Pictures from the last 3 months!

[from sarah] sorry I suck! I haven't updated this blog in forever! Here are some pictures from the last few months and then Alicia's emails to the families since mid-December. I promise I'll do better at updating this thing! Alicia has been out almost a year now, I can't believe it!

March 16

Dear, お母さん

 

Yes I got your package and all the music and thank you for sending the Broadway version! she loves it! I told her that the movie singing wasn't very good and she was shocked! `REALLY?!` haha. It all sounds the same I think. HOWEVER there is a difference. Anyway...

 

Ya I remember my baptism! I got some pictures from Sarah recently too to help me. The thing I can say about my baptism is that I got it from my brother! I was so happy! I remember someone did my hair? (laura probably) and that grandparents came too. Wish I could remember more than that though.

 

Sometimes I wonder too if kids really can understand what they are doing when they receive baptism. I knew I didn't really know. But the thing about children is when they decide something is good, it is good. There aren`t any doubts. with a younger mind the joys come more simply. So when we are interviewed one would think `Ya! who wouldn't want that?` of course we might not remember.

 

I am so lucky to be brought up in the gospel. Of course I had my conversion point way after my baptism... however I`m thankful.

 

This week since it was the 11th we decided to do something special. we ended up going around and helping people shovel (snow) their houses. There is a sister in the ward who would always help us out with rides or just a warm heart. She was upset the past Sunday, so we wanted to do something special for her as well. we took a bus all the way to her house, and decided to shovel her house as well. She kind of lives alone (complicated family) and works all day so she doesn't have anyone to help. We got there and noticed how piled up the snow was. We worked hard to make it look pretty (we aren't professionals!） we posted hearts on her door, and gave her cake! that night she drove in to a clean drive way and loving messages. The next time we saw her she just ran up to us and hugged us, saying `Thank you!` I love the members here.

 

Sometimes I forget how devastating the earthquake/Tsunami was. It`s been so long... but it really did happen right where I was serving! Even in places like Hachinohe and Aomori. Coast cities down more south got it the worst, however it`s still my mission. We watched a DVD that night about the earthquake. It made me realize that in life there are so many trials and hardships that it seems that there is no way we can move forward. However, at the end of the DVD, it showed how many people came to help Japan. With everyone`s help the ruined cities in Japan became like new! I believe that God is watching over all of his children. He wants us to all work together to succeed. We are all children of God.

 

This week it warmed up a lot! (however it still kind of snows like slush) so I'm still using my rain boots well!

We had ZTM this week. So I was able to see my old companion in the MTC! it was super nazukashii. (nostalgic?) We learned how well Aomori zone is doing! Our Zone leaders have a really big vision for Aomori. So I want to help as much as I can! It will take a lot of work though.

 

But it`s OK! because God loves Aomori, and Japan! that I can declare with all my heart.

 

Thank you for all your love and packages mom! sometimes I wonder why I was so lucky to have a family as great as I do.

 

I love you all!

till next week!

-Money shimai

 

March 9

Why do you work all the time? XD

 

haha, never mind.

 

It truly is wonderful that we have the knowledge that we have. Sometimes people are just lost because they don't know what to do during those times. But it`s through the hope of our Savior that brings us happiness in our trials. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. (Note to others -- Alicia is commenting about thoughts I expressed regarding the funeral/memorial of my brother's mother-in-law who had been living with him)

 

This week we had transfers!!!... well, new people coming in anyway. I just got news that my old MTC companion Lesuma shimai is going to be the new STL in Hachinohe! I couldn't be happier! she went to Nagamachi after me, and now Hachinohe! It`s like we are going through the same cycle. :D... Since she is my STL I get to talk to her about a lot of things. She is excited to work in Hachinohe.

 

In Aomori we had a BAPTISM!!!... of course he just turned 8, but the joy is the same! Cutest experience I`ve had on the mission so far I think. He looks like he`s 5 so he was super short. the Water was filled up a little too high. All the members came to watch (they did it on a Sunday) so it was nice to gather together for that occasion after church.

