How great is our calling!!!

 My Sweet Family!!

 

We are at the internet cafe again because it is another HOLIDAY in Japan! In fact, yesterday there was this moving float with all of these kids running around it in matching clothes and there were drums being played, out of nowhere...so colorful!  People stopped, traffic stopped, and everyone else on the street was really quiet and acted like it wasn't a really big thing... we were wondering what was happening. And then the next road, there was another one--this one pink! It was probably for "Kids Day" yesterday. It's an actual holiday in Japan! Who knew, right? Will hopefully send pics next week, these internet cafe computers sometimes eat SD cards!

  

And...you guessed it, I am low on time today--but I am so grateful to be a missionary! It's been crazy with things "winding down." But our work is winding up and we are so focused on finding people ready to make commitments in the Gospel. It's been an awesome week. We've had so many neat opportunities! We met some former investigators this past week, and some are looking good to investigate again. We had a contact yesterday while  we were housing and no one was listening...and we met this woman who didn't believe in God. She told us her life story and the Spirit just testified to me (as I testified to her) of the Restoration and the Plan of Salvation. In her story, at the hardest time in her life, no one would give her a hug or a handshake which is what she really needed. So, at the end of talking with her, I asked if I could hug her. She just stood there, and then said, "I'm embarrassed!" But she hugged both of us and told us good luck in everything. I looked into her eyes as we talked and could feel the Spirit touching her heart, her face softening and eyes glowing as the Spirit touched her. There are moments like that when people are prepared only to listen and not to "hear," but it was good. I love this work. I love just having the chance to give the people we talk to a chance to hear what we have to say. 

Tomorrow we have our last Zone Taikai, and I will give my "last remarks."  This is what has been on my mind: that it is an incredible opportunity to serve. That it is such a privilege to be a missionary. That it is a joy to let His children choose!  We grieve when they don't listen, but our calling is to invite. HOW GREAT IS OUR CALLING! My mission means so much to me. It is sacred ground where I have come to know Heavenly Father and to act everyday on the Atonement my Savior performed. It is a miracle. :)

 

Next week - Mother's Day!!! Call Japan time 9:30-10:30 (or 10 to 11 if it is easier). Let's talk, call me! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!  :)

 

I love you all, little schnookums. I hope you have a great day. The work is true!

 

Love from the other side of the world from where I was raised,

Sister Anderson

Note:

Our sweet missionary will be arriving home from Japan on Wednesday, June 5th!

She will be speaking in Sacrament meeting on June 30th at 9 am.  

The ward building address is 14400 South Redwood Road, Bluffdale.

Thanks for your continual love and support!

Tango no Sekku 

The day was originally called Tango no Sekku (端午の節句^?), and was celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th moon in the lunar calendar or Chinese calendar. After Japan's switch to the Gregorian calendar, the date was moved to May 5. It was originally for boys but has since been changed to include both boys and girls.

Sekku means a season's festival (there are five sekku per year). Tango no Sekku marks the beginning of summer or the rainy season. Tan means "edge" or "first" and go means "noon".

Children are stars. Fish fly. Schools have the day off.

Every May 5, it is Kodomo no Hi or "Children’s Day" in Japan. Families fly koinobori banners in the shape of a carp (a type of fish) for each child in their house. In Japanese folklore, the carp is a symbol of determination and vigor, overcoming all obstacles to swim upstream. Samurai warrior figurines and samurai kabuto helmets are also displayed in homes to inspire strength and bravery.

Children indulge in kashiwa-mochi, sticky rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves, and other sweets. Around the country there are many events for children and families. Children take center stage in traditional Japanese plays. Thousands of children compete in the "Kids' Olympics" held at the National Kasumigaoka Stadium in Tokyo. Children also use the day to thank and show respect for the teachers, parents, and relatives who care for them.

