Week 19 Transfer Two is Almost Over :(

Hey Everyone! 

I hope this email doesn't mess everyone's systems up because I'm sending it as a reply to my last weeks email haha. It literally takes me like 10 minutes to type everyone's names into the send box and this week I'm not having that.... 

I'm really excited to tell you that we are teaching Matsuda San again! We were teaching her weekly in April, but when Golden Week came she decided she was way too busy for our lessons for a whole month. That made me sad. But this last week we had a lesson with her and a member and I think it went really well :) I'm happy that our prayers were answered!

I figured out last night that another one of my prayers had been answered and I didn't even realize it. So I have been praying to figure out a better way to be healthy. I have set goals around my health, like drinking water and eating better, but the biggest thing that is hard is we can't go running or biking in the morning because Funakura Shimai already is so fragile with her health this time of year, going running would push her over the edge. So it's been difficult for me to find exercises to do in the apartment every morning. However, this week I had the idea to ask one of the Zama sisters if they would like to go running with me in the morning. When I asked, what I thought would be a "no" from both of them, was a huge "Yes"! I was so happy! And then I realized, I would've never thought of that idea by myself. God must have put that thought to ask them to go running with me in my head! That was an answer to my prayer! Yay!

I think I have just been so blessed this week and throughout my mission. The reason I say that is because I have been able to recognize most of the little blessings the Lord has given me to help me along the way. They have been feelings of intense love or peace, comforting thoughts, people in my path, and leaders loving advice, but all of those things are ultimately from my Father in Heaven who loves me so much! He loves you too. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In everything we give thanks: for this is the will of God." I know that through recognizing those little blessings and giving thanks to God daily, I have become more humble and more optimistic. Life isn't too hard when God blesses every step you take :) 

I love you all! 

Here are lots of pictures to make up for the short weekly report! 

Love Sister Fordiani :) 

1) A selfie of the group from Music Night in Shonandai on June 6th! (I'm on the far right)

2) The group who attended President Wada's Questions of the Soul (I'm in the back and a little to the left

3) Funa 姉妹 was sick all Saturday :( so I made cards for our investigators and really disgusting chunky pudding...

4) The Slades took us out to dinner on Atsugi Base! We had real American Pizza! Yummy! (I had pasta but it was so cute to see the look on Funakura 姉妹's face when she saw the size of the pizza they brought out) :)

5) we had lunch with the Watanabe family! They were telling us about their life and it was so awesome! That picture frame behind us has all these pictures of them with all the prophets who have passed away! So crazy.

6) Funakura 姉妹 loves Rapunzel :) so when she was sleeping I harnessed my inner artist power and drew this picture for her haha :)

Mom Post--Miracles!!!

We usually get emails from Anna on Sunday nights because Monday is her PDay and she's 15 hours ahead. A little over a week ago, I received an email on a Saturday that said, "Emergency."

Anna: My wallet was stolen please cancel my debit card. I love you mom.

Me: I just cancelled your card. The new card will me mailed to me and I will send it in a package to you. Your PIN number will be the same. Sorry that happened. No money was taken out. :) I love you!!!!!! Was anything else in your wallet I need to help you replace or call about?

Anna: Thank you so much mommy :) My drivers license and my social security

card were the other two important things. There was around 100 dollars
cash too but that was from the money I needed for groceries and things
tomorrow. Ah I'm so stressed about it. Thank you! I love you!

Me: How did it get stolen? How are you going to get food tomorrow? Can we send you money somehow?

Anna: I looked in my bag this morning and I realized it was gone. I haven't

really used it since Tuesday when I went to the temple. I always keep
it in my bag so I don't know when it could have been taken. I have
enough food to last me the next week and I have emergency money on me
too :) thank you mommy

We've been praying for her and her wallet. She is meticulous with her belongings and never loses anything so I kind of knew her wallet was stolen and not just misplaced. I didn't want to say that because I didn't want it to be true! 

Two days later.

