This past week was honestly the hardest week of my entire mission. Yes, I know I've only been out here four weeks so it was bound to happen, but still, it was hard. I had a cold, and we spent a lot of time in the dr's office for my companion. I was feeling really sorry for myself, and just wanted to be at home on the red couch, eating chicken noodle soup, and watching Merlin on my ipad. Well Linder Farm's ipad, but you get the idea. I was really getting down on myself and as i was focusing so much on myself, I found a lot of things were getting harder. I cared more what others thought of me. I was sad all the time. It was harder for me to learn and teach by the spirit. In essence, when I focused on myself, I was miserable.
That's why the goal for this week is to be a better missionary by turning outwards and forgetting myself. I need to think of how others feel, not how I feel. Instead of having a sense of humor in order to make myself feel funny, I want to do it to make others happy. I want to support other missionaries in the work, and not worry if I'm being supported. Instead of being offended when I'm being teased, I really just laugh because it's funny. I've made this decision to change how I view the world and people around me, and it's already blessing my life. I cannot emphasize enough how truly happy I am. I know that as we strive to forget ourselves and strive to follow Christ's perfect example of charity, the blessings we will see in our life will multiply tenfold. Obedience is important, and the blessings that come from a quest for obedience are more than I can describe.
In other news, I have found that being an Idaho farmer makes me quite popular. People love hearing I'm from Boise and I met an elder in the cafeteria who grew up on a farm in Grace, ID. I regretted inviting him to our Idaho Farmer support group (which is pretend) because after I did that he proceeded to imply that his farm was better than mine!! That' s like against the Idaho farmer code of conduct, right?! He also said that he didn't even know that pumpkins could grow in western Idaho, as if Eastern Idaho's soil is natually better than ours! Needless to say, I was a little miffed :)
Our investigators are doing great! Ishikido San is learning so quickly and is really receptive to everything we're telling him! Sousa San on the other hand is really questioning himself and his faith. As we've been study faith this week in order to help him, I've really come to the realization that faith is not simply a belief. True faith in Christ results in the action of following him! How blessed we are to know these truths. Christ is our Savior, and he knows each of us very personally. I know that it is only through him that we can return to our Heavenly Father. This knowledge fills my heart with joy, and makes me even more excited to share what I know with others!
My Japanese is really improving. I can converse with our investigators pretty easily, and most of the time I actually understand what they are saying. The Lord is blessing my efforts, and I know that it is only by his grace that I am able to learn so quickly. I wrote a Hiragana letter, so be expecting that soon!! I can't believe that I will be in Tokyo, Japan in only 5 weeks!!! It's getting so close, and I know I still have a lot to prepare for!
Know that I love each of you, and am still invested in your lives! Send me updates, keep in touch!
The Church is true, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families!
Love Always!
Feist Shimai
That's why the goal for this week is to be a better missionary by turning outwards and forgetting myself. I need to think of how others feel, not how I feel. Instead of having a sense of humor in order to make myself feel funny, I want to do it to make others happy. I want to support other missionaries in the work, and not worry if I'm being supported. Instead of being offended when I'm being teased, I really just laugh because it's funny. I've made this decision to change how I view the world and people around me, and it's already blessing my life. I cannot emphasize enough how truly happy I am. I know that as we strive to forget ourselves and strive to follow Christ's perfect example of charity, the blessings we will see in our life will multiply tenfold. Obedience is important, and the blessings that come from a quest for obedience are more than I can describe.
In other news, I have found that being an Idaho farmer makes me quite popular. People love hearing I'm from Boise and I met an elder in the cafeteria who grew up on a farm in Grace, ID. I regretted inviting him to our Idaho Farmer support group (which is pretend) because after I did that he proceeded to imply that his farm was better than mine!! That' s like against the Idaho farmer code of conduct, right?! He also said that he didn't even know that pumpkins could grow in western Idaho, as if Eastern Idaho's soil is natually better than ours! Needless to say, I was a little miffed :)
Our investigators are doing great! Ishikido San is learning so quickly and is really receptive to everything we're telling him! Sousa San on the other hand is really questioning himself and his faith. As we've been study faith this week in order to help him, I've really come to the realization that faith is not simply a belief. True faith in Christ results in the action of following him! How blessed we are to know these truths. Christ is our Savior, and he knows each of us very personally. I know that it is only through him that we can return to our Heavenly Father. This knowledge fills my heart with joy, and makes me even more excited to share what I know with others!
My Japanese is really improving. I can converse with our investigators pretty easily, and most of the time I actually understand what they are saying. The Lord is blessing my efforts, and I know that it is only by his grace that I am able to learn so quickly. I wrote a Hiragana letter, so be expecting that soon!! I can't believe that I will be in Tokyo, Japan in only 5 weeks!!! It's getting so close, and I know I still have a lot to prepare for!
Know that I love each of you, and am still invested in your lives! Send me updates, keep in touch!
The Church is true, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ blesses families!
Love Always!
Feist Shimai