My Weekly Update!

Basically, Everyone is the best ever! And I had a great week!

So there is this sister here who is convinced that I am exactly like Rapunzel (the tangled Rapunzel) anyways, she is convinced. And I love it hahaha for my birthday she gave me this huge picture of Rapunzel, and I have it hanging on my wall now haha. Also- my mission mom bought me cake! and then ate it too haha annnnnnnd we went to this Nepalese place for lunch, and all these random people were being so nice. They all sang, and then this man came up and gave me like notepads, a pen, and a tissue box, and then ten minutes later another man came by and presented these perfect looking grapes...and THEN the owner guy comes and tells us he wants to give us all free ice cream....basically- I am blessed haha.  ---ps-Kimber, Emma, or Bennett...want to send me some songs from that movie? The nonromantic ones? That would be awesome if you could! If you cant though dont worry about it! I guess I will love you anyways...

This week....miracle #1---Karan came to church!! He has been investigating for a while, and he just stopped coming to church. but he just came! And It was awesome! ALSO- Yukari came....she is so afraid of religion but she texted us on Friday morning and was like " I think I will come to church this Sunday. Is that okay?" hahahaha oh my GOSH it was more than okay! Every time we ask her she cant...but this time she did!!!! It was so good!

Oh, and we moved this week into this bigger apartment, which is everything we hoped and dreamed it would be. We don't have a stove anymore...but we got our rice cooker! And it has given us the opportunity to be super creative with it! Which is awesome. Sister Roberts magically got a box of Kraft macaroni and cheese (her favorite) and she made it in the rice cooker hahaha it was awesome. But yes. Bigger apartment. AND it is on the top of this huge hill....we all know what that means!!! My muscles are gonna be so big, nobody is gonna know what to do! And I absolutely love the feeling of getting to the top of the hill haha. Everyday of my life. It is so good.

ps-thank you for all the birthday wishes!!! Opening up my email today was like PURE joy. I love you all so much! And even though I don't have time to email back---- I love you all so much and I am so grateful for all of you!

So there is this crazy lady in our ward- love her to death. Sat next to her on Sunday, and she was saying all sorts of crazy things. I told her I liked her necklace, and she went off on how I was just so good at Japanese, and these poor other missionaries trying to learn  Japanese....(we were speaking in English together at the time, which shows you how good my Japanese is...plus most of the missionaries here are all pretty much fluent...in the last months of their mission and my Japanese is..no good at this point, but it will get better!) but nonetheless, it was so much fun. She told me that I needed to cover that one part of your neck-- clavicle? Anyways, she kept touching it, and then she gets this heart key-chain and she was like " you need something right here...not a necklace....oh! I have this heart! Can I glue it to right there?" hahaha crazy lady. love her to death.

So we have been working a lot more with the members, and they have been responding so well! I actually have friends when I go to church now haha. But member work is really so important! When the members feel involved, they are so happy to go to lessons with us, and they are so sweet to all of the investigators that come to the activities. Roberts Shimai and I are determined to work on the Less actives. Japan has a 20% retention rate. 20%....that is....REALLY BAD. But, we are going to try to help fix that! So we went through the ward list yesterday with the bishops wife--- it was 28 pages long, and she had never heard of about 80% of the people, and then with the remainder, half were active and half were inactive. So. We are working with the less actives. Just make sure you are always super kind to everyone around you, it is so important! And I never ever realized how hard it would be to join the church in the middle of your life. If you can- try to read the section in preach my gospel about people who are less active. Sorry I don't have the page number! Just read it :)

Also--- We visited Emiko this week- turns out she is an amazing little chef! We went with her home teachers, and she made us dinner. Then after dinner she had me put away a whole bunch of things around her house, because "I has the height". So funny. She is such a cute old lady. She has stuffed bears all around her house, and lace, and everything old lady that you can possibly imagine. ALSO--- all the `cool` old ladies here are obsessed with Audrey Hepburn. I love it haha 

I have an o-negai! `Forgot Me Not`- By President Uchtdorf. You can find it on LDS.org if you just write in the title. I know that it was given fairly recently, but It is just like a little breath of fresh air every time I read it. So if you have never heard it- read it! It will make you feel so loved! And if you have heard it, read it again! because it will remind you just how much you are loved.

