In the Strength of the Lord

Lots to say about this week and about 30 minutes to do it, so here we go! First, the most important thing: I am being transferred. Again! Haha, I was only in Gifu for six weeks (one transfer) but I am being transferred to the next area over, Ichinomiya! I'll be in the same zone and district, just a different area. Should be interesting, haha. And a twist! I'm going to have 2 new companions! One is from America and the other is from Japan. Cope Shimai and Nomura Shimai. Should make for a fun transfer. They've both already been in Ichinomiya and know what's going on, so I will not have to really worry about anything. I'm excited for a relaxing transfer ;) However, in another twist, my companion (Sharpe Shimai) is also transferring! She's going to Fukutoku and the Gifu Shimai are closing (meaning no more shimai will be coming for a while). Two more elders are coming so there will be four elders in Gifu instead. It was sad, but I think in the long run it will be a blessing to everyone. The elders have been really busy and it will be good to have more help. 

Because of that we said a lot of goodbyes this past week. Some highlights were:

1) We went with our investigator Ishii-san and his wife (who's a member) to Gifu Castle, the Gifu Giant Buddha, and another castle in Ogaki. It was amazing and beautiful and so much fun! They were way too nice and bought us food and everything. It was seriously just fun spending time with them, too. They're so sweet and funny and remind me of my own grandparents. We also had him come to church on Sunday and it was such a miracle! He hasn't been in 7 years, so the fact that he came was such a blessing. We're hoping to keep in contact with him even after we transfer because he's so great! They also gave us lots of goodbye gifts and I just feel so blessed that I get to meet such amazing people <3

2) We went out to lunch with one of the YSA from our ward (Akari-chan) and it was so great! We talked about gospel stuff and normal stuff and just had a great time. She's so cute and so fun to be around. We also went shopping with her today and it was awesome and we took lots of silly photos, haha. I'm so glad we have access to facebook so I can be sure to keep in touch with all the amazing YSA I've met here in Japan :)

3) This past week we also had a mission tour from Elder Choi of the Asia Northeast Area Presidency. It was soooo spiritual and amazing and I learned a LOT from it. He mostly talked about obedience and how the little things are what make the big things possible. It was really relevant to things I've been struggling with lately and I'm so grateful that I was able to hear his words of wisdom. (Along with the words of wisdom of his wife, my mission president, and my mission president's wife.) He also talked about how the PMG (Preach My Gospel) should also stand for "Perfect Marriage Guide" and we got a good kick out of that, haha. Nothing like talking to a bunch of missionaries about how we all need to get married as soon as we get home. Overall it was a great conference though!

4) Fun story: the relief society president in our ward right now (Hashimoto Shimai) is amazing! She knows all the sisters so well and is such a big help to us missionaries. She has such a great testimony and I've learned lots from her. A couple Sunday's ago we talked with another sister in the ward and it turns out when she was a missionary she taught Hashimoto Shimai! Hashimoto Shimai was a convert AND was actually dropped a few times by the missionaries before she finally accepted baptism. This was bafling to me and also a great lesson. I realized that the Lord has a plan for everyone and that everything happens according to His timing. For all I know someone I teach could end up being an amazing relief society president some day. So for now I just need to teach by the Spirit and trust that God will take care of the rest ^^

5) On Sunday morning I got a call from one of the bishopric asking if it was true that I was transferring. I told him it was and then he asked me to speak in sacrament meeting that day for around 8 minutes. I agreed and then realized I had no idea how I was going to write a talk in the hour I had before church. I also was already scheduled to sing in sacrament meeting and needed to practice for that, too. I put my entire trust in the Lord and did nothing but write bullet points and find some scriptures. We headed to the church, practiced the song a couple times, then sacrament meeting started. I was pretty nervous beforehand but after saying a silent prayer I could feel peace and knew that through the Lord I would be able to do it. I spoke for a total of 10 minutes and only stopped because my companion flashed me her watch telling me I was out of time, haha. I have no idea what I said except for reading a few scriptures, but it was such a testimony builder to me that the Lord really does provide a way and help us when we need it. I'm so grateful to be a missionary and be able to receive such blessings. The song also went well (or so people tell me, haha) and was able to bring the Spirit to the meeting. It was a great way to spend my last Sunday in Gifu. Also, as a side note, before my mission I never would have sang alone in church. I was terrified and in all honesty didn't think I had a good enough voice to do it. But thanks to the wonderful oppurtunities my mission has given me--and the strength and courage I've gained through my companions and the Lord--I was able to sing for the people here in Gifu. I will forever be grateful for the blessings of my mission.

That's about it for this week. I can't believe I'll be transfer 7 as of tomorrow. The time has flown by and I fear if I blink for too long I'll be back in America, haha. So for now I will try and enjoy every minute of my mission.

Thanks for all the emails, prayers, support, letters, and love. I don't think I would've made it this far without them.

愛しています!

アルマー姉妹
Sister Armour