Yaho!
Transferrrrrrs! This time they came on Saturday night instead of Sunday and that really surprised me! But heres what is going down in Ishinomaki! Elder Simonsen and Wadsworth are staying. Elder Akagi is staying, Elder Hill is going to Hachinohe. Sister Kanno is staying, and I AM TRANSFERRING! I am going to Yamagata! I have been there before a few times. When I was in Aizu we used to go to Yamagata for Zone Conferences and stuff. This is what I know about the area... it is FREEZING in the winter and it snows A LOT. The sisters apartment is super far from the church. And there is really good soba there (a kind of noodle). I also heard that the only kind of dendo I will do there is member dendo, which is AWESOME! It is a ward so there are about 70 people there which will be sooo different from everything I am used to. The largest branch I have served in was Akita and they had 35 people at church on a good day (that is including the 6 missionaries). I am actually way excited to go to Yamagata though. I feel like all of my areas have prepared me for this last area and I am so ready to just work and apply all the things I have learned and see some big time miracles! My new companion will be Sister Matsumoto! Yes! Another Japanese! I hope I get to be fluent by the time I go home.
I can barely remember anything that happened this last week. Hmm... we had zone conference which was good! We talked about finding techniques, teaching techniques, and being kind and showing love to our companions and other missionaries. It was really good. I really enjoyed the testimonies at the end of the conference of all the missionaries that will be going home this transfer and the next. I love all the missionaries here. They are such great examples!
Hmm we had a softball game against Furukawa. That was fun. I played on the Furukawa team because they didnt have enough players. I prayed that my team would win, and you best believe Furukawa won! Whoop whoop!
We did a lot of FHEs with members this week! And guess what, we played Silly Stories the JAPANESE version! Everyone really really liked it. It was so so funny. I will write some of my favorites down for you in this email :)
Besides that, it was a pretty normal week. We didnt really have any lessons though so that sucked. We did lots of mogis and we did some LA visits. Lots of our time was spent in Sendai for Zone Conference and at meal appt with members. In Japan meal appts last 3 hours just so you know... thats just how it is.
Ah! I was going to write the silly stories but I forgot the paper I wrote them down on at the apartment. Sorry! I guess you will just have to trust that they were funny.
Sorry this is so short and boring... do you have any questions for me about Japan or anything?
Love you,
Miranda
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Week Sixty-one.
Hey! So since I didnt have much time last week, I will reply to all your questions from last week first.
Yes the Sapporo Mission is the mission north of mine! My companion is from Hokkaido which is where the Sapporo mission is. What were the names of the couple missionaries?
Employment here is just the same everywhere. Lots of people own restaurants, Ive met a lot of beauty salon ladies, some people work in convenience stores... some people work in calling centers. Just regular stuff. I think lots of people lost their jobs in the tsunami. One of the members here did, but he found work again somewhere else. I dont know about for all of Ishinomaki, sorry ha ha.
Yes me and Kanno Shimai are the only sister missionaries in Ishinomaki! Its fun!
My eye is completely healed! The medicine worked great. When we go to the hospital we fill out a reimbursement request form and send it to the mission office and then we get our money back that we used. We use the mission money when we go to the hospital. I dont know how it all works, I just know what I am supposed to do.
Thats cool mom that you have been reading about the stripling warriors. Our mission scripture is actually Alma 53:20. And they were all young, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all-they were men who were true at all times, in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.
I am grateful that you raised me so good and taught me how to protect myself from evil. Thank you!
So this is what happened this week- we had splits! The sister training leaders from Izumi came and we dendoed away. Me and Sister Kodama visited the Shutos. I have sad news... it doesnt look like they will be my miracle. They are so nice and will listen to our message, but arent accepting it. N san just wants knowledge about Christianity so if one of his friends asks about it he will be able to answer and sound smart. He just wants to study, but isnt interested in changing after all. I tried teaching him about prayer and he ended up switching the conversation and teaching ME about Buddhist prayer. I dont want to know about Buddhist prayer! I want you to get baptized N san! But anyways... I was really sad. Today we are going to a play with him for P day, so it will still be good to spend time with him and T san but I dont know what will happen from here on out.
We had a way awesome Eikaiwa this week. Lots of new people came, and they said it was fun! We usually just have a beginners class and an advanced class but we started an intermediate class that I taught and it seemed to really help the atmosphere and people liked the class too. Maybe we will get some new investigators toooooo!
Hmm, we had a lot of people at ping pong night this week too. Lately we have been focusing on younger people so we can finally have a youth program at church and kinda liven up the branch. Right now it is pretty dull. But there were tons of young people at ping pong. Lots of the students from Eikaiwa were there. Lately these same 3 little 10 yr old boys have been coming to all our activities and they are so annoying but so cute ha ha. I love them.
We played softball this week, like usual, but at a different place than usual. There was a tiny basketball court nearby the softball field and some young 14 yr olds were playing basketball and we invited them to join our game and three of them did. Then we played basketball with them after. My skills have gone way down the drain! But it was pretty fun and the elders got some phone numbers so that was awesome. Yay for finding youth!
