Week 49 - Happy Father's Day To All Pappy's Out There

WHAATTSS UUUUPP AND HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO MY HOMIE DO HOCKEY!!! It was Father's Day here in Japan last week, and I felt horrible for not saying anything in my last email... but what a relief! Father's Day is today! I love you daddy :) I hope you liked those flaming hot Korean noodles I sent ya ;)

This week was so great. Seriously, I am just loving every second of missionary life!! My companion is sooo cute, the ward members I just love to death, and yesterday I ate Mexican food for the first time in like a year. :)

BURRITOS *cries*

First of all, I miss Mexican food. haha

and second, my bishop here in Tsukuba is AMAZING. He is the only American in our ward, and is just SO funny. Yesterday he said something I will seriously never forget. While we were eating burritos (blessings), he made me cry!! He took time to tell me just how much of an impact I have made here in Tsukuba these last 6 months. He was talking about how the area and the ward was just dead. He said, " We had no baptisms, no English classes, member and missionary relationships were just awful....and then a miracle happened.....Phelps Shimai transferred to our ward. Phelps Shimai you are a miracle missionary!" He said more, but he had me cryin like a baby. I didn't think I made a huge impact here...but he really helped me see the work I have been able to accomplish with the Lords help. That was a huge tender mercy. And the burritos were also a huge tender mercy. lol

THE WORK

I love everything about Japan. The people have my heart, sushi is just the bomb, and it is the most gorgeous place on the planet. But the work in Japan is way tough. Being a missionary here is way hard. The people are amazing, but they don't see a need for the gospel in their lives. The last 11 months of my mission, I have tried to give it my everything. But most of the time....I fail. I don't achieve what I think or plan to accomplish. I don't get a ton of baptisms. We go finding, but we don't find. We set our minds and hearts on the work...but sometimes it feels like it just never works out... BUT I have realized something. Although in my own eyes...I don't feel like I accomplish much...I do know that in the eyes of the Lord...it is different. That he views everything differently. The thing we all have in common...missionaries in Japan or in other parts of the world and members... We all get credit for trying. And that is the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the atonement. We all get credit for trying. When we try our best...and when we fall short most of the time...We can have confidence that because our lord and savior jesus christ love us beyond comprehension... we can always get credit for trying. Isn't that amazing?

"God doesn’t care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go" - Elder Holland

This mission experience has taught me so much. Not only about Japan, and the culture...but how I can truly have an actual meaningful and beautiful relationship with my Father in Heaven. MISSIONS ARE SO COOL AHHH.

:))

I love you all :)))

Sister Phelps

Bishop Durrant