June 29th

Hey y'all!
Wow. I cannot believe it. I have about a thousand and one feelings
right now. Really sad, reflective, excited, stressed, nervous, happy,
and then part of me has no idea what to feel. Well, I've been a
missionary for over 18 months. Sometimes it seemed to drag and
sometimes a day or week or transfer or year would fly by in the blink
of an eye.

Dinner at the Tsukada Home 

  
Serving a mission is the hardest thing I've ever done. But it's SO
worth it. I hope these experiences will be a part of me forever. I
can't imagine my near future and that's scary. I literally cannot
imagine seeing my family again and getting on a plane to go back to
America. I think all my "goodbyes" will be "see you laters" because
that's a lot easier to do. I don't know when I will ever come back,
but hope it's soon!

Picture in the Biggest Cemetery 

 "In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder
that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem
unacceptable to us? There seems to be something inside of us that
resists endings.
                        Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are
eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless
and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our
destiny.
                        The more we learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ, the more we
realize that endings here in mortality are not endings at all. They
are merely interruptions--temporary pauses that one day will seem
small compared to the eternal joy awaiting the faithful.
                        How grateful I am to my Heavenly Father that in His plan there are
no true endings, only everlasting beginnings."
President Uchtdorf
 

Last Sunday in Hachioji with the YSA 

 So I guess this isn't the end. It's just another beginning! And that's
exciting and fun! And I can't wait to see what's in store!
Fun things that happened this week:
Tuesday-
We had the opportunity to meet with Brother Mills (I can't remember
what his calling is...) to learn about new pamphlets that have been
made especially for missions teaching those without a Christian
background. The new pamphlets are called, "what to expect", "who is
God?", and "who is Jesus Christ?". These pamphlets don't replace the
missionary lessons but help to build a foundation and understanding of
basic principles and concepts. We did lots of practice and I am so
excited! Our mission is the first to have these pamphlets... And
they're in Japanese! Yay!
 

 
Wednesday-
We went to a beautiful park with millions of hydrangeas. So many
different kinds and colors. We took tons of pictures and then went out
for sushi!

Thanks, Sister Nukui! 

 Thursday-
Zone meeting in the morning! Sister Wilson and I trained on
self-reliance and the resources available for the members and
investigators in our area. The gospel truly blesses us in every aspect
of our lives because all things are spiritual to our Heavenly Father.
When Christ teaches the women at the well, he teaches her about a
spiritual water that will satisfy all her spiritual desires and bless
her both temporally and spiritually.

District: Elder Cook, Elder Rockwood, Sister Reeves, Sister Suzuki, 

Sister Wilson, Elder Coggins, Elder Dunn

Ajisai 

John4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him
shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in
him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
This water is the gospel. The gospel has been a great blessing in my
life. I know our Heavenly Father loves us and "is anxious to support
[us] in [our] practical and specific challenges." PMG chapter 4.
After zone meeting we went on exchanges with the Kofu sisters. Sister
Kaizaki came and worked with Sister Suzuki and me in Hachioji. But...
She had left her bag on the train and the train went over an hour away
before someone found the bag and turned it in. So we spent like three
hours traveling to get her bag from the North mission's area. And she
had already traveled from Kofu that morning... Which is at least an
hour and a half away. Long day! It was fun though, to work with two
Japanese sisters! And sister Kaizaki is the best! She is so real and
so loving and an outstanding missionary!
 

 Friday-
Taught our recent convert friends! Had a lesson with the Kawatani's
and with Yamauchi Shimai! And then did weekly planning for my last
week!!

 Saturday-
Another day living on a train. We had a meeting with the stake
president and mission president and all Zone leaders, district
leaders, and sister training leaders in the stake. Then we went to
Kichijoji to split with some other sisters so Sister Wilson could go
teach hula at a luau in a neighboring stake. Then we went back to
Hachioji for district meeting. Then back to Kichijoji to meet sister
Wilson and then back to Hachioji for a stake music night! The music
night was way good! So many people came and everyone who performed was
awesome!! We had 4 friends in attendance: Mine, Hiura, Shiori, and
Miyuki! It was so fun!

