Typhoon & Yuho's Baptism

Konnichiwa Kazoku!

This week was all about YUHO!!!!!!!!! We wanted to meet with her everyday leading up to her baptism. She is awesome. We are so grateful for all the help we got from the ward. They have been incredible giving us rides and jointing for us. We NEED joints to help us because our language is NO WHERE NEAR perfect yet. The Okinawa ward is incredible! We are also getting so much help from an incredible member in one of the military wards. Even though she cant speak Japanese she befriends our investigators and does everything she can to help us! She is fearless! She is evening having our investigator Yuho at her house during the Typhoon because Yuho lives alone! I WANNA BE MICHELLE WHEN I GROW UP!!!

I hit my 6 month mark this week!! WOAHHH!!! What happened to the time! I only have a year left! This time next year I will be coming home!!! How crazy is that?!?! You spend all your life thinking about and planning for a mission that when its finally here is just flies by. AND TODAY IS TRANSFER CALLS!! AGAIN!!! We havent gotten our call yet, but I feel like I am staying here for a little longer. 

Conference was this weekend but we will see it next weekend when it is translated into Japanese. I CANNOT WAIT! Never in my life have I hungered and thirsted so much to hear the words of the prophets and apostles. I have read the April conference Liahona nan kai mo. (over and over again) I have studied those talks and love them! I cant wait for more!!!! Yippeee!!! 

TYPHOOOOON!!!! Yep you heard me right. Its typhoon time here is Okinawa. WE ARE ALIVE!! Our first typhoon experience was pretty exciting! Of course the biggest typhoon of the year was to come at exactly the time and day of our baptism! But that didnt stop us! Only delayed us a little. We had to reschedule it for the next day. During the typhoon we were not allowed to leave our apartment. It was tough being cooped up all day in our apartment but we were able to do a lot of area book dendou (missionary work) and make some appointments with former investigators. We also called almost everyone in our phone (old investigators, members, less actives, potential investigators) and invite them to the baptism. The baptism was a wonderful success. Chinen kyodai was the one who referred her and she wanted him to baptize her! It was such a wonderful experience for the Chinen family as well. Yuho was ready when we found her. She was really one of those investigator who was ready to be found. She was searching for the truth and just didnt know where to find us. We had nothing to do with her conversion. It was with her and the Lord. She has such strong faith! The members of this Japanese ward are soo supportive! They all came and filled the chapel. They brought food too and I didnt even ask them too! Yuho loves how the ward is like a family. We love Yuho so much. After she was baptized she bore her testimony of Jesus Christ. He really is the center of all we do. 

I LOVE OKINAWA!! I really do. I dont love Okinawa for the beaches, or the weather, or the typhoons, I love it because of the people here. Heavenly Father loves them and watches over them. They are special to him. I read in 1 Nephi 21 this morning and I love verses 15-16. The Lord says, "For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel. Behold I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." The Lord remembers these people, He has graven them upon the palms of His hands. He has suffered every one of their pains and afflictions. He has felt their joys and their sorrows. Their trials and constant battles are continually before Him. He knows them. I am grateful to serve here. I am grateful for the added capacity to love that I gained since coming on this mission.

I could go so many ways with storm analogies and what-not but the truth of the matter is the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. We are Gods children and He loves us. Keep doing what you know to be right and stop doing the bad things. I love my Savior! He lives!

Love,

Capener Shimai

Nauvoo Memories and my Fireside

Konnichiwa Kazoku

Instead of a long email today I sent a million pictures home!

This week we had splits with the sister training leaders which was really fun! I was paired with Takabori Shimai who is a seriously awesome missionary! One short experience I want to share. We planned to visit an investigator but when we went to her house she wasnt there. So we decided to street for a little then come back and try again before our next appointment. We were not sure where to go so we decided to say a prayer. After the prayer we headed in a certain direction. We connacted a few people and didnt have much luck. Then we spotted two ladies taking a smoke break in a building parking lot. We decided to talk to them. The talked to them and they were very interested in church and baptism. We got their numbers! Then we decided to head back to our investigators! Right before we got there we found her and her children walking away from there appointment we stopped them and share a quick message and set up another appointment. I know the Lord guided us to those two women and then gave us a tender mercy by showing us back to our investigator just in time!!

