March 18, 2013

Dear Family,

Wow mom it sounds like you have had some pretty cool experiences. It sounds a lot like what we are doing here just talking to people and getting to know them hoping we can share our special message. I remember when I first came to Japan I was so nervous talking to people but now it is something I enjoy. Still a little scary at times but I know that the Spirit is with us and guiding us to know what to do.

Well this has been an amazing week my new companion and I have just been working so much. My new companion just came from the MTC. So Nago is his first area. He is a great guy from Farmington Utah but his mom is actually Japanese. He was in the first group to officially start the 9 week program at the MTC. So it seems like the pilot program turned out well after all.

Things here have been going super well and I'm really enjoying the work. I feel like I have really been blessed these last few days. I know that the Lord's hand is in this work and he will not let us fail. I'm so grateful to be serving our Father in Heaven at this time. This last week we also came up with a transfer theme. We decided on "A Persons a Person No Matter How Small" and our scripture to go with it is Matthew 25:40. Our goal this transfer is to talk to everyone and remember that they our children of our Heavenly Father who loves them. So we hope to do our part by at least helping one person come closer to the Lord a day. It has already been going well and I'm looking forward to whats in store. I love you all so very much and am extremely grateful for your prayers.

Love, Elder Joseph Gandy




March 24, 2013

Dear Family,

That was a lot of great news. Its exciting to hear all of the different things that are going on over there. So yes I'm now a trainer and it has been amazing. We have been seeing so many miracles and success. Another thing we found out this last week is how our mission will be increasing. Right now my mission has around 120 missionaries but by November that number will double to 240. It is awesome being able to see the mission grow.

This last week we just went to work and did our best finding those people who might be prepared. We were blessed to meet so many people and share our testimonies with them. We met this one lady who seemed really interested and said we can come back and share more. We found out that her aunt is a member and she heard a little bit about the church when she was young. We also met this girl who came to our English class. Apparently she met Pres. Gustafson while him and his wife were on the plane on the way to Okinawa. From meeting them she decided to come to English class.

A lot happened last week and it still always amazes me what the Lord can do. Honestly to me one of the biggest miracles is that I can speak Japanese. It still isn't perfect and there is a lot more I can learn but in the last couple of weeks I feel like I have received more help from Heavenly Father. Like in Alma 25:12 I know that I am weak but as long as I trust in the Lord all things are possible. I love being a missionary and helping people come closer unto Christ. This is a marvelous work. I'm so grateful for all of your prayers. I love you all so very much.

Love Elder Joseph Gandy

Dear Family,

That is some interesting news about the missionaries and the work they are doing on the computers. I have heard about missionaries doing something similiar to that in Tokyo. Well everything here has been going well this week we have transfers and my companion is actually just finishing his mission so next week I will have a new companion.

I feel like the work here is picking up and things are just working out really well. We have two investigators that we are teaching fairly regularly and one of them has a baptismal date for the beginning of next month. Its super exciting seeing people want to learn more and doing what is needed in order to come closer to Christ. Missionary work is really just amazing. I'm sure Joshua will just enjoy it as well.

Last week there was also a church cleaning day that we didn't know about but we just happened to show up at the church right as they were starting so that was a nice unexpected act of service we got to do. Just the other day a former missionary that served here in Nago came to visit the ward. It was cool he actually took us to meet one of the people he taught while he was here. It looks like she is willing to listen to the missionaries again. Today we are actually going to go play some frisbee with recent convert. That is something I'm looking forward to. It feels like a long time since I've played. Well I love you all very much and hope you have a great week.

Love, Elder Joseph Gandy

Here are some pictures from a p-day activity.