Last week in the good ole USA

Has it really been 2 months since I left?!?! Nuts. T-minus 4 days. I'm just waiting for someone to walk into our class and tell us this Japan thing is a joke and were actually going to Kansas. But nope.

Lots happened this week and at the same time I feel like not much happened. I'll let you decide.

On Friday my doryo was feeling crummy again so we went to the doctor.  He wasn't in so they sent us of campus *gasp* to the BYU student health center. I was in the real world. Anyway, we were there forever and they finally decided that she had (not the contagious) pneumonia. My doryo is getting all the weird illnesses. Anywho, she's been sleeping pretty much since. I was in the room for most of Saturday to Wednesday. I had a few excursions that I will detail in my letter. It think she's doing better though. What did I do while she slept for 5 days straight? Studied. Read scriptures. Read conference talks. Listened to conference talks. Watched lots of Jesus videos. And "I'm a Mormon" videos. And journaled. And accidentally fell asleep. Wandered aimlessly around practicing vocab and grammar. It was rough but also really nice because I'm a homebody anyway.


End of last Thursday: we decorated our hall with pumpkins and Halloween streamers and stickers. It was a 2 hour party in the hall with the sisters in my district and we had a blast. It was probably the most fun I've had in ages. Lots of sugar was involved.


Friday: we got our flight plans (happy dance)(but also scared dance). We fly to LAX and then to Tokyo and then to Fukuoka. I leave the MTC [Mission Training Center in Provo] at 3:30 in the morning on Nov 2 and get to Fukuoka at 8:05 in the evening Nov 3. Still no sign of our Japanese name tags though. We meet for the last time with M-san. We have new investigators to practice with the pamphlets. It was a good lesson. She agreed to baptism. Then we told her that we were getting transferred and she was sad and we were sad and we all hugged and almost cried (and she's not even a real investigator).

Saturday: my doryo was sick and I studied with her sleeping body. But then after lunch C shimai was feeling sick so she came back with my doryo and slept and I went to class with H shimai. I forgot that we were suppose to teach that class period. But we persevered. I taught without a lesson plan and without my normal doryo. Fortunately it was a getting to know you lesson with the pamphlet so it didn't go
too bad.

Sunday: no Nihongo talks for me in the MTC. I stayed in the room most of the morning with my sick doryo. I memorized D&C 6:36 (shout out to Addi who gave me the idea). "Ayayuru omoi no chu de watashi o aogi mi nasai. Uttagatte wa naranai. Osorete wa naranai". [Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not] And what a great
scripture for this week. Look unto the Lord in every thought. When I
do, I have no need to doubt my Nihongo ability. I have no need to fear
what's to come. The Lords got my back.

Monday: I just chilled with my byoki [sick] doryo. I studied lots. I'm really familiar with the Gospel Library app now.

Tuesday: devotional time. I managed to go 8 weeks without an apostle coming (to be fair we've had 5 members of the 70 come). BUT GUESS WHO CAME. ANDERSEN CHORO. As soon as he walked into the room, I felt the spirit testify so strong that he is a representative and a witness of Christ. We sang More Holiness Give Me. It was so cool to sing to an apostle. The coolest part was that us he has been set apart to testify of Christ, so have I. As I sang, I testified of Christ. As he spoke,
he testified of Christ. It was an amazing opportunity. He sent a copy of his notes for the talk to be distributed to us. I'll send you a picture because he used lots of good scriptures and quotes.

Wednesday: weird day. I was stuck in the residence like I had been all week. But then C shimai wasn't feeling good again. So she came back and slept and I went to class with H shimai. Well, we had skype TRC that night and we didn't there was no plan for it because of changing companions and such. So we walked in with no plan and lots of prayers. We really had to rely on the Spirit. I had a lot more promptings because I was more willing to do whatever since we had no plan. Then something weird happened. As I was walking back from TRC my back started to have a sharp pain in it. It hurt to breath. We went to find a doctor but there wouldn't be one until the next morning. So when we got back to class, I asked for a blessing. The first thing that was said was that I had been promised good health and no injuries while being set apart as a missionary and that the Lord (ALWAYS) keeps His promises. I just needed to have faith. The elder who gave me the blessing didn't know I had been promised that. But God knew. The rest of the blessing was wonderful and everything I needed to hear. I went to bed that night, still in a lot of pain. But I had faith. God made a promise to me "and [God] is bound [to keep My promises] when we do what he says" (D&C 80 I think?) [D&C 82:10]. So I went to sleep. I woke up this morning and all the pain was gone. God works miracles. He works them through us. The priesthood is His power given to men to act according to His will. I know it's real. I was healed. I know that blessing are given through men who carry the priesthood but are given by God. How else would a 19 year old boy know about what I had been blessed before I knew him and what what words I needed to hear to feel comfort and peace about going to Nihon? It's all God. I am so grateful for the
priesthood. But I'm also grateful that there are worthy young (and old) men that can hold it and bless people with it.

