Transfer 11 Week 2

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: December 31, 2015 6:55:40 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 11 Week 2

Transfer 11 Week 2

Hello my loves :) 良いお年を！Happy New Years! I am excited for this new
year and all the opportunities it will bring! Woohoo! Bring it on,
2016!

This week's highlights include:

Being tortured (I mean fed) by members who wanted to see if we would
eat their huge quantities of traditional food. (I will take
pictures... I think the fish head I ate was still blinking).

Other normal meals with awesome families who did not torture us :)

Mensetsu (Interviews) with Kaicho and training from the AP's all about faith.

One of the member's daughters turned 8 and was baptized. We had a
beautiful baptismal service for her :)

Getting a pretty nasty cold and going through three boxes of tissues
in one weekend.

I had a big change of heart, which is what I want to talk about today.

As I was sitting in sacrament meeting, I was thinking about how I
wanted to improve in the coming week... I prayed and asked "What lack
I yet?" and I had the distinct impression "You need to put Christ
first". Then I thought, "Wait, am I not a missionary? Haven't I
already put Him first? I have already given up so much." It really
kind of bothered me! But the guilty taketh the truth to be hard...

So I prayed about it some more, did some soul searching, and
repenting... And I decided how I can put Christ first in all that I
do. It has become my theme for 2016! Put Christ first.

And a scripture: Matthew 10: 39 He that findeth his life shall lose
it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

To me, this scripture is talking about priorities. What are we willing
to sacrifice? Are we willing to lose ourself in the work? The
wonderful, promised blessing is that when you give up yourself (your
will, what you want...) you will get a better "you" in return. How
could we not be willing to give all our heart, might, mind, and
strength when the reward is so great? (Isn't the reward of knowing you
are doing the right thing enough?)

As I met with my mission president and talked to him about these
changes I was making in my life, he got really quiet for a while...
And then he told me that there were miracles I can't imagine waiting
for me after I fully consecrate myself. He promised that the flood
gates will open and many other things would happen. As I left that
room, I remembered a scripture that I had memorized a few weeks ago:

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Iesu
wa iwareta, kokoro o tsukushi, seishin o tsukushi, omoi o tsukushite,
Shu naru anata no kami o ai seyo.

My mission has changed so much about me. I really just want to do the
right thing (what God wants). I strongly feel that as I put Christ
first, everything else will fall into place. I will be happier, and my
life will have more direction and purpose.

We don't make room for Christ, we put Him first.

It is my prayer that this year we can all make the resolve to change
and be more Christlike! It is so worth it! I promise! I know it!

I know that if we really want to desire something that is good, we can
pray for help to have that desire! That is how I have changed. God
answers sincere prayers. He loves us.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy the break from school :) I sure love ya!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Cutest little girl!

Happy New Year with the Sasaki family!

Transfer 11 Week One

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: December 24, 2015 8:09:17 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 11 Week One

Transfer 11 Week One

Merry Christmas!

This week has been crazy! I hit my 16 month mark on Sunday. We had our
Christmas party, caroling, Zone Training Meeting, and I went to my
first Mission Leadership Conference... It was super busy but just
awesome.

My heart is so full! It was awesome to talk to my family and Elder
Sanders for a little bit. I am so thankful for my family this
Christmas!

Here is some good news.. Do you remember Alex, my Chinese investigator
from kumamoto? She was baptized this month! I am so excited for her. I
only got to be with her for a small part of her journey, but I am glad
I got to meet her! So much happiness!

My thought today comes from Luke 2... I have been thinking a lot about
shepherds. We are all shepherds, in a sense, taking care of Heavenly
Father's sheep, our brothers and sisters. It is our responsibility to
care for them and bring them safely home.

The nativity story includes the shepherds, as they were watching their
flocks. I think it is interesting to point out that it was night time.
I don't know about you, but at night, I'd prefer to sleep! But the
shepherds were "keeping watch", being diligent. They were blessed to
see angels, and later to see the baby Jesus.

And there were... shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over
their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, ... and said unto them,
Fear not: ... For unto you is born this day ... a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord...
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away..., the shepherds
said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this
thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe
lying in a manger.

I love that they went immediately, with haste! I hope I can be that
kind of servant of the Lord... Diligently watching over my flock, and
being allowed to see miracles.

This Christmas season I am reminded of the beautiful gift we have been
given. Our Savior was born, and He lives! I know that God lives and He
loves us. May we always remember our Heavenly Father's love as
expressed in this scripture:  "For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

Here is a little Japanese lesson:
The kanji for "beautiful" looks like this: 美 . It is made of two
parts: 羊 which means sheep, and 大 which means great. You might wonder
why the word for beautiful means "great sheep"... Well I asked the
students from my english class. Turns out that the kanji (which is
originated from Chinese) has Christian background. The great sheep is
Christ, who is often refereed to as the Lamb of God, who gave himself
a sacrifice for our sins.

