So this week we had a couple of cool things happen.
I went on a companion exchange with a certain Sister Miki (Her real name is
Mickelson, but here in Japan she goes by Miki because it's just plain easier to
say). I had a blast hanging out with her in Ichinomiya, she's such a sweetheart
I absolutely adore her. We talked for a long time (in between working really
really hard, of course) and we ended up talking quite a bit about what it will
be like to go home. As a Sister Training Leader, I'm supposed to do all I can
for the sisters in my care to see that they are happy and healthy and safe, so
when I was checking for these things the upcoming end of her mission became a
topic of discussion. She was telling me about the stresses that come with those
final weeks in the mission field, and I realized that a lot of older
missionaries are starting to 'die' now! It's kind of scaring me! It means I'm
going soon too!! But I still have that extra time, so it's all good. Anyways,
she's H.H.&S. and I'm H.H.&S., so all is well!
On another note, during that exchange while I was away from my area, one of
our investigators picked a date to get baptized! Kato san decided on January 4th
to be baptized. She's so prepared, so we think she can receive it sooner, but we
won't push; I think she'll see it too, and maybe even want it sooner. We are so
excited for her! Please keep her in your prayers!!
We also taught a wonderful lesson to Nakane san. We haven't seen her in a
while, she's been so busy, but we were on our way to teach an FHE at one of her
neighbor's house and we stopped by out of the blue and invited her. She came,
but it turned out that the family was, for the most part, out with friends
hahaha. So we ended up actually teaching her and the neighbor, her friend, a
lesson. Things worked out for the best! Nakane san was able to ask us some
questions that she has had lately, and she wanted to know how to read the Book
of Mormon properly, so we talked about that. Lot's of good spiritual
stuff.
So we were riding home last night from that lesson with Nakane san, and of
course, we talked to every person we could (I think sometimes it does not
register to me just how scary it can be to be a missionary - we talk to every
single person we see, but sometimes we don't wait to see if it is safe or not,
we talk to them regardless). So we're riding home, and we're very close to our
apartment, but I see this woman and I think 'okay, we're almost home, I'll just
talk to this woman and we'll call it a night'. My companion had the same
thought, because our conversation stopped and we slowed our bikes to pull up to
her. I was closest to her, so I called out to her and started to introduce who
we were and she completely interrupted me and walked right up close to me to say
how wonderful we were....And then the wave of alcohol stench hit me. She was so
drunk! She kept rubbing my arm, and telling us how we were so good to be
missionaries and that people in Japan are so mean (my companion then asked her
if she was Japanese and she said yes...haha). She kept talking to us, and as she
was stroking my arm, I was thinking that we need to get away! But she was right
up against my bike and I didn't want to hurt her!! My companion saw that and
kept trying to end the conversation (or her very long rant about nonsense). Then
she said it was cold, and proceeded to pat down my chest! I was so shocked!!
That's when I just stopped talking and my jaw just dropped!! My companion kinda
laughed but could tell that I wanted to go THAT VERY INSTANT, so she stopped
being so polite and said goodbye, and the lady backed up to say goodnight and
see us off (she tried to help push me on my way, but I put my arm up too fast
for her). We left and I have been in total shock since. Needless to say, the
Belle Notte was not really a Belle Notte.
Haha gotta love being a missionary!!
