Sister Avynlea Peterson: Week 53: Toyama, Nagoya; Companion: Sister Beal

Please stay spring!!

Heyyy everyone! Very very slowly it is getting warmer! I just really really hope I'm not getting tricked by the weather for the 100th time!

We have been working a lot with the Ito couple, our senior missionaries. They are just SO amazing!

Maybe I mentioned our new goal in my last email, but I don't think I did. Last transfer our goal was to 伝道 at 1000 train stations and we accomplished that!! THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE PRAYERS! This transfer, we have a goal to visit and have a meaningful interaction 1000 inactive members! This is a little more tricky to plan because now we are involving other people's agency. But, with the help of the Ito couple, we were able to visit and share a scripture with 3 inactive members this week! They all come from the Kurakawa family, please pray for them! I see the potential of many miracles coming this transfer!

We also had the chance to visit the 大井 (Ooi) couple and had a great time. As always, Brother 大井 recited Joseph Smith History 1: 11-20 IN ENGLISH. WITH HIS EYES CLOSED! This is the third time I heard him do it, but I will never cease to be amazed! He is pretty great!

Lots of miracles happened on Thursday!

We went housing and knocked on a woman's door. This was pretty close to a church and usually people say I know your church, I'm okay. BUT this woman, Chioko (like chocolate she said) invited us to give her a message, took the Pamphlet from our hands, and chatted for a while. She said she is always busy, so she can't come to church, but when we asked if we could visit her again, she said please!! WOOHOO

Next is Thales!! Thales is from Brazil and mediocre at English and Japanese. He started coming to our Eikaiwa class about a month ago and he loves it. I wanted to give him a Book of Mormon, so our Eikaiwa spiritual message at the end was about the Book. Afterwards I went over to talk to him and give him a book in Portuguese. He happily accepted! He said he will not make any promises to things, but he is super grateful we gave him the book and will read out of it. He also told me how much he loves our English class! Ohhh Thales!

️ After English class, we have a violin class that some of the members do. One member's friend is an expert violinist and this time he brought his wife and second cousin! So after Thales went on his way with his book, we were like okay... time to hand out the next book. We started talking to Misa and Suzu and quickly became friends. Then, we introduced the Book of Mormon to them! They had lotssss of questions which was amaazziinggg! They were especially interested and asking about the pictures in the beginning. So, using those pictures we were able to teach them a lot about the Book. This was all going on with very squeaky, very loud violins playing in the background! A member said she saw Misa looking at the book some more in her car afterwards. Ahh～～ so amazing!

The coolest thing for me about all these miracles, started the day before they all did. I was struggling a little bit and feeling anxious that my mission is on the countdown. Have I done enough? Worked hard enough? I have not seen a crazy amount of success from my hard work, does that mean something? I prayed about all these questions, then I prayed to see/recognize the fruits of my labor. Then, the very next day, all these miracles happened.

God is so good.

It reminded me of Ether chapter 6! Literally the whole chapter is perfect. But verse 7 always sticks out to me.

"And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters."

SO GOOD! I love in the beginning it emphasizes that their ship was so tight, the surrounding danger could never hurt them no matter how close it seemed to get. I like to imagine being in a tight bubble surrounded by God's love. Then, when they were at the lowest in the water, maybe at their lowest time, THEY PRAYED! After their prayer, the Lord brought them to the top to give them hope and courage to keep going.

This is literally what happened to me.

I know God is good, loving, consistent. His plan is perfect and we may never know the reason for most things until after we die. But, as we reach out to Him and have faith in Him, He will provide.

Shoutout to my MTC Sistrict, GOD ALWAYS PULLS THROUGH!

He loves you so much!

I love you tooo!!!

Make it a good week!

<3 ピーターソン姉妹

03/10/2025

P.s. JJ and Paul were not able to make an appointment because they were too full, but they walked around the temples grounds! We recieved this text from brother Wil...

"The Temple grounds are so beautiful. When we got to the Temple, they said "Suddenly it doesn't feel and sound like we're in the City anymore" serene and beautiful "