February 09, 2010

This week we had a couple of really cool experiences...
1. was when we went on splits to a place in sapporo called moiwa. I got to go on splits with elder williams, the big tongan elder i was Zone Leader with in atsubetsu. it was way fun to catch up and to work together. We were at an apartment complex and not a lot was going on no one coming to doors not a lot of interest. so we decided to head to the church early. we were on our way and when we got close to the church we saw a kid walking towards us.. i looked at him and said to elder williams that guy is going to be golden. we stoped him and i just felt like i should ask him for 20 minutes and go talk in the church. so i did and he said yea sure, is it the white church just over there? so we went over and sat down in the church and started to teach him, elder williams decided to watch this one church introduction video we have but i was kind of skeptikal about using because japanese people dont really like it. but i decided to just go with it and trust in elder williams. we watched the short 5 minute video and at the end asked senda about it.. he took a pause and said i think about the stuff in that video all the time! i think that stuff is really important and i have a lot of interest in that.. we than taught him and decided to invite him to be baptized. he said yes, but can i get baptized quicker than that!!! he taught a month was a little too long to wait!! we than took him that night to a musical concert at a ward and he loved it!! it was amazing to see how we were sent to him right than. i have been noticing that we are in the right place at the right time A LOT!! looking back trying to figure out why now and not before i came to the conclusion that i proved myself. I talk to everyone, i dont let anyone go by and when i talk i try very hard to teach. the Lord can rely on me because if i am any where close to them i will contact them and teach a lesson on the spot. the people we have found through it are amazing!!!!
2. transfers. so with transfers coming this next week we had a meeting to decide where everyone goes and who with. it was pretty cool i had never done it before but at the end president daniels said, well i have never had it go that smooth before. it was incredible. so we use a computer and put up a map of the mission with all the missionaries in the mission in their areas. than we move the pictures of the missionaries to the top of the screen and put them in their new areas with their new companions. i would compare it to a big puzzel. all the pieces were scattered and then they all came togther at once and pretty fast too. within 20 minutes just about all of the transfer stuff was done. it was cool for one of them. i looked at the area and said to myself this elder should go there. i didnt know if it was my place to shout that out, so i waited. then before i knew it president said im thinking this elder should go there. it was the exact one i was thinking! that happend about 2 or 3 times. than the puzzel was complete it was beautiful.
I feel like i can really tell the difference between promptings now. its like i know the voice/feeling. i love it. makes everything really easy.
SO i got big news if you have not already looked on line... I GOT ACCEPTED TO BYU HAWAII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i couldnt believe it!!!!!!!!!!! im so excited!!!
So whats new with the family?? getting ready for the baby stuff? did jamey ever get back from china??
the mission is going crazy right now, everything has like doubled we average as a mission around 10 baptisms a month and we are scheduled to have upwards of 25 in febuary!! President daniels said the spirituality of this mission has taken a 180. usually in the weekly pres. letters people write about funny stories or personal study stuff but recently its all been about miracles and working through the spirit.
OH i forgot!!!!! we have been having some way cool experiences with visiting members recently!!! its been way good.
I felt like we should focus on the balance of member and missionary work and that we can do that through effective member visits. so i made this plan and it has been way good.
1. BRT(build relationship trust) dont talk about stupid stuff like your girlfriend or car. you tell them who you were before your mission and why you gave it all up to come out and serve(pretty much your testimony) talk about the sacrifices you made.
2.message i go with alma 29:9-almas real joy was missionary work. talk about who alma was all the thing he did(cheif judge, father, ect.)but in all that it was missionary work that was the best. talk about how i am the same, use to have fun and be happy but thats way different from my joy now. than read verse 14 his joy was not in his success alone but in his brothers. tie in is that this is what happens with members when they get involved, team up in lessons befriend someone, referrals ect.
3.Referral. i dont just ask for a referral all blunt i do a special way i thought of. so here it is(feel free to participate as though you were the member) close your eyes. think of someone, a friend or family, they are not a member. picture what they look like, face, body, ect. now imagine them with you talking to the missionaries. they have a book of mormon. they read and pray. they are excited to learn. they feel joy. you testify of truth and feel the spirit. now its sunday, its sacarament meeting. look to the seat next to you.. its your friend. now your friend is dressed in all white. its their baptism. they enter the water. its now a year later, you are in the most holy place on earth you look to the seat next to you. your friend is there recieving eternal endowments. open your eyes. what do you feel.(at this point most all the women are crying) ask about their feelings. than i go for the referral, but not a no name one. I get out a piece of paper, have them write the name. then write their hobbies. what they like who they are. now with that written what would be the best way to introduce them to the gospel.(they like basketball, have a b ball activity, cooking, english, ect.) you dont go for name just than. next is take a commitment. everyday from now till sunday will you pray for your friend, and ask to know how to introduce them to the gospel. on sunday we will together make a plan. Now go for the name. is it okay if we pray for your friend too?? (yes) what is their name.
4. Dont go empty handed. i bring a funny photo frame it(costs a dollar 50) than write your names on the frame and call if you ever need anything with your number at the bottom. they always see it remember you, anyone who goes in the house will see it and ask about you.
We have don that 3 times now and everytime it has been amazing!!!!!!! cant describe it, the spirit is strong the members are excited and the referrals come!!
i love this work and i never want to stop
love you all thanks for the prayers and support!!!!!!
Love elder Daniel Henry Lawler