Another day another year!

Hello everyone! I was officially set apart 365 days ago! (I got set apart on the 21st but it was leap year so I had an extra day) So sad that I hit a year but I've learned so much this last year, definitely the year of greatest growth in my entire life. In the past year I am happy to say I have scrolled for 0 seconds. I was able to help so many people come unto Christ and was able to witness 2 of my friends, Ayumu兄弟 and Mai姉妹, make their first Covenant with God. A few things I've learned: Japanese Cooking skills How to follow the spirit and have positive spiritual momentum How to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to our brothers and sisters Treble clef How to trust the Lords way, even when it isn't the most efficient way Hope Greater work ethic Focus Consecration How to have fun in missionary work Leading by love and example, not by power So yea! I've learned a lot in the first half of my mission. I have set goals to grow in each of these things and to bring more growth into this next year as I continue to consecrate myself to the lord. Area Updates: Still here in yatsushiro kumamoto, but I got a new companion! Elder Billings went to Miyazaki and Elder Ross came here from okinawa! Elder Ross acutally was already in this district 2 transfers ago, had a nice vacation in Okinawa (joke, not vacation), and then came back here! We are getting a new apartment anyday now and we think will get pinkwashed soon. (Sisters take over the area :( ) It will be good but I want to stay here longer. But yea, our friends really need it! We are pretty much only teaching women right now, we have a few men but they are pretty busy and can't really meet up all that much. Our newest member Mai (baptized last week) is awesome! She is a referral machine, always inviting friends to church! Kate is on Baptismal date! Her date to be baptized and make her first covenant with God is on February 9th! We invited her to be baptized during the 2nd real lesson. We were teaching the Plan of Salvation and about God's plan for her. We read Alma 34:32 which explained that her purpose in this life was to prepare to meet God. That connected with the way that we prepare, following the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and were able to set a goal for her to prepare to be baptized on that day. She came to church yesterday as well as the week before, and should be able to come more before her baptism. She is awesome, her japanese is really good too! We will be begining an English Sacrament Meeting on Fast Sunday evenings! Lots of our friends live far away or have to work on Sundays so coming to church is hard for them. Also, for the friends who are able to come, church Japanese is another level beyond any Japanese they've ever studied. I'm so grateful for the opportunity have to be here as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It may seem like I am sacrificing a lot but I have noticed and testify that if you bring even a few crumbs to the altar of God, you walk away with loaves and fishes. God ordains those who He chose. If you have the desire to labor an are faithful, you are called to the work and chosen to represent him and be a mouth piece of the angels in the work of salvation. Now go forth, participate in the marvelous work, dream dreams, see miracles, make friends, and invite all to come unto Christ. Help them receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ by guiding them to Him and helping them have their own spritual experiences. I testify that every single person on Earth needs the blessings of the Gospel. Help them realize that truth through you words and actions. Make all your ingoings and outgoings be unto the Lord. Abide in Him and He will abide in you. If you have that then no matter what happens, you will be ok. I testify that this is the restored Church of Jesus Christ. I testify that the apostles and prophets, and even you, have been called by God as laborers in the Vineyard. It is my testimony and my promise that He will not leave you comfortless in His work. I testify and promise these things in the name of the very son of God who lived for us, died, for us, and lives for us, even Jesus Christ, Amen. Elder Rasmussen https://photos.app.goo.gl/LKr5qY3i11DHJsTs6