Hey guys!! Hows it going? Happy march... I cant believe its here already - time is just flying by as usual... I mean, everyone elses time. As for us, were working our butts off to see a baptism this month. If anyones got any suggestions, were open to all of them - honestly, ALL OF THEM!
This last week was kind of rough, but we were able to end Zone Conferences without any major incidents. President Isa is speeding things up now so it was kind of an interesting Conference, where me and my companion had to conduct 6 hours of meetings.... Im so tired............
Work in Matsue is still pretty rough, but our Chinese investigator finally came back from China, and we were able to make some additional progress with Morimoto-san, who could get baptized at any time now - except, like everyone else, shes suffering from a common Japanese disease called "busycitis". You heard about it? Its great, it takes your ability to make righteous choices and wears your heart, soul, and body down to the ground. In severe cases, it causes suicide.
As far as me... lets see.... Physically: terrible. Ive never been this tired in my whole life. I sometimes cant will my own body to get up early. Theres no pain, just a constant fatigue. Oh well, I think it will go away in June. And I pretend on working hard until then. Good luck in getting me out of that coma when I get home.
I did have an interesting experience however, so Id like to share some thoughts - no surprise there, huh?
Me and my companion volunteer at a school. Its a normal school except its meant for kids with problems (anxiety, hyper-activity, mood disorders, etc... -hey sounds like the kind of place I should have gone to :) ) They had the graduation last saturday and the students themselves conducted and performed the ceremony as well as other "interesting events" like musical numbers, etc. The place is actually on the other side of the mountain from Matsue, and if you take a look at the Google map, you can tell kind of where it is. Its on the north coast, which means a 12 kilometer ride from Matsue (probably 15 or 17 km from our apartment) - up and down the mountain. It kind of felt like I was doing the Tour de France in a suit, to be honest.
Anyways, so I was in the front and didnt really remember the directions all that well. After passing the first tunnel, we came up on a intersecting road, that took us straight down and to the west. I thought it was it, and after 40 minutes of riding uphill, the moment I saw the downhill, I just booked it.
But I didnt pay attention to the voice that told me we took the wrong turn. No, not the Holy Ghost. It was my companion. But I was in such a hurry that I didnt pay attention and rode 10 minutes down the slope until I had to stop - I realized that this wasnt it. We asked for directions and got told to get back on the original rode and ride that to the coast. I was sooooo mad. Not at anyone but myself.
This meant that we had to bike 20 minutes or so uphill, get back to the road, ride uphill some more, then down again.
Well, the point of this story is this. In life we sometimes ignore the promptings of the Spirit when we see a road that looks "about right", downhill and easy to ride, when in fact, it will take us in a direction almost opposite of where we want to go. Our purpose in life, or destination, if you will, is to become like the Savior and our Heavenly Father, and thus return to their presence. A lot of things stun that progress, and big mistakes can severely retard it. ... Riding up that hill, how i wished that lost time back again. How I wished I wouldnt have made that decision. ... In life, same as everything else, time cant be regained. Time that couldve been spent on our personal growth and progression towards our eternal goal, has now been lost.
However, the Savior has made it possible for us to be granted mercy through the gift of repentance. Because of his atoning sacrifice, we can be sure that however big a mistake weve made, we can be cleansed, changed, and purified; and eventually be welcomed by the loving arms of our Father in Heaven. How sweet is His love and mercy! Im eternally grateful for the Atonement in my life, and the eternal sacrifice that the Savior gave for me, and each one of us. I know He is the Savior of the world. He lives! He loves us! Through Him, we can be wrapped in the arms of safety, and enjoy greater peace and joy in this life, amidst the many trials we will definetely face. Im so grateful for this gospel, and the happiness it has brought to my life. And I rejoice when I see those that I love, striving to live, and as we work together, we can enjoy the fruits thereof.
I know He lives because He comforts me. Even today, frustrated, tired, feeling deep disappointment, He showed me a better way, through the words of his holy prophets. The scriptures have a real power to guide and comfort us. I dont how else to express this joy - its just ... wonderful!
I love everyone of you. I pray for your comfort happiness and success. I pray that each of us can learn, and come closer to the Savior this week, in His holy name, Jesus Christ, amen.
Love,
Elder Mourao
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Called to serve the Lord as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hiroshima, Japan
Map of Japan (for a complete map of where he's been, look at the bottom of this page)
Elder Victor M.S. Mourao
Called to serve the Lord as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hiroshima, Japan
Hiroshima, Japan
Map of Japan (for a complete map of where he's been, look at the bottom of this page)
Our Elder's address:
Elder Victor Mourao
Japan Hiroshima Mission
Tottori-ken Yonago-shi
Nishifukubara 3-6-27
Mezon Pineru 201
683-0805
JAPAN
Japan Hiroshima Mission
Tottori-ken Yonago-shi
Nishifukubara 3-6-27
Mezon Pineru 201
683-0805
JAPAN
You can write him an email at
Victor's time
Hiroshima |
Elder Mourao's favorite scripture: Alma 32:42
"And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst."
Thanks for reading Victor's blog!
Mission pictures
Where Victor's been!
Dramatic Growth
"Under the inspiration of the Lord and the courageous action of Joseph Smith, the first Latter-day Saint missionaries ever to serve beyond North America brought the restored gospel to the British Isles in 1837. Heading that first group of elders was Heber C. Kimball, who set a great example for all newly called missionaries. Humbled by the responsibility and fully aware of his limitations, he poured out his heart in prayer."
'O, Lord,' he cried, 'I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work; how can I go to preach in that land, which is so famed throughout Christendom for learning, knowledge and piety; the nursery of religion; and to a people whose intelligence is proverbial!'
"But rising from his knees and accepting his duty, he said, 'The moment I understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me by His almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I needed' (Life of Heber C. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1945, p. 104). Surely God responded to the faith of that young elder, because Brother Kimball and his companions were endowed, 'with every qualification' they needed."
-Jeffrey R. Holland
'O, Lord,' he cried, 'I am a man of stammering tongue, and altogether unfit for such a work; how can I go to preach in that land, which is so famed throughout Christendom for learning, knowledge and piety; the nursery of religion; and to a people whose intelligence is proverbial!'
"But rising from his knees and accepting his duty, he said, 'The moment I understood the will of my Heavenly Father, I felt a determination to go at all hazards, believing that He would support me by His almighty power, and endow me with every qualification that I needed' (Life of Heber C. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1945, p. 104). Surely God responded to the faith of that young elder, because Brother Kimball and his companions were endowed, 'with every qualification' they needed."
-Jeffrey R. Holland