こんにちはみなさん [Hello Gentlemen]
How is everyone? I hope you are all well. I'm quite well this week.
Hey dad. If you have a minute tell me something cool from your mission. Something you learned. I want to hear about it.
So the Nihonjin missionaries came! And I've been talking to them. And they speak so fast that I can't understand them. But sometimes I do actually understand them. And its awesome! I love understanding them. Its so much fun. But I can't say anything back. They tell me I'm good at Japanese but I probably am only just barely understandable. On Tuesday after Devotional our whole branch got together to review the devotional with the Nihonjin. And we all had to go sit by a Nihonjin. And then I was told I had to translate everyone's english testimonies into Japanese for them. What?! I can't do that. But I did ok. I know more than I thought I did. But it is still so hard. I hope they understood me. He said I was good. But I don't know. Also we have time to go on the computers to learn Japanese and there is this thing we can do where we listen to people teach in Japanese and try to understand it. And I did one yesterday that I did before at the very beginning. When I first did it I understood almost nothing. Almost nothing. And I couldn't hear where the words were changing to another word. But yesterday I understood more than half of what was being said. It made me so happy. The gift of tongues is real. Watashi wa igen no tamamono ga arimasu.
On Wednesday I was one of those missionaries that takes the new missionaries away from their families. That was fun. And hard at the same time. It is difficult to watch all the moms cry as they see their sons and daughters for the last time for so long. It is especially hard when I see a big strong dad with a manly beard cry when his daughter leaves on her mission. It made me cry just to see it. But I got control of myself quickly.
Yesterday we did our service in the kitchen and I got to go into the basement of the kitchen which is really scary. But kind of cool to know such a scary room exists here. And then I saw on the floor what looked like a puddle of blood with a couple of rags soaked in whatever it was like someone was cleaning it but didn't finish. It looked just like blood. Just ask Wong Choro. He was there too. That place scares me.
The new American missionaries came that are going to Japan. Finally. We old people have been alone here for a long time. Most of them are pretty cool. Some of them think they know Japanese already. But they will learn.
I have really big news. Everyone make sure you're sitting down for this one. Maybe even with a seat belt. There is a sister in my zone named Soderborg Shimai. She is really funny and I like talking to her. But that is besides the point. She told me that one time Yo-Yo Ma was playing in Park City for a hockey charity thing and she was there and met him and shook his hand. And at the time she didn't know who he was. And then someone asked her if she knew whose hand she just shook. What?! She shook the Yo-Yo Ma's hand. I made sure to shake her hand. So I've shaken someones hand who shook Yo-Yo Ma's hand. He's the only person I still need to meet. I am so jealous. So so jealous.
So I've also had some cool spiritual experiences. I'm just happy here because the Spirit is everywhere. And I have come to know our Savior better than I ever have here. He is so much more real to me now. It's difficult to explain how it feels because He has always been real to me. But now its just so much more. It's awesome. I love it. This is one of the coolest things I've ever experienced. He really is there and He really does help. And I can recognize and feel that help better now. Its totally awesome. I wouldn't trade that for anything. This gospel is so true its not even funny. Its so true. I love it. And I'm so glad I can be a part of it. I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to serve a mission and that I was born in this church. It is so awesome. I'm so glad I have this gospel.
So I'm almost out of the MTC. Time is really flying now. Its scary. I don't know Japanese and I'm about out of here to go teach the Japanese people. I'm scared. But I'm so excited. I can't wait to get to Japan. I know God will help me so I'll be fine. I'm anxious to go teach the Japanese people about this wonderful gospel we have that will change their lives forever. I hear we get our travel plans next week. We're supposed to be out of here on March 12. And as far as I know the whole visa deal is fine. They haven't told me there are problems. So I think we're on schedule. Its just over two weeks from now I think.
