Last post! The End....

Wow.... This is it, the last email. Never saw this coming. When I started this mission I never thought the end would come. It wasn't bad, two years just felt like an infinite amount of time. But dang, did that go by fast. I have spent a lot of time this last week reflecting on my past areas, past companions, past members, past investigators, past memories, the good times and the bad. It's been a roller coaster of a two years, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I know that my mission has been perfect for me. Every experience, every area, every person, has been just what I needed at just the right time to grow and become the man my Father in Heaven wants me to be. I've learned so much, and I can't even begin to describe all of it in one email. This has been an incredibly surreal week, and a great one to end on. We've had lots of fun, and we've had lots of good times with the members here. They threw a farewell party on Friday that we invited lots of investigators to, and had a great time. We had dinner with the bishop and his wife last night, which was great. He is stinking one of my favorite people. Gave me lots of good advice about life, marriage and what not. And at church, I went to the young women's class instead of gospel principles.  Elder Skinner and I got asked to bear our testimonies and share an experience about the priesthood, that was a blast. And now today, we are going to asahikawa for the flipping third time. Haha! So much travel this transfer, it's been crazy.

    I've really felt the sweet presence of the Holy Ghost this week, comforting me and pressing me to keep going to the end. And telling me that the lord is, happy with my work. Particularly yesterday while taking the sacrament, I was praying, and I just had the most overwhelming feeling of gratitude and love for the lord, and for my mission. I probably looked pretty silly, crying up on the front row.

Hehe. This really has been the greatest two years of my life. I've been able to prepare for the rest of my life in ways I never could've imagined. I love the Lord. He is my Savior. I love my Heavenly Father.

And I so desperately want to return to them for eternity with those I hold dear and near to my heart. This church is true. It is inspired of God, and led by his prophet.

   I know. I really do know. I can't wait to see all of you again soon. Leaving Japan and my Japanese people will be the hardest thing to do, but I know that this has to be. Thank you for all of you're undying support and love for these two years. I love all of you.

   With all my love, 

       Elder Dialogue

Japan week #94

This was another great week! We were busy, and this upcoming week is going to be even more busy.

  Last Monday Elder Israelsen and I went on splits, and went south to the boonies of Ebetsu, and found the coolest forest and hiking trails, and a flipping baseball stadium! And it was open! So we got to go and throw a couple pitches. Haha! But we had a really fun day, and a member in the ward fed us that night, which was very nice and fun.

   On Wednesday we took an hour and a half long train ride to a place called Takikawa to go teach English since its two Japanese elders only. And that was really fun too! The branch president came and picked us up at the train station, and fed us dinner, was very nice of him.

   Friday we got to do some good dendo and then went and played soccer with one of our investigators and some of his buddies, which was a BLAST. We got to build a much better relationship, and meet some other really cool kids. And then we all went to a tenpura place for dinner, which was super good. And it made for a really fun day.

   And that was about it for this week. I cannot believe that I am starting my very last week of dendo... We are CRAZY busy with dinners, and investigators, and parties, and activities, and all sorts of other stuff. Should be crazy fun, but busy, and too fast. Time to rock the last week. This is it. I love you all, talk to you soon!

  Love, Mike