Laughter is the Best Medicine

May 03, 2017

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Kon'nichiwa! or こんいちわ

3 Weeks Down! Can't believe I'm a 3rd of the way through the MTC. Not gonna lie, a little excited. I know I have lots to still learn here at the MTC, but I'm very ready to go to Japan and start teaching. I think my whole district feels the same way, too. It's like we all have senior-itis, haha. But luckily time moves pretty quickly and before I know it I'll be getting on a plane to Japan. This week has been bittersweet, but I laughed a lot and that's what really matters.

So, some updates from this past week. First, the senapai have officially left. It was really bittersweet, since we will miss them dearly, but know they are off doing the Lord's work. We had a testimony meeting on Sunday and it was so powerful to hear everyone bear testimony on the truth of the church. Nothing strengthens your testimony quite like hearing other missionaries bear theirs. Luckily I got all of their emails and will be able to stay in touch, but it won't be the same without them at meal times and gym time. The past few days without them (they left at 3 AM on Monday) have been pretty lonely, but luckily it will be much busier after today because...

We're getting kohai! It wasn't official til a couple days ago, but we will be receiving 2 new districts today. 9 Elders and 1 Sister. Which will be crazy, but the good kind. The one sister will be a "solo missionary", which means she will be the only sister in her class and will be assigned as our third "companion". But she doesn't have to do everything with us. As long as she's with at least 2 other missionaries, she's fine. It's an interesting new addition here at the MTC and I'm curious to see how it works. Then with 9 new elders coming in...it should be an exciting week. Because we are getting kohai, we are all now officially senpai. Whoot! And Porter Shimai and I are Sister Training Leaders (or STL's) which essentially means we get a little mini fridge, the responsibilty to watch over and check in on the kohai sister, and get to carry around a flip phone just in case someone needs to contact us. #party

Porter Shimai and I also taught our first relief society lesson this past Sunday. It was on Apostasy and the Restoration. Porter Shimai taught first about how the apostasy really only testifies of Heavenly Father's love for us. It was really interesting and an interesting take on something we teach a lot. Then I taught about the Restoration, but more so how it shows the importance of questions in our church. I went through Joseph Smith History and showed how it clearly lays out the steps to asking and receiving answers from God. (I'll attach a photo of the chalkboard) Then I talked about how Nephi used the same process many times in the Book of Mormon. I bore testimony that just as Nephi did in his time and Joseph Smith did in his time, we can ask questions now, too. I encourage everyone to study and ask inspired questions. Questions are essential to our church and I know that only through questions can our faith grow.

My thoughts were only magnified through all the devotionals and talks we've had these past three weeks. Did I mention that on Easter we had Elder Oaks come talk to us? Because he was the speaker at the Easter Devoational. And then, last night, Elder Rasband spoke to us. 2 Apostles in 3 weeks! Not bad, haha. It's such an incredible experience being able to listen to their words in person. A quick note on Elder Rasband's talk. He talked about listening to the promptings of the Holy Ghost and ACTING on them. Don't stress about whether it's from the spirit or not, but just go and DO. I know that sometimes I wonder if I'm feeling the spirit or if I'm just thinking something. He reminded us that ALL good things come from God. So if it's a good thought or prompting, odds are very high that it comes from the Spirit. So don't worry and just act.

Alright, to finish up my email this week, I'm going to introduce a few more of the missionaries that I interact with here at the MTC. They're all going to Japan as well (because I don't really talk to anyone else) and are amazingly hilarious and great people.

First, there's Wihongi Shimai. She is from Brisbane, Australia, and is so hilarious. Like, I can't spend five minutes with her without cracking up. She's been here for 3 weeks longer than me, so will be here for another 3. Which is great, since she makes the MTC livelier. She technically lives on the floor beneath us, but has been visiting us upstairs a lot. It's super fun and I'm so glad I get to know her.

Next, Ashcroft Choro and Thornock Choro. They're companions in another district, but I talk to them a lot at gym time and meal times. They're both half-Japanese, but from Colorado and Utah (respectively). Ashcroft Choro likes golf and Thornock Choro did speed skating (like...won tons of awards and stuff. And knows my friend Chevonne, so that's pretty cool). They're fun to play basketball or volleyball with and give...interesting advice, haha. They will also be here for 3 more weeks.

Then, Seastrand Shimai. She's in the same district as Ashcroft Choro and Thornock Choro. She's super sweet and nice! She lives on our same floor and we try to talk whenever we get the chance. I'm hoping I get to know her better over the next 3 weeks.

Finally, Jung Choro. Technically he left on Sunday, but I realize I never introduced him, so I need to now. Jung Choro is Korean, but grew up in New Zealand, and he has the voice of an angel. He's hilarious and was so much fun to be around. Emerson Choro and him were an unstoppable duo and kept us laughing whenever they were together. I'm so sad they're gone now, but am glad because Jung Choro is serving in the same area as me (Nagoya), so I'll get to see him at conferences once I get to Japan. Also, he's like...super famous for ping pong and singing? Try googling his name (Ben Jung) and see what you find. I'm genuinely curious.

Alright, lots more emails to write so I will wrap this up now. Lots of pictures this week, so enjoy!

-Armour Shimai