ooooojamashimasu!

Hello beautiful outside world!!!! I am in this Fukuoka bubble, and I think it is so funny sometimes that there is a whole world out there. Fukuoka is pretty awesome. The people are pretty awesome too.

This week began with a lovely Italian man. He came a creepin during one of our lessons, and Roberts Shimai and I were like....who is this guy? Turns out he is one of our investigators friends hahaha. His name is Amedeo, and he is hilarious. He is a classic Italian. No offense intended. I just love him so much hahaha the first thirty minutes of us meeting him was him telling us about how talented he is with the accordian and the piano, and every time we tried to start the lesson he cut us off and told us that what he was saying was much more important hahaha. I love it. He is the best. And he continues to meet with us hahaha he is gonna get baptized. Then you will be able to see him! I will try so hard to get a picture of him. He has a little head, and a big body. He has the thickest Italian accent. Every time we are with him, I think of Aly. Love it.

So yeah, our investigators right now- one is Peruvian, one Nepalese couple, a Filipino, and then a japanese girl. So funny how that works out. I guess things are more diverse in the city! Which is cool! 

I want more pictures of Kaiden!!!! HE IS A CUTIE!!!! And I LOVE the red hair. It just makes me so happy hahaha man. I cant believe he will be like a whole year and a few months when I get back. I just want you to fly him out here! Send Kaiden, Owen (if that's still gonna be his name), and Brittany`s little girl out here. I swear I will babysit them all, love them up, and then send them back speaking Japanese! Think about it! I pray for them all every night! I hope Haylie, Eryn, and Brittany are all doing well!

I have been trying to figure out a place that would be super cool to take a picture with my Allen Orthodontics T-Shirt to send in to Dr. Allens office....but I havent quite found a place. I dont even know if they are doing that anymore! But still! I miss them all! I want to know how Gloria is doing, and her baby!!! Tell Brother Allen and Sister Hoynacki I say hello!! And Doreen, Nicole, Mandy, Gloria, Clare, Kristin...do we have the office`s address?

Anyone ever been to the San Juan Islands up in Washington? Sister Roberts showed me a picture....and I am DYING to go. That was random..but I thought I would say something cause if any of you ever have time to go on a random trip, just go up there, have fun, and send me lots of pictures!

So, I have made it a habit to keep a notebook by my futon every night, and it has been awesome! I recommend it! Its a notebook I keep all of my impressions in, and questions! Its like gold to me. 

We had zone meeting this week, which was really good because we have got some super cool elders and sisters. And basically the theme was why are we here? What is our motivation behind missionary work? And people shared really amazing stories. One elder got in a really bad car accident (he was walking, and a car ran into him) a year or so before the mission, and they had to do some crazy surgery on his leg. Since he has been here, its been getting worse, and some doctors said that they can fix it, and others say that he is going to have to get his leg amputated. So he was explaining how there is no way he is spending the last two years of his life walking just to get numbers, collect statistics, or waste his time away in Japan. He has come to really love the people. Love them enough to serve them in the best way possible! And you can tell, he really really loves the people. The only good missionaries are the ones that actually love the people. Anyways, everyone has really good stories, and stories about how miracles are happening with their family back home because they are on missions. One elder has an aunt an uncle who never went to church, and they have a couple kids. One of the kids just wrote him and asked him to baptize her when he gets home. I can`t really explain all the miracles that I hear about everyday, but I see so so many. I write some of them down, so hopefully one day I will be able to share them even more!

One thing that I have been freaking out about in my mind that just loves to over-think things, is....How in the WORLD am I supposed to be a good missionary? I hear a million different things everyday, a million people give you advice for different things, and then other people share all their strategies, etc....I felt a little like I was drowning! And that I was completely inadequate to be honest. But, the other day, I just realized. It isn't complicated. It does not have to be complicated. ALL that I need to know, is that my purpose is helping others come closer to Christ. And how am I supposed to do that? Be like Christ. Christ is the perfect missionary. So, my crazy little mind has finally been calmed! And I know that all I need to do is to have love be my motivation, and Christ be my way. I think this applies to real life perfectly too! Haha not just missionary life. If you feel like things are driving you crazy, and you really just dont know what to focus on, or how to manage your time, or what to do....just calm down, take a deep breath, and be still. Then you can slowly weed out all the unnecessary stresses, and just calm down. All we have to do, is try to be like Christ. Let love be your motivation for everything, and everything really will fall into place. Bad things will always happen- but its just like that quote from that one lady. `Bad and good always exist in our lives. but it is our choice to decide which garden to tend`. I know that that is so true! Dont get caught up in the details of things! Try to remember the big picture! Heavenly Father is watching over you, He loves you, and He is holding your hand through everything. We are all his children, no matter how grown-up we feel.