We did some volunteer hand massaging this week again. We also performed with our recorders at the volunteer place! And I didnt even mess up this time! It was pretty fun. Me and Kanno Shimai used to just practice with two women from our branch but now every week we have almost a new person come to practice with us. We have been practicing with a kinda less active and also sometimes we practice with R kun, my old investigator that we passed to the elders who is still hearing the lessons woo hoo! This week we are going to throw in some of the elders and invite R kun again.
I will have to buy myself a recorder and play you guys some tunes when I get back he he he.
We had a big Family Home Evening on Saturday. Those 3 annoying little boys came but they made it fun too. Some Eikaiwa students came... some single adults from the branch... about 20 people total (including the 6 missionaries). We ate pizza and played mafia. It was pretty fun and I think everyone had a good time. We have 2 other FHEs planned at the end of this week! I guess our FHE was such a hit that we got booked for other appointments. Nice.
On Sunday some ladies from Tokyo came that are in a singing group called Candle Mama. They are putting on a charity concert in a couple weeks and for one of the songs they sing the Ishinomaki branch is supposed to sing too so I will be performing in front of Ishinomaki!! And the song is so weird. I cant even explain it. I took a movie of us practicing yesterday though so I will show you in a few months. It was the strangest song I have ever heard. We kept chanting da-da-da-da-da-ddy.
Thats about it for this week. Unfortunately it is hard to meet with investigators right now because everyone seems to be busy now. We dont have any progressing investigators or anyone sincerely interested in joined a religion or changing their life. I feel like most the time everyone is trying to avoid us or making excuses as to why they cant meet. That happens a lot...
Thanks for finding out all that stuff for me about ISU and the Dietetics program. I was freaking out this week and really frustrated because I was worried I didnt have enough time to figure out my future and then coordinate it with a plane ticket and things like that. Thanks though for finding everything out! See you in February!
Love you.
Miranda
Yes the Sapporo Mission is the mission north of mine! My companion is from Hokkaido which is where the Sapporo mission is. What were the names of the couple missionaries?
Employment here is just the same everywhere. Lots of people own restaurants, Ive met a lot of beauty salon ladies, some people work in convenience stores... some people work in calling centers. Just regular stuff. I think lots of people lost their jobs in the tsunami. One of the members here did, but he found work again somewhere else. I dont know about for all of Ishinomaki, sorry ha ha.
Yes me and Kanno Shimai are the only sister missionaries in Ishinomaki! Its fun!
My eye is completely healed! The medicine worked great. When we go to the hospital we fill out a reimbursement request form and send it to the mission office and then we get our money back that we used. We use the mission money when we go to the hospital. I dont know how it all works, I just know what I am supposed to do.
Thats cool mom that you have been reading about the stripling warriors. Our mission scripture is actually Alma 53:20. And they were all young, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all-they were men who were true at all times, in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.
I am grateful that you raised me so good and taught me how to protect myself from evil. Thank you!
So this is what happened this week- we had splits! The sister training leaders from Izumi came and we dendoed away. Me and Sister Kodama visited the Shutos. I have sad news... it doesnt look like they will be my miracle. They are so nice and will listen to our message, but arent accepting it. N san just wants knowledge about Christianity so if one of his friends asks about it he will be able to answer and sound smart. He just wants to study, but isnt interested in changing after all. I tried teaching him about prayer and he ended up switching the conversation and teaching ME about Buddhist prayer. I dont want to know about Buddhist prayer! I want you to get baptized N san! But anyways... I was really sad. Today we are going to a play with him for P day, so it will still be good to spend time with him and T san but I dont know what will happen from here on out.
We had a way awesome Eikaiwa this week. Lots of new people came, and they said it was fun! We usually just have a beginners class and an advanced class but we started an intermediate class that I taught and it seemed to really help the atmosphere and people liked the class too. Maybe we will get some new investigators toooooo!
Hmm, we had a lot of people at ping pong night this week too. Lately we have been focusing on younger people so we can finally have a youth program at church and kinda liven up the branch. Right now it is pretty dull. But there were tons of young people at ping pong. Lots of the students from Eikaiwa were there. Lately these same 3 little 10 yr old boys have been coming to all our activities and they are so annoying but so cute ha ha. I love them.
We played softball this week, like usual, but at a different place than usual. There was a tiny basketball court nearby the softball field and some young 14 yr olds were playing basketball and we invited them to join our game and three of them did. Then we played basketball with them after. My skills have gone way down the drain! But it was pretty fun and the elders got some phone numbers so that was awesome. Yay for finding youth!
We did some volunteer hand massaging this week again. We also performed with our recorders at the volunteer place! And I didnt even mess up this time! It was pretty fun. Me and Kanno Shimai used to just practice with two women from our branch but now every week we have almost a new person come to practice with us. We have been practicing with a kinda less active and also sometimes we practice with R kun, my old investigator that we passed to the elders who is still hearing the lessons woo hoo! This week we are going to throw in some of the elders and invite R kun again.
