Konbanwa mina san!!! goodevening everyone!!!
Goodness gracious this was a long week! full of so many ups and downs! But i guess thats a mission for ya! just getting the whole experience! and loving it!!!!!
Tuesday we had the privilege of having Elder Whiting of the quoroum of the seventy come tour our mission. We meet him at the chiba church for a conference! I got to go back to my first area!!!!! sooooooooo happy! i was like a little kid on christmas! getting to see my old area, my old home, and my past ward members! They remembered me!!! thank goodness! each sister gave me huge hugs!! It was just like coming home!!
The conference was amazing! We got to go up and shake he and his wifes hands. I hugged sister Whiting and we chatted for a little bit about chiba. She served her mission in the same tokyo mission and chiba was her first area as well! We were both so happy sharing quick little memories with each other! So cute! Elder Whiting served in chiba as well! They both claimed that they didnt know each other on their missions... sure... hahah! Elder Whiting started it off with a question and answer session. Only two questions got asked within the two hour block! hahahah! But he was incredible! The main focus of the conference was on power. What i really got out of the conference was that as missionaries we are given the authority to preach this message of the restored gospel. However, we need power to accompany that authority. We need to gain that power. And we do that through the atonement of Christ. As a missionary i dont have have any super big sins or anything but the atonement allows me to do the things that i cant do on my own. And honestly that seems like about everything hahah! The atonement gives me the power to do anything! We recieve such strength from our savior Jesus Christ if he let him in. I truly do need Him every hour!
Wednesday I went on exchanges with the sister training leader, Sister Hunsaker. She is an awesome missionary! She was in the portugese area for 5 transfers and her japanese is still 10 times better than mine! We talked to so many amazing people! So many great conversations with people! Its hard to see the changes in your self sometimes. I feel like i should be so much better than i am almost constantly. But i realize that i am the happiest when i am out talking to anyone! Whenever i feel tired i know that i just need to get talking to more people and i get the biggest energy boost! I love it! I love people! and boy do i love these japanese people! That night we went to dinner with two eikaiwa students. We went to some japanesey place and got okonomiyaki (pancakeish stuff with veggies and meat) its wayyyyy good! but the good didnt last... then they ordered scallops... what the??? i didnt know those were even edible! hahaha! not a fan.. but they werent terrible. The worst was when they ordered gyoza. pot stickers! ahhhhhh! been there done that and didnt want to go back! hahaha! ate one and said i was done! it was way fun though!
Thursday we had a lesson with the most prepared person ive ever met!!!! Makoto is the most amazingest woman in the world! She lived in new york for 11 years and speaks way good english. While in ny she was diagnosed with cancer. She said every day she didnt know if she would live. She was there for 9/11. That really changed her perspective. She said all those people had no idea that they were going to die. So she decided to change her life around. She gave up some things that werent good for her and decided to look for God. She started doing yogo and found peace, light, and happiness through it. She believes and loves God with all her heart! so refreshing!!! she had such a light about her! the people who believe in God always do! they know who they are and it gives such a sense of worth! We talked about how we were called to be missionaries and she had the chills. literally! The same thing happened as we explained the jospeh smith vision. She had the chills. She had the spirit. We explained that feeling as Gods love for her. We read moroni 10:3-5 with her and she looked up and says "i will!!!" she was so ready and so excited to read the book of mormon and ask her heavenly father is this message is true! wow!!!! we were blown away! we also committed her to baptism and she said yes!!!! i wanted to cry with joy! so proud of her and her faith in God!! the only thing... she doesnt live in our area. so we will be referring her to other sisters in the next area over. Bummer. But still so happy to have been able to help this sweet woman come to the knowledge of the true restored gospel of christ!! i am so excited for her and all the blessings that she will attain!! what a miracle!!!
Later that night, we met with another investigator Atsuko! She invited us to her home to play with her kids! she has two little girls who speak way perfect english!! i adore them!!! cutest little things! Atsuko is mainly helping us with our japanese. She helps us translate things so we talked about family together. She was very happy to help us and wants to meet every week! we gave her homework hahaha! we told her to read a conference talk on families! she read it the very next day and wants more! so excited to see where this goes!!!
Friday is where it started going down hill. My companion and I are doing great! Sister Kelley is my bestest friend! However its been a little rough for the other sisters that live with us. They dont get along. After a few hours of sister drama, i left the apartment with one of the other sisters to meet one of our investigators Anu. She is my indian friend! Its going really slow with her but i just adore her! and she loves us!! as we were leaving she says to me "please visit me more. You are my friend and i love you" ahhhhhh melted my heart! she has very strong different religious beliefs but we both just love each other! I plan to be her best friend and just love her forever!
Saturday it wasnt any better with the other two sisters. The four of us sat down and talked it out for over an hour. One of these poor sisters is struggling because of family back at home. If i didnt know that my family loved me there is no way i could be out here. She is so strong but going through such big trials. Its heart breaking but i have so much respect for this sister! Really i felt like heavenly father is opening my heart every second! i love so many people and just want to make their pains go away! I can feel the saviors love working through me. i hope to be able to emulate his love!
Despite the ups and downs i am so happy! I love my companion and i love this area! we have such great investigators/best friends! There is no greater way to feel joy than to serve! I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve these people! i love this church and the beautiful unique message that is offers to all!
i love you all! take care!!!!
sister christensen
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