When the end draws near, and you have to say goodbye 12/11/2016

Dear family and friends,

Can I just say that I love japan! The members and people here are so
wonderful, and I have had an amazing 18 months in this beautiful
country, and I know that I have changed so much and learned so much.
This morning I woke up early, because I was coughing, and as I was
laying there, I just thought back on some things. I know that leaving
my family, my friends, and everything was really hard. It was one of
the hardest things I've done, and I've definitely missed them a lot.
But I also know that it was the best thing I could've done at this
time, it was so worth it! I will never be the same, and I am oh so
grateful for that.  I knew that you change on the mission, but I
didn't ever realize how much, at least not fully.

Anyways, on to a report of my week. I know I'll be seeing most of you
soon, but for those that would like to know, I will write my email as
normal, but fast, like last week.

Monday we had a zone sports day, and it was a lot of fun. I played
basketball, and just had a blast. The poor elders were all complaining
about how they had to play missionary style, and we're excited to be
able to play normal again after their missions. I couldn't help but
say that I only had two weeks, especially since they were all saying
how long they had. That night we had the illumination at Takatsuki
eki. We got to introduce ourselves to the city. It was fun, but weird,
cause the announcer introduced us as exchange students, and we
couldn't correct it. Ah well, it was a fun experience.

Tuesday we went to service, and it was so much fun. Just cleaning up
leaves again, but I just love service. After that, we were able to
take a bit of a break for watanabe Shimai, and then taught the moms
eikaiwa. It was good, but we didn't plan very well, and so we were
struggling with unity. But it turned out alright. The moms are
starting to be willing to act. Hopefully this will, and see the
blessings. That night we were stood up by an investigator, which was
sad, since we arranged a doseki, but it turned out to be great,
because in sharing a message with out doseki, we were able to help
her. She also happens to be the relief society president so it was a
great opportunity to build kankei.

Wednesday we went to kayokos house. She is an eikaiwa student/
investigator. She lives pretty far, and so she was nice enough to pick
us up from the church, and then take us back. We had a really good
lesson with her, and she has a lot of questions, but doesn't want to
pray, because she doesn't believe in God yet, and feels praying would
be hypocritical. I forgot my coat when we left, cause it was warm, and
she brought it to me at eikaiwa. So grateful. After that we had our
lesson with Ayaka, and shawna Shimai dosekid. It was an awesome lesson
about the godhead, and we talked as we ate pasta at the church. Shawna
was a perfect doseki, became her friend, and also really knows how to
testify, as she just got home from her mission. Then eikaiwa was fun,
I taught some Christmas songs, and just played with the kids. It's
hard to fill 50 minutes with like 20 kids of all different ages.

Thursday watanabe Shimai and Harada Shimai went to TTT, and I stayed
inside with Goto Shimai basically all day. So I did phone dendo, and
found a new investigator for the elders that is really interested, and
a potential one for us as well. I was so grateful to at least have a
phone. That night once they got back, watanabe Shimai and I went to
have dinner with Yukida, who had brought her son. It was great, the
entire converstion was about what we do as missionaries, and who God
is, and I think they may be open to hearing more. Hoping that things
work out with her, cause she is too busy to meet again before I go
home.

Friday we went to ztm, and it was my last one. The spirit was so
powerful, and at one point, I realized that even though the things
they were teaching wouldn't apply to me for much longer, they did
apply, and I could still learn things for after my mission. It was a
very enjoyable ztm. After that we went to with the elders to visit
Keiko, the investigator they are passing to us. She is the friend of a
member, that they just happened to find, and then he walked in while
they were meeting with her. Well, right when I was feeling we needed a
members testimony if the lesson was going to go anywhere, Yoshimura
Kyodai walked in, and shared his testimony. It was perfect.
Unfortunately she does not have interest, but I feel like we gave her
the best chance we could have, maybe one day. One thing she said that
struck me was something along the lines of why haven't you told me
this before? She was asking Yoshimura Kyodai, who is a longtime
friend, and it was cool to see she had recognized the light of Christ
in him, and noticed something different. Still, it isn't our time, but
I think we often forget that just telling people what we believe is
giving them the chance to change.

Saturday went to hospital service in the morning, and then I was with
Goto Shimai, while the other sisters went to a members house for
lunch. We went to the church to meet up with them and shawna Shimai,
and then shawna Shimai and I went on splits and visited nakagiri
Shimai, it was so much fun. She really is just super cute and sweet,
and shawna Shimai and I just bounced back and forth like it was
natural almost. I loved it! On the way home, I got really really lost.
I took a road thinking it was right, and it wasn't. Luckily we have
iPads and maps, and could find our way home. Especially since shawnas
phone had died, and so we had no other way. Thank goodness for iPads.

Sunday shawna and I both talked. It was pretty good I think. I ended
up not having time to prepare my talk/ what I had thought to talk
about didn't feel right, and they also asked me to take extra time
last minute, so I just winged it. Shawna was in the same boat, and it
turned out well. Though sacrament meeting ended up ending 15 minutes
early. I had a great last Sunday in Japan. Church was great, they had
a shoukuji after to welcome shawna home, and say goodbye to me, and
then we had DCS, and watched the Christmas devotional in Japanese, I
so want to see it in English now. The sound was off, so I was having a
hard time watching it. But did that, and then watanabe Shimai was in
need of some rest. So we went and had dinner, and she rested. It was
also good for me, because I decided to catch a cold right before I go
home. But I'm not letting that stop me.

