Fwd: 2nd Transfer Week 4

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: December 29, 2014 4:15:04 AM MST

Subject: 2nd Transfer Week 4

I have a lot to talk about and not a lot of time. Forgive me for my lack of explanantions and such....... we had such a busy week and we have so much going on! I love the holidays!

First, I want to tell you more about my companion SIster Smith. She is the coolest girl ever. She is from Canada and is a dancer/hipster. I am learning a lot from her about how to be a true hipster. She only drinks from a mason jar and has really steki glasses. She has always wanted to serve a mission. Cool story: Sister Smith`s first mission call was to Ukraine, speaking Russian. But, because of the war going on there, her call was changed 2 weeks before she was supposed to report to the MTC. She found out because she went online to Missionary portal and the flag had changed to JAPAN. She kind of freaked out. Then her stake president called a few hours later to tell her about the change. Ukraine and Japan are SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUPER different in case you didn`t know. But she knows she needs to be here and I am so happy that she is my trainer this transfer! We are always laughing and we met the coolest people this week. Because it@s New Years, there are so many people visiting from out of town. Lots of people form Tokyo are visiting right now! It`s so fun!

ALSO, I have to say thank you to my ward for sending me the Christmas package! It came on the 26th! AH I was so happy and i cried many happy tears! Even though most of the ward doesn`t know me, I could really feel of your love and I am so grateful!

All of the moms and grandmas in my ward here in Nihon pinch my cheeks and tell me that I have a baby face. It`s nice and all, but it`s been like this for 10 weeks now and my cheeks hurt. Pray for me. Haha they are the best though! They had this plan to help us gain weight before we talked to our families on Christmas so our mom`s wouldn`t be worried.... I was like oh so THAT`S why everyone invited us over that week........ Haha I am doing fine and staying healthy. Biking all day helps burn off all the rice I eat. ;)

I have another story that is a little bit more serious: We were housing this apartment and we are about to knock on a door and all of the sudden a woman is screaming and we hear a kid crying and the most brutal beating is going on behind this door. Sister Smith turns and looks at me and we both freeze. I wanted to run and get away as fast as possible. Nothing has ever scared me that bad. Sister Smith bows her head and begins to pray for this family. I join her. We were on that doorstep for 10 minutes. The screaming stops and everything is quiet. Sister Smith goes to knock on the door. I stop her and say WHAT ARE YOU DOING? She goes and knocks on the door anyways- very softly. The door opens and a little boy probably 8 years old pokes his head out. He had tears on his cheeks. Sister Smith asked him if he was okay, and we gave him a chidashi (pamphlet) and told him that No matter what trials you may have, God remembers you. You are never alone. He bowed and closed the door. This experience has forever changed me. I am glad SIster Smith had the courage to knock on the door. I don`t know why I had to be there for that experience, but it is not a coincidence that we were right by their door at that exact time.

I hope you all remember that God knows you. He knows what you are going through- all the things you can`t control. He is with you always. 

In this New Year we have the opportunity to have a fresh start. I am so excited for this year, because I get to be a missionary ALL YEAR! I am so excited! I have a lot of goals for my misisonary work, but also for my life in general. I feel like my misison has changed me so much already. I hope no one recognizes me when I get home! Heavenly Father is changing me into the person that He knows I can be. Happy New Years! Love you always!

-Sister Sanders

Fwd: MERRY CHRISTMAS MINASAN!

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: December 25, 2014 3:01:21 AM MST

Subject: MERRY CHRISTMAS MINASAN!

Wow, what a week! But first I want to say MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Thanks for allt he love and prayers on my behalf. I feel it everyday! I am also SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy that I got to skype with my family today. All of us misisonaries are smiling really big today.

This week we had lots of opportunities to teach about the true meaning of Christmas and we had so much fun! We shared lots of scriptures and did lots of Christ-centered lessons this week. (Actually, we always teach about Christ, so... nothing really different). We stopped and talked to every single woman we saw! We also found a FAMILY that wants to hear our message. I`ll follow up on that next week!

I don`t have a lot to say, sorry! But I just want to talk about how happy I am. More importantly WHY I am happy. I have SO many blessings! I have an awesome family. I have friends that make me smile SO much! I feel so much love from home with my ward/stake/friends/family. Seriously, I love you guys. Thanks for chekcing up on me every once in a while! I also know that God is our loving Father in Heaven who has a plan for us. He gave us His Son so that we would be able to live with God again. I LOVE my Savior, Jesus Christ. As we think about Him, I hope we can all remember why we have a reason to feel peace. 

I love you all! Missionary work is going great here in Japan! I love it so much!

Merry Christmas. Peace and Blessings.

--

Sanders Shimai

Fwd: 2nd Transfer, Week 2

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: December 14, 2014 6:54:39 PM MST

Subject: 2nd Transfer, Week 2

Konnichiwa from the Land of the Rising Sun!

Today it is SNOWING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We rode our bikes to the church and we were freezing! We have the heater turned on full blast! I am super genki and happy! PLUS it is the Christmas season, so we get to talk about Christmas and Christ to everyone! We are having so much fun!

My Candian companion, Sister Smith is super fun! She is really outgoing and loves to talk. We are completely different, but we are figuring out how to work together. I have a lot to learn from her.

I will tell you how Yamaguchi Kyodai is doing since he`s been baptized... HE IS DOING SO GREAT! We are helping to prepare him to receive the priesthood. We are teaching him the After Baptism lessons. He comes to all the ward activities and is making friends with the older people in the ward. It is so cute. I am so proud of him. I sat with him during Gospel Principles and he was looking through the book, so I asked him what his favorite Chapter was... and he flipped through it and scanned over each page, and at the end of class, he shows me The Atonement chapter and says, `This one is the best!` His English is getting really good too! 

We do Mogi lessons with members (practice lessons), and this week we went to my favorite member`s house: Tsuchida Shimai! She is the sweetest most beautiful japanese grandmother I have ever seen! She is really helpful with the things I need to learn. During this lesson, I got to bear my testimony about the Savior. This was the first time I feel like I did this well! Ah she was so excited and then made us eat all of her fruit!

The thing about doing things with members is that they always want to give us food! It is so sweet though. We are so blessed to have a lot of support from the members.

This week I did a junkai with Sister Doi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is an amazing misisonary. SHe has so much love for everyone! We did a service project by singing CHrstmas songs at the Childrens Hospital. It was so fun!!! 

We have 2 progressing investigators this week: Aki san has muscular dystrophe and uses a wheelchair. She is a referral from an investigator. She has been praying and keeping her commitments! She is starting to see God`s hand in her life! There is also Goto san who I stopped on the street. She is super cute and LOVES Perry the Platapus. We really bonded over that! We gave her a Book of Mormon the first time we contacted her on the street, and when we met, she had read to 1 Nephi 13!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That`s a huge deal! She said `You know that feeling when water is completely still? That`s how I feel when I read this book`. AHHHHHHHHHHHH she is amazing! She is extrememly Buddhist, but she still wants to meet with us! 

We are having lots of CHristmas parties in the upcoming week! OH We also sang at Tenjin and the whole program went perfectly!!!!!!!!!! It was super stressful, but it all worked out. We sang SIlent Night to close, and it really brought The Spirit. I got to talk to a lot of people who were walking around and we found some really cool people that we are meeting with this week!

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Thank you so much for your support and prayers! I feel them and i am seriously so thankful! I am so lucky to be a missionary this Christmas. I have been super busy, but I think about how much I love my family. Christmas time is normally the time when families can be together. It is hard to be half a world away, but I know I am supposed to be here. I get to help other families be together forever! I LOVE YOU FAMILY! Dad, Mom, Jackson, Ben, Ryan, and Meredith! I hope you are all having so much fun and that you talk about your cool older sister serving in Japan. Tell them I ate PIG BRAINS this week. Usou ja nai. Haha! (NOT a lie!) But seriously, I love you so much! Please watch He is the Gift. I get to share it with people everyday and I get chills EVERY SINGLE TIME.

Remember the Reason for the Season.

Ai shite imasu. Iesu Kirisuto ga watashitachi no Sukuinushi da to akashi shimasu. Watashi no mokuteki wa hitobito ni Kirisuto no susumeru koto desu! Iesu Kirisuto ni shitagau toki ni motto shiawase ni naru koto ga dekimasu.

I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Your missionary

--

Sanders Shimai

2nd Transfer Week 1

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: December 8, 2014 10:32:11 PM MST

Subject: 2nd Transfer Week 1

This week has been crazy, but I still love being a missionary and riding bikes and I have a new companion!

Her name is SIster Smith and she is from Canada! She loves dancing and laughing and eating yummy food and having fun! She is an amazing missionary and loves everyone. I am so excited to get to work with her! She has been serving for 6 months now and is so good at Japanese! I LOVE HER! We are still both fairly new to missionary work, but we have been working so well together. We have to rely on the Lord for help... or else there would be no way we could do this.

