Kelsie letter: “A lot learned!”
Hello everyone!
Wow…life so far in Taniyama is flying by. We are busy teaching the 20 year old who wants to get baptized out of curiosity. It is a lesson in patience. I just wish I could whack her with the BOM sometimes to help her gain a testimony of it. 
The good news is, is that her friend might start listening to the lessons. That would be big help to her!
I had quite a testimony building experience this past week when we were out finding. I decided in the morning, and just said it for fun, that if we could find a new person to listen to our message and pass out a BOM, we could go to a nearby bakery for dinner. Just minutes after that we found that person! She ended up not coming to church yesterday because of a cold, but we have her number and address! After that, we were going to head back and take our whole 1 hour to eat dinner, but I felt we needed to do a little more finding. We found some houses and the first door I knocked on we found another willing listener! We have an appt. for Tues! Wow! The Lord truly does bless us and guide us when we just show a little bit of faith. 
I am loving teaching the sweet old Polish lady. She has had a very hard life, and has a hard time feeling that God loves her. One of the sweet members here gave her an Ensign in Polish, so I am excited to study that with her. She is married to a Japanese man who shows her no love, and because he had a stroke, just sits at home. She is so sweet and takes care of him, but is so worn out. My heart just goes out to her. We took her a beautiful picture of the Savior, along with a note, and when we talked to her next she was so grateful. I would love to see her feel her Saviors love.
I also attended my first funeral here in Japan. It was the non-member husband of a sister in the ward. The day before he died we had taught her a lesson, just for practice. We then visited her on Saturday and she took us to dinner! Even though we came bringing a treat for her birhday! She has such faith in her Savior that it hasn`t really hit her very hard.
Well, today is very rainy. My apartment is at average 60 degrees. But my testimony of the gospel is growing daily, minute by minute. I can`t even begin to say how much I just want to stand on top of this Science Museum where I am typing and shout to the people that they have a Savior. That he paid for their sins, if they would but come and follow him. I am so excited for this Christmas season where we can celebrate his birth! I want you all to know that I know that Heavenly Father loves each one of us. I love each one of you so much!
Chum- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I can`t believe that you are one year older and wiser too! I hope you have a blast with the fam and your sweetheart dear old pap! I am glad you got my letters…the Japanese writing is Doctrine and Covenants 64:6. I had Ueno shimai write them for you…although one of them is mine! Pap, it was your Fathers Day present…sorry it was so late. That stinks to hear about those blasted robberies. It`s ok that you didn`t get to talk to her, I told her to call you, but ah well. Oh yeah, I was very surprised when Sister Polten called me about your email.
About the packages- it is always best to send them to the mission home. They are usually very prompt! Oh yeah, Yashima shimai has the NOEL Tab choir CD…so don`t send that one. I think I can listen to the Forgotten Carols, if you could look at the list…that would be awesome!! Tell JoAnn Judd that I was the very happy and surprised recipient of a real Kimono and fur shall…from one of my eikaiwa students. The Prisbeys were going to ship them to you guys since I got them the day I transfered here. They are so sweet!
Have a wonderful week! Oh yeah, I will celebrate Thanksgiving at Zone Conference! All of you have a blast, and remember to eat some turkey and cranberry sauce for me.
Love,
Sister Haymond