Until 1948, May 5 was called Tango no sekku and only honored boys. A separate holiday called Hinamatsuri or "Dolls' Day" celebrated girls on March 3. Even now, on this day girls still receive dolls that had been passed down to their grandmothers and mothers. For many families, May 5 still centers on boys. Some people say that Hinamatsuri for girls should become an equal holiday instead of combining them into one. How about you? Would you want a holiday for all kids, or one for boys and another for girls?

http://kids.asiasociety.org/explore/childrens-day-japan-kodomo-no-hi

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/childrens_day_japan.htm

 

That we might live, and live more abundantly!

Beautiful cherry blossom season in Japan!

My Beloved Family,

 

My heart is so full today. I feel like I have learned lessons this week, or capped a few of lessons this week, that are the most precious in my mission and life. I am just so happy. I love you and testify that His work is one of service, that we are already blessed. We are TOO blessed not to share. Missions are not for US to be blessed, even though that is the ultimate result, because of Heavenly Father's infinite love. My heart brims with joy. It is true - as we forget ourselves, and go to work, He will bless us. It wasn't specific experiences as much as just finally realizing how Heavenly Father has been tutoring and helping me, and finally I see! I am so happy.

 

So! I know my Father lives, and loves me too. I love you, too! I don't know how I got so blessed to be in such a wonderful family. In one oses, I mentioned it last week I think, it talks about how we are perfect in Christ. Isn't that incredible? We are telling others, and even living lives, as a witness of His grace. I am so excited for Conference too! I gasped when I heard about Cedar City!! I know that the temple there will be well-used. I love Cedar City!

 

Our beloved investigators, are so great. Sayuri Chan (17 year old) bore her testimony in Church this week about the Savior, as did two recent converts. It was so wonderful to see them. Hino Shimai prayed in a lesson this week, even though she is still learning it. It was her birthday, and we gave her... the New Testament Picture Book!! She studies SO WELL. It's wonderful. So many good things to report. We had a fun Zone meeting in Matsuyama, where we practiced contacting. I had the chance to contact some fun people on the way there, and I am so impressed that this work is a work of love. I love it. I am so grateful for Heavenly Father giving us this chance. It is so rewarding to talk to people every day, about who they are and what they like, and testify that God loves them, how at Church they can feel His love, etc. I am so excited for all of the incredible new missionaries! Even in our mission, every area is expected to become a four-some. Isn't that awesome? The work rolls forward!

 

I love baptism. Sometimes in the past we would get nervous talking about it, but this is the way that our brothers and sisters can return and live with God, and get blessings NOW, in this life. People are searching for those blessings, and we have them. Precious!!! Life is so precious.

 

Here are a few of our investigators... I would love your FAITH and help in praying for our sweet people here! One of our investigators, Jedley San, started working and we haven't been able to meet with her. We want to teach her! Melody San and her baptismal date. Watari San, who has not had the word of wisdom lesson yet, and enjoys drinking. Hino Shimai to gain a testimony! Sayuri Chan's family! Thank you all so much!

 

We are so blessed. The work WILL go forward. It is so amazing to see Heavenly Father hastening the time. It is the BEST! I just want to help His children! We work on His power. I know I am a sinner, imperfect and that perfection is not expected now, but we can be perfect in Christ, now. He is my Savior and best friend. The Master and Creator is so close to our souls. His Atonement is enough. I love my Savior! And feel so blessed to be in our family and a sister in this work.

 

"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?"

Love, Sister Anderson 

 

A few students from our volunteer English group 

It is cherry blossom season... mankai!

This is lotus! They eat it in Japan. Is that a flower? I don't really know... ha ha.

 note from Sister Jen's mom:

Lotus root is a versatile vegetable which can be thinly sliced or shredded then fried for a crispy garnish, sliced and braised until sweet and tender in soups, stir fried, or sliced, blanched and chilled for an attractive salad addition. It takes well to traditional Asian flavors such as soy, sesame, and ginger. 