I will tell you about a cool experience: We found a woman named Aki san who has muscular dystrophe (is that how you spell it? They don`t have spellcheck on these computers for English, just Japanese...) She lives at the hospital. We went over to visit her and she asks me `Do you play the piano` I said, `Yes, a little bit` so we follow her (she is in a wheelchair) to a big room full of other paitents and there is a small piano in the corner. She asked me to play for her, so I asked if it was alright if I played Christmas hymns. I asked Sster Smith to sing with me. I HAVE NEVER SEEN AKI SAN SMILE SO BIG! We found out that before she was sick, she was a concert pianist and had a great career, but now she can`t really move because it hurts. I told her that it was an honor to play for her, and I gave her my mini copy of the hymns that I always carry with me so she can practice when we are not there. That reminds me, Ineed to get a new one from the Honbu! That was the first time I felt like I was able to use my talents to help someone. It was such a special experience.

This week we had Mission Conference, and so the whole mision was brought to Fukuoka to hear from President Heaton who is the director of the mtc. I got to see a lot of people! I saw my MTC Comp, Sister Mills, and my doki- Elder Agnew, Elder Rostrom, and Elder Soares. Elder Soares and I cried when we saw each other! I missed him! He is my best friend and basically brother. He is doing great by the way! I also met Elder Knighton who is friends with Emily Robinson! That was exciting! Anways, the training was really great! I took some notes.

President Heaton actually served in the Fukuoka mission, so he spoke to use in Japanese!

He talked about being an instrument in the Hand of the Lord and read Alma 29: 9-10. It was amazing to think about how the Lord doesn`t really need my help to do this work- I am just allowed to be here. But then He has called ME here... Me, Lindsay Sanders, who likes to sing, and isn`t very good at sports, and is super imperfect............. Here to the Fukuoka area to bless the people here. I am needed here. I am not always sure why... I personally can think of other missionaries who would do a much better job than me... but the Lord needs me here. I am trying to focus on my purpose at a misisonary. I invite others to come unto Christ. This Christmas season is so special because we will have the opportunity to think about the Savior.

I love Jesus Christ. I am starting to understand the Atonement. Everyone please go and watch He is the Gift, and then I challenge you to EMBRACE THE GIFT. Whether it be to pray, or think about Christ, or to call the missionaries, just do it. What do you have to lose? Or even better, What can you gain? I will tell you: You will gain more happiness than you could ever comprehend. You can feel peace about where you are and where you are going. You will feel love despite whatever you think is wrong about yourself. I testify of the Savior, that He lives and Loves YOU. He knows YOU. (insert your name here) is important to Jesus Christ. So important that He died for you. 

That is my testimony. That is why I am here, so far away from my home and my family, to tell people this. I wish I had told you this before I left, but I am telling you now as a representative of Christ (I know, that sounds serious, but it is true. I wear his name every day) that you are important. If you want to know Him, just ask. He will hear you. I promise this in the name of the Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.

Love you! Merry Christmas!

-Sister Sanders

--

Sanders Shimai

More Mission Pics

Pictures~Highlights so far :)

Fwd: 1st Transfer Week 6 Shokuji, Baputesuma Kai and Mountains to Climb

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: December 1, 2014 9:48:00 PM MST

Subject: 1st Transfer Week 6 Shokuji, Baputesuma Kai and Mountains to Climb

Sorry about Saturday and my lack of good emails! The internet stopped working, so we got permission to finishing emailing today. We had a great week.

I have no idea when I will be able to email next week because of Mission Conference. THE WHOLE MISSION IS COMING TO FUKUOKA! It will be so exciting! But yeah, I cant tell you when I will get to email next. It will be sometime next week. SO sorry!

This week is transfer week, which means Sister Nelson is going home, and I am getting a new companion........... SISTER SMITH! She is in our district, but is currently in Nakagawa, but we are already friends and I love her so much! I am excited to get to work with her! She is on her fourth transfer, so we will have a lot of Bean power. Beans are new misisonaries. She is allergic to gluten, so if you have any recipes that don't involve an oven, please send them!

SUNDAY WAS THE BEST DAY OF MY MISSION SO FAR! Yamaguchi san was baptized! It was a beautiful day! I will send a picture. He said I feel like I have truly changed. So many people from the ward came to show their support. It was great!

We went to 3 Shokujis this week. Shokujis are meals at members houses. You know in the Half Blood Prince where Dumbledore has to keep drinking the poison because if you try to dump it out, it just comes back? That is what Shokujis are like for me. They give us SO MUCH FOOD. And they are super offended if you dont eat it all. So we had the first course of salad, then a full plate of sushi, then fried taco (taco is octopus), then some kind of thick stew, then nabe with squid guts, and THEN we started a 3 course dessert: Glazed bread, chocolate cake, then a huge kaki which is a Japanese fruit. I thought I was going to die. It was all yummy, but these were full plates of all of these things. Then we had to bike up Temple Hill, which is what I will tlak about next.

So Sunday was the busiest day of our lives, but we had 20 minutes to get to the Honbu (Mission Home) from our dinner appoijnment, which is about an hour away, so Sister Nelson could do her exit interview with Kaicho (President Gustafson). The Honbu is underneath the Fukuoka Temple, and the temple is at the top of a lovely hill. Which means you have to go uphill both ways to get to it. It is sooooooooooooo steep. Not to mention the wind has really picked up... and it had just started to rain. It was a trial. My legs were shaking because we were riding so fast up this big hill. my skirt was blowing up in my face (I was wearing like 3 pairs of tights, so I was modest), and I was going to throw up, but you just are not late to an appointment with Kaicho. All I could do was pray. We got to the top of the hill and saw the statue of Moroni on top of the temple, and I had the sweetest peace come over me. 

We all have mountains to climb. My investigators have mountains to climb. God intended for this to happen. It might be hard, but the view from the top is sooooooooo worth it!

Have a great week! Love you all!

-Sister Sanders

--

Sanders Shimai

Fwd: 1st Transfer Week 5

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: November 23, 2014 8:51:22 PM MST

Subject: 1st Transfer Week 5

Konnichiwa! Sorry I was confused about what was going on with P-Days. I have a P-Day today and again on SATURDAY, so if you email me again by Friday night y`all would be great :) I will not have P-Day at all next week. Sorry, that`s just how it works I guess. I get to go to the temple on Saturday though, so I am super excited! 

This week was awesome! Last P-Day we went to the mall and ate some pizza (Japanese pizza is crazy... I had shrimp and corn pizza with mayonnaise instead of sauce... they had normal pizza too, no worries!) and we found an aweosme little thrift store where everything is less than $5. I got a sweater because it`s getting pretty cold! 

Yesterday we finalized all the plans for Yamaguchi san`s baptism! He passed his interview and we have a really nice program planned. He will be baptized next Sunday before church!　WEARESOEXCITED!　Nelson Shimai and I will be singing... something. We are having a really hard time deciding what to sing.

In my district, we have 1 set of Elders- Elder Fender and Elder Needs. Elder Fender is the District leader and he is THE BEST. and he has really bright red hair. Elder Needs grew up in all kinds of cool places around the world and likes snowboarding. Somehow, they have found 3 Chinese investigators in the past couple weeks, so we`re all learning some Chinese :) and then Elder Cascardi`s parents are mission presidents in Brazil... IDK what mission. But he and his companion Elder Sugimoto are teaching a Brazilian so I get to use the Portuguese I learned from Elder Soares at the MTC! YAY! I love learning all these languages! My Japanese has gotten way better. I still speak simply, but I am getting lots more comfortable just speaking.

This week I `celebrated` 3 months of being a missionary. We got to wear jeans while we helped Manami Shimai clean her house. It was a blast! We helped her move furniture and stuff around then cleaned her floor because she is PREGNANT! She is going to have the cutest baby ever. She is always willing to come and joint for our lessons.  I am so thankful for her!

This week, we did a Junkai... which means splits with the Sister Training leaders. I went with Sister Owada who is a NIHONJIN. (Japanese). I was so worried because my language is so simple right now, and I knew there would be a huge communication gap. But you know what? It was so fun! We went streeting and taught a lesson. I love her so much! We also found a huge hill and decided we`d rather take the long way then try and ride up it......... I`ll send a picture. I am so excited to have a new friend!

This week at a member`s house, I ate sushi, tofu with flish flakes, Mochi filled with pickled plums, and Mugicha (it is a tea made from wheat, so it`s okay to drink). The Sushi was good. Sister Nelson said `I`m full, so can I take the mochi home and eat it?` which means that she really just didn`t want to eat it.... but she said that BEFORE me, so I HAD TO eat it in order to be polite. It was NASTY. THat`s the first thing I`ve tried that has made me almost throw up. Haha Sister nelson really is a good companion other than that ;)

This week in my studies, I found Alma 36:24-25 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors;

Being a missionary brings me such great joy! I get to see people change their lives for the better. Some people don`t believe that God is their Father who loves them. One of the only things I can talk about in detail is God`s love. I try to share that with everyone who will listen to me. 

Love you lots! Thanks for sending me talks to study! I am doing great! I AM SO EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Have a great week! 

--

Sanders Shimai

Star Wars, Graveyards, and Thanksgiving... chicken?

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: November 16, 2014 8:58:06 PM MST

Subject: Star Wars, Graveyards, and Thanksgiving... chicken?

This is gonna be a short one, gomen nasai. But we had a great week!

On the 20th, I`ll have been in Japan for 1 month, and serving my mission for 3 months! We are planning on making a yummy dinner, but that`s about all the celebrating we have time for.