So that was my last full week as a missionary. I will be seeing most
of you soon, and I am very excited to see you all! I love you, and I
miss you, but I am oh so grateful for this blessed opportunity that I
have had to serve as a missionary for the past year and a half! See
you soon!

Love, Sister Makin

Week long kokan, and elders working hard 12/04/2016

Dear family and friends,

This email of necessity is going to be short, we had a zone sports day
today, and I got carried away with playing, and we have to end pday a
little early today to go to a special dendo opportunity.

Monday we went shopping all day, and man I was done with it by the
time we were finally over, but watanabe Shimai loves shopping, so
that's what we did. I got some stuff too, so it was all good. After
that she had to rest to the end of the night.

Tuesday we rested all day. Watanabe Shimai wasn't even willing to go
to service, which was really sad for me, because it is a lot of fun,
and since she wasn't willing I had to call and cancel. That was
awkward. But it is what it is. We left the apartment near the end of
the night, but she didn't want to dendo, just wanted to be out, so we
talked. We also talked about the drama, no progress.

Wednesday we were able to meet with Wilma before she left for
Christmas with her family in the Philippines, and that was special.
She really was excited, and I have to admit I'm excited to be home for
Christmas as well. Had a great lesson about Christmas with her and the
friends she has over. She is always introducing people to the
missionaries. That night we had eikaiwa and a miracle. The elders had
been found by a girl who wants gaijin friends, and she is also
interested, and asked me for my phone number. That was awesome.

Thursday we met with shoko, and had a great lesson with her. I felt
like we should back of when she didn't understand, and go back to God,
but my companion kept on pushing, and overwhelmed her with a lot of
things, and she didn't understand anything. I'm hoping that she will
still be willing to meet with us, but it can be hard when you don't
understand anything, and instead of explaining it, the person keeps on
giving you more hard things to understand. The other highlight was
that Ayaka mailed me, first, and said she was excited to meet
tomorrow! That like never happens, and was just so awesome!

Friday we had a wonderful district meeting, it was my last one, and it
was just full of the spirit, I love district meetings. After we
visited Iki Shimai, and she is such a sweetheart. Her husband isn't a
member, and she doesn't really have much support, but she works really
hard, and does her best. I felt so much love for her. We had a great
time with her. That night we met with Ayaka, and taught her how to
pray, and she committed to pray morning and night! She seems really
interested, though I'm not sure if it is because she likes gaijin or
not yet, but right now that doesn't matter, if she is willing to act,
she will be able to feel the spirit.

Saturday we visited Yoshimura Shimai, and heard how she was converted.
In telling her story, she mainly told us about her sons conversion
story, since he was first. It was a lot of fun. I love Yoshimura
Shimai. That night I Had my final sports night, and it was a blast,
and to end I was given the chance to testify of Christmas and Christ.
I invited everyone to find a way to serve this Christmas, and I just
loved testifying of the savior. I love testifying of the savior.

Sunday we had church, which was great, we helped out with primary this
week, and that was so much fun! The elders investigators came, 2 of
them, and one brought his 3 kids, so they needed some help. The other
thing we did was go to the yoshimuras, son of Saturday's Yoshimura and
his family, and had Japanese food for dinner! It was so good! He
apparently was worried I would be dieting right before going home, but
I let him know that wasn't the case. Today was the only day I was with
Harada Shimai, and I think it affected out unity, cause it was
basically non existent.

This week long koukan was filled with a lot of resting, for watanabe
Shimai, and lots of thinking for me. Made me excited to come home and
see all of you, but also made me really just want to go out and dendo.
I love this work, I love the lord, and I am super excited to keep
working hard, and then see y'all on the other side!

Love and miss you!

Love, Sister Makin

Final cone conference, and drama. 11/27/2016

Dear friends and family,

I am probably going to try to be quick but still thorough from now on,
I am close to getting home, and I want to do some fun things before I
return to America, and I also have to prepare to get home.

Monday we had so much fun, went and saw the fall leaves with akiko,
and it was so much fun! It was so beautiful. My companion and akiko
turned me into a model... Akiko loved it so I let them. She took so
many pictures!

Tuesday we had service, and cleaned up a bunch of leaves. It was fun
to do that. I don't have too many more times to do it, so it was
great. We also taught the moms eikaiwa, with help from the ibaraki
elders. We watched the restoration video with the moms,band the spirit
was just so strong, I loved it!

Wednesday we had my final zone conference, and it was all about faith
and repentance, and was just so amazing! Man I love repentance. It was
kind of weird, cause Welch kaicho had to leave in the middle for a
funeral of one of his good friends, but it worked out, and I learned
so much. He definitely needed to go to that funeral, sometimes it is
about the one, way more than the group. After zone conference I had my
final interview, and it was perfect. He answered all of my questions
and concerns without me having to ask a simple question. Welch kaicho
is amazing, I am so grateful that he is my mission president. He has
taught me so much, and I have changed a lot on my mission! Oh so
grateful!

Thursday we did SKK, and while we did SKK we made pies for
thanksgiving. Sent the ibaraki elders with an apple pie to the brother
who had just lost his wife, the idea came to me, and it felt like a
good idea. Most of our appointments canceled on us, we had three, but
in the end only had one. We taught a member about missionary work, he
is an ibaraki member, but he really wants to help build everyone's
fire. We also taught ryou, she currently doesn't believe in God,
because of some hard experiences In her life, but we were able to
testify powerfully of the Book of Mormon and the plan of salvation,
and she is willing to give it a try.

