This week has been wonderful. I can hardly believe I have been in
Japan for twelve weeks now, and am now officially a normal missionary.
Last Monday we taught Paula again, and I realized that sometimes she
isn't really arguing, she just likes to restate her opinion over and
over, and sometimes mills Shimai takes it as an argument... It was
very interesting to discover. She is definitely stubborn, but she is
awesome.
Tuesday we went to the hospital, and then had a totsuzen
(unexpected/unplanned) lessons it's one of our investigators. She was
supposed to meet with us Wednesday, it it became impossible, so she
met with us Tuesday instead. The elders were there to help out,
because she used to be their investigator, but I don't think it really
helped. Viana choro kind of took over the lesson, and mills Shimai was
able to keep up, but Reiley choro and I were just kind of left in the
dust, and by the end of that I had no clue what had happened. It was
quite frustrating, because I had no idea what they were saying,
partially because they were speaking in old Japanese, and also because
they were going so fast, and then all of a sudden Viana choro asks me
to share a personal experience about something, and I was just lost. I
didn't like that feeling, and I really didn't enjoy being left in the
dust. But it was over, and I am just trying to improve my Japanese so
that I can comprehend better.
At eikaiwa we taught. About sicknesses, and that was definitely
entertaining. Phrases like 'catch a cold'are just so weird to the
Japanese, and explaining why we say that in English is harder than you
would think. Also why it is 'the flu' and 'a cold', they picked up on
that, and it took a while to move on from that, but it was lots of
fun.
Wednesday we went up the mountain to visit inoue San, and discovered
the reason she is currently unwilling to receive baptism right now is
because she fears that by doing so she will become not Japanese... Not
quite sure how to help her with that one, but we are working on it.
Thursday we had trainer trainee training meeting. It was so much fun.
I learned so much, and I really loved it. But it did take up almost
all day. We were separated from our trainers for a while, which led to
some great discussions among us. With what was left of Thursday, we
worked in SKK.
Friday we had ztm. I actually got to go to all of it, because we
finally got the hospital off of Fridays! and it was amazing! I really
enjoyed how open of a discussion it was, and how they got our opinions
on af, and now they are implementing them. If it is done right, it is
going to be so cool. They also focused on find, teach, baptize,
rescue, and retain, and how important it is to work with members. And
then after that we went and helped Donna set up for her Halloween
party, and part of making macaroons. I so want macaroons! They are so
good! It made me reminisce back to when will made them. She said she
would make some for us next time we visited... Yum!
Saturday we went to the hospital, for a short little bit, and now I am
down to only having to go once a week! Yay! My hand is doing better,
and I think soon the sores will be gone, though I am pretty sure I get
one scar out of this, where they put the stitches. But that's ok. And
then we had a Halloween party, as a ward. I was an alien... Which was
quite hilarious in the skit we did, because I just made funny sounds
instead of speaking words. Didn't get a video of that, but everyone
laughed, and i did get some pictures with all the makeup we did, since
mills shimais mom sent Halloween makeup for our skit. It was kind of
crazy, but it all come off super easily.
Sunday was the best! It was actually quite cold, but it was awesome.
Takata kyodais missionary, the one who had converted him, was back for
a visit, and takata kyodai was just beaming. We sang love at home as a
yonnin, and the ward seemed to really love that. And then after
church, we went to takahashi. Members drove us there, and also back.
While there we visited Imai San in the hospital, and she isn't very
genki, but she was so happy to see us. We also tried to visit
oosugi's, but she wasn't home, and then we found a new potential
investigator, just randomly, it was awesome! She just started talking
to us... She hasn't had much interest in religion, but she has been
worrying about her ancestors, and when we told her a little about
eternal families, she liked that. We are definitely going to follow up
with her, and see how we can help her. We tried to visit another
potential investigator, but didn't have any luck, and then we visited
the imais. They fed us some dinner, and we introduced them to the new
pamphlets on the iPad, which my mission is testing out. We haven't had
much opportunity to use them, but they are cool, and since they were
made for Japan, I think they will also be really useful. We also
reported on the lesson we had with Imai San. And then we went to the
yanais, and had a very delicious dinner, including sesame seed
pudding, except for the NATO. Nato, is fermented soy beans, that are
supposed to be very healthy for you, and that Japanese people love. I
think it was worse than peanut butter... If you know me you
understand, but I had to eat it, cause a member gave it to me, and I
got to eat it plain... I am hoping to come to like it, or not have to
eat it again on my mission. It just was nasty, but I think it could
have been worse.
Anyway so that was my week. It is transfer week, and I get to stay in
Kurashiki again! The weird thing is that mills Shimai is also staying,
so we get three transfers together! That is kind of rare, and will be
weird, but she is awesome, so it will be ok.
This week I am ponderizing John 14:26-27: But the Comforter, which is
the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach
you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I
have said unto you.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.
I really love this scripture. Basically if you need any guidance in
your life, and help at all, turn to Christ, and ask, and he will help
you through the spirit. The peace we receive from the gospel
transcends any peace the world could give. It is joyful! No matter
what challenges come our way, we can succeed, because Heavenly Father
and Jesus Christ are there for us, and they will support us! I am so
blessed to be his missionary! I love you all, and I miss you! This
church is true! I know it, and I have the blessed opportunity to share
that knowledge with the people in Japan! Love you!
Love, Sister Makin
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