JANUARY 1, 2017 - HOW GREAT WILL BE YOUR JOY!

SO this week was absolutely crazy!  Not really, but it feels like it was!  We taught so many lessons and found four new investigators this week and they're all like in middle school/high school! That's awesome!!! We just found them and every time we ask, "Do you want to be happier in your life and do you want to learn more?" they say YES!  WOW! One kid Hamada said, "Of course, I want to learn.  I am in middle school, so yes please!" I wish I had a camera on me this week capturing how many times my jaw dropped open in awe at the wonderfulness of what had just happened. It was a lot and I make some pretty funny weird jaw drop faces, that have happy dances that go along with them. 

Natsumi and her mother Kyoko have agreed to take lessons from us as a family!! WHAT! SO happy!  Man I was so doubtful on that one.  I never said any of this out loud but in my head I really didn't think they had interest and I didn't think anything would really come of it but my awesome companion the entire time had so much faith. It was amazing to be humbled and I am so happy now!  HOW GREAT WILL BE YOUR JOY! 

Now with that open headliner of this email, let me tell you about the rest of the week. 

Monday we skyped my companion's family and that was fun!  They seem way awesome and they told me that they loved me and that made me feel good inside...ya that's it.  We were also able to visit Ito Shimai, a less active who I've only met once but we were able to teach her a really good lesson and the spirit really touched her. It was nice and I think she really needed to hear what we had shared with her. 

Tuesday we had lunch with Omae Kyodai and his wife who isn't a member, but someday!  She has had the lessons before and all of the sudden she decided to take us out to eat and were like uhhh... yeah.. okay! So delicious! I don't know why she stopped receiving lessons from missionaries but she seems to like us so I feel like it could turn into something good!  Also she wants to make us food and I am so not opposed.  Along with our service and eikaiwa it was a long cold, windy, frozen, rainy, wet day. Burr. Oh man. So cold. But we pressed on!

We were able to talk with Asami (eternal investigator) after English class and we started talking to her about taking the lessons again we were able to teach to the best of our ability.  We testified and the spirit was really there with us!  BUT ALAS SHE STILL HAS NOT TURNED HER HEART TO GOD!  Man agency is tough....

FRIDAY, because we skipped the other days because there is too much to write in the next five minutes.  We are going to the beach today so not much time but I'm making the best... now only four mins... okay.

Friday we went to visit another less active and she took us out to eat!  She was so kind to us all of the sudden.  We were able to talk and teach her about Nephi and his amazing example (also heads up I really didn't like Nephi before my mission. I thought he was too perfect but not anymore because I really really love him!) It was such a great change that we were able to see in her!  SO happy!  Then we went out and taught more peeps. Like FRANCO!  I love him he, is so good! 

The next day the last day of the year! WOAH! and it was warm!!!! This was the day we got Natsumi and her mother to agree to take lessons from us and then like an hour later another girl just about to start high school said she too wanted to learn more! OH, I can see them all dressed in beautiful, heavenly, white now! 

The next day was Sunday, the new year!!!! YAY! Church was just good! So good! I love my members so much!!!!!!! SO MUCH! 

Miracles every where!!  I love you all!  Thank you so much for the prayers! I KNOW this is the true church and that Jesus Christ is the head of it! 

Love, 

Oswald Sista