Monday Feb. 29, 2016

Can't Think of Anything...But Happy Leap Year!

K looking back on this week, it was all over the place and really no complaints. Surprise rain, interesting kekko's (rejection), good music, and I really appreciate my bike. Monday a couple took us and the elders out to dinner- it was a fun Japanese restaurant less traditional and more probably what you'd find in the States. Good sushi!

And then they asked if I like ebi (shrimp), which I can now say YES to! But wait- they bring it out and ITS STILL ALIVE- they took it out of the water, killed it somehow but it's still moving and uncooked and they expect you to eat it. I was about to just bite it but then it moved, so I kind of freaked out and anyways eventually I ate it and it was the scariest thing ever but didn't taste too bad. 

Tuesday we had 2 member appointments in very different places and didn't know if we could make it but we made it! Took a train out and walked 20 minutes in a really pretty inaka (country) part! The visit went longer than we planned (a little typical with the members that are older...) but we hurried back like crazy and got to a classical concert a member invited us to. So we just saw a bunch of bikes, parked and walked in the closest door. Dumb me, it was at a theatre so I walked in the backstage entrance. Thankfully we're foreigners so people are super nice to you when you're lost because, well, we're kind of always lost and can't read :) So they showed us to the front entrance and it was a really pretty concert hall! Our Ward mission leader was there with one of the elder's investigators who he's good friends with, plus Higashino Shimai (member who invited us) and her less-active daughter and non-member husband. The concert was technically just an orchestra rehearsal with an audience. I sat next to the daughter- she was a music major in college (piano) and now her daughter's doing piano in college now, so we got to talk about music for a while and she asked us to come and visit her sometime! 


Wednesday was more music! There are some very musical people here and so they do this lunch group at different houses and invited us- they had a big lunch spread, a few LA's came as well. This Ward is very good and loving and fellow-shipping everyone! So one of the LA's that we regularly teach came and we went into another room and had a Plan of Salvation lesson with a doseki- VERY good doseki! She bore strong testimony, wasn't irrelevant and didn't take over the lesson, but commented appropriately- everything we could ask for! After we joined everyone and finished singing. Random, I've noticed this before but the Japanese love "Country Road" so we sang that then they asked me to sing, so I pulled out Les Miz from before. 

Then later in the afternoon, we decided to go visit a PI (potential investigator) we talked to a few weeks ago when she was out watering flowers. Last week we made her banana bread and she said we could come back anytime for a drink/chat. So we took that offer! Of course, Word of Wisdom came up immediately because everyone drinks tea. The weird thing is there are okay teas and not okay teas and I have no idea what the difference really is and so far none of the okay teas have been good- so really I'd just love to boycott them all, sorry there's the rant, but anyways miracle moment! We gave her a flyer before and she pulled it out and said she wanted to come to church last week but didn't understand the map. !! We very thoroughly explained it and invited her this week- she said she couldn't promise us but didn't think she would have other plans. Exciting! We've been doing a lot of finding all transfer and it'd be nice to see a progressing investigator. 

Thursday was SKK (weekly planning), basically all day, but we finished!! 

Friday really good district meeting, mostly discussing what we've been learning from our new Atonement BOM challenge. We talked a lot about the Refiner's Fire and I liked this section from Mosiah 14
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.


The part that stuck out was the end, false assumption that trials mean God is punishing us and leaving us alone, but it's the OPPOSITE that's true! Still of course it's harder to truly apply than just intellectually understand, but I really like that. We are never alone when it's hard. Chapman Shimai says "When it's hard, it's good!" I need to get a video of that, because it just sounds better with her accent :)

After DM, we met TONS of people on the street! That was a little blessing, because lately there haven't been too many, but it was a good time, good place.

Saturday morning we went to a big community service project at this lake with some members- it's called Clean Action and lots of volunteers go and once a month take out the garbage. Met some really nice people- gave away lots of Eikaiwa/church chirashi and hopefully we can see some of them again! It was actually nice weather! Beautiful place and they said it has lots of Sakura which will be blooming in April- everyone talks about it, I'm pretty excited! Then in the afternoon we changed and went off to visit LA's and really fast it started raining! we were completely unprepared and then we got a lesson but total rejection of the commitment and just plain rejections and went back. We wonder if people would've been nicer if the sun was out...? Ended with dinner with a member and her mom! So that was a nice pick up from our afternoon. 

