week 29: just give it to God

Kumamoto/Nagasaki zone training

こんにちは

Hello everyone! So this week was a week of doctors... On Tuesday we called the doctor because Hayward shimai was still sick. He told us to go to a doctor, so Watanabe shimai from the ward drove us and helped us there. We spent a few hours there and didn't really learn what the problem was. Then on Friday night we took a 3 hour bus ride to Fukuoka. We stayed with the shimai's there, and then on Saturday morning went to an international doctor to have a check up for some issues she had last transfer. The doctor is now running some tests to see if he can find why she she is so sick. So yeah, that was fun...haha! It's been a crazy week.

Short review:

Monday- pday
Tuesday- doctor appointment 1
Wednesday - district meeting (they moved it so we could go) and eikaiwa (English classes)
Thursday- a little dendoing in the morning but then in the rest of the day
Friday- lesson with Koichi san and got on a bus to Fukuoka
Saturday- doctor appointment 2, and 3 hour bus ride home

Spiritual keiken: So, I have found so far on my mission that the longer you stay inside, the harder it is to go out and dendo. On this transfer we have been inside for most of every day, because Hayward shimai has been sick...so sad for her, and hard on both of us. So on Thursday, I really struggled finding the desire to go out and dendo. But my past companions (Dimmitt shimai and Whitney Shimai) taught me that when I don't want to go out, I just have to get out the door and I will feel 10 times happier. So Thursday morning I was just trying to push myself out the door, and guess what? I did it and I felt 10 times happier! Then the Lord blessed the efforts of both Hayward Shimai and myself and lots of people answered the door! It was amazing seeing that when you stop focusing on yourself and go out and help others. you really are so much happier!

Funny keiken: Okay this is a good story. So on Wednesday we had district meetings. All summer it has been too hot to wear make up because it just melts off. But it was cooler outside and I was bored, so I did my make up. We were getting on the train to go to Beppu and this older man scooted over and made room for a seat and motions for me to sit by him... so I did. So this man started talking to me and I understood 0% of his Japanese (really old Japanese). But I attempted to respond and tell him I couldn't really understand. By the end of the train ride, he had my name (Thompson Shimai...I told him that shimai was my first name), our phone number and a partial address to the church in Kurume. He wanted our address but I wasn't giving that to him! He attempted to ask me on a date and for a kiss and I didn't realize that until later, but I'm sure glad I said no when I didn't understand! Well that got a good laugh at district meeting! Later, right before Eikaiwa, Hayward Shimai and I were at a bus stop and this random guy came up and started talking to us. Now I wasn't responding or talking to him, but Hayward Shimai was. The entire conversation he looked only at me and I wasn't responding...haha! So apparently when I wear make up, all the older men (60+) want to talk to me...oh my!

That is not the end! On Thursday afternoon, we got a call from a number we didn't know, so we answered it. The person quickly introduced himself and then wanted to know our address. Hayward Shimai told him sorry, we can't give that out. So the person said "okay I will call the church and ask" and hangs up. We laugh, having no idea what just happened. Later this same number calls again and leaves a message wanting to know if Thompson Shimai san has time tomorrow morning to meet. That's when it hit us that it was the guy from the train! We laugh but then we get a text message from this website. After translating all the kanji we realize he put our number into this website that will track our phone so he can find us if we give him permission.... WE DIDN'T GIVE HIM PERMISSION ....so we started to freak out a little more because another message came through and then he called again. So, I officially have a stalker... we called people (our district leaders) and we are good but it was a funny and terrifying story!

New words
ようき(youki): cheerful
ばば(baba): grandma (another way to say it)
めいよ(meiyo): honor

This week was fun and crazy and hard. I have just learned so much about trusting God on my mission. Hayward shimai mentioned to me the other day that my catch phrase has become "just give it to God". I have said that about a lot of things. After we plan I always say "we have done what we can and now we give it to God". We had some conversations about changing and how to do so and at the end I just turned to her and said, "just give it to God". Now I say that because I found once I do what I can and then I trust God, he will make up the rest or change it to what I or others need. So "just give it to God " this week. Anything you are struggling with or need help with, he will help and he will do what is best for you and the people around you. I love you all so much. I miss you all. Have a great safe week!

Love Thompson Shimai

Bits and pieces from family emails:

We're going to the mall today for a bit...always finding cute Japanese stuff!

I've been working on my art and lettering skills this week...lots of time inside and only so many church videos to watch after studying/reading "Jesus the Christ"/planning.

I am learning a lot this transfer. I am learning to rely even more on the Lord and give him my struggles.