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