 

I got to teach eikaiwa (English lessons) almost by myself. We had an elder just come in that was new to aomori so he couldn`t plan much. It was fun! I got to be as creative as I wanted and what ever we do as long as we get them speaking English they couldn't be happier. As I said in my last letter I love eikaiwa!

 

I went to a Hokkaido eating... festival... thing. (sorry) where I got to try all sorts of food from Hokkaido! so it`s crazy in Japan. You go a little south or north and the food completely changes! I ate a bowl of what looked like the things you would find on the bottom of a lake and ate it. So good! why? I think I`ve gotten used to all the food here, and wherever.

 

We still haven`t found any investigators yet, but we did go Finding (tracting) a lot. We are trying our best to help Aomori at the moment where it needs help the most. Even though it`s a big city there isn`t all that much success. A little bit at a time people are trusting the church more, and members are working well with missionaries. It`s a miracle in progress. I can see it!

 

We are already seeing so many miracles in Japan. I know that Heavenly Father has prepared this people. I love Japan! and I love this gospel. Recently I`ve read back on a few Journal entries from the MTC and Nagamachi and man... have I changed my thoughts a whole lot. It may be hard to see those changes when you read sporadic emails like this... but the beauty of this experience is that I know that God wants me to be here, and I`ve never felt so much love before.

 

Hope everyone is doing well back home. Time seems to just be flying by here, sadly. Almost my one year anniversary! eeeek!

I pray for everyone everyday! and even though I`m eating wonderful food here, I still miss mom`s oven baked breaded chicken. Nothing really ever beat that.

 

Probably in May I`ll see cherry blossoms. I hear Aomori`s cherry blossoms are pretty wonderful.

Hope everyone is having a good week even with daylight savings time! Love you!

 

-Money Shimai.

March 2

This week in Japan was amazing! It was Zone Conference! We got to hear from Aoyagi choro and shimai. Aoyagi choro was converted when he was 17 through eikaiwa and meeting the missionaries. (English conversation class) It reminded me of why I love Eikaiwa so much... Sure it`s fun and Japanese people love to speak English, but mostly it`s because of the impact they have when they meet missionaries and members through service. They are able to see the light of the church, and want to know more. And if they don`t they will still love the church and their image is changed. The thing about Japan is that people are mocked for believing in Christ. So it takes a lot of courage for people to associate with the church in any way. The Japanese people truly are amazing. During Zone conference I got to have a 15 minute interview with Aoyagi choro. We spoke all Japanese and I understood! It was a miracle. Truth be told I thought long and hard about questions to ask him... but nothing came to mind. So I gave some generic questions... and got some generic answers... HOWEVER! we talked a little bit more and he ended up bringing up something I`ve been thinking about for a while but didn`t say. It was about loving the area, he knew I was new to aomori... so he told me to love the area. I love Japan but I`m not sure I truly love Aomori yet! it really was an eye opener. After that I began to work on my love, and life has gotten better ever since. He shared with us an experience he had on his mission. Mostly about not being able to open his mouth to talk to people.  he was challenged by his father (non member) to think of those people like they were his family... so then when he was doing missionary work he would call out to random people like `Hey brother!` or `hey mom!` people stopped and talked to him after that. XD

After that our only investigator came to the fireside to hear the talks. She`s been an investigator forever... 2 years? so she`s mostly just into friends and English, but I think she loves the church... So I`ll do my best to help her. Without love you can`t really do anything.

My old Nagamachi DL is going home this week. (he was in my district again in aomori)  ( Time is still flying by before my eyes! yikes... I only have 5 transfers left. That`s all of my last two areas! SO SHORT!) So for his goodbye shindig I made him a poster with all of his areas and a message and gave him one of those mini music boxes, `let it be` by the Beatles. For him that is actually a very special song that ties with a Less active he helped in Nagamachi. He was thankful. After his generation leaves the mission... I`ll be one of the oldest missionaries here. How odd....

