January 28, 2013

Hello all!

 

This week has been really fun! Nothing crazy, just a normal week of dendo but it is so fun! We have met some really interesting people on the streets and housing. The other day we were housing and this man told us for like 10 minutes about why he hates religion and then asked us to give up and go home. We also met this girl in front of a park close to our church and we taught her about the Savior and the Restoration and the spirit was really strong. Then right there on the street we prayed together and after we were done she was like "thank you for those warm words". She for sure felt the spirit. Every single time I get to teach and testify of the Restoration I feel the spirit so strong and I feel a joy that I can't really put into words. I LOVE it!!

 

This week one of our Eikaiwa students taught us how to make soba which is a Japanese noodle. I attached a couple of pics of that. I had to take a model pic of my cute apron. I also attached a pic of a sunset that we saw the other day. Sunsets are beautiful here. I have like a thousand pictures of them.

 

In other news, there actually is none. Just know I am happy, enjoying learning through the good and the bad how to better rely on my Savior to do things I clearly cannot do myself. The work is moving. No matter if I can see immediate results every day or not. I love my Savior!!!

 

love you!

 

LOVE,

xoxo

gg

Ariel

January 21, 2013

Attention everyone: I rode a bike today for the first time since NOVEMBER. Yes, I am out of shape. Yes, I did almost die riding up my first hill. Little rusty. Don't worry I'll get back into the swing of things.

 

Okay so don't feel weird that I sent you a picture of a meal at McDonalds. I just wanted you to see how small hamburgers are here. That was a "Mega-Mac", the Big-Mac's fat older brother. I ate that today (so much for looking like a normal human by the time I get home. workin on it. promise!) anyway I was thinking the "Mega-Mac" would be huge so ordered it and then it was accidentally the size of like a kid's meal cheeseburger. So then I took a picture.

 

I also included a picture of Fernando with the Elders who are in the same area as me right now. (Elder Crandall, Elder Clark). Fernando is a recent convert with an incredible testimony and fire to share the gospel. He is in his 60s and from Peru so he doesn't speak much Japanese but I do my best in Spanish. How CUTE is he?!?! Everytime I see him I wanna cry because he is so adorable. He still has the right after baptism glow.

 

Today one of the members in the ward left of his mission and I literally felt like one of my brothers was leaving for his mission when I was saying goodbye to him. He's the one in the third picture kneeling on the floor making a kissy face. Seriously I love Yachiyo Ward like they are my literal family. These people mean SO much to me!!!!

 

Okay like I have to go plan for tomorrow so talk to you next week!!

 

LOVE LOVE

 

xoxo

gg

Ariel

January 18, 2013

Hello from the ARCTIC NORTH.

 

Seriously it is so cold here I can't even know what to do with myself. Today we were outside by the train station giving out fliers for Eikaiwa and I literally thought I was going to die. It is times like those that you just have to do weird things to have fun and get the cold off your mind slash then you have to remind yourself that after trials come blessings. Plus, it could be much worse. I could be serving my mission somewhere like Russia or something. #goodthingGodknowsme

 

Anyway, as you might be able to tell by the fact that I am emailing so late, this week has been SUPER busy. But I would much rather prefer busy weeks then weeks when we have no appointments. We have been blessed. Thanks for your prayers! So on Sunday we had a little girl named Momoka's baptism. She is 8 and her parents are members but her mom wanted her to choose for herself slash understand what she was commiting to by being baptized so we taught her all of the lessons. I have done that a few times on my mission and I love it! The first picture I attached is of my companion and I and Momoka. She is an angel I love her SO much!

 

In other news, I no longer have the boot! I have graduated to normal shoes and a really cute lace up brace thingy when I don't wear boots that support my ankle. It feels great to walk normal again! Also the doctor says I can run, dance, ride my bike, etc. I went to the hospital on the navy base again and on that same day there was a giant snow storm in Tokyo slash surrounding areas. So that day was filled with stopped trains and lots of traffic no matter where we went. Everyone doesn't know what to do with themselves when it snows her apparently. The second picture I attached is of me when it just started snowing. As you can see I am not very recognizable as a human these days because it is so cold that I just put on pretty much every article of clothing I own. The third picture I attached I took when waiting for our train at the platform of the train station. That is also not too long after it started snowing. I love the train stations btw. They don't get old to me I still always feel like I am in a movie or something when I go on the train which is pretty much every day...

