Kelsie Letter: “New comps!”
Hey everyone! Yep, I am still here in Kumamoto, I survived the transfer.:) Nishino shimai headed back to Hokaido after serving a faithful 1.5 years. Omori shimai was transfered to Nakatsu, just North of Fukuoka City. I am now with Sasayama shimai (she was my trainers comp before I came!), she is from near Tokyo, is very sweet, and a very hard worker. I am grateful for this chance to learn much about being a senior from here. And yet again, I am with a beanchan…her name is Bunya shimai, from near Sendai, Japan. Even though she is brand new, she took a lot of missionary prep classes before coming. She is almost like an old pro! We are going to have a blast together!
We get to watch conference this coming Saturday and Sunday. I am so excited I can hardly stand it! It is true Pap, when I watched the last session in the MTC I held my breath at every single word that was said. I can only imagine how much more that is going to be this time! Plus, next Monday we get to go to the Fukuoka temple! It is *sports day*, so it is the stake temple day. I am so excited! It seems like forever ago that I went for the last time in the Provo temple.
This past week we were so busy packing and transfering it just flew right by…lets see…Eri chan is still progressing along nicely. Her brother is absolutely amazing. He joints with the lessons and always bears the strongest testimony. He has decided that his mission is the Kumamoto Mission. So he is doing his part to bring everyone he knows to the gospel. It is so fun to see all of the members here. They have to work so much harder at being faithful latter-day saints here in Japan. Not saying that anyone has it easy, but they are surrounded by tea (its in the culture), most jobs work on Sundays, however, this past week my district leader shared a portion of a talk that President Eyring gave when the Tokyo shinden (oops! temple) was dedicated. He prophecied that one day the people in Japan will be proud to talk about Jesus Christ. That their kids will talk about Him to their friends. And that many will come into the waters of baptism. He said, `I don`t know how it will happen, but it will occur`. It was a very powerful testimony meeting that we had afterwards. I know that through the faith of the wonderful members here in Japan, this place will explode with baptisms. If anyone ever tells you that Japan doesn`t have many baptisms, tell them to read D&C 4…if we have the faith, the `field is ready to harvest`!
Kare-I am glad to hear that Creed is using one of my favorite words! I even got my last two companions to use it quite frequently. 
Our langauage was quite the mix of English and Japanese…oh it was soooo fun! My two comps right now hardly know any English, so i am learning the langauge even more now. Good luck with twins, tell Ains to give them a love from me!
Pap and Chum- Thank you for letting me know about the elections a little more. I am leaning towards McCain (elder Bodily`s sister works back in DC and sent a specs sheet on each of them) I am glad to hear the high school crowd is doing well. Tell them hello if you see them again. Oh, I did get the letter, but not the package yet. Thank you for all of the pictures and stickers!
Deb- I am so glad to hear you are doing so well! I am absolutely loving my time here in Japan. I can`t even begin to describe how much I am learning; my love for my Savior seems to double each and every day. I can`t believe that I have the chance to tell these people of His love for them. Thank you, thank you for your lettter! I do think my eyes are getting a little more squinty too!
Everyone, I love you all so much. Please write anytime. Let me know when anyone is born…and send pictures!!!!! I would like to see at least one of Ode and Jess`s wedding, please.
The gospel is true! We all accepted this opportunity and our Father`s plan before we came to this earth…I get the privelige of helping others realize that. How cool!!
Ai shite iru da yo! Kono dendo suru keiken wa tanoshii sugiru! I love you all! This mission experience is too fun!
Love,
Sister Haymond
