Since my companion is Sister Training Leader I went on 3 exchanges this week! It was so fun! I learn so much from every new sister that I work with and they are such great examples to me. I got to work with one of the missionaries who came at the same time as me (she's Japanese) and it was amazing to see how much she's grown. It was honestly just so much fun.
I've found a new favorite way of finding people. Eating ice cream at Baskin Robbins and talking to people. It is surpirsingly effective. My favorite flavor of ice cream is French Toast.
We have seen so many miracles! Akiko wants to be baptized. A year from now, but still, she wants to be baptized!!
We have a new investigator!! Her name is Ayda, she is from Iran, and speaks fluent English, Japanese, Persian, and can read Arabic. She is a model, an actress, and teaches bellydancing. She also teaches English to less fortunate children. When we were at her house she offered us coffee and we declined then explained the Word of Wisdom. She loves it. She thinks it's brilliant. She then proceeds to tell us why the Law of Chastity is important, why she doesn't wear sexy clothes as a model, and that she donates money to people because she doesn't need very much. She wants to introduce us to her family and her new husband, and she loves the idea of being married in the temple. She offered to pay for the Book of Mormon. The only problem is that she's so busy it's hard to schedule appointments with her. Also, if she joins another religion she will be killed if she returns to Iran. She is so incredible and I love her soooo much!!
On one of the companion exchanges we went on my companion was Japanese and she doesn't speak very much English. We simply spoke Japanese the WHOLE TIME. I didn't even know that I could do that! We also got a lot of funny looks (more than usual) because I guess it's a little bizarre seeing a tall blonde hanging out with a Japanese girl and they are just speaking casual Japanese. It doesn't help that she teaches me really bizarre Japanese. :)
While I was working with Miwa Shimai we went to a Phillipino's house for her friend's birthday party. WOW. They are definitely the opposite of Japanese. They were loud, silly, and so much fun! The only way they were the same as the Japanese is that they force fed us food. I have literally never eaten so much food in my entire life. Phillipino food is delicious. Coconut oil is now my preferred way to cook things. I wanted to eat more, but I literally couldn't.
It's funny, because I know that the Japanese people find my physical appearance fascinating but they never say anything because they're too polite. But these Phillipino women asked how I got o tall, about my eyes, and my hair, and really did just stare at me the whole time. It was a little awkward!
After eating way too much food for lunch that day, we proceeded to go to TGI Friday's with some members in our ward and an investigator and his girlfriend. Once again, way too much food. I think the theme of that day is: FOOD. Kana and Kosei (the investigator and his girlfriend) helped me figure out my first name in Kanji. My name means "beautiful sound of love" pretty cool right?! Spelled Renei. Weird, but totally worth it!
The other night I jammed out with some kids to Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus. They asked if I wanted to be professional. Haha, they have such low standards of what a good singer is :)
Life is good! The Lord sends us miracles when our hearts are heavy. Every day as we are planning for tomorrow we count 5 miracles that we saw. Sure, most of them involve food, but most of them really do involve real life miracles! That I know only happen because the Lord is guiding me and this is His work. Even when I'm being force fed gyoza, I can feel God's love for me!
My missionary scripture has really been bringing me so much comfort the past few days. Alma 29 is just incredible! My sole desire is to become an instrument in the hands of the Lord, and everyday He gives me experiences in order to make that possible.
Everyday is a new humbling experience, and I feel so blessed to be working in Japan with these missionaries. This is where I'm needed.
The Church is true! Christ has restored the fulness of His gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is not just a fun story, but a true testament of Jesus Christ, and was written by ancient prophets for us! Every day I read it I am strengthened.
I love you all! Keep up the good work!
Love always,
Feist Shimai
ファイスト 姉妹
I've found a new favorite way of finding people. Eating ice cream at Baskin Robbins and talking to people. It is surpirsingly effective. My favorite flavor of ice cream is French Toast.
We have seen so many miracles! Akiko wants to be baptized. A year from now, but still, she wants to be baptized!!
We have a new investigator!! Her name is Ayda, she is from Iran, and speaks fluent English, Japanese, Persian, and can read Arabic. She is a model, an actress, and teaches bellydancing. She also teaches English to less fortunate children. When we were at her house she offered us coffee and we declined then explained the Word of Wisdom. She loves it. She thinks it's brilliant. She then proceeds to tell us why the Law of Chastity is important, why she doesn't wear sexy clothes as a model, and that she donates money to people because she doesn't need very much. She wants to introduce us to her family and her new husband, and she loves the idea of being married in the temple. She offered to pay for the Book of Mormon. The only problem is that she's so busy it's hard to schedule appointments with her. Also, if she joins another religion she will be killed if she returns to Iran. She is so incredible and I love her soooo much!!
On one of the companion exchanges we went on my companion was Japanese and she doesn't speak very much English. We simply spoke Japanese the WHOLE TIME. I didn't even know that I could do that! We also got a lot of funny looks (more than usual) because I guess it's a little bizarre seeing a tall blonde hanging out with a Japanese girl and they are just speaking casual Japanese. It doesn't help that she teaches me really bizarre Japanese. :)
While I was working with Miwa Shimai we went to a Phillipino's house for her friend's birthday party. WOW. They are definitely the opposite of Japanese. They were loud, silly, and so much fun! The only way they were the same as the Japanese is that they force fed us food. I have literally never eaten so much food in my entire life. Phillipino food is delicious. Coconut oil is now my preferred way to cook things. I wanted to eat more, but I literally couldn't.
It's funny, because I know that the Japanese people find my physical appearance fascinating but they never say anything because they're too polite. But these Phillipino women asked how I got o tall, about my eyes, and my hair, and really did just stare at me the whole time. It was a little awkward!
After eating way too much food for lunch that day, we proceeded to go to TGI Friday's with some members in our ward and an investigator and his girlfriend. Once again, way too much food. I think the theme of that day is: FOOD. Kana and Kosei (the investigator and his girlfriend) helped me figure out my first name in Kanji. My name means "beautiful sound of love" pretty cool right?! Spelled Renei. Weird, but totally worth it!
The other night I jammed out with some kids to Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus. They asked if I wanted to be professional. Haha, they have such low standards of what a good singer is :)
Life is good! The Lord sends us miracles when our hearts are heavy. Every day as we are planning for tomorrow we count 5 miracles that we saw. Sure, most of them involve food, but most of them really do involve real life miracles! That I know only happen because the Lord is guiding me and this is His work. Even when I'm being force fed gyoza, I can feel God's love for me!
My missionary scripture has really been bringing me so much comfort the past few days. Alma 29 is just incredible! My sole desire is to become an instrument in the hands of the Lord, and everyday He gives me experiences in order to make that possible.
Everyday is a new humbling experience, and I feel so blessed to be working in Japan with these missionaries. This is where I'm needed.
The Church is true! Christ has restored the fulness of His gospel through the prophet Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon is not just a fun story, but a true testament of Jesus Christ, and was written by ancient prophets for us! Every day I read it I am strengthened.
I love you all! Keep up the good work!
Love always,
Feist Shimai
ファイスト 姉妹