Watashi wa Geridoru desu. (Week 51)

So it has been yet another week. Very very busy. I never seem to have any time to do nothing. Which is how it should be I guess. But it gets pretty tiring.

Well Y_____ chan is still progressing very well. She is getting excited for her baptism. I am too. Its just in ten days. I can't wait. She is so cool. I love Y_____ chan. When we talk our conversation is mostly about nose picking and poking people's bums. Just so you know. We have a good time. I'll have stories to tell you when I get home. We should be hearing like today ish what she wants to do for her baptism like who prays and stuff and who will bapitze her and stuff.

M_____ chan is still doing really good. She is just so awesome. We watched Finding Faith in Christ with her this week and she said it was an answer to her prayer. She is just so cool. She is so sensitive to the spirit and she really cares about what God wants her to do. She's so cool.

I have opened up four presents now. They have been good. I appreciate them. Things are getting pretty Christmasy in our apartment now. The flash drive did work. So don't worry about that. We listen to it all the time. We love our Christmas.

So for my entire mission it has been a difficult thing to get people to at least just take a Book of Mormon. One or two a week is what I  have thought was a successful week. Usually only one. But this week we found a new way to get Book of Mormons out if we can't do anything else. We wrap it in ribbon and tell everyone its a present. In one hour we gave away 6. This week we did around 20. We are almost out of Book of Mormons in the apartment. The church doesn't have anymore. Hopefully more will come soon. We need to take advantage of Christmas time. And we heard the mission home is running really low too. So I don't know when we will be able to get more. But realistically we only have like a weeks worth of Book of Mormons left. So we'll see. That has been really exciting this week. Elder Morris and I split up and went on either side of the street to see who could pass out the most Book of Mormons before we met up at the other side of the street because even people with no interest start taking the Book of Mormon if it has ribbon and you say its a present. Its been really fun. I can't remember who won. But I won for the most lessons taught on the road. Yeah. I'm just the best I guess.

This coming week we are going to dress up like santa and go singing with a member at some place. I don't understand what it means. It might be an old people place. That should be fun.

And one other highlight this week was when we went out with an old member in our ward to visit less active people we stopped to take pictures by a bamboo forest and we looked like models and stuff. And he just loved it. Kawamura Brother. And we got him to be in a picture or two. And I called him Ikemen Brother. Which means like Brother Really Handsome Guy. He was just loving it. It was so funny. He was a happy man. That's what I get to do as a missionary.

Well I'm out of time. Skype next week. My Christmas day. Your Christmas Eve. My 10:00 in the morning. I think your 6:00 at night. I can't remember how to use skype very well. So if you could email me some information that would help me locate your computer when I try to do it I would appreciate it. I can't remember what is needed and I can't find out before I have to leave. So thank you. I love you. Talk to you next week.

And I appreciated your email mom. Thank you. I love you.

Love Josh.

Sorry I'm late (Week 50)

Its pretty cold here right now. So I'm wearing my ninja jammies under my suit too almost every day. That's for dad.

So. Just a quick update on the knee to get it out of the way. Its not good. I'm still talking to President and trying stuff. Haven't gone to a doctor yet. I might have hurt it this morning and made it worse. I'm not sure if it will be only temporary pain or if this pain will be until its fixed. We'll see. Don't worry though. I'm fine. We are coming up with ways to dendo without standing.

I got the package. as far as I know everything is there but I haven't opened the presents so I don't know if anyting would be missing. I think all of the days are accounted for. We'll see.

We would like to do our Christmas calling on the morning of Tuesday on Christmas day. For you that should be the evening of Christmas Eve. I don't know yet on times. We have to get in contact with our member who is going to be allowing us to use his computer. That wonderful soul.

So It has been a pretty good week I guess. We get to keep teaching these wonderful people. They are so awesome. They keep progressing. And its awesome. They keep coming to church and they are reading the Book of Mormon and they have testimonies and they want to keep learning. And when the members went to meet M_____ chans parents it went really really well. Dad wasn't home so we are still worried about him. But it went well with mom. Momoko, the one who referred all these people, was basically in tears because it went so well when I talked to her after. The Shimizu elders have an investigator with a baptismal date who is also named M_____ and they just set another baptismal date with their investigator named M_____. All are high school girls. And Y_____ has her baptismal date for just after Christmas. And M2_____ might have one soon. So we'll see. We also found out that M2_____ wants to go to the temple and do baptisms for her ancestors and Y_____ wants to go too. We would really love if they could all get baptized soon and then all go to the temple together. And us missionaries would probably go too. I think that would be the best thing ever. I would love that. And I think it can really happen. Just pray that all will go well with parents. Y_____ is nervous about her parents I think and M2_____ was told she can't get baptized. so pray for these people. I love them so much.

So I got to see the First Presidency Christmas thing. It was in Japanese though. So I really didn't understand anything. It was difficult Japanese. But the music was great. I felt very Christmasy. but I had a lot of time to just think during the Christmas thing. I really miss my family. And I kept thinking about that. I really wish I could be with you for Christmas. Especially mom. I keep having these flashes of intense homesickness out of nowhere. It is difficult for me. This is the most homesickness I have ever felt. I just miss my mom.

Well I'm out of time. Tell Erika Happy Birthday. Tanjobi omedeto! Junana sai ni nata! sorry I can't send you an email specifically.

Love Josh.

I love this place! (Week 49)

So before I forget. Mom. I sent you a letter last week. And it has stuff in it. But one thing is missing. I forgot to put it in. So you will get that someday. And maybe you won't even get your letter. I sent Julie a letter at the same time and I might have mixed up the envelopes but I didn't want to open it to find out. So. Yoroshiku ne.

I love being here. I am having so many cool experiences. Yesterday we had both of our investigators come to church and two new people came to church. It was really cool. A girl named I_____ chan and a friend of our lovely member Kancho kun named T_____ I think. By the way don't edit out Kancho kun's name. Its already a code name. And I know he reads these and I wanted to tell him I love him. I love you Kancho kun. You know who you are.

Also yesterday we got to teach Y_____ chan. And that was really cool. We asked her to share her testimony with us. We have been focusing on getting everyone to realize that they have their own testimony and we are getting them to share them. And she shared a scripture with us and everything that she really liked from the Book of Mormon. It was so cool. And then I shared a scripture with her that I found yesterday morning and then asked her about baptism. I asked her to get baptized and she said yes. Then I told her that God is happy right now and that God loves her. And when I said that I almost started bawling. I could feel the spirit so strongly. And I know she could too. It was so good. And then she chose December 27 to be baptized. So that was the highlight of my week. And another highlight of my mission. Pray for her. I really want this to work out for her.

Yesterday was fast sunday so we all fasted. And we got together with the Shimizu elders and with Kancho kun and Momoko shimai to have a big fast for our investigators and friends. And one thing I wanted to fast for was a testimony that fasting and prayer really make a difference. And I now have that testimony. We fasted that Kancho kun's friend would have interest in the church and then she came. And then Y_____ said she wanted to be baptized. And it has just been really good. This week we got together with M_____ chan and Y_____ chan and the Shimizu elders and Momoko shimai and Kancho kun to decorate a tiny Christmas tree. And we made our ornaments and wrote a small testimony on them. And then asked everyone to share their testimonies. And it was so good. The spirit was very strong. And I think it was really good for our investigators. We also made an ornament that said what testimony we want to get. And mine was about fasting. So I fasted and got my testimony. I hope everyone else gets their testimonies too.

For Christmas we are planning on going out with the Eikaiwa students and some members to sing Christmas carols at a really busy road. On Christmas night. I am really excited. I hope it goes well. I'm excited. I think that would make me ok about not being with my family on Christmas.

Also I we can skype our families for Christmas and that it can be as long as we want. So probably like an hour would be appropriate. And I heard a rumor of member here who will let us use his computer for skype. So I am pretty sure I can skype you now. But I need to make sure.

And just so you know we have plans in motion to get in to M_____ chan's parents that I think will work out really well. So I am hoping all is going to go well there. Just to keep you all in the loop.

Yes I know Fontanet 長老. I have met him a few times and I met him and his parents the other day. They were very nice people.

I am really happy about all the things that are happening here. I love this place and never want to leave and I am really glad I get the opportunity to spend Christmas in such a wonderful place with so many wonderful people. I am so happy. I love you all. I love you Kancho kun. I'll see you later.

Love Elder Liddle

Just another day in the life in Kumamoto (Week 48)

So I'm back again. It has been a good week. Our investigators are progressing so well. I really don't doubt that they will be baptized. I think its just a matter of when. And there are some things we have to do like get to the parents so they can trust us and stuff. That will be the hard part especially for M_____ chan. Her dad may be difficult. If she doesn't get baptized it will be because of the parental permission. In Japan you have to be 20 to make that decision on your own. And she's only 17. So pray for her family that all will go well. Also things look like they could get kind of complicated with her living in the Shimizu area and having us Tsuboi missionaries teach her. We really have to be the ones to teach her so we can't pass her off to the other elders. And the Shimizu ward might be a little difficult when it comes to teaching her sometimes. I can sense tension. This poor girl needs what we have and I don't want anything to get in the way of that. So pray for her. She is way amazing though. I love her so much. I can't believe how amazing she is. She asked if in her next lesson she could hear everyone's testimony because she likes learning from testimonies and she wants her own testimony to be strengthened by them. She is just so awesome.

Y_____ chan is doing very well too. She is very easy to teach and very interested. She tries what we ask her to do and I think she will progress to baptism quite well too. Not much to really report with her.

The shimizu elders have another investigator from Eikaiwa that is progressing really well. We keep hearing rumors that she said she wants to get baptized but we haven't heard it directly from her and we know that right now she has no idea what baptism is. So we don't know where that is coming from. But she is awesome too and I think she will get baptized. All of these friends will probably get baptized together.