YUHO CHAN ACCEPTED BAPTISM!!! I should have said that sooner!!! I wasnt there at the meeting because we were on splits but she really wants to be baptized! We set a date that is very soon because she is just so excited. We made is clear that we had to keep meeting almost everyday before her baptism. She is doing well accepting commitments and the commandments. We were nervous to teach Word of Wisdom, but she is so faithful! Despite her love for tea, she has committed to living the word of wisdom. She is 21 and she loves to learn!! I LOVE YUHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night I gave a talk/presentation on Nauvoo in NAHA!!! I got to go back to my old area to my old ward that I love so much a tell them about my experience in Nauvoo. I started off by saying that you can learn a lot about the history of Nauvoo through books and the internet, but I want to share my experience, or my story of Modern day Nauvoo. I focused my talk on the temple. I talked about how I remember being in the Nauvoo ward building when President Hinckley announced the rebuilding of the Nauvoo temple. People gasped and stood and hugged one another. I started to cry as I told these people of Okinawa, that someday a prophet of God will announce a temple in Okinawa. I told them that no matter where I am, I will be with them standing, hugging my loved ones, and crying tears of joy. I also told them about the dedication of the temple. I got to sit on the third row in the assembly hall as a 10 year old girl. As we sang The Spirit of God I felt the presence and the voices of those pioneers beyond the veil who sacrificed so much for that temple. Then I testified that everyone there was a pioneer. Most of Japanese members are 1st or 2nd generation members. I ended with my testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith. I think when I was young I didnt realize what a blessing it was to live in Nauvoo. I read D&C 135:3

"Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer of the Lord, has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world, than any other man that ever lived in it. In the short space of twenty years, he has brought forth the Book of Mormon, which he translated by the gift and power of God, and has been the means of publishing it on two continents; has sent the fulness of the everlasting gospel, which it contained, to the four quarters of the earth; has brought forth the revelations and commandments which compose this book of Doctrine and Covenants, and many other wise documents and instructions for the benefit of the children of men; gathered many thousands of the Latter-day Saints, founded a great city, and left a fame and name that cannot be slain. He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated!"

I had the opportunity to walk where Joseph walked. I am grateful for his selfless sacrifice. I know he was a prophet of God. 

I gotta go! I love you all! The church is true! I LOVE OKINAWA!!!!

Love,

Nauvoo Fireside

Capener Shimai

Transfer to Okinawa City-I am now training!

Guess

where I am......................OKINAWA CITY!! Okinawa City is like and 1-2 hours north of Naha. I DIDNT HAVE TO LEAVE OKINAWA!! But guess what?!?!?

I AM TRAINING!!! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM ONLY ON MY THIRD TRANSFER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She is a second transfer bean named Hawkins Shimai. She is from Washington State and is blonde. We get a lot of stares! She is incredible though! She is confident and uses as much Japanese and she possibly can! We are both BABIES STILL!! 

When I got the call on Tuesday I was very shocked and speechless. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders and felt very very inadequate. I poured my heart out to Heavenly Father in prayer about my concerns and worries. I knew that we would be responsible for that area of the Lords vineyard. I felt that I was not ready to lead out in lessons and member relationships in Japanese. I cried unto the Lord (literally) asking Him to mold me into the missionary He needed me to be, and asking for comfort and strength. I decided to ask our zone leaders for a blessing. In the blessing he promised my tongue would be loosed so that I could communicate with the Japanese people and people of other nationalities. I felt encircled with arms of love from a loving Heavenly Father, although leaving my comfortable place in Naha as a bean was hard and scary, I knew the Lord had a plan for me to learn and grow. 

