Oct. 29, 2015

My district

Thanks Jenny for the oils.

On our Sunday temple walk (have I mentioned how blessed I am to have Mckenzie Shimai as my companion?)

Lai Shimai and her precious figs

In case you were wondering what I look like at this exact moment.

Oct. 29, 2015
This week I experienced the best and worst days of my entire (two
week) mission. Monday was rough. I was super overwhelmed by the
language and was feeling defeated. Then our Japanese teachers
chastised us for not working as hard lately and for not focusing on
our purpose. It was out of love but was a little much to add onto my
already overwhelmed and emotional state, so I had a little breakdown
(what's new)
On the way back to the residence, my doryo (companion) and I were
talking and she was feeling very overwhelmed too. We stayed outside
for a while and talked about what we were struggling with. It's so
nice being able to have a companion that is also my best friend. I
couldn't be more blessed and I am so thankful for her! We get closer
every day and it's the best. It helps when I'm missing Kakela and
Cosette a lot ;)
I got off track... So after we talked we decided to do a few things to
study more effectively and keep the spirit. We said a prayer together
and it was very comforting. The day was super rough and I was just
glad to crawl into my bed.

Tuesday the heavens were opened.
Tender mercy of the Lord #1
There are six girls in our room and we all somehow forgot to set our
alarms which NEVER happens, so instead of waking up at 6:30, we all
woke up at 8. It was the greatest sleep of my life. Let me tell you,
it was bliss. It may sound contradictory that the lord would bless us
by letting us sleep In and break mission rules, but I know it was a
tender mercy from Him!
Tender mercy #2
Lunch. The food here is awful. But lunch today was not. It was
miraculous. There was a chicken cranberry croissant sandwich, Navajo
taco, and SWEET POTATO FRIES. My companion and I were just so
thankful. I know it doesn't sound like much but it was.
Tender mercy #3
The devotional. We have devotionals every Sunday and Tuesday night
with really great speakers, but Tuesday we got to hear from Neil L
Andersen. I can't really summarize it because it was so amazing, but I
can say that I know he is an apostle of the Lord. Everything we go
through in this life is strengthening us, enriching us, and forming us
into the person our Heavenly Father wants us to become! Elder Anderson
was a mission president in France and one night someone came in and
was saying how much they were struggling and how difficult a mission
is. He said that he prayed asking how he could help the missionary
through the difficult time. He said that he heard The lord say "you
did not call them to this experience, I did. If they need help, they
must come to me." Learning to turn to The Lord isn't easy and it
requires a whole lot more effort and faith, but I know he helps us
with anything we need! He is on our side!

I'm just very thankful for this opportunity to learn and grow closer
to my savior! His love is real.

Last night I had my first Japanese lightbulb. We were learning how to
form sentences and it just clicked! Most amazing feeling ever. They
were very elementary sentences but I was able to have a conversation
with my teacher!

This morning Mckenzie shimai and I went to the temple and did an
endowment session. It was so peaceful and a perfect way to start the
day. After we ate breakfast in the temple cafeteria and had outside
world food for the first time in two weeks! It was sooooo delicious
and we savored every bite. So basically temple is a huge blessing in
the mtc!
I'm loving it here and am very grateful for everyone's love and
support. I love you all!

Here is the story behind the figs I got in a different email from Abby- I don't remember buying the figs but they were the only thing I could find in the pantry at that moment to send in her package.
 Mom, thank you for the package you sent me! Earlier in the week the
Taiwanese sister in our district was talking about how she can't eat
any of the food here and how she misses her culture and food. She was
talking about how she misses figs and how delicious they are. You must
have been inspired to randomly put those figs in! I went back to the
classroom and said Lai Shimai guess what my mom sent me, and she
gasped super loud and exclaimed "My Heavenly Father loves me!!!" In
the cutest Chinese accent. So your package was a little miracle for
her.
 