I'm out of time now. This church is so true. Don't ever forget it. Give God the time he deserves everyday and he will bless you like you wouldn't believe. I love you all. I hope you are all doing well. Give Kujo kisses for me. Be happy. Life is supposed to be happy. I love you. 愛しています
リドル長老 [Elder Riddle]
Editor's Note: I will attempt to translate what Elder Liddle sends us. However, it already seems some things are lost in translation. I'm told there are no 'L's in Japanese (they love Christmas--get it? Noel?) that's why the last translation comes across as Elder Riddle.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Hernia ga arimasen (Week 8)
So I've had some pretty intense stomach pains that were bad enough that I couldn't really run or walk long distances and stuff like that. For five days straight without any relief. So I went to the doctor. And he was worried it might be a hernia. So I had the opportunity to turn my head and cough. For the first time in my life actually. And then he checked me for cancer that only guys can have. Yeah. That was fun. And he said he couldn't feel a hernia. But he sent me to get a ct scan of my abdomen and pelvis. That was awesome. I went to a place on University Avenue. I got to leave the MTC for like a half hour. It was awesome. And I felt like I was going through the tiny stargate that the weird man who became a kid built in Carter's basement as I was being scanned. Then I talked to the doctor again and he said the scan says I'm normal and that I need to take it easy and don't do anything that hurts and see him next Wednesday. So I might die. If I do I'd like to take this opportunity to say I love you all. Take care of Kujo. But I am feeling better these past couple days. So maybe it will just fix itself. We'll see.
I'm really jealous of your Disneyland trip almost. Except that I get to hang out in buildings full of the Spirit all day long and then go hang out in Japan for almost two years. So I'm not really jealous. I'm excited to go to Disneland again though to see Star Tours.
Thank you for that package. I was getting worried that I wasn't loved. Jodan jodan jodan. Which means joke. The girl at the mailroom got really excited about all the hearts on it. That was funny. I got excited too. I really enjoyed the Star Wars stuff. And Josh! Thank you for your package. That made my day. Even more Star Wars stuff. I'm trying to make the candy last as long as I can. But its already mostly gone. Thank you very much.
And I am out of sweet beautiful toilet paper. I just thought I'd let the world know I'm back to using sand paper.
So on my way to the temple like last week I saw some famous people. The two sisters from that missionary show thing that I had to watch before I came here. It was weird. They like all work here at the MTC.
So here's something interesting. Bogedahl Choro tells me a lot that I am good looking and very manly. He says I have manly eyebrows and a strong chin and that all the ladies are wanting to go after me once we all get home. I've never heard anything more true.
And my teacher Heaton Sensei is getting married on April 26. I think he knew it is Dad's birthday so that's why they chose that day. Don't worry Kate. Gremmert Sensei is still free.
I met some missionaries going to Finland this week. I asked them to tell me how to read their name tags. Now I'm glad I'm not speaking that language. Its messed up. Japanese is way better. But its still hard. Its not like English at all. But I'm understanding it better. I'm excited to get to Japan and talk to real Nihonjin. Next week we have Nihonjin missionaries coming. And finally all the younger Japanese missionaries. We've been alone here as the old ones for a while. And we hear that they will only be here 9 weeks instead of 12 like us. I'm glad we had the opportunity to be here 12 weeks.
So we sang that army of Helaman song at the MTC fireside. That is cool to sing with 2000 missionaries. The spirit is so strong during that song. And we change the line that says we will be the Lord's missionaries to we are now the Lord's missionaries. Just so you know. Its super cool to sing that song.
I heard that they don't play basketball in Japanese churches. I hear they have ping pong tables there. Is that not the coolest thing you have ever heard? I can't wait to see that.
On Tuesday after devotional we all had to stay and watch Elder Bednar's talk from Christmas. The Christmas just before I came here. And it was awesome. Life changing. Only like two talks have ever changed my life. That was one of them. There was so much he said. Too much to write and I'm running out of time. One thing he said is to find out what the character of Christ is. And become that. And a way he suggested is to get a cheap Book of Mormon and read it and mark it only to find the character of Christ. So I got my Book of Mormon and will start that. He also said to do that for every major question you have. And by the time you're his age you will have like 400 copies of the Book of Mormon. It was a crazy cool talk. Too awesome.