First, I have to tell you about the cutest investigator ever, YAMAGUCHI SAN! His lesson on Thursday I was so nervous for, because we had to find out how he was doing witht he Word of Wisdom. He comes into the church and basically struts past us to the classroom where our lessons are. We follow him and ask `Chie no Kotoba dou desu ka?` and He says in english, Smoking, bye bye, Alcohol, byebye, COFFEE.... bye bye. Every day is HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH he is doing so great! I can see the change in his face! He looks so happy. We are trying to decide if we move up his baptism date. We have started planning for it, and we will probably sing I heard Him Come... one of my favorites! He is the most prepared person. He is so willing to keep the commandments. On Sunday, he showed us his own ketsui (commitment) paper saying FROM THIS DAY ON... I WILL NEVER USE TOBACCO, ALOCOHOL, OR COFFEE BECAUSE I WANT TO BE SAVED. So cute! We cried. Both me and Sister Nelson are criers, haha!

Our other investigators are great! Yukari san is working on Reading the Book of Mormon every day, then Yamasaki san is... still deciding some things... but we went with her to visit her friend in the hospital, who turned out to be interested in our message! We want her to feel comfortable calling herself Christian. She has made a lot of progress in the last few weeks. 

This week it got super cold! But one day while we were riding our bikes, the school kids had just gotten out, and a group of boys starting yelling Herro, I rove you!!!!!! as we were riding past. SO FUNNY! Everyone tries to use their English when they talk to us.

We will be singing Christmas carols at Tenjin! That`s southern Japan`s equivalent of Times Square. Sister Nelson and I are in charge of it, but she goes home in 2 weeks, so after that it will be all me. Good thing I love music, right?

I overcame a big weakness of mine this week and I told myself to just TALK to people, be myself, and say what I know. I was able to contact 70 people this week, make appointments, and place lots of Book of Mormons to people who I think were actually interested. I just have to open my mouth and have faith!

I am so happy! Thanks everyone for your prayers and love! I am so thankful for it!!!!!!!!!

LOVE YOU ALL! Have a happy Thanksgiving!

-Sister Sanders

--

Sanders Shimai

Fwd: 1st Transfer Week 3

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: November 9, 2014 10:06:07 PM MST

Subject: 1st Transfer Week 3

Wow. This week has been a blur. I`m glad I brought my journal with me right now or else I wouldn`t have a lot to talk about, haha! We have been so busy! We are always busy and genki!

This week I overcame a lot of my fears. Sister Nelson has been giving me a lot more responsibility, and I don`t feel qualified for a lot of it, but she makes me do it nayways and then it@s fine. FOr example, calling people, making appointments, doing hokoku`s (reports to my district leader), leading the way to certain places, picking areas to do housing, stopping people on the streets, and teaching lessons. It is so scary!!!!!!! My language is so simple, but I am able to do these things now. Sometimes I psych myself out and tell myself that I can`t do it, but then I think Sister Sanders, WHERE IS YOUR FAITH? If God needs you to stop that woman and give her a Book of Mormon, then He`s going to help you do it! I am learning a lot about having faith. My focus of personal study has been surrendering my will to the Lord`s, and also Change. If anyone has any thoughts, please send them to me! It`s been really cool to study.

We have seen a lot of miracles this week. Yamaguchi san (we asked if we can call him Yamaguchi Kyodai and he said yes!) has been without cigarettes and alcohol for 36 hours. That is the longest he`s been without it in 57 years is what he told us. We gave him the Word of Wisdom lesson on Saturday night, and he said Yes, I know that I need to keep this commandment in order to be baptized. He is such a kiinjin! Golden person! It has been hard for him. At church, he came up to Sister Nelson and said I know that I need to repent and keep the commandments... but it is HARD. Gah, it broke my heart. We are all praying for him though. I have never helped anyone overcome an addiction. We are relying completely on the Lord to know what to do. The Elders are helping a lot too. We taught him the Plan of Salvation, and showed him the 3 kingdoms of glory, and asked, which one do you want to go to? He said I want to go to the Celestial Kingdom, but I will probably never be good enough, so I`ll probably just go to this one *points to Terr. kingdom*. I almost started crying. We taught him about the Atonement. We taught him that he CAN live with Heavenly Father again, that, through Jesus Christ`s sacrifice, our sins can be washed away and we can become perfect. HIS FACE COMEPLETELY CHANGED. He asked Can such things really happen? Sister Nelson asked Do you think God loves you? He said Yes, I know He loves me. She said Then why wouldn`t He want you to come home to Him? It was amazing.

Our other investogators are doing great! Yukari san is thinking about baptism. She has a lot of struggles... but during a lesson she said I feel it. I feel God`s love for me. That was the first time I saw her smile! We are also teaching a mother and daughter. They are really interesting to teach. The mom drinks a lot, and the daughter is a little excited... like all the time, so we keep our lessons really simple. But they came to church and the lesson was about temples, and the mom leaned over and told me, what do i have to do in order to go inside God`s house? I said, well,t he first step is to stop drinking. She laughed and said Oh, well... I don`t have to go right now. It was funny, but we also know that she doesn`t want to change right now, which is fine. When she wants to change, the church will still be here! We also teach a Nepaljin named Aashrit. He speaks English, thank goodness. He has a lot of questions. This week, we brought his friend Nick, also Nepaljiin, and I taught the Restoration. They weren`t sure about it at first, but I told them the First Vision, and they could feel it. They are both coming to church this week. We have other investigators, but I don`t have time to talk about them. They each have their own trials and successes and I love all of them! I am so lucky to know them!

There is an Irish Sister and her son who come to our ward and they are the best. The son reminds me of the kid from How to Train Your Dragon. Sister Davidson HATES America, so she always tells us how bad it is... and we just have to sit there and listen and smile and say, Thank you. They are funny though.

I am learning Shuwa! Japanese Sign Language! It is so cool! Tsuchida Shimai is teaching us and it is the best. I will show you when I Skype you on Christmas! What`s crazy is we were at her house on Friday night, and ,learned it, then Saturday morning we were at the train station and saw two women doing it, so we were able to *talk* to them! 

On Saturday we also helped at the Mission Prep hosted in Fukuoka for Southern Japan. I took a Nihonjiin companion around (all by myself) and contacted people on a busy street. In the rain. I was so scared because I am still struggling witht eh language. but I prayed (a lot) and it was fine! My comp, Fujita Shimai is so sweet and she made me a paper crane.

Christmas is coming up, so all the stores are playing Christmas pop music. That`s about the extent of Christmas that they go to here. I am so excited for my first Christmas in Japan though!

I love you all! I am thankful for your prayers and love! I hope that you can understand just a fraction of how happy I am so be a missionary! I see miracles everyday. I get to help people everyday. Riding my bike through the rain and over hills isn`t as bad anymore, because I decided that I know why I am here. It`s not about me, it`s about doing the Lord`s work and I am so blessed! 

I know that this Church is true! I know that God loves YOU. Jesus Christ atoned for YOUR sins because He loves you too. If you ever wonder if you are loved, I challenge you to PRAY and you will know. I promise that you will feel peace and confirmation that God knows you. He loves you.

Minasan, ai shite imasu! Iesu Kirisuto wa watashitachi no Sukuinushi da to shitte imasu.

-Sanders Shimai

--

Sanders Shimai

Fwd: Fall

This week has been crazy and awesome! I want to apologize for the last few weeks. I have had NO TIME, but I am super busy doing the Lord`s work. I am super happy! Sister Nelson is the best. She is a great friend! She is on her last transfer, and loves to sing, and is super positive. SHe has been teaching me how to cook and how to survive in Japan. I am so thankful for her! We can harmonize when we sing hymns which is fun!

The members in my ward are uuuuuhmazing. They always want to help us and let me practice teaching lessons in Japanese. One lady was so cute, she said Come over anytime, even if it`s midnight! I would love to help you practice! The Sisters (me and Nelson Shimai) eat at a members house maybe twice a week,. They love the sisters here. They take care of us! 

I am getting used to biking- our apartment is at the top of a huge hill and this week I was finally able to make it to the top!!!!!!!! YAY! Milestones! We bike like 5 hours everyday. Plus Sister nelson is a good cook and makes lots of healthy food. I have lost about 5 pounds since being here. At the MTC, I didn`t gain any weight either.... so... that`s good I guess. We are really focussed on being healthy! The food is all so good though! Lots of vegetables and noodles and meat and fish! Most of it is super yummy. There are some things, like the octopus with shrimp stuffed inside was nasty, and then there`s a type of onko which is a dessert made of soybeans that is really gross. So I ate one and when the woman offered I take another one, I sneakily hid it in my bag and snuck it out. I promise that is the only time I will ever do that! It was gross though. 

I can find my way around to like 5 different places, but the streets are not numbered or have names, so it`s hard to find things with just an address. The steering wheels are on the opposite side. Everything is opposite basically. Traffic is decent. Here in the city, most people walk to ride bikes. I am super impressed with women who can wear high heels when they ride their bike, or really old men who can hold a bottle of beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other while they are biking. We avoid riding by them because they are known to crash into things. 

The language is hard, but it is super humbling. I am working like crazy. I feel myself improving everyday. The other missionaries say I have good Japanese for a bean, but I honestly have no idea if they are just being nice or not. I know that the Gift of Tongues is real though! I have felt help so many times!

