Week 55, October 19, 2014. Masuda san back update, new investigator's answer to prayer and baseball. Zone training and soba noodles

Hello,

So, we were able to meet with Masuda san again for the first time this transfer. She is doing pretty much the same as she was before, still in a lot of pain. She also has stopped really reading the Book of Mormon and praying, still just unable to focus on anything other than her back issues. It was really fun for me to just get to see them again though. I really just love them so much! She told us that she wants to go to church this week again, but then wasn't able to because of her health. Hopefully next week!

We met with one of our investigators who loves the Bible, but isn't sure about the Book of Mormon. It's nice to talk with her, she is a really nice lady, but until now she hasn't shown a lot of signs of progressing. So this time we went and she told us a cute story about how she was watching a baseball game and her team was losing so she remembered what she read in the Bible about if you ask God, you will receive, so she prayed and her team ended up winning! Kempner Shimai had just read a verse like that in the 3 Nephi so we shared it with her and she liked it a lot. After answering some of her questions about the Book of Mormon. We finally got her to say she would read the first chapter!

There was also a really sweet little family that we were able to give a restoration pamphlet to, I think that they will let us come back and teach them next week, so we are really excited about that.

Kikuchi san let us do lesson one with her again this week, but told us that she went to the dentist and found out about some tooth problem she has and for awhile won't be able to meet. I am not sure what that is going to mean for her baptism date.

We also went to Kushiro for zone training meeting, which we almost didn't cause we almost missed the train, ha ha. I really felt like the workshops were meant for me, and I felt really pumped after it. Miller and Soderquist Shimai, this transfer companions, were there too, and it was a lot of fun to see them together. They both seem so good, just doing their best!  I sure love them! We also did interviews with Kaicho, I really felt his love for us and me as an individual. It was a really good meeting overall. And we ended it with getting soba noodles!

Love you all!

Week 54, October 12, 2014. A very strange P-day with investigators- but with another, a wonderful experience of prayer and faith

Well, hey there,

What did we do this week?

On Monday we went and visited one of our investigators with a baptism date, and it ended up being really weird! When we told her that the transfers had come and that Nagamine Shimai had gone to Ebetsu, she sort of freaked out. Holding our hands and saying over and over, "I'm glad we met" (of course in Japanese), over and over. She then proceeded to slide down to her knees, still holding our hands and started to cry. This being my sweet bean's very first P-day, I quickly pulled out the Book of Mormon read the first scripture I flipped to, said a prayer and we booked it out of there. Not entirely sure what to do about her at the moment, but we are working on it!

Poor Kempner Shimai!

Then that night we were about to start passing out some flyers for our English class when we bumped into John, the American guy we found a month ago that came to church and then was never heard from again. And he didn't remember me! I guess he has some memory issues. We talked for a while and it was apparent that he really had no clue who we were, so we wrote him a note to go home and read the Book of Mormon and told him we'd sent the Elders his way. It was a werid day to say the least!

Our highlight of the week was going by and seeing Kikuchi san this week. She told us about how she had been feeling a lot pain in her hips lately and a few days ago she decided to pray about it, and guess what! The pain went away completely. We had a perfect opportunity to talk about faith, which just so happened to be what we had prepared to share with her. We were able to tell her that she has faith, and even though right now she doesn't know about a lot of things at church, she has a great starting point. We fixed her a new date and she told us it would be okay to go over all of the lessons again in prep for her baptism. I feel really good about it all, I think it should all happen without too much trouble.

We also were able to see Masuda san yesterday, finally. She had gone the hospital and we were having a really hard time getting in contact with her. So yesterday we felt like we should stop by and see if she was home, and the light was on! We were able to talk for awhile and Kempner Shimai got to say hello. We have an appointment to go see her next Tuesday.

And wasn't conference awesome! I know I am a week behind, but it was so good! Can't wait to read them all again. It was really sad since it was my last one as a missionary. So bittersweet.

Love you all so much, thank you for all you are doing!

