Hey everyone!! It's been another really awesome week here in Maebashi, but I don't have a ton of time to write today! Today was temple day, which is always one of my favorite days of the transfer, but it stole all of our P-Day time because Maebashi is about 3 hours away from Tokyo! Long story short, I got up at 3 in the morning. My mind is a little scattered right now getting this whole last week of the transfer in order, but we saw some REALLY awesome miracles this week I really want to share.
First off, I got Sister Eshbaugh's cookies!! It took some time, but they were really seriously delicious! Be sure to tell her thanks a ton from me, and I'll try to email her as soon as I can! They were really so awesome, and it was really so nice of her to send those. She's awesome, and the package really made my day!
Holy goodness my siblings are all having crazy awesome lives!! Whit. I think Seattle would be AWESOME. Not even kidding, I was getting pretty worried about you moving all the way to NYC, even though it would be awesome, but to me... Seattle feels right for Whitney. :) I'll keep praying for you for sure! But seriously, that sounds so cool. AND ICELAND?! That's so cool! Dang, the Lord is really blessing you so much right now, that really is so cool. Make sure to always to let Him know how thankful you are for all these awesome blessings! I'll be praying it all works out for you Whit!
And Alexa arriving in The Bay Area!! That makes me so stoked! I know that the Lord really has so much awesome stuff in store for you there, and know I'm praying for you everyday Lex. You're awesome, and the Lord is so proud of you for jumping into the deep end and moving to California. I know it's all gonna work out for the best!
And Tyler!! Europe?! That's so gnarly! Dang, that's way cool. It sounds like you're gonna have a ton of fun, just be careful man! I'm way excited for you though. Except, it would have been cool if you came to Japan and got a little taste of my life here everyday, but Europe is way cool too!
Mom and Dad, you guys seriously make me so proud to your son every day. I just want to say thank you so much for being such awesome member missionaries, and really helping the missionaries. The ward members here in Maebashi gave us tons of presents during Christmas, and I can't tell you how happy it made me. When the ward does nice things for you, and it just helps you feel like you're really doing your job and building up the kingdom. I'm positive that you made those two missionary's journals and letters home. Thanks for being so awesome all the time. :)
Well like I said, this week was really full of miracles, but not too much time to write them all... But! Luis our Peruvian investigator is looking really good to be baptized on the 5th, and we're getting so stoked for him. We've really come so close with him throughout this transfer, and I really just love this guy. He and I always joke around about California, but he has such strong charity. He's recognizing the Spirit every day in his life, and he's just doing great. Here's the awesome miracle of this week. So! Oyama. When I first got to Oyama, there weren't many investigators, and the ward hadn't seen a baptism in over half a year. It was really hard at first, but working with Elder Howard we were determined to turn that area around. We knew that if we gave it all we had, Oyama would become that area that missionaries get stoked to be called to. And it's happening!! Yesterday I spent the night in Oyama with my Zone Leaders, and they have had 2 baptisms this month, and 2 more this coming week. As well, many more baptisms are on the horizon, and Oyama is an area that is just doing awesome. Really brought so much happiness to my heart, and made me so thankful to be apart of helping that area. I love Oyama, and it will always have a really special place in my heart.
But anyways! Temple day was such a blast today, and it always just leaves me feeling so good and excited for the opportunities that lie ahead. This work truly is going forth. It's rolling forward, and I feel really so blessed to see some of the lives that it has changed, including my own. I can't believe I've been a missionary for almost 8 months, and I'm so thankful for every day I've been blessed with. Granted, every day hasn't been super easy and laid back, but it has molded me and shaped me into such a better person. It's changed who I am, and has really just helped me see the eternal perspective in all these things. I still have so much time, but that ending is starting to make itself known a bit, but it's just pushing me to keep giving my all every day. I know that this Gospel is true! It's changed and blessed my life so much, and I'm so thankful for it. And most of all, I love my family. :) I just want to say thanks to you guys for all that you do for me, and all of your prayers. You guys push me on to keep going when I feel too tired to keep going. I love you guys! I'm so excited for all of the awesome things that life is showing to you guys now, and I know that as you trust in the Lord and always align your will with His, He will bless you so much. He'll open ways that will change your perspective, and make you more of the child He has always known you were. I love being a missionary! This has been such a growing transfer, and I'm just pumped to go onto transfer 5!! Next week we'll know what the whole situation will be! I love you guys so much, have an awesome week!!
