On my way home!! :)

Sitting in the eki (train station) right now with no companion, some members, and elder Strauss...weird. Baaahhhh!!!! See you soon!!!!

The eagle is flying for the last time

Haha. Sorry that's what keeps popping in my head.
#shaycanwewatchprincessdiariespleeeeese?!
Fam! My cute cute family, you sound so great. Mom, I also feel so
incredible blessed. In fact this morning as a knelt and prayed, I was
overcome with gratitude. Dad the stake president spoke in our ward
yesterday and I thought of you at stake conference and said a little
prayer in my heart for you and the members. Our stake president,
Hirose kaicho is an ANGEL, they are the ones that took us to Costco.
We started talking about the grossest food that we have eaten and he
wants me to eat something super nasty before I go back to America.
Yesterday he asked if I'd eaten anything gross lately, I said no and
he said he was thinking about it and would bring us something this
week. Yummm haha. But I loved what he talked about. He introduced the
Asia North Area Plan and Vision for this year. He says the most
important part is our vision. Goals are important, but they just help
us along the way to achieve what we have in mind as our vision. See
your future in regards to your vision. For us and investigators,
returning with God is part of the big vision. And God and Jesus have
set up a perfect plan with little goals along the way--like Baptism.
Going to church. Feeling the spirit. Repenting. Loving. We CAN reach
our vision- it is so possible. And while fulfilling these goals
'happiness can be found along the journey.' I know this is true.

The members are so awesome, yesterday Kanou Shimai had a little
farewell party for Elder Strauss and I that she's been planning for
weeks haha. It was SO FUN and the best part was that her husband that
has been less active for years has been coming back to church for the
last month, he shared his thoughts and testimony with us. BAH THE
SPIRIT WAS SO STRONG. He said he realized that there comes a time in
your life where you need God, because you have nothing else. He reads
scriptures with his wife everyday because he wants to know what God
wants him to do. He realizes that God truly just wants us to be happy,
and when we do what he asks, we are happy. The gospel is SIMPLE my
friends. Simple and beautiful and just simply beautifully perfect.

We witnessed our fair share of miracles this week. ❤️ I know it is
because of Sister Jacobsons faith. I'm so grateful for a companion
that pushes me to be better. She is a disciple of Christ! She is
helping so many people here and I'm so proud and happy and grateful
that she is here in Japan, in Kanazawa, with meeee how am I so
lucky?!? On Thursday, we had not met our goal of finding a new
investigator that day. We were headed out the door to eikaiwa, so no
more finding time :( however, we knew that the whole purpose of
eikaiwa was to bring people to Church and help them feel the spirit
even if we can't teach, we prayed for a miracle and headed. HIRO, a
girl that Satomi, our other investigator had brought to the ward New
Years mochi party, showed up at eikaiwa!!! She is darling, afterward
one of the members was talking to her and asked if she had ever been
to a Christian church before. I asked her if she would like to come
next week because I will be speaking in church. Fiiiiirst she said
YES, THEN She asked if she could meet with us earlier so we could
explain church and prayer and whatnot. We have a lesson with her in a
few minutes with some members and just bahhhhh isn't that awesome???
God is preparing so many!

This Sunday, we were not expecting any investigators at church. :(
they all bailed last minute because of tests and work. However, right
before we headed out the door, we prayed that we would witness a
miracle and be able to help someone come closer to Christ at church.
After ward council, HATA SAN walked out of the bathroom. Ok I about
cried just seeing her haha. Ever since she told us her husband didn't
want her to get baptized, we have completely lost contact. We'd tried
to visit multiple times, called, not response for a couple weeks. :(
super bummed, we dropped her and kept the faith that she wil accept
the gospel later at her own timing. So she just walks out of the
FLIPPIN CHURCH bathroom and looked suuuuper skinny, she said she had
been really sick and couldn't contact us. I asked her why she came
back to church, she said she likes the feeling at Church and wanted to
come back. After she walked in the chapel, Jacobson Shimai pulled a
best two years and hugged each other and jumped up and down and
laughing and dying of happiness. ☺️ She said she feels the same
feeling whenever she comes and hears the hymns. Yes dawling, yes you
awe. We are meeting her this week and can't wait to try to help her
understand the SPIRIT.

