Typhoons!

They thought the typhoon would be as bad as the one they had in the Philippines so they put us all in "lock down" ;).  Don't worry, we filled up the tub and all of the tea containers we are given during our daily dendo (teaching) adventures with water and we went shopping ahead of time so we wouldn't starve.  It was probably a good thing we didn't go outside Monday.  It was super windy and rainy, the weather overall was just nasty... but we kept power and the Mission President was kind enough to let us move our preparation day from Monday to Tuesday.  Hence I am writing to you a little late.  

Transfers are not until next week.  Exactly a week from today we will get the transfer calls.  I never realized until going on a mission how NERVE RACKING transfer calls are!  Especially on your last transfer.  You get a random phone call that tells you who and where you will be living for the next 6 weeks.  And two days later you are gone!  Williams Shimai (Sister Williams) and I want to "kick the bucket" -so to speak- together, but we'll see how it goes.  11 transfers teaches you that guessing the next transfer call is useless.  Crossing our fingers!  Although, I can tell you I am not sure I am ready for America.  Looks like skinny jeans are still in and I walked in to a sports depot today for bike stuff and I didn't recognize a SINGLE song!  They were all American songs too!  Culture shock is coming...

Sister Williams and I just got back from teaching Otosan (dad).  I just love him.  It went really well.  I was SO nervous.  His baptismal date is coming up and trying to reverse 70 plus years of habits in a foreign language is not simple.  But he has so much faith.  We brought a member with us today that was just incredible.  Members do so much!  As a young 20 year old I know that the church is true and I know that God lives and I know that commandments are for our good.... but when the testimony of a "normal" person (... a member) backs that up it goes so much smoother.  Otosan is quiting tea starting today and Williams Shimai (Sister Williams) and I will be finding some great substitutes for coffee. :) 

On the way back on the train (that we sprinted to make :) we talked with two cute elementary school girls that came and sat down by us.  They were convinced Sister Williams and I were twins. :)  Something about companions makes you end up becoming one.  

The rest of this week in a flash (so much happens!):

• Otosan told us that he got an answer from God through his prayers!  He said that although he has been Buddhist his whole life he has come to find a special amount of peace through prayer and scripture study of the Book of Mormon.  He then looked at us weird (probably because we usually cannot stop talking and this time we were in shock) and said "lets pick a baptism date!" We reminded him that he already had picked a date.  He laughed and replied "oh yeah"! Regardless he is pretty excited. 
• Our Eikaiwa (free English class) is coming to life!  Class sizes have doubled and I became the kids teacher (probably because my English is the most sketchy).  
• Winter is apparently the time for new ice cream flavors to come out in Japan.  Sister Williams and I are pretty happy missionaries! 
• Getting lost and getting directions from a little 7 year old girl (we were desperate!) went housing around the same area the next day and we met that same little girls mother!  It was a total miracle!  She was about to shut the door, but asked if we had talked to her daughter the day before.  After some deep thinking (24 hrs is a long time) we realized we did and we got to teach a great lesson!  ALWAYS ask for directions!  
• I love Asian Pears!  
• Found two solid new investigators this week!  A Filipino college student and a Chinese man.  We teach them both in Japanese.  :)  So fun!

And of course General Conference!  We got to watch it this week and it was SO wonderful!  Thanks mom for letting me know that Elder Bednar`s talk was awesome.  Our investigator came and only had 20 minutes before he had to leave for work so we just pulled up Elder Bednar`s talk and let him listen to it.  Problem was it was in Chinese so I didn't know what it was talking about (a little nerve racking!) But when we watched it after he left I was grateful for your input!  Good job Mom :)  

So sorry that was a lot!  I am just SO SO SO happy!  :)  I know this work is true.  I love it.  It`s the best thing I could be doing with my life right now.  I am grateful for this opportunity that I have to share the message that means so very much to me with my brothers and sisters in Japan.  I am a lucky missionary! 

Have a wonderful week! I love you! 

Hawkins Shimai