Week 26 - Rainy Days Are Happy Days

Hey everyone!! Here is a shout out to all who still read my emails! (mom and dad!) haha which is okay! I am glad its not just me! But anyways, this week literally flew by. Next Monday, we get our transfer calls. {WHAT?? AGAIN??} I will be starting my 4th transfer!! I still feel like I got here yesterday! haha

I think I will stay here in Tsukuba! This area has grown so much since I've been here, and I still have friends to find here. I can feel it!!! :)

Rainy days are happy days

There was a day this past week where I was just so discouraged. I was getting just really down on myself because I just didn't understand how to speak Japanese! It just wasn't making sense in my brain, and so many other things just troubled me. I am sure the time I spent on my knees praying was longer than standing up on my feet. I remember walking out of our church building just feeling crummy. and I looked up, and it was pouring rain. [those who know me...rain is my favorite!] It was a huge tender mercy. I knew that our Heavenly Father was aware of me and that he loved me. He loved me enough to send me rain! :) I learned a great lesson that day:

"How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?"

How often do we find ourselves feeling grateful when we are put in hard circumstances? How often do we look for and recognize those tender mercies from God? They are all around us! Sometimes we just have to open our eyes a little wider...to see that God loves us and is blessing our lives more than we think! Rainy days are happy days because when we actually look past our (maybe troublesome) circumstances in the times of rain or difficulty...we realize that we have so many reasons to be grateful and feel joy.

COMPANION INVENTORY

(This is a quite funny experience that I had. Sister Fukuda may not think so...but it killed me.)

So we have been having a hard time dealing with the culture differences between us. the way I talk and act is really the opposite of how she speaks and acts too. All transfer (almost) I just had this vibe that she was always annoyed with just who I was...and had this unnecessary contention. I was so confused...and I didn't know how to help! No idea!

We had this time during weekly planning where she just stopped and told me everything that bugged her that I did.

1) The dead flowers

-when I left from Senzokuike, Ellie gave me a small bouquet of flowers. and so when i got to Tsukuba...I put them in a vase and ya know....just left them there to look pretty! And overtime, they obviously died.

And that made her absolutely furious. She was so mad at me for not frequently taking care of the flowers!!!! {I couldn't help but laugh! it was something so silly!! I totally forgot about the flowers because I was thinking about the area and ya know...missionary work haha.} It was nice she was thinking about the flower's well-being though.

and 2) "I hate the word 'awesome'. you say it all the time. you shouldn't use that word. it has such a sacred meaning."

-Thats the one that killed me. hahah I will just leave it at that.

After that companionship talk, I had to leave the room so I could laugh!! But I love my companion to death. her intentions are so good. And she is a great missionary!

INTERVIEWS

For New Years, we weren't allowed to go out an proselyte for 3 days! That's how crazy New Years is here in Japan! So we spent 1 full day just cleaning our apartment, 1 day reading the Book of Mormon/FHE with members, and the other day was Pday! On the day we were cleaning our apartment, we had interviews with our Mission President and wife.

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

I learned so much from their loving council and guidance. That was definitely a highlight out of my week!

CHARLIE

{I FOUND ONE OF MY FRIENDS!}

We found her on my 2nd week here in Tsukuba, and the very moment we started talking...I knew that she was one of the prepared people that the Lord wanted us to find! We had a lesson with her last night, with our bishop and his wife. As we taught the restoration...I had the strongest prompting to testify of Jesus Christ being our Savior and redeemer (as we were talking about the apostasy.) I did so, and I don't remember what I said....but Charlie started to get emotional, and so did I! I felt as if the spirit just talked right through me!! (thats one of my favorite parts about being a missionary)

She talked about how there is something different about this church. She took a moment, looked at me and said, "Sister Phelps, when I met you the first thing i noticed wasn't your name tag...but it was the light and sparkle that you had in your eyes."

The gospel makes a difference. The gospel is that light that can change our lives forever. I am so happy. These people here in Japan...make me so happy. I love them more than I ever thought I could.

I have to go, but don't forget to read your scriptures and pray everyday! I love you!

Moroni 7:33

愛しています! Prayers from Nihon!

Sister Phelps

Hiruta Kyodai's home on New Year's Eve!