I will have to buy myself a recorder and play you guys some tunes when I get back he he he.
We had a big Family Home Evening on Saturday. Those 3 annoying little boys came but they made it fun too. Some Eikaiwa students came... some single adults from the branch... about 20 people total (including the 6 missionaries). We ate pizza and played mafia. It was pretty fun and I think everyone had a good time. We have 2 other FHEs planned at the end of this week! I guess our FHE was such a hit that we got booked for other appointments. Nice.
On Sunday some ladies from Tokyo came that are in a singing group called Candle Mama. They are putting on a charity concert in a couple weeks and for one of the songs they sing the Ishinomaki branch is supposed to sing too so I will be performing in front of Ishinomaki!! And the song is so weird. I cant even explain it. I took a movie of us practicing yesterday though so I will show you in a few months. It was the strangest song I have ever heard. We kept chanting da-da-da-da-da-ddy.
Thats about it for this week. Unfortunately it is hard to meet with investigators right now because everyone seems to be busy now. We dont have any progressing investigators or anyone sincerely interested in joined a religion or changing their life. I feel like most the time everyone is trying to avoid us or making excuses as to why they cant meet. That happens a lot...
Thanks for finding out all that stuff for me about ISU and the Dietetics program. I was freaking out this week and really frustrated because I was worried I didnt have enough time to figure out my future and then coordinate it with a plane ticket and things like that. Thanks though for finding everything out! See you in February!
Love you.
Miranda
Monday, September 15, 2014
Week Sixty.
Hi!
I have a feeling you are going to like this email...
First off, the Shutos! Guys, I love this family. They are my goal right now. We went over last P day and had dinner with them and celebrated the moon which was totally AWESOME. They had this little table set up with fruits and veggies as kind of an offering, and a candle, and some flowers sitting on it. N san taught us how to properly pray and give thanks to the moon the Japanese way and we all took turns. We knelt down and clapped our hands twice then bowed our heads and kinda made a wish for something we wanted. I said a prayer in my heart to Heavenly Father (not the moon ha ha) that this family could get baptized and be prepared. Then N san told us all these folk stories about how the moon got its shine and things like that. Oh also, fun fact- in Japan they dont see a "man" in the moon. They see a rabbit making mochi (which is pounded rice). I SAW THE RABBIT!
We went over a second time last week and T san taught me how to wear my yukata! I will attach pictures! We also shared a short message on the plan of salvation and tomorrow we are going to teach it in detail to them and I am sooo nervous because I really want to be bold with them and not be so scared to share the truth with them. I dont want to sound too pushy or anything.
The highlight of the week was we went to Sendai for a special conference with Elder Whiting of the 70! He was SO FUNNY and the title of this email is something he said when he was talking to us... ha ha I dont even remember the funny story he was telling but I wrote that down in my notes so I could always remember!
He taught us about the power that missionaries can have if they follow the requirements to get that power like obedience and stuff. He also taught about how we can become favored of the Lord and used the story of Nephi to teach us. And he also talked about change and how we can get from that mediocre missionary to the missionary our mothers think we are ha ha. After hearing him speak he gave us 10 minutes to think about what we are gonna do with the things he just told us and he said that if we allow ourselves to be touched by the power of the atonment we could be changed right at that very moment. Before the conference I had a question in my heart about how I can finally just make that change and be converted. I want to change and I do what I can like reading my scriptures and praying and stuff but I just have felt like something is in the way and holding me back from just giving it all and changing into a saint. He said that it is only through the power of the atonement that we can fully change. So during those 10 minutes I prayed and asked for that power to change me and just covenanted right there and then that I would just give my everything to Him, not just on my mission but for the rest of my life! And I felt the spirit in my heart! And I started crying... then I asked if there was anything God needed me to know. Now usually I am a sign seeker and I always want to see big huge miracles and hear voices and see visions and things like that, but because I am so prideful I never see things or hear things so I wasnt really expecting to feel anything or receive some huge revelation but little by little a scriptures popped into my head and I seriously just thought it was me thinking because I have never had an experience like that before but I looked up the scripture anyways and it was Alma 24:14 which is in the chapter about the Anti Lehi Nephis burying their swords in the earth so they wouldnt fight anymore.
And the great God has had mercy on us, and made these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he has made these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth our souls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his mercy he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations.
Out of all the scriptures in the Book of Mormon, this is the one that came to my mind. And of all the chapters in the Book of Mormon, that was the chapter I was led to. MIRACLE. A true sign from God to a prideful little girl!
It just goes to show that God loves me, and he loves my future children that I dont even know yet. But thats why he waited until that moment to allow the power of the Atonement to work in me and change me at that time. He saved my kids too you know by doing that. I think the reason I had to wait until that moment to finally be truly forgiven and changed and converted was because first I needed to really study the plan of salvation and atonement and once I understood that, He could finally do his magic on me. And of course every day I still need to continue improving and converting but at least for that moment I felt like a little child again-submissive and easy to be entreated, pure, happy. And with this promise I made with God to be a good person, just like the Anti-Lehi-Nephis, I need to and WANT to bury all my temptations and not even touch them and just be good and remember my covenants. I dont think my temptations will be taken away, but I feel like I have just a little more strength now to battle them. Ive just gotta hold on, you know? But I know I can do it.
