Week 44 - August 6, 2012

•Transfers 3-6...

Hey Mom and family!
It’s been a great week, and very eventful weekend!! I held district meeting on Friday and had my companion do most of the training. He was really excited for the opportunity and spent a good amount of time studying and preparing. The themes of his training were 'Effectiveness in Faith' and 'The Power of One'. It was basically about how we can all individually make a huge difference here in the work, and was really good. We went to his former area, Koiwa, on Saturday for the baptism of one of his former investigators. There were 14 missionaries in attendance. While on our way back to our area (about an hour and a half by train) he accidentally left his wallet on one of the trains. It had everything in it - gaijin card, Utah driver’s license, temple recommend, credit cards, and almost all of his money for this month. But, we're in Japan, and despite it sitting on a train in which hundreds of people get off and on at every stop, it didn't get touched until the end of the line (about an hour) when it was found by the train workers. So yesterday after church we got back on the trains to head out to the station where it was found. We had to go yesterday because his gaijin card was in it and he isn't supposed to ever be without that. We got there, got his wallet, and got back to Sagamihara. Then on our way home from there, we had another surprise added to our Sunday - both my companion and I got into an accident with a car while riding our bikes. There was a little intersection, a van went through without stopping, and we basically broadsided it. My companion was a few feet in front and a little to the left of me, and he didn't have any time to hit his brakes, just swerved a little and went into the side of the van. I had time to hit my brakes so I ended up flying over the handlebars and into the van. We both had helmets on and everything and we're fine. The driver was pretty mad when I told him we had to call the police. He waited with us for about three or four minutes, then got in his car and sped off. I had already written his license plate number and a description of the van though. Elder Orton and I both went to the hospital in an ambulance just to confirm that we were fine. The cops and the hospital people were really on the ball and did an amazing job. Besides some really small scrapes and bruises, we're both completely fine. I've got a black eye starting, but it's nothing big at all. Our bikes are fine for the most part too. I think my companion might need a new front tire, but my bike didn't ever hit the car. It was an experience though. I haven't really interacted with the police too much here yet. And we got to ride in a Japanese Ambulance. We were waiting on if they could find the driver to see how everything would be paid for, so we only had to pay a 5,000 yen (~$60.00) deposit at the hospital yesterday. We got a call today saying that he was found and his insurance will cover everything. They told us at the hospital that it will be a very minimum of 35,000 yen (about $445.00) for each of us. But the ambulance was free. We were supposed to eat with the Yamanashi family in our ward last night so we called them to tell them we wouldn't be able to make it... and they showed up at the accident 15 minutes later. They helped SO much - translating hard vocabulary, taking us home from the hospital, and giving us lots of food! They're taking us to go shopping today as well. They have a son in the Kobe Mission on transfer five. The police say the driver is not so happy... but he still needs to be held accountable. We've been praying for him. I feel bad, but I hope everything's okay. And that was our weekend! But don't worry at all mom, I promise we are completely fine. I'll send some pictures. We were blessed that Elder Orton had his wallet at the time. And we were blessed to not have any major injuries at all. The mission is helping withworking with insurance and paperwork, so we're fine with that. The Lord is protecting us.

Here's a little thing I'm going to print and put in my scriptures before the Book of Mormon. I thought it would be good for all of you to read:

The Book of Mormon is of monumental importance to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Latter-day Saints should continually study this book throughout their lives because:
1. The Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion. A keystone is the central stone in an arch. It holds all the other stones in place, and if removed, the arch crumbles.
  It is the keystone in our witness of Christ.
  It is the keystone of our doctrine.
  It is the keystone of testimony.
2. It was written for our day. The Nephites never had the book; neither did the Lamanites of ancient times. It was meant for us. Mormon wrote near the end of the Nephite civilization. Under the inspiration of God, who sees all things from the beginning, he abridged centuries of records, choosing the stories, speeches, and events that would be most helpful to us. From the Book of Mormon we see the evils of secret combinations portrayed in graphic and chilling reality. In the Book of Mormon we find lessons for dealing with persecution and apostasy. We learn much about how to do missionary work. And more than anywhere else, we see in the Book of Mormon the dangers of materialism and setting our hearts on the things of the world. Can anyone doubt that this book was meant for us and that in it we find great power, great comfort, and great protection?
3. It helps us draw nearer to God. “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (Prophet Joseph Smith) Is there not something deep in our hearts that longs to draw nearer to God, to be more like Him in our daily walk, to feel His presence with us constantly? If so, then the Book of Mormon will help us do so more than any other book. It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your life the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance.
(President Ezra Taft Benson, “The Book of Mormon – Keystone of Our Religion,” Ensign, Nov. 1986)

With that, may the Book of Mormon become the keystone of your life.

