Fwd: Transfer 8 week 3

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

Date: August 30, 2015 6:48:54 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 8 week 3

Transfer 8 Week 3

Hello friends and family! How's life? Sorry about last week, we had an opportunity to go to the temple with our Ward, so we gave up our Pday. Going to the temple was awesome. I really needed it! I am so blessed to be in a mission with a temple! While I was there, we did a session in Japanese (I get to wear headphones with the English dub!) and one all in English. The missionaries were the only ones in that session... I received some really specific revelation and answers to some questions I have had for a long time. I love that we can find answers to prayers and feel peace when we go to the temple. I feel like such a weight was lifted off my shoulders. It was so nice to go. 

We had a typhoon on Tuesday... on the same day the STL's came for Junkai, and they brought their bean companions... So there were 8 of us stuck in our apartment all day! They stayed over Monday night and luckily they arrived just before the storm got bad. The wind and rain was so strong it blew tons of trees over and the whole city is a mess. None of us could sleep. The next day we got an email from the mission president with a commandment to stay inside. I wish I could tell you we did something exciting, but all we did was call people from our area book and organize stuff... It was nice to have a chill day, it is just kind of scary because we live on the top floor of a tall building so when the wind is really bad the whole building shakes. I got all of our records updated, I cleaned out the fridge, and got to know the new sisters. They are the cutest! They both told me they want to be my companion someday :) it was way sweet. I love the people I get to serve with. Luckily, the typhoon passed quickly and we were able to go out that night and help clean up some of the sidewalks near our apartment.

This week, on my Junkai with superstar STL Sanford Shimai, she helped me refocus on my goals for how I want to conduct myself for the rest of my mission. I get my death call this transfer (just an email telling me the exact day I end my mission) so everyone considers me to be old. Sanford Shimai goes home in a few months, so she said she was feeling preachy and gave me advice for about three hours. She is an amazing missionary... We are very different, but I appreciated a lot of the things she said. We talked about how PMG is so awesome, and how every single chapter can be applied to normal life. I will definitely keep reading it when I get home!

We saw a cool miracle this week. We had planned out our day the night before, but that day we weren't feeling right about the area we had decided to go to. We prayed and I had a distinct thought to go to a specific area at exactly 3:15. I told my companion, and we prayed again... We both felt strongly that was where we needed to go. We go to this area and are not really sure what house to knock on, so we just start housing. The fourth door we knock on, a woman comes to the door and opens it, sees us, gets scared and shuts it right away. Then she opens her door again and says "sorry, I didn't expect to see foreigners!" We asked her some questions and she told us a little about her life... And then she starts asking us a TON of questions, like why are there so many churches? What is God like? Do I have to believe in Jesus Christ to get to heaven? Do I have to read the Bible? Why do some people have harder trials than others? 

We told her that there was an answer to all of her questions, and that there was a way that she can ask God directly for answers. She was really excited. We taught her how to pray and prayed with her there on her doorstep. She said she would pray again the night and then we would talk about it the next day. We were there for an HOUR, she has so many questions! I know she will be able to find those answers for herself. We are meeting with her again this week :) people just need to know that they can have a personal relationship with God! This was such a cool miracle. I am so grateful that we were sent to find her at that exact time. 

Our new district leader is way cool. His name is Sato Choro! He visited Gilbert Arizona for a whole summer!! Needless to say, we are best friends. He is also ペラペラ in English (fluent). He gave an awesome training. I decided I wanted to share some of my notes for my thought this week!

We have to ask ourselves WHY. You can do this with anything in your life... It helps you get to the root of whatever you need to figure out.

First, ask yourself why you came on a mission. Then ask why again. Take that answer and ask why a third time. For example,

1. Why did I, Sister Sanders, come on a mission?

I came on a mission because I wanted to help people.

2. Why?

Helping/ serving people is the best way to show love.

3. Why? Why do you want to show love to others?

When we serve others, we serve God. I want to show God that I love Him.

