Last Monday in Sakai we had District P-Day to.... (drum roll) COSTCO! We were so excited! Yes, its' the same big Costco with most of the same stuff. Honestly, the samples might've been the best part :)
Such a fun district, good transfer!
Tuesday- got the call that Salisbury Shimai was leaving Sakai too, so we needed to prep for new sisters. Tuesday we had lunch with a member and her mom, very nice! We went out to dinner with an investigator that we seriously hadnt seen the whole transfer. She and her 4-yr old son went with us just to a local chain place. Salisbury Shimai talked with the investigator more since she knew her better, and I had fun with the 4-yr old. We played cars on the table- turns out cars are just a universal thing, doesnt matter if your American or Japanese if you're a little boy! Lesson- she has a lot of commandment concerns, but had read part of the BOM. Really good Spirit-led lesson. Told her not to worry about all the commandments right now (that was her main reason before for not meeting). Asked her to simply read the book. She agreed, and sadly still has those concerns and isn't going to meet for a while. We love her and are sure missionaries will find and talk to her again later and she'll be ready. Doesn't mean it's not hard to watch them walk away.
Sometime Tues/Wed I also got sick- just the regular cold. Survivable.
Wednesday we went to Mikunigaoka to say goodbye to Edison and Aiko Chan- maybe my favorite members in Sakai! Since they both love taking pictures, we had about a billion...but it was fun! They are both in high school- so kind and SO STRONG! Love them.
Also Wednesday night was Eikaiwa and said goodbye to Miki Chan, our investigator. She started crying as we were saying goodbyes - we had a lot of fun and good lessons this transfer, but honestly to that point I didn't know how much it meant to her. Wow.
Thursday- transfer day. Salisbury Shimai woke up pretty sick (we think it was bad food) and really couldn't move, also it was her birthday! Sad. So transfers were changed a little. New system with everyone on their own was interesting...a few lost people, then we changed the schedule around a little and eventually by the afternoon, we had our new comps, the new Sakai sisters found each other and Chapman Shimai and I got to leave for Kawachinagano! HILLS. 6ish months in Japan and this is my first area with hills...ganbate. So far so good! Our apartment is HUGE! And it already had tons of food, so we were pretty happy!
So now in Kawachinagano- hills and rain! Riding a mama-chati (big heavy, bike like all the grandmas have here) since mine still isn't put together- when we transfer we take it apart, box it and send to the new area. Mama-chati's are heavy and not very fun on hills, but hey the seat's comfy and I'm sure I'm getting stronger with all the uphill riding/walking, so can't really complain! There have been so many people to stop and talk to, it's been lots of fun! We rode out to a new investigator who actually turned out to be a former Eikaiwa student with no interest in gospel, but a very nice grandma who was happy to talk. So much rain! Sadly I didn't have my full kappa (suitcases hadn't arrived yet) so I was drenched and we went back to change and my suitcases came! Little miracle.
Saturday taught a less-active at the church- she seems pretty ready to come back. We talked about prayer and faith and read Enos together. She asked so many questions and was really thinking- it's so nice to teach/talk with people who have that level of interest.
Saturday evening there was a RS party and we got to meet all the sisters! They have so much dendo fire- especially right now in helping LA's by visiting together, etc. They already had lots of plans to put on our schedule, that was nice!
Sunday was combined 5th Sunday and we talked about the Area Plan (Asia North). There was a big video presentation and handouts and it's very organized and the main purpose/theme is feeling more of the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was really motivating! Plus in meeting they reviewed Stake Conference which was really heavily about dendo- working together as members and missionaries. Lots of people are stepping up to the challenges- reading PMG everyday, share what you learn with missionaries, pray for the work at 6 everyday. It's exciting to be here as a part of God hastening the work.
Being an STL- so far pretty much the same except we have 2 phones and more calls at night. Kind of nice that Sakai zone doesn't have many Shimai right now (6 total) so we get to know them really well. Plus MLC in Kobe on Tuesday.
It's so nice to start a new transfer because it really feels like starting fresh with new ideas, energy, etc. That's one of the beautiful parts about the gospel- we believe in fresh starts! Repentance, baptism, taking the Sacrament, forgiveness- its a lot about starting over clean and that's a really good feeling. I have so much hope and that comes from faith (Ether 12:4, favorite!)
Sorry it's a big jumble of thoughts, but I love you all so much, and I love being a missionary because I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and I get to testify of them.
Love,
Wagstaff 姉妹
Elder Choi set the goal at 1 baptism a week, current average here is .7 per missionary per year, I think? Needless to say, really trying to develop the faith because I find myself thinking I'm not in Brazil/America/Philippines so it won't happen, but I technically know I shouldn't think that way. In that way though, companions really are a support, because Chapman Shimai has more of that faith to baptize.
Also this was from Edison- he made one for missionaries who
transferred out of Sakai. Amazing recent convert!
transferred out of Sakai. Amazing recent convert!
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