And here's a story that I'd like to share from a speech given at BYU-Provo called 'Motivations' by Sterling W. Sill:

"Some years ago I heard a story about a young high school football quarterback. Just before the final game of the year his father died, and the coach said to him, “Now, Bill, we don’t expect youto be at the game Friday. You be with your family and we will get along all right. You don’t need to come to the rehearsals.”

But the boy said, “No, I want to play; and I will be able to play.”

The coach did not understand it, but he thought the boy seemed to know what he was doing, so he said, “Okay, if that’s the way you feel, we’ll let you start and see how you get along.”

The boy went into the game and threw the passes, ran the ends, kicked the punts, blocked the tackles, and generaled his team like Superman. The coach could not understand it; he had never played so well before. They won an overwhelming victory; and after the game was over, as they walked off the field, the coach put his arm around this boy and said, “Bill, would you like to tell me about it? How is it that you could do these things under these circumstances?”

This boy replied, “Coach, what you may not know about this situation is that my father was blind, and this is the first game that he has ever seen me play.”

All of us would be more concerned with our lives if we thought our Father in heaven was watching..."

Thank you so much mom for getting that book sent to me. How will you be sending it? The members really are the key to the work, and they are helping here a lot. The Olympics sound like fun. We see billboards and advertisements around here every once in a while. I'm so glad that Kauluwehi is doing well. Hiking up to the Y to watch fireworks sounds like a lot of fun.

Attached are a few pictures... one of a lunch we had this past Tuesday (leftovers given to us from Monday night on the US Base,) our new mission logo brought in by President Budge (remind me to explain the meaning of it next week,) Elder Orton and I about to leave the apartment on Saturday (those are the slacks we bought in here Japan, they're super durable,) pretzels (before being baked) I made and took to district meeting, the very first Nissan factory ever (it's a lot bigger than the picture makes it seem,) two of my face (just after the crash and at the hospital,) and this month’s edition of 'The Cause' (our monthly newsletter.) I'll try to send more pictures later!

I love you all so much!! The gospel of Christ is happiness. And the scriptures really are 'the words of life.' I testify with a surety of that. Our Heavenly Father loves us and watches over us.

Love,
Elder Rindlisbacher

P.S. There really is no need to worry, mom. We are safe, healthy, and happy. :) I love you!!

Week 43 - July 30, 2012

•

Transfers 3-6...

Aloooooha,
How is everyone doing? Is everyone enjoying their summer vacations? Mom and dad, how often are you able to talk with Kauluwehi?

Elder Orton and I are both doing well here in Sagamihara! I had a great district leader council this past Tuesday, we enjoyed spending a good amount of time reading the Book of Mormon on Thursday, had a good meeting with the district on Friday, and ate dinner with the Kanda family last night. The Kanda family has a son that recently left for the Nagoya Japan Mission and another daughter in high school. Even though the school year starts and ends at different times here than in the US, it's natsuyasumi (summer break) here in Japan right now too.

Here are three short quotes I shared at district meeting this past Friday:

"Pile up enough tomorrows and you'll find you've collected a lot of yesterdays."
-The Music Man

"If we don't try, then we don't do; And if we don't do, then why are we here?"
-Shenandoah

"True discipleship precludes any complacency."
-M. Russell Ballard

One of our investigators, Shimizu, is having a really hard time with the Word of Wisdom. I talked with him on the phone last night and he was saying that he doesn't think he will be able to be baptized because it's impossible for him to quit smoking. We'll be working hard with him, and praying for and relying on the Lord's help. Hopefully he can see the importance of the gospel, and find the strength to overcome his addiction.

We're going on the U.S. base tonight to have dinner with a family in our ward, so I'll be sending a box home from there. The box just has a bunch of things I don't need out here (a few pairs of pants, letters, gifts I've been given, sunglasses, etc.) The next time you're able to get a package out here, could you include some more American deodorant? I'm still good on toothpaste. 

