12/14/2015 - Heartfelt Testimony / so sad to leave Japan!

Hello!

So we had a great week in Iwakuni!!! We were go go go like always. We set a baptismal date with our investigator, Carl, for January 2nd. He wants to be baptized for a clean slate and to just move on from what has happened in his past. He has changed so much in the past week. 10 days ago he didn't even believe in God, and then in Saturday's lesson he prayed and said that he knew God existed in the prayer. Carl is so sweet and is an awesome investigator. The Lord must have been preparing him for quite a while! 

On Sunday our recent convert, Clayton, was ordained a Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood- it was an amazing Sabbath Day! He is so awesome and surprises us sisters every single day with what he says- we can hardly believe he was baptized just like 2 weeks ago. 

A Hawaiian guy named Leroy came up to us on the street and said that he'd been looking for a church here in Iwakuni. He just moved here like 3 weeks ago and was an investigator in Hawaii. He said that he believes God put him in our path. After that, we saw him every single day in some random place for the next three days. He came to our branch's Christmas party and just loved it! We have a lesson with him tonight and are expecting to set a baptismal date with him, too.

My companions continue to be the sweetest things ever. I love them so much. We really are three peas in a pod. We have so much fun together and see so many miracles. Every day at the end pf planning we list the miracles that we saw that day and every single day our list is super long haha. Kaicho was so inspired when he put us three together. 

This week I ponderized Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16.

"15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father,how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"

I love this scripture because it talks about the joy of missionary work. I am always so happy. Even when we are soaked head to toe from riding our bikes in the rain, or whatever it might be, I am happy. I absolutely love being a missionary with all my heart. I think one of the reasons missionaries are so happy in all circumstances is the fact that we are testifying of the simple truths of the gospel all day every day. Nothing brings more joy than the gospel and pure testimony. I know that this gospel really does bring pure happiness. 

I love Japan and the Japanese people. I have grown such a love for them and I'm grateful that the Lord has blessed me with the ability to love them so much. They are so sweet and are really Christlike in all that they do. They are so peaceful and modest in action. I love them so much!!

We are so blessed to tell people that there is a God, and that He loves them. I love telling girls on the street that they are daughters of God because they don't even know who He is. What a privilege it is to be able to tell someone that!

I love testifying of my Savior Jesus Christ every single day. I know that He lives. He loves us and cares about us. He understands us when nobody else does. One of my favorite scriptures is John 15:13. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." I can say that since coming on my mission, my Savior truly has become my best friend. I've been through a lot on my mission, they aren't easy. He has been there with me every step of the way, every single transfer. Its been amazing to see those around me start to build relationships with their Savior as well. He is what this is all about. I love Him!

I know this church is true and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I have seen it change so many peoples lives! Every time I recite the first vision, my testimony of Joseph Smith grows- what an amazing man he was. I know that our families can be together forever. My testimony of the Plan of Salvation has grown tremendously. I love this gospel with all my heart. 

I absolutely love being a missionary! It is the best thing in the world! I love you all so much! Never forget how this gospel has blessed your lives!

Love,

クライン姉妹

12/14/2015 - Last Pics from Japan!

12/06/2015 E-mail: Privileged to do His work

Hello! 

Well, it's only been two days since I e-mailed, because we got to go to the temple on Saturday!!! We got to do two sessions and I did both in Japanese; it was awesome! The Fukuoka temple is so gorgeous! It was like a 3 1/2 hour drive from Iwakuni.  As soon as we got to Fukuoka and I saw all the places I used to den do, I got so excited!  It was like coming home! I wanted to visit Kristine chan but we didnt have time... 

Yesterday we had an amazing Sacrament Meeting. Clayton got up and bore an awesome testimony! Who would've thought he was only baptized 8 days ago! His testimony is so strong! He called and talked to his dad this week about joining the Church and his dad rejected him big time for it. But Clayton just bore his testimony that he knew someday his dad would come around. He talked about how this week he has been reading and praying a ton and how it has helped him receive strength when he's on duty and at work. He is so awesome and wants to serve a mission when his contract is up. He will be an awesome missionary and we love him!

What a privilege it is to do the Lord's work. He loves and trusts us missionaries enough to literally do the work of God. How awesome is that? He uses us imperfect children because He loves us. I'm so thankful that He uses us as instruments in His hands. I love Him!

We are working our tails off here and are coming home tired every single day. I love dendo! My companions are the best and we get along so well- haha such a blessing to have them as my last companions. They are awesome! We are always laughing!

I know this church is true with all my heart! I love Japan and the Japanese people. 

Love you all and till next week!

Love,

クライン姉妹

12/06/2015 Pic

At the Fukuoka Temple with Welte Shimai & Jorgensen Shimai

12/04/2015 E-mail: 2 Baptisms - so blessed!

Hello everyone!

So last Saturday, Clayton was baptized and then he was confirmed the
following Sunday! It was such a special weekend! He was so ready and
was prepared by the Lord. The water was freezing, but he said he felt a
"burning in his soul" when he came up out of the water. It was such a
blessing and privilege to teach him. We only met him three weeks ago
and he just soaked in everything and took control of his own
conversion. We love Clayton!

We started teaching two more Marines this week, Carl and Cameron. They
are both friends of YSA members of the branch. Everyone here has so
much missionary fire, it's so awesome! They both said yes to baptism,
we are just working on helping them strength their testimonies right
now. The work is moving along like no other.

The Bishop of the Yanai Ward's daughter was baptized last Sunday. She is
the cutest little Japanese girl ever.

We are at the temple this weekend! We did one session last night and
are doing another this afternoon. I did the one yesterday fully in
Japanese and it was such a cool experience! I love the temple and the
peace and comfort that we can feel when we are there. I love Japan and
the Japanese people :) All the workers in the temple are so cute!

One of my favorite scriptures from this week was 2 Nephi 2:7:  "Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered."  Sometimes it truly takes us breaking our hearts before the Lord in
order for Him to heal them. I know that as we humbly come unto our
Savior, He will be there to lift us up. He will be there to heal us
from every pain, trouble, affliction. I know that He lives!

I will email again on Monday so only 2 short days! Love you all!
Love, クライン姉妹より🌸

12/04/2015 Pics

3 shimais - love those girls!

Clayton's Baptism!

Thanksgiving!

Our American Thanksgiving was so delicious!

The Yanai Ward Bishop's little girl was baptized - she's so darling

The huge YSA Group is growing every week.    : )