Hey some bummy wanted a new bike so they STOLE MINE 10 days before I
leave Japan hahahahaha. So I get to ride a MAMACHARI around and it's
the cutest thing ever I'll attach a vid. :)

We were able to give 3 books of Mormons to investigators, and I can so
testify that there is so much power in that book. It is truly the work
of God. I love studying about Jesus Christ. We studied the names of
Christ at church yesterday. Savior, redeemer, shepherd, friend. But I
think my favorite is Mediator. He is between us and God. And the only
way we can return to our Father is through Jesus Christ. His grace,
mercy, teachings, love get us there. How grateful I am for our savior.
I hope through continuing in strengthening my conversion, together
with Jesus Christ, we can help others back to the truth. In enduring
to the end, our only way of making it back to Heaven is through
helping others. By becoming like the Savior. These wonderful Japanese
people have Christ in their eyes, and the spirit in their hearts.
Angels are all around. I love this place. I can't tell you how
grateful I am that I will be returning to a place where angels and
Christ and the spirit are present. Sorry this email is all over, the
members are here and we are waiting for Hiro so for now FAREWELL but
see you SOOON. Whoa that does not feel real. I love you so much.
Thank you for everything.
"Because I have been given much, I too must give." Give the gift!!!
Love love love Sister Wilcox

Help (email from Jan 10, 2016)

As a sister missionary about to go home in 2 weeks, this is how I'm feeling. :

😆. Get to see my FAMILY!
🤑. I get to go eat yummy food and drive and wear pants.
🙄. Ha. Wait I have no money. Dang it 😒
😆. That's okay who needs money? I get to hang out with jare!
😫. Wait Jaren is like a man now he's got a deep voice and is taller
than me waaaah.
🤔. Also what should I do for college and job and life and whatnot?
😰. Oh my gooooshh I have no idea what to do for this thing called life!!
😭. I don't wanna leave Japan and these people and these feelings how
can I leeeeaave????????
☹️also. Peewee Brighton won't be there. Sooo glad he's on a mission
but. CMON MAN
🤗☺️😊okay. Whatevs. A lot can happen in 2 weeks. I'm just going to
enjoy this time I have to be a set apart representative of Christ and
work until the end and then worry about life on the plane. Yes. Okay.
Guys I'm a mess haha.

Love, Love, Love

Hellooooo happy new year! Crazy way stinkin CRAZY how fast 2015 was.
There were mostly ups, some downs, however those ups and downs are
part of our mortal experience and I'm truly grateful for every
experience I've had in 2015. I hope that we all feel closer to our
father in heaven, and understand the Saviors atonement a little bit
more from crazy 2015.

Just something I've been thinking about lately....
"Come into Jesus. He'll surely hear you,
If you in meekness plead for his love.
Oh, know you not that angels are near you
From brightest mansions above?"

It is so comforting to know that our family and friends on the other
side of the veil are helping build the kingdom of God! They may have a
larger perspective than us, and I believe they are incredibly
successful in bringing souls back to the fold. Papa, gma Schwartz,
great grandparents, Sister Zelaya, Sean (I can't remember his last
name:(). I know they want to work together with us in what is right,
in what is true. Is this true or is it not? Will we do what we are
asked or not? Will we choose liberty and eternal life or will we not?
Do we love the Lord? Do I love the Lord?

I know this gospel is true, grateful beyond words for Joseph Smith,
for the Book of Mormon. I Looooooove the Book of Mormon. We finished
the Book of Mormon on December 31, and have started a new project
together as a mission. We should totally do it together! The members
are all doing in with us. It will be a great tool in blessing the
lives of others.