Attached are three pictures. The first two are of me at a Risu Koen (Squirrel Park) we went to on Monday. The third picture is at district meeting. It was a sister in my district's birthday, so we tried to make a banana cream pie. It tasted really good!.. just didn't stay together so well.

In ending, a thought from this past district meeting:
We've made covenants and we've made commitments. We are already a covenant people. Let's be covenant-keeping people. What could be more important than a commitment we have made with the Lord?

I love you!! Take care!
Elder Rindlisbacher

Week 42 - July 23, 2012

• Transfers 3-6...

Dear Family,
There are not words to express the gratitude I have for my mission and for this work. Last night we had dinner with the Hiratsuka family. They live about a 40 min. car ride from the church so they picked us up and dropped us back off  there   after. They have three sons and a daughter. The sons are 21, 22, and 24 years old. The 22 year old son recently returned from his mission and has been helping us a lot with our work here in this ward. The 21 year old son is thinking about beginning to prepare for a mission soon, and the 24 year old son hasn't gone. They are an amazing family, and always very happy. If you remember the picture I sent a few weeks ago of Elder Orton and I with the member wearing light blue slacks, that was the 24 year old son. We had a great time eating sushi and talking. Elder Orton is a very outgoing person and they all had a great time laughing at all of his stories and jokes. Before leaving we shared a message on the blessings of missionary work. The spirit manifested so strongly. We began by asking the son who just returned from his mission about blessings that he received personally from his mission. He testified strongly of his huge increase and strengthening of testimony. We then asked the family if they had received any blessings from his service. The parents testified of some really great blessings. The dad lost his job six months before his son left on his mission because his company died. During that six months he was able to spend a lot of time with his son as he prepared to serve. They read and studied the scriptures and Preach My Gospel a lot together. The week his son left for his mission he found new, better work. What a blessing! He lost his job, and I'm sure that had to have been very scary, but he and his son were given that time to prepare together. And then he was blessed with his new job. We shared Doctrine & Covenants 31:3, 5-6 with them:

3 Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.
5 Therefore, thrust in your sickle with all your soul, and your sins are forgiven you, and you shall be laden with sheaves upon your back, for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Wherefore, your family shall live.
6 Behold, verily I say unto you, go from them only for a little time, and declare my word, and I will prepare a place for them.

There was already a reverent atmosphere, but this is when the spirit really entered the room. The truthfulness of these scriptures is so real. By now the father was completely in tears and the oldest son was extremely deep in thought. We continued with asking the mom about her mission to Sapporo, Japan, and how her investigators and others she had met on her mission were blessed. We testified of how important the gospel of Christ is for all of these people here in Japan, and the world. I have felt  this a lot more lately. As you look out a window, or walk down the streets, passing so many people... if you stop to think about how many of them have the gospel, in the case of here, probably one to none. And for all of those people without the gospel, the Celestial Kingdom is out of the picture.  Completely. If they do not receive the opportunity to accept the gospel, there is no possibility that they will be saved. Not even a little.  Absolutely none. However, if they do, how great can be their joy in this life as well as the next! This gospel is the gospel of happiness! It is the gospel of hope! It is everything! As the father drove us back, we spent the 40 minutes talking about missionary work and how amazing our Father in Heaven is, just waiting and wanting to bless us.

When I was on my first transfer, in Inage, there was one p-day when I was just sitting down not doing much. There was a Japanese Elder living in the apartment at the time, named Elder Eguchi, who spoke decent English, but didn't really like to speak English in the apartment. He normally just always spoke Japanese. This p-day, he was on the computer checking his mail from his family when he suddenly pushed his chair back, stood up, and started crying. He said, slowly through his tears, and in English, "My father is taking lessons from the missionaries." His father wasn't a member. He was so happy! Why was he so happy? Because this is the gospel of happiness! Because this is what was going to allow his father to change, and to live with him throughout eternity! What an amazing blessing!

I am so grateful for our SAVIOR, even Jesus Christ. He atoned for us, so that we may have the opportunity to change, to become better. Because of Him we have the miraculous gift of forgiveness. Through which, we are able to be happy now and forever. How great He is. I testify of the importance of missionary work. I testify of the blessings of missionary work. And I testify of the divinity of the Book of Mormon.