I love this gospel. I love this church that is centered around us being happy and feeling peace. I have felt a lot of happiness and peace this week instead of feeling freaked out and nervous. God is real. Jesus lives. What a glorious message I have to share.

Next time I email I'll be in a foreign country. Weird. I love you all so much.

あいしています！
Bearman しまい

P.s. I didn't include many funny stories. I'm sorry. Plenty of funny things happened. I'll share one. In our skype TRC H shimai gave the closing prayer. I was sitting there, enjoying the prayer in peace when she taps me on the shoulder and whispers "I finished the prayer". I had missed the amen! So I was just sitting there oblivious with my head bowed for a good 20 seconds after the prayer was finished. It was funny.
P.s.s. I have another funny thing that may not be super funny to you but it's funny to me. One of the choros in my district said "I can't wait until I have a baby burrito" (referring to wrapping a baby in a blanket like a burrito). But he said it so seriously with so much enthusiasm!
P.s.s.s. One day for lunch (I get it delivered by shimai in my district because my doryo was sick) C shimai brought me 2 pieces of lettuce so that I could eat something healthy. Lol.

Sent from my iPad

10 more days until freedom (and by freedom I mean a terrifying new country)

First things first, WE GOT IPADS!!!!! The Church just recently made pamphlets geared toward people with a non-Christian background. They're being tested in Nihon [Japan] to see how effective they are. The only way to access them is via an electronics device so here I am. We were sitting in classroom on Tuesday doing personal study when an official looking person comes in the room and tells us to report to 1M with our ID's immediately. So, a little confused, we go. Upon our arrival we were informed to get into a line to get an iPad. We were more than a little shocked (it took us a while to remember what an iPad was (what even is technology?)).  I have to admit, it's a little weird to have technology again. But also super nice for lesson. There's a Nihongo dictionary on this thing that it a lifesaver. If you want to check out the new pamphlets, they're in the App Store. Just look up LDSteachings. I quickly read through them the other day and they are SO HELPFUL and SO GOOD. Not that the other pamphlets weren't good, it's just that we couldn't use them too much because they were too complex and too in depth for our investigators to handle. So look them up.

Anywho, this week was funky. We all (as a district) were in a really weird state of mind. I think it's because we've been here for so long.

Friday: H shimai and I planned out lesson laying on the ground in an empty classroom. Someone came in and thought we were asleep. They started to reprimand us until we very defiantly retorted that we were trying to plan a lesson. Also, I started a dessert fast [fast means to not eat]. It was so hard. I made it to Sunday. I couldn't resist the ice cream they had on Sunday. I'm a sucker for that sort of thing.  I blame my dad.

Saturday: I had the chance to plan a lesson in Eigo [English]. H shimai and I taught Relief Society and district meeting (what we have instead of Sunday school). Anyways, planing that lesson was about the easiest thing I've done in my entire life. We could use complex sentences and big words. It took us maybe 20 minutes to plan. Probably less time but we were distracted. When we finished planning in Eigo we got out our stuff to write it out in Nihongo. We laughed pretty hard when we
realized what we were doing. I also started memorizing the First Vision in Nihongo. Not all of it but verses 16-17. I've got the first 2 lines down at this point. C shimai and I have a dance to help us remember. We look pretty silly doing it.

