Weekly email

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

Date: April 26, 2015 4:36:28 PM MST

Subject: Weekly email

Email end of week 2

Hello! My name is Sister Sanders and I am the proud older sister of a soon-to-be Elder Sanders!! Ahhhhh I am so proud of him! Guatemala?? Where is that? What food do they eat there? How crazy. Our family is going all over the world! 

Last week we went to Ube for special training on our iPads and also contacting techniques. It was pretty interesting. Now I have more resources to study from instead of waiting to get a Liahona magazine in the mail (if it comes...). Anyways, we got to stay with Sister Peterson and Ogawa Shimai, so that made me pretty happy! I love them both!

I really like this trio companionship! Sister Chapman And Sister Layton are both super hard workers. We always have fun and we are finding some new investigators, and progress is finally being made with older investigators. Sister Chapman is really good at loving people and being their friend. Sister Layton is a really talented teacher and is so patient. I am trying to figure about what my missionary talents are, but I am glad my companions are both here serving with me. I seriously couldn't do this without them.

Okay, it's time for me to brag about how awesome this area is. This branch is awesome! Shoutout to all the members of the branch who read my emails! I'm talking to you Sister White and Sister Rasmussen! Love ya! I'm not kidding when I say this is my favorite area. I feel like I have grown so much here. Not only has my language gotten better (which is weird because I'm speaking so much English) but my teaching has improved. I am learning what a successful branch/ ward council looks like, and how to participate in Relief Society. I am learning how to be friends with all kinds of people. I feel more prepared for when I come home- I will be an active member with something to offer my ward instead of just showing up to church on Sunday. There are so many good examples here. 

Sister Layton gave a talk on Sunday about the Atonement, and how on her mission she has noticed little changes in her heart. I have felt those too. As I have been serving for just 8 short months, I feel like I have completely changed. But it's been in tiny little increments. It is through these small changes that a transformation can take place. I am so thankful for the Atonement because it gives me the opportunity to change. I don't ever have to be stuck. I can change, and I don't have to do it alone. I have noticed that I really need to take more responsibility for my own salvation. If I want to live with Heavenly Father again, I need to work for it. I can't just hope to live a celestial life. That's not how it works! The people who make it to the celestial kingdom are the ones willing to put in the work. Simple as that! 

I love this gospel with all my heart. It is an amazing privilege to be serving a mission. As missionaries, we are asked to do the work of gods. Because of the great magnitude of this calling, we are not expected to do it alone. God is always with us. Remember in the Parable of the Vineyard in Jacob 5, the Lord goes with the servants as they go out to work that last time.

I know that God loves you! Don't forget it!

Much love,

Sister Sanders

Sent from my iPad

Short email

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

Date: April 21, 2015 10:29:27 PM MST

Subject: Short email

Hey! We had a really fun week!
I really like my companions! Sister chapman is super funny and has so
much energy, and Sister Layton is suuuuuper chill!

We went three hours south to use for lots of training, so that was
fun! We got to see the other girls of the guch Sister Peterson and my
daughter, Ogawa Shimai! They are doing so good!

During the training I went on splits with an elder! Don't freak out!
We were in sight and hearing of another elder and sister at all times.
It was cool to see how elders contact and how different it is compared
to the way I was trained to contact. I am proud of myself though, I
stopped cars and people riding their bikes. I am trying to be more
bold with sharing the gospel! Plus, elder Johnson  was in my last zone
too, so we are already friends!
Iwakuni is great. I really really love the people here. I am kind of
scared since I love it now, I will get transferred away.

We get to go down to Fukuoka to go to the temple on Saturday! I am so
lucky that even though I am far away, I can still go to the temple. We
are going with the Sizemore's who are the cutest couple ever.

I am super excited for Mother's Day so I can skype home! I might even
prepare a special musical number 😄

I got to share my testimony this week to a young high school girl who
was in a hard place in her life. I know that God cares about us. He
knows our names and loves us. He has given us so much! My challenge
for all of you is to pray and ask God if He loves you! I promise you
will feel His love for you specifically. If you don't believe that He
loves you, pray for the faith to know. I have felt it so many times,
especially when I am struggling with homesickness. I love my family,
but I also know that God's family, my brothers and sisters, need to
feel that love as well. I know that  we are all important to our
Heavenly Father.

