Christmas time pictures!

This is Akiyama Kyodai. we love this guy. He has a baptismal date too, and we are super excited!

He is always super happy and super nice. He cant talk because of throat cancer, and that is hard for him, but he always takes it well.  

​This is just what Japan looks like for the most part in the neighborhoods

Our Christmas Tree

We had a Christmas meal at the Senior couple`s home. It was just Kentucky fried chicken, but it was tons of fun, we played games and had a good time. The Japanese kid here is Yuji. He has a baptismal date, and he is just super prepared for it we are super excited for him!

This is our recent convert Nakano Kyodai

Christmas 2014

​I wish there was a better picture, but this was Christmas day dinner. This is the Patriarch`s home. They fed us until we couldn`t eat any more, and then they brought out three cakes! It was crazy, but they are so wonderful! I got to sit next to the grandma of the house, who is a very talkative. She commanded us to eat at the end of every sentence, and told us about how we were so handsome....

Anyways, I hope you like the pictures. This was such a great Christmas. we got up early to bring presents to a less active, and were busy the rest of the day. I love these people. It was so good to talk to you too!

Thank you for all you do!

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is God`s Church. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I know that our leaders are inspired of God. I know this is where I am supposed to be. I know the Savior lived, died, and rose for us. I am so thankful for that great sacrifice for me!  

With love, Elder Bevan

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Ok, this week we saw tons of miracles.
This is a part of the letter that I sent to Kaicho this week:

"My responsibility to represent the Lord is a big one. I hope that I can fill that great calling to some extent. I have recently realized that forgiveness and repentance will need to take a bigger part than I have been recognizing. I love the God that would give me forgiveness and allow me to take part in His supreme love, even though I have made mistakes. I am so thankful that He affords me forgiveness.
I am trying to work hard, and I believe that the Lord is pleased with my work. I think that he has seen our faith and our efforts, and is blessing us. Actually I know it; there is no other way that we could have seen the miracles we did this week...
This week we met our goals for 2 baptismal dates, 3 sacrament meeting attendances, 2 member present lessons, and 2 progressing investigators. We met standard of excellence for new investigators, but not our goal. We are working, and doing our best. The Lord will need to make up the rest. I pray that we will be able to make standards by this Sunday. I hope my investigators are blessed with that. "

In case you didnt catch that we have 2 baptismal dates. The first is Akiyama San's, he is the one who has no voice because of throat cancer. We had some awesome visits with him this week and I am really happy for him. I got a picture with Him but that will have to with until next week. I dont have my camera ready. 

The second date is a college student's, named Yuji. He is sooo prepared. we met him on the street. did a lesson at the church(where we set a baptismal date) and he came to all of church and a recreation activity at the church. He is so Ready! I am very confident he will be baptized and I am glad, because he seems like such a great guy.
On other subjects, Christmas is coming!

The big thing down here is new years. The new years here last three days and before new years apparently everyone does a giant cleaning (like spring cleaning but for the new year instead). We will be having meals with members for three days. At the new year. Christmas is still uncertain. We will have a ward party and of course Christmas becomes p-day. We will be 

Call me at my 9:00, 25December2014 through Skype

the account is

luetta.koberstein

Make an account and friend the above person.  

The next time I hear from you will be on Christmas so Merry Christmas! If I had any gift to give you it would be for you to be happy, and to know of Gods love for you. I cannot think of any gift greater that the love of God. It is taller than any mountain, and deeper that the ocean, It reaches through the deepest stretch of the universe and touches the smallest bird. I know God lives, and as He lives He loves us. What great love Jesus the Christ showed, when He condescended to our plane and took our pains on his shoulders! What great love that He yet extends His mercy and forgiveness! 

Pictures!

This is one of the great members of Nagamine Ward, for their Fourty day fast we are going to all the members who fast and sharing a message. She was one of the miracles we are seeing here. Her mother will be coming to the Christmas party if all goes well. Her name is Sister Makino.

This is send off for Lee Choro.  He went up to Hiroshima.

First pictures together. It is getting a little chilly.  Elder Bevan and Elder Hunter.

We had a special training in Fukuoka as a mission. This is me with Elder Malen, his new "green bean" and mine, Elder Hunter. Our new companions were companions in the MTC. It was great to get to see Elder Malen again...

The Castle!

This is called Kumamoto Jo. That just means Kumamoto castle. Samurai lords lived and fought here. The Samurai Era didn't end until around the beginning of the 1800s. It was way cool to see this. It was way, way cool.

This is the entrance we came in. When you finally get to the top of the walls you find yourself in a garden. It is hard to describe.... sorry. The walls are way cool though. The whole time I was thinking of ninja climbing up them.

Answers... for Mom

Mom,
Yeah we had turkey with the senior couple that lives here. It was good.

Christmas is not a big deal at all, there are some decorations and things up but not really anything big. I don`t think that many people get work off.

New years is the really big thing. Everyone goes home to celebrate and it lasts three days. I am excited for both though.

Temple is two hours away and so it is just about like similar places in America. I think in this ward they try and go once a month. Hopefully I will go soon. 

Actually I am just loosing muscle and turning it into fat I think. ( i havnt gained or lost any weight) biking is usually what we do.

 Love you! sorry about the pics!

To Dad

First on the list, Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!!!!

Since I don`t think I have a ton of time and there is no way that I can get all that I want to get done on time I am just going to write this to Dad, and then say that everyone else can read it if it is ok with Dad.

First of all, thank you so much for you letters! I love your writing and you ideas... i even especially like the ones where you just write your thoughts down in a stream of conscious type thing, they`re hilarious and touching all in one. Thanks! 

Are you still only wearing white Tshirts?

I especially love to hear how all of my brothers and sisters are doing, that makes me so happy! Also, news on friends is always a pleasure. How is Suzy and everyone?

Before i forget. (maybe more for mom here, sorry) Did a Rachel Sanford used to play with me in the U student housing? when I was like four. I think that she might be in my mission. I saw her birthday come up in the mission news with a picture. 

News from the mission. We worked hard this week finding. We met with Akiyama San and he needs all the prayers that he can get. Please pray for him. Mt. Aso erupted this week and left ash all over everything. It is like an hour away and I don`t think anyone was hurt. On Saturday I got a call asking for me to come to trainer`s training. I went on Monday (yesterday). Today is transfer calls, so we will find out where we are going to be. If I am getting a new missionary (a Bean chan) I will find out who it is on Wednesday evening.

I am trying hard to do my best. Your (our) motto, "Work hard and keep the rules" is always running through my head. 

Also, because I have not been writing very good letters I have determined to try better. I am not sure how I will do it, but i will try. 

What did you do for your birthday?

I hope it was good.

I have been looking for your painting, and I think they have them, but I do not know where to look... I have found some really old stuff but not in good shape.. I`ll keep looking.

Also i will try and get our family rules all written out in 書道 (calligraphy).

Anyways I love you. I want to please you, because I know that you want what is right. I want to do what is right. I am going to work hard, I love working hard, and I love praying hard, and I love this work so much. I know that the book of Mormon is true by the power of the Holy Ghost.

I believe this is the Church of God because of the fruits of it.

Love you Dad.

Last district picture before the transfer.

Elder Bevan