Onward, upward, and outward!!!

Learning how to make mochi! 

Dearest go-kazoku,

Wow, am I so humbled whenever I receive your letters. I am reminded that everything in my life is really His, and I am just so blessed to be here on loan, it is so amazing. All of the stories about wise stewards, handlers of talents, and management are our stories. We are given a lifetime filled with experiences of learning to manage, so we can return to the Lord, and He can say, "well done thou good and faithful servant... I will make you rulers of many things." Isn't it incredible? Life is so simple. We had a training plan about eliminating the "noise" for our investigators so that they can remember the truths they learned before. I realize more and more that we create so much of that noise in huge ways in our lives, blindsided by priorities and lists. It is amazing to see that our "numbers" have become people, and it is so humbling. There are things that are scary and there are things so wonderful in the work of the Lord, and really it is about developing that faith through quiet, consistent, continuous devotion that breeds the faith we need to osorenai (not fear). One of those wonderful moments is... tonight Izumikawa San and her two sweet boys (Taketo and Ayuto... Haruto is 5 so he can't be baptized yet!!) have their baptismal interview. We felt really peaceful about pressing forward for the 20th, even though things are crazy and it seems like it might be better another week... but we will see what happens tonight! Oh...I might not have shared that we witnessed another miracle in teaching the Sabbath day (again) to Izumikawa San.  She had expressed some doubts to her member friend about her job when we challenged her to pray to find a way to keep the Sabbath day holy. We started fasting for her about three hours later after dinner that night. When we called her the next day, she said, "I meant to call you yesterday! Last night I got called and offered a new job that doesn't require me to work on Sundays... that's an answer to prayer, isn't it?" WOW! It was probably around the time we started fasting. Fasting and prayer brings MIRACLES, and she has such great faith. Let's pray for her this week! Thank you so much! 333

We had another cool experience with one of the investigators who came back, and he wants to be baptized. We had a lesson where we really had to discern, and we both received the same impressions about this investigator. The Spirit works miracles through us for the lives of our investigators when that is called for. Our God is a God of miracles, and is all-powerful. Isn't it amazing? The Lord is in charge of the work, and I feel so grateful to be his steward here. It is absolutely wondrous!


We had another cool experience yesterday.  At the beginning of the week we had set a goal to find a family this week. It was Sunday and we had an hour left of time outside, and I know I wasn't really thinking about that goal. But we went where we had scheduled, and went in the place where we felt the best about--no flashing lights, trumpets, burning, etc. -  but just that consistent missionarying. We first housed an apartment where no one listened. In the next apartment complex, we had housed some, and then two boys came up the stairs and went in the door. The timing was just right, and their mother, an English teacher, let us in. She began sharing some spiritual experiences she had on a study abroad in high school, and talked freely with us.  When we asked her, she said she would send her boys to Eikaiwa. Her boyfriend was there and was super nice. They looked really interested-ly through the pamphlet, and when we asked if we could come back, she gave us her number. Isn't that amazing???

I love this work!!! I want to continue my whole life to work consistently, dedicatedly, and never stop. I used to think about going home from my mission and resting, but I don't feel that way anymore. I want to go home and work! :)

I love you! It looks like we'll have some baptisms these next few weeks here in Takamatsu... please keep them in your prayers. It is so incredible to be teaching a family. Last Monday, the boys all ran in from playing outside, opened their Book of Mormons (copies of? ha ha), and studied together. The 5 year old said "Nan peji?," whic means "what page?" So, so so cute. It is like heaven to have them at Church, and to be progressing in such a wonderful way!

Well, this is extremely long... but I love you! The work is true, and it will not end until He comes again. What a privilege, what a joy, what a life. It is true. Onward, upward, and outward!

Love,
Your missionary, Sister Anderson

PS. I don't know if this will make you laugh or scare you, but we met with a cute American girl the other day and I thought, "She is so loud!!" ha ha. Did you ever think you would hear that from me? culture shock... ha ha. love you!


PPS.Its soooo fun being a missionary!  We decided one day to have a picnic in our apartment! We used our aprons for a picnic blanket. 

We made a "Keep the Commandments" board, sort of "Candy Land" style. We have a lot of opportunities to be creative in teaching Japanese kids! 

  "Keep your life in perspective..." our It's a Wonderful Life house complete with the broken rail-cap!

A pic of our toilet to answer my brother Spen's question...I just got done cleaning this little unit today!

  The view from our window...

Eating sushi with the district! 

On the left it is Carter Choro, Pearson Choro, and Chapman Choro. Then on the right it is DaSilvia Choro, Dobson Shimai, and me!

to my brother Nate... I ate unagi at sushi for you! It wasn't that bad... 

