March 29, 2011 -email

Flammy--

Thanks a bajillion for all the DearElders. I was especially grateful to hear the details of the events surrounding Aunt Amy's Funeral. I don't have much time to even really think about life outside the MTC anymore, but when I do it's comforting to know that all is well.

I'm learning in 'biblical proportions' and the days are flying by. It seems like yesterday that I was sitting here typing to you. Things keep happening so fast... I feel sort of like I'm too busy receiving blessings to ever be able to pause and take account of all I've received. It's crazy. Japanese is tough but I'm soaking in as much as I can. It's similar to trying to get a drink from a fire hose - there's just so so much to try and take in. I really do love the language though and having the Nihon-jin (Japanese) missionaries here right now has been so motivating. My companion is still the best ever. I love her to death and I learn so much from her. Someday I'll have a companion that I have to work with to get our relationship to be good, but right now is not that day.

This week I feel like I've truly become a missionary. I don't think about a whole lot besides preparing to teach the people of Japan. I LOVE using Preach My Gospel - it's an incredible resource. I'm not the best at teaching, but I can tell I'm getting better whenever we practice. Another thing I have loved being able to learn is time management. Cam e-mailed home once from the MTC saying that he had become ultra time-conscientious and hated to even waste 10 minutes. I can feel myself getting that way too. I hope he's doing well.

Sunday was Fast Sunday and we had a 2-hour conference with the whole MTC (this was separate from Sacrament meeting). The MTC president spoke about the atonement. It was especially interesting to sit and listen to him talk about Christ's sacrifices during the very last hours of my fast.

Then in Sacrament meeting we had the usual bearing of testimonies (all in Japanese). Some of the missionaries who have been here longer got up and bore their testimonies and I felt really good because I could piece together parts of what they were saying. Then some of the Japanese missionaries got up and spoke and I caught a word or two if I was lucky... : )

I've also started reading the Book of Mormon in Japanese. It's pretty slow going because I still don't have all the alphabets memorized. I'm in 1 Nephi chapter 2 right now. This week I was reading and understood a word for the first time: 'prophet'. I was so excited!

By the way... when is Easter? I'm looking forward to General Conference this weekend. I'm trying to decide on a good question to have in mind when I listen.

My time is almost up. Which is sad, but also good because this is one of the only days of the week that we get to eat hot breakfast and that means: cracked wheat. Hooray! Most days we have to just stick with cold breakfast because we have gym right after and are in our gym clothes.

I love you all so much! Thanks for all you prayers and letters. They help a lot.

Sorry this letter is a little dry.

-Waite Shimai
PS- I still miss my dictionary.