"I'm in a Ditch"
This week I have many pictures and videos to attach, so I'll try to keep the writing part to a minimum. But it has been QUITE the week. It definitely wasn't easy--not even close--but it was full of great experiences. And we did have some fun, too ;)
So, to start. Last week after we finished our P-day we went with the Relief Society President (Taniguchi Shimai) to go hand out English Class Flyers and then eat dinner and do some planning. It was amazing! She served a mission when she was younger, but she still really has the "dendou fire" (desire to do missionary work) and so it was really great to work with her. She's such a great example of faith and we always feel our own testimonies strengthen when we're with her. Also, we ended up finishing dinner pretty late and only had a few minutes to get home. But we really wanted to help her clean. We offered, but she refused. And when we tried to push it, she quickly informed us that after 9:30 is "Satan's Time", haha. We hurried home and made it home before 9:30. Apparently it's what they said when she was a missionary, but we'd never heard it before. However, we are definitely going to use it from now on.
Then on Tuesday we had "Trainer's Review", so we went back to Nagoya City to meet up with all the other new missionaries and their trainers. It was so great to see Porter Shimai, Christensen Chourou, Bennett Chourou, and Watabe Shimai! I totally blanked and didn't take a photo :P But it was a really great experience! It was nice to be able to catch up a little bit before heading back into the field. But we had to hurry back afterwards to go to a member's (the Koseki's) house for dinner. They fed us pastel (a traditional Brazilian food) and it was DELICIOUS! Sooo yummy <3 I also had an amazing experience with the gift of tongues. We shared a message with them on the Book of Mormon and when it was my turn to bear testimony, I didn't think about what to say, I just started talking. I shocked everyone--including myself--by talking at a speed and fluency of a local. The words flowed perfectly and the Spirit was so strong in the room. It was amazing and a really great testimony builder for me. I can't always speak Japanese, and sometimes I can barely speak English, haha. BUT, when the words need to come, they will. I just need to rely on the Lord and everything will work out.
Oh, I also taught my first Jehovah's Witnesses this week! They were a very sweet couple, but it was a very awkward lesson, haha. It was clear that we had opposing goals here. Luckily it didn't end in bloodshed ;) But not sure when we'll be seeing them again...
We went hiking on Wednesday with a lady from our English Class. She's older and loves hiking. So we decided to go with her. It was really fun, but there are SO MANY BUGS IN JAPAN. I don't mind bugs too much, but even I have my limit. And summer in Japan is...rough. Luckily the mosquitoes seem to like Jones Shimai more than me, so I don't have too many bug bites. But...it's still not fun. But the view at the top made it all worth it! Pictures attached.
This week at one of our Kid's English Classes we made "takoyaki brownies", which is essentially just brownies but made using a takoyaki maker, haha. It turned out better than we were expecting, but it was so much fun to watch the kids all work together. They're so cute! We're really hoping to start teaching their families because I know they can all benefit from the gospel.
Fun story of the week: on Thursday we went out to find a less active member. She lived pretty far away, so by the time we got out there it was dark. She also lives in the middle of nowhere (aka: rice fields for miles), so there were no streetlights. We were going along the road using our bike lights to guide us, but it wasn't enough. As we rode we turned a corner and I took it just a little too sharply. Next thing I know I'm falling and landed in a ditch. When Jones Shimai asked me what was wrong (she hadn't looked back yet) I replied with, "I'm fine. I'm just...in a ditch." She was very confused until she turned and saw me.Luckily it was one of the few ditches that didn't have water in it. Otherwise...that would've been so much worse. Haha, but instead I just got a few bruises. Luckily none of my stuff broke and my bike was just fine, so we kept riding. But it is definitely an experience I'll remember forever!