So my knees. I appreciate the prayers. I really do. I don't want to go through too much with them. President said that if I need surgery they will not do it in Japan. That is an absolute you're going home thing. So we'll see. The mission only has two cars and they are in the mission office. And I really can't be transferred there because quite honestly my Japanese isn't good enough. I have to be able to call people on the phone and stuff and communicate and understand clearly. I still can't do that. So realistically I think I am stuck out here in Tsuboi. And I may go to the doctor soon. I am still talking to President about it. But don't worry. I will be fine. I will do whatever God's will is.

I had a pretty good thanksgiving. We just worked like normal but then went out to eat at a sushi place that has the sushi on the moving thing next to your table so you choose what you want. It was really good. I have had ok sushi a few times but that was the first time I had really good sushi. I'll take dad there when we come to Japan together. It was good.

And just an update on how much I love this place. I love it so much. I love Tsuboi. I am so happy here. If I could I would finish my mission here. I love it. And I love the people. I get to work with so many wonderful people here. I love it. And there are always people to talk to on the streets when we have time to do that. You don't have to look hard. And the awesome thing is that we don't even have time to do that. We are too busy doing things for our other investigators and our other more effective ways of finding investigators. I love it. I am so happy. This place is amazing. I can't speak Japanese worth beans but that doesn't even matter anymore. I can get a point across and feel the spirit. That's all I care about now. So life is good. Stressful. But good.

Yes I do use my rain coat a lot. all the time. It snowed a tiny bit today. The members say it snows every now and again but never sticks. It mostly rains. And gets cold. Its more of a fall season here right now. All the leaves are falling and changing color right now. And it still isn't that cold. I hope it gets colder. I need something to cool me down after that summer in Ishigaki.

I love you all. Don't worry about me. This last week has been the best of my mission. Have a good day.

Love Elder Liddle

Crazy week (Week 47)

So it was a crazy week. It was so so good. I'm excited to tell you all about it.

First I called President about my knee. He first told me before I could tell him anything about how much he needs me in the mission because like half of the missionaries go home in February and I will become the old one. And then I dropped my knee on him and asked him if surgery was necessary if I would have to go home. He said I definitely would. I felt bad for talking about going home right after he told me how much he needs me. Well he knows a thing or two about the human body and is having me do some exercises that might help me. So far there has been no change. But we'll see. I will probably end up going to some crazy Japanese doctor and then see what he thinks. And if it is surgery then it will probably be placed in my hands to decide if I endure the pain until the end keeping in mind that it will probably get worse or get surgery. So we'll see. Maybe the Japanese doctors have something else to do for me. So that is that.

So K______ san. We haven't found him. Last night we felt like we should go to where we found him at the same time we found him to see if we could find him again. It didn't work. But we felt good about how we spent our time. And we saw some lady when we were out and about again who we saw earlier that morning. And she seemed quite happy to see us but didn't speak to us. She was just walking by. That was kind of cool. Other than that I don't know what we accomplished.

So we had the two referrals from our member. And we taught both of them. Y_____ chan and M_____ chan. Both of them are in high school. And Y_____ chan's lesson went awesome. The spirit was really strong and it was so good and we will meet her again tomorrow and maybe more often than that and she has real interest so it will be good. It was so awesome. I have high hopes for this girl. The Shimizu elders have a baptism date set up for their high school girl investigator for December 22. And I think we can push to get Y_____ chan baptized on the same day.

And then we had M_____ chan. I was just hoping with all my heart that her lesson would go as well as Y_____ chan's did. And it was. It was better. It was so intense. That was the highlight of my misson so far. It was so amazing. And the spirit was so strong. We didn't even teach a whole lesson. We just talked about God and her relationship with him. And she started crying. She could feel it. And she started crying. She could feel our love for her and God's love for her and our member, M_____ shimai's love for her. It was just amazing. And then at the end we taught her about prayer. She had never heard any of us pray yet. But she agreed to say the prayer. And she said a wonderful prayer from her heart. It was so good. This was all on Saturday. And we asked her to come to church on the next day and she said she would. And she did. She lives in the Shimizu area but was sent to us for some reason and we have agreed we should teach her even though we are Tsuboi. But that means she has to go to church to the Shimizu ward and so we have to go to sacrament there with her as well as the Tsuboi ward. So we did. And it was good. We had three investigators at that sacrament meeting. The Shimizu elders got a new investigator from M_____ Shimai too. All from Eikaiwa just so you know. And it was awesome. And then after church before Tsuboi ward started we had a big group lesson with them that was pretty good. And then we ran to sacrament meeting. And after our sacrament meeting we discovered that M_____ chan stayed for our ward too because she thought she would understand more the second time around. This girl is crazy. And I love her. I would do anything for her. I can see how she needs what we have. And I want more than anything for her to recieve these blessings. I love her and Y_____ chan so much. But things with M_____ chan especially may be difficult. She is a 17 year old girl and we are a couple of young white guys. So it could look bad. We need to get into her parents as soon as possible. Its absolutely important. So pray that we can.

We also had a bowling party on friday that both M_____ chan and Y_____ chan came to. It was for Eikaiwa and we had a great time. And we are seeing lots of new investigators come out of Eikaiwa all of a sudden and its just amazing. I don't feel like I deserve to see these miracles but I am so glad I am finally seeing the things I'm doing help people. It is so awesome. I love it.

I am almost out of time now. Mom I need your cheescake recipe. Please email it to me. I want to see if I can make it here. For the parents of our investigators.

And whoever is in charge of my facebook will you please make my name on there Joshua Liddle and maybe a good picture on it. I am having people try to find me but they can't. I'm not sure what is the problem. And accept the people who add me if they are Japanese or Chinese or something. It would be good if I could use my facebook for dendo without even touching it. If they can look at it and get to know me a little better it will be easier to get in and teach them. Onegai shimasu.

Well. I love you all. Pray for our investigators. I am so happy right now. We have real investigators who actually need what we have and who have faith in this and who will try. We are going to try to get the Shimizu elder's investigator and our two investigators baptized on the same day. So pray that we can. Pray for these people. They mean so much to God. And Satan is going to try so hard to stop them. He already has. That's another story. But so far its been ok. Just pray that it keeps being ok. And that I will know what to do about the parents. Have a good day. I love you. I love these people.

Love Josh

A good news bad news week (Week 46)

So. Thanksgiving. I don't think we really do anything for it unless a member feels sorry for us and does something. Japanese people don't celebrate it.So its just a normal day here. Besides I'm busy celebrating Christmas already. So I'm ok.

So first the bad news. We had a lesson scheduled with K_____ san last Wednesday. And he didn't show up. He doesn't have a phone and we don't know where he lives or where he works or anything. He is way too awesome to just decide he's done with this gospel thing so I think he just had something come up and had no way to tell us. But I haven't seen him since last week. And I'm worried about him. I don't know how to find him. Its up to him to find us right now. So pray for him. He's a wonderful man that I really love and I don't want to see his progression stop.

In other news. We never receive referrals from the ward. Ever. Its sad. We need them. Referrals are way more likely to progress and to trust the missionaries. But last week we the Tsuboi elders and the Shimizu elders whom I live with received referrals from an 18 year old girl in my ward. She gave us two and the shimizu elders 1. All in one week! She is so awesome. And we have plans to teach them this week. They are all teenage girls who have expressed interest in the church after they came to Eikaiwa. And one of them has parents who may also be interested. So that is way awesome. New investigators are coming out of nowhere. I love it.

And this week in Eikaiwa we had 10 new students come. That is amazing! That is like half of a normal class. And they came to both the Wednesday one and the Saturday one. Its so awesome. Things really are moving forward here. Its weird to me because for all of my mission missionary work has been contacting people on the street and housing with an occasional lesson at someones house or the church. That was missionary work. But its changing all of a sudden. We are spending more time planning lessons now and we don't have as much time to go contact people. Its totally awesome. This is how it should be. We are also spending less time doing normal missionary work and doing more for the Eikaiwa students. Japanese people really don't let you teach them unless they know you and trust you. So Eikaiwa is so important to keep up and to keep fun and to really get to know the people there. We are doing a lot of Eikaiwa parties and activities outside of Eikaiwa so we can get to know them and get investigators from it who are interested and who trust us. And its working. this is how you have to dendo in Japan. Its different than I imagined before my mission. And I'm glad I am learning it now rather than at the end of my mission. I've learned a lot. And I am experiencing so many cool things just coming out of nowhere. I love it.

Well I have not much time left. I just want to say to Kate that I support the decision to serve a mission with all my heart because I know it is such a wonderful opportunity but I also want to say you should be really sure before you make the decision. This is no small thing. And its very hard. But so worth it.

And to Erika I want to say that I don't know what food you are talking about that isn't the Daikon one. I've never heard of it. And I am impressed with your ability to use the word yori. I am still struggling using it. it wraps my brain in knots and I have a hard time keeping things straight. So keep up the good work. And keep using the new bunpo all the time. That is how you truly learn Japanese. keep using it. All the time. Even though it hurts and is hard. And you will be the best in the class.

Well I love you all. Have a good week. I know I will.

Love Josh.

We got a date! (Week 45)

So. First things first. I heard a wonderful rumor that Star Wars Episode 7 is going to be coming out in 2015. And I asked a member here to confirm it for me on his iphone. He said its true. Is it? What!? Star Wars!

