Week 17! Bikkuri Donke - November 18, 2025 - Chiba

This week might have redefined the term "rollercoaster." Might have broken some OSHA codes with how dramatically we went from the sky to rock bottom. And back. 

Highlights!

-3 member meals! I've heard that member meals in Japan are super rare, but apparently we're breaking the trend

-One member meal was an awesome role-play lesson!

-Went to Bikkuri Donke (pictures below)

-Got to teach about the Gift of the Holy Ghost to a member's son!

-Friend came to church! (technically an hour late so he missed our Sacrament attendance, but he came!)

-Met my comp's friend from a previous area (miracle)

READ THIS PART

This week I have spent a LOT of time pondering about the relationship between grace and character. As we strive to do our best to incorporate the attributes of Christ into our character, how does the grace and benevolence of Christ's atoning sacrifice make up the difference to all my shortcomings? 

We are expected to help our fellow men, expected to be kind, loving people. All centered on the two great commandments, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" and "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Matthew 22). 

Incorporating this into our lives takes a lifetime! 

My thoughts are centered from 2 Nephi 2:

5 And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.

6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.

7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

God is both just, and merciful, and therefore is a perfect God. 

Jesus Christ is our Savior! Through him we are able to constantly realign ourselves with God, no matter how many times we mess up trying to improve our character. 

Some may think that this general idea of turning yourself over to God somehow diminishes our individuality. But that is the exact opposite! "For whosoever will save his life, must be willing to lose it for my sake; and whosoever will be willing to lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it" (JST Luke 9:24). The very same things that the world uses to bring "individuality" only brings "sameness." Elder Neal A. Maxwell beautifully taught, "Besides, there is more individuality in those who are more holy. Sin, on the other hand, brings sameness; it shrinks us to addictive appetites and insubordinate impulses." 

That's it! Developing our character stems from focusing on others, loving God, and trusting in Jesus Christ as our Savior while we make mistakes! That is how we invite holiness into our lives, and through such we feel the joy and happiness that God wants us to feel. Always remember this is a gospel of joy! 

Love you guys! 

Elder Wardle

(I apologize I didn't get any member meal photos)