A few pics of Lotus root from the web:

 Also, Sister Jen's cousin, Sister Lindsay Castleton, and her family were featured in an amazing, fun, informative, TV special which aired between conference sessions April 7th.  Sister Lindsay is serving in the Chile Vina del Mar mission.

SALT LAKE CITY — Like 10,000 legions marching, from the words of a Latter-day Saint hymn to the halls of the missionary training center, a new generation is rising to accept the call to serve a mission.

A prophet's voice brought the good news; Young men may begin serving missions at the age of 18, young women at age 19.

So many are prepared to serve it is time for a new MTC and new missions. They all usher in a new day for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are a mighty band of youth, and these are their stories.

It can be viewed by clicking this link:

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=24703772

 

Choudai!!!

My sweet Family,

I am so sorry the last two weeks have been so short! Today, I will try to make it a little longer. So! We did stay in Niihama, and my new companion straight from the MTC is named Owens Shimai. She is really great and excited to be in the field. 

We are teaching a lot of investigators, and really want to actively seek to invite them to come unto Christ. It is such a privilege. This week I really felt like this must be like motherhood. Yesterday, riding my bike, I thought of how you think it will get easier, how you are so excited to have another child coming, you do more prep, and probably some smarter prep from having the experience, but in the end--you find out you are still human, and kind of close to the same person you were --you are still mortal ha ha. It was such a realization for me as I knew I would probably feel like that with every child I have. Ha ha! Who knew what prep I would get in Japan! It is so wonderful though. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love my Savior and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So this week, Hino Shimai read the monogatari (The Book of Mormon picture book) we gave her.  She read it 6 times, and moved forward on her own to begin reading the Book of Mormon, which she told the other sisters that she couldn't do! It's so neat because it wasn't something we really did, the spirit is just working with her. She has a very depth of knowledge about the story of the Book of Mormon, probably more than most any investigator.

Jedley and Melody, our Phillipino investigators, came to church this week. It was so special. I got to speak in Sacrament meeting, and felt Heavenly Father's love for them so strongly. I felt how happy He was that everyone was there. I shared an experience about the Sacrament, and the power I felt it had in my life when I was such a new missionary, with my first Japanese companion in Akashi. I love the Sacrament. Our other investigators we haven't met a lot, except for Yuushi, who we taught about the Spirit--I had him do a pop quiz and listed feelings of the Spirit to see if he's felt them. He had. It was so neat to see his mom just testify to him and try to teach him.

We love the work. It is interesting to me to be on this last stretch of my mission, but I am feeling the excitement and the drive to go and find the elect. They are waiting here. It is such a privilege to work in the vineyard! I wish I had hours to tell you about all of those we are teaching. They are all just so special.

We were asked to do a family home evening last night at the Branch President's, to which Yuushi kun and his family and another guy and family came. We acted out Lehi's dream, and put Liahona's in their little backpacks when they stepped on the stuff that wasn't the path. They had to find their path on their own, with both forces (the great and spacious building people used the party hats and kazoos Mom sent for my birthday!), with some Japanese treats that were white at the end, where the other team was eating and cheering. It was so cute - the girl heard the voices, even though she was blindfolded, and walked almost straight to them. The other boy struggled for maybe 10 minutes, and kept getting magazines and eventually fruit in his back pack. When he finally came to the rod, we took off his backpack at Baptism... it is empty when we are baptized (we had the path as the Gospel of Christ). It was so fun. You wouldn't believe that our Branch President knows the Abraham dance that Yoshiko Shimai taught us in Akashi. One day I will show you that video. I haven't laughed that hard on my whole mission!!!

The work is rich, and we are rich because we have it. I love to share the wealth!
Whether a person is new to the gospel or filled with the Gospel light - no matter where each of us is on that Gospel path, His help is real, and  we are not too far from His reach. "Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

That is the Savior's invitation to each of us. He loves us all so much. 

