Konnichi wa

Konnichiwa!

 

I didn't transfer! By the end of this transfer that will make it 10 months on Okinawa!

 

And before you know it, I am a transfer 7 missionary. 7 is not too old but then again its not a young missionary either. By this time we should be an "experienced missionaries".... WHAT DOES THAT MEAN??? This language is crazy and I still have so many things to improve on. BUT I seriously LOVE being a missionary. I don't ever wanna be not a missionary...okay i cant speak English either now.. I'm not gonna lie, things can be hard, people are people whereever you go, some are nice, some are not so nice. But whereever you go, the gospel is always true. No matter your situation, the gospel of Jesus Christ will ALWAYS bless your life.

Another sister area opened up in Okinawa so there are now 10 shimai on the island! One of the shimai is a brand new Japanese bean! We picked her up at the airport!! We will get to do junkais (splits) later this transfer with them! 

 

This week we had a AB (after baptism lesson) with Miyazato Shimai. We were in the church with two other members and we watched the Joseph Smith Restoration movie (the missionary 20 minute version). I prayed so hard (and later found out my doryo, comp, was praying so hard) that the spirit would be there and touch not only Miyazato Shimai's heart but the other members as well. More than ever before Holy Ghost witnessed to my heard that Joseph Smith did in reality see God the Father and Jesus Christ! This story, no matter what language, is so powerful. As I again testified with my whole heart that it was true I fought through tears. I will never forget the spirit I felt in that tiny room, in a small chapel, on a small island of the coast of Japan. It makes me think of the powerful words of the Hymn Praise to the Man

 

1.  Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah!
   Jesus anointed that Prophet and Seer.
   Blessed to open the last dispensation,
   Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.
2. (Chorus]
   Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven!
   Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain.
   Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his brethren;
   Death cannot conquer the hero again.

 

 

1. 4. Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven;
   Earth must atone for the blood of that man.
   Wake up the world for the conflict of justice.
   Millions shall know "Brother Joseph" again.

 

Sorry i copied and pasted that and it got all weird but I bolded, millions shall know Brother Joseph again. I remember singing that in the MTC and getting chills and tears realizing how everyone in the room was about to tell the world about Joseph Smith and then flashing back to now, here in Okinawa one more person was able to come to the knowledge of Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel.

 

I had the idea that serving in Japan would only strengthen my testimony of God and because they have neither the bible NOR the Book of Mormon it would just strengthen my testimony in scripture. But my testimony of the restoration of the gospel and the truthfullness and power of the Book of Mormon is what I have gained most thus far. Yes, my testimony of God has been strengthen but it is because of the restoration and modern day revelation that I can know these things to be true.

 

Sorry I kind of went on a long rant this week and dont have time for much else! We are teaching this mother of 5 kids from ages like 4-19. She loves hearing our message. She is half american but her parents divorced when she was 4 so she never learned English. She is feeling torn between her heritage. She is asking herself, should I be Japanese and Buddhist? or Gaijin (foreigner) and Christian? Pray for her that she can come to church and feel and RECOGNIZE the spirit!!! Her name is Sari.

 

Thanks again! I love you all!!

 

Capener Shimai

The Search for a Kinjin

KOnnichiwa!!!

Wow this week just flew by! It was crazy fast I can't believe its already p-day again. So after we e-mailed we went to the Aquarium (3rd time) and then we raced home to pack our stuff! We met up with the Ginowan and the Naha Zone Leaders and took the monorail to the airport. Then at 7:25 our plane took off to FUKUOKA! As we were landing in Fukuoka and I couldnt help but ponder what my last day in the mission field will be like. I looked back on the first half of my mission and really thought about if I am where I want to be. I still have a lot of growing and learning to do but I am grateful for the wake-up call. The other missionaries were all kinda teasing me because I am what they call an Okinawan Missionary. I was born and raised here and I am going on 8 months here. They were all saying "Welcome to JAPAN!" because Okinawa is SOOO different from actual Japan. The AP's picked us up at the airport and we drove to the mission home. Gustafson Shimai was there to greet us and she showed us to our rooms. It was the weirdest thing ever! I SLEPT ON A REAL BED!! I was scared I was gonna roll off it was so high. I have gotten so used to sleeping on my futon on the floor it was a shock! The next morning we woke up early and Iwasa shimai and I went for a walk around the temple. The mission home is located right underneath the temple! Cool huh!? So we walked around and took pictures! Then the okinawa missionaries got breakfast at the mission home (we are the only ones who have to fly in) then it was time for MLC (Missionary Leadership Training) Sooo fun!! It was soo cool to feel apart of the mission. The ZL's from each  of the 8 zones reported to president their progress. There are about one companionship of Sister Training Leaders for every 2 zones. I got to see my beloved doki!! (my friends from the MTC) Sister Kwak and Sister Sharp who I love soooo much!! The training from the APs and kaicho (president) was incredible, but before I knew it we had to be on the plane heading back! We werent even gone 24 hours! But I learned so much!!

