Transfer 8 Week 4

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

Date: September 6, 2015 8:53:20 PM MST

Subject: Transfer 8 Week 4

Transfer 8 week 4

Heyyyy everyone! What is going on in America right now? What's the best movie out right now? 

Here's some fun facts about the Japan Fukuoka mission:

We are the largest mission in the world (geographically). Your transfer plans sometimes involve a bus, a train, a plane, and a boat to get to your new area. 

About 70% of the missionaries have been in the mission field for six months or less. Yep. We are a young mission. It also means I feel old all the time. Especially when the new sisters come to conferences and have SUCH cute clothes! My companion, who is a 4th transfer right now tells me about movies and songs and YouTube videos I have never heard of. Most of my mission friends have gone home or will be home in a few months. It is kind of sad, but it just means I get to make new friends with the youngsters :) they are pretty cool.

This week was soooooo busy! We got sick as an apartment, so that has been fun. We are always trying to decide which one of us is the least sick to make meals and stuff. We got some heavy duty "natural" medicine from district leader and we are getting better :) the typhoon stirred up a bunch of stuff, so everyone is getting sick. I got to wear a mask. I felt very Japanese. Our district leader also brought us soup mix and vegetable juice and saltine crackers. He is so nice. 

We put on a huge summer festival at our church building called Natsu Matsuri. It was so fun! Our investigators came with their families. There was somen, and shaved ice, and games, and the missionaries did a fun skit at the end. Even some people from our English class came!! They loved it! Murakami san also came with her kids. She had to get a job  so we can't do lessons during the week anymore, but she is still going strong. She came to church on Sunday and said she felt so happy. 

Me and Sister Thompson have been having a lot of success finding new people who are interested in our message! We have three 

We had a conference with Elder Choi of the Seventy, who is from Korea. He had a lot of great things to talk to us about. Of course, one of the first things he says is to get married asap after the mission. I feel like the theme of the training was about motivation. He says "if you don't like it, LIKE IT." For example, I hate going out in the rain. But, I have to like going out in the rain, and we have a special opportunity to serve Heavenly Father. He encouraged us to sing more... While we are walking, and even to people who reject us. It brings the Spirit. We always want to leave people better than when we found them. 

He shared the story of the man who is told by God to go push a big rock. So, he goes and pushes, all day long for weeks. The rock never moves. The man asks God, "why would you have me try and move this rock? It is impossible!" God says "I have asked you to push against it. See how much stronger your legs and arms are now?" Sometimes the Lord gives us trials to make us stronger. I love being able to look back and see how I have grown from certain trials. It is such a blessing to have opportunities to grow. 

Another big point that was made was about reaching out. If we came on our missions to serve, not be served, then we need to do more to serve those around us.  You can't be selfish and be a good missionary!! It just doesn't work that way. We must pray to recognize opportunities to serve. 

It is good to be a missionary in Japan. I feel so blessed to be able to serve the people here. I LOVE the Japanese people! 

I guess what I learned this week is that God loves us no matter what! As long as we are trying, he doesn't care if we make a mistake. He will always help us. Somehow things always work out, and everything ends up being okay. 

I love you! Have a great week!! 

愛するみなさん、がんばって下さい。

サンダーズ姉妹より

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