Found My Cookie In The Freezer.

Konnichiwa Kazkoku, Ohayogozaimasu Minasan!

Ogenki desu ka? Nihongo wakarimasu ka?

This week was a long one. We had a lot happen this week. Yet not much
happened either. It was one of those kind of whirlwind weeks, ya know?
We have been getting so many return appointments and scheduling so
many lessons that this upcoming week is going to be crazy jam packed
but we are excited. Our Dendo is better when we don't do it for like
seven hours straight. We have more energy and are more excited to
share our message so this should be a good week.

We taught our investigator this week. She is like forty or so, has a
young son and is just a ball of energy and talking. She is so so cute.
We love her. But we tried to explain baptism and invite her to be
baptized. It was so funny. We asked if she would want to be and she
said she would if we would baptize her. She said she would feel
peaceful if me and Sister Brown were in the water and could catch her.
Hahaha it was the funniest. We obviously had to clarify what baptism
is and how it works. She has a hard time grasping Christian concepts,
but we thought it was so funny. She always acts out what she says too.
It's just great. I don't know how to put her into words.

We taught our other investigator about service and how it helps us to
be even more happy when we forget about ourselves. She seems to be
struggling with that, but it went well and then we taught her again
and finished the Plan of Salvation. When we asked what she thought she
said that if she were to die she would of course want to go to the
celestial kingdom. It was just really cool that she understood what we
were talking about and she understands the seriousness and the meaning
of it as well. She has so much desire to follow God she just has some
challenges to over come, but we are just loving being able to teach
her right now.

Mom, I tried tapioca again and it is SO good! It's better than the
American kind but I have the recipe and I'll make it for you! So so so
delicious! And easy! And healthy!

I finished my lesson mastery again. That's the second time. I don't
know if you remember what that is but I did it. It is such a long
process but it feels good to have it done a second time. Sister Brown
finished hers for the first time this week too! So we will get to send
those into the Honbu together.

Thursday was Mountain Day. It's a new holiday this year! In Japanese
Yama no Hi. It is so funny. They all got the day off for it. These
Japanese people just kill me. They are so funny. Anyway, Miyajima is
known for its firework show its like the second or third best show in
Japan and we got to see them! We just went to a place next to the
ocean near our apartment and watched them! They were so cool and
pretty! The firework shows are kind of different here in Japan but
still fun! It was the first time I have felt so much excitement in the
air in Japan. They don't have a lot of big holidays or things they all
get into very much so it was fun to see everyone out and about and in
such good moods. It was great!

Yamamoto Shimai is so great. She took us with her to visit some of her
old friends and acquaintances so we could share the gospel with them.
They weren't interested but she has so much faith. She just always
wants to help us. She does her calling so faithfully. She waters the
flowers outside of the church. It is so cute and amazing. She is
always just trying to help us so much. She gives what she can give.
And it is always more than enough. If everyone gave as much as they
could we would be seeing so much more success and so many more
miracles. The Lord truly blesses those who just so their best. She was
a good example to us this week.

We have this new investigator who is 13! She is so cute and wants to
know God so badly. She is so personable and we love her. She was our
miracle this week! We thought she wasn't coming and we waited but we
left after fifteen minutes and then she called us and still wanted to
meet! It was so crazy and amazing.

I had purchased a cookie at the near by seven eleven and had shoved it
into the freezer because it had melted by the time I got home. Well, I
forgot about it and then lo and behold, a few days later when all I
wanted was a cookie, I opened up the freezer and it was there! Now
that was a miracle people. Even cookies have the potential to bring
miracles in ones life. Hahahahahaha.

Yesterday was my last church in a Japanese Ward. Next week is the
temple dedication. It was really hard. We sang "I'll Go Where You Want
Me To Go" and "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" of course and it just made
it all the worse. Or better maybe. I love these people so much. I love
the Japanese. They are truly amazing. They have so much faith and love
for their Savior and they all are striving so hard to keep pushing the
work forward here in Japan. I love them. I love this work. It was a
really special Sacrament Meeting. The youth all just got home from FSY
so they all gave their testimonies and it was so precious. The
testimonies of the youth are so amazing and strong. So sure. I just
loved it so much. I just feel real joy and real love when I am here
with these people. The only other place I have felt that is at home.
It's been a real blessing. I just love this work so much.

Well, I hope you all have a great week! I am praying for you all! Keep
me updated on the happenings there in America :) We get updates on the
politics sometimes from grandpas we run into. I've found a couple of
Clinton supporters, and a few Trump fans. Who knows what's happening?
Haha :) I love you!

Love, Raines Shimai