Iwasa shimai and I gave two trainings this week first in the Ginowan zone (my old zone) then in Naha zone. Its funny to see the different dynamics of each zone! We had a blast training and interacting with different missionaries!! We talked about finding with faith and being positive and expecting miracles to happen. One new thing that was introduced into the mission was some new standards. AS missionaries in our planner wer have goals. We already have standards to talk to 20 people a day, teach 3 totsuzen lessons(short lessons), give away 1 BofM and invite 1 person to be baptized, but kaicho now gave us a weekly goal for  2 member present lessons, 1 investigator at Sacrament meeting, 1 New investigator, and 1 person with a baptismal date. Even though our week was going to be cut short with our trip to Fukuoka and two days full of trainings, Iwasa Shimai and I committed to fulfill the standards of excellence! Kaicho always promised that if you keep the standards  you see miracles....and we did!!! On friday after our training we were out and about doing as missionaries do and we FOUND A KINJIN!!!!!(GOLDEN PERSON) we were stopping and talking to everyone! Usually old people like to talk but never listen to what we have to say, so sometimes (i need to repent of this) I dont stop old ladies because I feel like it might be a waste of time. BUT THIS TIME IS WAS NOT!!! Her name is Miyazato san. We taught her about the Book of Mormon and the purpose of life, she gratefully accepted the Book of Mormon. We set an appointment to meet with her the next day! We were able to teach her with a member and then she came to church on Sunday!! 

God is a God of miracles. Many other miracles happened as we were showed our faith and worked hard!! I love being a missionary. I honestly cannot think of a time in my life that I was happier than I am now. I love talking to people on the street and testifying of Jesus Christ. Even though people do not accept us most of the time, I trust in the Lord that he is preparing someone for us to teach. We see so many people everyday and we cannot know if they will accept or reject the gospel UNTIL we talk to them... Lift up your voice, share what you know to be true. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the Earth by the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know we are draw close to our Savior through reading the Book of Mormon! Pray and seek for opportunities to bear your testimony! As you do so you will be happier!!! 

I love you all!!

Capener Shimai

Back to Naha

Minasan Konnichiwa!!!

You will not BELIEVE where i was transferred to.............................................NAHA HIGASHI!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY BEAN AREA!!! I AM BACK I AM BACK I AM BACK!!!!!

I did not believe the AP when he told me over the phone. I am back here in the same apartment with my new companion Iwasa Shimai. Iwasa Shimai is from Tottori-Ken, Japan which is on the big island honshu. She is sooo awesome. We are "doki" which means we came to Japan at the same time. So I am back in Naha but now working as Sister Training Leader. As an STL we travel the island and do splits and trainings. Once a transfer we get to go to Fukuoka (by plane) and attend MLC (Mission Leaders Council)!! So tonight I am hopping on a plane and heading up to FUKUOKA!!! I have officially become an Okinawan missionary! We are a rare breed (haha) but a chosen few get to be here for longer than 6 months. I have been here 7 months and I am loving it! I am excited to travel up to Fukuoka and see another part of our mission. But I hear its gonna be cold! We dont really need coats here, just a sweater is fine.

So it was sad leaving Okinawa City, I spent 4 months there and grew to love those people. I am going to miss all of the military members, the japanese members, and of course our investigators! I am so grateful for my time in Okinawa! I learned so much! Before Okinawa City, I was terrified to contact gaijin (foreigners, non-japanese people, mainly americans) I couldnt hide behind the fact that I was just a weird American trying to speak Japanese. Talking in Japanese was like a cover, like I could hide behind being an American, but when you talk to gaijin there is nothing you could hide behind. But being surrounded by so many americans I had to get over that fear a share what I know.I got over that fear and two days ago and talked to a gaijin on the street here in Naha (which is a rare occurrence)! It felt natural and it was fun and happy! I love our message and I love sharing it! It made me think of the scripture, Roman 1:16  "For I am not ^aashamed of the ^bgospel of Christ: for it is the^cpower of God unto ^dsalvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." 

