Jan. 7, 2017

Pday came early this week because we had the opportunity to go to the temple today! 

And it's also probably a good thing last week we ran out of time to email because I'm not sure how uplifting of an email i could have shared. But the past four days or so have been a blessing and I've learned a lot through the tender mercies of the Lord. 

Last week was a lot of humbling. Well the past few weeks or so has been a lot of humbling with training and people not being responsive to anything we do, but last week especially was long. I think Monday was the lowest, loneliest, point, but the week skyrocketed from Tuesday. We planned to visit sato Shimai (yes the Shimai that helped me last time I was feeling down) so we biked out there and visited her. We walked in and she was SO happy to see us. She kept saying 'I thought you were never going to come again!' And I had to explain that it was just Jorgensen Shimai that went home. She met steed Shimai and quickly named her both 'speed' and 'sweet' Shimai. And she still calls me Sunday Shimai. I love her. We met with her and got to hang up a picture of the savior on her wall. As we hung it up she told us how one time when she was very sorrow filled and crying. She looked over at the picture of Christ and saw a tear drop from his eye too. It was the sweetest story she shared and taught us so much. The savior comforted and grieved with her through her trials, and I know he does the same for each one of us. He weeps with us when we weeps, rejoices with us when we rejoice, and perfectly understands everything we experience. He experienced all of our  joys and sorrows through his atoning sacrifice. Needless to say the visit to her was incredible as always and she brightened my spirits when I was down. Sato Shimai has done so much for me on my mission, and I'll be forever thankful for the friendship we  have. 

As we left her assisted living facility, which we have visited five or six times before, I noticed some apartments nearby that had never stuck out before. We decided to stop and dendo them. At one door, a sweet pregnant young mom with a 2 year old and kind husband answered the door. We talked with them for a bit and asked if we could come back and share a message with them. They said yes! But when we tried to schedule a time we couldn't work one out. So we said, well can we share a message with you right now? And they said YES. AND WE SHARED A LESSON. AND PRAYED TOGETHER. AND FELT THE SPIRIT TOGETHER. AND SET UP ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. can you tell we were a little excited? Seriously it was the most incredible experience! Both of them listened and sincerely wanted to learn more. We are so excited for the return appointment with them and for them to be a great attribute to this sasebo branch! Also, their two year old boy is the most gorgeous kid I've ever seen. The longer I'm here the more I love Japanese babies. It's getting bad! Seriously anywhere we walk I see a cute baby and get completely distracted from what we are doing to go over and talk to the baby. Good thing parents love being told that their kids are cute! 

We had zone conference with President and Sister Egan, the assistants, and the rest of the zone. It was incredible. The spirit was so strong and we were able to learn together. The training Rogers Shimai and I prepared went so well thanks to the spirit and preach my gospel that we used throughout! I love Preach My Gospel. It's so inspired. I had been slightly cynical about the importance of pmg throughout my mission, but recently as we have studied it, I've gained such a testimony of it. It tells us exactly what we need to do be successful, effective missionaries and disciples of Christ. I've also felt like this about all missionary rules and guidance we receive as missionaries. The church leaders, mission leaders, and our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know what they are talking about in the commandments and guidance they give. They want us to succeed, and if we humble ourselves to follow their counsel, we will experience happiness and success. 

Getting to go to the temple today was a blessing! We all woke up so excited to get to go! It was so nice getting to participate in one of the ordinances of the temple. The peace found in the temple is unparalleled. It's truly the closest place to heaven on earth. I could have sat and basked in the peace of the temple all day. 

I know that our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ lives and loves us. He is there for us in all things we experience, even if we don't always realize it. Sometimes it takes getting out of and looking back on trials to see all the ways He helped us through. I know that it is through trials and times of famine that help us greater appreciate times of success and plenty. 

I feel profound peace and pure joy in thinking about the last year of my life. Having experiences that have deepened and enriched my soul. Experiences that are preparing me for future experiences, and are allowing me to feel our Heavenly Father and and Jesus Christ's grace and love. 

All my love, Sundell Shimai 

Thank you Japanese filters making us look far less tired and raggedy than we actually are 

Steed Shimai had a headache this week during planning and this was the remedy we figured out.