So there you go. My conversion story! Isnt that so great?
My time is so short because today was a super busy P-day (its almost 9 o clock at night!) so I cant give you details on the rest of my week but just know it was good!
Oh and today we went to Matsushima and rode on a boat on the ocean and looked at all the little islands! It was fun.
Ah I want to write more, but I will just have to wait til next week!
Bye love you all!
Love Miranda
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I have a feeling you are going to like this email...
First off, the Shutos! Guys, I love this family. They are my goal right now. We went over last P day and had dinner with them and celebrated the moon which was totally AWESOME. They had this little table set up with fruits and veggies as kind of an offering, and a candle, and some flowers sitting on it. N san taught us how to properly pray and give thanks to the moon the Japanese way and we all took turns. We knelt down and clapped our hands twice then bowed our heads and kinda made a wish for something we wanted. I said a prayer in my heart to Heavenly Father (not the moon ha ha) that this family could get baptized and be prepared. Then N san told us all these folk stories about how the moon got its shine and things like that. Oh also, fun fact- in Japan they dont see a "man" in the moon. They see a rabbit making mochi (which is pounded rice). I SAW THE RABBIT!
We went over a second time last week and T san taught me how to wear my yukata! I will attach pictures! We also shared a short message on the plan of salvation and tomorrow we are going to teach it in detail to them and I am sooo nervous because I really want to be bold with them and not be so scared to share the truth with them. I dont want to sound too pushy or anything.
The highlight of the week was we went to Sendai for a special conference with Elder Whiting of the 70! He was SO FUNNY and the title of this email is something he said when he was talking to us... ha ha I dont even remember the funny story he was telling but I wrote that down in my notes so I could always remember!
He taught us about the power that missionaries can have if they follow the requirements to get that power like obedience and stuff. He also taught about how we can become favored of the Lord and used the story of Nephi to teach us. And he also talked about change and how we can get from that mediocre missionary to the missionary our mothers think we are ha ha. After hearing him speak he gave us 10 minutes to think about what we are gonna do with the things he just told us and he said that if we allow ourselves to be touched by the power of the atonment we could be changed right at that very moment. Before the conference I had a question in my heart about how I can finally just make that change and be converted. I want to change and I do what I can like reading my scriptures and praying and stuff but I just have felt like something is in the way and holding me back from just giving it all and changing into a saint. He said that it is only through the power of the atonement that we can fully change. So during those 10 minutes I prayed and asked for that power to change me and just covenanted right there and then that I would just give my everything to Him, not just on my mission but for the rest of my life! And I felt the spirit in my heart! And I started crying... then I asked if there was anything God needed me to know. Now usually I am a sign seeker and I always want to see big huge miracles and hear voices and see visions and things like that, but because I am so prideful I never see things or hear things so I wasnt really expecting to feel anything or receive some huge revelation but little by little a scriptures popped into my head and I seriously just thought it was me thinking because I have never had an experience like that before but I looked up the scripture anyways and it was Alma 24:14 which is in the chapter about the Anti Lehi Nephis burying their swords in the earth so they wouldnt fight anymore.
And the great God has had mercy on us, and made these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he has made these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth our souls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his mercy he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation might be made known unto us as well as unto future generations.
Out of all the scriptures in the Book of Mormon, this is the one that came to my mind. And of all the chapters in the Book of Mormon, that was the chapter I was led to. MIRACLE. A true sign from God to a prideful little girl!
It just goes to show that God loves me, and he loves my future children that I dont even know yet. But thats why he waited until that moment to allow the power of the Atonement to work in me and change me at that time. He saved my kids too you know by doing that. I think the reason I had to wait until that moment to finally be truly forgiven and changed and converted was because first I needed to really study the plan of salvation and atonement and once I understood that, He could finally do his magic on me. And of course every day I still need to continue improving and converting but at least for that moment I felt like a little child again-submissive and easy to be entreated, pure, happy. And with this promise I made with God to be a good person, just like the Anti-Lehi-Nephis, I need to and WANT to bury all my temptations and not even touch them and just be good and remember my covenants. I dont think my temptations will be taken away, but I feel like I have just a little more strength now to battle them. Ive just gotta hold on, you know? But I know I can do it.
So there you go. My conversion story! Isnt that so great?
My time is so short because today was a super busy P-day (its almost 9 o clock at night!) so I cant give you details on the rest of my week but just know it was good!
Oh and today we went to Matsushima and rode on a boat on the ocean and looked at all the little islands! It was fun.
Ah I want to write more, but I will just have to wait til next week!
Bye love you all!
Love Miranda
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| The moon celebration! |
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| I saw Tui Shimai at the conference! |
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| My district in Matsushima |
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| Me and Kanno Shimai in Matsushima |
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| The sunset from the boat in Matsushima |
Monday, September 8, 2014
Week Fifty-nine.
