If ya wanna be happy

1/12/2014

Suprise Suprise!

Guess who came from Fukuoka to visit me?! MICHIKO! She is the absolute best. I was wondering if it was dame in any way, but talked to the district leader and he said it was awesome! So! She came all the way from Fukuoka, we had lunch, had a lesson, and then she went back! She is the cutest. She hates pictures, so those pictures that I sent was just my attempt haha. She is such a sweetheart. She said she would come to my wedding when I got married, and she told me I will have to tell her the profession of the man, and the personalities of his parents before she could approve. She is so sweet. I want you all to meet her. She is the bubbliest, most people people person I know haha. She gets along with everyone and makes them feel so good about themselves. I love her.

Also! Another miracle this week- Yuu Chan became and investigator!!!!!!!!!! This area has been growing bit by bit- we have been working as hard as we can to help that along. We are now teaching Yuu Chan (she comes to church every sunday) and Yukari (she went to her friends baptism and felt the spirit so strongly- then agreed to start meeting with us).

Things are workin out! When we got back from one of our lessons, we went back to where we parked the bikes and we each had a mikan (cutie) on our bikes with little notes saying --you sisters are the best-- and --you deserve a mikan- love, Jenny (with a phone number). We have yet to figure out who jenny is, but hopefully by this time next week we will know!!

I got to give a talk in church yesterday. And simultaneously accomplished one of my life goals. Make the whole congregation laugh. Its been one of my dreams since I was little. Silly, I know. And I forgot about it until it actually happened. Anyways, it went well! In other parts of Japan they say ganbatte (ga-mm-ba-tey)--- but nagasaki-ben says gumbarumba. Its the coolest thing ever hahaha I love it.

so. japan has some interesting characters- I will save some of this stories for another year from now, but I got a funny one from this week haha. there is this man who comes to eikaiwa, and he loves American things. Has a yankee jacket (yuck)... but anyways, he has these meishies (business cards) that he hands out to people, so he was showing it to me and explaining it and then gave me one. This is one of my most valued treasures- im so tempted to mail it home just so you guys can see it haha I don't know why I think its the funniest thing on the planet. its a picture of (him) sorry no quotation marks on this computer-- but yeah, its like some movie stars picture he put on it and he tells everyone its him, and then it said Feudal Lord L.D.S, and then on the back there is a picture of a scene from a movie, and he is one of the characters in the back. Anyways, this guy is a CHARACTER. And characters are my favorite. There is this spry old man that plays the games at the end of eikaiwa. he has my heart. Just kidding. its locked away. doncha worry.

a fortune teller came up to me and told me (red, 7, venus, friday). he eventually explained those were my lucky things. Whooodathought! I never knew that there would be like fortune tellers and people that think they can do magic, etc. in Japan. I didn't get a lot of that in Fukuoka, but here the stories run wild haha. the other day the elders were trying to contact a man on the street, but he was too busy trying to erase a cloud from the sky with his mind. Its the coolest thing ever haha I love Japan.

Alright, I got a pretty cool thing from church yesterday--

So! we believe that this life in a time for men to prepare to meet God, right? But some people wonder why we would leave Gods presence, and then just live on earth to try to get back to him. But- the Sunday school teacher explained it really well! He said before you go on a date, you try to get all ready. Do your hair, brush your teeth, lucky socks, etc. so that you feel confident on your date and so that you can impress your date or whatever- right? Its the same with God. This life is the time for us to prepare to meet Him- but he doesn't look on the outward appearance- he looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:17). That is why we are given challenges, given trials, and opportunities to improve our talents and hearts. Its preparing us so that when we finally meet Him again- we can confidently say we have tried our hardest, and we will be ready to live with Him again. I don't know if I explained that well or not...but I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to come to this earth, receive a body, and all the weaknesses that came with it. I am so so so grateful for the gospel that supports us, gives us strength, and shows us the right way to go so that we can reach our full potential and happiness! Its pretty darn awesome if you think about it. makes me want to run to the beach and sing my heart out or something. I'm not really allowed to do that, but you guys should. Ive been singing a lot more when we work. clean, bike ride, etc. The same songs are always stuck in my head I swear haha. Lead Kindly Light, Nearer my God to thee, the if you want to be happy for the rest of your life- song, Bohemian rhapsody, someday...when your awfully low, and the christine, christine...where in the world have you been hiding song. Sorry, I dont remember any song names.

ps- THOMAS IS GOING TO INDONESIA ON HIS MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! most random place in the world, but SO COOL!

study the scriptures, they are the best. Pray to Heavenly Father- He loves you! Smile lots! it will make your heart happy. 

I love you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely,

Lane Shimai