We have about 10 investigators, but none of them are really able to meet on a regular basis. I`ll just tlak about a few... Miko lives in Russia, so we Skype teach her, but she is cool! She will be coming home for Christmas so we will meet her face to face! We are teaching a woman who has been less active for a long time, but has come back to church and is BACK. This woman`s testimony is on fire! We taught her about the Atonement. Her lesson was the first one that I felt like I could really help someone. I know that through the Atonement, we can let go of any guilt that we`ve been holding on to. 

We experienced a few miracles this week. One of them being that Elder Fender has been fasting from candy and sweets for the last 3 transfers of his mission to show Heavenly Father that he really wants to teach a family. On Fast Sunday, Nelson Shmai and I fasted for him to find a family. He didn`t know that we were doing that! That night, we got a call that HE FOUND A FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We made him a big plate of cookies! Another miracle is that we have been teaching Yamaguchi san, who struggles with smoking and drinking. The last few times we went to visit him, he`s been super drunk... so we brought the pristhood with us this lesson. He has read the Book of Mormon and knows that it is true! I got to ask him if he would like to be baptized by the end of this month... and HE SAID YES!!!!!!!!!!! We are so excited! Obviously he has a long way to go, but this is such a miracle! Baptisms are hard to get in this area. We are super blessed. THe Spirit was so strong in that lesson.

Also, if you are a sister, expect to be asked to sing at everything. I have done 3 performances since I`ve been here, have 10 in this next month, and we are planning Christmas stuff. I am so busy!

We teach Eikaiwa which is English class. It is lots of fun! Really nice people come.

We had Zone Training this week and received counsel from Kaicho. We have a lot of goals to work on!

I am almost out of time, but please ask questions!!!!!! I love being a misisonary so much! This is an amazing opportunity to serve the Lord!

I know that Christ lives. Everyone please watch the Because of Him video on LDS.org. That explains everything better than I could. But it is my testimony that, because He lives, we are able to live together with our families in forever happiness.

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!

Shu ni tayoru shikanai desu. There is nothing but to Rely on the Lord.

Sanders Shimai

PS. Mom, look up the songs The Olive Tree and One Voice. I heard them at the MTC and they are beautiful! I think they are EFY songs or something??

Fwd: Hello

Sorry this is a day late! We had a Zone Training yesterday and we had to move PDay to today, so I hope you are waking up to a nice email! Things should be normal for the rest of this transfer, so you`ll get my email on the normal day!

I am sorry to hear about Brady- he is a great kid! I will pray for his family.

I am glad to hear that Jadyn had her baby and that you are loving your calling!

I don`t think you`ll recognize me when I get home. I have changed so much! My testimony has grown stronger and I have grown in so many ways... and it`s only been 2 weeks. I have seen miracles that have made me catch my breath. The Lord is so involved in this work. I am so blessed to be a missionary here in Japan! There is so much happening. I wish I had time to tell you about every single detail! Just know that I am so happy, and even when I have a bad day, I know that the Lord is helping me.

Japan is completely different. Haha I am still adjusting to how people talk and bowing every other second. We bike pretty much everywhere. In my area, everything is less than an hour away by bike, so we don`t need to use the train. In other areas, you use the train a lot more. I am on my bike whenever I need to get somewhere- our apartment is about 20 minutes away from the middle of town, so to get to the church or most members houses is about a 40 minute bike ride- I`m guessing about 5 hours worth of just bike riding a day? I am getting pretty strong and can make it up the bigger hills now! The people here are so fashionable. We try to talk to 30 people a day, which is easy because everyone walks everywhere!　Asia is so different. I really love it though. I like being in the big city, but it:s also fun to ride out to members houses because they live by the rice fields and mountains.

We are trying to reignite the dendo fire in our ward- to get the members excited about missionary work. We spend half our time doing less-active work, and it has taught me the importance of members helping us out.

One of our investigators is going to be baptized! I got to ask the big question! I said, in the simplest sentence there is, Yamaguchi san, baputesuma o ukette itadakimasu ka? which means, Mr. Y~, will you receive baptism? and he said HAI, itadakimasu! Which means YES!!!!! We are working with him to give up drinking and smoking, but his date is Nov 30th. It is a miracle. We are praying for him so much. We really wanted a baptism before Sister Nelson went home. 

I ate a whole octopus stuffed with a shrimp over rice with a lemon wedge. It was disgusting, but a member gave it to us, so I swallowed it with a smile. Most of the food is really good, but most of it looks like it`s still alive....... yeah.

I got a letter from Samantha this week! It was awesome! I will tell you when I get stuff. I sent you a letter last week! Since we live so close to the Mission Home, they give us mail whenever they see us (which is mulitple times a week) or it gets sent straight to the apartment. I am warm enough!! No worries! We have a heater and lots of blankets. It`s not super cold- just the wind while I`m biking at night is a little chilly. It has been raining though. It`s like someone turned on a waterfall showerhead above you, and it just follows you. I`m getting used to it though! 

I am finally used to riding my bike. My leg muscles are pretty impressive, haha! 

I am so happy! I love being a missionary! How is everything at home? I love you guys!

Love your missionary, Sister Sanders

-- Sanders Shimai

Fwd: Japan!

This is what I got this week. I'll take it! I don't mind sharing. :)

Japan!

Ｍｏｍ！！！！！！！　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｄｏｉｎｇ　ｇｒｅａｔ！　Ｏｋａｙ，　Ｍｙ　ｃｏｍｐａｎｉｏｎ　ｉｓ　Ｎｅｌｓｏｎ　Ｓｈｉｍａｉ．　Ｓｈｅ　ｉｓ　ｏｎ　ｈｅｒ　

ｌａｓｔ　ｔｒａｎｓｆｅｒ　ａｎｄ　Ｉ ｌｏｖｅ　ｈｅｒ！　Ｓｈｅ　ｉｓ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｇｏｏｄ　ａｔ　ｃｏｏｋｉｎｇ　ａｎｄ　ｓｈｅ　ｔａｋｅｓ　ｃａｒｅ　ｏｆ　

ｍｅ．　Ｗｅ　ｗｏｒｋ　ＳＯ　ＨＡＲＤ！　Ｍｙ　ｆｉｒｓｔ　ａｒｅａ　ｉｓ．．．　（ｄｒｕｍｒｏｌｌ　ｐｌｅａｓｅ）　Ｆｕｋｕｏｋａ，　Ｆｕｋｕｏｋａ！　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｌｉｋｅ　２０　ｍｉｎｕｔｅｓ　ａｗａｙ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｔｈｅ　Ｍｉｓｓｉｏｎ　Ｈｏｍｅ，　ａｎｄ　ｗｅ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｉｇｇｅｓｔ　ａｒｅａ　（ｌｉｋｅ　ａ　３　ｈｏｕｒ　ｂｉｋｅ　ｒｉｄｅ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｏｎｅ　ｅｎｄ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｏｔｈｅｒ．　Ａｔ　ｆｉｒｓｔ　Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｗｏｒｒｉｅｄ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｐｒｅｓｉｄｅｎｔ　

Ｇｕｆｓｔａｆｓｏｎ　ｗａｓ　ｗｏｒｒｉｅｄ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｍｅ　ｓｏ　ｔｈａｔ'ｓ　ｗｈｙ　ｈｅ　ｐｕｔ　ｍｅ　ｓｏ　ｃｌｏｓｅ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｉｓｓｉｏｎ　

ｈｏｍｅ，　ｂｕｔ　Ｉ　ｈａｖｅ　ｃｏｍｅ　ｔｏ　ｕｎｄｅｒｓｔａｎｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｈｕｇｅ　ｒｅｓｐｏｎｓｉｂｉｌｉｔｙ　ｔｏ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｂｉｇ　ｏｆ　ａｎ　ａｒｅａ，　ｗｉｔｈ　ｓｏ　ｍａｎｙ　ｍｅｍｂｅｒｓ　ｉｎ　ｏｕｒ　ｓｔａｋｅ　ａｎｄ　ｗｅ　ｈａｖｅ　ａ　ｌｏｔ　ｏｆ　

ｉｎｖｅｓｔｉｇａｔｏｒｓ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｉｓｓｉｏｎ－　ａｂｏｕｔ　９．　　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｗｏｒｋｉｎｇ　ｈａｒｄ！　Ｏｕｒ　ａｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔ　（ｄｏｎ'ｔ　ｂｅ　ｍａｄ，　ｂｕｔ　Ｉ　ｄｉｄｎ'ｔ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｔｏ　ｔａｋｅ　ｐｉｃｔｕｒｅｓ．．．　ｓｏ　ｎｅｘｔ　ｗｅｅｋ）　ｉｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｉｇｇｅｓｔ　ａｐａｒｔ-ｍｅｎｔ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｉｓｓｉｏｎ，　ａｎｄ　ｉｔ'ｓ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｍｅ　ａｎｄ　Ｓｉｓｔｅｒ　Ｎｅｌｓｏｎ．　Ｗｅ　ｌｉｖｅ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｑｕｅｅｎｓ．　Ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ｔｒａｄｉｔｉｏｎａｌ－　ｗｉｔｈ　ａ　ｇｅｎｋａｎ　（ｗｈｅｒｅ　ｙｏｕ　ｔａｋｅ　ｏｆｆ　ｙｏｕｒ　ｓｈｏｅｓ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｄｏｏｒ）　ａｎｄ　ａ　