This week we weren't really allowed to do normal missionary work, New
Years is crazy here! We were asked to deeeeeep clean apartments, do
area book, and go to members houses for appointments and food. :) I
swear all we did was eat this week. But Jacobson Shimai had a ton of
chances to bear her testimony and I think her confidence is building a
ton. She is opening up and little more and talking a little more with
members and she's so excited about it! Had so many awesome experiences
with the members, I'll just read my entire journal to you when I get
home haha, these people are so close to heaven. I see their light and
I want it! For fast Sunday we woke up early and went up to the
mountains with some members and had a little testimony meeting and
prayer to begin our fast. It was so awesome, how cool that they do
that?! Giving themselves opportunities to feel the spirit...so. Cool.

Sorry not a ton happened this week #thanksforreading BUT HATA is still
on for the 17th, please continue to pray for her and her husband to
also join her in coming to church! The members love her! We love her!
The lord loves her! And 🎶the prophet said to say hello! Heehee

Love you allllll California looked so nice! Glad yew had funnnn. :)
parks happy new yeaz! A whole year to be a missionary is THE BEST
THING EVER! Just enjoy it. ;)
Love you xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Pics:
Sister Iwata wore kimono to church for New Years. Little cutie.

This is former investigator sakamoto San. They dressed us up in kimonos and we walked around higashiyama for a while. So fun!

Miyazawa shimai

Obaachan kimonos versus modern kimonos haha

FAVORITE FAMILY the right side peeps are members from Toyama! Left side is the Nishimuras in Kanazawa. So fun! New Year's Eve.

Nishimuras and tokuzawas. Bishop/first counselor families.

Parker's Blog

I'm not sure this ever got posted, but Parker's blog is here:  http://elderparkerwilcox.blogspot.com/

Christmas

Wow Betsy. BETSY!!! Guys sorry I bawled the whole time talking to you.
I was really happy, I promise. :) That was so FUN, Michael it was so
nice to kinda almost finally meet you sorta. Mikell sent me a vid of
you guys kissing after the sealing so that was fun. And more pics! It
looked like such a perfect dream, so happy that you are so happy. I
bet the sealing was so special.
Don't have a ton of time today, it is compy's bday so some members are
taking us to Costco and sushi. Some quick deets I failed to mention on
skype:

Christmas Eve! The nicest less active you ever did meet invited the
missionaries and a couple members to go Christmas caroling at her
apartment complexES. (There were at least 6 bldgs) it was a blast. One
of the elders was dressed as Santa with a big bag of treats and we
were dressed as rain deer. Nomura Shimai had a huuuge list of people
to go carol to, so we'd sing a Christmas hymn, Santa would give a
treat, then we'd RUN to the next door and do it again. It was
hilarious and a perfect way to spend Christmas Eve. One lady opened
the door and just started sobbing! She couldn't even speak.
#seeyouagainsoon #wewillbringthewhitejumpsuit. Singing of the savior
and bringing a little light into their homes was the perfect way to
spread Christ's love. One of the members brought Christmas cake and
hot chocolate, cutest way to spend Christmas Eve!

Something I heard from another missionary: A successful missionary is
one who never settles. Is never content.
Change is not fun, but it's needed. So in dads words: buck up buck
squat and start changing. Our cute little companionship on a cute lil
Thursday afternoon doing a cute lil session of weekly planning, we
made a companionship goal to be 1) More diligent 2) More faithful. We
wanted to work on Christlike attributes, opened PMG and prayerfully
chose these two attributes of Christ. Guys don't just pick attributes
that you don't actually want to work on cuz we've been whipped in the
bum ever since choosing these- it's been a testimony builder to me
that God does not leave us helpless, and if we have true desires to
change, he will most definitely be the one to help us (or be the one
to whip your bum ;)) Had a mission phone conference where we were all
called to repentance. Japan has received new digital pamphlets, and we
haven't been using them as much as we should. We were challenged to
use them in every lesson, and keep inviting investigators to be
baptized in first or second lesson. Jshimai and I decided to be
faithful, diligent and obedient in this challenge. As we have been
working on it, we were blessed with huuuuuge miracles!!!!!!! We called
Hata San who had come to church last week and the Christmas party to
try to set up another appointment. She said "hey so. I read the Book
of Mormon. I didn't understand it and it was kind of boring, so can we
study together?" "Um. Yes. Yes definitely yes." "Also, will you be at
church on Sunday? Can I come again?" "..uhhh what? I mean yes yes
PLEASE yes." (And you hear the heavens shouting praises and singing
gloooooooorriaaa). So she came to church (walked 45 min in the cold to
get here!) and stayed all three hours. We had a lesson with her after
church where we reviewed the plan of salvation..she remembered
everything! Perfectly! We talked about our goal of the celestial
kingdom and the steps to get there. She names them off perfectly. We
used the pamphlet to explain baptism, showed her a video, and invited
her to be baptized. She SET HER OWN DATE, it was a Christmas miracle.
It was so fun for us to bear testimony to her, and rejoice with her
for making her way toward a relationship with God and her own
salvation! It was so neat!! Please keep her in your prayers. Praying
that we can work together to be more diligent and more faithful in
order to use the spirit to help others understand Jesus Christ.

