Senkyoushi Power Week

Aloha and Konnichiwa,

So, it's hard to pass up the title of 'squatter potties in rain boots' ..but senkyoushi = missionary, so this week is officially power week, as announced by President Albrect at our mission conference on Friday. Mission conference was really good. It was crazy to see everyone again, and my MTC distict made plans to all try and meet up the P-day of the last week of the transfer at the temple for lunch. And of course, President gave some awesome training. We are trying a new points system--where as before we just counted (on top of the normal 'key indicators' : lessons, referrals, and new investigators) how many meaningful conversations and contacts we had, now lots of different activities add up to X number of points a day. For example, a lesson is 15 points, a BoM given away is 10, etc. The object is to really help us focus on the many things that really move missionary work along. Of course, finding is important too, but really helping people come to Christ is the objective, not just spending all day having nice talks with people. So, I think as we settle into the new system it's going to be really fun. President was worried some missionaries will be trying to make a contest out of it, but really if we try and 'exploit' the system we'll be doing ourselves a favor because that would mean we are teaching member-present lessons, being involved in the community, and getting baptisms all day :) And then this week only we are doing POWER WEEK, which means we are all making extra sacrifices to try and have the spirit with us to guide us to those who are ready. A few things President initiated are we are getting up at 6:00 instead of 6:30, only taking half an hour for all our meals, and basically just trying to be in the apartment less and out dendoing more. It's been good actually. As much as I normally don't like getting up at 6:30 getting up half an hour earlier hasn't been too bad. With short meals the only thing I'm worried about is we'll never have time for dishes--and since Shipp shimai can't eat bread 'fast' meals are hard... but I really think it's good to show the Lord we really want to do our best and get ourselves out of the mindset of just doing the routine things. Shake things up a bit. :) I think we'll see some big miracles!

Well, I'm sorry to hear you all had a bit of a bumpy halloween, with the flu and everything going around. They didn't have a single pumpkin around here... but we did have a fun Halloween party. And yes! I got the package!!! :D :D :D It was great--where did you get GOURMET candy corn? Intense.. and delicious. I shared some at the party and people were like--whooa American candy! Sashiburi! Especially this one less-active family that came (yatta!) who are pretty much from America living her and working for Heinz. It seemed like their two little boys had a blast. We didn't get to play too many games but played musical chairs, did a mummy-making race (that was interesting! We had to use 5 rolls of toilet paper on our one person... there was so much on the floor everywhere after they broke out of it!) and the elders put together a relay race including eating a donut on a string. I liked the donut part. Yummm. It's actually not to hard if you go from an edge. :)

And we've been having some good lessons with all our investigators, we just had one this morning (unusually at 10:00 because it's a national holliday--'culture day') with Chisato-san and she's our age and working. Our joint, Onishi shimai, was wonderful and was able to very comfortably explain a lot of things in Japanese but Chisato is just really a thinker and went on maybe a few tangents. But even she realized that today and we challenged her from now on to pay more attention to how she feels rather than if it makes sense in her head.

We also had one of our potential investigators come to dinner at a member's house--and she brought a friend! Her friend, Lily, is from China and only has been her just over a month but is pretty much fluent in Japanese. They both speak English, though, so mostly they talk in English to eachother with a little Japanese mixed in there. Shiho, the first, lived in California for over ten years, so she almost likes to speak English more now. :) Well, Lily was excited to learn we are people from church because she was like "oh, well actually I've been looking for a church to go to! Can I join your church?" lol. OF COURSE we said! :) Well, of course she really meant just that she wants to attend, but they are both coming to church next sunday now. We're stoked. :D We also have an appointment with a Yamai-san this Wednesday who when we met her on the street and started talking she was so excited we were Christian because she could talk about that stuff with us. Normally the whole subject of religion is pretty strictly avoided in Japan, so she was like "it's ok if we talk?" and we had a little chat and she really loves the Bible (which is a rare find here!) and even started tearing up talking about how God gave the Pharoah so many chances and still he didn't listen. So anyway, I'm excited to meet with her for a real lesson and tell her there's even more great stuff to read! I hope we can help her just fall in love with the Book of Mormon because it's for sure the same good stuff! :) But I've felt a little rusty on my Bible stories so this week I've been reading and brushing up. Yesterday I read Jonah again and was surprised to realize Jonah was upset that the people actually repented and were spared but thought how often do we do that as people, hope that others actually don't get good things so we can 'feel better' because we have them... when really God is over all things and He will give and take as He sees fit. I related to Jonah's love for that little plant, as I love all the little plants and animals I help grow, but realized too that to God how much more important is a life of a person, since he helps us grow daily.

Ok, well sorry, this one was kinda longwinded. But I'm so excited to hear about Mellie's first steps!! And Nathan sounds just too cute!

Larisa I loved the card! (and thanks everyone for signing it :) Dad thanks for my mp3 player!!! I'm so happy to have it! And I had a gospel question, but: if John never died.. why did the priesthood not continue by him? Didn't he have it too? Or did he need Peter and James for it to be effective?

I feel bad, but I thought of a couple more things that could go on the Christmas list if you need more ideas.. I'd love taco seasoning! Or any simple dinner seasonings like all the crazy gravy and stuff that takes up that whole little shelf in our pantry.. i can just see it in my mind :) just throw some of that my way will ya? And I've realized as it starts to get colder that I have lots of jackets, and boots and gloves, but the one thing that's really hard to layer is under my skirt! Especially on days where I want to look nice and just wear nylons, it's impossible to wear thermals or anything, so I'm going to look from here (probably get some leggings since they are EVERYWHERE here) for some kind of really warm basketball shorts or something but if you see anything (or want to use some of mom's extensive fleece supplies creatively :D) feel free to send that too. No longer than knee-length is good. But lastly... the thing I really want the most most MOST is letters and videos from the everyone. :D Onegaishimasu!!! I'm gonna send my last 2GB card home soon so you can just feel free to fill that up with goodness and that would just make my ... mission. :D

Ok, well love you all lots,
Have an amazing week!

LeFevre Shimai

ps. Uncle Cory--they usually have toilet paper but no soap or hand towels.. :) thank goodness. No toilet paper sounds horrible.