Sunday we waited and waited for our new investigator to come, we told Higashino S about her and she was very excited, so she waited with us, but sadly no show. BUT they had to set up more chairs in Sacrament, so somehow there were more people there this week! After church, more less active visits and most of them were far, so we decided to just take the train and walk. We probably walked for 4 hours straight...we missed our bikes. I really love my bike more now! Also 2 interesting reactions:

Us: konnichiwa! (Hello)

Her: Sayonara (goodbye)

...well alright then. Later:

Us: Konbanwa! (Good evening)

Her: buzzes her lips

...what is that supposed to mean? Haha

A fun all over the place week with ups and downs, so... normal! 

Love you all so much!

Love,

Wagstaff Shimai

Monday Feb. 22, 2016

Today I'm a little late because we went to Koya San! Really cool Buddhist place at the top of a mountain that actually turned out to be a little touristy but really fun! We went with Sennan elders Wakayama sisters and their investigator who used to live here. REALLY cold but super Japanese-y so we probably took about a billion photos!

We're trying to spell Koya San...what do you think? :)

Some special Buddhist guy...?

BEAUTIFUL area and TONS of shrines- this was kind of the big main one I think? I don't know, there's not a whole lot of organization as far as rank as far as I know. But really how much do I know about Buddhism? Not much!

Last week I told you about our meeting with the Stake President and his 6 am suggestion- we started waking up at 6 this week! Now working on actually being awake in the morning, working on not falling asleep when we pray...kaizen shimasu. But really it has been nice just to have that extra 1/2 hr- we used it this week to prepare for zone conference. Also Monday we finally fixed my bike officially...its been 2 transfers. But now all good with basket, normal light and everything! (Quick explanation: to transfer we send our bike in a box and have to take it apart- mine ever not put together very well, just a quick job that the elders did-which I was grateful for!) Monday night tried to visit less-actives. Not home or busy, zannen (like dang it).

Tuesday we had lunch at the RS president's house, then tried to go visit a bunch of less-actives together. First, big hills to her house! Also there was this crazy giant building that we could see most of the time- at first Chapman Shimai thought it was like a horror movie and I thought it looked like Rapunzel's tower, I'll let you decide...

Okay I'll tell you: it's a church. Some weird religion, I dunno. Only 2 people were home that we tried to visit, but it went pretty well. 

This is Shino Shimai- RS Pres who loves pictures!

In the evening we koukoned (switched) with the Sakai sisters and taught Eikaiwa.  Then Wednesday finished our koukon- Losee Shimai and I got lost for a while trying to find a member, but met lots of helpful people! Turns out we had been super close to her apartment the whole time, but we were told it was pink, but it got recently repainted! Good visit, then appointment with a less active who has set a temple goal!

Then I got back together with Chapman Shimai and we mogi'd our zone conference training with an RM who recently got married and moved here. She was so helpful and fun to be with, especially since we were a little worried about our training.

Thursday was the big day- Zone Conference in Sakai! A member drove us- with our big emphasis on working with members, members, particularly leaders. We were really excited to see lots of Kawachinagano members, also a lot from Sakai (my last area)! SO GOOD. Welch Kaicho and Welch Shimai focused a lot on the Atonement. In PMG there's a line that says as your understanding of the Atonement grows, your desire to share the gospel will also increase. So with our challenge from Choi Choro for 1 baptism/week, we're doing a new BOM challenge, focusing on the Atonement. In the afternoon we trained on companion relationship and the ZLs and APs also trained. Really good meeting! After we went to dinner at the member's house who drove us- really nice couple, and had some other people over.

Also Zone Conference!

Friday we were excited to have a doseki lesson (member come) for one of our investigators (kind of eternal). We talked about Joseph Smith mostly, watched Restoration movie and the Spirit was strong, but she still declined and says she doesn't understand the Spirit. Ouch. We did our part, but sadly she has her agency. Someday!