In other news. Did I tell you about K_____ san last week? I can't remember. Well he is an investigator here. And I have taught him a couple times now. He is so cool. I have to tell you about him. So when we teach people and then ask them to pray at the end of the lesson they always hesitate and say they don't want to and often will say no. And so I asked K_____ san to pray after the first lesson I taught to him. And I expected him to be all hesitant because he is so quiet already. And he said Hai yarimasho. Which being interpreted means Yes let's do it. What? That never happens. And then his prayer was perfect. And he prayed for me and Elder Morris by name. No one can remember my name in this country. But he made sure to do it. And he said don't just bless us but bless our families too. What? Who is this guy? We just ran into him on the street one night on a street crawling with thousands of people. And then in the next lesson we had with him this week at the end I felt like I should ask him to be baptized. And I hesitated because we really haven't explained baptism. He has seen the baptismal font and he knows God commands us to get baptized and he has seen a picture of Jesus Christ being baptized. Other than that he doesn't know anything. So I really hesitated. And I just kept feeling like I should ask him. So I did. And I expected a hesitant answer. But he said Yes lets do it. And then for clarification I asked him if he actually wanted to get baptized. I was a little confused and thought he said yes because I wanted him to. And he said yes I want to get baptized. So we set a date for December 1, 2012! He's getting baptized! There is only one problem. He can't choose his work schedule and might not be able to make it to church three times before that day. Investigators have to go three times before they can be baptized. And it would be really nice if he could go to church the day after his baptism so we can confirm him quickly without delay. But he can't choose his schedule. I'm not sure what to do. All of my prayers and my fast was centered  on that man getting to church enough. He needs a miracle. And lucky for us our God can do that. So I'm hoping all goes well with that. I would hate to push his baptismal date back. Well. I love that man. He is so cool. And is just taking in the gospel so well. I even asked him to keep all of the commandments we will teach him about in order to prepare for baptism. And he said he will do it. Such a wonderful man.

Also we have another lesson with him on Wednesday at the same time as Eikaiwa. And we are going to have a couple potential investigators at that Eikaiwa so one of us needs to be there. And Elder Morris is the only one who has spoken with this potential investigator we have in mind and so he has to go to Eikaiwa. That means I will teach K_____ san alone with a member in our ward. This is my first full lesson alone. I will have the help of a member but I am in charge this time. I am so scared. Pray for me.

Lately I have been feeling like Japanese is just destroying me. It is so hard and I just can't understand what these people are saying to me. It is so hard. And I am getting really frustrated. I can say a lot. I can almost say anything I want in some way or another. But I can't understand people. So its really difficult. The language is the hardest part for me. Going up and talking to people is no problem. Sharing what I know with strangers is no problem. Leaving my family for two years is not a problem for me. The only truly difficult part of this is Japanese. And stressing about people coming to church. well. Just pray for me I guess.  I don't really know what to do about the language. I keep studying. That's all I really can do.

Well. I should start wrapping it up. I love you all. I hope you are all doing well. It sounds like things are going good for the most part with little challenges here and there. But don't worry. Everything is ok. Peace out. Mata ne.

Love Josh

Tsutaetai koto ga nai (Week 44)

Well. First I'm sorry I haven't emailed yet. We were way busy yesterday doing awesome things. And just so you know our email place fell through so we only get a half hour at our new place so I may cut out at any time. Its way taihen. I hope we can find a new place.

So yesterday we went to Kumamoto Castle. It was super cool. The whole zone was there. It was a lot of fun. And I also ate at a couple way good cool Japanese places yesterday. We also had one of our Eikaiwa friends come with us to the castle. Her name is Y_____ and she is 20 years old. We will try to start teaching her soon. Now that we have good relationships. She's super cool. And the castle was just awesome. I have some pictures that I want to send where I look really good but I can't do it yet and I don't know when I will have time in this place. Also if you see a chinese man add me on facebook let him be my friend. He is an investigator of the zone leaders and or the district leader. We are really good friends with him. And he might get baptized soon.

Also yesterday we had 14 missionaries out on the streets in normal clothes passing out Eikaiwa fliers and it was just plain awesome. I had such a good time. People don't get scared if you don't wear a suit when all you talk about is Eikaiwa. Well. They get way scared. Because I'm white. But not as scared. And its just fun to talk to them. We all spread out and gave out who knows how many fliers. Our Halloween party is tomorrow. So hopefully we will see a lot of people there.

And just to update you on my Japanese level I am still a junior companion. And I have good enough Japanese to get by in simple conversation and I can teach a lesson on the street without help. I just discovered that this week. But it is way hard. So I still have a long way to go.

I also ate at this way awesome food place. Y_____ told us to go there. It was the coolest thing ever. I don't have time to explain it but it was cool and classy and not too expensive and just made me feel awesome. And I couldn't understand what the waitress said to me at first because it was extremely polite Japanese. And all the waitresses are probably clones. And the food was delicious and it was way cool. Anyways.

So we have been trying to contact a lot of people on the streets especially this week. We want to get 400 contacts by Sunday. It takes about 400 contacts to get 1 investigator. Its way hard. But we'll get going. And we got a new investigator last week. His name is K_____ san. I only met him on the street but he was taught at the church by Elder Morris and one of the zone leaders this past week. So I think things are going ok. We will meet him again today.

So my time is basically up. I am sorry I can't write more. My time in Tsuboi might be really bothersome at email time from now on. And if I have my way I will be in Tsuboi for a really long time. So I can't write more than this one email anymore. So sorry. And my razors name is in my apartment. It might be in a previous email if you want to look through all of those. So I can't tell you right now. Sorry.

Well. I love you. I love Kumamoto. I love the mission. and I love Japanese people. And even their language.

Love Josh.

I have nothing interesting to put here today. (Week 43)

Well. Its been another week. And I can barely believe it. Time is flying like you wouldn't believe. I'm glad to hear you are doing well back home. I'm sorry to hear dad has gone hippy and let his hair grow out longer than 1/8 inch for a while. I really am surprised at him for making that decision whatever the motive may have been. And if you want to send me music probably the best way to do it these days now that I'm in Tsuboi is to do it by USB. And you probably shouldn't have told me that it was for a secret purpose that you asked this question. Now I can't wait until whatever time it is I have to wait to.

Tell Erika to tell Mr. Park Hachi no su ni shite yaru. He might not understand it. But it means I'm going to pump you full of lead.
So I have had an exciting week I guess. We have just been really busy doing dendo and stuff. You know. The normal stuff. But we are really trying to get Eikaiwa better. Its huge here. Way huge. But we want it better. And so we are making a giant poster to use when we hand out fliers and we are making posters to put on our bikes and stuff. And everything we need for this thing seems like it will be hard to find but we get there and everything just falls into our laps. Its crazy. I think someone is going to get baptized from our Eikaiwa efforts. We also met people last night that want to go to Eikaiwa. Usually when we give people fliers they just say thanks or just nod or something or don't even take it or something. But these people jumped at the fliers and asked for some to give their friends. Its just Eikaiwa but its fun to see people have real interest in something we are doing.

So yesterday was my first day going to church here. That was fun. The people are very nice. And there are so many of them. And they had me go up and introduce myself and share a testimony in sacrament meeting. And then they told the whole ward that I would be playing the cello at the Christmas party and that we just need a cello. That was about the same time that I learned there was a Christmas party and that I was playing there. Oh Japanese people. They are so wonderful.

Elder Morris and I get along very well. We have a great time. He's from North Ogden. He's a hard worker and very good looking just in case my sisters wanted to know. He is full of good ideas to get the work moving along here and has a great time dendoing. We will probably be together for 2 or 3 transfers. But we'll see. I really enjoy being his companion. Its fun. I also love living in a 4 man apartment again. Its way fun. We have a good time.

The other missionaries I live with, the Shimizu missionaries, have an investigator who is chinese. He is totally cool and we played soccer with him and stuff. He is one of the coolest people ever and I think he will get baptized. I'd like to go to his baptism. And I learned from him happy birthday in chinese. But I can't even imagine how to write it down so I can't type it. He told me my pronunciation is perfect. And chinese is supposed to be the hard one to pronounce. Maybe I'll go learn chinese after this. Anyways. Just pray for this wonderful man. I want to see him get baptized and join this wonderful church.

I use my cane a lot. My knees are totally losing it. But its ok. And I think it makes girls like me more. We just entered suit season so I have to wear a suit all the time now and I have a cane. So I really look good. And I think one of the Eikaiwa students is really into me. And then just the random women on the street giving me the look. But don't you worry about me. I won't go on any dates or anything. I'm here to preach the gospel so don't worry. I just look way good walking around with a cane. Elder De Jong, the district leader, wants to get a cane too. He wants the same attention and everything that I get. Oh well. Its not my fault I need one. I guess I'll just deal with all the attention and the pain like a man and turn it into baptisms or something.

My pedals on my bike were breaking off and so I bought new ones. They're pink.

So we don't really have any investigators here. Some just kind of investigators and there aren't very many of them. So hopefully we will be able to find some people soon. I would like to really start teaching people. Then maybe my Japanese will get better. I am having a strange problem with my Japanese. I don't know how to say a lot of specific things but when Japanese people say them I understand them. But I can't remember exaclty what they said because a lot of things I understand as quickly as English now so I don't really listen to what they say specifically. Its hard. Its weird understanding what they say but not being able to say it. So we'll see if I can learn them somehow.

Well. I think I should get going. I will let you all get going. I'm out of time. Loves.

Elder

Hey has Gil kicked the bucket yet? (Week 42)

So I'm in the enourmous city of Kumamoto in a part of the city called Tsuboi. It is huge. It is the biggest city I've ever been in except for Fukuoka but I was only there for like 2 days. It hurt me to leave Ishigaki. I love Ishigaki so much. I love the people there. So much. The one big family in the branch came over on Wednesday night to say goodbye to me and stuff. It was nice. It was so sad. I miss them so much. And then that night I couldn't sleep because my heart hurt.