Week 53, October 5, 2014. Johnson Shimai is a trainer, has a new bean- Kempner Shimai from Pleasant Grove. Bean power!

Weeeell... They made me a trainer. No one saw that coming. 

Her name is Kempner Shimai, and I like her. A lot. :) 

I was really surprised though, really. There was a part of me that was thoroughly convinced that I would be able to go the whole way as a junior companion. There is certainly a lot of stuff I'm now in charge of that I wasn't before. I'm the primary Japanese speaker now, I call the people on the phone, answer when they call and get to lead in all of the lessons and contacts. But it's working out, ha ha. I know I am getting some major extra help this time around. From Heavenly Father and my sweet companion. Even though she doesn't always know what is going on, she is always quick to help, always reminding me of things I've forgotten, and so patient with me when I have to take a second to figure out what on earth we should be doing. 

It's going to be a good transfer for sure. 

Also, bean power is real! We have had some really amazing contacts this week! We found several people who seem as though they have real interest and were able to get numbers and make appointments. 

Right now our biggest challenge is trying to figure out who of our investigators that we already have will really progress or not, and try to make the most use of the time we have. 

We had a cool experience this week when we did a member mogi, lesson practice, one of the sisters who hasn't been coming to church that much. I felt the spirit really strong and it was a really good, fun time. I'm hopeful that we will be able to keep building the relationship with her and help her come back to church.

Love you all! Have a good week! 

Week 52, September 28, 2014. No baptism for Masuda san. Megan reminded to just love them, be patient and remember faith, hope and love. Transfers are this week, Nagamine Shimai leaving?

Heeello,

Well, I'll tell you first off, Masuda san did not get baptized. It was all very heart wrenching too. We went by on Monday right after I had finished emailing, when we got there she was again laying down, unable to sit up again. She told us that for now she is not really sure that she can really focus on anything right now and for the moment that she is putting it all off until she recovers. We haven't been able to make another appointment and go back since. I was so sure that if she could realize that even though the gospel can't take her physical pain away, but that it is what she needs, that things would work out. We can't make people understand that though, its up to them. Sometimes that is the most frustrating thing as a missionary! With time I hope that we can help her get things figured out.

Right now my area has a ton of investigators, three of them having baptism dates coming up in the next few months. Normally that's exactly what you want but they all struggle so much with their faith and have a hard time keeping commitments. I'm not entirely sure what I need to change to get them to where they need to be, but I'm working on figuring it out. My mission president recently reminded me over email that I just need to love them. I guess it all starts there, ha ha. He asked me what kind of love I have for them, which has really made me think. I know what it is that they need for eternal happiness, but they don't understand that now. 

I need to be patient and show some faith, hope and love and things will work out. Maybe not how I want them to but that really isn't the point, ha. Heavenly Father has a plan for everyone and I get to be a small part in it for all of these people. 

Love you all, have a good week! Be looking for my email next week, transfers are upon us and I think my sweet companion Nagamine Shimai and I are parting ways! 

Week 51, Masuda San roller coaster ride is back on, Johnson Shimai hits her one year in Japan mark- Indian curry celebration with district

Our Masuda san roller coaster has been all up and down this week. We went to see her this week, it had been a while since we had been able to go and it turned out that she had gotten a shot in her spine that helped her pain go away and she is now wheelchair free! We asked her what she wanted to do about church and baptism since we had missed a lot of lessons and it was going to be hard to make it by the 28th and she told us she wasn't sure. So we all decided to pray and think about it. 

She had told us that she probably wouldn't be able to come to church but to our surprise she showed up for the last hour! A lot of members talked to her and she had a really good time. Afterwards we went to her house and had a lesson and the old Masuda san was back! She was laughing and having a good time and just seemed really good and healthy. I really believe that her going to church and feeling the spirit changed her! We all decided to try and make it to our goal of the 28th for baptism! She is going to have a week full of trails I think, but we are going to do our best to get her to the font this next Sunday.

In other news, Amada Shimai came and went on splits with me this week, it was a lot of fun to work with her again, and I'm so glad that we got to before she goes home.

