, between the things of God and the things that are not of God."
Please know that you have been called under the inspiration of our Heavenly Father. I am grateful for your faith and diligence, and have every confidence that you will succeed in your vital role as one of the Lords choice servants. May the Lord bless you with wisdom, understanding and diligence as you embark upon this challenging and rewarding assignment.
Faithfully,
Richard G. ZinkePresident, Japan Kobe Mission
Dear Brother and Sister Horton,
We are pleased to have your son Elder Horton serving in this mission. He was recently called to serve as a District Leader/Trainer. We thought you might appreciate receiving a copy of the letter that was sent to him . We appreciate very much the service your son is giving in this mission.
Sincerely,
Richard G. ZinkePresident, Japan Kobe Mission
24 October 2011
Dear Elder Horton,
Congratulations on being called as a District Leader as well as a Trainer. This choice assignment indicates that you have performed well as a servant of the Lord, and that you have the leadership ability to not only inspire a new missionary to love this work and to be successful, but to also be the leader in your district.
The Mission President's Handbook talks about the importance of a Trainer. In part, it says:
New missionaries first companions are an important influence during their entire missions.The mission president should call his most capable missionaries, those who are effective in baptizing converts and who will be able to help the new missionaries develop good skills and attributes, to serve as trainers of new missionaries. As senior companions, they need to train and motivate new missionaries so they begin their mission successfully. They should use the explain, demonstrate, practice, evaluate model as they train new missionaries. Trainers should diligently follow the daily schedule and obey mission rules. When training they should:
1. Cheerfully and patiently help new missionaries adapt and develop the basic skills and attributes from the Preach My Gospel.
2. Use the weekly companion-planning meeting to help new missionaries set goals and evaluate progress.
3. Make sure their new companion participates fully as a contributing member of the missionary team.
4. Trainers help new missionaries be successful and productive from the very beginning. Senior companions account to the district leaders and the mission president for the training of new missionaries.
In addition, to the above, as District Leader, you will also be responsible for setting an example for the missionaries in your district in your study of the scriptures and the gospel as well as in your obedience, hard work, proselyting skills and other aspects of missionary work. As the District Leader you will:
* Carry a full proselyting load in your area and strive to baptize regularly.
* Supervise, teach, and inspire the missionaries during district meetings and companion exchanges.
* Interview baptismal candidates.
* Look after the well-being of missionaries in your district.
* Demonstrate effective planning.
* Work with your local priesthood leaders and members.
* Follow up with the missionaries on referrals.
* Submit reports accurately and promptly.
As you embark on this very important new assignment, remember to teach your companion, as well as those in your district, the important principle that obedience is the first law of heaven. Teach the importance of the Spirit by ensuring, through your words and example, that the Spirit is always a third member of a missionary team. As a Trainer, help your companion to learn to teach by the Spirit. Make sure you give Elder Singleton a chance to pray and bear testimony as you proselyte.
Remember that as a District Leader, you can have significant impact on the work in your district, and on the growth and development of the individual missionaries. As a Trainer, you will have a responsibility to your new companion. In all you do, seek diligently to know the will of God. Brigham Young once said: "An individual who holds a share in the Priesthood, and continues faithful to his calling, who delights himself continually in doing the things God requires at his hands, and continues through life in the performance of every duty, will secure to himself not only the privilege of receiving, but the knowledge how to receive the things of God, that he may know the mind of God continually; and he will be enabled to discern between right and wrong, between the things of God and the things that are not of God."
Please know that you have been called under the inspiration of our Heavenly Father. I am grateful for your faith and diligence, and have every confidence that you will succeed in your vital role as one of the Lords choice servants. May the Lord bless you with wisdom, understanding and diligence as you embark upon this challenging and rewarding assignment.
Faithfully,
Richard G. ZinkePresident, Japan Kobe Mission
So glad Elder Horton got to see my sister and brother-in-law. They are the BOMB! Proud of you Elder Horton!
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