Anna: 

This week I forgot my notes to say what happened haha it all blends
together here... But my biggest worry was I lost my wallet! Super hard
and it was right after I was reading in the Book of Mormon about how
Aaron and Ammon went through really hard trials but they obtained a
lot of blessings from the lord for their hard work on their missions
(alma 20ish-27ish about) so I thought to myself, "I'll be willing to
go through hard things to see the success they saw in their missions
in my area!" Literally right after I finished study I noticed it was
gone.... Haha I don't think I handled the challenge with as much grace
as Aaron and Ammon did. I cried all day I was so stressed. But through
prayers I know that God comforted me. And if I have faith that it can
be found God will help me find it :) 

Sunday, June 7th

Anna:

He loves us so much that he gives us trials to become better and better people. Our purpose is to become more like him so when he gives us the opportunity to grow through trials, rely on him and he'll show you the way through while he strengthens you and lifts you. I still have faith that my wallet will turn up somehow; however, I am beyond grateful for the load of blessings I have received this week as I have worked through my trial of losing my wallet by relying on the Lord. And I'll gladly lose my wallet again because this week was awesome! 

Same day...

No luck with my wallet. It was definitely stolen... So I'm okay with
all of the lost items except that my social security card was in
there... Is there a way to report that to the government? People could
ruin my life with that information. I remember learning about it in my
financial class in high school :(

The next day on Monday I started calling governmental agencies and because Anna's 19, I can't do anything to help. She has to do all the calling and filling out forms. Since I was stuck, I called the missionary department and they suggested I call Japan Tokyo South's mission home and talk to the secretary. He said usually they discourage parents from calling, but in this instance, I should. 

I spoke with the  secretary and her husband and here's the email I received back from her:

Dear Sister Erica Fordiani – Thanks for your phone call this morning.  It would be perfectly fine for Sister Fordiani to come into the office and use our computer to go through this process [reporting her social security card lost/stolen]. She can come in on Pday and should call the office to set up a time with me.

However, there’s another option that might be more convenient for her.  Elder and Sister Slade are the senior couple serving in Yamato area. I’ve spoken with Sister Slade and they’re very willing to have Sister Fordiani use their computer in their apartment --  they’ll even pick her up at the train station!

You mentioned forms you wanted to fax to us. We do have a fax number, we suggest you might want to scan and email the forms instead. You can email them to me or to Elder Slade depending on where Sister Fordiani goes to use the computer.

Regarding the prescription, Sister Fordiani should talk to Sister Wada, she handles all the medical needs of the missionaries. I’ll encourage Sister Fordiani to follow up on that.

A new mission debit card has been ordered and is on its way -- we’ll get that to her as soon as possible.  

Please let me know if there’s anything else we can do to help.

Sister Adamson

Tokyo South Mission Secretary

Yesterday, Tuesday, I was at my routine eye exam with Dr. Haggard (contacts) and Dr. Lloyd (opthamologist). Dr. Lloyd was looking in my dilated eyes while I was telling him the story of Anna's lost wallet. I was saying how she would be able to go to the senior missionaries home and use their phone and computer. He already knew that Anna was in Japan Tokyo South. He said to me, "This is a long shot, but we have a senior missionary couple serving from our ward in the same mission." I then asked what the name of the couple was and before he even spoke, I knew he was going to say, "The Slade's." I backed up from the eye machine and said, "Shut up!" Dr. Lloyd was really excited about it actually being the same couple and told me that Bro. Slade is an ex millitary guy and will know exactly what to do and Sis. Slade will just scoop Anna up under her wing and love her to pieces!

Well, early this morning at 1:35ish, I'm sound asleep and my cell phone starts vibrating with a call. I normally power off my cell phone at night, but I didn't (miracle!). I'm all groggy and can't figure out who would be calling me, so I pushed the power button to end the call and went back to sleep. Literally one minute later, the phone starts vibrating again with a call from the same number. I still have no idea it's Anna, but I figured someone needs to talk to me so I answered.

I said, "Hello?" and heard Anna say, "Hi Mommy!" That was the BEST moment EVER!!! She was at the Slade's house using their phone and she needed my debit card number so she could pay for the freezes she would be placing on the three credit bureau agencies. (Vince was awake and Anna was on speaker phone). Her replacement card is on its way to her so she has no way of paying. I told her the story of Dr. Lloyd and when she told it to the Slade's, they enthusiastically said that he was their bishop! I told her everything she needed to do to try to protect her social security number--which website to go to and the numbers to call. Then we said goodbye. Speaking to her was incredibly reassuring and just wonderful! 

