Dear Family,
Well it is finally Christmas over here and it is white. We have very little snow but it is the first time that it really has stayed on the ground. It is very exciting and thanks for the package.
It has been a very fun Christmas so far. Yesterday we had our ward Christmas party which was super fun. We had a great turn out with a bunch of investigators coming and the members did a great job at helping them feel welcome. The Christmas program was a basically just a little show with a lot of singing. We got to participate in the ward choir and also sing with the primary kids. The primary also put on a small skit which we were asked to help with. I enjoyed performing in front of people again because it sure has been a while. We also got a lot of presents from the members here. Lets just say I hope I don't eat to much. The members here feel like family and are a great support.
This time of year is a great time for missionary work because people are always wondering why are you in Japan for Christmas and not with family. It is an awesome opportunity to share the message of our Savior Jesus Christ. This message is what brings the most happiness not only in this life but also after death. Well I'm not going to write to much since I'll be talking with you tomorrow but I'm so very grateful for Christ and His love for all of us. I wish you all the best Christmas and hope that we might remember Christ always not only this time of the year. I love you all very much and look forward to talking to you.
Love, Elder Gandy
Sunday, December 30, 2012
December 17, 2012
Dear Family,
I love hearing the news about everything that is going on. I'm glad to hear that everyone is having a good time. It really just makes me smile which is good because that is what Gandy family is known for their smiles. Which reminds of something I heard the other day from a member. The other day a member told me that I had healing smile.
Now I have no idea what that means but it sounds like a good thing.
This last week has been a super busy one. As a mission we decided that as a gift to Christ we were going to share His message with as many people as possible. So we really went to work and saw many miracles talking to just about everyone we saw. With His help we were able to share the message to many of Heavenly Father's children. As we were doing this I really was thinking if we could give a gift to Christ what would it be, what does He want? The answer I came up with to this question is that Christ loves all of us and desires our happiness and salvation. So in order to give that gift to him we share our message with those people that we meet. When people accept what we teach them they are taking one step closer to Christ. Which happens to be our purpose as missionaries in inviting others to come unto Christ. I love the Christmas season because of the spirit of giving and helping one another.
This week one of the great experiences we had was kind of unexpected. We headed to an appointment just to find out that our investigator wasn't home yet. So we decided to wait at a nearby park. While we were there we met a very nice homeless man who was traveling south probably to make it to somewhere warmer. We shared our message with him and wished him the best of luck on his journey. Before we left Elder Iino gave the man his earmuffs. Even though it was just a simple act of kindness it made all the difference. Not only did the man feel happier but we did also. This is just one of the many blessings we receive by obeying the great commandment to love your neighbor as thyself. Now I don't have much I can give but the thing that brings me the most happiness my testimony that Christ lives and through him we can obtain eternal happiness. This gift I hope to share to as many as possible. I love you all and pray that you have best Christmas season ever.
Love Elder Joseph Gandy
I love hearing the news about everything that is going on. I'm glad to hear that everyone is having a good time. It really just makes me smile which is good because that is what Gandy family is known for their smiles. Which reminds of something I heard the other day from a member. The other day a member told me that I had healing smile.
Now I have no idea what that means but it sounds like a good thing.
This last week has been a super busy one. As a mission we decided that as a gift to Christ we were going to share His message with as many people as possible. So we really went to work and saw many miracles talking to just about everyone we saw. With His help we were able to share the message to many of Heavenly Father's children. As we were doing this I really was thinking if we could give a gift to Christ what would it be, what does He want? The answer I came up with to this question is that Christ loves all of us and desires our happiness and salvation. So in order to give that gift to him we share our message with those people that we meet. When people accept what we teach them they are taking one step closer to Christ. Which happens to be our purpose as missionaries in inviting others to come unto Christ. I love the Christmas season because of the spirit of giving and helping one another.
