A Mexican Thanksgiving

My comp is from New Mexico so naturally her and I share a love for
Mexican food. She recently received a package with green chiles in it.
So we reeaaallly wanted to make something Mexican. So the sweet
American family in our ward went to Costco bought us 40 tortillas, a
huge thing of Salsa, and a block of cheese. They couldn't find any
tortilla chips so they gave us some of theirs!!! People are the best.
Transfers are on thanksgiving so we are planning on eati as much of
that before then.
This week was awesome! We had zone conference and stake conference.
Got to her from President Nakatsuka like 12 times. Needless to say it
was the best and he is a man of God.
In Stake Conference he shared the story of Naaman, who was a leper and
was told by the prophet Elisha to wash 7 times in the river Jordan.
Naaman wasn't about that but his servant asked him, if Naaman had been
asked to do some great task would he do it? Then why not something
simple?
Sometimes I am a lot like Naaman. The gospel is so simple, we just
have to humble ourselves enough to see it is the best thing for us.
Loooove that story. My ponderizing scripture this week comes from 2
Kings 5:13.
A less active member we have been visiting a lot came to Stake
Conference! She said she wasn't going to so we were really surprised
when we saw her there. MIRACLE.
I can't believe it is almost December! I have loved working in Moiwa
with Sister Zollinger. I'm sad we won't be together anymore but she
has taught me so much!
I have so much to be thankful for! I hope we can all take a moment
this week and remember all the good God has given us.
I love you all!
Kempner 姉妹

The Sweet Potato Truck

I never ate sweet potatoes before the mission. But, boy do I eat them
now. There is a truck and it drives around the streets of Hokkaido
playing this impossible to understand song selling sweet potatoes that
were cooked by the sweet potato Angels. Only come around in the
winter. I've been hitting it down my whole mission. And last week it
decided to park itself outside our apartment. So naturally Zollinger
Shimai and I barrel down the stairs and buy ourselves some goodness
and enjoy it as we walked to our investigators.
Anyway! Last Monday we had a double zone activity. We played lots of
sports. Sports to not bring out the best in me... We also had ZTM
where I stumbled through my hour long workshop of teaching about
Christ.
I also got to go on splits twice this week. The first split was to
Otaru with Yoshimura Shimai. It is this little town right on the
ocean. The hills are killer on a bike, but I would live there in a
heartbeat! I also got to go on Splits with Milne Shimai. I feel so
blessed to be able to go on so many splits and work with so many
people and meet tons of members and investigators. I know I have been
given this opportunity because there is so much for me to learn from
everyone!
We fasted this week as an area to be able to find investigators. We
found 3. One is super strong and is looking for religion right now.
Prayer and fasting is real people.
Also dyed my hair. It went a little darker than expected. I guess I
just want to be Japanese.
We met an investigator named Mitobe San last night. It was a little
early but we talked to her about Christmas. She told us how she thinks
about Joseph and how hard that must have been on him and what her
husband would think about something like that... Super funny. Plus she
said she has been reading the Book of Mormon. It is a slow process but
I really love her!
I hope you guys all have a great week. love you all!
Kempner Shimai

Oh my ponderizing scripture for this week is Jacob 5:71 all about
laboring with the Lord in His vineyard.

For every door you knock there is a baptism in Brazil

These are the very wise words a member in my ward told me. So I will
keep doing my part here so people can find the gospel in Brazil.
This week we had Mission Leader Conference. It was suuuuper great
because I was able to spend the night with Cooper Shimai and Free
Shimai. Plus MLC was of course very spiritual. And we went to the
Temple. It is soooo close to being done. But I probably won't see it
as a missionary. Dang it.
I also got to go on splits with Chambers Shimai Moshe is a suuuuper
good missionary!
I really don't have much this week. But tomorrow I have to give a
workshop. In front of my whole zone. In Japanese. For an hour. Please
pray for me.
Love you all have a great week!

November equals Christmas

Well actually if we are being honest we have been playing Christmas
music since July.
Here are some highlights from my week.
Made a baptismal date. Her mom told us if we came back she would call
the police. So we had to cancel that.
Went on splits with my dendo granddaughter. She is the best. She is a
killer missionary.
Went out and worked with a member after church and she blew us out of
the water. She was stopping people in the middle of the street it was
awesome.
Also got fed by a member. She used to be in the food business so that was fun!
Had a Halloween party. Lots of people came. My district dressed up
like Mexicans. No clue why but the pictures are good.
I love you all and I can't believe it is already November!
Shout out to my Grandma and Jentry. Happy Birthday!

It's Coming!