How are things at home? I hear Kujo is having a hard time. That makes me sad. Try to keep her happy. Take her on walks. If I'm the reason she's giving up on life then make her forget me. How is everyone else? I hope you are all doing well. I hope you are all happy. I pray for you all the time. I love you. You are the best family ever. I love you so much. I miss you. But I don't want to come home. Being here is way too awesome. And its going to get awesomer when I get to Japan. I'm so excited. Make sure you are happy. I love you.
愛しています
リドル長老
I'm really jealous of your Disneyland trip almost. Except that I get to hang out in buildings full of the Spirit all day long and then go hang out in Japan for almost two years. So I'm not really jealous. I'm excited to go to Disneland again though to see Star Tours.
Thank you for that package. I was getting worried that I wasn't loved. Jodan jodan jodan. Which means joke. The girl at the mailroom got really excited about all the hearts on it. That was funny. I got excited too. I really enjoyed the Star Wars stuff. And Josh! Thank you for your package. That made my day. Even more Star Wars stuff. I'm trying to make the candy last as long as I can. But its already mostly gone. Thank you very much.
And I am out of sweet beautiful toilet paper. I just thought I'd let the world know I'm back to using sand paper.
So on my way to the temple like last week I saw some famous people. The two sisters from that missionary show thing that I had to watch before I came here. It was weird. They like all work here at the MTC.
So here's something interesting. Bogedahl Choro tells me a lot that I am good looking and very manly. He says I have manly eyebrows and a strong chin and that all the ladies are wanting to go after me once we all get home. I've never heard anything more true.
And my teacher Heaton Sensei is getting married on April 26. I think he knew it is Dad's birthday so that's why they chose that day. Don't worry Kate. Gremmert Sensei is still free.
I met some missionaries going to Finland this week. I asked them to tell me how to read their name tags. Now I'm glad I'm not speaking that language. Its messed up. Japanese is way better. But its still hard. Its not like English at all. But I'm understanding it better. I'm excited to get to Japan and talk to real Nihonjin. Next week we have Nihonjin missionaries coming. And finally all the younger Japanese missionaries. We've been alone here as the old ones for a while. And we hear that they will only be here 9 weeks instead of 12 like us. I'm glad we had the opportunity to be here 12 weeks.
So we sang that army of Helaman song at the MTC fireside. That is cool to sing with 2000 missionaries. The spirit is so strong during that song. And we change the line that says we will be the Lord's missionaries to we are now the Lord's missionaries. Just so you know. Its super cool to sing that song.
I heard that they don't play basketball in Japanese churches. I hear they have ping pong tables there. Is that not the coolest thing you have ever heard? I can't wait to see that.
On Tuesday after devotional we all had to stay and watch Elder Bednar's talk from Christmas. The Christmas just before I came here. And it was awesome. Life changing. Only like two talks have ever changed my life. That was one of them. There was so much he said. Too much to write and I'm running out of time. One thing he said is to find out what the character of Christ is. And become that. And a way he suggested is to get a cheap Book of Mormon and read it and mark it only to find the character of Christ. So I got my Book of Mormon and will start that. He also said to do that for every major question you have. And by the time you're his age you will have like 400 copies of the Book of Mormon. It was a crazy cool talk. Too awesome.
How are things at home? I hear Kujo is having a hard time. That makes me sad. Try to keep her happy. Take her on walks. If I'm the reason she's giving up on life then make her forget me. How is everyone else? I hope you are all doing well. I hope you are all happy. I pray for you all the time. I love you. You are the best family ever. I love you so much. I miss you. But I don't want to come home. Being here is way too awesome. And its going to get awesomer when I get to Japan. I'm so excited. Make sure you are happy. I love you.
愛しています
リドル長老
Friday, February 10, 2012
I'm writing you again.
Ohayo gozaimasu.
I hope all is going well at home. I am sorry to hear that Kujo has been giving up on life. Tell her I'll come back next year. Don't let her die or anything.
And thank you for those letters from people that I got a few days ago. That was nice. I like getting letters.
