September 17th

Sept 17, 2017
From Yamaguchi

Dear Everyone,
This past week I have traveled to Fukuoka for a meeting! Here is the picture! I was also able to see my old companion from the MTC! Perkins Shimai!

This photo was taken at the Fukuoka honbu!

From there we had Zone Conference in Hiroshima Hikari! And the Zone Leaders hi-jacked my IPad! These are them!

Here is a picture of the elders in my district too!

This is Elder Swapp and Elder Rodriguez.

B.B.

Elder Nakaya and Elder Namoa.

Things have been pretty low key since I have been sick lately but this week we are going to hit the ground running! 

Much love always! And we are all safe no worries! Thank you always for your prayers! I know the church is true! It is such an honor to be a member and a missionary here in Japan!

Love,

Freed Shimai

September 10th

Sept 10, 2017
From Yamaguchi

Dear everyone, I am in Iwakuni now in Yamaguchi!

Yesterday was really funny because all of church was in English! The spirit was awesome! One of the members spoke about how his father started a gas station that didn't open on Sundays and didn't sell alcohol or tobacco. He had a family of over 7 and they lived in a rural part of Idaho at the time. Eventually the station closed, and his father was down 250,000 dollars. His father didn't understand why (when he was keeping the commandments) that things ended up so badly. Nothing good came out of the situation.

But then the member spoke to us and told us that despite how the business failed and his Father thought everything was for nothing. That seeing his father's example, and sacrifice for the Lord never left his mind. And that seeing his dad's example helped him want to go on a mission, and grow a strong testimony of the Lord.

I loved the story, and I have seen my parents example in my life as well. Of their strength and testimony. I will always be grateful for their example.

My companion is Sister Wharton, and she is a little older than me. She is 26, and has a huge testimony of the Atonement. She works so hard, and she reminds me a lot of Sister Glathar and my Trainer Sister Johnson. I am overjoyed to be her companion and I can't wait to see the miracles for this transfer.

Also, please in any e-mails do not mention how much time I have left on my mission. I want to push until the very end. 

In my District we have Elder Nukaya, Namoa, and Sisters Oliveraz and Williams.

I might send pictures next week. Other than that thank you for all your love and prayers. Next week I might be able to send some pictures on the base as well. Much love always.

Me with Kouyama Akemi! She is a spectacular member. We visited her a lot while she was in the hospital for her foot! By now she is pretty much fully recovered! We love her so much. Her testimony of the Book of Mormon is growing so much!

The woman in the brown is a wonderful investigator. The last day while I was in Kagoshima we made a Baptizmal date with her. And the woman in the Blue is Sister Sano, she served a mission here in Japan and is a golden member. 

This is me with sister Mikawa! Mom I hope you like the picture. She was in need of the temple picture more than me, she is a widow and has such a wonderful heart. I always love seeing her smile!

Getting ready for the bus to Yamaguchi from Kagoshima. Sister Packer is on the left. She and elder Packer are the couple missionaries in Kagoshima. They are so loving and have helped the missionaries so much! Next is me, then Sister Wihongi! She is from Australia and just finished her mission! Then it is Sister Glathar and my old companion sister Askew!

Next is Wharton Shimai! More on her soon!

I am always honored to be a member and a missionary here in Japan.

Love 

Sister Freed

August 20th

August 20, 2017
From Kagoshima

Please tell the ward members that i am doing well. That I can feel their prayers, and I am so grateful for them. If they want, I suggest them to read The Virtue of Kindness April 2005, and If Though Endure it Well Oct 1984.

As far as investigators, do not worry about Fuji, it is ok. We have not been in contact with her for almost a month. Heavenly Father has been very merciful though, and we have what seems like a Golden investigator. She is from Nepal and 20. Originally we were going to just teach English, but when we brought up Jesus Christ,
she lit up and told us she wanted to learn more. We have much faith in her for the future.

Daniel, our youngest investigator, his mother gave him permission to be baptized! He just needs to come to church two more times. Other than that he just has a little bit more of Lesson 4 and all of 5. Other than that he is ready to be baptized.


Sorry I wish I could tell the ward more but I am out of time!


Love you all. Thanks for everything!


