Farewell, my lovely hometown. Farewell, beautiful Okayama

Farewell, my lovely hometown. Farewell, beautiful Okayama

Transfers came.

I'm leaving. I'm leaving my beloved birthplace on Thursday. I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel sad. I feel very sad. But I would have been disappointed, I think, if I stayed. I've gotten too comfortable here to keep growing as I have been.

Truth be told, I knew I'd be transferred first day of the last transfer. I also knew that I'd be getting a Japanese companion. By the way, I'm getting a Japanese companion. Her name is F. Shimai. She was my current companion's previous and first Japanese companion.

Man. I'm gonna miss Okayama. I love it so much here. I finally learned where everything is, too.

But! I'm going to Imabari, a land with a very famous mascot and a fun missionary couple. I heard there's excellent bread and their specialty is boats, ships, and towels. It'll be on Shikoku, the island right off the mainland. There's a [particularly] fun Chinese kid [at church] apparently and branch sports activities. Because I love sports. Haha, I really am excited. As I'm writing this email, I'm getting more and more ready to head out. I'll have to pack soon.

By the way, I'm cutting my hair. Kami no kei to ieba, kimasu. I think it'll be a nice change. I hope it goes well. I'll be very sad if my first impression to the Imabarijin is a gaijin with an awful haircut. But hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I'm gonna miss this place so much. And we scheduled a brand-spanking new investigator on Saturday!!! And the cute seventeen-year-old we met (the really super cute one who doesn't mind hurting our feelings) prayed for the first time today. And we totally didn't have to say anything other than "Your turn! First you say 'Dear Heavenly Father...' "　She's so cute. Seriously. She's probably beating the boys off with a stick. She's adorable. And we hugged her, which is a big step for nihonjin. Her next appointment? Saturday. AAAGH!! She's so cute!!!! And she likes us! And I'm leaving!

I have the confidence to say that I'm leaving this area better than I found it, but let's see if we can't get one last miracle. It's been so fun. Really, if this week goes well, it'll be the perfect note to end the Okayama experience on.

Friends, members, fellow countrymen. I love you. See you next week with the beginning of the next arc of my missionary life: Imabari!

Love,

Sands Shimai

Oh, also, because of the iPads, we are allowed to read emails any day of the week (not normal dendo time, of course) but we can only reply Monday, so feel free to update me if you need a special missionary prayer for someone or just want to say howdy.