Cute peesha!

June 1

Hello Mom!

 

Guess what?! It`s super hot in Aomori! I can`t wear my trusty cardigans anymore! noooo, oh also. TRANSFERS! .... I'm still in Aomori! haha. I have a new companion though. Her name is sakuma shimai. I hear she is very genki! I will see her on Wednesday! Iwasa shimai was such a pleasure to work with. She taught me so much about love and individual growth. I wish her luck on the rest of her mission. She is going to the most southern part of the mission in the dead of summer. Hope she will be OK.

 

This week we had Music Eikaiwa on Saturday! Lots of students, members and less actives came! It was a very fun night, and we were able to be strengthened together as friends. I played in 3 numbers.

 

I want to share an experience about an LA (less active)  I played with. She loves music! She is a member, but is so busy because her father is very sick, and can`t take care of himself. He has a brain problem, and just can`t respond to anything. The LA`s home is labeled  "Don't visit" so we can't enter the house. However,  this week we decided to practice together (music) so I was invited! While we were practicing she wanted her parents to hear us play. We played our piece, and the father just seemed to stare off in the distance, the mother called me over, and wanted me to show him my violin. I played a short piece for him, "O my Father".   I will always remember his reaction. His eyes shot right up at the violin, and they began to water. He was able to feel the Spirit. The mother and LA realized that this was a special moment for him. Through this experience I realized how the language of the Spirit is the same; even in music. The family thanked us for playing, and invited us over to practice again sometime. During fast and testimony meeting the LA gave a testimony about this experience. She is coming to church more often. Miracles are happening in Aomori with the members!

 

Since this week was transfer calls and fast Sunday, the mission leader invited the missionaries to his house for dinner. We also invited one of the sister`s investigators. It was her birthday! We sang a special song for her, and gave her cake and a card. She felt so much love that she began to cry. In her life it`s been so hard to trust people, but little by little, the light in her eyes is glowing brighter, I know that is because of God and His love. I hope she can realize how important she is to Him someday.

 

also... My mission leader lent me his guitar so I can practice on P-days XD haha, pretty productive right?

 

Being in Aomori for almost half of a year has been tough. I have learned so much about the importance of service, and forgetting yourself. It is important to always want to improve, but when you ignore the people around you, the light begins to dwindle. When you lose yourself, you find yourself. I have been able to come to love Aomori so much! Transfer calls really scared me, because I didn't want to go. We have no investigators... our eikaiwa student is also turning out to be a bit iffy... but God works in mysterious ways, and if I can help lay a foundation for Aomori, I will put my whole heart into it. I am still a young 21 year old sister missionary, but God has a plan for all his children, and if we are listening to the Spirit we will never be lead astray. I love this mission and I love biking in hot, hot weather all day! I love not being able to speak perfect Japanese and making a fool of myself, and I love sleeping on hard futons. Why? I have no idea, but I`m happy! I know this gospel is true, and I know it is the only way to eternal happiness. I love everyone, and I wish you have a wonderful week.

 

愛しています！

Money shimai

 

 

ps. I got your package mom! I ate some of the dinners! it reminded me of those late lazy nights watching movies... unfortunately I couldn't eat the beef jerky (customs wouldn't let it come through), but that`s ok! I have some pretty good cheap Japanese food here. So I am one happy missionary!

June 8

It`s funny because right after I sent that Email the temperature dropped back to 16 C. However it`s getting hot again. Interestingly Aomori is one of the hottest places in Tohoku in the summer. Reminds me of Utah.

 

Here are some answers to your questions, but just keep in mind I haven`t ran into too many people XD

 

The biggest stumbling block for me when I try to teach people about Christianity is the fact that they believe they just don`t need it. The word `religion` in Japan holds a very bad image; at least Christian religion. They don`t believe in God to start, so believing in Christ is a whole other level. For Japanese who ARE Christian it becomes very easy to talk to them. They get excited that there are people who also believe in Christ, and want to talk more! Unfortunately there aren't many of these people, so I have only spoke to... maybe 3? haha. But there are a lot of Japanese people who went to Christian schools and learned a bit. So they are willing to listen more. Prepared people are everywhere however. Also the people who do get baptized have a high chance of turning LA. The church isn't big so it`s very easy to just sneak right back into normal life and forget about your whole conversion. Luckily, the people who truly got converted stay pretty strong. It`s because back in the day missionary work ran a bit differently, and important testimony requirements weren't too important back then. And they also fall away a little like how American`s fall away. Human error, sin, or just the desire disappears. Oh, also the fact that only 1 person gets baptized in the family is very hard for recent converts. So there are family problems.

 

:D that`s all I got.

