week 62: He will help you rise

- April 15, 2019

こんにちは！

TRANSFER CALLS! I'm going to Takasu, Hiroshima!! My new companion is Sister Berg! I met her when she was a bean chan! I'm so excited!! Sister Mauldin will be with Sister Perkins! I'm sad to leave Okinawa and terrified but really excited!!

This week was good we had a lot of fun! We met Jun at work at talked with him and had some lessons with members this week. On Thursday we had eikaiwa and at 7:00 no other missionaries were there. Two of the elders were setting up their room, no idea on the other 4 so we had to do some on the spot thinking and cover one class. They eventually all came... turns out they were helping a member and got stuck there late. Friday we had a pancake party at the church. It was fun! Lots of members came and a few non members too. We ate pancakes and talked. Saturday we did a beach clean up and got to watch general conference! GENERAL CONFERENCE IS THE BEST!! We watched the first session at a members home in Japanese (not really entirely sure what they said). The rest were at the church. Sunday we went to the church and watched all of it there. A member brought a friend so that was awesome! OKINAWA TEMPLE! Monday we had a baby shower for Heather (one of my old investigators in Kadena) and we had FHE at Hansen Marine base.

New words:

かんごふ (Kangofu): (female) nurse

たしかに (Tashikani): certainly, doubtless

Funny keiken: We had dinner at a members home and it was probably one of my favorites! The Larsens have 3 little kids who are half Phillippino. The oldest boy is 8 and the youngest is 3. The night consisted of food, laughing, push-ups (by a 3 year old), a 5 year old girl trying to eat a seed (not one you are suppose to eat) and so much more. We gave the spiritual message and it was on choices and choosing the right. I asked the kids, "when do you choose the right?" The oldest boy responded with "when you are lost, go right!" All of us cracked up a bit including his parents and it was my favorite response the rest of the night! We had a great message and I think the parents liked it.

Spiritual keiken: Of course general conference is up at the top. But the one I want to share was from family home evening. So we go every other Monday up to Camp Hansen for FHE. It's for the single military members and usually its the marines, so the conversation is always interesting. We decided this time to read "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles" together. So we went around and read it and as we did the spirit filled the room. Everyone was pretty silent for a minute and people shared parts they liked and their testimonies. The Letteer family provided food and when Sister Letteer asked their little girl what she liked she said "I don't know but I felt the spirit". We shared our testimonies of the Savior and invited them to share theirs with someone this week (a friend, family, etc). I invite all of you to do the same. Your testimony will grow as you share it with others.

I know the Savior lives. He loves us and this week end as we celebrate his resurrection I invite all of you to think about what he did for you. Yes he completed the atonement so everyone could be resurrected and everyone could return home, but he did it individually for you. He went through your life and your sins and he went below your pain so he could know how to help you rise. He loves you.

I love you all!

Love,

Thompson 姉妹

Bits and pieces from family phone calls:

I am so excited to transfer to Hiroshima...I'm also completely freaked out! I haven't had to use my Japanese as much with all the American military branches, so this will be a big change.

I have to make my own travel plans from Fukuoka to Takasu...not gonna lie...that terrifies me!

I will dearly miss the people of Okinawa and all the friendships I've made there.