Sunday-
Last week in Hachioji! I got to give a talk in sacrament meeting. I
spoke on charity and shared a couple experiences and lessons from my
mission. It was so bitter sweet to say goodbyes but I felt really
loved and important. Sometimes you don't know if your efforts have
made a difference but when I received everyone's hugs, I realized that
they had made a difference in my life and maybe I made a small
difference in theirs. I love these people so much!
We had a miracle lesson with our friend, Noriko San! She is the one
who lived with a Mormon family in salt lake in her 20s. She had been
to church every week and had visited temple square. She talked about
how their family read the Book of Mormon together and always prayed.
She talked about the special feelings she felt in their home and near
the temple. She is still in touch with this family after so many years
and really wants her family to be like theirs. We read from her family
proclamation together and gave her a copy of her Book of Mormon in
Japanese. She was so happy to receive it and wants to study and learn
more!
Today-
Last Pday. Crazy!
I can't wait to see you and show you around!

Life is short. A mission is WAY too short. I will NEVER regret the
decision I made to be here. I love the Lord and that's why I became a
missionary. I feel so blessed to have been able to serve in the Tokyo
South mission! I am coming home with lots of souvenirs and lots of
memories. But I think the greatest things I will bring home are a
greater love for my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, and a
greater love for and knowledge of his gospel and for the Book of
Mormon. I KNOW the gospel is true!!

I love you,

Sister Reeves

June 22nd

Konnichiwa my dear friends! 

Today is the first day of the last week of my last transfer! It's unreal. Today we went with a member to sell my bike at a recycle shop. 400$ bike sold for 70$... And then I spent the money right then on a yukata! It's the summer version of a kimono. They are worn to all the summer festivals. It's black with pink and purple flowers and a giant pink bow. I got the tallest one they had. The lady at the recycle shop was so nice and she taught me how to wear it and let me practice dressing a mannequin! It was fun:) 

I am going to miss Japan SO much. It hurts too much to think that I will never come back, so I will definitely be finding a way. When there's a will, there's a way, right?! In the mean time, just trying to live it up my last week! 

Haruka, Shiori, and Sho :)

So... Update from this week... 

11 For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

2 Nephi 2:11 

This week was seriously way rough! I'll spare all the details, but basically it was a trial. And I guess that's how I know God loves me... He always gives me exactly what I need to grow, to be humbled, to be called to repentance, to try and increase my faith, etc. This week we experienced "growing pains". 

Message for President Wada

So... Working with Yamauchi shimai and preparing her for baptism took A LOT of our time. We were also busy with several meetings and training and responsibilities and there was literally no time to breathe. We had very little time to get out and find and little time to keep up with our other investigators and PIs. Our other investigators didn't have much interest or desire to keep commitments anyway but... 

This week we met with many of our investigators to understand each other's expectations and try to make appointments. Turns out that... We had to drop nearly all our investigators or they dropped us. It was the worst. I seriously feel so humbled and really weak! 

If I come unto God, He shows me my weakness that I may become humble. Don't we have a loving Heavenly Father?! He knows me and loves me. And I know He feels the same about each precious child. He knows what he wants us to be and he knows what we can be and he will help us get there if we will let him. It reminds me of a favorite story... 

"God uses another form of chastening or correction to guide us to a future we do not or cannot now envision but which He knows is the better way for us. President Hugh B. Brown, formerly a member of the Twelve and a counselor in the First Presidency, provided a personal experience. He told of purchasing a rundown farm in Canada many years ago. As he went about cleaning up and repairing his property, he came across a currant bush that had grown over six feet (1.8 m) high and was yielding no berries, so he pruned it back drastically, leaving only small stumps. Then he saw a drop like a tear on the top of each of these little stumps, as if the currant bush were crying, and thought he heard it say:

      “How could you do this to me? I was making such wonderful growth. … And now you have cut me down. Every plant in the garden will look down on me. … How could you do this to me? I thought you were the gardener here.”

