Well, it's been a while. I wasn't able to set aside some time during my last 2 p-days so I wasn't able to provide that last e-mail before I flew home.
It's pretty crazy to be writing this...sitting at a computer in my room, listening to music that has drums and lyrics and a beat to it...
Ahem.
My last week was pretty hectic. I wrote a pretty long description of it but considering I didn't take many pictures I doubt you'll want to read the huge wall of text. It was really crazy to pack my bags nearly a fully week before I actually headed home; living out of a suitcase made the remainder of my mission very surreal. In some ways I was disappointed with my last week---investigators still canceled on us, people still refused on the street...somehow I had gotten the idea that since it was my last week things would be different. I got no such miracle.
The members were very sad to see me go. Many of them took special time just to see me and say goodbye, or ask about my future and ask that I would please contact them. It was very sweet of them!
After shipping my luggage to the airport it got REALLY surreal...
My last Sunday was good. I was able to bear my testimony one last time. That was really special for me. That Sunday was really somethin' else. We visited one of the girls we are working with--she had a surgery in the hospital and I wanted to say goodbye so we visited her there--and then the members kidnapped us and dragged us all sorts of places for my farewell party. I wasn't expecting such things and I was really touched.
The flight home was tiring and long. It generally is when my luggage is really heavy--which it WAS--so it was an interesting time. When we touched down in LA and got our luggage we realized that 2 of use (me included) had missed our connecting flight. We were able to re-book for a flight leaving in 40 minutes and hurried over to our departure gate. People were...friendly. I dunno if you have ever spent a significant time in an Asian country (PARTICULARLY Japan) and then returned to either LA or Boston, but it can be pretty heavy culture shock. In Japan the customer is RIGHT and everyone knows it so the customer doesn't have to DO anything about it; everyone simply tried to sense your needs and assist you. My first time coming home from living in Japan for 3 months gave me a pretty big shock. This time I was more prepared, so while the other missionaries were shocked at the amazingly rude airport staff, I was able to realize that they were, in fact, being very helpful--just not overly polite. It was fun. I'm still not over this: many times I'll be surprised by some loud comment or mean sarcasm. I think part of it is because I served a mission and part of it is just getting used to American humor.
I'm glad we caught the second flight. I sat next to a girl who was leaving her family to live in Utah for the first time. She was really worried and we were able to talk. I hope I was able to calm her down some--she had told me I had done as much--and I'm really glad I was able to catch this flight so that I was able to talk with her. It made me feel better about a lot of things in a lot of ways.
Getting home to the SLC airport was FANTASTIC. A moment I had dreamed about. It was so great to be able to see all of my family. I had missed them all so very much and I was just so happy to be around them. It was amazing. Once I had hugged them, once I was standing there...it was like someone flipped a switch. I was home now, and I was able to do home things with my family. Most excellent!
I got home and was able to step into the house for a few seconds before stepping out again and meeting with my Stake President. So I was released from missionary service within hours of getting home. It helped make the switchover more complete.
Now I'm home. I'm working, I'm happy, and I'm with my family. Life is really good.
You know, I don't think I served the most stellar mission, and I certainly wasn't perfect. Even as I type this I feel comforted and realize that most missionaries probably feel the same way, but the Lord works with imperfect people to complete His designs. I have no idea what impact my mission may have had. I don't know who will remember me in a few years and who won't. I don't really think about it. It may be selfish, but this mission has done a lot for ME. I now have a rock-solid testimony, backed by numerous experiences where I saw a miracle---and I cannot deny it. There were experiences where I felt the Spirit, times when I saw, heard, or knew things that I cannot explain without the acceptance of divine intervention. I'm really grateful for that, I know it will help me a lot in future.
I understand more about this church and its mission. I understand more about Heavenly Father and His mission, too. I'm really excited knowing that I don't know much--but I can keep learning!
Right now I'm back home. I'm not a missionary anymore. I won't pretend that I'm still a missionary or serving a mission, but I cannot deny that I've changed.
And that's not a bad thing.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everyone! I hope this holiday finds you safe and well. I truly hope you enjoy the season, and never forget the reason!
I'm afraid this is one of those "no time" weeks, so I shall simply give a few brief notes that I really wanted to mention:
Firstly, to my friends, thank you so much for writing and also wishing me a Merry Christmas. Especially to Eve and to Liz -- I fully intend to write you thank you cards and letters and such but your addresses have gone missing in the abyss of my desk. It's weird, sorry. If you don't hear from me, know that it's lack of postage information, not lack of love, and that you shall hear from me later.
Secondly, I heard that the Provo Tabernacle burned down. That is incredibly sad and I am sorry to hear it. I really loved that building, and I can't imagine it being gone. I...I have nothing more to say about that. It's just sad.
Third, this is the last blog post of the year! Japan celebrates New Year's in style; they may devote more dedication to it than we devote to Christmas. At least, it seems that way...all public buildings are shut down for a week -- the library where I write these blog posts will be shut down from December 27th until roughly January 5th, so no blog or electronic contact next week. I would offer to write letters, but the postal service shuts down as well. I would offer to buy you souvenirs, but the banks and ATMs shut down, too! New Year's can actually be a little scary for new missionaries if they are unprepared -- if you didn't withdraw/reserve money before everything shuts down, you have NO WAY to access it for over a month. Hope the pantry is stocked!
I exaggerate slightly, but not as much as you'd think. It's pretty crazy. Shibuya was still in business because it's Shibuya (that was where I spent last New Year's) but Kofu is a whole 'nother story, and I suspect we shall witness 4 days of soulless streets.