The next question involves some scriptures, but I will have you look them up by yourselves. 1 Nephi 6:4, 2 Timothy 4:3-6, Alma 26:26

Why did these missionaries change? 

I think it is because they experienced the power of the Atonement. The Atonement is the mechanism for lasting change.

 In Mosiah 27:27 it reads  "For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit. And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. I say unto you, unless this be the case, they must be cast off; and this I know, because I was like to be cast off."

Each of them relied on the Atonement. As a missionary, as a Latter-Day Saint, and as a human being, I need the Atonement because I am not perfect. I make mistakes, and I make them often. However, God is able to love my imperfections perfectly. He has given me a way, through the Atonement, to make all wrongs become right. We can be redeemed, reclaimed, even "new creatures". I believe that is the main message of the gospel of Jesus Christ: we always get a second chance.

I know that I can be forgiven of any mistakes that I have made. I know this because I have felt peace after I have asked for forgiveness and promised to try harder. God loves each of His children. He knows you by name. He wants you to grow and learn and have JOY. 

The Atonement also makes up for what we lack. From the Sept 2015 Liahona, a missionary shares an experience of how the Lord helps her overcome her shortcomings. She says "Time after time, I watched as God took my imperfect efforts to share the gospel and worked miracles through my words and actions."

I have seen this in my mission, too! Sometimes I am about to talk to someone and I have no idea what to say, but then I open my mouth and the words just come. There have been countless times when the Lord has made up for my lack. He hasn't sent us here to fail.

The last why you need to ask yourself is: Why did the Savior Atone for YOU? Like the first set of why's, please ask why three times. Then, write it down! Then, read page 5 of Preach my Gospel.

If you're like me, I had a really hard time with this! It took a lot of pondering. Here is what I eventually came to:

1. Why did the Savior atone for Sister Sanders?

Because He wants to make it possible for me to make it back to the Celestial Kingdom.

Why?

Because He knows that is the place where we can have real, lasting happiness.

Why? Why does Jesus Christ want me to be happy?

Because He loves me.

We are all so loved! Don't forget it! Have a wonderful week. Please write me and send me pictures! Love you!

サンダーズ姉妹より

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Fwd: Transfer 8 week 3

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

Date: August 22, 2015 12:39:13 AM MST

Subject: Transfer 8 week 3

Hello family and friends!

I am in the temple lobby typing this really fast! We had a great week!
For my one year mark, I didn't burn any skirts... We had fun with a
homemade flame thrower and rid the spiders from our balcony. It was...
Scary.

We had a cool miracle of finding a new investigator and then
committing her to a baptismal date all in one week. She is a kinjin!
She is so prepared. Me and Sister Thompson are super excited! We are
working so hard.

Love you! Bye!

Sanders Shimai

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Transfer 8 Week 1 one year!

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

Date: August 16, 2015 7:43:36 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 8 Week 1 one year!

Transfer 8 Week 1 ONE YEAR

So here is the official announcement about transfers: I am staying in Shimizu! This is the first time I have stayed in an area longer than three months! Woah! There's a first time for everything. My new companion is Sister Thompson. She is just starting her 4th transfer and she is such a beast! We laugh all the time. In fact, she made me laugh so hard water came out my nose. Sister Thompson is from Bakersville, California, and is the youngest of ten kids. She is 22 (Taylor Swift wrote a song about her!) and she worked at Disney World before her mission!!! She is wonderful. We have already seen lots of miracles together. I am so SO happy! 

Our new district consists of:

Tsuboi Elders, District leader: new Elder Sato (he is new because last transfer, the other Elder Sato that was here moved to Fukuoka). So confusing, ね?

His comp: Elder Roncal

Shimizu Elders: Elder Carlson and Elder Rather

Tsuboi Shimai: Sister Madeux and Ogawa Shimai (my daughter!!)