Saturday was heavy rain, but still found people to teach. Also in the morning some converts from Chapman Shimai's first area came to visit and we went out to lunch. Seeing baptisms are good, but seeing them still active and strong a year later might even be better!

Also met a less-active, who wasn't actually very less-active, just health issues. She gave us about 3 names to go teach! Little miracle moment- we had banana bread that we were going to give to some other people, but got there and remembered seeing her sons name on our birthday list, so we gave it to them and he was so happy we remembered- God works in mysterious ways and he loves us all!

Sunday no investigators at church...that's never fun. But still a really good Sacrament Meeting- lately there's been a lot of dendo (missionary work) talks! On the evening we ended up having 2 member visits scheduled too close to do both- prayed and felt like 1 was more important. Visited this sister and thank goodness! She just recently moved here from Matsuyama- that's Shikoku and I knew her a little before!, anyways she's feeling a little lonely and we just had a really good time- talked about studying and then living the gospel. 


So today was Koya San! Saw more foreigners/tourists than anywhere else I've been- one elder speaks Spanish and talked to some people from Spain and another family from Mexico. Then Chapman Shimai found some French people! Fonua Shimai didn't find any Tongans but we also found Canadians (from Calgary! Shoutout to Sam!) and Italians. Super fun! But so cold- you take cable car up and there's a little snow at the top- Chapman Shimai went crazy- first time seeing real snow on the ground- only little flurries a few times in the past month. 

I guess Shino Shimai (RS) took a pic of us teaching an LA

All in all a good week- I've started the Atonement BOM challenge with a new copy and I've honestly been able to read with new eyes, it's exciting. I really want to understand our Savior's ultimate act, because of which we are infinitely and endlessly blessed and helped. Starting to focus on studying the Atonement, I've realized how little I know, but at the same time I'm learning and feeling so much more than before. It's true. Please take a little extra time to ponder this week because it makes a big difference!


Love you all a lot!

I would send all my zone conference notes if I could but notes aren't fun to read and just take my word it was good, focus was on the Atonement and I felt like my eyes were opened more- Spirit was very strong and I was so happy to see the members coming and supporting, about 8-10 from Kawachinagano and about the same from Sakai I think. Great people! Struggle a little with work harder and feeling better but not seeing that outside success like more investigators, referrals, baptisms, etc. But I guess that's where faith and patience come in...still easier to say than do!

Also here's another picture from zone conference- really good day!

Love you a lot, finishing really fast right now

Mon. Feb. 15

Happy Valentine's Day! I've been blessed to be surrounded by so many loving people and so many people to love!

Monday tried to visit a less-active that never really talks to missionaries, but she's a piano teacher so we printed out Savior Redeemer sheet music for her- hopefully she plays it!

Tuesday  the RS had a service project activity- we were cutting fabric and I didn't understand what for, so I asked a sister and she was being indirect about it and I don't understand indirect Japanese, so still didn't understand, then she was more direct and a little embarrassed: we were making disposable wipes for old people! So now I
know the Japanese for that... Later a really good lesson about JS, Restoration with a LA and the RS Pres came with us- Spirit was very strong and LA said she'll come to Seisankai (Sacrament Meeting), which ps she did!

Wednesday we went over to lunch at the Nakata's - members and they invited their friend who used to meet with the missionaries a little. SO GOOD. Really good doseki's (member present at lesson)! Also she asked us for our parents names, looked them up on Facebook and sent pictures :) Funny random thing: Kawachinagano members LOVE taking pictures and they post everything. Best moment was the other day when the RS Pres was taking one and said "I'm going to put this on Facebook and then the mission president can see it!" - They get so excited
every time he likes a picture because everybody loves Welch Kaicho! Also lately when we visit members and even some less-active's, they tell us they saw this picture/that Tahitian dance video...so I guess it's good advertising?

Anyways so Wednesday after met a ton of people on the street, especially around eki's. Then in the evening went to Ping Pong night, then we're planning to visit a LA close by, but as we were leaving the church, both felt like we shouldn't go, but we didn't know what to do so we were in the lobby, went and talked to a member there for a little bit, then another brother came over and asked if we could come with him...went to a classroom and there was a mom and son, friends he had brought over! He's older and super friendly and was playing Japanese chess with the boy and we just sat and talked with them for a bit, then the member asked about the BOM- he had given her one with his testimony last week! She's a member of another Christian church and we got to talk, testify about the BOM. Shukufuku! Walked right into a doseki lesson. 