Yo yo yo! What up?
I am doing so good everyone! My health is fairly good, but I did go to the hospital this week :O I will explain later! Hmm, dad asked me a ton of questions about my health and stuff so I will just let you know that I am doing pretty good emotionally and spiritually, too. I have my ups and downs and some days are better than others but in the big picture I am doing all right! Oh and last week I ate terrible but this week I am going to stay true to my diet and eat good. I WILL LOSE 13 LBS BEFORE I COME HOME. It WILL happen. Ganbaro!
So first thing is first. Maybe this isnt so important right now, but just so I can have a little peace of mind, will you please get online or call ISU or something and find out when the application due date is to get into my program? 2 years ago it was in the beginning of February and seeing that I come home Feb 6, I might need to get started on that on my P days (not for awhile of course but I wanna know!) Also just to double check, can you make sure the pre requisites I already did are still all okay and they didnt add any new requirements? If they did, that means I need to come home in December which means I need to tell my president now-ish! I will give you my ISU log in information stuff so you can check my transcripts and what not. Arigatooouuuu!
So last week we went and visited the Shuto family! N san (the husband) is like 77 years old but so genki (happy)! He has lots of interest in religion and so he is studying all sorts of religions right now. He told us that after the tsunami he stopped believing in God though so he isnt practicing anything right now, but he likes learning. Tsan (the wife) is so so so nice. She is my mommy in Japan. She always cooks great food and feeds me and Sister Kanno and she always wants to help me. While we were at their house me and Sister Kanno played their piano and sang songs for them like a mini concert and everyone was just so genki together! Also we shared a short message on the Book of Mormon and T san was so honored and pleased that we would share something so sacred with their family. N san started reading it immediately asking all sorts of questions about who Moroni was and what a Lamanite was. We explained the introduction to him and he understood the history of the Book of Mormon sooo good. And then from that we were able to naturally teach the restoration to them, but mostly N san. T san was preparing dinner so she didnt participate but she heard everything. It was cool though. It was like I was just talking to my friend having a regular discussion and it wasnt a "lesson" setting at all. It was nice. We are going over to their house tonight to celebrate the moon or something, I dont really know ha ha. But they are feeding us! And guess what! I bought a Yukata last P day and T san is going to teach me how to put it on and wear it and stuff. I will take lots of pictures! Love that family. So glad they became investigators!
We did service at U Shimai`s house and it was so fun/gross! Her bathroom hasnt been cleaned once I think in all the years she has lived in her apartment. Im telling you, it was bad. The dust and mold was probably and inch thick and that is not an exaggeration... we were wearing gloves and masks and stuff while cleaning and its a little bit cleaner but honestly the walls and floor just need to be replaced. But she was really grateful and said, "all these years I have been needing help with cleaning my bathroom but I was too afraid to ask. Then you sisters offered and it was like a burden was lifted off of me. Thank you thank you thank you" It just goes to show that sometimes people are suffering inside and they actually DO need help. You just have to ask and then keep bugging them if they say, "nah, Im okay!" Service is good.
So the hospital... for awhile now my right eyelid has been super dry and really red. I had the symptoms for about a week and I thought it was just weather related or something and that it would go away eventually because I have had something similar happen to me before but it wasnt going away. And it was really stinging too, so we decided to go to the hospital. Now when an American hears the word hospital they usually think that there is a big problem, but hospitals are all they have here.. they have big ones and small ones and I just went to a small one. I guess I could just use the word "doctors office" but they just have one word and that is "hospital". So yeah... anyways... the doctor said that I probably just rubbed my eye too hard and he gave me all this medicine to fix it. I have to take 4 pills every morning and night and rub this cream stuff on my eye!!! All that medicine for such a small problem!!! But hey, its been like 4 days now and I am basically all the way healed. So I guess the meds are working.
Other than that, things are going good. I hear from people all the time about peoples marriages and things like that and it makes me wanna get home faster and sharpen up my dating tactics and get myself hitched but I still got 5 months left so I have to wait a biiiit longer. Still kinda homesick, but it doesnt compare to where I was when I first got to Japan. I can find ways to deal with it now and usually I forget about it after awhile, so everything is okay.
Love ya!
Miranda
PS- Nah we only got like 12 lessons this week but we found out that the whole 20 lessons goal isnt a requirement or anything actually. Its main purpose is just for us to practice our Japanese and teaching skills. If we dont get 20 lessons, then oh well not a big deal, but the promise is that if we do get 20 lessons, we will be happy missionaries. That is what Elder Ringwood said and promised us. We will keep trying but now I dont have as much stress which is good!
PPS- LESLIE IS THE CUTEST. This is my reply to her
Dear Les,
Thank you for your email! I will come home and see you in 5 months. I am excited for your letter! Are you excited for school? How is it? It sounds like Baileys house was really fun. I want to play babies and kill some monsters with you! Who did you play with? Your garden sounds very good. I eat a lot of vegetables and fruits in Japan. I eat a lot of weird food like octopus and cow tongue too! But it tastes good! Isaac is a silly boy. I want to be your best friend! I love you Leslie!!