SOMEHOW THE KEYBOARD JUST STUCK ON CAPSLOCK SO I AM NOT YELLING, JUST FRUSTRATED THAT THIS WONT GO BACK. HAHA ANYWAY...

IT FEELS WEIRD WRITIING IN CAPS BUT SAYING GOODBYE TO TAKIZAWA SAN WAS SAD. WE HAVE SEEN HER PROGRESS SO MUCH AND CHANGE SO MUCH BECAUSE OF THE GOSPEL. THE GOSPEL CHANGES LIVES! 

HERE IS JAPAN NEW YEARS IS A HUGE HOLIDAY! YOU CAN HARDLY WORK AS A MISSIONARY. ITS KIND OF LIKE CHRISTMAS FOR AMERICANS. EVERYONE STAYS HOME AND STORES ARE CLOSED. ITS LIKE A 3 DAY THING SO IT WAS KINDA HARD TO WORK. WE FOCUSED ON WORKING WITH AMERICANS..THEN WEDNESDAY NIGHT I HAD A FINAL SHOKUJI KAI (DINNER PARTY) WITH AN AWESOME FAMILY IN THE JAPANESE WARD, THE OMINE FAMILY. WE THOUGHT WE WERENT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GO BECAUSE THE SENIOR COUPLE HAD TO DRIVE US DOWN TO NAHA THAT NIGHT, BUT THE FAMILY WANTED US THERE SO BAD THAT THEY OFFERED TO DRIVE ME AND ALL OF MY STUFF DOWN (oh my goodness i fixed but i dont have time to go back and re-type so...gomen nasai)

We had a huge traditional new years feast at there house with all the missionaries in our district. At the end of the night, before we said the closing prayer, they asked me to bear my testimony. I talked about how I was so scared to come into Okinawa as senior at only my 3rd transfer and finish training a 2nd transfer bean. I talked about how I was forced to rely on the Lord and His atonement in order to keep the work in that area going. The Lord sometimes gives us challenges so that we can grow and learn from them. We learned to rely on Him and become an instrument in His hands.

So we got to Naha wednesday night stayed the night and then Hawkins shimai got her new companion, Takei Shimai. The returned to Okinawa and then Iwasa Shimai and I got to planning this week we are going to Fukuoka for training, then coming back and teaching two different zone during Zone Training Meeting. 

Quick cool story: Last monday while we were housing some danchis (big apartment complexes) I realized I wasn't really housing or finding with faith. I had this big epiphany. We NEED to have faith that we will find when finding otherwise we will have no success like we did because I was just going through the motions focusing on being cold. My heart wasn't in it so I just kept checking my watch to see when we could go home. I have made a resolve to change, finding with faith is gonna be my focus and I'm gonna try it out and see the difference it makes. The next day as I was riding my bike I started thinking more about this finding with faith idea and how I would teach it to other missionaries. I didn't understand why I was thinking that though. I jotted thoughts and ideas down and went on with my day. To my great surprise We got transfer calls and I heard I was becoming a Sister Training Leader. I was able to connect the dots and recognize how the Lord was preparing me! Since then I have talked to Iwasa Shimai and we have started a rough draft for our training. We are teaching Finding with Faith.

We may not understand promptings of the Holy Ghost or even recognize them at first but we must always act! We cannot let these feeling pass by without doing them! The Lord is putting His trust in us and allowing us opportunities to grow. As we listen to and act upon promptings the Lords trust in us will increase and He will give us MORE opportunities so serve. 

I love being a missionaries. I feel so much joy in my life. I cannot believe I am half-way done. I love the Lord. This is His work. I know Heavenly Father wants His children to be happy. He made a plan for everyone to return to Him again. Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and obedience to His commandments, we can return to Him again. If you want to be happy, share the gospel. Pray for the courage to lift up your voice.

I love you all! Thanks for your support!!

Love,

Capener Shimai

Light helps us find our way

Kazoku!