Here is Abby's farewell talk.
You do not need to download drop box to listen, just click on download and you can open in.  I am also including the written text.
//www.dropbox.com/s/81ak81el21ehy5n/abby%20farewell%20talk.m4a?dl=0

Abbigail Sundell’s Farewell Talk

Oct 11, 2015

         Good afternoon brothers and sisters.  I am thankful for the words that have been shared by the other speakers, and I am thankful for Sister Baird for playing the musical number today, she was my piano teacher for a long time and was grateful that she could do that.  I have been in this ward since I was born so I think most of you know me but I am Abby Sundell and on Wednesday I go into the MTC to serve a mission and I got called to Japan. My journey to serving a mission started about 2 and a half years ago. It was the summer before my junior year or junior or senior year and I went on a Church history tour, and we went to the sacred grove and Sister Ewell, the lady who runs the tour, encouraged all of us to go into the sacred grove with a prayer in our hearts and a question that we wanted answered.  So as I went in my question was, “was if I supposed to serve a mission or not?” I had never really thought of serving a mission a lot very seriously before so I said, “ok that seems like a good enough question to ask”. So I went in and said a prayer and I decided to read my patriarchal blessing and there were multiple times throughout it that I felt like it was encouraging me to serve a mission, it didn’t come right out and say it but I knew that was what I was supposed to do.  Since then I have been kind of back and forth on serving a mission.  There would be times I would be really nervous and didn’t think I could do it, other times when I was just really excited to do it, but I stuck with it and here I am today both overjoyed and slightly terrified.  I am sure I will encounter some interesting things in Japan including some very weird food but when that happens I hope to just drown it in soy sauce and hope that makes it go down a little easier.  

I am extra excited to serve in Japan because my older brother served a mission there about 10 years ago but just in a different part of Japan.  He passed away 6 years ago and I have felt his spirit and influence especially strong since receiving my call.  Yesterday I was talking with my Aunt Roxie and I could tell that she knew I was pretty nervous to give my talk and what she said to me was “it doesn’t really matter what you say what matters is the spirit that is there”, so I pray that the spirit will be here and it will testify of the things that I say.

My topic today comes from lesson two in Preach My Gospel and is on the plan of salvation and the atonement.  At the end of the lessons it has scripture references and I want to base what I say today around Alma 7:11-13. This is Alma talking of Christ and he says…“and he shall go forth suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind, and this that the word might be filled which sayeth he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people, and he will take upon him death that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people. And he will take upon him their infirmities that his bowels may be filled with mercy according to the flesh that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.  Now the spirit knoweth all things never the less the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance and now behold this is the testimony which is in me.”

What stuck out to me most in these verses is when Alma talks of Christ atoning for our sins that he took upon himself both the sicknesses and our infirmities so that he can know how to succor us.  Succor is defined as something that you do or give to help someone who is suffering or in a difficult situation. It is also defined as something that furnishes relief.  

Christ performed the atonement to provide a way for us to return to the presence of God, AND he performed it to be able to perfectly succor and guide us through this life. After completing the atonement God did not just say “here is the way, now figure out what I did and you can do it”.  No instead he lovingly takes us by the hand and helps us through this life.  I would like to make and analogy between this concept and experiences I have had in my life.

I have been going to Lake Powell every summer since I was a baby and it is a time when I can appreciate Gods perfect creations and a time when we can become closer to friends and family and just have really good quality time together.  During the week my family likes to go on some hikes.  Now these hikes present lots of different terrains.  They can go from a sandy little stream bed to boulders you have to climb up and around or tiny little slot canyons that you wedge your way up to climb up to something that looks interesting.  The hikes normally start out with a nice casual walk and then progress to more difficult obstacles. Each adult normally has a kid or two that they help along the hike. When we encounter a tough spot to hike across, the adult will either hold the child by the hand, secure their foothold or even carry them across the obstacle. Without the help of the adult, the kids wouldn’t be able to make it through. 

As I thought about how to convey the concept of Christ always being with us to help us through any trial or temptation, I thought of hiking with my nieces and nephews at Lake Powell. I really love my nieces and nephews so if we compare Christ to the adults in this story and ourselves to the children being helped it seems so clear.  As we hike the adults don’t simply quickly climb up the rocks and boulders and turn around say “okay your turn!” Instead they help the kids through every tricky spot that comes in their path. So as in life as we encounter a trial Christ is by our side to guide us.  He is our helping hand an unshakeable foothold to help us make it though.