Your daughter
Little sister
Freed Shimai

Random

Random Email for my Mom

The most beautiful thing besides the people. As in landscape wise, would have to be the sunsets here in Japan. They really are beautiful. The only way I could help you with describing the beauty of the land. Would to describe it the same way you would as if you were panting a picture. When describing the sunset at first it looks simple, but
after you see a new hue of red or orange, it changes. It is always new, and takes a lot of time to process. Similar to how difficult it is to find the right color or blend, it is also difficult to find the right word to describe the sunsets here in Japan

The moons here are also very pretty, the most memorable ones were when I was in Hikari Hiroshima. When we would be biking home at night. During Christmas they had a lot of lights at night. And by default since the city is so big, there were lots of city light as well. And they would reflect off the various rivers we would bike over. It reminded me of the stars.

But really, I have realized that to me. It doesn't matter what I am looking at. But who I am looking at it with. I think Hikari was especially beautiful because of the people I was with at the time. Same thing here in Kagoshima.

The people here are refined and dignified. It is something you have to experience to appreciate. People here are responsible and take care of themselves and others. It is nothing like America, haha. Even though the politics are different. The people are the best.

I am so blessed to be here. Really. My companion and district are awesome. I am learning how to interact with so many different kinds of people. And really rely on the Savior. Things are still difficult and the mission is hard, but it is definitely more bearable. And I am learning that through the Savior and Faith, you can always turn the incoming Waves/trials into something to Surf. To have fun, instead of sink.

August 6th

August 6, 2017
From Kagoshima

There was a typhoon this past Sunday, but we are all safe and sound. It wasn`t nearly as big as people thought it would be. So we had a small little sacrament meeting of our own. We studied Jacob 5, and read about the Everlasting Covenant of marriage. Then we bore testimony to each other. Unfortunately we were unable to partake of the sacrament, but we will this coming week. And we are very excited for it.

This week we are going to Kumamoto again for Zone Conference and it will be loads of fun seeing old faces from Hiroshima. Oh and as you know there is a new missionary here in Kagoshima! His name is Elder Silva, he is from Brazil!

As a spiritual though, for missionaries.. We always try and work on Christ like attributes. And so for this transfer I am putting Ether 12:27 to the test! I know that because of the Savior my weaknesses can become strengths, and I can change to be a better person.

The district and Elder Yeakley from the MTC!

Welcome Elder Silva!

Iso Beach on P day! 

Heart attacking a member! Mikawa Shimai!

July 30th

July 30, 2017
From Kagoshima

Yuri is on the left and Rumi on the right. They helped us get into our Yukatas!

 

Glathar Shimai, me, elder chestnut, elder Kimura, elder Kawabata, Sasaki fufu/couple, elder wholston( transferred to Iwakuni), elder and sister packer. 

Is picture is the most recent. It gets pretty hot here.

Well as you know I am with sister Glathar again! And I am so happy! Also turns out that one of my companions who I broke, is now my STL. Haha, and the sister who I broke train is a trainer now. I am so happy for the, and I can't wait to see the many miracles Glathar Shimai will see! To all the ward members out there! I just found out about LDS tools! So hopefully I will be able to write letters now! Woohoo! 

This month we are studying charity. And in PMG one thing that sticks out to me is how like faith, in order to gain more charity, we have to act on it. I also love how like Heavenly Father, charity is eternal, and never changing. Thank you for all your prayers. I feel them.

We have a new investigator named May. She is 20, and Shinto. She told us that she thinks Christianity is great, but that since she is Shinto. She can not convert. She said that since her grandfather passed away, in which she believes he is a god. That she can not join another religion. But in response to that, we promised her that she could have an even stronger relationship with her grandfather through the church. The spirit was very strong during the lesson, and we have much hope for her.

Thank you always for the prayers. I feel them, and I am always so grateful for them. I have successfully stayed on my bike too! No injuries thus far.

Much love always

Freed shimai

July 24th

July 24, 2017
From Kagoshima

Still staying in Kagoshima with sister GLATHAR! I am so happy, and I can not wait for his next transfer! Mom Fuji the one you and dad have been praying for, has a baptismal date for the 8th month and the 20th day! Thank you for your prayers!

I just want to thank everyone so so so much! Especially with the language! I finally feel like I am understanding Japanese more, I am getting a lot more comfortable with Speaking Japanese, and sometimes even think in Japanese! It is such a miracle, and a huge answer! Please see that!

I love you all so much, and if you have time, I highly recommend you read Elder Neal A Maxwell's talk from 1987 called "Overcome...Even As I Also Have Overcome."

I know this church is true. Please keep praying for us! And that we can make a baptismal date with Yoshiko san for this transfer. She has been investigating for almost 2 years! We are hoping to make it before this transfer!