The beginning of this week my bike seat like completely broke. I realized that it was right  around my bike's 6 month birthday (haha) which explains a lot. I think on my whole mission there have only been one or two days I have gone WITHOUT riding that bike. But with the help of some awesome handy elders we fixed it and were able to get home in time for cerfew. 

I love Okinawa weather. We still just wear a sweater and around noon when the sun is out we can take off our sweaters! This is the best winter ever! But hearing Christmas music in this weather is strange. I do miss the beautiful white snow with the Christmas music playing. I MISS CHRISTMAS MUSIC!!!!!!! We just dont have any and its really sad, but i think its too late to send so dont worry. But I just love Christmas music so much!!

Ok, sorry I am rambling on about silly things.

We had a great lesson with a new investigator, Risa, and a members house. This member is American but her neighbor is Japanese. Even with the language barrier, she befriended her and invited her to free english class. For the past few months they have been going together. She has a brand new baby too! We invited her to our baptism a few weeks ago and she loved it! So we taught her the first lesson and it went very well! She has no Christian background, like most everyone, but she likes Christianity a lot. She wants to know what she should teach her baby son. 

There is a girl in our ward who is leaving for her mission in Nagoya in less than 2 weeks. She has helped us a bit with lesson and investigators which has been awesome. We found an extra bike for her a she got to practice riding a bike in a skirt! She is gonna be a great! It was so fun!!

SO our cute high school aged investigator, YUKI, is doing awesome!! She has such a desire to learn more! Keep her in your prayers. We set a tentative baptismal date with her for the end of January. She has such great faith! She loves to practice her English so she always says, "I want to learn about Mormon" meaning the Book of Mormon or more about about church!! I feel so close to her!! Its so cool, I feel like we've been friends forever!!

Takizawa san, we have been teaching her for a while now and she is very slowly progressing. We are now meeting her at the church for lessons which is a HUGE progress! She has grown so much over the last few months. She used to never look into our eyes and now she does! She is brighter! Pray for her!!

We had a cool experience yesterday where we found a family to teach!! (more info to come next week)

We found a cool guy from India a few weeks ago who speaks only a little bit of Japanese and a little English. We ordered a Hindu BofM and gave it to him!! He was so happy to get it!

So I didn't mention it the last few weeks but I was asked to speak in the Japanese Ginowan Stake Conference! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Japanese!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For 20 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

So anyway, it happened...haha I studied for two weeks straight and got some help from members to help translate. Our president was there too so that added to the pressure. I talked about light and related it to the gospel. Like when we don't have light in our lives we feel cold and alone. We can't see where we are going, but when we have light we feel warm, comforted and can see where we are going. I also talked about dad serving in Tokyo 35 years ago! I teared up as I told everyone how he taught be to love the people of Japan. I expressed my love for them all and bore my testimony of God's love for them. (I have no time as a missionary and Dad I know you're busy too but I could send you the talk in Japanese and you could translate it back for people to read.. Anyway I don't have a lot of time today!) I related it all to missionary work and encouraged people to share the light with their friends! I promised them as they shared the gospel with their friends the light of the gospel would shine forth in their eyes! I love these people so much! 

And I say the same to you!! I love you all!!!

I'm Grateful

Konnichiwa!

Genki??

Sooo transfer calls were last week and.............................................I am still here!! Its now just me and Hawkins Shimai again here in Okinawa! We are both so happy to be here together for the Holidays and for this area. One of the biggest (or THE biggest, I'm not sure) Church building in Eastern Asia is being built here for the Military branches and the Japanese ward. It will be finished in December so we are happy to be a part of that as well!

We had a great first lesson with a lady who has been coming to Eikaiwa (English Class) for a really long time. A few weeks ago we gave her a Book of Mormon and then she missed a few weeks and then we were able to teach her! She had one experience in her life where she really felt like she got an answer to her "prayer". After we taught her about the Book of Mormon and prayer I was thinking about how ABSOLUTELY different it is teaching someone without a Christian background AT ALL. They don't understand the image of God or who he is. They tend to think he is angry and only loves those who are good. They have little or no idea of what prayer is. As we were teaching Sumiko about prayer she was scared and didn't want us to pray when we asked her if we could. After we finally did, she apologized and said, "Oh, that's what a prayer is!" She then realized it wasn't scary.  As we explained to her that God is our unconditional loving Heavenly Father and He loves everyone even when they make mistakes. At first she didn't really understand that, she couldn't wrap her head around it. But then we asked her about her children, who are now grown, and asked about her love for them. She started to cry and she began to understand who God was and that he loved her EVEN more than she could comprehend. She explained to us that through her life she said "prayers" not really directed at anyone in-particular, but prayers of gratitude for her health and the health of her children. At the end of the lesson we invited her to pray, but to our surprised she quickly refused! She was too nervous and didn't understand. We went over the steps given in the pamphlets but still she wouldn't pray. We asked our member joint to offer and quick prayer and then Sumiko could go next. After she heard that prayer, her understand of what a prayer actually was began to increase. She did finally pray! Although it was short, she offered a heartfelt prayer to our Father in Heaven. We just need to learn to takes things slow here, one step at a time. She is awesome! Keep Sumiko in your prayers!