Friday we are the thanksgiving pies as a district after district
meeting, pumpkin and apple, man they were good. Especially with
Japan's Apples, Japan fruit is expensive, but so good! After that we
went to service, and helped string lights by Takatsuki eki. They
actually do Christmas in this part of Japan, which is awesome. My
companion got mad at me tonight, and is still mad. But ah well, her
agency.

Saturday we went on a kokan, with the ibaraki sisters. I went with
watanabe Shimai and dendoed, and taught Hamada Shimai. It definitely
felt a bit off, but we had a lot of fun, and she is a great
missionary.

Sunday the kokan continued, even for church. That was the awkward
part. all the members were pretty confused, but that was how it had to
be. Yep, gotta love girl drama. Watanabe Shimai also has some heart
problems, and has been told to take it easy for the next couple weeks,
so we had to rest for the rest of the day after church. Despite the
awkwardness I still loved church.

Everyone please pray for Harada Shimai, Goto Shimai, and watanabe
Shimai. There is a lot of anger going through our apartment. Pray that
we can all be more humble, repentant and forgiving, and that things
will work out according to gods plan. I get being in the middle of
this, and also being part of it, but I have not stopped praying, and I
know that is why I continue to still be happy, and feel the spirit!
The enabling power of the atonement is real, as we humble ourselves,
and just truly try to serve others, and remove the anger, we can be
happy, no matter how hard the trial. I love all of these sisters, they
are wonderful, and I just pray that everything will work out, and all
pride will be thrown out the window.

I love you all so much, and I am grateful for my mission so much! I am
excited to see you all again soon though! Hope you had a great
thanksgiving! Love you!

Love, Sister Makin

The perapera nihonjin 11/20/2016

Dear family and friends,
This past week we had transfers, and Laswell Shimai transferred far
far away. In her place, Harada Shimai came! She is Japanese, but
speaks perfect English, so we speak both together. We've decided
she'll speak English, and I'll speak Japanese. It should be a lot of
fun, and up fully will work out.

Monday we had a normal pday, and then Laswell Shimai had to rest.
Emailing and groceries took up all of her energy. But before that we
went to ramen for dinner.

Tuesday we had service, which was a lot of fun. Put a lot of flowers
in the ground, and then afterwards we went to akikos house, and taught
her. It was awesome, because we learned a lot about her, and why she
became Christian. She has a strong desire to follow Christ, so we are
hoping that she will start investigating more. We ended up teaching
about tithing. Once we got home, Laswell Shimai was beat, so we rested
for the rest of the day, and also did some planning for our
investigators. She got her transfer call today, so she started
packing.

Wednesday she packed, and we did eikaiwa. Packing was way hard on her,
but we were able to get out and do some dendo, visited some
investigators I hadn't met yet, so that was way good. She gave us a
weird veggie that looked nothing like radishes, but tasted similar to
the Japanese radish. That was cool. We were able to dendo on our last
day together, and that was good.

Thursday was transfers, so Goto Shimai and I stayed together while the
other two left, and then we picked up my companion. Her companion is
sick, and couldn't come until Friday. The funny thing is that Goto
Shimai is also sick, and recently was told to rest for a week. So we
were stuck inside for the day.

Friday we went to pick up her companion, Goto Shimai stayed with a
member, cause she wasn't feeling up to traveling. They sent us to the
biggest eki central in the mission, and told us to find eachother. We
barely managed it, tried three bus stops before we were able to find
the right one, and thus find watanabe Shimai. After that we went out
and tried to visit mayumi, but she was worn out from work. :(

Saturday we went out and visited Matsui. She kind of remembered us,
but she kept on saying the same things over and over, and no matter
how tried, we couldn't connect anything to the gospel. But she loved
talking to us. We visited some other people, and talked to some
people, so that was a lot of fun. And then we partied at sports night,
it was so much fun! I missed it last week! It was a great activity,

Sunday we had church, which was lots of fun, and got to talk with a
bunch of members. I have a lot more names down now, I hope! Always a
fun adventure trying to learn everyone's names. After that we headed
out and dendoed, and found a new investigator! Okazaki San, she is
also a grandma,Cnut was way moved by what we said, and we are really
excited for her.

This week has been so much fun! I just had such an ureshii kimochi as
I was out dendoing. It feels so amazingly awesome to get outside! I am
looking forward to finishing out my mission like this! I love Japan,
and I don't want to come back, but if it has to ends, it is going to
end with a lot of fun, and a lot of hard work! I love you all!

Love, Sister Makin

Bed rest and cabin fever. 11/13/2016

Dear family and friends,

I don't really have too much to report this week. My week was
extremely boring, though the few times I got out, it was so good, and
lots of fun.

Monday, normal pday. Until about 4, and then my companion was entirely
wiped, and had to go to sleep. She still had a fever from last week.

Tuesday, went to service in the morning, which was a lot of fun, but
the bike ride there and back, about an hour total wiped my companion
out. Rested for the rest of the day.