 

 I had the opportunity to visit a にゅいんしてmember in the hospital last week. I think he had a stroke... I couldn`t understand the medical Japanese. I`ve never met him before because he`s been in the hospital the whole time. So as 4 shimai, we visited him. I was going to play my violin, but the hospital wasn't sure I could, but after he talked with them I was able to play. We sang `the spirit of God` for him and I played my violin. He is very sensitive to the spirit. He bore his testimony to us about how he knows that God is watching over him, and that this church is true, even though he was against it before he was baptized, he knew that the change in his heart made him a better person, and how he was so thankful to be alive. Seeing the members here really do strengthen my faith. He prayed for us for the ending prayer. Very powerful prayer. (ちょっと怖かった）

 

Hope everyone is doing great this week! My companion is doing good! She is always singing and thinking of others. It`s fun teaching her English as well. She can`t really speak it at all, but wants to learn.

 

oh also, I`m learning how to play the guitar at the moment. Our Mission leader loves music, so he steals my violin sometimes.

 

YEP! 皆さん！愛しています！また来週！手紙と愛ありがとう！

ーお金姉妹

Feb 23

`m pretty sure my mission just hit uberdrive and is going 2000 miles per hour. Tell Connor I`m proud of him for saying that! I`m writing that in my journal. Haha... though it is sad you wont be able to make it.

 

SPEAKING OF BAPTISMS!

I got to see my old investigator`s baptism. It was probably the happiest day of my life in the mission so far. time was a bit hard so I couldn't stay for all of it, I saw her get baptized and said goodbye to her before she could go back into the chapel to give her testimony, then I had to run super fast to catch my train. It was really hard saying goodbye... but I feel like I can finally move on to my new area... which isn't quite too new seeing as I've been here for about 5 weeks.

 

I`ll send you all pictures in a letter I`m sending... unfortunately time is crazy here and I forget then it turns out to be Monday again! aaack!

 

After my experiences here on the mission I`ve learned a lot about the guidance of God, and if we follow it we will be lead out of our trials and learn a lot from it. I know that God wants me to be in Aomori. I`m still not sure why, but I trust Him. I still have trials everyday, but now I know that I can get through them better now. I know that when my family prays for me it is helping. Faith is strong like that.

 

Now that my investigator is a member, she is doing seminary now... her mom is investigating the church, and will probably get baptized as well. People here on the mission are amazing, mom. I`ll probably be friends with her forever. The church is something special.

 

I love you mom! I`ll send you some pictures of everything!

愛しています！

 

oh... also for the package? ... um. I do love music! I`ve been in Japan for so long I have forgotten the American stuff... Ask my siblings and get their input. Their`s are probably better than mine!

 

:D also, it`s getting warmer in Aomori! maybe soon we will see flowers? Who knows!

 

Feb 16

Thank you for the weekly updates! Have fun seeing Nathan`s tournament! I want to hear about it later.

Don't worry about the music... It was by micheal marshel and steven sharp nelson? I think... if you can find music like that that could be great! (I might be in Aomori for a bit.. so don't stress too much,) I have a lot of music memorized. XD

 

So this week was great mom! I was able to get outside and talk about eikaiwa a bit because our area is focusing on it as well. It is like starting all over again though, which is kind of hard. We were talking to people outside in a blizzard! (which seems to be like every night) usually people just look down, and keep walking, but this time they felt so sorry for us, they wanted to talk! Japanese people are very kind!

 

I will be going to Hachinohe on Friday to see my beloved Investigator get baptized. I know it will be an amazing experience for me, I will continue to contact her during and after my mission. It`s hard to move on from an area, but I am blessed to be able to get back and see her.

 

Speaking of that, the other investigator that got baptized in Hachinohe, and probably my life long friend, came to Aomori to visit me during a branch activity!? WHAT! I was shocked because he came by himself. He said since he didn't get to say goodbye he wanted to come see me. the activity was sports and soup party! I made a lot of friends with the members, and was able to see my friend from Hachinohe, This week was great! It was sad to say goodbye to him (he is probably going to get transferred because he is in the Navy...) however I am thankful for the blessings I get from God.

