Happy New Year from Japan!!
I can't believe that 2012 is over and done and that 2013 has now begun. So crazy!! Sounds like everyone is having a fun and to some a relaxing New Years. I pray that you all will stay safe and sound.
So want to know what I did for New Years? I was transferred. Yep that is correct. I have left Shibuya (traveled on the train by myself even) and I am now in my new area which is Utsunomiya which is right next to Oyama and is the same district. I have returned to my bean district. Crazy!! But I am so excited to be back in the "country." Shibuya was fun but just very very city and crazy. And I am also in a 3some. I have 2 companions and they are awesome. One of them is once again Sister Nishihara. She is the companion I had when I first went to Shibuya. The one that I loved and adored. Yep we are companions again. The other sister is Sister Edstrom and she is from Salem, UT and is great!! I feel so lucky to be companions with them because they are both great missionaries and I am sure I will learn a lot from them. This transfer is both of theirs last transfer so it will be sad to say goodbye to them I am sure. But that is why my guess is is that I will be serving in this area for awhile. Maybe 4 transfers is my guess which will take me to the end of June. Weird though, right? But this area is amazing with many investigators and many potentials so I am excited to get to work and teach. :D
New Years is very big here in Japan. They have huge sales, everyone has work off and they all usually go to a shrine or a temple and pray. In many areas in can be very packed. I know that if I was still in Shibuya I would have gone to a shrine but since I got transfered that is a no. Last night a member family had us over for dinner and we have one again tonight. That is what the members do for the missionaries during the first week. You can't really do any work because people have gone home to visit hometowns or are busy and so the members just invite us over. This is the week that is known as the death week for missionaries because you just eat, eat and eat. For example on Thursday we have back to back meal appointments. The first appointment is actually going to be driving us to the second. Ugh scary. The Japanese people feed you A LOT of food so I am just be dieing of a food coma this week. Please pray for me and wish me luck. haha
With the start of the new year I am feeling like the time will move quicker and quicker which is a scary thought. In so many ways I feel like I just landed in Japan and am still a bean. Instead I am on my 5th transfer. That means that my goal for this year is to make every moment count, to find joy in every footstep.
I love you all and wish you a very Big Happy New Year!!!!
Love,
Kenzie
