Kelsie letter: “Patience is the Key”
Hello everyone! I can`t believe that it is already December 8th, 2008. I have spent almost one entire year in the service of our Lord and Savior. What an interesting year it has been! I have been uplifted, I have cried, I have felt joy, and I have learned patience and love.
From Eleonora I have learned what sacrifice means. She met her husband, he was a wonderful man: kind, funny, outgoing, hardworking. They returned to Japan and he completely changed! He got lazy, stopped caring for her, got into debt, and then had two strokes. She gave up her family (she`s seen them once or twice in the last 16 years), she gave up a good job. We read with her The Mediator. She loved it. I think it really started her realizing just how important the Atonement really is. I realized as well why each of us can and must rely on the Atonement. Sometimes the road seems like the pot holes are `Grand Canyon`sized, but with the Lords help we can safely avoid falling into them. She told us she realized that she wants to get baptized, but is afraid that she will break the convenants because when she gets frustrated she will smoke or drink. Please pray for her to receive an answer to her prayers, that she can overcome.
We`ve been teaching Risa chan, the 21 year old. She has the manners of a pig sometimes, but she is so sweet. She actually, and somewhat quietly sat through relief society yesterday. She only talked, played with her cell phone, and played with the papers the teacher handed out about half of the time. That was a lot of improvement. I am relying on the spirit to have patience and realize that I can`t give up on her. She has hope. She has finally quite smoking. We even have one of her friends listening to the lessons as well. Yippee! She is a really good influence on Risa chan. Too bad Risa chan really interupted her first lesson by talking, listening to music, and farting. I didn`t think they did that here in Japan, but she does. Ahhh! Luckily the branch members all love her. They all support her and I think that is really affecting her in a great way. Sorry to vent, but I know you all have interesting stories from your missions, and this is one of mine.
I am so excited to talk with all of you in the next couple of weeks! Please call on YOUR Christmas Eve. You are 16 hours ahead of me. Please call me when it is my time 7:00 AM. Again, my number is: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX. I want to speak by couples or singles, so I can actually get a chance to talk with all of you! Kimbob and Dan arrange the time with the fam so I get to talk with all of you as well!
I love all of you so much. Please do good for someone today. Mom and Pap, tell the Bishop thank you, but I can`t write to him. Good luck in all you do! The church is true! Heavenly Father loves all of us. I know this.
Love,
Sister Haymond