Mosiah 14: 7 "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened
not his mouth; he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a
sheep before her shearers is dumb so he opened not his mouth."

He is the spotless lamb who sacrificed himself so that we can be freed
from our sins and sadness. I know most women want to be more
beautiful... I think the best thing you can do to be more beautiful is
to become more like the Savior.

The thing I want most in my life is to be more like my Savior, Jesus
Christ. I know that He loves us and will help us... If we let Him.

Have a wonderful Christmas! My next PDay will be New Years Day! I will
write you next Friday!

Love you!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Ube adventures

At 帆がし新川駅

My friend Tottoro

Fresh clams

Uchihara couple!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Christmas!

サンダーズ姉妹より

常盤park

サンダーズ姉妹より

まなみちゃん

サンダーズ姉妹より

This week

サンダーズ姉妹より

Star Wars lights

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

Transfer 10 Week 6

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: December 14, 2015 7:25:58 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 10 Week 6

Transfer 10 Week 6

Today is Transfer Calls! We finished our apartment cleaning, and I
went to take a short shower. Just as I walked out, Sister Anderson is
freaking out. She says "Kaicho just called... He said that we are
staying together for one more transfer... But he needs you to call him
back". OF COURSE he calls while I am in the shower. I called him back
and he told me I have been called to be a Sister Training Leader, but
like, no pressure.

I am really excited to continue to see miracles her in Ube with Sister
Anderson and also serve the sisters in my zone. This will be a crazy,
fun, busy transfer! I just have 2 transfers left, so I am making them
count!

This Sunday we had a cool thing happen... Our mission president came!
My companion and i were already scheduled to sing in sacrament
meeting, so it worked out nicely. The members had never had a mission
president come. It is probably the equivalent of having a general
authority come. They all came to shake his hand and they were so
excited. President told me I was doing a good job and to have more
faith so we can really see the work take off in this area.

We went to Cathy's house for dinner... They are long time
investigators who just haven't been able to commit. They feed us
dinner often and we are always so blessed to spend time with them.
They love the missionaries so much. I know when the time is right,
they will be baptized :)

This week we visited the Yamada family! They are my favorite family,
except they live like a three hour bike ride away. I really wanted to
visit them, so we figured out a train route. It was so fun! We made
lunch together and she showed us some cool origami and we talked. It
was wonderful. I feel so loved by the members here.

I feel like a huge reason I needed to come on a mission was to meet
some amazing people. Especially women who have shown such amazing
examples. I miss my mom a lot, but I am really grateful to have
Japanese moms who take care of me when my mom is so far away.

I just love Christmas time! We can turn our hearts to the Savior. We
can reach out and serve a little more. This year for Christmas, I
really want to tell the important people in my life how much they mean
to me. I am so blessed.

I love my mission! I love my Savior and the Book of Mormon! I am just
so full of love for everything. Man. We are all just so blessed.

Have a wonderful week and next time I write will be on Christmas :) :) :)

愛してまーす！

サンダーズ姉妹より

    Sanders Shimai

Korean carrot drink

サンダーズ姉妹より

Jelyfish

サンダーズ姉妹より

Look he's orange!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Dolphin

サンダーズ姉妹より

Jump!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Penguins suits

サンダーズ姉妹より

Happiness is...

サンダーズ姉妹より

Underwater with penguins

サンダーズ姉妹より

Tough penguin

サンダーズ姉妹より

Penguins

サンダーズ姉妹より

Transfer 10 Week 5

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: December 6, 2015 7:23:33 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 10 Week 5

Transfer 10 Week 5

Hey friends and family! I love you! How is Christmas time in the US? I have been pleasantly surprised here in Ube because there are so many people who put up Christmas lights! Lights are my favorite!

All of our investigators dropped themselves. Say what? They were progressing and doing great, then all three of them asked not to be contacted anymore! That hurt. Now we are back to zero investigators, but I can totally see how Heavenly Father is testing our faith. The true test of faith is not receiving immediate blessings, but being patient and faithful to the commandments, especially if things aren't working out. Now we have so much more fire to find new people who are gonna go the distance! Actually, we did have many amazing miracles this week! We found a Chinese girl named Tina who wanted to know about he true meaning of Christmas, and we have been inviting everyone to come to church. We are so blessed here in Ube! I am of course sad that our investigators chose to walk away, but I know I gave them their best shot. I did all I could. They will have more chances. Now we have more opportunities to help even MORE people!

We had a junkai (companion splits with the STL's) and I was not looking forward to it because of the drama that happened last time. We got through the junkai and I had a moment this where I thought "Wow, I really need to change". Not really because of what anyone did... i just noticed how I want to be more positive. Negativity holds you back from progressing. 

