Week 35 - Happy Mother's Day!

Hello!!

How are you all? It was SO great to talk to Mom, Dad, Danny, Jeremy, Lizzi, Janna, Phil, and Cole! yesterday! You all sound very genki - especially little Cole! Oh my goodness, it was so crazy to hear his little cry for the first time - He sounds just as cute as his pictures! It was so fun to hear about the Tokyo mission and how everything is going there - it made me want to ganbaru even more! They say that some missionaries have a hard time focusing on the work after their mother's Day phone calls - but it definitely upped my dendo fire! 

Well as I told you yesterday, I became a trainer this week! I am still in Odori, which includes all of Sapporo, and my new companion is a sister from Sandy, UT named Sister Osterloh. She lives about 10 minutes away from our house - but went to Skyline so I didn't know her. We found a few mutual friends though, which has been interesting. She is 20 years old today actually - its her birthday! She is super cute and really a great missionary. She brings the spirit with her a lot when she speaks, and is really good at testifying in a powerful meaningful way. She speaks a lot of Japanese already - but I think she understands more than she can speak. I feel like she is about the same level that I was when I got here - simple but enough. I was so relieved! I don't know if I would be able to teach someone who didn't have a good base already in the language. I am really excited to work with her this transfer. 

I told you a little bit yesterday about the lady that approached us in the eki yesterday, speaking in English who just told us - "I have been waiting for you! I have been wanting to meet you so bad!" And without us asking or really saying anything she wrote down her name, phone number, and address on a piece of paper and told us to visit her either that night or the next morning. Then she ran away to catch her train before we could find out who she was or anything! At church we were able to ask some members and found out that she has been to Eikaiwa before, and had some interest in the gospel - so we decided to call her, and we went this morning to meet with her! We arrived at her address and realized that she lives in a really nice assisted living center. We ended up talking for a few hours, about all kinds of things. She knows quite a bit about the church - she has friends who are LDS, and has met many missionaries in the past. Right now she is going to the Catholic church, but she said she feels like it is missing something. She talked about how her husband died a few years ago, and she feels very alone, and is looking for something in her life that she can rely on and receive strength from. That is why she was so excited to see us in the Eki, because she feels that we can help her with that search. We told her that we would be happy to! It turned out to be a really good meeting, and we have an appointment to go back next week! I know that the peace and happiness that she is looking for is in this gospel. I know because of the peace and happiness it brings me!

Seeing the hunger that Murata san (this obachan) has for the gospel, reminds me that there are people all over Sapporo - all over the world that are truly searching for this gospel. They need the peace and the security that the gospel brings, and they simply don't know where to find it. That is why I am on a mission- to give them the opportunity to find this gospel, and give them the chance to accept it. I know how much it could mean to them, and how much joy it could bring them, but unless they decide to accept it and act on it, it won't mean anything to them. This is an individual gospel in that way, and yet so universal. I love this gospel with all my heart, and I believe it is true. I believe that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it will guide and direct our lives. I know it is meant for our day, and for me. I know that there are prophets on the earth today. I know that God lives. I know that he loves everyone. I know he wants them all to feel his love. I pray that I can be an instrument in his hands to help them feel it!

Thank you for being the best family in the world!! I love you all so much! Have a wonderful week! 

Love, 

Sister Budge