Thursday visited an LA who lives up a big hill, but a beautiful area- it was actually a really warm day and we didn't need a coat or jacket- seriously this weather changes so much. Unfortunately the lady's house was Antarctica in the dark and we both froze and pretended like we were fine, but the sister was very nice, she's old and really just needs people to talk to.  Then we stopped by a woman on the way back who was out watering her flowers- stopped and ended up talking for about 30 minutes mostly about our lives, families, little gospel and she said we can come back anytime for a drink/visit. We don't know how interested she is in the gospel, but she was really nice and we don't want to turn down an invitation! Then we started and finished SKK (weekly planning) on Thursday! Lately it gets delayed, takes a long time and we finish by Saturday, so that was pretty good!


Friday, District Meeting in Hashimoto. Really good- we talked about accountability and felt so much dendo Fire- there's so much work for us to do! 

Then we had a koukon with the Wakayama sisters...FONUA SHIMAI! MTC doryo ❤️ We had so much fun together- stopped and talked to lots of people, visited an investigator and struggled a little reading Japanese with her, but at the same time look how far we came, we're reading Japanese! Then visited the Bishop's family in the evening- Bishop's wife's mom is an eternal investigator who likes the church, but has Alzheimer's and doesn't remember anything and is also partially deaf and a really funny person. We talked about the gospel blessing families and it was just really fun- they're a really strong family. Also found out their son went into the MTC the same time I did, sadly neither of us could remember him...sorry too many people!

Saturday morning started with a member visit to a really strong couple and talked about sharing the gospel and charity- really good way to start off! Later plans kind of changed because it started raining pretty bad and it's harder to go finding in the rain, but we still taught a few people, then did an Eikaiwa Kubari (pass out flyers) at a big Eki with the elders

Sunday. Wow. Sacrament- talks were about the area plan and all of the speakers also talked about/mentioned missionary work- really good Ward! Then we taught YW's and got to show them one of my favorite talks- it's Pres Uchtdorf "Your Happily Ever After" about princesses that got turned into a book. Very fun!  After church, we were waiting to meet and talk with the bishop, so we went into a classroom and we're updating our Area Book. Then the Stake President walked in. Really surreal- he asked about the area, then about Zone Conference coming up and what we'll be teaching (Companion Relationship) and talked with us for a bit about that then said "Okay, now teach me." So we mogi'd with him about prayer and baptism- little scary since we didn't prepare, but turned out pretty well and then he took time to correct and teach us both about Japanese and gospel-teaching. Then he asked us what time we wake up- told him 6:25, he then asked if we would be able to wake up at 6? He pulled out his phone and calculated how much extra productive time we would have if we got up at 6 and had an extra 1/2 hr to study- wow! So we took that challenge! About an hour 1/2 later, he left and said he would send the bishop in. 

Then we met with Bishop Yoshikawa about Kawachinagano's vision/ Ward mission plan. Then have a solid plan! They want a new church in a better location (this one is far from eki) and need to increase numbers, so they're focusing on LA's and youth. Solid plan and now we're more in line with the local leaders- I feel like we can do so much more now. 

Also just a little extra miracle: in the evening we wanted to visit a less-active family that live in this ginormous apartment building by the church. We didn't have their apt number, but there was a directory at the bottom by the elevator, in kanji...so we were able to find what we thought was the kanji and search through the names and eventually found it! Visited, talked to a dad and daughter in the genkon about prayer- she's in high school and it's test season- then we asked the dad if the rest of the family was okay. Japanese people will usually never tell you there's a problem or they need help, but he hesitated and said actually daijoubu janai (not okay) - 2 younger daughters have the flu really bad- so we were able to pray together for them, get their names and promise to continue praying. Just a simple thing to show how much God loves us all individually!


