McMahan Shimai's Penultimate Week

22 March 2010
I assume you will take a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. Well, if you are not planning on a backpack, can you take at least one so we can share it as we go around? I wont have a bag, but if we can share that would be good. Dont bring me a backpack though. Sharing is good.

As for presents, there are two families that I want to give them to. For the Uchida family two cds from the free store, something by a hawaiian guy etc etc but not efy or motabs.

For the Ikezaki Family,

two packets of that taco seasoning mix stuff
one packet of something else like a chicken shake and bake thing
a box of jello
a box of pudding
one thing of sprinkles--- the kind where there is like 6 or 8 types in one thing

These two families have helped us out a lot!

I hope you got the train map that I sent to you....

John Bytheway is coming to Japan on Sunday. We learned about it last week. The whole mission is getting together on that day. Usually transfers are on Monday but we are going to split off with our new companions on the Sunday. It will be held at the Kichijouji church. Weird to think you will be in Japan on that day!

Last Tuesday we did a mogi lesson and had dinner at the Mizunos. I was really nervous for the mogi lesson because we were teaching the lesson of the Restoration and I was going to share, memorized, Joseph Smith's experience. Sure enough, I messed up in one spot. Mizuno kyoudai told us, as feedback at the end, how explaining the Bible and THEN the Book of Mormon will help because people in Japan mostly likely don't know much about the Bible.

Wednesday we went to the Shiki City Office. Sure enough, I, or rather the church, needs to pay for insurance. It's a long story, but missionaries are supposed to get out of it, but the people at the office didn't know and or didn't follow the guidelines. So yeah, a bit of a downer. I also was sick with a sore throat, coughing, and a somewhat runny nose. I taught eikaiwa that evening and felt my voice leaving me as I taught. I really like teaching eikaiwa. We split into beginner and intermediate classes this week even though it was really few in numbers. Brother Mizuno put and ad in a magazine or newspaper so more people would come.

Thursday we got on the Urawa computers and took a survey that had been emailed to us by the church. Some mission headquarters guy is coming in April and wanted to get an overview of the mission before he came. It was questions about the effectiveness of our dendo and how PMG has helped us etc etc. Before that though we had district meeting over at Okegawa church. At the end we shot baskets outside. The DL wanted to show us how preparation helps us achieve goals. He first threw the ball at us an we had to shoot then and there. Next he let us think a little. In the evening we had dinner at the Ikezakis back in Urawa.

Friday I got up at 4am and my throat hurt. I ate some ice cream. I had not been feeling well since the Mizunos. As we were washing spinich we found tiny slugs on it. Nasty. Someone in the Kawagoe ward brings it every week fresh from the garden. We hadn't found the slugs before. I sifted through and picked the best leaves. Spinish is one of my favorite foods! The slugs are kinda scary, but I could tell it really was just from the garden. Later that day as we were searching by foot for a house we never found, we were stopped at a light and an elementary school aged girl stood next to me. She looked up at me twice. I said konnichiwa to her. As we crossed the street I asked if she was going home and then what she would do when she got there. She said she was going to play. I said that sounded like fun. She was way cute. One of my favorite things is the kids because they just really want to talk to you. As missionaries we have to be careful of legality issues as far as how much we should interact with kids, but I must say that each of the mini conversations I have had have been way cute. They are so open and understanding. We had a lesson with Koto chan that afternoon at Urawa church. She said her mom has been trying to read the Book of Mormon but is having a hard time understanding the names and, generally, what is taking place. We are really excited to hear this because it means that possibly next transfer the mom might give Koto chan the ok to get baptized. Koto chan is reading about Abinadai in the Book of Mormon right now and wondered, upon reading about King Noah, if me might be the same as the Noah's Ark Noah in the Bible.

Saturday we moved into our new apartment. We got up and didn't study but packed and cleaned the house up. We left for Urawa church for the Relief Society opening social, yearly Relief Society Birthday party thing, and arrived towards the end, in time for lunch. At 1 o clock we walked across the street to the *i forgot the word in english but the place where people collect info about homes and you choose what one to buy* to get the key to our apartment. The apartment is a 15 minute walk from the church and a 3 minute walk from the Ikezakis. my companion took pictures of defects in the apartment to send to the mission home. Sooner or later the Honbu staff came. They had taken the fridge as well as everything from the elders apartment in kawagoe and brought it in two vans. We chose what we wanted and didn't want. Next the Ikezakis drove us to the place we had been living where we met with Brother Uchida. We piled all our belongings and apartment things and took them to our new place. We first cleaned all the elders stuff. It was totally filthy. Then we moved in a bit. In the evening the Ikezakis and the youngest son took us to buy futons to sleep on. As a side note, I found out that my companion currently weights 49 kilos. I weigh like 56 I think. When she was in elementary school she walked 40 minutes to school. She lived in the country. I was still sick.

Sunday it was way way windy. So, all the trains were delayed. We left at 830 for Kawagoe church but I went a station to far. We would have made it barely on time if I went back and fixed my mistake on any normal day. *I needed to go cause I was going to help with a musical number where v1 and v2 were a cappella, I did an interlude I made up, and v3 a cappella* But, the train was delayed 30 minutes, about, so we called the members in Kawagoe and they said to just go to Urawa ward. What was hard was the fact that we were both carrying tons of Book of Mormons. During the move, the elders forgot they left all their BOMs in the cabinet, so we were gonna take them when we went to church. It was so heavy. I think I had like 18 of them. My comp also was carrying a lot.

The good part is that elder Hancock was singing Come Thou Fount in church and I hadn't been able to cause we were going to Kawagoe... but... now I could last minute.

Monday was spectacular. First was district meeting. The Kawagoe elders told us about an incident on Sunday. A newly baptised brother had been asked to give the closing prayer in advance, but had misunderstood or something and though he was to give a talk. So, he went up for the prayer and gave his talk for almost two minutes while everyone in the congregation was sitting with their heads bowed in prayer. Oh, and Sakata Rina came to church for the first time! Yamaguachi San came for the second!