MM! Something I read today in the Book of Mormon--Ether 2:19, 23-25

Read Ether 2:19, and then think about how it can apply to us as people--put it into this new context. I basically is a plea to heavenly father saying ` There is no hope left in me, heavenly father, please help me, I don't know what to do anymore. Sometimes I feel like I cant breath, and my energy is just running out. Please help me`--- and then verse 23-25 is heavenly Fathers response--- which basically says- `move forward. Figure out how to lift yourself up, and when you start doing that, I promise that I will be watching over you. you must walk this path, but I will be right next to you every step of the way. I will protect you. "I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea"..."I prepare you against these things". Anyways, it was beautiful reading that. Those scriptures, along with the Footsteps poem (look it up, print it out, and put it on your wall) it is just so peaceful, and it makes me feel like I can do anything at all!

 

Alright! one minute to say goodbye! moral of the story this week is that I love life, I love the Japanese people, and I love the Book of Mormon! I am so grateful to be a part of this church, because I know that it is the only church that has the complete, perfect Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Time is out, simply put- I love you all!

Love,

Lane Shimai!

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

I dont even know how to begin this letter hahaha this is so weird! We are emailing so early!

Alright lets see...this week was BEAUTIFUL!!! Typhoon! The rain was amazing. We took every opportunity we could to bike in it, and be in it. Man. I have never seen it rain so hard for so long, and there was crazy thunder and lightening too!!! Dream come true!!! I have been a happy happy camper. Plus...I found hot chocolate. Soooo I am pretty much in heaven. The rain stopped yesterday, but it will come back someday! 

Mmmmkay, I have a couple cool cool stories for you! So, this past week I was reading Kate Bokovoys last weekly email, and In it she said that everyone should read D&C 6! So I did! And then D&C 6:16 stuck out to me- "there is none save God that knows the thoughts and intents of thy heart". And I had been praying that I could help someone out- like actully find someone who really needed our help. So I was studying that during personal study, and then some ladies name came to mind and I felt strongly that we should visit her and share that scripture. So we`re like alrighty. sooooounds good. So we bike there, and right when we get into the parking lot another member is walking across the parking lot and is talking to us---she had been on her way to visit this same member we were. So we go up there, and we visit for a bit, and then we share our message and the scripture---and this lady breaks down and tells us everything she has been worrying about. I dont know how much we helped her, but this experience helped me a lot, and I felt the spirit so strongly while we were talking to her, and afterwards. I know that no matter what happens, that was exactly where we were supposed to be, and we did exactly what needed to be done! It was an answer to my prayer. Soooo--- even though this seems like a little experience, it was awesome! And when those random thoughts come into your mind- follow them! Dont try to figure out if its just you or if its the spirit. If it is a good thing, just get up and do it!!  And thats when you see miracles happen!

So this week we got another Sister living in our apartment! Sister Bush! I knew her in the MTC, so it was really cool to hear she would be with us! basically it has been a party everyday. A party cause we are all really cramped into this tiny apartment. but it really has been fun. But yeah---we are getting a new apartment and we move into it on wednesday! It is almost 3 times the size as the one we are in now. Which is insane! And we got to go look at it. I saw two spiders while we were there....the jumping kind. So that will be exciting! The other three sisters dont have a problem killing bugs, so I am in good hands! 

