Funfetti Cake

February 23, 2014

Dear Family and Friends-

 

So, lets see what is new.  So much happens in one week, but at the same time, all of the days seem to be the same.  But, yesterday little Yu Chan came to church!  She only came to partake of the sacrament because her brother was sick, but she came!  }Here are my current guesses on the situation.  Yu Chan had a bad morning and didnt want to go to church last sunday (a typical thing for a 9 year old to say).  Her mom then said that if she is going to be baptized, that she has to go to church.  So naturally in response, she said then she wont get baptized.  And then the mom told us she didnt want to get baptized.  If I think back to when I was nine, I can see myself doing a very similar thing.  She was smiling and everything when she walked into church.  I am a little worried about the mom though.  She is a strong member, and she was hoping Yus baptism would motivate her husband to become reactivated...but it hasnt.  Now with the baptism right around the corner and the husband not doing anything about it, I think she may want to try pushing back the baptism again.  I really hope she doesnt.  The husband will come around when he wants to and is ready, but she shouldnt put her daughters salvation in jeopardy.  But, that is only my best guess.  We will see how it all unfolds in the coming week or so. 

 

We got to teach Nana Chan on Wednesday.  She had lost her voice and everything with a cold and she still came (not very typical here- you get sick and your whole life shuts down...even with a cold).  Sadly I dont know if she will make her baptismal date in March because she seems to study way too much to attend church, but I definetely think she will be baptized soon. On Saturday we got to teach Tania (I love how they are giving us more responsibility to teach recent converts).  She is awesome and is really trying to put her priorities in order.  She was so funny.  She said these other two missionaries came and gave her a newspaper about their church and she wanted to show it to us.  But she told us to stay where we were and she would show it to us through the window because it wasnt allowed in her house.  When she came back in the house, she scrubbed her hands after holding something so filthy.  It was so funny to watch and so great to see.  I love seeing the testimony of this gospel sink deeper and deeper into their hearts.

 

So this week, the MP gave us a new mission training plan- it is only for 2 weeks.  Our last training plan was about us relying on Him.  Well he decided that we cant rely on Him if we dont know who He is.  So for two weeks, the whole mission is doing everything we can to really come to know our Savior Jesus Christ- not just facts of Him, but to really get to know Him and have a burning testimony of Him in our hearts.  Im excited for it!  We are to wake up early to study and cut down breakfast, lunch, and dinner, to focus on studying the life of Christ.  Every thought we think should be about Him or our investigators and same goes with the conversations we have with our companions.  It is really hard to train your thoughts in such a way, but it has been good.  Conversation is much more stimulating now as we ONLY talk about the gospel.  Im excited to see how I will grow and change over these next two weeks.  If you are up to it, I challenge you all to do the same thing.  Eat, breath, and sleep the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is occupying my mind so much that last night will I dreamt, I remember specifically thinking "Oh no!  These dreams arent about Christ- I somehow have to change them!" I dont know if they actually changed, but I was trying to.

 

Anyway, I hope you all had a great week and this next week is even better.  Keep trying everyday to be a little better than you were yesterday.  Focus on the eternal perspective and why we have everything that we have.  Come to know, or come to better know who Jesus Christ really is.  I love you all!

 

Ellsworth Shimai

Nana Chan and funfetti cake!

Her district this transfer!

The Trees are Starting to Blossom!

March 2, 2014

Hello Everyone-

 

So this week  was good.  Still working hard and doing everything we can, so we can step back and watch a miracle occur.  Something will come about.  Anyway, this week Elder Whiting of the seventy came and spoke to our mission.  It was really good.  Both him and his wife served in Japan, so it was nice to have people talk to us who know what it is sort of like out here.  However, they said that we couldnt use that as an excuse.  He said that hastening the work meant hastening the work everywhere and not just in Mexico.  Anyway, he talked about how we need both power and authority to be able to carry out this work.  We already have the authority, so now we just need the power.  We went through examples of different prophets/missionaries throughout the Book of Mormon and New Testament and wrote down some traits we need to make sure we are working on.  Then he went over how we get the power.  He said it comes from the Holy Ghost.  He then went over the unique wording that is used when we recieve the gift of the Holy Ghost.  It says "Receive the Holy Ghost."  He emphasized the fact that it was our choice whether or not to receive it that day, and how we need to make a conscious effort to receive the Holy Ghost everyday of our lives.  He then talked about grace and the enabling power of the Atonement.  He says that the only way we can become better and become the person we want and need to be is through the power/grace of the atonement.  He said that same power is what is needed to change the hearts of our investigators.  This I had all heard before, but it always rings stronger and gets you more motivated to access that power and change when coming from the mouth of a general authority. 