Shimizu Shimai: me and Sister Thompson

Yatsushiro Elders: Elder Brower and Elder Needs (Elder Needs was in two of my past zones!)

I will be better about writing little bios on them next week.

This is going to be such a fun transfer. I am excited to see lots of miracles. I am excited for this new start :) いいかんじ！！

There are lots of festivals going on right now. This is Obon season, where everyone goes back to their hometowns and celebrates their ancestors. They leave food and flowers on the 墓 or grave/headstone for when the spirits come back to earth for a day. I guess you could compare it to Halloween? This just means that our investigators are all on vacation this week. There are also lots of visitors for us to talk to! We have talked to some really nice people and we are able to send referrals to missionaries in other parts of Japan. There are also tons of firework festivals! We can't go to any of them, but we can still see the fireworks from far away! I love fireworks. Nothing beats Japanese fireworks though. They are amazing! 

We have been trying to focus on getting our investigators to come to church, especially sacrament meeting. In Japan, Sunday isn't a normal day to get off work, so it is hard for a lot of people to come to church. I know that when investigators come to church, they are more prepared for baptism. At church we have the opportunity to partake of the sacrament, we can feel God's love, and make friends with other people who are all trying to be better. I was reading "The Sabbath is a Delight" from President Nelson... And I really want to share it with Murakami san. This is my favorite quote from it!

"Think of this: In paying tithing, we return one-tenth of our increase to the Lord. In keeping the Sabbath holy, we reserve one day in seven as His. So it is our privilege to consecrate both money and time to Him who lends us life each day."

There is one English speaking family in our ward! They are the coolest! We taught a Family Home Evening on keeping the Sabbath Day holy called Sundaes (Sundays) for Heavenly Father... and we scooped out two bowls of ice cream. We had various toppings. We asked "what are some good things to do on Sunday?" They said go to church, read scriptures, do service, spend time with family... Everytime they gave an answer, we would put on sprinkles, or chocolate sauce, whipped cream, etc. it turned into a delicious looking sundae. we said okay, what are some things we can do any other day of the week, but not Sunday? Now we had the other bowl of ice cream and the other toppings out. They would give answers like shopping, yard work, home work, etc. with every answer, we would put ketchup, and mustard, and cheese (hotdog/hamburger toppings) etc. on our sundae. We explained that the things we can do any other day do the week we good, just not for Sundaes (Sundays). We asked which Sundae they would like to give Heavenly Father, and of course, everyone picked the first one. 

We are so blessed to have church on Sunday! We are commanded to rest... I think that is my favorite commandment right now! I know that when we keep the Sabbath Day holy, we are blessed to find rest for our souls and true delight. 

When does college get back in? I can't believe how fast time has gone. I hit my one year mark on Thursday, can you believe it?! I am so thankful for every moment, especially the hard ones. I have grown so much closer to my Savior.

Two quick miracles, then I'll say sayonara! 

On Friday night, we were walking home and we got a little turned around... So we were trying to figure out how to get home. We felt like we needed to turn down a specific road, even though I knew it didn't lead home. We walked for two minutes, and we come onto the busy street and see a woman putting tons of stuff in her car. We ask if we can help. She breaks down in tears and says that something bad just happened in her home, and she was leaving. We tried to calm her down. She did she was a Christian, but hasn't gone to church since she was married. We asked her if she wanted to pray with us. Sister Thompson prayed, and the woman repeated the words. We helped her put the rest of her things in her car and told her that God loved her, and reminded her to keep praying. Before we walked away, she asked if she could shake our hands. Through her tears, she thanked us for our friendly smiles and for reminding her that God loves her. Isn't that what being a disciple of Christ is all about? God loves each one of us so much! He led us straight to this woman who obviously needed our help. 

