Transfers

PARTY!!!!!!!!!! Just found out that there will be 4 people in our tiny appartment which means the party doesnt have to end!!!!!! :)))))))))))) WOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH THIS IS GONNA BE THE BEST THING EVERERRRRRRRR I FFEEEL LIKE RAPUNZEL WHEN SHE IS HAPPY!!!!!!

August 27, 2013

goodness. Babies babies babies. We teach baby Eikaiwa (english class) and can I just tell you, it is the cutest thing ever. I got my heart broken this week though. By a boy. His name is Senjiro, he is 3 years old, and he came and sat on my lap....only we arent allowed to have kids on our lap or to hold them or anything so I had to put him right next to me! It was SO sad!!!! I shall send you a billion pictures of baby eikaiwa. But yeah, anyways. There is also this little baby boy, 8 months old, and his name is HARIHITO!!! He is the CHUBBS, and he is so cute. I kid you not, when we are riding around on our bikes, I have this song stuck in my head from baby eikaiwa. It goes a little something like this, and If I was with you I would actually sing it cause it just makes me THAT happy. It goes "hello, hello, hellloooo whats your name? hello hello helloooo! My name is (HARIHITO) my name is (HARIHITO) hello harihito hello harihito hello!" anyways. Basically we all sing that to each other. ALL THE TIME. It makes me smile everytime I say his name. UGH! okay I will just put a picture of us right here. He is the cutest. 

ugh. My heart is melting just looking at these pictures. Goodness knows I am printing them out and putting them on my wall. 

Alright. Oh! This is what I was going to do today! Explain missions!

So---here is the rundown. In the mission we have transfers that last 6 weeks. During that transfer you stay in one area with one companion (unless youre in a tricompanionship). Then during the 6th week of a transfer, we find out if we are getting a new companion and moving to a new area, or staying where we are with the same companion. SO!!!!!! This week was transfer week! And (drumroll....) I am staying in Fukuoka!!! Here is the funny part. So my first transfer here I was with Roberts Shimai (from washington state) and Andaca Shimai (from the Philippines). Roberts Shimai is just one transfer older than me, and neither of us took Japanese before the mission or anything. Now let me tell you about Fukuoka. It is a big big city, and our ward has a lot of old APs, returned missionaries, and a former mission president. And our mission president is in our ward. So. The ward is kind of intense! Which is a good thing! but really challenging sometimes. So anyways here is the funny part! This transfer I will be staying with Sister Roberts in Fukuoka! Two white girls without a clue in the big city!!!! Soooooo hahahaha needless to say I am sure there will be a lot of funny stories coming your way. This is going to be an exciting transfer! 

So how is my Japanese coming along? Dad you asked and I never responded haha sorry! My Japanese...its coming! Sllllooooowly but surely. We only have 1 hour of language study a day, and sometimes because of appointments we have to skip language study to make it to everything. So yeah. And contrary to what I thought before I got our here---fukuoka is super fruitful! Right now we have 6 promising investigators, and like 6 people who are progressing reeeeally slowly.So yeah! Its crazy!

Oh, so Sister Gustafson recommended the book Meek and Lowly by Elder Maxwell. So you should all read it and then tell me about it! She absolutely loves it, so I am sure its a really good book!

OH!!! EVERYONE!! I have been getting so brave with food and I just gotta brag. So. on saturday we had 3 meal appointments hobbit style....1 lunch and 2 dinners. Soooo yeah. During that I ate shrimp without flinching, and these fish patties...that taste like FISHY FISH. Anyways. Then for our first dinner, the lady comes out with these beautiful plates, with these HUGE FRIED SHRIMP WITH THEIR EYEBALLS STILL INTACT just sitting there. Guess who ate it without hesitation?!? I DID!!! That might not be a big deal, but for me it was huuuge! Anyways, people are so excited to feed the missionaries. They love it here. but yeah, we usually have a few dinner appointments a week so its not quite like some places in the states but its still a good enough amount for me- because when they give you food...boy you better eat ever single piece of it. I kid you not. Every grain of rice is now eaten off my plate. Some lady told me if I didnt, it was rude. So there you go! But I do have a funny story I forgot to tell. We were at Elsi`s house, and she gives us `fruit salad`...hhmhmmmm yeah right that was fruit salad. It had `baby` cheese, sweetened condensed milk, curded something, and then random crunchy things and ugh. I dont even know what else (Andaca shimai says she cant read the japanese recipes, so she just makes up her own things all the time haha which is awesome!) but yeah. So I ate all of it, and I had this one piece of cheese left. I thought I could get away with it. But no. She looks at me and goes "what, you dont like cheese or something?" in her thick Filipino accent and Im like "what? No! Oh sorry, I love cheese"...so as she steps in the kitchen I throw it down my throat and try to swallow it without tasting it. That backfired...I gagged a but and then tried really fast one more time before she came back in. That backfired even more, and I kinda sorta threw up in my mouth. but you know. Gotta be polite. And the polite thing to do with throwup is just to swallow it. YUM! good thing I carry mints everywhere I go...