Love,
Elder Justesen
P.S. So about Burger King... It was awesome. Way expensive, but the taste was exactly the same!! McDonald's is WAY good here! Still pretty cheap, and a good place to have lunch with investigators. ;) Love you guys! Talk to you next week!!
愛しているよ！信仰があればなんでもできますよ！！！
Showing posts with label Maebashi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maebashi. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Monday, January 6, 2014
Tokyo Japan Week 22
Konnichiwa everyone! First off I just want to say... HAPPY 2014!!! It was a pretty awesome day here in Japan, the night before we had a mission-wide apartment cleaning day! Yeah... so in Japan I guess it gets pretty intense on New Years Eve, so President and Sister Budge had us all do a mission wide apartment cleaning. Haha, it was way fun actually, and Elder Tu'ua and I were able to build up some comp unity from it. It was gnarly! There were quite a lot of areas in the apartment that REALLY had not been cleaned in a long time, so we finished up with the apartment nice and clean. Then I set an alarm to wake me up at 11:55 and counted down with Elder Tu'ua, and it was way fun. :) We heard a ton of fireworks throughout the night, but we couldn't see too many from where we were. Apparently Tokyo was going crazy though! A lot of missionaries didn't sleep too much I heard! Then the next day I got to go over to a less active's home and have some real traditional Japanese New Year food! It was SO good! Lots of sushi, rice, and bamboo! Yup! Bamboo is actually WAY good boiled, and it's supposed to symbolize long life! But all in all, it was a pretty awesome way to kick off the new year, even though I missed you guys a ton!
This week has been seriously just awesome. I told you guys about the baptismal date we set with our miracle child Edward! Edward is the guy from Yokohama who called us up on Christmas Day, and asked to be taught! We set that date, and he's looking super great. He has a really intense work schedule on Sundays, so it's really hard for him to come to church, but we're praying really hard for him, and we know the Lord can work some real miracles with him. He's a really great guy, and he has such a strong desire to follow the Savior, and he says he's so sure that it can bless his life and as well his friends and family. He's a way cool guy, can't say enough about Edward!
But then this week there was Luis! I haven't told too much about Luis, but he is one of those eternal investigators that has known missionaries for about 2 years almost. He's from Peru, and he's really such an awesome guy. He's only problem was that he was very committed to being spiritual, not really taking part in organized religion. He loved what the missionaries were teaching him, he just couldn't really commit. But then we had an awesome lesson with him on Saturday night, and we just testified about this message. The room was on fire with the Spirit, and he told us he could really feel it. That day I had talked to the missionary who first found him, and I testified to Luis that meeting that missionary was no coincidence, and that it was God's plan for him. It was probably one of the most awesome lessons I've had on my mission so far, and I'm so thankful that the Spirit strengthened my words, and helped me to find the right things to say to him. But after that we committed him to come to church with us the next day, and he said yes! We found him a train, and were waiting for him at the train station.
All of a sudden the train that he was supposed to be on arrives, and there's no Luis. Elder Tu'ua and I were so bummed, but we had to run back to the church for sacrament meeting. The whole time running back, I just felt really down in my heart. I knew Luis needed to be at church, and I just couldn't understand how he didn't come. I said a prayer in my heart running back to the church, and I just had this awesome feeling that everything would be alright. We sat down in sacrament meeting, and it just happened to be the one Sunday that almost everyone stayed at home because it was so cold! I just got so down in my heart because there was hardly anyone at church, and all of our investigators that said they were going to come didn't show. It was way rough, and I was just praying to the Lord for some extra strength, and the Lord delivered. IN WALKS LUIS! He walks in and we run over to sit with him, and he just kept apologizing about being late, and it made me so... Yeah I'll say it, STOKED! He came to church, and we were able to have an awesome lesson on faith afterward, and he committed to be baptized on February 5th! It was seriously such an awesome miracle, and one that I'm so thankful for. The Lord showed me this week that when we rely on Him, anything is possible. I'm so thankful to be a missionary, even on those days where I feel like I really just can't do it. The Lord meets us in our weaknesses, and when we rely on that infinite love, He makes us strong. He take those weaknesses and turns them into reasons to hope. That's what he did for me this week, and I'm so thankful for that.