This upcoming Thursday, as a zone (20 missionaries,)  we will spend an entire day reading the Book of Mormon. Elder Orton and I are so excited. We will begin at 7:30 am, and go until 6:30 pm. A solid 11 hours, minus a little time for eating and going to the bathroom. Through this, we as a zone, hope to fortify our testimonies of the Book of Mormon. We all know that it is true and we all love it. But in order to really be effective as missionaries we have to love using it in the work. We can't just know that it's true and love it. We have to know that it is true, love it, and love using it always... when we are on the streets, in homes, everywhere! That day after reading as much as we can, we will spend the time from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm outside testifying to all we can of its divinity. What a great day it will be.

This area and this ward is so good. I have grown to love these members so much. And my desire to save the lost souls of this area is almost too much to bear.

Yesterday we were blessed with a self-referral.  Just before church was about to begin Elder Orton and I walked outside one more time because we were still waiting on another investigator. When we stepped out of the door there was a man talking with a few members who were on their way in. They went in, we talked with him for a little, and he came in and sat with us for sacrament meeting. He goes by Best. He's Nigerian and his actual name is Sabestine Nwabugwu, but  his English name is Best, and that's what he likes to go by. We'll be stopping by his apartment tonight to give him an English copy of the Book of Mormon. He actually attended services of our church about two years ago, so he already knows a little about it. He's a very sincere person, and I'm so glad that we were given that opportunity to meet him.

All in all, we are doing well here in Sagamihara. Elder Orton is a great companion. He is very happy and hard-working, and knows how to get things done. It's a pleasure to work with him. I love all of you back home very much. I think of you often and am so grateful for you. Thank you for all of your love and support. I truly appreciate it. Have a great Sunday evening! And a great week! Take care.

Love,
Elder Rindlisbacher

Week 41 - July 18, 2012

Hello! 

It's going great and we've been really busy here! This past weekend we received our transfer calls, and I'm still here in Sagamihara with Elder Orton. I love it here, and Elder Orton is a great missionary, so I'm pretty excited to still be here. This will be my fourth transfer here, so six months total. And I will still be district leader. I thought someone else would be called as district leader for this transfer, but I'm glad and excited to continue!

I've attached six pictures, so here's a short description of each:

4247-4249 Last week after the last district meeting of the transfer, we all went out to sushi for lunch. We all had a great time. It was Sister Derricott's last district meeting, she's probably going to arrive home to Bountiful sometime today.

4261 The district after sports night (Friday.)

4263 The district trying to get a picture of everyone jumping.

4279 Four of our investigators at our takkyu (ping-pong) outreach activity.

There has only been one change as far as the district this transfer. Because Sister Derricott went home, Sister Wylie, a third transfer missionary from Pleasant Grove, UT, transferred in.  I'm really excited to continue working with everyone!

Anyway, we're continuing to prepare Shimizu kyodai for baptism. Right now he's struggling with the Word of Wisdom and we're doing our best to do all we can to help him strengthen his faith. He's a really quiet, but interesting guy.  Silvia's still doing great. We went out to Costco (her working place) yesterday to do some shopping for the transfer and saw her. We'll be starting her AB (after baptism) lessons soon. Those will cover pretty much everything we've already taught her plus things like missionary work, temples, and family history.

It's been getting a whole lot more hot. It's beginning to get into the tsuyu season (super hot, super humid.)  It's been about 32-34 degrees celcius and really, really  humid. As soon as you step out the door, you're already sweating.  But we're drinking lots of water and doing good. And there's still a lot of people out on the streets everywhere to talk to.

That's all for this week, but we'll do our best to make more time to write more next week.  I love you!! Keep having a great summer and staying busy. Take care!

Love,

Elder Rindlisbacher

P.S. 'The District 1' and 'The District 2' dvds are fun to watch about missionary work. We use them here to help us learn and become better.  If you can and would like to, find a copy and watch them!

