Konnichiwa!!! 

Aunt Carol- thank you so much for your Christmas package!!!!!!! <3 I pinned the angel you made on the top of the Christmas calender. <3 I love you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (: YOU'RE TURNING 18!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you were a boy, you could serve a mission!!!!!!!!!!!!! haha I promise you I'm going to send you a letter in the mail today but I am so sorry because it won't get there in time. Last Monday we were running around trying to move two sisters out of the apartment.

haha which will be my and Hunt shimai's preparation day today-- cleaning out the room of things that collect when the past 4 out of 6 missionaries that are living there go home. But Hunt shimai and I found fake mustaches this morning :{ )  I'll be sure to send that picture (: 

MY NEW COMPANION IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know how to accurately describe how incredible she is but she is super loving and humble and hard working and has the most rock-solid foundation testimony of the Savior ever and I love dendoing with her. And it's so cool because she's so focused and we basically just talk about the Savior and how amazing He is and how He's changed us so far on our missions and how He's changed the people we meet and how He's healed our investigators and missionaries. I'm so excited to work with her-- I have sooooooo much to learn from her example. She is the person whose influence makes you decide to be better. And I am so lucky to work with her. 

We've already seen so many tender mercies of the Lord and seen Him softening the hearts here. We are going to be working a lot more with Ooshima san, our 87 year old, who has so much gratitude because God has helped her in the past with her health and bringing her happiness. But she's scared of baptism for a lot of different reasons, but we're trying to figure out the root of her fear. We visited her yesterday and had one of the most love-filled lessons I've ever participated in. Heavenly Father's love for her was so strong and it was tangible and we were testifying of it. And she told us that she promised her husband that she'd take care of his gravestone after he died and she feels loyal to that part of her buddhist culture BUT the thing is is that you can still belong to a culture and also follow Jesus Christ. It reminded me of the story of the guy in Meet the Mormons who is from India who still touches his father's feet to his forehead to show him respect-- while also still knowing who he worships and following one of God's commandments to honor his parents. By the way- 

(it also killed my heart to watch the segment on the Navy football team but it's okay because I'll watch football someday. But don't worry- I wasn't distracted!! Because Jesus Christ brings me a lot more joy than college football. And you know I love college football.) (also I am super proud of Ohio State and for Cardell Jones and I wear my Ohio State sweatpants to bed each night.) 

The Christmas devotional sounded amazing! And so did the ward Christmas party! We have our party this Saturday! (: (: (: I'll let you know how it goes! I'll also let you know about Skype calls for Christmas next week after we figure out schedules with the elders. It'll be 5 Americans to determine the schedule with (: 

I love you all! I know that as we accept the gospel of Jesus Christ-- especially enduring to the end-- we can have happiness and hope and light and peace. We can have help from God-- the same God that created worlds and universes and life and light. You can always trust Him. 

Love,

Daniels shimai

p.s. I GOT TO TALK TO GRUNDVIG SHIMAI AT TRANSFER POINT! <3 oh my heck I love her