Love Mindy
I am doing so good everyone! My health is fairly good, but I did go to the hospital this week :O I will explain later! Hmm, dad asked me a ton of questions about my health and stuff so I will just let you know that I am doing pretty good emotionally and spiritually, too. I have my ups and downs and some days are better than others but in the big picture I am doing all right! Oh and last week I ate terrible but this week I am going to stay true to my diet and eat good. I WILL LOSE 13 LBS BEFORE I COME HOME. It WILL happen. Ganbaro!
So first thing is first. Maybe this isnt so important right now, but just so I can have a little peace of mind, will you please get online or call ISU or something and find out when the application due date is to get into my program? 2 years ago it was in the beginning of February and seeing that I come home Feb 6, I might need to get started on that on my P days (not for awhile of course but I wanna know!) Also just to double check, can you make sure the pre requisites I already did are still all okay and they didnt add any new requirements? If they did, that means I need to come home in December which means I need to tell my president now-ish! I will give you my ISU log in information stuff so you can check my transcripts and what not. Arigatooouuuu!
So last week we went and visited the Shuto family! N san (the husband) is like 77 years old but so genki (happy)! He has lots of interest in religion and so he is studying all sorts of religions right now. He told us that after the tsunami he stopped believing in God though so he isnt practicing anything right now, but he likes learning. Tsan (the wife) is so so so nice. She is my mommy in Japan. She always cooks great food and feeds me and Sister Kanno and she always wants to help me. While we were at their house me and Sister Kanno played their piano and sang songs for them like a mini concert and everyone was just so genki together! Also we shared a short message on the Book of Mormon and T san was so honored and pleased that we would share something so sacred with their family. N san started reading it immediately asking all sorts of questions about who Moroni was and what a Lamanite was. We explained the introduction to him and he understood the history of the Book of Mormon sooo good. And then from that we were able to naturally teach the restoration to them, but mostly N san. T san was preparing dinner so she didnt participate but she heard everything. It was cool though. It was like I was just talking to my friend having a regular discussion and it wasnt a "lesson" setting at all. It was nice. We are going over to their house tonight to celebrate the moon or something, I dont really know ha ha. But they are feeding us! And guess what! I bought a Yukata last P day and T san is going to teach me how to put it on and wear it and stuff. I will take lots of pictures! Love that family. So glad they became investigators!
We did service at U Shimai`s house and it was so fun/gross! Her bathroom hasnt been cleaned once I think in all the years she has lived in her apartment. Im telling you, it was bad. The dust and mold was probably and inch thick and that is not an exaggeration... we were wearing gloves and masks and stuff while cleaning and its a little bit cleaner but honestly the walls and floor just need to be replaced. But she was really grateful and said, "all these years I have been needing help with cleaning my bathroom but I was too afraid to ask. Then you sisters offered and it was like a burden was lifted off of me. Thank you thank you thank you" It just goes to show that sometimes people are suffering inside and they actually DO need help. You just have to ask and then keep bugging them if they say, "nah, Im okay!" Service is good.
So the hospital... for awhile now my right eyelid has been super dry and really red. I had the symptoms for about a week and I thought it was just weather related or something and that it would go away eventually because I have had something similar happen to me before but it wasnt going away. And it was really stinging too, so we decided to go to the hospital. Now when an American hears the word hospital they usually think that there is a big problem, but hospitals are all they have here.. they have big ones and small ones and I just went to a small one. I guess I could just use the word "doctors office" but they just have one word and that is "hospital". So yeah... anyways... the doctor said that I probably just rubbed my eye too hard and he gave me all this medicine to fix it. I have to take 4 pills every morning and night and rub this cream stuff on my eye!!! All that medicine for such a small problem!!! But hey, its been like 4 days now and I am basically all the way healed. So I guess the meds are working.
Other than that, things are going good. I hear from people all the time about peoples marriages and things like that and it makes me wanna get home faster and sharpen up my dating tactics and get myself hitched but I still got 5 months left so I have to wait a biiiit longer. Still kinda homesick, but it doesnt compare to where I was when I first got to Japan. I can find ways to deal with it now and usually I forget about it after awhile, so everything is okay.
Love ya!
Miranda
PS- Nah we only got like 12 lessons this week but we found out that the whole 20 lessons goal isnt a requirement or anything actually. Its main purpose is just for us to practice our Japanese and teaching skills. If we dont get 20 lessons, then oh well not a big deal, but the promise is that if we do get 20 lessons, we will be happy missionaries. That is what Elder Ringwood said and promised us. We will keep trying but now I dont have as much stress which is good!
PPS- LESLIE IS THE CUTEST. This is my reply to her
Dear Les,
Thank you for your email! I will come home and see you in 5 months. I am excited for your letter! Are you excited for school? How is it? It sounds like Baileys house was really fun. I want to play babies and kill some monsters with you! Who did you play with? Your garden sounds very good. I eat a lot of vegetables and fruits in Japan. I eat a lot of weird food like octopus and cow tongue too! But it tastes good! Isaac is a silly boy. I want to be your best friend! I love you Leslie!!
