Week 27 - January 27, 2026 - Koiwa

Hello everybody! If this week was a roller coaster, it would definitely break some OSHA codes or something.


Highlights:
-7/11 opened a bakery (the staff now recognizes me by how many times I've been)
-Had an incredible lesson with Hiro
-Had another incredible lesson with Hao (he's moving *so sad*)
-Had 6 people at church!
-Saw so many miracles despite my weaknesses


READ THIS PART

This week has been rough, for reasons mostly self-generated, but as I have felt the need to humble myself again I have been turned to the words of Alma and President Eyring. I love prophets!

Alma counseling his son Helaman: (Alma 36)

3 And I would not that ye think that I know of myself—not of the temporal but of the spiritual, not of the carnal mind but of God.

5 Now, behold, I say unto you, if I had not been born of God I should not have known these things; but God has, by the mouth of his holy angel, made these things known unto me, not of any worthiness of myself;

Knowledge comes from God! It is such a blessing to know for myself, and it is a gift that should be treasured, and "nurtured" (Alma 32). Knowledge of these things does not come from us. It does not come from the natural man, or the "carnal mind." Only as we seek them, become a Saint through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and become like a child (Mosiah 3:19), the sweetness of the gospel is revealed to us. My favorite, boiled-down, version of this process is this quote from Elder Maxwell:

"This plan is not a plan of pleasure, it is a plan of happiness."

President Eyring:

"It seems to me that we receive the Holy Spirit best when we are focused on serving others. That is why we have the priesthood responsibility to serve for the Savior. When we are engaged in service to others, we think less about ourselves, and the Holy Ghost can more readily come to us and help us in our lifelong quest to have the gift of charity bestowed upon us."

I have learned clearer now than I have ever before the beautiful paradox of finding yourself by losing yourself. Thinking about how hard your life is makes it harder! Thinking about how to lift others' burdens makes your burdens lighter! I'm so grateful for all the incredible examples in my life that have illustrated this principle. 

Shoutout to Grandma Harrison in particular! Also happy birthday!

Love you guys!

Elder Wardle









Location: Shinkoiwa, Katsushika City, Tokyo 124-0024, Japan

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