Week Two, MTC 7/30/13

Konnichiwa,

 

Oh, wow! I'm having a hard time responding to all of the emails! So little time. If possible send me long ones through DearElder and shorter ones for me to respond when I email, I only have an hour. Thank you all for writing me though, it's just the best. This week has been pretty good, nothing really crazy. In fact, we sort of do the same things all the time. Getting ready for things, eating food, being in the classroom, teaching our progressing investigators and laughing at the Chorotachi. (Elders) You asked how they are in your letter, and they're just great. Super funny most of the time, and they know when to be serious and work (again, most of the time) I have to remind myself that half of them just graduated from high school, ha. It's true though, we're all getting really close. They said on the first day that we would come to feel like a family and it's true already. They're all going to be so great in the field. Most of them are going to Sendai, but one companionship is going to Sapporo with us, so that'll be nice to see them when we can. One of these days (maybe today) I'll send some pictures.

So yes, Johnson Shimai has moved into the advanced language class and will be in Japan within a week, so crazy. It was sad to see her go, she's just so sweet, but I'm sure she's doing what she needs to help her grow the most. We're in a trio now, and it's working out just fine. We had already gotten to know each other so it wasn't a big change. We finished our first investigator, Zukeron San, and it was really great. They take it pretty easy on us the first time by pretending to understand our broken Japanese. In our last lesson you could feel the spirit so strong, it was awesome. I asked him if he would be baptized and he agreed, which he did for everyone that asked, but it was one of the best moments here in the MTC. I just can't wait to have that moment with a real kyudosha. After we did the lesson we went into an empty classroom and were just so happy and said a little prayer of gratitude. It was exactly what I needed that day, and I feel so much better about learning Nihogo when I think back to that. We started a few new investigators this week, but haven't done much with them yet.

I'm getting tired of the food a bit, but I've found a few things that are pretty good. We had gyros a few days ago, and I couldn't remember what the sauce was called. I think I might start just making my own salads though. We've been playing volleyball as a district, which has been really fun. I'm horrible, but everyone is so nice about it, ha. I asked everyone a riddle last time, and it drove them all crazy (the glass of water and gun one, Austin) It was really funny, but three of them got it before the day was over. I wish you could all spend a day getting to know everyone in my district, they are all so different, but so great. I'll write about them in more detail later today. We've had so super funny times already! Everything is just going good, I enjoy every day more and more. I wish I had more to share. I'm sure I'll think of things when I leave the lab and write you all another handwritten letter, so look out for it! Thanks for the cookies, they're awesome! And the hairspray, I really wanted some. I'm so happy you looked up that talk, I'd kind of like a hard copy of it actually. Maybe you could send me one? 

That's all I have for now. I hope you all have a great week, I love you all more than I could say. Thanks for all of the prayers and support. See you soon.

 

Love,

Johnson Shimai

Megan

 

PS If you're reading this and Sophie is near, hug her now. I'm worried my doryotachi are tired of hearing Sophie stories. That picture she drew for me almost made my cry! I love Sophie!

Week One, MTC 7/23/13

My sweet family!

I've loved getting all the letters and packages from you all so much! Thank you! It's really helped me feel more at home here when I'm able to read bits from you all.  Everything is going great too, don't worry. My companion is the sweetest too, she's half Japanese and a little Hawaiian and she speaks the language pretty good already. They're actually going to take her away from me and stick her in the fast track. I've already gotten really  attached to her, but I'm sure what they think will be the best for us both, and I'll see her in Japan. The other two sisters are great too, Miller and Sodaquist Shimai. We'll be a threesome when Johnson Shimai leaves, so that'll be good to not have to change districts or rooms or anything. We all get along really well and have a lot of fun. A few nights ago we were hunting a bug down that was flying around, but I got it with my towel, don't worry. A native Japanese sister is coming for a few weeks today, I'm excited to meet her. I guess she'll be staying on our floor, so I'll get to try out my 'awesome' japanese on her, ha..

The food is pretty good so far, nothing like home, but not nearly as bad as a certain complaining Elder said it would be, (that's you, Austin). I'm finding that every day I enjoy it more and more, the first two were the hardest, but I've recovered from the bad drop off and not seeing my siblings one last time pretty well. Mariss's Walter story made sure to that. Precious Walt. The water pressure is pretty good, Mom, don't worry. And I'm working out more than I was at home too, I've been doing the elliptical with Miller Shimai, and it's great. Let's see, what else about the MTC.. I live on the top floor of our building, so we get a work out every time we go in, which isn't often. Most of the time we're in class, doing personal or language study or eating food. (It seems like we're always eating here.) My classroom and residence are all really close together too, so we don't have to do that much trekking to get to most places.

