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.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
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
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
Monday, October 15, 2012
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
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
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
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
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
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