Christmas? Ha. You mean HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sister Brewer, Sister Kartchner, Elder Watson, Elder Schmeil, Elder Suzuki, Elder Yamamoto, someone's legs and random small candid Japanese child!

Once upon a time a companionship in the best little area in the Japan Nagoya Mission did Weekly Planning as usual but did it for week FIVE and realized this transfer is almost over and that Sister Kartchner has to go back to real life in two weeks like whaaaat? Where did that time go?! Being a missionary is in the holiday season is the bee's knees wearing the cat's pajamas but also totally crazy. There is literally so much wonderful to do every day you are shocked to crawl into the futon every night because it feels like you just got out! On Tuesday we had appointment with one of the cute Kodomo Eikaiwa moms where we talked about the Restoration. She had a lot of great questions about other religions and the divisions and why our church is a thing. She is a great and sincere investigator. And her two kids are so cute!! That night the Japanese Elders also recruited us for their monthly Eikaiwa (this means English class) at a company they do, because the other Elders had a dinner appointment and they need native speakers. It was a little weird because it was all men and they were so confused about the difference between "merry" and "marry" and thought we were all in Japan to try to get married for Christmas. Sigh.

We did a lot of Christmas Caroling to less actives with the members! The Relief Society rocks! They made so many cookies. Here in the mission the Elders call that Shimai Dendo... dropping by with cookies all totsuzen and accidentally sharing a message while we're there. :) It works, what can we say! Everybody needs a little sugar and gospel sweetness. After Skyping on Christmas we made brunch with the Elders! I made some rather mediocre French Toast and Elder Schmeil made some pretty mind-blowing Black Thunder pancakes. We also went for an amazing Sushi lunch at Kunioka Shimai's house! Her ten-year-old son was making gyoza like a pro! Oishikatta!! We're definitely well fed here. Someone will probably have to roll me out of Okazaki. 

We found so many new investigators this week! I testify that as you pray sincerely and work hard Heavenly Father will always help you accomplish your goals that align with His will! Holy Hufflepuff, He was just handing us random weird marvelous opportunities to teach new people this weekend. "Merry Christmas Missionaries, here are some of my precious daughters I need you to help teach." God works on His time, aaallll the time, in His ways and I promise you they are miraculous. And joyful. 

Today one of our investigators is having us over for a new years meal! Along with many other members this week...again....I hope more mass on my body means more to love because suddenly everyone wants to put an  exceeding amount of delicious Japanese food in addition to twice as many chocolate corn flakes in our mouths at all times. 

Thank you for all who sent me such sweet Christmas cards, e-mails, and prayers! Your love is felt over here in abundance, I sincerely appreciate it. I love you! So does your Savior, purely and perfectly. Don't forget to pray and remember Him always!

Learn Japanese!

Kawaii (ka-why-ee)

Meaning: Cute!!

Letters are always lovingly welcome.

Sister Brooklyn Brewer

1-304 Itakadai

Meitou-ku Nagoya-shi

Aichi 465-0028 JAPAN

Happy Winter Solstice!

Guess what? It snowed so much this week. Merry Christmas!

Our Savior lives!

"Did you fold you futon and turn off the toilet?

What?! It's another P-day already? It was long week but it went really fast!

This is a picture of us wait for the でんしゃ (train) at the えき　（station).

This week we have been meeting with our 13-year-old investigator who is so ready to be baptized!! She has been taught everything and believes in God and Jesus Christ but she just doesn't think she is prepared to be baptized. We're like you are!! Hontoni!!! Also on Thursday Sugiyura Shimai came with us and gave a powerful testimony. The members are so important! We need their help to find, teach with, fellowship, support and befriend investigators and converts. They are doing a great job here in Okazaki! 

Yamada Shimai actually referred us to one of her friends this week! She is also a cute young mom. She is 30/30 investigator which means we do half teaching english and half gospel. They are so so so cute learning English together. She also seemed intrigued by the Book of Mormon and really interested so we'll see how the appointment goes in a couple hours!

