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 

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!