week 9: a little less than a year

President and Sister Egan in front of the Fukuoka temple.

 こんにちは

So I'm actually here in Nihon!!! It is crazy! Everyone actually speaks japanese! So I had to say goodbye to all my MTC friends and my district. That was really sad. We arrived in Nihon and got lots of hugs. The next day we got our trainers. I have the best trainer, her name is Dimmitt Shimai.  She is sure happy and excited. She has been out for more than a year. In the Fukuoka mission when someone asks how long you have been out you only say a little more than a year or a little less than a year. It makes it so people get along better and the members trust you more. I am in Kurume. It is part city and country. It is a huge area and Dimmitt Shimai and I are the only ones in the area and the only ones living in our apartment. We have 3 investigators. I have met one. Her name is Tanaka San. She is super cute and nice. She has a baptismal date and everything. It is really fun and super hard to dendou (proselyte). We have done a lot of streeting and housing. One cute obachan san (grandma) gave us these home made dish washers. So sweet. Everyone here is really nice.

Funny keiken: My first night in the area we had a lesson with Tanaka san and during the lesson she asked me how old I was and I accidentally said ju nana instead of ju kyu. So I said I was 17 not 19... that was way funny and awkward.

Spiritual keiken:  During that same lesson Tanaka San prayed out loud for the first time and had a real break through. It was really cool to see it and I didnt understand what was being said but I could feel the spirit.

On the 12 hour plane ride from Minneapolis to Tokyo, I sat away from the group. I sat by these nice ladies who both were heading on to the military bases. I talked to one of them a ton and at the end of the flight, I gave her a Book of Mormon with a note and my testimony in it. It was amazing to have the opportunity to do that.

New words : でんどう(dendou): proselyting, missionary work

おばちゃん(obachan): grandma

I love you all and miss you all a ton!!

Love,

Thompson Shimai 

Bits and pieces from family emails:

Emma Dimmitt is from California and she is super nice! She's been doing the cooking this week which is so nice of her. I've eaten a lot of grass and seaweed.

I had to order a bike because they didn't have my size...I'm still short in Japan sometimes..haha! It will take about 10 days to get here. I'll be using an old one left from another missionary until then.

Our apartment is big and green and gorgeous! We have a washer!

The toilet seats are heated and that is wonderful!

My favorite thing so far is going "streeting" at night. It's safe and we have so much fun!

Splits on the first day with Boyd Shimai

getting $$ at the ATM in the 7-11

It's pretty, even around convenience stores!

Happy....confused as all get out, but so happy!!

Newest missionaries to the Fukuoka mission!

one last goodbye

Email from my mission mom:

Dear Sister Thompson's family,

I wanted you to have this picture so you could see your beautiful missionary arrived safely.

She is safely with her new trainer, in her new area, jumping right into her infield missionary life.  She is a wonderful young woman and missionary! We love her and are so thankful for the blessing of serving with her!

Thank you for all you've done to help her prepare. I know her service will bring many blessings to you!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Sister Mikalyn Egan