Monday we went to fushimi, another area in the Kyoto zone, and
practiced fan dancing... For the Christmas conference, it was pretty
hilarious. I will send the videos next week, since they are on my
actual camera, and I forgot to bring that to the church this week.
Tuesday we had three planned lessons, the first with some jehovahs
witnesses... Yep, I am actually teaching some now, and they are trying
to convert us over, not working, and they are nice, but I honestly
don't think they will be investigators for much longer, because they
are missionaries to. I don't really understand why missionaries try to
teach other missionaries, but they do, and I just don't see it
working, but anyway, so that was entertaining. We then met with a less
active, and that was more of a shopping trip, because Oswald Shimai
had set it up, and hadn't fully understood, but we were still able to
help her, so it was all good. And then we taught one of our
investigators. Her name is Rie, and she is sweet, but very old, very
lonely, and loves to talk. She is apparently really famous, but
doesn't like going outside anymore, because she has ptsd, sad, but she
really loves praying, so we may be able to help her.
Wednesday we had Christmas taikai, which was so much fun. I sang and
played angels we have heard on high and away in a manger arranged
together, which turned out pretty well, and also did some fan dancing
as before mentioned... We had tacos! And they were so good, the welchs
went all out for us missioanries, literally making a miracle happen,
of delicious food. By the way, a can of retried beans in Japan, close
about five dollars, though it is probably bigger than the ones you
buy, mom, that is still super expensive.
Thrursday we went 'window shopping' which was actually just finding in
a place with a bunch of stores, similar to a mall, which was lots of
fun. We were with the elders, and that was actually pretty effective.
But all we did Thursday was eat, because besides the window shopping,
we met with a potential investigator, and we had just eaten, but we
ate again, ah well the life of a missionary. We also played some ping
pong, which was lots of fun!
Friday was Christmas! And Oswald Shimai called her family today, and
we also had district meeting, which was lots of fun, but also kind of
weird. We had lunch at a Thai place... It was good, but I expected
better from the way Oswald Shimai raved about it, but it was food, and
that's all that matters. We also went up to a touristy place, and did
some Christmas finding there with the elders and a member, it was a
lot of fun, but a very long bike ride out there.
Saturday I got to call you guys! I loved getting to hear from you
guys, and it was such a blessing that we had FaceTime and were able to
make it work! As we were trying to get it set up, I was getting no
information, really, and I just wanted to talk to you... My companion
suggested I email, because in her opinion it was fun, but I didn't
agree. I decided to say a prayer, and just ask Heavenly Father to help
with the technical problems so that it would work out. When I
finished, my companion was about to email you with my email herself,
but I said no. I put my foot down, put my trust in the lord, and knew
that he would make everything work out. Emailing really is only for
pdays for a reason. It would be so nice to email you guys all the
time, but then I would be distracted, and if I can rationalize it
once, then it becomes easier to do it again, so I refused to do it.
Yes skype didn't really work all that well, but I was still able to
see your faces, and talk to you, and it really did all work out. I
knew that if I did my part, and was patient, he would provide a way,
and he did. I'm grateful that I didn't give into the temptation to
bend the rules like that, and chose to be exactly obedient. To be
fair, my companion said that my district leader, and zone leader (they
are one and the same right now), would have approved it, but it just
didn't feel right, even though he probably would have if i had asked.
How grateful I am that I got to see you and joke with you, and just
feel your love. I Love you guys so much, and I loved your jokes. I
especially loved Dennis's comment about my bike accident, and
Japan'knees' I repeated it to my companion later, and it took her a
while, and some charades, but she got it, and thought it was funny
too.
Sunday we had a baptism! The elders investigator got baptized, and
that was so cool! We last minute sang abide with me, tis eventide as a
musical number, and I played the piano... Actually turned out pretty
well. We also went and visited a huge member family, which was lots of
fun, and I had to do the 'new missionary ritual' aka sing a hymn by
myself, I chose the lord is my light, and my voice decided to
cooperate, so it actually turned out really well. Getting to the house
was a struggle though, it is literally uphill all the way, and up a
fairly steep hill, so that was definitely lots of fun, but hard as
well.... I started out cold, but by the time I got up there I was so
hot!
So all in all I had an amazing week, and I my testimony of how
important obedience is was reconfirmed, how grateful I am for my
savior, and for all that he does and did for you and for me. He lives,
and he loves! How grateful I am for the opportunity I have to be out
here, and serving him! I love you all and miss you as well! Happy new
year!
Love, Sister Makin
No comments:
Post a Comment