4/26/10 Email Message
Family,
Hey! First of all - Dad great joke. Thats one of the better ones Ive heard in a while. Its nice to actually be able to laugh at a joke for real. I dont know how it was for you but Japanese humor just doesnt do it for me. Half of the time I dont understand what they are saying and the other half I just dont think its funny. So its nice to hear a good joke every once in a while ;-)
Things are going great here. We had two baptisms last week. The branch is overjoyed. Everyone says they havent seen this much success in years. The Lord is pouring out His blessings on Hachinohe. Im so glad to be here for the end of my mission. I cant imagine a better place.
The cherry blossoms should be in bloom right now, but they refuse to come out until it warms up. The problem is winter just doesnt seem to want to go away. Last Friday it was raining and so cold that I was dendoing in full winter gear - wool socks, thermals, sweater, and ski jacket. So needless to say the cherry blossoms are still biding their time. Right now that seems to be the biggest news in Japan. Everyone is excitedly waiting for the first blooms to show. Anjiki kyoudai gets up early every morning, walks to the park, checks the trees, and calls us to give us an update. Who knew flowers could be so exciting?!
But hey Mothers day is in a couple weeks so you know what that means - one more call home. But when do you want to do it? Let me know so we can plan around it.
I love you! I hope everyone has a great week. Talk to you soon!
Much Love,
Elder Brendan Kingsford
247
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
We need to baptize EVERYONE
4/19/10 Email Message
Family,
Hows it going? Are you still sore dad? 10 hours of ditch digging and pipe laying all by yourself?! おつかれさまです！Just make sure you leave me something to do this summer! But it sounds like those will be some major improvements for the yard.
Im glad the yard is looking good - but Im almost positive that grass is cursed. We have hand weeded, fertilized, watered, and babied that lawn for years...and nothing to show for it. I dont think even a lawn service can save it. We should just rip it all out and start over...or just put in a really big pool.
And thanks for the pictures Mom! Asher got an entire cake to himself?! Wow times have changed...
Although I dont have any cake to smash all over myself (nice one Asher!) life over here in the islands of the sea is going great. Wang shimai got baptized on Saturday and she asked me to baptize her. It was a fantastic service. She is so amazing and so unbelievably faithful. After she got baptized she bore her testimony about how this just feels right. She said she could really feel that her life has changed and that she has been reborn through the power of the gospel.
It has been such a treat to teach her about Christ and teach her of the love that her Heavenly Father has for her. Because she is Chinese, she is so different from all the Japanese people I have taught. She is much more upfront and outspoken. And her sense of humor and personality is so funny because it is soooo different from everyone else around us. Sometimes she says things that make me burst out laughing simply because it is so taboo in Japanese culture. And the members love her because she has a gift for making everyone around her loosen up and be more genki. She beams with the light of Christ.
We also have another baptism this Thursday for Imoto san (the guy that came to our window and told us he wanted to "do our religion"). He has asked Anjiki kyoudai to baptize him.
(Quick not on Anjiki kyoudai. He is the most amazing recent convert most likely in the entire world. He is the kind of person missionaries dream of meeting and the very person I have spent hours over the course of my mission praying to find. I cant even describe how incredible he is. He is the kind of person that will change the history of the church here in Tohoku. He will be a force that blesses peoples lives and will strengthen the church in ways that we as missionaries could never do. He can and does do literally anything to serve the Lord. He is the kind of person that General Authorities tell stories about in general conference or that they write articles about in the Ensign. I cannot express my gratitude for the oppurtunity to find, teach, and baptize Anjiki kyoudai)
Anyways Anjiki kyoudai went and bought white pants instead of just borrowing some from us because in his words "I dont intend for this to be a one time experience. We need to baptize EVERYONE."
So life is going pretty good right now. Oh and my companion and I found something we have in common. We both like to run. We found a good route and we have gotten up early the past few mornings to put in some miles with the old running shoes. Apparently he used to run long distance track in high school. So thats been pretty fun to do. I felt pretty good about myself too because Ive actually been able to keep up with him the whole time.
I love you! Thanks for writing me so much and sending me such good pictures. It helps a lot. Talk to you soon!
Much love,
Elder Brendan Kingsford
Family,
Hows it going? Are you still sore dad? 10 hours of ditch digging and pipe laying all by yourself?! おつかれさまです！Just make sure you leave me something to do this summer! But it sounds like those will be some major improvements for the yard.
Im glad the yard is looking good - but Im almost positive that grass is cursed. We have hand weeded, fertilized, watered, and babied that lawn for years...and nothing to show for it. I dont think even a lawn service can save it. We should just rip it all out and start over...or just put in a really big pool.
