October 6th

皆んなさん、こんにちは！
お元気でしょうか？
Weekly update for ya....
My companion and I set some good goals and worked wayyy hard to reach
them. She is really good at setting specific goals and following up to
make sure she achieves them.
We wanted to visit a member every day, pass a Book of Mormon, exchange
contact information with 3 people, and teach 2 lessons each day. I'm
not sure if that sounds easy or not, but it took work.

Tuesday: We did a practice lesson with Suzuki Shimai. We taught the
law of tithing and the law of the fast. It was really hard and really
helpful. I realized how much vocabulary about tithing and how the
funds are used that I don't know... And then studied again in language
study!
We visited 3 less active members and a new friend who lives near the
park. We were standing outside her home, just talking with her on her
porch, when this lady rides by on her bike and then stops to get
Tabata San's attention. She calls her over and asks her who her
"guests" were and wanted to make sure we weren't weird and that she
was okay. Just looking out for a neighbor. After walking through the
park, we headed home. On the way back, I of course said konnichiwa to
everyone. I said hello to her and didn't realize at first that it was
the same lady. She stopped and glared at us up and down and went on
her way. It was such a weird experience. Just a day in the life of a
missionary!

Wednesday: We visited Hirata Shimai and had lunch and a lesson with
her. She is a convert of about 4 years and still doesn't have a lot of
knowledge about the church. We have been encouraging her to read the
Book of Mormon every day even if she doesn't understand what she
reads. We've given her a list of our favorite parts and followed up on
her "homework" at church. She had questions about trials that we can't
overcome. She has a lot of health problems and knows that they won't
just go away even though Christ suffered for her trials. We shared
part of the talk from last conference, Bear Up Their Burdens With
Ease. It's by Elder Bednar. Everyone should definitely go read it
again. Anyway, i testified to her about why we have trials. I
explained that God wants us to grow and opposition is the way we can
do that. He wants us to be humble and rely on him. She told me on
Sunday that I'm really strict....
We visited some potential investigators in the area and then dropped
by a sick member's home to bring her some jello.
Then.. English class. Sister Eyring and I teach the advanced class.
It's really fun because the students are really good at English and we
can have deep discussions. Students often bring up questions they have
about the church. We can't actively proselyte or teach the gospel
during that hour, but it's really cool to be able to share beliefs and
ideas with these friends. One of our students has read half the Book
of Mormon and this last week she asked if our church had repentance or
confession because she often felt like she wanted to talk to someone
when she was younger. She always leaves class soooo fast when it's
over but she needs the gospel!!! Sister Eyring and I are on Mission:
Stop The English Class Student Before She Leaves So We Can Invite Her
To Hear The Restored Gospel.

Thursday: I was invited to attend Mission Leadership Council and it
was amazing!!! I seriously learned soooo much. I left feeling like I
was a successful missionary. This time I am devoting to serve the Lord
is an imperfect offering to him. He knows I can never do everything
and be perfect, but he accepts my efforts. But he also knows that I
can do better. I can constantly improve. It was fun learning with the
leaders of the mission and discussing how we as a mission can improve.
This mission has come a long way from its beginnings last summer and
we aren't done growing! President Wada is very inspired. He knows just
how to push us. He wants us to be productive but he also sees the need to
slow down and train his mission full of new missionaries. The newest
stretch he has given us is to invite those we talk with really boldly
and directly to either come to church or hear our message. We must use
the words, "will you?" Or we can't count it to our daily quota of
"Salvation of Souls" invitations. It's so different than how we
proselyted before. It's strong but it provides a choice. We never know
if we don't ask. It's hard to have 10 of those each day, but I love it
because people know our purpose. I used to feel like I was lying "in
wait to deceive." D&C 123:12
And now, we are making his purpose known! This church is true and
everyone is welcome!
8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto
the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no
flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the
merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his
life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the
Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being
the first that should rise.
2 Nephi 2:8

