Fukkatsusai Omedetou!

Dear Friends and Family,

I apologize to those who did not receive my email last week. I was short on time and unable to add everyone to the list. I am hoping that will not happen again.

Happy Easter to everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful time decorating eggs and celebrating the resurrection of our Savior! I'm sad that we were unable to watch Conference, but our fast and testimony meeting here in Matsudo was pretty great, too. The Spirit was very strong. We were hoping to get 300 people to church, but there were only 260. Oh well. Have you all seen the Easter video yet? I meant to share about it earlier, before Easter, but I forgot to. It is so good, though! We shared it with a bunch of people, member and non-member alike. #BecauseHeLives #イエスが生きておられるので

I wasn't planning on bearing my testimony on Sunday, but then the thought came to me, "If your testimony could bless the life of your investigator (Miki was our only investigator to come to church), would you bear your testimony?" Of course! I bore my testimony very simply, but I feel that I spoke by the Spirit. Hopefully Miki was able to feel the reality of her Savior.

This last week was pretty exciting. I don't care for riding my bike in Japan because the sidewalks are so narrow. Last week, we biked to a recent convert's house, and when I stopped, I suddenly lost my balance and fell over. It was so weird. It was a super dramatic fall onto my back. I kindof bruised my nose, which was really weird, since I fell on my back. My helmet probably saved me from going to the hospital... Mom, I promise to be more careful! (The only thing that REALLY HURT was my pride...)

We had temporary exchanges again because Teruya Shimai and the other Sister Training Leader had a leadership meeting, so I went to Kamagaya with Tausinga Shimai again. We visited with a sister named Ayako, but she likes to be called Baba (because she's a grandma). She had a baptismal date for Saturday (and was baptized, as planned)! She was so cute! I love her to death. I'll probably never see her again. She was so kin.

We saw several miracles this last week. We went through the area book and called several people, one of which was a Mongolian woman named Bagi. She cried when we shared our message with her and told us to come over as often as we want. She is so prepared! I look forward to meeting with her, although she just informed us that she will be returning to Mongolia for a while because of visa issues...

We met with a sister named Liu. She recently returned from China. She has had several dreams, one in particular about baptism, and one where there were three doors and certain people were going through each door... it sounded a lot like the Plan of Salvation the way she described it... During the lesson, I got the strongest impression that I needed to invite her to be baptized, so I did. She said no, but then after a bit more talking, she decided that if she did feel that this was the true church, she would be baptized. It was a really soft baptismal invite, but at least she knows our purpose as missionaries.

Every week we teach Eikaiwa, an English speaking class. I teach it with one of the other elders in our district. We both have Nihonjin companions, so they can't really help us. It is a bunch of fun, even if it does feel weird to talk to people in English... At Eikaiwa this last week, we met a girl named Margaret. She is from China and has been studying here in Japan for a few years. She has no religious beliefs and is searching for truth. She is so kin. She was very receptive to our message and is super excited to come to church on Sundays and to read the Book of Mormon.

We felt prompted to visit with an old investigator named Miyazaki san this last week. Apparently she stopped meeting with the missionaries because she felt intimidated by them. Something like that. We stopped by and shared the Easter video with her and talked about Christ and Joseph Smith. She started crying. The Spirit was so strong! I was hoping she would come to church on Sunday, but she didn't. Hopefully she will be able to take a step of faith and come unto her Savior.

This last week, Teruya Shimai and I bought some bread from a bread truck. It was kindof like an ice cream truck, but it sold bread instead. It was playing some English Folk song. It made me so happy! Bread here in Japan is so yummy! I don't like bacon, but people often make bread with bacon bits in it and it is delicious!

I learned that Teruya Shimai and I have opposite tastes. I love sweet foods, and I am super picky with what I eat. Teruya Shimai prefers vegetables, but can eat anything. We were at a member's house yesterday, and I got up the courage to try natto... otherwise known as fermented soy beans! Most missionaries hate natto. I'm like most missionaries. It was so gross! But, I am proud to say that I swallowed my bite.

I loved the General Women's Conference! We watched it on Saturday (in Japanese, but I had the English talks on my iPad), and it was so good! I loved what Sister Oscarson said about protecting the Family Proclamation. I feel strongly that I want to be a mother. I want to be one who stands up for families! I also think it was interesting what President Eyring said. At the last meeting, President Uchtdorf spoke about how the Lord wants to bless us. At this meeting, President Eyring spoke about how the Lord wants to bless others through us. I loved it! I always want to be someone that the Lord can depend on to bless others.