The atonement is not limited to Christ’s atoning sacrifice for our sins in the garden of Gethsemane.  It extends into every detail of our lives as we allow Christ to guide us through joys and trials.  In an article in BYU magazine Sister Sheri Dew said, “The savior’s divine empathy is perfect, so he knows how to help us.  He rarely moves the mountains that stand in front of us, but he always helps us climb them”.  I have felt my savior’s perfect empathy many times in my life.  Though He has not taken my trials away from me or moved my mountains, I know that it is by His grace and love, that I have been able to endure heartache and loss.  We know that the Savior is always, without fail, there to help us and strengthen us but we have to let him.

Many times at Lake Powell as we encounter a scary cliff to climb up and I am holding my niece or nephew’s hand trying to help them, they cry out, “I can’t” or “I‘m scared”.  I try to tell them where to put their feet or how to place their hands, but I can’t fully help them climb up until they trust me and listen to my instructions and move. There has to be effort on both sides.  In a talk by Bruce and Marie Hafen, Marie said, “To be successful the rescue effort hast to be reciprocal.  They both have to give it their all.”  Christ is always willing to give us His all, it is us that has to have faith and put our trust in Him to guide us safely.

In Brad Wilcox’s book “The Continuous Conversion” he talks of how we can apply the atonement in our lives.  He says “The atonement guarantees all will survive mortality, but growth is optional. Christ is not forcing progress on us, nor can He change us against our wills.  We have the right to accept or reject His offering.  We can acknowledge and appreciate it or ridicule and despise it, but we can’t fault Christ for giving us the opportunity to reach our potential.  The atonement is the most selfless and personal gift that has ever come from the giver of all good gifts”.  As we have faith in Christ and allow Him to guide us, we will have experiences that not only enrich and strengthen us, but He will use us as His hands to help our fellow men.

On one of our favorite hikes at Lake Powell there is a little rock wall at the end of the hike that we like to climb up.  It’s a pretty steep climb on slick rock that has only tiny divots for hand and foot holds.  At the top, about 25 feet up, there is a slight indent in the rock where you can sit before you climb down.  As a little girl I remember climbing up this and it is pretty easy to get up, but as it came time to climb down I would have a slight panic attack and be paralyzed with fear. But my Dad would always quickly climb up and help me down.  He would guide my foot to the divots and secure me so I felt safer.  Over the past years I have climbed the wall so many times, that I turned from the kid being helped down the wall into the person that helps the kids down the wall.

During our lives when we are presented with a “scary wall” to climb down, as we put our faith in Christ to help us, we are strengthened and prepared to help others through similar situations. Just as I was able to go from the child being guided to being the guide, we can all be instruments in God’s hands to bear up those around us going through trials.

When Robi passed away we were comforted by those who had experienced similar loss, and as we went through that trial my family and I were all able to gain empathy, and can now comfort others who have lost a loved one.  Another quote from Marie Hafen reads, “We heard one LDS woman express the absolute wonder she felt when she realized - I live in a world where the Master of the Universe, the most powerful being in existence just happens to know me and to care about my eternal happiness.  What ever did I do to deserve this?” God loves us and is there for us despite our shortcomings and imperfections. Even when we feel undeserving of His love and His grace He is there for us.

As a missionary I hope to share this liberating knowledge that there is a God who perfectly loves and cares for us with those who are seeking guidance and answers. I’m humbled that Heavenly Father is eager to put His trust in me and all other missionaries to be a representative of Him and spread His gospel.  

One of my friends Elder Larsen shared this quote at his farewell and it has stuck with me since. He quoted someone in saying “We go on a mission to find the people we promised in the pre-existence that we would find and remind them of the truths they once knew.” I cannot wait to find my people in Japan and I am thankful for a loving all-knowing Heavenly Father that will guide me while I am there.  I hope to be a humble and teachable servant in His hands.