This week one of the great experiences we had was kind of unexpected. We headed to an appointment just to find out that our investigator wasn't home yet. So we decided to wait at a nearby park. While we were there we met a very nice homeless man who was traveling south probably to make it to somewhere warmer. We shared our message with him and wished him the best of luck on his journey. Before we left Elder Iino gave the man his earmuffs. Even though it was just a simple act of kindness it made all the difference. Not only did the man feel happier but we did also. This is just one of the many blessings we receive by obeying the great commandment to love your neighbor as thyself. Now I don't have much I can give but the thing that brings me the most happiness my testimony that Christ lives and through him we can obtain eternal happiness. This gift I hope to share to as many as possible. I love you all and pray that you have best Christmas season ever.
Love Elder Joseph Gandy
Monday, December 10, 2012
December 9, 2012
Dear Family,
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Especially because this last week it snowed a couple of times. Unfortunately none of it stayed for very long but it was exciting to see for a brief while.
Well this last week has been another great one. We got to meet with most of our investigators and taught them. They are all really great people and hopefully we can help them learn more about this gospel and how it can bless everyone's life. We have been seeing a lot of success and progress in this last week. We have been applying the things we've learned from our training that we had recently and it seems to be working great.
We also had the chance to visit with some members. It has been a lot of fun. In fact we had kind of a funny experience just the other day. While we were housing we knocked on a door and much to our surprise a member opened the door. We had no idea that the member lived there but we ended up having a nice visit.
Even though the Christmas season is cold outside there is still always a great atmosphere. Especially as a missionary when we focus on our purpose on inviting people to come unto Christ. We also went to a Christmas party that another ward had with one of our investigators. The party was a lot of fun and it helped me get into the Christmas spirit. I got to be Santa's elf and help hand out presents to people.
Well sorry this e-mail is a little bit shorter but I'm looking forward to another week. I love you all very much and pray for you everyday.
Love Elder Gandy
P.S. We will be able to use skype where I am. I think the call will take place 10:00 am the 26th here and about 6:00 pm Christmas day there. I think that is the correct time difference. We have skype on the computers here but I'm not sure exactly how to use it because I have never done it before. I'll figure it out though. I hope that time works for everyone if not we can change if needed. I would like the call to just be family.
P.P.S. I know this is a little early but I thought of a couple items that I will need but you can send them for my birthday if you like. Its mainly toothpaste and deodorant.
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Especially because this last week it snowed a couple of times. Unfortunately none of it stayed for very long but it was exciting to see for a brief while.
Well this last week has been another great one. We got to meet with most of our investigators and taught them. They are all really great people and hopefully we can help them learn more about this gospel and how it can bless everyone's life. We have been seeing a lot of success and progress in this last week. We have been applying the things we've learned from our training that we had recently and it seems to be working great.
We also had the chance to visit with some members. It has been a lot of fun. In fact we had kind of a funny experience just the other day. While we were housing we knocked on a door and much to our surprise a member opened the door. We had no idea that the member lived there but we ended up having a nice visit.
Even though the Christmas season is cold outside there is still always a great atmosphere. Especially as a missionary when we focus on our purpose on inviting people to come unto Christ. We also went to a Christmas party that another ward had with one of our investigators. The party was a lot of fun and it helped me get into the Christmas spirit. I got to be Santa's elf and help hand out presents to people.
Well sorry this e-mail is a little bit shorter but I'm looking forward to another week. I love you all very much and pray for you everyday.
Love Elder Gandy
P.S. We will be able to use skype where I am. I think the call will take place 10:00 am the 26th here and about 6:00 pm Christmas day there. I think that is the correct time difference. We have skype on the computers here but I'm not sure exactly how to use it because I have never done it before. I'll figure it out though. I hope that time works for everyone if not we can change if needed. I would like the call to just be family.
P.P.S. I know this is a little early but I thought of a couple items that I will need but you can send them for my birthday if you like. Its mainly toothpaste and deodorant.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
December 2, 2012
Dear Family,
Wow it is already December and time has been flying by. The weather here has been really cold recently. We probably won't see any snow but the air is freezing I would say it is just as cold as Utah but it sounds like weather has been pretty nice there. Christmas isn't terribly big in Japan but we still see some decorations here and there.