And thanks for the pictures Mom! Asher got an entire cake to himself?! Wow times have changed...
Although I dont have any cake to smash all over myself (nice one Asher!) life over here in the islands of the sea is going great. Wang shimai got baptized on Saturday and she asked me to baptize her. It was a fantastic service. She is so amazing and so unbelievably faithful. After she got baptized she bore her testimony about how this just feels right. She said she could really feel that her life has changed and that she has been reborn through the power of the gospel.
It has been such a treat to teach her about Christ and teach her of the love that her Heavenly Father has for her. Because she is Chinese, she is so different from all the Japanese people I have taught. She is much more upfront and outspoken. And her sense of humor and personality is so funny because it is soooo different from everyone else around us. Sometimes she says things that make me burst out laughing simply because it is so taboo in Japanese culture. And the members love her because she has a gift for making everyone around her loosen up and be more genki. She beams with the light of Christ.
We also have another baptism this Thursday for Imoto san (the guy that came to our window and told us he wanted to "do our religion"). He has asked Anjiki kyoudai to baptize him.
(Quick not on Anjiki kyoudai. He is the most amazing recent convert most likely in the entire world. He is the kind of person missionaries dream of meeting and the very person I have spent hours over the course of my mission praying to find. I cant even describe how incredible he is. He is the kind of person that will change the history of the church here in Tohoku. He will be a force that blesses peoples lives and will strengthen the church in ways that we as missionaries could never do. He can and does do literally anything to serve the Lord. He is the kind of person that General Authorities tell stories about in general conference or that they write articles about in the Ensign. I cannot express my gratitude for the oppurtunity to find, teach, and baptize Anjiki kyoudai)
Anyways Anjiki kyoudai went and bought white pants instead of just borrowing some from us because in his words "I dont intend for this to be a one time experience. We need to baptize EVERYONE."
So life is going pretty good right now. Oh and my companion and I found something we have in common. We both like to run. We found a good route and we have gotten up early the past few mornings to put in some miles with the old running shoes. Apparently he used to run long distance track in high school. So thats been pretty fun to do. I felt pretty good about myself too because Ive actually been able to keep up with him the whole time.
I love you! Thanks for writing me so much and sending me such good pictures. It helps a lot. Talk to you soon!
Much love,
Elder Brendan Kingsford
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
The special aura that they had
4/11/10 Email Message
Family,
こんにちは！How is everybody? How was ashers b-day party? Did you save me some cake?
Things are going great here. We have two baptisms coming up in the next two weeks and the branch is so excited. I am too!
Also Sandra loved the gift you sent her. She told me to pass along her thanks. We had a lesson with her last week and it was so great. She told us how the book of mormon has changed her life, and how happy and content her life is now that she has the gospel. She no longer has any reason to worry about life because she knows God has a plan for her. Also she has been sharing the gospel with her friend and plans on asking her to meet with us in her home. Its funny because when we first met her she told us about all the mormons she had known and the special aura that they had. And now she herself is glowing with that same special glow. And those around her are noticing it and being blessed by her example. Its such a neat thing to witness. One big cycle of love, faith, and the light of Christ. I love this gospel!
Im still working on getting my companion to talk. Most of the day is taken up by long stretches of silence and conversations with myself in my head (and sometimes out loud). Ive never had an experience like this so its kind of weird. But we will keep working on it.
I love you all so much. Talk to you soon.
Much Love,
Elder Brendan Kingsford
173
Family,
こんにちは！How is everybody? How was ashers b-day party? Did you save me some cake?
Things are going great here. We have two baptisms coming up in the next two weeks and the branch is so excited. I am too!
Also Sandra loved the gift you sent her. She told me to pass along her thanks. We had a lesson with her last week and it was so great. She told us how the book of mormon has changed her life, and how happy and content her life is now that she has the gospel. She no longer has any reason to worry about life because she knows God has a plan for her. Also she has been sharing the gospel with her friend and plans on asking her to meet with us in her home. Its funny because when we first met her she told us about all the mormons she had known and the special aura that they had. And now she herself is glowing with that same special glow. And those around her are noticing it and being blessed by her example. Its such a neat thing to witness. One big cycle of love, faith, and the light of Christ. I love this gospel!
Im still working on getting my companion to talk. Most of the day is taken up by long stretches of silence and conversations with myself in my head (and sometimes out loud). Ive never had an experience like this so its kind of weird. But we will keep working on it.
I love you all so much. Talk to you soon.
Much Love,
Elder Brendan Kingsford
173
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
It's actually warming up around here
4/5/10 Email Message
Hello!
