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!)