Summer Rain

Too bad missionaries can't have puppies :-(

They have a nice toaster

At Church in Okegawa

Lunch

Sisters on the road

Hello everyone! 

Thank you for all your emails! I hope you are all enjoying your summer! It's been raining so much and I love it! It's
still been pretty cool with the rain but everyone is saying that August feels like death... Bring it on. I seriously think we had more rain in an hour than Apple valley ever had in a year! It's insane!

This week was awesome!  I love my companions! We are having a great time and I LOVE finding. I feel like I'm coming out of my comfort zone more and I'm more willing to talk to people and I'm not as afraid to make
mistakes. It really helps my language improve. We decided to try and make housing and streeting fun. We said we wanted to talk to everyone wearing a striped shirt. We prayed and told Heavenly Father to put prepared people in our path because we would talk to everyone wearing striped shirts. So the next day we went out and we turned a corner and literally everyone was wearing striped shirts! It was crazy! We went from person to person, sharing short messages with them. Some people weren't interested and some listened. It was a huge testimony builder that God does hear and answer our prayers.

I went on exchanges with Sister Gates and I met with one of the investigators there and she is amazing! She loves President Monson so much! She almost started crying just talking about him. She really wants to go to the next general conference to see him. It was such a huge testimony builder to me.

This transfer we have decided to set a lot of specific goals. Sister Teruya told us, "I want to see a miracle." We are determined to do everything we can to see a miracle. We have been really trying to exercise more faith and it definitely makes a difference when we have the same goal in mind as our Father in Heaven.

I love you all so much! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD! I hope you have a safe week. Thank you for all that you do! I miss you all! Aishiteimasu!

Love,
Sister Lacey

Series of Unfortunate Events

Saying goodbye to their 7-Eleven friends in Urawa

Fire clouds

New companions - Sister Teruya and Sister Parker

Hello everyone! 

Thank you for all the emails! There have been so many ups and downs this week.. So... This week. Where do I begin?! I am now in Okegawa with Sister Parker and Sister Teruya. Transfer calls were Monday and transfer day
was Wednesday.  Sister Sticht and I were so busy cleaning our apartment, packing, and telling our investigators
that the elders were going to teach them now... It was a rough couple of days. But wait, it gets better. I went to the mission home and Sister Sticht became companions with another sister leaving and they were going to be together for the next few days. I was with this Japanese Sister while we waited for our new companions to arrive. We went out finding and had a really fun time. A few hours later President Budge told me some sad news that Sister Kawabata was most likely going home... I was so sad and I was sent to go with the Nakano sisters who
serve by the mission home until they figured out what to do with me. I think their apartment is the smallest in the mission! I stayed on the floor for four days because there was only two chairs haha. President Budge called me Friday morning and told me where my new area would be. He said he and President Dorff talked and thought it would be best for me to serve in Okegawa. It is still in Saitama Stake but I am in a different zone.

I couldn't meet up with my new companions until Saturday evening because of schedules but I was happy because I got to meet Sister Sticht's family! She called me and we met up with them at a train station. I was so happy to meet them and it was almost like seeing my own family because I know so much about them. They gave me gifts too! They were so nice and then I had to say goodbye to Sister Sticht. It was so hard because she's going home and it's not like I can see her again during the mission. I cried when we hugged goodbye and she gave me encouraging advice. It's hard to leave my trainer and be away from everything I have known. New area, new companions, but I LOVE Sister Teruya and Sister Parker. Sister Teruya is from Okinawa and is so loving and hilarious and Sister Parker came into the MTC a few weeks before I left and she is hilarious! We are going to have a great time! I am so excited to serve with them and to work hard here in Okegawa. The members here are so nice and a lot of people say I sound like a Japanese person when I speak. Thanks to Sister Sticht! She helped me a
lot to focus on pronunciation. My vocabulary is very limited but at least my pronunciation is good!  The ward has so much dendou Fire and they love the missionaries. I still get to see Urawa people because I'm in the same stake so I'm happy about that.

Sister Fox shared a really cool talk with me. One of my favorite quotes is, "The doctrines are His, brothers and sisters, not ours. The power is His to delegate, not ours to manipulate!" I think that's so true. This is Christ's church. We are to obey His commandments. We can't pick and choose. If we do that, we won't receive the many promised blessings the Lord is ready to bestow upon us.

I love you all so much! I'm sad that I won't be in Koshigaya but I know I will have a good time here in Okegawa. I miss Urawa already and it will always be my home here in Japan, but I'm ready to do all that I can to help the people here. Thank you for all your love and support!