Week 40 – July 11, 2012

Dear Family,
Things are going great here in Sagamihara. I baptized Silvia this past Sunday. Her baptismal service was great. We've been teaching her for about six weeks now, and have been able to build a great relationship with her. She's 36 years old and full Japanese, but born and raised in Brazil. She moved to Japan about 10 years ago, so her Japanese is pretty good and we teach her in Japanese. During the end of last transfer she received an English class flyer from us at a train station. It was pouring rain and she though we looked interesting, running around soaked in the rain, trying to get people to take our fliers. She came to Eikaiwa that week and we set up a quick introduction lesson. From that lesson she wasn't too interested, but took a Book of Mormon in Japanese. The next week after Eikaiwa she asked me some questions about the Book of Mormon and said she had a really hard time understanding it. So I set up a lesson to teach the Restoration more completely. From there we gave her a Portuguese Book of Mormon and she basically just read it really quickly and gained a testimony. The Book of Mormon is the most powerful tool we have in conversion. The divine truths and principles contained in it, invite the spirit into the hearts of all those who read it in sincerity, and provide undeniable proof of the truth of Joseph Smith and the restored gospel once again here on the earth. She's really a great person. After her baptismal service this past Sunday was ward conference, so we had the stake presidency there and they were able to be in the circle for her confirmation. Then we had a shokujikai (potluck) after church, and many of the members were able to talk to Silvia and begin
building great relationships with her. It's been just over a year
since the last baptism here in Sagamihara, so now we have
another recent convert! We will work hard to keep the momentum going.

This past Saturday we had SMCC with the stake followed by a zone conference, where we were able to meet President Budge and his family. He is an amazing leader. He's only about 52 years old, but was the president of Tokyo Star Bank. Yesterday (Tuesday) ended up pretty interesting as well. We got up early to go the temple and were the first ones in the session. After the temple we went to eat Shabu Shabu with a bunch of other missionaries. Mom, do you know Shabu Shabu? You have really thin sliced meat and a pot of boiling water or other sauce where you swish the meat around in for a few seconds to cook it. "Shabu shabu" is the sound that's made when the meat is being cooked. But that was a lot of fun and really good. After that we got on a train to come back, and fell asleep pretty much right after sitting down. I woke up about 35 minutes later and realized that we had been going the wrong way! We ended up at Oshigaya station, really far from Sagamihara, under the new Tokyo Sky Tree. So since we were already there we went up to to see it, and did some clothes shopping at a place call Uniqlo.I bought a new pair of slacks and a white shirt. Then we get back on the trains to head back. We got pretty close to our station here in Sagamihara (four stations away) when there was a "jishin jiko" or accident with a person. Someone had jumped in front of a train ahead of us on the line. So we were stuck there at that station for a little over three hours. We left for a little bit to talk to people on the streets and ring on some doorbells, but we weren't in our area and we didn't know where the nearest church was. Anyway, we ended up getting back to the apartment around 8:50 pm.

But all in all, it's going good here. I am so grateful for the gospel
of Jesus Christ, and the power it has to make you happy. It really
does have the power to make you happy! The power to make anyone happy, if they just let it. And that is why are here. To help everyone accept it, and let it work in their lives.. to make them happier, to make their families stronger, and to allow them to return to our Father in Heaven after this life.

I love you all so much!! Take care.

Love,
Elder Rindlisbacher

P.S. Dad, I talked with Elder Van DeGraff at the temple yesterday and he said you met his mom at church on Sunday in Maui. Small world, huh.
 

Week 39 - July 2, 2012

    Transfers 3-5...

Dear Family,
Happy birthday, mom! Have a great one! I love you!

How is everyone?? I'm sure you're all having a great time with all of the cousins and family in Utah.

Things have been going great here in Sagamihara. Today my companion cut his own hair for the first time. I helped him a little with the sides and the back and it looked really good. I was actually really impressed. It looked like a professional barber had done it. But then he thought he'd take a little more off above his ears. In the hair cutting kit thing I bought and brought on my mission there's an ear trimming piece that helps to blend around ears. So he went and tried to use that. And..... it doesn't look like a barber did it anymore. Haha, we've spent the past 30 minutes trying to fix and make it look decent without having to chop all of it off. Do you all remember the elder in our home ward that shaved his head bald? I forget his name, but I remember he got a lot of smiles that week in church. But I probably shouldn't make too much fun of him because I'll be cutting my hair later today.

Things really have been going great here though. We're meeting with Silvia tonight to continue to prepare her for baptism. Tomorrow I'll be going on companion exchange with Elder Cragun in Machida. Elder Petersen will come here with my companion, Elder Orton. Then hopefully I'll be able to split with Elder Anderson later this week or sometime next week. Then I'll have been on exchange with all of the elders in my district.