We took the bus back to Urawa. My companion and I sat on the back row, the long seat, at opposite ends. A set of elders also were on the same bus. They sat one seat ahead, in the personal seats. A girl came and sat by me. I pointed to her bag and asked if she went shopping. She said yeah, and showed me her comic book. I talked to her the whole way. She is a college student going to school a train station away from where the Kawagoe church is, is studying Christianity, used to have affiliation with the Quakers, knows her religious history, likes badmition, and likes learning about different religions. I shared the Book of Mormon with her, going through the pictures and explaining how the BOM is like the Bible, but takes place in America and that in the BOM there are prophets too. I gave a copy of the BOM to her and got her name and number. I was really thrilled about that. That evening we had outreach starting at 7 and guess what we always play.... badmiton.

We got to the church. The youth were practicing a dance for an upcoming youth conference. The elders were putting together my companion's bike. We chatted for a few and then went housing. My companion rang the doorbell of a woman with whom she had a conversation through the talk box. My companion was able to give the woman a BOM by putting it in her mailbox. Can you believe it!? Two Books of Mormon in one day. We have passed out only one this transfer and then two today. And here's one of those things were you aren't supposed to compare, but a pair of elders passed out 28 this transfer. I dunno how they do it. I was really satisfied with the two we passed out and especially excited about the girl I talked to on the train.

Today we had a lesson with Yamaguchi san. She has various concerns about getting baptized and we want to help her find the courage to get moving a long. We used the example of Nephi returning to get the plates and tied it to having the plates be like her baptism. Nephi goes three times to Laban. Even though it would be easy to lose faith and give up, he keeps on going. At the begining of the lesson we asked if she had ever applied the things she learned from the Book of Mormon to herself. She said no. So, I think it was a good lesson not only to help her realize the importance of baptism but to show that the BOM is more than a text book.

As for my being sick, I think I had somewhat of a pollen allergy. I also got this way last year before the Cherry Blossoms, except last time I had a fever and fluid in my lungs.... hence them calling it bronchitis. I decided to just endure until I get to America. Lots of Japanese people have unpleasant reactions to particles in the air during this time, whether it be to the Cherry Blossoms or to other things that spring brings along.

I realized that I have not got a final word on Chiaki-san. I called and left a message. At any rate, I feel you should go to church in Kofu. Church starts at 10. It takes about 2 hours the Yamanote Line to get there. The Ogas will help you out... and I really hope you got the map I sent! Money shouldn't be a problem cause you have those passes. If we end up going again then well, we will just pay for me. Man, those passes sure are great! I will let the missionaries know you are coming. I wont be able to contact you with further information, but most likely someone will be there to meet you at the station around nine forty. If not, the Ogas will help you. You go down the main road and turn left on the second main light I think. At any rate, you can just point to the churches name **which you should have written down somewhere*** and ask what direction it is. If you walk more than 15 minutes after going left, then you went to far. That is all I can clearly remember. There are a lot of various shops so I don't remember the names clearly enough to tell you where to turn. Oh yeah, when you are going down the main street before you turn left, if you pass a small park on your left, you have gone too far.

When you go to church, don't forget to ask the missionaries to show you chiaki san an mei chan!! And, bring my present for chiaki. I didn't have on for Mei-chan, so I feel bad, but, well, yeah, I am so happy you get to meet them!

I am so impressed you are going to travel by yourself! You know how worried I get when anyone gets on a plane so I will be worried sick and you won't be able to call me to let me know you got here safe. I hope I have told you everything that will be of use and I am positive the Ogas have been of great service. Since I can no longer be of service, please ask them for anything and let them know I am very grateful for all the assistance they are giving you!

Just thought about it. Can you get an EFY cd from the free store for Mei chan?
Sorry about all these presents!!

14 days left.....Whoa!

3-15-10

First I will write the favors....
Can you have Claire get a word in with the choir that I would like to play? Is it even possible?
Bring a video camera when you come.... but you knew that already!
Second, the things I learned from the scriptures....
Depend on the Lord- 1 Nephi 3 verse 7
Trust in the Lord- 2 Nephi 4 verses 34 and 35
You will have confidence- 3 Nephi 14 verses 24 and 25
Continue in the Faith-- Mosiah 4 verses 6, 11, 30-- see also Jacob 3 Helaman 3 verse 35 and Helaman 15 verses 7 and 8
Testify, Change, Desire-- Mosiah 5 verse 2

Now for the week.....
Wednesday the 10th I started a conversation with a lady on the train by asking what train station she was going to. She had a scarf covering up until her nose. She looked at me and then got up and walked to another part of the train where she sat down. We had eikaiwa that evening. The elders had a lesson beforehand and that lesson went 3 hours long. Whoa.

Thursday we took a bus to give us a jump start and then posted something for a less active member in the ward. We haven't used bikes the whole transfer. We had a lesson with Koto chan at Urawa church. She asked us to come to her house and have a lesson with her mom, which is great. Koto chan wants to get baptized but her mom has some concerns. In the evening we had dinner at the Ikezakis house. They feed us every week. Their 18 year old son does the cooking and he is very good!

Friday we met up at a certain train station in our area with the Matsudo Sister Missionaries. They brought along with them a 23 year old girl named Kayoko. Kayoko works with a member of the ward the Matsudo sisters are over. He talked to her about the gospel and then referred her to the missionaries. She actually lives in our area though, so the sisters handed her to us. I had a hard time jumping in the conversation but my companion and Kina Shimai did a great job. They gave her a Book of Mormon and exchanged information. We don't have a next appointment, but she has a lot of interest in the church.

I remembered a lesson with Sakata Rina from last week. We watched the Together Forever DVD. At the end she asked if the DVD and our church were from the same people. She had not read about marriage or eternal families in the Book of Mormon but had read them in one of the Gospel Doctrine Teachings of the Prophets Books. It was interesting to see she had not realized the connection between them.