 

I walked a lot through deep snow to find members houses, dendo`d in deep blizzards and all and all had a great week! Iwasa shimai is great for putting up with me XD haha, I can be a handful sometimes. I have been thinking a lot about God`s love... and when we serve other`s and think about other`s our lives are made happy. I gave a talk and played my violin last Sunday about this, but since it was in Japanese It was hard to get my thoughts around haha... my mission has a lot of situations where I cant control it, If I trust in God, I know he will continue his work. DC 123:14-17? I think? I just have to do my best and love the Lord... honestly being stressed about silly things is trivial when you think about God`s plan in a whole. I`ll do my best in Aomori. My time is running out, so I want to use it as much as I can.

 

I love everyone!

have a good week! 

Feb 9

ZTM`s home is actually in Aomori XD so I had to walk 5 minutes to the church to get there. There I got to see our ZL`s big vision for Aomori zone, he is a 26 year old missionary and has a lot of experience in life and in the mission. I am always proud of the leaders here in the mission. They are wonderful examples. The baptisms in Aomori just quadrupled this last month, so Japan really is changing fast! It really is a blessing.

 

Sorry to hear about dad! Is he doing OK? He seems to have various health problems. But I pray for everyone every single day, I hope you can still feel my love from miles away.

 

Maybe the music is in my room, not in the piano room. if you can`t find it that`s OK... I don't really know about any other music. My investigator is getting baptized from Hachinohe and I get to see it! It`s on the 22nd! I want to give her an LDS present... but Japan doesn't have Deseret Books. XD She has a Book of Mormon and set which is great... but any more ideas?  I am so proud of her mom. She is only 15 but she understands everything so clearly it seems. It`s so hard to see her grow from a different Area, but once an investigator enters your life, they are there forever. I`ll give you a lot of news about that after the 22nd.

 

This computer wont let me send pictures... so I`ll be sending you a letter with a lot of pictures.

I would love to tell you about this week, but honestly It`s been the same since I got to Aomori. The members do a lot of role plays to strengthen their missionary work fire, and I have been walking a lot XD haha. On Sunday my investigator from Hachinohe came for a seminary meeting and I was able to talk to her, and my old branch president, which was very nice. I don't know this ward too much, so I'm doing my best to learn about them, and build a relationship. After this transfer, there are a lot of missionaries going home... after that it turns out that I`ll be one of the oldest missionaries out. There's only one above me. There was a huge gap between old and young missionaries that nothing filled the middle. Sendai is a small mission I think?

 

We are doing a huge sports activity tomorrow with LAs and members! It should be great! I`ve always loved playing sports. There it seems I can build relationships with people better because we are all having fun, and I`m not as shy. I`m still pretty shy. XD I`ve grown a lot but my personality seems to stay the same.

 

I love hearing about the family and what everyone is up to! During winter times it can seem pretty long and cold, but everyday is precious, even in those dark, cold days. Time is flying by here fast, even if it`s hard. I`ll be coming home before I know it, so I`ll do my best to use this time wisely. Thank you for everyone`s love, prayers and support, especially my wonderful grandparents. The mission really is great!

 

Recently I got to see a light in the snow and see the ocean. It truly was beautiful. I`ll send you some pictures.

My companion is cute! she loves Les Mis, and sings all the time. She slips a lot in the snow, and screams with a high pitch. She`s quiet, but thinks about everyone else before herself. She is a wonderful example to me.

 

 

Remember that if we let God lead us to where he wants us to go, he will take care of us. Faith is not just believing, it`s acting on what you believe. I know that this church is true, and that Christ`s atonement is eternal. If we give true repentance and desire to change our lives, it can become a wonderful treasure in this world and the next to come. I love this work, and I love my Heavenly Father.

 

I love everyone!
I love you mom!

XD stay dry stay warm!

