Call me "Ammon"

[The other day we visited a man] named A-Kyoudai, and he has Parkinson's. He's in the hospital for the whole week every other week, and he's a Mormon. He can't speak and he can't move, but he is very aware. The only times he's ever responded in any kind of way was when we asked him if he wanted to take the sacrament. The first time D. Shimai asked him that, he cried. He is amazing. Truly amazing. He only went *less active* because the home teachers were changed and didn't know that they had to bring him the sacrament. So, for years, he just dropped off the map. It is such a privilege to teach him.

…

So, for personal goals, I've been working on becoming Ammon :D I'll work on him for the next week or two, then I'll move on to Amulek. [Ammon and Amulek taught about God in ancient times. You can tell by Sydney's list that their lives were a little more eventful than hers.]

Some things that I've put on my *Be Ammon* list--

JOY

Everything is about God. Always think of God, always thank God.

Everything is a gift from God.

Impress your fellow servants with remarkable feats of strength.

Sling powerful stones.

Ready all manner of weapons.

Simple testimony, simple joy, simple doctrine.

Be a diligent, faithful, and humble servant

Every opportunity a service opportunity

[For those of you who don't know Sydney well, she was smiling when she wrote the list above.]

And I have more, but Z. Shimai:s waiting. See you next week!

Love,

Sydney

[Here's an excerpt from a copy of her weekly letter to the mission president.]  

[Dear Mission President,]

... 

It:s a little weird having D. Shimai (Sister D.) gone. It's really weird having D. Shimai gone. I'm just trying to fit into the mantle (of the senior missionary). It's a good thing God qualifies his called, because I am most certainly not qualified. 

... 

We'll be dropping a pamphlet and a couple scriptures by [a woman who asked to be baptized (name removed)] place tonight or tomorrow. I'll let you know how that goes. It was an idea from S. Chourou [Brother/Elder S.] and I really liked it. By the way, apparently S. Chourou has a first name. I think it's *Dallin the Destroyer* or something. Just a rumor, though. I don't actually believe he has a first name.

…

Speaking of, I've been being a wuss about moving to a new character, but I'll be going to Amulek in my character study, soon. I still think Ammon's cooler. Meh.

Last thing: I thought that a Nihonjin (Japanese) companion was the only way my Japanese could get better. You threw me a curveball with Z. Shimai. Her Japanese is better than mine, but improvement has definitely been expedient. It's nice to grow as a companionship. D. Shimai was a little more like a mom. Z. Shimai's a friend. She's very sweet, and she talks to literally everyone. I thought I was outgoing, but that girl is on fire.

I had taken a nap

1/25

On the sixteenth of January, my beloved companion of six weeks was transferred. Destination: Indiana. Position: Future wife and mother.

D. Shimai was an amazing companion. She was everything I had hoped for in a trainer--she was strong, scheduled, driven, and knew exactly how she was getting wherever she was going. The day I got to the area, we took off running. We were so busy, all day every day. And that was a true, true blessing. She was near fluent in Japanese, and loved Japan with all her heart. She loved the people. She loved cute tape (which, by the way, is a thing in Japan), and LOVED cats. She taught me just about everything I needed to know to be a missionary. And for that, I'm very grateful.

[My new companion] Z. Shimai is a half-Iranian Californian who loves cooking, piano, obedience, and manga. I think we get along pretty well. She's really young in the mission--only six or seven months, and she's far more hands-off than [my last companion]. She's never seen a baptism in the six months she's been on a mission. She'll see, already, three this transfer. Two of them are ours. I've told her every day that she got transferred to the best mission in the world. Not sure if she believes me yet, but she will. I was surprised that she lets me lead ninety percent of everything (well, except the cleaning, on which she insists on taking the lead). I really, really like her, and I love how deeply she already loves the members. She's had them write their names in her little book along with their birthdays and favorite food. She talks to everyone. I love that, and she believes in to-the-letter obedience. I know I have a lot to learn from her and I'm looking forward to the experience.

1/26

If I had a title for today, it would be *A real companion will hold the train for you* 

Today, we almost missed the train. I had taken a nap (the second of my mission), and woke up ten minutes late. It was raining outside, but we ditched the kappa, our rain gear, and biked for our lives. Parking outside the 7/11, we booked it to the station. Z. Shimai, less burdened and more fit than I was, quickly surpassed me. Shortly after her, I reached the station. For the first time in perhaps ever, my ICOCA card pulled through for me the first time I swiped it, but the train was two staircases away, loaded and ready for takeoff. However, instead of chugging away, a whistle sounded over and over. The train remained stationary. In one of the cars already was Z.Shimai, my brand new companion, standing half-in, half-out of the train. I ran in, drenched from the rain, and we looked at each other for a long time, then we laughed a little shakily as everyone in the car just let the gaijin be gaijin.

Companions hold the door for each other. This companion held the train for me.

Prison or Bust

Two things you need to know to appreciate this post: 1) Every missionary updates their mission president each week (Sydney does it by email). 2) Sydney loves her companion D. Shimai (Shimai=Sister) and has been dreading losing her as D. Shimai's mission comes to a close. Here are excerpts from 2 of her emails to her mission president as D. Shimai got ready to transfer home.

(To be read with dry humor. And no, this is definitely not the way missionaries usually speak to their mission presidents. Apparently Sydney has her own style.)

First letter:

Dear Kaichou [Mission President],

It's getting real.

If I don't get D.Shimai in prison soon, she will be gone forever. It'll be tough, but I've come up with a few minor offences that could do the trick. I'll just need a tube of vegimite, a barbie doll, and the east-west train to Saidaiji.

Next letter:

Dear Kaichou [Mission President],

I see that the transfer announcements mention that D.Shimai is going home, and while I don't approve of false witness, I agree that it is probably best that the rest of the mission remain unaware that she will be spending the next three years in prison.

On my end, I apologize for the delay. I haven't executed my plan yet, but I have a good excuse for it-- D.Shimai is still receiving presents from the members. I don't know how good the food is in jail, and it's better to be safe than sorry.

As I've read the scriptures more, I discovered that jailtime is perfectly in line with my goal to be like Ammon [a famous missionary]. I myself may consider enjoying a short period of incarceration so I can catch up on my scripture reading, as it is not quite up to the level I was hoping for. However, everything else is going well. All our investigators are fine with being taught through bars and the ward has agreed to throw an occasional "Jailhouse Rock", featuring Y.Chourou as Elvis Presley. We hope to find some new investigators. At the very least, we'll have a captive audience.

That is all I have to report. I'll be sure to fit Mission Standards for my mugshot.

So, for those of you who know Sydney well, you will be thrilled to see that she's still the same funny, wonderful, creative person she's always been. I love this kid. And P.S., her mission president LOVES her, too. :)