Saturday we housed and visited less actives, all by foot. We were tuckered out by the end of the day. While housing we gave a Book of Mormon to a middle school aged girl. There was also a small earthquake. I am not gonna lie, I was using th ebathroom when it happened and, yes, I laughed to myself. Oh, and I remembered.... there is a couple in Kawagoe ward where the husband is on his second marriage, the wife on her first and she is 13 years older than she is.

Sunday I went to Kawagoe ward and my companion went to Urawa. After that we met at a certain train station. me, Lin, Koto chan, and my companion went to the Janice Kapp Perry concert. She and her husband attended. It was pretty fun. I ran into Brother Yamamoto, the 23 year old who played the violin for the recording last transfer. He gave me his card. I hope we can do a duet some day. He is Julliard quality, if you will. Very good. I received a copy of the CD we made with Elder Call last transfer. Listening to it, I wish we had more reharshal time.... there was non actually, but at the same rate it is good enough and I think those who listen will enjoy it. A number of the songs lack movement, even though they are slow, but the melody is calming so I suppose it is alright. It is interesting to see how important movement is to a slow song. It needs to be treated with special musical attention.

It is hard to believe that you will be here so soon. My emotions are being pulled in every direction.

We are going to move into our new apartment on Saturday the 20th. The Kawagoe elders are going to move into our old apartment. I have been living out of a suitcase this whole time.

I love you so much and I cant wait to see you!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for being such a good family and a good example to me.

Love, Sister McMahan

Double Duty: Saitama Stake and Tokyo Mission!

Today we received by mail a photo CD from Sister McMahan with over 100 photos! I've been rationing for the last several weeks on this blog and now....three weeks before the end of Em's mission, I've got a ton of photos!!! All of these were taken within the last two months in the Saitama Stake. Emily's former companion, Shimomyia Shimai is in many of the photos, along with many wonderful Japanese friends, young and old.

3-8-10
It is raining again today. It has rained almost constantly for nearly 4 days now. I think the weather will shape up in time for you to come. Speaking of which, don't ever take a taxi. A bus is much, much cheaper but at the same time the bus schedules are written in kaji so understanding them is difficult. I really mean it about the taxis. It's not even worth it. I sent you a train map, in english, in the mail. Managing the trains is really overwhelming. Here is the toll free number for the mission- 0120232032

Last Pday we went, again, to the Ikezaki's for dinner. Their 18 year old son, Kenzo, is a great chef and has been interested in cooking since elementary school. He fixed curry chicken. The time before he made pumpkin cheesecake. He pointed out that you can baste meat with mayo and it will soften nicely. I asked everyone what animal they wanted to become. I think he wanted to be a hamster.

Wednesday we did a church tour over at the Kawagoe building with Yamaguchi-san. We made it quick because she left her son sleeping out in the car. At the end she asked if we had Sunday school on Sundays, like she had back up in the Fukuoka mission. Well, of course we did so we let her know. We also handed our old apartment keys to the Kawagoe elders. They, at the request of the bishop, were going to check it out and quite possible move-in to it. We went back over to Urawa church for a lesson with Koto-chan and taught lesson three, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thursday was a bit sad because Kotaka Shimai, of Kawagoe, called to cancel her appointment on account of her going to the doctors because she was having a hard time with her pregnancy. We went over to the church anyways and walked about 30 minutes from the station to Tanaka Shimai's house. She was also a bit down and blue but for other reasons.We shared a scripture at her door and my companion gave her some Japanese sweets she had made. We walked over to Domon Shimai's house for a mock lesson. I went without looking at the map, confident I remembered the way, but went off track. It was raining and we were cranky. After the lesson we took the train to Eba Shimais and waited at her house but she wasn't there. Found out later she was at work or somewhere but didn't have her cell so she couldn't call. It was a very cold, rainy day.

Friday was a mini zone conference and interviews with the President at Urawa church. We reviewed what we learned at the bigger, multi zone conference we had earlier. I don't remember what exactly the topic was, but the elders ended up doing push-ups and seeing who could do the most. The elder I counted for did 67, and all of them were good and solid. I think the object had to do something about diligence and effort....? We also played Jeopardy with categories regarding language: grammar, vocab, and writing kanji. There was also one category for English vocab. Words for the three Japanese missionaries we have in our zone.

At 6 we had a lesson with Mibuki-chan at the same church, but she didn't show. At 7 we had outreach. Good times. Elder Hancock walked in at one point sporting some gloves which I recognized as mine. He didn't know they were mine but had found them laying in the road. Oh yeah. I could have lost my gloves!

Saturday we had weekly planning and I called Sakata Rina. Turns out she had the day off and we had a white day (no appointments) so we trained on over to Kawagoe area. We shared the second half of lesson two, the Plan of Salvation, and watched the Together Forever DVD, during which she cried for the first two scenarios. She has read in the Book of Mormon until half way through 3rd Nephi. She said her church member husband (actually boyfriend) who is in jail for shoplifting wants to meet with the Bishop. The bishop called her yesterday (Monday) and will meet the husband on the 16th at the jail.

Saturday evening we called a less-active sister and sang happy birthday to her on the phone as a message.

Sunday my companion and I split so we could go to both Kawagoe and Urawa wards. I rained all day. Church was particularly fun. I feel less and less like a missionary and more and more like someone who actually lives in the ward boundaries. In the evening I called some people who had previously investigated the church but had stopped for one reason or another. I talked to a 20 year old girl and had a really good conversation. I also talked to a woman who had some sort of depression, according to her record, and she still had some things she was going through. She also called us back yesterday and I had an interesting conversation with her. She spoke mostly yes or no for answers and ended the conversation by saying "bye-bye" and hanging up rather than "Nice to talk to you... see you...thanks for the call.... etc."

Yesterday was district meeting at Kawagoe church. We also, afterward, had a lesson with Koto chan at Urawa church but she didn't snow. Two young women from the ward had come for the lesson, so we just showed them how we talk to people on the street. I also bought a pen at a convenience store. During the time of Koto-chan's lesson I learned that my companion had a curfew of 5:00 as a kid.



