Ellie's Mission in Japan: Week 54

Fun little story, I wrote a nice group email for all of you lovely people and then it deleted. So I'm sorry for this downgraded version.

But another week in 加古川市, it's still so hot, but we discovered a Baskin Robbins in our area, so I think we will be alright.

This week we were able to visit with a lot of members. As missionaries, we are obviously sent to strengthen the members, but I swear they strengthen me. Support and love from the ward members is seriously everything. So please be good to your missionaries! We may be awkward, but we mean to do good. :) there was one visit, in particular, that was really great. It was this sweet lady and her daughter, who invited us to dinner. Together we read Alma 7 which talks about Christ's Atonement, 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and ...he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 ....he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
I love this scripture, together we talked about how we felt the power of the Atonement and that Christ truly does know how to perfectly help us. Afterwards, we sang some hymns together, it was a little embarrassing because the Mom was a professional performer, so my voice sounded terrible At the very end, she played the piano and sang an opera version of "Peace in Christ", it seriously was AMAZING. The spirit was there and I could just feel the spirit through this song, we may have all cried. Haha

Recently, the Christ-like attribute I've been trying to apply is hope. There was one night where I wasn't exactly feeling the most hope ever. I was talking to my companion about it and then we watched this video, and it said, Jesus Christ is not our last hope, he is our only hope. It kind of hit me that I don't need to turn to Christ only when I've tried all that I can, am discouraged and have nowhere else to go. I realized that I was never expected to do it alone ever or by my own power, Christ's Atonement isn't my last pick me up, my last boost of strength, it is my strength.
2 Nephi 31
20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Please know that you're never alone, and we can always have hope in our lives!
Love, Christensen 姉妹