This week has gone by very fast. Its so weird here. The days are so long but then the weeks fly by. I can't believe its already p day again. It really feels like that was just a day or two ago. I've been here forever and it seems like no time at all. And it seems like I've been here my whole life. Its really weird how time works here. Its forever and really fast. We need the Doctor to come and figure out how it works.
At the devotional on Tuesday I saw a girl I danced with at a stake dance once. Just so you know. I can't remember her name. It was a while ago. I just thought it was interesting because I don't see anyone I recognize here. She's like the first one. And the speaker was Richard C. Edgley from the presiding bishopric. I talked about his talk in my farewell talk.
And here's a random bit of information. People here describe me as a happy person. I thought that was interesting. Most people that meet me think I'm all mean and serious all the time until they get to know me pretty well. I guess I'm changing. Or something. I really don't know. I'm the same as always.
So Eliason Choro and I had a companionship inventory this past week sometime. I can't remember when. And I was having a really hard time with a specific problem that I've had for a while. But its been harder than ever. And I talked to him about it finally. And then he said something. Very simple. Like one sentence. And it was a lightbulb moment for me. I couldn't beleive I couldn't see that before. And it has helped so much. I feel so good now. My companion is awesome. And thus we see the power of God will always conquer the power of Satan. That was a cool experience for me.
So my sharpie pens are dying. If you could I'd like to get more. Black and red are very important for me to have and I'd like two of each if that's ok. Purple is also very important and I'd like two but its ok of you don't because they only come in the 97 pack that costs like $3,984. I just really need those pens.
So Newsom Choro and I have translated a couple quotes from Star Wars into Japanese. Look and see if they have Japanese Star Wars dvds out there. I need them when I get home. So. I have a bad feeling about this. Kore ni tsuite warui kimochi ga arimasu. Don't underestimate the power of the Dark Side. Kurai gawa no chikara o mikubitte wa ikemasen. Which literally means You must not underestimate the dark side's power. I'm also learning a lot of religious things so don't think I'm just wasting my time. I can say things like in order to know whether or not this gospel is true will you pray? Kono fukuin ga shinjitsu ka do ka shiru tame ni inotte itadakimasu ka.
The Japanese missionaries in another district all got lightsaber chopsticks. I need some. I especially need Mace Windu's lightsabers. They said to look on star world toys.com. I mean if you want to. You don't have to. I don't want to cost anyone money.
Last night our branch president was here hanging around the classrooms and he took all of our shoes and polished them for us. He's such a nice person. I really like him. He's cool.
And I don't care what kind of stuff you send me in packages. Just send whatever. Goodies are good. No gum though. I have too much and can't chew it in the mtc. So just whatever you think you want to send is fine with me.
And Eliason Choro thinks that Harry Potter has changed the world more than Star Wars. What do you think? I think its obvious Star Wars has changed the world more.
Anyways. I hope everyone is doing well at home. I pray for you all the time. More and more in Japanese. I love you. Have a nice day.
愛しています、
リドル長老
I hope all is going well at home. I am sorry to hear that Kujo has been giving up on life. Tell her I'll come back next year. Don't let her die or anything.
And thank you for those letters from people that I got a few days ago. That was nice. I like getting letters.
This week has gone by very fast. Its so weird here. The days are so long but then the weeks fly by. I can't believe its already p day again. It really feels like that was just a day or two ago. I've been here forever and it seems like no time at all. And it seems like I've been here my whole life. Its really weird how time works here. Its forever and really fast. We need the Doctor to come and figure out how it works.
At the devotional on Tuesday I saw a girl I danced with at a stake dance once. Just so you know. I can't remember her name. It was a while ago. I just thought it was interesting because I don't see anyone I recognize here. She's like the first one. And the speaker was Richard C. Edgley from the presiding bishopric. I talked about his talk in my farewell talk.
And here's a random bit of information. People here describe me as a happy person. I thought that was interesting. Most people that meet me think I'm all mean and serious all the time until they get to know me pretty well. I guess I'm changing. Or something. I really don't know. I'm the same as always.