Anyways....Oh! So funny. Soooo I shall include a picture of this actually after I tell the story. So we love brownies right? But when we try to cook it in our little microwave oven thing (you are supposed to be able to cook cakes and stuff in it) I always mess up. So my solution is to fry them in a frying pan! And they turn out splendidly in about a third of the time. So sister Roberts made them this week, and we were like man....we really should share with the elders...but they look like...well, a pig pile of questionableness. So sister roberts decides to shape each one individually for the elders, as loving as she is, and they turn out looking very... realistic! So then Im like well...we cant just hand these to them- they wont appreciate it. So Andaca shimai breaks out this goodie bags to wrap them in, and then I'm like well heck, lets make this uplifting- so we add some Nacho Libre quotes to it and BAM! Best gift any of these elders have ever received I am sure. here is a picture of our beautiful creations:

Anyways that's them! Andaca shimai wanted to shape them into something cute (which is why there are cookie cutters) but Roberts Shimai wouldn't have it. Soooooo yeah. One of the best service experiences I have ever had! Hahaha It was a lot of fun. And the Elders absolutely loved it.

Alright. I am trying to think about my week, but for some reason its not coming to me. Robert Shimai wasn't feeling well yesterday, so after church we went home so she could try and sleep it off---and I watched All of the District 2, all of the District 1, the stonecutter, Legacy, the Joseph Smith Movie, John tanner Story, and Mountain of the Lord. Every time one of my companions get sick I just break out the district. Soooo by the time this mission is over, I am sure I will have it ALL memorized. It was good!

Okay- now for Christina and Karon! So, there are these people who used to be investigators but just kinda dropped the missionaries. So Sister Roberts and I decided that we needed to visit them and make them feel loved. So we wrote a note, and the Sister Roberts got a fever (the day before we had biked all day in downpours, it was really fun, but yeah...it got her sick!) but yeah so I decided I really wanted to deliver it anyways! Soo. Me and Sister Bush (the sister who got here a few days ago) decided we were going to go deliver it. So we bike there, (we actually find it) and we knock on the door, and lo and behold Karon is actually home!!! So he steps outside and we introduce ourselves, and then we are talking for a bit, and we share a message with him! He was SO nice! And he said him and Christina had been talking, and thought that it was about time for them to start coming to church again. And then we showed up that night! Anyways, it was a miracle! The whole thing! It was a miracle we found the place in the rain at night, it was a miracle we were safe, miracle he was home, miracle he was nice, miracle he could speak english (haha), and the timing was a miracle. Just a night of miracles. It was awesome!

So since there are now two Sister companionships in Fukuoka, we had to divide our investigators this week. it was so sad. But we prayed about it a lot. Together and individually, and ended up figuring out exactly which ones each companionship should be teaching! We have Nora, Yukari, Elsi, Mineoi, and Christina. And we are going to be working with Emiko. Speaking of Emiko---can you all please keep her in your prayers? She isn't doing very well, and we don't know what to do.

Also- we made sushi this week. I actually love sushi now! (not raw fish sushi....) But man I love sushi with carrots, cucumbers, and egg! Never thought I would like any kind of sushin, so this is awesome!! That is sister roberts by the way! My one and only companion for the next six weeks! :) I love her to death! basically, you should all meet her because she makes me laugh all the time, and she makes everything fun. PLUS she has an amazing voice. And basically, she knows how to laugh at everything haha. We do this cute corny thing before we go to bed, we say one thing that we love about each other. Its actually super awesome though, and everyone should do it! Whether its to your roommate, all your siblings, or to your husband/ wife. It is so cute! oh, AND her mom is super duper cool too. She wrote me a letter! It was so sweet!! So that is sister Roberts! You will be hearing lots more of our adventures for the next 6 weeks! :)

man. that is really all I got! basically the weather is awesome, my language is slowly improving, I am learning lots about Japanese people, Heavenly Father loves me, and He loves you all too!!!! 

Also--- the talk I recommend from this week--- "Love Her Mother" by Sister Dalton. I could say more, but I am not going to! Just be loving always!

I will try to make this week interesting for you! Write me letters if you have any questions! Or anything at all! Advice! I do love letters :)

ps- Mama!!! I need McKenna and Nathan's email... I don't have either and I am dying to talk to them!

Love you all!!!!!!!! BE SO HAPPY AND SAFE!!!! Smile lots! oh! And thank you Aly, Kate, Kate, McKenna, Christopher, and Luke for sending me your weekly emails! I print them out are read them all week long! I love you all!!

-Lane Shimai!

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!