      President Brown replied, “Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn’t intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush, and someday, little currant bush, when you are laden with fruit, you are going to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down.’”

D. Todd Christofferson 

Hiromi Chan

So basically, we have a lot of work to do!!! And that's exciting and hard, but God is on our side because we wear the name of His son and do our best to represent His name. I am proud to be a Christian, proud to be a Mormon, proud to be a follower of Jesus Christ. There is no other name that leads to salvation, no other path that leads to happiness. My religion and my faith, tie me to Christ. Jesus Christ ties me to God. 

21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

2 Nephi 31:21 

In other news: 

I went on exchanges with Sister Tamagusuku in Takao this week. She is Japanese but part Brazilian and is from Okinawa. People from Okinawa are the most friendly in Japan. She is the sweetest! It was amazing to work with her. It rained all day, non stop and was cold! And we were soaked. But we had a great day of proselyting and visit members and inviting others to hear our message. During dinner time, she taught me some Japanese dishes and we made origami together! I have loved working closer with the Takao sisters this transfer. They are great missionaries and so fun! 

Saturday was Sister Wilson's birthday. We got some of our potential investigators together and went to an all you can eat dessert buffet. Do they have those in America? It's genius. Haruka, Shiori, and Sho came and it was super fun! These girls really do have lots of potential to become investigators. Through this event we were able to strengthen/develop relationships with them and understand their interest and invite them to meet with us. It was the best... And seriously gave us so much hope after a long week! 

Saturday was also the day Yamauchi shimai went to the temple!! They went in a car of 5 sisters and it looked so fun! She had a great experience and we are so grateful for her desire and so grateful to the sisters who showed her love and were there to support her in her first time at the temple. Yamauchi shimai is already a missionary.... She has participated in baptisms for the dead, found a less active member and invited him back to church, and said she is looking for friends she can introduce to us. She has a lot of faith that there are other prepared people out there. On Sunday one of the speakers said, "the Book of Mormon changes people." She looked up at me and smiled with a smile that said, "yes, it changed me!" Her testimony is strong. She also met with the family history specialist after church to start preparing her own family names to receive ordinances for her own ancestors. Yay! 

Before heading to the temple: Sister Kitahara, Sister Yamauchi, Sister Kawatani

Next week is my last Sunday in Hachioji! So sad! I've been here for 7 months and really love this Ward. When I tell people I'm leaving, no one believes me... For probably many reasons. 1. I've been here so long, I seem like I'll just always be here. 2. My Japanese isn't that good so I don't seem like I'm "old" enough to go home. 3. They definitely thought I was a new missionary when I came to this Ward... Awkward. 4. I never really talk about going home. 

Well... It's true. And it's sad and happy all at the same time. I am so grateful for my mission. And I am so excited for my future. And I know I will take these experiences and memories with me and I will continue to grow and change because it doesn't stop here. And it doesn't matter how many times I fell or failed, because God accepts my efforts and allows me to try again and again and again. And I know these people I've met here will be in my heart forever and always and if I never meet them again in this life, then... 天国に会いましょう！(Let's meet in Heaven!) These people are my brothers and my sisters. And it's still scary to talk to strangers and being a missionary is still hard, but I love it and I love them. And I love my Heavenly Father. 

Ps.... Happy Father's Day to all those earthly fathers in my life! I love you. 

Love, 

Sister Reeves

June 16th

Hey y'all! 

Today is temple p day! Last one... But I'm looking forward to going to the Tokyo Temple with my family and with my recent convert friends next month! It is always wonderful to be in the temple.  The temple is a symbol of our Father's love. Without the temple and the ordinances and covenants of the temple, we cannot return to our heavenly home. But because our Father loves us, there are temples all around the world. I feel so blessed to live near one of these holy places. :) 

Speaking of the temple, this last week we met with Yamauchi Shimai to learn about temples and family history together! We read D&C 128:15 together.... 