So everyone please have a Merry Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! Enjoy this time and remind loved ones just how much you love them. Speaking of which, 愛しています！
I'm afraid this is one of those "no time" weeks, so I shall simply give a few brief notes that I really wanted to mention:
Firstly, to my friends, thank you so much for writing and also wishing me a Merry Christmas. Especially to Eve and to Liz -- I fully intend to write you thank you cards and letters and such but your addresses have gone missing in the abyss of my desk. It's weird, sorry. If you don't hear from me, know that it's lack of postage information, not lack of love, and that you shall hear from me later.
Secondly, I heard that the Provo Tabernacle burned down. That is incredibly sad and I am sorry to hear it. I really loved that building, and I can't imagine it being gone. I...I have nothing more to say about that. It's just sad.
Third, this is the last blog post of the year! Japan celebrates New Year's in style; they may devote more dedication to it than we devote to Christmas. At least, it seems that way...all public buildings are shut down for a week -- the library where I write these blog posts will be shut down from December 27th until roughly January 5th, so no blog or electronic contact next week. I would offer to write letters, but the postal service shuts down as well. I would offer to buy you souvenirs, but the banks and ATMs shut down, too! New Year's can actually be a little scary for new missionaries if they are unprepared -- if you didn't withdraw/reserve money before everything shuts down, you have NO WAY to access it for over a month. Hope the pantry is stocked!
I exaggerate slightly, but not as much as you'd think. It's pretty crazy. Shibuya was still in business because it's Shibuya (that was where I spent last New Year's) but Kofu is a whole 'nother story, and I suspect we shall witness 4 days of soulless streets.
So everyone please have a Merry Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! Enjoy this time and remind loved ones just how much you love them. Speaking of which, 愛しています！
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Acts of kindness are a big burden - Japanese Proverb
When I heard that saying I laughed so hard. It refers to stories much like the example illustrated below.
I don't like sushi. I don't really have an issue with raw fish, although I would rather NOT eat it, that's not the problem. The problem is 1) I don't like the taste of dry seaweed, and 2) I REALLY don't like eating lukewarm/cold rice! Rice is a hot dish to me and I just can't enjoy the taste of it cooled down. It makes me gag. Dunno why, I'm sorry, but I just likes me some hot rice. So when members take us to a sushi restaurant, I have gotten to the point when I will simply admit that I am not a fan of sushi, so if it's alright I will just order something else off the menu. Members then agree and, trying to help, they then ORDER FOR ME and order EVERYTHING ON THE MENU THAT IS NOT SUSHI. This gives me a mountain of food to eat and leaves them in a panic trying to find other things to give me that are not sushi. I appreciate the thought, really, but I wish they wouldn't do it. Hence, the above saying my companion taught me last night. Other people trying to be nice can actually be a big problem for you.
It's actually a pretty depressing saying when you think about it.
Hello, everyone! Sorry about the radio silence last week. My last companion seems to love making lots of appointments on our preparation day so we didn't have time for shopping or e-mail last week. And since those are things that "can only be done on preparation day" she was most reluctant to take time out of other days of the week. It was most refreshing to be with such an obedient missionary! We had a lot of fun and worked very hard last transfer.
So now I would like to take a few minutes and give you a few updates on some of the things we did, starting with my birthday. Before I do, though, lemme say thank you so much to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! It made me very happy indeed.
My birthday was great! We managed to time it so that I and another missionary (we went on splits, so I was with someone other than my companion) were able to go to the base and eat Thanksgiving dinner with an American family. It was amazing, both being on the base and being with that family. The base was so BIG! Is America really that spacious? I was most surprised. I was also shocked to see a US Post Office and the Chili's restaurant. Long time no see. Then there were the Fruit Gushers sitting on the counter in the house...it was pretty unreal. But we were able to spend a lovely time with that family and eat turkey, candied yams, potatoes, vegetables, and amazing pies. It was such a great feast and a great time. We all went around the table listing something starting with the next letter of the alphabet and saying why we were grateful for it. After clearing all the dishes the kids asked, "Can the missionaries help us put up the Christmas tree?" which made me laugh, and when the youngest daughter found out that it was my birthday around this time she made me a four foot tall birthday card made of paper taped together! It was very sweet of her and I loved it. It was a real blast.
We also were able to go visit Mt. Fuji last week! Two members took us and we were able to visit a few historic sites around Fuji, visit one of the 5 lakes near its base, and basically be tourists for a few hours. Near the end of the trip we stopped by a musical box museum, which was AMAZING and I was very sorry we didn't have more time. I shall try to persuade my companion to go there again another day.
My companion changed! That's the other bit of news. She got transferred. We were both very surprised. The other bit of surprising news is that my new companion is actually an old companion: She's been a missionary longer than me! So we are both very old missionaries, and we are both serving in Kofu---and she's served here before!
So, to explain this phenomenon, lemme start by explaining two things. First, Japanese missionaries serve longer than American missionaries because they don't go to the MTC for as long. So while the 18-months/2 years is including the MTC, Japanese missionaries have more transfers in the field because they don't have that MTC time in there. So a Japanese sister will serve for 13 transfers but an American will serve for only 11. So my companion is on her 12th transfer, making her older than me, but I go home this transfer! It's so weird to be the junior for my last time! (I'm not actually a junior companion, we're co-senior, I just think it's funny.) As for the Kofu thing, she has already served here for 4 transfers, and now she's back a year later! So after she finishes her time here she will have spent half of her mission in Kofu.
So that means that my new companion actually knows Kofu as well/better than I do. We are REALLY excited to use this chance to try and bring back some of the old investigators that fell away between her leaving Kofu and my coming in. It's gonna be a really fun time in Kofu this transfer.