Thanks once again for the awesome pics mom. You have gotten so good with the camera. They are amazing.
I got a new companion - his name is Elder Kawahara and he is straight out of the MTC. He is also the most quiet, timid person i have ever met in my life - but Ill fix that.
Im excited for general conference this weekend (delayed broadcast). We have baptism interviews for two of our investigators on Saturday. So exciting!
Its actually warming up around here - pretty soon Ill be packing this old beat up winter coat away for good.
Life is good. Im really tired though, so I dont have a lot to say. Madison looks beautiful right now. When I look at pictures from home I feel like Im looking at old memories. Its weird.
I love you! Talk to you next week.
Much Love,
Elder Brendan Kingsford
Hello!
Thanks once again for the awesome pics mom. You have gotten so good with the camera. They are amazing.
I got a new companion - his name is Elder Kawahara and he is straight out of the MTC. He is also the most quiet, timid person i have ever met in my life - but Ill fix that.
Im excited for general conference this weekend (delayed broadcast). We have baptism interviews for two of our investigators on Saturday. So exciting!
Its actually warming up around here - pretty soon Ill be packing this old beat up winter coat away for good.
Life is good. Im really tired though, so I dont have a lot to say. Madison looks beautiful right now. When I look at pictures from home I feel like Im looking at old memories. Its weird.
I love you! Talk to you next week.
Much Love,
Elder Brendan Kingsford
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
I'm pretty sure it will never warm up
3/29/10 Email Message
Dear Family,
I dont have a lot of time, but I just wanted to say I love you. Things are going great here. This is definitely the best time of my mission. Im really glad I chose to extend to the end of June. Im so happy to be here and to be a missionary. I wouldnt chose to be anywhere else than right here in Hachinohe Japan.
Its snowing right now. Im pretty sure it will never warm up.
I love you! I hope Kendall has a great time with the musical. Break a leg ;-)
Much Love,
Elder Brendan Kingsford
Dear Family,
I dont have a lot of time, but I just wanted to say I love you. Things are going great here. This is definitely the best time of my mission. Im really glad I chose to extend to the end of June. Im so happy to be here and to be a missionary. I wouldnt chose to be anywhere else than right here in Hachinohe Japan.
Its snowing right now. Im pretty sure it will never warm up.
I love you! I hope Kendall has a great time with the musical. Break a leg ;-)
Much Love,
Elder Brendan Kingsford
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
We aren't ready to handle all the success
3/23/10 Email Message
Family,
Hey! Thanks for all the awesome pictures mom! It looks like you had a lot of fun in chattanooga...or at least Asher does...what a cute kid.
I cant think of anything interesting to say today...its cloudy and snowing again today. but we have an exciting new development. In addition to raining, snowing, and just generally being cold all the time the wind has decided to start blowing at record speeds. I was going down the hill on my bike the other day and had to get off and walk it down because the wind wouldnt let me roll down straight. Im starting to wonder if this place even has summer...
Imoto san (the guy that came to our window) has decided to get baptized at the end of April...yayy!!
I played basketball today for the first time in almost a year - it was a blast...but I learned something. As a result of it being so cold outside for the past few months I havent gotten much of an opportunity to go outside and run around. As a result I am unfortunately serverely out of shape. An hour of half court, pick up basketball has completely worn me out. From here on out I will now be running outside in the morning instead of lifting weights inside. I dont care how cold/windy it is ;-)
We worked really hard last week though and saw a lot of blessings. It was basically the most productive week on my mission. We now have three investigators with solid baptism dates. All of them are so cool, and so interesting. Especially Wang san - our Chinese kinjin. I have decided that I really like Chinese people now. When the Church finally gets into that country those missionaries are going to have a free for all. Ive met soooo many prepared Chinese people on my mission. Im starting to think the reason the church cant go yet is because we arent ready to handle all the success we are going to see. There are billions of people in China - and if even a fraction of those are anything like Wang san look out. Its going to be something special.
Now its time for the sad but necessary part of this email...
I got my dying papers last week - sad day. They basically told me Im about to leave soon but that if I endure to the end I will be blessed. It also had my basic return information. My last day in the field is June 24 but my return day is Friday June 25. Apparently they will try to get me home in the early afternoon if they can, but they havent bought the tickets yet so they dont know for sure. They asked me a few questions, but I just want to clarify with you before I answer. Our airport is called the "Huntsville International Airport" right? Also am I right in assuming that Bishop Blake and President Draughon are still our bishop and stake president? I am guessing if there were any changes with that you would have let me know, but I just want to make sure.