I can't believe I've been a missionary for 7 months now! That's honestly so crazy, but I'm so thankful for every single day. Some days I love looking back on, some days I'd rather forget, but they have all changed me into something better, and more committed to the Lord. I'm so thankful to be a missionary!! I just want to say that. :)
But it sounds like you guys are all doing way good! Lex, have a blast in Palo Alto you're gonna totally rock it! I met a women at the train station the other day who was visiting from San Fran, and she was way nice! Go hit up Japan Town for me okay? Get a little taste of what life is like every day here. ;) And Whit! Get some good rest, and go hit that job market!! I'm praying for you everyday, and I know that whatever happens is what the Lord wants for you, and He's gonna take great care of you. Just keep trusting in Him, and follow Him, and He'll lead you to those paths that will bring so much happiness. Tyler! Keep Provo warm for me okay? Haha, it sounds like you're having a great time there, just keep following the Lord and use those things that you learned on your mission. Mom and Dad, I love you guys. :) Keep being awesome, and just know I love you with all my heart! It was hard not to be a little homesick this week, but I know the love that you guys have can help and push me through anything and everything. Love you guys! By the way! My Zone Leaders have my package from Sister Eshbaugh, and they're supposed to give it to me on Friday! Way stoked.
Man... I just want to say I love you guys so much. I was thinking a little bit today about what life is gonna be like in a year in a half, and I just got so stoked! Heavenly Father has really blessed us so much with being a happy close family, and I'm so thankful to all you guys. Keep up the Faith!! The Gospel is True, the Book is Blue, and GOD LOVES YOU!! Have an awesome week!!
Love,
Elder Justesen
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| Finally got my Christmas package! |
This week has been seriously just awesome. I told you guys about the baptismal date we set with our miracle child Edward! Edward is the guy from Yokohama who called us up on Christmas Day, and asked to be taught! We set that date, and he's looking super great. He has a really intense work schedule on Sundays, so it's really hard for him to come to church, but we're praying really hard for him, and we know the Lord can work some real miracles with him. He's a really great guy, and he has such a strong desire to follow the Savior, and he says he's so sure that it can bless his life and as well his friends and family. He's a way cool guy, can't say enough about Edward!
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| My companion, Elder Tu'ua! |
But then this week there was Luis! I haven't told too much about Luis, but he is one of those eternal investigators that has known missionaries for about 2 years almost. He's from Peru, and he's really such an awesome guy. He's only problem was that he was very committed to being spiritual, not really taking part in organized religion. He loved what the missionaries were teaching him, he just couldn't really commit. But then we had an awesome lesson with him on Saturday night, and we just testified about this message. The room was on fire with the Spirit, and he told us he could really feel it. That day I had talked to the missionary who first found him, and I testified to Luis that meeting that missionary was no coincidence, and that it was God's plan for him. It was probably one of the most awesome lessons I've had on my mission so far, and I'm so thankful that the Spirit strengthened my words, and helped me to find the right things to say to him. But after that we committed him to come to church with us the next day, and he said yes! We found him a train, and were waiting for him at the train station.