This week my favorite thing I read was "Come What May, and Love It" by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. Look it up on lds,org. Even if your dont know who he is, or whatever the excuse might be. It will brighten any day you have! I PROMISE you!! but yeah. I love love love it. I love how the whole tone of the talk is just to be happy, put everything in perspective, and learn from trials. No one is asking you to fake happiness through hard times. Just try your best to keep from going insane by putting everything into an eternal perspective!

We have this one investigator right now, and she goes through a lot day to day. But whenever we see her, she is so happy. She says that she isnt ever happy at home because she is always scared, but when she is with us she is so happy! And she doesnt know why! but her example is amazing. She has so much hope! And she knows that even though things are hard, there are better things in store. She doesnt let the bad things define her life. And I wish all of you could meet her because I love her so much. She is a sweetheart. Her example is sweet and simple, but it is so powerful! I love her so much! We told her this week all about how she is a daughter of our Heavenly Father, and that he loves her! And He is always watching over her. She was smiling ear to ear. And when we told her that she was a princess, she was just so happy. She is the sweetest. 

oh! I almost forgot, this week it rained. Like Actually rained!! And I couldnt have been happier. We have these awesome things. They are called Coppas, and we wear them when we bike. I could describe them, but I am just gonna send a picture. So much better that way. I love my coppa. We get so much attention from them. And all I can do while I am wearing them is smile and laugh. So it makes for a great day when the coppas come out hahaha here you go. 

more pictures coming your way! I got lots from this week. Anyways, hope you all have a peaceful week! Filled with things that make you go out of your comfort zone! Smile lots and keep a spirit of happiness about you! Tell me about your lives! I am only a half a world away!!!

Love sincerely,

LANE SHIMAI!!!!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Boy oh boy I am excited to start this letter!!!

Where to begin? Well. I have sweat this week more than I have ever sweat in my life. August is the hottest month of the year :) So you know those commercials and billboards of the man with tons of sweat all over his face? For gatorade? I was always like...haha yeah. no one sweats that much. And now I know!!! ITS SO POSSIBLE!!!! And that is ME EVERYDAY here hahaha I really do love it though. Today we went to the beach for zone p-day, and I dont even know how sunburned I am yet haha. But boy my freckles have been coming out! Tons of angels musta been kissing my cheeks! I am trying my hardest to get a watch tan, and it is actually coming along. I will send a picture as soon as its impressive. For now it is just one of those things that can only be seen by me. 

Alright. THANK YOU for everyone who has ever sent me a message, email, or letter!!!!! They mean SO MUCH to me, and I keep them forever and ever :)

Umumum. My mind just went blank. I feel so fried haha. Let`s see...Oh! I met my new best friend. Well, my two new best friends. So, there we were last p-day, in the elevator on the way up to the hyaku yen shop- this little old ladies waddles up to us and looks into my eyes, and I am just smiling at her. So then she gets closer and I slouch down a bit. She starts talking super fast- I couldnt understand a word- and before I know it she slaps my face (not the weakest little old lady) and continues to talk and smile like its nothing hahaha and then she turns to Roberts Shimai and does the same thing only slaps her like three times hahahaha and then continues to ramble on and on. Andaca Shimai translated-- when the old lady slapped me, she was like "You are so young --slap--" and then for Roberts Shimai she goes "you are so white! --slap---....---Slap---...........SLAP" hahaha it was the best. Craziest old lady ever :) We should all have a goal to be like her one day....only in my dreams!

