First Exchanges

June 17, 2013

Hello to all of my loved ones at home!

It's been a pretty good week over here. Minus the fact that it has been SOOO hot. Seriously I am dying. This week they said it got up to 37/38 degrees Celsius.  I am not quite sure how hot that is in Fahrenheit but it's pretty close to 100. (It’s 100 degrees)  And the members say it just keeps getting hotter. Oh dear....

But other than that this week was pretty good.

The best part is that we got to finish teaching A*** Shimai and then see her baptized! She really is so amazing! She has this serious fear about water. She has been wanting to get baptized but she was SO scared. She said she has been practicing putting her face in the bath tub so she would be more prepared but still, even just 5 minutes before she went into the font she was way scared.

But luckily the Spirit took over and just before she went in she was crying. She hugged me so tight, and while crying just kept saying over and over, I am so grateful, I am so grateful. But I was the one who was grateful. I am sad I didn't get to go along with her more on her journey, she truly is one of the strongest investigators I have ever met.

Well she successfully got baptized and only had to do it once which was a huge relief for all of us. She just looked so happy afterwards.

Just seeing her change makes all of this worth it.

The rest of the week was filled with exchanges. We only did two but with all the travel time, they are pretty time consuming. We first got to work with Papenfuss Shimai and the two new sister missionaries that she is training. Sister Ochoa and Sister Hall. All of them are total powerhouse missionaries! I am way impressed. They should be training me. Not the other way around.

I also got to go back to Shimogamo!! I didn't realize how much I missed it until I went back. It definitely just has a different feeling there. It's a lot cleaner and things just seem brighter. Here in Osaka people seem to be more weighed down with the burdens of life.

I got to work with Lee Shimai again which was fun. Both of us are getting used to living with/having a Japanese companion. I think it was good for both of us to talk about it. It definitely is a different experience.

But we had a good time, went out, worked hard, and found a new investigator! It was so great! Met a super cute college student on the street, asked her if we could share our message. She asked if we could do it right then. Readily we agreed, went to a little secluded corner with benches and trees and taught a lesson. They have a return appointment with her this week! I love dendo!

My heart always feels renewed as we find new people, teach lessons, and watch people get baptized.

It's just the best!

On Sunday the Elders decided to give us one of their investigators. She is in the next area over, but since she can meet at the church we can start teaching her.

She is in her middle 60's but honestly she acts like a 16 year old girl....She is pretty boy crazy which I guess is part of the reason why the Elders passed her to us....

But she said she knows she has made a lot of mistakes and wants to start a new life and go back to God. So she is going to keep meeting with us.

I really don't think there is a whole lot more to report.

I love you all so much! Have a splendid week. Keep cool!

Love,
Dobson Shimai