Sunday: I didn't have to speak in sacrament meeting! Although all the girls in the zone are betting that I'm going to be picked next week. Our lesson went well. We taught about the Spirit of Revelation. One scripture we used was from Moroni 7:13. I found the scripture during personal study time. Sometimes it's hard to know what thoughts and feelings are from the Holy Ghost and what thoughts are yours. Sometimes an idea pops into your head and your not really sure if you should act on the idea because you don't really know if the Holy Ghost. This scripture puts it beautifully: "But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."  Everything good is from God. So if we have a thought to do something, act on it. If it produces good, it's inspired by God. If if produces bad, maybe stop. The other day I had a idea to go to the bathroom. It was late and I was ready to go to bed and I didn't really need to go to the bathroom. But I decided to go really quick. I crashed into a BYU friend in there and we talked for a bit. She had had a rough day and needed a friend to talk to. I had an idea, I acted on it, and then saw that it produced good. That random thought to go to the bathroom was inspired by God. At the MTC, I've started to realize that God gives us the most help and guidance through small thoughts and actions.

Monday: My last day without technology (not that I knew that). While mogi -ing (I don't know what the word for that in English is... (My doryo [companion] reminded me: role playing)) C shimai told me that her gift to me would be her life (instead of her time). We giggled hysterically for a while. Also, one of our STL's made up a song in Nihongo that I've had stuck in my head all week. If I have time I'll send a video. It goes "subarashi, subarashi. Watashitachi wa subarashi desu" which literally means "awesome, awesome. We are awesome."  

Tuesday: The day I received technology and was really lost for a while because I forgot how to use technology. Also our lesson with J-san went really well. The most conversational Japanese I've ever done in my life. In choir we sang "I feel my Savior's love” which is a phenomenal primary song. I can't remember the 70 who spokes name (it's German) but it was a good devotional. All about the Saviors atonement and how to make it personal.

Wednesday: Today when we were reaching J, he asked H shimai if she was married. She had a random ring on her left hand. She didn't understand what he was asking and I was laughing too hard to tell her. We had Skype TRC again. The Nihonjin (Japanese person) we had this time was a cute mother of 4. She had a daughter, son, son, daughter. Just like the good ole Bearman family. It was really fun. It was hard to hear her because the volume on our computer wasn't very loud but we managed. Sometimes we had to put our ear right next to the speaker to hear her. We probably looked funny. At the end we all bore our testimony about the BoM. Hers was powerful (even though I didn't understand most of it). It just goes to show that the Spirit speaks all languages.

Sorry, that was a lot longer than I anticipated. Maybe it looked like a ton because it's on a smaller screen. I dunno. Tomorrow I get my flight plans!!! And maybe my Japanese name tag!! I'm more excited about that than I was about getting a iPad.

Love you all,
Bearman shimai

P.s. I don't know how to do hiragana on this thing yet so I guess I
have to stick to English.
P.s.s. Some random girl just came up to me and gave me a homemade
brownie. We're basically best friends now. No big deal or anything. 


Sent from my iPad

Tminus 3 weeks until JAPAN

Tree that smells like
Cream Soda

こにちわかぞくととまだち (Hello family and friends)

Only 3 weeks!?!?! Is that even enough time to Nihongo ? [Japanese] It seems too short (which makes me laugh because it's twice as long as Eigo kids are here). I don't feel like I've been here for a whole 6 weeks but at the same time I feel like I've been here for eternity. Time is so wonky here. All our sempai [older mentors / trainers] left on Monday so now we're the old and experienced kids. Hen desu (weird). 

About Addi and Nick: I see Nick way more often because I think our schedules are similar. I see him at most meals. Addi I only see at night because I think our schedules are opposite.She lives on the same floor as me and we sometimes have late night chats (that aren't actually that late because lights out is at 10:30 and I've gotta be exactly obedient.) It's super fun to have them here because everyone else seems to know everyone else (Utah kids) and now I can finally I can get excited over seeing someone I know. Yesterday at dinner we had a Maryland reunion because I crashed into Nick and Addi at the same time. We had a good chat about life.

Friday: Same old same old. Study, eat pizza, study, study, study, study, study, and (drum roll please) study. Something fantastic might have happened but I don't remember. 

Saturday: BYU had it's homecoming game. I could hear the whole thing while I was studying. It's My Life came on and I definitely jammed out to it while reading the Book of Mormon. My STL [Sister Training Leader] told me something that totally changed my perspective on Nihongo. I had been feeling bummed out because I didn't think I knew enough Nihongo to be leaving in 3 weeks (SO SOON). She said something along the lines of "God rejoices over our smallest victories. Especially the victories we don't see as victories." What a wise STL. This means God rejoices when I learn one more Nihogo word or grammar structure. Small things that I don't see as that much of an accomplishment, He is partying up in heaven about. Isn't God great?