The other best friend...

No need to tighten your seatbelts because this ride will be smoother than you could ever think possible! It is INSANE and I am still trying to work it out in my brain.

So, there was a self-referral, which means this girl came to the church and said she wanted to meet with the missionaries. Sooo. We met with her! And she is the SWEETEST thing ever. She is 15, and she ran away from home because her parents didn't like the fact she was searching for religion. (She lives with her grandparents though, near her parents so its all good) but yeah. So yeah. We immediately became friends with her, and she immediately loved us. It was SO weird! And so we taught her the first lesson, about Joseph Smith, and everything made sense to her. She was so touched. She prays in our lessons, and her prayers are so sincere. She does all of the assignments we ask her to do, she messages us and tells us how good she is feeling. She absorbs everything! And so yeah, we continue to teach her everything, and my favorite lesson was when we taught her about Jesus Christ, and what He did for us. She was absorbing it all, and she started crying. She is a little saint! We taught her that Heavenly Father loves her, and that because of everything the Savior did for us, we can go back to live with our Heavenly Father. So everything was going perfectly right? And so we figured we should set a baptismal date. I was really nervous about it though, because I really want to make sure she processes everything, and that her family situation is okay, and most importantly that she understands everything. So yeah, we prayed about it, and we felt like September 7th would be perfect (3 weeks away). But when we were on our way to teach her again and give her a baptismal invite, I suddenly got really nervous that she didn't have any friends in the ward and everything. And then---we literally walked in the church with her and this girl comes running up to her and gives her the biggest hug! Apparently this girl (who is from a different ward in Fukuoka) is her really good friend, and said she had been wanting to share the gospel with Koko for a long time. Anyways, long story short, Koko is super excited to get baptized, she is a perfect angel, and every little detail is working out. She was SO prepared even before we ever met her. We have only known her for a WEEK!!! I cant even believe it. But yeah. Please pray for her! I shouldnt doubt, its just too good to be true, and I want to make sure that everything stays perfect!

mmm lets see

oh! So they don't have root beer here. Or ovens. So. A kind Elder who is coming home gave us ROOT BEER CONCENTRATE!!! So, I made it myself! The only problem is, is that we needed club soda, and they speak Japanese in this country or something. So we accidentally got some sort of sprite instead of un-flavored club soda, and as a result our root beer floats were extra special. so that was a good experience! And I have great hopes for the next time we make root beer floats haha oh! and with the oven---we now make cookies in the microwave. Not the same at all as an oven, but boy they taste pretty good when you haven't have a real cookie in a long time! I love food! I am alllll about the food. Roberts and Andaca always make fun of my, because when we are going over our day in the morning, I always ask what we are going to have for lunch and dinner. I LOVE meals! they are always delicious!

So- there is this John Bytheway book called Sermons in a Sentence or something like that, and I was looking through it, and I realized, that everyone should have their own little book like that!! Just pick your favorite scripture or quote, and on one side write it all out, and then across from it write out your interpretation/ why its important/ anything else. Its awesome! And for the seminary kids it would really come in handy for the Spiritual thought at the beginning! Anyways. I got a really cute sparkly journal and I was dying to use it, and that's how the idea came about haha. 

So, I have been thinking a lot about how the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ started long before Joseph Smith. It started with the reformers, with religious examples, with good people, with the coming forth of a new nation, etc. And I realize that the same is true with us. We are prepared for every moment in our lives, no matter if the event was unexpected or not. Heavenly Father promises that we will `not be tempted about that which we are able`, and that also means we will never be given any trial that we wont be able to overcome. AND that we will (should) appreciate the good things that happen in life. So, when we don't recognize the good, take time to recognize the good, it is really sad, because Heavenly Father gave those blessings specifically to us so that it would make us happy! Like if your biking down the street or something, take time to recognize the beauty around! Here in the city its really easy to get caught up in the tall, old, gray buildings, but I have been realizing more and more the beautiful trees, and the little random flowers that grow. It is like that in every aspect of life! Just look for the beauty! Love the beauty! And when bad things come about- see what you can learn from it- while you keep an eye on the beauty. It will make the hard times more meaningful, and the good times more beautiful! Its like the quote I probably shared last week- "hope (or positivity) lends promise to the future and purpose to the past"- Elder Faust. Anyways, bringing the idea back-- we have been prepared for every part of our lives. Which if you think about, is a really cool idea. People have gone through things to make our lives what it is today. The world has been preparing for you ever since it was created! So go out and live your life! Be happy! Make the most of every moment!