My companion really is great. I was a little nervous at first, but she is so sweet! She went to BYU Hawaii for 3 years so she speaks English fluently--albiet with an awesome Hawaiian accent. She's really smart and funny too, so we are always talking and laughing. It's actually hard to stop and we actually have to DECIDE to stop talking so that we can finally get some sleep at night. I know that she's Japanese but it doesn't feel that way at all! She's really easy-going and thanks to her time at BYU Hawaii she understands a lot of why I do the weird foreigner things I do, so she doesn't get frustrated or mad. It's wonderful. I thanked her by putting together her bike after she arrived. She responded by reading my missionary picture journal and laughing so hard she collapsed into a ball of laughter on the floor. I like her.
---
In other news, it's DECEMBER now! That means we can officially listen to Christmas music nonstop. I love December because I love Christmas! For those of you who are wondering, Christmas is celebrated a little differently in Japan. Japan is not a Christian country so most of the celebrations are secular. The main traditions are chicken and cake. The family gets together and eats Christmas chicken--usually from KFC but McDonald's is putting up a big fight this year and they are selling this crazy $20 Chirstmas Chicken Box thing--then serves up and eats Christmas cake. You can start ordering these things in October and they are pretty expensive. A one layer 8-inch cake costs at least $20, and generally around $30 or $40. I guess they are pretty well decorated but that's still ridiculous to me, so we are making our OWN Christmas cake--and EATING it too!
Japan does have a holiday where they celebrate being a family and the family just gets together to spend time together, but that's not Christmas that's New Year's. New Year's is when the entire country shuts down for 4 days. As missionaries we can't really do much--we aren't supposed to knock on doors or visit members unless we are invited, so we are stuck with wandering around empty streets for a few days. It wasn't a big deal last year when I was in Tokyo because the streets were still pretty full even on New Years, but I am a little worried about Kofu--the streets are empty on a NORMAL day. Still, besides missionaries everyone has a wonderful time inside for New Year's. Good for them.
Okay, I think that's all the time I wanted to take for just now. I hope everyone is having a great time and preparing for the holidays. Have a great week, and God bless you all!
I don't like sushi. I don't really have an issue with raw fish, although I would rather NOT eat it, that's not the problem. The problem is 1) I don't like the taste of dry seaweed, and 2) I REALLY don't like eating lukewarm/cold rice! Rice is a hot dish to me and I just can't enjoy the taste of it cooled down. It makes me gag. Dunno why, I'm sorry, but I just likes me some hot rice. So when members take us to a sushi restaurant, I have gotten to the point when I will simply admit that I am not a fan of sushi, so if it's alright I will just order something else off the menu. Members then agree and, trying to help, they then ORDER FOR ME and order EVERYTHING ON THE MENU THAT IS NOT SUSHI. This gives me a mountain of food to eat and leaves them in a panic trying to find other things to give me that are not sushi. I appreciate the thought, really, but I wish they wouldn't do it. Hence, the above saying my companion taught me last night. Other people trying to be nice can actually be a big problem for you.
It's actually a pretty depressing saying when you think about it.
Hello, everyone! Sorry about the radio silence last week. My last companion seems to love making lots of appointments on our preparation day so we didn't have time for shopping or e-mail last week. And since those are things that "can only be done on preparation day" she was most reluctant to take time out of other days of the week. It was most refreshing to be with such an obedient missionary! We had a lot of fun and worked very hard last transfer.
So now I would like to take a few minutes and give you a few updates on some of the things we did, starting with my birthday. Before I do, though, lemme say thank you so much to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! It made me very happy indeed.
My birthday was great! We managed to time it so that I and another missionary (we went on splits, so I was with someone other than my companion) were able to go to the base and eat Thanksgiving dinner with an American family. It was amazing, both being on the base and being with that family. The base was so BIG! Is America really that spacious? I was most surprised. I was also shocked to see a US Post Office and the Chili's restaurant. Long time no see. Then there were the Fruit Gushers sitting on the counter in the house...it was pretty unreal. But we were able to spend a lovely time with that family and eat turkey, candied yams, potatoes, vegetables, and amazing pies. It was such a great feast and a great time. We all went around the table listing something starting with the next letter of the alphabet and saying why we were grateful for it. After clearing all the dishes the kids asked, "Can the missionaries help us put up the Christmas tree?" which made me laugh, and when the youngest daughter found out that it was my birthday around this time she made me a four foot tall birthday card made of paper taped together! It was very sweet of her and I loved it. It was a real blast.
We also were able to go visit Mt. Fuji last week! Two members took us and we were able to visit a few historic sites around Fuji, visit one of the 5 lakes near its base, and basically be tourists for a few hours. Near the end of the trip we stopped by a musical box museum, which was AMAZING and I was very sorry we didn't have more time. I shall try to persuade my companion to go there again another day.
My companion changed! That's the other bit of news. She got transferred. We were both very surprised. The other bit of surprising news is that my new companion is actually an old companion: She's been a missionary longer than me! So we are both very old missionaries, and we are both serving in Kofu---and she's served here before!
So, to explain this phenomenon, lemme start by explaining two things. First, Japanese missionaries serve longer than American missionaries because they don't go to the MTC for as long. So while the 18-months/2 years is including the MTC, Japanese missionaries have more transfers in the field because they don't have that MTC time in there. So a Japanese sister will serve for 13 transfers but an American will serve for only 11. So my companion is on her 12th transfer, making her older than me, but I go home this transfer! It's so weird to be the junior for my last time! (I'm not actually a junior companion, we're co-senior, I just think it's funny.) As for the Kofu thing, she has already served here for 4 transfers, and now she's back a year later! So after she finishes her time here she will have spent half of her mission in Kofu.