ｓｌｅｅｐｉｎｇ　ａｒｅａ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｓｌｉｄｉｎｇ　ｄｏｏｒｓ　ａｎｄ　ｔａｔａｍｉ　ｍａｔｓ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｌｏｏｒ．　Ｉ　ｓｌｅｅｐ　ｏｎ　ａ　ｆｕｔｏｎ　ａｎｄ　Ｉ　ａｃｔｕａｌｌｙ　ｌｏｖｅ　ｉｔ！　Ｏｕｒ　ｔｏｉｌｅｔ　ｉｓ　ｆａｎｃｙ　ａｎｄ　ｈａｓ　ａｎ　ａｕｔｏｍａｔｉｃ　ｓｅａｔ，　ａｎｄ　ｉｔ　

ｔａｌｋｓ．．．　ｂｕｔ　ｉｔ'ｓ　ａｎｎｏｙｉｎｇ，　ｓｏ　ｗｅ　ｔｕｒｎｅｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ｐａｒｔ　ｏｆｆ．．．．．．．．．．　ｙｅｐ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｓｈｏｗｅｒ　ｉｓ　ｎｏｔ　ｍａｄｅ　ｆｏｒ　ｓｏｍｅｏｎｅ　ｍｙ　ｈｅｉｇｈｔ．Ｔｈｅ　ｆａｕｃｅｔ　ｉｓ　ｓｅｔ　ａｔ　ａｂｏｕｔ　５ｆｅｅｔ　４　ｉｎｃｈｅｓ．　Ｉ　ｆｅｅｌ　ｌｉｋｅ　Ｂｕｄｄｙ　ｔｈｅ　Ｅｌｆ　ｗｈｅｒｅｖｅｒ　Ｉ　ｇｏ．　Ｉ　ｍｅａｎ，　Ｉ'ｍ　ｎｏｔ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ　ｓｕｐｅｒ　ｔａｌｌ，　ｂｕｔ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｔｏ　

Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　ｐｅｏｐｌｅ．　Ｉ　ｆｅｅｌ　ｂａｄ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅｓｅ　ｔａｌｌ　Ａｍｅｒｉｃａｎ　Ｅｌｄｅｒｓ．Ｉ　ｈａｖｅ　ｈｉｔ　ｍｙ　ｈｅａｄ　ｏｎ　ａ　ｃｏｕｐｌｅ　ｄｏｏｒｓ！　Ｉ　ｇｏｔ　ｍｙ　ｂｉｋｅ　ｔｏｄａｙ！　Ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ｓｕｐｅｒ　ｓｔｅｋｉ　（ｃｏｏｌ，　ａｔｔｒａｃｔｉｖｅ）．　Ｗｅ　ａｔｅ　

ｌｕｎｃｈ　ａｔ　ａ　ｃｕｔｅ　ｐｌａｃｅ，　ｂｕｔ　ｗｅ　ａｃｃｉｄｅｎｔａｌｌｙ　ｓａｔ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｍｏｋｉｎｇ　ｓｅｃｔｉｏｎ，　ｓｏ　ｔｈａｔ　ｗａｓ　ｋｉｎｄ　ｏｆ　ｇｒｏｓｓ．　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｄｏｉｎｇ　ｇｏｏｄ．　Ｌｏｔｓ　ｔｏ　ａｄｊｕｓｔ　ｔｏ，　ｂｕｔ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｈａｎｄｌｉｎｇ　ｉｔ　ｐｒｅｔｔｙ　

ｗｅｌｌ．　Ｍｙ　ｊｅｔ　ｌａｇ　ｗａｓｎ'ｔ　ｔｈａｔ ｂａｄ－　ｙｏｕ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｏ　ｗｏｒｋ　ｔｈｒｏｕｇｈ　ｉｔ．　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｓｌｅｅｐｉｎｇ　

ｎｏｒｍａｌｌｙ　ｎｏｗ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｍｅｍｂｅｒｓ　ａｒｅ　ｓｏ　ｓｗｅｅｔ　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｇｉｖｅ　ｕｓ　ｆｏｏｄ　ｅｖｅｒｙ　ｄａｙ．　Ｔｈｅｙ　ＬＯＶＥ　ｔｈｅ　ｍｉｓｓｉｏｎａｒｉｅｓ！　Ｗｅ　ｓａｔ　ｂｅｈｉｎｄ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｆａｍｉｌｙ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｃｕｔｅ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｋｉｄｓ．　Ｉ　ｌｏｖｅ　Ｊａｐａｎｅｓｅ　ｂａｂｉｅｓ！！！！！！！！　Ｓｏ　ｋａｗａｉｉ！　

Ｐｌｅａｓｅ　ａｓｋ　ｍｅ　ｑｕｅｓｔｉｏｎｓ，　ｂｅｃａｕｓｅ　ｉｆ　Ｉ　ｔｒｙ　ｔｏ　ｅｘｐｌａｉｎ　ｈｏｗ　ｅｖｅｒｙｔｈｉｎｇ　ｉｓ　ｄｉｆｆｅｒｅｎｔ

ｉｔ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｔａｋｅ　ｔｏｏ　ｌｏｎｇ．　Ｊｕｓｔ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｓｏ　ｈａｐｐｙ　ａｎｄ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｉ　ｌｏｖｅ　ｙｏｕ！　

~Sanders Shimai~

Fwd: Week 8- Last email from the MTC!

8- Last email from the MTC!

Woah, has two months really gone by?? Mom, that means you only have 15 more Fast Sundays to get through, right?? I can't believe it's time for me to leave for Japan! I feel ready though. Well, as ready as I'll ever be ;) I have a lot I need to work on!

I don't have a ton of time today because of packing and last minute errands and whatnot.... so here it goes:

Thursday: Last week was Dana Choro's birthday, so his mom sent a pinata and we had a party! So much fun! We went to the temple as a district then during class time, sensei showed us pictures from his mission :) (he went to Nagoya).

Friday: I didn't have time to write in my journal... ummm, from what I remember it was a good day :)

Saturday: Mills Shimai and I had the best lesson we ever had! The Spirit was so strong! We taught Iwamoto san about the Savior's Atonement and how he can be free of his guilt. Igen no Tamamono ga shinjitsu da to shitte imasu! The Gift of Tongues is real! 

Sunday:  It was COLD. I wore my jacket all day. Jesperson to Wallace Choro taught a lesson to the class about Having Faith in Jesus Christ. It was an awesome lesson- the Spirit was there. So amazing. They are awesome missionaries! During Seisankai (Sacrament Meeting) I sang "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" in Japanese. I think I did okay :) This Sunday I will sing at Relief Society since it is my last Sunday here :) I am excited!

During our temple walk, we took a lot of selfies and spent time together as a district. I am going to miss them!!!!!!!!! The Sunday Night Devotional was awesome! I packed up my notes from it, so I can't remember what it was about, but the devotionals are truly inspired! I love all of them. Definitely one of my favorite parts of the MTC :) After the devotional, we watched The Testaments in Japanese :) I am able to understand a lot more!

Monday: Soares Choro decided to give me a pep talk. It was the funniest thing ever. We were studying and Rostrom Choro and I were talking about how excited we were to get to Japan, and Mills Shimai said something about not being scared at all, but I said I was a little nervous... Here is how it went: Sanders Shimai, you don't have to ever be scared! You have a great life ahead of you! You have blue eyes and blonde hair, you are not fat, you will be a good mom and teach your kids how to do the gospel! You can do cookies and make people smile! You are the nicest girl I ever met! 

We have all gotten to be so close. We are just like brothers and sisters. Ugh I don't want to think about saying goodbye to them!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday: We had 2 devotionals, one in the morning for missionaries going to Japan about expectations. We talked about aligning our will with the Lord's. My mission isn't about me at all- it's about accomplishing the Lord's will! Later, Elder Lawrence of the Seventy spoke to us. I saw Mckenna Lawrence!!!!!!!! And Sidney Braswell! And my cousin Tyler Larson! They are all doing great :) We had a devotional review as a district and it was awesome! we talked about how  excited we are to go to Japan :)

Wednesday: I hosted the missionaries getting dropped off in hope of seeing Josh Case... but I haven't seen him yet. I will keep looking! I helped 3 sisters- all of them were going stateside and had REALLY heavy bags. It was fun though! It's weird to think about when I was dropped off because it feels like forever ago. Crazy desu.

Today: I've been super busy packing and figuring out what to send home and what to keep- it' s been a crazy day! I am going to the temple in a little bit, and later I have class. Tomorrow is my In-Field orientation, and Sunday is the Departure Devotional......... then early morning Monday I leave for Nihon! I am so excited! Everything with my visa is all set. Please pray for all the Japan missionaries leaving next week- there are about 60 of us.

I have a testimony that this Gospel is true, that God lives, that Joseph Smith is a prophet and the Book of Mormon is true. I hope I can fulfill my purpose by inviting others to come unto Christ.

