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