I read "Yielding Our Hearts To God" and loved it! It is so straight forward: let it go. If something in your life is not right, Heavenly Father will help you know. As we yield our will to God's will, we are more happy. We feel more peace. We feel like our lives are full and fulfilling.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God. … The Lord will not forsake us."

This week I have been focusing on consecration. I know the word, and I know that as a church, we consecrate and dedicate temples... But what does it mean to be a consecrated missionary? To consecrate means to devote something exclusively to a particular purpose. We state our purpose every morning as a companionship... I have been pondering and studying how I can devote myself exclusively for the purpose of inviting my brothers and sisters to come unto Christ. 

There is so much more I can do to be a better missionary. I am just tackling one weakness at a time. I can look back at my mission and see how much progress I have made. I see where I am now and I am at peace knowing I am imperfect, but trying. I look ahead and see so many opportunities for growth. I am so thankful that my mission has changed my perspective on basically everything. I am forever changed. 

Have a merry Christmas season! Spread the good news! Christ was born for YOU! Your life has meaning and purpose. What will you give for Christmas?

Ponderizing Mosiah 7:33 - But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage.

Much love!
サンダーズ姉妹より

    Sanders Shimai

Lindsay's District

Pretty Christmas lights in Ube

Transfer 10 Week 4

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: November 29, 2015 6:34:08 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 10 Week 4

Transfer 10 Week 4

Hey! I just emailed a few days ago, so there is nothing huge to report. We are just working hard. We keep seeing lots of miracles, and we are seeing so much progress! We are working to gain the trust of the members. It was really tough at first, but let me tell you the fruits of our efforts so far: I was asked to speak in church last week, we have received 2 referrals in one week (referrals aren't really a thing here, so this is a record! At least for my mission), we were invited to several families homes, AND a less active we are working with came back to church for the first time this week. We walked down the hall and people were asking if they could joint at our lessons this week. It is amazing! Such a huge change from since I first got here! See, there is no such thing as a hard area! 

Anderson Shimai is an angel. I love her so much, we have so much fun! She loves to work hard and make people happy. We are a good team :) 

Christmas is everywhere! People are decorating and there is Christmas music everywhere! Christmas is just so happy! We started doing caroling dendo. It gives us great opportunities to talk to people about Christ. Also, everyone should check out the new Christmas video on Mormon.org!

I have been thinking a lot about consecration and how important it is to serve the Lord with ALL our heart, might, mind, and strength. On Sunday, our combined lesson was on the Law of Tithing, and it taught me a lot of cool stuff! They shared Mark 12: 41-44

41 ¶And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

I love this short story. The Savior teaches that the amount is not important. I am not sure how much a mite or a farthing is worth, but I am assuming it is not much. To Heavenly Father, It is where our hearts are. I loved all of the footnotes for these scriptures, so please look them up! I had the thought: we can go where God wants us to go, but maybe our feet take us there when our heart wants to be elsewhere. We can say what God wants us to say, but like it says in 2 Ne 27:25, are we "people draw near unto me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their hearts far from me". In order to be who God wants us to be, our hearts have to be in it. We should want to do the Lord's will. When we are truly converted and consecrated, we will want to give all we have. A sincere heart is needed. 

Sister Anderson shared some quotes with me that I liked: 

"If you don't make a convert, make a friend"

And

"consecration is the only surrender that is also a victory"

I really just want to do what my Heavenly Father wants me to do. The biggest sacrifice I have made on my mission isn't my cellphone, or school, or opportunities to get married... It is myself. And when you give up yourself to the Lord, you get a better "you" in return. I know that this is true.

I know that God loves us. As we were housing this week, an older woman came to the door. Her husband was behind her smoking and yelling awful things at her. Her eyes looked so sad. I had the impression to tell her that God loves her. Her eyes welled up with tears and she closed the door in our faces. I knew she needed to hear that. It hurts my heart that I can't do more to help. Everyone needs the gospel so bad! People can have so much more peace in their lives if they just listen! That is why missionaries have to work so hard to find those who are ready. God loves His children so much!

Well friends, I fell off the ponderize wagon for a little bit, but I am repenting! This week: 

Alma 37: 36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

Have an awesome week and enjoy the Christmas season! Love ya!

サンダーズ姉妹より

    Sanders Shimai

Fwd: Transfer 10 Week 3

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: November 25, 2015 7:18:40 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 10 Week 3

Transfer 10 Week 3

Happy Thanksgiving!