President Budge is our mission president now. He took over on the 30th. I'll be meeting him and having an interview this upcoming Saturday the 7th. We have SMCC that morning then a zone conference after that. That evening Elder Orton and I are planning a "Superhero Night" activity for outreach. We'll basically take a bunch of funny clothes/props and stuff, create a few "superheroes," and see whose is the best. We made fliers and handed them to almost all of the members on Sunday, and it's looking like we'll get a decent turnout.

It's already week five of this transfer, so next week Tuesday we'll be able to go to the temple. And on Friday/Saturday we'll get transfer calls. Elder Orton and I are hoping we can stay together here in Sagamihara because we could really get more momentum going. I've already been here for three transfers, and President Albrecht really liked to move people round a lot, but we'll see how these first transfers go with President Budge.

This past Friday night we took one of our investigators out to Machida, the area next to ours, for their 'sports night.' They hold sports night every Friday evening. Their church actually has a gym/cultural hall, so we were able to play some fun dodgeball and basketball.

This past Thursday at district meeting I trained on "Love." I started by reading 1 Samuel 17:4-51, which is the story of David and Goliath. I talked about how we all have our own Goliath's in our lives and in our missions. Maybe there's a Goliath standing right in the way of you being a better missionary or you being happy. Then I talked a little about how David went to the brook and carefully chose five smooth stones. He had to be sure they were smooth or else they wouldn't fly sure. They would go off their own way, and not go where they needed. I believe that the most important stone that we need in our lives, is the stone of love. And it has to be a smooth stone. If our love isn't true love, it doesn't work. It's also interesting because here in our zone we have our standard of excellence, which has five points, and David chose five stones. Then going to Moroni 8:16, I explained that if we have perfect love, we have no fear. District meetings are only to be an hour to an hour and a half, so I didn't have too much time, but it went well. All you need is love! I also shared a few quotes, one of them from Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end love leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life." It's intersting because love is what will bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and our Savior... and it's also what will bring all of those we meet and interact with closer to our Heavenly Father and Savior.

Anyway, I love you all so much!

Here's another good quote about missions. It's from the father of Elder Cragun, an elder in my district.

"God calls 19-year-old teenagers to serve missions in unfamiliar countries, speaking unfamiliar languages, teaching his gospel, which although simple, requires significant preparation and study.
God knows they will learn humility, obedience, and of the Spirit. He knows they will discover that they can't work their way into heaven--they can do their best, and their best is enough. He knows they will discover that Christ will make up the difference.
Most of all, I believe that God knows that his sons that serve missions will learn to seek and recognize and respond to the spirit as it directs. This a 2-year advanced course and it is at times hard. There will be trials, challenges and adversity. They will walk through moments of doubt, discouragement, and fear. They will cry out in sincere heartfelt prayer. They will learn that God will never leave them, and He stands by them. These wonderful young missionaries will change from boys to men under the powerful influence of the Spirit of God.
What better instructor than the Spirit, the headmaster of God's own personal university where the class schedule and curriculum are specially designed with each individual in mind? The Lord's paths are unique for each of His sons. None are the same, all are personal, all prepare them for what God needs them to do. Later in life, as they do, they become what He wants them to become.
So how does a mission change you?
From a boy to a man who knows God, who has reached to His Son, and who walks by the power and direction of His spirit. It prepares him for the largest decisions in life, and provides him the seeds and roots of faith that will allow him to take the big decisions of school, marriage, children, and serving in church and community with confidence that God will be with him. In the end, he will know that if he asks with full purpose of heart, with an intent to do His will in righteousness, God will bless him, lead him, guide him, and most importantly, guide his decisions for eternal good.
Your mission will change you because you look to God, your Father, in all that you do. You do all you can, and then watch as His mighty arms work miracles in your behalf."

I think it's an interesting little summary of a mission and the effects thereof. Anyway, things are going great here. The work is moving! I love you all so much! Take care!

Love,
Elder Rindlisbacher

P.S. There's a picture attached of myself, one of the YSA's in the ward, and my companion. It was taken yesterday after church.

Week 38 - June 26, 2012

        Transfers 3-5...

