IGETTOTALKTOYOUINAWEEK!

IGETTOTALKTOYOUINAWEEK!

Here are the detailssss---

Guess who gets to skype their family?!? THIS SENKYOSHI! I am so excited. We are going to the office couples house and using their two computers--- which means me and flake shimai will be skyping at the same time in the same room, so it might be a little loud but it is still a lot better than talking on the phone and passing it around! I cant wait to see everyone! But before I forget- here it goes! So we have 45 minutes only- and we are getting on around 1015am hopefully so that we can start actually skyping at 1030am. (My time---so thats like 7 or something your time on christmas eve I believe!) Their skype names are Terry.koberstein and luetta.koberstein. please add them sometime this week so we dont take forever finding each other on skype! Im so scared some kind of disaster will happen. but no worries! It wont! :) 

This week has been a bit of a rough one, but a blessed one! We talked to Christina and Karan, and we arent meeting with them anymore. I have so much confidence in them though, and in Heavenly Fathers timing, and I know that someday they will be able to actually live the dream they have of being married in the temple. I love them so much. its really hard not talking to them all the time. We are still praying for them all the time, and I think about them a lot. But yeah. Its hard, and I hope they come back sooner rather than later. They are precious. When we talked to them, Christina bore her testimony to us about how much this gospel helps people, and how even though she isnt baptized yet, she uses the advice and the help we give her for other people, and when she does that she can feel the spirit. I wish you could all meet her. And karan. Karan is a little punk, but I love him to death too haha. 

This week is going to be wonderful! It is EMMAS 14TH BIRTHDAY SOON!!!! I am so happy for you! Way excited! Turning 14 right before the New years Dance- thats AWESOME! I love you so much! Stay classy, do something fun. You are the best!

My next p-day is christmas by the way- so instead of email itll be skype. Just making sure thats clear! Anyways...

I need to explain Takahashi Michiko San. I have thought about this a great deal. I have tried to figure out how to adequately describe her. And I have come up with a pretty good explanation. She is like Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffanys, with a good dose of humor added in. She has got sass like non other, but class as well. She says what is on her mind, and she is the funniest, tiniest, most active 60 year old I think ive ever met haha. I love her to death. She is a little social butterfly. I love it. Anyways, I have mentioned her before- she loves reading the book of mormon. LOVES it. And she is So smart. We are spending our pday with her today- shopping in Tenjin (super busy shopping center with all the designer stores like gucci, prada, fendi, etc....) cause thats the kinda life she lives haha. So funny. Anyways, needless to say we will be window shopping, but my goal for the day is to get her to eat a doughnut. She doesnt eat sweets because she doesnt "want to waste those calories". She would rather use those calories for drinking. Loves her wine. Anyways, I want to convert her to sugar. We shall see. She is progressing, reading everything we give her and more! She understands everything we teach her, and she also understands that she needs to practice these things herself in order for her to actually gain a deeper understanding. She brings so much light into our lives! Her english is prime. Something we gave her this week is a prayer/ scripture study pattern! Adapted from the Everyday Missionary book. I love it. Its is so powerful. Here is the gist-

1.Write down a question you have (or questions)

2.Pray- ask heavenly Father for help in understanding the scriptures while you read, tell him your questions, pray for help, etc.

3.Read the scriptures

4. Write down the answers to your questions

5. Pray once more- explain the answers you recieved, tell Him you are going to read and study the passages one more time, ask for further clarification

6. Read the passages again

7. Revise your answers

8. Pray- Thanking Heavenly Father for His help

9. Share your answers with others (teach it)

Anyways, you can adjust the pattern, but basically- its extremely powerful. When people understand that their questions can be answered through the Book of Mormon because they have a loving Heavenly Father- they progress so quickly. 

I have realized more and more that the Japanese people pick up on other peoples emotions very quickly. They recognize when you are being genuine, and when you aren't. They are so receptive to the spirit, and they always recognize how special that feeling is. They don't shun it away. it has been so cool to see people feel the spirit. People rise to a higher, happier way of living when they know that its possible. They dont settle for staring at the ground- they realize they can look up! Have fun, enjoy life, and continually progress. There is such a difference in all the members here, and then the people on the streets. Night and day. You can recognize a member, even if you have never met them before. I have never noticed it so much as I have here- but the members of the Church have a glow, because they have hope!