I also hit my one year in Japan! We celebrated by going to a indian curry place with the district (four of the members being my doki (the people I was in the MTC with and came to Japan together)) It was great. 

Love you all, pray for Masuda san this week, please!

Week 50, Three baptism dates, but investigators probably won't make requirements. Japanese BBQ!

Hey there,

What a week we had. We currently have three baptism dates, but I am afraid that not a single one will go through now. Not to be completely negative or show a lack of faith, but I'm afraid they might be impossible since they won't reach the requirements. 

We were finally able to meet Sone san again, he finally came back home. He didn't let us in, but told us to call in a few days and make an appointment. I have no idea what it is that he is thinking right now, we will see probably later this week.. Which takes me to Masuda san, our young mom in a wheelchair. She is completely unable to focus on anything other than her back problem, which is a huge, terrible thing. It is so frustrating for us though, becuase although we can't take away her pain (although we tried offering her a priesthood blessing) we have something that is of so much more value, but she won't do anything anymore. Even teaching has become nearly impossible. We have scratched her date and are trying to help her the best we can but not meeting as often as we were, it just isn't being effective. 

Tomomi san, the referral from another area, also won't let us make any contact. We are going to go by again and try to catch her. We are pretty sure she was drunk last time we met, so going during the day will be best. I have a lot of hope for her though, she told us that she was in the middle of Alma last time we talked, she really loves the reading the Book of Mormon. 

We also had a really awesome first lesson with a lady we found last week named Tsuruno san, she is a really adorable grandma who got a Book of Mormon like 30 years ago and still has it. Right now she likes to listen to us it seems, but doesn't know yet if she believes. I'm really excited to go meet with her again! Last time she gave me and my companion some neat metal bookmarks that she bought in Taiwan 20 years ago. She is so sweet. :)

Yesterday we went and had a BBQ with the ward, it was a lot of fun. I really have started to build good relationships with the members and just love getting together with them. Also, I love Japanese BBQs! And all of you guys, have a good week!

Love,

Megan

Week 49, September 8, 2014. Young mom investigator, having back problems. Elders keeping sister's spirits up!

Hey guys, 

So, my investigator Masuda san, the young mom that has a date for the end of this month has had a rough week. She has a bad back for a long time, but suddenly it started to hurt her really badly and when she went to the hospital they gave her a wheelchair to use from her on out. 

From this we have had a hard time meeting with her and it looks like she is having a hard time keeping commitments, namely keeping away from coffee. We are trying to keep our faith and hope up, but to be perfectly honest it was a bit of a rough week! 

On a brighter note, we did find a few new people that seem to honestly be interested, I'm really excited to meet with them again. They both took copies of the BOM too! Also, the Elders have been pretty sweet this week to us, leaving us cookies and ice cream and heart attacking our door. It is nice to have other missionaries around sometimes! 

We don't know if Masuda san will be able to make it to her date or not, but we are going to give it all we've got to try and get her there. I know that this gospel is what she needs, even if it won't cure her physically, spiritually she needs it more than she could possibly realize. 

Hope you all have a good week, love you!  

Week 48, Aug 31. Sapporo zone conference, Trampoline jumping!

Hey guys, 

We went to Sapporo this week and there was a big surprise at the zone conference, Elder Whiting, a 70 was waiting for us! His workshop was powerful and very intimidating, but also really inspiring. I have a lot of stuff I need to work on but I also was filled with a lot of hope as I listened too. 

Being back in Sapporo itself was a lot of fun. The whole trip took less then 24 hours, so we didn't really have much time to do anything. The bus let us off at the Sapporo Station, which is in the Shinkotoni area, which I hadn't been back to since I was serving there. I love Sapporo so much! I wouldn't say that I like it better than the country, they both have their charms, but I would like go back for at least one transfer. 

When we got back to Obihiro we went to the Fuwa-fuwa Dome, a gaint tramp like place with a friend from Eikaiwa, it was super fun. And hot! I have blisters on my feet from the heat, ha ha. 

