Dearest Family
and Friends,
Yup, you heard
it. I went back to the Pokemon Center. Sister Gottfredson said it was just fun to
watch me look at stuff there. I get really giddy and excited, and I kindof dance
around and hum to the music. I bought some Pokemon cards, and the clerk gave me
a bonus Poncho-Wearing Pikachu card! I was so excited!
Today I had the
opportunity to go to the temple! The session was in Japanese, so those who wanted
to do it in English had to use the headphones. It was nice to do a session in Japanese
without hearing English in the background (which is what usually happens when you
use the headphones). I really felt the spirit. I love letting the peace of the temple
go through me. Chapman Shimai was the only one of my previous companions to be at
the temple. Sisters Teruya and Sakamoto are home, and Sister Moore's alarm didn't
go off (apparently), which is a real bummer. I saw her bag at the temple, though,
so I assume she still got to go? Maybe just a later session?
Anyway, after
the temple we went to the little book store behind the temple, and I was finally
able to secure myself a conference issue Liahona! It was GONE the last time I was
at the temple, so I had to wait another six whole weeks! But I have a copy now,
and I really look forward to studying it! As I was checking out, the clerk asked
me if I wanted a free temple calendar. Apparently they were defective, so they couldn't
sell them. I gladly said yes. He was like, "Oh, is this your companion? Here,
I'll put one in for her, too!" We were so excited, and I may have danced for
joy as I exited.
A lot of crazy
miracles happened this last week. Awhile back, the ward decided to hold a baptismal
service on December 26th, and they all started praying for our investigators by
name to see a baptism on the 26th. When we met Eri Oyama (I think I mentioned her
in a previous email), we were so sure that she was our Christmas Miracle. Well,
she got busy with writing something up (she's graduating college soon) and had no
time to meet. But, on Sunday the 13th a member's husband randomly came to church
and said he wanted to be baptized. We've been meeting with him and preparing him,
and he currently has a date for the 26th! This is truly a miracle attributed to
the members' faith. We visited a member, Sakuma Shimai, yesterday, and she teared
up as she bore testimony to us about how miraculous this whole thing is. She said
that even though Sakaniwa Kyoudai's name wasn't on the list that they were praying
for, he still came out of nowhere to become our Christmas Miracle. I am so grateful
to be in Koshigaya at this time, to see this Christmas Miracle happen! I am so blessed
to work with such an amazing ward. I feel that Sakaniwa Kyoudai will be the first
of many miracles in the Koshigaya ward.
I love you all
and wish you all a Merry Christmas! For so long prophets preached of the coming
of a Savior. I can only imagine how much joy there was that night when He finally
came to this earth. That night was the most peaceful night in history, and because
of Him we can have peace in knowing that we can be with our families forever. I
look forward to skyping with my family soon, and I especially look forward to seeing
my new niece, baby Jessica Noelle!
Love, Crandall
Shimai
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