Wednesday actually went out and dendoed. Tried to visit several people
without really any luck, and ended up a little late to our appointment
with nakagiri Shimai. She is a less active who I just randomly called,
and she set up an appointment with us a couple weeks back. It was
really great, she seems to have strong faith still, and wants to help
her son like church again somehow. It was so cool to meet her,
definitely felt the lords hand in that phone call and thus visit.
After that we headed to eikaiwa, but the 2+ hours of bike riding had
completely broken my companion, though she tried to keep faking it,
and we ended up having the elders take over our class, and we went
home so she could rest.

Thursday Laswell Shimai went to a clinic with one of the nihonjin
sisters, and didn't get any results. Not the best clinic, but she
still has a pretty high fever. I went with the other sister to the
lunch appointment we had with Wilma. It was another boodle fight, as a
birthday present to her friend Ellen, who was over. Turns out Ellen is
WAY interested in the gospel, and wants to learn and get baptized!
What an awesome lesson that was. She lives in amagasaki, so we had to
pass her over, so I won't see the end probably, but I got to turn her
over to Fa'aumu Shimai and Hamilton Shimai, two of my mission buddies,
so it's all good. They are great missionaries, and will take good care
of her. After that we came back, switched back, and it was more rest,
the rest of the day.

Friday we went to district meeting, and then lunch with the district.
District meeting was awesome, learned a lot. Laswell Shimai was
burning up, but wouldn't admit it til we were at the restaurant. I
ate, and then we returned to the apartment slowly, and she slept the
rest of the day.

Saturday we went to a real hospital. The mission doctor told us to get
some specific tests, so we did. Going to the hospital Saturday is
taihen, only the ER is open, but they have a good ER, and could do
those tests there. The results, nothing is wrong, that the can see,
but she has been having high fever all week. Mission Doctor said bed
rest til Monday, and Welch Shimai approved. We returned to the
apartment, and she went to bed.

Sunday we were inside all day. The elders and shimogawa Kyodai brought
us the sacrament, which was a sweet experience for me, seriously the
most meaningful sacrament of my mission. I was so grateful that even
though I couldn't go to church, I could partake of the sacrament and
renew the covenants I have made. It reminded me of the general
conference talk about the sacrament, and I truly could feel the spirit
testify that He performed the atonement just for me. But not just for
me, for every single one of us.

So you maybe wondering, what did I do all week? I organized, I
cleaned, I rearranged, I watched movies, I listened to music. I
basically did whatever I could think of to keep myself busy, and
ensure that I wouldn't go crazy. I mainly succeeded, but I think I got
some cabin fever there at the end, on the bright side, I cleaned and
organized the genkan area, which I'm pretty sure hasn't thoroughly
been cleaned in months, maybe years, there was a lot of stuff in
there.

Throughout this week, what I learned the most was patience. There were
so many times when I was just basically fed up with having to be
inside, and other things. Luckily I've learned on my mission that when
it gets to be too much for you, you get down on your knees, and you
pray until you feel better/ can continue on. That's what I did, and
every time, I was reminded of my blessings, and felt the inspiration
to do something. True patience is a gift of the spirit, one you have
to work for.

That's pretty much it for this week, the few times I was out of the
house, I almost always saw a miracle, even if it was just my companion
making it back to the apartment. I know that the lords hand is in this
work, and all trial we receive are for a reason. I love and miss you
all!

Love, Sister Makin

The cold strikes, and medicine makes it worse 11/06/2016

Dear family and friends,

I'm totally fine, and by a miracle I don't fully understand I did not
catch the cold, but my companion did, and has been out almost all
week. She hated that, but she needed the rest. The funny thing is even
though we went to a hospital, we aren't fully sure if it was the cold,
or actually the flu. Japanese definition is different.

Monday went shopping, and I got some boots for winter, because not
only is the cold(illness) striking, but the cold of winter is also
finally here. I don't know how Japan does it, but the summers are
deathly hot, and the winters are deathly cold. But I love winter, I
just wish Japan actually got snow down where I am to make it worth it.
Though then again I don't, cause biking in the snow is not fun. Not
too long after pday ended, we had to go home, because my companion was
way sick. Didn't want to admit it, but she could barely stay awake.
Abunai!

Tuesday I would've been inside all day, but another sister in our
apartment was sick as well, so me and saijo Shimai went on an
exchange, and dendoed instead. We met with ryou, and because of the
exchange, saijo Shimai didn't know that ryou wasn't feeling ready to
be baptized, so she kind of tried to push it, but it didn't work,
which I'm glad about. Pushing people to baptism isn't the way. She
still wants to meet, so that is great. We also got to meet with a less
active, Sugita Shimai. She doesn't really believe in the church
anymore, but loves Christ. Hopefully we can just serve her and help
her. Miracle of the night though was visiting mayumi Shimai. We went
to her house, and her mom was there, but she hadn't gotten home from
work yet. We shared a simple message with the mom, who isn't a member,
and then headed on our way. Only to run into mayumi Shimai on the way
back. The road was dark, and I wasn't sure, but I just had to go back
and check, since last time I had thought the same thing, I hadn't been
able to, so I wheeled my bike around, and it was her! She can't call
out, because her voice tends to hurt in the cold, but she was so happy
that I came back. She had also thought that perhaps it was me. She is
seriously the sweetest, love her so much!

