Wildflower Thoughts : Week Seventy-three.

Konnichiwa everyone!

Lets start off with transfer calls, shall we? Well I am killing my first missionary this transfer. Bye bye Sister Iwasa! And I am birthing my first missionary next transfer! Hellooo Sister Bullock! Im gonna be a mom!!!!!! Im receiving a fresh bean from the states this week! Wow I cant believe I am going to be a trainer. I thought I was going to get out of Japan safe without having any leadership/special positions but President snagged me for my very last transfer! This is actually a huge answer to my prayers though. I had been praying and repenting a lot feeling worried that I didnt give a very good sacrifice to the Lord and that I was playing too much and not working enough. I didnt know how I could make up the time that was already spent but then I learned that the Atonement will make up the time and I just need to do my very very best these last 7 weeks and grace will do me wonders. I needed this sweet bean to come to me to help me work hard and be a good example. Thank you Heavenly Father!

Now on with what happened this last week. We had our big Christmas Zone Conference! It wasnt as good as last year I feel like but thats okay. We watched a lot of Christmas videos from like LDS.org and stuff which I really liked. We also did a nativity and you best believe my role as Mary made the whole Mission Home Staff cry! Ive still got the acting touch, yahoo! Even though I was holding a stuffed animal in my arms and draped in bedroom sheets, I still could really feel the love of God, especially as I held that stuffed animal tight and stared into its little eyes thinking of my Savior. And seeing Japanese Joseph by my side really added that little touch of the spirit. Hehe. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and that he volunteered to come to this world and save me!

We had a SUPER awesome lesson with the those spunky three ladies we teach English to. We taught them about the creation, the Fall, and the purpose of life. The spirit was so strong and I was so happy! Oki san (the one that has the most interest of the three) said that she feels happiest when she is listening to the missionaries. She wants to learn more!!!!!!!!! EEEyaaa! But she lives in Ishinomaki. Even though I feel like I have this way strong connection with her and I really want to teach her... I cant. Booooo. But I am gonna see what I can do to get her hooked up with the Ishinomaki sisters this week.

Since this week was the last one of the transfer, AND it is Sister Iwasas last week of her mission, we had TONS of meal appointments. We started it off with lunch with the Hayashis and they fed us pasta and SO MUCH HAM AND CHICKEN. Then that night we went to the Furukawas. They used to live in Hawaii and California and they love American style food so they made us a giant FEAST of lasagna and pizza and french fries and a big giant turkey and mashed potatoes and taco rice. I thought I was going to die. You should see the left overs in our fridge. I probably wont eat any of the left overs because my tastebuds just dont seem to like American food anymore... its weird. When I first came to Japan I didnt really like the food, but now its switched and I dont like American food anymore... I want to eat my yummy sushi, veggies, and cow tongue for the rest of my life :)
On Sunday we had dinner with Bishop Furukawa and his wife (not Hawaiian Furukawa) and it was soooo good. We had noodles! And a big waffle ice cream choco cake dessert thing! I gained 10 pounds just this last week I am sure of it.

All right now for business. I do feel much better this week, and my stomach doesnt hurt anymore. Im good and regular.
I got the Christmas package today! I havent opened it yet and I had Sister Iwasa take the label of the stuff that is inside off so I wouldnt know. I will follow your directions on which to open first! Thank you!
4:00 Idaho time and 8:00 Japan time is great for the Christmas Skype call! I will have to see how things work out with my new companion when she comes but I will let you know next week. But as for now that will be the scheduled time!
Thanks for the updates on your lives. Dad, you freaked me out with your little joke about being in Kuwait when I come home! Geez Louise!
Oh hey, when do I need to get a ticket booked to go visit Idaho when I get home? Also is it even possible to give a talk in Sage Creek Ward even though that isnt even my ward? If I could... I wanna give a talk there as well as in Houston of course!

Love you all! See you in about 7 WEEKS!

Love Miranda

PS- yesterday a straight up black african came to church. Never thought Id see that in my life.