Halloween in Japan

So many people came to our Halloween Party. One of the church member advertised our party on a famous newspaper in this area. That is why we could introduce our church and missionaries' work to many people. Sisters got three investigators in this party. Elders could invite their friends who accept their messages to this party. I made a script of the play and made a plan for this party, but thanks to missionaries, it was beyond my imagination. We could unite to make the party a powerful mission tool. I was amazed at their power.

 

 

The Best Laid Plans of Sister Johnson and Sister Kempner often go Ary‏

We plan very well as missionaries, but those plans never quite work out. We are constantly lost. It is impossible to navigate the Japanese streets! But I have faith one day our cluelessness will lead us to someone who needs the gospel.

I went on splits this week with the STL`s which was awesome I learned a ton!

On tuesday we went to visit the members in our ward who live in a different city and ended up being put in real Japanese kimonos for far too long. But, it was awesome! Pictures to follow.

Then we had Stake Conference in Sapporo which is about 3 hours away by bus. It was really cool to see so many members there.

Our ward is having a Halloween Party and it is Harry Potter themed. I am far to pleased with this idea! So for a District Activity yesterday we made wands. It was the best! Our Ward Mission Leader is also making us do a play and lets just say I still can@t speak Japanese and I will never win an oscar.

The work here is slow, but we have several progressing investigators so that it great! We have been studying hope lately and I am really hopeful things will progress here in Japan.

I hope you all have a great Week!

 

Kimonos

 



Kimonos

Wands

We are so Japanese

 


The Real Thing

Our cute stls. Doesnt the japanese one look like penelope from wreck it ralph?

I love my district!

 

Bean Shower

What a week!

Let me get that sad news out of the way. We have an investigator with a baptisimal date, but she is having health issues and said she can`t come to church or meet with us for a while. I think she is scared and using that to delay her baptism. But we are going to get her baptized!

On a good note we found this cute little mom with adorable kids! WE WANT A FAMILY TO TEACH SO BADLY! So hopefully good things happen there. I think our other investigator is going to start reading the BOM finally! I am so excited for her!

Ok so let me just break this week down by day:

Monday- We went to a members house and did this towel exercise thing. It was hilarious! And so bizarre actually. But then we ate some good food so no compaints here.

Tuesday- It rained like crazy! We got lost (we usually do) and showed up to our appointment soaking wet. But we taught a cool lesson about the Plan of Salvation so wahoo!

Wednesday- Once again we got lost. So we housed forever. Then decided we needed to recollect our thoughts so what did we do, we ate! We went to this way good Himalayan Curry place. Oh man, food is far too good here.

Thursday- We went with an investigator and her friend to get Okonomiyaki, which is like this fried cabbage cake with a bunch of goodies in it. WE ATE SO MUCH! I don`t know why people have the misconception that the Japanese don`t eat very much because they do! This little Japanese woman was packing it away! I was just trying not to throw up!

Friday- We headed to Kushiro for Zone Training Meeting. Sometimes the huge Somoan Elder in your district does the splits on the train. Like, what?

Saturday- We had Zone Training Meeting. I had to lead the Missionary Purpose In Japanese, and totally messed up. Oh well! At the end every gave me and the two new missionaries a Bean SHower. They littleraly showered us with little gifts. It was awesome! Also it was our dear President`s Birthday. So we showered him with gifts. Sister Johnson and I made him a pretty sweet tie!

Sunday- I had to pray in Sacrament. It was short. Then we ended the week by playing barbies in a members Gankon with her daughter for far too long!

Sorry, this email is long, but this week was fun! It is starting to get cold here... Not looking forward to a Hokkaido winter! The work is hard and slow, but We just keeping pushing on. Heavenly Father knows there is work to be done here, so I need to have faith and trust Him!

I hope you all have a great week.

OH! We saw the ocean on our train ride to Kushiro! It was the best!

Apparently this is the second longest bench in the world. Yes, I did sit on it.

 

 

Delicious curry.

The little Japanese women who packed away the Okonomiyaki!

Beautiful Hokkaido

More beautiful Hokkaido

The OCEAN!

Our Handy Work

Our Bean Shower

 

Pics from the week of 10-13 to 10-19

Delicious food

P-day Bbq

Training in Kushiro on Friday

I guess the beans have the headphones on:)

Add caption

Goodies from their "Bean shower"

Keep Pedaling On

So, I have made it to week two! This week was much better than last week! I have discovered several issues though. Riding a bike in a skirt is a challenge. You can do basically two hairstyles when you have to wear a helmet all day(one of these does not include a bun unfortunatley). And I still don`t enjoy tomatoes. However, when someones gives you them form your garden and tells you to eat them you do.