I love you! So much! President Daniels sent an email, he and his wife
had a goal to have all of their children in the celestial room
together and they achieved that goal. How neat! He says, "I know this
vision is premature as you focus on your mission but I can promise you
that through faithful and diligent service, you are laying a
foundation for an eternal family. I will always be grateful for the
decision I made to serve a mission and my life continues to be blessed
as a result."

Faith and DILIGENCE :)

happy. merry. genki. lovely. samui. yummy.

WOWWWW what things are getting real. Seriously unbelievable...parks it just doenst feel real does it?? Also it doesnt seem real that Christmas is here. Things have been crazy here and sitting here emailing and reading about what life really is is like..weird haha. That makes no sense but FLIP you chumps are finally getting married! When i think about skyping I just honestly get freaked out. Im meeting a new brother haha WEIRD. I have butterflies in my stomach thinking about it WHY i dont know. But really. So happy the day has finally come. Shay its crazy that you and Julia are getting married at the same time, ne? funny. MOM stop being so cute! That pic of you and shay at the bridal shower killed me. You are an angel, you and dad are like not real anymore...its like life back home was all a dream. So today as I realized that we get to skype in a few days, it made me very anxious to hear your voice again! :)

THere probably is no way that me and park could skype at the same time huh? Ill see you guys in 5 weeks so i would love to hear all about park and how he is doing, hear his voice. Parks I think about you a ton, you give me a ton of motivation. Your genkiness is out of this world and I want to be more like you- so good to your companions and so friendly. Your light is contagious! EVen to me! I love you, keep doing your thing. Remember that others are watching you all the time. You are a disciple and representative of Christ 24/7!

Well, I feel too much gratitude and love lately. I feel like I dont deserve what we have received. I literally feel like there is a new light, like a switch went off and the world is bright and happy again.

"Where can i turn for peace, where is my solace? When other sources cease to make me whole? When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice. I draw myself apart searching my soul. Where, when my aching grows, where, when I languish, where, in my need to know, where can I run? Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish? Who, who can understand? He, only One."

We cannot see Christ now, we cannot talk directly to Him now, but there are servants and people that love Him and want to mirror his works and love. As a representative of Him, we are always trying our best to focus on what Christ would do and how HE would do it. I had to be on the other side of things and needed the help of other representatives of Christ to lift me, to show His love. I activated the Power of the Atonement in a way I had forgotten that I could. Through the priesthood power and light of Christ, I was able to become whole. Never forget how much good you are doing- we are apart of Gods family- we are part of Christs family. I will accept this gift, and take His name upon me as a daughter of God. 3 Ne. 11-4 Ne. are. the. best. Please read and I know you will recognize the love Christ has for YOU.