Oh, I also memorized Saisho no Jigen (First Vision), so family, make me say it when I call you from the airport! Also, please answer the phone because it saves money or something? I bought a prepaid calling card, so I'll have to figure out how it works. I LOVE YOU family! I can't wait to hear your voices!

My next email will be from Japan! Thanks everyone for all that you so! Please forward my mail to:

Sister Lindsay Sanders

Japan Fukuoka Mission

9- 16 Hirao-josuimachi

Chuo-ku,

Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka

810-0029, JAPAN

Ai shite imasu! Japan here I come!

--

Sanders Shimai

Fwd: Week 7- Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy??

Week 7- Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy??

Mills Shimai and I do a rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody whenever we need a mental break. We've gotten pretty good at it ;)

WHAT A WEEK! So much has happened! I hope I can get it all in. Today's a busy P-Day. I only have one more p-day after this, so we started packing and cleaning up our room. So much fun. Anyways, I'll just go in order of what happened...

General Conference was amazing! It is so cool to watch it from the perspective of a missionary. I came in with questions, and all of them were answered. I loved all the talks! Some of my favorites:

Elder Robbins- Which Way do I face?

Elder Wong- first, how cool that they get to speak in their native languages? I loved how he talked about Rescue Missions. That's what I'll be doing. Start everyday by asking "Who will I save today?"

President Uchtdorf- We didn't understand how big the universe is until we had improved technology to be able to see it... I had the thought that if people can believe that the universe is an infinite expanse, why would the restoration of the Gospel be so hard to believe?

Elder Klebingat- 6 things to work on. So bold and powerful! Loved it!

Elder Holland- aren't we all beggars? I had chills.

As sisters, we watched the General Womens Meeting while the Elders went to Priesthood session. I loved the emphasis on the temple and President Uchtdorf's umbrella analogy. I have felt the blessings and increased understanding from going to the temple... and I know that the Lord always wants to bless us. 

More General COnference notes:

President Monson- we may not walk exactly where Christ walked, but we should walk AS Christ walked. Always try to be more like Him.

Elder Bednar- he is becoming one of my favorite speakers! His talk was directed to those who are not members of the church, but I learned so much! I wish I could share that talk on my facebook!

Sunday night, Vai Sikahema (football player and sports announcer) spoke to us. I heard him speak at the YSA COnference that I went to with Kayla :) He is an amazing speaker! He asked us to write home and encourage our families and the people back home to be involved in missionary work! It will bring so many blessings to your life! I am so happy that my family is able to serve a mission with me in a sense. Everything I do is for my family. I have been thinking of that quote "A missionary is someone who leaves her family for 18 months so that other families can be together for eternity". I had to leave my family behind. I have to give them over to the Lord for safe keeping while I am gone. I can't spend every minute thinking about them. I know my efforts will bless you! I love you so much!

That night, i watched Elder Bednar's talk "Recognizing the Spirit"- look it up if you can!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is amazing! He answers the question "Is it me or the Spirit?" He says to QUIT WORRYING ABOUT IT! If it's good, it comes from God. Please watch it if you can!

Tuesday Night we heard from Brent M. Nielson of the Seventy. His wife gave a parable about her rose bushes- how you have to prune them back to basically just a stick in order for them to grow stronger. Elder Nielson spoke about what he learned on his mission. But first, some quick stats: there are currently (as of 10/4/2014) 88, 034 missionaries serving throughout the world! That's the most in the history of the world!!!!!! There are about 2,000 missionaries at the Mtc. It is estimated on average, we will convert 5 people.... so this 2,000 missionaries will convert 10,000 people! Amazing! I am so proud to be a part of God's army! I decided that I even though I will arrive in Japan in a week and a half, I don't want to wait till half way through my mission to "arrive in the mission field". On day 1, Sister Lindsay Sanders will report ready for duty! It is my responsibility to Go and do (1 Ne 3:7).

During my study yesterday, I was reflecting on my MTC experience... I decided maybe I am going to Japan because I needed more time in the MTC to learn and grow. I am here 5 times longer than a stateside missionary. The Lord's mission on me is coming to a close, and now is my opportunity to share what I know with others. I have seen changes in myself that I never thought possible- I know I will continue to change and the Lord helps me become who I need to be. I love serving the Lord. The hard days are worth it. I know this is where I am supposed to be :)

I am doing great! Like I said, I leave in a week and a half, but I have a request: Soares Choro's family can't write him for a few reasons... so I think it would be awesome if he could get some letters! You can write to me and I'll give the letter to him, or His name is Elder Rafael Soares and has the same address as me :) Dear Elder workds the same way. Maybe if you have time, you can write me too :) 

I just have to take a second to brag about my district again... (Mom, if you can find the moms of my district and tell them how awesome their missionaries are, that would be great if that's possible!) Elder Dana and Elder Agnew helped Mills Shimai and I find seats twice this week. They gave up their good seats in the front and went and found chairs and sat in the back. I also got to sit next to Sister Moyer, who leaves for Korea next week, so I was so thankful. All of the shimaitachi are so loving. THey give me hugs when I need them :) The rest of the chorotachi are so encouraging and HAPPY! I have the best district. I love every single one of them. They have become my closest friends and family as I've been here! I'm going to hate saying goodbye to half of them when they go to Tokyo South instead of Fukuoka..... :') Anyways, I love them. They are amazing.

Quotes:

After dinner where everyone had eaten burritos... Mills Shimai starts singing "This too shall pass". Not classy, but oh so hilarious :)

Agnew Choro: A knight in shining armor has never had his metal tested.

Dana Choro: I like D&C 25. My seminary teacher called it the "Elect Lady Checklist".

*brothers, start memorizing this section, hehe*

Crandall Kyodai: If you have time to think about anything other than your mission (ie relationships, home), you have too much free time and you're doing something wrong.

Rostrom Choro: Soares, what's your favorite color?

Soares Choro: Blonde, blue eyes, very hot.

Rostrom Choro: I said COLOR, not GIRL.

Soares Choro: But that is my favorite color...?

We also switched seats in class, so I sit next to Soares Choro..... I'll have many more quotes to share next week! He also gave me his Portuguese stuff so I can learn Portuguese! :) He's a great friend. 

Also, it was Dana Choro's birthday! We are going to hit a pinata right now :)

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!! DON'T FORGET TO WRITE LETTERS!

Ai shite imasu!

--

Sanders Shimai

Fwd: Week 6 Mama mia here we go again

Week 6 Mama mia here we go again

Woah, another week! It's getting cold up here in Provo. Like I can see my breath. Oh well, in three weeks I'll be in beautiful Fukuoka where it's 80 degrees and above year round! Woohoo!!!

I'm feeling lots better- I finally went to the doctor and he prescribed some antibiotics. The thing about that is that we had to go to "the outside world" to get them.... it's just like a 5 minute walk down the street. it was super exciting though!

This week was pretty chill- I feel like I am used to missionary life. We work SO hard! As a zone, we started doing Eigo Danjiki- English fast. It's fasting, plus no English. It's great. Just kidding, it's SO hard! But we feel like it will show the Lord that we want to be blessed with the Gift of Tongues. We try to speak Japanese as much as possible, but we ONLY speak in Japanese on Mondays and Fridays- our Eigo Danjiki days. It's made such an impact on my Nihongo! I am so thankful to be able to receive help from the Lord!

I have been studying how to "Come Unto Christ" so if anyone has any insights, send them in a letter! I am only here for a couple more weeks, so send them to me now while they're free!!!!!!! ;)

Sunday Night, our devotional was by Stephen B Allen, who spoke my first week here. He likes to have the missionaries stand up for different things, like Is this your first week here? Have you received a Dear John or a Dear Jane? Hilarious :) He talked about Joseph Smith's first vision and D&C 4. Some insights: The Lord hasn't called me to be a part-time missionary. I have a unique message to share- that the Gospel is restored! I've also been thinking about how I need to work my hardest, becuase the Nihonjiin deserve my best! and so does the Lord!

The Tuesday Night Devotional was amazing! Elder Gregory A Schwitzer of the Seventy spoke with His wife: she spoke about what she learned on her misison. She said 'You can do hard things' which is what my mom always says, so it was a nice reminder that Heavenly Father loves me :) She also said "Allow your faith to replace your fear". Elder Schwitzer had a lot of great things to say. He spoke about commandments... here are some of the things that really stood out:

-D&C 48:8-9 when we edify, we are building something up

-How should we be teaching? Like the Savior. He is our Good Shepherd! When the lamb was lost, he placed it on His shoulders and carried it back to the fold. Other shepherds might have sent dogs barking after it, or dragged it behind them with their shepherds hook. However, the Savior taught that we must walk with them.

-the Ten Commandments are in their order for a reason: They focus on 3 different relationships- our relationship with God, our relationship with our parents, and our relationship with others. 

Our relationship with God: 1-4

1 No other gods

2 do not worship false idols

3 do not take Lord's name in vain

4 keep Sabbath Day Holy

Our relationship with parents: 5

5 Honor father and Mother

Our relationship with others: 6-10

6 do not kill

7 do not commit adultery

8 do not steal

9 do not lie (bear false witness)

10 do not covet

* something interesting about this last section, they are in order of the severity of the punishment... but the backwards order is the frequency in which they are broken

-We become greater in OUR kingdom when we keep the commandments

-There are people who are trying to take legal action to remove the Ten Commandments from public places. How can others take the Commandments away if they are written in your mind and etched on the tablets of your heart? Just food for thought :)

This week, our kohai arrived! New Missionaries in our Zone! That means we get to take care of them and stuff :) I haven't met all of them yet, but we have 2 new districts, one with 16 Elders, and another with 4 sisters, 12 Elders :) So exciting!