 After our sushi we got parfet! Yumm!  

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!

  

The field is white!

My Dearest Family,

I just want to start out by testifying that I know this work is true.
I know that it is true in so many ways, I can't number them. Something
from the daily living, those little, consistent choices, something so
deep that only those little choices can drill into the very
fiber of your bones--your spiritual bones, so deep it almost hurts - but
it's good, with your whole frame you know it's true!

We had an amazing experience this week, but before that... wasn't
Conference awesome!!  I was just so amazed at the glory of God 
at that Conference. Missionaries get to go earlier!!!! Wow - just wow!
That truly will go down in history and change so many things! The Lord 
is gathering His sheep ever faster, and because that He has saved 
those who can be ready to come join the ranks, to fight for the right on
the front lines... it is incredible. 
I am so excited!!! If they only knew what awaits them! Angels build us up
and walk with us, preparing the way (Alma 13:24). I've never been so 
changed in my life. I have hard the hardest times on my mission and the 
deepest joy.
in all--the Lord forges our character on our missions. He knows exactly 
what we need. I would echo those who have taught us that that every 
worthy young man should serve a mission. I would echo and invite the 
wonderful young women who desire to go. The field is white. It is prepared. 
The Lord WILL gather His sheep, we get to help in preparing for the Savior. 
Sweet friends and family, prepare and GO!  I loved Elder Holland's guided 
study of that passage--reminding us of our own priorities. I rejoiced in Elder 
Eyring's talk. I am amazed at the grandeur of Conference. I loved every talk 
I heard!!! Has it always been like this? Has it always been this magnificent? 
I love having my eyes opened a little bit to my own unknowing-ness. This is 
His Church, led by His Apostles with authority from Jesus Christ.  loved seeing 
the sweet apostles and prophets, and something changed even a little bit more for
me this Conference. I realized I am gaining an appreciation for living the 
gospel through experiences here. Its amazing! I had been studying about 
prophets and apostles right before Conference, and I received a witness 
again that these are men of God with the authority on earth that binds us
to heaven. We would be lost without the Priesthood. We would be in 
darkness without these men, a clear beacon asking us so intently to come 
unto Christ and participate actively in His Gospel. These men are men called 
and placed on the earth for the "salvation of [God's] children." Do we
know what we have? I love those sweet reminders. It is true. Those
sweet men, so humble and magnificent, are the representatives of God
chosen to be on earth to testify of Jesus Christ at this time. I
sustain President Thomas S. Monson with all of my heart. I know that
man is a prophet of God. I guess I am learning more and more what that
means for us on earth. What a man, what a legacy, what a joy that the
Gospel is restored. This truly is the greatest message every shared!

So...our amazing experience this week. We had been fasting last week
and found a woman who wanted to hear. We went to her house this week
and she wasn't home. We housed a little bit around her house, and were
preparing to go when we "decided" to ring her doorbell one more time.
She came to the door and invited us in. She is SO PREPARED. I feel so
blessed to have an investigator! We said the opening prayer and opened
our eyes, and she was crying. She said she likes to come to church and
came to two sessions of General Conference. She is the mother of 3
boys, and we got to teach her about God's love on Sunday, so much like
the love she has for her boy from whom she is separated. I began to
cry when I talked of my mom, and how much I love her and how hard it
is to be away. She cried with me. I got to tell her that Heavenly
Father's love is even greater. It is such a privilege to be a gospel
teacher in the gathering of Israel. I love the land of Japan. I love
these sweet people. I know that Jesus Christ loves these sweet people.
We felt like we could have taught her more, but we are teaching her
again on Tuesday. Thank you so much for your prayers, my family! I
know that you helped find her. I know that God hears and answers your
prayers, and mine. I know God lives and loves us. I know that nothing
we experience cannot be turned to our gain, and I'm so grateful that
things aren't always easy because it makes knowledge deep; it is the
fire that burns experience into our bones. I wouldn't trade it. I
realized that while watching conference. How incredibly grateful I am for
experience, especially the experience that makes us stretch. I would
take a gentle reminder to any within the reach of this letter that He
knows better than we do, and would cite to C.S. Lewis (as I remember it):

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. 
At first you understand what He is doing, He is fixing the roof and
getting the drains right, you knew those things needed fixing so you
are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking about the house in
a way that hurts abominably, and you wonder, what on earth is He up
to? The answer is simple. You thought you were being made into a
decent little cottage, but He is building a palace.