The next day, we were housing, and we ping pong (ring the doorbell) and the doorbells here all have cameras and intercoms. One woman answered and we were talking to her through the intercom. All I said was "we want to share a message about how your family can be happier" and she said "wait a moment please!" She came to the door with her little girl and was talking to us... She said she wasn't really interested, but then all of the sudden she asks if we would like to come in because it is hot outside. THIS NEVER HAPPENS! We go in and sit around her table and teach her about Jesus Christ, and why he is important. We shared the "Because of Him" video from our iPads. The spirit was so strong. She said she was busy most nights because her sister was in the hospital, but that she really wants to know more, because she felt peace for the first time in a while after talking to us. She invited us back next week. KINJIN!!! 

Such a great week. I am feeling so much more happy and I am almost over being sick. Sister Sanders is back! Woohoo! 元気でね〜 have a great week! Love you!

サンダーズ姉妹より

Sister Sanders & her new comp Sister Thompson
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Transfer Seven Week Seven

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

Date: August 10, 2015 7:34:04 PM MST

Subject: Transfer Seven Week Seven

Transfer Seven Week Seven

Yep. Week Seven! Such a long transfer. Normally transfers are six weeks, but since we got a new President, this one was one week longer than normal. So much happened this past seven weeks. I get tired just thinking about it. But it has been good. I am excited for a new beginning!

I know you're dying to know... Transfer calls! So it started last Tuesday when Chun Shimai got a call from Kaicho saying that she was being emergency transferred to Beppu, because a sister had to go home suddenly. Her companion Madeux Shimai, got a new companion named... OGAWA SHIMAI! That's right, my beloved bean chan is all grown up and is a breaker. She has been following me around the mission. I love her sooooooo much. I am so proud! And I will get to live with her! She is such an answer to prayers. At the end of the day, we just talk and it is so nice. It is so nice to have a friend. 

Other than that, we haven't received our call yet, so we don't know what else is happening. I will let you know next week.

I am starting transfer 8 out of 12... So that's cool! I am officially an "old" missionary. I still feel like I just barely got here! I am still not fluent in Japanese (will I ever be?), but I gambaru. I don't know what that translates to... Sorry!  I am getting tired though. We joke that you can tell how old a missionary is by how much their body is breaking. I turn my neck and my whole spine goes pop pop poppoppop! It is nasty. I don't know how Elders do this for two years!!! In missionary years, I am a grandma. If I sit still for more than five minutes, I fall asleep. It is way funny. I guess that means I am working hard? I'm trying to! I've got like no time left! Six months will go by so fast. 

Here's a treat for you: Something funny that I learned was that in 1 Nephi chapter 3 where it talks about Nephi and his brothers casting lots... In Japanese, they play this traditional gambling game with grains of rice. I don't know why I thought that was so funny. Another funny scripture thing is in the Japanese Bible, it also says that the Israelites made manna into mochi. Ohhhhh translations.

This week I have been studying faith. I realized that a lot of my investigators don't understand it, so I need to learn what it is better so I can explain it better to them. I read Choose to Believe from the most recent General Conference. It was exactly what I needed to read. The most important thing we can do is choose to believe. If we just have that tiny particle of faith, something much bigger can grow from it. We also have to make the resolve to never give up. When the going gets tough, you just have to be tougher.

"In those moments when the light of your faith has dimmed, let your hope for the Savior's love and grace, found in His gospel and His Church, overcome your doubt. I promise that He stands ready to receive you.... Your courageous decision to believe in Him will bless you immeasurably and forever."

I know, because I have experienced it, that the Lord is with us in our trials. He never leaves us. His hands are always beckoning to us. We just have to reach out and He will be there. 

Hope everyone has a great week! Friends, send me pictures pleeeeeaaaaaase! I miss your faces. Y'all are the best. Love you!

心から愛しまーすよ！

サンダーズ姉妹より

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Transfer 7 Week 6

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

Date: August 2, 2015 8:15:14 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 7 Week 6

Transfer 7 Week 6

Wow this transfer is almost over. That went fast. Transfers happen the week of the tenth, so we will see what happens. 

