MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! (12/25)

(This is even later because I took forever to upload it, sorry- Kaley aka Taylor's sister).

Long time no email! (Literally all of December, haha...) ごめん! But because my family loves me they sent me a new keyboard, so the emails will continue with more consistency from now on! I have a lot I want to write about, but will probably just stick to the highlights for now. Just know these past weeks have been some of the best weeks of my mission so far. We have seen so many miracles here in Tsu and I am so excited to see many more before the end of the year. But, without further ado, here's what you've missed:

First, our Zone Conference was awesome this transfer. There were some amazing trainings that really got us pumped to find even more people and share the Light of Christ! This transfer they've been really focusing on finding more people. As such, a lot of our time lately has been spent going house to house trying to talk to people and just talking to even more people on the streets/on the trains. There aren't a TON of people in Tsu, but our numbers have slowly been improving and we've come up with some interesting and fun ways to get people to talk to us. Santa hats are a big win, haha. Carolling...not so much. Turns out Japanese people are not a fan of carolling. What a bummer, right? But we perservere. 

We had a companion exchange with the Sister Training Leader in Gokiso area and it was so fun! Gokiso is part of Nagoya, so it was so much busier and a lot more people. When I was there we got delicious burgers and also ate some pastries from a shop that makes everything look like a banana, haha. Yay for Japan! The sisters in this mission are seriously so amazing and I feel so blessed to be able to work side by side with all of them.

Zone Interviews were equally as awesome. They happened a little earlier in the transfer than normal, so I didn't get any clues as to whether or not I'll be transferring. But I get the feeling I'll stay in Tsu. Which is great! My companion and I get along great and there's so much going on right now in Tsu, so I have no desire to transfer! It was great to talk to President Ishii though and get even more training. Repumped us up for the remainder of the transfer!

Update on Investigators:

1) Tou-san: She is our Chinese investigator that has a set baptismal date for February. There is a bit of a language barrier, so she's not progressing super fast, but slowly but surely she is making room for God and Christ in her life. She came to our branch Christmas party and seemed to enjoy herself, so our next goal is to get her to church!

2) Joy: Filipino and gorgeous and so converted! Her mom hasn't given her permission to be baptized yet, so we're waiting on that. But she is seriously already more of a member than me, haha. Her testimony is so strong and I know she is going to be an amazing missionary some day!

3) Shera (Pau): Also Filipino and so amazing. She is living with her family members right now, who happen to be members of the church too ;) She really relates to Joseph Smith and right now is just trying to receive an answer that this church is true. We know it's just a matter of time before she receives that answer and is baptized. I feel so blessed that we are able to teach her <3

4) Saori-san: A Japanese college student who we've been teaching for a while now. She has lots of really good questions, but doesn't believe in God. We've been really pushing prayer lately, but she kept resisting. We finally had a lesson where all we emphasized was prayer and practically begged her to give prayer a try. When she came to church on Sunday she finally told us that she'd prayed and felt something different. Still doesn't believe in God, but I can tell her heart is slowly starting to open to the posibility that there is a God. I'm so excited to see the progress she will continue to make as the weeks continue!

5) Anicia and Jackie: Two Filipino women who were referrals from a member. They just came to church one day and we taught them and they are so willing to listen and work to understand. They just want to find the truth and find a good church to raise their children in. I'm so excited to help them find that in this church!

6) Sandy: Chinese and a foreign exchange student at the college here. She is so open and has such a desire to learn about God. It's amazing! I'm so excited to help her learn and see the ways this gospel can bless her life. We've only met with her once, but we have another appointment this next week and I'm so excited to see her again!

And of course I have to put in a word about Maegawa Shimai. She is as amazing as ever and continues to progress even after baptism. Her health isn't great in the winter, so she hasn't been able to come to church recently. But when we teach her I can tell her testimony is still growing. She's so excited to enter the temple next November and I'm so excited to help her work towards that goal!

Finally, a word on Christmas festivities:

We have had so many parties and events this past week and it was such a blast! We did a party for our English Class and it was super fun! People really seemed to enjoy the games and food and we were able to interact with them on a more casual level. Overall, a success!

The Branch Christmas Party was a hit! The decorations looked amazing and everyone did little performances and it was so fun! We sang with the relief society as well as did our own little "game show" thing. That included me getting a shaving cream beard put on my face! The things I do for the mission.... ;) Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and we were able to meet a lot of new people. Once again, a success!

We've received so many gifts and I literally feel so blessed to be able to spend this Christmas in Japan. I'm surrounded by so many amazing people and have been the receiver of so much love this holiday season. I just hope I can show a little bit of the Savior's love this season as well. 

There's lots more I want to say, but I'll cut it off here for today. I can't promise a weekly next week (New Years is pretty crazy in Japan), but I will try my best! Thank you for all the well wishes, gifts, prayers, and letters! I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

愛しています!

アルマー姉妹
Sister Armour