Conference

Man General Conference was a grab bag for me. We watched the Sunday sessions today. I left my apartment before anyone else but I have 2 keys to my place so I gave one to Limor. (I'm going to see her in 2 weeks for the Hanami - cherry blossom blooming - celebration.) President Uchtdorf's talk was AMAZING. Then I just sobbed throughout Elder Clayton's talk on marriage. I cried through the talk about children... it was just a really hard first session. However, other than President Uchtdorf's talk, there was one salient moment for me: Elder Neil L Anderson's talk about missionary work made a large impact on me. He said that with the changing of the ages of missionaries they have a huge influx. They are creating 58 new missions and he said that in preparation for that and this great work that hearts would be softened. It hit me hard because I was promised that if I prepared, I would be able to share the gospel here in Japan. The Lord's timing, as always, is perfect for me to be here. (Life's timing is really crappy though and -there's the "it's quitting time" song!- every time someone in Conference mentioned loneliness my heart just ached. I am lonely. I'm very lonely here. I've made some Japanese friends in the ward, and they're so loving, but I can't TALK to anyone about anything. It's just rough. And tomorrow I start teaching. I have 16 self-introductions ahead of me and feel very unprepared. :c

In any case, there was a one hour break between sessions and mmm I was able to skype with my Maman. :) She got to meet a few of the ward members who were so excited to see her. :) It was very heartwarming. They gave me TONS of food too! I had brought food then they gave me a bunch more. So I came home with a bag of stuff. The elders also brought me a bike. It's a mountain bike and so the bar is very high. I kept looking at it trying to figure out if I could make it home in my skirt (it was VERY windy today) and one of the ward members (my new home teacher actually - Taizo Shiwa) gave me and my bike a ride home. :) The elders also gave me a bike lock. My schools are too far to bike (well, I would have to get up an hour earlier and that's not going to happen), but I will be biking to church each week. :) I can also use it around town.

:c I keep having panic attacks about tomorrow. I have very little information about the classes - I don't even know where to go inside the school. :c I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY hope I get on the right bus and off at the right stop. My hope is that there are students in my area who will be riding the same bus and I can follow them.

Now I'm going to pack a lunch for tomorrow. Have a great day!

XOXO, A