He’s probably not interested in meeting with us again, but he does really, really love his family. I kind of wish we taught him how to pray.

Aug 23

We actually finally got some rice from a member!!! For those who don't know--because I'm pretty sure only P. shimai knows--but when I came to Imabari, we had our rice, the previous chouroutachi's (elder’s) rice, and an extra bag that I don't entirely know the source of. The time it took to eat those (about 20-30 kilos, 50-75 lbs): 2 1/2 transfers. So I was languishing without rice for the past five weeks, wondering what one could eat in Japan without rice, when EL GASP! Rice from a member :D The downside: It is only 2 kg. Haha... So we should have rice for the next week or so... I think I'm the only shimai (sister) on the mission who has had to actually buy rice for herself.

Dendo (missionary work) is hard.

Speaking of dendo, we experienced a good number of miracles this week. I was actually floored by the amount that we taught. Goes to show what you can do when you talk to anything with a pulse. Which is what we did, and which is what I hope to do every week of this transfer and all the ones after this.

Analysis of the W. shimai (my new trainee): I like to tell people that I got her from the pre-trained line of trainees. Her Japanese is really incredible for her age, and she's burning with a desire to improve it. She's excited to be here and be a missionary and is fully embracing the challenge that I gave her the first or second day of our acquaintanceship: fight me if you want to speak to the nihonjin (because it so happens that I also happen to be excited to talk to the nihonjin, haha). She's progressing at an incredible rate, even in the little time that I've known her. I haven't told her that most trainees don't teach as often as we do, or as well as she does, and I don't plan to. (If she wants to know that, she can go back and read my blog.)

My subgoal for my dear companion is the grand food tour of Japan. So far, we've eaten a good number of Japanese things, and a good number of other things that I myself have never tried (Hey, mom, we made okra fries. Cut 'em into halves/fourths, threw them on a frying pan, then added Zatarains. Thank you, mother. I kept forgetting to ask you for Zatarains seasoning, but it would seem that God has heard my cries and that you heard Him. It is a godsend.) It's so fun to watch her try all the new foods. :) I usually don't know whether or not she likes them until after (I know that it's good when she records it in her journal. XD)

Here's a quick record of most of our week: 

8/20 木

Today was magical. I didn't think it was going to be--we spent a couple hours doing service and whatnot. We met a couple of really interesting people, and taught several lessons. After, we had dinner, then met our neighbor on the way to her apartment, taught another lesson and then returned home. On the way there, we bumped into a friend and said howdy. She was very very friendly and very grateful for our little notes and whatnot and hasn't kept her commitments but wants us to meet her family. She's very, very sweet. I was surprised that she still liked us, but she remembered me very well (and you, P. shimai!) and really, really appreciated it when we prayed for her.

8/21 金

Today we met K-shimai's husband :D He was very nice. Then we talked with her and gave her a brief overview of the Plan of Salvation. Her poor kid had strep, and he was in pain the whole time (when he wasn't playing with W. chourou, that is.) But she's really started to like praying.

Rest of the day was an SKK day :) Then we got a nikuman and ice cream :)

8/22 土

Today we met T-shimai's family :D The husband has a Mormon co-worker. :)

Then we visited Y-san who was beyond busy, so we decided to turn around and go to a member's basho instead. As we were biking, we passed a bridge and saw a man sitting down and resting. We made it to the far stoplight before I said, "You know, let's turn around." So we did and talked to him taught a quick lesson, and gave him a pamphlet. He’s probably not interested in meeting with us again, but he does really, really love his family. I kind of wish we taught him how to pray.

Then we visited La S and got free ice cream :D, then went to the house of a woman we know from church, and shared a quick message. As we were heading back, we bumped into a pair of girls we saw biking, before. One of them called out to us and they came over. The first's name is S-chan, and her English is remarkable--especially for having only studied three years. Her friend's name is R-chan, and she's super sweet. We gave them an English class and family flyer, and when they flipped it open, we pointed out the picture of Jesus and they were like "Wow!" They had never seen a picture of him before. So we did a Christmas/Easter lesson and showed them the Because of Him video and they are interested in learning more on Friday :D

So on the way home, we were totally clicking our heels, and we came across a really cute family and gave them an eikaiwa chirashi (English class flyer) and invited them to come.

Then we ate cake and got to read DearElder letters. (THANK YOU LORI HURLEY! 愛しています！) It was a good day.

8/23 日

We had a rather unproductive day at the area of the old apartment, which was sad, but on the way back, we ran into an old face that I honestly never believed I'd see again. His name is M-kyoudai.

Him and me: *give each other the Where-is-my-hairbrush-look*

Me: Have we met? Last time, I was with a Japanese companion named F. shimai.

Him: Yeah, I know you. (This was before I cut my hair, and we met him once.)

Me: ...T-kyoudai?

Him: No.

Me: ...What's your name?

Him: M-kyoudai.

Me: Ah. Oops. Sorry.

But he is still open to us teaching him, so we'll try to visit again and now I actually know where he lives.