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| Maebashi got a Burger king! |
All of a sudden the train that he was supposed to be on arrives, and there's no Luis. Elder Tu'ua and I were so bummed, but we had to run back to the church for sacrament meeting. The whole time running back, I just felt really down in my heart. I knew Luis needed to be at church, and I just couldn't understand how he didn't come. I said a prayer in my heart running back to the church, and I just had this awesome feeling that everything would be alright. We sat down in sacrament meeting, and it just happened to be the one Sunday that almost everyone stayed at home because it was so cold! I just got so down in my heart because there was hardly anyone at church, and all of our investigators that said they were going to come didn't show. It was way rough, and I was just praying to the Lord for some extra strength, and the Lord delivered. IN WALKS LUIS! He walks in and we run over to sit with him, and he just kept apologizing about being late, and it made me so... Yeah I'll say it, STOKED! He came to church, and we were able to have an awesome lesson on faith afterward, and he committed to be baptized on February 5th! It was seriously such an awesome miracle, and one that I'm so thankful for. The Lord showed me this week that when we rely on Him, anything is possible. I'm so thankful to be a missionary, even on those days where I feel like I really just can't do it. The Lord meets us in our weaknesses, and when we rely on that infinite love, He makes us strong. He take those weaknesses and turns them into reasons to hope. That's what he did for me this week, and I'm so thankful for that.
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| I love me a good burger. |
I can't believe I've been a missionary for 7 months now! That's honestly so crazy, but I'm so thankful for every single day. Some days I love looking back on, some days I'd rather forget, but they have all changed me into something better, and more committed to the Lord. I'm so thankful to be a missionary!! I just want to say that. :)
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| I ran into a Bentley and a Ferrari. Sweet! |
But it sounds like you guys are all doing way good! Lex, have a blast in Palo Alto you're gonna totally rock it! I met a women at the train station the other day who was visiting from San Fran, and she was way nice! Go hit up Japan Town for me okay? Get a little taste of what life is like every day here. ;) And Whit! Get some good rest, and go hit that job market!! I'm praying for you everyday, and I know that whatever happens is what the Lord wants for you, and He's gonna take great care of you. Just keep trusting in Him, and follow Him, and He'll lead you to those paths that will bring so much happiness. Tyler! Keep Provo warm for me okay? Haha, it sounds like you're having a great time there, just keep following the Lord and use those things that you learned on your mission. Mom and Dad, I love you guys. :) Keep being awesome, and just know I love you with all my heart! It was hard not to be a little homesick this week, but I know the love that you guys have can help and push me through anything and everything. Love you guys! By the way! My Zone Leaders have my package from Sister Eshbaugh, and they're supposed to give it to me on Friday! Way stoked.
Man... I just want to say I love you guys so much. I was thinking a little bit today about what life is gonna be like in a year in a half, and I just got so stoked! Heavenly Father has really blessed us so much with being a happy close family, and I'm so thankful to all you guys. Keep up the Faith!! The Gospel is True, the Book is Blue, and GOD LOVES YOU!! Have an awesome week!!
Love,
Elder Justesen
Monday, December 30, 2013
Tokyo Japan Week 21
Hey everyone!! This letter is gonna be a little short cause I just wrote you all personal emails, but it was such a blast writing you all. :) I'm definitely gonna do that from time to time. This week was awesome! Why? Well, first the Skype call was such a blast. It was so cool to talk to you guys, see your faces, and feel of your love. I just want to say thank you so much for being that awesome family, and always being there for me. I can't lie, it was a little hard to refocus after the call, but I was just stoked (yeah I said it) to get back to work and serve the Lord in this great cause!
I'm really so sad to hear about Virginia. I'll be praying for her every day. She's such a fighter, and I know that she can overcome this. If it is her time though... I know that she has true mansions above waiting for her. She's been such a strong influence on my life and the lives of others, and I know that whatever happens will be what the Lord wants. I'll be praying for her every day though.
Nothing too much has happened in the few days that we talked on the phone, but we have a new Baptismal date here in Maebashi! We're following an area seventy counsel and inviting investigators to be baptized on the first lesson, and we saw that true miracle today! We taught our new investigator Nozawa the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and then we committed him to be baptized at the end, and he said yes! February 1st is his date, so we're way excited to start working diligently with him. He's a way cool guy who just moved here from Yokohama!
