People who get paid to do this deserve money. (Week 13)

Konnichiwa!

Or Konbanwa. I think its night time for you. Its about noon for me. Whatevers. So. This week has been intersting. Awesome and freaky and weird and interesting. I'll start with the weirdest thing first. So we have an investigator. A retired Marine. And he's from Texas. I really haven't taught much in Japanese yet. We have lots of english speakers here. His name is J_____. So J_____ is interesting. He is an alcholic. I've only met him once but Buckingham Choro says he's pretty cool most of the time. But that time I met him I was afraid. He was drunk. I hear he's drunk a lot. And he was convinced Satan was in his bedroom. He said no one will go in his room and all his animals are afraid of it and he said his clock was thrown across the room. He made us take the clock with us. And he was very scary. He was obviously scared. And he was very angry. There were times when I actually feared for our physical safety. His wife wouldn't let us in the house because it was dirty. So we were outside. After we left we talked to Elder Watson the senior missionary. He said we should go into the room and see if we feel any evil spirits there and then go talk to this guy in the branch presidency and see if we will have to cast out devils. Its possible that J_____ was just way drunk. But Elder Buckingham says he wasn't acting in his normal drunk way. So this might be real. J_____ is also going to go to an alcoholic recovery place in Texas. So good for him. We haven't been able to go into his room yet. But we will this week sometime.

So I have a bike here. I haven't actually bought a bike yet. A missionary is selling me this bike and I haven't got his money to him yet. But as I use this bike which is supposedly like new I notice lots of issues with it. So I'm going to try to get a new bike today sometime. This bike so isn't a good one. I would hate to use it for two years. Even for such a low price.

I eat lots of good stuff here. I like almost all of the food I've had. I haven't eaten at any Japanese members houses yet. Just americans. And some japanese food places and Kusakabe choro makes stuff sometimes. The hardest thing I've eaten with chopsticks is Jello. They actually do that here. Its so hard. Chopsticks are just hard in general. Jello is the ultimate test. If you can do that you can do anything. And I have done it. But it takes twenty tries and I keep cutting the jello in half. Its so hard.

So I heard the word discotheque. I think it has something to do with disco. At church on Sunday I saw an old Japanese man with green hair. What is that about? I asked Kusakabe Choro and he just said crazy man. Kusakabe Choro is learning english. He's really good but its hard to communicate with him because he doesn't know that much english and I know no Japanese. But he's fun. He keeps coming to me with random phrases in english. One day I was expressing frustration with Japanese and then like three hours later he just walks in to my room and says be patient with yourself. I didn't know what he was talking about. And he has lots of other weird random english he keeps saying to me. He's pretty hilarious.

I learned something new about Japanese. I can understand the words Japanese people use but then not understand what they are saying. I guess there are weird ways of putting words together to mean something and it means nothing to me. That will be fun to figure out. I have had Japanese people tell me that my pronunciation is really good. And that I look like a really kind person. I said a prayer and they thought it sounded very Japanese. I get asked to say the prayer all the time. Just so you know.

So I love walking around the streets handing out eikaiwa fliers and talking to people about whatever. It is so fun. I especially love talking to teenagers. They actually take the time to sit and talk with you about whatever and about the gospel. I gave them Book of Mormons. But they didn't want to meet with me. Anyways. It is just super fun to try to talk to them on the streets.

Word of wisdom from the week. Don't be fooled by the science.

The toilet in my apartment is kind of scary. But I'll live. The toilets in the mission home are the bomb. They have heated seats! What?! That's the best thing ever. And they squirt water at you. Which I was very scared to try out for the first time. I was sitting there for like five minutes working up the courage to use the water feature. And it was amazing. I need a toilet like that in my house. The toilet paper here isn't awful. But its not the quality of my imported toilet paper.

The Fukuoka temple is cool. Its pretty small. And I couldn't go in. But maybe someday. That would be super cool. Japanese candy is really good. And in the mission home I had this super good cereal. It was the best I've ever had. It beats any american cereal. But It is so expensive. Like ten bucks a bag. So that made me sad. I'm not really willing to spend that much on cereal.

So we like to go visit members on the military base and its like a big deal to get us on the base because the member or less active member or whoever has to come take us on. And then Peterson Choro found out I have a military id. He said that can get us on. Is that true? He said he talked to a member about it and he said its true and I can like buy stuff on base and stuff for a better price. But I don't know these things.

I only found the one lizard in my apartment. I don't think it happens often. And Okinawa is pretty I guess. It is full of cement buildings. So that's not to best. And on the military base it is exactly like being on base in California except people drive on the wrong side of the road. And the trees are different. The Dr. Pepper here is absolutely delicious. I love it. It is so so good. And cheap. I plan on enjoying it for my stay here in Okinawa.