Love you guys lots!
Sister Freed

July 16th

July 16, 2017
From Kagoshima

Dear Everyone,

So for this week well, I guess I should start out with the earthquake that happened this past Tuesday, it happened at around 10 or 11 ish. It was during our District Meeting, so everyone was already gathered together and no one was hurt. At first the tables started shaking and I thought it was one of the elders trying to annoy us sisters, haha, but then it got bigger and the room started shaking for a good 5 seconds. 

After it stopped, the zone leaders, Elder Kawabata and Woolsten, called all the districts in our zone right away and luckily no one was hurt.

We also had "Junkai`s" with the sisters in Taniyama and I was with Sister Wihongi from Australia, Queensland. She is an incredible missionary and I learned so much from her. She is really dedicated and works with all her might mind and strength, even when she is sick, she works till the very end. Her teachings skills are amazing, and she helped me make a language plan for my Japanese. She is such a hard worker and currently sick. Please pray for her to get better soon! 

I just wanted to bare testimony of how powerful the members here in Japan are, especially the Kagoshima branch! The branch is small, and very far away for some, so far, that it takes some members over 90 minutes, one way to get to church. Some take taxis, trains, and buses all in order to take the sacrament and attend meetings. The members are full of service, and inspire me to be like them when I get back home. They are small in numbers but huge in spirit, they are definitely in the service of God. They are incredible, and help us missionaries all the time. Whether it is a last minute effort or helping us find good hospitals. They are full of charity and always a blessing to be with and serve the Lord together!

Sister Glathar and I at Ikeda Shimai's house! 

Left side of the table is Elder Kawabata, Elder Chestnut, and Elder Woolsten. On the right is an investigator of 6 years, her name is Y san. Then it is sister Glathar, me and Elder Kimura.

Shrine 

Famous graveyard on the way up to our church. Sakurajima is in the background.

 

Shrine

Kumamoto Zone and  Kagoshima Zone conference. At the Kumamoto church building.

Elder Metekingi, me, Sister Glathar, and Elder Parry. 

 

KFC as a district 

Tomato Ramen 

Love you

Freed Shimai

July 3rd

July 3, 2017
From Kagoshima

Dear Mom and Sasha,

What did she [Sister Glathar] do before her mission? Where was she studying? 

Sister Glathar studied at UVU and wants to be a dental hygenist. 

We had the same companion as well. Last transfer I had Countryman Shimai and she had her in the MTC. 

She is half Japanese and a really hard worker. She wants to be poly though. Haha, she loves Moana. 

We have been seeing some awesome miracles too. When we first met Fuji Shimai she was a strong Buddhist member, but now she is praying and reading the Book of Mormon. She has progressed a ton since we started teaching her. Please pray for her, pray that she will accept our baptism offer this month or next.

A less active member also came to church yesterday! Prayers are answered! It was a huge miracle! She has not been to church for probably 4 months and yet she came yesterday! It was such a blessing.

Re-activation in the church is so important!!! 

Oh, and mom I heard that you are doing primary! I love primary! Once when I was in Hikari, they had us missionaries with the primary students. It was a blast! Of course there were the snarky ones and the obedient ones, but man is the work worth it!

I still remember my primary teacher Sister Brown. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have read the Book of Mormon when I was young!

Love you both so much,

Thanks for the prayers, and I hope you are both healthy.

I am honored to be a member and a missionary here in Japan

Freed Shimai

June 25th

June 25, 3017
From Kagoshima

Dear mom dad and Sasha,
Things are going awesome with Glathar Shimai and I!

Dear President Egan,
Sister Glathar is a huge blessing, and she is working so hard on her Lesson Mastery. She is a hard worker and helps me so much. I love her so much and I know she will be an incredible missionary.

Kawabata choro and Shimamura Shimai!

So much fun. We also have a really special investigator named K! We met her streeting during the last transfer. And last week she told us she wants to learn about Jesus Christ. She sees that Christians are so happy and she wants to know why! I am so excited for her during this transfer!

Thank you for all your prayers! I fell off my bike again, but only mildly sprained my two fingers. They are already healing really fast!

Love you all!
I am honored to be a member and a missionary here in Japan


Freed Shimai

June 19th

June 19, 2017
From Kagoshima

Hello everyone! Long time, no see!

This transfer I am still going to be in Kagoshima and my companion is Sister Glathar! She is half Japanese, half American and is from Lehi, Utah. She is one of the most charitable people I have ever met and has helped me feel so much of God`s love and mercy. I can't wait to see what this transfer holds.

We also have two new elders. One is named Elder Chestnut, he is from America. And Elder Kawabata from the same group I came to Japan with. This district is so fun and really feels like a family. Elder Kimura and Woolston are staying in Kagoshima! 