The very next day, after a quick and sad goodbye I was on the road up to Okinawa City. I learned that here I would be working with 3 wards. The Okinawa ward and two very BIG military English branches. They call them branches because people are always moving in and out. They each are bigger than the Japanese ward. I feel so blessed to be working with these American families that are so strong! Saturday morning we found out that the Gushikawa branch was cleaning that chapel so we quickly got on our bikes and over to the chapel to help. That was a perfect opportunity to start meeting members. We meet our branch mission leader who has been out of town for so long that he has never even met my companion. We told him of a new English speaking investigator we just found the day before! That got missionary fire burning in him again! We met a member of the relief society and invited her to fellowship our new investigator and church. We talked to a young woman who is befriend a less active teen and we were able to plan an FHE at the young woman's house! We were able to meet many members and get to know the ward a bit. My trainer Sister Black taught me what to do when you get to a new area. Contact the Bishop, the RS president, and the mission leader and praise the ward! So I have been making lots of phone calls and getting to know members in the area. Sister Hawkins first companion was Nihonjin who could not speak English. By not fault of her own, the military branches have been a little neglected by the sisters just due to the language barrier, BUT WE ARE HERE TO CHANGE THAT!! I know can see miracles here in these branches

On Sunday we went to the Japanese ward and then the Gushikawa Military Branch! They fill up the entire chapel! It was fast and testimony meeting so I decided to share my testimony. I thanked them all the for sacrifices they were making and the wonderful people they were, I thanked them for their testimonies and their strength. I testified that as members and missionaries worked together, we could see miracles. It felt very strange speaking in English and hearing the sacrament prayer in English (last time was in March) That evening we went to a goodbye party to someone in the ward on BASE! There is no proselyting allowed so we have to take off our name-tags. I literally felt like I stepped into America. American food, American people, American houses, AMERICA AMERICA AMERICA!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!! I am grateful to be working with these people who sacrifice for our freedom! 

As soon as I got here, Hawkins Shimai and I went out to work! We have seen miracles! Just since I got here we found 3 new investigators! Two of those are English speakers! During study time, we came up with a transfer theme. We were talking about how much we need to rely on the Lord this transfer. We know that if we are exactly obedient and do everything in our power to be great missionaries, the Lord will fill in the gaps. As we were talking and bearing testimony, I thought of a scripture in D&C 100:4-6,8:

 "Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls. Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say....And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say."

We both cried a little as we picked this as our theme. I know the Lord with fulfill His promises as we simply lift up our voices! The Lord will not suffer us to fail.

I want to testify of the Savior. I know He lives. He loves us so much that He sacrificed for our pains and afflictions. I know through Him, we can find more joy and happiness than we have ever experienced. I am filled with joy! Bringing other unto Christ brings true happiness. 

Thank you all for your prayers, keep em coming :)

Love,

Capener Shimai

Okinawa Typhoon

Konnichiwa Kazoku!

So today is transfer call day and I still don't know if I will be transferring or not, but I feel like I might leave...mada wakaranai...

Our district really hasn't changed in the past two transfers so it will be sad not matter what. We have all gotten so close! Our awesome zone leader is going home and our district leader. :(

Happy Birthday to McKenna!! I hope you had a wonderful day!! I love you so much! You are so sweet and kind! I wish I could give you a big hug!

These past two transfers have been really fun working with the Elders in our ward. We occasionally run into them while we're out on the street. It always lifts our spirits to see others working with the same goal! One time this week we ran into them and realized we were going to the same place. We said, "Okay, you contact all the men and we will contact all the women!" So as we contacted down the road, they would stop and talk to someone and we would pass them on our bikes and then we would stop and contact someone and they would pass us! It went on like that back and forth for awhile! It was so fun!

This past week Japan celebrated the big holiday called Obon. Its a buddhist holiday but everyone celebrates it. It kind of like Thanksgiving. Families get together and everyone eats a ton. So many people were busy and it was difficult to schedule appointments.

Wednesday we had a TYPHOON!!! YAAAYY!! It was fun, but scary. As we rode our bikes the wind was so strong it would push us! We almost fell over a few times! It really cooled it down which was nice! 

