Okonomiaki (Meat and Veggie Pancakes) and ... Warmer weather = happy toes

This week my toes were able to experience a fun little thing called frostbite. It honestly wasn't too bad. Yes mom, I promise I've been wearing my wool socks. I wear like 3-4 layers on my feet at any given time. But because I'm allergic to the cold (don't scoff, it's a real thing) I think I was just more prone to it. Don't worry I still have all of my toes, they're just tender now. But it has definitely been warming up here the past few days! So happy toes. :)

Shout out to the Brundige family for sending me the sweetest Valentine's Day package ever! It was such a happy surprise! 

Also, family, I got your V-day letter on the 20. Thank you so much! I love you! 

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTINA. I can't believe you'll be 18. Stop it. Make sure you buy a lotto ticket for me! (just kidding...kind of...)

So last night a member in the ward I served in put together a little party for the single adults in our ward and in a ward near by. We just recently taught a new investigator this week who is considered to be a single adult. So because he was at the party we got to go. It was super fun. We watched a CES devotional that was given at BYU in January (which I understood nothing from) and then we atefood. Because you know they Japanese, they loooooove their food. And our investigator had such a good time! The members were so good at making him feel welcome and happy and really helped him to have fun. He even expressed before hand that he was shy and that he didn't really want to go. But after some encouragement he came. And afterwards he said he was really happy that he came! And now we have a return appointment with him. So (per Megan's request) I have a challenge for you. Next time your ward has an activity, either for relief society, young womens, ward activity, whatever it may be. Invite one of your friends. DO IT. And then tell the missionaries. Let your friends see the light of Christ in action. Because every one has the light of Christ. But the reason people see a difference in the people of this church is because we recognize that light of Christ within us and act on it. So reach out to somebody that may need to hear the gospel. Invite them. It's really as simple as that. The worst they can do is say no. 

Also get ready, I'm feeling that some big miracles are on their way. I don't have time to go more in detail just buckle your seat belts kiddies. And stay tuned....

With all of my love,

Aulick Shimai

1 down 11 to go‏

• 1 down 11 to go‏

Helloooo my people. Just finished my first transfer in the field. Woah. I love it so much. I am living the dream right now. :)

This week it snowed. And it snowed a lot for Mikunigaoka. We were biking to the church to study (because that's where we study) while it was snowing. And all of my study materials are in a handy little basket that sits in my basket on my bike. Well it was crazy slippery and nearly impossible to ride my bike. And so I was getting up over a curb to get to the sidewalk to wait for the crosswalk light. And as I was doing so my bike tire hit the grove between the sidewalk and the street just right to where I fell over and everything in my basket feel on to the snowy ground. Hahahahaha I felt like such a dweeeeb. I promise I'm ok. I didn't even get hurt. But it was so nice because 2 girls on their way to school came over and helped me but my stuff back in my basket. Granted, picture large snowflakes flurrying around everywhere. Hahaha it was a good time. Gotta love that snow. Gotta love the Japanese people.

My favorite part of this week, and kind of every week, is teaching the after baptism lessons to our recent convert, Maichan. She is so strong and seeing that she is learning that baptism is not the end, but only the beginning is so exciting! These lessons are when we get to talk about the good stuff like missionary work, and temples, and patriarchal blessings. You know, the fun stuff. And seeing how the gospel has truly changed her life and made her so happy truly makes all of the work worth it. Every time we have a lesson with her I am reminded that this is why I do missionary work. It's for those people who are truly prepared to allow the gospel change their lives. Ahhhh I love it. 

Also I gave a talk in church 2 Sundays ago. It went pretty well I think. At least that's what people told me. 

Japanese is still rather tai hen (difficult) but I'm learning more every day. That's honestly my greatest challenge right now. I want to help these people so bad but it's hard to help them when I can't speak to them. Gotta love that missionary learning curve...

Thank you for all of your support! Keep it real America.

Love,

Aulick Shimai

Happy Valentines Day . . . (2/9/2014)

Happy Valentines Day . . . (2/9/2014)

But first off Happy Valentine's day soon! I have officially finished my first transfer as a missionary! Like what? I love it so much. I wouldn't want to be doing anything else with my life right now. So transfers are this week and I'm staying! YAYAYYAAYAYAY. I did not want another trainer and I did not want to leave Mikunigaoka. So I'm glad that I got both of those things. :)

So one of my favorite things about being a missionary is all of the different kinds of people you get to meet and talk to. And in Japan there are A LOT of interesting people. So the story behind that thought is this: we found a new investigator this week and we went to teach him in his home. While we were chatting we found out that the blanket we were sitting on (oh yeah in Japan nobody has couches so every one sits on the floor when you have guests) he just bought for us. So that way when we sat on the floor we wouldn't be cold. Isn't that awesome! That's the kind of people that I work with every day. And I love it. But the funny part is that the blanket was pink with black cats on it and it said "gothic fantasy." Haha I love it so much. I love the people here so much. 

So sturdy Q-tips. I warn you this is going to be a little weird but please keep reading, I promise there is a missionary application at the end of this story. I bought my first Japanese Q-tips last week. And they are super sturdy! Like I was cleaning my ears out after my shower last night and those Q-tips weren't bending at all! And lately we've been having problems getting parent's permission for a couple of our investigators to be baptized. And they're date is coming up in less than a month. So I've been struggling with how we can help them and how I can show my faith to the Lord more so He can provide us with whatever miracle is needed to help them be baptized. So as I was cleaning my ears and thought about how I want my faith to be like those Q-tips. And as the Lord is molding me and cleaning me (so to speak) I am going to face trials and I'm going to have to do a lot of hard things. But if I have the faith like the Japanese Q-tip then I will be the missionary and the true disciple of Christ that the Lord wants me to be. And I will get His work done. 

Now let's all be like Japanese Q-tips! 

I love you all and I hope your week is full of love for one another! Thank you for your support!

Love,

Aulick Shimai