Aishiteimasu!

Love,
Sister Lacey

Busy Busy Busy

She finally saw Mt. Fuji!

Brooke's name in Thai

Hey family! 

Thanks for the emails! Transfer class were today and... Sister Sticht like you know is going home. I... I'm getting transferred and our area is closing.... We have so many mixed emotions. We have so many amazing people we are working with but we know that God will take care of them. I guess President Dorff and President Budge talked and they are taking out half of the missionaries in our ward.. On the bright side I am staying in the same zone and guess what.... MY NEW COMPANION WILL BE SISTER KAWABATA!!! I'm getting a Japanese companion! I am so excited and I feel like my exchange with her the other week was just foreshadowing. The members I met there kept telling me they wanted me to come back and Sister Kawabata and I worked so well together. I'm so sad I will be leaving Urawa and it hurts to know that our area is closing because we feel like we should have tried harder but I know this is what is supposed to happen.

Okay so on to how this week was:

So this week was crazy! I'm officially not a trainee now! I'm done with the 12 week program! Crazy right? Last Sunday Sayuri told us she wanted to get baptized on the 7th so we did everything we could to prepare her. We taught her everyday and set up interviews and made the program and then Saturday came... We were busy the entire day with appointments and we didn't even have time to go to the bathroom! haha and then she had her baptismal interview with the district leader and everything went well. The bishop wanted to talk to her to and I think that's when everything became so real to her. There were some certain concerns that came up and so we had to cancel. We received a text from her on Sunday and she practically said she doesn't want to learn or go to church anymore. Sister Sticht and I were so confused and just drained. All we know is that this is God's work. Everything will happen in His time. 

On the other hand, Fang texted us during sacrament and said she wanted to go to church and so she came with us and then went to an YSA activity afterwards. Her and I had a really good talk and she hasn't been happy and I told her if she truly wants happiness in her life she can find it through this gospel and gaining a relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Also, a member in the ward brought a friend who is really curious about the church and wants to learn about it. She almost started crying at church when we talked about the spirit. We have another appointment with her later this week! 

We also found out some amazing news from the elders about the 13 year old boy we found housing last week. They went over to his house and he has already read 20 pages of the Book of Mormon and said it totally changed His thoughts about God. He has read the bible before but he loves the Book of Mormon. He is like the Japanese Joseph Smith haha. The elders said his mom might have interest too! It is so crazy how we found him too. Sister Sticht and I weren't feeling too good and we were just in our apartment for dinner but we decided to leave and go housing (something we both don't like to do) and we had no idea where we wanted to go. We housed a few apartments and met some cool people but nothing serious and then sister Sticht asked me where I wanted to house and then I almost took one road but then I just decided to go across the street. We found no one at that place so we were about to head home because it was getting late but then sister Sticht said we should house the next apartment over and boom. Kinjin. The Spirit definitely lead us that night! 

A few days ago I was on exchanges and it was just a long day of traveling and we were sitting on a train and I really didn't want to talk to anyone. I noticed a lady sitting next to me really seemed like she wanted to talk to me so I finally put my self together and started talking to her. Turns out she speaks really good English and we had a great time! She told me to speak in Japanese and she would speak in English. It was definitely good practice for me. I gave her my number and she said she would call so we shall see! Also, on the train a few days ago, I started talking to this lady but it got really awkward and she stopped talking to me but then all of the sudden she gave me a cute little bead thing that was attached on her phone! I hurried up and gave her a flyer right before she got off the train, it was the cutest thing! Oh and also, I thought I got some attention for my eyelashes in America, nah. People go crazy about my eyelashes here. Sometimes it gets in the way because we may be talking to someone about the gospel and then all of the sudden they stare at me and start taking about my eyes. It's kinda funny but distracting haha.

Well, I'm excited to see what this next transfer has in store! I am so sad to see Sister Sticht leave. She has become kinda like my older sister and I'm going to miss her so much. I love you all so much! Thank you for everything! I know this is Gods work and He will take care of everything! Ja ne! Aishiteimasu!

Love,

Sister Lacey

Sent from my iPad

Learning Experiences!

Sister Kawabata and Sister Lacey 

She loves Japanese Ramen

Homemade Pizza

Hello family! 

This week flew by and I learned so many lessons! We went to the temple on Tuesday and I had a great time. I saw my companion from the MTC and guess what? We were matching again! We would always match without planning in the MTC and we were again! It was so funny, I love her. After the temple we went to a couple missionaries house who know sister Sticht and we had delicious tacos. I forgot how amazing tortillas are. 

