Sister Avynlea Peterson: Week 74: Nagano, Nagoya; Companion: Sister Wentz

Careful, God will strike down

We are getting close to the end! So if you haven't read all my emails, you got about 2 more opportunities! ;)

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 兄弟 and Toriko 姉妹. 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.

Our last stop was for Ueno 兄弟 who owns a ski resort in Nagano. He happened to be at his ski lodge cleaning it up to prepare for the ski season. This lodge was at the very most top of the mountain. It was BEAUTIFUL up there! I will insert a nice picture!

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!

More fun stuff...

Went to a festival and ate octopus (takoyaki)

Attened our girl Seriaちゃん's crazy good piano recital

Conveyer belt sushi at Sushiro with the Yamajis!

ate cucumbers in POURING rain and lightening above our heads

had my last DCM and attended my own funeral

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!

I am so grateful for this book. I promise it can change your life in a way you can't even imagine. It has changed mine in the most subtle, but at the same time biggest way. I know what is important in life and I know the way to navigate through hard times because of this book.

I want you to know for yourself too. So I encourage you to find ways in your life to make the Book of Mormon more meaningful! Your life will be changed!

I love you all!

God loves you!

Make it a great week!

<3 ピーターソン姉妹

08/04/2025

P.s. Don't read this, LISTEN to it!

Safety for the Soul

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2009/10/safety-for-the-soul?lang=eng

P.P.S. I GOT LOTS OF PICS FOR YOU!