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
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