The funniest thing happened on Wednesday! Some of the ladies in the ward wanted us to go to an old folks home with them. So we went and Sister Sticht played the violin and we sang some fun Japanese songs. After the show was over we sat down with the cute little old people. I sat down in between this little lady who would just start singing randomly and it was so cute and I sat by this funny old man. I started talking to him and getting to know him a little bit. He asked me if I was going to get married when I go home. I said I don't know, maybe. Then he said "if I was younger and handsome I would marry you!" It was the funniest thing ever! He also gave me half of his dessert and made sure I ate it. Then it was time to go and he stood up when I did and just stood by me as we were saying goodbye to everyone.(He was just barely taller than my shoulders) As we were heading out the door he was following me and said "I want to show her to my mom!" We waved and walked out the door and then we turned around and he yelled "choto matte!" (Wait a minute!) and was struggling against someone to open the door again. He kept saying he wanted to say goodbye so I walked back up to the door and shook his hand and we said "sayonara!" It was the cutest thing ever and he didn't want to let go of my hand. I think Heavenly Father knew I needed to feel special considering the rough couple of days I'd had.

At Eikaiwa there is this new cute girl my age and I love her to death. We just love talking and she asked me to teach her how to pray and I gladly did and she said she couldn't wait to pray! I love her so much already, we are so alike!

Oh! Another quick funny story from the week before. We had interviews with President Budge and before hand they told us to think of things to ask him because this would be our last interview with him. I asked him a few questions about our investigators and then I asked him how to become a master teacher. So he decided to do a mogi (role play) with me! If you're familiar with role plays as a missionary they are the most awkward thing ever, well to most missionaries. And I did one with President Budge! So I went first and he said "yeah, mmhm, that was pretty good. Now I'm going to try." Yeah he blew me away. He is a very smart man. I have a lot to learn from him and I'm sad he's leaving so soon! But I know I can learn a lot from my next mission president. I also had written down how to have more confidence but I thought that might be weird to ask so I just said, "well is there anything you think I can improve on?" Guess what he said? "I think you need to have more confidence." So he then gave me some advice on what to do. He is very in tune with the spirit! I love the Budges!

We went to another old folks home on Saturday and sang songs for them. The last song we sang was God Be With You Till We Meet Again and sister Sticht and I almost lost it. The spirit was so strong and it looked like the room was glowing!

I went on exchanges with Sister Kawabata again and she is so amazing. She makes me seem way better than I am and said, "you know how some things say made with cotton or made in China? Well you are Made with Love!" She's adorable and an incredible missionary. We went to an older couples house who just got sealed and talked with them and an investigator. We were talking about the plan of salvation and after I said some things the husband said the cutest thing. He said how much he respects missionaries but he really respects missionaries that come from other countries to teach the gospel and have to learn a different language. He said he was touched and kept telling me to come back and that he was waiting. Sister Kawabata said she's never heard him talk like that or say that to anyone. I couldn't understand everything he said so his wife translated it into more simple Japanese and I just felt so much love from all of them! 

Last night we went housing and we met the most amazing 13 year old! He opened the door and was the most respectful person I've ever met! We asked him if he believes in God and he said "Oh yeah I believe in God and Jesus Christ." I never would have expected a Japanese persons with no religion to say they believe in Jesus Christ. He said he's read the bible some and so we gave him a Book of Mormon and he gladly took it. He's a huge soccer fan and said he wants to help people because God created us all and he wants to help others. I couldn't understand ever word he was saying but I was just picturing him as a missionary one day. I felt like he was preaching to us! We immediately told the elders and referred him to them and I can't wait to see what happens! I love miracles!

So earlier this week I was having a bit of a rough time and I came upon this talk called "Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence" and this was my favorite part:

"Accept trials, setbacks, and “surprises” as part of your mortal experience. Remember that you are here to be proved and tested, “to see if [you] will do all things whatsoever the Lord [your] God shall command [you]” (Abraham 3:25)--and may I just add, “under all circumstances.” Millions of your brothers and sisters have been or are being thus tested, so why would you be exempt? Some trials come through your own disobedience or negligence. Other trials come because of the negligence of others or simply because this is a fallen world. When these trials come, the adversary’s minions begin broadcasting that you did something wrong, that this is a punishment, a sign that Heavenly Father does not love you. Ignore that! Instead, try to force a smile, gaze heavenward, and say, “I understand, Lord. I know what this is. A time to prove myself, isn’t it?” Then partner with Him to endure well to the end. Spiritual confidence increases when you accept that “often trials and tribulations are allowed to come into [your life] because of what [you] are doing right."