Wednesday we went to the hospital, with the nihonjin sisters in our
apartment, I can honestly say it didn't help, though Laswell Shimai
got a ton of medicine. I think they just assumed it was the same as
the other sister, and since it wasn't quite, it didn't end well. We
had a shoukuji with members, and even with her being sick, they wanted
us to come, and even went to fairly extreme lengths to get us there.
Have to say I was grateful, the members are really great, and the food
was so good. Thus I rode in a taxi for the first time. The sister rode
with us so that it wouldn't be dame. After that Laswell Shimai needed
more rest, she was wiped. I went with saijo Shimai, and I taught
eikaiwa. We had the elders teach the kids class, and I taught the
advanced class. Man it was fun, I love eikaiwa, and I was able to get
the students laughing and joking. I came home really happy that night.

Thursday we did not emerge from our apartment. Laswell Shimai took
some of the medicine she was given, and it made her throw up a ton,
and she was in misery. So I just did some things around the apartment,
and watched the movie, the testaments three times. It was mainly just
background noise, but I enjoyed it. I watched it in English, Japanese,
and than German. I understood most of the Japanese, and had to laugh
at the way they translated some of the lines, now that I actually
understand. I also understood a bunch of the German, and was like, oh
yeah, that's what that word is. But now I've forgotten. I do love
German though, so it was actually a fun way to pass the day. Never
thought I would actually enjoy watching a movie three times in a row,
but when you're stuck inside as a missionary, without many choices,
you tend to enjoy weird things.

Friday we had ztm, and it was great. Learned a lot, and had a lot of
fun. I love ztm. The stls came and talked about Christ, and also the
wonderful opportunity that we have to serve missions, and it is so
true. They used a superhero tatoe, and then talked about how Christ is
our superhero, and we are his representatives right now. That was a
lot of fun, and the ZLs taught about the spirit using a music tatoe,
you all know that I understood that one just fine. Love music, tons!
After that we had moms eikaiwa, and then Laswell Shimai ended up
having a much needed talk, which really helped. Followed that up with
SKK to end the night.

Saturday we got to do some service. Tuesday service had been canceled
due to rain, but some of the ward members were cleaning the church,
the outside hedges and what not, and we got to help. It was so much
fun, though at first they tried to give us just Shimai jobs, I wasn't
really having that, and just pitched in and helped any way I could.
Had a mogi lesson with watanabe Shimai after, though instead of a
mogi, we just ended up teaching her a normal lesson. She converted
just over a year ago, and really loves and appreciates the gospel, and
just told us what is so special about it, it was so great to hear her
testimony. Service took longer than we had thought, so we headed home,
had dinner, and then went to sports night. I got to play basketball,
and badminton, and it was just so much fun. The elders told me they
hate playing with people like me, cause I don't make anything at the
beginning, but then all of a sudden I make everything and win the
game. I thought that was funny. At the end we shared a message about
following Christ, and felt the spirit. It was good.

Sunday was rough. Saturday night my companion unloaded some hurt
feelings on me, and I had a hard time accepting them, and... The
struggle was real. Glad to be able to report that things are going
better now, and that we are moving forward, and trying to communicate
once more. I got a priesthood blessing from the elders, which gave me
a lot of peace, and direction to focus on to finish off my mission
really strong. The priesthood is real, and I am so grateful for it. We
also had an earthquake today. We were at the apartment, right before I
was going to break my fast, and then all of a sudden there was a thud,
and then are apartment started shaking. At first I though my companion
had thrown something, but it was an earthquake. Not a huge one, but a
fairly good sized one. Don't think anyone was hurt, and I'm fine. It
actually served to break the ice with me and my companion, so it was
good.

So yep, that was my week. I love Japan, I love being a missionary, and
the gospel is true. I am weak, but with gods help, and with Christ's
help, I am strong. I know that I have grown and changed on my mission,
and I know that is is kamisama to iesusama no okage de. Sorry, but
Japanese is just so much better for that. I know that it Because of
Christ and God that I have been able to change, and I am so grateful
for that.

I love and miss you all!

Love, Sister Makin

The blessing of an extra kokan, and stake conference 10/31/2016

Dear family and friends,

This week has been hard, I feel like the closer I get to the end of my
mission, the harder Satan is working against me. It makes sense, but
it hasn't made it any easier. Thankfully, I have felt a lot of help,
and I know my faith has grown since the beginning of my mission. I
think if I was still back at mtc Makin Shimai, I would collapse under
the experience. But instead, I am trying to grow.

Monday we tried to visit a less active after a normal pday, but she
wasn't her home. Her nonmember mom was though, and gave us some
mikans. She is super nice. After that we tried to visit an
investigator, and in doing so got us in a very bad situation. Didn't
get out as quickly as we should've, didn't want to offend the
investigator. I went home and repented, and rededicate do myself.

Tuesday I was still having a hard time forgiving myself, Satan had hit
me with one of my weaknesses, and so I was the one most affected. Kind
of struggled to communicate with my companion as we were talking about
things, and just had to go pray. Tuesday was basically an emotional
struggle day for me. I had felt peace last night after I repented, but
still was blaming myself. After the emotional struggle, I felt a lot
better. We called some less actives, received lots of kekkos, but also
managed to set up several appointments. Which was awesome.

Wednesday we had a great day. Went finding, and we talked to some
really awesome people. Including a Catholic guy, who promised to come
to church. No results so far, but he actually seemed interested in at
least learning more about the Mormons. That night we had the Halloween
party instead of eikaiwa, and there were about 100 people there. I
would estimate that more that half were kids. But it was a lot of fun.
I dressed up as a fairy this year.