 

So this week was a bit busy just getting ready for transfers and welcoming the new sisters in. We totally cleaned our apartment so I can't even recognize the place. 3 sisters in our apartment are kind of OCD about being clean :D which is all fine with me, but I am in trouble. Being with the same companion for 3 transfers made me realize how hard change is. But, I`ll adjust soon. My new companion, Sakuma shimai, is full of energy and loves to work hard. Aomori is new to her, so I am doing my best to teach her about the area. She has 7 people in her family. She has 4 sisters, and herself.

 

This week we were able to go finding a lot more. We were able to find a few potential investigators around the area, so we are hoping for the best there. I haven`t taught with her before, So I hope it will all work out! Good thing the Spirit is the real teacher.

 

This week I have thought a lot about love. Being on the mission field for more than a year seems so long, but in reality is so short. This really surprises me because I have never learned this much before! In missionary work there are all sorts of ups and downs. However, if you keep your heart and mind centered on Christ-like love and service, even when you don`t see success your mission never fails.

 

I`m sorry I don't have too many specific stories this letter. Next week is Zone conference so we are all excited for that. That is the last time we will see president Rasmussen before he leaves! aaaah, It`s too soon! Even though I don`t see him around the mission all too much he has been a big impact on me on the mission. Watching over 150 young 18-21 year old kids must be hard! Yet he prays for us individually everyday. Through Christ-like friends and leaders we feel God`s love in our lives. That love we feel is light. Even though our life is full of darkness, and we aren`t quite sure what will happen, the light of God can always show us that everything will be alright. I know that God is watching over my friends and family, and that gives me peace. I know that this gospel brings eternal happiness. I love everyone! and hope to hear from you all soon. Pray for the people of Japan, and help them feel God`s love. They are such amazing people, and all it takes is the spirit to change their hearts.

 

I hope everyone is having a good week!

 

talk to you next week!

愛しています！今週もたくさん奇跡を見ましょう！

-Money shimai

 

 

 

June 15

Hi mom! :D

 

I just got back at eating sashimi with my mission president and his wife with all the missionaries in Aomori! I will send you some pictures later. Just to let you know... I love fish. But only Japanese fish, because Utah fish just isn't the same. of course... I am not sure what I am eating half of the time!

 

This week we were able to find a new investigator! She found us while we were doing eikaiwa kubari! (note: I think this means they were finding people to do Eikaiwa, or English lessions)  First the elders talked to her, then through church activities we were able to talk to her. She has been going through a HARD life, but even through everything she has never given up hope. She is so strong. she is only 18! It blows my mind sometimes what life can throw at you at such a young age. We were able to teach her a lesson, and even try to invite her to get baptized! haha, we were excited missionaries. She said she wanted to,  but she still needed time to learn. She loves Christians, and I think if she realizes that she can partake of Christ`s blessings as well. She can`t wait to make a date!

 

hmmm, with that excitement comes MORE excitement. I was able to split in Hachinohe last Friday and Saturday. There are some awesome things that come with your MTC companion being your STL. I was able to go to a ward BBQ in Hachinohe and meet with all the members! I saw Shion Chan and got to talk to my old branch president.

 

Btw, if you two come down here to pick me up... we are staying a Sunday in Hachinohe even if it`s tiny and very cold :D

 

I have learned something VERY important this week. It is about following the Savior`s example, and just showing love to everyone. I don`t mean the whole `Hello how are you` love. The actual `You are my brother and sister, and God is our heavenly father` love. True love. If you open your ears and listen, you will know how you can help those around you. You have to have that desire, or the answers won`t come. I am so grateful to learn what I have on my mission. Our hearts might be in the darkest of places, but with Christ`s love we can get out of any place. Let your love show to those you care about, and to those you don`t know. You never know what kind of influence you may leave with them, and who`s lives you can change.

 

I am grateful for everyone`s prayers and thoughts during my time on this mission. My emails might be short... and thoughts a bit jumbled... but I mean every word I say. I LOVE YOU!!!!

 

and because it is father`s day I have a special surprise for my dad. I will be sending (for reals this time) a lot of pictures from my mission and unwritten stories about them. Because today`s email time was short, I will write you a letter. :D

 

Thank you for telling me your testimonies as well. By sharing what we know we strengthen our testimony and other`s. If you want to ask me anything feel free, so I have more interesting things to say in my emails XD (I`m not too creative)

 

I LOVE YOU ALL!

愛しています！

皆さん！今週いっぱいたいよをかんじてください！

 

(please enjoy the sun! because it has been raining ALL DAY EVERYDAY! yaaay rainy season.)

June 22, 2014

Sorry, I am terrible at keeping this thing up! Here are a few recent ones...

Dear Mom,

 

My week had a lot of things happening!