 

Anyway, as for our mission training plan on focusing on Jesus Christ, that is still going well.  At first it was really hard to focus your thoughts, but it is getting easier as the days go by.  One thing I did to help was I switched the music we were listening to.  I have always loved music (some may laugh and not believe that statement- you know who you are) and like to listen to it as I am getting ready in the morning or when I am making dinner.  Ususally I just listen to a random shuffle of songs that mostly consist of EFY songs.  But this past week, I decided to only listen to the Mormon Tabernacle choir.  I didnt think it would, but it has made quite a difference.  I decided to give myslef a break and go back to EFY music one morning, and I was just groggy and not as focused as I was when I listened to the MoTab.  Good, better, and best.  I need to remember that although something is good or even better, I need to make sure that I am always choosing the best choice. 

 

Anyway, that was my week in a nutshell I think.  Love you all and thanks for all of your love and support!

 

Love,

Ellsworth Shimai

Faith to endure

March 9, 2014

Hello everyone!

 

So, what to report for this week.  Nothing huge or big or exciting, just the norm.  We finished our cram session of getting to know the Savior more and more, and I think it actually has helped a lot (granted I still have a lot more learning to do though).  So this week, has gone surprisingly well.  Not as in numbers wise or the typical way you think of a mission, but as in myself.  This transfer has been pretty tough on me and there are days when I am almost postivie I cant do it anymore.  But this week, I havent had those days.  Somehow, I am able to push through it all with more faith than I ever have.  And I know that it is only through the power of the Atonement that I am able to persevere with so much patience.  Really though, I know for a fact I am receiving divine assistance because I would not be able to do this on my own.

 

Okay, so our mission goal right now is for every companionship to see a baptism by March 23rd.  Well, I have been working like crazy, and we just had two of our Yaks (people with a baptismal date) not make their date.  So sad.  One I know could make it (little Yu chan) but she cant get baptized until her dad is reactivated.  So as of right now, with two weeks left, that date seems literally impossible.  But everytime I pray about it, I just get the feeling to work, do everything in my power, and that the Lord will provide the miracle.  Sometimes it can be so hard to keep going strong when it seems impossible, but the Lord has been helping me keep strength.  For instance, yesterday, Yu Chan didnt come to church (she still looks like our best candidate for baptism) and everyone who said they would come, didnt come.  I was so disappointed and trying hard to stay strong.  I wanted to find peace, so I turned to the scriptures.  Now, first, let me tell you that I always want to be able to open up a random page, read a random verse, and have it be my answer, but those types of things never ever happen to me.  Ever.  But yesterday, for like the first time ever, it actually did.  I opened up the Book of Mormon, and the last part of Alma 36:27 was highlighted in green and just popped out at me.  "and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me."  Just what I needed to be reminded of.  I just have to remember that if I am doing all that I can, that the Lord will make up the rest- even in seemingly impossible times.  So, what I have been learning this week, is the power of the atonement to help you endure with patience, your trials.  This week has been so hectic and unexpected, and things arent going as planned, but I just have this calm reassuring feeling that everything will work out if I continue to work hard and put my faith and trust in the Lord.  And even if we dont see a baptism, that it will have been for good. 

 

Anyway, other than that, the week has been great.  The more I am out here, the more I realize that I am half child.  We went and visited Yu chan and her little brother and I did races with them in the parking lot and taught them how to sing in a funny voice- (that they practiced and mastered by the next time I visited them) while the mom and the grandma and my companion just stood there and laughed at me.  I love little Asian kids.  Anyway, that is all for my week.  I love you all and hope you are doing fantastic!  Keep being strong and moving forward with faith!

 

Love,

Ellsworth Shimai

March 16, 2014

Dear Family-

 

Sorry, this email will be short today, but thats probably okay anyway because you are all planning for the wedding this weekend.  Wish I could be there Stephen and Allison, but I send my love and hope you have fun and enjoy the day.  But today I get to go to Koyasan.  It is up in the mountains and a little buddhist community wiht lots of temples.  The cherry blossoms wont be out yet, but im excited to go.  I guess it is where Buddhism started in Japan.  We have been planning to go for three weeks now, but something always got in the way, but we actually get to go now.  So look forward to lots of pictures next week.

