Where's my bean?

On the bus home from Otaru!

Hey everyone! How's life? This week has been insane! Seriously so much happened I can't even say it all if I wanted to.
 
Funny highlights:
One of the sisters I live with talks in her sleep almost every night.  She also happens to sleep right next to me and sometimes ends up on my futon. Anyways last night I was sleeping on my back with my legs folded criss-cross and all of a sudden I hear her yell "あれ⁉︎ *grab my leg* quick get on your horse, quick we got to go!" Scared me so bad but so tired I just rolled over and went back to sleep. We had a good laugh about it this morning.
 
My new nickname is Hancho. It means squad leader :) Then on Saturday we were riding our bikes and in less than a minute Hackett Shimai and I ended up getting separated for 40 minutes. Scariest thing of my life! We both didn't know what to do so we "hugged a tree" and our trees happened to be not even 20 yards apart. So here I was calling the Zone Leaders, Kaicho, members.. Pacing back and forth crying my eyes out because I'm the worst trainer in the world lost my 3 week old companions. Still wearing my helmet. Looking pretty great. Meanwhile Hackett Shimai is sitting perfectly fine on a bench reading the Book of Mormon in Japanese. It was quite a day.  Ending up finding her because this angel of a lady came up to me and said there was a foreigner sitting on a bench down the street.  Miracles happen everyone.
 
Here's my scripture!
1 John 3:18
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth".  Isn't this cute? "My little children" just picture Heavenly Father's calm gentle voice call, "my little children" brings peace to the soul.  :) I've been thinking a lot about love this past week. It really does not come through your words but through your works. You can say you love God all you want, but do you do anything to prove that? You can say you love your mom but do you show it? (PS really love you mom. ;)) I read an article this morning, go read it! Please it's about the Sapporo temple!  Here's the website even!

Sapporo Japan Temple
 
When I was working in the temple I got to meet people that were at these meetings, here for these prophecies. People that worked with these people and even met some of them. God loves his children here. Just like he loves everyone else in the world. I know that you can feel that same one for anyone. No matter who or where they are. And through your works they can feel it too.
Another miracle for the week. We got to go visit some people that went to the temple and filled our comment cards. A lot of them were members but one lady wasn't. She was sooo excited when we showed up at her house and instantly invited us in. She was like wow how did you find me? I can't believe your here! And then she called her member friend and said you're never going to guess who's here! We had such a good talk about life and things. When I asked her if she knew without a doubt she could see her family again how would she fell. The room went silent and then instantly the spirit came and she started to cry. Then said so humbly "that's only my dream". We exchanged phone numbers and made plans to meet again. And she's called us like 3 times since then to see how we're doing. :) Heavenly Father prepares his children and doesn't ever withhold his love from them.
 
Go find His love and share it!
 
I love you all!
Sister Zollinger

Went on splits and ate the best indo curry of my life. Also Oka Shimai is a beast. Rode the bike and testified like a crazy person!

Angerhofer Shimai's birthday! I made crepes :) then we got sushi!

Heyooo

At the temple dedication

🎶I love to see the temple, I went inside yesterday. I felt the Holy Spirit. I listened and I Prayed🎶
 
The Japan Sapporo Temple is officially dedicated! Thanks to the prayers of your beloved Apostles. Elder Stevens and President Nelson graced our room in the temple just to say hi before our session started. There is nothing more beautiful then someone dressed in all white. Everyone was smiling from ear to ear and the talks were all so special. Heavenly Father really does love us. Yesterday was proof that no matter where we are God is showering his love down on us. It was something I'll never forget.

Speaking of rain, there was a typhoon this week. Both Hackett Shimai and my bags got so wet they unwaterproofed themselves. Showed up at the church for cancelled English Class literally dripping. Rung out my rain jacket.. Such fun when you live on an island.
 
More rain, got a cool story. I love kanji. Seriously obsessed.
So this is the kanji for Holy Ghost 聖霊 in the first kanji (聖) means saint, holy... but it also has the kanji for ear (耳)  then the second kanji (霊) has the kanji for rain (雨) So I looked this up after reading this weeks scripture:  

Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." 