This past weekend was the summer festival here in Toyohashi and it was amazing! We got to go both nights and it was SO MUCH FUN! On Friday we went with Namiko to eat ramen and see the fireworks. That's right, I FINALLY ATE RAMEN IN JAPAN! It's been longer than I would've liked, but I was so happy <3 I got salt ramen and it was so very, very delicious. It was almost better than the fireworks. Almost...haha, but the fireworks on Friday were special fireworks that only happen in Toyohashi. People make their own fireworks and then shoot them off while still holding them! It's super dangerous, but people love it, haha. I'll attach some photos/videos.
Then on Saturday we went with Watanabe-san (another investigator) and the Paulsen's (the couple missionaries who work in the main office for the Nagoya Mission). These were classic fireworks and we sat in a parking lot and watched them. HOWEVER, Japanese fireworks are WAY better than American. I'm sorry, they just are. Imagine a 4th of July Finale. Now imagine that going the whole time. It was so cool to see. I'll send some videos of that as well ^^
Okay, I've already been talking for way too long, so I'll wrap it up. Today we went and got haircuts from Namiko! I'm trying really hard not to regret it, haha, but it's definitely a change... But my hair is a lot lighter now and won't be quite as awful in the heat and humidity. (See photos)
Oh, we also got transfer calls on Friday night. It's crazy to think that I've been here for one full transfer already. The new transfer starts tomorrow and I....am staying in Toyohashi! Haha, and so is Jones Shimai. The Lord still has work for us to do here, so we'll be staying another 6 weeks. This will be Jones Shimai's last transfer, so it should make for an interesting 6 weeks. Wish us luck!
Thanks for all the emails <3 Our P-days are always super busy, so sorry if I don't respond right away. But I will do my best to respond to every email I receive at some point.
Challenge for the week: try to share the Book of Mormon with 1 person this week. That's the challenge we've been giving all the members, so I thought I'd give it to all of you, too! And email me if you do. I want to hear about all your experiences <3
-Armour Shimai
(Note from Taylor's sister Kaley, I couldn't get the videos to upload, sorry)
So, to start. Last week after we finished our P-day we went with the Relief Society President (Taniguchi Shimai) to go hand out English Class Flyers and then eat dinner and do some planning. It was amazing! She served a mission when she was younger, but she still really has the "dendou fire" (desire to do missionary work) and so it was really great to work with her. She's such a great example of faith and we always feel our own testimonies strengthen when we're with her. Also, we ended up finishing dinner pretty late and only had a few minutes to get home. But we really wanted to help her clean. We offered, but she refused. And when we tried to push it, she quickly informed us that after 9:30 is "Satan's Time", haha. We hurried home and made it home before 9:30. Apparently it's what they said when she was a missionary, but we'd never heard it before. However, we are definitely going to use it from now on.
Then on Tuesday we had "Trainer's Review", so we went back to Nagoya City to meet up with all the other new missionaries and their trainers. It was so great to see Porter Shimai, Christensen Chourou, Bennett Chourou, and Watabe Shimai! I totally blanked and didn't take a photo :P But it was a really great experience! It was nice to be able to catch up a little bit before heading back into the field. But we had to hurry back afterwards to go to a member's (the Koseki's) house for dinner. They fed us pastel (a traditional Brazilian food) and it was DELICIOUS! Sooo yummy <3 I also had an amazing experience with the gift of tongues. We shared a message with them on the Book of Mormon and when it was my turn to bear testimony, I didn't think about what to say, I just started talking. I shocked everyone--including myself--by talking at a speed and fluency of a local. The words flowed perfectly and the Spirit was so strong in the room. It was amazing and a really great testimony builder for me. I can't always speak Japanese, and sometimes I can barely speak English, haha. BUT, when the words need to come, they will. I just need to rely on the Lord and everything will work out.
Oh, I also taught my first Jehovah's Witnesses this week! They were a very sweet couple, but it was a very awkward lesson, haha. It was clear that we had opposing goals here. Luckily it didn't end in bloodshed ;) But not sure when we'll be seeing them again...
