Words from Sister Kortlynn Herring in Japan

"Hey Hey Hey! How goes it? It's going great here in the frozen land of Sanjo! I never realized how hard it was to walk in snow, until I actually had to do it, all day. I'm going to have great legs by the time this winter is over :) Haha! Well, I can't believe it was Christmas, and now it's over. So weird! It didn't really feel like Christmas. I guess it's because it's not a big deal over here. Some people with little kids did Santa and stuff, some houses had Christmas lights, but it was pretty much a normal day. When we went out housing that day, I asked them what they did for Christmas, and lots of people said, we don't do Christmas! :( I was SO sad! So I told them so, and then invited them to hear the message of why we celebrate Christmas. When I asked some people what they thought the true meaning of Christmas was, one lady said it was because Christ died. I was surprised to hear that one! Haha! But since Christmas was on Wednesday, we had Eikaiwa that day, and it was great! We had a Christmas party with LOTS of food! BTW THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU for that European chocolate! SO YUMMY and it was a big hit at Eikaiwa! Now, for the details of the week

 Tuesday: We went and taught a members Mom. We originally wanted to share a Christmas message, because it was Christmas Eve, but she just kept saying it didn't apply to here, so Hoshino Shimai (the member) told us we should teach prayer again. So we went over prayer and told her she can pray for anything. We then wrote down the "method" for her so she could pray on her own. She is a goofy lady. But in the end, she prayed! yay!

 Wednesday: Christmas! So fun! We had district meeting then went to lunch at the WORLD BUFFET. SO GOOD! I ate way to much, but it was lovely. Then we visited some less-actives, did some housing, and went to Eikaiwa. We wanted to have a Christmas party, but we didn't have music, so I called Y (awesome Eikaiwa student, and one of my best friends, and not just because she loves the backstreet boys as much as I do) and asked her to bring music so, she brought Big Time Rush's Christmas. So funny! It was a great party, and we were able to invite one of the students to hear the lessons. We will see if she is interested.

 Thursday: We had a couple lessons with S Shimai and K San. We taught the creation to S Shimai and challenged her to give up coffee and sake. She said she would do her best. Then we taught K San. I LOVE that woman! She is awesome, and we went over The Family: A Proclamation to the World with her, and she loved it! We told her about the blessings of an eternal family, all she needs to do, is continue learning, doing her best, and obey the commandments like get baptized and go to the temple! She loves learning about the gospel, but her situation right now is super complicated and so she can't get baptized yet, but it's definitely going to happen! Then we did some housing! Great fun, I love singing to people at the door steps. Japanese people just aren't use to caroling!

 Friday: We went to contact a guy that we found on Tuesday that was interested. But he wasn't home, so we went housing in a nearby area and found 2 young Mom's who were super nice! One after she told us she wasn't really interested in hearing the lessons asked us if she could ask us a question. We said of course and she asked us what the difference between bunny and rabbit were. She was teaching her daughter English. So, luckily Sister Worth knew the difference, because I had no idea. And we were able to invite her to Kid's Eikiawa, which is something we are starting this Saturday! yay! So funny! :)

Saturday: So, it snowed, a lot, so we weren't able to ride our bikes, but it was so cool! The snow is like Dip N' Dots! It hurts when it's windy but it's cool! We went to contact a lady who comes to a lot of activities, and she wasn't home, so we did her a service instead and shoveled her drive way. My first time ever really shoveling snow! SO fun! Haha! :) Sister Worth, who is from Idaho, northern Idaho thought it was insane that I had never really done it before.

 Sunday: Church! Was great! Then went with the Elders to lead them to the guy we had found who was interested. He became their investigator and we got to go housing again! Even though Christmas is over, we still wanted to carol, so we did. I guess that's the nice thing about caroling in a country that isn't really familiar with caroling. Anyway, we knocked on this one house and the lady actually came out! Let us sing, we talked a bit, and she wasn't really interested in learning about the gospel, but she was interested in Kid's Eikaiwa! And as we were leaving, she ran out of the house and gave us these delicious cream filled pancakes! SO nice!!! I'm so glad we decided to start Kid's Eikaiwa, because since we made that decision, we have found a lot of people who are interested. These people say they aren't interested in the gospel at first, but when they come to activities and stuff and see that we are normal people and build relationships with us, they realize that something is missing! Then they realize they are interested! One of the most effective ways of finding solid investigators here is through Eikaiwa or our other activities! So awesome!

 Monday: Today! P-Day, went shopping, email, and sent your Christmas package finally! Should get to ya in a couple week! Then tonight we have music night and a potential investigator coming! Yay!

 Life is great! I love being a missionary, especially at this time! I know that this is the Lord's work. I love teaching people about our Savior, and this time of year is wonderful because we just focus on Him. Sister Worth is awesome, I'm so grateful for this opportunity to be her companion. She has taught me a whole lot! Love you all!! Hope you have a fantastic week!"