Week 22 - Super Tsukuba Sisters

FUKUDA SHIMAI

First things first, my new companion is awesome!!!

-Fukuda Shimai comes from a huge family of 11 people!

-She is on her 5th transfer, and I am on my 3rd.

-She is so kind!! One morning I woke up just frozen to the bone, and she got out of bed to get me a clean warm blanket. :)

-SHE CAN PUT FOOD AWAY. we went to eat with the sisters in our zone and she ate 3 huge bowls of curry, and ate 2 full plates of naan. (its like cooked bread that is the size of a tennis racket) She is a beast!!!!

-She also loves Super Smash Brothers and eats more food in her spare time. (and she is insanely skinny....idk how)

But that is my companion. :) She works so hard, she really saves me with the language, and she doesn't laugh at my jokes....I don't think she understands my humor yet. ahhah

CHRISTMAS PARTY

I absolutely adore my new Ward here in Tsukuba! I can feel my language game getting better! Especially when I talk with members and my companion. They are really really helpful. I am still trying getting over that huge "people will judge me for not knowing Japanese" mountain of pride that I have. I am very grateful that the Lord is basically tearing down that mindset that I have, by shipping my out in the country of Japan with a Japanese companion.

There is this Elder in my district who came the same time as me...and he is basically fluent in Japanese. I hate him.

Ha just kidding, he is a great missionary. But I feel like crap being around him because I kinda beat myself up because I'm not fluent like that yet. I constantly have to give myself a pep talk.

Okay, back to the Christmas party!!! The members have my heart. They are all so kind and loving!!! The Bishop is American! WOOP!! That makes 4 of us!! (Bishop+ 3 missionaries)

At the party we met 4 non-member families!! and they all became P.I's!! We hope to have them progressing within the next week or so! :) So keep them in your prayers!!

Right now in Tsukuba, we have 1 investigator who has a baptismal date for the 18th!! Her name is Yuka! SHE IS GOLDEN!!! She came to the Christmas party and we became best friends instantly. She is fluent in English and Japanese! She was introduced to the church in Calgary, Canada (where she lived for foreign exchange) She has the strongest desire to be baptized. She knows the church is true, and wants to follow Jesus Christ. To be baptized here in Japan, you have to have your parents permission. (if you're under 20 years old) She is exactly 20 years old, but still wants her parents permission. She has really strong faith, so I believe she will make her baptismal date.

QUOTES

--“Success is usually earned by persevering and not becoming discouraged when we encounter challenges.

Perseverance is demonstrated by those who keep going when the going gets tough, who don’t give up even when others say, “It can’t be done.”

- President James E. Faust

--It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.

-President Uchtdorf

Overall, I am one happy missionary. This work is so insanely hard. I have never felt so inadequate, depressed, or worn out in my life. But God has blessed me with the ability to feel his love. Especially when I need it the most. He has constantly been there. There have been many times on my mission where I have wanted to just pack up my bags and quit. But something I know to be true...with all of my heart...is that the Savior DOES walk by our side in times of trial or adversity.

"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."

This gospel makes me so happy. This message has changed my life. It can change our human nature and because of that...we desire to change our human behavior.

I love you all so much!! I will be having temple Pday next week, so i will be emailing on Tuesday! :)

I LOVE YOU AND CANT WAIT TO TALK TO MY FAM ON CHRISTMAS!!!!

Love,

Sister Phelps