Masuda san is doing really good still too, she meets with us pretty much every other day and we are working towards baptism. She came to church again and told us that she feels really peaceful there, we taught her about how she can have that same feeling at in her home too, with Mai Chan. During Sacrament meeting Mai Chan went up with the other Primary kids and sang the sunbeam song, it was too cute! It made me all teary to see her up there. :)

We also had another big surprise too, a guy from America that we found housing came to church! The elders are going to start teaching him too! 

It was a great week, hopefully you all can say the same.

Love you all,

Megan

Week 48, Aug 24. Staying in Obihiro and with Nagamine Shimai. Floating noodle party!

Hey people,

So I ended up staying in Obihiro with Nagamine Shimai! My first time doing two transfers in a row with a companion since I was a fresh bean with my trainer. I really couldn't be happier too, she is such a joy to work with. She is so diligent, always gets everything done when it needs too but we also are able to have a lot of fun together too. And even though she is my senior, she and I do it all pretty much together. Also, my Japanese has improved a lot with her as well. Couldn't be happier. :)

We made another baptism date! Her name is Masuda san, I think I told you guys about her last time a little bit since she came to church. She has a little five year old daughter that I just love. Masuda san told us that she was going to church for Mai chan so she could have social experiences and make friends, but I really believe that she herself likes our church and its teachings. We've been meeting almost everyday lately, today we are going over and she is teaching us how to make some potato meat dish and then we are going to teach her about the Restoration. 

On a more slightly sad note, our dear Sone san sort of fell off the planet. We called him and he told us that he was going out of town for a while, but wouldn't say where or when he would be back. I am hopeful that he will come back and the we will be able to meet him again this transfer, but for now we just have to wait. It is going to be hard for him to baptized on his scheduled date. Right now though, we are just praying that he will let us come back again.

This week we had a ward somen party, essentially it was a like the marble game that we had as kids but like 20 times bigger and had a hose attached to it and instead of marbles we sent noodles down it. Everyone all gathered around and snatched out the somen, dipped it in sauce and had a grand old time. Excuse the bad explanation. Pictures to come. :)

Love you all! Have a great week!

Week 47- Aug 18, 2014. Japanese holiday, Obon- Fireworks, end of summer and four investigators to church!

Hey guys,

There was a Japanese holiday this week, Obon, is called. It's when the Japanese all get together with their family and visit the graves of the people who have passed away. They make a lot of food though, mostly to be left at the graves for the deceased, but the actually making of the meals takes a good amount of time. A lot of very traditional and time consuming dishes. Its fun for them all to get together with their family, my companion told me she really loved it when she was home. But... it was sort of a trial when it came to meeting with anyone! Three whole days with very few appointments! 

So we did more creative forms of dendo. Like baking cookies for everyone that we were going to try to meet. And doing service at a non-attending members house by trimming all of her hedges. And a lot of phone dendo, ha ha. It was pretty fun, but I'm sort of glad to get to return to the normal. We weren't able to meet with Sone san, but we dropped some cookies off and saw him for a minute. Sunday is really busy for him too, so we won't be having a lesson this week either. 

On Wednesday they had a huge hanabi taikai, firework show, and we went! It was the biggest one in Hokkaido, and possibly made the top 5 of Japan. We got to go right up close to where they were doing it too, which was awesome! They did it to various songs, most of which I didn't know, but I did recognize the Frozen song (everyone here is obsessed with it, just like Sophie) so that was a lot of fun. I got a lot of it on video too, excited to show it to my little tiny sister! In order to make it back home before 9 we had to leave early. It was a very speedy flight home so we could catch the very end of it on the roof of our apartment. You ended up being able to see it pretty good from there too. :)

And with that it seems that our summer has pretty much come to a close, just like my poor siblings, ha ha. The summer festivals have all wrapped up and the kids are all starting school again today too. As crazy as it is, suddenly the weather has gotten a bit chillier too! My six weeks of summer seems to have ended, fall is here and since this is Hokkaido, winter will be back for vengeance soon. I am really excited to see the leaves change though! I was in Sapporo in the fall last year and it was pretty, but I bet it is even prettier out here in the country. 