As I lay back down to fall asleep (which didn't happen until around 5am), I thought about the tender mercies of the Lord. Anna had an amazing week, she credits to losing her wallet, and she would gladly lose her wallet again because of the wonderful experiences she's had. She now has had time with the Slade's, whom I feel like I know because of my talk with Dr. Lloyd. I can only imagine how comforting being with the Slade's is for Anna. I'm sure they are treating her like their granddaughter--giving her lost of love and hugs AND speaking in English! That's just what Anna needs right now! Possibly losing her wallet brought her to the Slade's, which is exactly where the Lord wants Anna because it's what He knows Anna needs. Amazing!

Week 18 Week of Blessings!

Hi everyone! 

Before I start on this week, here are my last weeks "failed to mentions" moments because I ran out of time! Mailing in an hour and a half is sooooooo stressful!

I finally saw Phillips Choro! (Critter Phillips) :) He lives in Salem Utah and went to my rival school back in the day haha. His mom works with my mom so we discussed Utah briefly and it was so nice to talk about people we both know and our hometown! He's in my Zone serving in Kamakura right now. Pretty cool! At that same zone meeting where I saw Phillips Choro, I gave my first training!!! I gave it on accountability and it was really good. It was scary giving a training to missionaries all older than me haha I felt totally unqualified. Um, we had another earthquake! Level 5 this time :) shook us pretty good in the church. That's two earthquakes now yo. And we did service on the American base! There are two in my area. Atsugi and Zama :) I saw Taco Bell. They only exist on base here haha. 

Okay now for this week :) 

Monday: After P-day we start working again around six o'clock. So today we had scheduled to stop by members and less active families and heart attack their doors. As we were in a specific area where a less active family lived; we were there at a different time of day then we usually were, I thought we should stop by to see if they're home. The Elders work with this family but they asked us a while ago to meet them so we can help the wife. And we haven't been able to catch them home. But she was there and she answered the door. We introduced ourselves and then asked if we could share a spiritual thought. It was awesome! She opened up and really received us. 

Tuesday: We got to do some service! There is a huge beautiful park nearby with a baseball stadium, pool, fountains, grassy fields, big trees, you name it. It's gorgeous. There is a team of cute older Japanese people that take care of it and twice a year the community comes together to help them plant flowers all over the park! It was super fun! 

Wednesday: Funakura Shimai had a mega migraine so we were house ridden all day! 

Thursday: We had splits for a training. So I was in a san nin (three sisters group...idk how you say that in English) in Hodogaya for a day. It was scorching hot! My back got burned and my neck because my hair was up. We had tons of fun housing!

Friday: Because Funakura Shimai is a sister training leader (STL) we go on splits with other sisters so she can help them and guide their work. So today was one of those days. Since she's Japanese we split with Japanese sisters. So I picked up Tachibana Shimai and we came back to Yamato together. As we were riding the train back to Yamato, we passed through Chou-rinkan and I had the feeling to just get off the train and visit our investigator Matsuda San right then. So we did. We had to buy umbrellas because it was raining. Lately, Matsuda San has been too busy to meet with us so we haven't taught her for a month. (That happens quite often in Japan and it sucks) And so we text her and keep in contact with her, but I hadn't talked to her in person for at least two weeks. And I can't tell you how many times I have walked to her house and tried to see if she's home, and she never is. But today she was home! So Tachibana Shimai and I talked to her for a good 30 minutes in her genkan (doorstep) about her life and her worries about her daughters. It was awesome! We are teaching her again next week and I am praying that the break she had from lessons helps her realize the difference the church has in her life.

Saturday: Was the day we'd been planning for forever! It was Music Night in Shonandai and a Questions of the Soul presentation by President Wada! An old investigator who I met with Gazdik Shimai came! Her name is Nakamura Keiko San. It was a miracle she came. She had been taking lessons weekly and then she stopped. I have only talked to her in her genkan so this was the biggest blessing of my life! When we got to Shonandai we saw Kawahara Shimai one of the members in our ward at the train station. She asked about my wallet and she agrees with me that it was probably stolen. Everyone keeps saying that it is lost but if you know me I never misplace anything. But she is awesome! She agrees with me. Keiko San loved the music night and she got tears when an elder sang I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus. She asked if I'd send her the lyrics. Emiko Kikuchi came too, but a little too late for the music night. I'm just glad she could make it! She came just in time for the questions of the soul part. Keiko San had to leave so we gave our full attention to Emiko San. She definitely had a defining moment at the presentation. We are following up with her this week and hopefully we can figure out a way to work closer with both of them again like sisters have in the past! 

I think through some of the hardest trials we can see the greatest blessings as we rely on the Lord and have faith that our life is in good hands. 

