Love from Above

It's that time of week again.  I wasn't actually expecting emails from Jordan on Sunday night (they actually did come very early on Monday morning) because she thought they were going to get to go to the temple which would have meant we would get the emails later today.  However, there was a rule change about how often they could go to the temple (once every two transfers vs. once every transfer) so they have to wait until the next transfer to go.  At any rate, here's her email with a lot of raw, pure, unadulterated feelings and experiences:  it's not all sunshine and roses on a mission.  Most missionaries will tell you it's the hardest time of their lives but also the best.

こんにちは、

Not gonna lie, this week wasn't the best.. Kiriko chan wouldn't commit to a new baptismal date, we got straight roasted more than once and some other stuff.. but It's okay because I'm in Japan and doing the Lord's work and nothing can be better than that. 

ONO SENSEI: 

As you know, last week we had a huge miracle where we went to junshin (the all girls' college) and were let right in and everybody loved us, including the principal. Well at junshin this lady who's name was Ono sensei came up to us and started yelling at us for coming and we had no idea who she was or why she was yelling at us. She told us that it is very rude to just show up and that we should've asked her beforehand if we could come. We explained to her we didn't know who she was, but that we were very sorry and didn't mean to do anything wrong. She still didn't get it and kept saying the same thing, but finally the principal said that he was happy we were there and she stopped.

Fast forward to Tuesday: we went and taught Kiriko, who lives in Hanyu (about an hour and a half bike ride away) and junshin is in the same city, so we thought we'd make use of our time and stop by the college and thank the principal for letting us come. We brought some chocolate and wrote the principal a note and we were again welcomed with the same warm welcoming as before. The principal was so happy to see us and thanked us for coming and he asked if we wanted to come back, so of course we said yes and made sure it was okay which he assured us it was. We exchanged contact information and thanked him again and were on our way. 

Now fast forward to Thursday: we get a call from Ono sensei and we pick up the phone and she starts yelling at us. We were caught a little off guard and asked what was wrong and she told us, "I heard you went to junshin on Tuesday and I'm very mad, why did you go there, you're suppose to go through me!!" Something along those lines at least. We explained to her our intention of going was just to thank the principal, but she was not having it. She kept yelling at us, and then said, "Where are you, I want to do this in person so I can see your faces. Can you meet me at the church?" We told her yes and ran to the church right away.

Sister Domino and I sat there for 30 minutes while Ono sensei metaphorically ripped us to pieces and then stomped on us. She disrespected our religion, our schooling, our culture, and basically every essence about us in ENGLISH which made it hurt even a little more. There were a lot of disrespectful things said, but the important thing is what I learned from it. 

1) This gospel is so necessary. It literally changes lives and makes everyone that is influenced by it into a better person.

2) Christ has suffered for everyone and every situation specifically, including this one. 

3) You can feel love in the midst of your afflictions. I have never felt such an abundance of love from above than I did this day. After she left, I felt this overwhelming comfort in my heart that I knew came from my Heavenly Father. Then, Ishida kyodai (our ward mission leader and japanese dad) walked in and immediately noticed something was wrong and comforted us in a way I knew that Christ would've done if He were here. I legitimately felt Christ's love through him.

Words can't actually describe exactly how I felt, but I'm really thankful for the experience. 

FREE ENGLISH CHALLENGE:

ie. The turn around!! We did the free english challenge today which is where we stand around with signs saying free english challenge and people come up to us. We give them a short little quiz and talk to them in English and invite them to our English classes. Well we talked to a whole lot of people today and there were about 5 people who just came up to us and said, "I want to come to your English class, do you have a flier?" That usually doesn't just happen so that was a huge tender mercy. We are so excited to see what's to come for mission school. During the free english challenge, I started feeling so happy again and I realized one key thing: the harder I work and the more focused I am on my purpose, the happier I get! 

 Word of the week:

 Word: nihongo

 Pronunciation: knee-hon-go

 Meaning: Japanese (the language)

Always remember that you're loved from above.

愛しています、

Wunderli Shimai 

Pics:

1 and 2: We had a BBQ last pday at the Ishida's house and ate at ton of meat!

3. Obaachan wanted to sit in the back with us 

4. Pretty bike rides are the best bike rides

5. How many things can we fit into Domino Shimai's fro?

6. Ishida kyodai!! One of my favorite humans ever

7. A lavender tree

As always, thanks for your positive thoughts, your prayers, and your emails and snail mail.  Jordan (and her parents) truly appreciate them.  Feel free to share your thoughts and questions in the comment section.