This was a week of miracles! We have been focusing a lot on faith. Our
mission President came around and told us each companionship needed
two baptismal dates by Thanksgiving, and a baptism by Christmas. It
was a shock to me at first, but having this big goal has changed the
way I think about goals and having faith. We didn't have any
investigators (we had to drop all of our current investigators) and we
started from scratch. We decided every prayer we said would include
asking for Heavenly Father's help to meet this goal. In literally a
week, Ono San agreed to be baptized on December 19th. Miracle! But he
was our only investigator, and we needed another baptismal date. We
asked EVERYONE... We invited people in the first contact on the
street. We felt so strongly that since we had faith and were working
so hard, we would be blessed to see this happen. On Sunday, we find
our next miracle. Or, I guess I should say, miracles! We walked around
a building to a busier street and saw two young girls walking towards
us. We stopped and talked to them, and taught them how to pray. They
were still interested, so we extended a baptismal invite. They
immediately said yes! Then we asked if they could meet with us, and
they said they could meet the next day! We waited and waited... And it
was starting to look like they weren't coming, but we had faith and
prayed one more time! In the middle of our prayer, the phone rang and
it was them! They had just gotten lost! We run and find them, and
teach them a lesson. The spirit was so strong. They accepted to be
baptized on March 12th! That is so soon! They are our miracles! You
just gotta have faith!

I heard a quote this week that I just loved. A lot of things in my
life right now look like they are falling apart... But I have been
trying really hard to remain positive and rely on God. I wanted to
share this:
"Sometimes when things look like they are falling apart, they are
actually falling together."

God really does love us and He is in the details of our lives. When we
put our trust in God and do what He knows is best for us, we will have
so much more peace and happiness. If things aren't working out, don't
worry! It is just an opportunity to come closer to God and let things
fall exactly into the right place!

I also read Hold on Thy Way by Elder Aoyagi. I loved his talk. Not
just because he is Japanese, but because his message really applied to
my life right now.

I used to think I just had to endure to the end of my mission. But God
created us to have joy! I have been making an effort to enjoy my
mission and it has made all the difference. I cannot tell you how much
I have changed by changing my thinking. We need to have a positive
mental attitude. We will reach whatever expectations we have for
ourselves. If we expect to have a hard life and not have much success,
you probably won't. That is how I felt coming to Japan. Everyone told
me I would be lucky to see one baptism, IF that happened. I honestly
believed that. But I repented and changed my thinking. You can be
successful in any mission. There are no such things as hard areas or
no baptisms. You have to ask yourself "Where is my faith?" In the past
three weeks, Anderson Shimai and I have seen amazing miracles. We are
on fire! Ube has completely changed. And it is really nothing we did
differently. We just changed how we thought, went to work, and let the
Lord do what He does. The work is moving forward. In one week, we went
from having no investigators to having THREEwith baptismal dates. And
we are just going to keep working! Missions can be so fun! I really
really love being a missionary and participating in the work of
Salvation.

President Henry B. Eyring stated: "The test a loving God has set
before us is not to see if we can endure difficulty. It is to see if
we can endure it well. We pass the test by showing that we remembered
Him and the commandments He gave us."

Let go and let God. He is the one giving us these magnificent
blessings. Aren't we so blessed?

Because I hit my 15 month mark this week and today is Thanksgiving in
America, here is a list of the 15 things I am thankful for:
1. Peanut butter
2. My companion, Sister Anderson
3. Hot soup on a cold day
4. My health
5. The man who offered to buy us juice last night
6. Of course, my awesome family!
7. Beautiful sunsets
8. Receiving letters
9. Cute kids who say "Herro!" to me
10. Hugs
11. Finding a scripture that touches your heart
12. Naps
13. Making strangers smile
14. My Savior, knowing I can change through the Atonement
15. My Heavenly Father, knowing He loves me

I love you all! Hope you are getting excited for Christmas! Have a
happy day and eat some pie for me!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Sanders Shimai

Ono San miracle

サンダーズ姉妹より

Cats

サンダーズ姉妹より

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Port a potty part two

サンダーズ姉妹より

Port a potty

サンダーズ姉妹より

Rainy days and rich lady lunch

サンダーズ姉妹より

I am not a domestic goddess

サンダーズ姉妹より

Silent Night

サンダーズ姉妹より

Cats

サンダーズ姉妹より

On hold

サンダーズ姉妹より

ひろくん

サンダーズ姉妹より

Ono San miracle!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Sister Anderson and the Cats

サンダーズ姉妹より

Transfer 10 Week 2

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: November 15, 2015 7:15:02 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 10 Week 2

Transfer 10 Week 2

This week I will hit my 15 month mark. I don't have anything to say
about that other than woah! Where did the time go? I have so much work
left to do! I am super genki this week and just feeling so blessed!

Sister Anderson is awesome at having fun while we are working hard!
Everyday is so fun because of her! I literally have not been this
happy my entire mission. Even though this is a hard area, we are
seeing so much success and lots of little miracles because we are
focusing on having faith and serving others. I love being a
missionary!