Other than that, it's been a pretty mellow week. With Christmas, not too many people in Japan celebrate Christmas, so it was a pretty great day of missionary work! We went out and worked hard, and the Lord is blessing us so much everyday. I'm seriously so thankful to be a missionary, and I'm so thankful to all that the Lord has given me. He's blessing me so much everyday, and I'm so thankful to Him. Oh! We also had a Zone Conference, and President Budge said that this month was the most baptisms a Japan mission has seen in a single month in... Basically ever! How incredible is that? He says the whole story is on the mission blog, so please check it out! It's been an awesome Christmas season full of miracles in Japan, and I'm so thankful to be a missionary at this time.
Also Mom, THE PACKAGE CAME! And it was so awesome. Seriously thank you so much for sending all of those awesome presents! They really made my day, and it was so cool to put on those old sweatshirts again. As well the ties are seriously awesome! I can't wait to start wearing them! Whit!! Love the CDs but... Our CD player doesn't work here so we'll have to wait until next area maybe until I get to use them! Sorry...
You guys are seriously so awesome, thank you so much for everything you do for me everyday! The Lord has really given me an awesome family, and this missionary experience is truly changing my life each day. It's been the greatest gift going out and focusing on others, rather than focusing on myself, and I really love it so much. Some days it's hard, but I want to testify that the Lord truly does answer prayers, and He hears us when we pray to Him. He is eager to help ease the burdens on our back, and He is always walking beside us. I love you guys so much!! Have an awesome week! The Gospel is true, The Book is Blue, and God LOVES YOU!!
Love,
Elder Justesen
Monday, December 23, 2013
Tokyo Japan Week 20
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| Perera and all the Oyama missionaries! |
Hey everyone!! Okay so this email is going to be pretty short, because well... I'm talking to you in about TWO days! I'm so stoked to talk to you guys and see how everyone is doing. WHIT! So proud of you!! I'm so stoked and I know life is just gonna start clicking for you! The Lord is getting ready to bless you so much, and I know things are just gonna work out the way the Lord wants it to. I'm praying for you everyday!! Sad I wasn't there to see you take the stage and receive your diploma, but I know that the Lord has some really awesome things in store for you. And Alexa you too!! Holy awesomeness, I'm so excited for you too! Going to the Bay Area! I know that's where the Lord wants you, and things are gonna happen. Provo is a really awesome place, but I think there comes a time when everyone has to leave. The Lord's preparing awesome stuff for you! And Tyler, you look so good in your photos man!! Seriously. Keep it up!
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| Chika, Brother Taylor, and Elder Burgin! |
Well, I'll tell you all about this week on Wednesday, cause it was really one to remember. I saw TWO baptisms this week, and they were my two close friends Perera in Oyama, and Chika in Narita. What was awesome was last minute, Perera asked me if I could come to Oyama and baptize him, so I did!! I'll tell the whole story on Wednesday, but it was such an awesome experience, and one that has really shaped my mission. Chika was baptized Sunday morning, and although I couldn't go because I needed to be in Maebashi, she and I had an awesome conversation on the phone, and it just was so good. Elder Hamada, well now Brother Hamada, came down, and Elder Burgin was able to baptize her. It was awesome! But I'll tell you more this Wednesday! This week was really so awesome, and I'm so stoked to talk to you all this week! I'm praying for you all everyday, and I just want to testify that this work is so true. Being a missionary has it's ups and downs, and sometimes you really just have to give your heart to the Lord, and trust in Him. When we do that, I promise that the Lord will bless us! He did it for me this week, and I'm just way thankful for all that He has given me this Christmas season!! I love this Gospel!! Talk to you on Wednesday!