So that means that my new companion actually knows Kofu as well/better than I do. We are REALLY excited to use this chance to try and bring back some of the old investigators that fell away between her leaving Kofu and my coming in. It's gonna be a really fun time in Kofu this transfer.
My companion really is great. I was a little nervous at first, but she is so sweet! She went to BYU Hawaii for 3 years so she speaks English fluently--albiet with an awesome Hawaiian accent. She's really smart and funny too, so we are always talking and laughing. It's actually hard to stop and we actually have to DECIDE to stop talking so that we can finally get some sleep at night. I know that she's Japanese but it doesn't feel that way at all! She's really easy-going and thanks to her time at BYU Hawaii she understands a lot of why I do the weird foreigner things I do, so she doesn't get frustrated or mad. It's wonderful. I thanked her by putting together her bike after she arrived. She responded by reading my missionary picture journal and laughing so hard she collapsed into a ball of laughter on the floor. I like her.
---
In other news, it's DECEMBER now! That means we can officially listen to Christmas music nonstop. I love December because I love Christmas! For those of you who are wondering, Christmas is celebrated a little differently in Japan. Japan is not a Christian country so most of the celebrations are secular. The main traditions are chicken and cake. The family gets together and eats Christmas chicken--usually from KFC but McDonald's is putting up a big fight this year and they are selling this crazy $20 Chirstmas Chicken Box thing--then serves up and eats Christmas cake. You can start ordering these things in October and they are pretty expensive. A one layer 8-inch cake costs at least $20, and generally around $30 or $40. I guess they are pretty well decorated but that's still ridiculous to me, so we are making our OWN Christmas cake--and EATING it too!
Japan does have a holiday where they celebrate being a family and the family just gets together to spend time together, but that's not Christmas that's New Year's. New Year's is when the entire country shuts down for 4 days. As missionaries we can't really do much--we aren't supposed to knock on doors or visit members unless we are invited, so we are stuck with wandering around empty streets for a few days. It wasn't a big deal last year when I was in Tokyo because the streets were still pretty full even on New Years, but I am a little worried about Kofu--the streets are empty on a NORMAL day. Still, besides missionaries everyone has a wonderful time inside for New Year's. Good for them.
Okay, I think that's all the time I wanted to take for just now. I hope everyone is having a great time and preparing for the holidays. Have a great week, and God bless you all!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving!
NOTE: Sorry, but before I forget can someone please get ahold of Anthony? I think he moved and I need his new address. Thank you.
Well, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful day full of family, friends, and gratitude! If it happens to include a large feast as well, great! For those who may not be aware, Japan does not celebrate Thanksgiving, and when you say the word "Thanksgiving" they have no idea what you are talking about. They DO know what 感謝祭 is, however, and that roughly translates to the same thing (Gratitude Festival).
I wasn't planning on celebrating Thanksgiving this year as I am in an area with no foreigners, but then the military base called and asked if some missionaries wouldn't mind attending their Thanksgiving feast. Well, who am I to say no and disappoint all those hard working service men and women? So it turns out I'll be eating turkey on Thursday after all. Huzzah! I will let you know how it goes. If I remember to write about it.
This week we had some very neat things happen. First, a General Authority came and spoke to us. He kinda woke up the mission and reminded us that we TOO can see miracles, and we really do need to be more bold about our message. It was a great conference. He told us that we should be extending baptismal commitments after the first meeting and made us promise to do so at our next lesson. "You extend, they choose to accept or reject it. If they say no, that's their choice, but you should give them the choice." It was interesting and we agreed to try it from now on.
Well, the next lesson we had was with a high school student. We teach her English and the Gospel in her home. She wants to go to BYU-Hawaii someday in the future, but for now she just wants to learn as much as she can. Her family is really interesting. Her mom will often wander in and out of the room during lessons and change the subject while we are in midsentence. That's...yeah. But the girl is really sweet and wonderful.
Well, we explained the doctrine in the first lesson (oops, for those that don't know the lessons: the first lesson discusses God as our Heavenly Father, the importance of families, the role of prophets, the existence of Jesus Christ's church, the Great Apostasy, the Restoration through Joseph Smith, and a brief introduction to the Book of Mormon and prayer.), and then we explained that when you know these things are true, Heavenly Father wants you to act. We explained in very simple terms what baptism was and told her about how important it is. As we were in the MIDDLE of asking her to be baptized when she knew these things were true, her mother walks into the room and places some images on the table. And I can remember EXACTLY what she said (translated):
"Can you BELIEVE that they have adult comic books in the elementary school library?! Look at this filth!"
And yes, there on the table were some scanned covers of some very not-child-appropriate books. Not-anyone-appropriate books, for that matter.
...So, uhm, yes. Spirit GONE. It was bizarre and I almost wanted to start laughing, the timing was so perfect.
And for the record, once her mother left the room we were still able to commit her to baptism.
--
In other news, my birthday is tomorrow! Somehow the other missionaries found out. Before the conference last week we stayed with two other Sisters in their apartment as it was much closer to the conference than ours. That night they threw a surprise birthday party, and they pulled out this amazing homemade cake that they had made just for me! It was awesome and I wish I could show you pictures, but just suffice to imagine a white two-layer cake with chocolate, "Happy Birthday Sister C" written on top, candles, and strawberries for filling. I was incredibly touched and very happy.
I am also very thankful to everyone who sent me birthday well-wishes. Thank you. You are all wonderful and I love you all very much!
Well, Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful day full of family, friends, and gratitude! If it happens to include a large feast as well, great! For those who may not be aware, Japan does not celebrate Thanksgiving, and when you say the word "Thanksgiving" they have no idea what you are talking about. They DO know what 感謝祭 is, however, and that roughly translates to the same thing (Gratitude Festival).