 

We had zone conference, and district conference! Which is the churches in Aomori-ken coming together in one building! So I got to see Hachinohe members again. HA ha, I'm pretty spoiled. For zone conference my old MTC district member played a duet violin piece with me, and my old companion accompanied us on the piano. We played "I`m trying to be like Jesus". It was the last time we would see Rasmussen shimai and Kaicho so it was actually pretty sad... a lot of crying :( BUT I am so blessed to have been able to have such a wonderful leader and example in my life. My mission parents were SO full of love it was unbelievable.

 

This week we found a new investigator. XD She is a cute little old grandma, who doesn't focus too well, but LOVES learning about Jesus Christ. So we decided to teach her. I can`t understand 90 percent of what she is saying because of a hard accent, but I smile and nod and teach. This week I have studied the scriptures over and over again about Love. There is a verse saying that with love you can throw away all fear. (Moroni 8) and I believe that to be true! When you have love, all of your thoughts and feelings go toward God and whom you are serving. I am so lucky to be able to serve in a country full of such loving people.

 

Lately there has been a lot of rain in Japan, but it has made the scenery even more beautiful. We have visited a lot of Less Active`s recently and taught them about feeling God`s love through all the blessings He has given us, even nature! 

 

 

Sorry for the short update!

but I am genki!

I am loving the people here

and I am forgetting myself as I serve. 

 

how much happier could one missionary be? 

 

:D I love everyone! and hope you have a great week!

あいしています！

 

Money Shimai

 

 

ps. I got mom`s package, but not the card yet. 

 

 

April 21, 2014

I knew our new ZL from my first transfer in Nagamachi. He was in Sendai zone, but I didn't talk to him XD. He is from Australia. He looks like Spencer. He is on his 9th transfer. I am on my 8th. They are all doing their best for Aomori, and I have come to the conclusion that ALL Sendai missionaries are humble. I think it`s a language thing. Anywho. Looking forward to next ZTM as always.

 

I would love to buy some Japanese-ish things to bring home with me... but carrying it around with me through transfers might get hard. So either put it in my college fund or keep it with you for when you come to Japan. We`ll have fun then :D I will buy new shoes though. I still have the nice walking shoes from dad that I still use. Nice Sunday flats probably cheap ones, I will buy. (the rain got to the other ones, and during the winter broke in half) ee hee.

 

Also, sorry about suki. :( if you could please take care of my Woodstock. You are always good with animals, mom, so I have no worries. I wish I got to see her though.

 

Easter Celebration sounds fun! we didn't do much over here XD ha ha, mostly some eikaiwa students had some questions about Easter, so we taught a little bit about Christ`s resurrection and why we use eggs. They just nodded their heads. For young people christian stuff is actually pretty cool. In Sacrament meeting the branch president gave a talk about the resurrection of Christ and the power of the Atonement. It was a very strong talk, I wish I could have remembered. It was in a different language though :D still doing my best. He pretty much said... that Christ has felt all of our sorrows, and fears, not just sins. So during our rough times he knows how to comfort us. He had his body broken to save ours. All during those 3 dark days after the Savior`s death it seemed like Christ`s light was gone from the world, but quite the opposite. He lives. He was resurrected. He has a perfect body, and so will we. We sang `I know that my redeemer lives` I don't know if it was the different language that got to me, but it goes like this `shu wa ikeru to shiru` I know the Lord lives` I totally broke into tears at that point. I love Church.

 

Other than that it was transfers so we just got settled with new missionaries. I ended up teaching two eikaiwa classes (at the same time) because one elder was a bit busy in a lesson with an investigator. I do enjoy it. This week I got to play sports at 6 in the morning too, which made me think of a very important lesson. Lately I have been feeling tired a lot. probably because I`ve been on a mission for a year. So I have always felt the urge to sleep during lunch or before personal study after getting ready (yes i know, bad missionary) But after reading a message from the scriptures it really made me realize how unhappy idle people are. ha ha. not sure who said it but `people die in their beds, and so does their ambition` If I want to accomplish my goals... I gotta keep on trying! Of course rest is important, but we can always sleep at the end of the day. :D when I get a good start in the morning it sets my day and when my day is set, my ambition seems a lot more clear. Sorry for the random idle talk. Sometimes it`s easy to stand still, but it is a lot more fun to get working!

 

Here are some other experiences.

 

We did a role play at a members house, and she fed us sushi. I love sushi now. While we were eating we also had fried chicken. My companion hates chicken. So when I wasn't looking she gave me all her chicken! There was also this pudding, my stomach was sooo full so when the member wasn't looking I pointed to the pudding, gesturing that iwasa shimai should eat it for me, she gave me the whole `oh, ya I understand you!` face, then when I looked back a bit she reached for my last sushi piece and stuffed her face! I turned to her shocked and asked `Why?!` `oh! you meant the pudding?!` good times. She owes me sushi now. She`s cute. 