I love you all! Have a fantastic week! Keep working hard! I know that the Lord will bless you for your efforts!

Love, Crandall Shimai

Heated Floors & Bathroom Surprises!

Dear Family, Friends, and Missionaries,

I don't have much time this week, so sorry if my thoughts are all over the place!

I bought some Pokemon Candy this week. All of the members love that I love Pokemon. They also love that I like JPop, but none of them have heard of Kalafina...

We did exchanges on Tuesday, and I got to work with Tausinga Shimai in Kamagaya. Tausinga Shimai is on her second transfer. They had no investigators, so we spent the entire day finding. It was good speaking practice, but it was so cold! People here don't even open their doors when you ring the doorbell. They either yell through their door at you or they look at you with their camera and speak through the intercom. So weird. The apaato in Kamagaya has a heated floor. It was so nice to lay on it after our daily planning.

About the title of the email... My first day in Japan I was surprised to find that the toilet seat was heated! I definitely want one in my house. It was quite a pleasant surprise. This last week we were using the bathrooms in the church, and while enjoying the warm seat, I was looking at the different buttons wondering what they did... I accidentally pressed one, and then the toilet sprayed me! I had heard of toilets that would spray you, but I don't know why anyone would do that! Luckily, I knew the kanji for "stop." Otherwise, the toilet would have kept spraying me! It was so crazy.

Teruya Shimai and I have several investigators, but we feel that they aren't progressing anywhere. They keep all of their commitments, but they don't seem to be building testimonies. We want to make sure that they know why we are here, and we want to try changing the commitments to help them progress more. We'll see how it goes.

Yesterday, I street contacted (while biking, which is crazy) a girl named Emelyn. She is from Firipin (the Philippines) and showed a lot of interest in learning about the Church. Teruya Shimai and I have really wanted to find a kinjin (golden person), and we're hoping that Emelyn turns out to be our Firikinjin. :3

We took pictures of some of the cherry blossoms today! There are so many! I'm really excited, because I probably would not have seen them if I came at the end of April like I was originally supposed to...

I know that the Savior is aware of all of us. He knows us perfectly. He knows how to help us. I am so grateful for His strength.

I love you all!

Love, Crandall Shimai

Matsudo

Dearest Family, Friends and Missionaries,

Konbanwa from Japan!

For those of you who did not know (or did not realize by the absence of an email last Thursday), my visa came girigiri right on time for me to leave with the rest of the Tokyo missionaries on Monday! Yatta! I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who is aware of me and of my desires.

As a quick side note, I had been temporarily (for like three hours) assigned to serve in the Illinois Chicago mission until my visa came! Maybe I would have seen Sheely Shimai? That would have been cool. Except that I didn't pack any winter coats.

We spent the first night in the honbu (mission home) and then went to a mission conference the next morning (Wednesday). The main speakers were Elder Russell M. Nelson and Elder David F. Evans (I think). I got to shake an apostle's hand on the first full day in the mission field! Yes! They spoke to us about the use of media and devices on a mission. One thing that really stood out to me is that we have iPads not for missionary work but to train us how to be agents unto ourselves, to not be acted upon by the iPad. The use of an iPad on a mission is how Christ reaches out to us and develops a stronger relationship with us. We are meant to learn how to be masters of devices and social media so as to strengthen our future families. Really interesting stuff. Elder Evans spoke a lot about pornography. He said that most of us will be hurt by pornography somehow, and we need to be mature enough to talk about it. What stood out to me the most was he said that pornography is NOT an addiction. We ALWAYS have our agency to stop. Are we agents unto ourselves, or do we let pornography act on us? Really good stuff.

My new companion is Teruya Shimai, a Nihonjin (native Japanese) from Okinawa. Originally, I did not want a native companion. Communicating with Yoshimura Shimai in the MTC was extremely hard. I wanted to get a better grasp on the language before I had a native companion. When Teruya Shimai's trainee was going to be announced, I suddenly knew that it would be me. I was really nervous, but I know that I am supposed to be with her. Teruya Shimai's English is extremely good, so communication is no problem. I feel that with her my Japanese will be able to improve a lot more than with a gaijin (foreigner) companion. I love her so much, and I am so grateful to have such a wonderful companion!

Our area is Matsudo. The Matsudo ward is the largest ward in Japan, and the church building is the largest in Asia (5 floors!). It's probably even bigger than most churches in Utah! The ward members seem to be very involved, which is great. I really look forward to working with them, and hopefully I can learn all of their names quickly...