ANYWAY sorry but GUYS. guys. This week has been the BEST. Literally so so so so soooooo good. We dropped off companions on Tuesday (and also had to say goodbye to Kittaka, it was the last time me, kittaka and humphreys would all be together. we cried. i love them) and went to the honbu for trainers training. During the meeting, Prez Ishii found out that the snow was so crazy in Utah that the beans flight was delayed. Ill explain during SKYPE but long story short, the beans stayed in a Hotel in Tokyo, and we got to stay in the Honbu! A few of us ate lunch with Ishii Shimai and got to hang out with her and Prez Ishii for a couple days. It was SO FUN. They are truly my parents here, i love them so much. The beans finally came the next night (Elder Luke Passey was here, fun to see someone again from Heber!), we were not going to make it back in time for curfew, so we got to stay another night. BAH it was awesome. So much fun, and spiritual high just being in the mission home.

CUTE LITTLE BEAN is named Sister Shania Jacobson. (yes she was named after Shania Twain). She is from California, I got the only American sister, others were nihonjin. She is so nervous and shy and darling but has a ton of dendo fire, we have already seen a ton of miracles. Not kidding, bahh just finally feel like a missionary again and all I do these days and pray and thank Heavenly Father for the blessing of working as a missionary. And Im sorry this email is all about me. blah. But yesterday Hata san came to church! She said she had started reading the Book of Mormon...and it was boring...so she came to church to continue studying with us. ha. She has a lot of potential and we know that God wants her to feel His love. We are led to many people each day, and each person deserves to finally feel His love again. Its so fun to share that love and do our best to share Christs light with everyone that we can.

So much to tell, but a way cool scripture i read this week goes like this:

Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in Heaven.

The grace of Christ is so great, but we must show Christ that we are willing to follow Him. Christ desired only to do the Will of the FAther, and if we are willing to follow our SAviors example, we will do the same and continue to do the will of God.

I love you so so much. MERRY CHRISTMAS. HAPPY WEDDING. HAPPY SKYPE.
love, sister wilcox. twim. waldo. whiterson jones.

It's the final transfer!!

GUYS!! Hahahaha you know in movies when someone is like depressed and
they flip through radio stations and a bunch of depressing songs keep
playing. Well in my mind a bunch of HAPPY songs keep popping up (for
example:
🎶And at last I see the liiiiight and its like the fog has lifted!
🎶We say yes, yes, yes to happiness!
🎶I'm looking at the man in the mirror, oooh oooh
🎶Cha-Ching can you hear it ring? Cha-Ching. It makes you wanna
sing. Ch-Ching
🎶looking in your eyes I see a pair of dice...anyway you get the idea)
and it's sooo great and I feel HUGE weight lifted off my shoulders and
bahhhh finally feel the happy spirit again and not just the sad like
everything-is-gonna-be-ok comforting spirit. Both are great..but hey.
Some cheerful heavenly love is a plus, ね?!

Transfer calls were Friday night 8-9pm. I was praying so hard so so so
hard to feel good about whatever happens. To understand the will of
God and to have a softened heart to desire to do whatever happened.
Including staying in the situation we were in.
Well at 8:55 I was literally biting my tongue trying not to cry
.... anyway 8:57 I was
doing the Wilcox family cheer in my heart when we got the call!
Yamaguchi Shimai is going to Fukuroi with the cuuuuutest sister, I
actually would love to be comps with this sister Stone. So she will
have a lot of fun. And mom I agree- Yamaguchi really does have the
cutest smile, a very happy, cute, contagious smile. :) I will be
training a new missionary! I was so hoping for a bean chan, this
transfer will be so great! We will be so blessed by her dendo Fire and
excitement and I really can't wait. :):):):) there are 3 new sisters,
2 are nihonjin! So we'll see what the Lord has planned. I know that
our Father has a special plan for everyone, however I also know that
he doesn't expect us to ask and ask and get all the answers. He wants
us to act and work and learn and grow. That's part of this mortal
test. I hope that I can use all He has trained me on from my mission
and apply it the very best I can these last 6 weeks; including making
decisions closest aligned to match His will, follow his example and be
exactly obedient in order to be led and blessed to the people we are
meant to serve. I. Can't. Wait. !!