Then the branch came to the airport to see me off. And when the plane took off I saw them all waving on the viewing platform. Holy smokes. As the plane took off I cried. I love those people so much. And I don't know if I will ever see them again. Then it was exciting to land in Naha and get with a bunch of missionaries and stuff and then fly away from Okinawa. That was sad too. But I didn't cry. Then it was crazy trying to get to Kumamoto. We landed in Fukuoka and had to take a subway that I never knew when I was supposed to get off but someone else did and then I had to get on a bus to Kumamoto. And it was scary trying to find how to do that but Sister Tagawa was with me and so it went ok. And then we waited for our buses and I talked to Sister Tagawa for a while until she left. And then I was alone. And I found my bus. And the bus driver asked me a question that I understood but that was only because of the Spirit. I have no idea what his words were. And then the correct answer came from my lips without any real effort. That was cool. And an hour and a half later I made it to Kumamoto and met Elder Morris my new companion and Elders De Jong and Unice who live with me. Elder De Jong just wants Japanese babies more than anything. He doesn't much care for what race his wife is but he has to have Japanese babies. Anywas. Kumamoto is huge and crazy and awesome and Elder Morris is awesome and the other elders are awesome so its ok. I will really enjoy it here. But Ishigaki will forever have a special place in my heart. I want to go back sometime. But that isn't likely to happen.

So I have dendoed a little in this place. The city is huge and there are like so many places to go shopping for the coolest stuff. So Elder Morris and I are just going to go pretend like we have money and see a bunch of cool stuff we can't really buy today. And just so you know things are different in Tsuboi so my emailing will not be at a regular time anymore. Just so you know. Anyways. There are always people walking around the streets to talk to. Its crazy. Ishigaki never had anyone but women. And we can't contact women. We can only knock on their doors. So its been exciting. And I'm really excited. But Ishigaki. I only spent 6 months there. I needed at least another three.

So Elder Morris is super cool. He is only like 2 transfers ahead of my and I am his first junior companion. So there is some scary news for you. In as little as three months I could be senior. And I don't speak Japanese. Hopefully I learn soon. I'm getting better. Elder Iino helped a lot. But holy smokes I don't speak Japanese.

So the Japanese people do know what Halloween is and I just ate a bunch of Halloween Mister Donuts the other day. So they know it. But they really don't celebrate it. There might be parties and stuff but not really. Just stuff and decorations to buy. No candy. No trick or treating or anything. So its not a big deal. But we are going to have a Halloween party for the ysa age people in Kumamoto. Amercian style. They will like that. So we'll see how it goes. Hopefully a lot of people come. I think they celebrate Halloween kind of the same as Christmas. Except they probably know what day Christmas is. No one really knows what day Halloween is. Not even the members.

When L. Tom Perry started reading that letter to his mom I started getting all teary eyed and stuff and thought about how much I love my own mom. I love you mom. I miss you a lot and I think about you all the time. But its ok. I have just over a year left. I'll be home to see you before you know it. And I'll call you on Christmas. So that will be nice. I love you mom.

So I have a USB drive with a bunch of music on it that we plug into the little DVD player and it can play our music. We do have a cd player but that is chotto mendokusai. Just a little not benri. I love Japanese. Do you understand any of that? Its just not how we roll. We like the USB and its easy to work with and a lot smaller than a bunch of cds. So that's what we do. I do believe we have an oven. I think. I don't actually remember. Its still a new apartment. Anyways. So yeah. That's all I can give you in that area.

I'm glad you had fun at Disneland and saw that nice cute couple. That's fun. All the couples I've seen here are pretty much normal. For Japanese people. Also dad don't go gettin chunky on me. That isn't acceptable.

So we don't do email in the church. We do it at some public computer place. And holy cow. its way nice and the chair is awesome and there are free drinks as much as you want here. Its awesome. Good stuff too. Like Calpis and way good grape juice and more teas than I have ever seen and soda. And also it has bathrooms and shower rooms so you can stay here over night if your game is taking a while and stuff like that. Isn't that the coolest? And this room is pretty dark. And I can smell cigarette smoke. And there are a bunch of posters of fantasy weapons and stuff. Way nerdy. Welcome to Japan. I love it.

Well. I don't really know what else to say. I'm going to love Kumamoto. I already love it. This is what Japan really is. I have entered the real thing now. Okinawa is different. This is the real Japan. Its amazing and fun and huge and the members are a lot of people and that was a Japanese way to say that about the members and my bike finally came today so I can ride it. Oh yeah. My bike is all black and is named the Black Thunder after that way delicious candy. And Elder Morris's bike is all black too. But he named his Daihaikyo. Daihaiks for short. That means the Great Apostasy. Just because an all black bike has to have a cool bad name. And he said his previous companion named his bike Kaifuku which means Restoration. Anyways. I like his bike's name.

Well I love you all. I hope you are well. Know that I am well too. I'm just always tired. And I don't speak Japanese. And I want my Ishigaki. But someday I'll get transferred back. Just wait.

Peace out. Have a nice day.

Love Elder Liddle 長老

No! You can't take me! (Week 41)

I'm transferring! Away from my precious kingdom! Ishigaki! No!

Well. We got the calls today. The transfer calls. By the way P day is now on Tuesday the week of transfers. So that's why this is late. And that way I can tell you about transfers after the call instead of after the transfer. So they called me today. Who called me you ask? Not the assistants like normal. President Gustafson called. But that actually had nothing to do with me. Iino 長老 is going trainer again! A bean in Ishigaki! And then he passed me the phone. I knew what was coming. I knew I would transfer. But I didn't want to believe. I spent a good 4 transfers here. And President told me I'm no longer Little 長老 but Big 長老 because I'm being transferred to a place called Tsuboi near a place called Kumamoto. On Kyushu island. Same island as Fukuoka. I don't really know where my area is yet because I haven't been able to look at a map. And my new companion is a fine man I have met a couple times named Elder Morris. Well. That's that. I'm excited though. So don't worry about me. I'm excited to see some more of Japan.

So we went to Taketomi last week on P day and rode the Suigyu. And let me just say. You know you are learning Japanese when the driver goes on and on about Suigyu urine and you understand everything he's saying. About how they use it for marking and sorry about the smell and stuff. Wow.

Speaking of urine. We went housing and there was an adorable dog lounging on the grass. When no one answered the door I went to pet the dog. And the sweet doggy rolled over so I could get its belly. Well I noticed that it was a boy doggy just in time to see a stream of liquid come flying at me and soak my hand. Yeah. Ishigaki animals are so so not good. I have lots of stories about them but they wouldn't be good to tell. That's the one bad thing about Ishigaki.

So at church here sometimes I use chapstick. And the branch president's daughters are always around and always talk to me and stuff. So they see the chapstick. And when they saw it I didn't realize what I was doing because its so automatic and they kept telling me I was cute. In English. They were just pointing and saying cute over and over. I was a little confused. It was hilarious though because when I explained what I was thinking they got all embarrassed and stuff. Anyways. Just a funny story. Its ok. Only one of them has a thing for me.

So I went to Mister Donut again this week. It is so delicious. And I have a point card. I've received two sweat towels and a halloween snoopy toy. Also they have this lion thing like as their mascot. And you can get a stuffed lion for 1000 points. We calculated it. I would have to buy one doughnut a day for the rest of my mission to get the points. Tanoshiku Ganbarimasho!

Speaking of Mister Donut. When we were there there were a bunch of like junior high girls at a table just behind me. Elder Iino was facing them. And when I would look to the side out the window I would see some of them turning around to look at me. And then Elder Iino waved at someone behind me. So I turned around and saw like 6 or 7 girls lined up staring at me. So I waved too. And then they all started waving and giggling and ran. It was so funny. Oh boy. The girls here are so crazy.

While I'm thinking about it I would appreciate if you could find and send me the smallest most portable bike pump you can find sometime. Whenever its convenient. Its not an immediate need. I just have an american bike. So when I need to refill my tires with air once every couple weeks it seems I have to go to a bike shop and its just way taihen and gets in the way. But whatever.

Elder Iino said cucumbers taste like stink bugs and watermelon tastes like beetles.

Ok. So now dendo. We had a rough dendo week. No one wants to listen to us and its way hard. And some people think I'm speaking English to them. They see that I'm white and expect English for some reason and so they can't understand that I'm speaking Japanese for like a whole thirty seconds. Its funny. Until it gets frustrating. And we met with the T_____ kids and they really aren't progressing. They need their mom to lead them. And she just went to Las Vegas for a while. So I will never see them again. Unless by some miracle I get transferred back someday. I'm really sad about that. But its ok. I think everything will be ok with them. They will receive the gospel eventually. Other than that basically all of Ishigaki's investigators have stopped all progression. M_____ san. We had to drop him. He doesn't want to learn anymore. Its been way stressful and frustrating. This has easily been my hardest week. And holy cow. I don't speak Japanese. Its so hard. So yeah.

Also my knees are going. My surgeryed knee is hurting. I think there is something wrong but whatevs. I'll ganbaru. I bought a 100 yen cane to use when we are housing and walking a lot so I'm ok. My other knee is starting to hurt too though. I don't know. I'll probably be fine.

One thing I love about Ishigaki is you can go walking through the houses in the evening and hear people getting together in their little Ishigaki music bands and singing and playing old Ishigaki and Okinawa music. Its so cool. I love it.

And I saw a nice old man on a scooter this week. He like bowed to me on his scooter as I walked by and he said konnichi wa and stuff. What a nice old man.
Well that's me. Its been crazy. And I'll talk to you from Tsuboi next week.

Also some people think I've seen conference already. Japan gets it a week later. I got to watch the Relief Society one this week. This weekend I get to see the real deal. But I did actually watch President Monson on the internet after we heard the mission age news. And I get to see it in English no matter what because I'm a genius. If you put the full general conference on an ipod and match the sound with the video then its all in English. Yes. I'm that good.

Anyways. I love you all.

Love Liddle 長老

Taketomi again! (Week 40)

We are going to Taketomi island again today! I'm so excited. Its Iino 長老's first time. We are going to have steak and stuff.

So. This week has been exciting I guess. Lots happened. Or rather lots didn't happen.