Thursday we visited a less active, who loves to talk. And I loved to
listen. She was such a sweet old grandma. We also visited another
grandma that had met the missionaries before, but didn't really
remember. We had a good talk with her anyways. Thursday we also got a
call from our stls saying that they wanted to do another kokan with
us, we had to do it old fashioned styled, but it was a lot of fun.

Friday we started our kokan after a really great district meeting, I
really learned a lot both from the district meeting, and from the
kokan. I was with Nielsen Shimai in fushimi, and Laswell Shimai was in
our area with luczak Shimai. Nielsen Shimai and I saw some cool
miracles of people being willing to listen, and even got to give a
chirashi to a cop. It was pouring rain, and a lady got in an accident.
We were close by, so ran to help, and stayed with her and tried to
calm her down until the cops came. In explaining who we were, the cops
wanted the church address, so we gave them a chirashi, and as they
wrote down the address, said they could just keep the chirashi. They
did. I really hope they go to church. That would be awesome. They were
so confused as to why a couple of gaijin were helping out though, not
the normal sight for them.

Saturday we went to visit some potential investigators they had made
appointments with, and they didn't show up, but we met a sweet lady
who called us Angels, said she would follow us anywhere, and promised
to go to church the next day with the sisters. She was a sweetheart.
We switched back companions, and Laswell Shimai and I got back to
ibaraki not too long before our appointment with an investigator. We
taught the whole first restoration, and she seemed to understand it
really well. It was a bit barabara, and we struggled to balance, but
it was a good lesson. That was followed immeadiately by choir
practice, and then by stake conference. Luckily I was actually able to
sing the alto part for the song, and it turned out really well. It was
a powerful arrangement, and Welch Shimai couldn't stop talking about
it. Welch Kaicho and Welch Shimai joked that they thought I was going
to play, instead of sing. But, I don't have my clarinet, so that
wouldn't have been possible. Plus, I don't know how good I would be if
I did have a clarinet. About a year and a half with no practice,
doesn't equal being prepared to perform. But it was fun to sing, and
stake conference was just full of the spirit and revelation.

Sunday's stake conference was also absolutely amazing. Learned so
much, and felt the spirit. After that we headed out to visit a less
active, but we were teaching on the way, and ran out of time, so we
had to head back, report lessons, and get that all ready so it could
be sent in to salt lake. One of the other sisters was sick, so they
had us take their iPads to sync for them, so their numbers would be
right as well.

This week was hard, but it was also great. I truly am so grateful for
the opportunity that I have to serve as a missionary, and know that
Satan is just a butt, and he's only a butt, because he wants me to
give up, but that is never happening. In talking with Nielsen Shimai
this week, we talked about why we are still on missions. The words I
spoke just came from my heart, and rang true to me. I'd like to share
them. I am still on a mission, because He has never given up on me. He
has done so much for me, helped me so much. I just couldn't ever give
up on him. I know that our savior does love us, he is there for us,
and he wants to help us. I know as we do our best, and rely on him, he
enables us to do things that we never thought we would be able to do.
I love him so much, and I learn to love him more everyday. He will
never give up on you, so please, please don't ever give up on him. In
the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love and miss you all, hope you have a great week!

Love, Sister Makin

Kibasen, and dendou go

Dear family and friends,

I have had a really fun week. Takatsuki is a great area, and the
members here are super awesome.

Monday we had a stake wide sports activity, everyone gathered together
and competed to get the most points, I didn't really know what was
going on most of the time, and the games i did know, they did with
weird rules, but it was a lot of fun. Didn't leave much time for
normal pday activities, but we somehow managed. They did a kibasen, or
Calvary battle, I'll send a video, cause I can't explain it. I wish I
could've participated, but we will just have to try it once I get
back. It looked like so much fun. That night we visited nakamura San,
an old investigator, and she wants to start meeting again. She used to
have a baptismal date, so hopefully we can rebuild that desire.

Tuesday we went and did our normal weekly service, cleaning up a park
with a bunch of grandmas. They are so cute. Don't seem to have much
interest in the gospel, but they like praying, and prayed with us
before we ate the refreshments after. We then were able to mayumi
Shimai, a less active. Our timing was perfect, she was just coming
back from a job interview, and saw us stopped in front of her house
and came and talked to us. We had never met her before, so we wouldn't
have known otherwise. As we talked she told us she has a desire to
come back. She has some health problems, but hopefully we will be able
to help her, and strengthen her faith as well. We then visited
Yoshimura Shimai, and we found ways that we can serve her and help
her. Yay, more service, I am way excited.

Wednesday we tried to visit more people, but without any success,
though we did bump into these sweet 11 year olds, and they got really
excited about sports night, and eikaiwa, hopefully they come. We
taught kids eikaiwa that night. It was fun, but I prefer normal
eikaiwa. Being around kids that much, and that many, makes it hard to
be obedient. Especially when my companion struggles with that one, and
the moms all don't understand why not. Plus I feel like I am helping
people more in the normal classes, but it is a lot of fun to teach
kids. I am just excited for the day when I can pick up the kid that
wants me to hold them.

Thursday we met with shoko and invited her to take the lessons. She
said yes, with I kind of of course, why haven't you asked before
fuenki. She is also interested in English, so we will be doing the
30/30 program with her. Besides that, we did SKK and got dendoud by a
JW. Always a fun experience, always nice, but always just weird.

