I thought by now I would be able
to tell you what is happening with transfers, but we still haven't
gotten our call yet. We are really anxious to see what happens. I could
transfer easily so that I can be with my "breaker." Or, because Kaicho
is leaving this week we could just stay together for another transfer.
Or I could stay and Cox Shimai could leave.... it all just depends, and
we want to see what is going to happen. If we are staying, we just want
to know so that we can start planning for next transfer!
Probably
the most exciting thing that happened this week was that we had junkai
again. (Splits). Because Cox Shimai is Sister Training Leader, we went
on splits with the Shimaitachi in Fukuoka. They are Mills and Stevenson
Shimai. Unfortunately, I am a terrible person and didn't get any
pictures, so... gomen nasai. However, it was a really weird experience
because doing missionary work in Fukuoka is WAY different than being in
Nakagawa. Nakagawa is a little town with one main road, more country,
and Fukuoka is a bustling town full of busy, fast paced working people,
and it was just a different experience. I was with Mills Shimai for the
day. She is a transfer 6, and she is always really great and kind to me.
We did a lot of street contacting, and we also taught an English lesson
to an older gentleman and his wife that she had already set up for us
to go and do, so that was fun. We had a good time together. That was on
Friday. We also tried "ukulele dendo" which is basically, if you are
good at playing the ukulele, playing, and trying to attract people to
you that way, but we both were very crappy at it, and that only lasted
about ten minutes before we changed our minds. HA.
So,
just like Joel and Ray were saying, there is no such thing as like an
end on a loaf of bread. I haven't explained this to you I don't think.
Also, you can only buy white bread. There is no other option. Just...
just the good stuff. It's funny, Japanese people. Also, you can only buy
a loaf of bread in a package of 6 slices, 5 slices, or 4 slices. Unless
you buy from a bakery and then you can buy what you desire. But it's
just all weirdness. I'm over it now, but when we first bought bread I
was so confused. And the slices are all huge! Also, for some reason,
Japan has a lot of REALLY good bakeries, and... I'm surprised I haven't
gained any weight. Let's just put it that way.
This
last week, one of the families here in Nakagawa took Cox Shimai and I
to see the fierflies!! Apparently they are really rare to see, and you
have to catch them at the right time, like, the night before you know a
big storm is going to come in, and they took us down to the river and we
saw them! They were SO CUTE. I wanted to get better pictures, but the
only good one I managed to get unfortunately only shows one little
light, but there were TONS of them. They were all over the place down
there. And they were really easy to catch! They were so cute, and
really, while we were looking at them, I just felt how wonderful God's
creations are around me and how great and wonderful it is that we are
alive, and that we have this chance to change and become better and to
really enjoy life. What is the purpose of life if we aren't meant to
learn, and to grow, and all of that learning and growing leads to
happiness. I can feel myself changing every day. Hopefully for the
better. I can feel my resolve changing, my desires are different than
they used to be, and I can't wait to see who I can become. Really, life
is such a wonderful gift! But yeah, the fireflies were a really fun
treat!
My allergies are getting a little
better. On Sunday, we went to church, and two of the elders, the Zone
leaders came up to us and were like shaking our hands, yada, yada, and
they both just looked at me, kinda stared for a second and finally one
of them said. "Woah, what's wrong with your eyes?" From there I had to
explain again that I have allergies. And the other elder goes, "Uh.. I
have allergy medication at my apartment, do you want some? We can go get
some for you." He was obviously concerned. I explained that I had eye
drops and that hopefully I would be able to find something at the
grocery store for it later, and it was kind of left at that. Well, right
as we go into sacrament meeting, they come up to me, had me a box of
allergy medication and were like, "I hope this helps!" and walked off.
Haha it was pretty funny. They were concerned enough to go home and get
me that medication. So two things learned. I looked terrible. Not one of
my best moments. And two. Sometimes people do nice things even when you
don't expect them to. It was good! And so far it has been helping! But I
await your package with much desire mom! :)
We
are still on the "finding" side of things in Nakagawa. We had a first
lesson with a really sweet young mom, but she wouldn't set a return
appointment, so we are really hoping we can get that set up with her in
the future. Things just keep going on and on. There isn't a stop to the
work. We try harder and harder every day. We really have that desire to
teach and to help people come closer to Christ, and we aren't quite
seeing the fruits of that labor yet, but we are willing to keep trying
and doing better and working harder. I am trying my best to turn my
focus outward. It is really easy to think about yourself. It is really
easy to slip into the mindset that this is for me, this is what I'm
doing, this is how I feel, but it really doesn't matter what I think or
feel. What matters is that I'm in the place that the Lord wants me at
the right time. It's really an interesting transition. Being a college
age student, with everything going for you, you tend to be focused on
"me" and this has been a real eye opener. I'm learning a lot of
patience, unfortunately :) Patience never was one of my strong suits.
But I'm holding on, and learning and doing my best to prepare for the
day that we have the chance to really teach and help people to grow.
I
hope you are all doing well. Is Jenny and Laura still at the house? How
is Scott and McKenzie's plans? How is Lauren and the kids? I didn't get
any pictures of them this week! When is Lauren going to have #3? Any
plans for the 4th of July? Any plans for the rest of the summer? How is
MARG. How is everyone?! Mom, how are you feeling? I hope you're doing
alright. I pray for you every day.
I sure love
you all. I hope you are all having a good summer and having a good time
planning together and what not. I love you so much!
Love, Raines Shimai
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