week 73: happier in the end

ya know...just a random pig seat outside the meat house...

こんにちは! Hello everyone!

This week was amazing! We had so much fun! Monday we hung out with the Hikari elders and then had to take a Japanese test thing. Tuesday we had 2 District Councils. Cool thing about being an STL is you can go to the other district. It was awesome! We did a missionary Combine (like the NFL stuff) and basically tested our missionary skills. At our second one we got random, and I mean RANDOM objects, and had to create the plan of salvation. My team totally won. Then had Eikaiwa! Wednesday we had our Japanese class and then basketball! We had enough people come to do a real game. It was crazy fun and some new people came so we totally talked about church with them. So fun! Then Thursday 4th of July! Crazy fun. Nakasuga san took us to this cool old japan garden place and then we ate okonomiyaki (osaka style). Then we taught Ogawa Shimai english and after went to Hatsukaichi for Eikaiwa. So fun. Friday we had an okonomiyaki party with Yuki shimai and Sanuki shimai and Uchikoshi shimai. Then after we had a lesson with Soejima san and Shima Shimai and talked about the atonement and learned how to make sushi. Saturday we had a concert for a returning member and American night. I got to teach everyone to country dance!! It was so fun. I am so rusty but it was the best!!! Sunday was my last Sunday. I got to bear my testimony and say goodbye to so many. Okinaga san came and so did a returning member. It was an amazing last Sunday. Then Monday we found out Berg Shimai is training!!! Then we went to yakiniku with the mom gang and the elders. It was so fun!

This is my last email as a missionary. So these are some things I learned.

Interesting things I learned.

1. Japanese people are amazing at backing up... Americans can't compare to their driving skills.

2. The word for orthopedic and plastic surgery are the same.

3. Rice makes you fat unless you are Japanese.

4. Nothing is cuter than 25 kids all wearing the same color hat.

5. If you don't think a car can fit down the tiny road, the Japanese will make it fit.

6. Okinawa is not Japan.

7. Japanese dialects are hard and don't always make sense.

8. The Okinawa dialect is a different language.

9. Obachans (grandmas) make the best friends.

10. Customer service is the best in Japan.

11. There are Convinnies on every corner.

12. If you are in the middle of a rice field with nothing around or the top of a mountain or any crazy place, you will always have a vending machine.

13. People say "青になった" (it became blue) when the light changes to green.

14. Japanese cars are like smart cars... if you crash your chance of dying is a lot higher.

15. Japanese cars are basically the tents from Harry potter... bigger on the inside.

16. If you say you like natto every Japanese person is shocked.

17. Japanese hospitals sometimes look way futuristic and cool or else they look like something from world war 2.

18. Pokémon go is still big in Japan.

Spiritual things I learned

1. God gives us hard things so we can learn to be happier in the end.

2. Prayers are answered! Every prayer no matter how unimportant it may seem, God will answer it.

3. Answers and blessings are not always the kind you are expecting.

4. No one can help everyone but everyone can help someone.

5. True ministering is doing it because you love them.

6. If you assume something about someone else, you are stopping them from being able to progress.

7. We are called to invite all to come unto Christ.

8. If you go into a ward or branch and act as though you will live there until the day you die, they will trust you more.

9. Bible bashing will do nothing but safely sharing beliefs with friends will help everyone grow.

10. God can help our unbelief if we just have the desire.11. Any change is possible because of the atonement.12. Christ conquered the atonement just for you, because he loves you.13. The Book of Mormon can literally answer any question. 14. PMG is the secret to missionary work. 15. Our goal is to teach others so they can become better than we are. 16. Family is the most important thing we have and should be treated as such.17. No matter how many times you read the book of Mormon, you will learn something new each time.18. The most joy you will ever feel in your life is through sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.

New wordsおわり: the end

I love this gospel. I know this church is true and that by sharing it, we will feel true happiness! I have truly learned that Jesus Christ is my Savior and through his help I can do anything. I have not had the easiest mission, but it has been perfect for me. Everything I experienced was meant to help me grow. I have changed more than I can express. I have come to love the members and the people of Japan so much. They have taught me how to actually minister and follow God. I know the Book of Mormon is true and changes lives. Joseph Smith was a prophet and we have a living prophet today. God loves us all so much. He will give us so many chances to repent if we come unto Christ.

I am so grateful for all I have learned.

After

10 hours of flying
9 military bases
8 wards and branches
7 companions
6 areas
5 journals
4 mission sons
3 months of physical therapy
2 mission presidents
1 year and a half I will return home.

I love you. See you soon!

Love,
トムソン姉妹