Love Mindy
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Week Fifty-eight.
Good morning!
Sounds like you are having a fun little mini vacation mom! I bet it is nice to not be tied down by a job anymore. But hey, what happened to your little tutoring job? Are you still doing that? Also are you still training for a half marathon? Lately I have really been wanting to just run run run, but its hard to do that on a mission. Hey thanks for sending those pictures! Miles is huge! And grandma flash is so pretty! I miss her!
I got the package with the notes from the family reunion! Thank you so much! Me and Kanno Shimai read all the notes together and Kanno Shimai practiced her English! I was so happy to read everyones encouraging notes! And thanks for the ensign, it is mostly the same as the Liahona but the Ensign has a few more articles. There were more articles in the Ensign about young adults and teenagers. Oh I got a letter from Jackie Josephson that had an update on girls camp. I guess they did a thing where they highlighted all the sister missionaries from the stake and they highlighted me too! And lots of girls wrote me little notes and I received them in the mail too. It was such a nice thing to receive. Such a blessing. Also there was a list of all the girls serving right now and where they are and when I read it I was so full of joy! There were tons of girls that I grew up with that are on missions that I didnt even know about like Angela Cheney and Michelle Tavenner. And Krista Griffith just got a mission call too! So cool! That makes me so so so happy! And that is so cool to hear about Caleb Wilding. When does he leave?
Dad, its crazy that you ran into Roger Cheney all the way in KUWAIT! Very very small world. And the church in Kuwait sounds really interesting. I am glad you were able to make it to church and even talk to the taxi driver about the church too. You are such a good missionary!
So this week was just lesson lesson lessons! We ended up with 13 lessons at the end of the week. We worked so hard though and I am so tired. I dont know how I am going to be when we get 20 lessons... teaching 20 lessons in Japan especially in a small branch is really really hard you guys. But I know we can do it.
We visited S san last week. We met S san while we were walking down a street. We stopped and invited her to our summer festival and she invited us to her tea ceremony thing that she was having. We went to it and she was happy we kept our promise, and last week we were able to visit her and hang out at her house. I met her husband too and we bonded pretty good. He kept making fun of me because I couldnt pronounce the word volunteer right ha ha. I taught him how to say handsome, cute, and beautiful in English ha ha. Those are useful words! Then when the S were looking at my family pictures they both practiced their newly learned English. It was soo cute to hear them say, "Miranda! Cute!" They call me Miranda instead of Robertson Shimai... ha ha. The husband has interest in the bible and english so tomorrow we are going back and we are going to teach them a little english and then share the message of the restoration. Hopefully they will become new investigators!
We taught M san this week too, with her family! She lives with her older sister who is a member and her older sisters husband who is the elders investigator. It was an awesome lesson! We taught about prayer and reading the scriptures and how they are commandments. The spirit was totally there and they commited to pray as a family and take turns saying the prayer. Love that family!
We taught R kun as well. We also taught him about prayer and the Book of Mormon, and he told us that he has been reading the Book of Mormon every day! And actually he has been sincerely studying it, not just reading it! He sits there and reads and when he doesnt understand a word he looks it up in a dictionary and searches until he finally understands. That is true study. He told us he believes the Book of Mormon is TRUE. I felt the spirit so strong when he said that. But we passed him to the elders so we wont get to teach him anymore :(
We got a new investigator this week! T M san. She has interest in English so we are doing our fancy 30 min English/30 min Church message program with her. We taught her about the Godhead and the nature of God and she had lots of good questions about the Holy Ghost. She doesnt have interest in entering a church, but she has interest in learning about the Christian religion so we are going to teach her and if she allows the spirit to enter her, I know she can change. We actually have a lesson with her today in a couple hours.
We also went and visited I san again. Do you remember the story I told a few weeks ago about us riding our bikes and I felt like we should stop and house a small apartment complex and the last door was a young girl that was super nice and referred us to her mom? Well we finally met the mom! She said she isnt interested in joining a church but she likes learning about Jesus Christ so she said we could come back again. Kanno Shimai told me that when she saw the mom she felt like she had seen her or met her before. I said, "in the premortal existence!!!" We both feel like something is going to happen with that family.
So like I said, this week has been lesson lesson lesson and all the work is making me really tired. I am getting kinda stressed too with all the planning and practicing and such and it is causing me to get homesick. Sometimes it would be nice to just rest. Today is P day but we have 3 lessons planned today and so it isnt really P day at all. No rest, just go go go. On the bright side, me and Kanno Shimai are going to a gym tonight for 2 hours to just work out and relieve some stress. That will be nice. I plan on running! :) But I sure do miss home. Kanno Shimai was homesick this week too so we both just kinda sat together slumped in our chairs and said "Mama aitaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii" (I miss my moooommm) But then we sat up and talked about how Jesus Christ was dendoing all the time and he didnt even get a P day. And he just worked worked worked and more and so we need to just keep working too. I will do my best! This week is going to be more busy than last week.
