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!