Crocodiles

Samari Shop

It was an awesome week. And a little crazy weather wise. Monday and Tuesday we had snow but the rest of the week it was in the 70's. I'm not complaining! We get transfer calls today, I have not got mine yet.  [Call where they find out whether Emma or her companion are moving to a new location]. You'll have to find out next week. We're also going to the zoo today as a district. I get to wear pants. I'm in heaven. Anyway, this week. 

Crocodile Burger

Tuesday: we had district meeting. After the lovely meeting we want our for burgers again. Mainly because it was March and in March the burger joint has crocodile burgers. We decided it was necessary for us all to eat one. I highly recommend eating crocodile. It it delicious.

Wednesday: we had asparagus for dinner. I felt like mom. Remember that phase mom went through where we had asparagus every night for dinner? Also, here's this new workout app they let missionaries have. I tried it out in the morning. I liked it. I did it outside on the balcony and watched the sun rise and trains go by.

Thursday: happy girls day!!  [Apparently a big holiday, details here] We dendoed [missionary work] all day and then had a girls party at a members. It was awesome. We went up and dendoed in the mountains. We saw lots of rice paddies. Not many people. There was this ice cream shop on the ride that we met a less active member at and had hand spun ice cream. It was delicious.

Emma made these sushi
for Girls Day

Friday: I lead today and scared a lot of people. Everyone I stopped was shocked that a American was stopping them. I think that initial shock kept them from saying no. The weather was so nice people didn't mind to talk. And when we housed in the evening literally every house answered their ping pong. Some didn't talk long but they all answered. Miracle.

Saturday: we had kids Eikaiwa [English Class] and played tons of fun games. There's a girl camille's age and we played tag after. She likes soccer and plays the flute. Dendo was rough. No one answered and those who did hung up right away. But the spirit told me as we were biking home that's it was ok. Sometimes we don't get to see the fruits of our labors. Which can be frustrating but hey, God has His own time schedule.


Sunday: was an interesting day. I love fast Sunday but not eating and Japanese don't really go well together. I was having a rough time at church. Especially when we got to relief society and they were talking about having the sabbath be a delight. And I was just sitting there thinking I do not feel delightful right now. Which made me more sad because I knew I should be happy. Anyway, I was a wreck in the corner trying not to cry and really wanting a hug. More specifically, someone to hug me. The thing about Japan is, hugs are weird. Normal Japanese people DO NOT hug. In the church, it's a little more normal because they have American missionaries all the time. But they never initiate the hug. Normally that's no big deal for me. I'll just hug people because that's seems to speak better than my Japanese. Anyway, there was no way I was going to get a hug unless I hugged someone. But I really felt like I needed someone to hug me. Knowing that I wouldn't get one made me even more grumpy. As we were leaving relief society one of the relief society counselors stopped us and was talking about how awesome my companion is. Which usually I'm game for. My companion is fantastic. But I was just not having it. And then suddenly she turns to me and says "Bearman shimai, thanks for all the hard work you do" and proceeded to hug me. I was so shocked I may have cried a bit. It was so unexpected. But so needed. And I knew God was looking out for me. He knew I need a hug. And He also knows that Japanese people normal don't hug. But He made it work. And it changed my day. And I am so grateful for it.

Well, it's been good up here in Chikushino. I love you all. Have a great week!
ベアーマン姉妹

Monday:

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