Konbanwa!
Guess what!? I
cut my hair, I have bangs now! It's so legit I love it. Being a
missionary is so cool because it doesn't matter what I do to my hair
because no one I know will see me and judge me... ;) Every Saturday
and P-Day my district plays sand volleyball. It's so fun. I know this
is hard to believe but my volleyball skills are improving so much. I
actually hit the ball sometimes! #missionaryskills
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| Long lost cousin |
Funny
Highlights: On July 24 one of my companions woke up and yelled "Happy
24th of July everyone!" We all looked at here super weird like what's
going on. Apparently pioneer day is super big in Utah and since everyone
else is not from Utah we has no idea. She got super sad and then we all
laughed.
The other day I was waiting for my companions outside the
bathroom and this elder walked past. I saw Zollinger on his name tag and
though what how did he get my name tag, then I saw elder... Long lost
cousin say what? We whipped out our family trees and compared. Four
generations back this man had two sons who's kin produced us. Pretty
cool stuff. One of our sensei's birthday was a few days ago so we
decorated the classroom and walked in singing happy birthday in
Japanese. It was so fun!
Being a missionary is
so great! You really learn who you are as a person and who you can
become. Who Heavenly Father knows you can become. I feel Heavenly
Father's love for me so much since being here. Every time I'm having a
hard time he sends someone or something my way to pick me back up and
tell me it will be okay. On Sunday
I taught the lesson in Relief Society on the Atonement. One of the
sisters said even if you were the only person on earth Jesus Christ
would still perform the Atonement for you. I feel that now more than
ever. We cannot comprehend the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ
have for us. Being a missionary makes it so much easier to love people.
Like the people of Japan. I've never met them but I already have so much
love for them. I love feeling a small portion of the love Our Heavenly
Father and Brother have for us by loving the people of Japan.
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| Obasan |
The
other day we walked to the temple and every time we go there is this
little obasan sitting on a bench. She loves talking to all the Japanese
missionaries. I was reminded how much Japanese I don't know. Cool
story. Yesterday we were teaching a lesson and we weren't as prepared as
we usually are. Then one of my companions looked over at me and said
"Sister Zollinger, why do we have trials?" I just froze, I knew no way
to answer this is Japanese. Then I noticed our investigator had a Plan
of Salvation Pamphlet sitting on here deck. I grabbed it and started
flipping through the pages praying I would find something in the mess of
Japanese Characters that pertained to the question. Finally I just
handed back the book and asked her to read the page I had opened. I know
Heavenly Father is hastening his work because the page I opened to was
the exact page I needed. When she was done reading I looked at her and
words started flowing from me. It wasn't much. Maybe two sentences but
it was enough. The spirit in the room was so strong, and for the first
time since being here I cried. I know I'm supposed to be here at this
exact time learning Japanese. I know that with all my heart. It is
testified to me everyday. It doesn't matter how much Japanese I know
because if I try as hard as I can heaven will reach down and fill in the
rest. This church is so true. I love it more than anything. I cannot
wait to go teach the people of Japan. 4 weeks and I'm Nihon free!
Zollinger Shimai
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| Lunch! |
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| Fondue party |
Post pictures of your new hair! (Proof.....or it never happened!)
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