Aloha everyone,
Thank you for the email, mom. It's always so great to hear about how everyone is doing and that everyone is doing good. It sounds like it will be a pretty busy summer, at least until after the ward temple trip. I'm glad Kauluwehi's graduation and getting settled into her apartment at BYU has gone well. It sounds like she's all set to have a great time over there. Kauluwehi's roommate sounds interesting. It's funny that her mother is the one that doesn't speak any Chinese. It sounds like Kauluwehi's freshmen orientation and all of that other stuff was a lot of fun too. I'm sure Mikela and Keanu both had a great time. And you've done all of her grocery shopping for eight weeks? That's a good while. It also sure sounds like her ward for the next little while will be fun. How has Kauluwehi been feeling lately? I'm sure pretty excited, as she's starting this next phase of her life, but anxious and a little nervous too? Does she feel pretty ready to live up there by herself? She's so organized and smart that I'm sure she'll do really awesome.

I remember EFYs being a lot of fun, and I'm sure Mikela made a lot of new great friends. I remember it being pretty hot too, with the sun out and shining at full blast everyday. I'm surprised she didn't get burnt, I think even I did one year. Staying with Kauluwehi in her apartment must have been a lot of fun for them both.

Elder Ige is in an area called Fussa with Elder Young from New Zealand. I'm pretty sure they have a U.S. Base in their area. Elder Young and I were in the same apartment in Inage my first transfer so I know him pretty well. From what I've heard from them, they're really having a lot of fun. I also heard from him about his sister getting married. I didn't know that they'd be moving out to Virginia soon though.

I heard about the NaHoku Awards from U'i. And I'm sure they did great as usual.

That fire causing evacuations sounds scary. My companion is from Spanish Fork, and he said he lives about 45 minutes from that area.

That's pretty exciting news with Laneta and their new baby.

The closest Costco is in Machida... it might be listed as in Tama though. If you're going to send pictures there it might be better to just have Sister Saribay bring them, because we aren't sure when the next time we'll be heading out there is, and there's a possibility that I'll transfer out of the area in a few weeks.

Our week here in Sagamihara has been great. The Nishimura family you asked about seems like they're doing well. They are always really happy and smiling, we just wish we'd see their daughter in church more. I'm not sure what she's interested in... I know she really is a great person though. Everyone just has to continue loving her. Last night (Monday) we had a lesson with our investigator, Silvia. Brother Nishimura jointed for us, and it was a great lesson. I was pretty stressed out before the lesson because we couldn't find anybody to joint with us. Because Silvia is a girl we have to have a joint or we can't teach her. Her lesson was at 7:00 pm and it was about 6:20 pm and we still had no joint, so I called her and asked if we could have her lesson from 7:30 pm instead. That was fine with her and it gave us more time to keep calling around for someone to help us. We called Nishimura kyodai and he was more than happy to. He came just before the lesson started, and he was really the best joint that I could imagine us having. It was really through God's guidance that we were able to have him with us in the lesson. God just wouldn't allow anyone else to joint, he was the one that was supposed to be there to help us help Silvia. We taught her about the law of tithing, and Nishimura kyodai was able to help her understand the importance and the blessings of tithing so well.

A highlight of this week would have to be the all-mission conference we had this past Thursday. It was the last conference with President and Sister Albrecht, and the last time most of us will see them until reunions after our missions. We were able hear a training from President on being peacemakers vs. lovers. And Sister Albrecht spoke on 'Remembering who we are.' President Albrecht also reviewed many of the things he has tried to stress to the missionaries here over the past three years. We had a great lunch, with a bunch of fun games, and were priviledged to hear from a band called 'Blessed 4.' They're really popular here in Japan, and are members in the stake I'm currently serving in. After their mini concert, we had a testimony meeting for all of the missionaries returning next month, as well as President and Sister Albrecht. That was great of course. Our new president and his wife, President and Sister Budge, will be here in just a couple days. From there they will hold conferences with each of the nine zones of the mission and meet and interview each missionary. Then two weeks after they arrive we have transfers, so it'll be interesting to see how the first one with our new president will go.

Here's a thought:
You are stronger than you think. Heavenly Father, Master of the Universe, is your creator. When you think you can't, know that you can, because, 'there is no obstacle too great, no challenge too difficult, if we have faith.'

I know that our Savior Jesus Christ lives, because he lives in all of you. He lives when you show and share His love, and He lives when you live His teachings and follow His perfect example. Always remember the wisdom found in Moses 5:34... "Am I my brothers keeper?" Always know that God and His Son love you more than you can ever imagine. Always know that I love you too. I love you all so much!!

Have a great week! Take care.

Love,
Elder Rindlisbacher