メリークリスマス！Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 26, 2019

こんにちは！メリークリスマス！

As you may have noticed, today is not a normal pday. Our pday this week was moved to Thursday, the 26th so we could focus on 伝道 (dendou= missionary work) on the days leading up to Christmas. It will also be different next week because of お正月, as the Japanese take New Year's very seriously. Way more than Christmas. But you'll hear more about that next week.

Spiritual Stuff:

See pictures below for a copy of the Living Christ!  

On Halloween at a big conference, our mission president announced that our mission had set a goal to bring 226 people to church on December 22nd. We were then told that Tokyo Zone had set a goal of 70 people, which meant our allotment came to 10 people. From that moment on, we worked like crazy telling people about the special Christmas program and inviting them to come and see. When it came time, though, a lot of people who had said they would come ended up just not showing up. As an area, Urayasu had 6 people at church on Sunday the 22nd, which is still good, but not meeting out goal. Then we found out that our zone had only gotten 48 people to church, though one area had not yet sent in stats. Again, way good, but not meeting our goal. That night before going to bed we turned on our wifi one last time, and saw the message in the Tokyo South Mission group chat. As a mission, we had brought 226 people to church. Such a crazy high, random number, and we reached exactly that. We're all insanely happy and excited, and also more confident, both in ourselves as missionaries and in President Esplin as our leader. We love what we do and we love the inspired guidance President Esplin gives us to focus on certain aspects of the work! 

 

Daily Life/Fun Stories:

This past week and a half was crazy! I think the many pictures probably explain it, but here's the main events! (also I ran out of time, oops) 

-made a candy cane taller than me

-had fun walking around in public with said candy cane and talking to lots of people very curious about it

-Christmas conference(s) on (Monday and) Tuesday! 

I played the clarinet in a quartet, so we attended the morning session of the monday conference (and accidentally stayed for lunch) and then stayed the full day on Tuesday when it was actually our turn. Included activities were musical numbers, 12 days of Christmas in Tokyo South Mission, white elephant gift exchange, and a nativity movie. Lots of delicious food, and I got to see literally everybody in the mission because I went to both conferences. And because of the way it worked out, both Ikeda and Olson姉妹 came on Tuesday and it was a mini reunion of MTC companion's. Also there were 3 zones at that conference and it was a lot of people... 

-Caroling in Shinjuku, Tokyo on Christmas Eve with Tokyo Zone! 

This was a special event and so much fun! I'm discovering I actually like the city, which I never thought I'd say, but I loved visiting Shibuya and Shinjuku briefly on Christmas Eve! 

-the 9 year old girl we taught was baptized on Christmas morning, 7:30am!

-that 9 year old girl's 26 year old sister invited us over to Christmas lunch at her house (yes she has her own, even though her parents own 2 separate, crazy houses across from each other). So delicious and fun, and there are a bunch of pictures below! 

-ate chicken and cake on Christmas, a Japanese tradition

-dressed up in Santa costumes for our English class and Christmas party

-realized that we have more food than we known what to do with. Most of it being granola and chocolate. Our teeth are going to hurt...  

 

New Foods:

-strawberry mochi

-spicy chicken sandwich, 日本 McDonald's style

-creme brulee

-butter chicken curry

-garlic cheese naan

-doria

-some sort of really fancy cream puff

About the Pictures:

• Love this document! 
• A normal day biking around Urayasu
• Christmas Eve McDonald's in Shinjuku! 
• We love these puppies
• Also love their cats (here's one) 
• Sunsets are still pretty here
• Our Christmas packages and the (wrapped) presents from members under our desk Christmas tree
• Herbal tea made from lemon grass picked by the Grandmas at our weekly weeding service, which they gave to us
• A member gave us heated eye masks (my eyes started sweating) 

• We found the baptismal font set up so this happened
• MTC companion reunion at the Christmas conference!! 
• Blowtorching our own creme brulee
• Christmas Eve in Shibuya
• Zone caroling on Christmas Eve in Shinjuku
• We had way too much fun with this photo shoot 
• Weekly planning in a mall with our candy cane
• Another view! 

愛しています!

-スナ一姉妹

More Pics!

Monday, December 2, 2019

• The fall colors were so pretty!

• Do you see how expensive this is? In dollars it's $28,211.90... We were nervous to keep going up as the items got more and more expensive... (but the picture didn't attach right so ... it's in the next email/post ...)
• Actually took this picture and then didn't notice the Santa until later...

