After writing home last Tuesday I was definitely filled with homesickness. You don't really notice how much you miss someone until you write home to them. I was also realizing that I don't know Japanese, and that it's actually something that is super important. So needless to say, I was feeling a little down and praying really hard for some kind of comfort.That comfort came in the form of Tuesday night devotional in the Marriott center. Richard G. Scott came and right when I saw his name, I literally just started crying. I know I shouldn't have favorite apostles, but if I did he would be my fave. In his talk he talked about how his wife Janeen served a mission and how much he loved her. I really look up to her, and I just started crying even more! He continued to say that he felt he needed to comfort missionaries who were struggling with feelings of inadequacy, or who were struggling with the language. Those were literally the 2 things I prayed about the night before. I know it seems silly, and that there are probably lots of missionaries who needed that, but I know that was an answer to my prayers. The words he spake were such a comfort to my heart and were so specific that I felt as though God talked to Elder Scott before the meeting and said: Sister Feist is struggling with these things. If you could comfort her for me, that would be great. I was a mess of tears, and it was again confirmed to me that this is where I need to be right now.
Now that I started with a spiritual message, I think it's time you found out that your beloved Feist Shimai is probably the village idiot of her district. In all honesty, I am probs the worst at Japanese, and they probably only keep me around for comic relief. But here's the kicker, I'm not even the funniest! I just laugh at everyone else's jokes so I just keep everyone's self esteems high. In all honesty, I am progressing in the language, even if it's hard to see. I can now read Hiragana, even if it is excruciatingly slowly. We only sing hymns in Hiragana, and I don't need to hum the whole time anymore! I know how to pray in Japanese and how to testify of Christ in it. I feel like I know absolutely nothing, but as I reflect I realize how much the Lord has helped me with.
Though my Japanese is progressing, my doryo and I still make some hilarious mistakes. Instead of saying that Hayashi San was a son of God, we said that he was the Beloved Son of God. Soooo we accidentally told him that he is the Savior of world. No pressure. But please redeem us of our sins.
Speaking of Hayashi San, he's now our teacher! His name is really Horne Sensai and it probs wouldn't be a big deal if we hadn't told him we loved him about a thousand times. Also, I accidentally told him that he is a menace to society. So not only can I not speak Japanese, but I consistently put my foot in my mouth in English!!
Being at the MTC right now is an incredible experience, and is made even better since I get to see so many friends! I saw Sister Hagee, Sister Rose, Sister Tait, Elder Berg, and Elder Durrant! My district thinks I'm really popular/ they think I'm pretending to know these people. But it really is a comfort to see familiar faces and talk to them.
Our speaker at the Sunday night devotional was Vai Sikahema. He was a big deal on the BYU football team during the Miracle Bowl, and is now a newcaster in Boston. Not only that, but he served in the South Dakota Rapids City mission! He had some great stories about how a mission can change your life, and it was nice to have a change in pace for speakers. You guys should google him to see if he's actually a big deal, because here on the mission we just have to trust those bios.
I really just love being here in the MTC. I feel so blessed to be serving the Lord and to share with the Nihongin the thing that makes me happiest. I can feel God's love for them, and I know that through this message, they can feel God's love. I am so happy, and I am being exceedingly humbled by my time here. I know that is we put our trust in the Lord, he will strengthen us and guide us. I love you all, and hope that everything is going well on the homefront!
Love always,
Feist Shimai
Now that I started with a spiritual message, I think it's time you found out that your beloved Feist Shimai is probably the village idiot of her district. In all honesty, I am probs the worst at Japanese, and they probably only keep me around for comic relief. But here's the kicker, I'm not even the funniest! I just laugh at everyone else's jokes so I just keep everyone's self esteems high. In all honesty, I am progressing in the language, even if it's hard to see. I can now read Hiragana, even if it is excruciatingly slowly. We only sing hymns in Hiragana, and I don't need to hum the whole time anymore! I know how to pray in Japanese and how to testify of Christ in it. I feel like I know absolutely nothing, but as I reflect I realize how much the Lord has helped me with.
Though my Japanese is progressing, my doryo and I still make some hilarious mistakes. Instead of saying that Hayashi San was a son of God, we said that he was the Beloved Son of God. Soooo we accidentally told him that he is the Savior of world. No pressure. But please redeem us of our sins.
Speaking of Hayashi San, he's now our teacher! His name is really Horne Sensai and it probs wouldn't be a big deal if we hadn't told him we loved him about a thousand times. Also, I accidentally told him that he is a menace to society. So not only can I not speak Japanese, but I consistently put my foot in my mouth in English!!
Being at the MTC right now is an incredible experience, and is made even better since I get to see so many friends! I saw Sister Hagee, Sister Rose, Sister Tait, Elder Berg, and Elder Durrant! My district thinks I'm really popular/ they think I'm pretending to know these people. But it really is a comfort to see familiar faces and talk to them.
Our speaker at the Sunday night devotional was Vai Sikahema. He was a big deal on the BYU football team during the Miracle Bowl, and is now a newcaster in Boston. Not only that, but he served in the South Dakota Rapids City mission! He had some great stories about how a mission can change your life, and it was nice to have a change in pace for speakers. You guys should google him to see if he's actually a big deal, because here on the mission we just have to trust those bios.
I really just love being here in the MTC. I feel so blessed to be serving the Lord and to share with the Nihongin the thing that makes me happiest. I can feel God's love for them, and I know that through this message, they can feel God's love. I am so happy, and I am being exceedingly humbled by my time here. I know that is we put our trust in the Lord, he will strengthen us and guide us. I love you all, and hope that everything is going well on the homefront!
Love always,
Feist Shimai