15 And now, my dearly beloved brethren and sisters, let me assure you that these are principles in relation to the dead and the living that cannot be lightly passed over, as pertaining to our salvation. For their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation, as Paul says concerning the fathers--that they without us cannot be made perfect--neither can we without our dead be made perfect.

She loved this verse and after she read it she said she was really glad we shared it because if we hadn't she wouldn't have understood why the temple is important. The temple is a house of God, the temple connects us to Him. Through ordinances in holy temples we and all of God's family can be made perfect in Christ. She is so excited to prepare for the temple and help her family in the Spirit World to be able to receive the gospel. On Sunday, our lesson in Sunday school was about the role temples play in God's plan for our salvation! She was so amazed that the lesson was exactly what she had been studying! After class she said, I really don't have to be scared, do I? After church she met with the bishop and she is a current temple recommend holder!! She will be going to do baptisms and confirmations for the dead this Saturday with the relief society president and a couple other members! It's fun to watch her to grow in excitement about participating in God's work of salvation. 

On her baptism day!

This Saturday is Sister Wilson's birthday. When we became companions, she talked about how she wanted to see a baptism for her birthday. And we had faith and we got out to work. We have 0 progressing investigators and 0 baptismal dates, but our recent convert friend, Yamauchi shimai will be receiving baptism for and in behalf of many souls who are waiting for the gospel! We can't go with her, but it will be a happy day! 

This last tuesday was Suzuki Shimai's birthday! We went shopping and ate all-you-can-eat Korean style bbq on P Day to celebrate. Never been more full in my life. I'm not kidding. It was hilarious... We went to buy groceries right after. Usually we are starving at the grocery store and we buy tons of food. But this time I was so full I couldn't stand up straight so I spent 600￥ on 2 Chapsticks and 3 carrots. On Wednesday night after English class we had a surprise party with all the students for her birthday. The elders bought a giant chocolate cake from Costco and decorated the room! She was SO happy she nearly cried. It really meant so much to her! 

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl! 

Yakiniku for Suzuki's birthday!

Thank you for the Senior Missionary Couple in the Mission Home

Cookies from Sister Suzuki's Mom 

On thursday we participated in zone conference! I love zone conferences... It's always such a spiritual boost! I got to be a part of a musical number with all the other missionaries in my zone who are returning at the end of this transfer. We sang a song about missionaries from New Zealand and then sang a song about finding our friends from the pre existence in Japanese. Maybe I can get the video from someone who took it! Also... Because it was my last zone conference I had the privilege of bearing my testimony. I chose to hear my testimony on becoming humble through our weaknesses and gaining a witness of the power of God. I think mistakes have become a theme for my mission. And I have not gone a day without experiencing God's power. His power always makes up for my human weaknesses and for all the ways I lack. 

During the conference, we learned a lot about our purpose as missionaries and how to focus on our central purpose to baptize those of other faiths, as well as how to begin teaching and set appropriate expectations with those we meet. We learned tons from the conference and have begun applying it in our work... And it's turning out to help us be more effective with our time... Meaning that we are experiencing heart breaks as we reset expectations and dropped our investigators who don't have interest or aren't progressing... Which is like all of them...

SPM- Stake leaders and Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders

This week we visited Ai chan hoping to meet her mother... We ended up meeting both her mom and dad!! They received us really well and it was a miracle! We were able to talk about lots of her thoughts regarding religion and we set up an appointment for she and her mom to come to dinner at the home of a member with whom she has a really good relationship. The appointment got cancelled so we went out with her to eat and talk. We invited her to take lessons again and she has made the decision to not take lessons because she found that there are both good people and bad people in the church and was particular;y offended by one member who's personally did not meet well with hers. We are really sad that she won't continue to learn about the gospel, but we know that her time will come to return to church. We love her! 