I drank soy milk for the first time. My companion doesn't drink regular milk cause there is cow blood in it, apparently, so we don't buy that. She doesn't drink soy either (well, she does, but, you know, just not to the point that it is her favorite thing) but it was cheaper than the regular so I bought it.
love you so much! I am working very hard to obedient and have the Spirit with me!

Love, Sister McMahan

Slight signs of trunkiness....

Last week, Emily was able to meet with two young girls who had been homestay students in America. They had lived with the Mumford family of Washington. Elder Mumford is currently serving in Tokyo; his mom, Karen, was able to connect Emily with these two young ladies. To view Elder Mumford's blog: http://www.martinsmission.blogspot.com/

3 March 2010

I mailed you a copy of the picture with the friends of the Mumfords. One of them asked my companion some church related questions, but as for the other there were none such so I am not so sure. We don't have a next appointment but when the time is right we want to meet again and try to get the family involved, especially since they are so young.

It is amazing to me how hard the adversary is working on me these past few weeks. I can tell I am doing the Lord's work because, just like it was when I was about to go into the MTC, I can feel that the adversary would not have me follow build the Lord's kindgom. I work very hard to remain obedient and focused on the work because I know doing so is the correct thing to do and it will make me happy.

Well, last Tuesday, and we are going again today, we had dinner with the ward mission leader Brother Ikezaki and his family. We always play UNO. Last time Elder Provost and I were the last two playing and it was seriosuly about a 20 minute battle until someone finally won! Today we shall see who is gonna win. MY companion went to a trade school, if you will, and studied Japanese confectionary. She made some stuff that we will eat tonight at the Ikezakis!

Wednesday was a lot of housing and stuff. We took the bus to the nearest train station and then walked to the next train station over, where the Urawa church is. We had a lesson with Koto chan, but she didn't show, after which I practiced with Elder Hancock. He was going to sing at the Zone Conference. Then we took teh train on over to Kawagoe church to teach eikaiwa. We were disappointed when the lady who we found houging the other day didn't come. The pronunciation practice was for the letter J, and another letter I forgot... well, the last work was JOY. I had hand written the words out and gave them to the elders so they could practice with a group of students. THing is, I wrote BOY instead of joy. Elder Bennet came up to me as he was returning to his seat and said, jokingly, "what are YOU thinking about?" It was super funny!

Thursday was zone conference at Matsudo church, about an hour and fifteen away by train. It was 3 zones together, or something. I played for Elder Hancock to sing "My Kindness Shall Not Depart from Thee". The conference theme was Christlike Attributes so we had all prepared our 3 minute talks (in the language you were learning) but President Albrecht had been asked to speak on the Mission Vision for 2010. It was pretty good. I also was the pianist. All the returning missionaries share their testimony of the gospel at the Zone Conference and.... it was my turn this time around! I got to the pulpit after the 3 elders had gone before. I cried fo rliek 10 seconds but then moved on. I told everyone to be obedient, love their companion, and write in their journal. It was sad to think I leave all the friends I made among the missionaries when I go back to America! At one point the sisters, about 8 of us, went into another room. I trained on "doing more than one ward", sharing the things I have learned, like copying the ward memebr book from the Elders and color coding the wards etc etc. The elders stayed in the other room and learned about other stuff. I haeard it was vitrue or something.

Well, coming home on the train I talked to a lady on teh train who happened to be going to the same station (from which she would change rains), lived in Takasaki (by Maebashi), taught piano, and I think we had one more thing in common. She walked with us all the way to the point where she would switch to another platform than us. I gave her a lesson one pamphlet. I liked seeing hoe she opened up to me and my companion (when my companion came into the convo) when at first she kind of shyed away. People on the trains don't usually talk to each other so it is a bit unusuall for someone to just strink up a conversation.

Thursday night we met two two girls who homestayed with teh MUmfords. I told you above hoe that went. We met at Oomiya train station. Outside the station there was a guy of spparently Native American descent playing some tradition flute instruments to music being pumped out of a speaker. He had some feathers in his hair. I kinda liked the music :) We tried passing out eikaiwa pamplets but it just plain wasn' effetice. IT was a busy time in teh evening and we were right by a crosswalk and as sister missionaries we only pass stuff out to and talk to girls so dodging the men coming home from work when passing stuff out was kind of inconvenient. We went to MAcDOnalds with teh girls and got someon off the dollar menu.
Friday we had a lesson with Koto-chan. We talked about the law of tithing, or givign one percent of our income back to the Lord. I had 10 little chocolates and asked her to give one back. In return I gave her a goodie bag filled wtih some chocolate truffles we had back at the house and explained that we sacrifice but God gives us back so much more. After that we stayed at teh churh for Outreach. Lin was back from China. She is so cool! She brought back a charm thing for a cell phone etc. It is the Japanese kanji that means "blessing."

Saturday we left out apartment at 9am to go to Kawagoe church for the annual RElief Society birthday celebreation. THere was a slide shoe thing on the Prophet Joseph Smith and Relief Society followed by lunch. Then we came back over to Urawa and..... went apartment shopping. Brother Kasai had worked with some real estate guys and had come up with two apartments. We were going in a car but then realized we needed a woman to ride in the car because that is the rule so Brother Kasai ran over to the church (across the street) and grabbed the Dorff's 19 year old daughter. We chose the second apartment. Is is like a 5 minute walk from teh Ikezaki'S and a 12 minute walk to the church. I can' explain this real well, but long story short, is is very conveient as far as trains go. There are three stations in the area by the church, all on a different line. At the new apartment we can get to Kawagoe more conveniently. Yeah, there ya go, long story short. Also, we can take a bus to get to teh station that is right next to Kawagoe church.

Saturday evenign we walked about a half hour to Mibuki chan's house and dropped off the bread we had made at outreach. Well, we didn't make it. A lady demonstrated how to make it and had, before that night, made some extra loaves for us to take to church people. We then walked about 30 minutes back to our house.

Sunday was church at Urawa. So fun. All the boys passing the sacrament wore suits. That really had an impression on me. After church we visited two less-active church members. We had forgotten the map so we kinda fel tour way around. One was home with her daughter and had ran itnto the bishop's wife just the other day. We coudln't help but think it was God'S way of telling her she needed to come back to church.