I love Japan. The roofs are so cool! Our apartment is simple, but has a traditional tatami room with sliding doors and futons! It's so exciting! I spent a bunch of money and bought a bike on Friday. Riding on the left side of the road is really weird, but I'm sure I'll get used to it before long. Hearing a different language all the time seems normal to me, thanks to my time with the Nihonjin district in the MTC. Seeing Japanese everywhere doesn't seem strange. I thought I'd have more culture shock, but I really haven't. Besides cars on the wrong side of the street, but whatever.

We have several investigators, but only one with a baptismal date. There was a baptism recently, and we're going to meet with her this week and film her conversion story. I'm excited for that. The language is hard, but I know that as I push myself, I will become better. All of the members are surprised that this is my first transfer, and people I talk to on the phone all think that I'm native... but I still feel like I can barely say anything in Japanese. I'll keep striving to get better so that I can better share the thoughts of my heart.

On Friday, we visited a member for dinner. Wakana Shimai is mostly deaf. Her son was there, and he is not a member. We had sushi for dinner, and amazingly I was able to eat an entire roll! Maybe there is hope for me after all! Someday, I will love seafood! Teruya Shimai and I wrote our testimonies down for Wakana Shimai. I wrote mine on the back of a picture of the Timpanogos Temple, and when Wakana Shimai saw it, she freaked out. Apparently she had been there before. It was a really cool experience!

A lot of people here don't have a belief in Christ. But, I know that through Him, we can be strengthened. Though storms may come, though the adversary may attack, when we are built on the foundation of Christ, we can endure. (Helaman 5:12) I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:12, I think)

I ran in to Sister Roth!

I love you all! Keep working hard!

Love, Crandall Shimai

PS: feel free to send me mail! <3

Atarashii Disutorikuto

Nihonjin District

Dearest friends, family, and missionaries, 

Shortly after sending my email last week, I was swept away into the Nihonjin district.  Instead of going to the temple, I went to a four hour class in Japanese where I barely understood what was going on.  I had to move all of my possessions to a new room, and I'm still living out of my suitcase... It was super overwhelming at first, but I am feeling a lot better and more capable now.  Teaching is still hard, but I feel that as I push myself, I am able to do more.  I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to learn with the Nihonjin.  

My new companion is Yoshimura Shimai.  She is so sweet and understanding.  Planning and stuff can be really hard sometimes, but I find that it is getting easier to share thoughts with her during companionship study.  

Sisters Crandall & Yoshimura

I love the Nihonjin!  They are so crazy and loud!  I could just watch them all day.  =3  I am so grateful to be with them.  They are kind and willing to help me with Japanese.  In turn, I help them to differentiate between Ls and Rs.  

Half of the Nihonjin are leaving on Monday and the other half are leaving next Thursday.  I was informed that my Visa is not yet back, so I have no idea when I will be leaving for Japan.  Whether I go on time or not, I know that the Lord has a plan for me.  I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to study with the Nihonjin.  I have seen so much more improvement with them than with my previous district (although I love them and loved the time that I had with them).  

Quentin L. Cook spoke to us at the last Devo (Tuesday night), and one thing he said really stood out to me.  He said that he knows the Savior's voice.  The thought immediately came to me that I, too, can know the Savior's voice.  

I love you all!  Keep striving for improvement, and I know that the Lord will help you get there.  I know that as I rely on Him, he will turn my weaknesses to strengths.  I may not be very good at Japanese yet, but even a simple testimony can invite the Spirit, and it is the Spirit who really does the teaching.  

Love, 

Crandall Shimai

Many are called, few get a Charmander

Minasan, 

O genki desu ka?  

I'm doing great.  My first Pokemon was a Charmander.  I also have a Pikachu and a Magikarp.  This last week I purchased a Bulbasaur at the copy center.  

I'm going to be the Pokemon Master.  

I have a wonderful companion named McCarty Shimai.  She and I are perfect for each other.  She is super spiritual, and I (apparently) am super good at Japanese.  I do most of the talking in our lessons, but I try to give her plenty of opportunities to participate.  McCarty Shimai also went to BYU, and she even lived in Wyview.  Our first night in the MTC, she saw a friend who asked her, "Where were you on Monday? I didn't see you at your party."  And she was like, "Wait, what party?"  and then I was like, "Wait, are you talking about that potato party at the MPB?  My friends hosted that party for me!"  Haha, small world.  =)  Sometimes McCarty Shimai talks in her sleep, and sometimes I talk back.  

Tomorrow, I will be joining the Nihonjin (Japanese Native) district, and then I will be leaving with them and our senpais for Japan on the sixteenth of March.  It is hard to believe that I will be in Japan in less than two weeks!  