 

Yesterday we went on splits with another area in the mission called Hibarigaoka. As sisters we do splits about twice a transfer. It is where we trade companions for a day and get to learn from another person and miracles ALWAYS happen. I went on splits with this sister who I am obsessed with I seriously love her. Her name is Nagamine shimai. Well we had a lesson in the morning with an investigator who we haven't been able to meet for about a transfer. We taught her and everything was just flowing really well. The Spirit was DEFINITELY guiding this lesson. Then at the end of the lesson we got on our knees and our investigator prayed and it was SO bomb. She was full on having a conversation with God when up until now she would always just read the pamphlet that has 'how to pray' written in it. The spirit was SO strong and for the millionth time I received a witness from the Holy Ghost that God really is there. He loves all of us and wants to hear from us all the time. He is waiting to hear from His children. It was during this split that I once again felt the absolute PURE joy that comes from teaching the restored gospel. It is something so exquisite that I could never put in words but I can say that I feel so blessed to be a part of God's work right now. The work is hastening! Like it says in Doctrine and Covenants section 88 verse 73, "I will hasten my work in its time" well I KNOW that the time has come!!! So don't wait! Don't be left behind because it is a lot funner to be a part of this amazing work then sit on the sidelines. I love this gospel so much and I love my Savior!

 

I love you all!!!!!

 

LOVE LOVE

xoxo

gg

Ariel

 

ps I taught my companion "too legit to quit" the other day. You should hear her say it. You should also hear her say "dang it" which she also started to say because of me. My biggest triumph was when a member in my ward (she is like a 50 something year old lady mind you) started to say a little phrase that I ALWAYS say (in Japanese) and she said it once and was like, oops! I started saying that because of you! It was then that I had the reassurance that my personality is being portrayed when I speak Japanese. I don't even know if that explanation made sense.. Oh well..

January 7, 2013

Hello all!

 

Picture number one is a picture of me today eating pig tongue. We went to a buffett like place and it was amazing. It had everything you could imagine. Including a cotton candy machine. Picture number two is of this CUTE little girl in my ward who I am obsessed with. She wore a kimono because it was the first Sunday of the new year. New years is a big deal to these people.

 

In other news, this morning I taught my companion the word holla. It wasn't the easiest explaining to her when it is used. Let's just say it feels good teaching a Japanese companion to be ghetto again. I love it. Also we have been doing morning exercise to a pop-ed up primary song CD called popcorn bopping (thanks to Uncle Brent and Aunt Melodie!!!!) and we are learning a rap from it. Be looking forward to a video of that.

 

Yesterday was fast Sunday and like every person in our ward got up and bore their testimony. (it's a small ward) But I have to say that I love these people so much they are amazing. You would be shocked at the amount of faith and love they have. One member went housing with us yesterday it was the bomb.

 

I LOVE missionary work!!!

 

Love you!

 

LOVElovelove

xoxo

gg

Ariel

January 1, 2013

Happy New Year! It is 2013! I am in the future!!

A new year, a new transfer and a new COMPANION!!!! Yep! That's right! She's JAPANESE! I am so happy!!! I have only had one other Japanese companion on my mission. Her name is Sister Ono and she is the bomb. She is from Okayama which is a place by Hiroshima. She is on her 7th transfer (I'm on my 11th now) and she is an angel!  Remember last year when I took the "last picture of 2011" with my companion? Well, I did it this year too! (after we popped a bottle of Martinellies). Also for New Years Eve we went to a member's home and had a traditional Japanese New Years dinner. Sushi and chicken and shrimp and other Japanese foods that I can't explain in English. It was so much fun! (picture included).

We had another baptism on Saturday (the elder's investigator) and it was an amazing service. The person who got baptized has been an investigator for over 5 years. After he was baptized he gave his testimony and it was amazing. He told his conversion slash life story and he has not had the easiest life but the gospel has helped him to feel true joy. It was really a testimony to me that whoever, wherever, no matter what circumstance, the gospel can make you happier then you can ever imagine. It also gave me hope for all the people I have taught on my mission who are not quite ready to receive the gospel. I know that one day they will and I cannot wait to see their faces light up with the joy of the gospel changing them for good.

The Lord is 100% in every single details of our lives and I am so grateful for that. I spent some time today thinking of my goals and what things I want to accomplish in 2013. It is gonna be a great year. I am sure of that.

Happy New Year!

LOVE YOU ALL!

Love,

xoxo

gg

Ariel

Merry Christmas from the Japan Tokyo Mission!

Hello everyone!! Merry Christmas from the Japan Tokyo Mission!!! We made this video at a mission conference on Christmas Eve! May the love of the Savior be on your minds and in your heart all year round! I love you all!

 

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Sister Swainston