Much love!!

Sanders Shimai

Transfer 5 Week 1

WHAT THE...? I'm a 5th transfer now. I am definitely not a baby anymore!

Lots happened with transfers, so I'll start at the beginning:
Tuesday, I received my transfer call! Chapman Shimai was going to be coming up to Iwakuni!
Wednesday Night, the AP's called and informed me that I would be getting 2 companions... Sister Chapman and Sister Layton, who came with me to Japan!
Thursday- I said goodbye to my love, Campbell Shimai, and spent the day with Sister White. It was hard to say goodbye, but every missionary has to die someday. LOVE YOU CAMPBELL SOUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also am so thankful for SIster White- she always takes care of me and makes me feel so loved! Then my companions came, and we came back to the apartment and we spent a lot of time cleaning and moving in. I am area sempai now, so I feel a lot of responsibility for the area, ward members, and people. It's a little overwhelming, but we get alone really well and I am doing good!

We watched General Conference this weekend and I loved it!!!!!!!!!! I came into it with specific questions, and all of them were answered! I loved all of the talks. I felt like most of them focused on Marriage (#trunky) and Enduring to the End. I really gotta step up my game. I know that the Lord loves us so much, and He needs us to help Him. God doesn't need lukewarm followers, He needs committed warriors to fight for what is right! I am proud to be part of Helaman's Army!

I love the Lord with all my heart. I am so blessed to be serving in Japan. I love the Japanese people. I really am thankful to learn from them. I know that the Lord wants to bless us. I have felt this week as I am trying to overcome my weaknesses that I can change. THAT is the good news of the gospel- if you don't like where you are, you can go to a place that you want to be. AND you don't have to do it alone. I have so many weaknesses, and I am overwhlemed with all of my imperfections sometimes... but through the Atonement, I can work on one at a time, slowly but surely transforming into someone a little bit better. I love that the Gospel gives us hope to become better. I can be free of all guilt and shame. I can feel peace and hope about the future. All because of my Savior, Jesus Christ and My Heavenly Father. I know they live. I know that by following their commandments, we can be truly happy.

Love you all! Have a great day!

--
Sanders Shimai
lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net

Transfer Calls

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

Date: April 7, 2015 2:57:22 AM MST

Subject: Transfer Calls

Well friends, it has been a week. Campbell Shimai is leaving on Thursday, and my new companion will be Sister Chapman!!!!!!!!!! I met her once and she is super nice. Also, Russian. Good thing I learned some Russian...??? I am excited!! I am staying in Iwakuni though, so I am glad :)

We went on splits with the Ube Sisters and we had tons of fun. I spent one day with Sister Wilkinson and  Sister Peterson. Both are super cool. I love them both.

This week, some of the students from our English class took us out for sushi and it was delicious! I was also proposed to by a 70 year old man...? Don't worry, I said a kind, but firm NO. Silly Kimura san. He is hilarious.

We saw lots of Easter Miracles. FIrst off, everyone stop what you're doing and watch the Because He Lives video on LDS.org    

It is amazing! I have it memorized in English and Japanese... we've watched it a lot. 

The Saturday before Easter, we were streeting and approached this woman with flowers. I asked "Who are the flowers for?" She said "They are for my Savior! Did you know it's the celebration of His Resurrection tomorrow?" We said "YES! We love Jesus!" So we talked about Easter for a while and thanked her for being a good example and for being a Christian in a place where's it's hard.

I also had an epiphany about the Atonement. A lot of the time we focus on the redeeming power, but have you ever thought about the enabling power?? We can USE the enabling power to overcome our weaknesses and repent. I am thankful for Christ's sacrifice that makes it possible for me to repent. I know that when I try to be more like the Savior, I can help more people. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!!!!!! Getting to tell people that they don't have to be worried or feel guilty for anything is the best feeling in the world. You should try it!

Thanks for sending me lots of love! I feel it and I am glad I have this opportunity to give some of my time back to God. 

LOVES!

--

Sanders Shimai