October 18, 2016

What a week! Ah so many things happened, and so many new experiences!

First new experience was getting the opportunity to go to MLC missionary leadership council. We got to meet with kaicho (our mission

president) and the other leaders in the mission and talk about how to best help motivate everyone and help them progress in the work. Our mission president LOVES his missionaries. I couldn't imagine having a more loving, supportive, kind mission president. It was a blessing getting to feel of our Savior's love through him.

Next new experience was getting to plan for and present a training at zone training meeting with the zone leaders. Our zone leaders LOVE our missionaries. The training went amazing thanks to the participation of all the incredible missionaries we have in the zone. The Japan Fukuoka mission has some rockstar missionaries, who are completely dedicated to this work.

Next new experience was 6 HOURS of church. Half English, half Japanese. We were at the church for 12 1/2 HOURS yesterday between meetings, lessons, church, and a special devotional broadcast. It's so fun getting to have church in both languages and converse with so many members! Since we are at the church for so long and we only have an hour break between English and Japanese, a Japanese member makes and brings lunch for all the missionaries every single Sunday so we can eat! ANGEL! Welcome to the church in Japan.

 I'm sure you have all been meticulously keeping track of how many days I've been out on my mission and all already know this, but I hit my year mark on Friday! On initially reflecting on the past year, I was kind of stressed in thinking I hadn't done enough, spiritually progressed, etc. But as I cast that greedy little devil out that was inflicting self doubt in me, I was able to think about all the joy that was experiences the past year. Joy. Not just happiness, but pure joy. As I though, I was able to realize that the times I felt joy were in seeing others pray, feel the spirit, come to church, feel hope, love more readily, and feel of their Savior's love. My favorite quote from conference was by elder Nelson when he simply said "Jesus Christ is joy!" I have such a solid testimony of that! Our savior really is joy! I've been able to see that joy in others both lost and gained based on their willingness to follow Christ. If we exercise even the smallest particle of faith and action into following Christ, he will bless us with pure, perfect joy.

So that's my recommendation for everyone this week: think about what things in your life make you happy, and what things in your life bring you joy. Then, do more of the things that bring joy!

I know this church is true, and wouldn't trade the past year for anything. I love you all!

All my love, Sundell Shimai

Our adorable new investigator! The best year mark present ever! (So much joy in seeing someone hold and read from the Book of Mormon)

Island boat tour with my best friend companion Jorgensen Shimai

Joy in seeing Anderson Shimai!

Our joyous zone

View from the MOUNTAIN we hiked up. Friends, the mountains here are no jokes. Don't be surprised if one of my future emails is titled 'death by mountains'

One of the Japanese members arranges a flower arrangement every Sunday to go by the pulpit and this was this weeks.