I found out that Buckingham Choro goes home in two transfers. I'll probably be his last companion. That made me sad. I like this guy. He's super funny. And I get along with him well.

And I was deeply saddened to hear about Kozmo. That is not good news. I hope things work out ok with the car. Don't be too sad dad. Life is still ok. Maybe you can get a better car. I don't know. Good luck. Ganbatte Kudasai.

Well I think I will go now. And enjoy the rest of my Monday. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday.

Love Elder Who

Some Japan Pics from Elder Liddle

Throw out everything! We're going Nano Blocks! (Week 12)

So I'm in Japan. And I found something in the store. Nano Blocks. They are Legos. But like ten times as small. Its crazy cool. I want some. So I spent a coulple days in mission home under the temple. That was fun. I met an Elder Usui. He is just barely learning english on his mission. And people teach him to say the funniest things. He called me a lazy missionary on the first day because I rode in the van instead of a bike and he says you are so darling and lets go dogs. Its hilarious.

So my companion. His name is Elder Buckingham. He is from Australia. He has a cool accent. He is also the funniest guy I've ever met. I've met like three of those in the past few weeks. He's cool. I like him. We have a lot of fun together. Imagine the way we say the letter h. Something like atche. He says it hatche. It was way weird when I first heard that.

So I forgot to say that I'm in Okinawa. I got to ride one more plane here. Yay. I hate planes. I live close to Kadena air base. And at church yesterday I went to two wards. Both of them english military wards. I played soccer on saturday with a bunch of people from the english wards. I've met all kinds of americans. Not very many Japanese people. That's weird. And I've never been in such humidity. And I hear the summer gets worse. Its crazy. But on the brightside when I get thirsty all I have to do is breathe.

Elder Buckingham and I were asked on Saturday to teach the gospel principles class on sunday. About charity. It went real good I think. We live with the zone leaders. Elder Peterson and Elder Kusakabe. Kusakabe Choro doesn't really speak english. So I've met a little bit of Japanese.

Our apartment was basically really dirty and have been spending most of our time cleaning it up. Its taking a long time. We sleep on the floor in weird Japanese beds. They're pretty comfortable.

Every week we have eikaiwa. Which is teaching Japanese people to speak english. Thats fun. Another opportunity to not speak Japanese. I wonder if I'lll ever learn this language. Like half of our investigators are american. And this week I have to teach the advanced eikaiwa class by myself. but that will be easy because I just need to speak english.

On my first day in Japan I went out with an Elder Obayashi and I gave someone a Book of Mormon. That was scary. Very scary. But he took it and it was ok. I am kind of nervous about all this. But whatever. I'll be fine.

So my address is as follows:
Japan Fukuoka Mission
Fukuoka ken Fukuoka shi chuo ku
hirao josui machi 9-16
810-0029

I love japanese stores. They have so much and it is all so awesome. So far the food has been awesome. Chopsticks are hard. Every liquid I have had here is way better than the american version of whatever it is. Except cream soda. Jones is best. And I saw dr pepper here. I haven't tried it yet. Apparantly its only in Okinawa. Because of all the americans. I'm basically in america where everyone drives on the wrong side of the road. and I can't read anything.

The first couple days in Okinawa were hard for me. It was like leaving my home again. But I've adjusted. And I like it here. I'm excited to go teach people.

Well I'm a bit overwhelmed. I hope all is well at home. I love you all so much. I miss you but I'm coming home in a little while so I'll wait
to see you. Only like 21 months left or something. Don't die anyone. You are all too cool. I love you. Take care of Kujo. Don't tell her that I spent time with a small dog the other evening. It would only make her jealous.

Love Josh

A few MTC pics.

I'm in Japan now!

So I'm here in Japan and have the opportunity to write a quick email. I got here safe and sound. Japan is weird. I am tired like you wouldn't believe. I woke up at 4 in the morning on March 12 and arrived in my mission at like 7:30 am Utah time on the 13th. Sleeping was really hard to do on the plane. My flight to Portland was kind of lame. But short. It was kind of a dumpy plane. My flight to Tokyo was awesomely a pain in the hind quarters. It was like 11 hours. Way too long. But the plane was really big and had much nicer seats and nicer people. Part way through the flight it started stinking really bad so one of the ladies let us go to towards the front of the plane in these super nice seats. That rocked. But I probably only slept like an hour on that plane. Getting around the Japanese airport was really hard but there was a nice Japanese mom and son helping us because they were going the same way we were. And it turns out she is the Fukuoka stake president's wife. I slept the whole way from Tokyo to Fukuoka. There was no way I could stay awake. But that was only like two hours. And last night I got like 5 hours. So I'm excited for sleep tonight. Japan is crazy. Everyone is Japanese. I've seen one American here. And they all speak Japanese. I can't speak Japanese. This is scary. But ok. This morning we went out on the streets and started giving out fliers advertising a free english class at the church. Its very difficult to communicate with my limited Japanese. But it wasn't so bad once I got started. Most people ignored me. I find out where my first area is and who my companion is tonight. I'm excited. My mission president is really cool. So is his wife. Fukuoka is huge. Very big city. With lots of people and tiny winding roads with lots and lots of cars. I almost got hit by a bike like four times on the sidewalk. So nowhere is safe. Its nuts. I'm so excited to be here. Its still not really connecting in my mind that I am in Japan. But I think it will. This is weird. Everyone is Japanese. Well. I'm going to go now. Have a good time in Utah. I'm having fun in Japan. Bye.

