week 28: hitting my clock!

Exhanges with Cordero Shimai and Dean Shimai (also from A.F.!)

こんにちは
Okay so this week was interesting. Hayward Shimai has been sick so we stayed inside pretty much all week. I have had a lot of time to study, so I'm loving the scriptures!  We also had junkais (exchanges) this week! So we had zone conference and that was so powerful! We talked bout using the 12 steps of addiction recovery to overcome any of our weaknesses. The 12 steps include: using the doctrine of Christ, having faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism (covenants), accepting and using the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It was really cool and something that will help us all use the atonement more. I loved the trainings given. Another lesson was on our spirit language aka: how we personally feel the spirit. It was cool. In the training they asked us, "how is our spirit unique"? I have never thought of that but it was really powerful. 

Spiritual keiken:  So on junkais I was with Cordero Shimai. We went and visited a member that she had had the feeling to visit earlier that morning. So we went to visit the member, and we knocked on what we thought was her door and there was no answer. We were about to leave but we decided to try this other door and she answered! As we began talking, we learned she was going to have an MRI in just a few hours and was so scared and had a lot of anxiety.  She said God had to be real, because it was a miracle that we had come. We talked and prayed with her. She said we were bright (our countenances). It was so powerful to know that as we strive to follow Christ, our countenance can change. As we follow Him, He leads us to people who need us and need to feel his love. He leads us everyday, even when we don't know it.

Funny keiken:  So the bus ride to Kumamoto (where the conference was) was 4 hours-ish. So we had a lot of time to study and talk. The Beppu elders go with us. So we all talked a lot. Elder Campbell is our district leader and this is his last transfer. We asked him what it felt like being an old missionary.  He said he is trying to stop time but time is a metal clock and all he has is a plastic hammer. He still tries, but it does nothing. It was hilarious because he was freaking out that he is such an old missionary (around 2 years ;) ) Such a fun bus ride! I better start hitting my clock now because my time is already flying. I can't believe August is halfway over.... crazy!

New words:
おきる(okiru): to wake up
ありがたい(arigatai): thankful
あご(ago): jaw

I know Jesus Christ loves all of us. He never stops looking for the lost sheep. He will never give up on us, no matter what. I know He won't give up. He loves us so much. He died for us so we can be free from guilt and sin. I know this is true. Only through Him can we have a new start. I have been given so many new starts and so I know it is possible.  I love you all. I miss you all, but I am the happiest I have ever been. Helping my brothers and sisters is the greatest work I can do! Have a wonderful week!

Love Thompson Shimai

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