Well in response to your questions the thing that makes Daniel and my companion similar is really just their personality. Other than that I'm not completely sure. One thing that has been interesting is that I'm the person who eats nato and both of the Japanese companions I've had don't. Well to name just some of the foods that I enjoy eating now are onions, mushrooms, and a lot of other vegetables. I also enjoy fish. It still isn't my favorite but I do enjoy sushi and other seafood every once and a while. I will basically eat almost anything that you put in front of me that is considered as food.
This last week has been another great one like always. We had a zone training meeting which was good. Something that I learned from that is through our service and how much effort we put in is a way of showing our love for Heavenly Father and His children. Lately I have been focusing on leaving no stone unturned. This last week I have put an extra effort in to talking with everyone. It has gone really well. I find that the more I work the more the spirit will help me to know where to go and who to talk to. Sometimes it just takes action. During last week I had a couple of experiences where I didn't know what to do or where to go so I just started working right where we were and after a little while we ended up teaching some great lessons and found a new investigator. I'm grateful for all of the blessings that the Lord has given and me. I am just glad that I can recognize the spirit and blessings.
Right now we are trying to help one of our investigators be able to recognize the spirit. She says she feels happy whenever she talks with us but she just isn't completely sure what is true yet. Hopefully we can continue to help her and that through the spirit she can come to a knowledge of the truth. I'm thankful for all of your prayers and support. I am grateful for this chance to serve - it is amazing. I love you all very much.
Love Elder Gandy
P.S. Mom I have a camera that another missionary gave to me. I'm still not very good at taking pictures but I will try and do better. For Christmas the only thing I can think of is food/candy for example they don't have any twix or reeses here and maybe a little bit of money to buy some warmer clothes. Other than that you don't really need to do anything big or special I'll be fine.
P.P.S. So that also brings me to the next thing which is the phone call at the end of this month. Don't get to excited yet but we will be able to use skype. So in the next couple of weeks we will have to figure out what time works best for everyone.
Wow it is already December and time has been flying by. The weather here has been really cold recently. We probably won't see any snow but the air is freezing I would say it is just as cold as Utah but it sounds like weather has been pretty nice there. Christmas isn't terribly big in Japan but we still see some decorations here and there.
Well in response to your questions the thing that makes Daniel and my companion similar is really just their personality. Other than that I'm not completely sure. One thing that has been interesting is that I'm the person who eats nato and both of the Japanese companions I've had don't. Well to name just some of the foods that I enjoy eating now are onions, mushrooms, and a lot of other vegetables. I also enjoy fish. It still isn't my favorite but I do enjoy sushi and other seafood every once and a while. I will basically eat almost anything that you put in front of me that is considered as food.
This last week has been another great one like always. We had a zone training meeting which was good. Something that I learned from that is through our service and how much effort we put in is a way of showing our love for Heavenly Father and His children. Lately I have been focusing on leaving no stone unturned. This last week I have put an extra effort in to talking with everyone. It has gone really well. I find that the more I work the more the spirit will help me to know where to go and who to talk to. Sometimes it just takes action. During last week I had a couple of experiences where I didn't know what to do or where to go so I just started working right where we were and after a little while we ended up teaching some great lessons and found a new investigator. I'm grateful for all of the blessings that the Lord has given and me. I am just glad that I can recognize the spirit and blessings.
Right now we are trying to help one of our investigators be able to recognize the spirit. She says she feels happy whenever she talks with us but she just isn't completely sure what is true yet. Hopefully we can continue to help her and that through the spirit she can come to a knowledge of the truth. I'm thankful for all of your prayers and support. I am grateful for this chance to serve - it is amazing. I love you all very much.
Love Elder Gandy
P.S. Mom I have a camera that another missionary gave to me. I'm still not very good at taking pictures but I will try and do better. For Christmas the only thing I can think of is food/candy for example they don't have any twix or reeses here and maybe a little bit of money to buy some warmer clothes. Other than that you don't really need to do anything big or special I'll be fine.
P.P.S. So that also brings me to the next thing which is the phone call at the end of this month. Don't get to excited yet but we will be able to use skype. So in the next couple of weeks we will have to figure out what time works best for everyone.
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