First the typhoon. It hit from the second we woke up on Friday and was still hanging around well into the night. We could not do anything all day. It was the strongest storm I have ever seen in my life. Iino 長老 and I got bored and we wanted to just run to the convenience store to buy some candy or something. And so we went out into the storm. I have never experienced that kind of wind and rain. The wind was so strong that it almost blew me over just standing there. And it was accelerating the rain to such high speeds that it would hurt when the rain hit you. It was the craziest thing ever. The previous typhoons have been windy and rainy. And they always change in intensity through the day. But this was way strong and was just constant all day. The wind was so loud outside our apartment. It was just crazy. And it blew over a lot of really big trees. It was crazy. I also saw a fire truck when we left the apartment. One of the fire trucks that is supposed to be able to go through any weather. It was exciting.

But we had an appointment with the wonderful T_____ family for Friday. And we couldn't visit them. That made me very sad. They are doing so well. The mom knows this gospel will strengthen her family. And we really need to start teaching them properly again. They can go so far. It will just take a lot of effort on their part to make time. And then when they do have time Satan makes a typhoon that actually is dangerous just to walk in. Not just a pansy typhoon everyone says is dangerous and then gets mad at you if they see you walking outside. Anyways. Hopefully this week will be better.

So on Wednesday we had planned to go visit a less active member named I_____ Shiami. Sister I_____. And our plans are to teach her all the lessons again but to let me do it as practice because then I can't ruin anyone's salvation with a mistake or anything. But I didn't get to teach her this week. When we visited her we talked just about the Atonement. I really can't understand what she says. But I understood husband, police, the huge bruise she showed us on her arm, and the way Iino 長老 reacted. And then after Iino 長老 did a little explaining to make sure I understood. She was abused by her husband. And now he is with the police. I was really upset. I_____ Shiami is such a nice sweet lady. She doesn't deserve that.

In happier news at Eikaiwa on Saturday I made a sentence with the grammar we were teaching. I said something like you need to go buy me 7 doughnuts from Mister Donuts. Mister Donuts is a way good doughnut place here. I love it. Way better than America. Anyways. These particular Eikaiwa students always take us out to eat and stuff. And at the end of the lesson they were like ok lets go to Mister Donuts and you can have as many as you want. So we went. And all the doughnuts were half price. Not that that mattered to the M_____'s. They don't care about money. Anyways. We were going through the line picking our doughnuts and M_____ san kept telling me to get more. Get more get more get more. So I ended up with six. And I ate them. And they were delicious. And after my sixth doughnut he said to me you didn't eat seven. You need more. Lets go get more. So he made me get one more. Wow. Seven doughnuts from the most delicious doughnut place I've ever been to. Those people are so nice. I love the M_____'s.

So I haven't really studied Kanji since coming on my mission. I have focused on listening and speaking. Not so much the reading. But I decided to start Kanji. So I was looking through my Kanji book and its set up so you learn a kanji a day and there are sections for every month. I should be on month 9 by now. But as I was looking through it I knew all of the Kanji up to month 5. It blew my mind. When did I learn those Kanji? I don't know where that came from. But I'm not complaining. If God wants to give me the gift of tongues then so be it. I will allow that. It was just cool and kind of a nice indicator that I actually am learning Japanese. Also we have a meeting with the ward mission leader every sunday. But we have only had that meeting the first week Iino 長老 got here and then yesterday. The ward mission leader hasn't been here. And yesterday he told me that my Japanese is improving quickly having a Japanese companion. He said just a few weeks ago I could hardly say anything but yesterday I was speaking more quickly and more detailed. I guess I'm improving. But it is so hard to see. I can't describe to you how hard this language is. It is just so different and sometimes overwhelming. So it has been nice to see progress.

We went to a festival last night where people got up to sing old Okinawa and Ishigaki music. It was so cool. I love that music. When I get to go to festivals and stuff I just feel like I'm at home. I love the culture here. It is so good. I never want to leave the Okinawa area.

So Iino　長老 is really good at cooking. He does all of the cooking. He makes some of the best food I've ever had. And I am learning a bit from him so I will probably be able to make something tasty for you at home if I have the ingredients. Its not too hard. He likes to use tofu. At first that was really strange to me but now I like it. I love his food. Except one thing he made that had raw egg in it. That was just weird and disgusting.

We help with a Japanese woman's Eikaiwa every week. And just before the class she gives us dinner. Sometimes it is the best thing I have ever had. And sometimes it is the worst thing I have ever had. I have had some of the strangest food that I can't even describe to you from her. These past few weeks have been crazy gross like that. Even Iino 長老 says its bad. It is so gross. But I eat it anyways because she is such nice lady. Hopefully this week will be better. I want Erika to eat her food. That would be fun to see.

I have had sushi a few times here. Sushi is pretty ok. It is quite different than anything I have had in America. It is just like more real. Fish on rice. With soy sauce or something. My favorite sushi was the octopus sushi. No just kidding. The shrimp sushi was my favorite. Some sushi isn't too good. It depends on the fish. I have had sashimi a few times. That is just raw fish all by itself with some kind of sauce and usually wasabi. Sashimi is difficult. I can have like two pieces and enjoy it but then I have to eat something else or the texture kills me. I'm still getting used to it. I would be ok to never eat sashimi again. But I probably will. So I might as well enjoy it. Iino 長老 told me there is an area in our mission that you can buy horse sashimi. I really want to try that. He also said in some places in Japan you can get dolphin. And whale. I want to try these. Especially horse and dolphin.

Well we need to get going to Taketomi pretty quick here. I think I will leave you now. I hope this next week goes better for us. Pray that we will be able to really meet the T_____s again.

Love Josh

Typhoon Jelawat

Typhoon Jelawat is slowing down the work for Josh.  I know he had appointments scheduled for today, but he has probably had to sit in his apartment all day due to the typhoon that is passing very closely to Ishigaki.

Here's a current satellite image (click to enlarge):

Hi again. (Week 39)

Well this week was pretty good. I got to ride airplanes again. Numbers 20 and 21. We went to Naha for zone conference. And guess who was there. You will remember the general conference last year in October when a nice Japanese man spoke about missionary work. This was the weekend after I opened my mission call. His name is Elder Yamashita. And he did in fact give the training at our zone conference. It was so good. He is such a wonderful man. I learned so much from him. And he taught in English. He said the Japanese missionaries should learn English so he is going to speak in English to help them. And it was so good. One of the biggest things I learned from him is that language doesn't matter that much. If you speak from your heart and show love then the Spirit will be there and that is what really matters. No one will care about your language skill if they can feel the Spirit. And the best part about that was his English is really good but far from perfect. And I didn't even notice. I just felt the Spirit the whole time. It was so good. That conference may have changed my mission forever. Elder Yamashita is the best ever. He is such a nice guy. I had the opportunity to speak to him for a little bit. It was good.

I also had an interview with President Gustafson this weekend. That was just really good. That man is inspired by God. I love him so much.

So we have been visiting M_____ san. He is a good old man. We visited him yesterday kind of late and when we got there he told us he thought we weren't coming and got a little worried. He is progressing little by little. I hope to see him join the church. He is a wonderful man. Very nice.

We also visited a family we teach in English. Well now its English and Japanese because Iino 長老 can't speak English. And the T_____ family is bilingual. It has been a really long time since we have visited them all together. They are so busy. So we met with the daughter earlier this week and then the mother yesterday. When we met with the daughter, V_____, she really opened up to us this time. She told me about some problems that have been going on and she was completely honest with me when we talked about how she had been with keeping commitments and stuff. And then I talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon and stuff and asked her to read every day and pray about it. And she said she would and really seemed like she meant it. It was a good lesson. And then yesterday with T_____ Mom I talked more about the Book of Mormon. She is such a wonderful lady. She wants to be a better mother to her children and she also was very open and honest with us about how things have been going with her progress as an investigator. The family really is about at the same place. None of them really do much about what we say. But I asked her to really try to read and pray this week and to help her children do it too. And she said she would. And I think she will. The spirit was really strong in these visits. And we set up a time to meet them as a whole family. I'm excited for them. And in our meetings with them I have just been overcome with such a love for them. I love that family so much. I really want to see them join the church. And I think they will if we all just try hard together to get them to continually progress. But I have a fear. I might transfer away from here in a few weeks. 5 transfers in Ishigaki may be too much to ask. I've heard of a few missionaries now who have gone 5 transfers in places but I don't know if I can do it. And so I might not be able to see it. Also I don't think Iino 長老 has the same faith in them that I do. And the ward mission leader doesn't have that faith in them either. So I feel like I'm alone when it comes to this family. I can't transfer or they might be forgotten. I want them to receive this gospel. I want to be with them in the Celestial Kingdom. So pray that all will go well.

While I was in Naha I went on companion exchanges with one of the Miyako elders and I learned something. We stopped a guy on the street and started talking to him. And I understood everything that was being said. And this man was upset about something. He would sometimes say things in English too. And he was just kind of in attack mode. And if I was the one good enough at the language to take the lesson I am afraid I might have just left him to go be angry by himself. But Elder Cottle is a great missionary. He was patient and kept himself calm. And in the end the guy asked if he could take our pamphlets and he was happy and we went away feeling good. So always be happy and patient no matter what.

By the way we aren't going to bike around Ishigaki. Just to a beach kind of far away.

This past week we were housing and found a nice old lady that was just a little bit crazy. She was part of a religion here in Japan and also a few other parts of the world called Kofuku no Kagaku. Which being interpreted means Happy Science. And here we have seen there building that says Happy Science in big English letters on it. It is an interesting religion that I think is basically just about how to live a happy life. And this wonderful old lady told us about how she can't really read very much anymore because her eye sight is bad and so she gave me and Elder Iino a couple books from her church. So now I have a book called Kibo no Ho. Which means the Laws of Hope. And its all in Japanese. I've actually read a little bit of it and most of it seems to teach good things. But some of it may be a little bit not so true. And I feel like I would rather read the Book of Mormon or something. So I won't read it. Anyways. It was just funny. She was so excited about her religion. And we only took the books from her because she said if we did she would take a Book of Mormon and try to read it. So yeah.