So Conference was awesome! We got to watch it in English because our ward is awesome and set up a little room for us. They also made us sandwiches yesterday for lunch which was so nice! But anyway, some pretty amazing things were said in conference! I can`t wait to read it again!

We had an awesome lesson (as far as I could understand) with a lady who has a baptism date. You could really feel the Spirit and feel her testimony as well. Her date is the 9th of Novemeber and I really hope it happens! We mostly teach and visit a lot of old people. I don`t know where all the youth are in Obihiro. Maybe they have some secret club where they hang out underground all day, because I can`t find any of them!

Also apparently there is a typhoon hitting Japan. Mostly is has just been super windy for us. But sometimes it takes us twice as long to get to our appointments because you are pedalling in the wind and litterally get blown over and your helmet flies of your head. Good times in Obihiro.

The work is slow in Japan, but at least it is here. I love the gospel and I know it is true so I will keep pedaling on! I love you all and hope you have a great week!

Kempner Shimai



Um....Octopus

Some lady's garden
(really, that was her caption)

Misty Mornings

Obihiro

Most of my pictures are of food this week.

 

Conference Sunday

This morning, when I was climbing the stairs in a hurry, looking down, to attend our mission coordination meeting, I was surprised to hear Sisters say with a big voice "Good Morning" and to find them sitting on the 2nd floor.

They are watching general conference in English in another room. Elders Nielsen and Elder Fa'alufua is watching in Japanese because their investigators came to church. Sister Shibata made sandwiches for them.

Typhoon Vong Fong

Hi, moms and dads of missionaries. another typhoon sprung forth. This typhoon is so strong. According to news' caster on TV, I heard a crew on a space station said, "I have never seen such a big typhoon," It is expected to go through Japan main island and southern parts of Hokkaido. Obihiro will be under clout of this typhoon on Tuesday. But when the typhoon hits Obihiro, missionaries have to be in their apartment. So you don't need to worry about missionaries. They are safe.

Obihiro Japan

Some beautiful scenery pictures sent to us from a famous photographer who lives in Obihiro.

 

Just two American Girls living in a Japanese World

Well, here I am. In Japan. Holy Cow. It was quite the adventure to get here actually. We
almost missed our plane to Tokyo because we are novice travelers... Then my new district
almost missed our bus to our area. And I almost got ran over today. Missions are fun!

Anyway, this email will be short because I don`t have a ton of time! My trainer is Sister
Johnson. She is from Spanish Fork and super cute! We are essential the same human being
she is just much nicer than I am! Like way nicer... Anyway this is here first time being a senior
companion and trainer. She tells me she is sorry she is my trainer, but she is amazing! Her
Japanese is beautiful and she is an awesome missionary!

Sometimes we actually have no idea what is going on and she says we are just two American
girls living in a japanese world. Then I laugh and proceed to sing Journey.

Ok, so I am in a little city called Obihiro. It isn`t your average Japanese city. Actually accept for
the food and the people I dont really feel like I am in Japan. It isn:t at all what I expected but it
is good! Mostly this week has been a blur. I follow Sister Johnson around like a lost puppy,
because at this point in time that is what I am. I have no clue what people are saying to me
or what to say to them. I did bear my testimony in sacrament though! Usually that would
terrify me, but everything is so strange and new here that I just take everything as it comes
and learn to shrug my shoudlers. The work's hard here and we are the only sisters in our area
and have a ton to juggle, but apparently we are supposed to be here. I`m trying to be 

positive! I know I am here for a reason and I am sure I will find it!

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

PS Sorry if this makes no sense I think I am half asleep.




 We are cute

 



Ramen is gooooood!

 




 

Obihiro reminds me of the Hunger Games... Not sure why



I believe this is her district she came over with.

and this is her new district

 

Obihiro Japan

Today before our mission coordination meeting, I met sister Kempner for the first time. She had a big smile, she introduced herself in Japanese. She has been in Japan for five days. She can introduce herself in Japanese. Amazing!! Sister Kempner's mom and dad, I will upload a lot of pictures while she is serving in Obihiro. Look forward to seeing them. She is fine. her companion is awesome! Sister Johnson is so kind. Don't worry about her.