Week 67: Too fast!

I know last week I said that time flies when you are having fun, but wow! It is going way too fast and sometimes I wish it would just slow down. This morning I realized I have been on my mission for 16 months! And that means I only have about 2 months left! And everyday goes by too fastly.... Wow that's embarrassing... I mean quickly. And I can't even think about the weeks, because somehow it feels like those go by even faster. I have realized though that with so little time left, it just makes me want to work that much harder. I love being a missionary!

Yesterday after church.

This week we have been able to work with SO many members! I can't believe how much your heart just opens and grows even more with every person that you meet and get to know. I really love getting to know these members. It is so hard not to love someone when you really get to know them. This week has been full of those kind of experiences, and I am SO grateful! I just want to get to know everyone, everywhere! :) There are so many people that sometimes we just see at church, or in the grocery store or wherever, and we sometimes think about how rowdy their kids may be. Or maybe even how they are so grumpy, and weren't nice enough. There are so many times that we look at others and judge them by their outward appearance. Something that I have learned through serving a mission, but especially recently is how important it is to get to know those people if you can. Or at least try to see things from their perspective. They may be a single mom who is trying to come back to church after 10 years. They may have a child with some mental disability who is trying her hardest to behave, but is being put in an uncomfortable environment. Or maybe they are trying to get by, and have to work three jobs and barely even have time for sleep. Or maybe they are a family  who are trying their best, and they may have had struggles in the past, but they are trying to change and be better. I'm sure you have all seen those people. And you may have thought about how you just wished they would sit still, or control their kids, or maybe just be a little bit nicer. What I have learned those, is when you really get to know these people, and understand where they are coming from, when you really begin to think of them as children of our Heavenly Father, your heart is filled with SO much love and charity for them. And you really can't help but love them. So the next time you see someone who is struggling, try to get to know them, look for ways to help or serve them. I promise it will not only help them, but will help you feel even happier too!

I love you all so much, and you are in my thoughts and prayers! 

-- 

アマンダ・K・ロボトサン姉妹

日本神戸伝道部

末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会

--

Sister Amanda K. Robertson

Japan Kobe Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We made somen pizza. :) one of the less actives we are working with taught us how last week.

We had a ward primary picnic on Daisen at the milk pasture. :)

The ice cream melted too fast though, and when the wind blew, it got all over me.

We woke up early for seminary this morning. We tried to come last week, but it was canceled. 

I found Packer Chōrō in the new pamphlets made for teaching those without a Christian background (Packer Choro is my cousin's son Elder Packer who served in Japan a year or so ago. I look forward to a day when Amanda and Adam can meet up again and they can speak in Japanese with one another. :)

Week 66: Time sure flies when you are having fun!

I can't believe how fast time is flying! It's already transfer week again! I am staying in Yonago again with Itabashi Shimai! :) I'm pretty excited! Yonago is incredible, and I am so excited to see all the miracles that will happen this next transfer! We have been able to work with a lot of the members recently, and we are excited to keep working with them.

Yesterday, I was sitting in church, and thinking about all of the members. I noticed that there was a sister that hadn't come. Earlier that morning, I remembered that I needed to write back one of the Young Women, so I grabbed a card before we left the apartment. I hadn't had the chance to write her yet, when I was sitting in sacrament meeting, I felt like maybe I should write a note to this sister, instead of the Young Woman that I needed to write back. As I thought about what to write, I thought about sharing with her about how God knows her and loves her, and knows what she is going through. She has been going through a lot lately, and we have been struggling to know how to help her. We have been sending her a scripture every day, and we visit and talk with her, but we never really get the chance to talk and help her because she has been busy with her kids who have been sick, and with so much else. So, I sat there and felt like I needed to tell her that although I may not know, God knows. That He knows and understands perfectly, and that she just needs to rely on Him. I then shared about how recently I have been going through some trials of my own recently, and although sometimes it seems impossible to overcome, and like you can't do it, when we rely on Jesus Christ, when we trust in Him, and in Heavenly Father's plan for us, everything always works out. Yeah, sometimes it is still hard, but it's not impossible. "With God all things are possible." I don't know if that letter will do anything at all to help her, but I was grateful for what I was able to learn through thinking about her. Recently there have been a lot of people that I know who have been going through a rough time. I know though, that as long as we rely on our Savior Jesus Christ, everything will be okay. Yeah, sometimes it may be hard, and sometimes it may seem like we will never be able to climb over the mountain of trials that we are facing, but I know that we can. I know it with all of my heart. And I know that you can even find peace and happiness in the journey that you are traveling. So, this week, just try your best to trust and rely on your Father in Heaven. He has a plan for you, and He loves you!

