Busy in Kofu

8-3-08

We got a call the other day from an Elder in Shibuya. He served here a year ago as his first area. He met a lady housing one night at the time. He referred her to the sisters at the time but the sisters got pulled out so the lady was never contacted. He was thinking about her recently so he called us. He gave us the following information: mom, two kids, recent death(s) in the family, looking for answers in the bible, works by the church,lives on the road the church is on, about 20 minutes out, lives on third floor,reddish brownish building. That's the back story. Okay...so then....Saturday we had a lesson with a member who lived far away. We got canceled on by them the day of. We hadn't made a back up plan so I suggested to and visit the referral from the Shibuya elder. So we went.

We rode the street about 15 minutes out and saw a gray building but decided to move on. About 20 minutes out Sis Perkins noticed a reddish building just off the intersection. We housed the 3rd floor. They were either not home or didn't have interest. Sis Perkins decided to house the 2nd floor. We didn't house as a companionship, just by ourselves. I got to #203. It was a talk box. I said the church's name and asked if she had met missionaries. She said just a minute and came to the door. Sisters Perkins then came over to my door. It was her! She fit the description perfectly. Her two daughters ages 9 and 10 were in England at the time and would return shortly. I am grateful the Elder in Shibuya listened to the promptings of the Spirit and acted upon it. I am also grateful our lesson was canceled because we were able to find this lady, and it was the first place we went to ! And she was home!
(Note: to read Elder Morris' version of this experience, click here: http://eldermorris.com/letters.php?cmd=read&id=72 )

My back is hurting still. Sister Perkins is set on helping me fix it. She decided it is calcium deposits. this is what we are doing.

no dairy for a week
fiber pills
i am carrying her bag, much lighter than mine
i am riding her bike
she gives me a quick massage every night
fasted for my back on fast sunday

Ok so now for some more dendo. We ran into a lady while streeting on our bikes. she was with her two young kids. She had interest in the bible and had questions. She pretty much set up an appointment herself to meet with us again. We met. We forgot to bring the bible but it turned out to be a blessing because we were able to talk about things she really needed. We have another appointment with her.

Gosh. There is so much happening here!

The Elders gave us a referral. She is American. Her name is Jennifer. She is in Japan for 2 years. She is a writer but knows Japanese. She told us about a book she is writing. In her spare time she does ballet. She is really bright. She lives in Washington DC. We guess she is 23. She has brown skin and short brown hair and glasses. We had to really focus when she was speaking because her English was so good AND she was a writer so it was extra good. We have a next apt but she will go back to America in two weeks and stay for a month or so.

We went to the temple as a a district. We go as a zone now. We left for the 6:23 am train. We just barely made it. We were going up the escalator to the station when we heard them say the train was arriving. We swiped our cards and ran to the platform. Sis Perkins was ahead of me and she ran into the train just as the doors were closing and held them open so I could come in. It was kinda adventurous but gross because I got sweaty. The trains are sweet because they have a/c.

For the first time in my mission I passed out Eikaiwa fliers at the Eki. I felt so rude because I was being one of those people who just passed out stuff. I said 'Do you speak English' and stuff like that in English. Before I came to Japan I could never imagine myself doing something like that. Here I was just walking up to people and giving them fliers and having to be forward about it.

Thank you for writing me and for everything you do!
I love you!!!!!

sister mcmahan