week 21: the spirit works from the heart

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Last eikaiwa (english) class in Kurume

こんにちは！

There were so many miracles this week! I had my last days in Kurume, kanashii (sad) right?  I said goodbye to so many ward members and had a lot of fun meals with them. They were sad and I was heart broken leaving. Its crazy how much you learn to love the people you serve (hint: if you have a bad kankei (relationship) with someone serve them) So transfers! I had to take a bus all by myself to Oita (stressful) but now I am in Oita. It's beautiful and huge! It's a big city right next to the ocean. My new companion is Sister Whitney! I love her! I was terrified to get a new companion but I testify that God has a plan! She is amazing, and we were instantly best friends! We talk all the time and laugh even more!

Funny keiken: So we were at a dinner last night with the cutest family, the Ushijima family. They have a lot of little kids and a cute baby. The dad is fluent in both English and Japanese.  The little baby kept crawling on the table and over to sister Whitney and trying to fall on her so she would hold him. And she would just be like "no, I can't, I'm sorry" and the baby just kept trying until another person got him. Really funny!

Spiritual keiken:  We have seen so many miracles in the short time I have been here. We found two new investigators the first night and one was a family! We have met people that we can't believe how kinjin (prepared person) they are. We had a lesson with a less active and her daughter (who is an investigator)  after she really opened up to us about her life and it was amazing!

The most amazing thing was when I got to pray for someone on the spot for the first time. I felt the spirit so strong even though the language of the prayer wasn't fancy, or very good. It really showed me that the spirit works from the heart, because I couldn't say all the blessings for the girl that I wanted to, but I know she felt the love I had for her. God doesn't care if our prayers are perfect, He just wants to hear from us and bless us.

New words: 
かなしい (kanashii): sad
きんじん(kinjin) : prepared person (lit. Gold person)
きぼう(kibou): hope

I know God has a plan and He leads us. He answers prayers and gives us all hope. I know this from experience. He has led me and answered me. He gave me so much hope that everything in life will be okay. Its amazing that all we have to do is ask and have faith that it will happen. I love you all so much!

Love Thompson Shimai 


Bits and pieces from family emails:
Oita is big and beautiful! I haven't seen the ocean yet, but we are really close to eki (train station). There are so many miracles here every day!
My new companion Sister Whitney is amazing! I love her! We have the same first name and are basically the same person! She is from Provo and went to Timpview. There was no awkwardness when we met and we became instant friends! I finally feel really happy...actually happy! I am taking risks and having so much fun!
We take a bus on Sunday to the church building...it's on a big hill and we would get super sweaty trying to bike to it.
There are a lot of less actives in the ward, so lots of work to be done!


Japanese desserts with Ogawa Shimai are the BEST!


The kindergarten across from our apartment...so cute!


my apartment building in Kurume


last night in Kurume


Star Festival at the Kurume train station.


Look who was waiting for a bus with me!!!
Hippolite Shimai!!


okay..Mexican food in Japan...YUM!!


The chapel in Oita is the most beautiful building!!



We email from Starbucks...and yes! It's a good day!!!



Sister Whitney is my companion soul mate!
She is truly an answer to prayers!!
I LOVE HER!



LIFE IS GOOD!


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