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