Also Ive got my classes lined up for BYU next year. Kaicho told me to make sure Im prepared for it, so I got on and mapped out my next two semesters. Ive decided to stick to Accounting for now - but also to explore some other fields a little and make myself stretch more. Im going to take all the preRecs for the accounting program but also go the honors route and take a bunch of honors classes. Ill be taking Honors Biology 260, an honors PoliSci class (international relations), as well as Japanese, and a world religions class. (I threw in film and weight training for fun) As of now Ive got 18 credit hours for both semesters. Im guessing registration will be in a couple of weeks...
Anyways thats kind of depressing so Ill stop now. We are on our way to a Family Home evening from here so that shoud be fun.
I love you! thanks for the great emails. And awesome pictures. Talk to you soon!
Love, Elder Kingsford
p.s. - happy 21st birthday to me this saturday - i feel old already
Family,
Hey! Thanks for all the awesome pictures mom! It looks like you had a lot of fun in chattanooga...or at least Asher does...what a cute kid.
I cant think of anything interesting to say today...its cloudy and snowing again today. but we have an exciting new development. In addition to raining, snowing, and just generally being cold all the time the wind has decided to start blowing at record speeds. I was going down the hill on my bike the other day and had to get off and walk it down because the wind wouldnt let me roll down straight. Im starting to wonder if this place even has summer...
Imoto san (the guy that came to our window) has decided to get baptized at the end of April...yayy!!
I played basketball today for the first time in almost a year - it was a blast...but I learned something. As a result of it being so cold outside for the past few months I havent gotten much of an opportunity to go outside and run around. As a result I am unfortunately serverely out of shape. An hour of half court, pick up basketball has completely worn me out. From here on out I will now be running outside in the morning instead of lifting weights inside. I dont care how cold/windy it is ;-)
We worked really hard last week though and saw a lot of blessings. It was basically the most productive week on my mission. We now have three investigators with solid baptism dates. All of them are so cool, and so interesting. Especially Wang san - our Chinese kinjin. I have decided that I really like Chinese people now. When the Church finally gets into that country those missionaries are going to have a free for all. Ive met soooo many prepared Chinese people on my mission. Im starting to think the reason the church cant go yet is because we arent ready to handle all the success we are going to see. There are billions of people in China - and if even a fraction of those are anything like Wang san look out. Its going to be something special.
Now its time for the sad but necessary part of this email...
I got my dying papers last week - sad day. They basically told me Im about to leave soon but that if I endure to the end I will be blessed. It also had my basic return information. My last day in the field is June 24 but my return day is Friday June 25. Apparently they will try to get me home in the early afternoon if they can, but they havent bought the tickets yet so they dont know for sure. They asked me a few questions, but I just want to clarify with you before I answer. Our airport is called the "Huntsville International Airport" right? Also am I right in assuming that Bishop Blake and President Draughon are still our bishop and stake president? I am guessing if there were any changes with that you would have let me know, but I just want to make sure.
Also Ive got my classes lined up for BYU next year. Kaicho told me to make sure Im prepared for it, so I got on and mapped out my next two semesters. Ive decided to stick to Accounting for now - but also to explore some other fields a little and make myself stretch more. Im going to take all the preRecs for the accounting program but also go the honors route and take a bunch of honors classes. Ill be taking Honors Biology 260, an honors PoliSci class (international relations), as well as Japanese, and a world religions class. (I threw in film and weight training for fun) As of now Ive got 18 credit hours for both semesters. Im guessing registration will be in a couple of weeks...
Anyways thats kind of depressing so Ill stop now. We are on our way to a Family Home evening from here so that shoud be fun.
I love you! thanks for the great emails. And awesome pictures. Talk to you soon!
Love, Elder Kingsford
p.s. - happy 21st birthday to me this saturday - i feel old already
Monday, March 15, 2010
Tender Mercies
3/15/10 Email Message
Family,
First of all - that looks like one beautiful reception you put on. Where was it held? It looks fabulous! Mom and Dad strike again...
How is everyones spring break? Its this week right? Let me know how it goes!
We had a pretty crazy week. By monday of last week the ice and left over snow from the winter was pretty much all melted away. We were looking forward to the beautiful spring months here and dreaming of warm days ahead. When we woke up Wednesday morning there was 60 centimeters (two feet) of snow on the ground and it was still falling in blizzard proportions. Around lunch time we went out to shovel snow for some of the old ladies in our branch, and we were at least knee deep in snow everywhere we walked. On top of that the snow/hail/sleet was falling so hard and the wind was so strong that we had to hold our shovels in front of our faces to protect our eyes. It was unbelievable! I felt like Parley P. Pratt trekking through the snow on his way to preach the gospel to the Indians. Crazy day...