To all my cottage builders out there: I love you. I love you so much, 
and I know God is helping you. I know our Heavenly Father knows every 
weakness and strength we have, and that He is working to turn us into a 
palace. For those deciding whether or not to go on a mission, I would say: 
GO.  "The opportunity of a lifetime is yours." (President Monson). It will be 
the greatest cottage to castle renovation you've ever undergone (citing 
Jana Christensen), and it is so worth it. The field is white. Every place in 
the world is being prepared for the sound of your voice, for the tread of 
your shoes, for the dedication of your work, for the zeal of your spirit. This 
is His vineyard, the earth, and He will give you a corner of it to tend and
to learn how to become a little bit more like Him in this short time.
I promise you He knows you better than you do. He knows your strengths
and your weaknesses, and He loves you. (This is getting a little long
for the nieces and nephews, huh?) I know this work is true. God will
burn a testimony into you so deep that "earthly power cannot separate
it from you." I love you future troops!

I LOVE THIS WORK, I love my Heavenly Father, I rejoice in His
goodness, I am aware of my pavilions and my inadequacies, and I am
grateful for His patience. I know that Jesus Christ lives, that He is
"the Jehovah of the old testament and the Messiah of the new." (The
Living Christ) I love you sweet family. This gospel, authority, Church
is on earth so that we can return to God as family units, and the
Gospel is best in families. We are having miracles out here. We are
still talking with the PI family and they came to a little bit of
conference! I made a fancy bingo board but they didn't use it... ha
ha. Teaching is so great though. The mom wants her kids to know about 
the Church, and I think she is still moving that direction herself. ;)

The Spirit is amazing. After knocking again on the door of the sweet
lady we started teaching (who is now a progressing investigator!!), my
wonderful companion had the impression that we should go back to a 
door we'd knocked on before. As we were going, I said hi to a lady across
the road, and when she crossed and found out who we were, she said
something like, "Oh missionaries! Where is your Church? Can I come
sometime?" She then proceeded to hand us her business card with her
information and left because she was working. I know the Lords is
preparing hearts to hear in every land (go on a mission! subliminal
messaging from me to you!)... It is our privilege to share it.

Life lately:

Well, among other things, I zealously killed a cockroach in the
bathroom, we started Eikaiwa that has now gone all English, official
this week MORMON.ORG HAS BEEN TRANSLATED FULLY TO 
JAPANESE!!! It is so awesome and we are so excited! I am just so happy 
that things are starting to be translated. This country will eat that up. I love
that! I want to help my Japanese brothers and sisters so deeply. I LOVE 
THEM. They are a piece of me, inside me all of the time, thinking about
how I can help them, how I can teach simply, how to help them understand... 
which I felt this week is ultimately the Spirit. I love the Holy Ghost. That is 
THE BEST gift we could have. We are not alone in the mission field.

This really old man in our ward showed up on Sunday with
three pictures he'd taken while I was teaching Eikaiwa - so funny!
Our sink broke and will periodically squirt our whole
outfit down well if we don't remember that it is slightly broken. I
will send you pictures of our apartment, we passed our cleaning check,
I have a white bike that gets me around. Dobson Shimai and i love working 
together! I am so blessed. I love studying the scriptures and speaking 
Japanese. Its all sooooooooooooo good!

I love you sweet family! This week I read the calling of Jeremiah and
was so impressed. I love that the Lord calls the "weak and simple" to
declare His message. His is the voice of thunder and the quiet voice,
He is my Lord and Master, My Redeemer and Savior. I love Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your prayers! I have really felt them. I know that you
are praying for me. I love you! Choose the right and enjoy this life of living 
on the front lines, in the last days... what a mission is ours to fulfill.

I LOVE YOU! The work is true. What a joy it is to have a call to labor
in the vineyard.

With love,
Your sister, daughter, grand-daughter, aunt, niece, cousin and friend,
Sister Anderson

typical Japanese bread... we love beans here!

(funny food story... sometimes the milk will make your stomach make

noise and we were in a lesson like two weeks ago, and our stomachs

were just like... gurgling! it was like... and we know that'S true...

gurgle gurgle gurgle... families are important... gurgle gurgle...

she asked us,"did you eat breakfast?" ha ha ha. so great. 

I definitely will not drink milk that often anymore.

Welcome to apartment 203! 

(The front door is featured at the top of this post).

 Ok, so when we transferred here, we found these gooey pink cupcakes that

look like Lisa Frank things on our fridge, which is funny because it's

been an Elder's area for ten years as far as we know...haha!

study space

 Our snuggly fold-up beds...

 We were in charge of buying drapes and getting reimbursed. You would be so

proud, mom! We found these at the recycle shop, 100% polyester and...

they were 600 yen and 700 yen.... altogether around 15 bucks! woo hoo! 

 kitchen (with fridge minus gooey cupcakes)

 laundry room 

 work space...

At the shotengai  商店街 (a Japanese commercial district running along a certain street). 

This one has a pet store....so cute!