 

 Spiritual point for the week. so the other shimai tachi has an investigator named kou san. She really loved white shimai ( who just transferred) so we met Monday night to say goodbye. Turns out she had a song she was practicing for White shimiai on the piano. She played Nearer my God to thee, and How great the wisdom? (that sacrament hymn) on the piano. Turns out that those were white shimai`s favorite hymns. She didn't know. We taught her about the sacrament a little bit more after she played and I felt like she understood why we treat those hymns so respectfully. We also sang to her *mida sou my friend* (I`ll find you my friend) Kou san said she understood... I think she knows that we love her, but more importantly that God loves her. That was her hardest bit before. (ya she isn't my investigator, but I still help)
 

:D yep! this week was full of a lot of adventures! 

 

speaking of adventures I have been on my mission for a year! yaaaaaay! Time is insanely fast! I didn't believe anyone! I wish I would have taken heed. 0.o 

 

I love the mission, and how it shapes every single person you meet on it -- the people you work with, yourself, the members, and the people who are waiting for you at home and in the field. God has a plan for every single one of his children, and it is up to us to accept his blessings, and follow Christ. I know that Christ`s church is on the earth today, and I know that Christ`s atonement is Eternal. I don't know everything about it, but I know that Christ loves me, and died for me. Thank you for all of your support and prayers. They really do take me to the next day. I love you all! 

 

待った来週あ

 

Money shimai!

 

April 11, 2014

HEY MOM!

 

It`s Monday again! Sorry for sending this to you so late! It`s about 5 pm here, so it`s about 2 am there!

 

So my MTC companion has been doing great! She is always so full of love, and funny because she is Hawaiian. She gives me a lot of information about Hachinohe! Unfortunately some of the members got really sick in Hachinohe, and are in the ICU. A member from Hachinohe came to Aomori and told me as well. Yikes.....

 

 

So since I am in Aomori I will be seeing cherry blossoms probably in May or very late April! So don't expect some pictures yet. As a missionary we are encouraged to go to cherry blossom parks and do missionary work there. Just talking to people mostly. I'm excited. 

 

I get to watch general conference on Saturday and Sunday! So thank you for your insights, I will remember them while I watch, and think of my own questions and see them answered! I hope everyone has been blessed spiritually by general conference. Now it`s time to apply what we have learned in real life and actually SEE what the words of the prophets bring. 

 

So this week has been pretty normal. (I hate saying that... but for me it was normal XD hahaha) Probably not normal for you though. The wind has been very crazy here in Aomori for about 2 weeks straight, so my bike has become even more cabbage than it was before. We had ZTM on Friday again and learned A LOT of amazing things. We learned 3 things. 

 

1. Opening the Heavens through prayer. It is usually never in a crowded or loud area when the Lord speaks to his servants concerning revelation for the world or for themselves, so we have been encouraged to go to a quiet place, by ourselves after being dressed in the apartments, and speak out loud when we pray. Just like Joseph Smith! We were promised that if we listen and pray with that full intent that success with triple in the mission. Here we go! 

 

2. Creating all things spiritually. God has a plan, Satan has a plan. So if we go through life without a plan we will surely not see God`s and might fall in Satan`s trap! These all have to do with missionary work, but they can apply in normal life as well. I have never been a very good goal setter... so I want to work better with that! and planning better. God will help you if you ask and listen and carefully plan! 

 

3. Receiving the Holy Ghost`s guidance. We were challenged to carry a small notebook around with us and write down anything we feel might be personal revelation... and then do it! if we aren't sure, ask God if it is revelation and he will answer. Everyday we have thoughts and feelings about what we should do, it is our decision to either act on them or not. remember... if you are encouraged to do something good it is ALWAYS from the spirit. 

 

Aomori zone didn't have any baptism in March. That was a first in a long time... but usually when you see the most opposition it only means you are going the right way! we have a lot of potential in Aomori Zone. 

 

Phew... So I just got back from lunch at a Thai restaurant and bowling so I am a bit tired... after emailing I will go out and search for people who will listen to me! But a tired missionary is a happy missionary. 

 

the 6th was the anniversary on the Church`s Restoration! I hope everyone had a wonderful day. I am so thankful for this gospel. We may be living in some tough times, but thanks to the gospel we are on the right path! God loves us so much he restored his gospel through a humble 14 year old boy. It just goes to show that we are all God`s children, and that he will help when we are ready for his help. 

 

I know that we can feel Christ`s atonement in our lives everyday if we rely on His love. I know this Church is true. 

 

I love the mission! (like you didn't already know...) 

 

:3 I`ll do my best to learn the language and keep on trekking! 

 

Word of the week; ichigo ichie! which means... one time moment in a life? I'm not quite sure... 

 

Love everyone! Hope all is well. 

 

-Money Shimai