Sunday: Huge accomplishment today- I understood 85% of the Nihongo talks given in church!!! Granted, it was other senkyoshi [missionaries] speaking so their vocab is also limited but it was great. Since our sempai left, I'm way more likely to be called on to give a nihongo talk (GAH). I don't have anyone to hide behind anymore. 

Monday: WE HAVE KOHAI!! [In Japan, the senpai-kohai system underlies nearly all relationships. Although there is no exact translation into English, senpai (先輩) means an upperclassman, senior employee or other older person with whom you have dealings. Conversely, kohai (後輩) is the junior or lower person.] We've been the newest newbies in our zone for 6 weeks (way too long). But we got newbies! The first batch came on Monday. They were all International. 2 Mexican sisters, 1 Taiwanese sister, 1 Australian sister. They are the sweetest. They also make me realize how far I've come from day one. While teaching, I accidentally called our investigator by her real name. It was awkward because she pretended not to know what was going on. 

Tuesday: At the devotional we sang Joseph Smith's First Prayer. I love that song and the arrangement was amazing. Joseph Smith (it's hard to write his name in Eigo now. I'm used to writing Josefu Sumisufor lessons) is one amazing dude. And the story of the the first vision is phenomenal. I saw one of my BYU friends at the devotional. She's speaking(handing?) ASL. She taught me how to sign Japanese. You make a triangle with your thumbs and pointer fingers and then pinch your fingers together while pulling your hands apart. If that made any sense. 

Wednesday: Was simultaneously the worst and best day of my MTC stay. One of our Choro's went home and we only got an hours notice. My district is like my replacement family and it was hard to say goodbye to him. We all know it's for the best because he hasn't been eating or sleeping much these past 6 weeks because of anxiety. There was lots of crying. We were in a bum mood all day. That evening we had Skype lessons with actual Nihonjin (Japanese people). We weren't looking forward to it because it was scary and we'd had a rough day. But the Lord knew what we needed to make our day better! He really balanced the good and the bad. Skype TRC [Teaching Resource Center]  was the funnest thing ever!! Me and my companion had this really cute 50 year old woman. We didn't understand everything she said but we had so much fun and laughed a lot. Gah, I can't even put into words how great this experience was. We taught about the importance of the Book of Mormon and shared our favorite scriptures from it (Ether 12:27 is mine). Honestly, it made me feel like I could do this senkyoshi [Missionary] thing. It didn't matter if I understood perfectly. All I had to do was try my hardest and smile. She told our sensei that she understood our message (even though we couldn't say everything we wanted) because the Holy Ghost was filling in our gaps. How cool is that?!?!?! Being a sekyoshi is great. 

Also, one day this week we told our investigator to read the wrong scripture. We asked him to read Mormon 8:2 instead of D&C 8:2. Look up those 2 scriptures and you'll see why it's so funny. 

Well, I love you all. I hope everthing is going well. I hope it's not too cold (because I can still wear shorts here). Eat some mint chocolate chip ice cream for me. Pray. Read the scriptures. Remember that if I can learn Japanese through God's grace literally anything is possible though Him. 

あいしてます

Bearman しまい

P.S. What is Maryland chicken? They were serving it at the temple cafeteria and I feel a little disgruntled (is that the right word) because I'm from Maryland and didn't know we had special chicken. Special crabs yes, but chickens? [I had never heard of it either, but found it on wikipedia]

P.S.S. Do you like the cool hiragana keyboard I found?

Week 5 (I think): Gen Conf and a super popular mens a capella group

Konichiwa!!!!!!!

Random picture from morning
she entered MTC since
Emma didn't send new ones

WARNING: LONG LETTER AHEAD

First off: shout out to J for making delicious HOMEMADE COOKIES. Oh, they were hard not to eat all at once. My district is quite impressed with your baking skills.

Second off: thanks to J and K for the shoe box full of candy. Perfect for Halloween. There was a bit of a letter mix up but everyone got the right letter in the end.

I apologize in advance, lots of exciting things happened this week and I'll try to make it as orderly as possible.