Sorry- sometimes I read back on what I wrote and I have to stop myself. I dont know if anything I ever say makes any sense hahaha. 

oh! Alma 56:47- love it! We have to think of others before ourselves. That is what Christ did! And He lived the happiest life there ever was. When we get caught up in what we think we need, things start to get complicated, and I usually start feeling sorry for myself haha but, as you serve others, Heavenly Father will take care of us! Best care-taker there ever could be!

"Doubt not, fear not"- D&C 6:36, John 14:27 awesome little phrase to keep in your mind throughout the day!

Alrighty. Never told any of you about how one of my companions locked our bikes all together, and then lost her key hahaha. But yeah, that happened! So she called this Elder (McKenna Miller`s cousin actually!) and he came with his companion to help us out. Basically, they were parked right next to a train station and so its a high traffic area right? He tried sawing off her lock, but it was too thick. So they had to take off all of our front wheels (knocking down all the bikes next to ours in the process) and then throw them over the fence to the other elder who was going to take them into the back of the truck and use more intense tools. So yeah. Looked pretty darn fishy hahaha it was a funny experience! Good day...good day. 

Well, I am sorry if this email was a bore! All you young men out there, read the article `Being Worthy of the Girl You Will One Day Marry`---I think that's what its called....its by President Hinckley. It is a good one. Read it!!!

And- the conference talk that has helped me out and taught me lots this week is an oldie but a goodie! Look up "Current Bush" on LDS.org and read it. Its so good. Short and sweet, and teaches you so much! Even if you have already read it, read it again!! And then try to find the mormon message about it. Its really really good.

Anyways, basically to sum it all up, life is good! I love my companions, I love life, I love the Gospel, and I love the food! Smile lots this week! It will make other people really happy! Next week is transfer week, which means I wont email until Monday night (your time). So I shall hear from you in 8 days! I love you all! I hope and pray you are all safe, happy, and having the best day everyday!!!

Heavenly Father loves you like non other!

Loooove,

Lane Shimai

oh, ps my mission president and his wife are pretty much the cutest things ever haha love them to death! I wonder if the Conley`s or the Woods know them or any of their kids? Gustafson is there last name- and they have four boys all married. That would be cool if they knew one of them!

Alright.

Here it goes! Deep breath in while I try to remember my week....

Well. My companions talk in there sleep! That was a big part of the week hahaha. One of them (Sister Roberts) its every night. Occasionally Sister Andaca will sleep talk back. And there I am. In silence hahaha. So this week Sister Roberts sheduled an appointment with a new investigator all in her sleep! Quite marvelous. Sometimes all she says in her sleep is `oh. mmhm! Hai hai. Dijobu-(its all good) (sp?)` which means shes probably listening to an investigator hahaha some nights are really funny. Oh! She can also make the sound of a ROUS (like from The Princess and the Bride), and man nothing lifts my day better than that awful sound hahaha but really, it makes me laugh every single time, and you cant not be happy when youre laughing!!

I had a lot of moments this week where I just stood there and smiled and said Konnichiwa over and over again. I feel bad. The members are nice though! They just laugh. Sometimes on the street when I am in the middle of teaching a lesson and I forget how to say something---people arent as sweet hahaha. I swear. The old ladies here- they just plain dont like me! Which makes the days so much more interesting cause I am never expecting it hahaha. And its so much better when old ladies are mean than young people. I dont know why, but when old ladies are mean its just really funny hahaha

mmmm its hot here! And I love it! Whenever I am sweating like crazy (which is in fact all the time) I feel so good cause I know I am working as hard as my mental and physical capabilities allow! I step outside and its like a layer of sweat is already on me. Aquarius` have become my best friend. They are kinda like gatorade- but delicious. And they are everywhere. The have vending machines here on every corner! Its awesome!!! 

Alrighty I wanted to do this a while ago but I forgot, and then just remembered again. Here are the lyrics to the song they sing in the MTC! Its the same toon as `As Sisters In Zion`, but the lyrics are changed! here they are. Enjoy!