With loveee,
Miranda
Sounds like you are having a fun little mini vacation mom! I bet it is nice to not be tied down by a job anymore. But hey, what happened to your little tutoring job? Are you still doing that? Also are you still training for a half marathon? Lately I have really been wanting to just run run run, but its hard to do that on a mission. Hey thanks for sending those pictures! Miles is huge! And grandma flash is so pretty! I miss her!
I got the package with the notes from the family reunion! Thank you so much! Me and Kanno Shimai read all the notes together and Kanno Shimai practiced her English! I was so happy to read everyones encouraging notes! And thanks for the ensign, it is mostly the same as the Liahona but the Ensign has a few more articles. There were more articles in the Ensign about young adults and teenagers. Oh I got a letter from Jackie Josephson that had an update on girls camp. I guess they did a thing where they highlighted all the sister missionaries from the stake and they highlighted me too! And lots of girls wrote me little notes and I received them in the mail too. It was such a nice thing to receive. Such a blessing. Also there was a list of all the girls serving right now and where they are and when I read it I was so full of joy! There were tons of girls that I grew up with that are on missions that I didnt even know about like Angela Cheney and Michelle Tavenner. And Krista Griffith just got a mission call too! So cool! That makes me so so so happy! And that is so cool to hear about Caleb Wilding. When does he leave?
Dad, its crazy that you ran into Roger Cheney all the way in KUWAIT! Very very small world. And the church in Kuwait sounds really interesting. I am glad you were able to make it to church and even talk to the taxi driver about the church too. You are such a good missionary!
So this week was just lesson lesson lessons! We ended up with 13 lessons at the end of the week. We worked so hard though and I am so tired. I dont know how I am going to be when we get 20 lessons... teaching 20 lessons in Japan especially in a small branch is really really hard you guys. But I know we can do it.
We visited S san last week. We met S san while we were walking down a street. We stopped and invited her to our summer festival and she invited us to her tea ceremony thing that she was having. We went to it and she was happy we kept our promise, and last week we were able to visit her and hang out at her house. I met her husband too and we bonded pretty good. He kept making fun of me because I couldnt pronounce the word volunteer right ha ha. I taught him how to say handsome, cute, and beautiful in English ha ha. Those are useful words! Then when the S were looking at my family pictures they both practiced their newly learned English. It was soo cute to hear them say, "Miranda! Cute!" They call me Miranda instead of Robertson Shimai... ha ha. The husband has interest in the bible and english so tomorrow we are going back and we are going to teach them a little english and then share the message of the restoration. Hopefully they will become new investigators!
We taught M san this week too, with her family! She lives with her older sister who is a member and her older sisters husband who is the elders investigator. It was an awesome lesson! We taught about prayer and reading the scriptures and how they are commandments. The spirit was totally there and they commited to pray as a family and take turns saying the prayer. Love that family!
We taught R kun as well. We also taught him about prayer and the Book of Mormon, and he told us that he has been reading the Book of Mormon every day! And actually he has been sincerely studying it, not just reading it! He sits there and reads and when he doesnt understand a word he looks it up in a dictionary and searches until he finally understands. That is true study. He told us he believes the Book of Mormon is TRUE. I felt the spirit so strong when he said that. But we passed him to the elders so we wont get to teach him anymore :(
We got a new investigator this week! T M san. She has interest in English so we are doing our fancy 30 min English/30 min Church message program with her. We taught her about the Godhead and the nature of God and she had lots of good questions about the Holy Ghost. She doesnt have interest in entering a church, but she has interest in learning about the Christian religion so we are going to teach her and if she allows the spirit to enter her, I know she can change. We actually have a lesson with her today in a couple hours.
We also went and visited I san again. Do you remember the story I told a few weeks ago about us riding our bikes and I felt like we should stop and house a small apartment complex and the last door was a young girl that was super nice and referred us to her mom? Well we finally met the mom! She said she isnt interested in joining a church but she likes learning about Jesus Christ so she said we could come back again. Kanno Shimai told me that when she saw the mom she felt like she had seen her or met her before. I said, "in the premortal existence!!!" We both feel like something is going to happen with that family.
So like I said, this week has been lesson lesson lesson and all the work is making me really tired. I am getting kinda stressed too with all the planning and practicing and such and it is causing me to get homesick. Sometimes it would be nice to just rest. Today is P day but we have 3 lessons planned today and so it isnt really P day at all. No rest, just go go go. On the bright side, me and Kanno Shimai are going to a gym tonight for 2 hours to just work out and relieve some stress. That will be nice. I plan on running! :) But I sure do miss home. Kanno Shimai was homesick this week too so we both just kinda sat together slumped in our chairs and said "Mama aitaiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii" (I miss my moooommm) But then we sat up and talked about how Jesus Christ was dendoing all the time and he didnt even get a P day. And he just worked worked worked and more and so we need to just keep working too. I will do my best! This week is going to be more busy than last week.
With loveee,
Miranda
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