Yesterday, Monday, we walked the whole day and then housed occasionally. We are trying to save money. PLus my bike is ok to ride but my companion's is still in the ecarry bag and needs to be put together so that wasn't an aoption. We had Outreach and a message by Bro. Ikezaki at the church that night.

We housed around the church before heading over to the FHE/Outreach. We actudentially housed into a member who had just had the elders over for dinner theday before. She is 9 months pregnant with her first child and was heading over to Gunma prefecture the next day. SHe explained the person who lived below her was a mother of 3 kids and had chatted with the elders before. I felt like we were guided to that member's house to hear about her friend/ We can go back and visit. We were really tired from walking all day and just kinda walking along. My companion wasn' hitting every house and goingto the convenient ones but since it was getting dark you could se the lgihts in teh houses clearly. I saw there were some lights on in a two story apartment building we had just passed and decided to go back and that is were we ran into the member.

After that we ran into a grovery store to buy a bit to eat even though we had packed dinner.... my companion wanted some meat. Well, good thing we went! A lady came up to me int eh store and said "REmmeber me?" in Japanese. Apparently I had ran tino her housing the other day but honestly couldnt't quite remmeber her. She had very good english but since I speak onyl Japanese with my compaion it was a bit weird to switch over so I spoke mostly Japanese. I told the woman I was going back to America in a month and that we had an activity on Monday and Friday at the church. She said she would come :) Well, not that night, but sometime. I talked ot my companion after. My companion remmebered her. We had housed into her and a man's voice on the itnercom had said "just a minute" and then she came out, explained in perfect in enlgihs that she didnt' had interest in teh church because she was BUddhist but wasnted to speak english. So, well, I really think we were guided to her in the store that day. Hopefuly she will come to the church and can learn about God's plan for her!

FHE was a blast. One elder in particular, Elder Draper, was really funny. Every time he hitthe birdie he pretended he was the sorting hat front Harry Potter and would shout ot the house names in a high pitted british accent. Yeah, good times.

I hope I dont' forget to take a picture of the drying room of the house we are staying in. Japanese houses tend ot have these. It kinda reminds me of a greenhouse. People don'T use dryers so they hang their clothes up in a room attached ot their house. I bet not all houses have one, but ours does. It is a machine that taked the water out of the hair... a dehumidifier. That way the clothes dry faster. I have often wondered why people would build something that takes so much space when you could just use a dryer. I thought about how much elecreicity would be used though if everyone in Japan had a dryer. Whoa. And, maybe it has something to do with the culture an architecture. I bet that back in the day people used to do it and so they keep doing it now.

So yeah, things to remember when you come...

No dryers

Don't drink or eat anything that is green because it is probably not in accordance with the Word of Wisdom!

... What are the exact dates and time you will come etc etc? And, are you going to stay at the house of anyone?

Perhaps you sent it in a letter that I will get this week, but just to double check :)

Thanks for all you do! I love you sooo much! Se yoou in 28 days! I found some candy in our apartment and eat one a day as a countdown :) Maybe it's trunky, but it sure is fun.


I love you!







By Bike, By By Train, By Bus, On Foot....

Two former companions: Shaha Shimai and Shimomyia Shimai

22 February 2010

Shimomiya Shimai said that using a calculator on a math test in Japan is considered cheating!

17th, Wednesday morning started with a small earthquake in the early morning but it was enough to wake me up. At 11:30 we rode the bus for 20 minutes to Musashi Urawa train station, the nearest station. From there we went by train back over to Kawagoe ward boundary to visit Sakata Rina with whom we had an appointment but she wasn't there. I called her and found her to be at a newly found work over in Tokyo. She would not be back until 7ish that night. So we visited three less actives who lived at that station, by foot. It took a long time. At 5:30 we went to our old apartment and ate dinner then walked over to the church at 6:20 for eikaiwa. The pronunciation was for H and WH so I used the listed words and created the following, which we practiced in a call and response form. I said it to a rhythm.

Hello. How are you?
What are you doing?
I am
eating a hamburger.

Hey, that's cool when will you finish?
Almost done just wait one minute.

While you eat it
I will plan today.

We will go back home and see
handsome Brad Pitt's new movie.

Which one is that?

Horror- nice and scary.
We can watch the whole thing.

Whether or not I can do it
I don't know so help me through it.

Are you finished?
Yes I am.

Who, how, what,where, when and why you ate that thing- oh my, oh my!

Thursday it snowed in the morning, enough to look like it would stick, but it melted very quickly, even by 12 noon. We left at 11:30 for district meeting at Kawagoe church. The Sakado elders are white washing and one of them is a brand new missionary. After that I played piano while we waited for Irisa to come to the church at 3. We met with her once last transfer. She is SHimomiya Shimai's babysitter. Good lesson. Topic turned to bathroom stalls and how the doors reach the floor in Japan but not in America. We were supposed to meet with Eba that evening at a nearby train station but she called to say she had work. So we housed and ran into a lady who lived in America before and had interest in Eikaiwa for her two kids. We also got a call from Fujiwara-san, an investigator who I told you about before. I can hardly understand the Japanese because she uses hard words and also maybe her pronunciation. I got the feeling she wasn't that interested in meeting anymore, so I gave the phone to my companion but after I made an appointment to meet one last time. The phone call was about 30 minutes in length. After that we decided to pass out eikaiwa pahmplets at the station but were cold and tired and needed to buy some veggies and milk -my companion doesn't drink it but I do- because we didn't have time the last pday because of the move. So we went to do that and then rode the train home and then hopped on the bus back to our apartment.