Happy Valentine's Day, sorry this was kind of long, but so many good things happened! Good things always happen when we look for them! This week Chapman Shimai and I watched the Mormon message about the mom who tries to do everything and doesn't finish her list, do you know which one I'm talking about? Anyways, she doesn't realize all the good that she does. I don't think any of us actually know all the good we do. So thank you for all the good you've done for me, for others. Love you!

And then look what I found at a recycle shop...couldn't believe it, pretty funny! In case you're wondering, it was from Ohio, I think? It had a couple patches. I'd love to see somebody buy and walk around wearing it in Japan...

Random note- they do have scouting in the church here. A leader had a meeting and wore his to church last week- I talked to him a little bit because I recognized his neckerchief and tie thing because they were from... Wood badge! Thank you, I recognized and remembered :) Told him how my dad loves scouting and went there too and how my brother's working on his Eagle project.

So far haven't really seen that kind of fog here. Rain? Lots of rain- it's just a waterfall from the sky, now a full believer that it never rains in Utah, must be just a couple of drops sometimes. 

We had fun with our kappa's!  Also very bad day to wear glasses!

Questions

From Drew:

How much responsibility do you have as a STL? Like, what do you do? Is chapman shimai anything?

- We take care of sisters in the zone. Right now there aren't as many sisters) sisters fluctuate every year, based heavily on the school schedule) so Spring is the least, then lots come in summer and fall. Anyways, only 4 other sisters in the zone. We call each of them every week at night for follow-ups (see how they are doing- personal, dendo, investigators, etc) then also koukon (exchange) at least once a transfer. Then we go to MLC (Mission Leadership Conference) once a month in Kobe. We especially help with sisters having problems- do a lot of coordinating with the Zone leaders about missionaries, zone goals, zone meetings, etc. But mostly were just normal missionaries who are supposed to use our area as a model/example for everyone else.

Chapman Shimai is Tahitian! Was that the questions?

From Dad: 

So how are things going with your companion?  How long does she have left?

- Really good, really fun. She's very Christ-like and loving. Likes to have fun and talk to everyone. Learning to teach in unity was a little struggle, just because we're different and both like to talk, but that's going really well too- working on listening to people more than talk (struggle for both of us!)

This is her last transfer, which ends March 10th, week after Sam

Sorry, right Japanese!

I feel like I can communicate decently, teaching lessons and gospel is obviously he easiest. Still obviously far from perfect...for example in RS last week they asked us one thing they liked about spring. I wanted to say baby animals- ducks, bunnies, etc. I don't know, only thing I could think of, didn't really know he words so tried and ended up quacking and usi charades a little. Took them a while to figure out what I was trying to say...maybe now they think I'm crazy? Ah well, it was fun. I think my Japanese is pretty good for where I'm at- everyone's surprised when I say I've been here 6 months. 

In the other email a little but talked to the Stake President, told him how I want to be really good at Japanese and he said if I really put in the effort I'll end up Nihonjin! Not sure how much he was joking/how much he was serious, but it was really nice, motivating!

Also as far as understanding people- new people are a little harder because I have to get used to someone else's Japanese, but I think my listening and understanding is a lot better than my speaking 

Facebook message & pictures

Thank you to Sister Harumi Nakata!

Mon. Feb. 8

We had a full week- 33 lessons and 2 meetings and lots of hills to climb! Tired, but so happy! Also Kawachinagano has some of the nicest, strongest members I've met!

Last Monday after emailing we had a bunch of short visits planned (Mostly PI's and a members birthday) and we met some really nice people on the street between visits.

Tuesday it took us about 2 hours to travel to Kobe for MLC (Mission Leadership Conference). We met at the Kobe Stake Office, which is a really big nice old Japanese house. We met in a room that was right next to a pretty Japanese garden, or at least as pretty as a dead garden can get in the winter, but it was nice! Meeting was powerful-really it was just a giant review of the past couple taikai's (conference) we've had with Elder Choi and the Missionary Broadcast from SLC. I really loved it, though I felt just a little out of place because most of the missionaries are old, almost finished and I'm pretty young! Then towards the end, Welch Kaicho stood up and just
really clearly said, "I know some of you don't feel like you belong here" (At this point I realized I wasn't the only one) "Repent. God called you." Wow. Okay, I guess that's the end of feeling not ready/too young, etc. Also another thing I loved is as he was testifying about Joseph Smith, he talked about how Joseph and Hyrum Smith were one of the greatest companionships- almost always together and different, but both important roles.

