November 24, 2016

Thanksgiving in the middle of Japan

I do not know where to even begin on the subject of gratitude! Truly this week, and this past year, has given me countless things to be thankful for. We had Missionary Leadership Council this week at the mission home and it was just as incredible as last transfer. Getting to spend that time with our mission president and his wife and the assistants is so special. They truly show us how much our savior loves each one of us, and I couldn't be more blessed to serve under Egan kaicho and Egan Shimai. As I st on the couch at mlc and looked around at some of the other missionaries here I got so emotional and teary. There was my sweet trainer Anderson Shimai, mccuen Shimai, smith Shimai, Jorgensen Shimai, and so many other missionaries that I've grown to love so much. My heart just ached with love! It was so sad having to say goodbye to them for a little while, as they are going home this transfer, but my heart just nearly burst with gratitude to my savior for allowing me to have the joy and blessing of serving with each of them. I wish I could accurately convey all that these sisters have done for me over my mission. The Lord truly blesses his missionaries with lifelong friendships through our mutual service. 

I was also able to talk with McKenzie Shimai on the phone for a few minutes this week, which was such a blessing. The second I heard her voice I just started bawling! I really think the two months we spent together in the Mtc was solely for me to learn from McKenzie Shimai. Her love, testimony, and kindness have given me support and comfort throughout my mission though we have only seen each other twice in the past year in Japan. I still hope and pray that we will be able to serve together before our missions end: or even better, that the lord will just somehow bring her to Vegas permanently :) 

Zone training meeting today was better than ever. All the missionaries contributed thoughts, experiences, and testimonies that brought the spirit so strongly. We have such an amazing zone! 

Immediately after the meeting the Henry's (senior couple) drove us to a members house that fed us the most gorgeous thanksgiving dinner! Seriously we walked into the kitchen to find every possible thanksgiving dish perfectly hand prepared and awaiting us on the table. Oh and name tags and place settings. They live in the countryside and after dinner we walked down to the ocean and picked up trash for a little bit then walked back home and we are now playing games together. The Barnhills have given us the most perfect thanksgiving, and what made it even more perfect was that we were in the middle of Japan for all of it. Pictures to come on Monday. 

Today I think I am most thankful for the relationships we make in this life that are just an extension from our premarital life. First being our family relationships, but second being the friendships we make throughout our lives. Heavenly Father has blessed me to be able to find so many new friends in the past year- investigators, companions, fellow missionaries, members, and even just random people we talk to on the street. I'm so thankful that friendships last through the eternities. It's sometimes hard being so far away from the people that I held most dear before my mission, but I wouldn't trade the friendships I've made on the past year for anything. 

I love this work and am thankful for this day of thanks. 

I love you all! 

All my love, Sundell Shimai 

We go to take this picture together and my mind instantly flashed back to April taking this same picture as I left Maebaru and Anderson Shimai to go to iwakuni. Where did the time go?! Then I started crying and these pics followed 

Smith Shimai and mccuen Shimai. All that was missing was mcnaughton Shimai! Have you ever seen more beautiful sister missionaries?

 

 

 

 

Our Branch President's kids. We just did Family Home Evening

Zone Training Meeting