Emily and a former companion: Green Shimai

Friday we had weekly planning at 9:30 but didn't quite finish even though we took 3 hours. We left at 1:30 to go back to Kawagoe ward area to meet with Yamaguchi-san, an investigator. It went well. We comitted her to come to a church tour. She hasn't come to church since she moved here so that was a good step. Then we trained back over to Urawa church and met with Koto-chan for a lesson. We taught part of lesson 3, and had a fun time with Repentance. I wrote who what when where why and how and scripture references on the back, in regards to repentance.

who- 3 nephi 27:19
why- mosiah 4:3 and 3 nephi 27:20
when- alma 34:21-32
how- mosiah 4:2
what- just talked about it
where- well, just left this one out...


After that was Outreach at teh same church so we stuck around for that but no one hardly showed up. All th emissionaries did though, with the exception of Okegawa and Sakado, at the request of the Koshigaya Zone Leaders since it was the first one of the transfer. Seeing that not much was going on all we missionaries went into another room and showed our family pictures and did a self introduction. Asai Shimai and her companion- a brand new missionary- came. They are serving over the Kasukabe and Koshigaya wards. After that we took the train to the next station over, where we live, and then went on the bus to our place but took the wrong bus and didn"t realize it until we got to the end of the route. We walked back to our apartment, about 30 minuets. The district leader called to see if we got in safetly, like usual, and I said no but that we would be there in like one minute. So he stayed on the phone with me for one minute and then asked again. I said, okay well, maybelike 5 but we are really almost there. His name is Elder Watakabe. He was a mamber of my district when I was serving in Adachi. I also called the Bishop"s wife and asked if she coudl come to the lesson with Fujiwara-san the next day.

On Sat we met with Fujiwara-san. The bishop's wife called, as if we had found someone to come, and said she could come- wasn't sure the day before- but that she would be late. The lesson was 2 hours long. It was things I had heard before, but my companion got to hear about the life of Fujiwara-san. I wrote on a paper to read almsa 34 -or was it 36- and said that it was about a man who was able to forget about the sins he comitted and moved on. The thought came to me as I heard how Fujiwara san said she thought she couldn't forget the past. I listed the whole 2 hours mainly cause the Japanese was hard. Well, it ended 3 - had started at 1- and we had an appointment at Okegawa church at 4! I thought it would be impossible to make cause from where we used to live it was and hour and a half or so. Well, at any rate, we were able to get there at 4:15. It was way closer than I expected. We met with Arai Chie. She is an investigator with whom I did not meet last transfer. Her friends are the Tomoi sisters of the Okergawa ward, both of whom are retun missionaries, although one restuend at 9 months because of health difficulties - she was the one who was Shimomiya SHimai's companion when we did a split one sunday-. Anyways, Arai Chie really wants to know about God's plan for her and was willing to hear the lessons. She is also a twin just like my companion except she has a twin brother.

Sunday morning we left at 7:30 am for the mission meeting- i forgot in english- over at Kawagoe ward at 9. I was like half asleep on the bus ride over to th estation and I left my give-away book of mormon and a ward member's unbrella on the bus. Woops. Church was good. In the evening we returned to Urawa and had dinner at the bishop's who lived about an 8 minutes walk away. Their house is so so super cool. Koto chan came. It was a celebratory dinner for a girl named Rina who got baptized 2 years ago. A returned sister missionary also came. She got back on the day we had outreach and was going to had an interview with the bishop at that time. Anyways, way cool house. At the end someone spilled grape juice on the cream colored rug so I grabbed by Tide to Go pen and worked on it. Everyone was amazed.

Monday we had plans for dinner with the watanabe family over at Kawagoe and our money was tight so we were gonna spend the day in Urawa housing and streeting for like 3 hours and then go over there-- the bus and the train thing, about 1 hour.... but we got a call from Sakata Rina that morning saying she had work off so we went over there and taught her. I asked if she had got the lesson 2 spanish pamphlet I put in her post box and she said yeah but she had gone and given it to her husband, the less active memebr who is in jail. Although she can't come to church, she has read until alma in the BOok of Mormon and says the likes the things we are teaching her.


Oh, and we got a phone call from a woman who found a flyer in her post for english class. She wasn't sure if she could come this week , but definetly had interested. We never get calls from people who received flyers so that was really cool. Also, I smiled at an elemntary aged school boy and he smiled and bowed to me. That really made my day. It's kinda fun just to smile at people and then they smile back.

Oh yeah, on Monday we also had a lesson with someone over in Sakado who would have been close had we lived in our old apartment but it awas hnow about 2 hours by train so we couldnt make it and had to cancel it but first we called the sakado elders and they couldnt make it either because they needed a joint in order to teach a woman and it was last minutes

It is finally getting a bit warmer. Where we live is a bit inconvenient for the moment. Like I said, a 20 minute ride to teh station. From that station you can go one station over and get to Urawa church or ride for about 35 minutes with two changes and get to Kawagoe church. It takes money and careful planning of time. My companion figured out if we geton the bus two stops earlier or later than usual we can save about 2 bucks, so that means about 4 bucks for both of us. That 4 bucks turns in to 8 if we go comewhere and come back. Then multiply that 8 by, say, 4 times, and you have 35 or so dollars right there.

At zone conference I am going to talk to the sisters about doing more than one area and the elders will get a "training" on something or other in another room.

The water in the house where we live is nasty and the Uchidas, the bishop family, even warned us about it. The had some water bottle in the frige but we drank those. So , after i email I am going to fille up those water bottles plus a huge one I bought at the store the otehr say -- and drank all the water in it already-- with water from teh church.

As for my companion her grandparents on her mom's side joined the church and I think her dad is a convert. There are 5 daughters, the two oldest being twins and turned 22 this year. The youngest is 19. So yeah, very very close in age.Mount Fuji in the distance.....

Can you tell me, again, when you will get here and how many days you are staying? Thing is, I kinda wanted to meet with with Mei-chan, the 15 year old investigator from kofu, but actually, if you have the help of the missionaries over in kofu and if I set up an appointment for you to meet her after church, i think that would work. me chan speaks perfect english and is tons of fun. If you are down for doing that, I think that would be cool. The ward is fabulous and there are people who speak English really well. if you cane see mount fuji on teh day you go, we can go back antoher day..... someitmes you cant see it... cause you can use the passes as much as you want!!!!!