Well, it snowed. It's gone already, but it snowed. It's coming. The
winter that gives us claim to being the "Frozen Chosen". It's coming.
But, I'm excited about it!
This week was good and of course fast. Here are some highlights. The
ones I can remember anyway. Seriously I can't remember what happened.
Monday- found a house full of people from America and England. They
weren't interested, but it was way cool!
Wednesday- visited a member. She gave us waaaay to many treats. But, I
left her house happy.
Thursday- had dinner with a member and the elders. She invited her
friend over who got baptized because she introduced him to the
missionaries when she got baptized. She is an awesome missionary.
Saturday we got two new investigators wahooooo!
And Sunday of course is great because the church is true and I love this Ward.
I can't believe it is already Halloween, but happy Halloween.
Love you all. have a good week!

Kempner Shimai

Shout out to my trainer who got married this week. Woop woop!

Be Happy! ALWAYS

This week we got transfer calls! And I'm staying in Moiwa with my
sweet bean Zollier Shimai. Our ZL became AP so he gave us our transfer
calls, but usually we get them from the APs so I didn't believe him.
Thought he was just joking, but nope it was real. A little
anticlimactic.
So Friday we had the opportunity to dendo with a member who is leaving
for her mission in November. It was way fun! Unfortunately they two
people we wanted to meet were busy, so we did a lot of finding! But
before we met up with the member we stopped this cute Grandma on the
street. And, she just starts talking to us in English and telling us
how she is 80 and starts reciting her favorite poems. It was adorable.
Then she asked why we came and missions and we told her because this
gospel makes us so happy. She says "yes, I see it in your eyes. You
look So happy!" As she was leaving she just kind of shout to us "Be
happy Always!" It made our day. This gospel really is what brings us
happiness and people can see that!
Saturday we went out to dinner with Mari Chan a recent convert then
had an awesome lesson about prayer with an investigator Mitobe San.
She was kind of closed off at the beginning but know she is really
open to us and always starts the lesson on her own.
We decided as missionaries to feed the bishop and his wife. So we sent
the elders to get stuff and we receive a call from the grocery store
asking what needs to be bought for salad... They actually ended up
making a good salad though! It was really fun though to work together
and show our love and appreciation for the bishop. And now they
invited us over to their house to feed us. It is crazy. No matter how
hard you try to give away you always get more.
I love you all and hope you have a great week!
Kempner Shimai

Love, the essence of EVERYTHING

And another one bites the dust. One more week gooooone! But what a good week!
Tuesday we had ZTM and somehow I got thrown into a musical number that
morning. #stillcantsing. Our district leader and one of our ZLs
decided to take on an eating challenge after the meeting. It was
disgusting.
Wednesday we conquered a mountain in order to decorate the little
American girl on our ward's bedroom for her birthday. Ya, that was
rough. If you don't have gears on your bike you end up walking.
Thursday we were graced by the presence of a tsunami. It wasn't as bad
as other parts of Japan, but whoa was the wind blowing. So walking
around in that was quite the adventure.
Friday, after being fed by a member at a very fancy all you can eat
hotel buffet, we went to try and contact a referral we had received.
She is by far one of the most energetic grandmas I have ever met. She
talked our ear off for 45 minutes. But, it was a miracle that we
actually found the shop where she works and that she actually talked
to us! We also tried, as missionaries, to start our own FHE for
investigators and members and stuff. The turn out was pretty small,
but that is how these things start and I think it will take off!
Saturday and Sunday were crazy good because of General Conference of
course! It is amazing to see how God calls His servants and how the
Spirit of Revelation works through them. And also to see how it works
through us when our prayers and questions are answered. Man I just
love conference! I am so sad it is my last one as a missionary!
Sunday evening we were fed by the cutest little family, the Domons.
They also invited over two other families one of which was the new
American family, the Tulls. It was so cool to see the boundaries of
language and culture transcend as we all tried to communicate with one
another. It was just a really beautiful evening full of so much love!
Love can overcome any obstacle.
I am so thankful to be serving here in Japan. I have fallen in love
with this place and with these people. I love sharing the gospel and I
know that it is true. I love you all and hope you have a great week!
Love Kempner Shimai

Tight Like unto a Dish

I am going to agree with my good friend Sister Maddy Rasmussen in the
fact that there is a conspiracy theory of the speeding up of time.
Well, I hope everyone got to watch conference! We have to wait a
whoooole week. Can't wait.
So this week was jam packed of goodness.
Monday we had a zone activity and we're finally able to meet some
investigators and a less active member.
Wednesday was my one year mark of being in Japan!!! I celebrated by
going on splits with Morishita Shimai. We came together from the MTC
so we celebrated by of course eating an obscene amount of sushi.
Thursday we were fed by an Angel of a member named Oda Shimai. She
feeds us hard core! Then we had a super good role play lesson with a
member. I am learning that members play such a big role in missionary
work. Part of our role as missionaries is strengthening the members
and we get strengthened right back!
Friday we had Mission Leader Conference. As always it was very good
and spiritual!
Saturday we had interviews with President Nakatsuka and he is the
best! He is really a man called of God. Somehow he is able to answer
all my questions and make everything ok. Love him. Also went to the
orthodontist because my stupid retainer broke. And had dinner with a
member who brought her friend. Her name is Tandou Shimai and she is a
better missionary than I am! Halfway through the evening she was in
her kitchen praying for her friend. This Ward is awesome!
So President Nakatsuka read ether 12:6 to me in my interview. He told
me how if we are tight like unto a dish whatever situation we are in
we will be ok because we have been prepared.
Well I love you all and hope you all have a great week.
Love Kempner Shimai

