Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima

Well hello!

I decided to do something different this week and write my everybody email first so that I don't run out of time, like I have the last 2 weeks!

Honestly though, not much has happened! 

I transferred 4 days ago! This is my third transfer in a row and I'm getting kind of tired dragging my heavy suitcases about everywhere, but I have loved all my areas so far and I'm happy to be here! 

Now I am in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima! I honestly never thought I would come here, Richland's mascot being the bombers and all... But It's a beautiful place and I love it. Today a few of us in the zone are going to visit the atomic bomb monument. I'm kind of excited to see it. I don't really know what to expect, but I was told that it's really depressing... but I'm still excited.

My new companion is Sister Yuko Kashida, from Ishikawa Japan! Nope, she doesn't speak any English!- but that's ok, because I had a huge miracle this week that compensates for all of that!

At first I was really scared when I found out I would be with Kashida shimai, because she doesn't speak English, and my Japanese skills were extremely limited, and I mean EXTREMELY LIMITED... I was so scared and I didn't want to go. When I was on  the bus coming up to Hiroshima I had this huge dilemma where the bus driver was trying to ask me for my ticket and I didn't understand what he was saying, even though he was saying, "ti-ke-to onegaishimasu"... that little episode didn't really help my confidence much about having a Japanese companion...

But I came... The first night was a little bit of a struggle. I literally could not speak Japanese... Up to this point I just haven't been able to get a handle on the language. It has really been a struggle... So I prayed a lot...

Here's the miracle- are you ready? This might sound absolutely crazy to you all who aren't going through it, but it is so completely real for me...

Ok. Here's the miracle. 

After that first hard day I went to bed... When I woke up the 2 other missionaries in the apartment were complaining bout how I had been sleep-talking in Japanese all night... Japanese!? After that, all day as I was trying to speak to Kashida shimai, I found that I was able to say anything I wanted to her and I was able to understand everything she said! I literally learned Japanese OVERNIGHT! Yesterday I went to church and understood EVERYTHING that was going on, whereas before I couldn't understand anything! All the sudden I can speak Japanese and I don't know what to do with myself! I can read quite a bit of kanji too! Weird......

Anyway, I hope you all have a great week! 

That's my miracle!

Love you all!

Robatsu shimai!