Friday: Exciting things probably happened but with Gen Conf I forgot. We taught a lesson to J-san. We've made so many mistakes in front of him now that I think he's super comfortable with us. We told him this time to look at his stomach up on the board instead of the drawing up on the board. All well. We laughed. 

Saturday: THE START OF CONFERENCE WEEKEND!!!!!!! PARTY!!!! Although I had to wear church dress and sit in 19M which is freezing and sit in horrible plastic chairs that torture your butt and not eat any fun snacks Conference was phenomenal. Like every session was on point. 

Favorite parts:

• Larry R Lawrence of the 70. I really liked how he talked about the Holy Ghost and how we need to ask the Lord not only what is stopping me from progressing but also what I'm doing right. "The Holy Ghost pushes us farther than we think we can handle because he knows how much we really can handle and what we need to do to become stronger" (VERY paraphrased quote from his talk). 
• Holland Choro (my man) was fabulous as usual. He made me cry but he normally does. He has a way with words. I thought a lot about my mom and how awesome she is. Then I related his talk to missionary work. I'm not a mom now but I'll be a "spiritual mom" to my kyudosha. So the things he talked about apply to me as teach God's children how to come unto Christ. 
• The 3 new apostles testimonies [Three new Apostles or leaders were appointed.  Elder Rasband, Elder Stevenson, an d Elder Renlund] were sweet and simple but so beautiful. It reminded me sometimes simple is better (Uchtdorf choro talked about that). I know that those men we called of God. 
• Womens Conference was amazing (I finally got to see what everyone was so excited about) All the talks were great but Uchdorf choro stole the night with his story about Ava.  I especially liked when he said "We are not designed to be sad." God wants us to be joyful! And joy comes thought the message that I'm going to be teaching= Christ is our Savior
• Monson Daikoncho [President Monson], how can I forget about him? His was the most powerful talk of all the conferences. In our Tuesday Devotional Linda K Burton said "When Pres Monson started leaning at conference, not one person watching took the prophet for granted. It was a wake up call for God that we need to do better at listening to the prophets council." I know that quote applies to me. 
• THEY SANG THE SPIRIT OF GOD!!! MY FAVORITE HYMN!!!
• Did you hear the Nihonjin [Japanese Person - Elder Koichi Aoyagi spoke]  speak and the other Nihongin give a prayer? Precious

Sunday: We watched Music and the Spoken Word before conference. After conference we had a special devotional. Aka VOCAL POINT CAME AND SANG! Holy cow!(I may have fangirled a bit) They have voices like angels. Dad, you better put some of their music up when you put this letter up because words can't adequately describe the experience [My kids love their Newsies Medley, and lots can be found on their YouTube Channel]. At the end, when they sang Nearer my God to Thee, I felt the spirit so strong. It was a super spiritual super amazing devotional. When we went to the temple this morning we saw one of the members of Vocal Point. He was in the same session as us and we talked with him. I'm practically famous now. Then, in the evening, all the movies we wanted to watch were full so we watched Joseph Smith IN NIHONGO. I understood way more than I expected. Demo [not sure what this means], it was all gospel words and they spoke slower to fit the timing of the movie. 

Monday: Who knows what happened. Certainly not me. I had a General Conference hangover.

Tuesday: Not much today either. As I said earlier, Lina K Burton came for our devotional. We sang Sweet Hour of Prayer in the choir. I never really liked that song before now. But the lyrics are beautiful. 

Wednesday: Hosting day! These newbie make me feel like an old timer. They didn't ask enough enough shimaitachi [sisters] to help host so every time I left the curb I had 3 girls. I think I hosted 13 girls (none of the Sister F unfortunately). It was exhausting but so fun! I saw N (Elder Olives to Evan) and I had to shake his hand which was weird demo it was so exciting to see him. I saw A eventually, at the end of the day. She saw my name on my door so she came to say hi later. Lots of hugs followed. Then in class, we practiced street contacting in Eigo (I know, what even is English?). It was so hard. I'm not used to teaching in English anymore! It felt too awkward so I switched into Nihongo. Hen desu (so weird). I'm losing my ability to English (taking note for conference was a STRUGGLE) but I'm not good enough at Nihongo to speak that yet. So basically I'm just this mess of language that doesn't really know what's going on. Dajobu desu (all good). I love Nihongo. 

Sorry for the really long letter. Lots happened.