This week we caroled at Tenjin (big center of town) and I got to bear my testimony as part of it! The day was crazy busy, so I didn't have time to prepare anything, so when I got up there it was a bit scary. You know how I am talking in front of people...memories of church talks where I laugh so hard I have to hide behind the pulpit keep coming to mind- but! I did it! I had been praying that I wouldn't freak out, and I would just be able to say whatever needed to be said. And I did! It felt so great! Another tender mercy is that the light was so bright on me that I couldn't see anyone in the crowd. That helped a bit haha. But it was a great experience to be able to testify in Japanese to a group of people. It was a beautiful night!

Miracle- yesterday we were in church- we got a text that said we weren't allowed to go to the Christmas devotional unless we had an investigator or less active ward member coming. No one could come, but right as we were leaving, this lady comes up to us, introduces herself, and says that she hasn't been to church in a while. but she wants to come back. She said she felt the spirit so strongly as we were singing the First Noel, and she invited us over to her house this week so that we could share our testimonies with her. She said she came because she got a little note in her mailbox a while ago- and then asked who that was from. It was from Roberts Shimai and I forever ago! We weren't sure if she had moved or anything like that because she had never responded. It was a christmas miracle!!! AND another less active family we are working with came to church again yesterday. The ward is getting stronger, it is so exciting!

So we sang in church yesterday right? Flake Shimai had a little solo (her voice is beautiful). Anyways so during sunday school, this guy sits by us and starts talking to us about how he really loves music, and how he is in a band and stuff, and how her voice is just so perfect. It was hilarious. Mostly because I have NO CLUE where he learned his English, or who from...but wherever and whoever it was from, they were clearly deeply influenced by Monty Python. I know this is bad- but when he was asked to read a couple scriptures out loud in english, I could not control myself. 

Well, Merry Christmas to the world! I love you all so much! By the way, Flake Shimai and I had Hot Chocolate for the first time this winter...since the sugar fast for karan is off. We took a series of photos. it was quite exciting.

Goodnight world! Hope that you all drink lots of hot chocolate, watch the polar express a thousand dozen times, and make endless amounts of christmas treats. :)

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Lane Shimai

Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Head

Not really. But its a great song that gets stuck in my head everytime it rains haha. Speaking of biking, they are putting more regulations on biking and such...some people want it so bikes arent allowed on sidewalks. To the streets we go!!! 

Firrrrrst off---HAAAAAPPPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK MOM!!!!! 

What are ya? 35? hahaha just kidding. I hope you have the best birthday ever! Which means you gotta go on some sort of adventure. I mean it! I want to hear about it too! Im thinking something like crazy beach adventures or sneaking in to a hot tub or something. So something crazy! And document it so that i can see.

Christmas Call!!!! Guess what everbody! I get to talk to you on Christmas eve your time! So here is the low down- WE ARE ALLOWED TO USE SKYPE! But in order to do so, I gotta figure out a place we can do that. We shall see. but I would much prefer skype. I get 45 minutes. it says that if you feel a longer time is necessary, you can talk to the mission president. Hopefully he thinks "i love my family" is a good enough excuse. haha just kidding. but really. He lives so close. might as well ask the man right? Im just really excited! it will be christmas day here, christmas eve your time- I need to know what times work best for you! so let me know!

By the way- Japanese people are the cutest little people in the world. Guess what they call Pooh bear? ....Pooh San. I kid you not. Guess what they call Santa? you are going to be so excited....Santa San. yes. That`s right. I will forever call the jolly old man Santa San. 

Quick side note- there are these machines that Sister Flake and I see everywhere. They are the most interesting little things. We have come to the conclusion that they are, in fact, time machines that only we can see because of our whatever its called. Senses. We will try to capture it on camera someday, but they are almost always gone in a wink- gone to who knows when...Its my dream to own one someday.