Sending my love from this blessed land,
Sister Anderson

PS

 have to tell you about one of the most tender moments of my mission. We were going to district meeting, maybe an hour and a half away. These cute elementary kids got on the train. I always bring stickers to give out to kids on the street and start talking to families,  and I had just re-stocked. I gave one away, and for the next twenty minutes there were all of these little faces with their matching yellow hats sneaking over, all peering. They are so cute. We became friends. I gave one boy two, and there were thirty little hands saying "Choudai!" They were so precious.

You wouldn't believe it, but when we came home at one pm, they came on the same train. This time, we were on the receiving end. These cute little children, under eight, came grasping seashells and leftover candy from their lunches, a few of the precious caramels that each of them had received, a pine cone or two from a boy who liked them. Tears sprung my eyes as they told us they liked karate, asked us to speak English, asked if we'd tasted this kind of candy. They were so anxious to give from what they had. They are so Christ-like. We were even sitting by a lady who they became friends with, and they gave her candy, because we said she was our friend. I want to be like them when I grow up. It impressed me so much. I have a precious bag of seashells covered in seaweed, a beautiful little shell that a little girl gathered, and they are all so precious. Do you think I could get them through customs? :)

  

 The party hats came in handy at eikaiwa 

(English conversation school)! haha!

 An English Group we volunteer for --they took us on a tour of the mine for our last Preparation Day! They are so sweet. 

In the mine,,,

Nothing is impossible!!!! 

  I found Japanese Aunt Laura in Japan! ha ha 

(beautiful, sweet ward-member)

Funny story:  Mom sent two packages for my birthday in December and I only got one.  Sometime in February the other one was returned to Bluffdale.  Mom immediately re-mailed it and now I have the rest of the presents and the party hats mentioned in this letter!  haha!  Thanks Mom! 333

The Japan Kobe Missionaries - true disciples every one!

Mission Conference!!!

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH FAMILY!!!

Wow - you are so special to me. I get pictures and I can't believe how everyone has grown!! It is so fun to see. Happy birthday to all of you who celebrated lately! Thanks for the letters and all the support!!!! I love you so much!

This week has been so wonderful. We have 10 investigators right now that we are working with, and they are all at such different phases--most of them, probably all, at the very, very beginning stages of learning the gospel still. It is so fun to have the chance to teach them, and still an interesting challenge to be new in this area, and working with everyone and still new as companions, but it is fun and SO GREAT!!!!!


This week was Hina Matsuri, a special celebration only for woman (especially girls) to get good health for the year. One of our investigators brought us this gift! They are so cute. They have little food for everything. I will send you the king and queen (traditional) picture! 

These are hina matsuri treats, cute right?! I love Japan!

This is Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's work. It is so wonderful to be in their service. The meeting as a mission (taikai) was more than AMAZING! Elder Tad R. Callister came and taught and inspired all of us! So wonderful! I was filled to the brim with love for each of my sweet comrades in this work.  How I love all my comps - past and present!!! It was so fun to see everyone including my awesome cousin Elder Lythgoe! We have an INCREDIBLE mission of true disciples. President Zinke and Elder Callister talked about the atonement, and about being a consecrated missionary. When we sang our mission theme song as our beloved leaders walked in, the tears could not be stopped. There was so much power in the room, evidence yet again of the presence of the Spirit and the unity of the Japan, Kobe mission in teaching of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

And what a work it is! "The standard of truth has been erected... the truth will go forward boldly, nobly, undefeated .. until the Great Jehovah shall say, 'The work is done.'"

I love you so much. I know that the Savior wants us to feel that joy in each of our lives, and the biggest joy is to SHARE HIS GOSPEL! It truly is. This life is so much about the people we help. We talked about joy in one of the talks at the conference, and it just kept coming back to me as everyone was saying what reasons WE have to rejoice, that the privilege to share the gospel and help OTHERS is the work of my Savior and yours, and it is powerfully, masterfully, undoubtedly, true.

