Made It

Hahahahahahahaha okay. So I have been making mistakes right and left haha. BUT, it:s all good. Theyre pretty funny. and this keyboard is not what im used to so my capitalization and everything is out the window!! dont worry about it hahaha

Alright. I:ll share this because it just barely happened. Soooo we are teaching this lady who has a baptismal date for saturday. shes wonderful. soo...yesterday we were all chatting, and she asked us all how long our families have been members of the church and stuff. So, I told her that on my moms side I have ancestors that go back to the pioneers, and on my dads side hes the only member right now. She only heard the part where I told her that I have ancestors who were pioneers. Anyways...so today we are teaching her, and in the middle of the lesson she is pointing at me and saying something, and so one of my companions translates for me (thank goodness) after she stopped laughing. This investigator was saying how I was a god, and that because my family was so strong I didnt need to do anything more because I was strong enough...so the member who was with us quickly explained that in the church, we value all members no matter how long theyve been members and stuff. So I thought she understood and everything right? at the end of the lesson she turns to me, bows,　and apologizes for taking up so much of my precious time. That wasnt sarcasm. She was serious hahaha....and I keep saying ie ie ie (no no no) but I don:t think she really understands. Anyways...yeah. The japanese are angels, I just don:t really know how to　communicate with them yet haha.

Another lady (she LOVES foreigners) was so excited when she heard there was a new foreigner. So shes an investigator and all, and so we go into her house, and she literally cannot focus on anything except me and one of my companions (shes from washington state, and minioi says she looks like a doll) so yeah. She doesnt listen to what we say and stuff, and we were trying so hard to teach her. So finally i:m like well i should share something and try to bring the spirit back in the room. So I show her a picture of me, mom, and dad, and try to tell her about Dads story a little bit, but there was no use. She went CRAZY over the picture. She was asking me how tall you were, how tall I was, and how beautiful mom is.　 So yeah haha. Then we try to reign her back in, and she just asks to take a picture of us. Soooo yeah haha. We were sitting outside teaching another investigator later that day, and a grandma came up to us and asked if her grandson could take a picture with me. I have never ever been in a situation like this haha it makes me feel awful because I feel like Im such a distraction...ive decided to only wear my hair down when we are trying to find people, and then when we are actually teaching people i will try to hide it hahaha. 

Alright. So now I will actaully tell you about logistics! There are like 6 different areas...or 8 or something、 and I was assigned to................FUKUOKA fukuoka. So. I am in the city! Super random,　and I thought for sure I wouldnt be staying in the city. But here I am!!! I have TWO companions (so an older sister and a mom) and they are awesome. My trainer is from the phillipines, and my `sister` is from Washington State! Sister Andaca, and Sister Roberts.　

Ummm...lets see. Oh! Before I forget! there is an Elder Monson here, and he is totally a monson thats related to the monsons in fallbrook! His Dad is the one who took out my wisdom teeth and everything!!!! Crazy huh? He`s going back in like a tansfer I think. But still! It`s so cool! He said when he was younger he was best friends with Kody Panechek (sorry I don:t know how to spell it).

Okay. So, truth be told, riding a bike in a skirt is no big deal. The trick though, is riding a bike with all the cars and people. Its craaaazy. You know how people are like `oh I learned how to drive in Boston...or NewYork` right? Alright well the equivalent of bike riding would be that I learned to ride a bike in FUKUOKUA FUKUOKA! its absolutely insane!!! But so much fun. I love love love bike riding. I:ve been using a spare one, but we are going out and buying my own today!

So, Im always always hungry here. Sister Roberts says that will go away eventually. But yeah. The food is delicious! There is some weird stuff...but most of it is absolutely delicious! We went to an investigators house for lunch yesterday,　and she made us :club sandwishes because she said they were american. It was so sweet!

So, i:ll send pictures if I have any. I dont really remember. this week has been THE longest week of my life by far haha. Its been awesome though! And I have actually gotten to teach people. We have like 8 progressing investigators right now, but only 3 of them are really progressing.　Is that bad to say? I don:t jknow. But get this...we teach a philapino family (dont even ask me about my spelling), a peruvian woman, a nepalese couple, and then like five japanese people. So there are a lot of languages going around.　My very favorite is Nora. She is peruvian, shes super smart, and shes awesome. Hpefully i:ll have more to tell you about her. She might be moving though so we shall see!]

Im sorry this email was a little lame. Missionary work is awesome. It really reeeeeally stretches you, and you have to learn how to be happy no matter what. But the spirit is real, and it guides. There are lots of people who are wanting to hear our message, we just have to go find them! 

Oh! another funny thing. We teach eikaiwa (english class) every week, and it is so much fun. Its really funny. Ill try to think of specifics another time.

Ummmm so i:m sorry I dont have an inspirational quote or anything,　 I came unprepared today! But I love you all! I love my family so much, and I pray for you all everyday! I know that Heavenly Father is watching over me, and He is helping me in everyway that I need. 

Be happy!

-Lane Shimai (some people call me ame shimai, which means rain haha cause thats what it sounds like anyways).

Smile and be safe!