We had a really awesome Sunday miracle this week, after a really long dry spell of having no investigators (ours or the Elders!) we were blessed to have four of ours come! Two for the first time ever! One, Masuda san, came with her five year old daughter, it was so great! She had a really fun time at primary and they said that they want to come again next week too. I'm really excited to see what happens with them. Heavenly Father has good stuff in store for them, I hope we can get it started this soon! 

It was a great week, love you all!

Week 46- August 11. Baptism date! And squid on a stick- gross and good all at the same time

Hey all,

First thing! We made a baptism date!! It is true, it is true! The man we found at the start of the transfer has a date! We were actually feeling really disappointed about him, our ward mission leader looked over some booklets that he had given us and told us that it looked like he was part of a religious group that was really into researching all sorts of religions but wouldn't join just one. Not sure what it would be called in English, but I guess it is sort of a new thing here. So we were feeling really sad that he was just sort of stringing us along and didn't have any real intent on trying to get an answer for himself if this church was true or not. We went and right from the start he pulled out the Book of Mormon and basically asked us to start talking. We told him about our belief in God, and how he speaks to his children and explained how the Holy Ghost helps us recognize answers from Him. It was so great! He felt the Spirit, I know it, and he really is earnest in investigating I believe. Can't wait to teach him about the restoration!

We also went to a matsuri! Japanese festival. I ate so much. Including a big piece of squid on a stick, it was good and yet really gross at the same time. My companion was so impressed that I was willing to try it! Pictures to come. :) We ended up going twice too. A lot of the people were dressed up in kimonos and it really felt like Japan. From now until summer ends there are a lot of really fun things going on. Our ward is having a somen, noodle, party, and this Wednesday there is a big firework festival!

Love you guys,

Megan

Week 45 Trip to Kushiro for ZTM. Interview with new mission pres, brings spirit and insight

Heeey,

This week I got to go back to Kushiro for three days for a district activity and for Zone Training Meeting. It was so strange to go back, it felt like I had never left. I loved seeing the area, apartment and some of the people again. For the activity we played sports at a giant gym with all of the missionaries in our zone. Miller Shimai was there, so we ended up talking a lot and eventually ditching everyone to go walk around outside, ha. It was nice, although the weather was very un-Kushiro like, the sun was out the entire time I was there and it was HOT. 

Nakatsuka Kaicho came over for the ZTM and we all had our fist interviews with him. Getting to sit and talk to him was really good, I instantly felt calm and was able to recognize that he was really called here by God and I know that he has the right to revelation for this Sapporo mission. He asked me if I needed help with anything, and I confided in him that I felt really inadequate and weak still, something that has been pressing hard on my mind since I my end is closer than my start is. I was hoping that he would be able to help me recognize some inner strength I didn't realize I had, tell me something that would show me what I need to do to feel confident. He looked me straight in the eye and in all seriousness told me simply, "That is great". I thought maybe he didn't understand me, and he probably guessed by the look on my face, so he repeated himself, "That is great!". I was hit with a wall of the spirit. He explained it all to me, I don't remember what he said now, but I now see that my weakness and feelings of inadequacy are a blessing. It gives the Lord room to work and to show me how he wants me to be. I'm so grateful for my mission president's wise words and for the bigger insight I have on myself. 

 

We then went back to Obihiro, after a four hour train ride. It was a lot hotter there than I remembered too! Summer in Hokkaido just doesn't make sense still, ha ha. It was good to be back and see our investigators again, although nothing much has changed yet! We called Sone san and he told us that he was reading the Book of Mormon side by side with the Bible and that he was having a really good study! I'm so excited to get to meet with him again next week.

Today we are going to a Matsuri, festival, there is going to be a lot of fun food and people dressed up in kimons! Pictures to come next week! 

Love you all, have a great week, stay cool,

Megan