I love you!! We also talked about the spirit as evidence of the healing process taking place in people's lives, and in being forgiven--isn't that amazing?! We are too blessed NOT to do missionary work. I used to think i wanted to just stay in bed for a week after I got home from my mission...and just think of myself - haha...but my heart is so full of love for mankind that I just want to keep up the pace, and serve in whatever place my Heavenly Father puts me. Can you believe the goodness of this work?

I love you sweeties!

Love, Sister Anderson

Chocolates from our neighbor, who we are starting to teach!

 I love my companion! Twins in matching yellow. ha ha.

Akemashite o medeto gozaimasu! (Happy New Year!)

Tashibu fufu, one of the incredibly faithful couples in our ward

To announce... we are staying! 

Dearest, Beloved Kazoku!!!

You are so great. I sure love you. I can't believe how fast and slow time is ticking, time is so weird on your mission. We have had an incredible week. 7 of our investigators came to church this week... and did I tell you, we are sinking on our roots for transfer #4 together as the Takamatsu Sisters! ha ha. No transfer!!!! I LOVE BEING SISTER DOBSON'S COMP!!! WE LOVE IT HERE!

Things are going so well though. Izumikawa San (our beautiful, golden contact who we love so much) is moving forward to her baptismal date on the 20th, and her cute 8 year old is doing so well. One of the boys hasn't been able to come to church yet, so he can't make that date, but we are rooting for them. They are so cute. We made quiet books for them and the other kids that come to church!

We taught a "walk through" plan of salvation and the Gospel of Christ, complete with backpacks and compasses (receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost). They loved it! We had another pretty amazing miracle. The first deaf family we met, the mother has had a hard time coming to Church and really progressing. We put her name on the mission fasting list this month - praying that she would come to Church. But Heavenly Father knew what we would be praying for even before the actual prayers, and guess what?! The faith of our mission helped--after Church started, Haruka Chan (her cute 9 year old) walked in, towing her sweet mom for her first time coming to our Church. It's a miracle!!  

We have miracles every day. I can't tell you how blessed I am to be in this area, and how much I love it. I LOVE BEAUTIFUL TAKAMATSU AND I LOVE YOU.

Sunrise from our apartment window...

Sunset from our apartment window...

We are all on our quest of discipleship. We show every day how we honor our Savior. What a privilege to live! Shogatsu was this week as well, it is like the Christmas of America as far as big-ness. Everything shut down from Tuesday-Thursday and people are with their families. They go to the shrines and pray. A few members had us over for traditional food, it was so much fun!

Miracles, miracles, miracles. We think there is a way this sweet lady in our ward who is really old and probably has a little dementia can be baptized. Her son is so happy. Haruka Chan bore her testimony in Church, even though I'm not quite sure how much she understood about testimonies... most of it was about her skiing trip. haha...oh, well. Watching our beautiful investigators, sitting in that chapel...what a privilege to be a missionary!

Did I tell you I love you? I hope you all have a happy and heavenly new year!

The work is true! Onward, upward, and outward--in showing our love for Him. It is His work, and I testify with all of my heart that it is true!

Sister Anderson

 Here is Yoshiko Shimai who we taught in Akashi.  She got baptized!!!!!

Yummy!

  

Watashi no Kazoku e! Happy holidays!

Dear Fam,

I love you so much. Time is just flying, and it is so fulfilling being in the work of the Lord. Transfers came and went...drum roll please...and I get to be with my wonderful doryo for another transfer!! I am so happy - miracles are happening in Takamatsu, it is so fun to work together! I decided riding over on my bike this morning that all I want for Christmas is... another 6 months in Japan! ha ha. :) Takamatsu is so great. 

Sounds like you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving celebration! Thanks for all the fun pics. Here is our Thanksgiving feast!!!

