I'm a daddy!

I felt incredibly incompetent listening to people speak today. Just when I had gotten the hang of how people spoke, I was moved to a place where people speak entirely differently. I feel a little like I've moved from Canadian French to Morocco.

TRAINING. I'm a daddy! (2nd transfer trainer) [My new trainee/companion] G. shimai is super cute. She's definitely used to taking care of other people, and she's a fast biker--first time I've met a trainee who's faster than her trainer. (Not that she was faster than me... but... okay, yeah, she was faster than me. But only because I'm not used to the bike!! ;) )

So, we were walking to the apartment, and I stopped to look at a decorated manhole cover with what looked like the Osaka-jou on it, but I wasn’t sure.

Me: *points* What's that?
GS: *glances at it* Oh, that's a manhole cover.

XDDD She's wonderful. She also gave me a tour of the conbini (convenience stores that exist on every other block in Japan) and walked me through the making of Mabudofu (a missionary necessity that is learned around 1st or 2nd transfer – several transfers ago for me). I love her so much. She's so funny. She's very sweet, too, and really wants to really love the people.

We're in for an exciting transfer :D

At Tennoji, I got to see two of my favorite people (previous companions) in the whole world: P. SHIMAI AND F. SHIMAI!!! Oh, that was so wonderful! I was so happy :D And everyone looked well. F. shimai looked healthy. P. shimai looked a little apprehensive, but I was so happy to see the two of them. :D I can't wait until we can just hang out together after the mission (that is, if I don't stay a missionary forever).

Speaking of old companions, Z. shimai would be proud – This week we got some mold-killer and got pretty serious today in our souji. HOORAY! I was glowing by the end of it. Got vacuum bags for the vacuum, bleached the sink, washed one of the five towels that I've kept from Imabari... MAN! Glad that’s accomplished!

Still speaking of (most recent) old companions, I wrote an Ode to W. shimai

O W., dear W.,
My incredibly competent protegee
How wonderful, how close to my heart.
O W., dear W.,
The Kobe mission has never seen before
The glory of which you are made;
The angels fashioned
The stars aligned
And thus became
The W.

Thank you, W.shimai, for sending my suitcases. I love you. <3 Thank you, parents of the W. shimai, for birthing a child who does everything better than I ever could.


Altogether, I'm really excited to love the ward here in Abeno, and my new companion is very sweet and a very valiant soul. I'm looking forward to see what we can teach each other.

Life is exciting and the gospel is true. I love you all!

Love, Sanzu shimai