So Eliason Choro and I had a companionship inventory this past week sometime. I can't remember when. And I was having a really hard time with a specific problem that I've had for a while. But its been harder than ever. And I talked to him about it finally. And then he said something. Very simple. Like one sentence. And it was a lightbulb moment for me. I couldn't beleive I couldn't see that before. And it has helped so much. I feel so good now. My companion is awesome. And thus we see the power of God will always conquer the power of Satan. That was a cool experience for me.
So my sharpie pens are dying. If you could I'd like to get more. Black and red are very important for me to have and I'd like two of each if that's ok. Purple is also very important and I'd like two but its ok of you don't because they only come in the 97 pack that costs like $3,984. I just really need those pens.
So Newsom Choro and I have translated a couple quotes from Star Wars into Japanese. Look and see if they have Japanese Star Wars dvds out there. I need them when I get home. So. I have a bad feeling about this. Kore ni tsuite warui kimochi ga arimasu. Don't underestimate the power of the Dark Side. Kurai gawa no chikara o mikubitte wa ikemasen. Which literally means You must not underestimate the dark side's power. I'm also learning a lot of religious things so don't think I'm just wasting my time. I can say things like in order to know whether or not this gospel is true will you pray? Kono fukuin ga shinjitsu ka do ka shiru tame ni inotte itadakimasu ka.
The Japanese missionaries in another district all got lightsaber chopsticks. I need some. I especially need Mace Windu's lightsabers. They said to look on star world toys.com. I mean if you want to. You don't have to. I don't want to cost anyone money.
Last night our branch president was here hanging around the classrooms and he took all of our shoes and polished them for us. He's such a nice person. I really like him. He's cool.
And I don't care what kind of stuff you send me in packages. Just send whatever. Goodies are good. No gum though. I have too much and can't chew it in the mtc. So just whatever you think you want to send is fine with me.
And Eliason Choro thinks that Harry Potter has changed the world more than Star Wars. What do you think? I think its obvious Star Wars has changed the world more.
Anyways. I hope everyone is doing well at home. I pray for you all the time. More and more in Japanese. I love you. Have a nice day.
愛しています、
リドル長老
Friday, February 3, 2012
About half way there.
Happy birthday Kate yesterday!
And ohayo gozaimasu. Which means good morning. For those of you who think you can't find the translation anywhere.
And that letter I sent home has easy Japanese in it. Get a dictionary and look it up. I can't really say it here. Unless you edit this before you let the world see it. I don't know if you do. Buy a Langenscheidts japanese dictionary and look it up. It will have all the words. And then send it to me. I would really like that dictionary.
So it wasn't the First Presidency here on Tuesday for the MTC's 50th birthday party. It was Elder Nelson again and Elder Holland. It was super cool. And the song we sang in the choir was one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. The spirit was so strong during that meeting. It was very cool. And then after the devotional we have our district devotional review. That was really good too. Everyone in my district is just so awesome. I love them. And we had one of the councelors in our branch presidency there. He said that someone like a prophet or something said that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are apostles with a big A. And missionaries are apostles with a little a. I can't remember who he said said that. I thought that was an interesting thought.
So the older Japanese missionaries and the Nihonjin left for Japan on Monday morning. I really miss the Nihonjin. They are the nicest people ever. I especially miss Elder Yamanashi. I really like him. We became pretty good friends. And he's going to Fukuoka! So someday I'll see him again and then have a conversation with him in Japanese. Real Japanese. I can't wait for that. And just so you know Yamanashi means mountain pear. Does that not just sound beautifully delicious.
So I'm going crazy here. I'm only half way here and I am going to explode. I have to get out of here. I don't care if I don't know any Japanese. I want to go to Japan now. Spending most of my life in a tiny classroom with desks designed to slide everything off at the slightest breath with twelve missionaries sitting shoulder to shoulder for most of my life is driving me crazy. I'm in that classroom all day and then I go eat bad food and then I go back to that classroom. I can't wait for Japan.
And every week now we go to the kitchen to help clean up and put stuff away and stuff. I already hate most of the food here. And yesterday morning I learned things about this food that I won't repeat so no one has to suffer the way I do. Hopefully I live. I might become anorexic. Jodan jodan jodan. which means joke. I have done pretty good at turning my brain off when I eat.