So for the past like three months, I have been using this word in Japanese I found called "tokken," which is "a privilege." So I was always saying, "we feel like it is a privilege!" when people on the street would tell us how hard what we were doing was. So my comp, my trainee, said that to a man who stopped us.  We had met before, and he said, "that is saying you have special authority!" ha ha ha. We've been saying, "that is the special privilege that only we have, the right and special authority that only we have." ha ha. So funny. :)

MIRACLES ABOUND. The work is awesome. We had a pretty neat miracle on Sunday. This girl from China walked into church after Sacrament meeting. She doesn't speak Japanese super well and doesn't speak any English, but she had walked to the Church yesterday from where she lives but no one was here. We got to teach her just a little bit, and we will meet with her again this week!

The Spirit is awesome. We felt like we needed to look in the Area Book, and we called a lady and it was the wrong number... but it was another man from the area book we'd wanted to call! We met and taught him and his beautiful wife this week!  they are both from Zimbabwe and strong Christians. We have just been studying tons this week to try to get ready for their lesson. In the end though, it really is all the Spirit. My testimony has been strengthened so much of the Bible and the Book of Mormon testifying of the same truth, but at the same time the vital need for the Book of Mormon to correct false doctrine and cure contention. But this couple is so wonderful!!　I love the scriptures. Heavenly Father has been so merciful to us to give us the words of Prophets, about His Son, and so that we can receive His personal guidance. The scriptures are so amazing to me. It seems like on my mission truths I learned my whole life have just sunk down, just gotten deeper, to my very bones and through them, taking away even fear. I love Jesus Christ, I love His Restored Church. I am so grateful for the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God's Church is on the earth again. We can know about life after death, eternal families, the things we naturally hunger for (like continuing relationships)--Heavenly Father has prepared a way for that through His restored Gospel. 

It was so weird to teach in English! I know that this Church was restored through Joseph Smith, that every truth, the fullness of the Gospel, has been brought back to the earth. Shall we not rejoice in this eternal truth? We have, as the Savior taught the woman at the well, water that will quench thirst. The world is starving. "Only the Gospel can heal a starving world..." (PMG) It is true. It is so wonderful. We can know for ourselves, and it just keeps growing. There is nothing like the Gospel. This is LIFE, this is the truth. 

There is nothing like sharing something you love so much. One of our other sweet investigators (mom with three children) said she wanted to be baptized this week. She is so incredible. She went from a place of almost no faith, to knowing Heavenly Father. It has touched me so much to see her grow. She prayed this week to Heavenly Father, and she was talking to someone she knew. She was talking to someone she knew before, someone she was close to, and we felt that. It wasn't about us anymore, she had received her own light and knowledge. Can you believe the beauty of this Plan? Even many who love Jesus Christ so much are missing the fullness - still in the dark about where we go after death, about families, about God's plan for His children. I testify that there is a point. I love this work, and I love you!!

You are all so wonderful. I wish I could just bring a little camera on my shoulder to some of our lessons, to have you feel the sweet spirit that comes as these beautiful people discover that God does love them, and there is a plan for their lives. As our investigator said in her prayer, "Father, I am thankful for this wonderful plan. I am so excited." 

It is an exciting work.

I love you!
Love, 
Sister Anderson 

PS Some sweet family sent a birthday package  - first class no less!!!  

Thanks mom and dad!

English Class

Missionary cousins!!!

Sister Anderson and Elder Lythgoe - the cousins finally meet!

Dear Fam,

Wow, it sounds like things have been fun at home! Thanks so much for the updates and notes, everyone! I love you so much. What amazing mothers and fathers you are in Zion, what amazing missionaries you are wherever you are. Thank you for your examples and your love!

