Goodbye Niigata, Hello Chiba!

So, transfer calls came....and I am sad to be leaving Niigata. It is such a wonderful place with such wonderful people. But I am excited that I am going to Chiba, Oyumino! 

I am training a new missionary again! And we are opening the area for sisters! (There are 3 Elders there right now.) Which means we get a new apartment and everything. I am going to get really good at finding because we wont be starting with anyone to teach! I am so excited!! 

I love this whole transfer experience. It is awesome. 

Orton shimai with Molinari shimai and Budge shimai (Mission President's wife)

My new missionary, Sister Molinari, is amazing! She is from Upstate New York. 

We have a lot in common.

We are in Chiba near Disney Land and Disney Sea.

This place is chocked full of families with cute little kids! We are going to love it here!

Mexican Food!

I have a very exciting story! We found some Mexican food! 

Actually, a cute investigator from Eikaiwa (english class) told us about a Mexican restaurant near the Eki (train station). We went ... and it was awesome! 

They had refried beans!! The cheese was definitely lacking, but it was a delicious CHICKEN ENCHILADA! So happy! 

Another yummy dinner with the Oseki family (curry rice - my favorite)

We just had a Zone Conference and part of the training from our great leaders was about:

Moroni 10:3-5

Here are steps to follow to find out truth (perhaps explained a little differently than you may have thought of before):

1. Prepare spiritually

2. Read and Ponder

3. You will feel that this is right and true (or feel uncomfortable, if it isn't)

4. Ask for a conformation of "these things" (which are the feelings that you received)

5. When you get that answer to your heart and mind then you can act on the answer.

If you want to feel the Spirit more, look for it in your life and then ask if what you are feeling is the Spirit. Of course it helps to be in holy places, read or listen to holy things, and be grateful for the blessings you receive in your life.

Happy New Year!

2014

(the year of the HORSE)

New Year's Eve day was spent deep cleaning our apartment! I loved it! It was great to not have to wear a skirt all day! A wonderful family had all the missionaries in Niigata over for dinner and it really felt like New Year's Eve! We were going to play games, but we ran out of time.

New Year's Day was Book of Mormon day in our mission. We stayed inside the whole day and did nothing but read! I loved it!! I wish I could do that to begin each new year! ... Maybe I can!

I decided my goal this year is to have a prayer in my heart, or in other words, to do everything prayerfully. 

Another goal is to write in my journal everyday. I have been good at that so far. : )

Orton shimai and Sister shimai teaching a lesson

I have been thinking about obedience lately. I am not perfect, but I see that if there is some small thing that I can change in my behavior in order to come closer to God, or to please God, then I will gladly give it up to Him. At least that is the attitude I want to always have. Obedience is so important!