week 13: golden week of miracles

knitting a hat for a soon-to-be baby in our ward!

こんにちは

So because of the weird transfer last week there are only a few days to write about. So yesterday was Miracle Monday! We saw so many miracles. We had church and the members are so nice and kind. We had another great lesson with Tanaka San and she is progressing amazingly. Friday was a crazy p-day and we were biking all around Kurume and it was not very relaxing, but it was good that we got a lot of things done.

Spiritual keiken: Yesterday we saw lots of miracles! We biked for 45 mins to try to find a less actives apartment. She lives really far away. We found the apartment and she was not home. We had a little bit of time before we needed to head back home to get home on time and so we knocked a few doors. We knocked on one door and a man opened the door. He was nice and really curious about why two Gaijin (foreigners) were at his door. He invited us in (his wife was home so we were good to go in) we taught him the restoration and part of the plan of salvation. It was really powerful and we made a return appointment. It was awesome! We have a new investigator!!

Funny keiken: So we had that lesson but it took a while, so we biked our 45 minute distance in 25 minutes!!! I was dying! Sister Dimmitt is so fast and I was praying to hard to keep up (I kinda did but also I died a lot) it was crazy!

Other funny keiken: So this week was Golden week and Saturday was Children's day. The shrine by our house was full of people. We found out the shrine is pretty famous because the god of all the water in Japan lives there. So it was cool. The owners had invited us to see a dance there on Saturday so we went and it was really cool but we stuck out like crazy, two white, Christian, Americans at the shrine. It was funny though. All the little kids gave us high fives and said "hello" so cute!

New words

びじん (bijin): beautiful person

あか (aka): red

あお (ao): blue

I love you all so much! I love Japan and the people here! Be safe and smile the Lord is there to help!

Love

Thompson Shimai

Bits and pieces from family emails:

I asked Maddy some questions on testimony that I am using in my laurel lesson next week:

How has having a strong testimony helped you on your mission?

It has helped a lot. Having a strong testimony has made it easier to accept rejection because I know it is them using their agency. It has made it easier to be away from home and not speak the language, because i know that I have Heavenly Father who loves me and is there and understands me. I know I can talk to him anything to receive help or comfort. Having a strong testimony has made it easier to obey the mission rules because they aren't always easy but the Lord gives me strength!

What is the best way to gain a testimony?

The primary answers are the best way to gain a testimony. Follow Alma 32:27 and experiment or try out what the prophets say. Faith is built by action!

What has helped testimonies grow in your investigators?

Reading the Book of Mormon grows strong testimonies, even a little bit every day. Coming to church brings a sense of peace that our spirits needs. Praying and learning that the gospel is true for themselves is a major helper!