All of these things are gifts, blessing from the spirit. If we listen (耳) to the Holy Ghost blessings will be poured (雨) down upon us! That's just Sister Zollinger's kanji interpretation for ya. Not sure if it makes sense to anyone but me but I think it's really cool!
 
The other day we were finding and we hadn't been having any success. I was about to get discouraged when I told myself you need faith and hope or you'll never help anyone. So it was our last house that night I found my hope Hackett Shimai pinged. I bore my testimony like I've never born it before and she said we can come back. She said I don't think you can give me this happiness you're talking about but I want to see if you can. Come back. It was such a miracle. It really is like that scripture in Alma. When their hearts were depressed and they were about to turn back the lord strengthened them. I felt so strengthened riding back that night. I kept thinking this is why. This is why I'm here. So Takahashi San can finally find that happiness she's been spending 80+ years looking for.
 
Lesson learned yesterday: two years ago I tried so hard to go on a mission. I wanted to be out at my 19th birthday no ifs ands or buts. Did not take no for an answer. If I had of gone out when I, me, Sister Zollinger wanted to I would have missed the temple open house and dedication. The timeline the lord has planned for us is better than anything we could ever imagine up for ourselves. Trust in that.
 
I love you all!
Sister Zollinger

How we looked when we got to the church Wednesday. Our waterproof gear kept us nice and wet :)

Dinner in our apt is always a party.

Carlile Shimai came to see me! Got to see so many MTC friends this week. Saw my first and second Branch President. Johnson and Daniels Kaicho! Also saw another MTC teacher. It was a weird trip down MTC memory lane. At least I'm not at day one Japanese anymore when Carlile Shimai looked at me and said "genki desu ka?" Still feel bad I yelled at her...

Hackett Shimais first sushi!!

Found this a few minutes ago... It's not this bad but sometimes your companion makes some weird food. Or you make something weird for your comp, so sorry Adams Shimai.

It's an email...

On Mondays we eat ice cream... Or maybe everyday but, yes.

Hello everyone! 


How are you doing. Still a little surprised at the fact that mom and dad ate dinner at my companions house. We have the same retainer case from the same orthodontist and the same green journal I got from Nora. The trainer bean game is a little too on point.
 



 

This weeks ponderizing scripture:  2 Nephi 27:30
"And the meek also shall increase, and their joy shall be in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel".
 
I found this scripture a few weeks ago and that it was super cute then was pleased when I refound it this morning! I feel like it describes me perfectly. I don't really consider myself very rich. Or someone with a ton of confidence. But my joy is in The Lord. Through him I can be made strong. And that's something no rich man can buy.
 
This week has been full of miracles, tears, mountains. You know dendo (missinary work).
Hackett Shimai and I biked to the farthest part of our area and literally pinged doors all day. We even pinged an assisted care home but didn't realize that's what it was until the very last house a nice lady informed us. We were wondering why everyone was a little slow. We also got to testimony punch an old man about God and his love. We hit him so hard he had nothing to say at the end but "I like Mormons, but hate religion".   At the end of the day we decided to go see a member. They are the cutest ever. Pictures of temples, prophets, and Jesus all over their house. But they live at the top of literally a mountain. Kinda wish we didn't do the 'butt of fire' work out in the morning.  #gettinfit
 
This week we also got dropped by an investigator that's been meeting with the missionaries for almost two years. It was really hard but in the end she said, "I know where the church is if I want it I'll come. Please go focus on people that will receive your message and want help from God" it was hard to hear but I felt so much love from her and comfort from the spirit I know she'll find her way someday.  

My favorite Udon Shop! Went here maybe every week with Kempy

This week we also got to go to an old folks home and sing like crazies. It was so fun. After this cute old lady ran up between all 8 of us missionaries and took a picture. It was another lady's birthday and she was catching some hard zzzz's the whole time them when we started singing happy birthday to her all the workers panicked to wake her up. She then stayed awake until the end and smiled like crazy. When I shook her hand she freaked out because she forgot to put back in her teeth. Cutest thing of my life.
 
