This week it officially turned summer. And honestly, it hasn't been
that hot. Maybe upper seventies or something. Pretty great right? But
it is also rainy season so it's been raining buckets. The most
interesting thing this week is that the water in our apartment just
kind of randomly shuts off and then comes back on magically. Yay for
72 hour kit water! It's actually been kind of funny. The first time it
happened we were just like "oh no, hope it gets fixed" then the second
time we filled up all of our bowls and cups and the bathtub with extra
water while it was on. It was pretty great. But it's been an
adventure. We are having a good time. Actually, the first time it went
off it was off for a good 15 hours or so, and as we were saying our
prayer to start companionship study we blessed those who would work on
the water that day and as soon as we said those words we could hear
the water in the pipes start up and we ended quickly and checked the
water and it was back on! It was a cool miracle :)
We sent this to President Egan for his birthday.
Anyway, we saw some cool miracles this week! We got a referral from
the Takasu Elders who are the next bordering area. This lady lives in
Hatsukaichi and apparently she knows every one in in Hatsukaichi as
well. She was taught like a year ago or something but we were able to
meet with her. She is middle aged, not married and really searching
for happiness and we feel like we can help her get that. We are exited
to keep teaching her. We also picked up another old investigator. It
is a family! Parents and one son who is seven. We met with them. They
come to church every week! But we taught them a lesson about the Book
of Mormon and shared the quote from president Hinkley which says,
"Those who have read [the Book of Mormon] prayerfully, be they rich or
poor, learned or unlearned, have grown under its power. �c Without
reservation I promise you that if you will prayerfully read the Book
of Mormon, regardless of how many times you previously have read it,
there will come into your hearts �c the Spirit of the Lord. There will
come a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to his
commandments, and there will come a stronger testimony of the living
reality of the Son of God." They liked it and then we challenged them
to ready every day as a family. Just five verses. I got that from you
mom! Thanks for being the example in our family so I can help someone
here in Japan! I love you! But we have been praying so hard and
planning the best we can to help them to really start to progress. We
are excited to see miracles.
There is a member who gave us a bunch of referrals and we have been
trying to find the address for the past three weeks. Going to places
where it doesn't exist and all of these crazy things, and on the ways
we have found some new great people, but yesterday we FINALLY found
the apartment we were looking for and its kind of dumb because we had
looked there before haha! What a funny thing. Sounds like something
Sister Raines would do. Haha. Mom, I have gotten SO much better at
directions on my mission! It's a mission miracle! Whoopie! Anyway, we
offered her a program we do sometimes where we teach a gospel lesson
for about 20 minutes and then the rest of the hour we do personal
Eikaiwa. It should be good. We will meet with her on Tuesday.
We have just seen so many small and simple things bring great things
to pass in the last week. It's been a good week. Also filled with some
trials and ups and downs, but I couldn't ask for a better area or
situation. The members are just lovely. One member owns a bakery and
invited all the missionaries over and gave us all a HUGE bag of breads
that were left over from the day. It was just really kind and sweet
and we really love them.
I am glad to hear that girls camp was fun Margaret! I am glad you have
an opportunity to serve in a capacity in the Beehives presidency that
will allow you to serve the other girls around you! When we serve
others, that's when we feel the most confident about ourselves and the
most real joy from God. We can literally be His hands! Mom, I am so
proud of you for trying so much every day. Every night when I keel in
my futon I pray specifically for you and your health. You are so
amazing. Keep walking every day. Sometimes I wake up and stare at the
ceiling for thirty seconds and wonder what would happen if I just fall
back to sleep, but I always feel better when I just get myself up and
started and push through. Dad, have so much fun at those temple
dedications. There is a chance that all of Japan can see the Sapporo
dedication. I am not sure if I will be here for that or not, but the
whole of Japan is thrilled to have another temple. It's amazing! I
love the temple! I hope you enjoy your week with all of the family
coming into town. Please tell them all I say hi and I love them,
especially Ryan and Jentry. Amedetougozaimasu!
I love you all so much! Have a great week :)
Love,
Raines Shimai
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