Monday, April 21, 2014

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!
 

Thursday, April 10, 2014

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