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.