(After Eikaiwa with some girls)

Wednesday we taught a LA sister at the church- she's the only member in her family, trying to help build her testimony so that she wants to, and feels comfortable sharing the gospel with them. Gospel is about families! After on the way to totsuzen (suddenly/unplanned) visit an investigator, we were able to meet some girls on the street. So something we've been trying to do more of, is testify of Jesus Christ. President Nelson (I think) talked about that in the Missionary Broadcast. So we met a high school girl and were able to testify of Christ and give her a Gospel of Jesus Christ pamphlet and have a good, short spiritual moment on the street. The Spirit is strong when we testify of Christ and feeling the Spirit is the only way to be converted- I'm not converting anyone.

Thursday met a kind of eternal investigator- she's nice and we think there's real potential right now for her to really progress to baptism! As we were talking, she asked if we could explain something she doesn't understand- all the missionaries have talked about a "good feeling", "comfort" and she just doesn't understand. We were able to stop and help her recognize the Spirit for herself- that will probably be the key for her to accept a baptismal commitment - feel the Spirit personally, not just "know" the doctrine.

Later in the evening, a member couple offered to take us to a LA and then to an old investigator family. Sadly none of them were home, but we went back to the members' apartment and found out how much dendo fire they have! They have a specific prayer list of friends, neighbors they want to share the gospel with. They do so much! Also we were there at 6 and got to pray together. Can't remember if I mentioned before- as a mission and with members we all pray at 6 pm wherever we are for missionary work to hasten in our area. Also at Sakai stake conference, the stake president asked them to also pray at 6 am! Anyways, we got to pray together and it was pretty special.

Okay, gomen this is getting a little long...

Friday- ZTM! Chapman Shimai and I trained on positive thinking. Funny story with that- we were prepping for it and realized we needed to be better, so Thursday night as we were going back to our apartment from the church (uphill both ways! There's a big hill between the two). So we started positive talking to each other up the hill. So picture it now: we're kind of yelling at each other "Yeah! Hills, daisuki (favorite)! I love this hill! We'll be so strong" etc. And we're moving super slow kind of dying on our bikes and we get to the top and there's this grandpa there who was apparently watching the whole thing and he was laughing pretty hard. So, we made somebody's night!

After ZTM, Okonomiyaki with the sisters- We love this place! Yeah I got cut off a little. Not cool.

Saturday morning we met at the church with a member and a few of her friends for Chapman Shimai to teach a Tahitian dance! The member and friends love Hawaiian dance (pretty popular in Japan right now). So much fun- made me miss dance classes a little bit, but honestly those will come back sooner than I know. We shared a short message and the member was a VERY good doseki! She asked us to explain/bear testimony of why we became missionaries, then also invited friends to Eikaiwa, Family English Program, etc. She's not afraid!

Also here's a picture from the Tahitian dancing- most of it was thankfully relatively slower, though I think I did get better at hips!

We did some member visits in the afternoon/evening and had some time after. Our goal for the day was to give away a BOM and we had time, so we decided we would give it away before we got back to our apartment. So down a hill, I got stuck at a red light, Chapman Shimai was ahead of me and got through it in time. So looked around and there was a girl coming over to the crosswalk- started talking to her- walked with her and caught up to Chapman Shimai, by which time I'd gotten to testifying about the BOM and presented it to her and she accepted! No hassling, extra time explaining it's free, we want to give it- she just accepted it and seemed actually a little curious, not just being nice! So we were feeling super great and met our goal, but we had another BOM with us, and kept going past the apartment to give away this other one, which we were able to do. Little miracles.

Sunday. Akashikai (Testimony Meeting) was maybe the best one I've been in. No weird, long stories- seriously just pretty to the point, testify and a TON about dendo! Lots of members have accepted the challenges from Stake Conferecne about studying PMG and praying at 6. It was also pretty humbling because a lot of them expressed thanks for us, new missionaries that came in. I think we'll start to see a lot of success in Kawachinagano because the members are ready to work together and get going! Also I realized- they notice everything missionaries do, they talk to each other. Our example, our actions are REALLY important! We've been trying to work hard and didn't know they knew, but they did. And I'm not saying this to say that I'm amazing, just that the truth is we've been trying hard and that's important.

