Week 60 Happy Easter!

We have just been blessed beyond measure!

Yesterday was the most amazing day of my mission so far! First off, it was beautiful! The Sakura (cherry blossoms) are beginning to come out! I am in a beautiful area to see the sakura in full bloom next month! Yay! Then we had an incredible DCS where we planned Seiji kun's baptism for this Saturday! The ward is helping out so much! They're incredible! Seiji Kun is getting baptized!!! Then as we waited for our investigators to come to church, first Seiji Kun and Roxana his mom came, then Hasegawa San and her son Ryouma came, and then Jhoselin and her three little baby girls came!! I was blown away! It was Hasegawa and Jhoselin's first time at church and they ate it up! They LOVED IT! So much thanks to God in my heart. It gets even better! We met with Hasegawa San after church back in Chigasaki where she lives and had an incredible lesson! We invited her to be baptized on May 7th and she accepted the invitation to follow Christ on Easter. How beautiful is that? I'll remember that forever. So incredible.

Sorry this is a shorite. But here are some other incredible things that happened this week:
I let Claudia cut my hair so it's short now! Haha!
I got a beautiful Easter package from my family!
We ate dinner at the Nishime Family's house!
We had a zone blitz in Odawara.
I received my death letter and filled out my flight information... 😷
We found a lady on the street who asked us to teach her English even before we mentioned that we teach free English! We can definitely do that for you! Haha! Awesome.
We watched meet the Mormons with Claudia and she cried! Good tears people! She loved it!
And my sister got her mission call to Belgium, Netherlands speaking Dutch!!! I'm so proud of her! Olivia you're amazing!

Love you all!
Sister Fordiani

The blitz-we were late we missed the photo but look at all these amazing people!
Odawara castle
Mission call!
Me and claudia's girls
Package and hair cut!
Dinner at Nishime's
Silly members! Gaitau family hahahaha!

Week 59 Shortie!

Haha this one will be a shortie! Gomen!

This week has been really good! We have started to teach another family! They also speak Spanish (of course) and their names are Gian Carlos, Deyanira, and they have two little girls! Every time we go over I play dolls with their daughters and we play catch too! Don't worry! I help teach! But it helps keep the girls quiet! Haha I love kids!

We also had a way sick tennis activity! I haven't played tennis in YEARS. And man I have no skill! We had an Eikaiwa student names Rie Sagawa come with her son who is Daniel's Japanese twin. (Danny, her son has the exact same birthday as you and you're the same age!) and another family came with their two daughters! They loved the activity! Yay! And I'm still sore from playing! Haha... outta shape shimai senkyoushi probs...

I gave a talk in church yesterday which went really well! I talked about family responsibilities! And I did it in Japanese! Haha gotta practice for all you peeps who will wanna hear some language skills when I get home... I'm really not that good at Japanese! I try my best though!

We found some water colors in our apartment and so I started to paint again! I used to paint in high school so I'm a bit rusty. Check it out!

Ummmmmm.... Today we are going to Odawara and we are having lunch with a member! Yay! Haha I'm sorry I can't think of anymore things! Please pray for Claudia and her daughters Akemi and Gaby! They are sick with influenza and stomach problems! They could use a prayer or 7!

I love you all!
Sister Fordiani

Paintings I've done in the last two days and Mt. Fuji!

Anna sending us a video message. :)

