The news is that I am not transferring. Elder Yamanashi is transferring to a place near Fukuoka. And I am getting a new missionary as my companion. I am a trainer. I don't feel ready for this and my Japanese skills are certainly not where they need to be but I am going to do it happily. I'm kind of excited. But way scared. Elder Amor is transferring to Nagasaki and he is also becoming a trainer. Yay for him. I think he's excited. And that means there is a slot open for my zone leader. Who is it? Any guesses? Elder Munro! So I get to see him every week twice a week now. That should be exciting. I really like Elder Munro. I was kind of hoping to get transferred to Ishigaki again to open it up again and train a bean at the same time but I'm content with staying. This is a good place. And I think training is a big enough job all by itself. So there you have it.
Love 医者長老
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Its tenkin day. (Week 63)
Mom. You asked in your email something like when will I be a trainer. Why did you ask that? Did someone talk to you? Last week I got a call from President asking me what I thought about becoming a trainer next transfer. I am so not ready. But I will probably become a trainer. Today we get transfer calls. The new transfer starts on Thursday. We still haven't had our call. So I'm freaking out. I don't know what's going to happen. Maybe I won't be a trainer. Nothing is for sure. Anywho. The whole trainer deal scares me more than you can imagine. We'll see what happens.
Well. In other news while we wait (I may get the call while emailing today) I heard a lot of funny things from Japanese people this week. At Eikaiwa there is a college student girl who struggles with English. She can say many things with great difficulty but I don't know how much she really understands of what I say. She is one of the people who struggles most in that class I think. But she has fun. And I would describe her as a girl that looks normal and many people probably think she's attractive. But when I asked her to use the new grammar I just taught she said "I am going to try to exercise more because I'm porky." I died laughing. It was the funniest thing I have ever heard from a Japanese person.
Also do you remember that man that I told you about that has a British accent? Well. I met his daughter yesterday. She just came back from England after only being there for a year. And her British accent was stronger than her father's! It was crazy. I couldn't understand her at first because I expected Japanese and then if not that then Japanese English and if not that then American English. But her accent was straight out of Harry Potter. I was very impressed. Tomorrow I will have been in Japan for a year and my Japanese is nowhere near as good as her English. And she said something hilarious too but I won't write it here because I am trying to stop using that word. Don't worry. Its not a bad word. Just not a great word. But you should laugh because it was way funny how she used it.
So I feel like I have one of the craziest jobs in the world. In the morning I can go and visit a member who is in the old people's home because of her many health problems and feel her strength and her joy because we visited her and feel God's love for her and then visit an investigator in the afternoon that is progressing well and is trying to keep all the commandments even though he doesn't understand why so you feel like you need to try really hard too and then in the evening you visit another investigator who says to you that she wants to become happy but right now is in so much pain and just isn't sure about this religion but will keep trying and then you feel your heart break for her because you don't know what more you can do and seeing pain hurts you too. Its really an emotional roller coaster of a job. All in one day all kinds of stuff can go down. Its hard. But also very rewarding. And I am enjoying it.
So there was a day this past week where we gave out 5 Book of Mormons but only took 4 to give away. And I will explain this but let me start at the beginning. We contacted a group of 5 high school boys who were pretty rude and I was sick of them and we left them having gotten nowhere and I didn't want to contact any more high school students after that. But Elder Yamanashi did want to keep contacting them because they were everywhere. So he did. He contacted two boys walking together. And immediately I noticed the one with glasses was different. He had a look of interest in his eyes and he made himself a part of the conversation which isn't normal for any Japanese person. And there was just something else about him. And I explained the Book of Mormon to them and I gave them my last one. I handed it to the kid without glasses and he took it. But that was our last one. And then as fast as lightning Elder Yamanashi reached into his backpack and pulled out his personal Book of Mormon that his father used before him and handed it to the kid with glasses. And then immediately after a lady drove by screaming out of her window "Don't be deceived!" and then two crossing guard guys came over and stood in between us and the kids and made them go home and ended our lesson rather abruptly. I have never seen Japanese people act that way before. I get the feeling that kid is going to read Elder Yamanashi's Book of Mormon and will accept the Gospel someday and go on to do great things. Satan really tried to get in the way of that one. It was very interesting. And I learned not to let a bad experience in your contacting influence your later contacts. I would never have contacted those boys because of the previous five who were less than kind. It was very interesting.
We still haven't received our transfer call.
I saw the kanji for doctor that you sent mom. And I am kind of blown away. I've seen it before but I didn't make the connection before now. I will never forget that kanji ever again now. It looks like the Doctor may have made his way to Japan years and years ago when the language was forming and influenced the development of Japan. He truly has been everywhere. How interesting.