Well that was my week I think. So. Enjoy the package. Mom. Enjoy your shisa and other assorted goods. If anything doesn't have a home yet then you can decide what to do with it. I love you all. Have a wonderful day.

Love Elder

Nani yateiru no? (Week 38)

So. This week has been pretty good. Pretty crazy and long but way fast. I feel like it was way fast but I can't even remember the first part of last week because it was so long ago.

I rode airplanes number 18 and 19 this week. The super tiny propeller plane that goes to Miyako. We had a junkai in Miyako with the Miyako elders and the zone leaders flew in from Naha. So it was a good few days actually being with missionaries. Iino 長老 was my zone leader last transfer so I got a new one this transfer. His name is Elder De la Mare. He is such a wonderful soul. I love that man so much. He is such a great missionary. I got to go housing with him for a while. And a bit of streeting but Miyako is way tiny too so not many people walk the streets. And I learned so much from him. I learned how to truly love dendo with that man. I had such a good time. And he pushed me to speak more Japanese than I feel comfortable doing but I found out that I was able to do a lot more than I thought I was able to. And my housing style greatly improved in those short hours. I learned so much from him. And I loved it. I'm ready to get going on Ishigaki. Tanoshiku Dendo Shimasho!

While I was housing with Elder De la Mare we found a nice woman with three children who listened to us. And she was great. She was listening and she was into it and it was just so good. She took a Book of Mormon and said she would read it and we made a return appointment for the Miyako Elders. And then later that evening when we switched up companions Elder De la Mare came back to the apartment and told us a miraculous tale. He said he found the mother of the nice lady I found with him and she too took a Book of Mormon and made a return appointment. And the mother and daughter have no idea the other found the missionaries. It was way cool. A family on Miyako is going to get baptized. I had a good junkai in Miyako.

So yesterday the police came to our door. I couldn't understand anything he said but Iino 長老 said he was looking for a thief.

O_____ san said I have good teeth just out of nowhere. She really likes them. Other than that there isn't much to report on her. She isn't really progressing anymore. I think she is afraid of something. But I don't know what.

Most of our investigators are just sitting around not doing much. Its really hard. No one is doing anything. And it makes me sad. We did have one investigator say he will get baptized if he receives an answer to his prayer that this church is true. But I am afraid he will give up on praying before he gets an answer. That seems to be the pattern with him and his family. But I hope we can help them. We received some good training from the zone leaders that should help actually.

And we found a new investigator! His name is M_____ san. He is a nice older man. We left him with a Book of Mormon last week and asked him to read some of it and the Restoration pamphlet. And we went back yesterday and immediately he jumped up and got his Book of Mormon and started to ask a few questions and wants to know who Joseph Smith is. He is a great little humble man. I hope we can bring the gospel to him. I'm glad to have a new investigator. We've been looking for a long time.

I think I sent a picture of me in some cool Japanese pajamas one time. I asked Iino 長老 if I could go outside in them and he said I could but that I would be like a kitanai Ojiisan. Which being interpreted means dirty grandpa.

So this whole Japanese all the time thing is really hard. I am struggling. And I have times when my brain explodes and I just don't want to speak or hear another word in this language. It is really hard. And things have been so hard this week. So I'm going to need you to double or triple your prayers for me. Onegai Shimasu.

Though this week has been really good. Probably my favorite week on the mission so far. I just love being here and I have been able to do a lot of cool stuff and I love to go out and dendo and the only real problem for me this week is Japanese. No other challenges really came this week. It was so good. Anyways. I just love this place. I love that I get to have the opportunity to be here.

On Saturday night we got a phone call. From the Yonahas. You always know its bad if they call on a Saturday night. Everything for Sunday basically fell apart. The stake leaders coming couldn't fly in because of the Typhoon. So the talks were going to be given by the missionaries. And Yonaha shimai asked us to teach sunday school for her. And Tagawa kyodai told us that the Typhoon would keep him at work on Taketomi island so we had to teach priesthood meeting. We found all of this out on Saturday. And my brain exploded. Japanese is too hard to do that. But we made it.

And just so you know if I don't email next week in a timely manner or at all it will be because we might bike around Ishigaki. But Elder Iino doesn't want to so we might not do it. We'll see. It would take like 10 hours or something.

It isn't really fall here. People keep telling us when it will start cooling down. They say around November or December. It will never get cold here.

Well. I should probably go now. I hope you are all well. I love you. And I love the mission. I have had such a great week. This week I am a happy man. Peace.

Love Elder 利怒瑠 (RichAngrySapphire)

Its time for eggnog! (Week 37)

Well you are probably all wondering why I called you here today.

Firstly I'd like to say that my first full week of Nihongo dake went pretty ok. Japanese only. Its been hard. But kind of fun. Maybe it wasn't exactly Nihongo dake because Elder Iino can understand a lot of english. His vocabulary is impressive. But if you get too complicated with the grammar and stuff then he has no idea what you're going on about. So I can ask him how to say things in English first if I don't know how to in Japanese. So that has been really nice. And when I get really frustrated I just go off in really fast English to calm me down. So its been exciting. And I can say more than I thought I could. But still not all that much.

Secondly I'd like to say that on this beautiful Monday morning I watched Elder Holland's devotional last Sunday night. But it was live. How do I do that? I must be a Timelord or something. And it was really good. I love that man. That kind of reminded me of seeing him in the MTC. Only he was a lot more in your face in the MTC. It was good.

Thirdly. I want to tell you that Iino 長老 taught me some new Japanese. Barabara satsujin jiken. And then he said its yoku tsukau. Which means its used a lot. And the first word means random. The second word means manslaughter. And the third word means happening or event. Yoku tsukau? Why on earth would you use a phrase like that often?

Fourthly I want to send you my Christmas list. I have some stuff I will need by then and I just want to tell you because I'm in the Christmasy mood and I don't want to forget closer to Christmas. Now its up to you to remember and I don't have responsibility anymore. I need a new head for my razor by Christmas. The name of this razor is Philips Norelco SensoTouch 1150X. I need a replacement shaving unit, model RQ11. The book says go to www.philips.com/store. And I will need maybe some new sewing needles and more black and white thread. I could probably find that here just fine but I wanted to give you something to give me for Christmas. So there you have it. My Christmas list. Also a chocolate orange.

Fifthly. I was thinking back to my first days in Japan. And I was in the airport somewhere going to my first area, Okinawa. And I met a lot of missionaries all at one time so I can barely remember any of them. But one I do remember. He was Japanese. And he was tall. And he spoke only Japanese. And he talked to me and I was like aaaaahhhh! Why are you talking to me? Don't you know I can't speak this language? And I was afraid of that particular missionary. That missionary's name is, if I remember correctly, Elder Iino. Who turns out to be my companion. And also one of my very favorite people ever to be born onto this earth.

Seventhly. I'd just like to say that working with Elder Iino has been lots of fun. I love that man. And he is such a good missionary. I am learning so much from him. When we go housing and stuff he is way good at it. Elder Munro and I could barely get anyone to keep their door open for more than ten seconds. But Elder Iino can keep them for 10 minutes. He's amazing. And I'm learning how to do it myself. You just have to ask the right questions and do more of a self introduction rather than jump right into how they can live with God again. I love 飯野長老。He's the best missionary out there.

Eighthly. We housed an apartment building that was way scary. It was a night and there were like no lights and the feeling there was creepy and it was way dirty and almost no one was home and if they were they ignored us except one guy who was just smoking in the dark. There were no lights on in his house. All I could see was the cigarette and a little of his face from the glow of the cigarette. Wow. That was scary. I decided we broke some missionary rules housing there. The white handbook says to stay in well lighted areas at night for safety. I sure didn't feel safe there. Also from my childhood I remember having the same nightmare over and over from time to time. I was walking up really narrow really steep stairs with no railings and I had trouble balancing so I always felt like I was going to fall. And at that scary apartment the stairs were exactly like that. Exactly.

Eleventhly. I'd just like to keep you updated on all the girls that are in love with me here. I saw one at the airport that wanted me to go talk to her but I didn't. We housed into one who literally jumped down into her genkan so she could open the door wider when she saw me. And a few girls were walking on the sidewalk a ways away from me. I was on my bike and stopped at a red light. I actually stop at red lights unlike everyone else. And as I started going all three yelled Haro! But I didn't look over and just kept going. And then one screamed at me Amerikajin! Which means hey American! I just laughed and kept going.

Twelfthly. I just want to say that I love you all and that I hope all is well back at the homestead. I hope you are all in your dress goods and enjoying your Sunday. Sunday is a good day. Just really busy for missionaries.

Thirteenthly. I should head out. Have a nice week.

Fourteenthly. Love,
Fifteenthly. リドル長老

Transfer 5! (Week 36)

So we just had transfers this week. And I have been gone 8 months! that's a third of my mission! Way too fast. Its been exciting. Lots of stuff went down. Good stuff. Hard stuff. Happy stuff. Sad stuff. So I am still in good old Ishigaks. Thank heavens. I love this place. Though I really wouldn't call this being spoiled. Ishigaki is great but I pretty much just work the whole time in the hot humidity. So dad. I'm not spoiled. Elder Munro did transfer away. To a city called Chikushino near Fukuoka. That was hard. I love Elder Munro. He was great. I had three transfers with him. And now I'm on my fourth transfer in Ishigaki. Can I make it to five? We will see. So I got a new companion. And his name is Elder iino! 飯野長老。He is in fact a Japanese man. I love him so much. He was my zone leader for the past three transfers in Naha. I was so excited when I got the call telling me he was my new companion. So excited. I love him so much. And it has been so fun already. We are working hard and he is Japanese and we have been having fun and he is Japanese so I really can't speak to him. But I try. And we figure out how to communicate. Its fun. But now I have no one to translate for me if I don't understand anything. So  this will be good. There were two Nihonjin I wanted to become companions with. Elder Kusakabe who I lived with in Okinawa and Elder Iino. I am so happy. We are going to have such a good transfer on the little heavenly island of Ishigaks.

