"I know - Jesus makes me happy"

10/27/09 Email Message

Hello!

Wow those pictures are so cute! Asher is one good looking kid. I cant wait to meet him. Is he going to Kendalls party too? Hes sure got a great costume! I hope Kendalls party is as fun as it was last year. Let me know how it goes. Send pictures!

Things are going great here. We are in the middle of Zone Taikai [Conference] week but weve got a day off today because Sister Dibb, Sister Allred, and the area President Elder Stevenson are in town for a fireside and we are shuttling them around all day. But tonight we are back on the road to our last two Zones. Should be fun!

Another fun thing we are doing right now is apartment hunting. I never thought Id be doing business in Japanese but weve been dealing and bargaining with Real Estate agents and apartment owners for the past couple of weeks. Weve got a new senior couple coming to run a special YSA program called Outreach and they arrrive in about two weeks. Weve gotta find the apartment, sign the contract, and set up the furnishings all before they get here. Everything we are doing is brand new to both of us so its pretty exciting.

Also we had a lesson with Someya san today that was awesome. You can just see the change that has come over him. He used to just look a little dark and depressed - his hair was long and greasy, his clothes were grungy, and he didnt really smile much. But since gaining a testimony of Jesus Christ and feeling the power of the words of the scriptures - especially the Book of Mormon - he has just changed so much. Hes happy and smiling, hes got a little bounce in his step, and hes just so happy. It really is amazing to see. We pointed it out to him today and he said "I know - Jesus makes me happy" It was so cool. Im so excited for his baptism in a couple of weeks. Its been such a blessing to meet and teach him. We are so lucky.

So as you can see things are going great. Thanks so much for sending me those pictures - they really brightened my day. Mom you have really gotten good at editing your pictures. I hope you enjoy your new computer and I hope you get time to play around on it. That is such a good gift to have. I hope everyone has a happy halloween! Dont have too much fun ;-) Hope to hear from you soon!

Much Love,

Elder Brendan Kingsford

Life is good!

10/21/09 Email Message

Family,

Sorry I havent written in a while...sometimes we just dont take p-day here because we feel like we just have too much to do. But Dads last email made me realize that Im not prioritizing my time as wisely as I should. Im sorry if Ive made any one feel like I dont care about you because I dont write every week. Ive just been trying to concentrate my efforts on fulfilling my calling as a missionary and helping my investigators and the mission progress. But I realize I still need to keep my family in the loop, so I will make try to write weekly from here to the end of my mission.

So guess what? This week I realized that it is indeed a small world after all. Dad, Im not sure but I seem to remember you telling me a few times when I was little that your mission presidents name meant "cow tail" And if thats true his name was Ushio desho [right]? President Ushio of the Osaka Mission is President Tateokas uncle. Ushio kaichos [president] wifes maiden name is Tateoka - she is Tateoka kaichos aunt. So if I am right your mission President is my mission Presidents uncle. Cool huh?

Also, yesterday I found an email from Bishop Carlson in the mission email inbox yesterday. I didnt know this before, but I found out he actually served in the Sendai Mission. One time when Dad and I went to his house to home teach, he and Dad joked about the kekko [decline] box he had on his front porch. I didnt know what that meant but they seemed to think it was pretty funny and I figured he had also served in Japan but I didnt know where. Apparently he attended church in one of our branches here last week. I thought that was cool. Also he and his family live in Friendswood Texas now - did you know that? Im writing him a letter this week.

Its really cooling off around here now. We are starting to bundle up and preparing for winter dendo once more. Im going to the store today to buy gloves and ear muffs and after that we are going to pick up the first tank of toyu [kerosine] for our heater. Whooh! Fun stuff. Pretty soon Ill be breaking out the winter coat and snow boots and trekking through the snow. Cant wait!

Life is good! One of our investigators is getting baptized on Kimberly's birthday. His name is Someya and he is so cool. The first time we met him we only talked to him for 20 seconds on the street because he was in a hurry but he gave us his number. We called him back, set up an appointment, and on his first lesson he asked us if he could be baptized. He is currently a recovering alcoholic but he says Jesus gives him strength to beat it. Also he has gone from smoking a pack a day to completely quitting in just under a month. He loves the Book of Mormon as well as the Bible - especially when Jesus speaks. I love teaching him because he just feels the spirit so much when we meet. I feel blessed to have been able to find and teach him even with all the other responsibilities I have taking my time away from dendo [proselyting]. We are so blessed!

I love you. I hope everyone has a great week - tell MErritt I said hi! I was sad to hear she is having a hard time with old age - but im glad shes doing better now. Talk to you soon!

Much Love,

Elder Brendan Kingsford

And now I understand

9/29/08 Email Message

Family,

Things are going great here. I am so excited for General Conference. Even though it actually happens this weekend, we wont see it until next weekend because of the crazy time differences. But I am very excited. We are so blessed to be able to devote an entire weekend twice a year to just listening to the voice of prophets and apostles of God. I never really appreciated the importance of general conference before my mission. But now that Ive been a missionary, I see just how amazing this church is and how incredible it is to be led by a living prophet of Heavenly Father. So to say the least Im excited for next weekend.

