During gym time, we've started our own volleyball side (we being me and my do-ryo-tachi (companions)). There is one court that is for very 'serious' players, meaning those that get frustrated if you mess up, and another one that wasn't really being used. So we got a group together and we just had fun with it and let people have redos and play off the walls, etc. The next day we had five more people join us, and then more, and now our 'waiting line' is just as long as the other court's. Hah. That just shows people want to have fun, too. Anyway, the weather's finally been warming up and Sawada Shimai and I went on 'splits' during the last couple gyms to run around the MTC campus outside. I'm hoping they'll open up the soccer fields sometime soon because our whole district are big soccer people.
I have some exciting stories to tell. First there was last week's choir piece which was Consider the Lillies which I haven't sung or played in a long time, and it was gorgeous. We were actually trying to have a group from our district sing it at a devotional (Bee and Fullmer Chouro with me and my comps sing it and Lofthouse Chouro accompany us on the cello, which he plays very well). But now we might not since the choir just sang it. So instead we're practicing an accapella piece Bee Chouro found that's actually supposed to be for guys but if we girls sing it an octive higher it kinda works. They do choir every week; you have one practice on Sunday evening and then on Monday evening, then we perform it at the Tuesday devotional. It's been fun.
Also fun was this last Sunday's fireside, which was with Brother and Sister Beeson who are the music coordinators for the MTC. Sister Beeson kept randomly breaking out into singing during her talk, which was about using hymns to teach and convert. She totally won over the whole audience with her uber enthusiasm. And Brother Beeson had us do some clapping, snapping thing to imitate a missionary's day. It was entertaining. They were great to listen to, and Sister Beeson really recommended that we learn the scriptures associated with our favorite hymns, because then you have an instant gospel message ready wherever you go! It's also a great idea for Family Home Evening!
Third super fun thing we've been doing is that our district decided to start "secret santas" to prompt more service and thus love among us (not like we're not close enough, but just to help us focus on SERVICE) and so we dubbed ourselves the 'red ninjas' instead of santas, since it's not exactly Christmas. Anyway, it's been fun to do that and to get nice little notes or candy surprises from each other.
THEN, as if that wasn't enough, :) this last week was our very last week teaching in English! Each week we practice and build up to our TRC visit where we teach a vollunteer who's acting the investigator's part. Next week we start in Japanese! Holy cow, we tried to teach the first four principles of lesson one to a teacher in the TE (teaching eval--practice for the TRC) and we did...ok... but we definitly can't say all that we want to yet. This last Thursday (in English) was I think the best lesson we've had yet. We focussed our practices on trying to teach to the investigator's need and I think we really hit it head on. Our lesson was all around his questions and we were able to teach it very simply. One of the TE teachers suggested we imagine our lesson is a needle and their needs are a thread. If we can know and understand their needs, we can take those things and weave them throughout our lesson, sewing their lives and the gospel together. If we don't have that thread, though, we're simply poking through the fabrics in one side and out the other. I really like that analogy. So anyhow, it was an awesome lesson, but I'm a little sad to basically have to go back to square one via the Japanese. But at least we know what to work towards again, what we really can accomplish if we have the understanding that comes from the Spirit.
I also want to share a lightbulb moment I had. Our teacher Merrill Sensei had us watch a 5 min. short film that I think was the "Finding Happiness" video but made specifically for Japanese people by shooting shots IN Japan OF Japanese people. So, for me, it was a window to the place I'll be going in six more weeks. Well it was SOooooo cool as I watched it and saw the Japanese landscapes, Japanese houses, and Japanese families, and I was just totally overwhelmed by the flow of love for these people and their righteous desires. It showed one family in particular (which sensei said was the stake president and his family--he'd been to a lot of the places/met the people in the film) and they were just sitting around their little table on the floor and playing games, then reading the scriptures. And I just couldn't help but feel so so so excited to be going there and I KNOW how much the Lord loves them because I felt a tiny fraction of that that night as we sat there watching this and even that tiny bit blew me away. So please include the people in Japan in your prayers too, that their hearts can be prepared for the missionaries to find them. They are such good people, but only don't know where to turn for the truth!
I love this gospel so much. I know that's such a cliche' missionary thing to say but you can't help but feel that here as the Spirit is so strong at the MTC and you see miracles happen in your life and others as you study the scriptures, Preach My Gospel, and your language to try and be able to teach the people of the place the Lord has called you.