Andrew was baptized on Saturday. He was the one that was taught in NC! We have really gotten close with his wife, Justien over the past few months. It was such a fantastic baptism! The weather was absolutely perfect! It was on a beach in the East China Sea! What I loved so much about the tone or theme of this baptism was how we focused on covenants. Andrew made his first step, or first covenant in his journey! There next step will be together in the temple. At the service, we were all looking forward to the temple. They have decided to be sealed in the temple in December of next year. They are working together to grow closer to our Heavenly Father. 

I decided to spend a lot of time uploading pictures in stead of writing today! I had a wonderful week! I am so full of gratitude to be serving a mission! Especially on this beautiful island of Okinawa! I am grateful for my loving family and my mission family. My mission "mommy" my trainer, "died" meaning she finished and went home. I am grateful for the wonderful example she was! Say hello to Black Shimai if you get the chance! I am so grateful for the plan of salvation. I am grateful for the knowledge I have of our loving Father in Heaven. I am deeply grateful for the sacrifice of His only begotten son, Jesus Christ! I am grateful for the atonement. I know that through the atonement bad men can become good, and good men can become better. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon, where we can find the answer to all of life's questions because the "words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." (2 Nephi 32)

Happy Thanksgiving week everyone! 

I am thankful for you!!!

Love,

Fat & Happy

Kazoku!!

How's it going!!! Fill me in on your lives! Things are going great here in Okinawa! It cooled down for a few days and we had to wear tights and like a sweater AND a jacket! Wooh..it was cold...haha but now its back to 3 quarter sleeve cardigans! I don't think I've ever experienced such a warm December in my life! But my comp and i decided it would be a good idea to prepare and by some gloves and a hat for if it gets cold again. I hit a crazy landmark this week....EXACTLY ONE YEAR SINCE I GOT MY MISSION CALL!!! Crazy right??? That year went by very quickly! It seems like just a few months ago I opened my call and at the sight of the word, "Japan" I burst into tears. (my very first post of the blog has the video..feel free to watch again) I know the Lord is aware of our wants and desires. He heard the silent prayers of my heart expressing my love for the people of Japan. He sent me here, and how grateful I am to be here. It has been more than I could ever dream of, harder than I expected, but rewarding. I have been stretched and pushed, but I know now more than ever that God is our loving father in Heaven that has a perfect plan of happiness for us.

This week I wanted to tell you a little about a woman named Silvia in our Japanese branch. She moved to Okinawa from the Philippines more than 20 years ago. She doesn't speak Japanese and only speaks a little English. A little more than a year ago she met Victoria, and woman in our Japanese ward who is Filipino but she has lived in Japan so long she is fluent. Silvia started coming to church with Victoria and decided to hear the missionary lessons. The Lord was very aware of Silvia and sent a missionary from the Philippines (one of the first ever I believe) to Japan. Not only was this missionary in Japan but she was assigned to serve in Okinawa. This awesome missionary was able to share the gospel with this woman in her native language. She was baptized almost a year ago. We have the opportunity to continue helping her progress as a recent convert. Her friend Victoria always translates for us. In our past few lessons we taught her the first lesson and missionary work! We committed her to bear her testimony in Sacrament meeting for the very first time! We sat teary eyed in our seats as she stood and bore her testimony in Tagalog. We were able to teach her the plan of salvation and teaching about eternal marriage and temples! We have committed her to getting a temple recommend. Although there is no temple on Okinawa, we know blessing will come by simple holding a temple recommend. Keep Silvia in your prayers we love her!