Speaking of English I taught my first Eikaiwa class on Wednesday night. I love it! One of my favorite things so far. Japanese people study and work SO hard. Kodomo eikaiwa is still my favorite...because small Japanese children are so adorable singing Head Shoulders Knees and toes. Oh my cuteness. Lots of singing and high-fiving and coloring.

On Wednesday we had Mission Tour Conference! We caught the train at 7:03 a.m. (by the way train rides in Japan are one of my favorite things ever. Feels so urban すてき). Elder Ringwood from the 70 was our speaker. What an awesome conference! He taught us about the importance of giving our hearts to the Lord. It might be hard to do but I know that Heavenly Father really knows us and our lives and how He wants to bless us. He also wants to bless others THROUGH us, so when we listen to His counsel, we can have and perform the best life ever

Street contacting is kind of random because it goes something like this, "Pardon me beautiful Japanese woman, I know are walking very fast and are too busy for life, but 著といいですか? Thanks we believe in Jesus Christ and I know you have never even thought about the nature of God but hontoni He loves you can we come over sometime and tell you more (about the marvelous blessing that is this life and Jesus Christ)?" And if they understood your Japanese and are not actually Chinese then they will either say no thanks or "sure I'll just check out your website and call you when I have questions" (ha). BUuut on Saturday we actually found someone who wanted to meet with us! IT was this cute woman with an adorable baby and she was like "yeah all those sound like really great things let's meet!" And we were super genki all the rest of the day. I'm so excited to teach her.

This Gospel is true! Check out the Christmas video this week if you haven't already and spread a little Savior-inspired joy! The First Presidency Christmas Devotional is also fantastic. You can watch it anytime on LDS.org. I really liked the insights shared about Mary and Joseph. Have a wonderful week! Much love!

http://www.mormon.org/christmas?cid=HPFR1

Sister Brewer

Learn Japanese with me!

すてき ~ su-te-ki 

Meaning: Fancy!

Japan I am in You!

 I'm a real-life missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Nagoya, Japan!!

My first area is down south in  Okazaki! As soon as I was assigned here ALL the missionaries came up telling me what an incredible area it is. I am so blessed to be here!

Monday we flew safely all the way to Nagoya, where the mission presidency met us and took us to the mission home! President and Sister Yamashita are so sweet and wonderful and determined to help us to do the work! Sister Yamashita had a traditional Japanese meal of Costco clam chowder and croissants ready for us. After that delicious meal we went to bed and in the morning had great orientation and then went to the church to meet our trainers! My lovely companion is Sister Kartchner ! Wow this keyboard is really different and weird. 

So　instead of going to our area we actually took the train to yokkaichi where i spent my first missionary work day with Sister Humphreys because Sister Kartchner had STL training in Meito. I looked really cute and smelled awesome in the same outfit for three days. But Thursday afternoon we trained back to Okazaki and I got my luggage and our apartment is so cute! It's super nice, we even have a washer and dryer! Every day we study, eat, street contact and teach (if we are lucky :)). I love it! My first Sunday was crazy but awesome! The members are so sweet. Most of them are like ooh Nihongo was jyozu jyozu!! (You are skilled). But they are just being nice. One woman said (in english) "Welcome to Okazaki ward. Your Ja-pa-nese is so-so." And Elder Watson said my testimony is full of mistakes and hopefully people knew what I meant ha ha. His companion, Elder Schmeil is from Brazil and my district leader and just about the nicest guy you could know! 

The Church is true. Everywhere you go. Although the meeting is in Japanese (and sometimes Portugese), the bishop still lovingly presides, the toddlers cry during the sacrament, the deacons have an artistic way of tying their ties, and the spirit radiates from the strong spirit of the member's testimonies. This is the Church in which God has restored the fulness of Jesus Christ's gospel. In it we can find direction, happiness, and peace in this life an immense eternal joy.

WHA HOO. Sounds like a great party, so everyone is invited and if anyone needs a ride let me know.　Be sure to check out the "He is the Gift" video this week on YouTube.

I love this gospel, I love you, Jesus is our Savior!

Love,

Brewer Shimai