If you haven't realized by now, my P Days in the MTC are on Thursdays.  They will be on Mondays once I am in Japan, although that will beSunday nights here.  

It was fun to see a bunch of familiar faces here at the MTC.  I got a picture with Sister Nieznanski, and I saw Elder Brower and Elder Flemming as well.  Also, Elder Braswell from my Japanese class at BYU.  

We currently have one investigator named Ina.  We have been teaching him about the Plan of Salvation, and he committed to be baptized in the first lesson!  He is so sweet, and I felt super cool when he started to invite us in rather than us asking him to let us in.  =3  I was surprised to find out that the Kyoudai who acts out Ina Kyoudai was in my Japanese class at BYU.  =P  I didn't even recognize him, but he recognized me.  

MTC life is really different.  Time is so structured.  We spend hours each day studying, but I feel like I never have enough time to study.  I was reading in PMG, and I saw somewhere that I had written, "a whole hour to study each day!"  Oh, how I wish I had more time.  

You get a new sense of humor at the MTC.  Things that once were not funny are now hilarious.  It's interesting how you don't get tired of being with the same 12 people all day every day.  I love my district!  

We got a bunch of study materials here at the MTC, and each book has it's own name (in the Japanese districts, at least).  My favorite is Charmander, an orange book.  We have a yellow dictionary of grammar named Pikachu, a useless dictionary named Magikarp, and other books named Ninja, Sumo, Katana, Miyagi San, and Samurai.  I purchased a green piece of paper with the most important grammar listed on it.  Its name is Bulbasaur.  

The devotionals have been so great.  They are usually focused on obedience or the Doctrine of Christ.  It is so important to be exactly obedient to all mission rules.  I commit to be faithful to all commandments of the Lord, especially the mission rules, and especially the rule to stay with your companion at all times.  

We watched a video on Sunday titled the Character of Christ.  It was a devotional given by Elder Bednar a few years ago, and it was SO GOOD.  I don't think you can find the video online anywhere, but see if you can.  I know you can find the words, though, but the video is so much better!  For those of you who have yet to enter the MTC, make sure you watch it!  I really want to lose myself in the work.  I want to always turn outward instead of inward.  I want to become fully converted to Christ.  

I love you all!  I hope to hear from you!  

Love,  Crandall Shimai

Hajime

Dear friends and family, 

Thank you to everyone who came to my farewell this week and/or last week.  I really appreciate your love and support, and I look forward to seeing you in a year and a half!  

I will be entering the Provo MTC this Wednesday, and I don't know when I will be emailing next.  My MTC address is as follows:  

Sister Amelia Crandall

APR28 JPN-TOK

2007 N 900 E Unit 22

Provo, UT 84602

If I stay in the MTC the full nine weeks, I will be leaving for Japan on April 28th (it seems).  But, I received a call this last week from my MTC tutor, Cook Kyoudai, and he said that it is more likely that I will only be in the MTC for two weeks... I'll probably find out for sure once I am in the MTC.  

I have a testimony of this gospel.  I know that we have a loving Savior, who suffered for us so that we might return to our Heavenly Father.  I know that He lives.  I know that He restored His church through Joseph Smith.  I know that Joseph Smith really saw God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, and that he translated the Book of Mormon.  I know that the Book of Mormon is a true book.  I know that we have the Holy Ghost as a constant companion to lead us through the bumps and difficulties of life.  I know that we have living prophets today who give us modern revelation from God for our circumstances.  I know that this is Christ's church, and I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to share this truth with the people in Japan.  

I love you all.  Stay safe.  <3

Love, 

Amelia Crandall Shimai

--

~Sister Crandall

クランダル姉妹

Sister Amelia Crandall

Japan Tokyo Mission

4-25-12 Nishi-ochiai,

Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

161-0031

Japan

Farewell...

Minasan, sumimasen!

I'm sorry, I'm super late getting out my farewell info...

Because I moved a year and a half ago (ish), I will be speaking in my current ward and my old ward.  I thought that it would be easiest if friends came to one farewell, and family to the other, but I don't really care who comes to which.  Please note that both wards are quite large, so you will need to come very early to get a soft seat.  I would appreciate it if those who came were on time.  ;)  Here are the times:


Friend Farewell
February 15, 2015
9:00 am
2790 N Center Street, Lehi
Small Brunch immediately following Sacrament Meeting

Family Farewell
February 22, 2015
9:00 am
3180 N 300 W, Lehi
Lunch following the 3-hour block


I would love to see you all there!
Mata ne!