This week was THANKSGIVING!! Our Military branches are all so kind, we got about 10 invites for dinner but then they announced that they would be having a big dinner where families would sign up and bring different things! All the missionaries on Okinawa were invited to attend! So thats 35 missionaries, or 2 zones! It was so fun to have all the missionaries in one place! We also got permission from President to stay and play games! Thanks for the wonderful military members in our area, all the missionaries left that place fat and happy.

There is one other military branch we are not assigned to that other elders are over. The missionaries in that area had the great idea to have an activity that brought both the Japanese speaking wards and the military wards together. They put on a talent show! A japanese member asked me to sing as she played the piano! So at the talent show I sang "My Favorite Things" from the Sound of Music. I am pretty sure I sang that as a little girl in a talent show before. Haha anyway, it was so fun! So many members brought non-member friends! We found a few great potential investigators by being there and mingling with members and there friends! IF YOU EVER HAVE A WARD ACTIVITY, INVITE A NON-MEMBER FRIEND!!! JUST DO IT!!! Its a less-aggressive approach to sharing the gospel and super easy. The missionaries can do all the work, just introduce your friend to the missionaries at the party!!

We met with a new investigator this week who is awesome! Her name is Mizue. We meet her a few weeks ago outside of a local restaurant. We  only had a few minutes so we talked with her and asked her about the restaurant! It was packed and it looked like a hole in the wall! She told us it was very good and practiced her English with us. About a minute before we had to go we asked for her number to call and eat there sometime and tell her more about what we do as missionaries. She said yes so we exchanged numbers, and gave her a chidashi (a flyer). I know the Lord placed her in our path. After about a week or so we were able to get a hold of her and schedule an appointment. She came and it was wonderful. She said to us, "your chidashi said you could answer the question about what happens when we die, I want to know." IT WAS SO COOL! Her grandma recently died and her and her mother wanted to know what happens! We were able to teach her and give her a Book of Mormon. First of all someone ACTUALLY READ the flyer and second of all....SHE'S SO PREPARED!!!! She recently tore her ACL so she is really busy with work and rehab but we have another lesson planned for next week!!

This week we had our zone training meeting. They really focused on how we need to get better at the language and become better teachers. Learning this language is one of the hardest things I have ever done. It is incredibly hard for me to do! But I feel that pressure of becoming a better teaching as well! How can you teach well if you can't express you thoughts! I'm sure everyone in this mission would appreciate your prayers to specifically help us learn the Japanese language. I pray for help and the gift of tongue everyday but man, its still tough! These people are important to Heavenly Father and I know He won't let us fail. I really have to rely on that testimony sometimes.

Even though it's warm and doesnt really feel like Christmas time, I am grateful for this time of the year. We get to focus our thoughts of the Savior. I had a sweet impression yesterday in church that I would like to share. I was thinking about a convert in the Japanese ward who was an older woman, she had found so much joy in the gospel at her older age. Her children haven't accepted and she is no longer married. As of right now it appears as if her conversion hasn't changed many people lives besides her own. I was thinking about how we try to teach families so generations upon generations came be changed. But then a distinct impression came upon my mind as I looked at that woman, "I would have done it all for only her."

I know that God lives and loves us so much more than we can comprehend. I love you all!

Love,

Capener Shimai

November 23rd

Kazoku!!

How's it going!!! Fill me in on your lives! Things are going great here in Okinawa! It cooled down for a few days and we had to wear tights and like a sweater AND a jacket! Wooh..it was cold...haha but now its back to 3 quarter sleeve cardigans! I don't think I've ever experienced such a warm December in my life! But my comp and i decided it would be a good idea to prepare and by some gloves and a hat for if it gets cold again. I hit a crazy landmark this week....EXACTLY ONE YEAR SINCE I GOT MY MISSION CALL!!! Crazy right??? That year went by very quickly! It seems like just a few months ago I opened my call and at the sight of the word, "Japan" I burst into tears. (my very first post of the blog has the video..feel free to watch again) I know the Lord is aware of our wants and desires. He heard the silent prayers of my heart expressing my love for the people of Japan. He sent me here, and how grateful I am to be here. It has been more than I could ever dream of, harder than I expected, but rewarding. I have been stretched and pushed, but I know now more than ever that God is our loving father in Heaven that has a perfect plan of happiness for us.