Well, gots to go. ask the Oogas if there is anything to see. I will try to get some things planned out too!

love you!

sister mcmahan

The Final Transfer: Urawa

Emily, her companion and members of the Ito Family.
The Itos are moving to Provo this summer; Emily will get to see them!

15 February 2010

Remember last week how I was in the middle of recording? Well, it got even crazier! I am still in the same area except two more sisters came to cover the stake so now my new companion Sakuma Shimai and I are over Kawagoe and Urawa wards, except for that Sakado and Okegawa wards have a lot of missionary fire so we will visit their referrals and visit less actives with them on occasion. Thing is, Sakado and Okegawa are a bit far so we don't go to church on Sunday there. Just Urawa and Kawagoe.

Now, if that's not crazy that I am on my 14th companion... I am getting a new apartment! It was decided yesterday in a meeting after church with the stake president, which I couldn't go to because I went to a different ward than my companion. Shimoniya Shimai went. Last transfer we lived in Fujimi-Kawagoe ward area about a 10 minute walk from the church in a gorgeous apartment. Train money was getting a bit expensive and I am sure there is another reason or two, but at any rate after discussion we are moving to Urawa boundary. Haven't an apartment here yet so we are living in the Bishop's second house. I am there how using his work computer (he works machinery downstairs in a warehouse-type place) to email you! We are actually at his "real" house. We live in another house about 3 blocks away in a neighborhood. The house we live in is a bit old and very Japanese-like. I like it a lot. We live upstairs. Downstairs is another warehouse type place.

Yup, you guessed it. We packed up all our stuff today. My new comp Sakuma Shimai had her stuff sent to this new house we are living in. The elders in Kawagoe are going to move into our old apartment (well, the brand new but recently lived in gorgeous one) sometime or other.

Someone in the ward is searching for an apartment for us to live in here in Urawa. We aren't sure when the move date will be. First of course, someone needs to buy it! So, we could live in this Bishop's house for one week or the whole transfer.

Sister Missionaries of the Japan Tokyo Mission: January 2010

During the recording business on the second day we didn't finish until 1:30 in the morning. People's fuses were a bit short by that time although everyone remained patient. They couldn't get a good take on a certain song. Well, about 6 other sisters were there helping and, like you guess, there is a last train and they all missed it so the bishop drove him to his extra house and they spent the night. Then, the following day or so Elder Call came to the extra house and edited with Hancock Choro. They are best buds. Apparently they stayed up till all hours of the night. I wanted to come and help since I was watching the music etc etc, but they are buds and I guess it is effective to have two elders instead of a sister and an elder. So the companions of Elder Call and Hancock became companions for quite a while. One of them is going home this transfer so in short it might be sad because of the recording coming on his last week, but I think it worked out okay.

As for transfers, the elders in Kawagoe stayed, but get this. Elder Hancock and Elder Provost came to Urawa. They were in other areas in the zone before. Elder Call's companion here in Urawa went to where Hancock Choro used to be. So, same people, generally, or at least half of them, but just switching places.

Elder Call became the AP. He still hasn't finished the cd and has some concerns about musicality. I talked to him a bit about that on Sunday. I really like this recording business. Can you believe it though, I conducted two of the songs! Well, after the first one I realized things just weren't together so I went up and told Elder Call I would conduct. He got me a platform table to stand on. I took off my name tag, shoes, and watch because I was so close to the mics... and... conducted. It was so fun! I was a group of talented kids but much of it was unrehearsed and there is a lot in the editing process that could have been taken care of if we had rehearsed. It was just so fun for me to do that. I felt a bit weird though at the table. There is actually a picture with me in between two elders, which is technically against the rules cause you are supposed to be with your companion. Oh, and the violinist was so amazing. He is a member close here in Tokyo somewhere. I heard he applied and could have gone to Julliard but needed to learn English more. The violist and cellist weren't members, friend of the violinist. They were also incredible! Elder Call said he wanted me to work in his studio after the mission. He comes home in June or something. Sounds pretty fun, if I'm around.

Well, the family is here and my companion has finished email so I feel a bit like I am holding them up. We are going to go upstairs to the house and have dinner. Can you believe it ? So so so nice.

Well, I feel bad to keep everyone waiting. I still have to say sayonnara for now. Things just change so much around here. Sometimes I feel more like a business than a missionary. Well, that's not true but ya know what I mean. I just keep hoping I won't forget to call someone or make an appointment or something. Plus we are in a technically new area and not close to a train station. So, we will take a bus and than train etc etc. I still get my bike sooner or later but even then were a 30 minute bike ride from the church. It is such an adventure. I kinda like it, and an kinda stressed at the same time. Secretly I kinda tell myself to just give it my all until the end and then it will be over. I dunno what I will do with myself after the mission. I might go crazy with nothing to do. It will be great to go to school and study Japanese and or hang out with return missionaries from Japan and then just get a job and work. Even though everything is just emotionally really big right now, it is kinda fun because I actually understand Japanese. I am so so so worried about going home and everything will feel just like a dream. I really dread that. I guess every missionary thinks their mission is a dream.

Okay, okay, for reals. I probably forgot tons to say and again didn't write in my journal but, well, I guess you can get the feeling from ym letter. I love love love you soooo much!

Oh, and Sakuma Shimai is a twin and her sister is also a missionary in another mission in Japan. Cool, huh?

Sister McMahan

Recording Sessions and Lessons, Lessons, Lessons

2-9-10

Well, you will never guess what I am doing now- recording a CD! Elder Call, our Zone Leader, in life before the mission, was a sound guy. I mighta told you, but a family member of his is a pilot so his parents and the recording stuff came on over! There are 3 people here at the church from Sony to check and help out. I guess Elder Call is friends with one of them. My job is to be the producer, apparently. I watch the music for each take and decide what parts should go together, what takes are the best, etc etc, and give a tip or two at the end of the take if needed. It is pretty fun! There are about 14 people total in the music making part. Some missionaries, some not. There is a Fabulous violinst, member but not a missionary. Well, I am just way excited. I came earlier this week and recorded a song with Elder Hancock called "O Bring me Back my Prophet Dear." He sounds like Brian Stokes Mitchell, no joke. So good! Really controlled yet calm and he gets all the notes right center on the pitch. Very pleasant. So, in general, I am way happy right now.