The Sisters in Zion are called to God`s labor,

we willingly serve Him in spirit and might

We go to the natinos with truth everlasting

We teach of the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ

We Thank thee o God for a prophet to guide us

We trust in his words and our purpose is clear

The angels of heaven are walking beside us

we`ll share our glad message with all who will hear

We go forth enlisted with Helaman`s army

in numbers much greater than ever before

with power and spirit we`ll faithfully witness

the heavens have spoken and truth is restored

Anyways, its really cool to sing it with a huge room of Sister Missionaries　:)

Oh--Sheenhan sensei---if you read this-- Futon stretches are REAL. Thanks for the warning!!

Alright- So i have been thinking a lot this week about HOPE! And how vital it is. Without hope, life is just awful. But with hope its the best thing ever! And the greatest gift :) I just want to be able to wake up every morning excited beyond excited to start the wonderful day! So. Hope. Hope is the key! I want everyone to commit to reading The Infinite Power of Hope by President Uchtdorf this week!!! And I mean everyone! I dont care if you have no clue who `President Uchtdorf` is. In short, he is one of the most awesome guys ever. Go to lds.org---type the title into the little search bar and you will find it! Its not long, might take 5-10 minutes to read it. So everyone should do it. Even if you have already read it, read it again!

Here are a couple things I took from it. First off---hope. Hope comes when you understand the promises that Heavenly Father has made to us, and its not knowledge but the "abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to us". Hope is manifested in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. Soooo how can we get hope? We build it one step at a time. By praying daily, reading the scriptures daily, obeying the commandments, and for me--it has come a lot when we show heavenly Father that we trust Him! When you feel prompted to do something- just do it. When a random thought comes into your mind--if its a good thing---just do it! Dont worry about where the prompting or the thought came from. If it is good, then do it! "Never suppress a generous thought!"

I also love this promise-- "Hope-lends promise to the future and purpose to the past"---Just think about that. Study the talk! It will make you happy. And then read all of Uchtdorf`s talks cause he`s a sweetheart haha

Another quote I love-- "In the depth of winter, we find within us an invincible summer"-Albert Camus

"The love of the Son of God pierces all darkness, softens all sorrow, and gladdens every heart"

This talk, and just reading scriptures about hope and studying it--has helped me so much! I can honestly say that I am super happy when I wake up in the mornings now, and every time I feel that hope slip away- I say a little prayer and I find strength to keep it by my side. Heavenly Father loves you, and He wants you to be happy no matter what! All the time, and in every situation. Sometimes all you have to do to receive that strength is simply to ask in prayer! You dont even have to stop everything you are doing and go somewhere to kneel down and pray---keep a prayer in your heart. Pray silently to Heavenly Father. When you are walking, sitting in class, patiently waiting for Emma to come out of her friends house---the days will be brighter, the dark moments will be lighter, and the light moments will be so much more meaningful!

What else is going on...I feel kinda bad these emails are always so long- I just type super fast and I am always saying random things. But whatever!

uhhh what else....oh- yeah. So raw eggs are big here right? So this week I actually ate one. It is absolutely disgusting hahaha. We were at an investigators house, she brings out a bowl of eggs, and I decide its high time for me to just go for it. So I did! You just crack it in your bowl, and then add random things to it. Slimiest thing you can imagine. Mushrooms and noodles. Mushrooms are big here. The whole time I was just telling myself that it was the same as eating brownie batter, or cookie dough. It kinda helped. 

Speaking of food, Roberts Shimai was kind enough to make a chocolate milkshake for us this week- here it is!!

It was pretty good haha

OH! The little japanese babies here are SO CUTE! I cant barely stand it. We taught baby eikaiwa this week, and man. This one little girl--she is like 2 or 3, and she has the bangs just straight across her forehead, and she has got such a personality. I love her. And then, this adorable little baby boy....Harihito---He has got chubs like none other. He was sitting on his moms lap- just smiling at us with his tongue sticking out, and we had this perfect side profile of all his rolls. His arm  is essentially 2 big rolls, and then his stomach has rolls like you wouldnt believe. He is 7 months old, and I want him to be in my life forever. Wont happen though. But when Roberts Shimai and I are having a hard time, we think of him and just smile. He is really that cute. Andaca Shimai just laughs hahaha. Oh! Who knew? They dont have rootbeer here, or popcorn!