On Friday evening after dinner we went out to do work like we always do, but we felt the strong impression our plans were not right. Not that they were not good things planned, but the Spirit was telling us we needed to change them. We stopped, prayed, and discussed what we should do. We decided to visit a potential investigator that has been too busy to meet with us lately. We went to her house and she said she was busy. We asked if we could just sing her a song. She loved that idea and invited us in to sing and play her piano. My companion played the piano and we sang, "Nearer My God to Thee" in Japanese for her. The spirit was so strong. She cried and said the Lord answered her prayer. God used us in his hands to be an answer to her prayer. We talked with her and showed our love for her. She is Buddhist and not ready to accept the gospel, but when we met with her last time we committed her to pray to Heavenly Father. She said she would pray to God first AND then her ancestors. But she said she knows God heard her prayer. It is so important to listen to the promptings of the spirit and be willing to stop what you're doing to be an answer to someone's prayer.

We are seeing miracles! A few weeks ago I talked about a girl we met who did home stay in Utah with a Mormon family 14 years ago. She now has a little family here in Naha. She came to church! Then we we able to teach her the first lesson and she is so prepared! Her faith is so strong. She know that this is the right path for her and her children. We a set a baptismal date with her and she asked about her children being baptized. We told her that they could be baptized when they turn 8. Her oldest son is 3 years old so she turned to him and said, "5 more years for you!" then she turned to the 2 yr old, "6 for you!" and then to her little baby girl, "and 7 years for you!" I love her! Her name is Akiko! I am grateful to the family in Salt Lake that took her to church every Sunday for a month and took her to temple square and shared the gospel with her. She has lost contact with them and they may not ever know what difference they made, but they truly were instruments in the Lord's hands in bringing one of His choice daughters, in His own timing, into the fold of God. 

Also our investigator is named Luna (its actually spelled Runa, but sounds like Luna and I like that name because its from Harry Potter) She went to EFY (its called SMYC in Japan) AND LOVED IT!! We met with her and set a baptismal date with her. All her friends are Mormon, so we has a great support group! We love LUNA!

This Sunday during sacrament meeting I was pondering my time here in Naha Higashi. I remember my first Sunday, my trainer Black Shimai translated the whole thing because I couldn't understand a word. This Sunday though, I was sitting by a Filipino lady in our ward who doesn't speak Japanese. She is a teacher at an English school here. I sat there and translated the meeting for her. It was NOWHERE near perfect and I didn't understand everything but I gave her the main ideas. I learning little by little each day with the help of the Lord! Thank your for your prayers. I need them; I feel them. 

God hears and answers prayers! He uses faithful people to answer them. Ask to be an answer to someones prayer. Pres Monson said "I can think of no sweeter feeling.... than being a answer to someones prayer."

I love you all! You'll just have to wait to hear about transfers next week!!

Love,

Capener Shimai

P.S. We rode by a Marine base on our bikes and I got a picture! Becca and Tyson, you should come here!! Its beautiful!

August in Okinawa

Konnichiwa Kazoku!!!

We started of the week with a little trip to sacred buddhist place, called Sefa Utaki, with our ward mission leader. It was beautiful right near the ocean. Rocks are placed in crazy ways and monks used to pray all day in that place. It is really fun to be so close to other missionaries that we can do fun things together! 

Last week and the beginning of this week we were COMPLETELY out of Book of Mormons. That can make dendouing difficult to say the least! We had one left to give out in case we ran into a golden person. 

Monday evening we taught the Miura family I mentioned last week. We found them housing and she speaks English. The WHOLE family came into the room to listen. THE MOM, THE DAD, TWO SONS AND A DAUGHTER!! I felt like I was on the district! The boys are 13 and 9 and the girl is 15. They had so many questions about God and Jesus Christ. The mother is also so open and was taking everything in. As we taught, she would simplfy and re-word what we were saying for her 9 year old. I sure that really helped HER understand. We went along with the pamphlet and she showed the pictures to her children. I love this family so much!! We prayed together with their entire family. The mother said that she loved the feeling she had while they prayed. I know Heavenly Father loves this family and is watching over them. We gave her an English Book of Mormon last time and she kept her commitment and read the introduction. We promised to get her a Japanese one as soon as we could. We couldn’t schedule another appointment because they are going to be busy with a buddhist holiday called Obon. But we stop occasionally and teach quick lessons. She gave us a referral too! Her mother! So we are going to teach her too! Since Miura san taught school in Canada her English is wonderful. She gave us big hugs at the end of the lesson and I felt at home! I LOVE THIS FAMILY. Later in the week we helped her translate some English mail for her friend and at that time we gave her our very last Japanese Book of Mormon. She was so grateful! 