Sorry I couldn't email yesterday. We went to the temple in the morning and then came back for a lesson with sakata rina. She had wanted a blessing for her little son cause he had a cold so we brought two priesthood holders with us *including the bishops son who is 19 and has put in mision papers* BUT she wasn't there so that wasn't good. Then we had a lesson with a less active woman and her daughter. My back hurt so so so bad yesterday and my companion was still a bit sick so we decided to go home after that. I gave her a half hour massage and she went to bed an hour early. I guess now I can go back and tell a little about each day. I hardly wrote in my journal this week.
On Wednesday the third we went to the koshigaya church and watched "the errand of the lord" president monson bio dvd with hagiwara miki, a recent convert who is 20 and has done homestay in australia. then we hung out at the church for lunch and were going to do some language study . anyways, then we walked over to violet's house. she is from ghana. i love her accent. she doesn't speak much japanese but perfect english. my companion read some of her mail cause it's japanese and then made some phone calls to companies about bills she had received. then after that we walked back to the church and met with karen, a phillippino woman. she was baptized 4 years ago but her husband and two kids aren't members. she gave us some cheesecake. then we rode back to our home ward church, if you will, at yanasegawa eki, and taught eikaiwa. it snowed as we walked home from eikaiwa.

on thursday we met with yamaguchi san, the referral from fukuoka. sister waanabe miho shimai jointed. she is married to the son of the watanabe couple and has a son who is about 10 months. he was standing up and then fell and hit between his eyes on a table as he came down. it was red and obviously hurt but he fought back tears. you could tell he was thinking about crying. his mom says that he does that in public sometimes, holds back the tears. so so funny. it was a good lesson but with two kids going around it is heard to have continuancy in the lesson. plus i was teaching the lesson with miho shimai cause my companion did a split so she could go and visit less actives. i just don't have much command when it comes to taking charge, except for maybe music. i felt like i was intruding or something, trying to get attention for the lesson. well, then we rode back three train stations for district meeting. it was sooo funny--- the elders couldn't remember a word in english and no one else could so we were all thinking about it and then i remembered.... initiative! we were all really trying to think of the word. i guess that happens to missionaries learning another language.
at 5:30 we had a lesson with koto chan at urawa church and the bishops wife was a joint. we taught the word of wisdom. went well. koto chan always comes to church and had already learned about it in young women. at 7 00 we walked over to the ikezakis. he is the ward mission leader. mibuki chan and her family came too. it was a fabulous dinner. my companion and i shared a message about faith in christ. we played uno at the end, everyone. the ikezakis consist of 6 people, so, well, at any rate there were like 10 people in the uno game. i lost. really. i came in total last. i was getting bored of the game by the end because it took so long. plus there were so many conversations going on all at once i had no idea how to jump in. i guess missionaries learning a language experience that. i mean, you understand but then by the time to form a nice, good, solid statement, the conversation is on another topic. you have to learn to just jump in and say anything. i am still learning that. it is taking me way out of my comfort zone.

friday was the sick day. my companion got up and said she was going back to bed. that *going back to bed* lasted ALL day. her fever even went up to 103 farenhiet. well, providing my thermometer was correct. she even slept all through the next night. her body needed some major recovery time. we had a lesson with sakata rina that day but she called and canceled. we were also gonna go over to help eith mizuki chans baptism, but called and said we couldn't and that was totally ok. so, we didn't leave the apartment that whole day. i read and cleaned the apartment, and updated records and even took a 20 minute nap myself. that night i called the two high school girls that did homestay at the mumfords. sister mumford had mailed me their pictures and address and phone number. i called and they were both home. they gave me their cell phone numbers and said i could meet them after school any time. they live at oomiya station. it is slightly far, but very doable. we don't have time this week, but next transfer i think we should go! would you might telling sister mumford i got in contact with them. i saw elder mumford at the temple yesterday and was able to tell him.


saturday my companion slept in. then we went at 9 to take a train to urawa church to record that song with elder hancock. we also stopped at the doctors so my companion could get some medicine. in japan they have clinics every where and you can go anywhere, as far as i know. it is pretty convenient. in the after noon we helped blow up balloons for mizuki chans after-baptism party and then had a lesson with an inactive member at okegawa church.

sunday was church. it was mizuki chans baptism at 8 30 am. i guess it would normally be after church but it was fast sunday so they had it before. good times.

monday for district meeting wnt to a tabehodai, or all you can eat, at an indian food place, mainly curry. then we all went back to the train station and walked to the church for district meeting at yanasegawa station. we were all supposed to do a mini presentation on a chapter from preach my gospel. i did chapter two, studying effectively. the lunch and meeting took up a lot of time, but it was good times. then my companion and i split again. she went to visit less actives and i went for another lesson with yamaguchi-san. we watched the together forever dvd. again, i felt like i just didn't have much continuancy or control of what was going on. that evening we went over to the watanabes, the parents. like i said, watanabe mniho shimai was my companion. well, we went to her parents in laws. miho came to with her husband and baby *the one who bonked his head*. it was a fabulous meal. they had avocado rolls and then a big quid stuffed with rice and squid. my companion took a picture. it was sooooo good. for desert was some cake and the dad made a shake of avocado and grapefruit. sounds kinda weird, but way refreshing. again, it was just kinda hard to put myself out there and start talking. but, way good meal.

did i ever write about the trains last ride like one or two weeks ago?

thanks for all you do. i must admit i am going a bit crazy, just knowing i will go home. and, on top of that our schedule it just so different here in this area, especially this week. i mean, yesterday we went to the temple and had a lesson even though it was p-day. and to day we are recording and emailing. and, its like serious recording too, not just like a tape recorder.

well, sorry i didn't email yesterday! i love you sooooo much!

sister mcmahan