Anyways. oh! I am learning how to cook lots of delicious stuff! Im not gonna brag, but man. We eat delicious food every single day. Oh, and we dont have an oven, so when we want brownies we fry them in a pan. Its really pretty effective. Also- banana pancakes are my new favorite thing. Anyways. 

Oh! i shall tell you about a funny lady in our life. She lives right across from the church, and she loves the missionaries, but she wont listen to them. So everytime she sees the elders- she waves like crazy, and then she says (in english, but with a thick japanese accent) I live right here! I live right here!!!! And then we saw her in the street the other day and tried talking to her, and she just smiled the whole time but wouldnt listen. I constantly hear her voice in my head- "I live right here! I live right here!!" I dont know why I think its so funny, but it really is haha

Oh! Music- So we listen to my cds in the apartment, and I love them All. Recently we have been listening to the Lion King cd a lot (broadway version) and man. Those songs---are sooooooooo good. Its become a dream of mine to see that on broadway now. I have the songs stuck in my head all the time. Mostly just "Im gonna be a mighty king! So enemies beware...." I sing it to myself when I get glares hahaha

Alright- Sorry this was so long and it didnt have much meat. I guess all I need to say is I am safe, happy, and progressing!

I love you all! And I hope the best for you :) choose to be happy everyday!!! Smile lots at strangers! Give winks to the ones that glare- it`ll make their day interesting and Im not allowed to do it.. so do it for me! And then if youre feeling down, sing lion king at the top of your lungs and say a silent prayer. Ta ta for now!

Looooove,

Lane Shimai

ps- I didnt talk about this at all- but the youth of the church are amazing. I really really love all the youth, they are all so strong! Here and back in Carlsbad. You are all the best. And the youth programs of the church---are amazing. Anyways. Love you all!

Life

Life just happens sometimes....

How to explain my week? I dont know if I can. But i shall tell you a few things about it!

First of all, I have SUCH a strong testimony that Heavenly Fathers knows us individually...SOOO well. When people get called to certain places on their mission, I think i have come to realize that it will be 1-the place they are needed the most, and 2- the place they will be challenged the most!!! Challenges are awesome. Even if they kinda suck the whole time you are in them, all you have to do sometimes is endure and let yourself learn!!!

I dont know why im so weird sometimes, but I was going to bed the other night and had the BEST idea ever!!!!!!! Christmas of memories. I understand that Christmas is a little ways off, but...its my favorite. And how can you not think about christmas when your job is to testify of Christ all day? Anyways. I am so doing this when I get home. But the idea is that for christmas presents, instead of buying anything, you wrap up different memories in beautiful boxes. there are a few different kinds of memories. 1-memories you have had with the person you `give` the memory to, 2-memories you hope to have with that person, 3- memories you have had in your life that have changed you are helped you a ton, and 4- memories of others that have changed you. Anyways. Its just an idea. I dont know if anyone is excited about that idea, but I sure am!!!

We went in the grocery store last week, right?...turn the corner. Find a little kids finger pointed in my direction...`Look mom!!! A white girl!!!`. And thats what she did. She just looked hahahaha I love it here. Funny things happen.

My companion Sister Roberts likes to test me sometimes hahaha. Not in like bad ways, just in good ways. She knows that food is my weakness. So we were eating Ramen, (i am all relieved because its just normal and not scary or anything) but yeah so she looks at me, opens the fridge, and cracks a raw egg into her ramen....ewwww ewww ewww hahaha she is nuch more brave with the food than I am, but I am improving!! I ate sushi at a members home the other night!　Didnt even flinch. That same member had chips and salsa on her table, and I have never been more excited to see chips and salsa. I dont even like salsa. but that night, I LOVED it.

We have this investigator, and shes amazing. Shes like a saint. Her life goal had been to go to indonesia and follow mother thereseas followers. But, she also wants to be bapstized. We shall see. She is one of the few who actually understand my Japanese hahaha. Speaking of my Japanese, Emiko (the old lady who just got baptized) started making fun of me and my companions this week. She started immitating our japanese. The sad thing is, is that I couldnt tell the difference between normal japanese and when she was immitating us hahahaha. But to pay her back, we taught her how to say `peace out homie`. She doesnt really know what it means, but she says it to the elders whenever she sees them and it makes their day. So thats all that matters, right?