Feb 2

Dear 母さん

 

I got your package yesterday! I was seriously shocked! I didn't think I would get a package! XD I loved everything that was in it.... unfortunately because the tights have a pattern on it I can`t really wear it on the outside. I will use it for warmth though. So for now I don't need anymore socks or tights. XD My nihonjin companion loves peanut butter too. So she was really really happy. Also... that honey. OTL I LOVE YOU! I miss honey. It`s like 10 dollars for a little jug. (ALSO! since I have a violin... can you perhaps send me the music I accidentally left by Steven sharp nelson... with the piano and violin solos... OTL I'm sorry I left it.)

 

Japan is expensive mom XD

 

Also I realized I've been out of the MTC for 9 months during December. Time went by really really really fast. So my DL from nagamachi (now just a regular missionary) is a nihonjin. XD My DL now is American from California. 

so about my area....

よくわかない。。。。

It`s pretty flat city with lots of houses. It snows a lot so I cant ride a bike. There are beautiful sakura blossoms in the spring though! and I might be able to see them. My companion is cute. She is a 23 year old nihonjin. There are 4 gaijins in Aomori but one is from New Zealand. He is pretty sweet. There are 4 nihonjins. Our branch president is 26 years old and our mission president is like 23 years old. We have about 50 members who come to church. There are more children in this ward than in Hachinohe.

 

My old investigator from hachinohe is doing great! I think..　I don't hear too much from them because we aren't suppose to call or anything like that. I will find out more during ZTM on Friday!! She really is progressing though.

 

Other than that, I'm doing OK! Everyday is tiring, but it`s OK. These last two weeks have really been different from my days in Hachinohe.

So in Aomori the people speak different Japanese than other places. It`s so cold people don't wanna talk, so they make things very short. It`s hard to understand people. XD I might come back with an Aomori tongue when I get home.

 

So this week I did a lot of LA visits in far places. I was able to ride a train and go to some different areas by the ocean; away from the city. The surrounding cities look a lot like old towns in Utah. In Aomori there are mountains and a lot of country fields with snow. Old shops like old utah. It looks very simple. I was able to see the ocean accidentally as well. I want to send pictures but this computer doesn't really let me hook up a usb. I`ll write you a letter and then send you pictures that way. Old fashion!

 

My companion now is from tottori ken, the same as matsumoto shimai. They are in the same ward I think. She is very nice and a bit shy. She reminds me of a normal 20 year old girl. She loves books and Les Mis :D ..... So we might sing a few songs together.

 

This next week we have ZTM so I`ll be able to see the new people who came to Aomori zone the last couple weeks. I feel like I`ve been in Aomori zone forever. XD But there are people who have been here longer than me I think. I think I`ll stay in Aomori for a while.

 

I hear that 2nd month in Aomori gets really cold. I think I`ll be OK. XD Its not as cold as Finland.

 

Hope everyone is genki! That was my past weeks.... yep, lots of walking XD haha. But I am having a good time! Language too is getting better. It is a little different now, but I can pretty much understand a lot. Thank you for everyone`s prayers and love!

 

愛しています！

 

Jan 26

Hello mom!

 

Im sorry to hear about dad! that actually really worried me. He`s ok though right? He sent me a letter so that was nice. Thank you for the updates on the family again. Sorry this email will be short, We kind of had a late start this morning.

 

To keep the family updated I made it safe to Aomori. It actually seems warmer here than it does in Hachinohe. I think it`s the wind`s fault. So dont worry about me staying warm. The members here are great. I dont know them that well but they help the misisonaries alot. We cant ride our bikes so most of our dendo is on foot. It kind of takes up time. I still have to read up a lot about the area if I want to know what to do. My companion is sister Iwasa. She is the same transfer as I am and she is very kind. Very shy. More shy than I am XD

 

My last DL from Nagamachi is up here so it`s fun to talk to him about the old days. He will be leaving the mission by the end of this transfer.

Honestly nothing happened this week. Just a lot of planning and walking.

 

I gave my testimony in sacrement meeting. Even though I get up a lot i still get very nervous. Maybe it`s a language thing. Either way, I`ve been thinking a lot recently about puting our trust in the Lord. And even though we cant really control our circumstances if we just follow God he will guide us to a happier life. Keep a great attitude during those hard times and you never know who you might help. I`m learning every day to forget myself on the mission. And because of that I can see the love of other`s more clearly.