Lately Elder Kawabata and I have been very blessed. Even though we have less time to dendo [proselyte] than we used to, we are blessed to have many people to teach and share the gospel with. And recently it seems like all of our lessons are about the Spirit and the blessings that come from the gospel. And as Ive taught others about these amazing gifts Ive started to better recognize their importance in my life. I have come to realize that the Holy Ghost is something that I have always taken for granted. But as my understanding has grown, my gratefulness has deepened. I have a new favorite scripture - its 3 Nephi 19:9-15. Its kind of long but I want to share it here because I love it so much:

9 And they did pray for that which they most desired; and they desired that the Holy Ghost should be given unto them.
10 And when they had thus prayed they went down unto the water’s edge, and the multitude followed them.
11 And it came to pass that Nephi went down into the water and was baptized.
12 And he came up out of the water and began to baptize. And he baptized all those whom Jesus had chosen.
13 And it came to pass when they were all baptized and had come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon them, and they were filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire.
14 And behold, they were encircled about as if it were by fire; and it came down from heaven, and the multitude did witness it, and did bear record; and angels did come down out of heaven and did minister unto them.
15 And it came to pass that while the angels were ministering unto the disciples, behold, Jesus came and stood in the midst and ministered unto them.

I have read and shared these verses many times over the past few weeks. Why was the Holy Ghost the disciples' greatest desire? I never really understood what the disciples felt until I became a missionary. But the experiences Ive had over the last year and a little have helped me understand - I have seen that all that is good comes through the Holy Ghost. Every thing that is good in our lives is enhanced by the Spirit. I have been so happy recently because I have been blessed with wonderful spiritual experiences. At times I feel like I am "filled with the Holy Ghost and with fire". And in the midst of that fire I have felt Jesus minister unto me and my investigators. And now I understand.

I love you! Thanks for always being there for me. You are the best!

Much Love,
Elder Brendan Kingsford

With all of that proof how could she doubt?

9/10/09 Email Message

Family,

Hows it going?! Sorry last weeks email was so lame. We were just sooo busy last week. With new missionaries coming in, old missionaries going out, and missionaries transferring around, it was a miracle we even found time to sleep. It was hectic, but I guess thats what makes life fun. But for now Im glad Ive got time to sit down and write - then its back to running around ;-)

Its great to hear all the news about the cousins. Thats so cool that Bobby got sealed in the temple! Im happy for him and his wife. And Jack, Norman, and David are all living in Utah now? That is so cool. Im excited to to hang out with them when I get back. Hopefully they will all still be there. You know we never really got much of a chance to hang out when we were young, but I think it would be a great blessing to be friends now that we are older.

Sounds like the musical will be fun this year! Im glad the kids in our ward let at least a few of their school friends in on the fun - sounds like it will be a great dendo [missionary] activity ;-) Is mom planning on helping out? Should I even ask? Its too bad Kendall didnt get the part she wanted, but Im sure she will have a blast as choreographer. Good luck!

Things are going good here. Like I said, we are super busy right now but having a blast. The Nagamachi ward is incredible. Good things are happening all around us - I am so blessed to be here right now. Lately Ive had some special experiences that have really given me a better understanding of how much God loves His children. Last week was really special. Ayumi chan, a 16 year old girl that we have all been working with got baptized. And her baptism was the most spiritual baptism Ive been to on my mission. Her mom and sister who are both recent converts themselves were there too. After she was baptized she stood at the pulpit and bore her little sweet testimony about Jesus Christ. She said she loves Jesus because He loves her. She said she knows the gospel is true because it makes her happy. When she prays good things happen. When she obeys the word of wisdom she feels good. When she reads her scriptures she feels comforted. When she comes to church she feels love. With all of that proof how could she doubt? Then she said amen and sat down.

Her testimony really made me think. It was so simple but also so powerful. There is no need to argue, or debate, or worry, or reason your way into a testimony. This gospel is true because it is. And anyone can experience it for themselves. You can know it just by living it. Ayumi chan helped me really understand how I know for myself. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior because Ive felt His love. I know the commandments are from God because they keep me safe. I know the Bible and the Book of Mormon are Gods word because Ive read them. I know the Church has been restored today and that it is lead by a prophet of God because Ive heard him speak. And I know God answers my prayers because Ive prayed and He has answered them. It really is just that simple. I am so grateful for this chance to be here and learn so much. I am so grateful for the people that have touched my life here in Japan. I am especially grateful for Ayumi chan for teaching me about my testimony. I just feel so loved by the Lord. I love you! I hope you are all happy! Talk to you soon.

Much Love,

Elder Brendan Kingsford

More Pictures from Japan

Duc knows it. And I know it.