So we went to look for some less active members that no one has met in forever last night. And that was fun. We went to a house that was absolutely black inside. The sun had gone down and everything so it was dark. It was one of the scariest houses I have ever seen. And no one answered the door. So we booked it out of there as fast as we could.

So last P day Brother Tagawa took me and Elder Munro out to eat and see stuff. It was cool. Ishigaki is so beautiful. And we ate Yakiniku. My very favorite. And then later that night the relief society took us to a steak place. And when I say relief society don't imagine a huge group. There are only three. Actually like five but the other two were busy I guess. And I ate the best steak of my life. It was so so good. I can't even describe to you how good it was. And we were told that Kobe beef comes from Ishigaki. Kobe beef is like super good I guess and the cows for Kobe beef are raised in Ishigaki for a while and then shipped to Kobe. So it is really Ishigaki beef. And it is so good.

What do you call the cloud thing that follows after the airplane? Someone asked me because we saw one. In Japanese it is called hikokigumo. which means airplane cloud.

So this weekend was a festival or holiday thing called Obon. It was three days long and ended on Saturday. It was hard because people were way busy and didn't want to talk to us but it was also fun. I don't fully understand the obon. it is an only Okinawa thing. So Iino 長老 doesn't fully understand either and no one speaks good enough english to really help me understand. So all the explanations were in Japanese. It is like when their ancestors come back from the spirit world and visit and they put out food and stuff for them to eat and things like that. And then to end it we saw some people walking and singing all dressed up with their shamisens and their flutes and drums and we followed them. And then we watched a cool dance and then a weird dance and then a scary dance. It was weird. It was way cool though. Japan has so much way cool stuff. And I have been able to participate in a lot of it. I love the Okinawa culture. They say its different up north. So I'd like to go there but I think Okinawa is my favorite.

I did get the pictures from kate and the picture of my future self made me laugh. I knew exactly what it was when I saw it. I'm excited for my future.

We did have a bit of storminess this week with one of the typhoons. But it wasn't bad. And since then it has just been way hot. I appreciate dad's knowledge on typhoons. I only know what the Japanese people say and I can't really understand them yet. So I don't know much. So thank you for your knowledge sharing. I'm glad the tailgate went well. It sounds like fun. I wish I could have been there. Maybe someday. And I'm glad BYU won. Thats good. And dad. I have really been craving some cold stone ice cream lately. So if you could eat that for me that would be great.

Well. I think I might get going now. Its been real. Have a good day. Pray that I will learn Japanese.

I love you all. I hope all is well. I want you all to be awesome.

Love 利怒瑠長老

P.S. that is kanji that fits my name. Ridoru. It means profit, anger, and sapphire. The anger on is in a lot of bad Japanese guys names. So I'm the rich angry guy who makes his living with sapphires. Heian soto.

Sup homies. (Week 35)

I don't have much time to write today because it is Elder Munro's last P day and some members are taking us out to see some cool Ishigaki scenery. So yeah.

I have been good with Typhoons lately. We have no way to know about Typhoons really until they come or if we call members about them and stuff. So dad knows better than I do about them. All I know is that the biggest one in a long time was going to hit Ishigaki but turned to Okinawa instead. And that one kind of hit last week that is circling around for another go at Ishigaki. Probably to hit today. We've had rain today. Nothing major. Yet. But its all good. They can get intense but if you just stay inside you're safe. So don't worry about us. Japanese people almost never die in Typhoons. They just use common sense.

So yesterday the branch president and his daughter and a guy from Naha and one other person were going to speak in church. And the day before we got a call from our wonderful branch president saying he went to Naha early with his family to avoid the typhoon. And the guy from Naha couldn't come because of the typhoon. So we had like 12 hours to figure out sacrament talks and who would teach sunday school and who would teach priesthood. I just barely didn't have to give another surprise talk. We luckily ran out of time. And someone took sunday school for us. But we had to get priesthood. And Munro 長老 spoke in sacrament. That was exciting. I don't actually enjoy those surprise phone calls from Naha.

This week is transfers. And it is for sure that Munro 長老 is transferring. Don't ask me how I know so early. And if I don't get a call today saying I'm transferring too then on wednesday they will tell me that I'm staying a 4th transfer on Ishigaki! Which I am excited about. I love this place. And odds are I will get a Japanese companion but we'll see. I sure hope I do. I need to talk to native speakers more.

So this week we didn't actually get to see any of our regular investigators. So that was sad. But we are going to get to them this coming week to see how they are doing. As of right now no one is really progressing that much. But that will change.

I'm praying for Kate. She will adjust. It will be ok. It just takes time. I want to write to her specifically but today I have no time. So I'm sorry. I wish I could. I am excited to hear that she has a Japanese roommate. That sounds like fun. Japanese people are the most wonderful people on the earth. I love them. Learn Japanese from her Kate.

When Dad told me what is going down with preparations for tailgate parties this year at BYU I said Oh no. He's one of them. But I hope you have fun Dad. It sounds like it will be exciting. I wish I could join you. But I'm busy with other things these days. Maybe someday.

Also something interesting is that lately I have been feeling this need to go to the temple. I can't stand being away for as long as this. I am having trouble seeing how people can stay away especially in Utah where there are about 800 temples. I really need to go. But I don't think I can get a Taiwan trip approved.

Well I am kind of running out of time. I wish I could email more. Have a good week. Keep doing what you should be doing. Life will always be happy if you do. I love you all so much. You are all the very best.

Love Elder.

Typhoon Tracking Map

This map shows the entire track of Typhoon Tembin so far, along with it's projected path.  The current model shows Taiwan as taking the brunt of it all.

There's something called the Fujiwhara effect, which explains the interaction between two "cyclonic vortices".  It's the reason Tembin didn't make landfall in Hong Kong, but is being pulled by the more powerful Bolaven to come back east and then north.

Ishigaki is no longer in the projected path of Tembin, but does have some weather advisories.

Weather Forecast

There are a couple of Typhoons in the area.  Looks like Okinawa will get hammered with the strongest typhoon in 13 years.

And there's another lurking which just might pass through the Ishigaki area around Tuesday, as a category 1 typhoon.  So far the only warnings issued for Ishigaki is high waves.

We are prepared for unseen events that may or may not occur. (Week 34)

So here I am emailing again. It seems like it was just yesterday when I was here emailing last week. Time flies here like you wouldn't believe. This week was pretty good. We couldn't get as much teaching and stuff done as I would have liked because of zone conference but that was awesome. We went to Naha and back on my 16th and 17th planes. Flying never gets old. I love it. The zone conference was so awesome. We had a couple of guys from central Kyushu talk to us about contacting people. And it was so good. They were just regular Joes from Kyushu that are just amazing at knowing how to talk to people about the gospel and not be weird about it. I learned a lot. And then we broke off into pairs and practiced. I was with Elder Neki who is in fact a Japanese man. And guess what. I experienced the gift of tongues and understood everything he said. Almost. There was like two things I didn't know because he was being so polite. But I understood as fast as he was speaking. That was way cool. I love it when that happens. It keeps me going just a little longer. This language is nuts. And being with President Gustafson is just the best thing ever. I love that man. And his wife. So much.

Then later that night we went out to dendo with the Naha zone leaders and the Miyako Elders. That was fun. And scary. I was with Elder Jeffery the zone leader and Elder Bunderson the Miyako elder. We went out to find people on the street. And we met some really nice people. And then Elder Bunderson contacted a man and was teaching him and then Elder Jeffery went to help him just in case he got stuck so I was left alone to pass out eikaiwa fliers and whatnot. And their lesson went forever but I didn't join because three missionaries on one man is scary. So I contacted people knowing that there wasn't a soul to help me with the Japanese. And I was ok because everyone only listened for a little bit and then walked off. So I didn't run into hard Japanese. And one guy was chinese and didn't speak Japanese. But it was kind of new and exciting to know you are not going to have someone help you with the Japanese. So I'd say it was another legendary Junkai.

So Elder Munro has a brother serving in the Kobe mission. Right next to our mission. You creeps. But I don't know who Oliver is.

Sounds like things are getting exciting at home. With school starting and Kate booking it out of there. I hope you all enjoyed your summer vacation. I know I did. Except this isn't really a vacation exactly. I hope all goes well with Kate moving out and stuff. That should be exciting. I was nervous when I moved out too. But it was fun. At first I was a little scared because it was so new to me. But I got used to it quickly. And it was fun. So don't be too nervous Kate. Just have fun with it. And don't be too sad mom. Its all good.

I'm sorry to hear about the saturn freaking out. But it spices up life so its fun right? I hope all goes well with that car. I don't want it to die or anything. I was sad when old mercy kicked the bucket. Don't put me through that again.

Yesterday we had a dinner with a couple in our branch with one of our investigators there. And it was so good. That woman knows how to cook. And she made these way awesome brownies. They reminded me of mom's brownies. But maybe a little bit better... I'm just kidding mom. And we taught about the Book of Mormon. When we were preparing for the lesson yesterday it was cool. We prayed and thought about what to teach and we threw around ideas and then we both just had the same overwhelming feeling of the importance of the Book of Mormon. And we knew that is what we should teach. So we did. And it was good. I don't know exactly how well it got to our investigator. Y_____ san. But I think she will actually read the Book of Mormon now. And then its all up to God. And we can sure trust him to help her out the way she needs it.