Love Josh

Re: Hey! I'm writing an email! (Week 11)

This is my last P day in the MTC! I'm almost out of here! I almost wish I was staying here longer though because I can't speak Japanese!

This week has been weird. I feel like it was really really long but I can't remember anything that happened and it seems like it was fast. So this email might have nothing in it. On Sunday we had Alex Boye come speak to us. He's crazy. He was a lot of fun. His talk basically changed my life. He's a good speaker. I really liked it. He's way funny and made black jokes a lot and then he had a really nice way of bringing in the Spirit very powerfully. He talked about his own conversion and how he loves his missionaries that brought him the gospel. He spoke in such a loving way for them and said he will never forget them. And he said we will have people like that with us. They will love us and never forget us. It was cool.

This week it has been a big deal about not telling anyone that they're mission will be hard and that they won't baptize or anything. That is a lie and making someone believe that is putting limits on what they can do and putting limits on how much God can do in certain missions. If the missionary has faith then the power of God will make anything happen. So don't ever tell anyone they have a hard mission like that. You will be putting limits on God's power to bless his wonderful children. Also I heard a bit of the dedicatory prayer for when Japan was dedicated for missionary work. It was awesome. It said that Japan will start out slow but that it will become one of the highest baptizing missions in the world. And I get to be a part of that. I'm so excited. That is so awesome. Japan is so awesome. I can't wait to see the church grow there. I really love the Japanese people. And I've only ever met the Japanese missionaries.

I love the Japanese missionaries. They are a lot of fun. Some of the funniest people I've ever met. And I can barely talk to them. But they are so awesome. Japanese people are too cool. Its unfair. Why do they get to be so cool and Americans just get to be fat? Jk. Americans rock too. The U.S. and Japan are the two coolest countries.

So I got your letter, Dad. I'm happy to hear that I get to speak Japanese to you all when I get home for who knows how long. And I'm glad Kujo isn't sad that I'm gone anymore. Sounds like things are going well at home. You should all think about learning Japanese so we can communicate after this. Maybe I'll even only speak Japanese on the phone on Monday. We'll see. That's too bad that my car is going to fall apart by the time I get home. But it sounds like a fun project for the two of us. I'm excited for that. I promise I'll speak english to you as we rebuild it. But no one else.

What is everyone doing these days? Just work and school? Anything fun going on? Anything I should be jealous of?

I saw Juddy Buddy. We live in the same building so he isn't hard to find. And he has the same schedule as Elder Hutchison so I think this picture thing is going to work out pretty well after all. I was afraid it wouldn't because its so hard to get all of our schedules to match. So don't worry Sister Stephens. We'll get that picture.

I'm doing most of my packing today. That's fun I guess. I don't know. Just whatever. You should start emailing me. That will be faster than anything else from now on. Since I'm going to Japan on Monday morning! I meet at the Travel Office then we leave and have to make it to Salt Lake so I don't know exactly when I can call. I don't know when I'll get there and stuff. But then I can call sometime after I get there. I don't know exactly how the airport all works so whatever. Hopefully it works out and none of us die or anything.

Here's a game. If anyone can write me a letter and tell me what this sentence is from they get a prize from Japan. Watashi wa jibun no maue ni taiyo no kagayaki nimo masatte kagayaite iru hikari no hashira o mita. Ready set go. Good luck.

So. I'm running out of things to say. I'm nervous for Japan. I can't speak Japanese and they're going to force me to try to share the gospel with people when I can't speak to them. But whatever. The gift of tongues is real and God can do anything so I'll probably be ok. I'm just scared because I really can't speak this language worth beans. It is so different from english. Its very very difficult. Totemo muzukashii. So I'm kind of hoping my trainer speaks english. After that give me nihonjin for every companion. But I just want a trainer that speaks english. We'll see. Whatever God wants is what matters I guess.

So I'm out of time. I hope this email wasn't completely lame. I should have a better one next week sometime. Have a nice day and I'll try to call you on Monday morning. Heian soto.

