For the first time in 4 years I was able to go to Girls Camp just as a Leader and not as the one in charge. I really enjoyed not having the responsibility, I got to spend more time with the girls and more time with my bestie Erica. Instead of sleeping in a tent I chose to sleep in my car with Erica in her car right next to mine. I was excited to sleep in my car but it was not as great as I thought, it was not very comfortable, it was cold and it was really tight. It was ok but changing in my car was very difficult. The theme for the camp was CandyLand which I have been wanting to do for years and the YCL'S did a really good job with the decorations. The adults had to help with devotionals and Keri Shoemaker, Camp Director, had us put on our camp shirts, candy land glasses and carry a lollipop at the beginning of camp to introduce what our devos would be. I was tasked with talking about scripture reading and journal keeping. I am not. fan of camp shirts and after the little "skit" was done I took it off and lost sight of it. I was more then fine to not bring it home with me so it would sit in a box for the rest of its life.
I did not have any opportunity to do my video workouts so I would get up every morning and go walking. On the second night of camp Erica and I got invited to stay the night at the Givens cabin which was so nice. We were able to shower and sleep in beds and in the morning I walked around their golf course which was beautiful and felt more safe then walking around the roads.
First thing, I was humbled yet again. I am no bueno at tennis. δΈζγγγͺγ. An eikaiwa friend invited us missionaries to go play with him and even though we were terrible, it was still really fun! Thank you Kenji!
We spent almost everyday this week at the Nagano train station with a nice sticker board that says "what are you interested in? Purpose of life, happiness, or life after death?" They would then put a sticker under what their answer was. We had a lot of really good contacts and spread a lot of happy things! We were out there in the rain, clouds, sun, everything. It was tiring but accomplishing! Please pray for our new friends Kaiya, Hitzuki, and Naomi!
Zone conference in Matsumoto!! It was an amazing zone conference and I wish all of you could have joined. We talked so much about the things we are able to do because of Jesus Christ (His enabling power) and how Jesus Christ is Joy. I loved it.
We all went to Matsumoto Castle after and had a splendid time. We walked by 2 ladies and to the other, one said "a school trip?" Haha mmm no just people trying to change everyone's lives
The biggest thing I learned this week is that Jesus Christ = true Joy. For our survey, the most stickers were under happiness. It confused me so much. Are these people just not happy? Do they not know how to feel joy? After zone conference my answer came. They don't have lasting joy because they don't have Jesus Christ. What is this light that members of this church carry? It is the Joy of Jesus Christ. I love this gospel and I love the Joy it brings. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for this gospel my parents have taught me and the gospel that has been confirmed to me of its truth through the Spirit.
Remember last week where I said we didn't have much luck finding people to teach? Well, this week blessed us! This may not seem like a lot to other missions or even to other areas in our mission, but we found 4 new people! That is really good considering I am in Nagano! I have hope for these people and I pray that they will have the Spirit to want to learn more!
We visited a returning inactive member with Ezaki ε§ε¦Ή and let me just say, God never ceases to keep me humble. I have been studying and speaking Japanese for over a year now. I can get by pretty good and I understand the main ideas of most conversations. While we were talking to this lady, I legit understood 2% MAYBE. I don't know what it was but I was not picking up on what was going on. Plus I was fighting for my life to not fall asleep because that time of day should be designated nap time worldwide. It was a struggle, but we made it out. Oh and this lady loves drawing cartoon cats, so she gave us some stickers of her own drawings!
We do lots of finding obvi which means we get to meet interesting humans and have many interesting experiences. More commonly we have lots of experience with people telling us no. Here were some of my fav ways this week..
We visited the Jesus Freaks church! There were a good amount of people there and the lady was very happy to give us a tour. Let me just say, their church looks very fun. I mean, the pastor was wearing a flame suit with flame shoes. Idk what we were expecting, but they were all normal people. I think they were suspicious of us which is reasonable. We might go back again on Friday! We will see.
Ether 12:6
This is something I have seen over and over again on my mission. We hear all the time "God loves effort". Nothing could be more true. When we show him we are willing to work, we are willing to sacrifice things for Him, He will bless us. Most blessings do not come right away, that's where patience comes in. But He is always eager to bless us as long as we are eager to work for the blessings!
