September 22nd

Hello everyone!
First off... The weather here is gorgeous! The hot summer turned into
perfect cool temperatures. About time to open my cool weather clothes
suitcase!
This has been one of the hardest weeks on the mission so far. My faith
was definitely tried and built, but I know it will work out according
to God's plan. I've struggled all week with a cold and feeling overly
tired and stressed. Our area hasn't been as productive as usual and I
have felt down thinking that the slow progression is my own fault. My
companion is so new and needs my support and I struggle to find the
comfort and teaching and words in her language. But I am learning to
communicate love even silently as I focus on her needs because they
are just as important as the needs of my investigators. And maybe it
will take just as much energy but she is worth it!!
Tuesday: went on an exchange with sister Barnes. We visited tons of
members and non members and delivered daily messages. Little thank you
notes or thoughts! We were able to pass  a Book of Mormon and be bold
and natural in our invitations. The weather was perfect... And we were
on bikes like all day! She takes a more relaxed approach to missionary
work than I do and still gets so much done without the extra stress! I
can learn a lot from her! It was also nice to talk in English for a
bit...
Wednesday: We visited a member in the morning and shared a lesson with
her. We tried out a new place for proselyting... The river! We got
there and there really weren't that many people out and the ones who
were there weren't super approachable. I prayed and had the feeling
that if I took my Book of Mormon out of my bag, there would be someone
placed in our path and we could have a meaningful conversation with
them. I obeyed the prompting and soon enough we were able to start
some really natural conversations. Just a few, but I was so grateful
for even just one! On our way back to where we parked our bikes we met
a lady who seemed in a hurry at first, but I just kept asking her
questions and she would stick around and talk longer. She didn't
accept the Book of Mormon I was holding in my hand nor did anyone else
that day but she let us into her home and shared her ideas about
religion with us. She had met with missionaries of another church in
the past and didn't have the most positive experience. She knows a lot
about Christianity but kind of lost interest over the years because of
various experiences. We pray for her and look forward to more
opportunities to strengthen our friendship and invite her to hear more
about Christ and his perfect love.
We met with Terumi and Sato Shimai. We were finally able to have a
member present! She is understanding more and more and she is changing
little by little. She is less tense and distant and reserved and
sometimes there is a little sparkle in her eyes.
English class was hilarious. Went on splits with sister Eyring. We
taught the advanced class and sometimes they know more English than we
do. They asked us about the things that surprised us in Japan and
laughed at our stories of not knowing how to flush the toilet, etc...
Thursday: we visited Takahata Shimai for her birthday and were able to
share a message with her. I think she was able to help us more than we
helped her, though. My companion is having a way hard time adjusting
to life as a missionary and feeling like a valuable tool for the Lord.
Takahata Shimai testified powerfully and encouraged both of us in our
growth.
We had a lesson with our friend, Tomoe. She introduced us to her
friend, Kana, and we taught them both about prayer. They listened
interestedly and intently. They are mainly there for the English
lesson but both are bright girls and have lots of thoughts about life
and religion. Kana says she believes in God but also really believes
in help from her ancestors who have passed. We asked them to think
about what they would ask God if he were right there in the room with
us. Kana prayed to God for the first time. She will now be meeting us
for lessons each week!
We went to game night and fellow shipped a recent convert, Okuno
Shimai. I think I lost all the games we played but it was fun :) haha
Friday: exchange with.... Bryson Shimai!! There was a conference for
the Japanese missionaries and both of us have Japanese companions this
transfer... So we exchanged and I brought her back with me to
hibarigaoka! So fun! We laughed about all of our crazy experiences and
rejoiced in remembering all the miracles! We had such a great
transfer. We visited the Aoki family and had lunch and shared a
message with their little girls. Mito is adorable and so talkative.
She really wants to be a missionary one day. Our proselyting was
really natural and fun. I was so grateful for the simple experience of
sitting next to a lady on the bus and making origami with her. At
first when I sat down I didn't know what to say but I knew I really
wanted to talk to her. I decided to just open my mouth and talk to a
stranger and she became my friend!
We received a text that night from an investigator... She dropped us.
I began crying, but then got a call from Sister Merstrand. We talked
together and knew that we made an impact in that lady's life and maybe
that was just the introduction to the gospel she needed. God has a
plan for her and a plan for us!
Saturday: we went to the Tokorozawa ward fall festival with nana and
her little sister, rara. They are so cute and always excited to come
to the church!
The next story is a long one!! In summary: our investigator let us
borrow something really special of his and wanted it to be returned to
him by president wada when we would all meet together. Turned out that
we would all not likely be able to meet so I asked president wada for
this item back. Well... Sister wada had kindly cleaned out his car and
it was gone. Through a series of other events, our investigator was
reallyyyy upset with me. He felt like I had abandoned a friend and not
shown him the respect or concern that I should have. After many tears
and prayers, sister wada and I were able to meet him together and
learn a powerful lesson about forgiveness. He had been so appalled
that we as mormon members would hurt him...  He had lost interest in
studying about the church and couldn't understand much about the rules
and doctrine. I apologized and shared that my actions were never
perfect, though I certainly try. The members of Christ's church are
imperfect people but Christ and his gospel are perfect. He was able to
forgive and we were relieved to resolve this dilemma. That is the
sparknotes version for sure!!
Sunday: church!!! And a long day weekly planning and submitting our
stats. Sometimes having technology in the palm of our hand is a
blessing and sometimes it makes things more difficult! Haha... But we
survived!
Moral of the week: God didn't send me here to fail. He loves me and he
loves you and he loves all his children! He gives me tests and trials
and weaknesses that I might rely on him and trust him and receive his
strength. This rough patch is for my growth! Find hope amidst trial
and remember how much you depend on the Lord. He is always there for
you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world
giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let
it be afraid.
John 14:27
Jesus Christ showed us the way. It is by obedience to his gospel that
we can find meaning and purpose in the things we do. He will give us
peace.
I love you all and pray for you. Thank you for your love and prayers!
Xoxoxo
Sister Reeves

Fall Festival in Tokorozawa with Nana and Rara

Shitami Shimai and me eating sandwiches from Ishii Shimai

More from the Fall Festival

Sister Bryson, Me, and Aoki Mito chan 

Sister Shitami, Nana, Rara, Sister Merstrand 

CUTE little Aoki girl (:

Sister Merstrand, Sister Shitmai, Nana