(Mom- Bathhouse. Negative. Can't go. Bummer right? Haha bummer. get
it? Ya we'll just have to go together when we're old and yummy and
wrinkly. )

BUT HOW COOL IS IT that Nobuaki was here? And did a concert? And
flashed a bunch of pictures that I'd never seen before for all of
Kanazawa?! Haha it was so funny and SO HAPPY! That day was so good.
Wait wait first of all we finally were able to see Mayu again! She
said she still wants us to meet her friends and she still has a ton of
potential so that's super exciting! And today we were all over the
place, 山口姉妹 wanted to say bye to a bunch of people so we went to the
mall with Eri chan and while she was talking to Eri, I turned and
talked to the store clerk and she is DARLING and speaks pretty good
English, she worked at Disneyworld! So we exchanged numbers and are
planning on meeting next week. ALSO we had an FHE with some members
and Tokuyama, and an FHE with some members and Standage family that
were super successful and the work is moving along. Sorry this email
is all over the place, on cloud 9 and I want you to hear all the good
things happening here!
Anyway back to Super Saturday. So morning and afternoon was Christmas
Zone Conference. I learned so much, I feel like some switches in my
brain turned on that I've been trying to switch on for a long time-
about understanding a little more of Christ and His Atonement. The
more we study it, the more I want to know. And also the more I realize
how much I don't understand. After this conference, we were challenged
to ponder and figure out what we will give to Christ this Christmas.
I've been thinking of that question ever since. As cheesy as it
sounds, I want to give Him something that He truly wants. I'm still
trying to figure it out, but for now, from what I've studied and
prayed about, he simply wants us to follow Him. One of my goals this
transfer is to serve like He would serve, work like he would work, and
love like He would love. He was completely and perfectly selfish. I've
kept these lyrics in my mind as much as possible, hoping to be
reminded to always think about others, because isn't that what He
would do? Isn't that what he gave to you and I? His perfect love.

I'm trying to love my neighbor
I'm learning to serve my friends
I'm ill watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again
I'll try to remember the lessons he taught
When the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts saying

I'm trying to be like Jesus,
I'm following in his ways
I'm trying to love as he did in all that I do and say
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers

Okay sorry this email is getting long. But right after the conference
ended, the ward missionary came up and said, "there's someone here who
wants to see you!!" And then Nobuaki pops out of the snow. Like
daisies! He got so tall! Haha I don't remember him being so tall. But
he was so nice it was so fun to talk to him in Japanese. My Japanese
is the worst but it was still so fun. He gave me the nicest present, a
plate with a Japanese painting on it and homemade lemon cake with a
really nice and picture from visiting our family years ago. Lots of
members and less actives and investigators came to the concert, as
well as president and sister Ishii and the Honbu staff. Toyama members
and investigators also came! It was just like a cute little family
reunion. :) He sang a lot of songs and told a lot of stories, a very
spiritual and uplifting night, so grateful to have been there. All the
missionaries sang with him, and before we went up he called me up on
the stage and showed some pictures of our family that I had never seen
before, Hahahah mom your hair!!! AHHAHAHAHAHA sorry. Anyway. It was so
neat. I hope people's hearts were touched, the spirit was there, it
was a special experience that I really will never forget.

I have so much more I want to say, but gotta run. When is Parker
skyping? I'll see you all soon enough, I'd love to hear all about
parkers mission and hear his voice! Could we Skype at the same time?
Also will Shaylee and Michael be there?

I love you! Have so much fun planning the last week of the wedding. It
sounds a little stressful but JUST ENJOY IT, ね?! ;)

No coincidences (Dec 6)