Speaking of Emiko, she is an awful driver. I am just going to say it. never have I ever seen a more awful driver than she. never have I ever been more scared for my life hahaha. We have diven in her car like 4 times now. You would think i would be used to it... but yeah, so we get in her car on friday, and she goes `I did not sleep last night, bery tired`. I dont know what I thought it was a good idea to get into that car.　But we did!!! Hahaha. To cope with the stress I decided to close my eyes, and what do you know, I fell asleep. So when I wake up we are rushing out of the car for some reason, and into this room with a million old ladies in uniform kimonos. So they stripped us down and dressed us. I was already in a daze, it was like one of the weirdest dreams I had ever had. Only it wasnt a dream haha. Ill show you a picture.

We went to this festival in our kimonos, and we got a song dedication to us. it was pretty awesome, i am not going to lie. But the highlight of the evening was when this band of middle aged japanese men sang Country Road (West Virginia)...It was one of the best things i have ever heard haha.

oh. and sister andaca was swing dancing with a drunk man. hahahaha he just grabbed her hand and started dancing, and she didnt know what to do hahaha its so funny. We tease her about it all the time now haha.

So sometimes, I kinda wish I was a painter! I read these scriptures in the Book of Mormon and this pictures come into my mind, but all I can do is scribble them on my notebook paper. I`m not saying theyre bad though. Probably would have won me some kind of honorable mentioned in a kindergarten art show. but yeah. The one I read this week was Alma 37:45---its beautiful. Kimmi!! You should paint it. I wonder if we would come up with the same picture. but the scripture is like a poem! So much of the Book of Mormon is like a poem. It says "...the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise". Thats a promise. The Book of Mormon, the Bible, the words of the Prophets and apostles....its all scripture. It is all the `words of Christ`. READ THEM! Study them! In Sister Bokovoy`s last letter, she told her family to read the Book of Mormon everyday!!! I second that!!!! I cant tell you how vital that is. Make it one of your goals, because without it...life is just so much harder. If you have a hard time understanding it, or enjoying it, make sure you pray beforehand. And when you can, make sure you are reading with a question in mind!!! 

Oh, and read Alma 34:38-- "Live in thanksgiving daily" I think that means you should always be grateful and show the gratitude you feel...and that you should eat delicious food daily. So do it!!!!

I have been thinking a lot about the Atonement. Finding lots of good scriptures about the Atonement. Alma 33:23 is my favorite one at the moment. Study it! The Atonement was Jesus Christ overcoming our sins, and overcoming physical death so that we could be with Heavenly Father again. It is as simple as that. The depth of the Atonement comes when you realize exactly how far-reaching the atonement is. It is INFINITE. In every way. Sometimes people make it a lot more complicated than it needs to be, and sometimes people have a hard time accepting it because they think they dont deserve it. Accepting the Atonement simply means that you repent. You stop doing the things you are not supposed to do, you say your sorry, and you replace it with good things! You keep moving forward. EVERYONE deserves the healing power of the Atonement. It can take away your guilt, but you have to let it. You have to trust in Christ enough to know that it can work for you. Know that you can drop your burdens at His feet, and that he will lift you up and help you continue to be the best you can be. The Atonement is the most loving, most hopeful, most vital message anyone could ever come to realize. Its power is real. If you dont understand, or if you dont fully feel it for yourself...study it! Study up on the Atonement. Look up talks. Read the testimonies of the Prophets and Apostles throughout time. 

All I want to say again to everyone----is that Heavenly Father loves you! He loves you so much! More than you could possibly realize. Christ loves you. He KNOWS you. He knows the thoughts and intents of your heart. Dont let Him down. And dont doubt His strength. He can be there no matter what, if you just let him. Remember the poem `footprints`. Remember that if you need to feel the spirit as you pray to heavenly Father, just visualize  the most peaceful place you can think of. In the middle of a snowy, quiet forest at dusk! Anything. I know it sounds kinda funny, but it really works, and it really helps out. 

Heavenly Father loves you so much, and I do too!!!

:) have the bestest week ever!!!!

Sincerely,

Lane Shimai!! :)