But Saturday was amazing! We held Sandras baptism service in the afternoon and it was wonderful. Sooo many people from the branch came to support and love her. I was so happy for Sandra. She was beaming the entire day. When we sang the opening hymn, ("Baptism" from the childrens hymnbook) she held her baby close and gave him soft kisses on his head while tears fell from her eyes. The scene melted my heart and I felt the special, sweet love from the Spirit that I have grown to treasure on my mission. It felt like Heavenly Father was smiling at that exact moment because of Sandra. She is one of the most special people I have met on my mission. She just radiates the light of Christ. I am so happy for her and for her family. Ive felt so light and joyful since she was baptized. I dont know why the Lord has blessed me so much lately. Theres a phrase Ive really grown to love recently - "the tender mercies of the Lord". Ive heard it many times in the past, but I never really knew what it meant. After my experiences these last few months, especially meeting and teaching Sandra, I now know what it means. I have felt "the tender mercies of the Lord" in my life. My heart seems to be filled with them.
Our Chinese investigator (Wang Zun) came to the baptism and had the entire thing translated into Chinese for her by a personal translator (returned missionary from Taiwan). Afterwards she kept saying how amazing she felt and how excited she is for her own baptism next month. We are too.
Also this morning we were sitting in our apartment just relaxing (p day) when someone knocked on our back window. It was a young man we met on the street a couple of months ago late at night on our way home from a long day. At the time he told us he wasnt interested because he didnt need God. But today he told us he felt something when we talked. And hes been thinking about it ever since. And now he has decided he does need God. He wants to learn more about what we believe and why he felt so special when he talked to us. I didnt even know what to say. That was the first time I have ever found an investigator while literally just sitting in my apartment. We are meeting him on thursday.
I love you! Thanks so much for being amazing! Talk to you soon!
Elder Brendan Kingsford
The Tender Mercies of the Lord
Family,
First of all - that looks like one beautiful reception you put on. Where was it held? It looks fabulous! Mom and Dad strike again...
How is everyones spring break? Its this week right? Let me know how it goes!
We had a pretty crazy week. By monday of last week the ice and left over snow from the winter was pretty much all melted away. We were looking forward to the beautiful spring months here and dreaming of warm days ahead. When we woke up Wednesday morning there was 60 centimeters (two feet) of snow on the ground and it was still falling in blizzard proportions. Around lunch time we went out to shovel snow for some of the old ladies in our branch, and we were at least knee deep in snow everywhere we walked. On top of that the snow/hail/sleet was falling so hard and the wind was so strong that we had to hold our shovels in front of our faces to protect our eyes. It was unbelievable! I felt like Parley P. Pratt trekking through the snow on his way to preach the gospel to the Indians. Crazy day...
But Saturday was amazing! We held Sandras baptism service in the afternoon and it was wonderful. Sooo many people from the branch came to support and love her. I was so happy for Sandra. She was beaming the entire day. When we sang the opening hymn, ("Baptism" from the childrens hymnbook) she held her baby close and gave him soft kisses on his head while tears fell from her eyes. The scene melted my heart and I felt the special, sweet love from the Spirit that I have grown to treasure on my mission. It felt like Heavenly Father was smiling at that exact moment because of Sandra. She is one of the most special people I have met on my mission. She just radiates the light of Christ. I am so happy for her and for her family. Ive felt so light and joyful since she was baptized. I dont know why the Lord has blessed me so much lately. Theres a phrase Ive really grown to love recently - "the tender mercies of the Lord". Ive heard it many times in the past, but I never really knew what it meant. After my experiences these last few months, especially meeting and teaching Sandra, I now know what it means. I have felt "the tender mercies of the Lord" in my life. My heart seems to be filled with them.
Our Chinese investigator (Wang Zun) came to the baptism and had the entire thing translated into Chinese for her by a personal translator (returned missionary from Taiwan). Afterwards she kept saying how amazing she felt and how excited she is for her own baptism next month. We are too.
Also this morning we were sitting in our apartment just relaxing (p day) when someone knocked on our back window. It was a young man we met on the street a couple of months ago late at night on our way home from a long day. At the time he told us he wasnt interested because he didnt need God. But today he told us he felt something when we talked. And hes been thinking about it ever since. And now he has decided he does need God. He wants to learn more about what we believe and why he felt so special when he talked to us. I didnt even know what to say. That was the first time I have ever found an investigator while literally just sitting in my apartment. We are meeting him on thursday.
I love you! Thanks so much for being amazing! Talk to you soon!
Elder Brendan Kingsford
The Tender Mercies of the Lord
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