Mills Shimai and I taught a lesson via Skype to Miura Kyodai, who lives in Nagoya Japan! It was SO fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, I was so excited to teach a real lesson to a real Nihonjiin! He has been a member of the church for 30 years and has 3 cute grandchildren :) He showed us pictures! We talked with him about the Atonement. He shared his conversion story, and how, through the Atonement of Christ, he was able to become clean and find true happiness! I shared my testimony that the Atonement can help us to always come closer to Christ! We asked him to share his testimony, and the Spirit was so strong! I can't wait for next week when we can skype with another awesome Nihonjiin member! I was surprised at how much I could say. my Japanese is faaaaaarrrrrr from perfect, but I feel confident that I will be able to share my message. It might be simple, but Christ taught simply... so it's okay :) It was an awesome experience. I am so excited to go to Japan in a few weeks!

The official day of my departure is October 20th... so... 18 more days? Woahhhhhhhh! I can't wait! I have been in contact with the Travel Department and the Fukuoka Mission home and I am all set to go :) 

I have loved this experience of being at the MTC. Being a missionary is so great! my testimony has grown so much in such a short amount of time. The Gospel is amazing. I know that there are people in Japan that are waiting for me to find them. They need the light and peace that the Gospel can bring! The message of the restored gospel is the most precious gift I could give! 

Here are the funny quotes for the week, and then I need to be done....

Our senseitachi are honto omoshiroi! Our teachers are so funny!

Crandall Kyodai:"Cook Shimai ni hoshii niwa kizu o yurushimasu!" Cook Shimai, I forgive you for the fault in your stars

Sanderson Kyodai: *talking about falling asleep in Japanese Class in school.... he goes to BYU* "Let's just not judge each other right now and get back to benkyo(study)"

"Seizure ja nai" (don't remember when this happened....)

he taught us a new word: "Shimata" which means, I unfortunately did it. You can imagine what fun we have. When we drop something, after coming out of the bathroom.... sorry that's gross.

***TANGENT*** the food here, while it is pretty decent, gives us missionaries stomach issues. Gas is a normal part of missionary life. I have been okay because I try to eat really healthy, but everyone else is having issues. And it's bad, especially when we are sitting in the classroom for 6+ hours everyday. That's all I'm going to say about that******

Soares Choro: "Hipsters and guys with swag are real bad, right?"

The International missionaries come a day early, so an Australian Elder joined our district for one night.... so Soares Choro asked "Have you been bitten by a poinsonous animal, like a spider, or snake, or a cow?"

On Sundays, we get ice cream. Sores Choro LOVES ice cream. 

Dana Choro: Want to go get a second bowl of ice cream?"

Soares Choro: No, my companion taught me to control my stinkies"

All: "WHAT?!"

Soares Choro: "My stinkies."

we found out later that he meant to say "INSTINCTS". I am laughing just typing this!!!!!!!! hahahaha

Okay, that's all for me this week! Ai shite imasu!

-Sanders Shimai

--

Sanders Shimai

Fwd: Week 5- Roller coaster Week

Week 5- Roller coaster Week

So many ups and downs. I've been feeling a little sick this week, but I am feeling lots better today and I am excited to get back to work! The "missionary cold" is a very real and dangerous thing. My whole district has it. So you know how in Japan, you wear a mask if you're sick? We are going to buy some masks in he very near future :) I have asked for two Priesthood blessings this week. Let me tell you: I am so thankful for the Priesthood. I am also thankful that the Elders in my district have the authority to use the priesthood- it is God's power. I have received so much help and peace from priesthood blessings throughout my life. All is well, I am almost completely better :)

We got the official word on Sunday: the Elders have been asked to sing at Priesthood Session of General Conference. That means you won't see me there... but it's also super exciting because Elder Jesperson, Elder Wallace, Elder Rostrom, and Elder Dana were asked to be in the choir!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are so stoked! (Elder Dana almost cried... hehe). Remember at the last General Womens Meeting where we saw Chelsea?? Because the Sisters sang last time, it's the Elders turn. I am kind of bummed, but it's okay! I am so excited for General Conference! It's going to be so cool to watch it at the MTC!

This week Mills Shimai and I taught a lot of lessons and we've seen progress with our investigators. Iwamoto san has come to church, is reading the Morumon Sho (Book of Mormon), praying, and has committed to repent. Next lesson, we're going to ask him to be baptized! I'm so excited! We missed a lesson with Tatsuyuki san because I wasn't feeling well... but we are planning on asking him to pray about Joseph Smith's experience next lesson.

I took my first Language Assessment! So scary! We go on the computer and we are asked to answer certain questions... (example: Your investigator has a concern about "the Restored Church", teach them lesson 1 from the apostacy through Joseph Smith in the next 2 minutes). Remember, this is all supposed to be done in Japanese. There were 8 of those kinds of questions, and the last two were to bear your testimony about he Book of Mormon then Families Can Be Together Forever (Plan of Salvation). I did my best........ Haha it was pretty bad! But I had an answer for each question, even if it was super simple. I am getting a lo better at listening and understanding when people are talking to me, I just need to be better at responding. It will come though!

Every Monday night, we teach volunteers (Mostly BYU students) a lesson (kind of like family night). Up until now, we teach someone in a small room and we're face to face. Since I'm going into my sixth week, we're going to start Skype-ing with Nihonjin! Japanese! Real native speakers! I am nervous and excited. I already love the Japanese so much! I hope I don' freak out because of how excited I am!

On Sunday, we had the opportunity of watching the Ogden Temple Rededication! It was amazing! Two things were said during the talks that stood out to me: During the Savior's earthly ministry, he healed the blind, the deaf, and the lame. The Savior can heal us physically. He can also heal us spiritually... because aren't we all a little blind when it comes to seeing things as they really are? Aren't we all a little spiritually blind? Don't we all walk the path a little imperfectly? Aren'twe all a little spiritually lame? Aren't we all a little hard of hearing when it comes to listening to the promptings of the Spirit? Aren't we all spiritually deaf to some degree? I testify that just as the Lord has healed our physical defects, He will heal our spiritual weaknesses. Another point: Elder Bednar talked about the contrasts between the temple and the world. I couldn't write down all of them, but one of them is: The world is always moving- clocks are ticking, people hurrying, it is not still. In the temple, we pause to seek peace. We are still. I love the temple. I am very thankful to go once a week. The Provo Temple is beautiful! I am glad I can go there to find peace when missionary life is kind of stressful.

That night, at the Sunday night Devotional, Gordon D Brown (former MTC president) spoke to us. He talked about being a successful missionary. I loved his comments about being a light. People are watching me, as creepy as that sounds! But I am a representative of this Church- more importantly a representative of Jesus Christ. 

There was also the most beautiful musical number I've ever heard in my life: Danny Boy was played by three Elders, one on Piano, one on violin, and the other played the tin whistle! Have you heard of that before??? It was amazing. I cried. ***If you have musical talent and you're coming to the MTC, make sure you audition! It is such an amazing thing to share your testimony through music. It adds so much to meetings. I auditioned a few weeks ago. They just got back to me and asked me to sing at either Relief Society or a Devotional in the next three weeks! I hope I get better really fast! I also brought the music for "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" (sung by the beautiful Taylor Contessa at my farewell. I LOVE YOU!)  and I learned it in Japanese... so I'll sing that next week when we'll be getting new missionaries in our zone!!!!!!!! I'm so excited! 

Tuesday Night, we had the privilege of hearing from another Apostle... Elder M. Russell Ballard. The choir sang "Joseph Smith's First Prayer". I was sad that I couldn't sing because I was sick, but it sounded AMAZING. 3,500 + missionaries around the world at different MTC's watched the devotional via broadcast. Some of my notes:

 If you want to get to know the Lord, go work for Him.

 Let your family be on your mission with you. (note: I love my family so much! I hope they are looking for opportunities to share the Gospel as well! I hope my siblings are looking forward to their missions too!) Make sure you write good letters. You can touch hearts and possibly convert your friends and family from the mission field.

 Just how precious is one person? We won't be able to understand until we can fully comprehend Gethsemane, and what Christ suffered there.

 He also spoke about the importance of prayer, which Richard G. Scott talked about when he addressed us.

 We show our Master's face when we go out. 

When the alarm goes off at 6:30am, say to yourself "Oh, I'm still here. I'd better get up... what shall I do today? I shall do my very best". Some days are harder to get up than others.

How much do I love the Lord? We all have different answers... but He doesn't ask us to give our lives... He asks us to work to bring souls unto Him on the conditions of repentance.

It is amazing to hear from a prophet. I am so lucky to hear from two of the Apostles! And then General Conference is in two weeks! We are so blessed here at the MTC.

Another thought that I came across in my personal study: 2 Nephi 25: 26 go read it. We can't earn redemption- we must inherit it. In order to receive an inheritance, someone has to die. Christ died so that we might receive our first estate.