 

So this week.  Well the sister training leaders (STLs) came out and did exchanges with us.  Not going to lie, I was extrememly nervous because I know they evaluate us and then report back to the MP.  I knew an exchange was coming though because Kaicho (the MP) said he wanted to send them out there to assess the situation with my companion and give me a little break.  So in my mind, thats what I thought the exchange was for, but also acknowledging that I could learn and improve from it as well.  Boy was I wrong.  I think that exchange was specifically for me.  I learned so much and have so much to work on.  After the exchange I made a commitment to follow every piece of counsel they gave, and I can already see improvements.  It also helps with the companionship.  I think I was so focused on helping her and just surviving that I let some things slip.  But after the exchange I have other things to focus on and improve about myslef, making me feel better, and making it much easier to then uplift and encourage my companion.  I go through stages of how I want to help my companion each week.  Sometimes it is to talk to her and let her cry it out.  Sometimes I cant handle it and I would just have to ignore it.  But lately, know when it happens, I just tell her to piggy back onto my faith and get to work.  And to help her do so, I have us take a short pause and sing a hymn in English (much more powerful in your native tongue).  I feel bad because I finally have gotten a hang of my companion, and now someone else may have to go through the same trial I just went through.  Maybe, they may be much more patient than I am.  The transfer gets easier as it goes along, and I am finally starting to overcome it rather than have it overcome me.  I am excited for next transfers though to see what they bring. 

 

Anyway, for the most part, that is all.  Just trying to improve little by little everyday.  I hope you all have a great week and have a fun time at the wedding.  Dont forget to send me lots of pictures- and not just by email.  O and mom I got the girl scout cookies this week!  Thank you!!!  Everyone is very jealous.  Funny thing though, as soon as I saw them, I picked up the box to read it hoping I would find some funny Engrish, but then remembered that they came from America.  I was disappointed but found it fuinny that it has become instinctive to seek for Engrish.  Anyway, I wish you every a lot of happiness.  See you again.

 

Love,

Ellsworth Shimai

I love how you can tell that Martha's japanese is getting better because her english is getting worse. Always a true sign that she is becoming more immersed in the language. Love it!

A picture they took with some girls who were staring at them! haha 

Peanut butter pie for pi day! 

Little Leo. Martha loves her!

The whole crew, minus Yamada San

Welcome to Yonago!

Again, so sorry for the lack of updates on Martha. She's doing well and hit her year mark in May. Can't believe how fast it is going! 

Hello everyone!

So this past week was transfer week.  Its always kind of hard going to a new area and getting to know the ward members and investigators, but it should be good.  However, it was really hard to say goodbye to Kawachinagano.  I love the Yoshikawa family, and I seriously went through withdrawls when I realized that I wouldnt be seeing Tania and Leo anymore.  Those two are seriously my favorite people ever!  

Transfer day was a little hectic.  We were trying to get to our first meeting spot, but then got stopped due to an accident caused by an earthquake.  So that meant I missed the first traveling group, so it was approved to have just Muhonen Choro and I transfer together to the next spot.  Everyone thought it was a huge deal, but it felt normal to me.  Maybe it should have felt weird though.  It just felt like traveling with anyone else.  Anyway, I traveled to Yonago.  It took from 6am to 4:30.  It was a long day.  My area is beautiful and a little more countryside.  Plus I got to see the Sea of Japan, and I love the smell of salt in the air!  It reminds me of the beach house.  Anyway, the area and the ward members seem nice.  The last comp in the area took the bike keys so weve been walking everywhere but that okay because the weather has been mostly gorgeous.  Anyway, I think that is about all for the week.  Just adjusting and trying to get the hang of my new area and new companion.  

Anyway, GO WISCONSIN!!  Let me know how they do...Im sure Nathan will.  Hope you all have a good week!  Love you all!

Love,

Ellsworth Shimai

The Yoshikawas!

Blossoms in her new area! 

The ocean!

Peace in Church

As some of you know from Martha's blog posts I have been in the middle of a move and house hunting and have been slacking on the blog posts for my sisters who are out serving The Lord. I am doing my best to play catch up so keep checking back this week for more updates on Jamie. Here is her most recent email.

Hi Family!