I wasn't planning on celebrating Thanksgiving this year as I am in an area with no foreigners, but then the military base called and asked if some missionaries wouldn't mind attending their Thanksgiving feast. Well, who am I to say no and disappoint all those hard working service men and women? So it turns out I'll be eating turkey on Thursday after all. Huzzah! I will let you know how it goes. If I remember to write about it.
This week we had some very neat things happen. First, a General Authority came and spoke to us. He kinda woke up the mission and reminded us that we TOO can see miracles, and we really do need to be more bold about our message. It was a great conference. He told us that we should be extending baptismal commitments after the first meeting and made us promise to do so at our next lesson. "You extend, they choose to accept or reject it. If they say no, that's their choice, but you should give them the choice." It was interesting and we agreed to try it from now on.
Well, the next lesson we had was with a high school student. We teach her English and the Gospel in her home. She wants to go to BYU-Hawaii someday in the future, but for now she just wants to learn as much as she can. Her family is really interesting. Her mom will often wander in and out of the room during lessons and change the subject while we are in midsentence. That's...yeah. But the girl is really sweet and wonderful.
Well, we explained the doctrine in the first lesson (oops, for those that don't know the lessons: the first lesson discusses God as our Heavenly Father, the importance of families, the role of prophets, the existence of Jesus Christ's church, the Great Apostasy, the Restoration through Joseph Smith, and a brief introduction to the Book of Mormon and prayer.), and then we explained that when you know these things are true, Heavenly Father wants you to act. We explained in very simple terms what baptism was and told her about how important it is. As we were in the MIDDLE of asking her to be baptized when she knew these things were true, her mother walks into the room and places some images on the table. And I can remember EXACTLY what she said (translated):
"Can you BELIEVE that they have adult comic books in the elementary school library?! Look at this filth!"
And yes, there on the table were some scanned covers of some very not-child-appropriate books. Not-anyone-appropriate books, for that matter.
...So, uhm, yes. Spirit GONE. It was bizarre and I almost wanted to start laughing, the timing was so perfect.
And for the record, once her mother left the room we were still able to commit her to baptism.
--
In other news, my birthday is tomorrow! Somehow the other missionaries found out. Before the conference last week we stayed with two other Sisters in their apartment as it was much closer to the conference than ours. That night they threw a surprise birthday party, and they pulled out this amazing homemade cake that they had made just for me! It was awesome and I wish I could show you pictures, but just suffice to imagine a white two-layer cake with chocolate, "Happy Birthday Sister C" written on top, candles, and strawberries for filling. I was incredibly touched and very happy.
I am also very thankful to everyone who sent me birthday well-wishes. Thank you. You are all wonderful and I love you all very much!
Monday, November 8, 2010
I LOVE AUTUMN SO MUCH
Thank you so much to everyone who is trying to help my Spanish, I appreciate it immensely! It's been a great week in the mission, and I would love to tell you a few highlights. I need to write down the rest in my journal, but first I need to find some time to write...
By the way, the Bishop tells me that the mountain in the opening credit to Paramount Picture films is a mountain in SLC. Is that true? He isn't sure but we are now both curious.
This last week we have been working with members quite a bit. We went to the temple with our Ward last Saturday. It was very rewarding. There was a new member and it was her first time to the temple, so we were able to attend as well in order to go with her. She absolutely loved the experience. While there, she requested that everyone pray that her friend (who we are teaching right now) would get permission from her parents to get baptized. Up until this point her parents were not in favor of the idea and requested that she not be involved with our church to that point. She was all in favor of getting baptized but feared being separated from her family in any way, so we had hit a bit of a roadblock. Well, that very same evening she got a call from her parents telling her it was okay! So we have an excited investigator who is willing to hear the discussions again and take them seriously, and we all have a greater testimony on the power of prayer. That, needless to say, was a very good day.
The next day (Sunday) some members offered to give us a ride to Tsuru, a town which is pretty far from Kofu. The ride takes about 80 minutes by car and involves going over under and through quite a few mountains, so we were very glad not to have to go by bike. While in Tsuru we were able to meet with some old investigators and friends of members and really revitalized interest in learning spiritual things (missionaries used to bike there, but that died out a year or two ago, apparently. I could find no record of activity in Tsuru in the apartment records, so I had no idea). Many asked to meet with us again, so we are thoroughly excited, and the members were absolutely thrilled. We have already set up a few times next week to go back to Tsuru, and members are also asking us to visit their families as well. I haven't ridden a car this much in a long time. I think I may becoming a touch car sick, but I will gladly put up with it/ignore it--the payback is more than worthwhile!
Oh, also on that ride to Tsuru we discovered something amazing. Tsuru is closer to Mt. Fuji than Kofu. The members offered to pull over at a particularly nice spot while we were headed into town, and we agreed, as the car was getting a bit overheated and needed a break anyway. We pulled over and hopped out of the car. I didn't notice anything different and I was prepared to see the mountain slightly closer when I turned around and THERE was Mt. Fuji. It was HUGE! I have about 4 dozen pictures that simply do no justice, but if you have seen any postcards with that towering mountain with clouds creating a slight fog heading halfway up the summit and a lake stretched out below the base, then you have seen something half as beautiful as that view. It helped that Fuji is starting to get his iconic snow, and the leaves were changing color fantastically all around us.
Leaves changing color is my favorite sight in the world, and when the members heard that they stared at me and asked, "Have you ever been to Japan in Spring?"
"Yes. And the cherry blossoms are very beautiful, but to me this sight is better."
