Dec 25, 2016

Hey all,
Still chugging along, but Akari chan was baptized this week!
It was beautiful. She came out of the water and was like, "I can't stop smiling."
She is a miracle and I needed her more than probably she will ever know. She has had a hard life but despite it all she constantly turns to Christ and his atonement. I think everyone needs an akari in their life.
the ward is good and really supportive and has shown her so much love.
Christmas was beautiful. Davis Shimai and Womack Shimai cooked up some good stuff and we spent a long time talking.

My cold is getting better too so that is good news.

I hope you all have a merry Christmas. You're all special to me. I'm grateful for the mission experience and for all the people I have been blessed to meet and grow close to here. I'm grateful for the Japanese members. I'm grateful for God who doesn't abandon us, not even in the dark alone times. I'm grateful for two very special companions who have stayed with me and supported me physically and emotionally. I'm grateful for gods plan for each individual.
Have a good week!

Love
Massey Shimai

Dec 18, 2016

Hey! It's been a while haha.

I transferred from shinkotoni to atsubetsu two weeks ago. It is the biggest ward on the island so that is excited and there are so many cute kids everywhere. I love it. I am in a trio with Davis Shimai and Womack Shimai who are both the best and super kind. I am also back in the same ward as the mission home which has had its perks!

It warmed up a little today so that is good. We are going over to a members house for dinner tonight.

Our investigator akari chan is getting baptized on Saturday, but please pray for her! She is super excited and Just thinking about her makes me want to cry. She is a good soul.

Love you all. Be safe wherever you may be and have a merry Christmas!

Massey Shimai

Nov 20, 2016

Hello Everyone!

Thank you for the emails! I am doing okay! As an update my left leg is recovering pretty well and I'm able to walk a little faster now so life is brighter haha. This week I really felt everyone's prayers so I just want to say how grateful I am for them. Lately I've been feeling very happy, like so happy that it doesn't really make sense. And I'm learning to be more grateful for the little things, like being alive and my companion and spending time with people. Also our investigator (the one who is an NAs daughter) came to church yesterday for the first time in awhile and had a good time so we are grateful for that. We are still not able to really do missionary work. On Saturday we got about 30 minutes in, which was nice. But I've also felt that I needed this to know more joy and to be able to feel closer to my Savior.

Don't forget God is watching over you and literally answers prayers! I love you guys!

Love
Massey Shimai

Nov 8, 2016

Hey everyone!

Well the snow finally came so we are officially done with bikes. It's definitely winter here in Sapporo haha. I would just like to say again how grateful I am for my companion. Without her I think I would've gone crazy. Everyone needs to hear her laugh, it's healing.

I don't really have much to report on missionary work wise. We were riding our bikes home last week and I got hit by a car, but I'm doing okay. Nothing is broken and I don't have a concussion. We haven't been able to do much the past week, so that has been kind of hard but I'm very grateful for everyone who has taken care of me. Especially my companion and the mission president and his wife. Just angels.

I love you all! Please stay safe. I hope you're all doing well and happy.

Love
Massey Shimai