I’d like to bear my testimony that I do know that this church is true, and that I have a testimony that God is there for us.  That if we put our faith in Him, He will get us through anything, that He will strengthen us and will enrich our lives and He will be able to use us as an influence on others to help them.  I am thankful for my family and for the plan of salvation.  I am thankful for the eternity that I have with them. I am thankful for prophets and apostles that lead and guide us and for their modern day revelation. I have a testimony that Joseph Smith restored the gospel and that he did see God the Father and his Son in the sacred grove.  I have a testimony that no matter what we go through if we put our faith in Christ that He will get us through. And I am so thankful for the gospel in my life and I can’t wait to serve the people in Japan. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

In case anyone is interested I found the talk that Abby mentioned in her email by Elder Bednar.  Here is the url for it-
http://scottwoodward.org/Talks/html/Bednar,%20David%20A/BednarDA_CharacterOfChrist.html

Abby's first letter and pics- Oct. 22,2015.  If you would email Abby then she will have your email addresses to include in her emails. It is-   abbigail.sundell@myldsmail.net


Hello family and friends that I love so much!
I've survived my first week at the mtc, and the food hasn't killed me... yet... so that's good.
I seriously lucked out in the companion department. My companion is Mckenzie Shimai and she is from Australia. We are nearly the same person and get along so well. We are always on the same page and its SO nice getting along with her. Our district is amazing and so diverse. Elder in japanese is choro, which sounds remarkably similar to both cholo and churro, so that was interesting the first couple days. Another sister in our district is 28 and from Taiwan! English is her second language so she is having to learn japanese through english- slightly difficult. I'm dying just learning it through my first language. Also, there is an elder in our district that converted just over a year ago! Basically I love my district and we are all very close already.
Our days consist of four to five hours of personal study, three ish hours of classroom instruction, two ish hours to eat, workout time, etc. Two rm's teach japanese class and they are both amazing. Brother Norawong always brings the spirit to the lessons and is so kind. I'm not sure who gets more frustrated in the lessons, us or the teachers. Us because the teachers do not speak ANY english and we have no clue what is going on, or the teachers because we are clueless and don't know what they are talking about. Either way, we are all overwhelmed by the end of the three hour lessons. Japanese is coming very slowly. So far I have learned how to pray, which is so exciting!  We learned how to say "Please bless us with the gift of tongues," and I'm sure to include that in every prayer.
I see elder Jorgensen all the time here!!! usually at meals. Its so nice to see a familiar face and talk with someone I know for a minute or two. Don't worry though, we keep it professional and appropriate.
Our second full day in the MTC we had to teach an investigator in JAPANESE. That wasn't overwhelming or stressful at all. I've really just earned to rely on the spirit and gauge how our lessons went by the spirit we felt. Even though I don't know what is being said in japanese, I know the spirit is there and that testifies of the truth!
Sunday was amazing. We listened to a talk called "Character of Christ" by David a Bednar. Most amazing talk I've heard. I don't know if its an MTC exclusive talk or if you anyone can look it up, but try and find it! It'll change your outlook on hardships. It was exactly what i needed to hear this week and really got me going again! He talks about how when we face trials and disappointments, the natural man turns inward and focuses on themselves, but when Christ faced trials, he turned outward and served those around him. 
The spirit here is so strong and I feel my Savior's love often. Everyone has something to contribute here, and I'm trying to learn as much as I can.
I'll see if I can send some pictures I took this week.
I love you all and miss you!

Love, Sundell Shimai

ALSO- have you heard of this thing called dear elder? Its amazing. go to dear elder.com and send me a note for free! My unit number is 163 and we get the dear elders throughout the week. It's so nice to hear from family and it really gets you through hard days. I want to hear how everyone is doing! 

Freaking out before our first lesson in japanese.

For all those wondering how I was doing without naps.

Our district on a Sunday temple walk.

McKenzie Shimai and I freezing in the classroom.  Somehow the elders are always hot and we are always freezing, so that's convenient.

Current address

Abby's address at the MTC is-

Sister Abbigail Jean Sundell
DEC 15 JPN-FKU
2005 N 900 E Unit 163
Provo, UT 84602

This is her address until Dec 15.  You can also send her letters/stuff through dearelder.com

Abby's info.

 In case not everyone got one of these-

SHE'S   OFF!!

All went well dropping Abby off at the MTC.  We had a nice lunch with Abby and her sisters. Drove to Provo, walked her up to the MTC and watched her walk away.  Not too many tears shed although there was some.  She was very excited and that made the separation easier.  She is ready to serve. 
I will be trying to post her farewell talk as well as her emails.  I am just learning this blog stuff so it may be a mess for awhile.  I will also post the recipes for the waffles, buttermilk syrup and sweet potato casserole we had at her farewell brunch.  We appreciated everyone that came to say goodbye.
Thank you for being our friends.