Well today probably won't be spent doing anything fun. One of us is most likely going to transfer so we will end up taking care of that and stuff. If I had to use logic to guess what will happen I will train here in Saijo and Elder Yamanashi will transfer somewhere. But I get the feeling things may not go as expected. Anything can happen. But I can almost guarantee someone will transfer. So we will be doing that.
My body is not doing great. Still the normal knee trouble. And my back hurts. I think I injured it. I can remember what happened the first time it hurt. I was in Tsuboi and then Elder Morris, Elder De Jong, and Elder Unice all tackled me at the same time onto my futon. And that didn't hurt. But when I stood up and tried to walk I felt sharp pains in my back and I couldn't walk faster than a slow shuffle. Luckily it was bed time so I could just sleep and the next morning I felt mostly better but since then the pain has been on and off. I can always feel that it could start hurting at any moment. If that makes sense. And sometimes it hurts so bad I can't move very well. That's pretty rare that it keeps me from going places. But it hurts. I truly am an old man. So we'll see where that story goes. Most days I can endure and sometimes it doesn't really hurt at all so I should be ok. So overall I am not great but I can still do almost whatever I want.
Still no call.
I'm sorry to hear that your snow went away. It looked like it was so much fun. I'm jealous. It was freezing a little over a week ago. But the temperature has switched almost over night to fairly hot in the afternoon. Almost uncomfortably so.
Still no call.
There was something I wanted to say but I forgot. I am preoccupied with the transfer call. So sorry. You will never hear that precious gem of wisdom.
I may have to come back to email a little later. We are going to go to do something for Elder Yamanashi soon and then come back so he can email. At that time I will tell you how transfer calls went. I'm so nervous. Its scary. I don't know what is going to happen. So this is goodbye for now. I hope you don't all die waiting for the call like I am.
Also I just wanted to shout to the world something about Julie. Do you remember Christmas? Like almost three months ago? Yeah. Julie is sending me my Christmas present in pieces and I still haven't received all of it. In fact there is just one piece left and the last letter I got from her should have had it but instead she said she is making me wait until April. I can't read the message on it until its all done! What is she doing?! Someone tell her to get on the business end of sending it. Because I am not going to write her a letter until I get it. This is just cruel and unusual punishment. Though I suppose I should be grateful. I thought it was going to become my birthday present. So at least I'll get it before then.
Anyways. I love you. have a good day. I will be back later to drop the news on you in a bit.
Long live the 医者!
Love Elder Liddle 長老
P.S. Abcdee wa zetai uso desho.
Well. In other news while we wait (I may get the call while emailing today) I heard a lot of funny things from Japanese people this week. At Eikaiwa there is a college student girl who struggles with English. She can say many things with great difficulty but I don't know how much she really understands of what I say. She is one of the people who struggles most in that class I think. But she has fun. And I would describe her as a girl that looks normal and many people probably think she's attractive. But when I asked her to use the new grammar I just taught she said "I am going to try to exercise more because I'm porky." I died laughing. It was the funniest thing I have ever heard from a Japanese person.
Also do you remember that man that I told you about that has a British accent? Well. I met his daughter yesterday. She just came back from England after only being there for a year. And her British accent was stronger than her father's! It was crazy. I couldn't understand her at first because I expected Japanese and then if not that then Japanese English and if not that then American English. But her accent was straight out of Harry Potter. I was very impressed. Tomorrow I will have been in Japan for a year and my Japanese is nowhere near as good as her English. And she said something hilarious too but I won't write it here because I am trying to stop using that word. Don't worry. Its not a bad word. Just not a great word. But you should laugh because it was way funny how she used it.
So I feel like I have one of the craziest jobs in the world. In the morning I can go and visit a member who is in the old people's home because of her many health problems and feel her strength and her joy because we visited her and feel God's love for her and then visit an investigator in the afternoon that is progressing well and is trying to keep all the commandments even though he doesn't understand why so you feel like you need to try really hard too and then in the evening you visit another investigator who says to you that she wants to become happy but right now is in so much pain and just isn't sure about this religion but will keep trying and then you feel your heart break for her because you don't know what more you can do and seeing pain hurts you too. Its really an emotional roller coaster of a job. All in one day all kinds of stuff can go down. Its hard. But also very rewarding. And I am enjoying it.