The two Sisters ferrying us looked at each other after that and then, in unspoken agreement, they took a brief detour. Apparently there is a very famous scenic road about 5 minutes out of the way that is COVERED in momiji trees (momiji=...maple?) and has the best view of Mt. Fuji and the iconic lake. I was trying very hard not to squeal with delight the entire time we were on that road. While I was snapping away and thoroughly enjoying the sights as we drove along, the two Sisters in front commented, "Wow, you really learn to appreciate all the normal stuff in your neighborhood when someone else reacts with such joy! We should come this way more often!"
Yes, and when I get back to Utah I REALLY need to go visit SLC Temple. :)
Anyway, I love autumn a little more, and I can sorta understand why Japanese people are so proud of Mt. Fuji. It really is an impressive sight.
On other thing I noticed on that drive that was a little more strange to me was the trees that lined the streets in the city. They are very beautiful to look at and provide mediocre shade, but what stands out more than anything else is their fruit they produce in Fall.
I do not know what that fruit looks like or tastes like and I never intend to find out because of what it smells like. It smells EXACTLY like dog droppings. So if you are driving along the street with your windows rolled down this curiously strong and powerful odor fills the car rather rapidly and I am amazed at all the many aspects of nature once again.
I wanted to focus more on the miracles this letter (there have been many) but I suppose my comments and thoughts have wondered off once again. We really are seeing a lot of miracles this transfer. I am having a blast in Japan!
Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers. I am still going strong!
See y'all next week~
By the way, the Bishop tells me that the mountain in the opening credit to Paramount Picture films is a mountain in SLC. Is that true? He isn't sure but we are now both curious.
This last week we have been working with members quite a bit. We went to the temple with our Ward last Saturday. It was very rewarding. There was a new member and it was her first time to the temple, so we were able to attend as well in order to go with her. She absolutely loved the experience. While there, she requested that everyone pray that her friend (who we are teaching right now) would get permission from her parents to get baptized. Up until this point her parents were not in favor of the idea and requested that she not be involved with our church to that point. She was all in favor of getting baptized but feared being separated from her family in any way, so we had hit a bit of a roadblock. Well, that very same evening she got a call from her parents telling her it was okay! So we have an excited investigator who is willing to hear the discussions again and take them seriously, and we all have a greater testimony on the power of prayer. That, needless to say, was a very good day.
The next day (Sunday) some members offered to give us a ride to Tsuru, a town which is pretty far from Kofu. The ride takes about 80 minutes by car and involves going over under and through quite a few mountains, so we were very glad not to have to go by bike. While in Tsuru we were able to meet with some old investigators and friends of members and really revitalized interest in learning spiritual things (missionaries used to bike there, but that died out a year or two ago, apparently. I could find no record of activity in Tsuru in the apartment records, so I had no idea). Many asked to meet with us again, so we are thoroughly excited, and the members were absolutely thrilled. We have already set up a few times next week to go back to Tsuru, and members are also asking us to visit their families as well. I haven't ridden a car this much in a long time. I think I may becoming a touch car sick, but I will gladly put up with it/ignore it--the payback is more than worthwhile!
Oh, also on that ride to Tsuru we discovered something amazing. Tsuru is closer to Mt. Fuji than Kofu. The members offered to pull over at a particularly nice spot while we were headed into town, and we agreed, as the car was getting a bit overheated and needed a break anyway. We pulled over and hopped out of the car. I didn't notice anything different and I was prepared to see the mountain slightly closer when I turned around and THERE was Mt. Fuji. It was HUGE! I have about 4 dozen pictures that simply do no justice, but if you have seen any postcards with that towering mountain with clouds creating a slight fog heading halfway up the summit and a lake stretched out below the base, then you have seen something half as beautiful as that view. It helped that Fuji is starting to get his iconic snow, and the leaves were changing color fantastically all around us.
Leaves changing color is my favorite sight in the world, and when the members heard that they stared at me and asked, "Have you ever been to Japan in Spring?"
"Yes. And the cherry blossoms are very beautiful, but to me this sight is better."
The two Sisters ferrying us looked at each other after that and then, in unspoken agreement, they took a brief detour. Apparently there is a very famous scenic road about 5 minutes out of the way that is COVERED in momiji trees (momiji=...maple?) and has the best view of Mt. Fuji and the iconic lake. I was trying very hard not to squeal with delight the entire time we were on that road. While I was snapping away and thoroughly enjoying the sights as we drove along, the two Sisters in front commented, "Wow, you really learn to appreciate all the normal stuff in your neighborhood when someone else reacts with such joy! We should come this way more often!"
Yes, and when I get back to Utah I REALLY need to go visit SLC Temple. :)
Anyway, I love autumn a little more, and I can sorta understand why Japanese people are so proud of Mt. Fuji. It really is an impressive sight.
On other thing I noticed on that drive that was a little more strange to me was the trees that lined the streets in the city. They are very beautiful to look at and provide mediocre shade, but what stands out more than anything else is their fruit they produce in Fall.
I do not know what that fruit looks like or tastes like and I never intend to find out because of what it smells like. It smells EXACTLY like dog droppings. So if you are driving along the street with your windows rolled down this curiously strong and powerful odor fills the car rather rapidly and I am amazed at all the many aspects of nature once again.
I wanted to focus more on the miracles this letter (there have been many) but I suppose my comments and thoughts have wondered off once again. We really are seeing a lot of miracles this transfer. I am having a blast in Japan!
Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers. I am still going strong!
See y'all next week~
Monday, November 1, 2010
Sorry I was gone last week!
