My last message from Japan

Got to love Japan and their statues!

Touring some Japanese gardens

Fall colors and Sister Williams

This week was great!  I was biking back from Fukuoka to our area last week and I was reflecting on my mission and freaking out a little bit because I don't have much time left.  I felt like I had worked so hard in Okinawa and Kurume, but ever since I transferred to Nakagawa, although I have been working hard, I've felt more like I am saving a spot for someone rather than doing a lot of good.  It is rough knowing that you will be in an area for only 6 weeks.  And considering how long I was in my other two areas, 6 weeks goes by in the blink of an eye.  I was just biking and praying that somehow I could feel that Heavenly Father was proud of me.  That He was happy with what I was doing and just a sign that I was doing my best just so I could carry on.  My idea of an answer at that point was finding a scripture when I got home, but about five minutes later into our bike ride I heard a car honking at us and then it pulled off the side of the road.  It was Miyo Shimai (Sister Miyo) from our congregation in Kurume!  She was on a random road over an hour away from where she lives and somehow we bumped into each other in the middle of no where.  I was so excited to see her!  When we were in Kurume we were searching and searching for someone who could teach our investigator with us.  But there was a huge holiday and no one was in town!  So I got desperate and started calling through the ward (local congregation) list top to bottom.  I got a hold of Miyo Shimai and she agreed to come teach with us at the church.  It was the first time I had met her and the lesson went great.  She was actually a less active member, but we were able to reactivate her and she even visited Sister Williams' mom in Utah right before I was transferred.  It was so beyond amazing to see her and get to talk to her!  A huge miracle.  I was pretty surprised.  I left with very grateful tears to our Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers in a variety of ways.  

Totally nerve racking, but I translated in Church in front of our 200 plus ward members!  Nearly had a heart attack.  Didn't die and didn't do horrible.  But if you think standing up and giving a talk is bad trying standing up in front of everyone and translating someone else's talk.  I think it might be worse!  

This Sunday I was also in tears.  The ward asked me to bear my testimony since I only have one more Sunday left.  Both the mission president and his wife were there.  I was an emotional wreck from my love of Japan and just the lack of sleep that comes from being a missionary for over a year and a half and spending half your nights not in your own futon and instead at other sister's apartments.  

Sister Nelson and I teaching about the Plan of Salvation

Our missionary district (almost all sister missionaries)

Lastly!  Sister Crump and I were out working a couple of nights ago and we "housed" (the process of knocking on doors) in to the cutest family with three boys, 1, 3 and 5 years old.  We introduced ourselves to the husband and started talking a little bit about God when his wife came up behind him.  We talked about how a relationship with God strengthens our families and then the time came when we asked them if we could come back and share a message with them... and the husband looked at his wife and she looked at him and they both nodded their heads and said sure.  We were so excited!  We so rarely teach families that it was a big deal.  We are super excited!  

This is my last preparation day email!  Crazy how quickly things fly by.  It doesn't feel like I am ending anytime soon.  It was weird as we went throughout the week and set up appointments and found new investigators who will all be taught after I leave.  It was pretty sad actually.  I have loved my mission!  I have worked so, so hard and I am exhausted, but if someone told me I had another year I would take it.  I love the people of Japan and even the crazy amount to seafood and weird toilets they have!  I tell people on the street everyday that my heart is Japanese, but I really mean it.  Through all my experiences I know without a doubt that God lives, that He knows us and that as we rely on Him we can do so much more than we ever could have done on our own.  I love you all!  I hope you have a great week!  Please don't forget me at the airport :)  

See you soon!

Hawkins Shimai