This week has been pretty amazing. We got to go up to Okayama for interviews and I met my cousin Elder Lythgoe for the first time on our missions!! As requested from his father, I gave him a hug... written on stationary! ha ha! He is my Zone Leader, isn't that crazy? He is amazing! Like i said before - he is legendary in Takamatsu! :)

We have seen miracles and the work moving forward before our eyes. Our sweet investigator is doing well, her family is not excited about the idea of the Church, but I know the Lord knows her enough to strengthen her, and provide a way. Apart from that, we rode out to this area in the rain... it was so funny because it is about an hour bike ride and it was raining hard. We packed a lunch and found a hidden back road to sit in our raincoats, eating cold rice in the rain... but the Lord led us to two families. We taught them both on Saturday and we are meeting with one again today. It was pretty amazing, let me tell you about one of the experiences.

We met this beautiful family, the little girl came to the door and went to get her mom. When her Mom came to the door, we quickly found out she was deaf. This beaming, bright woman with her little girl translating between us, invited us in. The Spirit was so strong in that room. She had met missionaries before a long time ago, and they were so kind to her. (That is such a compliment to all of the wonderful missionaries wondering about people they didn't see entering the waters. You planted so many seeds!) We knew a member in the ward who knows sign language, and my companion had the thought we needed to ask her to come to our next appointment. Four doors down, we knocked on this door and... the member came to the door! She lived right by both of these beautiful families, and speaks Japanese sign language. We met the father on Saturday, he is deaf too, and they are both so pure. The whole family is just beautiful. I've never known love like I feel for our investigators. I've never felt a love so directly associated with salvation. The other family has three boys and let us in, and said we could come back. I am overwhelmed at the mercy of the Lord. Just think of it, two gaijin girls running around in Japan, speaking a foreign language and in a strange (to us) culture, and the Lord working miracles through us. Someone asked us why Joseph Smith, why so young, etc. I feel just like that sometimes, asked to do something bigger than me, and I relate with Him so well--even though His feelings must have been so much deeper! I know that man was a prophet of God, and restored the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is His work, my sweet family. He is working miracles in the vineyard. Lately I've been thinking a lot about relying on the Spirit. It is just beginning to sink into my heart, to have that penetrate so deep--I am starting not to fear. I am starting to realize the majesty, even if just a little bit, the competence of my Maker. This is the greatest work in the world. He lives, we must share it for the world to know.

We had another miracle with the woman we couldn't find (at first) who been on an old PI list from years ago. We tried and tried to find her, couldn't find the house, and decided to knock on the doors of one little complex randomly before we went home. The second door we knocked on was this family. We felt guided and kept returning, always at the door, gave them the Book of Mormon another time... last week we went and the husband said he hadn't really looked into it, to come back in a week. We came back and he had studied and researched on the net all about the Church. He knew about temples and where they were, and had some wrong information too... (it made me happy for what "More Good" is doing! Getting wonderful things, true things, on the internet!)... so we passed him the right information on our websites, I AM SO HAPPY AND GRATEFUL THAT mormon.org BECAME AVAILABLE IN JAPANESE JUST LAST WEEK! Pretty amazing. He says he will study one more time. I know that we are led to those the Lord wants us to talk to. I know He knows His sheep. I know that we did what we were supposed to. It is so amazing to feel the influence and confidence that comes with the Spirit, so you can testify in a way to help our brothers and sisters return to God. Wow, I love the work. He said he'd studied as hard as he could because we'd worked as hard as we could. It is so humbling just to get to be part of the work in these latter days. We have divine gifts, divine help.

Another one of our investigators came at the end of Church even though he was sick, and we were able to teach him. The work is pretty amazing. I know that I need a lot of polishing, but my "confidence is waxing strong in the presence of God." He knows His sheep. We have been led to areas where we were supposed to be through prayer--beautiful, simple things the Lord has given us that WORK. I know that His work is real. 

I love you Fam! I was studying this week and delighting in the Gospel. It is SO WONDERFUL. I promise, no matter how many times you have read the Book of Mormon, you will learn more if you read it again. That book contains what it is necessary to gain salvation. as the prophets  have promised. this is the most exciting time to be a member of the Church in all the history of the world--it is! What a blessing we have. I love this work, I love you. Thank you for all of your love, prayers, and support.  

