1st Week in the MTC

Tuesday June 19^th, 2012

Well I made it through the first week! It still hasn't hit me yet that I'm here serving a mission.

Me & Hansen Shimai

To start off, my companion is AWESOME!  Hansen Shimai is from Spanish Fork and went to BYU studying chemistry. She actually knows Kaitlin Wimmer. She has taken a few years of Japanese already which is a huge blessing for me. She is kind enough to be patient and teach me the basics so we can then progress together. We have lots of fun and have very similar personalities. She will help me make it through these next 70 days. (But who's counting?) She is also going to Kobe and we leave on the same day so I'm happy about that. Our relationship will not end when we leave the MTC.

My MTC District

My district is pretty great. There are 3 more Elder companionships. Only 1 companionship has not had experience with Japanese. There are only 3 out of the 8 of us that have no experience, which made it a little difficult in the beginning when we had NO idea what the Sensi (Teacher) was saying. But we're all learning quickly and catching up.

The first few days here were....pretty rough-Full immersion on the first 3 days of class. I didn't hear the Sensi speak English once during those 3 days. It was a little overwhelming, but luckily I had my doryo (companion) to help translate.

I've already taught 3 lessons in Japanese to a real Japanese person!! It is super intimidating, because I know I'm not pronouncing half of the words correctly. But he is kind and understanding, and pretends to understand what I am saying.

Me & My MTC Roommates in our deluxe accomodations

During the first few days, all of the missionaries who had been here for a while just kept saying, "Make it to Sunday.'' They were all right!

 

 Wow Sunday was UNBELIEVABLE!  First, for Relief Society we had it with all of the Sisters in the whole MTC and Sister Elane Dalton came to speak. She is so powerful, and it was fun seeing her in this setting. She talked about how we've basically grown up with her because she's been in the General Young Women's Presidency for so long. It's true. There was a musical number from a Sister before Sister Dalton spoke. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever heard! The Sister sang "Jesus, Redeemer of My Soul''....I think. It was so amazing that Sister Dalton had her do it twice! The Spirit was so strong and everyone was crying.

Then we had Sacrament meeting with our Zone. It was all in Japanese. I didn't understand a word. But I'm sure I'll get there. For the Sunday night fireside we had Sheri Dew come and speak. It was also amazing. She talked about having a long term perspective and said a lot of powerful and comforting things. She talked about how the Lord is eager to bless us. And it was so nice to hear.

I have already loved my experience here at the MTC. Though the days seem long, they are always full of the Spirit. I've loved the opportunity I have had to take a significant portion of the day and just focus on learning more about the gospel. It has been a very sweet experience as I've learned more in just these few short days than I thought possible. The Lord truly does give us blessings for serving Him. As I've been studying it has just hit me how much the Lord does truly love us and want to bless us. That is why He has set up all the guidelines. They are to make us happy. Also, all we have to do is ask Him for a blessing we feel we need and He is willing to grant it to us, AS LONG as we use it to build up His kingdom. I'm not able to speak Japanese fluently, or even very well, but I can feel the influence He has, and how He has opened passageways in my mind to allow me to better understand the language. He will bless me with the gift of tongues if I ask with a sincere heart and I use it to build up the Kingdom.

I am able to say, ''we are missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" in Japanese. It took some practice, because it's kind of a mouth full, but I can say it! I can also give a short prayer and testimony. I'm also slowing learning the first alphabet thanks to my patient companion. I can even read some of the Hymns!

Next week is "Christmas'' at the MTC. It is the new mission president training and all of the Quorum of the 12 and the First Presidency will be here starting Saturday. I'm super stoked.

All the Sisters in my Zone (All Going to Japan)

I've seen so many people here that I know. It has been very fun. I've seen Becca Ackley, Camille Wynn, Renee Adams, Elder Matt Pockrus, and numerous girls from school and work. It is fun seeing us all unite in the great cause.

The food here is....tolerable. Unfortunately I've not even been here a week and I am already sick of it. On the other hand, I've stopped gagging every time I go into the dish room to drop off my tray. I've learned the trick of when and how to breathe when you go in there.

Well I love and miss you all so much! You guys are amazing!! Let me know how you are doing!

Love,

Dobson Shimai