Love love love,

Bearman shimai

P.S. Sorry dad, no pics again. I'm slacking.  [she has been chastized]

Week 4: One month down, one month to go

Konichiwa!!!!!

First off the mango's got here and THEY ARE SO GOOD (I have caps this week!!). I have to ration them so I don't eat them all in one day. The struggle is real. This week was a really good Nihongo week; I feel like the language is starting to click. This week was also odd, our schedule was a bit weird so lots of exciting things!! '

Friday: In our lesson with M-san, we decided to change lessons mid lesson. Well, we didn't decide, the Spirit did. We were just brave enough to listen. It was SO hard. Lots of dictionary action and "Mo ichi do" (one more time). But we managed and it was our best lesson yet. WE talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon. Seriously, that book changes lives. In the morning for gym I went running with C shimai. She may have killed me. But it was good. The MTC food needs to disappear. 

Saturday: One sensei was gone so he had a sub. We got a chance to teach her. She was a inactive member. WE talked to her about so taikai (general conference). We committed he to watching it with her son. It was like the least stressful lesson. Maybe I'm getting better at this whole teaching in another language thing. We didn't watch women's conference (I've been avoiding lds.org so I don't get spoilers). We're going to watch it when the chorotachi watch the priesthood [Men's] session this Saturday. I'm SOOOO excited for conference this weekend! 

Sunday: Twas Fast Sunday [Once Sunday each month, we don't eat for two meals and donate the money we would have spent to help the needy]. During the whole fast and testimony meeting I felt like I should go up and bear my testimony.  [On "Fast" Sunday any one in the congregation can get up and share their thoughts].  I ignored that prompting until last minute. Then I decided it was a bad idea to ignore the spirit so I got up and bore my testimony of God's grace and the enabling power of the atonement (in Eigo [English] fortunately). Apparently lots of people needed to hear what I had to say so good thing I listened to that prompting. Lots of meeting were canceled so we had tons of study time which was so great. I read a ton of the Book of Mormon and I'm just constantly in awe of how relevant that book is to my life. I love it.

Monday: The start of my odd week. We watched Richard G. Scott's funeral in the morning. It was really beautiful. I'm so glad that I know that families are eternal and that death is not the end but rather a very exciting new beginning (that sounded very Dumbledore-ish). In our lesson to J-san, we accidentally told him God is gastritis. We meant eternal. He couldn't stop laughing after we said that. It doesn't matter though because at the end of the lesson he told us he believes in God. It's talked 5 or 6 God lessons to get him to that point and I'm SO HAPPY that he finally believes in a loving Heavenly Father. Missionary work is so fulfilling and I'm not even teaching real kyudosha (investigator. [someone interested in learning about the church]) yet!

Tuesday: Our devo was by Costa choro of the 70. He was stinking adorable. One thing he said that I really liked was "you can count how many seeds are in an apple but you can't count how many apples in a seed." Missionary work will be hard in Japan. But I just have to work my hardest to plant as many seeds as possible. The more seeds I plant, the more likely I am to get apples. In the choir we sang "Jesus once a Humble Birth". It was a powerful reminder of the ally I have on my side during this: the perfect, never failing Jesus Christ. C shimai made me run 2 miles today and I probably died. Utah has no oxygen. But C shimai is whipping me into shape real quick. 

Wednesday: I GOT TO HOST NEW MISSIONARIES!!! Apollo's cow it was fun (anyone?). They made me re-excited to be here and to be a missionary. It also killed my back and shoulders because I got to lug their luggage around. They were  all Eigo [English] speakers. They though it was crzay that I had been there a month and still had a month left. They don't understand. Best part: I thought that since I hosted this week that I wouldn't do it next week BUT I AM!! I may get to host Addie♥ And wave at Nick from afar because I'm a shimai. In classed we mogi-ed (role play) and we practiced having a basic gospel conversation. It was so helpful. Also a confidence booster because I can have a conversation in almost 100% Nihogo! There was some Eigo in there but SYL! (speak your language). In our lesson with M-san we talked about so taikai and prophets. I forgot how to say hour so when she asked how long conference was, I could only say 120 minutes! Strange but it worked. When we were leaving she stopped us and asked us what chapters from the BoM she wanted us to read.  She asked US! I almost cried I was so happy. 

This weekend we do nothing but conference and I'm stoked. Love you all♥

Bearman shimai