     "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." (John 15:2) 

He loves us so much that he gives us trials to become better and better people. Our purpose is to become more like him so when he gives us the opportunity to grow through trials, rely on him and he'll show you the way through while he strengthens you and lifts you. I still have faith that my wallet will turn up somehow; however, I am beyond grateful for the load of blessings I have received this week as I have worked through my trial of losing my wallet by relying on the Lord. And I'll gladly lose my wallet again because this week was awesome! 

Love Sister Fordiani

Picture 1: Housing in Hodogaya haha we were super excited to knock on the blue house's door :) --Sister Hotu and Sister Shindo

Picture 2: My peanut butter came from the hombu! I can now commence the eating of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches daily again yes!

Week 17 Stolen Wallet

Hi family and friends!

This week I forgot my notes to say what happened haha it all blends
together here... But my biggest worry was I lost my wallet! Super hard
and it was right after I was reading in the Book of Mormon about how
Aaron and Ammon went through really hard trials but they obtained a
lot of blessings from the lord for their hard work on their missions
(alma 20ish-27ish about) so I thought to myself, "I'll be willing to
go through hard things to see the success they saw in their missions
in my area!" Literally right after I finished study I noticed it was
gone.... Haha I don't think I handled the challenge with as much grace
as Aaron and Ammon did. I cried all day I was so stressed. But through
prayers I know that God comforted me. And if I have faith that it can
be found God will help me find it :) haha we went on the U.S. Base and
other fun things this week too but I'm out of time! Pictures! Love you
all!

Love Sister Fordiani

Week 16 Bird Poop! すきじゃない！

こんにちは！

This week has been crazy eventful haha. A new companion, being area
senpai (I'm the oldest companion in my area), figuring out how to
communicate! So crazy! But through all of the hair pulling stressful
moments of "how the crap am I going to do this" I know that God never
leaves us alone to battle new challenges. Ever. He gives us challenges
so that we have the opportunity to be humble and turn to him. As soon
as we do that, and put our worries in his hands they become as light
as a feather! Pray everyone! Plead for guidance and strength and you
will receive both :)

Last Tuesday, I went to Hodogaya with Shindo Shimai to spend the night
there. My companion is sister training leader so she has lots of
trainings. So I get to go to different places a lot and go on splits
(spend the night at other missionaries apartments). Haha and that's
after the prophet discouraged sleepovers ;)

Wednesday I had to teach Eikaiwa all by myself! Since my companion
can't speak English she couldn't help me teach at all :) but I loved
it! And I'm pretty sure that teaching is what I want to do with the
rest of my life yes!

Thursday and Friday were pretty stressful and insignificant haha.
Everyone was sick (not me thankfully) but I was stuck stressing about
all of the people we needed to meet with and contact all day. Not fun.

Saturday was the day we finally got in the swing of things as a new
companionship yay! My companion is so loving and she has a different
out look to her Dendo that is a lot more inspired! I'm so excited to
learn from her! Her testimony is insane and she's an awesome teacher.
I love her already!

Sunday was so funny! We found out that three members had their
birthdays this day so we went on a heart attacking mission! We heart
attacked all their houses. On the way to the last house I had my iPad
sitting on top of my bag with Google open so I could navigate all of
the crazy small roads of Japan and a bird pooped right on top of my
iPad! It was a lot of poop. So we had to take a detour and stop at
7-eleven to clean it up. (7-eleven is everywhere in Japan. There is
seriously one every 3 miles at least. See picture below haha)

Monday (yesterday) we were at a members house eating cinnamon rolls
and teaching a lesson when the whole house began to shake.....
EARTHQUAKE! It was legit. It was pretty big but only lasted for 30
seconds hahaha soooooo cool! My companion was shocked when I told her
that was only the second earthquake I've been in hahaa. They happen a
lot here :)

Today! Temple P-Day baby!!!! The temple is the bomb. And Tokyo temple
rocks especially because all of the little workers are soooooo
adorable! Japanese obaachans are so cute and little :) I'm so glad I
have my own cute Japanese obaachan :) I love you grandma!

Hahaha that was my week! So crazy but so fun! Missionary work rocks. I
feel like I've been doing this my whole life already! Did I have a
life before this....? Wakaranai.....

Love Sister Fordiani

Bird poop!

We were housing a huge apartment and it was pitch black so I said we

should answer the door with the light on our faces and say, "こんばんは！私たちは教会の宣教師です" in a creepy voice haha!