Love,
Elder Justesen
Monday, December 16, 2013
Tokyo Japan Week 19
Konnichiwa everyone! Emailing you from my new area of Maebashi. Just finished getting all settled in and stuff, and I'm stoked to write about some of the stuff that has been happening here in Japan! Just want to say really how thankful I am to be a missionary here in Japan at such an awesome time. The Japanese people have truly been prepared to hear the Gospel, and not just the Japanese people in Japan, but as well people who moved to Japan who didn't have a chance to hear the Gospel in their own country. This week... I'm going to TWO baptisimal services for two investigators!! First, Perera, our awesome Sri Lankan investigator in Oyama, who was just about ready to be baptized when I was transferred. He called me up last night to let me know he's going to be baptized this Saturday, and he wants me there. I'm so excited to travel a bit this week, and go see these amazing people come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. Just wanted to say, I love being a missionary so much! It's completely changed my life, and made me a better person. It's been so far from easy, but I am truly loving it. I've made some really awesome eternal friends here, and I'm just stoked to go forward! Just yeah, haha, it's been a really awesome Christmas season so far. :)
This week was really intense but awesome!! I went and picked up Elder Tu'ua, my new companion, and he and I went down to the Honbu in Tokyo to go receive some awesome trainer and trainee training. All of the missionaries were there, and we got to go in and see where all of them were going, as well as who their new companions are. What was so cool was my entire MTC district was there!! It was an awesome reunion, and we just got pumped for what's in store for all of us. We're basically all training now, which is crazy intense, but we're stoked! I've hit that point I think where missionary life just seems so natural and normal, and it's hard to remember everything that came before! I really love it though! So after the training, Elder Tu'ua and I started heading down to Maebashi, where they were having a baptism that night. Elder Martinez, my zone leader, was going to be going home the next day, and he finished off his mission with a baptism. It was seriously so awesome, and it was so cool to see such an awesome way to seal off his mission with such an awesome thing! Elder Martinez is just awesome! It was such a great service, and yesterday the man baptized, Keshab (Nepal), received the gift of the Holy Ghost! It was so awesome, and his smile just really built my testimony so much. There are truly prepared people everywhere, and the Lord is bringing them to the Gospel all the time. I feel so blessed to be apart of this awesome work, and just to be here. :)
It sounds like everyone back home is doing so great this week! Honestly this weeks emails made me way stoked and happy for all of you! Whit, so dang proud of you!! Life is just gonna take off for you I know it, and Lex I'm so stoked to hear you're moving to the Bay Area! These things falling in place should just show you that the Lord has some really awesome stuff in store for you, I know that there's things on the way! Tyler, it sounds like life's really going for you too, especially with that Scion. ;) Haha, Mom and Dad, I'm so stoked to hear about all of the missionary work you guys are doing! Missionaries and members really do have to work together in a companionship, and then the work can truly go forward, and it sounds like you guys are seeing it in the ward! 4 baptisms!!! That's so intense, I bet those Elders are just stoked, and especially thankful to you guys. Aw man, I just love you guys so much!! I'm really so thankful to have such an awesome family. :) There Lord is really blessing us so much everyday, and I'm so thankful for that. We just gotta keep going forward with faith, and I know that those blessings will keep coming! ESPECIALLY THE BYU ACCEPTANCE THING! I can't believe it!! I'm so stoked though, and it really showed me that miracles happen everyday! I mean... I just got into BYU! That's a pretty gnarly miracle!
I just gotta say I really love being a District Leader here in Maebashi! It was pretty stressful at first, but I've started to just love calling everyone at night. My district is actually one of the biggest in the mission, so I have a lot of people to call! But it's seriously so awesome. They all have so much faith and a strong desire to serve their Heavenly Father, it really builds my faith up so much whenever I call them up! It's a lot of responsibility, but I really love it so much. The Lord is strengthening me everyday, and I'm so thankful for that!
I'm really so stoked for this week, and I can't wait for the photos I'll be sending next week! I'm so thankful to be here and sharing this message with all of those around me. I'm so thankful to all that the Lord has given me, and for all the blessings he has given me. :)
I'm so stoked to talk to all of you NEXT WEEK! How crazy is that?? Weren't you just dropping me off at the curb in June? Time really is flying by so quick, but I'm so stoked to talk to you all! Have an awesome week, know I love you guys so much and am praying for you everyday by name! LOVE YOU!