I called the Toyama sisters and they are contacting Ruri! That would
be so neat if she could come. Speaking of Ruri guess whaaaaaaaaat.
So last Monday when we started proselyting, we visited a PI who
quickly shut us down. Our inv appointment was also canceled. We prayed
to know where to go and what to do, we felt like we should visit a
member family. On our way, I looked up at an apartment building and
got a very distinct prompting to house. We started from floor 8,
worked our way down to floor 5. One lady actually came to the door
which was the first miracle ;), she said she had met with Mormon
missionaries 20ish years ago! She said she loved spending time with
them and would be happy if we came back to share a message with her.
Well as Yamaguchi Shimai pulls out a pass-along card, she gives her
the one with her family picture on it. (Do you know that one? The cute
little Japanese family, mom dad and daughter at a park? That's
yamaguchi and her parents! Cutest stinkin thing ever). Anyway she
NEVER gives those away, so even I was surprised. But the lady looks at
the card and says, "hey I know this lady! this was the missionary that
I met with years ago! Do you know her? Can I contact her?"
...Yamaguchi S burst into tears and said, "that's my mom! That's my
mom!" It was so crazy cool to see God lead us straight to her. She
said she probably has pictures with her and wants to show us.
Natsugashiiiii, ne?! I was thinking of Ruri the whole time. :)

Yesterday was a way special Sunday. I was so so grateful to have felt
the spirit. It was a very close-to-heaven kind of spirit. Yesterday
morning for fast Sunday, the missionaries and some ward members met at
the church at 7am and drove together to the top of the mountain. It
was soooo beautiful, looked just like Dutch Hollow. We all gathered
around in a cute little bamboo hut and had a testimony meeting and
prayer meeting. We were each able to bear testimony, and I had such a
great impression that Christ will soon come again, and we need to
prepare to meet God again. However, because this gospel is true, I
believe that most of Gods children will accept the Gospel. Whether in
this life or the life to come, once people open their hearts and take
the challenge, and desire to feel the spirit, God will not deny them
the opportunity. He has his arms outstretched and his angels working
to help us stay on the path or help those that are lost- find the
path. It's true. And once people will take the challenge and pray to
their father, he will answer what he is waiting to hear. Anyway that
morning was the perfect way to start our fast. So yes Testimony
meeting! Ahh the best meeting ever! Everyone bore sincere testimonies
of the Savior. So at the end, I turn around and see Jenny just crying
and crying. Jenny is from california, she is 24, teaching English here
and I LOVE HER. She reminds me so much of Shaylee. I was actually sad
because before the mtg, I didn't see her walk in. Anyway, we went over
to see what was wrong, and she had just found out that morning that
her dad had suddenly passed away. I was kneeling down next to her and
I hugged her and we just cried together. My heart hurt so bad for her.
I truly truly truly wanted to take the pain away, it was
heartbreaking! She was on her way out the door to come to church and
she got a call from her mom. Her mom is not a member, Her brother is
on a mission and is debating whether to come home or not and I think
her mom is struggling with that pretty bad. And Jenny is here in
Japan. :( she said she didn't know what else to do yesterday so she
just came to church. I was so proud of her, she said the only bit of
relief she would feel was comfort from the Savior, and what better
place than church? Her faith is incredible. We went with the stake
president and wife later to visit her and try to get her on a plane
home as fast as we could. She doesn't speak any Japanese, so I was so
glad to be there with her, having someone to mourn with is much
"easier" than suffering alone. This life is short, it is short. And
her reunion with her dad, and our reunion with our Heavenly Father
will be very soon.
We came home that night and Yamaguchi Shimai said that she knew the
plan of salvation was true before, just because she knew the church
was true. But she now has a firm belief that the plan is true. She
said she finally received a testimony that it is true. That is the
best thing to hear, a great gift we can give to our Savior. Our
commitment and belief in Gods plan and Christ's Atonement. I also know
it is true.
Parker, tell as many people as you can about it. Don't skip anyone,
don't miss any opportunities!! I love you gumby.
Love love love you, Sister Wilcox

Drops of Awesome (Nov 30)