Friday we had district meeting, and it was a wonderful district
meeting, I learned a lot from the spirit, but unfortunately had no
chance to take notes. I was translating for the nihonjin, but I think
that honestly helped me learn more. Which was great, I just need to
write it down so I'll remember it, haven't really had a chance yet. We
also taught the moms eikaiwa, which was fun, and then met with Wilma.
Her sister also stopped by, so we got to talk with her as well. We
talked about the plan of salvation, and they had really good, kind of
deep questions. Good thing these lessons are in English. Wilma really
loves the missionaries, and wants to feed us whale, and some
traditional Philippine food, which of course I am excited for. That
night we found a new investigator, momoka. I am really excited to
start meeting with her. She is coming to eikaiwa, and also gave us her
number, so it's pretty certain we'll be able to meet again.

Saturday we had dendo go. If you haven't heard of the new game Pokemon
go, it is taking over the world, at least in Japan, so they modeled
their dendo activity theme around it to connect with the youth. It was
so much fun, and we saw so many miracles. Missionaries from 5 zones
came to ibaraki, split with members that came from 6 stakes (I later
found out), and went out and dendod. So many book of Mormons were
given out, and numbers were exchanged, and it was just a great day. Me
and my companions kept choosing places where no one was, but there was
always one person willing to listen, and it always felt like a miracle
to me. Not tons of lessons, 5 in two hours, but really good quality
ones. That night we met with yoshino chan, and she also agreed to
officially start taking the lessons, though she is in the middle of
exams, but hopefully it works out.

Sunday we had church at 9! It was so hisashiburi, haven't had that in
a long time. I actually really enjoyed it. We still had lots of
meetings, and DCS was after church instead of before, but it was good.
I got to practice with the choir for stake conference in a couple of
weeks. The members in Takatsuki were so happy I could help with that.
I'm singing alto, but last night I kept singing the tenor. Though I
would start in soprano cause the conductor kept on messing me up. The
tenors were really strong, so it was easy to follow them. There was a
Bednar choro devotional being broadcast from Tokyo that night, but
found out last minute that we had to have an investigator with us to
go, which was way sad. All of the missionaries in ibaraki and
Takatsuki were struggling with it, but we got out and went to dendo.
Basically biked around for a couple hours, but I know I feel better
for having been obedient, than I would've if I had just decided to go
to the devotional anyways.

I know obedience does bring blessings, even if we don't see them at
first, and I know that the lord is guiding his work. We just have to
get our wills out of the way, and follow his will. I truly love being
a missionary, and working with the wonderful members here in Japan. I
love you all and miss you! I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love, Sister Makin

Gypsy missionary, and general conference, and the jouzu jiko

Dear family and friends,

Often when you aren't in an area for more than a transfer, they say
you gypsied, at least among missionaries. Lately I have been changing
areas really fast money way different from the beginning of my
mission.

Monday one of our potential investigators wanted to take pictures of
omisaki Shimai, for his studio, project, something. Actually turned
out he wanted pictures of both of us, so I got to be in a photo shoot.
Ya, that was awkward. I don't have any of the pictures, yet. He might
be getting a cd to me, we will see. That night we went with the Koyama
to have ramen. It was so good. We got fortune telling ramen, and I was
given excellent luck, and my companion got one that meant marriage.
She wasn't happy, felt awkward about it, cause a server writes it
himself.

Tuesday we met with Aiko chan, a member debating whether she wants to
go on a mission or not, she is super cute! Plus she is coming to Utah
for her sisters wedding not too long after I return, we planned to
meet up sometime while she is there. That night we had eikaiwa, and I
taught the kids class. It was a lot of fun. Played hokey pokey and
head shoulders knees and toes. It was a lot of fun. After eikaiwa, I
got the transfer call, and learned I was headed to Takatsuki. At first
I hoped I was to be companions with workman Shimai again, but alas,
she departed. But I'm with Laswell Shimai, and she is a good
missionary as well.

Wednesday we met Yanai satako chan, who is from my first area,
Kurashiki! Megumi' skittle sister. She is currently less active, but
hopefully the missionaries will be able to help her. We also taught
kyono San, and even though her husband is way hantai, she is
progressing. But she can't tell her husband, and so that's a bit of a
problem. We haven't been able to help her get the courage to tell him,
but hopefully she will, and things will work out. I then worked on
packing and such, and then that night we met our dendoshunnin, and
shared a message with him. Omisaki Shimai thought we were both out, so
she wanted to make sure she could tell him some important things about
some people.

Thursday was transfers I traveled to meet my companion, couldn't find
her, we were both lost, but eventually we found eachother, and once
the other sister arrived, we headed back to our area. That day we
taught Wilma, a wonderful lady from the phillipines who wants to be
baptized, but her family has said no. But she opened up to us, and has
a lot of questions, she is way sweet. We also worked on SKK.

Friday we taught a moms eikaiwa, and a new mom was there. The new mom
and her friend that brought her showed a lot of interest besides the
kids being everywhere, and we were able to connect with them, which
was awesome. We also met shoko, and ended up talking with her about
temples, she thought it was awesome. She is super sweet, and I think
interested.

Saturday we did service at a hospital changing the bed sheets with
some of our members, and then we watched general conference. It ended
up taking most of our day, because the hospital isn't close, but it
was so much fun! I love general conference. The messages are always
what I need, and I have noticed that different people take different
things out of them, according to our needs. We had dinner with yoshino
chan. She is a little shy, but started opening up to us. We taught her
about general conference and prophets. It was a very natural meeting.