We have an investigator already, and we've taught him three lessons! I mostly read the prepared lines from the Japanese PMG, while Johnson Shimai talks to him and answers his questions, the method works pretty well too. I just can't wait until I'm able to hold a conversation myself, because I really have no idea what they're talking about for the most part. Zukaron San is one of the scariest thing I've ever seen, I keep thinking I see him and start to freak out because I don't have anything ready to read to him, ha ha. He's 'progressing' well though, we just talked about the atonement and now we're moving onto the restoration. Maybe he'll want to get baptized, ha ha.

I was feeling a little down about the language, it just takes me longer to get something than most of the district, but I'm coming along, I know way more than I thought I would and yet absolutely nothing at all. Sometimes I get discouraged, but I have to remind myself that is is Christ's work, and that if he wants something to get done it'll happen. So I'll keep on looking at my books to help me memorize how to pray and study my flashcards until I get it down enough, and then I'll go to Japan and start all over again, ha.Sunday was a really great day here, we got to go to Music and the Spoken word, which made me feel right at home since we always listened to it. I may or may not have cried during most of it. (happy tears) Then we had a great RS lesson about the Pioneers, (you guys doing anything fun tomorrow?) and that night we got to listen to a talk by Elder Bednar called The Character of Christ. Read it. It's amazing, because of that talk I feel so good about everything and I know that I can do this, and more importantly serve the people of Japan. Ah, it's so good. Promise you'll look it up, maybe watch it for FHE? We also got to walk to the temple and take pictures, except for me, any signs of my camera yet? It was great to leave for a minute though, I'm excited for it to open again so I can go inside. Also, there were some girls sitting outside it with puppies, and I got to hold one for a minute, such a great moment in my life. I can't think of anything else about the MTC, I'll answer any questions if I read them in you letters. Half of my time is gone, yikes.

 

Jack,

Thank you so much for writing me! It made me so happy to hear from you! I miss you so much too, but I'll see you soon. >:) I'm glad I haven't been at Pizza Factory all this time, that would be a really long shift. I've started learning the language, yes. I don't know much yet, but I'll get it one day. I'm playing nice with the other kids too, except I can't call them that, it's always Elders, Sisters or Missionaries. You'd like the Elders in my district, they remind me of you and Josh. They're really funny most of the time, and serious some of it, but it's always good for a laugh. Make sure you write me again, and do it in you email so I can write directly to you. How was Scout Camp? Did you sleep? Any bears? Love you, Jack! Have a good week of summer!

 

Josh,

Thanks for writing me too, I can't believe how much I already miss your weirdness. I guess my weirdness misses yours. Thanks for the cookies, they are soo good. The other Sisters like them too!  I like ducks. Did you take care of Kylie for me? The fish were male fancy guppies actually, but tetras are neat too. You should name one David... Also the fan is fine, just push the reset button on the outlet, enjoy the bathroom, because I'm missing having my own! Also, a little cleaning is good for you. It's so weird that some of these Elders are only two years older than you, I can't believe you'll be here in three short years, but I'm excited for you, it's such a great place.

-SH

 

Marissa,

Send me an email so I can write straight to you! It was really great having you around the last few days before I left, so thanks for that. It was nice to have you there to make jokes and lighten my stress, oh, and curl my hair. Thank you so much for the Walt story, I'm really glad he's safe! I hope you and Cam are doing so well too. How's your class preparing going? Tell me what you guys are up to. I believe it that mom was crying, she's sort of a baby. Mom told me you did a tbt about me, how darling. :) Miss you guys!

 

Mom and Dad! I'm almost out of time! I love the Sophie stories and descriptions, she's so cute. I miss her the most, sorry. :) Give her some hugs for me now, please. When did she get a Felix hammer? I'm glad you got that letter too, I'm doing really good, don't worry about me. don't be concerned. I got the pictures, they're my favorite ever. I'm excited to get the photo album when you get to it. There's another Elder that has a sister with Down syndrome and he showed me some pictures and I'd like to show him Sophie. I love the blessing story! She's so cute! Kisa is a bad dude. I am getting enough to eat for sure, all we do is eat! That sticker count down sounds so cool! and all the treats have been so great! Thanks for the gum, Dad! I needed it! Sandra Dominguez sent me some bread and honey today too, I'm going to write her a thank you, but tell her I said thank you so much! How was the airport and Kylie! Tell her I said thanks for being here and playing with me again. Love you, Kylie and rest of Daniels! I've got to send this now, thanks for everything again, and keep the DearElders and emails coming. I love it so much. :)

Have a great week! 

 

Megan Johnson Shimai