Firstly, last week. Last week was miserable due to a major cold. I got it Sunday evening, was having a hard time breathing and moving and not sniffling on Monday (medicine didn't do a thing!), and by Tuesday I declared I was not getting out of bed and I slept the entire day. I was incredibly achy and I had a fever. It was not a fun day, but I am glad it was a p-day. I wanted to go out and do p-day things but come Tuesday morning I was very glad we stayed in the apartment all day. I guess that means this is my first real p-day of this transfer? I'm still recovering from that blasted cold, but I am now in the endless coughing stage, so I feel fine but sound terrible. I'm glad the worst part is over.
In other news, I have a new companion. She is great. She is a fantastic missionary that is quite reminiscent of my MTC companion. She is a great missionary, full of spiritualness and confidence, and we have already seen miracles.
Two of those miracles happened on Sunday and Monday. Sunday an older investigator who didn't want to take lessons opened up to us and we were able to help resolve some of her concerns. She is now willing to hear the lessons again and will plan on getting baptized. That was very nice to hear! We are meeting with her later today.
Monday was great too. We had a potential investigator and we were finally able to meet with her Monday afternoon. It was her first lesson and it went very well. We explained that we normally teach about the church with intent to baptize the people who take the lessons, and she got very excited and asked to be baptized (we explained the basics of what it was, first). We said why sure, you can get baptized. It normally takes about 2 months to hear all the lessons and prepare, will January be okay?
She replied, can I not get baptized in December? I really want to get baptized mid-December.
...Why yes, we can arrange that.
So we have a new investigator and she already set her own baptismal date. We were very excited to hear that, and I rather feel that it is the START to great things happening for the rest of this transfer! So yes, things are going rather well this transfer. We already hit the point where every day is so busy that we can't fit in all the things we want to do, so we started planning next week as well as this week, and next week is getting pretty full, too!
THAT's always fun, lemme tell ya!
I feel so blessed to be working right now. I am immensely enjoying my time as a missionary. Things don't always go exactly as I'd like them to, but who cares? I'm having too much fun and seeing too many miracles to complain.
Today we go coat shopping and shoe shopping (we will hunt for a sale, I really need shoes that don't feel like boats). Tomorrow I will visit the dentist (we have too many appointments today to do a full p-day) and see if I can't get this pesky tooth sorted out once and for all.
I got permission from the President to study Spanish for the rest of my mission. Kofu really needs Spanish speakers!! I would appreciate any help anyone can provide, even if it's just a vocab list (a phrase list may be better). I need someone to explain how to conjugate verbs into past and future tense; no one seems willing to teach me and getting books that teach Americans how to speak Spanish is surprisingly hard in the middle of Yamanashi Japan for some inexplicable reason. I will start reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish and I have arranged to teach the lessons with members from the pamphlets with lots of help. We'll see how it goes!
In other news, I apologize to people who have written me -- some even months ago -- and still have not gotten a reply. I have many half-started letters on my desk; they will go out! I am trying to catch up right now, so many will be receiving shorter letters but know that they are overflowing with love.
Also...sigh, this is rather embarrassing, but I figure this is the best way to get this out of the way. Yes, my birthday is coming up. I am very glad for people who have offered to ship me things. The best thing you could send me is a huge long letter full of wonderful news and personal progress and thoughts and things. For those who wish to send packages, I will provide the following, despite my embarrassment:
THINGS I DO NOT WANT
Clothes, books, and souvenirs. Basically things that will have to come back home with me. I'm fine on these fronts. If you give me any of these things, just know that they will not be coming back with me -- I will be leaving them behind for future missionaries.
THINGS I WOULDN'T MIND/WOULD LOVE
American food. Cornbread mix and Gingerbread mix, if those exist, are especially welcome (they are not in Japan! I miss them terribly!).
I am a huge fan of jerky (beef or turkey are my favorites), particularly hickory smoked or peppered.
I also LOVE LOVE dried fruit of all kinds, especially mango and apricot. I have never tried dried pineapple but I am sure I will like it. Something my parents ingrained in me that I love to do is eat beef jerky and dried mango at the same time. Both things I can obtain in Japan with a bit of effort, though, so I guess they are not a high priority?
Hot chocolate mix and/or marshmallows is also very welcome. Hot cider is also great.
Healthy snacks, like fruit snacks that actually fulfill fruit servings, are also welcome.
Fruit Gushers are something I have always loved and thus would also be most welcome.
I just thought of it, but salt water taffy, Rolos, and candy corn are also candies I love, but seeing as my companion and I are both trying to eat healthily most of that will be given to local Elders. They will love you for it, however.
Okay, enough awkwardness, I gotta go. Love you all tons!
In other news, I have a new companion. She is great. She is a fantastic missionary that is quite reminiscent of my MTC companion. She is a great missionary, full of spiritualness and confidence, and we have already seen miracles.
Two of those miracles happened on Sunday and Monday. Sunday an older investigator who didn't want to take lessons opened up to us and we were able to help resolve some of her concerns. She is now willing to hear the lessons again and will plan on getting baptized. That was very nice to hear! We are meeting with her later today.
Monday was great too. We had a potential investigator and we were finally able to meet with her Monday afternoon. It was her first lesson and it went very well. We explained that we normally teach about the church with intent to baptize the people who take the lessons, and she got very excited and asked to be baptized (we explained the basics of what it was, first). We said why sure, you can get baptized. It normally takes about 2 months to hear all the lessons and prepare, will January be okay?
She replied, can I not get baptized in December? I really want to get baptized mid-December.
...Why yes, we can arrange that.
So we have a new investigator and she already set her own baptismal date. We were very excited to hear that, and I rather feel that it is the START to great things happening for the rest of this transfer! So yes, things are going rather well this transfer. We already hit the point where every day is so busy that we can't fit in all the things we want to do, so we started planning next week as well as this week, and next week is getting pretty full, too!
THAT's always fun, lemme tell ya!