This week I finally finished my language pass-offs for all of the
lessons. I just kept putting it off... I could have had it done six
months ago... But I finally decided to finish! I get to wear a fancy
pin saying I finished, so that is exciting. It also just feels good to
accomplish a big thing! We had a party that night with popcorn!

One of the big miracles we saw this week was with Ono San, who totally
came out of nowhere. We housed into his apartment, and then he invited
us back, but wasn't there, so we felt like we needed to leave a
pamphlet with our number on it. He called us and asked when we could
meet and how he can learn more about "baptism". We were freaking out!
He came to a lesson at the church building with members and we
answered a lot of his questions. He just really wants to change his
life. We committed him to pray and read the Book of Mormon! He texted
us the next day and said "I felt like I received an answer to my
prayer!" More freaking out by sister Anderson and me. He came to
church and loved it! We set a baptismal date with him for December
19th. He says this is going to be the best Chrostmas he has ever had.

Yeah, miracles like this HAPPEN! So cool right? He is our miracle. The
prepared people just show up, and we don't do that much for them, but
they just come ready and we are so excited to teach him! Yayyyyyy!
Please pray for Ono San! There hasn't been a baptism in this area in
forever!

I have learned a lot about faith. It really is just trusting in God.
If we trust God, we will keep the commandments. Obedience brings
happiness. It really is as simple as that!

A quote I heard this week: god is not the worker at the roller coaster
saying we have to be "this tall" to enter... He is like a parent
anxiously marking our growth on the wall.

Sorry for the rough translation, it sounds better in Japanese! But I
know that God loves us. All he cares about is if we get up when we
fall. He is always wanting to help us. That is why he has sent His
Son, Jesus Christ. He has sent prophets, and scriptures, and the
missionaries to your door to tell you that He loves you!

Have an awesome week! Eat lots of pie for thanksgiving for me :) I love ya!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Sanders Shimai

Transfer 10 Week 1

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: November 8, 2015 7:24:44 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 10 Week 1

Transfer 10 Week 1

I turned double digits! Woohoo! Transfer ten! I thought I was still a
bean chan?? Oh well, I am way excited for this transfer! I just have a
feeling it's gonna rock.

Akuta Shimai died (she just went home) and We had an awesome last
week. We met with a family in our ward and talked about member
missionary work. Our discussion ended up leading to how the gospel
should be enjoyed, not just endured.

My new companion is Sister Caroline Anderson. She is an angel. Like
seriously, she sings, and is beautiful, and so sweet. I think she
could secretly be a Disney princess. We also have a shared love of One
Direction!! I like her a lot! She has a lot of faith and energy, which
I think will be good for me :) We decided we are going to change Ube
and make it a place where all the missionaries want to serve! It's
still just us two... No elders came this transfer, but we are
determined to find people who are willing to accept the gospel.

I got asked to speak in church next week. I am really scared, but I
figure it's just like teaching a lesson without asking questions. I
can do it, right? My topic is faith.

I love you all so much! I am so thankful for all the love and support I get.

I can't believe so many people are getting MARRIED! Lots of my friends
are coming home from their missions. It freaks me out, but, oh well!

Sorry I didn't leave much time to write my big email this week, but I
just want to share a little Thing I learned this week. Faith is so
important. When we have faith, and act, we are able to see so many
miracles. For example, we made a goal to find a new investigator this
week, and that night, we were called by someone who we had given a
pamphlet to, and he wants to know about how he can be baptized. Like,
WHAT? Miracles happen when you have enough faith to be obedient.

My ponderize scripture is Ether 12:4!

I love you! Have a great week!


サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

Densha

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

Tsunoshima

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

14 months!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Walking

サンダーズ姉妹より

Obaachan impressions

サンダーズ姉妹より

Happy Birthday!

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

A tiny bit of singing

サンダーズ姉妹より

Pin pon

サンダーズ姉妹より

More matsuri

サンダーズ姉妹より

Sister Madeux loves high school musical

サンダーズ姉妹より

Natto

サンダーズ姉妹より

Sister Thompson is not a fan of the festival

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

Cat adventures

サンダーズ姉妹より

More wookie noises

サンダーズ姉妹より

Wookie noises

サンダーズ姉妹より

Ogawa Shimai's birthday

サンダーズ姉妹より

English

サンダーズ姉妹より

Elder Sato

サンダーズ姉妹より

Mulan impressions by Sister Thompson

サンダーズ姉妹より

Juggler

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

Fwd: Transfer Nine Week Six

rom: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: November 2, 2015 7:06:18 PM MST