Love Liddle Choro

Re: Hey! I'm writing an email! (Week 10)

Konnichi wa Minasan [Hello, everyone]

How is everyone? Are you all awesome? What's new these days? How's Kujo? How's my car? So help me if it doesn't run when I come home I won't speak a word of English to you until it does.

I got my travel plans yesterday! I know exactly when I'm leaving and where I'm going and when I can talk to you on the phone and stuff. I leave the MTC on March 12 and take a bus to Salt Lake. I don't know how bad the construction is so I don't know how long I will be on the road. I heard the buses take University Parkway and the guy that took me to the ct scan place told me it was a nightmare like you wouldn't believe. I don't actually know though. I can call at the airport after I get there and before my plane. If you want me to call tell me what number is good to call. And I really forgot the numbers so send me them. I leave Salt Lake March 12 and I arrive in Fukuoka at March 13. How weird is that? I'm so excited. Just over one more week!

So on Tuesday we had Elder Holland come again to speak to us. He is so cool. He's crazy. I thought he was bold in general conference. But here it was nuts. He was so cool. I loved it. The spirit was so strong. I love having the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles come. They are different here than in general conference. They are funnier and crazier. I watched a talk by Elder Bednar and he did an impression of the cookie monster a couple times. They are so cool. Its awesome to hear them.

Elder Eliason likes my imported toilet paper. That's what he calls it. I let him use a little. Its amazing. I love it. And since we are on the subject of toilets I have a story to tell.

So we were getting back to the residence hall after a long day of sitting in the same tiny classroom studying like you wouldn't believe and I changed into my jimmy jamz. Then I had the need to go to the bathroom. The kind where I need to sit down for a while. So I sat down and everything was normal. And I was there for a while. I like to be thorough. But as I was finishing I stood up and I felt the strangest sensation. And I smelled something kind of minty. I thought to myself Who is chewing gum? Gum isn't allowed at the MTC. And the strange sensation continued. I walked to the sink to wash my hands. Elder Eliason and Elder Apina and Elder Trane were all there. They saw the puzzled expression on my face and asked what was wrong. Elder Eliason asked Is it indigestion? Elder Trane asked Geri ga arimasu ka? [Do you have diarrhea?] I said no. I've never experienced something quite like this. I asked myself why on earth are my buns on fire? I went back to the toilet to inspect the seat. I was horrified to find that there was some kind of white cream on the seat that I couldn't see in the bad lighting and it had been there long enough to dry enough that I didn't feel it when I sat down. This is what was causing the minty smell. I told Elder Eliason to go check it out. He yelled immediately that someone put icy hot on the toilet seat. And then it all made sense. That's why my hind quarters were aflame. Well let me tell you what. That was not very comfortable. Do you know how hard it is to sleep when your buns are flaming and there's nothing you can do about it? Its not so easy. Wow. There's something I never imagined I would experience. And I still didn't quite feel normal the next day. But I'm better now.

So we played a song for one of our investigators yesterday. Called Baputesuma no Hi. Baptism Day. From the primary song book. And it sounds so cute to hear a little Japanese kid singing that song. I almost died. I don't really know what the song said but we thought it would win our investigator's heart to hear such a cute voice. And we actually made a little progress with him I think. He's very frustrating. But he's ok.

Last Saturday we went to the TRC. That's where we go teach real people that come to the MTC to be taught. In Japanese. And its scary. We taught a woman from Japan who has only been a member for 4 years. But she was super cool. We had a great lesson and the language didn't hold me back too much. And then at the end we asked her to pray. And during her prayer she started crying. The spirit was so strong. It was so cool. I loved it. That was just too awesome. The best lesson I've had so far. It was good.

Every Sunday night we are supposed to go watch some church movie in the MTC. We can decide which one. And one choice is the Joseph Smith movie in Japanese. I've watched it three times now. And its cool to see that I am understanding more and more every time. I feel like its difficult to see how much I'm progressing here. I just feel overwhelmed all the time because there is so much I don't know. So the movie is a nice way to show me that I actually am making progress with this language.

So of the Nihonjin [Japanese] that were here before I became really close to Yamanashi Choro. He was my favorite. I was sad to see him go. But He's going to Fukuoka so I'll probably see him again. And then with the new Nihonjin I have become really close to Aono Choro. Which I found out is Yamanashi Choro's friend. I thought that was very interesting. They are so cool. I love the Nihonjin.

I came up with a sentence this week that Elder Eliason has been telling all the Nihonjin. Its pretty funny. Watashi no chero o hiki tabi ni subete no josei nakimasu. Every time I play my cello all the women cry. So now I'm known as the cello player among the Nihonjin. And Elder Eliason told some of the Nihonjin sisters. They thought it was funny. Then they said nakimasho. Which means lets cry. The Nihonjin think that's pretty funny.

Well I'm out of time. Have a good week. I will. I'm almost in Japan! I love you all.

Love Elder Liddle