March 24th

Hello my dearest people,

It's me again! Here's your weekly update(;
Does it feel like these updates keep coming faster?
Time is one of the most precious gifts from God and one of the most
precious resources He gives us to do His work. But He doesn't even
measure time! Woah!

all is as one day with God, and time only is measured unto men.
Alma 40:8

This time in Japan is fun! It's getting warmer... Sort of! And the
cherry blossoms should be blooming within the next week or so(:

This week we had another 2 mission conference but this time with Elder
Nelson! Oh you know, an apostle of God just visits us every few
weeks(; The conference was AMAZING! The purpose of the conference was
to prepare us for missionary work in the digital age. And at the same
time it wasn't about that at all. Our missions have been part of the
test group using iPads. From here on several missions around the world
will be using iPads and other technology for proselyting and teaching
purposes. So... We are turning in our "test" iPads this week and
exchanging for new ones. Part of being in the test group meant that we
got to make lots of mistakes and learn how to use them effectively
without a lot of guidance or rules. So with the new mobile devices
comes a restart and a refresh. A chance to be more obedient and more
committed to our purpose. The message of the conference was more
centered on us and on our individual repentance and commitment to the
Lord rather than using technology to share the gospel. Heavenly Father
reached out to us in love through His servants to offer us a second
chance and to teach us that our testimonies and faith are the best
filters for technology. The things we are learning on our missions
will bless us and protect us throughout our lives. I don't really know
how to explain all that I learned at the meeting, but I am grateful
for my Heavenly Father and His chosen apostles. I'm grateful that we
have a Savior. If we were perfect we wouldn't need Him. If we were
strong, we wouldn't need God. My weaknesses turn me to the Lord. And
the Lord, in turn, gives me strength. I'm humbled to be His servant. I
often feel inadequate and unfit for my task, but He offers strength
and makes up for every place I lack.

So anyway, we are saying "Sayonara" to facebook for a bit as we start
over with iPad training. Our new iPads won't have the app and it looks
like training will take 2 transfers so I may say hello to facebook
again when I'm home. Along with our restart for iPads our mission is
doing a restart on our basic training for teaching and basic skills.
We all get to pass off all the requirements again just as if we were
transfer 1-2 missionaries so as to never forget the fundamentals. They
are apart of us and that's where we get the foundation to build off
of. I love this theme of a refresh and restart. It's always nice to
remember that we haven't failed, and God always gives us another
chance(:

Okay so now for the heartbreak of the week:
We went to visit our new investigator, Jun. Her mom answered the door
and was basically like, "you were here the other day, too. I told you
we were buddhist. This is getting weird." We explained that we had met
her daughter and had an appointment with her she was like "yeah, she
accidentally shared her name with you. If you don't stop coming I will
call the police." So we had to drop the most prepared investigator I
have met on my mission. When we taught her, she taught us. She was
looking for the knowledge and she loved it. I'm grateful we met her
and I know God is watching over her and has a special plan for her.

Cool things that happened:
1. Hotu Shimai and I went housing and we met this lady named Takahashi
San. We ran her doorbell and began talking through the intercom like
most people do. She explained that she had no interest and we
explained that we were sharing a message with Everyone! We asked if we
could talk with her on her front step. She agreed and came outside and
we talked about God, and read from the Book of Mormon and taught her
about prayer! She didn't accept the Book of Mormon or a return
appointment, but she listened and we invited the Spirit to be there.
And we felt it. The message we share is true.
2. We had a great lesson with Hama Shimai. We taught the principle of
"teaching and learning in the church" and invited her to attend all
three hours of church each Sunday. And she replied that she had
already been thinking about it recently and had made the decision to
attend relief society and Sunday school starting this week! And she
did! And she received a calling, too! To be a ward missionary...(: so
we will be working lots with her!
3. The ward had a talent show to celebrate the anniversary of Relief
Society. It was so cute and there were quite a few non-members/LA who
attended/participated. Our friend, Hiura San came, too! She has come
to church every week since we first met her and invited her. She won't
take a Book of Mormon and has no intention of taking lessons or
joining the church, but she comes every week. And she keeps her
promises. We were happy she was able to come and meet more of the ward
members(:
4. Our role play lessons went really well this week. We focused on the
plan of salvation and more specifically how to teach "the creation",
and "agency and the fall of Adam and Eve". Really hard to explain to
japanese people. But SO important to the plan. Just like gospel
dispensations and apostasy, these doctrines are true and necessary. As
I studied and prepared to teach and taught these truths, my testimony
increased. I'm grateful for our first parents, who used their freedom
to choose to choose life! Because of our first parents, we too have
the opportunity to live on this earth and enjoy all that comes with a
mortal journey. So much pain and SO much joy! The purpose of our
existence is to experience JOY! I hope you are finding joy each day
and each moment. (:
5. Went on an exchange with Yamaguchi Shimai! It was really fun to
work with her again! We learned so much together. We attended the ward
YSA FHE activity after church and fellowshipped with their nonmember
friends. The theme was God's love and our individual worth. It was so
much fun! As we went out to proselyte we used each opportunity to find
as an opportunity to teach. We taught a woman on the street how to
pray. And she said when she looked at us she could see Christ. These
little miracle moments are the moments that make what's hard about
missionary work, Worth it! The weather was also super weird: perfectly
sunny day and then random tiny tiny tiny raindrops. Then an hour or so
later, dark sky and HUGE raindrops. And of course, far from home, the
Sabbath, and no umbrella. Very fun(: We visited Suzuki San and she was
home!! Continue to keep her in your prayers. She needs the joy and
comfort that comes from the gospel, she is just so hesitant about
taking the leap of faith.
6. Our paths have been guided. It's never a coincidence that we meet
the people we do. God knows what He's doing(:
7. Today we went to the temple!!!

One more story:
So I decided to do this thing where you choose a bad habit you have or
something you do frequently and try to go a day and then a week
without it. The point is to understand the feelings our investigators
have as they try to obey the word of wisdom or overcome an addiction.
I decided to try a week without sweets.
Day 1: Day after my birthday. PDay. We show up to the church and there
are brownies there for ME! I said YOLO and decided to try again on
Tuesday.
Day 2-6: success! No sweets. Yay! We played a game at the ward party
and my team won. We were given really good chocolate bars. My
favorite, actually. I received 2. And gave one to Hama Shimai and one
to Hotu Shimai. A brother in the ward saw me do that and gave me his!
I gave it to an elder later. Then... It was pot luck... So many
delicious looking sweets. And somehow I survived.
Day7: we show up to the YSA activity and the sister in charge
announced,"today's meal is sweets paradise. Only sweets,!" Uhh... Haha
yeah, I gave up(: but I totally see how impossible it is to give up
coffee or tea. Even if you have a good excuse, it's REALLY hard to
explain yourself in social situations when people offer things to you.
Well, I guess I learned what I needed to from the experiment, it's
really hard. And I like sugar. Good thing the word of wisdom didn't
teach us to avoid chocolate!

I love the gospel! It is "sweet above all that is sweet, and pure
above all that is pure"
Alma 32:42

I love you all so much(: Feast upon the sweet words of the gospel.
It's the source of never-ending happiness(:

Love,
Sister Reeves