Week 26

Dear everyone,

I wish you all a belated happy Thanksgiving and happy Black Friday.  Thanksgiving is not exactly a high priority here (it is after all an American holiday) but that is okay.  We made it special in our very own way.  

Here are a few highlights of that day.

• Had a mogi lesson with a member (mock lesson where the member pretends to be an investigator so we can practice Japanese / teaching).  She used to be a tour guide all around the world and loves Michelangelo so she and I became quick friends
• Made a Thanksgiving feast.  And by that, I mean we made weird sweet potato casserole out of the random ingredients we had on hand, rolls from the freezer, and berry cobbler courtesy of Paula Deen.  (As in Sister McAllister had a recipe from the lady).  For added nutritional value, I made some miso soup.  



Happy Thanksgiving Day

•  And then we ate it all in 5 minutes to make sure we stayed within the 60 minutes allotted for dinner.  Mmmhmmm.

Tokyo Temple in Hiroo

Today was pretty great.  We got up at 5am and headed over to Hiroo to visit the Tokyo Temple for our once-a-month trip.  I got to see all my bestest friends again and eat a real American burger.  It was topped with cooked apples and cinnamon.  

I'm quickly realizing that this letter is turning into a food diary, so I suppose I shall say something about the work, which I do happen to love more than food.  

Yesterday was also pretty great.  We Chiba sisters met most of the zone in Yachiyo (fun fact: which also happens to be the town I was born in) to BLITZ (aka find new investigators for the area).  I was temporarily on splits with dear Sister Day from Georgia, and we walked a ways out to not infringe on anyone else's proselyting.  We walked past a cute oldish Japanese lady with a cute oldish dog and remarked on her cute oldish dog, and lo and behold she was GOLDEN.  She just happens to be Christian and just happens to like talking about Christianity she said and just happens to be looking for a church that isn't hours away.  She stops and says, No one in Japan talks about Christianity.  But they should.  We all need God in our lives.  We say, Yes we know.  She says, Come over any time and we'll talk about church.  I have all the time in the world.  (Of course this is a paraphrase as it was in Japanese).  Sister Day and I fainted.  Miracles!

In other news, I had my first official bicycle wipe-out.  No other parties were involved.  My skinny little road tires just couldn't handle the curb and I felt my life flashing before my eyes as I went sprawling right in front of Domino's Pizza.  The employees temporarily averted their attention from tossing pizza dough in the air to the random girl lying on the pavement, but I just got up on my bicycle and tried to pretend like nothing happened.  #thisiswhypianoprofessorsinsuretheirhands #butimnotapianoprofessorsoiguessitdoesntmatter

In other other news, we have a baptism this Sunday! More details to come next week. 

To close, my favorite scripture(s) that I stumbled upon this week, D&C 6:23-24, 33-34:

23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?  What greater witness can you have than from God?

24 And now, behold, you have received a witness; for if I have told you things which no man knoweth have you not received witness?

33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.

34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

I think I used to resent being labeled as a "weird churchy girl," but I currently find no shame in it.  If you have the gospel, you have absolutely nothing to lose, because it's true.  Amen.    

Love love love love, Margaret

P.S.  I know this isn't churchy, but I heard this quote from one of my favorite childhood authors and it made me happy.  And so I am going to share it with you. 

"If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely."

-Roald Dahl

 IIt's like smizing (smiling with your eyes--thank you, Tyra Banks), except it works with your whole entire face.  Isn't that the happiest thing you ever heard? 

Also, this Friday, I have officially been in the mission field for 6 months.  WHOA. 

(Monday, December 2)

I had never been to Baskin Robbins until I came to Japan.