I love you all so much, and I am grateful for each and everyone of you!!!

 Cute girls

 I just love this family SO much! They hold a special place in my heart!

 

Yonago

Week 65: Pray Always

Hello,

What a crazy week. Time seems to be flying by! I can't believe it! We have actually been in our area all week, although yesterday after church we went to Kurayoshi, and are just now headed back today. (I am typing on the train.) So much has happened this week. This week I learned the power of prayer. We have been having a hard time meeting with one of our investigators, and hadn't been able to get in contact with her for 3 weeks. One day last week, we decided to bike out to her house. She wasn't home though, so we just heart attacked her. That night she mailed us, and told us thank you, and wanted to know if we could come over right then. We couldn't because of other plans that we had. We were able to go visit her on Sunday night though and talk with her a little bit. Then again on Tuesday, and Thursday. We were so grateful that we had been able to meet with her! As Itabashi Shimai and I were talking one night, we realized that there had been so many people praying for her over the last week or two. Us, the missionaries in our district, and even the members in the ward were praying for her. It was through those prayers that we were able to get in contact with her again. Prayer works. God hears and answers our prayers. Not always in the time and in the way that we would like, but He always answers our prayers. I am so grateful for my companion who helped me to realize the power that prayer has. This is God's work. I know that with all of my heart. I know that as we take the time to rely one Him, He will lead and guide us each and everyday. 

I love you all so much, and you are in my thoughts and prayers. 

Week 64: There is sunshine in my soul today

Aug 30, 2015

It's been a great week. The time is flying SO fast! Can you believe that tomorrow is already September? We were scheduling an appointment this past week, and when we realized that the next time we meet will be September, my heart stopped for about half a second. Looking back at everything that happened in this past week, it feels so long, but when we get to the end of the today we just think about how fast it went. And now it is also September! I feel like it should still be May or something... Crazy how fast time flies when you are having fun.

The work here is going great. We got to teach some new people this week, and also some people we haven't seen in a long time. It was great. We had a lot of really cool experiences this past week. But this week I am especially grateful for members. We have so many incredible members in Yonago. 

One of the sisters in the ward mentioned a little while ago that maybe we could start a cooking Eikaiwa class with the kids once a week, and we could invite our investigators to come. Last week one of our investigators came with her two kids, and it turns out that her daughter is friends with the members daughter. M Shimai and T San started talking and became really good friends. It was awesome. This week, we invited one of our other investigators who has a 3 year old son, and an almost 1 year old daughter. M Shimai also just had a baby a couple of months ago, and her son is about the same age. It was another wonderful opportunity for her to be able to fellowship N San, and really help her to feel welcomed. 