• The hand-sized versions of this in the gift shop were $40, $50... I don't want to know how much this one would cost.

• Duck soba!
• Takatori姉妹 likes to take pictures of me without me noticing lol

Urayasu!

Monday, December 9, 2019

こんにちは!

This past week has been crazy, but so much fun! I moved to Urayasu, home to Tokyo Disneyland.

Spiritual Stuff:

We have several people we're teaching, and quite a few of them have very strong faith. They're only held back by a few things that we're praying work themselves out. One of the things we are doing with one of them, Keiko, is texting each other at the end of the day and telling one way we saw/felt God's love. It's helped her to feel it more and it also helped her with prayer. So I'd like to invite all of you to do the same. And if at the end of the day you can't think of anything, please pray to be able to see something. It can be as simple as looking at the mountains, or a crazy coincidence (not a coincidence) that made your day easier.

Daily Life/Fun Stories:

On our last day together in Odawara, Takatori姉妹 and I biked a Lot to visit a bunch of people. We biked for maybe 3 hours total. Idk how many kilometers, but I saw one sign that said "Hakone 9 km" and another that said "Hakone 7km" but that wasn't even close to all of it... Probably don't want to know lol.

On transfer day, a lot of sisters met in Shibuya next to the Hachiko statue (that dog that waited for it's owner at the train station until it died) in order to do a bunch of switching. My first time in a very Tokyo place, and my first thought was that it was definitely NOT Odawara. Lots of tall buildings and lots of people. Also discovered that the main train line to Urayasu is a line of the Tokyo metro, so that's fun.

My new companion is Augustus姉妹! She's from Huntington Beach, California and her grandma is from Okinawa, so she's a quarter. She actually spent her first 3 transfers in Odawara just like me, and when she left I came in. She's so much fun, and we've got a lot planned so stay tuned!

Urayasu is also definitely NOT Odawara. It also has a lot of buildings and a lot of people, many of whom are young. I feel like I've been seeing おじいちゃんs and おばあちゃんs (ojiichans and obaachans= grandpas and grandmas) for 4 months. Also, there's a bridge you can see both the Sky Tree and Disney from. It's pretty cool (though I unfortunately didn't get a picture).

I think I've biked faster and more often tin Urayasu the past few days than I did in a month in Odawara. Our apartment is a 30 minute walk from the church and 20 minutes from the 駅 (eki= train station), so we have to bike somewhere every day. Also, when we biked to a member's house for dinner last night we followed the 長老たち (chouroutachi= elders) and I once again realized how little stamina I have. I'm so weak lol.

So before my bike got delivered to Urayasu, we borrowed one of the 長老たち's bikes so we could get around. We lowered the seat all the way but it was still so tall I literally fell off while trying to get going. Which meant I borrowed Augustus姉妹's while she used the 長老たち's. We were dying laughing though.

At our 英会話 (eikaiwa= English class) we actually have 3 classes. We taught English Connect 1, the beginner's class and it was so fun. Also interrupted for everyone to start saying "地震?! 地震! 地震!" (jishin= earthquake). It happens every time there's an earthquake and it's actually pretty funny.

I've spoken barely any 日本語 (nihongo= japanese language) the past few days and it's a very strange feeling. It's mostly because my companion is American, my district all speaks English, we teach almost everybody in English, and a LOT of the members here speak English and/or are not from 日本. It's fun, though.

New Foods:

-random thrown together food because we can't cook 

-shumai dumplings

-yopokki (some sort of cheesy and spicy Korean pasta)

-gyuudon

About the Pictures:

• My first gyuudon but last meal with Takatori姉妹
• Huge, delicious cream puffs given to us by Miki, one of the people we teach, to welcome me to the area
• Me and Augustus姉妹!
• It was cold so we needed our winter clothes but also raining so...
• This didn't attach last week for some reason. Seen in Hakone when we visited that glass museum-- "Do you see how expensive this is? In dollars it's $28,211.90... We were nervous to keep going up as the items got more and more expensive..."

愛しています!

-スナ一姉妹

Busy Busy Busy

Monday, December 16, 2019

こんにちは!

This past week has been so crazy busy! Teaching, role plays with members, Christmas events, and more have made for an insanely busy and fun and sometimes stressful week.

