Happy Easter!!

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

I am glad that you all had a great Easter and it sounded like the Elders had a good time with you all. I know that I like meal appointments. They are always fun. And I am sure it was fun being with the Dolan clan. :D The weather in the pictures looked great! It was actually very very cold here yesterday. Felt like we went back to January. But today it is a bit warmer. So yay for that. I had a great Birthday this last week. Felt very loved. Sister Vail decorated my desk with cute hearts that said some cute things about me and she made me pancakes for breakfast. They were really good. It was kinda sad because we had two appointments cancel on us because they got sick so we weren't able to do a lesson with them. We were able to meet one of them for about 5 min and she gave me a birthday present with some donuts. Very cute. One of our other investigators, Kentaro, on Wednesday night at Eikaiwa he gave me a present and he remembered that I absolutely love pineapple so he gave me everything pineapple. Real pineapple, canned pineapple, pineapple drinks, pineapple drinks. Sooo sweet. We then went to a members house that night for a dinner appointment and she made me a cake and everyone sang happy birthday. A lot of the other missionaries in the mission also either called or e-mailed me wishing me a happy birthday. So it was a great day. :D I feel so grateful that I was able to spend it here in Japan. We saw some really pretty Cherry blossoms that day as well and it was the warmest day thus far. Wonderful day!! :D

So this last week we were really busy and had some great success. For two of our friends, Ryu (from China) and Kentaroh we met and taught them and set a baptismal date with the both of them. They are so humble and so accepting of everything we teach them. Especially Kentaro. We taught him about Joseph Smith and his experience and we asked what he thought and if he believed it and he said that he believed that Joseph smith is very loved by God and because of him we were there having the lesson and that he believes it. We asked how he knew and he said that when he was listening he just felt that it was true. He has so much faith and is so humble. We taught him yesterday as well about the Plan of Salvation and about the Word of Wisdom and when we taught him about the word of wisdom we read from D&C together and he paused and just read the scripture over and over again. We asked what he thought and he said that he never thought about this concept before. He doesn't have any problems besides coffee. He seems to really like it but when we asked him to start following the word of wisdom he raised his right arm and said, “I swear!” He is amazing and I am so excited for him!!

This week we also started meeting with our less active who is from Russia, Yana, her husband and teaching him English. The English lesson went really well and we invited them to church and he seemed ok with the idea even though he says that he doesn't believe in God. Yana seems hesitant to go because she doesn't feel like she is worthy I think. I am hoping that we can help her see that Heavenly Father wants her to come back. She says that she can't make promises to become active right now and we think it is because she is thinking of her past. We want her to help see that was her past but she still has her future and because of the atonement she can do it. It is amazing to see though seeing the transition from the first time I met her to now. She has been changing and I want to help her see that. This family is so cute and I love them!!

On Friday we went with a member to Nasu, whish is about 2 hours away by car, to try and visit some less active members who live there. While we were up that way she took us to the border of our mission. So we could look over into the Sendai mission. That is what the pic of me with my arms raised is. :D that was fun.

Ok now on to the transfer news. We got the call on Saturday that Sister Vail and I are staying companions and are staying in Utsunomiya. YAY!!! That made me so happy. This will be my longest area so far. That makes me happy. But we did get a surprise phone call this morning from President Budge. There is an additional sister missionary coming to the mission that they were not expecting so Sister Vail and I are training together. We go to the honbu on Wednesday for training and to meet the sister who is will be with us. We are both excited and today my mind has been caught up in the time when I first came to Japan. That seems so long ago but at the same time just yesterday. Crazy how time is.

Well that is it for this week. Everyday I learn something new about myself and my testimony is strengthend. The Lord and Savior lives and He is in this work. I walk beside Him everyday and He gives me strength and encouragement to get up everyday and go out and find these special people. I feel honored that I am here and I am grateful for this opportunity!

I am looking forward to next weeks e-mail to find out where you are going Megs! I am glad to know that it is on schedule and that you will be able to open it this week. I am excited. Be sure to take a VIDEO!!!!.

I love you all so much and my love for you grows stronger and stronger each day that I am away from you. You are the BEST this world has. :D

Love you,

Kenzie