Hi dawlings I'm so happy to hear from you! It is so so great to be
able to "talk" to you and hear how awesome you're doing. Some friends
emailed me this week and shared some neat missionary opportunities
they had, I love love loooooove that! I will be so sad to leave Japan,
I know it's going to end and I will miss everything about it. However
I'm excited to come home and see what else the Lord has in store, what
else He needs me to do. Like ..I'm really excited! haha Sister
Yamaguchi and I have been brainstorming about how we can help her
friends who haven't been baptized and see if we can't help them get
with the missionaries! Mom lets be VT comps, eh??
Parker, I can't believe you are talking about sweating at night, hot
weather sounds like a dream to me now! It's freeeeeeeeeezing haha last
night we slept in sweats and a hoodie, attached hand warmers to me
feet, and laid in my futon with a heater on my face until 10:30.
Yesterday, one family we are focusing on didn't make it to church, so
last night we visited them. It was so miserably cold, I just put on my
sweats under my skirt and took them off before we went in their house.
SO COLD haha. Will it ever get cold in Arj?
This week, my bucket was overflowing with drops of awesome. Such a
goooood week. We went on a companion exchange with sisters in Komatsu-
Sister Bascom and Sister Takaku. All four of us stayed in Komatsu, it
was so fun! We got there and made lunch together, and during the
prayer before we ate, I couldn't help but cry! My heart was so full,
the missionaries I'm surrounded by really are so special, I'm so
grateful to have friends that can push and support each other. Have
you seen the Mormon message "Hope of Gods Light", and Todd was invited
to a ward picnic? And someone wanted to pray over the hot dogs. During
that prayer, he felt something that was truly powerful and
overwhelming-- it was a hug, God was simply letting Todd know that He
was there and that He loved him. I felt the same way Todd did, over
and over again God has let me know how much he cares and how real He
is. I hope Sister Yamaguchi and I can help the people in Kanazawa also
feel the same feeling. Really can't describe it, can you? Takaku
Shimai is going home at the end of this transfer, just 2 more weeks!
So we all took turns saying something we love about her, and we all
did the Wilcox cheer :) (hbd dad)

We've been Wilcox cheering for Tokuyama San as well!! Holy coowwwwwww
listen to this sweet miracle. In our last lesson with her, her husband
was in and out. He lives in Tokyo for work, which is sad. But he was
super friendly, during our plan of salvation lesson, he sat on the
couch behind us and sat and listened for a while. I turned around and
said, "Sooo are you Christian?" He said, "No but you are the Mormons,
right? Yaaa I thought so, Mormons are always bright and happy." Whoa.
"Thanks! Ya sooo have you ever been to a Mormon church before?" "Ya I
actually met missionaries about 20 years ago and went to church for a
while. Also went with them to your Christmas party. But I needed money
so I got a part-time job and had to work Sunday's so I couldn't go to
church anymore." Whaaaaaaaaa???? Who is this miracle kinjin(golden)
family?? We invited them to attend church as a family the first week
of December! We are inviting everyone and their dog to church this
Sunday, it is going to be super special. The bishop wants it to be a
super spiritual meeting, the 6 missionaries here are calling all the
members and challenging them to bring a friend. The second hour of
church, the missionaries are doing a special lesson on Jesus Christ.
We are so excited!! I CHALLENGE YOU TO BRING SOMEONE TO CHURCH!! You
only fail if you don't invite. :) and you'll never ever ever regret
inviting. (Parker...lets get ready to ruuummmbbblleeeeee!)

Mayu chans test will be over on Tuesday finalllyyyyyy so we can start
meeting with her again. Also, everyone is prepping for Nobuakis
concert on Dec 12. Stooooked super stoked. That same day is the Zone
Christmas conference so it will be super fun and festive and spiritual
and just lovely dawling.

I read this quote from Elder Packers CES devotional, I must say this
week was definitely feeling the same way. "I have had an unquenchable
desire to bear testimony of the Father and of Jesus Christ." Any
chance I get, I want to speak up and add my witness that God lives and
Jesus Christ gave all of us a gift. The best gift ever. I know I don't
understand so much, but that's not what's important. I have felt the
spirit before, and I know it was Heavenly Father who sent the spirit
to touch my heart. I have a desire to return to live with God, and so
want others to know this as well. So I came on a mission to Japan for
a year and a half. Parker, you are so awesome. So much fire and love
and everything you need as a missionary. Have a sweet week BROSHKUM
and gumbies! Xoxox sister pillcox