Also- along with Christmas season, its also sumo season. I have seem some of the largest people in my life here, as well as some of the smallest `large` people. I don't know quite what to think about it.

So, being in Japan around Christmas time is so cool. Some buildings have lights, all the stores have Christmas decorations, and yet while we are walking around on the street talking to people, half of them don't know who Christ is, and some of those people haven't even heard if him. I know that's really hard to believe, but it is so true. I've realized the past couple of weeks how cool it is that we have the opportunity to introduce these people to Christ. And to a loving Heavenly Father. A lot of people in Japan tend to look down, always. Always working. (I don't know how it is in other places around Japan cause ive only been in this big city) but everyone is always working. Sometimes when you ask them if they like work they laugh- say they have never thought about that. The other sisters are teaching this sweet girl- shes like 22, wants to be a nurse. The first time I saw her- I kid you not- she was the most timid person I have ever seen. She seems so fragile and scared. But since they have been teaching her about Jesus Christ, and our loving Heavenly Father, she has literally brightened up. She came to church yesterday in this bright orange and pink skirt- and they said when she hugs you she runs up to you and gives the biggest hugs. Its amazing! This gospel blesses families, blesses individuals, and makes the whole world so much brighter in every way. I love.this.gospel.

yesterday at church some people from Orem were there, a little family, mom, dad, son (who just got his mission call) and they had brought some of their business friends to church for the first time. During the third hour they called us up to the stake presidents office where we all just introduced ourselves and talked about why we are here. The son talked about why he wanted to go on a mission, and the parents talked about why they were so excited for him. The business people were crying almost the entire time. The spirit was so strong in that room. I cant really explain it. The dad gave a short and simple overview of the gospel- that we have a loving heavenly father, we are his children, He loves us. He sent Christ to show us the way and give us the Gospel- the way to live. Because heavenly father loves us, he created a plan for us. We are happiest in life when we follow His plan, and share it with other people.

Mistake of the week: we were teaching baby eikaiwa, and I was giving a little spiritual thought at the end, and I told all the little girls they were princesses, and then all the little boys they were grandpas. The moms freaked out haha I dont know why. Same thing. Prince, grandpa...I dont really get it...

Ate some delicious Gizzard this week. YUM. When I saw it I went into super gombaru mode and ate them really fast. They asked AFTER what they were. Glad I did....glad I did...

SMILE - Tony Bennett!

This week.

The temple was beautiful, I felt like I was home when I was just sitting in there. It is so peaceful! Its a tiny little temple, reminded me a little of the Newport Beach temple. Sooooo peaceful :)

Thanksgiving was delicious thanks to Sister Gustafson! Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, REAL BUTTER! It was so delicious. Did you know they have Costcos out here? the closest one to us is an hour and a half bike ride. not exactly one I want to do on pday haha. But yeah. They exist! 

We saw the lights at Hakatta Eki the other night as we were finding people to teach! Look it up or something. They are beautiful. They were playing Christmas music and some random japanese music, it was wonderful haha. When we were leaving this little band got up and sang Silent Night. It was raining, the lights were beautiful, and I was happy :)

Alma the elder was a mighty praying man. He understood the power of prayer so clearly. Reading through Mosiah 25-27ish. Prayer is so powerful. I'm learning that more and more, but recently i have realized blessings that I have been receiving that I feel like I don't deserve. And I know that in large part, that's because of the prayers of others. 

I know that even when we are in tough situations we can always "pour our hearts" out to God (Mosiah 24:12). Heavenly Father is always there to be your best friend and get you through everything. Just pour your heart out to Him! Anyway you can. There is a healing power in prayer, and trusting God enough to tell him your thoughts. 

I hope you are all well! Brittany and Ben`s baby is SUCH a cute little princess. I am sooooooo happy for them :) I cant wait to hold all these little babies haha I`ll be in heaven. 

have a great week! remember the importance of meditating!!! Throughout the day, after praying, while praying, after reading the scriptures...just remember to be still! 

I hope by some miracles it snows in Carlsbad for you guys haha :)

Love you all! 

-Lane Shimai

ps-just so you all know I am collecting wutie the plethera of recipes. Japanese, american, Filipino. its the best :)