-Elder Justesen
Monday, December 9, 2013
Tokyo Japan Week 18
Konnichiwa everyone! Well... I got some pretty big news for you guys. So we just got back from Zone P-Day down in Maebashi, which is going to be my new area!! We got transfer calls on the train ride up, and I've been called to train and be a district leader in the awesome area of Maebashi! It's where the Zone Leaders just were, and I'm just way stoked. Nervous as well, but really so thankful for this awesome chance to serve and take this next step and have some leadership experience. What's way cool, I'm one of the youngest district leaders in the mission's history! Well, at least youngest non-fluent Japanese fluent speaking missionaries, but anyways. It was a crazy call, but I'm just stoked. They said they really prayed about it, and President Budge felt I was really ready, and could do great things in Maebashi. My new companion is on transfer 2 so I'll be training him and his name is Elder Tu'ua! He's an awesome Poly from Provo, and he just seems like a missionary who is ready to go. I knew him pretty well this transfer cause he was with our Zone Leaders, but I know he and I are gonna see some awesome miracles. (I wonder if he'd be weirded out if I asked him to call me Kolipoki...) A few of my old District members from the MTC are all training, and a couple of us are District Leaders, so it's just showing how much younger the mission is getting! We're all so stoked for this Christmas season, and I know we're going to see some awesome miracles.
But to answer some questions! Still waiting for my Christmas Package, but I'm so stoked to get it! Elder Packer and Elder Broadhead all got some Christmas stuff this week, and I'm pumped to get that little piece of home. It's hard not to think about the family a lot during this Christmas time, but know that you guys are always in my prayers, and I love you all so much! Also Mom and Dad, you guys are really making me so proud and stoked to hear about the missionary work you guys are doing! We had our stake conference this week, and the big focus was on members and missionaries working together as a partnership, and it makes me so happy to see you guys have caught that vision, and are just being amazing. Missionary work really is the greatest thing ever, and it has that incredible power to change our hearts, and focus more on the needs of others. I promise you guys will keep feeling that love for Kimberly, especially as you bring a family unto the Savior during this Christmas season. The past six months have really been some of the hardest, but most rewarding 6 months of my life. I love being a missionary so much, and I'm so thankful to all the experiences that the Lord has given me recently. Just way stoked right now!
Whit, just want to say how proud of you I am!!! I can't believe you're graduating onto bigger and better things, and know I was totally there being an art critic around your BFA project, haha. I know that the Lord is blessing you with some awesome things, and you're just gonna go be amazing. Keep praying for those things that you want to accomplish, and I know the Lord will bless you! I'm praying for you every day, and I know that great things are right on the horizon for you! Just keep it up, and keep giving photography your all. I know that the Lord has blessed you with so much in that department, and you're destined for awesome things! Keep your chin up, and always look to the Lord in that you do, and He will bless you, I promise that!
Lex, I'm praying for you everyday as well, and I know that the decision to move back to CA is pretty scary, but I know awesome things are in store for you as well! Sometimes we just have to leave our comfort zone a bit, and then those blessings will follow. Hey, we're both doing way scary things right now right? I'm moving also, and it's a little intense! But through the Lord, anything is possible, and when we do what's right, and just show Him the desires of our hearts, He will always show us the way! I know that that will happen for you, and the Lord's gonna bless you as you take these big steps.
Tyler, you BOUGHT A SCION! Like a boss, I'm way proud. It may not be 100% Japanese, but it's pretty close. I'm stoked to see some pictures of it soon! I know that the Lord's really blessing you as well, and it's so cool to hear how your life is really just going forward and taking off. Just keep showing the Lord those desires that you have, make some goals, and go get them! I know that the Lord will bless you also! I'm praying for you everyday man!
Mom and Dad, I love you guys!! I'm so stoked to talk to the whole family in a couple weeks, and I know that's because of the wonderful Gospel centered home we were all raised in. We talked a lot this week about family Christmas traditions, and it just got me thinking about all the awesome things we used to do as a family, and it made me so thankful to all of the awesome memories I have. Being far away can be hard, and I do have a craving for mom's famous cinnamon rolls right now, but there is no where else I would rather be! The Lord is blessing me so much everyday, and I'm so thankful to the eternal friends I have made here so far. I know that this Gospel is true, and that through it we can find that eternal happiness through our Savior Jesus Christ and His infinite Atonement. I was really lucky to meet Elder Aoyagi of the seventy this week at stake conference, and his testimony was so strong and powerful. This is an incredible time to be missionaries and to be members! The Gospel is truly going forth, and we have this awesome opportunity to share it with all of those around us. I love you guys so much!!! I hope you have an awesome week, and I'm praying for you all everyday by name! Next week I'll be sure to let you know about ｈｏｗ we're gonna do some calling for this Christmas season!! So STOKED! Love you all! The Gospel is True. The Book is Blue. And God loves you!!