I know that whenever there are "surprises" or other trials that come during my mission I just need to trust in Heavenly Father and my Savior. I know I am being tested to see if I will put all my trust in the Savior because He will never leave me. Other people might but He never will. This week I really started to understand and to feel when my Lord and Savior is carrying me and when He knows I am strong enough to climb myself. But, the thing I also realized is He is always holding our hand except when we think we can climb this mountain of life on our own. That's when it gets really tough, when we think we don't need any help. I know the Savior is always there for us and ready to catch us if we fall. He knows us perfectly and I have felt His love so much this week. I hope you all have a great week! Thank you for everything! I love you!

Love Sister Lacey

P.S. We might have a baptism next week... Yeah Sayuri told us she wants to be baptized and picked this coming up Sunday! We're not 100% sure she's ready but we will do our best to help her and if it's God's will it will happen!

Hello!

She got drenched during a typhoon

Kids English Class

Fancy Japanese Restaurant

Hello everyone! 

So fun news! My Facebook is almost up and running! It's a slow process making it fit for the guidelines but I'm almost done! I'm not allowed to message people I knew before the mission but you all can still see what I'm doing! 

So this week we saw a lot of miracles! Monday night we decided to go housing which is probably our least favorite thing because we haven't had any luck at all but we found kinjin! (Golden people) We met this cool Chinese guy and referred him to the elders and then we met this lady who is way cool and said we could come back whenever! We are so excited to see her again. A little funny story, so the last floor we were housing there were these two guys just chilling in the door way and one of them came out and started talking to us. We were a little scared at first because he is way bigger than normal Japanese men and he looked pretty old and turns out he's only 20. We weren't sure if he was actually interested in our message or he just liked sister Sticht. Well, we referred him to the elders and they went to visit him and they said he's seems really interested and he took a Book of Mormon! So cool! 

The next day we went on a district blitz where we all went to an area and housed or street contacted or passed out eikaiwa fliers. Sister Sticht and I decided to do some street contacting. Apparently there was a typhoon coming too. We didn't get any warning text so we just kept going in the wind. The whole time we were walking and talking with people no one seemed interested. People usually talk to us but once they find out who we are they get all scared and run away. We weren't discouraged though and just had a fun time. Then, the very last person we talked to was awesome! She is 18 and has lived in New York for 3 years. She said she always wondered about religion but was too afraid to talk to friends about it. We have an appointment with her on Tuesday! At eikaiwa we met another 18 year old Yuna who went to eikaiwa around the Sapporo area but was always afraid to go to church. She's going to be out of town for the next few days but I can't wait to see her again! We just clicked! She has been pretty home sick and she's been in Urawa for 2 months just like me! I love her already! She also speaks pretty good English so that helps a little too! Also, our Chinese friend Sen who I mention awhile back is basically my Japanese tutor. Whenever he sees me he teaches me two new grammar patterns and then he quizzes me on them. It's so helpful! 

A couple weeks ago we met a Filipino lady named Jean while passing out eikaiwa fliers. She met with us this week and she has so much interest in religion! Everything we said she was like, "Really?! Tell me more!" That was seriously music to my ears because I don't think I've had such a positive reaction so far! We are having dinner this week with her to talk more and I can't wait! We also had zone meeting this week and I was asked to give a short training on staying focused on our missionary purpose. Elder Nabrostzky said he chose me because I'm always so focused and trying so hard... I think that's a lie but I did it anyways! It was fun and people said I did a good job so hopefully I helped someone! We had dinner at the Hashimoto family Sunday night with Angel and we had a great time! Oh, and I ate squid! It was like a quesadilla looking thing with chunks of squid. It wasn't bad! I am loving Japan so much! My love for the people grows each day. The language is coming slowly but surely but it's coming! I love you all so much! This week I also noticed how amazing it is when the spirit takes over in the lesson. I am so blessed to be able to be a missionary! I love you you all! Have a great week! Aishiteimasu!

Love,

Sister Lacey

It was too good to be true...

Sunset in Japan

Family!!! 

I was so glad to Skype you all! I've missed you! You all look great! Thank you for everything!

So as you know from last week, we had a baptismal date with Sayuri and we were all so excited and I love her so much! On Tuesday Sister Sticht and Sister Gates had a training at the mission home so Sister Kirkham and I went on splits. She's from my MTC district and we had such a great time! It was so much fun to dendo with her. We had lunch with Liu Fang and we had a great lesson with her and shared the Because of Him video and the Spirit was so strong. We set a baptismal date as a goal for the end of June. She was still a little hesitant about baptism but she agreed to the goal. We were so happy and excited for her. 

