THIS WEEK

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

Date: February 9, 2015 8:32:54 PM MST

Hello Everyone!!!!!!!

This week we had a lot of fun! I don`t have a lot of time, but I will tell a few funny stories.

So everyday basically we ride past a pachinko place- a gambling place- I forget the word in English. And there are greeters that stand outside and call taxis for drunk people. We have become very good friends with the greeters. They wave at us and love to say hello! Even if we are riding on the other side of the street, they will yell and get our attention! We gave them chocolate yesterday because it was super cold and they are otsukaresamas :)  Haha you make all kinds of friends on your mission! 

We were shopping yesterday and I was looking at the fruits and all of the sudden I look up and IT WAS THE JAPANESE VERSION OF JOHNNY DEPP. I almost screamed. I got Ogawa Shimai`s attention and she gasped. We followed him for a few minutes. Then the ELDERS showed up and kept putting things like coffee packets in our basket when we weren`t looking. Silly Elders. I got them back good because I put a big box of femenine supplies in Elder Kikuchi`s basket that he didn`t see until he got to checkout. Yep, he had to buy it. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! He was pretty mad, but that`s what you get! I returned them for him and gave him his money back. Hehehehe I am still laughing about that.

I want to tell you about my district leader really quick. Elder Sugimoto is the coolest Japanese Elder ever! I served with him in Fukuoka. He is super cool because when he is talking to us, he`ll be like do you remember 5 years ago when (blank) apostle said (blank) in (blank talk) that has everything to do with what you are talking about? HE HAS EVERY TALK BASICALLY MEMORIZED. I don`t know how he does it, but it is so cool. Also, every time we call him, he answers in a different voice.

Other than that, we had a pretty average week. We are really working hard and trying to find new investigators. We are praying really hard and trying our best to be obedient. Transfers are coming up in 2 weeks and we have no idea what will happen. I really hope I get to stay with Ogawa Shimai! But I am excited for whatever adventure is next. 

I love Chikushino. I really feel at home here. The members are SO nice. They really show lots of love for me even though I`m a strange American haha! It started snowing this week!!!!!!!!!! We are having lots of fun. I am trying to make sure we are having fun while also getting work done. I am grateful for the opoprtunity to train early in my mission. I feel like I had to grow up fast and decide what kind of mission I want to have right from the beginning. I am working so hard! But I am so happy! I hit my pillow exhausted every day. Physically, we walk or ride our bikes wherever we need to go. Mentally, I am constantly speaking a foreign language. I am thinking about how many people we`ve talked to, trying to remember where someone lives, etc. Emotionally, UGH I get tired just thinking about it. I miss home, I am worried about my investigators, I have my companion, the Elders in our area, ward members, and also assignments from my district leader, Zone Leaders, and Mission President. The circle of the love that I have to share has stretched SOOOOOOOOOOOO much! Spiritually, I am constantly relying on the Spirit to guide me in what I need to do, where to go, and what to say. I am bearing my testimony, sharing personal experiences, and trying to build up other`s faith. Sometimes people try to tear down my faith, but that won`t stop me. I really feel the Lord helping me and strengthening me. I don`t know how I would do this if the Lord wasn`t on my side.

There is no way I could do this by myself!

Almost all of the ward members in Japan are converts. Talk to any of the adults and they will tell you when they first met the missionaries. There are almost no 2nd generation adults in all of Japan. The children in the ward are the first ones to have parents who are members. All of the people I teach would be the first members in their families if they convert. In the Buddhist religion, to forsake your ancestor`s beliefs brings great shame to the entire family. It is very very hard for people to convert, BUT people have done it, and their lives have been blessed. On a side note, almost all of the active male adults lost or quit their jobs when they became members because most Japanese companies require you to work on Sundays. Most of the Brothers own their own businesses. They are great examples of sacrificing something important in order to keep the commandments of the Lord. Japanese Mormons do a great job blending their heritage and culture and their standards in a way that they are still Japanese, but are obedient to all of Heavenly Father`s commandments. I have learned so much from the examples of the people here!

The Lord promises to bless us when we follow Him. 

This week, my testimony of personal revelation was strengthened. I know when we are worthy, we can receive answers through the Holy Ghost to tell us what we need to do.

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

-- 

Sanders Shimai