Sunday we had more general conference, and it was great. We also had
some meetings with our dendoshunnin, and he is a way cool guy. Really
nice, loves missionaries, and has a Mohawk. That night as we were
biking to visit amano San, a nice traffic guider told me to be
careful. He was telling everyone, in saying thank you, and telling him
he was a hard worker, I ran into a metal pole in the middle of the
sidewalk. I have gotten better at crashing at least. I launched off my
bike,and hit mainly my helmet, and thus my face, but no big injuries.
Just a couple scratches on my nose and legs. The traffic guide felt
bad, I assured him I was fine, and we finished the night at a slower
pace. I had a headache, but was actually really fine. We visited
amano, and she was really sweet. We got to help her with her shop.

Transfers have helped so much. It is definitely a fresh start, and I'm
excited to work hard in Takatsuki. I love you all, and hope you had a
great week. I especially love elder yamashitas talk from conference,
though I have to admit it was a little weird to hear him speak in
English. His English is way good too! Love and miss you all!

Love, Sister Makin

Shock of my life, members have friends

Dear family and friends,

Not really a shocker, of course members have friends, it was just cool
how many were introduced to us in a variety of ways this week. First
off, thank you to those who sent letters of encouragement and love,
they really helped. I truly am lucky to have such an awesome family,
and great friends.

Monday we did splits with the stls so my companion and one of them
could rest, and I went and had a little fun with Zhou Shimai. We went
shopping, which isn't my favorite activity, but it was alright. That
night we went and helped yuri Shimai pack. She is currently less
active, and we just recently got ahold of her, right before she moved
to Nagoya.

Tuesday we went and visited satomi Shimai in the hospital. She had her
baby, and named him Aki. It was cool to see she was doing alright, but
I just wanted to hold him. Wasn't too much point visiting when you
can't hold the baby was  thought. One of our investigators, kana San
came with us though, and her and satomi Shimai have become good
friends, so that was awesome to see. That night we had kids randomly
show up at eikaiwa with their mom. And so I ended up trying to teach
the beginner class and a kids class at the same time, while the sekime
elders taught the advanced class, with most of my students, cause it
was seriously so impossible. But it was fun. We also taught nagaoka
San, and he has realized he has to be willing to keep all the
commandments before her receives baptism, so he's willing to wait.
Wants to finish off his supply of coffee before he tries.

Wednesday I was sick. I had a really bad sore throat, and a head ache.
I think I just caught a bit of omisaki shimais cold, but with the
relationship stress, it just knocked me out a bit. I'm feeling better
today though.

Thursday I wasn't feeling good still, and before omisaki Shimai
arranged splits with some members before I could tell her I felt ok
enough to dendo. So I went with mitani Shimai and learned about some
less actives as I rested again, and she went with Juliette Shimai and
me akatsuka shimais friend Rosalin, who is now our investigator. I
also got to visit Nishikawa Shimai, a member from shimogamo, because
she was in a hospital in Hirakata. She actually lives in Hirakata
area, but because of all the hills to the church, she goes to church
in shimogamo. That is how close the two are.

Friday we had an awesome ztm, and I seriously learned so much from it.
Welch Kaicho has given us all a goal, and I felt the spirit confirm to
me that is a goal straight from God. The goal is to see a baptism
before the end of the year. For each missionary to see a baptism. I
feel if I get myself out of the way, and change and follow the lords
will, I will be able to see the accomplishment of this goal. The
spirit was just really strong as they told of this goal. That night we
visited emi Shimai, and she wants to take the missionary lessons to
help her remember. She has been less active for ten years, and just
started coming back after she moved to Hirakata. She is awesome.

Saturday we got to see the women's session of general conference, and
it was amazing. I loved uchtdorfs talk, and also Jean b. Binghams
talk, I will bring the light of the gospel into my home. It truly was
a great conference, and I can hardly wait for next weekend when I get
to see the rest of conference. That night a member had us over for
dinner, and invited her friend, and her friend seems to really have
interest! She lives in Higashi Osaka area, but has only met with us,
hopefully she will really want to learn, and we can refer her to the
sisters there.

Sunday koike Shimai brought a friend to church. No Christian
background, and didn't speak Japanese, so I translated everyone's
testimonies as best as I could, but I also explained a lot of what the
people were talking about. She had seen a Mormon documentary before,
so she knew of some things. She also gave me her phone number, and
said she would like to come again, and so I am excited to see where
that goes. Her name is Fatou. We also met a less active young women
that day, who hadn't been to church since basically her baptism. We
were knocking on her house as she was coming home. That night, koike
Shimai had us over for dinner, and we were able to share a message
with her nonmember husband, he is really nice, and you can tell how
much he loves his family. His English is also really good, and so I
spoke mainly in English. I felt bad for omisaki Shimai, but koike
Shimai is still ganbaroing with Japanese, and so I put the members and
hopefully soon investigator first. She seemed ok with it.

Well that's basically my week. Hirakata has a lot of dendo Fire, and
so many people introduce their friends to the missionaries. There are
so many potential and former investigators that were referrals, sad
that they aren't investigating, but awesome to see the members desire
and action to share the gospel. Love you all! Hope you have another
great week!

Love, Sister Makin