It's hard, but worth it!

The week before last was my hardest yet.  There is no way you can have a perfect nine weeks of training when you're learning Japanese and it's million alphabets.  It can be rough.  But Lewis Shimai (Sister Lewis) and I blow off steam by laughing.  So there was lots of that.  I think we freaked our district (group of 6 Sisters and 6 Elders all going to Japan at the same time) out a little bit, but we had hit a brick wall hard multiple times.  It is so frustrating not being able to express yourself!  But we put on our "big girl missionary skirts" and sucked it up and boy have I had the best week yet!  I'll fill you in...

I was sitting in the choir at the top of the Marriott Center during the television broadcast, so you couldn't see me when they took all the video shots.  I was however on TV at 1 hour and 53 minutes and 19 seconds.  (we watched that part of the broadcast again).  There is no way to actually spot me because of the 4,000 of missionaries in the choir, but I was in there!  :)  The broadcast was so cool!  The highlight of my MTC experience!  To listen to all those messages was incredible plus every single member of the twelve that was there at one point in time and turned around and waved or gave us the thumbs up signal.  Loved it!  It made me so excited to leave for Japan!  I'll be there in about two weeks.  I cannot contain my excitement.  I dream about it!  Right before a new batch of missionaries leaves for Japan, the native Japanese missionaries meet us here at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo.  Anytime I can speak with a native Japanese missionary I go for it.  I'm sure Lewis Shimai is rolling her eyes every time I conveniently "bump" into them.  But who can blame me?  They are so cute!  And they speak like angels.  I am determined to master this language so I can speak like they do!   After two weeks of their own training they fly out with us.  I believe the Nihongin (native Japanese) get here Tuesday!  I am so excited!  I'm going to try to not to embarrass myself this time.   

I checked my other emails and Kaitlyn Nally is serving in Colville WA!  Marcus sent me a beautiful picture of Tahiti!  So jealous!  

Lewis Shimai's brother works at the MTC.  He teaches the English missionaries and the other day we ran into him.  I feel like I know her entire family, so it was fun to meet him.  As companions we are basically the exact same.  Yes Mom, we both had the exact same skirt.

One of the mom's of someone in our district sent us a care package and one of the treats was fortune cookies.  I opened mine up on a tough day and guess what it said... "Water not only can keep a ship afloat but also can sink it."  WHAT ON EARTH DOES THAT MEAN?  I got a good laugh at how bad my luck was and then figured I better stick to the fortunes on the inside of Dove chocolate wrappers. 

So after our singing in the broadcast Lewis Shimai and I gracefully bowed out of choir. I am horrible at singing and I'm OK with that.  Well at the next choir practice (that we did not attend)  our district decided that we should sing in sacrament meeting as a group!  So I started practicing my lip syncing again, but i think it might be more obvious when there is only 12 of us and not thousands like at the broadcast. 

Oh, Shayla White!  Guess what :)  I played soccer for the first time in ages and you would be so proud!  We had an all girls zone soccer game and my team lost by a lot but it was so fun!  I can't really play (which I'm sure you know) but boy did I keep the positive trash talk in high supply!  :)  So much fun and a great way to start out our morning!

We have so many incredible people come speak at the MTC.  That has been one of the greatest blessings.  Because we are here for so long we get the opportunity to hear from tons of wonderful, spiritual speakers.  This week was Sister Janice Kapp Perry.  She's written tons of songs for the church, including some of my favorites in the primary hymn book.  I loved it!  So much fun to listen to! 

So as I said last week was very hard.  And every week we write our Branch President and give him a summary of our week.  Lewis Shimai and I both must have mentioned that we were struggling so that Sunday he called us both in to talk to him.  Well, I'm not negative and I just had a string of bad days and by the time he talked with us we were back to normal.  I don't know what we said in the interview but Butler Kiacho (President spelled horribly wrong)  said it was the best interview he had been in as a District President.  He said our enthusiasm was contagious.  I'm pretty sure that we were just exhausted and willing to laugh at anything at that point, but none the less it was nice to chat!

I got a super thoughtful package from Kara this week!  Thanks Kara :)  I'll attach pictures and a snail mail thank you is headed your way!

Yummy Apple Pie!  Thanks Kara!

We had a couple great lessons this week!  Wantabe San is progressing well and so is Nagashimada San.  I'll have to tell you quickly about Nagashimada San.  She is twenty four and has a two year old daughter.  She's been married for a couple years and she is so kind.  We taught her about baptism (this is our millionth lesson with her)  and she agreed to be baptised!  I wasn't expecting that, so I think my genuine shock was evident.  I was so happy for her!  The second best part was I had just learned the phrase for "May I give you a hug?"  and boy did I go in for the kill!  She was going to get a hug whether she wanted one or not!  It was a wonderful happy day!

Flag duty!

Oh we got to put up flags again this week!  I've been working out with the sisters in our district and wow!  I am sore!  We have a Sister Lane in our district and she is probably the cutest thing to walk the planet.  She reminds me of Aunt Sara.  Anyway, she has ab workouts like you've never seen before!  I have a hard time breathing because I'm so sore, but i love it! 

In honor of Canada Day!

Another sister in our district, Nigh Shimai is from Canada (PS. Canada day is on Monday so we all had to take a picture with the Canadian flag too).  The mission presidents finally left so we've been able to return to our normal schedule.  They are only here for four days.  I don't know how they do it!  There is so much to learn!  They are the couples that are in charge of all of us missionaries in each of the 508 missions around the world!  Roughly 200 missionaries in each mission.  No pressure! 

Well this week has been wonderful!  Not easy but doable :)  I LOVE being a missionary!  Thanks for your prayers and your love.  Teaching others about God really allows you to evaluate everything you know, learn more and learn so much from the people you teach.  I love teaching people how to pray because in between my mangled Japanese sentences is the spirit.  Heavenly Father is there and He is listening.  Prayer is the greatest blessing to me!  Especially this last week!  This work begins on your knees and I've spent a lot of time praying.  I love you family and friends!  I hope you have a wonderful week!  

I love you!
Ai Shite Imasu! 

Hawkins Shimai