March 20 2017

Transfer calls came and I will be going down to Kagoshima in an area called taniyama! My companion will be Henderson Shimai, which I am SO excited about. I was so nervous to find out who my last companion would be, but was thrilled to hear it was her! She and I were in the same district together in iwakuni, so I'm really excited to get to serve with someone I'm already so close with! I remember after one district meeting walking with Henderson Shimai to lunch and telling her, 'I think we are going to be companions at some point' and now we will be! It brought me a lot of peace about transfers and I am really looking forward to it. 

Yesterday was Steed Shimais birthday! It started with making French toast and homemade cakes and ended with us both getting separated for an HOUR as we were biking to an area. We were biking up a hill and somehow got separated and it took us an hour, with the help of the Henry's, to find eachother. I have never questioned the safety of Japan as much as in that hour at we were separated! Luckily all turned out okay and Japan maintains its incredible safety. It made me realize how thankful I am that we get to have companions and preach the gospel two by two. It would be so lonely and scary if we had to do it alone. I'm thankful to now have Steed Shimai by my side again. 

This week we had probably a last lesson with one of our investigators that we have been teaching basically since I got to Sasebo. She wasn't able to get work off on Sunday's and had kind of stopped reading the Book of Mormon and praying so we just had a last meeting with her and bore our testimonies. She was a referral from a recent convert, and we did the lesson in his restaurant. After the investigator left, the member came upstairs and talked to us. He could tell I was feeling a little down. He talked about all the missionaries instrumental in his baptism, the huge progress our investigator had made up until this point, and many other comforting. He reassured me that she now knows about the blessings of the Book of Mormon and prayer, and that in the future she will be ready to fully accept the gospel. It was a very special experience with him and I was thankful for the reassurance he gave that we had done everything in our power for the investigator we love. 

I love Sasebo with all my heart, and am thankful for the time I have had to spend here with Jorgensen and Steed Shimai. We did not have many investigators in my time here, but am indescribably thankful for the relationships and friendships I have been blessed to have with members and less actives. As we have biked the hills of Sasebo for hours on end, I feel I have grown to greater understand the love our Heavenly Father has for each of his children. He knows exactly where each of us are, and desires each of our happiness, peace, and success. Because He loves us so perfectly, He sent His son, Jesus Christ to provide a way for us to return to our heavenly home. It is truly through following our Savior, that we find peace in this life, and eternal life in the world to come. I'm thankful for the gift and blessing of getting to serve in sasebo for six months of my mission, and life. 

All my love, Sundell Shimai 

The sweetest English students ever! We had been volunteering at a Japanese self defense force English class for the past few months and this week was the last class. Our four sweet women that put all the guys English to shame! Such hard workers.