So my companion likes to laugh...a lot. There was this one time
that we were preparing for a lesson, and I said that I wanted to "mogi" (role
play) it before we go just to make sure that I knew all the Japanese I wanted to
use, so I didn't have to use my (increasing-in-talent) charades. I hadn't even
gotten past saying hello, when she started laughing and just could not stop. And
when I say she could not stop, I mean she could. not. stop. I eventually left
the room, went into the kitchen, got a snack and came back and she was still
laughing...
It's now something we are working on, not laughing too much at Sister
Johnson, because apparently she is always making a funny face (I had no
idea...). I have to admit there are moments when I stop and, like Buzz from Toy
Story, I have a moment of realization, "...you're mocking me, aren't you?". I
love to laugh too, but sometimes I just want to work! We're working on finding a
balance though, and I think we found one;
The other day we were starting a lesson with a member. We had the other
sisters with us, so it was four sister missionaries and this one sister who
wants to re-take the missionary lessons. We sat down to teach her and no sooner
had I got my first sentence out after the opening prayer then the two Japanese
sisters laughed and pointed at my face telling me I had a funny face. I was kind
of disappointed. Here I am trying my best to be the best teacher I can be, and
they just sit and make fun of me. But before I could act on my
almost-frustration, I just took a deep breath and focused on the member.
Eventually they grew quiet, and they listened to the message I had prepared. By
the end of the lesson, the Spirit was strong. I felt so good going home that
night.
The day before that member lesson, my companion and I had taught an
investigator of ours, Tsuchida san. We spent the first half of the lesson
teaching English, and the second half teaching gospel. Like the story above, in
the beginning, my companion and Tsuchida san as well, just laughed at me when I
didn't understand the Japanese they used. They laughed when I stuttered or used
the wrong word. But, as I taught them the Plan of Salvation, and shared my
testimony of how I know that it is true, they grew quiet. I shared the story of
how my dad strengthened my own testimony of the Plan, and how because of how he
knew, and how he taught me, I know for myself, and I want to share this
knowledge. Once again, as they grew quiet, the Spirit came. The investigator
said that she felt 'hot inside', and I explained that the 'hot' feeling is God.
After she left, my companion was so happy, she could not express it. She just
kept telling me that she felt the Spirit so strongly.
So I remember reading in the Bible that "loud laughter" was not a good
thing and I remember thinking that it must not be right: laughter is wonderful!
But maybe I got a glimpse this week, and in the weeks before, of what God meant
by "loud laughter". I know (or rather, recently learned) that I make funny faces
all the time. I know that I'm a strange person, that I like to be weird and do
my own thing. I know that I can't speak Japanese.
But I do know that He's making me a better teacher. I've come a long way. I
still have a long way to go, but I look back now and see that I've come a long
way.