 

On Friday night we went out to do missionary work with a cute crazy member of our Ward. Mori shimai was a Kichijoji Ward member who recently moved to Hachioji. She is full of love and desire to serve and share the gospel. I'm grateful for the many opportunities I've had to work with her. She's been there in the beginning and the end of my journey and it's been fun. Many of her family members have gone less active so she feels the need to participate in God's work with all the energy she has... For them. Because she has faith. She talks to and makes friends with literally everyone. And she always gives tons of referrals. She sees the potential in everyone. We went out and our path was completely inspired.... We got lost and changed plans a couple different times but we were able to invite many friends, run into a Nepalese woman we had met before who may have interest in attending church, and place a Book of Mormon with the cutest mother and daughter. We may not have met these people if we hadn't gone out to work with Mori shimai. There is power in working with the members! 

Eikaiwa Birthday Party

Sunday was Ward conference! A couple miracles: two recent converts who hadn't been to church in months and months came!!!!!! So amazing! The sister who spoke in relief society really taught me a lot. Her lesson was based on the teachings of president Benson about flooding the earth with the Book of Mormon! Yamauchi shimai shared that as she read the Book of Mormon, her desire to drink coffee disappeared and water became more delicious to her. The sister who taught shared an amazing experience about being in a really small branch in Japan. The numbers were small but they had priesthood holders, the priesthood, and the Book of Mormon. As time went on some of the members became less active, but she kept attending church and accepting nearly all the callings! But there was hope because they had priesthood holders, the priesthood, and the Book of Mormon. Eventually even the branch president went inactive and the branch was left with 2 sisters. The two sisters didn't hold all the callings and couldn't even really hold church, but they met and watched church videos and partook of the sacrament brought by priesthood leaders in a neighboring branch, and read the Book of Mormon. There were no priesthood holders in her branch, but they had the Book of Mormon and that book became every source of hope for her at that time. The Book of Mormon is true. It's the key stone of our religion and contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel and a man can get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts than by any other book. I love the Book of Mormon. I know it's the word of God. It has the power to carry us through everything. 

At Eikaiwa with Masa San

We have been able to start meeting with Kawatani kyoudai again! He is the cutest. Really humble and really sincere and really smart. His health has improved tons and we were so happy to see him at church this Sunday! Since he is doing better, we will start meeting with him again and the sisters will be heading up his after baptism lessons. We had FHE with their family last night and each of us introduced our families with pictures and taught about the importance of family prayer and scripture study. There are few families around the world who prioritize quality time together but I have a testimony of the power of prayer and scripture study as families. I know that our family wouldn't be the same without it. I want to build my future family on the foundation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to read the scriptures and pray with my family every day, not because it's fun or easy or cool or because everyone's doing it, but because it's right and it's truth and it's commandment and it's worth the sacrifice and it brings families together and it invites many blessings which the Lord desires to give us. 

Anyway, that's all for now! We gotta get out there and open out mouths and teach and testify of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ, our unique message to the world. I know this message is true. It has changed my life. I know that my Redeemer lives. 

Love, 

Sister Reeves

June 7th

Hello!!! 

Highlight of the week was obviously the baptism! It was GREAT! 

We were busy all week preparing. Teaching final lessons, interview for baptism, planning the service, giving assignments, practicing music, preparing testimonies, inviting members and friends, daily contact with Yamauchi Shimai, heart attacks, putting together a gift, communicating with the Ward, etc. etc. It was busy but fun! And we survived! We also had a day of exchanges with the Takao sisters and a day at mission leadership council! 

There was hardly time for finding activities, and we have so much to improve, but God always has something to teach us. And I am grateful for all that He has taught me this transfer as I've given more focused energy to His work and His children. I've learned so much from my companions and from Yamauchi Shimai and the other members and missionaries. I continue to be impressed with the faith of the Saints here in Japan. So happy for Yamauchi Shimai who has joined the Saints, joined a family! 