Random: As we were riding our bikes like we always do we stopped at a red light and there is a radio playing. I listened in and guess who is was! RUSH LIMBAUGH!! Why they were playing a American, conservative, ENGLISH speaking, political analyst on the radio in Okinawa Japan I have no idea. Haha It made me think you mom! I miss you! Thanks for the talk you sent me a few weeks ago! I read it and loved it. 

This week we visited this old man in our ward that I love. His name is Brother Yoza and he was born in 1929! When he was just 16 he fought in World War 2 in the battles of Okinawa. He said 60 of his classmates died and he wasnt sure why he got to live. He later went to America for college and learned English. When he was 47 he was baptized. I told him that he survived so he could be baptized! I love learning from our elders! I learned to listen to their stories from your example Mom!!

This week we tried morning dendou! So instead of studying until lunch then going to dendou, get ready for the day then go out and contact! Then we come back and finish study and then go back out for the rest of the day. It was nice because it was cool weather. We were sure where we wanted to go but Black Shimai and I both felt very prompted to go to a very specific street. We went to that street and stopped a young high school aged girl. We talked to here about the church and she had some interest. We testified to her and gave her a Book of Mormon. She said she is too busy to meet with us again but I have a special feeling about her. I think someday she will find her way into the church.

Miracle of the week: On Tuesday it was a very raining day so I decided to put a rain jacket it my basket in case it started to pour. As I thought about that for some reason the thought came to put a Korean Book of Mormon in my bag. I have carried around different languages before but never have I given out a Korean one. I listened to that still, small voice, put it in my bag and quickly forgot about it and went out to dendo. At that time we still didnt have any Japanese Book of Mormons. As we were street contacting we meet a nice girl who was very interested. First she seemed like she was just interested in English Class but as we started talking she seemed interested in the church. She wanted to know more and said she had time that coming Friday. We quickly set up the appointment and got her information. She told us her name, Poku san. Thats not Japanese so we asked her about it. She is half Korean and speaks both Japanese and Korean fluently. I quickly new why the Lord guided me to put that Korean Book of Mormon in my bag just a few hours before. I grabbed it and started testifying of the Book of Mormon. (You should have seen my companions face! She was so shocked I had a Korean one!) I gave it to her and asked her to begin reading. She said she would. The Lord will use us as instruments in His hands if we pray for experiences and act on the promptings on the Holy Spirit.

Yesterday we had Stake Conference. Okinawa is divided into two different stakes so half of all the members in Okinawa came to our church building! The missionaries in our zone were given the opportunity to sing! We sang the primary hymn, "We'll Bring the World His Truth". As I walked up to the front and looked out on the worthy, righteous members of Okinawa my heart was filled with love for them. The spirit bore witness of the words we sang. I love these people and the Lord loves these people. 

I am grateful to be a missionary in these the latter days! "We are as the Army of Helaman, we have been taught in our youth. And we are NOW the Lord's missionaries to bring the world His truth."

This is His work. I testify that God lives and Jesus is the Christ. Through Christ, we can find happiness and peace in this life and eternal salvation in the world to come.

I love you all! Thanks for you support!

Love,

Capener Shimai

P.S. Dendou:missionary work

Buddy the Elf

Long time, no see! It feels weird e-mailing now since I just did on Thursday! Not a lot has happened since my last e-mail so this might be short. Just after e-mails last Thursday we went on a 2 hour drive through Okinawa to the aquarium. OKINAWA is SO BEAUTIFUL!!! I JUST CANT BELIEVE IT!!!! Driving along the turquoise ocean was so fun! The aquarium was really fun too. The whale sharks we enormous! But my favorite part was probably the manatees! I don't know why I love them so much. I remember Gavin and Chase saying that Manatees were like their favorite animals or something. It was a great day! Very exhausting but once in a lifetime!