Week 58 More Rainy P-days 😭

皆さんおはいよございます！

This week has been full of awesome miracles! We taught Seiji Kun on Wednesday and asked him to be baptized on April 2. His mom and him agreed that the second would be a good day. Roxana has yet to commit to baptism because of some worries, but we love them so much and they both have awesome faith! Hasegawa San relishes in the fact that little by little she is learning more and more about Jesus Christ. She had only heard Christ's name once when we first met with her. But now she is understanding more and more how through following Christ's example her life can completely change for the better. Watching her testimony grow has been the biggest blessing in my life. She is so hungry for knowledge. Today we watched a video where Jesus is blessing the people in the Americas one by one. When we finished, I asked how she felt and what impressed her about what she saw. All she said was, "感動した" which means deeply moved. She said, "I can't explain in words what I am feeling, but I'm feeling it in my heart and I know it's good." 😊 Claudia told us what has been holding her back from coming to church! She has concerns with just about everything we've taught her haha. But we are so happy she trusts us enough to share her concerns with us. Her family is so beautiful. Last Friday when we we were together she said to my companion in Spanish, "I want my two daughters to grow up and be like Sister Fordiani". Claudia is so special. We also taught the restoration to Jhoselin! She is another mother of three cute girls from Bolivia! (I think I just might move to Bolivia because I love all of my Bolivian investigators so much!) The elders transferred out leaving us a bit small BUT it's so fun to work with Elder Konno who is my doki! Yay! The more I work, the more I can see God's hand in our lessons, our finding, in our investigator's lives, and in literally everything we do. There is no force strong enough to stop this work. Even all of my weaknesses in the language and just my weaknesses in general doesn't effect the amount of miracles that happen every day as long as I have
faith. "And Christ truly said unto our fathers: If ye have faith he can do all things which are expedient unto me." (Moroni 10:23) Last but not least, in my studies this week I read the most beautiful words. Enjoy! 

"You are not forgotten. ...Wherever you are, whatever your circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love. Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time! He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name--you are the sons and daughters of His kingdom. The Psalmist wrote: “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? … “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” God loves you because you are His child. He loves you even though at times you may feel lonely or make mistakes. The love of God and the power of the restored gospel are redemptive and saving. If you will only allow His divine love into your life, it can dress any wound, heal any hurt, and soften any sorrow." (Forget Me Not: Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

The power of the gospel and of the atonement are real and it can
completely change your life if you allow it to. It's full of happiness
and peace.

Lots of love,
Fordiani 姉妹
Dinner at a members house with the district! These were on FB so you
might have already seen them haha!

Week 57 Rainy Chinatown Day

Hi everyone!

We had some really fun events! Yay!

The last two Saturday's we had some fun parties! We had FHE at our
church and Claudia Gushi and her husband came with their girls and
Roxana came with her son Seiji too! We played games and learned about
the sacrament and the importance of coming to church. Then this last
Saturday we had a Fiesta at the Shonandai church! So many people came
and the Gushi's and Roxana and Seiji came too! The members were
soooooo helpful for both of these events! They made time to come to
both of the parties which made the events even more fun and helped our
investigators see the super positive influence of the church!

On the way home I asked Roxana if we could teach her son Seiji because
he told me that he wanted to be baptized and he knows our church is
true! It was a really weird and random time to ask her because we were
standing on the train, but I was prompted to ask her right then and so
I did and she said yes! So now we are going to meet with and baptize
Seiji Kun who I adore! He's nine years old and just so, so, so cute!
Miracle!

Also, it's March..... where is the time going!?

Today we are going with Brother Ozawa, our recent convert, to Yokohama
and China Town to eat at a famous Chinese restaurant! I'm soooooo
excited! Oh and we got transfer calls! I'm staying in Shonan for my
fourth transfer with my same companion. But we were shocked to find
out that one set of our elders were closed!!! So now there will only
be two elders and two sisters in our area... Bring on the dating jokes
haha! We get so many dating jokes from the other missionaries! It's
hilarious. 😂 An elder I was with at the MTC is coming here! Elder
Konno! He's such a doll. He's this tiny little Japanese boy and he
legit looks like a doll. (I'll get a picture of him) I'm excited for
the new transfer. But I'm way sad to see elders Palomino and Brummett
leave. We've all been together for like 3-4ish months now! So sad.

Okay last thing! I felt like I should write some letters to people
from my last area! Nakano Shimai from Hodogaya got my letter, got my
new phone number from the missionaries in Hodogaya, gave me a call,
and then came and visited me in Chigasaki like 3 days later! I was so
happy to see her haha! She's so funny! And she brought me flowers! I
haven't been given flowers in ages haha! I love her!

I had some way yabai moments this week too.... They aren't appropriate
to share right now unfortunately because it's pretty kimochi warui,
but ask me about my first week of March when I come home and I'll be
happy to share haha!

Love Fordiani Shimai!
Our zone--Fujisawa
Nakano Shimai
Our district--Shonan
Claudia's Family
Roxana
Everyone at the fiesta!
Seiji Kun!