Spiritual Stuff:

On Saturday our ward had our Ward Christmas Party, and we were only able to go for 30 minutes because I had been asked to perform in a concert that evening in Kichijōji, which is an hour away by train and we had to go early for practice... Our Sri Lankan investigator, Sujeewa, was able to come, though, which was amazing for her. We were actually sitting there worrying about what to do when we had to leave because she doesn't speak 日本語 (nihongo= Japanese language), just Sinhala and English. Augustus姉妹 (later told me) was praying that we would be able to find someone who would help her have a great time, and she turned around and in walked one of our other investigators.

Keiko is basically fluent in English, and we sat her down next to Sujeewa and they got along right away. As we left we could see them, and an English class student who has never come to a church activity before, chatting away. In talking to Keiko later on, she said that not only was she able to feel good about helping someone, they even exchanged numbers and Sujeewa invited Keiko to come over for dinner sometime! Sujeewa doesn't have any friends in 日本, so this is so good for her. Keiko also reported that several English-speaking church members talked to her, and this is her report:

"I felt so much love at Christmas party today!!

I enjoyed fabulous dishes and I appreciate for you introducing Sujeewa to me!!"

This is Sujeewa's report, and I'll just say we love her so much. She's adorable.

"I came back to home. That same person drop me. Today I enjoyed so much. We had to play games even. And tasty food. There was many tasty food. I enjoyed so much. Thanks fo invite me. Love you so much"

Note: we can't stop repeating "...tasty food. There was many tasty food"

Daily Life/Fun Stories:

On Thursday we had our first lesson with the soon-to-be-9 year old girl. We went to their house. One of their houses. The house they built for photo shoots because they own a children and dog clothing company... It was crazy. They're right across the street from each other and they're huge, especially for 日本. Also the interior has Victorian-themed furnshishings. I'm talking furniture, drapes, spiral staircase, and pillars. Particularly the pillars on either side of the jacuzzi. Also a hanger just on a hook in the bathroom with at least 10 pearl necklaces on it. Possibly for the 4 dogs and 3 cats that are apparently technically owned by the company and therefore live in the "photo shoot house."

After we taught the lesson, the mom decided to take us out for dinner. She pulled up to the house in a very nice car. Which was not why we were surprised. We were surprised because the original 2 cars in the driveway were still in the driveway... Which is when we realized that both houses have garages... They own at least 3 cars, all white and very nice. At some point we had decided to stop being amazed but... Yeah. That didn't happen. Also ended up going out to eat the best tonkatsu I've ever had, and the mom paid for both of us. She's way too nice. Also said "let's go for sushi next time!" so stay tuned.

Last Friday, we had Urayasu's monthly game night. To make it sort of Christmas-themed, the elders made hot chocolate out of Hershey's chocolate syrup (no idea where they got it) and milk, and we dressed up in Santa costumes. See pics for how Augusts姉妹 looked, though you'll just have to imagine me in a Mrs. Claus outfit because we didn't take any together I was laughing too hard at Augustus姉妹.

On Saturday as we were coming back from Kichijōji, we got to the point where we could get off and switch lines OR keep going on the same train... Sometimes the train keeps going towards Urayasu, and sometimes it goes towards somewhere else... Specifically somewhere else in the Tokyo North Mission... Don't worry, we didn't end up out of mission, but we may have ended up right next to the border... In the area north of us... And then gotten home at 10:20...  Yeah. We should have switched trains. Or realized we didn't recognize any of the stations lol. I will never forget looking up at the screen to see the next station and hearing Augustus姉妹 say, "where are we?"

New Foods:

-apricot youkan

-mushroom salad thing

-kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) salad

-coconut mango tapioca (tapioca= what they call bubble tea)

-strawberry pie crepe

About the Pictures:

• Finally used a recipe I got from Ogata姉妹! We love fried tofu.
• A view from a random bridge. I need to get more pictures lol.
• Spicy Korean noodles. So tasty.
• Santa Claus!
• When it's late at night and you're craving something sweet...
• Christmas!
• I love me my crepes and tapioca...

愛しています!

-スナ一姉妹

6 Months and Transfer 3 Done!

Monday, Dec 2, 2019



neこんにちは!

On Friday I hit 6 Months as a missionary and 4 months in 日本 (nihon= Japan), and this week my third transfer will finish! I can't believe it's already gone. And I can't believe that I'll be leaving Odawara. My next area will be Urayasu, in Tokyo Zone! Known for Disneyland, which we're not allowed to go to, but still! I'll also get my first non-日本人 (nihonjin= Japanese person) companion, so I'm excited!

