Dear Family and Friends,
Konnichiwa! How are all of you
all doing? Genki? Hope so! How about a good email? These past few weeks have
been a little crazy but here is a little update on dendo life in Sapporo.
Weather: cotton balls of snow
fall almost daily. Sidewalks are slippery. My nose is always runny (its
classyyyy). My down coat is heaven sent. There are icicles bigger than me. We
went to Ebetsu for kokans and there was about 12 feet piled up on the side of
the road. I have never seen so much snow in my life. I love it when my hair
freezes. Sometimes my face feels like it is going to fall off but my body is
usually warm.
Dendo: We had suuuuuuuuuch a
good week! So Furue s and I made the goal to find 10 new investigators this
transfer and by week 4, we only had found 1. So we really buckled down,
worked hard, and prayed a lot harder. And the windows of heaven opened up.
We found 4 investigators and received 2 member referrals and have quite a few
potential investigators. It has been such a
faith builder to see the blessings pour in. To be honest, it
was a little hard to hear about dendo in Thailand [her brother is a missionary there] but after a lot of
pondering and praying, I've just had to accept that the work is different
in different parts of the world and that numbers don't reflect everything we are
trying and doing. So Elder Sugihara, keep telling me all about your miracles
and baptisms; I'm happy for you :)
We met this incredible lady on
the street the other day, taught her a lesson the next day, and then she came
to the relief society activity the day after. We were/are super super excited
but she didn't come to church like she said she would sooo we need to get in
contact with her again and meet her again. We also met this really
cute mom who was willing to listen but her husband doesn't like religion so
I'm not sure if we will be able to meet with her again. I really hate it when
that happens.
At the relief society activity
the other day, we had an investigator, a lady from eikaiwa [English class], and a member's
friend. We did a church tour with the three plus members. It was
incredible! Since the church was nice and new, plus now has a lot of
artwork, it was really good. It was the first time Ive done a church tour like
that. I want to do them more often :)
The members are incredible. All
so nice and friendly. We are Odori shimai so we can go to any ward in Sapporo,
dendo anywhere in Sapporo but we focus on Moiwa. So basically we are Moiwa
shimai. Most people remember Imoto shimai [her brother Sho's new wife] so its fun to have that little
connection. Last week there was the shinnenkai [New Years Party] and omochitsuki [rice pounding party]! I have mikan
mocha [pounded rice balls with citrus] for the first time in my life. They just threw in a few mochi and pounded
it. So yummy! Maybe I had 3 bowls of ozoni [veggie soup with a sticky, delicious, glutinous pounded rice ball at the bottom of the bowl] buuuuut oh well :)
Furue s and I get along. Our
personalities are really different and there were a few days we were both a
little stressed but I have come to appreciate our differences. Our apartment is
fun and we all get along.
I've learned a lot this transfer
about differences. As STL [Sister Training Leader], we get to work with the shimai on kokans [missionary splits] and
everyone is so different. Just like our investigators, their needs are
different as well. I'm learning that I need to keep that in mind a little more.
anyways no more time! I'm happy and well. I love this gospel and I love this
work more than I could have ever imagined. Love you alllllllll!!!!!
Love,
Sugihara Shimai
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