So this transfer is coming to a close pretty quick. We get transfer calls on the 28th and then we actually transfer on the 29th. One day to prepare. That's fun. Elder Munro is on 5 transfers in Ishigaki and that is almost unheard of. So he will almost definitely transfer. And they will probably not take us both out so I will probably stay for a 4th transfer here. Elder Munro has been in Ishigaki longer than I have been in Japan. He has been here forever. And I will be here for a long time too. But it still feels like I just got here. I don't want to leave. I want to stay here forever.

So I have really sad news. O_____ san was our closest investigator to baptism. And we had to tell her that we won't meet with her regularly anymore. She isn't praying about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith and stuff. She prays every day but won't pray about that. She is moving very slowly away from the Catholic church. And we have taught her everything more than once. So we can't do anything more for her. Its up to her and she isn't acting. So we will visit someday again. But not often. I can't tell you how sad that makes me. Why won't people just do what we say? They have no idea how much this will change their lives. They have no idea how important this is. But they can know. If they just do it.

Some better news is that we had an investigator at church yesterday that we haven't met with in a long time. She isn't progressing but she came to church because the branch president's daughter got baptized and was confirmed in sacrament meeting. She went to the baptism. Maybe she will start progressing soon. She was telling me how good my Japanese has become. But I only understood like half of my conversation with her.

The baptism was really good. I love going to baptisms. The spirit is so strong. I love it so much. Baptisms are such sweet experiences.

So I didn't have a talk yesterday. But I did sing a duet with Elder Munro in sacrament meeting. The things I do these days. I would never have done that in the home ward. But now I do crazy stuff. I basically have just left behind all fear and I do whatever will bring the Spirit to other people.

Well I will probably be going now. I'm glad to hear you got my letter mom. I just sent that a week ago. I feel like that was way fast. And the package hasn't been sent yet. There is one more thing I wanted to put in it but I have to wait to get it. And I figured its best to wait just a little and send it with this package rather than hang onto it forever until the next one. So. You will know it is sent when I deposit money in the account that I didn't use.

Have a nice day. And a nice week. I love you all. Peace. Heian soto.

Hi. I'm emailing again. (Week 33)

So this week was pretty good. We spent the first few days on Miyako island and had a good time there. Me and the junior companion on Miyako, Elder Bunderson, went out to dendo together. It was fun. That man is so full of wisdom. And it was scary because both of us have really rocky Japanese. But it was good. And I felt the spirit when we taught. We gave a Book of Mormon to a girl. Giving out Book of Mormons is not really that common here. So that was very exciting. Its hard to get people to take the Book of Mormon unless they can really feel that it is important. Japanese people don't like to take things from you especially if it is something like a book. Its too big of a thing to accept from someone. They are worried about costing us money. And its really hard to get them to listen at all. Once they hear the word church they put their hand up and tell us they don't have any interest. And they close the doors really fast. Sometimes they close the door while we are talking. Its weird. But whatever. Its still fun. Ish. Japanese is scary.

So yesterday we had a couple Relief Society leaders come from Naha to visit our branch. And the speakers were going to be those two and President Yonaha. Well earlier this week President Yonaha's wife called us and asked us to teach the sunday school lesson because she was going to Okinawa. And then on Sunday morning President Yonaha called and said Surprise! I'm in Okinawa! And by the way I won't be able to speak today. So guess who got to pull a talk out of the air yesterday. Me. Those blessed women who were visiting and they gave long talks so I only had to give like a 7 minute talk. That was scary. But I was able to do it. It was about feeling the spirit through music. And I knew all the Japanese I had to use and I felt the spirit so it went good. I shared a story about the previous day when we had eikaiwa with only one person. But we didn't really have eikaiwa. We actually just talked to her and she played some stuff on the piano. She is way good and has a concert today. It was really fun. She played lots of classical music for us that I recognized and it was very nice to hear that again. And I felt the spirit during her music. It was nice to just talk to her and focus on her. Usually her husband comes to eikaiwa too but he dominates her. She kind of fades into the background with him around. So I think it was nice for her to be appreciated. And the spirit was there. I think she would accept the gospel if her husband didn't dominate her so much. He is happy to hear our spiritual messages but has no need to change or anything. And his wife just kind of goes along with it. Anyways.

And while I was talking to her she told me of a person she knows with a cello on Ishigaki. She wants me to go visit her. So we will probably do that. But the way to find her is at a tea place. And so we kind of can't buy anything there unless they have mugicha. So it could be awkward.

Did I tell you about a guy who wants to be taught the cello? President Yonaha came to me one day like a week ago and told me a man wants to learn the cello and he has a cello but no teacher. No one on Ishigaki teaches the cello. So he asked if I could teach him until I transfer. And I said yes. So we will see how that goes. We still haven't contacted this man. So we'll see.

So our investigators are really starting to just sit where they are. No one is progressing. Even O_____ san. That makes me sad. She was doing so well. I hope we can get her to start moving forward again. She just won't pray about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and stuff. We will meet her tomorrow. So I hope that goes well. I am going to take the lead in that one. So pray that I will be ok with Japanese.

I hope all is going well at home. I am praying for you all. I hope you have a speedy recovery, Mom. And I hope everything works out for the best with deciding which way to go at work, Dad. I'll be praying for you. I'm confident things will go the way God wants. And I pray for you too Kate. I am glad you weren't mugged at work and stuff. I'm glad people wanted to buy food instead.

I'll try to answer some questions now. Elder Munro's first name is Elder. Nothing is really new in Ishigaki these days. The members are as wonderful as ever. Even the less active ones. They are just the best ever. I love them so much. The members here have become my family. I never want to leave. Japanese is very difficult. But I'm getting better. I study every day and I use it a lot every day. So its getting better. But its very difficult to understand people.

Well I love you all. I'm pretty much out of time. So have a good week. I love you. This place rocks. I am way happy here. These past couple days have been crazy and hard and scary but they have been my happiest. I love it.

愛しています。いい一日を
リドル長老

Sorry I'm late. The plane to Miyako took forever. (Week 32)

A new condition. A new state of mind if you will: Sweet shiny hearts of acceptance.

So this week was exciting. We didn't get nearly as much done as I wanted to because we were nailed by a typhoon and stuck in the apartment for a couple days. That was interesting. There is only so much you can do in the apartment. And then you explode and have to leave and go preach some gospel. I've never seen so much rain an wind. It was pretty intense. Today is another typhoon. It is just kind of hitting Ishigaki with the edge right now. And hitting Miyako more directly. And its taking Okinawa out. And going towards China. Just so you know. We were in the super tiny Miyako plane that takes a half hour to get from Ishigaki to Miyako. That is fun. My second time on that plane. My 14th plane. And the turbulocity during the landing was basically way scary. The plane kept dropping like 40 feet and was being jarred left and right as we were inches above the runway. I thought we were dead meat. But the pilot successfully landed softer than I have ever experienced in an airplane. So yeah. Today has been an adventure.

So I had a couple dreams in Japanese this week. It was still like way hard to communicate but I was dreaming in Japanese. And I thought that was pretty cool. One of them was one of the scariest dreams I've ever had though. We don't have to go into it. But it was in Japanese so I still loved it. Just so yall know whuts going down in the hood.

So missionaries always make jokes about all the Japanese girls that fall in love with white guys and always yell kakkoii at them and stuff. That basically means you're cool. And I thought that was all fun and whatever but I only have ever seen them get giggly and stuff around me. Only the truly bold ones speak. And they only speak to ask me if I want to go out with them. So I thought the screaming girls was just exaggeration. But this week three of them were together and started screaming kakkoii at us and stuff. And I just busted up laughing. The stories are true. Girls really do that. Can you believe that?

And before I forget. This morning on my way to the airport I saw some guy walking the streets of Ishigaki wearing a BYU shirt.

So I want to send a package home. But I don't have the money to do it. So think about that I guess. And decide whether mom's birthday present is really worth sending.

On Saturday we went to a matsuri. That's like a big festival. It was so much fun. I'll send pictures sometime. It was so awesome. We saw some guys that hold these huge poles with cool flag stuff on top. One guy holds it and two guys have a rope and two guys have poles to help keep it balanced and they pass it around and walk around with it and almost drop them and stuff. I was almost hit by one. It was so fun. And there were parades and cute little Japanese kids dancing and playing drums and stuff. It was way awesome. And then it was getting dark. And they had two platforms with a bunch of people under them holding them up and then they meet and the two guys on top started fighting and stuff with sickles and spears. It was cool. And at one point drums were going and chanting and stuff and it was getting way intense. And then we had the biggest tug a war. How do you spell that? I don't know English. Anyways. The rope was so big around that I would probably barely be able to bear hug it. with little ropes coming off so you can actually grab it. It was 130 meters long. And hundreds of people were involved. It was the coolest thing ever. And my side won. We wasted. It was so good. I am amazed with Japan. They have progressed so quickly in the world and yet they keep their history better than anyone else. It was way cool. So much fun. Though there was one bimyo part. There was a guy in the parade who was dressed weird. It was inappropriate in a weird way. But we don't have to get into it. But he saw the branch presidents 7 year old daughter and charged her to scare her. And then went away. And the thoughts that went through my head were what in the world is that?! and then I'll punch you square in the face if you get closer to her and then again what in the world was that!?. It was so weird. And then the branch presidents wife started apologizing to me. Come on Japan. Sometimes Japan is a little bit different. Kind of weird. Anyways. That was quite the experience.

And the branch says we made it into the newspaper because someone took a picture of our area on the road. But I haven't seen it.

So about our investigators. They have all kind of stopped in their progression for a bit. But they are about to make more progress real fast. I can tell. So its ok. Just sad for this week. People are just kind of doing nothing right now. But soon. They will all receive baptism. So worry not.

Well that is kind of how things are this week.

Inner peace and enlightenment can only be achieved after there are no places left on your body to bruise.

Loves. Elder Josh 長老