Subject: Transfer Nine Week Six

Transfer 9 Week 6

Hey family and friends! Hope you had a good week :)

this week is transfers, so it has been stressful. My companion is
definitely ready to go home... It has been hard to get out the door
and work, but we are doing our best. One of the hard things about
being with a native companion is the power struggle. It shouldn't
happen, but what ends up happening is the question turns into "Whose
culture is more correct?" Most of the time, I don't push to have
things my way, however we have to be obedient. That part is
non-negotiable. We had a situation this week where we had a lesson
with our male investigator, but our joints cancelled at the last
second. However because we are teaching a male, we have to have two
other brothers there with us. She felt like it would be okay if we
still taught him. I did not. I made her give me the phone, and I
called people and found two men who were able to come. It is really
difficult to have your companion be mad at you, but I will not break
mission rules just to keep the peace. I know it is really hard to go
home, and it is easy to feel like the rules don't have to be followed,
and I am not perfect either... But that is one of the struggles we've
had... All transfer. みんげん 関係 は 難しいですね。Working with many different
kinds of people has taught me a lot. I am thankful for the opportunity
I have had to have so many different kinds of companions as well. Next
transfer I will be with my 10th companion.

I have loved this transfer and I am thankful for all that I have learned!

Yay for hard things! They help us grow!

We had a lesson with Shimamoto San about baptism. The spirit was so
strong. We invited her to be baptized again, and she said... No.
Again. Now is just not the time. She is still doing awesome wth
praying and reading her scriptures. I know that someday her time will
come. We just have to be patient with the Lord's timing.

I want to tell you a real story from my life. You will probably laugh
at how pathetic I am... So it was raining on Sunday night, we had been
fasting all day because our meetings went long and there was no time
to get a snack before leaving. Then we had to bike really far to a
member's house for Akuta Shimai's bye bye party, and then they fed us
soooo much food. It was delicious, but they just kept piling food on
our plates... This is when it gets good. We are rushing home for
another lesson, it is pouring rain, my hands are cold and cracking and
bleeding, I am sopping wet, I need to go to the bathroom, And we get
to his hill and I just have to stop about half way up, and then I GET
SICK on the side of the road. I finish throwing up and you know what
happens?! A car drives by and splashes MUD all over me!!! It was
literally like a movie when the main character is having the worst day
of her life.

Needless to say, I murmured. Hard core.

So here I am, it is pouring rain, I am covered with mud, I feel sick,
and I want to cry. But my companion didn't know that I had stopped, so
I had to get on my bike and catch up. I was a little more than upset
and was telling God that I was done and wanted to give up. I didn't
want to be outside in the rain. I wanted to be done.

I finished complaining and finally I looked up and asked "What the
heck am I supposed to do right now?" I received an impression: "count
your blessings". Then, a scripture: D&C 121:10 "Thou art not yet as
Job."

I was immediately humbled. Sure, I was having a bad day, but that
didn't make it okay to grumble OR give up. I think of my friends
serving in third world countries who don't even get a real shower or a
nice apartment. Japan has its challenges, but I have it pretty good. I
have so many blessings. The rest of the bike ride I tried to name all
of the good things God has blessed me with. It helped so much. Things
like "I have a good bike, it has held up pretty well" or "I am
thankful for my kappa (rain suit) because even though I look funny, it
keeps me kind of dry". I was really trying to see the good even though
I really. didn't. want. to.

It was funny though, when we finally arrived, my companion looked at
my face and said (in English) "what happened to you?" Another blessing
we received was getting back ten minutes early, which was just enough
time to get cleaned up a little before we taught our lesson.

We can choose how to react to the situations we are put in. We can
choose to give into misery, or we can fight to have joy. It's hard.
But if Sister Sanders can do it, you can too! Never give up! Never
surrender!

More miracles: Our Halloween party was a huge success! So many members
brought their friends! And then we had a family come because they
found the flyer in their mailbox. They are really cool. They are a
host family for a girl named Liese from Denmark! They had lots of
questions about what we believed. They had never heard of Mormons
before! A student from our English class, Ayaka San, came with her
husband and two daughters. They were SO cute! The girls were dressed
up as Snow White, costumes hand made by their mom. I was so proud of
the branch members, they went and introduced themselves to everyone. I
didn't have to worry about someone being left out. Ube is the best!

Lately, I have been thinking about what kind of person I want to be by
the end of my mission. I have grown a lot, but I have a looooooong way
to go. I decided I want to have charity. To really love the people.
Not just an appreciation of the culture, or liking the same foods or
fashion... But to love these people as my dear friends. I found this
quote and wanted to share it today:

President David O. McKay said "To my knowledge, there is no such
teaching by the Savior that says "become one who is loved by others".
The Savior taught "Love others. Love one to another". Being loved by
others is wonderful, but for those who truly understand the gospel,
their only desire is to love...