Mission Things

"Don't let missionary things get in the way of being a missionary. "
Zollinger Shimai
My beans are always smarter than I am.
This week was, of course, fast. But I was able to go on splits with my
first daughter Barr Shimai. It was super cool to see ho much she has
improved from when we were first together. She is super awesome!
We also had a fall festival and me and Z Shimai got some free kimonos!
We also had dinner with a family from America in our ward. He was just
called as the first councilor in our bishopric. It was super fun, we
ate tacos, and sat on couches and I felt like we were in America.
We are still just trying to find the elect here in our area, but my
bean reminded me we need to focus on our purpose as missionaries and
then worry about the other "missionary things". That's all I have for
this week. But I love you all and I hope you have a good week and
remember that it isn't about all the life things, and to just live
life.

Wet Poodles

I say this every week, but where did this week go!
This week we had a really good zone conference all about seeing
baptisms. It is gonna happen!
I also went on splits with Shurts Shimai this week. She is such a good
missionary! She just does things her own way and people love it.
It has also been racing like crazy here, but I think people take pity
on us when we look like wet poodles. We were finally able to do some
solid dendo this week and we have seen some miracles. We have quite a
few potential investigators and the elders keep passing investigators
to us!
We really haven't had anything to work with here, but this week things
have been happening! Sorry this weeks email is super short, but I love
being a missionary!
Love you all have a good week!

Curly Hair Friends

Well, I am so sorry I didn't email last week! Because of various
happenings it just didn't work out.
But, we had transfers. I am training again! My bean is super cool. She
is from New Mexico, welds, sings, preaches the gospel, and has curly
hair. So I can't complain. Everyone wanted us to be companions simply
because of our hair. But, it is fun to have a curly hair friend. I am
also still STL over my own area. Wahoo!
Our are is pretty weak so we have been doing lots of finding! Finding
is hard, but it is such a cool thing to just talk to anyone and
everyone about Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.
This week my lovely bike decided to get a flat tire 3 times. So that
was an adventure. I wanted to throw the towel in a little bit, but
that isn't really an option out here.
But, our dear sweet elders have fixed it every single time, or let me
ride their bikes. They are good people!
Me and Zollinger Shimai have just been so overwhelmed by kindness this
week. Saturday was her birthday woop woop! And the elders and the
sisters we now live with( oh ha our apartment turned into a four
sister apartment super fun!) and members did so many kind things for
her. We just want to give and give but people won't stop being nice to
us and giving us things. I feel super blessed!
We've been visiting a lot of members and less actives lately as well.
We have had some really spiritual experiences and they have
strengthened my faith so much! Dendo is a little hard right now, but I
know that after the trial of our faith we see miracles.
I love you all and hope you have a great week!
Kempner 姉妹

Today I am Happy

Well this is the last email of the transfer! What?
This week was once again crazy busy and crazy fast!
I was able to return to my homeland of Obihiro. It is the birthplace
of my mission life. I went on splits with Chambers Shimai and she is a
boss at missionary work. I also got to spend the night with Wallwork
Shimai who has the same trainer as I did. So mission sisters together
in our homeland. It was magical. So Obihiro is know for its food.
Needless to say we are too much while we were there.
Friday we were fed by one of the best people I have ever met. Her name
is Oda Shimai and she is the perfect example of Christlike humility.
The only way to describe her is an angel. After feeding us she gave us
a referral which we proceeded to visit after lunch! She is just the
best!
She also makes cheesecake out of clouds or something it is so good!
That same night we were fed by another member... So much food.
Saturday we ate once again! This time it was with a sweet new convert
named Mari Chan who is now working three jobs so she can save up and
go on a mission. She is my hero.
Sometimes at night my companion finds me beating our futons and
vacuuming out the room because I continue to find these disgusting
little silver bugs that look like aliens. She just laughs.
Almost got hit by a bus this week. I feel like I play Frogger everyday
of my life here.
Sorry this email is all over the place! But, one last thing. We
visited another recent convert named Ida Shimai. And one thing I
learned from her is that we choose to be happy. She told us her
favorite phrase she learned in English is "today I am happy." True
that Ida Shimai.
I love you all. I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve a
mission. The gospel is true! Keep the faith!
Kempner Shimai

For the Beauty of the Earth

What a week. I cannot believe it is already Monday and I am emailing again. Time is crazy. 