So I know that you already know because you were sent pictures but... Kara got baptized on Sunday! It was so great. She has just been wanting to get baptized for so long and so I am so happy for her that it was finally able to happen. It was so fun because the past couple of weeks we have just been really trying to get her involved with the ward and everyone has been so great. We took her with us for a couple of dinner appointments so that she could meet people. It was so much fun! For most of my mission I have not really gotten to experience the whole having dinner appointments.. so it has been really fun meeting with members and bring investigators along!

The work is still going just great. Honestly, we are so blessed and I am constantly amazed at how much the Lord really is in this work. He does everything. Haha we are just here because he can't be at the moment. He is preparing and sending so many people are way and it is just wonderful. He really is wanting His children to hear the gospel and He is getting it to them. So, there is this girl who use to be taught last January but she went home to China right before she was going to get baptized.. I guess there just wasn't enough time. Anyway, she is back! We met her yesterday and she is so wonderful. She is so excited to start having "classes" again. She is so cute. Our investigator Lee is still awesome! We love when we get to see him. It is so much fun! And actually, he is coming to Utah on the 28th of this month and he said if there is anything you want to give him to bring back to me that he would get it.... just saying. haha He is great. He is getting baptized on the 27th of this month and he is so excited about it. He is having a hard time because his family does not exactly support him with it but we have faith that it will still be able to happen. Also, do you remember the investigator we have, Maggie? Well she is just the cutest. She really wants to get baptized but there are some things that we are trying to figure out first. But it was the best moment ever. On Sunday we were sitting in sacrament meeting and during the sacrament she turned to me and this is what happened. Maggie: "I feel so peaceful when I sit in here. I just love it. How do you feel when you sit here?" Me:" I feel so happy and peaceful too." Maggie: "I don't like how it changes so much when I go outside and walk on the streets. I just want it all the time." Then I explained to her how that is what we can have as we are baptized and have the gift of the Holy Ghost. As we have that gift and remain faithful by keeping the commandments and studying, we can feel like that when we are just walking outside. She really started to think about it. Some of the commandments are hard for her, which I don't blame her it is a whole new change, but I could tell that she just really started to think about it a lot. It made me so happy just sitting there thinking that I am so blessed to be able to have the opportunity to help others come in to the gospel.

Okay so family, I have to tell you this story that happened... hahaha too good. So, there is a group of BYU-I students over here and I was standing at the front of the VC Sunday morning and they came and stood in the front. First of all, I got to see Kim who I coached volleyball with my first time coaching. It was the BEST thing ever. I just love her! But it was so fun because I saw so many people that I know on Sunday. Both of those people, then another girl and then I got to see the Andrus'. Ahh it was so fun!

Well family, I love you all so much! Thank you for being the best family EVER. And yes, you that don't write me, I guess I still love you too.... just kidding. I love you guys and I hope that you have a wonderful week! LOVE YOU!!

Love, Sister Ellsworth

Just started a new transfer a week or so ago and is still with Sister Sua! 

Her friend Kim, from BYUI was in London!

London is so beautiful! 

With their recent convert Kara

With the Andrus family from Draper, Ut, her home ward 

Having fun! 

Transfers!

October 6, 2013

Hi everyone!

 

This week has been good.  A little slow, but I guess I should expect that when sent to a mission in Japan.  It definitely is not the Phillipines or South America.  Slowly but surely, the work will move forward.  We are promised at one time the work here will astonish the world, so we just have to keep working towards that goal.

 

So this week, I had a proud moment as a future dietitian.  My companion doesnt eat very healthy.  She has gained over 20kg since her mission and she is only 3rd transfer.  Yikes!  Its hard to sometimes sit back and just watch her eat a huge bag of chips everyday.  But lately Ive been teaching her about how to make meat a little healthier.  For instance, I tell her to drain the meat and cut off the excess fat (I swear in Japan, they sell fat with a tiny bit of meat rather than meat with some fat on it).  Anyway, everytime I would ask her to do that, she would just complain and thought I was so weird.  But then this week, she started draining and triming the meat without me even asking.  I know, it sounds ridiculous and nerdy to be happy over that, but Im glad she has made just a little step towards being healthier.