We went hiking on Wednesday with a lady from our English Class. She's older and loves hiking. So we decided to go with her. It was really fun, but there are SO MANY BUGS IN JAPAN. I don't mind bugs too much, but even I have my limit. And summer in Japan is...rough. Luckily the mosquitoes seem to like Jones Shimai more than me, so I don't have too many bug bites. But...it's still not fun. But the view at the top made it all worth it! Pictures attached.
This week at one of our Kid's English Classes we made "takoyaki brownies", which is essentially just brownies but made using a takoyaki maker, haha. It turned out better than we were expecting, but it was so much fun to watch the kids all work together. They're so cute! We're really hoping to start teaching their families because I know they can all benefit from the gospel.
Fun story of the week: on Thursday we went out to find a less active member. She lived pretty far away, so by the time we got out there it was dark. She also lives in the middle of nowhere (aka: rice fields for miles), so there were no streetlights. We were going along the road using our bike lights to guide us, but it wasn't enough. As we rode we turned a corner and I took it just a little too sharply. Next thing I know I'm falling and landed in a ditch. When Jones Shimai asked me what was wrong (she hadn't looked back yet) I replied with, "I'm fine. I'm just...in a ditch." She was very confused until she turned and saw me.Luckily it was one of the few ditches that didn't have water in it. Otherwise...that would've been so much worse. Haha, but instead I just got a few bruises. Luckily none of my stuff broke and my bike was just fine, so we kept riding. But it is definitely an experience I'll remember forever!
This past weekend was the summer festival here in Toyohashi and it was amazing! We got to go both nights and it was SO MUCH FUN! On Friday we went with Namiko to eat ramen and see the fireworks. That's right, I FINALLY ATE RAMEN IN JAPAN! It's been longer than I would've liked, but I was so happy <3 I got salt ramen and it was so very, very delicious. It was almost better than the fireworks. Almost...haha, but the fireworks on Friday were special fireworks that only happen in Toyohashi. People make their own fireworks and then shoot them off while still holding them! It's super dangerous, but people love it, haha. I'll attach some photos/videos.
Then on Saturday we went with Watanabe-san (another investigator) and the Paulsen's (the couple missionaries who work in the main office for the Nagoya Mission). These were classic fireworks and we sat in a parking lot and watched them. HOWEVER, Japanese fireworks are WAY better than American. I'm sorry, they just are. Imagine a 4th of July Finale. Now imagine that going the whole time. It was so cool to see. I'll send some videos of that as well ^^
Okay, I've already been talking for way too long, so I'll wrap it up. Today we went and got haircuts from Namiko! I'm trying really hard not to regret it, haha, but it's definitely a change... But my hair is a lot lighter now and won't be quite as awful in the heat and humidity. (See photos)
Oh, we also got transfer calls on Friday night. It's crazy to think that I've been here for one full transfer already. The new transfer starts tomorrow and I....am staying in Toyohashi! Haha, and so is Jones Shimai. The Lord still has work for us to do here, so we'll be staying another 6 weeks. This will be Jones Shimai's last transfer, so it should make for an interesting 6 weeks. Wish us luck!
Thanks for all the emails <3 Our P-days are always super busy, so sorry if I don't respond right away. But I will do my best to respond to every email I receive at some point.
Challenge for the week: try to share the Book of Mormon with 1 person this week. That's the challenge we've been giving all the members, so I thought I'd give it to all of you, too! And email me if you do. I want to hear about all your experiences <3
-Armour Shimai
(Note from Taylor's sister Kaley, I couldn't get the videos to upload, sorry)
The Kosekis
Ramen!
With the Paulsens and Watanabe-san and her son at fireworks
With Nilza Shimai (a sister from Brazil)
Hiking pictures
Taniguchi shimai gave us little puddings ^^
Watanabe-san and her son
Haircut!!
Us with Namiko at Ramen!
Us with Namiko at fireworks <3
Special fireworks, you can see the people holding them!
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