Getting the hang of it :)

Doing service!

Taco Bell for the first time in 6 months ...after our service!

YUM!

Mom to answer some of your questions:

1.  My bag is working fine, but I think we're going with Elder and Sister Williams sometime this week to grab a backpack.  I like my purse, but anytime I go to church I have tons of Sunday School books that I bring with me (2 sets really, English and Japanese) so I'm breaking down and getting a backpack.  I looked at the local stores here to grab one, but I don't know if a sponge bob or hello kitty backpack is acceptable :)  Oh and I grabbed a waterproof basket cover for my bike at the dollar store here.  I'm going to miss that place when I go back home!

2.  Mom my rain suit is fine.  The rain isn't cold here so it's kind of like going outside to take a shower.  Plus I think the massive rip on my pants is kind of cute.  Fashion statement.  Just kidding, Mom, I'll grab a real one sometime soon. 

3.  Mom, I'm glad you got your birthday card.  Sorry it was like 3 weeks early :)  Oops!  Being on a mission is kind of a time warp anyway.  I just didn't want to miss it!  Sister Watanabe taught me how to make sticky rice, so I'll teach you in a year and a half.  By the way, the chopstick diet is very real.  Ask every new missionary when they first get here.  :)

4.  I don't really need an electronic translator.  At least not yet.  Plus the one's here are made for Japanese people so all the directions and buttons are in Japanese.  It's not a good sign when you need a translator to help you figure out how to use your translator.  I'm good for now.

5.  The only thing I might need in the package is a skirt or two that are super stretchy, a thing of normal toothpaste (the toothpaste here tastes so gross!  A mix of fish and mint, yummy :) and some deodorant Japanese don't sweat I guess :) and besides that I think I'm OK.  Thanks for thinking of me!

This week in Japan...

I never thought I'd say this, but I think Sister Capener and I are starting to get a hang of things.  I've probably just jinxed myself but I think our Japanese is improving and since we're both been in this area for at least a transfer we know what our investigators needs are!  We've been able to hit the ground running and it's been a blast.  I did have one embarrassing moment:  Sister Watanabe sent me her "San A" card which we can use at the grocery stores here.  I didn't know what benefits you got from using the card so I decided to ask the lady who was checking us out at the market.  I didn't know the correct words, but I figured that I'd just go for it and she would figure it out.  Well, I think I've been a missionary for a little too long because I asked her, "if you use a "San A" card what blessings can you receive from it?"  :) 

The Church has missionary training videos.  It shows a typical day of a missionary and we watch them every once in a while to learn.  In the videos, the sister missionaries come home every night with there hair perfectly done and the makeup still on their face (the perks of a car mission).  Sister Capener and I were comparing our lives to the missionaries on the video the other day and we ended up in tears we were laughing so hard.  After biking up our huge hill to get home we basically crawl up the 4 flights of stairs to get to our apartment.  Then we turn every fan in the apartment on and talk to each other in between huge gasps for air (can you tell we usually cut it close to curfew :)  I am absolutely exhausted at the end of every day, but I honestly have never had this much fun in my entire life.  This work is joyous!  It's hard, super tiring and people say "no" often, but you manage to not only survive but thrive.  You learn a lot about yourself too.  I love being a missionary! 

This week one of our American investigators pcs'd.  They were relocated back to the states.  It was hard to see her go!  It's amazing how much you grow to love the people you teach and serve.  She was kind of stressed out about having to pack up so quickly to get out of their house so the elders, Sister and Elder Williams and Sister Capener and I helped out for a couple of hours.  We gave her a children's Book of Mormon for her family.  We wrote our testimonies down and as we left her house for the night I had the thought that Japan wasn't the place for her to accept the gospel but what we did was plant a strong seed. 

I loved watching the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint General Conference!  There is no better place to watch it than on your mission.  Sister Capener and I even watched the Priesthood session because we didn't have a ride back from Futenma.   Our recent convert Yuho had the chance to come to all the sessions.  Talking to her afterwards about her experience helped me see conference in a whole new light.  She was so impressed by the spirit that she felt and she kept saying, "I love the prophet!"  These leaders that we listen to really are called of God.  They help us navigate our lives in a way that will bring us happiness and peace.  It is such a blessing to have the technology that we do so that all of God's children no matter where they live or what language they speak have the same opportunity to hear the messages of peace, comfort and warning from our loving Heavenly Father. 

This week we had a great opportunity to meet with a woman and her family who have been inactive for a long time.  The mother has been inactive for over a decade and they have three beautiful kids.  We were able to teach a great family home evening and afterwards talk to the parents.  During our lesson we talked a lot about the blessings of the gospel and the strength that comes from church activity, reading our scriptures and praying.  The mother was so open with us.  She explained that when she was growing up she did not realize the blessings that came from being an active member of this church.  However, as a mother she has had to battle life's challenges on her own without as much of the Lord's guidance that she could have had if she had been doing what she was suppose to.  I shared a story from one of our pamphlets about tithing about a young man who asked his widowed mother why when they were so poor she payed tithing?  Her mother answered, "I cannot raise you children without the Lord's promise that He will bless us."  As we follow the commandments of God and do our best to do what He asks we have His promise that he will bless us and guide us.  Happiness comes from following the commandments of God.  They committed to coming to church!  

Last but not least.  My friend Willy, who went to high school with me, passed away this past week.  It was really hard to hear this sad news, especially when it feels like just yesterday that he and I were sitting next to each other in Mr. Bovingdon's English class.  I've studied every morning about the Plan of Salvation and I have felt so much peace.  I know that this gospel is true.  It blesses the lives of the living and of the dead.  Willy will have the chance to learn about this gospel and I will be able to see him again.  I know that God lives and that our loving Heavenly Father has a plan.  That is so comforting to know. 

I love you guys!  I hope you have a wonderful week!

Love,

Sister Hawkins

My Sister Trainers!

Elders in our zone.

The beach!