Kenzie Says "Kon'nichiwa": December 8th

Hello everyone!

This will be quick. Yesterday was crazy! So sorry for not writing!

But for news: I have been transferred!!! I left my beloved Hibarigaoka after 4 transfers (about 6 months). I learned so much and formed relationships with many special friends. I am now in Hachioji. Far away! A new zone and new stake! And it's cold here! Haha I hear Machida stake is amazing though and has a lot of fire for family history. My ward right now is really big. About 150 active members attend sacrament meeting each week and lately there have been a lot of reactivation miracles with the less active members of the ward. I'm really excited to be in this area and continue to learn and grow from these opportunities. My new companion is the BEST. Her name is sister brown. We were in the MTC together and both transfer 8 missionaries right now. She is from New Zealand so she has a super cool accent and sometimes I can't tell what she is saying. She is hilarious and loving and we are already having so much fun. I can tell we are going to have a blast this transfer and see lots of miracles... Even though winter has come!!!!

My last few days in Hibarigaoka were fun and interesting. I worked in a threesome with Funakura Shimai and eyring Shimai until miller Shimai came home from the hospital on Tuesday. Just an fyi the member was never hospitalized and never had salmonella... She has a cold. Just in case y'all were worried. Her bento was different from ours. Haha.

When miller Shimai came back we had to take turns staying with her and going on splits to go out and work. I got to teach and meet with potential investigators with Funakura Shimai quite a bit and she is such an outstanding missionary! It was so much fun! I got to meet with a lot of my favorite people before I left. It was weird and sad to say goodbye but felt so good to know that I had made the most of my time in the area and was leaving with memories and relationships. I also felt so loved and important. Our last lesson with Choi Shimai was amazing. We taught about baptism and confirmation and wrote down her conversion story. We asked her tons of questions and got to know her feelings and how her life has changed from learning of and accepting the gospel. It was a wonderful way to remember our lessons and her baptism!

Hachioji is fun! I live with the coolest sisters, our district is great, and the ward is seriously so accepting and helpful. We are already seeing little miracles each day. It has already snowed here.... The coldest month is yet to come... February! Wish us luck and warmth.

Sorry I don't have time to give a more detailed update.

Here's a scripture from my study this week:

7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

13 O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are the commandments of God. And he said: If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land--but if ye keep not his commandments ye shall be cut off from his presence.

14 And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things, which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations.

Alma 37:7, 13-14

Sometimes as a missionary i feel very small. But God has called me and entrusted me with a sacred calling and an assignment to love, teach, and serve his precious children. He trusts me and he loves me. I can't fail when I follow his commandments. He shows forth his power when we obey. And through our small efforts, we can see great things of eternal significance. He is mighty and he is real. I know he is our Father. I know this life has a purpose and I know we can return to him one day.

Please remember that you and your efforts are not insignificant. God is mindful of you. He will be with you and help you as you do your best and trust in him. His hand is in your life. Pause and acknowledge him and you will see great and mighty things in your life and be able to prepare for eternity.

I love you all and hope you always remember that! Thank you for the wonderful influence you have in my life.

Love,

Sister Kinz