"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?"

Love always,
Sister Anderson

Guess whose door we found??????

Note from Sister Jen's mom:
To learn more about the More Good Foundation referenced in this letter (and to see Sister Jen and her parents in the TEAM PICTURE in the header) click this link:

http://www.moregoodfoundation.org/

MY FAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Smiles from your favorite missionary!!!

I love you so much. Time is really flying. It's so crazy on the
mission! I will probably be emailing you again on what seems like
tomorrow.... Preparation Day!! Wooo!!!

What a week. Kana chan came to CHURCH this week! I have so many
experiences where I feel the Lord so close. Like... yesterday in
Sacrament Meeting. I felt like I messed up the whole morning, one by
one by one... and then investigators kept coming in. It was such a
miracle. I felt His love so immediately, so sweet, for me. (Knowing it is
His work. It felt so safe!) I had to get up and bear my testimony,
tears pouring down my face... I sit down and Kana Chan is like, "Are
you ok?" ha ha. I was nervous, I get nervous sometimes, and then I was
reminded how much it is Him. I just wanted to share my love for Him. I
love speaking, I love testifying about my Savior Jesus Christ. I love
my Heavenly Father, His love. I know His love.

We were hunting down a lot of old investigators and... that's been
super exciting! Finding addresses in Japan! Woooo! We met this man
housing (knocking doors) who I really felt like we were supposed to meet. 
I felt the Lord testifying through me to Him. Even though He didn't want to hear
more, we talked about God's existence. It is just so amazing to feel
the Lord speaking through you. This week I have been recording
miracles every day, and there are miracles in the field every day!
Kana Chan's lesson was so cool. I asked her if she thought she could
make it to be baptized on the 18th, and she said something like, "It's
not can I do it, it's I will. I will." (If I understood the Japanese!)
We prayed and felt the date, and realized her birthday is on the 19th.
When she asked why when we asked her about the date, it just came to
me that the gift of the Holy Ghost is from Heavenly Father, for her
birthday. She is doing great. We got to testify to her about Jesus
Christ. I love feeling the Spirit work through you! It is incredible.
I felt so many of these miracles as I have started looking more,
noticing more. Another time was the phone call with Asuka. I prayed
and felt the Lord's words, just start puring out of me. There are just
so many of these sweet times when the Lord's voice just pours out of
you, and you know you are feeling the gift of tongues... especially
when after, in His mercy, you even have a hard time communicating! (I
called her again and was having such a hard time getting her address!
ha ha) Those times expecially are great, and you are reminded how much
it is the Lord's hand.

I wish I had so much time to tell you everything in my heart, you
sweet people. I love you so much. Thank you for your prayers, I
definitely feel them. I LOVE YOU!!!!

Congrats to Nate and Dad road tripping! NATE GOING TO GRAD SCHOOL IN 
INDIANA!!!!! WOW!
Thanks for all the pics, the packages (Child Fam! I loved that package! Thank
you so much! You are so sweet! I even gave some of the treats to my
Eikaiwa students!)

And also... I'm the new Eikaiwa teacher again! ha ha. The Elders asked
us sisters to take over teaching. Mom and Dad you probably saw on my account,

but... my birthday present came early?? ha ha. I lost the dictionary I got when I came... super sad... 
so I bought one today! Thanks... it was like 138000 yen... you are the best... I love you... 
it reads kanji and has pronunciation help, and actually was pretty cheap... i love
you! ha ha). Sending a picture of the dictionary (jisho) I bought today!
Thanks Mom and Dad! (you really are the best.)

Love, Anderson 姉妹

I saw a dog in the back basket of a car this week and thought it was
so funny! A huge dog with a towel around him. So funny. I love Japan!

a member meal wthat was American! so cute. they were so thoughtful. I
really getting used to Japanese food though and i like it just as much as American!!!