Sunday night, planned to visit a member family- followed the map, got lost (no surprise, almost always a little lost!). Called the brother, he told us to meet him at a close Eki (train station). So turns out there are technically 3 member families with the same name and we got the addressed, people and phone numbers a little mixed up. But they're all related. The one who met us is a young dad, RM and the other families are his brother and his parents so he asked us if we wanted to just visit all 3 in one night? So we were really sorry about the mixup, but they were all super nice, thought it was funny and were all RM's and understood. So we got 3 short member messages when we only planned for one- God works through us!

So from all the meetings lately, my commitment has been to be a PMG missionary- It's the manual to success in missionary work, so how can I expect to find success without it? We really have seen our work become more effective and successful because we're really trying to apply. Gospel learning isn't really much without applying.

I love you all!


First- question Mom had- I'm not sick anymore! It was thankfully pretty quick for both of us. Now we just get really tired, but it's the good tired!

MLC was the best meeting I've ever been to- powerful Spirit and great people. Hopefully it's not bad to say, but I just really like being a leader. Also Welch Kaicho is just really honest with us. There were a lot of changes this transfer with areas/people- particularly zone leaders and STLs- both who and where. The big plan here as we're working towards getting a baptism every week (and there's a long way to go- currently there's 1-3 baptisms a week in the whole mission) and we're going to build from the centers of strength. The strongest wards/branches are the leader areas- they have the strongest members, previously the most baptisms, etc whatever the other measurements are. The point is to put strong missionaries and members together and then those areas are the models for the rest. All exchanges have changed so that now everyone comes to the leader area to exchange- train and learn from the model areas. Pretty exciting- something I like is that Welch Kaicho is honest- nice, but very honest. I think the change says a lot about Kawachinagano- it's a new STL area because it's strong and now I'm seeing a lot of that potential! The last baptism was almost a year ago, but the members are really ready to help, especially the RS. I feel like the expectation is higher for me now, so I'm doing better. Pretty simple.

Also another random thing from this week- I don't remember when, but in a lesson I felt like Chapman Shimai and I just weren't on the same page because we're still relatively new together and very different people and was getting a little frustrated about that, but then the thought came that different is good. Welch Shimai talks about it a lot- differences are good. So immediately from the moment the thought came, it was better. I needed to change perspective- definitely not perfect, still working on it- but that was one way I saw the Atonement
working in my life this week.

Off to stores today because it's cold and I don't have enough- some stuff's gotten worn out. Sure it's hard, but Chapman Shimai loves to say " When it's hard, it's good!" She's a happy missionary and she talks to everyone and connects really well with people and no complaints! Also kind of interesting thing- same thing happened when I was with Fujiki Shimai. We were at ZTM and I realized her English isn't that great- understandable, but a little weird, but I don't notice in the apartment. Maybe it's Gift of Tongues? Works in different ways.


Love, Katya

Mon. Feb. 1 Kawachinagano

I'm in a new area, new companion and we are so happy to be here! Kawachinagano (yeah long name! Kah-wah-chee-nah-gah-no) is a good area with a lot of great members!

Last Monday in Sakai we had District P-Day to.... (drum roll) COSTCO! We were so excited! Yes, its' the same big Costco with most of the same stuff. Honestly, the samples might've been the best part :)

Such a fun district, good transfer!

Tuesday- got the call that Salisbury Shimai was leaving Sakai too, so we needed to prep for new sisters. Tuesday we had lunch with a member and her mom, very nice! We went out to dinner with an investigator that we seriously hadnt seen the whole transfer. She and her 4-yr old son went with us just to a local chain place. Salisbury Shimai talked with the investigator more since she knew her better, and I had fun with the 4-yr old. We played cars on the table- turns out cars are just a universal thing, doesnt matter if your American or Japanese if you're a little boy! Lesson- she has a lot of commandment concerns, but had read part of the BOM. Really good Spirit-led lesson. Told her not to worry about all the commandments right now (that was her main reason before for not meeting). Asked her to simply read the book. She agreed, and sadly still has those concerns and isn't going to meet for a while. We love her and are sure missionaries will find and talk to her again later and she'll be ready. Doesn't mean it's not hard to watch them walk away. 