After her baptismal interview, she was exhausted!! We went out to lunch with her and filled out her baptismal record and she said it was a tiredness/fatigue of JOY! Oh how I know the "yorokobi no tsukare" so very well! She felt the same after her baptism, just SO happy and on a spiritual high. There were many friends who called her on the days leading up to her baptism and many who attended the service, including the Sato sisters from Yokohama who she had met at FHE. There were also 8 investigators from surrounding areas who were able to attend and view the baptism. The Takao sisters were able to set a date for baptism with their investigator, after the baptism. Set for the 4th of July, because she loves America! 

The service was great! One of our RC/LA members was able to attend, which was a miracle!! She hasn't come to church in weeks!! We will just have to call her and follow up. I hope it brought back the feelings of joy she had at her baptism last year. Sister Wilson, Sister Suzuki and I had the privilege of "introducing" Yamauchi Shimai! 

Here's my quick translation of what I said: 

Yamauchi is 82 years old. She is old enough to be our grandma but because she is a teenager at heart, she is young enough to be our best friend. When I found out her age I was surprised! She is super energetic and strong. I feel that we were friends in the preexistence. We lived together in the preexistence and rejoiced and were excited for the chance to come to earth. Yamauchi Shimai was born earlier than we were but through God's guidance we were able to meet again in Japan. She is a social person and makes friends easily. She is funny and always has a good joke. Her smile is really cute and she likes to laugh! Yamauchi Shimai is a really diligent person. She does everything with all her might! She likes being busy. A very hard worker, she worked until she was 78 years old. She is really kind. When she has something or knows something good she always gives or recommends it to others. She also has a desire to share the joy of this gospel. She loves to talk. Even when I don't understand her Japanese it's fun! I'm so happy I met such a cute friend. I want to be her best friend forever and for eternity! 

When she bore her testimony at the service, she testified of how she planted a seed of faith in her heart and from here to wants to prepare for the blessings of the temple and endure to the end. She said her desire to be baptized grew more and more over time. She has truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and I am so happy for her! She has experienced true joy as she has made covenants with God and been welcomed with open arms by the Ward. After her baptism she was too happily exhausted to go home and couldn't carry all her things and presents, so we took her stuff for her and went to dinner with her so she could get enough energy to go home! 

Post-baptism Dinner

On Sunday she received the gift of the Holy Ghost! It was so happy! Oh also, miracle... She wore a dress on Saturday and Sunday! Adorable! It was out of her comfort zone, but she felt the importance to dress in her best. So her confirmation was complicated because the priesthood holder didn't say the right words. And no one really noticed or said anything until after sacrament meeting. So after the meeting when I asked for his signature he said he couldn't sign it because he messed up and she would have to be confirmed again! Devastated!! Through discussions among the bishopric and stake presidency, and calls with us everyone decided the confirmation was valid and if the bishop felt necessary she could receive the blessing again in private. So it was all go to send the baptismal record to the mission home so her membership record could be made ASAP. The mission home likes to receive it within 2 days so the new convert's record can be made so they can receive endowments after exactly a year. Well at this point, it's 8:30 and we are barely gonna make it home from our appointment in time. 8:59. And the priesthood holder finally calls us back... we really needed his signature!! We decide we would wake up early and meet him anywhere! Before he goes to work! So we woke at 5 this morning and rode bikes to the station where he takes the train to work and got the signature and the record is in the mail. She is a member of the church. Yay! Adventure! 

Our lessons with members have been very effective recently. We have really prayed to know what commitment to extend and what message or principles to teach with the members. It has really strengthened our relationship with the Ward to plan and prepare specifically for them rather than have them act as our investigator in a mogi lesson setting. They have experienced the power of God through the lessons and have increased in their trust in the missionaries. There were several members who bore testimony of the importance of missionary work and the power of God in his work. They shared experiences of the Spirit they have been able to feel as they've received lessons from the missionaries and keep the commitments they have received. After the meeting, many more members approached us to set appointments. We have really focused our lessons and commitments on helping the members do missionary work. We have had many members suggest ideas for helping our current investigators, ideas for visiting their friends or less active members, etc. I'm grateful for this Ward and their desire and faith. President Hinckley spoke of the importance of members in missionary work, saying there must be a better way to do missionary work than knocking on doors. The work will continue to be hastened as the members increase their testimonies and take courage and open their mouths to share the gospel and speak with their friends. I think the principle, "talk with everyone" is a principle than can help both full time missionaries and member missionaries. I want to apply that principle throughout my life. 