This week I wanted to tell you a little about a woman named Silvia in our Japanese branch. She moved to Okinawa from the Philippines more than 20 years ago. She doesn't speak Japanese and only speaks a little English. A little more than a year ago she met Victoria, and woman in our Japanese ward who is Filipino but she has lived in Japan so long she is fluent. Silvia started coming to church with Victoria and decided to hear the missionary lessons. The Lord was very aware of Silvia and sent a missionary from the Philippines (one of the first ever I believe) to Japan. Not only was this missionary in Japan but she was assigned to serve in Okinawa. This awesome missionary was able to share the gospel with this woman in her native language. She was baptized almost a year ago. We have the opportunity to continue helping her progress as a recent convert. Her friend Victoria always translates for us. In our past few lessons we taught her the first lesson and missionary work! We committed her to bear her testimony in Sacrament meeting for the very first time! We sat teary eyed in our seats as she stood and bore her testimony in Tagalog. We were able to teach her the plan of salvation and teaching about eternal marriage and temples! We have committed her to getting a temple recommend. Although there is no temple on Okinawa, we know blessing will come by simple holding a temple recommend. Keep Silvia in your prayers we love her!

This week was THANKSGIVING!! Our Military branches are all so kind, we got about 10 invites for dinner but then they announced that they would be having a big dinner where families would sign up and bring different things! All the missionaries on Okinawa were invited to attend! So thats 35 missionaries, or 2 zones! It was so fun to have all the missionaries in one place! We also got permission from President to stay and play games! Thanks for the wonderful military members in our area, all the missionaries left that place fat and happy.

There is one other military branch we are not assigned to that other elders are over. The missionaries in that area had the great idea to have an activity that brought both the Japanese speaking wards and the military wards together. They put on a talent show! A japanese member asked me to sing as she played the piano! So at the talent show I sang "My Favorite Things" from the Sound of Music. I am pretty sure I sang that as a little girl in a talent show before. Haha anyway, it was so fun! So many members brought non-member friends! We found a few great potential investigators by being there and mingling with members and there friends! IF YOU EVER HAVE A WARD ACTIVITY, INVITE A NON-MEMBER FRIEND!!! JUST DO IT!!! Its a less-aggressive approach to sharing the gospel and super easy. The missionaries can do all the work, just introduce your friend to the missionaries at the party!!

We met with a new investigator this week who is awesome! Her name is Mizue. We meet her a few weeks ago outside of a local restaurant. We  only had a few minutes so we talked with her and asked her about the restaurant! It was packed and it looked like a hole in the wall! She told us it was very good and practiced her English with us. About a minute before we had to go we asked for her number to call and eat there sometime and tell her more about what we do as missionaries. She said yes so we exchanged numbers, and gave her a chidashi (a flyer). I know the Lord placed her in our path. After about a week or so we were able to get a hold of her and schedule an appointment. She came and it was wonderful. She said to us, "your chidashi said you could answer the question about what happens when we die, I want to know." IT WAS SO COOL! Her grandma recently died and her and her mother wanted to know what happens! We were able to teach her and give her a Book of Mormon. First of all someone ACTUALLY READ the flyer and second of all....SHE'S SO PREPARED!!!! She recently tore her ACL so she is really busy with work and rehab but we have another lesson planned for next week!!

This week we had our zone training meeting. They really focused on how we need to get better at the language and become better teachers. Learning this language is one of the hardest things I have ever done. It is incredibly hard for me to do! But I feel that pressure of becoming a better teaching as well! How can you teach well if you can't express you thoughts! I'm sure everyone in this mission would appreciate your prayers to specifically help us learn the Japanese language. I pray for help and the gift of tongue everyday but man, its still tough! These people are important to Heavenly Father and I know He won't let us fail. I really have to rely on that testimony sometimes.

Even though it's warm and doesnt really feel like Christmas time, I am grateful for this time of the year. We get to focus our thoughts of the Savior. I had a sweet impression yesterday in church that I would like to share. I was thinking about a convert in the Japanese ward who was an older woman, she had found so much joy in the gospel at her older age. Her children haven't accepted and she is no longer married. As of right now it appears as if her conversion hasn't changed many people lives besides her own. I was thinking about how we try to teach families so generations upon generations came be changed. But then a distinct impression came upon my mind as I looked at that woman, "I would have done it all for only her."

I know that God lives and loves us so much more than we can comprehend. I love you all!

Love,

Capener Shimai