While we were cooking with the kids, they were talking, and at some point they ended up talking a little about baptism, and how we all choose to be baptized. They were able to become really good friends, and talk about things that we hadn't had the chance to teach yet. M Shimai also invited her to come to the primary picnic coming up, and even offered to give N San a ride. It just made us so happy to see how when members get involved, and become friends with our investigators, it makes the work so much easier. Now she will be able to see the blessing that the gospel has in the life of a family, similar to her own. And maybe some day we will be able to have a dinner with both families, so N San's husband can also see the blessings of the gospel, and meet an incredible dad, M Kyodai. We are so excited to see what will happen. :) one of the best ways to do missionary work, is to work with the members. If you haven't talked to the missionaries in a while, maybe invite them over, and see what you can do to help them. See if there is anyone that needs a friend. I promise it will not only make the missionaries happy, but it will also bless your life as well. And who doesn't want new friends? :)

Heavenly Father is truly in this work. I have learned that a lot recently. As we just try about best, and put our trust in Him, everything always works out. Not always in the time or way that we would hope, but it always works out in the time and way that we need. In God's time and way. Just trust in Him. Have confidence in His timing. Have faith that He hears and answers your prayers. I love you all so much, and I hope you have an incredible week! You are amazing!

                                         

We had a kokan, and there was a typhoon... We may have gotten a little bit blown over.

My breakfast, (yogurt and granola) and my companions breakfast (rice, raw egg, nato, and miso soup)

My food... And an elder's food

Robertson 姉妹

-- 

アマンダ・K・ロボトサン姉妹

日本神戸伝道部

末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会

--

Sister Amanda K. Robertson

Japan Kobe Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Week 63: It really is a small world after all.

Aug 16, 2015

After ballet with some of our favorites.

 While we were at the K's house, they got a surprise visit from Tojo Shimai, a sister that went home a few transfers ago.

I saw Perry Shimai. :) I haven't seen her in forever! 

Transfers are always hard, but they are always fun. It was sad to say bye to MacKenzie Shimai, because we really have become best friends. 

Last picture with MacKenzie Shimai 

But, it's okay, because I know we will see each other again soon. My new companion is Itabashi Shimai. :) she is an 8th transfer missionary (I just started my 10th transfer), and is from Chiba Ken (Tokyo). When we first saw each other at transfer point, we only spoke in Japanese. We went to buy bus tickets, and then because we had almost 5 hours before our bus, we went and got some lunch. After lunch though, because we had lots of time left, we ended up going back to the transfer point with the other missionaries. It was there that we started speaking in English... And we have been really bad about speaking Japanese to each other ever since... I guess we are going to have to work on being better at SYLing (Speak Your Language). Itabashi Shimai is awesome though, and I am so excited to be her companion! 

After an activity with some of the YSA.

This week I learned that it really is a small world after all. Now that I am an older missionary (I am just as old as when my trainer trained me), I have seen a lot of missionaries go home. I have also gotten to know a lot of other missionaries. I first met Itabashi Shimai at the Christmas Taikai in December, right here in this same zone. My zone leaders I met in the MTC. My current district leader and I were both in the same district almost a year ago. I am currently serving in the same area that my trainer served in before she transferred to Tsuyama, where we met. And in November or December a year ago, I came on a kokan to Yonago where one of my previous sister training leaders served, and where I am now. And that same sister training leader was just one of the sisters that I got to work with this past transfer. MacKenzie Shimai and I met on Facebook before our missions and then in person at the MTC, and then we got to be companions last transfer. 

As I look back on my mission and every one that I have met, it really seems like things have come full circle. But it was even weirder yesterday night as we were following up with one of the sisters. She is a 2nd transfer misisonary, and was talking about how she is still having a hard time understanding everything, but always gets excited when she hears a word that she knows. Well, I was then reminded of an experience that I have shared time and time again over the course of my mission. A story about my second Sunday in Japan, when a member from another Ward spoke in church. And all I understood the whole time, was the word for cat. As I began to tell her that story, all of the sudden I had a thought. When I was serving in Tsuyama, a member from the stake had come, the one who talked about the cats, and how much his less active wife loves cats. There happens to be a member here in Yonago that has a less active wife, who just happens to love cats, and is in the same stake that I was in a year ago. Funny coincidence right? Just wait. It gets better. I remember being so confused and asking McLaughlin Shimai what he was talking about, because all I could understand was cat. McLaughlin Shimai, my trainer, who just happened to serve in Yonago, explained to me about his wife, and her love for cats, and she talked as if she knew who he was. As I was talking to the sister we were following up with last night, all the pieces seemed to be fitting together. I never would have guessed, a year ago today (when it happened) that I would meet him... And now I do service at his house, go out and eat with him and his wife, and we are even trying to help him bring back his less-active wife. The one who loves cats! What a small small world. I have truly learned over my life that Heavenly Father is the master planner. He also has a wonderful sense of humor. 

