June 30th

Hey y'all!

It's been a happy week! We have really been enjoying the dendou and we are seeing miracles! Bryson Shimai and I are getting along really well. President Wada told me there are no tricks or secrets to
opening a new area... Just enjoy it! And we are doing that! And being so blessed as we choose to be obedient. My new companion is awesome. She is 19, from Bountiful, Utah.. Went to BYU, loves dancing. She is a good example of talking to everyone, always smiling, and speaking the language as much as she can and as often as she can. We feel very humbled to be such young missionaries working together but there is so much joy in trusting God and watching him strengthen you and being able to witness his miracles.

My New Companion, Sister Bryson!

Dinner with the Aoki family! 

 We have tried hard this week to work with members and less actives. The members in Hibarigaoka ward are amazing! And the bishop has already met with all the missionaries to share the ward vision. We are excited to work closely with them. The bishop will be giving us lists of less active members he would like us to work with. I'm really grateful! When I was set apart as a missionary, my blessing shared with me that a lot of my efforts as a missionary would be among less active members... Re-activation rather than seeing tons of baptisms.

On Wednesday we had lunch with Sister Shibata and did a mogi lesson with her. She is so nice and we really felt loved and encouraged! We were able to have a good discussion about Japanese views of religion and how she can be a missionary and example to her friends.

                                       Thanks for the cheesecake! We made it the day I got it :)

On Thursday, I exchanged with Sister Barnes. She is the sister training leader for our zone and lives in our apartment. She is a really dedicated missionary and way serious about obedience. It was fun to work with her and talk with her. We went to "ping pong night". Soooo Japanese. Haha it was fun. One of the LA in the ward was there... I actually knew her before because she often goes to the Kichijoji sports night... It was so fun to see her! She was so excited that I moved into her ward!

Friday was such a fun day! We went a couple train stations away to an area called Kiyose and we visited a LA. She wasn't home but we were able to meet so many amazing people near her home and were for sure lead by the spirit. The time just flew by as we talked to everyone we saw and shared smiles and testimony. We had set our goals high that day and actually surpassed them and didn't even want to come home for dinner. We decided... Expectations determine outcomes.

Saying goodbye to Yoko at baby eikaiwa 

Saturday was rainy so our plans changed a little bit... We just spoke to people on our way to and from the church to submit our stats. But... It actually took forever both ways because we got into so many
meaningful conversations! We made a few new friends, too! Misako! And Yoshimi and her daughter. :) we are excited to meet with them soon! Pray that we can find people to teach :)

Sunday was great! Our ward is seriously amazing! The bishop comes to the missionary coordination meeting and is super involved with the missionaries. All the members received a paper with all the missionaries pictures and empty name boxes underneath the pictures so they could meet us, greet us with a handshake, learn our names, write them down, and memorize them. Amazing! The bishop taught the third hour of church and spoke about the ward vision and what it means for the ward to have 10 missionaries and what God sees in this area... We are all involved in the hastening of the work of salvation... Members and full time missionaries alike. We had so many members talking to us and inviting us for dinner or offering to do role play lessons with us. We made a sign up sheet to share with the relief society... So we can all work together... Visiting LA together, role play lessons, introduction lessons with their friends, message shared with their family, etc. The bishop met with us after church to explain his vision. Right now the ward membership is about 330-340. Close to 140 attend weekly and 200ish come every once in awhile. With 10 missionaries, we can split up and work with those who come every once in awhile and strengthen the active 140. He told us to always wear our best smile... 10 smiles in the town will make a difference.. They will want to know why we are so happy. He also wants missionary Companionships switching off standing at the front of the church on week days at all times greeting and inviting for church tours or whatever.... Showing the community that we are always open for anyone and showing them what goes on in our church. There is a grocery store right across the street and so many people see our church but see closed doors except for church on Sunday. But as we open the doors we can show the community that they are always welcome! Sunday evening we went to dinner at the Aoki family home. He is in the bishopric. Their family is awesome.. And have such good senses of humor.. We had so much fun. They are so real. I'm so excited to be in this ward. :)

Our rain jackets from 7/11

In the PMG it says, "nothing happens in missionary work until you find someone to teach." It's sort of a scary phrase as a missionary opening an area.... Sometimes we can wonder, is nothing we are doing right now missionary work?! But I love the truthfulness of the phrase... I didn't come here to just talk to people on the street. I came here because God has a purpose for me and for my talents here in Japan. There are friends here who he wants me to meet and help and show the way to live a happy life. I have to trust that I will find these people who he has prepared!

We have a half English/gospel investigator right now.. Transferred to us from the other sisters. And we have met some promising potentials! It's amazing to see these miracles every single day. I am not a perfect missionary, but God understands that and certainly appreciates my willingness and my efforts. I am seeing him magnify my talents and abilities and help me become equal to my assignment. He is guiding us and giving us comfort. I know he is real and I can't deny his love and presence in my life.

bought corn from a random farmer

I love being here and serving as a missionary. This is an incredible opportunity and the time is short and runs out quickly. I hope I can fill this time with effective proselyting and know that I have accomplished what God wants me to accomplish for him. He will provide a way if I am obedient.

Thanks for EVERYTHING!

Sister Reeves