More pictures from the MTC

May 18, 2013

Funny story about the last picture of the door, the Choro tachi got me a birthday card... but apparently the cards at the MTC bookstore were kind of... lame? so they got me an eagle scout award card instead that said "welcome to the eagle's nest!" and wrote something inside. I looked at the cards... they were pretty odd. ^-^

On Sat, May 18, 2013 at 2:19 PM, Alicia Money <alicia.money@myldsmail.net> wrote:

I'm an Aunt?! again!? Congratulations Coynes for the new addition! I was so excited to hear the news. I threw my hands in the air in the middle of the computer lab and went "I HAVE A NEW NEPHEW!" Yep, good day. I want pictures soon. Things are going great here at the MTC, weeks are starting to feel like days though... yet when I look back and realize i've only been here for 3 weeks, it seems like it's going by slower than ever. Time just doesn't make sense here in the MTC. I've accepted it though. The Nihongo is coming along. It's hard sometimes though and in the moment I tend to make up sentences and hope they are right... my teachers usually just smile and nod, like they are saying "atleast you tried, but I got it"

Anyway, I'm glad to hear the family is going well. Thank you everyone for your letters and Emails, they really do make my days sometimes. This morning I woke up at 5 AM to do my laundry because it just gets too crowded during our scheduled time. I finally finished drawing my pictures of all the members of our district. I laminated the pictures and taped them on our classroom door. So now we have some kind of decorations.

 

This week we really focused on the fundementals of Prayer, the Book of Mormon, and Church attendance in receiving revelation. I really am learning so much every single day. Hopefully I can retain most of this knowledge. In our investigator lessons we are teaching mostly about the plan of salvation or how I call it "Plan that saves families" It's very interesting because I am techincally teaching people who have never really thought about Jesus Christ or God. That means I really need to know the simple truths that bring the most power in testifying. Of course, I can teach all I want but it's the spirits power that testifies to those who are ready to hear it and accept it.

 

I wish I remembered what I did on separate days... but the schedules are kind of the same and as I said before it seems like this week is just one whole day :'D

このきょかいわしんじつとしっています、そして、イエスキリストのふくいのしんじつとしっています。いえんおいのちおうけることができます。いましめおまもるからけんこです。私の家族お会いしています、そして、家族わわたしおあいしていますとおもいま。ジョセフスミスわよげんしゃとしんじています。モルモン書わしんじつです。みちびきことができます。

 

Sorry about my broken Japanese, Not sure if the kanji is right... cuz it auto corrected it for me :'D

I love you all! and I love this Gospel! I can't wait to go share it with the people of Japan... just gotta make it through the MTC first~

できます！

愛しています、

マニしまい

(Money Shimai)

May 11, 2013

Ok, real letter time

 

Aaah! I have been so busy here at the MTC I kind of forgot that my Birthday was coming up. Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes, they really mean so much. Today is my Pday so I got to visit the temple. Greatest birthday ever.

 

This week has gone by so fast. I can't believe it. I really have to appreciate all the time I can get here. We are teaching 2 "investigators" now in Japanese. At first it was hard, and I mostly just wrote down lines I wanted to say... but that's not how you teach by the spirit! I've learned that if you are prepared in your studies, that during the lesson if a certain topic must come across, the spirit will prompt you to say what you must. There was a time where I was looking at my investigator just splurting out japanese words. Did they make sense? Of course not! but he could atleast piece them together. That was such a wonderful experience. I hope to improve everyday. Not just in studies, but also being able to recognize the spirit and have faith to follow it.

 

This week has gone by so fast that I can't even recall everything that i've done! All the days kind of just mesh together... On Sunday we watched a wonderful talk by Elder Bednar. "The Character of Christ" It's pretty safe to say that it changed my mission experience already! If you can find it, I suggest you watch it. Now I just want to go to Japan right now and serve those who need it. 

 

If you have question in your heart, I guarentee that you can find your answer in the Book of Mormon. We have so many resources in this world for lesson plans, any kind of studies, personal questions. Here at the MTC we have so many books, and dictionaries, PMG's etc... but the best resource you have for those important questions are found in Prayer. Communicating with your Heavenly Father is the first thing you must do.

 

I love everyone so much, and I can't wait to hear from everyone. Thank you for your support and love. (Also... did you hear about that Dearelder website? mmhm, it's pretty good) 

Aishitemasu!

Money Shimai 

 

I would send pictures, but I left my SD card in my room :'D I'll get those up soonish...

 

May 4, 2013

Wow, I can't believe i've been here for almost 2 weeks. The days seem to be traveling so slow, but the weeks go by very fast. It will be impossible to write everything that has happened to me in this Email seeing as I only get half an hour to finish everything.

The work is hard. Japanese is so different from English that sometimes I wonder how Japanese missionaries learn English! We are all learning however. My district is doing so well. We like to keep an upbeat adittude. How is everyone? I hope you all are having a great May. The weather seems so nice. We sometimes like to go out and just study.

 

My Sensei's are so great! Reading Sensei was our first teacher. He kind of reminds me of Spencer, but a little less goofy. ;3 We first met our 2nd teacher as the "investigator" Hiroki-san! his real name is Allen Sensei, but i'm too used to calling him Hiroki. I'm not the best teacher in the world, but I seemed to do ok on the first day. It helped that I could listen to Hiroki a bit more than I would if i had not studied the language. The members of my district are so amazing! Most of them came in without any knowledge. Most of them were fluent in spanish. So everything is going great here. I get so tired that I just can't wait to sleep at 10 or 10:30. (pretty weird huh?)

 

I'm re-reading the Book of Mormon and have made it to Alma chapter 18. This chapter meant a lot to me, mostly because of the way Ammon did his missionary work. He taught a king about the gospel even if he didn't have any Christian background. That's what it will probably be like in Japan. The spirit really is powerful. It's strong, but in a peaceful way. The more I study and pray the more I'll try to recognize that power.

 

 I've already learned so much from him in just a couple days. I won't lie, it was getting pretty hard, but he reminded me of the power that we had behind us, and the resources and help we can recieve if we only ask for it. I know I was called to Japan from God. This work is so wonderful. It was hard learning to be with a companion 27/4 and pretty much studying all day, but I can see how much it has already blessed me. I can't wait to teach and help the people of Japan. I know that I can bless their life in some way. Thank you everyone who wrote me, and who sent me emails. If I wasn't able to get to them, it's because I ran out of time.

 

But expect a letter someday~ or maybe write to me? ^-^ they really make my days or even weeks. (so what i'm saying is that I prefer letters than email. But I suppose email is more convienent to you, so it's ok)

I'll keep praying for everyone, and you are always in my thoughts.

 

LOVE YOU ALL!

-Money Shimai