Week 56 Holy I'm So Sorry!

Hi everyone!

I'm really sorry that I haven't been writing for the last couple weeks but I'd really like to share just a quick thought with everyone before I have to go. This week I was listening to the Mormon Tabernacle choir to the song
love one another. The lyrics go:
As I have loved you love one another
This new commandment love one another
By this shall men know ye are my disciples
If ye have love one to another

The part that really sit out to me that I haven't noticed before is the last part. When we love one another that's when people realize that we are disciples of Christ. As a love and serve and care about those around us where emulating Christ example. And I've really noticed that in my mission that as I love, even those that I can't
really talk to you because of the language barrier, that I can really show them that I am a disciple of Christ and that I really want the best for their life. 

I told you all that Claudia I was going to get baptized on the 27th but she wasn't quite ready for that day but it's a miracle in and of itself. Now we are working with her husband and we're teaching them as a family so we are so grateful that even though it wasn't in our timing the Lord's timing is a lot better. 

The reason that I haven't been writing very often on P-day, last week we went to Costco and this week we went shopping. I've just been spending a lot of time with the other missionaries and using money to help my stress levels ha ha. Today I went shopping with Bybee Shimai and Sanchez Shimai and there's a picture below that you can look at.

This Saturday is transfer calls so next Monday I will tell you all if I am moving and if I am getting a new companion. Lately we've also had a lot of conferences. President Whiting, and we had a conference from
President Wada too. Sorry my English is not very good. 

Also I got the package thanks mom but it had Nutella in it and that has milk in it right? Can you eat Nutella mom?

I hit my six months mark too! Just pushing it hard until I go home. I'm so grateful for all the support from all of you and for the support from all the missionaries here and for the support from President and Sister Wada!

Love Sister Fordiani

Week 55 February 21st

Hahahaha!!! Hi mom! I'm teaching in a Spanish lesson but I am not speaking any Spanish besides like hola and claudo haha! I use my Japanese to find people still don't worry! It's hard to adjust to another language. But I adore all of my Spanish speaking investigators! And they are all doing so well! I'm so happy!

The apartment video is a little too big so I don't think I can send it. I'm sorry.

I can't wait to try the waffle truck when I get home! What do you buy that you can eat mom? Haha I can't wait to see those pictures of high school haha! Weird! Hahaha I was cracking up that you do the boys hair every morning! 😂 I wish you were here to cut my hair haha Japan is the worst on my hair! In the pictures you send of the boys they look so good! They are cuties!

I saw on Facebook that Moka got out of the backyard and then you found her so that's good! I saw that Megan was doing yoga and I wanna try it too when I am home! Mom I think it'll be so good for you and make you happier! I can't wait to hear how it goes! 

Claudia won't get baptized this Saturday but we have faith she can get baptized next month.
I love you! Heading to Costco!

Love Anna

Week 54 Valentine's Week

Hi mom!

Happy Valentine's Day!
Shoot that stinks that Anthony didn't make it! What the heck! How's his guitar stuff going?

Hahaha that's so funny they got lost in Provo! That's so cute. I'm glad they went to go visit Olivia! Her job sounds so cool! I'm jealous! Science stuff rocks! I miss everyone a lot. It sounds like everyone is doing good and I can't wait to see everyone again.

Haha Moka got spayed? That's good! I want a Dalmatian dog when I get home. I see them sometimes here in Japan and they look so cool!

I can't wait to see the pictures from spring break! That's still in April right haha? I'm so happy Danny had a good birthday with his friends and that he has friends! God answers prayers! I know he does! I can wait to meet
them!

My investigators date for baptism is on the 27 th. The majority of my lessons are in Spanish now but I don't speak Spanish. My comp translates for me haha. I guess I could learn it though. I am coming home the 19th. They gave us an option for the 15th of July too but I prayed about it and felt like I need to stay. Then I started crying because I'm really scared to get home with only two days. But I have faith that it'll work out in gods hands.

I went shopping today and bought this hat for 10.00, the skirt for 20.00 and the shirt for 5.00! Oh yeah! The regular prices were 30 for the hat, 50 for the skirt, and 50 for the sweater!