Next week for a meeting we are going to the Kumamoto Zone! Just for a day, but it will be fun. 

Thanks for all the prayers!

The members here are incredible!

I am honored to be a member and missionary here in Japan

June 13th

June 13, 2017
From Kagoshima

Our district. Left to right
Zone leader: Woolsten, Johnson Choro, me, Countryman Shimai,Elder
Kimura, Zone/District Leader York, and an investigator! We are
actually with him right now!

Elder Woolsten is from Utah, Johnson is from Las Vegas! He is going to Ishigaki for this transfer. He was also converted because of his boss at work! Countryman Shimai is my genius companion! Kimura Chourou is from Hawaii and speaks fluent Japanese. York Choro is ending his mission after this transfer. And the elders' investigator is awesome, he played in a ward talent show and was awesome at the violin!

Our district and some other missionaries from Taniyama 

Water ballon volleyball! So fun!

Sports night!

Thanks for your patience. I will be staying in Kagoshima for this transfer and I am going to be with a sister named Glather Shimai! We have a lot of potential investigators and this transfer is going to hold so many miracles!

I know and testify that when we are humble, and recognize the Lord's hand. We will see tons of miracles! The Lord is at the head of this work! And God never fails. So let us be on his side! 

Love you

Freed Shimai

May 8th

May 8, 2017
From Kagoshima

Dear Mom dad and Sasha,

As you know I am in Kagoshima now. And the volcano really is beautiful. The branch members here are like none other. It is full of old people, Nana, they are very gracious and do all they can to serve. It is kind of unusual, but it Kagoshima has a very different scent. Every city I have been to is different, it smells like ash here of course, and I love it.

On my first day here, we were able to make a baptismal date for a woman from the Philippines for June 4th. And then the next day we were able to make one for her ten year old son too. It was such a miracle! Kagoshima would be really fun to visit.

I have only fallen once off my bike and three times since last week! Woo hoooo!

I had break training this transfer. So I am finishing up the training for Countryman Shimai, as well as getting her ready for being a senior companion. She is from Hawaii and really smart, as in Danny smart, she almost has her Bachelors! And she is only 19！ She is great and and we have had a lot of fun together as of late.

May 1st

May 1, 2017
From Kagoshima

Hello Sisters and Elders,

First of all, I just wanted to tell you all that Sister Egan and I love you. You are all amazing!! Thanks so much for all of your hard work and effort. Thank you for striving to be strictly obedient missionaries. We are seeing many miracles everyday in the mission. This past week we were able to find over 100 new investigators. We are so happy and thrilled for you. We are so thankful for all the success you are seeing and give all the credit to the Savior. 

Mothers day calls will be coming up in two weeks. I wanted to clarify a few questions that many of you have had in letters to me concerning your calling home.

In the missionary handbook on page 37, it states "that all calls home on Christmas or Mothers day should be kept short, no longer than 30-40 minutes". Please let your family know that we want their help in being strictly obedient and that you will need to be saying goodbye to them between the 30-40 minutes time frame. Please take no longer than 40 minutes. For those missionaries that whose parents are not living together, you may take up to 30 minutes for each call. 

We would like you to call home on your regular p-day Monday May 15 which will be Mothers day in most countries. In Japan, Mothers day is on Sunday May 14th so all of you Japanese Elders and Sisters may call your parents on that day. 

Please keep your calls centered on the work. Share with them the spiritual experiences your are having. Be upbeat and positive. We love you so much.

Kaicho and Shimai

This was from my mission president. Right now, I do not have time to write because I am going to Fukuoka in 4 hours and I still need to pack and say good bye to investigators and such. I love you very much. You might be getting my email tomorrow or next week as an update. I will be going to Kagoshima Kagoshima! And I am going to be partially training a new missionary named sister Countryman. I am very excited and blessed. Lots of love

I am honored to be a missionary and a member here in Japan.

Love 

Freed Shimai

April 23rd

April 23, 2017
From Hiroshima

Hello everyone! 

This is Misa Hirose! She got baptized on the 23 of this month! She is such a miracle! I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to teach her from the beginning to baptism! She referred herself; and I cannot wait till she goes to the temple. I cried during the meeting, I was bursting with joy!!! I love Hirose Shimai so much!

Ricardo choro also baptized her!

Love you all!

Thank you for your prayers!

I am honored to be a member and a missionary here in Japan!

Love your daughter, and sister!

Freed Shimai!