May 13, 2011 -email

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