Sometime Tues/Wed I also got sick- just the regular cold. Survivable.

Wednesday we went to Mikunigaoka to say goodbye to Edison and Aiko Chan- maybe my favorite members in Sakai! Since they both love taking pictures, we had about a billion...but it was fun! They are both in high school- so kind and SO STRONG! Love them.

Also Wednesday night was Eikaiwa and said goodbye to Miki Chan, our investigator. She started crying as we were saying goodbyes - we had a lot of fun and good lessons this transfer, but honestly to that point I didn't know how much it meant to her. Wow. 

Thursday- transfer day. Salisbury Shimai woke up pretty sick (we think it was bad food) and really couldn't move, also it was her birthday! Sad. So transfers were changed a little. New system with everyone on their own was interesting...a few lost people, then we changed the schedule around a little and eventually by the afternoon, we had our new comps, the new Sakai sisters found each other and Chapman Shimai and I got to leave for Kawachinagano! HILLS. 6ish months in Japan and this is my first area with hills...ganbate. So far so good! Our apartment is HUGE! And it already had tons of food, so we were pretty happy!

So now in Kawachinagano- hills and rain! Riding a mama-chati (big heavy, bike like all the grandmas have here) since mine still isn't put together- when we transfer we take it apart, box it and send to the new area. Mama-chati's are heavy and not very fun on hills, but hey the seat's comfy and I'm sure I'm getting stronger with all the uphill riding/walking, so can't really complain! There have been so many people to stop and talk to, it's been lots of fun! We rode out to a new investigator who actually turned out to be a former Eikaiwa student with no interest in gospel, but a very nice grandma who was happy to talk. So much rain! Sadly I didn't have my full kappa (suitcases hadn't arrived yet) so I was drenched and we went back to change and my suitcases came! Little miracle.
Saturday taught a less-active at the church- she seems pretty ready to come back. We talked about prayer and faith and read Enos together. She asked so many questions and was really thinking- it's so nice to teach/talk with people who have that level of interest.
Saturday evening there was a RS party and we got to meet all the sisters! They have so much dendo fire- especially right now in helping LA's by visiting together, etc. They already had lots of plans to put on our schedule, that was nice!

Sunday was combined 5th Sunday and we talked about the Area Plan (Asia North). There was a big video presentation and handouts and it's very organized and the main purpose/theme is feeling more of the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was really motivating! Plus in meeting they reviewed Stake Conference which was really heavily about dendo- working together as members and missionaries. Lots of people are stepping up to the challenges- reading PMG everyday, share what you learn with missionaries, pray for the work at 6 everyday. It's exciting to be here as a part of God hastening the work.

Being an STL- so far pretty much the same except we have 2 phones and more calls at night. Kind of nice that Sakai zone doesn't have many Shimai right now (6 total) so we get to know them really well. Plus MLC in Kobe on Tuesday.
It's so nice to start a new transfer because it really feels like starting fresh with new ideas, energy, etc. That's one of the beautiful parts about the gospel- we believe in fresh starts! Repentance, baptism, taking the Sacrament, forgiveness- its a lot about starting over clean and that's a really good feeling. I have so much hope and that comes from faith (Ether 12:4, favorite!)

Sorry it's a big jumble of thoughts, but I love you all so much, and I love being a missionary because I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and I get to testify of them.

Love,
Wagstaff 姉妹

Elder Choi set the goal at 1 baptism a week, current average here is .7 per missionary per year, I think? Needless to say, really trying to develop the faith because I find myself thinking I'm not in Brazil/America/Philippines so it won't happen, but I technically know I shouldn't think that way. In that way though, companions really are a support, because Chapman Shimai has more of that faith to baptize. 

Also this was from Edison- he made one for missionaries who
transferred out of Sakai. Amazing recent convert!