 

Thank you everyone for your love and support. I`ll give you a better email next week.

Jan 20

Hi everyone!　

Unfortunately.... I have news. Well, unfortunate or fortunate either way. I have no time today to write and why?.... 

Because...... *drum roll* 

I`m getting transfered!!..... *waits* ya, I`m actually pretty bummed. When I get back I could talk about Hachinohe for a straight week if I wanted to. now where am I going? AOMORI! WHAT?! at this time of year?! the snow is like 9 feet tall and the streets have disappeared! It`s like finland! good thing I have awesome winter gear. I`ll leave on wednesday. The hardest thing is to leave everyone here that I love. Especially my investigator and my loving companion. I only got to work one transfer with her, but it has been the best transfer so far in my whole mission. 

It was so sudden, So no one really knows i`m leaving yet. Guess everything is going to change. I`ll go where the Lord wants me to go. I`m glad to have had the opportunity to serve in Hachinohe. I love this work so much. 

The mission really does change people for the better, and if you give up your time, and forget yourself you really can find joy. 

Please stay warm in Utah, I here it`s VERY cold there. I`ll do my best here. 

Guess I should pack! I`ve spent 3 transfers in Hachinohe and have alot to do. 

...

oh ya

My new companion is IWASA shimai! yaaaaaay! Nihonjin! (they are the best) im so lucky! She is the same transfer as I am. 

:D take care everyone! love you! Remember that if we rely on the Lord with our trials that he will give us the strength to overcome them and become a better person because of it. 

Jan 12 2014

To the family and whoever else reads everything: (sorry it`s short)

 

This week has been I think the best week yet on my mission. Our kinjin investigator went to Tokyo to hang out with his family and friends for a week and since satan likes to attack people close to baptism we were a bit uneasy. We called and emailed him everyday... since he went drinking with his friends like everyday he had to resist a lot of temptation and turn down a lot of sake. He did great! he was so happy to come back in the week ready for his baptism! IT was on saturday! on his birthday! (best gift ever right?) We prepared a song for him called `I`ll find you my friend` English lyrics are kind of odd... but the Japanese lyrics are wonderful! Our 15 year old investigator came to the baptism and was very touched. our kinjin investigator bore a wonderful testimony, which made me cry my face off. He isn't our investigator, but he is our friend.

 

There is something different about the joy I felt that day. My mission has a lot of great times! and hard times... but when I saw him get baptized there was a joy that I can`t express in words. The love God gives to his children here on earth is never ending. He has so many blessings in store for us, and if we follow his will we can be forever happy. I know that Japan isn't the highest baptizing mission... and probably still has a long way to go, but I know people are prepared here. The way our kinjin investigator got interested in the church was because of our love and service. We can be that great example everyday to our friends and family. I know this gospel is Christ`s gospel. I know God`s plan is perfect. This week has taught me so much about my purpose as a missionary, and as a member of the church, and as God`s daughter.

 

Please know that you are loved wherever you are, and whatever state you are in.

His love is endless.

 

-Money Shimai

Jan 6, 2014

Hello family!

 

How was everyone`s new years? Probably just about as exciting as last year`s! It was amazing in Japan! (probably more than Christmas) I`ll do my best to keep you updating with Hachinohe.

 

So this week we had to clean our whole apartment! It wasn't too hard because our apartment was pretty new. However because I live in Japan our windows were COVERED in mold so I had to clean that for a good while. Our branch president came in and put in bunk beds in our room so that we could fit 4 sisters in one room! So now I sleep in a bed! (pretty much just a plank of wood) but it reminded me of when I was in college, and when I was 5. After we cleaned we got invited to eat dinner at a member`s house! this family is so sweet and nice. not to mention hilarious. I wish I understood more Japanese so I can hear what they are saying. Since our DL is super trunky after we ate dinner we also played the game of life again. I love district pdays. Seems like we have one every week. Not complaining.