Love,
Elder Justesen
But to answer some questions! Still waiting for my Christmas Package, but I'm so stoked to get it! Elder Packer and Elder Broadhead all got some Christmas stuff this week, and I'm pumped to get that little piece of home. It's hard not to think about the family a lot during this Christmas time, but know that you guys are always in my prayers, and I love you all so much! Also Mom and Dad, you guys are really making me so proud and stoked to hear about the missionary work you guys are doing! We had our stake conference this week, and the big focus was on members and missionaries working together as a partnership, and it makes me so happy to see you guys have caught that vision, and are just being amazing. Missionary work really is the greatest thing ever, and it has that incredible power to change our hearts, and focus more on the needs of others. I promise you guys will keep feeling that love for Kimberly, especially as you bring a family unto the Savior during this Christmas season. The past six months have really been some of the hardest, but most rewarding 6 months of my life. I love being a missionary so much, and I'm so thankful to all the experiences that the Lord has given me recently. Just way stoked right now!
Whit, just want to say how proud of you I am!!! I can't believe you're graduating onto bigger and better things, and know I was totally there being an art critic around your BFA project, haha. I know that the Lord is blessing you with some awesome things, and you're just gonna go be amazing. Keep praying for those things that you want to accomplish, and I know the Lord will bless you! I'm praying for you every day, and I know that great things are right on the horizon for you! Just keep it up, and keep giving photography your all. I know that the Lord has blessed you with so much in that department, and you're destined for awesome things! Keep your chin up, and always look to the Lord in that you do, and He will bless you, I promise that!
Lex, I'm praying for you everyday as well, and I know that the decision to move back to CA is pretty scary, but I know awesome things are in store for you as well! Sometimes we just have to leave our comfort zone a bit, and then those blessings will follow. Hey, we're both doing way scary things right now right? I'm moving also, and it's a little intense! But through the Lord, anything is possible, and when we do what's right, and just show Him the desires of our hearts, He will always show us the way! I know that that will happen for you, and the Lord's gonna bless you as you take these big steps.
Tyler, you BOUGHT A SCION! Like a boss, I'm way proud. It may not be 100% Japanese, but it's pretty close. I'm stoked to see some pictures of it soon! I know that the Lord's really blessing you as well, and it's so cool to hear how your life is really just going forward and taking off. Just keep showing the Lord those desires that you have, make some goals, and go get them! I know that the Lord will bless you also! I'm praying for you everyday man!
Mom and Dad, I love you guys!! I'm so stoked to talk to the whole family in a couple weeks, and I know that's because of the wonderful Gospel centered home we were all raised in. We talked a lot this week about family Christmas traditions, and it just got me thinking about all the awesome things we used to do as a family, and it made me so thankful to all of the awesome memories I have. Being far away can be hard, and I do have a craving for mom's famous cinnamon rolls right now, but there is no where else I would rather be! The Lord is blessing me so much everyday, and I'm so thankful to the eternal friends I have made here so far. I know that this Gospel is true, and that through it we can find that eternal happiness through our Savior Jesus Christ and His infinite Atonement. I was really lucky to meet Elder Aoyagi of the seventy this week at stake conference, and his testimony was so strong and powerful. This is an incredible time to be missionaries and to be members! The Gospel is truly going forth, and we have this awesome opportunity to share it with all of those around us. I love you guys so much!!! I hope you have an awesome week, and I'm praying for you all everyday by name! Next week I'll be sure to let you know about ｈｏｗ we're gonna do some calling for this Christmas season!! So STOKED! Love you all! The Gospel is True. The Book is Blue. And God loves you!!
Love,
Elder Justesen
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