So I love my teacher Gremmert Sensei. I want him to marry Kate. He's good looking and funny and very spiritual and like 23 or 24. He went to the Japan Sapporo mission. And I tried to get him to call Kate for a date for her birthday. But he said he is taking a break from girls. So Kate. It looks like you will have to be in charge here. Just write him a letter and send it to me. I'll give it to him. I doubt he will give me his number to give you.
So Elder Eliason had a little disagreement with Elder Lloyd and Elder Lloyd said that he knew he was right and that he would bet his next four packages from home that he was right. And they found someone who knew for sure and Elder Lloyd won. But the only thing I could think of is I'd be lucky if I get four packages from home by the time I leave here. I guess he's just loved more. I just thought that was a funny story that I would share for no reason at all.
I like the letters I've been getting. Keep sending them. I like them. It keeps me sane. So feel free to help my sanity.
Well I need to go now. Aishiteimasu. Which means I love you.
Love Josh
And ohayo gozaimasu. Which means good morning. For those of you who think you can't find the translation anywhere.
And that letter I sent home has easy Japanese in it. Get a dictionary and look it up. I can't really say it here. Unless you edit this before you let the world see it. I don't know if you do. Buy a Langenscheidts japanese dictionary and look it up. It will have all the words. And then send it to me. I would really like that dictionary.
So it wasn't the First Presidency here on Tuesday for the MTC's 50th birthday party. It was Elder Nelson again and Elder Holland. It was super cool. And the song we sang in the choir was one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. The spirit was so strong during that meeting. It was very cool. And then after the devotional we have our district devotional review. That was really good too. Everyone in my district is just so awesome. I love them. And we had one of the councelors in our branch presidency there. He said that someone like a prophet or something said that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles are apostles with a big A. And missionaries are apostles with a little a. I can't remember who he said said that. I thought that was an interesting thought.
So the older Japanese missionaries and the Nihonjin left for Japan on Monday morning. I really miss the Nihonjin. They are the nicest people ever. I especially miss Elder Yamanashi. I really like him. We became pretty good friends. And he's going to Fukuoka! So someday I'll see him again and then have a conversation with him in Japanese. Real Japanese. I can't wait for that. And just so you know Yamanashi means mountain pear. Does that not just sound beautifully delicious.
So I'm going crazy here. I'm only half way here and I am going to explode. I have to get out of here. I don't care if I don't know any Japanese. I want to go to Japan now. Spending most of my life in a tiny classroom with desks designed to slide everything off at the slightest breath with twelve missionaries sitting shoulder to shoulder for most of my life is driving me crazy. I'm in that classroom all day and then I go eat bad food and then I go back to that classroom. I can't wait for Japan.
And every week now we go to the kitchen to help clean up and put stuff away and stuff. I already hate most of the food here. And yesterday morning I learned things about this food that I won't repeat so no one has to suffer the way I do. Hopefully I live. I might become anorexic. Jodan jodan jodan. which means joke. I have done pretty good at turning my brain off when I eat.
So I love my teacher Gremmert Sensei. I want him to marry Kate. He's good looking and funny and very spiritual and like 23 or 24. He went to the Japan Sapporo mission. And I tried to get him to call Kate for a date for her birthday. But he said he is taking a break from girls. So Kate. It looks like you will have to be in charge here. Just write him a letter and send it to me. I'll give it to him. I doubt he will give me his number to give you.
So Elder Eliason had a little disagreement with Elder Lloyd and Elder Lloyd said that he knew he was right and that he would bet his next four packages from home that he was right. And they found someone who knew for sure and Elder Lloyd won. But the only thing I could think of is I'd be lucky if I get four packages from home by the time I leave here. I guess he's just loved more. I just thought that was a funny story that I would share for no reason at all.
I like the letters I've been getting. Keep sending them. I like them. It keeps me sane. So feel free to help my sanity.
Well I need to go now. Aishiteimasu. Which means I love you.
Love Josh
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