8/24/09 Email Message

Family,

So this was a great week. Our companion exchange this weekend was fantastic. I worked with Allred choro. He was my senpai in the MTC and he was actually my Zone Leader there too. I remember when I first arrived at the MTC he was the first senpai I met. He had been there 6 weeks, but from my perspective he might as well have been there 6 months. I looked up to him during our entire stay in the MTC - and last weekend I finally got to work with him in the field. And it was a blast. We found a lot of interested people and had a great time talking with them. It was fun.


And then on Sunday Duc got baptized. And it was a great. His story is awesome, so I want to share that with you. Duc is Vietnamese but he is going to graduate school in Japan to get his PHD in Mechanical Engineering. He began meeting with missionaries about three months ago. He came to church a few times and heard a few lessons. But at that time he just could not believe in the Restoration. He said he could not believe that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ would appear to a 14 year farm boy just to answer one prayer. He also could not believe that the Book of Mormon was true because of "inconcistencies" between its teachings and the Bible's. So after about a month he stopped meeting with the missionaries.

Fast forward to about three weeks ago. In the middle of the day, we got a call from Duc. The first thing he says is "I have had a significant spiritual experience and I would like to be baptized. When can we do it?" We were shocked. We didnt really know what to say at the time, but we set up an appointment to meet and talk about it. We met the next day and he told us what had happened.

For about 6 months he had been working for his cousin, delivering CDs that his cousin had sold over the internet. What Duc didnt know is those CDs were illegal pirated copies. About a week after he stopped meeting with the missionaries, the police came to his home, arrested him, and took him to jail. He was in jail for over three weeks. He cannot speak Japanese so he had no way to help himself get out of his situation. All he could think to do was to pray like the missionaries had taught him. And as he did so, he felt like he also needed to read the scriptures. He called a friend and had him bring him a Bible and a Book of Mormon. And over the next three weeks in jail, he read the entire Bible and the entire Book of Mormon. By the time he had finished he had received an answer from God that everything the missionaries taught him was true.

Through careful study and prayer he received a testimony that the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon was the word of God. He realized that there are no "inconsistencies" between the two, but in fact they actually support and complement each other perfectly. He gained the knowledge that Jesus Christ is his Savior. He also received a burning testimony that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet of God who actually met Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. At that point, Duc told Heavenly Father that he would serve Him the rest of his life and would follow the Savior and be baptized no matter what happened to him. As soon as the police figured everything out and released him, he called us on the phone. And on Sunday he followed through on his promise to God and entered His church through the waters of baptism. It was such a spiritual experience to witness all of it.


When he got up and bore his testimony at the end of the meeting it was just amazing. He stood up and said very simply what his heart knew to be true. God is our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. The Bible and the Book of Mormon both contain the living word of God. Christs church has been restored in our day through a prophet of God, and we can all be happy forever by living the gospel that has been restored. Duc knows it. And I know it. From the bottom of my heart.

Much Love,
Elder Brendan Kingsford




Duc, me, my companion, Takami choro, and the Hansens (the office couple, who also helped us teach a lot)

The Gift of Tongues is Real

8/13/09 Email Message

Family,

Wow I cant believe all of that happened to Grandpa and he is still alive. I guess he is just too strong. I think this is a sign that I should write him a letter. That will be the first thing I do next P-day. If you talk to him soon tell him I said Hi. And Im praying for him.

I have kind of a cool story from over here in Japan. So in the MTC they drill three little letters into your brain. No matter what you do you cant get away from these three letters. They say it in class, they say it in the halls, they say it in devotionals, they say it in gym, they say it in your dorms, they say it at lunch - its everywhere! After three months in there all you can think about is those three letters. "S.Y.L." - Speak Your Language. Its a little reminder to keep you speaking the language that you are learning at all possibilities and in all situations. They used to promise us that if we kept "speaking our language" one day Japanese really would become "our language". Sometimes I doubted if that was really true.

Well after "speaking my language" for over a year there are a handful of Japanese words that have become part of "my language". Recently Ive been doing a lot of translating at church and other places for the Hansens (the senior couple that is in the office here) The most difficult times are when someone says one of "my words". If someone says something like dendo or kamisama (God) I repeat it back as dendo or kamisama. There have been a few times when they have to look at me and remind me they dont know what Im saying. Sometimes I just dont even know the English translation. Its a testimony to me that the gift of tongues is real. Its a crazy experience thats for sure.

I have a few questions. Did you get my memory card for my pictures in the last package? Also are you going to send my childhood pictures soon? If so please include pictures of high school too. It would be great to have pictures of back home. Also please send my baptism picture and one of me and kimberly in our kimonos. It would realllly help with investigators and in lessons. Please send those ASAP. Also did I tell you I broke my camera? If not - i broke it. Should I buy one here? What should we do? Also one of my suits is falling apart. I need a new one. I can get a good one for about 80 dollars. Also I need to get my drivers license here and we have a problem. I need my driving record from Alabama. Please copy that and email it to me ASAP. Thank you!

Love you all! Thanks for writing me. Talk to you soon!

Much Love,
Elder Brendan Kingsford