We have been really wanting to focus on finding and I think we were being tested because we had a rough day and no luck. We decided we need to not be so stressed about finding and to have fun. We had a lesson at Fangs house and talked about the plan of Salvation. It was a good lesson but I think it scared her a little bit because she was realizing how real this was all becoming. Later in the week we got a text from her saying she's not ready for baptism... That was a little sad to here but we just need to take things slower. On another down note Sayuri also cancelled her baptism date... Sister Sticht and I just decided to laugh about this week. We made two baptismal dates and lost them both within a week... I still have hope for them but on the bright side, Chen seems to be progressing well. She loves meeting and talking with us. I also  love the Dorffs.  President Dorff is awesome and his daughter Marina who recently got back from her mission in San Francisco is a bomb member missionary! She helps us so much! 

This week was definitely a humbling experience but we have learned to just have fun and to not get upset about things. I love our mission scripture and it has really helped me this week. D&C 128:22 "Shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage...and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad." 

I love you all so much! Thank you for everything! Aishiteimasu yo!

Love Sister Lacey

We had a great week!

Trio!

Saying goodbye to District Leader Elder Maki

Enjoying a Spring day before it ends

With Liu Fang

Clam soup!

Children at English Class

Ohayo gozaimasu Kazoku! 

Time definitely does not exist anymore! I've almost been in Japan for two months already! Crazy! The heat has arrived, but it's only just beginning. I've been hearing horror stories about the summers in Japan. Wish me luck!

This week has been awesome! One of the blocks that we are over in the ward was having a party and wanted to go to the zoo. We weren't going to go but then Liu Fang said she wanted to go with us so we went. We had so much fun and let me say I think giraffes are my favorite animal now. While we were eating, we had really good discussions with her about God and how the reason we keep telling her to pray is because we can't give her all the answers and we don't know everything.  She said she is starting to feel God more and then we were walking towards the giraffes and she said, "oh I'm so excited!" We thought she meant to see the giraffes but then she said, "no, to feel Gods love more in my life." It was so funny and then she got the chills and it was so awesome! We almost set a baptismal date with her but she said she isn't ready to pick a day yet and she isn't quite sure of the importance of baptism. So now we know we need to talk more about Jesus Christ and why we need baptism. But we were so close! 

On Thursday we met with Chen to have dinner at the church and she made us Chinese food and uh.. I had clam soup. It was definitely a new experience.  On Friday we met with a girl who we met on the train last week. She is half Filipino and half Chinese  and speaks amazing English. She's also practically a model! Oh! She knows about Mormons because she watches this YouTube Mormon guy's videos. I'm not sure who he is but she loves how he always talks about families and she said she wants a family like his. I wish I could tell him thanks for his videos because they are helping people from across the world!  Her step dad recently died from cancer so next time we meet with her we want to talk more about the plan of salvation. She is so cool though and she wants to meet with us more! She also took a Tagalog and English Book of Mormon and is excited about it!

If there's one thing I've learned this week is that fasting is so important! Almost everything I fasted for happened right away! Liu Fang, Sayuri, and Mari chan all came to church and stayed the whole time! After Fang left Sticht Shimai seemed to be having a deep conversation with Sayuri and a member and we were supposed to have a lesson with Mari with Aoki Shimai but I didn't want to interrupt the lesson. I decided to get to know Mari a little bit more and turns out she knows more English than we thought and she also likes drawing like me! I decided just to have a lesson with her and Aoki Shimai and her son. We taught her about the plan of salvation and it went really well! Afterwards Sticht Shimai told me that she set a baptismal date with Sayuri! Miracles were happening! For dinner the Yamanita family invited us over and they had a big family dinner. It was so awesome! I felt right at home! Yuki served her mission in Salt Lake and she was talking to me for awhile and she just comforted me so much. I love her and her family! Oh, I also bore my testimony for the first time in sacrament. Last fast Sunday there was never a lull, so it just didn't happen, but I worked up the nerve this time and it was great because way more members talked to me afterwards. 

I am loving my mission so much! I wish I could stay in Urawa the whole time but I know that won't happen. I am learning so much and I am growing closer to my Savior. I love helping people learn more about God and Jesus Christ. This gospel is for everyone and the Book of Mormon is so true and powerful! I love you all so much! Thank you for everything you do! I'll see you soon for Skype! AHHH! Aishiteimasu!

Love Lacey Shimai