Well, this week was recovery from hospitals and drama last week. Life is so crazy. It's over now, and I am feeling so much more genki and I am back to work. Sorry about how short the email was last week... I promise a good letter today! 

I feel like Sister Sanders is back! The first time we actually got out to contact after I recovered, I felt so much fire to talk to everyone. I beat my personal record for Book of Mormons passed out in one day! I also pushed myself a little too hard and had to take a break... But things are getting better! Thanks everyone for your prayers! They have been keeping me going. 

My district is still awesome! I really like these people. District Leader, Elder Christensen, goes home after this transfer. I am so sad to see him go. But he'll be at BYU Provo this semester, so everyone go say hey! He's way cool. I am really lucky to have awesome leaders. I have learned about the importance of STL's... Mostly how I don't want to be one. I am also thankful for our zone leaders who push us to work harder. I always try and be friends with the Japanese Elders because honestly they are the funniest. Elder Sato and Elder Roncal are hilarious. Elder Sato is the most chill guy, and then elder Roncal has so much energy. But they complete each other. I am BFF's with Madeux Shimai. I am going to take a road trip to Minnesota when she gets married. Chun Shimai is amazing. Our personalities are "perfect matches" and our minds wrk the same way. I am so blessed to work with such amazing people!

Can I tell you what Murakami san said to me?! We have been working with her for a while, but she just hasn't gotten baptized yet. She has some concerns about her family... But we were having a lesson on faith. Our member, Kojima Shimai said "it was an act of faith in the pre-earth life to come to earth"... Then Murakami looked at me and said "I think that we were friends then, and we promised that we would find each other... Thank you for finding me and helping me." I may have shed a tear or two... Or fifty billion. How sweet is that?! My translation doesn't really do what she actually said justice. I do honestly feel like what she said is true. I think that our paths were meant to cross. I just want her to be able to be baptized so bad. Her daughters and son came to the lesson too, and when it was time to pray at the end, Murakami's kids were the first ones to fold their arms. Then her daughter asked "Mom, can I say the prayer next time?" I have never seen Murakami so happy. She is sooooooo close. We are praying for her.

We have had a lot of success finding this week! Such a blessing! We found a FAMILY who actually invited us back. We are going to teach them this week. I think every missionary's dream is to find a family. I have only taught a few on my mission so far. I just have a really good feeling about this family. They just have one four year old son who has tons of energy and he is so cute! They have been looking for a way to make their family stronger, and they were sitting around their table talking about how to make their family stronger when we knocked on the door. Coincidence? I think NOT! :) I introduced us as people who had a message about how God loves you and your family and wants to help your family become stronger. He asked us when we could come back. That was a first! Most people don't even open the door for us. The Sakae family is going to be so blessed! Yay!

I want to share a thought from D&C 18:

Lots of times in the scriptures when they talk about the cool missionaries like Alma and Ammon and so on, the scriptures say things like "they brought many souls into Christ" which I take as "they baptized many people". Then I start to feel kinda bad because I haven't seen many baptisms. But I was talking to another missionary about this, and they said "as long as we invite them to come one step closer, we are successful." Our success is measured by our commitment!!!

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!

Being a missionary is such a wonderful opportunity! I love it so much! It can be difficult, but I literally get to cry repentance by inviting people to come unto Christ. My time is short- I only have 7 months left. In the 11 months that I've been serving, I haven't seen many baptisms... Will I be less happy because I didn't bring many souls to our Lord? 

No! God wants us all to be happy. He wants us all to have perfect joy. If the one soul I bring unto The Lord is myself, then that is great! If the many souls are my family, even better. Sometimes I get caught up in the numbers... But I truly believe that God doesn't care about numbers. He cares about hearts. He care about us wanting to change and be better.

You have a Heavenly Father who loves you! He remembers your name and knows what you need. He truly cares about you. He cares about what you are doing with your life.

Love you all. Thanks for all of your support! 

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