Our district has also discussed planning a fireside with the members to help them understand what they can do to participate in missionary work. There are many members with the desire, but no idea about what they can do. I know I was that kind of member before my mission. I am grateful for the relationships I've made within the church here in Japan. I know this church is true. 

President Wada told me last transfer that the best days were still ahead. Last week he said, "these are the best days of your life". These really are the best days. So exhausted and busy, but it's a tiredness of JOY. The days are coming to an end at full speed and way faster than I ever imagined they would. You kind of think at the beginning that time will never run out and you'll literally be here for forever. And you take a second to count the days til you go home because it's too long and too impossible. But then you learn to love the work and love the people and before you know it... You're bearing your final testimony, giving your last training, eating your last grain of rice, teaching your last eikaiwa lesson, and saying goodbye to people and places you might never return to. But this is JOY. 

2 Nephi 5:27 is my theme scripture for this transfer: "and it came to pass that we lived after he manner of happiness" 

There's just not enough time to worry about things of no eternal value. Take some time to lay up the best treasures! :) 

I love you all so much. 

Love, 

Sister Reeves

June 1st

Hey y'all! 

This is the week! Yamauchi Shimai is getting baptized this Saturday! Everything looks good. We are busy preparing but it's going to be wonderful! She really has converted to the gospel. Her desire is so strong and she has a love for the Book of Mormon. She wants to follow Jesus Christ for the rest of her life. I am so excited for her to make her first covenants with God and then prepare to make covenants and receive ordinances for herself and her family in the temple. We want to point her towards the temple and help her get there as soon as she can! My hope is that she'll be able to come with us to the temple for baptisms when y'all are here in Japan! 

Other news of the week: 

Last Pday was really fun! We went to Kichijoji and met Moeka there. We went shopping and ate dinner together. She is so amazing... Attends seminary every day and is a best friend to all the new converts and investigators in Kichijoji and surrounding areas. She will be in America for this next school year, in North Carolina! She is one of my life long friends from the mission(: 

Our lesson at FHE went so well. We were really nervous to teach a big group but it was so fun! I got to meet the investigators of many other missionaries. Yamauchi Shimai was fellow shipped by several recent converts throughout the mission. She really connected with one mother and daughter and they even exchanged contact information and promised to meet again. 

It's always a miracle to meet with Shimizu Shimai. Kitahara Shimai joined the lesson. It was perfect... We taught the restoration and focused on how the gospel blesses our families. Shimizu Shimai says she imagines herself taking her children with her to church when she has a family one day. At the end of the lesson, Shimizu Shimai bore her testimony of how she received an answer to her prayer about if the church was true. She then asked each of us to bear our testimony. The Spirit filled the room as we shared our love for the gospel. I am forever grateful for this church. It really is my family. 

Tuesday night we went to visit Ai chan. She had stopped meeting with the sisters after a difficult lesson and no one was able to make contact with her. One member who often gave her a ride to and from church and activities gave us her address. When we went to visit, her parents opened the door and said she wasn't home from studying yet... As we were leaving, we heard her say, "wait!" And she ran up to us hugging and apologizing for not coming and not contacting us. We were able to pray with her right there and invite her to meet us again. She pinky promised and then joined us for the activity this weekend to hike Mt. Takao. 

Our Ward is doing another fast for missionary work. On our day to fast we met with Yamauchi Shimai and taught the law of tithing and fast! Perfect. And she talked about food like the entire lesson... Haha. We always see great miracles when we fast. After kids eikaiwa we left to go grab some food and eat at the church before eikaiwa at 7. On the way back, we ran into Jun San, our former investigator. She actually stopped and talked with us! It was amazing. I get the feeling that she really wants to meet again, but she is afraid of what might happen if she does because her parents are very opposed to her meeting with missionaries. 