 

On Saturday, we got to watch the Relief Soceity Broadcast- family, remember, we are fifteen hours ahead and they have to translate it into Japanese for eveyone else so we watch one wee later.  This means that sadly I have to wait until next week to watch General Conferences, but Im excited to do so.  The Relief Soceity Broadcast was so good!  I loved Sister Reeves talk about Sacrament meeting.  President Zinke has been really pushing the importance of sacrament meeting lately, so it was cool to hear the same words coming from church headquarters.  Other than that, it has just been another week.  I think I told you last week, but our one investigator isnt getting baptized.  She couldnt give up smoking.  But its sad because now she is so ashamed that she may drop herself.  Our other investigator Joey is so ready for baptism and wants to be baptized, but still wont try to get off of work so he can come to church.  He hasnt fully put his priorities in order.  Anyway, thats all for this week.  I transfer on Thursday, but I dont know if Im going or staying- they havent sent that email yet.  If I get it soon though, Ill make sure to send out a quick email to let you know where I am going.  Love you all!

 

Ellsworth Shimai

So family, Im transferring!  Im going to fushimi which is in Kyoto- so excited!  I hear it is beautiful there.  Plus Im getting a nihonjin companion.  Im a little extremely nervous for this, but it will be good for me.  Hopefully I will get better at the language this way. 

Pictures from her area:

New Transfer, New location

I am sorry that I have not been posting about Martha's experiences in Japan recently. We have moved but I am not back on it and will be back posting this week. Here is Martha's most recent email. She sounds like she's really enjoying her new area:

So I am in Fushimi and it is absolutely gorgeous!  So mnay mountains and trees and all of the famous castles are in my area.  So I now with a Nihonjin comapaion.  Not going to lie, its rough.  They are strict in areas they dont need to be.  For instance, she kind of got upset at me for writing in my journal after planning.  I was not okay with that.  But luckily I dont really get too scared of people so I told her that it actually suggests we write in our journal in the white handbook and that even the prophet writes in his.  She backed down.  However, after　this short little time, I think my brain is about to explode with Japanese.  That first day was rough.  I had no food and I had been speaking and listening to 6 hours straight of Japanese.  Literally thought I was going to faint.  

Plus, imagine this- dad, i will use you in this example.  Imagine arriving to a new area and your bike was one of those beach bum bikes (called mamachatis).  Now imagine if it were moms size (for me, nihonjin size).  Now imagine if the tires were flat and everyday just to get from the church to your apartment (so at least once a day) you had to bike up 123rd.  And then to find places to go housing, you had to bike up highland drive twice.  Yeah, I thought I was going to die. To get anywhere here, you have to go through a mountain pass.  I was struggling to keep up.  I mean I knew I was out of shape but I didnt think I was that much.  My knees were dying by the end of each night and somehow I got shin splits.  I suppose I was try to use my feet more to take the pressure off of my knees.  Luckily, Scheffler shimai (roomie) was willing to trade with me.  Her bike is a bit bigger.  O it made all the difference.  Seriously, I was beating my companion up the mountain now.  Who knew just a small change in bike could make the world of a difference.  So then during conference, this is the connection I made to missionary work- and this applies to us all because we all are missionaries.   Both bikes got the job done.  I was able to go where I needed to go.  But the larger bike for me was much more effective and enjoyable.  So which bike am I going to be in missionary work?  The more effective and fun missionary or the tired, one that only works because it has to type of missionary/ person?  Will align my will with the Savior or will I do what He asks but do it grudgingling. Well Im trying to be the first.  Not sure if Im there yet, but Im working on it.  Anyway, sorry if none of that made sense.  It does in my brain so I guess that is all that matters. Anyway, conference was great!  I Elder Ballards was so motivating and i absolutely loved Gifford Neilsons from the Saturday session (exclamation point).  And then of course I loved President Monsons on Sunday.  I dont know if you can tell, but Japan is a hard mission- the language, the people, the culture, the weather,and just everything.  But itll all be worth it in the end. 

Anyway, the area is great.  We have a lot of young investigators which I love.  The older you get the more stubborn you are.  We got a referral this past week and she is amazing!  She just got a flyer and decided to come to church.  When she went to Relief Society, she bore her testimony. Plus she opens up to people (not a nihonjin trai).  She wants to get baptized, so we just have to teach her basically.  It just goes to show how much the Lord is in this work.  We didnt prepare her.  The Lord did.  `You will find them or they will find you.`  Anyway, I cant wait to teach her.  Anyway, I think that is all for this week.  Sorry, I know have to go to an internet cafe so I dont have as much time.  Love you all and thanks for your support.

Ai shite imasu

Ellsworth Shimai

Here are a few pictures from her last area. She is such a cute sister missionary!

Martha in front of osaka jou- eight stories high

Shin shimai and Martha overlooking the city