 Tokyo Temple!

Week 15 Transfer Week 2

Hey everyone! This weeks starts transfer 2 for me!

Monday was so crazy after Skypeing my family for Mother's Day. We went shopping for food for the week and I was feeling all eh after Skypeing, so we went straight to the tempura part of the market and I bought karage my number one favorite food here and ate it for lunch! Then I was fine to dendo again all day haha :) 

Before I talk about transfer calls, I just want to say how amazing missionary work is. The number of miracles we see a day is insane! Like literally insane. This is the coolest thing I've ever done in my whole life!

The best miracle this week happened on Wednesday and Thursday night. So Wednesday we just happened to hear about a baptism in Kamakura happening Thursday night like last minute. Of course we, Gazdik Shimai and I, freaked out because it was close enough for us to bring someone to it! And we immediately wanted the Kikuchi family (Emiko San-the mom, Chinatsu san and Ayano san-are her two daughters) to go, no question! They are ready to get baptized but they had a spiritual impression that they have to get baptized on April 4th so their date to get baptized is in a year.... but it's a date! Anyway, they haven't been to Eikaiwa the whole transfer but this week they just happened to show up! Gazdik Shimai literally begged them to come. They said they wanted to, but their so busy, so they'll call us in the morning. We prayed all night about it, and in the morning when the call came Emiko San (the mom) said she could go! We got to teach Emiko San in her car on the way there and we haven't had a decent lesson with them all transfer either. She needed a lesson way bad! When we were heading to the baptism another miracle happened. Last minute her daughter Ayano San said she could go too. When the baptism took place Ayano San said she felt a zing in her heart, and Emiko San said that the testimony, given by the sister who was baptized, was so strong. Miracles! And then they came to church Sunday for all three hours and invited us over for dinner last night at their house. SO AWESOME! 

Okay transfer announcement!!

I'm staying in Yamato! BUT I have a new companion! Her name is Sister Funakura and she's Japanese! So she doesn't speak any English! I'm so lucky because everyone says she's the best and it's like super rare to get a Nihonjin companion! Especially since I'm still a bean chan! What?!

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!

Love Sister Fordiani

Matsuda San our investigator :) 

Youth sports night! We played dodgeball in the chapel hahaha it was crazy! 

Yumi San our new investigator hahahaha she's crazy and soooooo funny! 

I might dye my hair red next week!

Okay bye :) 

Week 14 Mother's Day

Hi everyone!

Monday: crazy p day! We went to the big Buddha in kamakura! Kamakura
is so pretty! You can smell the sea breeze there and it's so green!
Yamato is more like Tokyo feel, more city and stuff! I was introduced
to my favorite food Monday too! It's called karage! It's just like a
big potato pocket but they are so delicious!

Tuesday: we visited the Akasaka family! We had sushi and I had real
Japanese sushi there for my first time. They were really excited about
that. They are my favorite family in our ward!

Wednesday: we had a cookie activity where we made American cookies
a.k.a. chocolate chip cookies! We had 7 P.I.s come and one previous
investigator and one less active! Yes! They loved the cookies!

Thursday: we went to a sewing class where the ladies made us little
dollies haha it was an activity that was trying to be a finding
activity but it didn't work out too much like that!

Friday: I made yakisoba for dinner! It's been ages since I ate it!

Saturday: we had a zone blitz in Yamato and it was crazy because there
was golden week festivals at the Eki and there were tons of crazy
people around! Two drunk men came up to me and it was really
frightening haha they were loud and I couldn't understand why until my
companion told me they were really drunk .....oh!

Sunday: we saw crazy miracles and found three new p.i.s and handed out
three book of Mormons! That doesn't happen ever!

I've been learning Spanish and Japanese sign language too! A lot of
the people we meet are from South America and there are a lot of deaf
members in my ward! Haha maybe I'll come home with three new languages
under my belt ;)

I'm so grateful for trials that help me become more and more like
Christ. As we go through hard things we sometimes can imagine how
Christ would've felt. I know this mission is going to help me relate
more to the savior and I'm so grateful for everything he's done for
me. I'm so happy I talked today with my family too! That was the #1
best thing of my whole life! I can't wait till Christmas for us to
talk again!

Thank you for the thoughts and prayers!

Love Sister Fordiani

 Here's our area Yamato!

Anna's talking to us in this picture.