January 14,
2013
Hello everyone! Wow
what a crazy week. I am going to try and blitz through it. Ready go.
Monday. We taught an
awesome lesson to Iz***. At the end her boys all got home and came in
and sat around the table. They all grabbed their Books of Mormon and were
following along when we shared scriptures. My favorite moment was when the
little 5 year old came, sat down, turned to his mom and said, `Nan peiji?`
(what page?) He is sooo cute!! I just want to hug them all! But I can`t so I
won`t. But as we were all kneeling down at their little table, I looked around
and it hit me in the face. We were teaching a beautiful family! The boys were
all listening and wanting to follow along. They learned about tithing and had
fun paying back the 10%. There was a warm glow in the room and I was so happy
inside. I didn`t know if I wanted to scream or cry. I was SO HAPPY!!! We have
seen the wonderful blessings of the gospel come in and touch the lives of every
member of this cute family. From the beautiful mom to the cute little 5 year
old. I really was filled with the Savior`s love for this wonderful family. I
couldn`t stop smiling! It was probably the happiest moment in my mission so far.
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| Here's a 'Keep the Commanments Game' we made for the Iz*** Family |
So on Wednesday we
met with the mom again. We talked more about the Sabbath day. It`s been the
hardest thing for their family because she works and her boys all have sports.
But we told her we would fast and pray for her that night and the next day so
she could figure out what to do. On Thursday when we were talking to us she
said, `Oh! I wanted to call you last night. So a couple hours after our lesson
I got a phone call. I got a new job offer. I don`t have to work on Sundays!`
(Except for all in Japanese) Wow! Can you say miracle?! She kept saying over
and over, `It was such a surprise. I wasn`t expecting it.` Then she got quite
for a second and said, `That`s an answer to my prayers...right?` `Yes!` We both
emphatically shouted. Truly the Lord is so loving and wants His children to
obey Him. He truly does hear our and our investigators` prayers. I am
infinitely grateful for that! He is just so wonderful!
We have seen so many
wonderful miracles with this beautiful family! Today they have their baptismal
interview and if they pass that then they are getting baptized THIS SUNDAY
(January 20th)!! Ah! We are so excited for them. Neither of us have seen a
baptism yet, so we kind of feel like chickens with our heads chopped off, just
running around. We don`t really know what we are doing, but we are
inexpressibly happy that they are getting baptized! I just LOVE
THEM!!!!!!!!
So...I still don`t
feel super confident in my Japanese, but it is getting better. Funny story. I
guess in the middle of the night I sat up straight in my bed and started
frantically talking to Anderson Shimai. I kept talking about how we needed to
help our investigators. As random as that is, she said I was doing it all in
Japanese! Exciting!!!
Anyways...
Cool other story. So
Is**** San. He came to have a `lesson` after church on Sunday. When we walked
in, his whole demeanor had changed! He had a lot more light. He even
smiled and laughed a little during the lesson! Ok. It wasn`t really a lesson.
We were just talking to him. He still wants to be baptized on the 27th. Which
means that his interview has to be this Friday. We were talking to him about
what sort of questions the interview would have. He said he was ok with all of
them. He does have some special circumstances in regard to church attendance. I
didn`t know everything that was going on. His work schedule is super crazy. He
even came to meet with us after work even though he had been at work since 1
am. He really is trying his best. He actually wants to be baptized. And because
he knows he is getting baptized, he is really so much happier. I can`t explain
it all. But he is completely different. Hopefully we can figure out the church
thing. But it is so cool to see the gospel finally working on his heart. Even
though he is kind of a rough and tough person, the gospel has the power to
change all hearts. Hopefully he can be ready to be baptized next week!
R*** is still doing
great. She fits right in at church and everyone just loves her. In fact,
whenever we have lessons with members they go SOOO long and they just start
talking about the randomest things. Rachel really likes all of their
experiences and testimonies though. She said she loves church and she is going
to come every week. She is the funniest lady. I am excited that we get to keep
teaching her. We asked her to read Alma 32. Then she came back just 5 days
later and said she read ALL of Alma! She said she liked the part we gave her
but the rest was just about wars. She didn`t like that part. Haha. She is truly one of the honest seekers
of truth. And she just loves soaking up knowledge. Every time when she
drinks from the fountain of the gospel she just gets more light and is more
refreshed. I love watching her learn and grow!
We have had lots of
great experiences this week. We have met so many cool people and I wish I had
time to tell you about all of them. Alas, my time is short.
Well. I love you all!
Keep pressing forward!
Love always,
-Dobson Shimai
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| Sushi for District Meeting |
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