LeFevre Shimai (Katie)
I have some exciting stories to tell. First there was last week's choir piece which was Consider the Lillies which I haven't sung or played in a long time, and it was gorgeous. We were actually trying to have a group from our district sing it at a devotional (Bee and Fullmer Chouro with me and my comps sing it and Lofthouse Chouro accompany us on the cello, which he plays very well). But now we might not since the choir just sang it. So instead we're practicing an accapella piece Bee Chouro found that's actually supposed to be for guys but if we girls sing it an octive higher it kinda works. They do choir every week; you have one practice on Sunday evening and then on Monday evening, then we perform it at the Tuesday devotional. It's been fun.
Also fun was this last Sunday's fireside, which was with Brother and Sister Beeson who are the music coordinators for the MTC. Sister Beeson kept randomly breaking out into singing during her talk, which was about using hymns to teach and convert. She totally won over the whole audience with her uber enthusiasm. And Brother Beeson had us do some clapping, snapping thing to imitate a missionary's day. It was entertaining. They were great to listen to, and Sister Beeson really recommended that we learn the scriptures associated with our favorite hymns, because then you have an instant gospel message ready wherever you go! It's also a great idea for Family Home Evening!
Third super fun thing we've been doing is that our district decided to start "secret santas" to prompt more service and thus love among us (not like we're not close enough, but just to help us focus on SERVICE) and so we dubbed ourselves the 'red ninjas' instead of santas, since it's not exactly Christmas. Anyway, it's been fun to do that and to get nice little notes or candy surprises from each other.
THEN, as if that wasn't enough, :) this last week was our very last week teaching in English! Each week we practice and build up to our TRC visit where we teach a vollunteer who's acting the investigator's part. Next week we start in Japanese! Holy cow, we tried to teach the first four principles of lesson one to a teacher in the TE (teaching eval--practice for the TRC) and we did...ok... but we definitly can't say all that we want to yet. This last Thursday (in English) was I think the best lesson we've had yet. We focussed our practices on trying to teach to the investigator's need and I think we really hit it head on. Our lesson was all around his questions and we were able to teach it very simply. One of the TE teachers suggested we imagine our lesson is a needle and their needs are a thread. If we can know and understand their needs, we can take those things and weave them throughout our lesson, sewing their lives and the gospel together. If we don't have that thread, though, we're simply poking through the fabrics in one side and out the other. I really like that analogy. So anyhow, it was an awesome lesson, but I'm a little sad to basically have to go back to square one via the Japanese. But at least we know what to work towards again, what we really can accomplish if we have the understanding that comes from the Spirit.
I also want to share a lightbulb moment I had. Our teacher Merrill Sensei had us watch a 5 min. short film that I think was the "Finding Happiness" video but made specifically for Japanese people by shooting shots IN Japan OF Japanese people. So, for me, it was a window to the place I'll be going in six more weeks. Well it was SOooooo cool as I watched it and saw the Japanese landscapes, Japanese houses, and Japanese families, and I was just totally overwhelmed by the flow of love for these people and their righteous desires. It showed one family in particular (which sensei said was the stake president and his family--he'd been to a lot of the places/met the people in the film) and they were just sitting around their little table on the floor and playing games, then reading the scriptures. And I just couldn't help but feel so so so excited to be going there and I KNOW how much the Lord loves them because I felt a tiny fraction of that that night as we sat there watching this and even that tiny bit blew me away. So please include the people in Japan in your prayers too, that their hearts can be prepared for the missionaries to find them. They are such good people, but only don't know where to turn for the truth!
I love this gospel so much. I know that's such a cliche' missionary thing to say but you can't help but feel that here as the Spirit is so strong at the MTC and you see miracles happen in your life and others as you study the scriptures, Preach My Gospel, and your language to try and be able to teach the people of the place the Lord has called you.
LeFevre Shimai (Katie)
Hey,
ReplyDeleteFirst off I want to tell you how proud I am that you are doing this. I know its been one of your goals to go on a mission but now your finally there, so congratz!
But I know you wont have too much to check this or respond so I just want you to know that and to let you know that im doing well here and I hope i can hear from you if you get some time.