So there was a day this past week where we gave out 5 Book of Mormons but only took 4 to give away. And I will explain this but let me start at the beginning. We contacted a group of 5 high school boys who were pretty rude and I was sick of them and we left them having gotten nowhere and I didn't want to contact any more high school students after that. But Elder Yamanashi did want to keep contacting them because they were everywhere. So he did. He contacted two boys walking together. And immediately I noticed the one with glasses was different. He had a look of interest in his eyes and he made himself a part of the conversation which isn't normal for any Japanese person. And there was just something else about him. And I explained the Book of Mormon to them and I gave them my last one. I handed it to the kid without glasses and he took it. But that was our last one. And then as fast as lightning Elder Yamanashi reached into his backpack and pulled out his personal Book of Mormon that his father used before him and handed it to the kid with glasses. And then immediately after a lady drove by screaming out of her window "Don't be deceived!" and then two crossing guard guys came over and stood in between us and the kids and made them go home and ended our lesson rather abruptly. I have never seen Japanese people act that way before. I get the feeling that kid is going to read Elder Yamanashi's Book of Mormon and will accept the Gospel someday and go on to do great things. Satan really tried to get in the way of that one. It was very interesting. And I learned not to let a bad experience in your contacting influence your later contacts. I would never have contacted those boys because of the previous five who were less than kind. It was very interesting.
We still haven't received our transfer call.
I saw the kanji for doctor that you sent mom. And I am kind of blown away. I've seen it before but I didn't make the connection before now. I will never forget that kanji ever again now. It looks like the Doctor may have made his way to Japan years and years ago when the language was forming and influenced the development of Japan. He truly has been everywhere. How interesting.
Well today probably won't be spent doing anything fun. One of us is most likely going to transfer so we will end up taking care of that and stuff. If I had to use logic to guess what will happen I will train here in Saijo and Elder Yamanashi will transfer somewhere. But I get the feeling things may not go as expected. Anything can happen. But I can almost guarantee someone will transfer. So we will be doing that.
My body is not doing great. Still the normal knee trouble. And my back hurts. I think I injured it. I can remember what happened the first time it hurt. I was in Tsuboi and then Elder Morris, Elder De Jong, and Elder Unice all tackled me at the same time onto my futon. And that didn't hurt. But when I stood up and tried to walk I felt sharp pains in my back and I couldn't walk faster than a slow shuffle. Luckily it was bed time so I could just sleep and the next morning I felt mostly better but since then the pain has been on and off. I can always feel that it could start hurting at any moment. If that makes sense. And sometimes it hurts so bad I can't move very well. That's pretty rare that it keeps me from going places. But it hurts. I truly am an old man. So we'll see where that story goes. Most days I can endure and sometimes it doesn't really hurt at all so I should be ok. So overall I am not great but I can still do almost whatever I want.
Still no call.
I'm sorry to hear that your snow went away. It looked like it was so much fun. I'm jealous. It was freezing a little over a week ago. But the temperature has switched almost over night to fairly hot in the afternoon. Almost uncomfortably so.
Still no call.
There was something I wanted to say but I forgot. I am preoccupied with the transfer call. So sorry. You will never hear that precious gem of wisdom.
I may have to come back to email a little later. We are going to go to do something for Elder Yamanashi soon and then come back so he can email. At that time I will tell you how transfer calls went. I'm so nervous. Its scary. I don't know what is going to happen. So this is goodbye for now. I hope you don't all die waiting for the call like I am.
Also I just wanted to shout to the world something about Julie. Do you remember Christmas? Like almost three months ago? Yeah. Julie is sending me my Christmas present in pieces and I still haven't received all of it. In fact there is just one piece left and the last letter I got from her should have had it but instead she said she is making me wait until April. I can't read the message on it until its all done! What is she doing?! Someone tell her to get on the business end of sending it. Because I am not going to write her a letter until I get it. This is just cruel and unusual punishment. Though I suppose I should be grateful. I thought it was going to become my birthday present. So at least I'll get it before then.
Anyways. I love you. have a good day. I will be back later to drop the news on you in a bit.
Long live the 医者!
Love Elder Liddle 長老
P.S. Abcdee wa zetai uso desho.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Email time! (Week 62)
I appreciate all your emails even if I don't really respond. I am just busy out here doing all kinds of crazy stuff in a crazy country.
Well. Last week we did some finding and no one really did listen to us but I felt the Spirit as I taught people. Very strongly. It was like a fire inside my chest as I spoke to those people. It was a really good finding day even though we didn't really find anyone. Also on like Friday or Saturday (I forget which) we went finding hard core for a long time. And we didn't contact very many people. But that was because almost 50% of the people we spoke to wanted to talk to us and talked to us for like 20 or 30 minutes. Elder Yamanashi asked me after one of the people left why today was so good and then we biked like thirty feet to the next guy who was anxious to talk to us. That particular man was Jehovahs witness. Which is strange because not many people believe in Jesus Christ here. And he was way into talking to us and asked us all kinds of questions about our church and he got out his bible and asked us what we thought about some things that confused him and stuff. He is way too hard core Jehovah's Witness right now to listen to our lessons but he was a great man. I will be surprised if I don't see him in the Celestial kingdom. He told us that it made him really happy to meet people who actually had faith. Most Japanese people say they are Buddhist but most don't even know what that means. So he was happy to find people who really believe in God. So was I. But it was hard because I am not used to talking to people like him so I didn't know what to say. I usually have to tell people who God is and go from there but he already knows about Jesus Christ.