Spiritual Stuff:

(Once again stealing what I posted on Facebook)

When I heard about the theme of this year's Christmas video about 6 months ago, I loved it. And after watching it, I loved it even more. It helps you see Mary and Joseph as real people, and it helps you realize that Jesus Christ started his life on earth the same way as every other baby. I especially like the realistic portrayal of Mary's experience. Another thing I like is that the video is in Aramaic, Jesus Christ's native tongue. Please definitely watch the video and think about the nativity story!

https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world/the-christ-child

Also, to help us serve like Christ did during this Christmas season, the church has come up with a calendar that gives you one act of service every day until Christmas! Definitely check it out! And you can also just sign up for daily prompts through text or email, so no excuses!

https://www.comeuntochrist.org/light-the-world/service-prompts-sms-signup

Note: apologies for the weird English in the first paragraph. I wrote it in 日本語 (ninhongo= Japanese language) first, and then translated it into English... I feel like my English is slowly deteriorating...  

Daily Life/Fun Stories:

Last P-Day we went into the mountains (the bus ride was a nightmare), specifically Mt. Hakone, and went out for lunch and visited the Venetian Glass Museum. It was pretty cool, but also we burned a lot of money that day... See pics below!

On Wednesday we held an 英会話 (eikaiwa= English class) Thanksgiving Party, to which very few people showed up, but it was still a good time! Elder Wilcox made karaage, we had some mashed potato mixes (idk where we got them), rolls, salad, and some people brought chocolate and chips. you can't find turkey in 日本, and there was no pie or stuffing, but we wouldn't have had it any other way.

On Thanksgiving we had a 食事 (shokuji= meal, we use it to mean meal appointments) with a member couple in their home, though I'm pretty sure they didn't realize it was Thanksgiving. I got to experience a kotatsu for the first time, which is a low table with a blanket and a heater. Best. Invention. Ever. See pic below.

This week we went running in the mornings a couple times, and I felt like dying but it's ok. Also had to use my inhaler once, but it's ok. Exercise is good for you. It'll help me keep up with my companion when biking. It's worth it...... Right?

I finally gave in and pulled out my winter coat, only to realize that the 5 kilos I gained in my MTC time and first 2 months in 日本 have made it... Snug. Which means I have to buy a new one. At some point. It was starting to get a bit worn so it's probably a good thing, actually.

On Friday a returned 姉妹宣教師 (Shimai senkyoushi= sister missionary) came back to visit, and she stayed and traveled with a former investigator. We ate dinner together on Friday, and the former investigator is going to start coming to 英会話! We'll see where it goes from there, but she's super nice and willing to meet with us!

On Saturday we had a branch activity called an 芋煮会 (imonikai),the best translation of which is "potato party" because "imo" is in all vegetables related to the potato, "ni" is to boil or cook, and "kai" is meeting. So, potato party. But it basically means you go to the beach, make firepits out of big stones, put giant pots on top, and make possibly the most delicious soup from taro and a bunch of other stuff (see New Foods). Takatori姉妹 and I spent most of the event playing with primary kids. Never thought I'd actually use the travel Frisbee my mom sent me in the MTC...

New Foods:

-sobacha (tea that's literally just water leftover from cooking soba noodle. No idea why it tastes good)

-duck soba (Delicious. Just had to avert my eyes from the price...)

-oden

-satoimo (taro) salad

-kinoko no aemono

-kaisendon with some fish I had tried before, and some I hadn't (I think)

-stew. And when a 日本人 says stew, they mean white, creamy, has chicken in it stew. If you're talking about beef stew, you have to clarify with "that brown stuff." What they call "cream stew" or just "stew" is still yummy, though

-taro soup with a bunch of stuff like kinoko, onion, konnyaku, meat, etc. Very tasty.

-taro udon. Also very tasty.

About the Pictures:

• Kotatsu!
• They put up Christmas decorations in front of the 駅 (eki= train station) so...
• Kaisendon. So good.
• Potato party food!
• One of the giant pots on its bed of rocks and wood
• Love the beaches here. Even if they're cold right now lol.

• My best impression of what I apparently look like to one of the elders in my district, who drew me when we had an activity during district meeting...  
• Last P-Day at the Venetian Glass Museum!

愛してます!

-スナ一姉妹