To missionaries, the most important thing is not to be loved, but
rather the desire to love others... The most important thing you can
tell your investigators is "I love you". Doctrine can become a great
help, but it can never replace it.

The most important thing for a missionary is not knowledge or to be
great of speech, but rather it is to love the people...

To love someone, it is not to change them so that you can love them,
but rather it is to accept them just the way they are."

Isn't this the way God loves us? I want to be this kind of missionary.
I want to be this kind of person! Charity, the pure love of Christ, is
the most important trait you could have! I know my time in Japan is
coming to a close, but I am a forever missionary! My badge is etched
into my heart! I sincerely hope to have more charity and be able to
show every person I meet the love the Savior would show if He were in
the same situation.

Have an awesome week! Can you believe it is November? Stay warm and
stay happy :)

This week my ponderize scripture is Alma 5:26 And now behold, I say
unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and
if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can
ye feel so now?

Love you all!!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Transfer 9 Week 5

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: October 26, 2015 1:23:21 AM MST

Subject: Transfer 9 Week 5

Transfer 9 Week 5

Hello friends and family! Hope you had a good week. Things here in Ube
are slow going but good. I think good things are coming really soon. I
have a lot of faith we will be able to find someone who is willing t
listen to us. Ube has a lot of Jehovah's Witness members and another
religion called Soka Gakkai. Interesting story: a Japanese man went to
BYU Hawaii, then came back to Japan and created a Buddhist church with
the same organization as our church... Their members are kinda scary.
We see the notes the Jehovah's Witnesses write on the doors ( yes that
is a real thing) of apartments. Sometimes there are turf wars.
Sometimes we have to leave apartments if too many people tell us to
leave... I think since missionaries have been in this area for a long
time, and recently there have been some missionaries who have been a
little pushy, people here have a bad image of us. I feel like I am on
clean up duty. But I can do it :) this area needs some love.

We saw some miracles with our investigator Shimamoto San. She had a
fight with a member and felt so awful afterwards. She called us and
said she is not sure if she wants to join this church. I was so sad.
We fasted for her and prayed. Two days later she called us and said
she wants to meet with us, but she stl felt awful. We went to her
house with her daughter (who is a member) and our other joint. We came
in, prayed, and just listened. Then her daughter bore her testimony,
and said "God makes it possible to forget". We literally did nothing.
Just bore our testimony hat God loves her, sang a hymn, and left her.
She had a huge smile on her face.

We had a great District Meeting about the Book of Mormon. It really is
a blessing to be able to tell everyone about it. the Book of Mormon is
like a letter from God to me. It has words of encouragement and
caution. I always feel like God knows me when I read it.

My spiritual thought is going to be short, sorry. Just want to share a
little bit about what I think about charity. I "ponderized" about it
this week. To me, it is showing love to others the same way Christ
would if He were in the same situation. When we are baptized, we
promise to constantly be asking ourselves "What would Jesus do?" Check
out Mosiah 18 when you get the chance.

My commitment for you is to ask yourself more often "What would Jesus
do?" This will lead you to more happiness than you can imagine! I have
been doing this a lot this week and realized I only want to do what I
want to do... Even if it is not necessarily right. I have lots of
growing I need to do.

Ponderize scripture for this week:
D&C 64:32-34 ...All things must come to pass in their time. Wherefore,
be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a
great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.
Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the
willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these
last days.

Love you all! Ganbatte!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Sanders Shimai

(Note from Susan)

(they went to Tsunoshima on their P-Day adventure. I Googled it, and it's beautiful. Here are a few pictures from their adventure.) :)

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

サンダーズ姉妹より

Transfer 9 Week 4

From: Lindsay Sanders <lindsay.sanders@myldsmail.net>

Date: October 18, 2015 7:20:40 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 9 Week 4

Transfer 9 Week 4

Hello friends and family! Hope you're all doing well :) tomorrow I
will be a 14-month-old missionary, and I hit my year mark of living in
Japan! I can't believe a year ago I was getting ready to leave the
MTC... Times goes by so fast! Ahhhhhhhhh!!

We had Interviews with President Egan on Tuesday, so we took a train
to Yamaguchi, which is about two hours away. Right next to the train
station is a giant white fox. I guess the story is some people were
trying to find a hot spring of fresh water, and this white fox showed
up and led them to this place with a hot spring! Yamaguchi has some of
the most famous historical sights in the country :) I am pretty lucky!

We had training from the AP's as well. The Church has come out with
three new pamphlets for Japan missionaries... What to expect (from
meeting with the missionaries), who is God?, and Who is Jesus Christ?
We were trained on how we can use them in lessons and while we are
contacting. It is cool to get new tools to use! My interview went
fine, it was really short. President told me to help Akuta Shimai have
a good last transfer. He also said "wow, you go home soon!" I said I
will just focus on helping my companion... think i can do that :) I am
still trying to learn about the area and Branch members, but it will
come! That's about it as far as exciting things go...