In other news yesterday we did some crazy stuff that was kind of ridiculous but all to get Y_____ san to church. And it worked. He came. And we are really starting to prepare for his baptism. He has a date to be baptized on March 24. He has for a while but has been so busy that we haven't been able to meet him much. But he now has much more free time. So its looking good. He has concerns with tea and coffee though. Can anyone tell me just why they are bad? I don't know except that its a commandment. And church might have been really long for him yesterday because he got roped into a priesthood meeting talking about a bunch of people who aren't coming to church and then a surprise meeting about missionary work after church. Poor man. I hope it was ok. Its not the best church experience. I was dying. I can only imagine how he felt. But he is a good man.
We also visited Y_____(2) san yesterday. She was doing well. She told us she didn't like us asking her if she was praying and reading the Book of Mormon and stuff so we have been struggling to find a way to find out how that was all going. But yesterday it was easy. She just came right out and said she has been reading the Book of Mormon and that she "is only in the middle of Mosiah." She thinks she is reading slowly but she is flying way faster than I am. And she said she found some stuff she likes in the Book of Mormon. And then she asked me what things I pray for. Which leads me to believe prayer has been on her mind. And she seems like she is trying to figure out how to do it on her own. She is a wonderful person. And I very much enjoy meeting with her. I hope things continue to go well for her and her family.
We also had dinner with some members on Saturday night with Elder Amor and his companion there too. The members speak Japanese fluently but they are from China. And while I was in Tsuboi I learned a little Chinese and I practiced it with them. Brother Son said my pronunciation is very good and if there is a problem with it I very quickly learn to do it the right way. Which I felt good about. Does anyone know how hard Chinese is to pronounce? But now I can say Happy Birthday and You are cool and I love you and Lets go to church and this is delicious. So I'm happy. If I can ever get Japanese down I think I want to try to learn Chinese a little bit. The grammar is like English so that should be easy. Anywho.
Oh and while I was at their house their daughters were playing with legos. And they showed me a lego magazine with legos from the Hobbit. Man. I can't wait for some of the awesome stuff waiting for me at home.
Well. I hope all is well. I'm sorry your snow is going away. It has been warm here and then it got colder than I have ever experienced out of nowhere and then today is kind of warm. So I don't ever know what to expect. But my ninja jammies save me. And it rains a lot. Take care of Kujo for me. Tell her I love her. Tell her I keep dreaming about her. I dream about her more than I dream about any other person. I love you all.
Love Joshua Deibiddo Ridoru Choro sama
Monday, February 25, 2013
Here's another email (Week 61)
Firstly let me just say that you people need to appreciate the snow you get. I haven't had snow in like two years. It "snows" here but it all melts away before we ever have a chance to leave the apartment. And that was only like twice last transfer. I miss snow. So you have to enjoy it for me.
Well this week was another week. We spent some time with the same member today as we did last week. We really just went out to eat and look around a mall last week. And I bought another cane. I left my last one in Tsuboi because it was too hard to carry onto the Shinkansen with all of my bags. I've been hurting for another one and just barely got it. I fear my physical condition is still progressing toward low quality status. Low quality to iu ka. Toilet quality. I may end up losing my legs. Or getting paralyzed or something. You never know. I just don't quite know how I will last until November. But somehow I will make it I guess. I called the doctor again after doing what he told me to do for a month. He told me to do an exercise every day that I was doing when I was only talking to President about it. And he told me to double my intake of painkillers. And then to call him in another month. Mom. You know how I always told you ibuprofen never worked on me? Well its still true. Even taking as much as I am now I feel no difference. The doctor even said to me that the pain probably won't go all the way away and that I will just have to ganbaru. Ganbaru means like hang in there or fight through it. It doesn't sound like I am ever going to be able to actually go to a doctor. Just the phone Doctor. Sitting cozy in his blue police box in Tokyo. I'm not sure if he realizes how much it actually hurts but I've got another month before I can talk to him again so all I can do is ganbaru. But I'll probably be fine. Don't worry too much about me. I'm just joining the elderly a little prematurely.
So we went on splits with the zone leaders this week and I was with the new zone leader and companion to Elder Amor named Elder Clayton. That was pretty good. We went to teach our investigator Y_____ san. He is 22 and is pretty cool. That lesson went really well. And we got him to agree to go to church. And then the member we have been hanging out with agreed to drive him because its so far. This member is Tongan and hasn't been to church in over 10 years. So we were really excited to get him to come to church. And our investigator named Y_____(2) san said she would probably show up to church with her three children because she was already going to be in the area. And then our Tongan friend couldn't come and then we couldn't get a hold of Y_____ san and then Y_____(2) san called and said she wasn't going to church so we didn't have anyone come. That was a real bummer. We were so close to having everyone in the whole world there and then none of them came.