Friday we had zone conference! It was my first zone conference on the mission! There are two zones in Okinawa so we all got together for the occasion! Literally right before it was about to start our zone leader, who works in the same ward as us, asked me to sing a solo. I accepeted, anything for Kaicho (president). Luckily, my companion and I had a song prepared that was originally for a choir, but could work as a solo. I began praying as soon as possible. Praying that the Lord could use me as an instrument in His hands..literally. That through this music, I could touch someones heart and be an answer to someone's prayer. When the meeting began we sang an opening hymn, had the opening prayer, then it was my turn to sing. I went up to the pulpit looking out at all the wonderful missionaries who are out working everyday, like me, for these people in Okinawa. I was filled with love before I even began singing. Then as I sang a beautiful rendition on "Come Thou Fount" the words really sunk into my heart. I started to get a little emotional but I pulled it together and gave it my all. I tried to really look at missionaries individually as I sang. Some of their eyes were filled with tears as well. Afterwards a hand full of missionaries thanked me for singing. I am grateful to serve that Lord in whatever way He needs me.

President and Sister Gustafson gave great talks. I just love them so much! We are really making a push to work more with members I know we will be blessed if we all work together!

The Elder who work in our ward with us had a baptism yesterday! They asked me to sing a few songs for that as well. That had kind of become my role now. I lead the music at baptism services and sing solos. My companion can play the piano so this is a team effort. I sang the primary song "Baptism" and then I sang "I know that my redeemer lives" in Japanese. Its nerve racking singing in a different language that is the audiences native, but hopefully they can forgive the accent. 

I wanted to talk about one funny thing about being here in Japan. So I am 5'9", blonde, tall, and have big blue eyes, that's very strange for Japan. I am HUGE! I feel like Buddy the Elf. Everything here is smaller. I tower over most people and have to bend and crouch down to get through some doors. I think Japanese people just get smaller as the age. Next to some obaachans (grandmas) I really feel like Buddy the Elf. So I have just decided the own it. Here are some pictures to demonstrate my largeness. Enjoy.

"The best way to spread MISSIONARY cheer is by singing loud for all to hear!" 

Just call me Buddy the Elf.

I love you all!

Capener Shimai!

Whale Sharks

First of all I wanted to give a big shout out to my sister Becca who just had a birthday on the 5th! I love you so much and really look up to you! As I am riding my bike around Okinawa I sometimes think of fun times we have had together like screaming like even stevens on space mountain or convincing Kaitlyn that we wrote the song By By Miss American Pie. That was HILARious!! I love you so much! Cant wait to hug you again!!!

On August 3 I hit my 4 month mark! Its crazy how time flies! DADDY THANKS FOR YOU PACKAGE!!!! IT CAME AT THE PERFECT TIME!! The Lord loves us and knows us personally. The timing of the package delivery was a sweet tender mercy of the Lord. I challenge everyone to look for and recognize the tender mercies in your own life.

So Dad, you were asking how a Trio works. Its just the same as any other companionship just with an extra person. Street contacting can be a little strange when three random people with helmets on start talking to you about God, but its AWESOME to have another witness! Another person testifying of what we are teaching. We all get along really well. Kuroki Shimai has wonderful English but we do try to speak Japanese as much as we can.

I wanted to talk a little about our Eikaiwa class! Every Wednesday we teach English! There are 7 missionaries who teach and 5 of them are Americans! We have around 20 people come each week. We teach from an English manual which can sometimes get boring. So being the character I am, I like to act out what I am saying in English and like practically put on a show! It makes Eikaiwa so much more fun if you get into it! If we are excited about what we are teaching the students will get excited too! When we street contact and the person isnt interested in the gospel we give the a Eikaiwa chidashi (English Conversation flyer). I always look forward to Wednesdays because I love EIKAIWA!