Friday: We had a lesson with Kana. We taught the plan of salvation and
she said of course she wants to go to the celestial kingdom... If
that's the most happy, who wouldn't?! She said she is interested in
learning more about Christ and his teachings. She agreed to read some
of the Book of Mormon and come to church sometime. She's really laid
back and care free and interested in new ideas. So grateful to be
meeting with her!
We visited a potential investigator, Merstrand Shimai and I had met
while housing. She said we had stopped by with perfect timing. She
lives alone and her husband recently passed away. She was really
grateful to have someone to talk to. She understands what we do as
missionaries, but doesn't have tons of interest in hearing our
message. She is Buddhist... She prays to her ancestors daily and goes
to worship each Sunday. She showed us her prayer book and we were able
to share our beliefs about eternal families and praying to God. She
wants us to visit again and she is interested in coming to ward
activities.
We met with Erina and read scriptures together in the chapel. We
talked about our covenants and the importance of taking the sacrament
each Sunday. She is one of my best friends. She is so brave to join
the church so young and by herself, without the support of her family.
I really love her and admire her. It's hard for her to come to church
on Sunday, because her school tests are in the morning. But she
understands that it's important to remember Christ, especially on
Sunday by taking the sacrament because we often forget during the
week. It's so important to have that reminder and fresh start. I
talked about how hard it was for me to go to church when I first got
to Japan because I didn't understand anything that was said. But I was
able to take the sacrament and I knew what that meant for me. I was
also able to feel love from the members even though I didn't
understand what they said either. This church is true and I have
really felt that here in Japan as i attend, and only understand the
meaning through the feelings in my heart.

Saturday: Exchange with Eyring Shimai. Way fun. We went to lunch with
Maria Shimai. She is a young single adult who is in Tokyo for acting
school. There aren't many her age at church and she hadn't made
friends very quickly upon moving here so it was hard for her to come
to church. Sister Bryson and I visited her and friendshipped her when
we came into the ward and she told Barnes Shimai recently that that is
why she has started coming to church again. We had so much fun with
her this week and we even invited the lady next to us at the
restaurant to come to church. She is thinking about going on a mission
but is nervous about all the rules. We also were able to study the
scriptures together at lunch and talk about why we are asked to fast
and pray. She agreed to fast for those who don't know God and help us
with the missionary work in the area.
We watched the general women's broadcast in kichijoji. The whole
meeting was incredible. As I listened I kept thinking about Choi
Shimai who is preparing for baptism and was so happy that she was
downstairs with members of our ward listening to these words of truth
in her native language. President Uchtdorfs closing testimony about
our worth as daughters of a Heavenly Father was AMAZING. Every woman
needs to read that talk every day. God loves us. For who we are today.
We came back to our area and made some visits to investigators and
taught a lesson at Regine's home. We reviewed the plan of salvation and
reset expectations. She loves the Lord and the Book of Mormon and she
prays often. She loves her husband and her baby and wants a happy
eternal family. She is uncertain about baptism but wants to learn
more. We talked about recognizing answers to prayer and promised her
that the Holy Ghost would teach her what she should do.
Sunday: After church we did a practice lesson with the ward mission
leader's wife. They are newly married and she is a return missionary
and so cute. It was probably the most helpful role play I've ever
done. She gave the best feedback and taught us using PMG. Amazing.
We had dinner with the Zellers and Regine. We watched the Restoration
video in Tagalog and testified of the Book of Mormon and how it is the
evidence of the truthfulness of this gospel. She had a good time and
felt so loved. The Zellers invited her back to join them for FHE
anytime and to bring her in-laws as well. As we left she apologized
saying she can understand English but just can't speak. She wanted us
to know that she really did appreciate their kindness and felt their
love.

Today: typhoon. It was cold and realllyyyy rainy. We weren't allowed
to leave our house until 12. Now it's hot and humid.

I love you all. This church is true. God lives. Christ is our Savior.
We have a living prophet today who teaches us the will of our Heavenly
Father. As we listen and obey we can find the peace and strength we
need in this life to build happy families and prepare to meet God
again.
Have a beautiful week.

We are so happy when the plan of salvation makes it on the wall of our
investigators bedrooms.