Goodbe to Takamatsu

March 18, 2013

Wow. I can hardly believe it was only a week ago that I wrote last! It feels like a month has gone by!  I guess that is what happens when lots of changes happen.

Well to quickly start off…last Monday had its ups and downs. 

First up. H*** Chan`s lesson went SOOO well! We talked about recognizing the Spirit and as we started off the lesson she sat down. Pulled out a note book and a pencil and took notes on everything we said. You could tell she was just at the edge of her seat. Thirsting for knowledge. *sigh* I already miss her so much! 

She is just amazing!! At the end she when she prayed it again astounded me. She said a very grown up prayer, and thanked Heavenly Father for her day. Then she started to close but then stopped herself and said, `Oh! And I think I want to keep learning about God and Jesus Christ. Please help me. Thank you.` So cute!

I just love her!! Saying goodbye to her was so hard!! After her lesson we decided to swing by Iz*** Shimai`s house. I wanted to tell her I was leaving. I just wanted her to know that I love her so much. As we showed up at her house we could see her shadow in the window and her car in the driveway. We knew she was home. We rang the door bell and her little boy answered the intercom. He said his mom wasn`t there. I asked if I could pass him a present to give to his mom. He got all quiet and then 2 minutes later he came to the door. I passed him the present and told him I was leaving. He acted very awkward and wasn`t sure how to respond.

Me with one of my investigators from  Takamatsu

As we turned and walked away from their house I felt my heart breaking into a million different pieces. It hurt so bad! I just love that beautiful family so much! They are so close to having what they need! I just want them to reach out and grab it! Ugh!!

I am not faithless. I have felt peace about the whole thing. And I know one day they will come back. I am just so sad that they have to struggle and wait until they`re ready again.

I guess the hardest part was knowing that I will probably never see them again. Missions make you love people so much. It makes it so difficult to part from them! I hate it. But that love makes everything else worth it.

Speaking of leaving other people....cute R*** met us at the train station to say goodbye to me. Right before I got on the train she threw her arms around me and wouldn`t let go. I wanted to keep hugging her but alas, it was time to leave. She and her daughter, son in law, and grandson all stood outside the train and waved goodbye. She even tried running after the train a little bit. She is so dramatic! But I am going to miss her too!!

Me saying goodbye to R*** and her daughter

Well that was nice and depressing.

Now I am in Shimogamo, Kyoto. One of the coolest places in Japan, and the World!!  

I have been told this is one of the best places to be for the spring. They have world famous Cherry blossoms. Within the next couple of weeks the whole city will be pink and puffy. I can`t wait!

It`s very busy here and I can`t get over how many gaijin (foreigners) there are! I am no longer an anomaly.

Everyone here is really nice but super busy. When I first got here we only really had 1 investigator and no other really promising things. But we are excited for this week because through the Lord`s hand, (Definitely not our own) we have 6 appointments already set up!

So we are expecting to see many miracles in Shimogamo. Way excited!!

Sunday was great! I am in a ward and there are a LOT more people than there were in Takamatsu.I counted about 75.

We have the Zone Leaders in our area as well. They found this old lady housing this week and invited her to church. Nishi San. She ended up coming and we got to sit with her the whole time during church.

She is GOLDEN! After church I asked her if she had any questions. And she just unloaded and started asking lots of great questions! We answered some of them but then we told her we could met with her this week and talk to her more. She was really eager and wanted to come back to the church. We told her that we could meet at her house because it`s like a 30 minute bike ride from the church and she is this 60 year old grandma. But she was insistent on coming back. I already love her. I am so excited to start teaching her!

Our other investigator is Ay*** Shimai. She is so great! She has been an investigator here for almost a year. She loves the missionaries and church and wants to be baptized. She is just having a hard time progressing. She has some learning disabilities so learning has been hard for her. But that is right up my alley! I am way excited! I`ve already made all of these fun object lessons to teach her with and I can`t wait to use them! Am I a little out of control? Perhaps. But whatever it takes to help her understand! We are meeting with her tonight. So I am hoping it will go well.

Wow. I can`t believe it has been over 9 months since I entered the MTC. I am on the downward slope of my mission! Shinjirarenai! (I can`t believe it!) Crazy!

Anyways. Well I love you all so much! Have a fantastic week!!

Love,

Dobson Shimai

I asked Nicole some questions.   Here they are with her responses.

Is it warming up?  Are you still layering up with tights and thermals ?

Spring came and then it got cold again. But over the next couple of weeks it should start warming up again.

I am getting to the point where I just need one pair of tights. It`s pretty nice!

You haven't talked about Japanese food much.  I know you're eating it and all, but do you like it?

I like some things more than others, but overall Japanese Food is pretty good.

As missionaries we can’t really afford to eat typical Japanese food in our apartments.

In my apartment I`ve been eating a lot of salad and tofu and eggs.

They do have REALLY yummy bread and ramen, but I`ve been trying not to eat too much of them.

I don`t mind certain sushi (surprise surprise).

I love their curry.

I still don`t like sea weed.

Love rice. But also been trying to avoid eating too much of that. 

I LOVE their sweet red beans. Yum. So good!

Yeah it`s good food. But I am not going to lie. I really miss American food.