Also, Repentance= change. Commitments = change. Commitments = repentance. Let me explain. When I ask someone to commit to reading the Book of Mormon, or to pray for an answer, or to be baptized, I am inviting them to change. I am inviting them to Repent. When we repent, we turn away from our past sins/old life/whatever you want to call it and we turn towards God. We must be repenting DAILY. Mainichi. God wants us to come unto Him! When we repent, we become eligible for the Savior's redemptive power. We become "new creatures". Our sins are forgiven and we are forever changed. I love being a missionary!

That's basically my week :) I hope everyone is doing well! I love you! Please write me lots of letters and dear elders... I'm only here for 3 more weeks! Then I'll be in JAPAN!!!!!!!!!! Woohooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited!

Here are some funny quotes and such:

Soares Choro has been reading the Old Testament and his comments are the best. 

"God makes a donkey talk to a man? Why is this?????"

He also has a lot to say about the Law of Moses. But I won't go into that here.

Sensei asked Soares Choro "What would Jesus do?". His response: "He said "Let the other cheek be slapped!"

I didn't get ice cream on Sunday because I knew it wouldn't help me get better. I was sitting next to Soares Choro (who was on his 4th bowl of ice cream) and he asked "Sanders Shimai, why you don't eat ice cream today? You need more meat on your bones!"

That is the first time someone has said that to me. Hahahahaha I was dying! I choked on my water I was laughing so hard! He didn't understand why I was laughing.

Agnew Choro (to me): Dang girl, you are so white!" Me: "That's Sister to you"

Jespersen Choro: Can you please become Goat Girl? You have the back story and everything.

(since I was sick, my voice was all raspy so I said "I'm Goat Girl" like "I'm Batman", but not as cool....... You had to be there, haha!)

As always, the Elders are more quotable. The Shimaitachi all have our inside jokes that I simply couldn't explain in an email. Don't hate, kudasai (please).

I will end with my testimony: Watashi wa Morumon Sho ga shinjitsu da to shite imasu. Watashi wa Iesu Kirisuto ga Sukuinushi to shitte imasu. Watashi wa Josefu Sumisu ga yogensha datta to askashi shimasu. Monson Daikancho wa yogensha desu. Kono Kyokai ga shinjitsu desu. Iesu Kirisuto no mi-na ni yotte o-akashi shimasu, amen.

Honto Ai shite imasu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you all! Have a great week!

--

Sanders Shimai

Fwd: Week 3- When the gong gets tough, the tough get going!

Subject: Week 3- When the gong gets tough, the tough get going!

Woah, it's like the middle of September! The MTC is basically a time vortex. I have no idea what day it is and one second I'm eating breakfast, then I'm in class learning new bunpo (grammar) then all of the sudden it's 9:30pm and we're going back to out residence. Crazy. It's been a great week! We have a new sensei (10th one in 3 weeks), his name is Pearson Kyodai, and he is from Phoenix! He understands why I miss cactus so much! 

Tell Jackson I hope the scar he gets is epic and he can call it a battle wound ;) But seriously though, be careful! I hope it gets better soon! I had a weight dropped on my face too.... no fun. I pray for you all every day. I also wrote a bunch of letters, so those will come to you soon! Sorry it's taken so long for me to write you! I literally have no time. I am exhausted every single day. But so happy :) 

It's officially cold. It was raining on Sunday, and I used my ward jacket. Everyone makes fun of me because "it's not even snowing yet". Oh well. I'll survive I guess! 

Mom, I am so glad you like Primary! Scouts will just be one of those "things" for you, hahahaha :) I still giggle every time I think about that! Thank you for the box. And the letters, and just everything :) I am so thankful to have you as my mom!

Dad, thank you for your letters! I love them! And thanks for that article about singing in the choir :) I love being in the choir so much! We are waiting to hear if the MTC choir will sing at this General Conference... I'll keep you posted :) But Brother Egget, the director, is amazing. He's the coolest.

Jackson, Ben, Ryan, and Meredith, I wrote you letters. They will come soon :) I love you and think about you all the time! I keep a picture of all of us in my scriptures. I am doing this for you! I hope you will all prepare to serve missions. Honestly, it is the best thing I have ever done. I LOVE YOU! Honto ai shite imasu!

Thanks to everyone else who have written letters, DEAR ELDER, and given your support and love. There are too many to thank individually! I am so grateful to have so much support!

Here are the funny quotes for the week:

*most of them you had to be there for for them to be funny.... but I'll include them anyways...*

Dana Choro: I'l pretty good with chopsticks for a white boy"

Soares Choro: *pointing to a map* If Egypt is here, and the Promised Land is here... HOW THE HECK did it take 40 years for the Israelites to get there?

Jespersen Choro: I am Batman. *I can't remember when he said this, but I write it down. 

Cook Shimai: *in a sassy voice* "FELICIA! Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Me: "uhhhh, what?" Cook: "Yeah you heard me, Felicia".

Soares Choro: "Dana Choro, why do you have so many sprinkles on your face?" (he thinks "freckles" are called sprinkles). Then Rostrom Choro jumps in and says "No, they're called Sparkles!" This is why Soares Choro is having such a hard time with English.

Here's how my week went:

Sunday Devotional: Richard Heaton, the MTC Administrative Director spoke. Well, kind of... he asked Converts to stand up and share their stories. It was really interesting to hear how everyone found the church and how they chose to come on missions!

Tuesday Devotional: The choir sang "Hope of Israel" and Elder Sitati of the Seventy spoke with his wife. They are from Kenya. Oh my gosh, they gave such powerful messages! They spoke about REMEMBERING why we are here, what our purpose as missionaries is, and to remember our covenants. LOVED IT.

Guess who leads the music in Branch meetings? This girl. I am getting better at reading the Hiragana in the hymn book. (Branch meetings are only in Nihongo (Japanese). Plus, it's fun to lead the music!

Last P-Day, Iire Kyodai came to give all the Nihongo senkyoshi a devotional. He shared his conversion story and why he loves the gospel. The crazy thing was I was able to understand probably 90% of what he said! Janice Kapp Perry wrote a song for him called "Let Me Be A Light", which he sang for us. It's beautiful! Please look it up! 

I was reading the story of Ruth, and had a thought about "my people". Before my mission, "my people" were my family, friends, and community... but now "my people" are the Nihonjin. The Japanese people are my people for the next 18 months, and hopefully the rest of my life :) 

Mills Shimai and I taught a lesson to our district about the Holy Ghost. I loved preparing for it. We emphasized how important Moroni 10: 3-5 is to true conversion. The Holy Ghost must be there or else there is no conversion.

Sunday was also Fast Sunday, and I stayed happy :) Don't worry Mom ;) but we had mission conference. There were a lot of speakers and I took about 10 pages of notes. I loved it! The message that stuck out the most was the story of David and Goliath. "I fear no man". It is easy to be nervous of people not accepting you or your message... but in reality, we have no reason to fear. We should only fear God. When David stood up to Goliath, imagine a skinny teenager standing in front of a giant... someone who had killed armies on his own.. Daivd said something along the lines of "Because you deny God, you will not win". Imagine having that kind of courage. We have to have that kind of courage when we teach. The Gospel is the best gift I could ever receive... and it is the best gift I can give to someone else. 

My testimony of Joseph Smith has grown so much. When I recite the "First Vision" in Japanese, I know it is true! Joseph Smith has done more for mankind save Christ alone. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon by the power of God. God has restored the truth of the Gospel to the earth! We are so blessed to be living right now! We don't ever have to be lost, because we have all the resources we need! First and foremost, prayer is the most amazing thing. I am filled with so much peace knowing that God listens to and answers our prayers. He's answered mine time and time again.

Some other random things I wrote down:

We learn about the true nature of God by noticing how we are when the Spirit is with us.

The only way through a challenge- is through it.

Begin with the end in mind. Plan your future with Purpose.

They also shared the story of Shaddrach, Meeshach, and Abednego... I immediately thought of the Gilbert Temple cultural celebration! They had such strong faith, and they never denied what they knew to be true, even when faced with adversity. 

We have a new "investigator" named Iwamoto San (AKA Pearson Kyodai). He is an older, prideful smoker and gambler... but he wants to know what the church is all about. He is very interesting to teach. He asks questions about everything, so we have to be super prepared when we go to teach him! He is making progress though. We want him to know that he can have a relationship with God, and find direction in his life!

If you are late to class, you have to do a "door approach". I was only late once because... well, you don't want to have to do a door approach. But, just in case you need to know, this is what you say "Konnichiwa! O-genki desu ka? Watashitachi wa Matsu jitsu Seito Iesu Kirisuto Kyokai no senkyoshi desu. Haitemo ii desu ka?" Yep. I have that memorized. 

Soares Choro and Rostrom Choro are always late, so sensei makes it really hard to be invited in... once all Rostrom Choro said was "Ai shite imasu?" which means "I love you?" haha he got the door slammed in his face.

I love it here at the MTC! I feel like I am receiving so much help with learning the language. I am catchiing up to everyone else! I pray so much it's crazy, but it's what you have to do if you want to get through the day. 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Thank you for reading! Please send me an email or Dear Elder letter if you have any questions! I am almost out of time, so I'll start sending pictures. 

Ai shite imasu,

--

Sanders Shimai