Last one!!
Hi everyone!!
I really can't believe I am writing my LAST EMAIL! If I'm being honest I am really excited. Hehe I'm gonna miss Japan and the people so much, but boy am I ready for those goldfish crackers.
I had my last zone conference and genuinely it was last one best one. We talked lots about the Book of Mormon which was perfect because I am getting through my goal of reading the whole thing this transfer. One of the things talked about was that we really do not understand how special it is that we have the Book of Mormon and how much it is worth. I have felt its power so much as I have been reading it and I am so thankful for the truths it teaches and the guidance it gives. I love the Book of Mormon and I know it is true.
Kameda. Oh Kameda. I will never get over this man haha. He really wanted to come to church for my last Sunday but buddy fell off his bike right in front of his house and hurt his γγγ, so he couldn't make it. BUT we went over to see try to get him to come anyways Sunday morning and although he declined our kind invitation, he himself brought up the Book of Mormon. How he is still reading it and trying to understand it. He is trying because he feels its truth and it's importance. AHHH THIS MAN I LOVE HIM. Before we met him he was NOT religious and now he is talking about the Book of Mormon and asking us to pray for him. God is so perfect.
We had a busy week with lots of member meals! More member meals in 1 week than I have had my whole time in Nagano. Jk, but the numbers are pretty close.1. Our favorite buffet with our fav member we call Birthday Kaichou. Because he for some reason always jokes that we have the same birthday and it always happens to be the same day we see him.
2. Lunch with Noriko ε§ε¦Ή although she had to finish a client's hair, so really it was lunch with the elders, then she came at the end and paid for it.
3. Yakiniku with the Ezakis! My favorite people! They were BLOWN AWAY at how much meat the elders kept ordering. It was pretty funny.
4. Caliegh ε§ε¦Ή is our American member who is so sweet to us and had us come to her little apartment for lunch. It was a good time.
5. McDonalds with our regular eikaiwa people. We stayed out a little too late, but had so much fun with these people. Our ages are all very different, but I feel so connected to all of them!
I realize that does not seem like a lot, but in 1 week it is! And I loved every second of all of them!
There have been a few full circle moments as I have reached the end of my mission which has been really cool. Let me write out a list for ya.- First and last zone conference in Matsumoto. The zone has changed so much since my first, but I wouldn't want it any other way.
- my last night before I go to the honbu (mission home) will be spent in Matsumoto.
- on Sunday a member whom I had met my first Sunday came to our branch AND I was able to have a fully understandable conversation with her! Woop!
Because of these full circle moments, I have also reflected a lot on my testimony and the things I have learned. I wish I could write them all in here, but there are too many. But I will bare simple testimony to you of the most important things I know.I know this church is the truest church on the earth. It is run by our loving Heavenly Father, His son Jesus Christ and through living prophets. The greatest thing to ever happen on this earth was the atonement of Jesus Christ of which I will never stop thanking my Heavenly Father for. Because of Jesus Christ we can be made clean. We can make the worst mistakes, and after a sincere desire to change, we can keep going as it becomes a thing of our past. I love the atonement and all the strength it gives. I know the Book of Mormon is the true word of God, the key to salvation! By reading and applying it's teachings to our lives, we WILL come closer to God. The god who is OUR Loving Heavenly Father. With a perfect plan for each of us. Always trust in His plan and that He is making you stronger. I just want everyone to know that I, Sister Peterson know, testify, and bare record of these things. There is too much evidence for these things not to be true. It is through the power of the Holy Ghost that I know them. I love it. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I also want to add how grateful I am for this beautiful country. Japan will always be a super holy place to me. You look around anywhere and see God's beauty jumping out at you. Whether it is in the BEAUTIFUL lush and green mountains or passing by all His busy children on the street. The Japanese people are so polite, considerate, and respectful. I am honored to have learned this language and embrace the culture. I wish every single person here could understand the true gospel we have to teach because they would live it so well. I mean look at the members here who are so strong and sacrifice so much. I know someday the church in Japan will be HUGE and pray I will get to see it. I will forever associate this place with the tiny and big miracles from God. It gives me goosebumps thinking about how much it all means to me. Japan and its people will forever hold a special place in my heart and I couldnt be more grateful! 
Thank you all for sticking with me and supporting me always! I will see you this weekend!!
Homecoming talk is this Sunday, August 17th at 9am. Message me if you want the Zoom link or the address!
I LOVE YOU ALL
GOD LOVES YOU
MAKE IT A GOOD WEEK!
<3 γγΌγΏγΌγ½γ³ε§ε¦Ή
08/11/2025
Last Eikaiwa for real.
Eikaiwa regulars and McDonalds Mashup.
It wasnt til after this experience when Wentz ε§ε¦Ή pointed out the really cool reality behind it. We, 2 Americans sat and talked to this old man and this young boy about how everyone should respect and love eachother on what we didnt realize til after to be the 80th anniversary of the Nagasaki atomic bomb drop. The second bomb after Hiroshima!
If this isn't the best picture of 2 missionaries and their president idek what is.
KAMEDA!
The Nagano "chromoZONE"
Yakiniku with the Ezakis ♡♡
We had district Pday on monday! Yay! We decided to go to a lake and wear our matching toe socks around there, but when we got there, we were like what do we do... we cant even swim. Well, about that... boy do I have a good story for you!!
Elder Russon was standing on the end of a dock peacefully looking out on the water. Elder Donovan thinking he is all funny starts running down the dock to pretend to push him in. THEN GOD STRIKES DOWN. BAM! Dock plank breaks and next thing we know my ZL Elder Donovan is in the water, bag and all. It was one of the funniest things I've seen and I still die laughing thinking about it. God gave him what he deserved.
On Wednesday we basically took a road trip all around town with Ezaki ε
εΌ and Toriko ε§ε¦Ή. It was so fun. We visited a handful of members and felt the spirit realky strong. Even in situations where it wouldn't seem we could feel the spirit.
KAMEDA! We had another amazing lesson with him, and he is really progressing nicely! He is reading the Book of Mormon to understand. He is intently listening to our teachings. He asks really good questions bc I know he wants to understand. I don't think I will ever get over how blessed I feel to have found him and have the opportunity to teach him so much. Unfortunately that kind of situation doesn't happen too much in Japan. But it sure makes me appreciate it so much more when it does! I love Kameda!
Friendship bracelets are not a thing in Japan. But we had a young woman's activity and I broke out my girl's camp memory and taught all the YW how to make friendship bracelets. It was really fun and they were really excited about it!
Went to a festival and ate octopus (takoyaki)
We took a group picture at eikaiwa and I made everyone do hearts. Then, because they like to tease me about Idaho potatoes, someone calls out "make potatoes"! So that picture you will see is of everyone doing potatoes for me. 
I love these people.
I have been reading a lottt of Book of Mormon recently. And the more I read it the more I just love it. I have never studied it harder or trully read it in a way that I can understand how to apply it to my life. I feel so close to Jesus Christ right now because of it. I know this book is true. I know it for a fact. I stand right next to Elder Holland when he says
"I want it absolutely clear when I stand before the judgment bar of God that I declared to the world, in the most straightforward language I could summon, that the Book of Mormon is true, that it came forth the way Joseph said it came forth and was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the travail of the latter days."
Everyone, I want you to know that I, Avynlea Jem Peterson know the Book of Mormon is true. ITS TRUE!