 

On New years it was pouring rain! so we walked to one of the Japanese shrines to experience some culture. I got to buy a new years fortune which basically consisted of a bunch of warnings for my future. they were pretty accurate for a missionary! (watch your weight) through all of this our DL`s golden investigator came a long with us, and we walked up to a members house which took about 2 hours. We ate a huge dinner and drew our goals with calligraphy ink. We got to pick one word. I picked Yuuki. (which is courage)

 

During that time we shared a spiritual message with the family. Well, mostly our DL. He shared a brief entry from his journal about his first investigator that he had. when they met she thought that he was her son who passed away the last month. After that she took lessons and had a dream that she had to save her son. After she got baptized she passed away after 3 months. our DL testified about how we are placed in other people`s lives for a reason, and that these memories and love we gather are so precious. We can learn from, cherish, and grow in our trials. This mission really is something special.

 

During that Sunday we had a lesson with our new investigator! She really is amazing! she read part of the book of Mormon and talked about it with us! (she is only 15) we taught her the plan of salvation and she really enjoyed the lesson. She looked excited at the 3 kingdoms of glory and pointed to the celestial kingdom and said *I want to go here!* kinjinda..... I hope to stay in Hachinohe to see her progress and really help her come closer to God and Christ. Along with her family.

 

Along with the baptism that is coming up on Saturday for our DL`s investigator, we had a lesson we had to teach on Sunday. We shared the experience and miracle of the investigator`s story and the message he wrote on new years. He wrote the word Proud in Japanese Kanji. He said that since he`s been seeing this church he has getting a lot of harsh words from the people of his work. (he works in a navy sort of place) But even though everyone tells him he`s an idiot, the church is a cult, and he`s being lied to he still knows that what they are saying is wrong. He is proud of his decision. That is the hope of Japan. For their members to be proud that they are Mormon, and believe in Christ. Through strong members like him Japan can see miracles. Though I`m almost half way done with my mission, I can already see how much it has blessed me. I want to give it my all for my Father in Heaven. I love Japan, and I love this gospel. It truly does bring others happiness and eternal hope.

 

 

This week has been wonderful. Remember last email I told you no where is colder than Logan Utah? .... well, Hachinohe is colder than Logan Utah. I lied. But don't worry dad! I'm staying dry! Thank you everyone for your prayers! I`ll continue to pray for everyone as well. Have a good week!

 

-Love Peesha shimai

Dec 30

Choriiiisu! 

Another week has gone by! seems like I just keep coming back to this computer to type emails. This week we had everything Christmas! I got to call my loving family via Skype and hear everyone`s voices. It sure was amazing. We had the big Christmas party and had 15 eikaiwa students come to it. Wow! Amazing. Work really is increasing here in Hachinohe. I was able to start normal lessons with one of the eikaiwa students. She is only 15, so I`ll have to do my best to teach her by the spirit. She has been thinking alot about after death, and about Jesus Christ! She is so amazing! Plus she loves eikaiwa and comes every week. The year is almost ending so that means this week I`ll do a lot of cleaning and visiting members. Today we played soccer in the morning with a member and our favorite investigator who will be baptized on the 11th! (right?) The ward is very excited. He is a wonderful person and wants to help everyone. 

So this week I've been thinking a lot on the Savior`s atonement. We think about Him well during Christmas time, and every Sunday. The love he has for everyone is so strong it`s incomprehensible. Though we feel weak, depressed, hurt, or hopeless he never leaves our side. He didn`t leave in the first place. The love of the Savior, and the gift of the atonement is sure evidence of God`s love for his children. We feel sad when our family members are sad, and mourn with them. So does He. Through Christ`s atonement we can be made whole, and can continue through this life in Joy and purpose. I know that my Savior and Redeemer lives. I know that this gospel changes lives. It has changed mine, and I want to share my message with the people in Japan. 

I love everyone! (sorry for the lame update) 

Enjoy New years! (I`ll be cleaning!)