We taught lots and lots of lessons this week. And met with lots of members. Our relationship with the Ward is really good right now. I feel like they really trust our companionship and so they've given us many assignments and things to do! It's gotten really busy, but I've loved being able to work so closely with the Ward and know that they are here to work side by side! They have been a huge blessing as we've been preparing Yamauchi Shimai for baptism. 

President Wada joined our lesson with Yamauchi Shimai on Friday. So perfect!!! We taught about missionary work, and enduring to the end and focused on pointing her to the temple. President Wada was able to answer many of her concerns and help her to understand confusing doctrines. She has built a great relationship with President and Sister Wada. We went over the questions for her baptismal interview. We don't get to be there in her real interview obviously, but I always love this part of teaching investigators. It's the time when you get to really hear how they feel about Christ and the gospel. You get to see how they've changed as they've accepted the truth. It's so happy! 

D&C20:37 And again, by way of commandment to the church concerning the manner of baptism--All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church.

After the lesson, as Yamauchi Shimai was walking to the station she lost her special necklace. It's really tiny and gold, with a tiny kitten. It's a reminder of her favorite cat, mii chan who passed away awhile back. She had even gotten matching necklaces for Sister Wilson and me as well- our friendship necklace! She returned to the church as soon as she noticed it was missing so she could look for it. We had already gone home so she called us really sad! We came to help and so we prayed together and began retracing her footsteps. She didn't really think we would find it in the dark and felt bad that we came back so she kept saying it was okay, she would come look the next day during the daylight hours. We didn't give up and said we would at least walk her back to the station. As we followed her path, we kept our eyes on the ground, and there it was! It was a wonderful lesson on faith and the power of prayer and a great defining moment for her. 

Our hike at Mt. takao was really fun! There were 3 eikaiwa students, 2 investigators, and 1 potential investigator and 2 members. It was a great experience for everyone who came! Our friend, Shou San from China came and had fun! She said she had come before with some friends. But they gave up half way. This time, she didn't give up even though it was hard. And we made it to the top and ate a picnic and saw Mt. Fuji and took pictures of the beautiful view. 

Twice this week we went to visit members after eating lunch and then were surprised to find out that not only did they make us lunch, but they made us a feast! Oh my gosh. It hurt so bad it was funny. All we can do is laugh that we are miserable and sluggish and over fed. Sister Wilson put some of the food in her pocket because she couldn't finish. Hahaha. Grateful for the members. They are too good. Sister Kosuge even gave me a recipe book of 100 "best" recipes chosen by the Japanese. 

On Sunday at the end of sacrament meeting we received the announcement that Elder Perry had passed away. I don't know why it hit me so hard, but I wanted to cry... Until we started to sing the closing hymn, which was Praise to the Man. I felt the Spirit so strongly. I felt the power of the Comforter and gratitude for a living prophet and the restored gospel. I know our Heavenly Father does not leave us alone. 

Life is good. Life is too short to worry about things that don't matter. My new motto is YOLO: you only live (in Japan) once. So... No time to let a moment pass me by! We are so busy we could cry, but we've decided to laugh instead! It's a fun transfer! 

I love my mission and my area and my companions and my investigators and friends. I love the Ward. I love my Savior and my God. Their love is real and it's always available. 

Love, 

Sister Reeves

Wearing our backpacks from our "Emergency" kits for the hike 

the group at Mt. Takao 

Teaching FHE 

Sho San 

Sister Reeves, Sister Yamaguchi, Sister Sato, Sister Suzuki, Sister Wilson, Sister Sato

TAKAO

My shirt says I love tonkatsu, which is fried pork.

May 24th

God is ALWAYS watching. Sister Kusanagi and Yamato Kun. 

Three Peas in a Pod

Most of the District