Things in Saijo aren't all negative. The Eikaiwa is growing a little bit and the students really seem to have a good time. I learned valuable Eikaiwa skills in Tsuboi that I have brought here and now people really enjoy Eikaiwa. And we might see some stuff happen there if we can really get members more involved in Eikaiwa. That's the hard part here though. All of the members live in Hiroshima city. I live in Higashi Hiroshima. A forty minute train ride from the church. Almost no members live in Saijo so there are only a few choices out there for Eikaiwa participants. But we'll work with it.
In other news my companion is far too kind to me. He is just always kind in how he speaks even when he is having a hard time. And he is really good at how he shows his love to the members. I think everyone in the ward knows Elder Yamanashi loves them. He's a really great guy.
I have not been to this museum dad speaks of. I'm not sure where it is but I'll try to find it and go. That sounds like a good p day activity.
And today I had strawberry yukimi daifuku. That's the ice cream inside the pounded rice stuff. It was so delicious. I also had chocolate last week. That was good too. But I think strawberry is the best kind. Strawberry or vanilla.
And today I ate steak for the first time in a really long time. Yeah. That destroyed me inside. I spent sometime with the toilet after that one. My body just can't handle meat like it used to. I almost never eat it but when I get a lot in me it just doesn't agree with me. I don't know what to do about it. When I go back to the United States I think I will have a rough time adjusting. Unless I just eat Japanese food all the time. That could be fun. But don't expect me to do any cooking. I am a lost cause when it comes to the art of cooking. Give me rice and raw fish and seaweed and then I can make you something. But that is it. Is there real rice in America? I sure hope so. I really like the rice here. Yesterday I made the rice which really doesn't require any effort at all but when we ate it Elder Yamanashi said it tasted really good and he could tell I made it with love for sure. Anyways.
Well everyone. I'm going to go start a new week. Ganbaro ne.
Love Elderly Liddle
Well this week was another week. We spent some time with the same member today as we did last week. We really just went out to eat and look around a mall last week. And I bought another cane. I left my last one in Tsuboi because it was too hard to carry onto the Shinkansen with all of my bags. I've been hurting for another one and just barely got it. I fear my physical condition is still progressing toward low quality status. Low quality to iu ka. Toilet quality. I may end up losing my legs. Or getting paralyzed or something. You never know. I just don't quite know how I will last until November. But somehow I will make it I guess. I called the doctor again after doing what he told me to do for a month. He told me to do an exercise every day that I was doing when I was only talking to President about it. And he told me to double my intake of painkillers. And then to call him in another month. Mom. You know how I always told you ibuprofen never worked on me? Well its still true. Even taking as much as I am now I feel no difference. The doctor even said to me that the pain probably won't go all the way away and that I will just have to ganbaru. Ganbaru means like hang in there or fight through it. It doesn't sound like I am ever going to be able to actually go to a doctor. Just the phone Doctor. Sitting cozy in his blue police box in Tokyo. I'm not sure if he realizes how much it actually hurts but I've got another month before I can talk to him again so all I can do is ganbaru. But I'll probably be fine. Don't worry too much about me. I'm just joining the elderly a little prematurely.
So we went on splits with the zone leaders this week and I was with the new zone leader and companion to Elder Amor named Elder Clayton. That was pretty good. We went to teach our investigator Y_____ san. He is 22 and is pretty cool. That lesson went really well. And we got him to agree to go to church. And then the member we have been hanging out with agreed to drive him because its so far. This member is Tongan and hasn't been to church in over 10 years. So we were really excited to get him to come to church. And our investigator named Y_____(2) san said she would probably show up to church with her three children because she was already going to be in the area. And then our Tongan friend couldn't come and then we couldn't get a hold of Y_____ san and then Y_____(2) san called and said she wasn't going to church so we didn't have anyone come. That was a real bummer. We were so close to having everyone in the whole world there and then none of them came.
Things in Saijo aren't all negative. The Eikaiwa is growing a little bit and the students really seem to have a good time. I learned valuable Eikaiwa skills in Tsuboi that I have brought here and now people really enjoy Eikaiwa. And we might see some stuff happen there if we can really get members more involved in Eikaiwa. That's the hard part here though. All of the members live in Hiroshima city. I live in Higashi Hiroshima. A forty minute train ride from the church. Almost no members live in Saijo so there are only a few choices out there for Eikaiwa participants. But we'll work with it.
In other news my companion is far too kind to me. He is just always kind in how he speaks even when he is having a hard time. And he is really good at how he shows his love to the members. I think everyone in the ward knows Elder Yamanashi loves them. He's a really great guy.
I have not been to this museum dad speaks of. I'm not sure where it is but I'll try to find it and go. That sounds like a good p day activity.