This transfer just started and it already one of my favorites. Hackett Shimai is the best. Laugh until I pee almost everyday. I feel so bad for her because I mix up left and right almost every time. And make us turn around maybe every ten minutes because I realize we're going the wrong way. On the plus side she's learning the area real quick!


 

Odori Zone's only bean, dearest Hackett Shimai had a stellar bean shower! Snacks for days..

I love you all! Have a good week! Jesus loves you!

Sister Zollinger

Woke up at 5 this morning to go to seminary 45 minutes away from the apt, took this right after we made it. Nishida Shimai asked if we matched on purpose. Didn't even notice.

The Zollingers meet the Hacketts!!  Such a fun family!!

New Address!!

For those who love to send fun, handwritten letters to Japan - there is a new address.  The mission home is moving to be closer to the temple.   Please update your address book. 

Sister Emily Marion Zollinger
6-2  Oyachi  Nishi  1  Chome
Atsubetsu-ku Sapporo-shi, 
Hokkaido  004-0042 Japan

Thank you so much for all your love and support!!  We are grateful!

Hugs!

Richard and Gretchen 

The Frozen Noodle

こんにちは！皆さん元気？
(Hello!  How are you?)
 
This week has been so crazy! So much has happened but before announcements and things have a scripture.
 
Alma 34:41
"But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions".  This transfer my theme is Hope. It's been fun to study it. Everyone so read up on hope, it's a good one! But I really like this scripture because hoping for something is desiring for something to come true.  No one likes afflictions but if you have patience and hope for better things they will come to you. God will never leave us stranded in the mists of our afflictions.
 
Announcements:

- We had transfers! My dearest companions Barton Shimai and Kuta Shimai became companions and are opening Hakodate!

Hackett Shimai's first ramen! I was so proud of her because she was doing so good with the chopsticks so I looked over to compliment her then I realized she had them upside down and was eating with the bottoms. Laughed so hard. It was cute.

- My new companion is fresh from the MTC Hackett Shimai. Teryn Brown met her at college and told me she was coming here and I sent videos to Teryn who showed them to Hackett Shimai so she saw me bear my testimony in Japanese before I became her companion. We also had the same orthodontist and her family is super close to Stake President Porter. Small world.  All the other sister in her district read my blog before they went into the MTC so when they saw me they all said "it's the frozen noodle! Sister Zollinger I've read your blog!" It's was super weird.  

 

Zollinger Shimai and Hackett Shimai with President.  For comparison - Kempner Shimai and Zollinger Shimai.  If you notice Zollinger Shimai is wearing Kempner Shimai's outfit!!  Our little missionary is all grown up and is now the trainer.   

(An excerpt from the letter to mom:  We've been talking about the Porters (our Stake President) non stop and Teryn Brown (best friend from school)! Seriously crazy. And so fun.  Stories just mean so much more because we know the people and the places. Everyone was like tell me how you know but don't know each other. It's been really special!)

-Keiko San has a baptismal date!! On September 24, 2016 she will become the newest member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Thank you for your prayers! I'm so happy for her and glad she has Kuta Shimai, Barton Shimai, Wyatt Shimai, and Peterson Shimai looking after her!

Other than that Ozawa San took us to curry and to over look the ocean from the top of a

mountain. I've lived in Sapporo for so long and had no idea I was so close to the ocean. Then Hackett Shimai and I were walking to get on the bus home and I heard drums. So we turned around and asked theses ladies if it was a Matsuri and they said yeah come with us. Then we got placed in this circle each of us behind an old lady who taught us how to do the dance. This these workers ran over and put these legit Japanese jackets on us and took our pictures. It was way fun! One of the workers asked about our name tags and them said he wants to come to church!  Hackett Shimai and I were both able to hand out a Book of Mormon while finding for the first time!  

THE MATSURI!!

