Hello Kazoku-
I have so, so much to say and not even 15 minutes. I hope you get the e-mail I just sent Cam and Cody. It was amazing to get a letter from Cam and 2 letters from Mom (about Cam and Cody) all in the same day. And then that was joined by a DearElder from Dad. Wow.
Dad you asked about Hope and Faith (PLEASE spell-check my letters!!!). I'm glad you asked because those are two specific things I have been focusing on since I got here. My comp and I taught a lesson on hope too, so that helped. Hope and Faith have always sort of confused me. I couldn't ever really distinguish the difference. Finally, one of my religion teachers said that faith is reliance on assurances given. Ex: we are assured by the Lord that if we pay tithing we will be blessed. If we ACT and rely on that promise by paying our tithing, then that is an act of faith. But what is hope? And how is it different? Right before I left, Bro. Winward said that hope just means to EXPECT. Wow. That's perfect. Read Ether 12:4-6 and Jacob 4:4 and 6 and replace the word hope with the word expect, or expectation. It makes sense. Also read D&C 138 (I think) when Joseph F. Smith received a vision of righteous people who had passed on and 'hoped' for their resurrection and salvation. They were able to expect those blessings because they had acted in faith and knew that the lord would keep his promises. I feel like Faith is knowing that the Lord keeps his promises, and Hope is planning on the blessings to actually apply to you and your life. I've learned a lot about it being here in the MTC. Every day, literally, I think about Hope, and how I need to trust/expect heavenly Father to give me the miracles I need (which are many) so that I can share the gospel with those in Japan. There have been a couple days when I haven't had hope. Those days are few, but miserable, because I just don't see things working out, I don't feel like I have enough time to learn all I need. Well, it's true. I, myself, alone, don't have enough time, or enough of anything actually to learn and do and be what I need to be. Those days are hopeless. But, when I realize that thankfully it's not me that I am relying on, and that I need to ACT in faith on the promises I've been given, I am SO hopeful. Confidence and Optimism are by-products of hope.
Ok. I didn't mean to use up all my time but I just did. I will write about all else in my letter. Sorry about all the errors. I type like a mad-woman these days.
Much love. Soak up sunshine for me!
- Waite Shimai
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
May 6, 2011
Flammy!
First of all: Happy Mother's Day this Sunday Mom! I'm sad I won't be able to call. Hope it's a good day. I love you much.
Well, guess what... By the end of this month I'll be in Japan! That's a little odd. Life is good right now. Really, extra-super good. Things are going swimmingly in the 'incomparable compound'.
Uncle Greg said in his e-mail that Tyler was called to somewhere in Mexico that I've already forgotten... when does he leave? Wow. So excited for him.
Mom, I got your package last week and it was great to hear everyone's voices... and exciting that I could completely understand Aunt Sara! I suppose I may have learned some Japanese after all. I hope Women's Conference was great - Did you hear Sister Beck's talk? Some of the Branch Presidencies' wives here went to Women's Conference and they all have been talking about how great that talk was, so if you did hear it I would love to know what she said and what you liked.
The sun is finally beginning to really shine here and I love it! We've been studying outside lately which has been really nice. Whenever we study outside I think about the last Saturday before I came here when we all came down to the last BYU home basketball game. We walked along a sidewalk that is just outside the MTC and I remember looking inside and seeing missionaries studying and thinking how weird it was that I would be one of them soon.
Dad- a million thanks for all the DE's. I love them. But don't feel bad if you are too busy to write some days - I still know you love me! By the way, what was the list of Cam's simple things that he appreciated...? Sounds like he isworking hard.
Oh- Mom: I was walking into my Sacrament meeting building last week and ran into Elder Sears. He looked really happy to be here. He shook my hand and said as he reached into his front pocket, "This is from your mom." Wow. I can't believe all the vicarious means by which you are able to send me little things! I love it. If I ever run into the Pope, I'll expect him to greet me and reach into his front pocket and say, "Oh by the way, Eve wanted you to have this," and pull out some little thing with a sticky note attached to it that has an 'I love you' sign on it.
I have been thinking about the Missionary section of the Family website and will send something to add to it soon. Life as a missionary is fabulous.
Girlsies: Have fun with your last few weeks of school! I bet the week school ends is the same week I go to Japan, so we're all hanging in there for a few more weeks. Finish strong! Love guns!
Takusan Aishiteimasu! -Waite Shimai
First of all: Happy Mother's Day this Sunday Mom! I'm sad I won't be able to call. Hope it's a good day. I love you much.
Well, guess what... By the end of this month I'll be in Japan! That's a little odd. Life is good right now. Really, extra-super good. Things are going swimmingly in the 'incomparable compound'.
Uncle Greg said in his e-mail that Tyler was called to somewhere in Mexico that I've already forgotten... when does he leave? Wow. So excited for him.
Mom, I got your package last week and it was great to hear everyone's voices... and exciting that I could completely understand Aunt Sara! I suppose I may have learned some Japanese after all. I hope Women's Conference was great - Did you hear Sister Beck's talk? Some of the Branch Presidencies' wives here went to Women's Conference and they all have been talking about how great that talk was, so if you did hear it I would love to know what she said and what you liked.
The sun is finally beginning to really shine here and I love it! We've been studying outside lately which has been really nice. Whenever we study outside I think about the last Saturday before I came here when we all came down to the last BYU home basketball game. We walked along a sidewalk that is just outside the MTC and I remember looking inside and seeing missionaries studying and thinking how weird it was that I would be one of them soon.
Dad- a million thanks for all the DE's. I love them. But don't feel bad if you are too busy to write some days - I still know you love me! By the way, what was the list of Cam's simple things that he appreciated...? Sounds like he isworking hard.
Oh- Mom: I was walking into my Sacrament meeting building last week and ran into Elder Sears. He looked really happy to be here. He shook my hand and said as he reached into his front pocket, "This is from your mom." Wow. I can't believe all the vicarious means by which you are able to send me little things! I love it. If I ever run into the Pope, I'll expect him to greet me and reach into his front pocket and say, "Oh by the way, Eve wanted you to have this," and pull out some little thing with a sticky note attached to it that has an 'I love you' sign on it.
I have been thinking about the Missionary section of the Family website and will send something to add to it soon. Life as a missionary is fabulous.
Girlsies: Have fun with your last few weeks of school! I bet the week school ends is the same week I go to Japan, so we're all hanging in there for a few more weeks. Finish strong! Love guns!
Takusan Aishiteimasu! -Waite Shimai
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