And today I had strawberry yukimi daifuku. That's the ice cream inside the pounded rice stuff. It was so delicious. I also had chocolate last week. That was good too. But I think strawberry is the best kind. Strawberry or vanilla.
And today I ate steak for the first time in a really long time. Yeah. That destroyed me inside. I spent sometime with the toilet after that one. My body just can't handle meat like it used to. I almost never eat it but when I get a lot in me it just doesn't agree with me. I don't know what to do about it. When I go back to the United States I think I will have a rough time adjusting. Unless I just eat Japanese food all the time. That could be fun. But don't expect me to do any cooking. I am a lost cause when it comes to the art of cooking. Give me rice and raw fish and seaweed and then I can make you something. But that is it. Is there real rice in America? I sure hope so. I really like the rice here. Yesterday I made the rice which really doesn't require any effort at all but when we ate it Elder Yamanashi said it tasted really good and he could tell I made it with love for sure. Anyways.
Well everyone. I'm going to go start a new week. Ganbaro ne.
Love Elderly Liddle
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Just real quick (Week 60)
I don't have much time today because we are going to spend time with a member today. Just kind of a have fun together on P day thing.
This past week was pretty good I guess. I am warming up to Saijo a little better. And I'm still here with Yamanashi 長老 so I am doing well. He is always just a great guy. We visited a member and an investigator yesterday with another member named Brother Yoshinaka. He was cool. And Elder Yamanashi said he speaks english so I will be just fine. Which I didn't believe because Yamanashi 長老 tells me everyone speaks English and they really don't. But when we were teaching our investigators kids english they were talking about how hard it is and then Yoshinaka 兄弟 said I didn't do anything special. I just did things like watch tele. In perfect British pronunciation. What?! Are you kidding me? He has a British accent and his English is perfect. I couldn't stop thinking about the Doctor. I have met many Japanese people who learned English in England or Australia but they all sound the same. They just sound Japanese. But this man has a British accent. He got his phd from Oxford. He studies old English literature. His English is probably better than mine. That was the highlight of my week.
Also the cars in Japan have really funny names sometimes. You always see the usuall Prius or the Cube but sometimes you find some other ones. Like the truck as big as my bug called Guts. Or the little car called That's. I have no idea what that one is supposed to mean. And my personal favorite. The tiny van called Scrum. I got to ride in one of those this week. And I busted up laughing when I saw the name as it drove away. Scrum.
Well that's about all the time I have. I love you all very much. I hope you are all doing well. I want to know how Kujo learned to get into the other yard. I feel like that shouldn't be possible.
And in other news. Kujo's name in Japanese means exterminate. Well it means extermination. But I like to think it means exterminate. Just thought that was a nice bit of random information that made me think of Doctor Who this week.
Love Josh
This past week was pretty good I guess. I am warming up to Saijo a little better. And I'm still here with Yamanashi 長老 so I am doing well. He is always just a great guy. We visited a member and an investigator yesterday with another member named Brother Yoshinaka. He was cool. And Elder Yamanashi said he speaks english so I will be just fine. Which I didn't believe because Yamanashi 長老 tells me everyone speaks English and they really don't. But when we were teaching our investigators kids english they were talking about how hard it is and then Yoshinaka 兄弟 said I didn't do anything special. I just did things like watch tele. In perfect British pronunciation. What?! Are you kidding me? He has a British accent and his English is perfect. I couldn't stop thinking about the Doctor. I have met many Japanese people who learned English in England or Australia but they all sound the same. They just sound Japanese. But this man has a British accent. He got his phd from Oxford. He studies old English literature. His English is probably better than mine. That was the highlight of my week.
Also the cars in Japan have really funny names sometimes. You always see the usuall Prius or the Cube but sometimes you find some other ones. Like the truck as big as my bug called Guts. Or the little car called That's. I have no idea what that one is supposed to mean. And my personal favorite. The tiny van called Scrum. I got to ride in one of those this week. And I busted up laughing when I saw the name as it drove away. Scrum.
Well that's about all the time I have. I love you all very much. I hope you are all doing well. I want to know how Kujo learned to get into the other yard. I feel like that shouldn't be possible.
And in other news. Kujo's name in Japanese means exterminate. Well it means extermination. But I like to think it means exterminate. Just thought that was a nice bit of random information that made me think of Doctor Who this week.
Love Josh
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Going on transfer 9! (Week 59)
Thank you for the emails. I really
like to read them. And mom. Thank you for the names you send me. I thoroughly
enjoy reading them. And I'm glad everyone now knows about my ninja jammies.
They are a wonderful thing and everyone should have them. And I am glad you got
the pictures from Kiribayashi Kyodai. He and his wife are very nice people. And
his english is actually quite impressive. But I really only speak to him in
Japanese. And I did get your letter. I plan on writing a letter in return when
I have time and stamps. I am very busy today and may not have that kind of
time.