Something that Heavenly Father has wanted me to do this week is learn how to meditate. Hahaha he has made that abundantly clear through the scriptures, and letters from other people. So that is what I have been trying to do. And let me tell you, it is the best thing ever. Just try it! meditate everyday, even if it is for 5 minutes. For those 5 minutes, just calm down. Don`t worry about a thing. Close your eyes, and just relax! maybe even smile. Just calm down. I challenge you all to do it!!! Really truly try to make a habit of it. Maybe it isnt for everyone, I dont know. but I am pretty sure it is haha. Give it a try. You got nothing to loose!

Oh! We had a miracle yesterday! There is this lady who has been less active in the church for a while, and she never listens to the missionaries. BUT, she gave us makeup a while back, and so we texted her and asked her if we could buy her dinner to thank her for the makeup (tricky right, who says no to free dinner? not this girl) but yeah so she agreed, and then she said she would be out of town so she wouldn't be able to make it to church or anything. but GUESS WHO CAME TO CHURCH!!! SHE DID. I am way excited!

A really good talk I read this week was Band of Brothers---by Wirthlin I believe? It isn't a conference talk, but you can probably find it online! look it up if you have time. The other amazing talk I have is Character of Christ- and I heard that this one is impossible to find on the internet. SO, I want you all to read it, but only if you want to. So if you cant find it and you want me to send you a copy, just send me a quick email or something! heather.lane@myldsmail.net. I will mail it to you! It is soooooo so good.

Something really quickly that I learned from Sister Roberts this week-- When we are trying our hardest to improve ourselves, Heavenly Father pours out His blessings. The ones we need, even before we know we need it. It is amazing!

By the way...It has been raining a lot and well. Long story short. I got crocs. Yup. I did! I just did it ! last Saturday right after emails we went happily on over to the crocs outlet. I will email a picture of them. Roberts Shimai is a firm believer. but now, every time it rains, I wear these crocs and I feel like I am walking on a cloud! (me heels feel like they are walking through a field of needles barefoot, but Roberts Shimai says that will get better). Anyways, we also have these creepy pictures of trolls that now have the name of Roberts Shimai and Lane Shimai, and we like to hide them around the apartment every once in a while to get a good laugh. Andaca Shimai and Bush Shimai are such good sports hahaha. Ps- Bush Shimai and I are always coordinating with our outfits. Its super weird. not necessarily matching, but just so coordinated. WEIRD! I will send a picture of that too. And one with our investigator Elsi (Filipino in orange) at a members house last night. fun fun fun!

oh! And we are moving this week! (cross your fingers that it will actually happen). We are supposed to move on Saturday! And we have junkai Thursday, Friday, Saturday, which means this week is gonna be crazy! but good I am sure!!! 

Here is a quote Kimber sent me that I absolutely love and I will just share here in closing. You of the male gender can switch a couple of the words if you wish. The truth will still ring!

"Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth"  -President Gordon B. Hinckley

Aint that the truth!

I love you all so much! have a fantastic week! and HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY MCKENNA!!!!!! I expect that you will do something super fun for it. Cause its important. And it is a good excuse to go on a random adventure and eat some good food. Yum.

By the way, I am working on the rice cheeks. Trying my hardest to embrace the culture you know.

ps grocery shopping is still my favorite, even in Japan. They got these awesome foods. And GUESS WHAT I AM GOING TO HAVE LATER TODAY IF ALL GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN?!?! A root beer float. Yup that's right. And my tummy couldn't be more excited.

Alright, sorry, my emails are always super long, there is probably about three or four people who actually read through the whole thing haha so if you are one of them, congratulations! You have endured and made it through! I am sending you an imaginary high five at this very moment!

Well, as always, I hope you are allllll so happy! Learning lots, progressing, growing, and being awesome! have fun everyday! Choose every morning to make it a good day! If you pray to be happy in the mornings, and try real hard, I promise it will come! I am such a morning person now! Even though I am dead tired hahaha. I actually go out running in the mornings! Imagine that!

Well. Goodnight to all!! I get to go grocery shopping in 4 and a half hours!

Smile lots! BE SAFE! Remember to enjoy all the little things in life!

LooooOoooove,

Lane Shimai :)

pps. I learned how to ride a bike `like a lady`. I will teach you all when I get home. I feel so cool