Week 42 - Jesus is a Boy???

Hey fam-tachi! First off, givin the big bday S/O to my cuddlebug, hockey-lovin, squirrel catching daddio!! You are so old!! ;) I cant believe it *insert goat emoji*

I have come to the conclusion that I don't like missing birthdays :') the singing is my favorite part! Even if it does turn into a birthday Christmas remix. Next year I will have to show you how I have learned to throw down in beat boxing. :) stay tuned.

But really, happy birthday daddy!! 🎉I love you so very much. I am so grateful for such a strong and loving influence in my life. I am also very blessed that I'm the only girl!! Because then I don't have to compete for "daddy's girl" with anyone else :) ね。

I am really excited to talk to you guys for Mothers Day!! My goodness, time has flown by so fast!!

TOASTED AND INTERVIEWS

So this last week we had zone conference, and as always they are THE BEST. But guess who didn't wake up for the 4:00 alarm...so they could catch the 5:00 train...and ended up missing that train because the alarm didn't go off??? And who showed up to the meeting 2 hours late??? Yep. This girl.

Did I feel bad?? No, I felt HORRIBLE. Did everyone judge us as we walked in right as president was giving his training?? Of course. Did I want to die?? Basically. Haha yeah. It was so bad. But hey, the Lord was still gracious and let us feel the spirit in great abundance:)

I also expected my mission president and wife to just give off the "disappointment" vibe. But what really surprised me was just how much they loved me. Sister Nagano immediately ran over to us and gave us big hugs!! And said, "Phelps Shimai!! I'm so glad you made it!! I love you!!"

Yeah, I didn't expect that. I was mentally preparing myself for a batsu. (It's like a whipping almost haha)

But they responded in the most loving manner. I want to be like that. Especially in the future when I'm a mother. I'm so grateful for such great examples in my life. (My mom, Sister Nagano, and Jesus)

Interviews: wow. By far my favorite thing in the world.

Remember last week when I said I bore my testimony in the meeting with Elder Choi from the quorum of the Seventy?? In my interview, president said,

"Sister Phelps, I wanted to tell you about an experience I had with Elder Choi. He remembered you!! We were on the train to Niigata, and he turned to me and said, 'that tall sister who stood up and bore her testimony about repentance and the atonement....that deeply touched my heart. I really felt the spirit from her.'.

Then he said, "Sister Phelps. You are in this mission because God needs powerful missionaries like you."

WHAT. No way. I was so stunned. Here I was, still feeling guilty about coming 2 hours late to the conference.....and feeling like I was the most inadequate human haha...It was such a humbling experience for me. Elder Choi and my mission president are amazing men. It's so great to know that the church is being led by such great people.

MY PEOPLE

I love my people. This week we had a really hard rejection. We were in the middle of a lesson with a potential investigator.. she came pretty defensive...as if we were going to shove her in the Baptismal font or something haha. But in the middle of the lesson she said, "I want you two to understand something. I DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD."

Oh man, was that just a smack in the face! My heart physically ached. I can't imagine not believing. Not having that strong and loving support from my Father in Heaven. I have to believe! Not believing should NEVER be an option.

From this experience, I hope to reach out to those who are struggling to believe...

Remember who you are. Stop trying to beat around the bush! You NEED god and he NEEDS you.

"Never forget who you are. … You are in very deed a child of God. … He is your Eternal Father. He loves you. … He wants His sons and daughters to be happy. Sin never was happiness. Transgression never was happiness. Disobedience never was happiness. The way of happiness is found in the plan of our Father in Heaven and in obedience to the commandments of His Beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ."

I know it's hard, because it was hard for me too...but he is real. With the 20 years of life experience that I have..that is what I know to be true. I have experienced it again and again.

Fei. Oh my goodness my heart is so happy when I think about her. She is from china and so this is her first time learning about God and who He is. And Something really funny from her this last week was this:

She thought Jesus was a girl.

....

I died. 😂

I LIVE FOR BEING SPONTANEOUS

So this part wasn't spontaneous..but I got really sick again and while I was dead in my futon...Sister mitchell ordered pizza and set up a movie night and we watched a church movie. TALK ABOUT GREAT!! She is by far my favorite human. *pictures below*

the mission is so fun:)

SUNDAY FUN-DAY

Yesterday we had 3 huge miracles happen.

1- A girl (Li) from China walked into the church after sacrament meeting and said, " I want to learn what this church is all about. Will you please teach me and my 3 kids?"

WHAT THE NANI. we taught her about God on the spot, and she was just crying. And crying. The spirit really touched us. And I started crying. Haha

Huge miracle.

2- We taught Nakahara san right after Li left, and taught her the same thing. We taught her about our Heavenly Father, our role as his children, and who the savior Jesus Christ is.

We taught her how to pray and let me just say,.....that is such a tender moment. Them talking to their Heavenly father for the first time. :') love.

3- she stayed for a baptism that happened after church. And she LOVED IT. Man. I love Japan and missions. And Jesus.

Sorry this letter dragged on, but it was necessary!!! I love you all and I hope you have an awesome week!! :))

愛してる

Sister Phelps

Mitchell looking through more trash....lol