week 47: nearer dear Savior to Thee

- December 30, 2018

Christmas Day caroling!

こんにちは！

I can't believe I'm emailing again! It feels like yesterday I talked with my family over skype. Well this week flew. We had a great Christmas. We did a missionary party at the church and played basketball and werewolf. It was way fun! Then Evangelista Shimai and I went to a members house for dinner. On Wednesday, it rained! Poured! We went out to lunch with a couple of our English students. Talking with the one, I found out he was a old investigator and still wants to be baptized, so we will be talking to him more. On Thursday we went on junkais! I got to see Gawrys Shimai again! I love that girl. I junkaied with Jorgenson Shimai and it was way fun! We set up a service project with a developmental center and it was so good to be around those amazing people. The rest of the week flew and was all sorts of crazy!

Funny keiken: So a few weeks ago we started going to sports day at the church. The first time we went it was mostly the missionaries and just one member playing. This week we sent out stuff to the ward and branch letting them know this was a thing and we wanted people to come, and guess what?! People came! We had a way fun time and a lot of our recent converts came, so way fun! One of the recent converts is a mom. She has a cute 6 month old baby and so during sports, I played with the baby (not holding because thats against the rules ) but it was the best!

Spiritual keiken: During church but we sang hymn 99 and it was Nearer, Dear Savior, to Thee. I'm not too familiar with this song, but the last verse says "When all my trials are done, When my reward I have won, Take, oh, take, and cherish me, Nearer, dear Savior, to thee." This stood out to me. I had a deeper connection that during our trails and other hardships, Jesus knows what we are going through and everything will end. One day, in spite of what we are going though, we will meet Him again and He will cherish us. We are never alone in this and He will always be there for us!

New words:

あさって (asatte): day after tomorrow

みずにながす (mizuninagasu): to forgive and forget

I love you all so much! Happy New Year!

Love,

Thompson 姉妹

Bits and pieces from family emails:

We played Werewolf on Christmas Day and it was a total throw back to girls camp for me!

We met with 2 returning members this week and sweet Maria. We taught her about the plan of salvation!

I rode my bike to the church this week! It's a 30 minute ride and it felt pretty good. My elbow was definitely sore, but I did okay.

Maddy's testimony when she called for Christmas.
Her uncle also served in Japan, so he translated it for us!

Hello everyone. This is Sister Thompson. I am a missionary, a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I really do know that this church is true.

This mission has been incredible. I feel God’s love always and know that He loves each of us individually. Jesus Christ is our older brother and He truly loves every one of us. Through Him, our mistakes and sin can disappear.

Our families are very important. My own family is incredible. They often speak about our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ and have very strong faith.

We have a very special book called the Book of Mormon. I testify that through the Book of Mormon, we are able to understand the plan from Jesus Christ and God. This book has also changed my life. Jesus Christ really wants to help us. Whenever you ever need his help, please ask Him. He will help you.

I testify that through prayer, we really can speak to God. Prayer is the number one thing I love about the gospel. I can feel my family’s love through prayer as well as the love of my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

I really do testify that this gospel is true. Jesus Christ is our friend and I want the world to learn about Him. I love you all very much and testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.