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| We got to go to the zoo this week! |
Dear all,
The heat rolled in this
week. It got hot. But the nights are still a little breezy so still have to
carry around a cardigan. The rain stopped (finally!) and we dendo-ed on.
So remember the investigator I
wrote about last week? The one who lived in Idaho for 2 years with a Mormon
family? Well we had a lesson with her! We asked if we could stop by and instead
she invited us over for dinner. We
met her husband and they are an adorable couple. They are in their mid twenties
so still young. We sat around, eating, and talking about their background,
hobbies, etc. We asked her to pray over the food and she didn't, but when we did she said なつかしい！[I remember that!] I'm taking that as a good
sign. Her husband has never really thought about God and religion but is
willing to listen! :) We talked about the Book of Mormon and committed her to
read it. She also gave the closing prayer. I was soooo happy after her lesson!
She is so nice and friendly! We invited her to church but she declined. Not
really sure why yet but we will find out this week at her lesson. I'm really
excited about her. :)
The STLs [Sister Training Leaders] came to visit and kokan [splits].
Kind of funny being on the receiving end. It was Kuroki Shimai and Osterloh Shimai
(Miller Shimai's previous companion) so it was basically a reunion. Along with
learning a lot from their example, we got to hear about each others' areas. The
Chinese guy still hasn't gotten baptized yet because he had a school trip, but he
is still trying really hard to quit smoking! I still haven't eaten chocolate.
Its been a month since I have eaten chocolate. I'm finally starting to not crave
it anymore haha. Miller Shimai is such a good influence- I eat so healthy thanks to
her!
So we are finding a lot lately.
Lots and lots of finding. We need more and new investigators. But also, the
ward needs our help. Other than the 5 primary kids, everyone is old. There are
no youth because they are all NA. The elders have been working really hard and
trying to figure out a way to get them together and back to church since a lot
of them don't want to come since there isn't anyone their age here, which is
understandable. So that's were a lot of our focus will also be going to. We had
a stake conference that was broadcasted from SLC and it was about hastening the
work of salvation. it was about working with the missionaries but a lot was
about our own wards and the youth. Pretty powerful. it was Elder Walker,
Christofferson, Stevenson and Sister Oscarson. The first two spoke in Japanese
which I think for the members was really powerful. It left an impact. Maybe I
will write you what they talked about it. It was a really good conference, one
of the best if not the best.
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| Our district on the way to the zoo |
Lots of learning opportunities
this week. The 'older' I get, the more I realize that I cannot dendo without
the Lord. Its so obvious, and yet I forget it too often. I've been shown my
weaknesses and come to appreciate Ether 12:27 much more. I am a very imperfect
tool but I know that in the hands of the Lord, I can help further this work.
And oh what a glorious work it is! I love it. Like Jonathan said, I've never
been so tired, happy, and spiritually emotional my whole life. But I also feel closer
to the Lord than I ever have before. I'm so grateful for that. I love this
gospel with my entire being and hope that people who don't will someday come to
accept it.
Love you all and appreciate you
so much! Keep the letters coming ;)
Love,
Sugihara Shimai
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