So today we got transfer calls. That
was scary. I didn't know what was going to happen. Anything could have happened.
Either one of us could have transferred. And to be honest I wanted to transfer.
I have had some wonderful experiences here but this is still the hardest part
of my mission by far. And I really wanted to transfer. But we both stayed. I
was slightly disappointed. But its definitely not the worst thing that could
have happened. And now I just want to go be the best I can be and own Saijo
like no one has owned it before. So I'm ready to just go work hard the way the
Lord wants me to work and stop thinking about me. Tanoshiku Ganbarimasho!
Yesterday I gave a talk in sacrament
meeting on standing in holy places. That was one of the scariest things I have
ever done in my entire life. The ward here is very large and they expected me
to fill ten minutes. I still don't speak Japanese very well. Its a great
struggle for me every time I open my mouth. And I only had notes to look off of
in English. I didn't write anything down in Japanese so I had to translate it
all immediately. That was just a lack of planning on my part. But it went ok.
And a lot of people came up to me after and said it was good and that my
pronunciation is wonderful. And they said my Japanese was surprisingly good.
Those kind people. Telling me lies to make me feel good. But in truth it is getting
a little easier to speak Japanese. And I am starting to understand how Japanese
works a lot better. Its starting to click in my brain. And I told a story about
dad. They all think dad is cool now.
I also received the news that my
beloved Ishigaki is closing this transfer. We are losing missionaries right and
left with people finishing their missions and no one coming back out. But
hopefully it will reopen when all the new missionaries come. They say it should
be like in June. So we'll see.
Last week we had a conference with
Elder Ringwood of the 70. He was really cool. It was a very cool conference.
And I got to see my beloved Kusakabe 長老 before he went home. And I also got to see Elder Munro
again. And Elder Trane. That was good. It was very fun seeing them again.
To update you on my strange bodily
functions my knee is bad and my back is not good. So no change there. But my
hand has turned back to normal skin almost all the way now after my conflict
with the stone wall after I leaped from my bike at overzealous velocities. So
that is nice. But its still not a normal color. And I might not even get a cool
scar because its right on the lines of my palm. Lots of pain and annoyance with
no pay off. Except for a cool story about how God protects missionaries when
they are doing everything they should so they don't break their necks and
shatter their heads. So I appreciate that one.
So. This past week has been quite
difficult. I have had cool spiritual experiences recently but its still way
difficult here. But. Now I'm ready to go and tear it up in Saijo. Lets go save
some people! Also Erika. Ask Mr. Park if he went to Hiroshima on his mission. I
feel like he talked about Hiroshima but I can't remember. I don't remember what
mission he went to. And if he has ask if he knows the names of some places he
went. Anywho.
Let's get rockin!
I love you all. Have a good week.
Love Josh
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Hello (Week 58)
Hi. I hope you are all doing well where you are. I appreciate your emails and stuff. Especially moms. Just so you know. And I'm jealous you had so much snow. the word for snow shoveling is yukikaki in Japanese. I really enjoy snow shoveling. But I never get to do it here. Sometimes it snows but when it does the sun melts it before I get to go outside. Sometimes I tell people my hobby is yukikaki. They think that is pretty funny.
So this past week has been pretty interesting. I have been having some very spiritual experiences that I think have changed my life forever. I can't describe it but God has become way more real to me than he has ever been and I can always feel him close by. And I have had some very special experiences connected with that this past week as I have taught people and as I have prayed more sincerely than I ever have in my life. I have had some very special experiences here. Experiences that have given me confidence in the mission and in myself and a knowledge without any sort of doubt that God lives and that there is nothing more important than this gospel. I am very grateful for these experiences and I will forever be grateful to for the opportunity to have such experiences.
So to tell you how I feel right now I feel confident that I am where God wants me to be and I have more motivation to work and I feel the Spirit all the time now. And I'm making progress and growing more than I ever imagined possible.
For the update on the physical rollercoaster I am riding all I will say is my knee hurts more than it ever has an my back is not so great either. But today I finally recieved pain pills from Sister Gustafson and hopefully they will help. And on February the 20th I am scheduled to call The Doctor. Who in fact resides Tokyo and most unfortunately not a police box. Either The Doctor got lame, American, and kind of old or I am calling a different doctor. Today in moms email she said someone was dreaming and when I read that I heard The Doctor saying it in my mind. Do we use that phrase in America? I don't really remember.
As far as an update on this alien language I have been forced to learn all I have to say is that it is getting a little bit better. I still usually don't have the ability to speak as fast as I think. But a couple times this week while I was teaching I was able to use all of the Japanese I knew and even a little I have never used but heard as fast as I was thinking. That is what I call a Gift of Tongues Moment. It was quite exciting. I would have been more excited at the time but I was focused on understanding the investigator rather than how to speak Japanese so I was distracted. But I can look back with excitment and gratitude in my heart to God for his many blessings. My weakness in Japanese is still the fact that I can't understand anything these people are saying. Maybe someday that will get better though.