Seriously a miracle filled week! Hackett Shimai reminds me almost everyday of how much time I don't have left. But it's been making me work even harder and because of that the work just seems sweeter and more fun. I'm so thankful for this opportunity everyday I get to talk about Christ. And see people's lives change. It's the best!
 
Have a good week!
 
Jesus loves you!
 
So does this not so frozen, frozen noodle.
Sister Zollinger

Ozawa San! Hirotaka Kun is so cute!

Transfer 9 her I come!

Keiko San

こんにちは！ 元気ですか？
(Hello!  How are you?)

Summer has officially hit Hokkaido and it is HOT! I have never sweat consistently so much IN MY LIFE. Not even that summer the air conditioner broke so we ate out almost every night. Barton Shimai and I take ice packs into our study room with us every morning which is a cooling 82*F. Nothing like walking out of the shower into a sauna. On the plus side I've gotten really good a braiding my hair super quick without a hair tie. :)
 
This Sunday Keiko San went back home to Hakodate. She originally wasn't going to come to church because she was super busy packing and things but Wyatt Shimai and I were going to be singing in sacrament meeting so I convinced her to come just to that. But there were a lot of announcements and long talks so without word they skipped our musical number. It was so sad. After Keiko San looked at me and said I really wanted to hear it. Me and her really bonded through music so it was rough not being able to share that with her again. But after we went outside and took pictures and said our goodbyes. At the end she looked at me and said "its not the end. We'll see each other again when you come back. Maybe you'll transfer back to Hakodate" then I looked at her and she started crying. And then laughed and said "here come the tears, okay I'm going now" it was so cute but then I cried and we both laughed. In the MTC one of the speakers said on your mission you will find people you can't imagine heaven without. Keiko San is one of those people. My Hakodate Mommy! 

So this morning when I was choosing a scripture for this week I thought a lot about her. 

She was telling me how she's going to miss my hair

 
Alma 26:31
"Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us".
 
Success is not seeing baptisms. It's not about your numbers. It's not about if your a mission leader or if you have a ton of investigators or anything like that. Success is when you love the people 100% and feel that same love from them. It's when they know that they have a loving Father in Heaven and that Jesus Christ is their Savior. I've been working on a Charity and Love this transfer and I never thought I would learn the things I learned and loved as much as I have. It's been a miracle.
 
Today the Sisters in Hakodate are challenging Keiko San to baptism! Pray for her to have the courage to follow her heart!
 
Other exciting adventures. We were riding our bikes to this area we've never been to before and we were literally at the top of this mountain. We looked around to try and find a way to get over to this neighborhood but couldn't find a ride anywhere. Then I look over and Barton Shimai is pointing to this little trail with super light tire lines and said I think this is it.. We took a trip in the Amazon that day. Battling tall grasses and strings of spider webs. It was great. Super glad I didn't get called to a jungle mission! Then we met with our investigator Kubogami San who said she loves reading books at that she's going to read the BoM in a hour! She's legit! Also we had a team up lesson with Ozawa San and it was the coolest lesson ever. Ebisawa Shimai said everything Ozawa San needed to hear. The spirit was super strong.
 
This week went by too fast and this transfer went by even faster. Transfer calls are tomorrow which blows my mind. I'm going to be a transfer nine which is the transfer Sister Kempner was when she became my trainer. Sooo crazy. Also after Friday my only remaining companions in the mission will be Kuta Shimai and Barton Shimai. Time flies when your having fun. Don't blink you might miss it!

愛してるよ
(I love you)

Sister Zollinger 

We finally decided to go to the chocolate factory last pday! Charlie Bucket has found the golden ticket! But they have these pretty gardens on the side were you can stick your head out of these tiny houses.

It was Wyatt Shimai's Birthday!! We partied hard :)

Also it poured rain for maybe 2 days and one day it was so windy it knocked all the bikes down. But if you look hard enough you can see my bike! Black Betty's still standin' tall!

Made gyoza from scratch, seriously amazing. Dad we're never buying them again!

Lastly found a revolving door and ran through it a few times like a child :) Dendo (missionary work) is my favorite!