Monday- Fed by a wonderful family who owns a whole foods store. Super delicious!

Tuesday- Our sweet Yugawa Shimai had a bike accident and had to go home so there was some scrambling and emergency transfers. We got to go pick up a sister from the bus station that day. Then we had Eikaiwa and we met the new senior couple. They are too cute. Married three years ago but still act like newly weds. Suuuuper cute. 

Wednesday- had Zone Conference. It was amazing! Heard everything I needed to hear. I am so blessed to be in a mission that is so focused on love. It is unbelievable the amount of love these people have. 

Thursday-We headed to Kushiro for Splits. Kushiro is a magical land. On the way there and back you ride right next to the ocean. One of the times I really know God lives and loves us is when I see the ocean. What a beautiful world He has given us to appreciate and learn and grow in. I hope we can all take a minute to appreciate everyday the beauty of the earth that Heavenly Father has so lovingly given us. Also when you sleep at night you don't die because it is sooo hot. And you wake up to the sound of seagulls instead of crows. It is a misty little land next to the sea. 

But, probably the biggest reason why it is so magical is because a little Fairy named Cooper Shimai is there. I had the amazing opportunity to go on splits  with Cooper Shimai, one of my MTC companions. The day started with a broken bike chain, we fixed like champs with the help of Heavenly Father and a little boy who lives downstairs. Next was Sushi(some of the best around) and then a visit to a sweet 16 year old less active. We sang hymns and talked about prayer. Long story short we saw lots of miracles that day. 

The biggest miracle was the opportunity to see Cooper Shimai at work. If there is one thing I have learned from her it is love. She loves everyone and lets them know it. From the minute we got there until the second we left she served and served and served us. She has had such an impact on my life and I thank God everyday to have a friend like her. 

Sunday- we were able to meet with our investigator Kaga San. She has had a very hard life, but she is changing. It is so amazing to see the atonement work in people's lives!

Today we went to the Sapporo temple for our district activity. I am so happy for the people of Hokkaido. What a prepared people and what a beautiful temple!

I love you all!

Kempner 姉妹

Zone Conference

Fixing that bike

Sushi!!

Chips and salsa to a whole new level

The Temple

 

Crows are Jerks

I don't actually even know what happened this week. 

Well the heavens opened up multiple times with rain and blessings. 

Seriously it has been raining like crazy here!  

Tuesday I had the lovely opportunity of giving our district trading meeting workshop in Japanese. I survived. We also visited a member and talked about her conversion story. It was pretty crazy! But, the members here are so incredibly strong, it is very humbling. So, we had gone to this bakery earlier called Boston Bake(the bread here in Japan is ridiculously good!) Came out after visiting the members and the blasted crows stole it from our bikes. I hate the crows here! They are huge and numberless. They are like some strange mutant creature that should exist only in The Hunger Games. Crows are jerks. 

Wednesday we headed to my home Asahikawa for splits. Because it is summer break there were so many people at the bus station and we missed our first bus because there were so many people. But, we were able to get one. So it was on the verge of raining all day, we prayed so hard it would just wait a little so we could dendo. Miraculously, as soon as we got on the bus it came down! Miracle!✨

Wednesday I got to go on splits with Welch Shimai. She is a brand new baby bean and such a killer missionary. We had a ton of fun and she taught me so much about the urgency of this work. I was also able to see an old investigator, Ayako San and we had a suuuuper good lesson. Miracle✨ However after scarfing down some delicious Egyptian taco this we missed our bus to Suehiro. So we crashed in Asahikawa again!

The next day we went to Suehiro and I got to go on splits with Davis Shimai also a brand new baby bean. As we were praying to leave the apartment there was a huge crash of thunder and then the rain came. You know I love rain, but as a missionary it has become my enemy. Anyway, we suited up and headed out. 

Saturday we came home and met with another member and she told us all about her member missionary work. She is a stellar member missionary! Very inspiring and humbling. 

Also ate some SUPER good fried chicken and ran into a sweet little recent convert who actually works and the restaurant. I've learned to follow my stomach on my mission. It will lead you to Less Active Members, investigators, and new converts. 

Sunday I had to translate for this little girl who's family just moved into the Ward. It was a neat opportunity. Taught me how much harder I need to study Japanese...

We also did this thing called a Nagashi Soumen. They run noodles down pipes and you pick them out and eat them. It was quite the challenge, but way fun! 

Sorry I have so much to say this week! I love you all. 

Keep the Faith!

Kempner 姉妹

The crows took our bread. Note: this is neither of our bikes... Jerks. 

Splits with the Asahikawa Shimai

Splits with Suehiro Shimai. If you haven't noticed we are always eating. YOSO ( You only serve once...)

Nagashi Somen after church. Yum!🍜