To tell you who our investigators are that are making progress their names are Y_____ san, a mother of three children and married to a man working in Germany, Y_____ san, a 22 year old man going to college here in Hiroshima, S_____ san, who is like 40 and moving forward and is very kind and says many things nice about me, and finally K_____ san, who is a new investigator we found this week who is like a 40 year old woman and is a referral from a member here. She seems like she will go far. So we have investigators and that is nice. It keeps us busy.
So I think that is life here in Saijo. I hope your life back in the United States is going well. I just sang The Star Spangled Banner today. The 3rd verse. Its the best verse. Every American should sing it and remember God. Elder Yamanshi likes to sing hymns in English sometimes. That wonderful soul. I love him with all my heart. He is the kindest person I have ever met.
Also this week I was questioned by some people about whether or not war was a good thing and they really were interested in my response because they knew my dad was in the military. That's kind of pressurey in English let alone Japanese. But don't worry dad. I defended you and what you do. They were actually very kind and respectful people so it wasn't too bad.
Tell Kujo I love her. Tell my cello I love it. Tell my car I love it. And maybe try taking care of my car a little bit. If you have the time. And the warmth in your heart. I'm just kidding. But please deliver my message.
I love you all. And I will talk to you all in about a week. We will see if I ever get the chance to have a normal p day and email you on Monday. We'll see.
Peace. Love Elder Riddle.
So this past week has been pretty interesting. I have been having some very spiritual experiences that I think have changed my life forever. I can't describe it but God has become way more real to me than he has ever been and I can always feel him close by. And I have had some very special experiences connected with that this past week as I have taught people and as I have prayed more sincerely than I ever have in my life. I have had some very special experiences here. Experiences that have given me confidence in the mission and in myself and a knowledge without any sort of doubt that God lives and that there is nothing more important than this gospel. I am very grateful for these experiences and I will forever be grateful to for the opportunity to have such experiences.
So to tell you how I feel right now I feel confident that I am where God wants me to be and I have more motivation to work and I feel the Spirit all the time now. And I'm making progress and growing more than I ever imagined possible.
For the update on the physical rollercoaster I am riding all I will say is my knee hurts more than it ever has an my back is not so great either. But today I finally recieved pain pills from Sister Gustafson and hopefully they will help. And on February the 20th I am scheduled to call The Doctor. Who in fact resides Tokyo and most unfortunately not a police box. Either The Doctor got lame, American, and kind of old or I am calling a different doctor. Today in moms email she said someone was dreaming and when I read that I heard The Doctor saying it in my mind. Do we use that phrase in America? I don't really remember.
As far as an update on this alien language I have been forced to learn all I have to say is that it is getting a little bit better. I still usually don't have the ability to speak as fast as I think. But a couple times this week while I was teaching I was able to use all of the Japanese I knew and even a little I have never used but heard as fast as I was thinking. That is what I call a Gift of Tongues Moment. It was quite exciting. I would have been more excited at the time but I was focused on understanding the investigator rather than how to speak Japanese so I was distracted. But I can look back with excitment and gratitude in my heart to God for his many blessings. My weakness in Japanese is still the fact that I can't understand anything these people are saying. Maybe someday that will get better though.
To tell you who our investigators are that are making progress their names are Y_____ san, a mother of three children and married to a man working in Germany, Y_____ san, a 22 year old man going to college here in Hiroshima, S_____ san, who is like 40 and moving forward and is very kind and says many things nice about me, and finally K_____ san, who is a new investigator we found this week who is like a 40 year old woman and is a referral from a member here. She seems like she will go far. So we have investigators and that is nice. It keeps us busy.
So I think that is life here in Saijo. I hope your life back in the United States is going well. I just sang The Star Spangled Banner today. The 3rd verse. Its the best verse. Every American should sing it and remember God. Elder Yamanshi likes to sing hymns in English sometimes. That wonderful soul. I love him with all my heart. He is the kindest person I have ever met.
Also this week I was questioned by some people about whether or not war was a good thing and they really were interested in my response because they knew my dad was in the military. That's kind of pressurey in English let alone Japanese. But don't worry dad. I defended you and what you do. They were actually very kind and respectful people so it wasn't too bad.
Tell Kujo I love her. Tell my cello I love it. Tell my car I love it. And maybe try taking care of my car a little bit. If you have the time. And the warmth in your heart. I'm just kidding. But please deliver my message.
I love you all. And I will talk to you all in about a week. We will see if I ever get the chance to have a normal p day and email you on Monday. We'll see.
Peace. Love Elder Riddle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)