Ube branch hosted a concert this week! I got to help with stage setup
and we made flyers and handed them out to everyone! It was amazing.
After the big earthquake a few years ago, this trio of women tour the
church buildings and put on free concerts. We got to eat dinner with
them, and they challenged me to use my talents more... So I will work
on that :) I am singing at church next Sunday.

A lot of people ask Akuta Shimai if she is Chinese. She just looks a
little more Chinese than Japanese I guess? She learned some Chinese so
she can fool people. It is way funny!

Speaking of Chinese friends, I just heard from Sister Thompson that
our investigator in Shimizu, Alex, is doing awesome and has a
baptismal date for December 15th! She watched General Conference and
cried a lot. She is doing awesome with reading the Book of Mormon!
Ahhhh yay for good news!

I am doing good. I am happy :) just sooooooo tired. Everyone in the
mission says 9th transfer is when your body starts to break and you
are sick all the time and you kind of want to die... I testify that
this is true! Haha but we work hard. I think I am supposed to learn
how to be patient with myself. 頑張ります！

This week I want to talk about miracles, service, bread and fish!

One day, Christ came upon a huge group of people. He healed those who
were sick. This took all day, and evening came and the people had
nothing to eat. The apostles suggested sending the people away to buy
their own food, but instead Christ said "They need not depart; give ye
them to eat." From the group, all that could be gathered was five
loaves of bread and two fishes. Then Christ said "Bring them hither to
me."

"And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the
five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed,
and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to
the multitude." There was enough food for every person in the group to
eat, and there were 12 baskets left over, full of food. I think it is
interesting to point out that the Twelve Apostles each had a basket
full of food left over after feeding everyone in the group!

As I have been studying the life of Christ, I try to ask myself: Why
is this miracle important? What can I learn from this? How can I apply
it to myself?

Right now, as a missionary, I feel like I am standing in the midst of
a huge group of people, who all need to be (spiritually) fed. As I
take an inventory of my talents, skills, energy, and anything I could
potentially give to these people, I come up with a meager five loaves
and two fishes. Which is... not a lot. Like the apostles probably did,
I wonder how the people will be fed.

But there is a beautiful pattern here: Christ says to us "bring me
what you have", then He takes it, blesses it, breaks it, then gives
back to us not only what we need to feed the multitude, but more than
enough left over for ourselves. Even if we don't have much to give,
the promise is, if we give all that we have to Christ, we will be able
to say: "And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of
the fragments that remained twelve baskets full."

I think this life is meant to be spent in the service of others. We
can give all that we have, then give some more, then give even more...
That is a lot of giving though. I wonder how, on hard days, I can give
enough of myself to help my flock in Ube. I don't have very much to
give. But I love the people, so I give what I have. And when I feel
like I have nothing left, miraculously there is enough left in my
heart for the next person, and the next. We get home, and my companion
needs love too, and I find a little bit more in my heart for her. I
hit the pillow each night completely exhausted. Remember, Christ had
to break the bread in order for there to be enough. That kind of
breaking and stretching is not comfortable! 証しします！

I asked in one of my prayers:"How are my five loaves and two fishes
enough?" The answer I received was: "it's because I won't let My
children go hungry".

I am constantly being reminded that this is the Lord's work, not mine.

I am so thankful for the Atonement! I know that if I have a willing
heart, if I do my best, God makes up for the rest. To be honest, I am
really not that good at Japanese! I am not an incredibly skilled
teacher! I study and work at it everyday, but I have lots of
weaknesses! I am kind of shy and I am definitely not a "born
missionary". But the Lord has worked miracles through me. I testify of
it. It is nothing of my own efforts. I am so blessed to be an
instrument in this grand symphony of the Master's work.

The Atonement can work this way for you as well! If you are worried
about coming up short, give what you have over to the Lord! He will
take it and make it enough. No effort is wasted. "Your consistent
efforts... Your service and words are evidence of your love for God"
(PMG 170). I know that God loves us. He wants us to succeed AND He
wants us to be happy! There is true joy that comes from living the
gospel. This includes serving others and sharing the gospel. If we
really love God, and really love our neighbor, our efforts to serve
will always be enough.

Thanks for all your love and prayers :) they keep me going. I need all
the help I can get. The work is hard but it is so good!

My ponderize scripture for this week is Moroni 7: 45 "And charity
suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up,
seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and
rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all
things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

Love you! Have an awesome week!

Sister Sanders

サンダーズ姉妹より

The White Fox

Akuta Shimai and I

Kimono! :)