I feel so blessed to be working right now. I am immensely enjoying my time as a missionary. Things don't always go exactly as I'd like them to, but who cares? I'm having too much fun and seeing too many miracles to complain.
Today we go coat shopping and shoe shopping (we will hunt for a sale, I really need shoes that don't feel like boats). Tomorrow I will visit the dentist (we have too many appointments today to do a full p-day) and see if I can't get this pesky tooth sorted out once and for all.
I got permission from the President to study Spanish for the rest of my mission. Kofu really needs Spanish speakers!! I would appreciate any help anyone can provide, even if it's just a vocab list (a phrase list may be better). I need someone to explain how to conjugate verbs into past and future tense; no one seems willing to teach me and getting books that teach Americans how to speak Spanish is surprisingly hard in the middle of Yamanashi Japan for some inexplicable reason. I will start reading the Book of Mormon in Spanish and I have arranged to teach the lessons with members from the pamphlets with lots of help. We'll see how it goes!
In other news, I apologize to people who have written me -- some even months ago -- and still have not gotten a reply. I have many half-started letters on my desk; they will go out! I am trying to catch up right now, so many will be receiving shorter letters but know that they are overflowing with love.
Also...sigh, this is rather embarrassing, but I figure this is the best way to get this out of the way. Yes, my birthday is coming up. I am very glad for people who have offered to ship me things. The best thing you could send me is a huge long letter full of wonderful news and personal progress and thoughts and things. For those who wish to send packages, I will provide the following, despite my embarrassment:
THINGS I DO NOT WANT
Clothes, books, and souvenirs. Basically things that will have to come back home with me. I'm fine on these fronts. If you give me any of these things, just know that they will not be coming back with me -- I will be leaving them behind for future missionaries.
THINGS I WOULDN'T MIND/WOULD LOVE
American food. Cornbread mix and Gingerbread mix, if those exist, are especially welcome (they are not in Japan! I miss them terribly!).
I am a huge fan of jerky (beef or turkey are my favorites), particularly hickory smoked or peppered.
I also LOVE LOVE dried fruit of all kinds, especially mango and apricot. I have never tried dried pineapple but I am sure I will like it. Something my parents ingrained in me that I love to do is eat beef jerky and dried mango at the same time. Both things I can obtain in Japan with a bit of effort, though, so I guess they are not a high priority?
Hot chocolate mix and/or marshmallows is also very welcome. Hot cider is also great.
Healthy snacks, like fruit snacks that actually fulfill fruit servings, are also welcome.
Fruit Gushers are something I have always loved and thus would also be most welcome.
I just thought of it, but salt water taffy, Rolos, and candy corn are also candies I love, but seeing as my companion and I are both trying to eat healthily most of that will be given to local Elders. They will love you for it, however.
Okay, enough awkwardness, I gotta go. Love you all tons!
Monday, October 18, 2010
I think I am going to spend my inheritance in Japan
I have some new-news-going-old that I think I already mentioned, but just in case I did not I will bring it up again:
I have shrunk.
I have shrunk on my mission. Now, this is WONDERFUL news for me. I'm not slim yet by any means, but I have reduced in size just enough that my clothing is rather loose, and my shoes are now like little boats that would probably save me in the next Big Flood.
The shrinking is great news. The need for new clothing as a direct result of the shrinking is not good news. Why? Because Japanese clothes don't fit me, of course!
...
...Except now they kinda do. I now officially can wear the Large size clothing in Japan. Crazy, huh? I am now officially considered large by Japanese standards.
So I can buy clothes. Expensive crazy awesome amazing clothes.
Shyeah, except I won't be using them for that long and I dunno how many I would still wear after my mission.* I think I will stick with just keeping my eyes out for a new pair of shoes. I saw some shoes I really liked the other day and considered picking them up when I casually looked at the price tag. Yeah, $200 shoes is a little high.
All is well here. Kofu smells wonderfully like Fall and I persuaded the ward to have a Halloween party. Missionaries can't dress up but we are in charge of the games. Werewolf, anyone?
---
*Yes, many many thanks to my dear friends who have all kindly pointed out to me that I have 3 months left. I am also looking forward to seeing you again, but rather than saying I only have three months left, may I remind you that I still have three months left? It's such a little word and yet it makes a very big difference. I will happily make plans to visit and spend time with all of you -- IN three months.
I have shrunk.
I have shrunk on my mission. Now, this is WONDERFUL news for me. I'm not slim yet by any means, but I have reduced in size just enough that my clothing is rather loose, and my shoes are now like little boats that would probably save me in the next Big Flood.
The shrinking is great news. The need for new clothing as a direct result of the shrinking is not good news. Why? Because Japanese clothes don't fit me, of course!
...
...Except now they kinda do. I now officially can wear the Large size clothing in Japan. Crazy, huh? I am now officially considered large by Japanese standards.
So I can buy clothes. Expensive crazy awesome amazing clothes.
Shyeah, except I won't be using them for that long and I dunno how many I would still wear after my mission.* I think I will stick with just keeping my eyes out for a new pair of shoes. I saw some shoes I really liked the other day and considered picking them up when I casually looked at the price tag. Yeah, $200 shoes is a little high.
All is well here. Kofu smells wonderfully like Fall and I persuaded the ward to have a Halloween party. Missionaries can't dress up but we are in charge of the games. Werewolf, anyone?
---
*Yes, many many thanks to my dear friends who have all kindly pointed out to me that I have 3 months left. I am also looking forward to seeing you again, but rather than saying I only have three months left, may I remind you that I still have three months left? It's such a little word and yet it makes a very big difference. I will happily make plans to visit and spend time with all of you -- IN three months.
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