This week we got to meet with she really cool people. We got to meet with X, and teach her about some of the commandments and why we have commandments. Heavenly Father gives us commandments because He loves us. He loves us so much that He wants us to become like Him, and to return to live with Him again someday. Through keeping the commandments, we show our love to Him, and we also receive blessings. When we do what Heavenly Father asks us to do, He always blesses us. The greatest blessing of all though, is that through keeping the commandments, we can be with our families forever, even after we die. X understands this. She has such a strong desire to see her dad again, and because of that she is so willing to so all that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ asks of her. She is trying harder than ever. As we taught her, she committed herself to keeping the commandments, and to reading the Book of Mormon, she committed to try harder, and to trust in Heavenly Father more. I am so grateful for X, and I can't wait to see what this next week brings. :)

The primary needed us to be witnesses of Jesus Christ's miracles. :)

I love being a missionary, and I am so grateful for that opportunity that I have to be here. I have been able to meet and learn from so many amazing people, and I am so glad that I still have time left. Time really is flying, and weeks sometimes just feel like days, but it is far from over yet. Sometimes it is hard to be a missionary, but it is also so rewarding, and I have never been happier. 

I hope you all have an incredible week. I am so grateful for each and every one of you, and for all of your love and support. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

-- 

アマンダ・K・ロボトサン姉妹

日本神戸伝道部

末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会

--

Sister Amanda K. Robertson

Japan Kobe Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Week 62: Transfers always come way too fast!

It's transfer week again. This past transfer has gone by so fast, and I don't know how I feel about it. There are lots of changes happening this week though. MacKenzie Shimai is transferring to Nishiwaki. And I am going to be companions with Itabashi Shimai. She is a half. I'm looking forward to what this next six weeks will bring. It will definitely be different though. 

This week has been so crazy. We went to Kobe again for MLC (missionary leader council), and went up the day before for preparation day. MLC was incredible, and I was able to learn a lot.

The Okayama Zone this transfer.

We had lunch with the sisters in Nihama when we went to Kobe on Monday.

Then we went together to the Herb Garden.

That night we slept at the Kobe sisters apartment, and MacKenzie Shimai killed this giant bug.

For MLC we all wore normal clothes and hiked up a mountain, and talked about the rededication at the top. It was so awesome!

 Then we got back late Tuesday night. We were here on Wednesday and we were super busy. Then Thursday we had a Kokan with the Kurayoshi sisters, went to Okayama that night. On Friday we had ZTM, and then got home late Friday night. Saturday we had Ward camp, and we did service with the Priesthood. Then we had church yesterday, and dinner with some of the members. I really love it here in Yonago, and I am so excited to be here for at least another transfer. 

We don't really have a ton of time this week, because of having to get ready for transfers. But I love you all. Something that I learned this week is that through trials we really can become unified with those around us. This transfer has been full of trials, and with every week it seems there is just one more trial. But, through our trials, both personal, and ones that we face together, Mackenzie Shimai and I have been able to grow that much closer together. I really love MacKenzie Shimai, and I am sure going to miss her. But, change is good, and I know it is all a part of God's plan. 

-- 

アマンダ・K・ロボトサン姉妹

日本神戸伝道部

末日聖徒イエス・キリスト教会

--

After Ward Camp. :) SO much fun! I love Yonago Ward!

Sister Amanda K. Robertson

Japan Kobe Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints