August 25th

Hello family.
The internet at the church isn't working so I'm sitting on the
sidewalk in front of a 7/11 convenience store to write you. This is
true love.
We had sort of a crazy week. My companion got pretty sick and then she
got bit by a scary bug and got a weird infection and her hand and arm
got way swollen. So we got to go to the doctor and go on a few fun
splits with the other sisters. She is doing better so no worries!
We met with Patrick a couple times this week. He always mentions
"hypothetically" choosing to follow the doctrines of the Mormon
church. He is reading the Book of Mormon and praying about the
message. He knows we crossed paths for a divine reason and he is
interested in continuing to study with missionaries in San Francisco
when he returns home. He really really wants to meet our mission
president so we will all meet for dinner soon. We really want to help
him gain a testimony of the restoration and modern day prophets. He is
having a lot of spiritual experiences and this is a special time to be
learning about the church while he has a brand new baby in his family,
straight from Heaven!
Terumi is really owning her baptismal date. When she met ward members
at church she explained to them that she was studying with the
missionaries and will be baptized on October 25th. We talked about the
restoration this week and it's a lot of new information for someone
who has grown up without a knowledge of God. I told her that there was
one thing I wanted her to learn: God is HER Heavenly Father.
Regine is so spiritual! We visited her home and she showed us her
study notebook that she writes in while she reads the Book of Mormon.
She translated her thoughts and questions into English for us, too.
She has lots of deep thoughts and gratitude for the savior. She has
grown up Christian and has strong faith in God. We will attend a
baptism with her this weekend and help her prepare and think about
receiving baptism for herself.
We finally met the Filipino sister in our ward! She is willing to meet
with Regine and help us translate in our lessons. We are so grateful.
Really good news!! Investigator from Kichijoji is getting baptized!!
Do you remember Oikawa Shimai?! One day it just clicked and she
realized that Christ atoned for her. She said she was pretty busy but
said she had a day off on the 30th and chose her own date! Sooner than
the one she had chosen with Sister Hathaway and I. We are attending
the baptism with Regine and Terumi. So excited!
Thursday night we had game night/ping pong night at the church. Our
friend, Nana, came and she brought her mother and 3 of her younger
siblings. It was amazing! It was their first time in a church and we
all had so much fun. They are a way cute family and have really close
relationships. We are excited to continue our friendship with them and
cultivate interest in the happy message we share.
We had interviews with President Wada this week. My interview was
wonderful. He asks us to bring the questions and topics of discussion.
We spent our whole time together talking about our investigators and
how we can help them and how he can help as well. He is excited to
meet and work with a few of our investigators and make some visits to
Hibarigaoka! He's the best!
We met with a few members this week. We were able to study scriptures
with each of them and help them improve their scripture study. And we
are following up just like we do with our investigators! One sister
showed up to church excited to tell us she had read and showed us her
notes from her study!
On Saturday I had the opportunity along with some other missionaries
to be a guest at a district leader training meeting. It was a
fantastic meeting and really helped remind me how I can follow
Christ's example of service and how I can leave behind ALL my personal
affairs and give this time completely to him.
After the meeting we went with Tomoe to a Filipino culture night
activity at the Fuchu ward. We got lost and went the wrong way for
quite a ways on trains both traveling there and back. It was a long
time on a train and lots of money but a great activity and good
experience for us all.
I love you all very much!
愛してる
リーブス姉妹