Well it has been another week. It has been crazy. I can't remember any of it.
I went to two different areas for splits this past week. Which I am never doing twice in one week ever again. Its way tiring and makes dendo in my own area almost impossible. But we did our best. And I had fun working with some of the missionaries in my zone.
I got to go to Tohma kyodais house for dinner on Saturday. He lives in Saijo so its way far and I haven't been able to meet him for a long time outside of church. So that was fun. Lots of fun. And the Saijo sister missionaries were there too. They are a ton of fun. Hilarious people. And Tohma kyodai is fun too. I had a really good time being with him again.
I saw a watch I want for 200 bucks. kana...? Maybe just 150 kana..? yoroshiku. Buying it will help the salvation of the man selling it. He came up to us and knew all about missionaries and our church and was just way cool. So yoroshiku. :)
Today we are going to another Hiroshima Carp baseball game. This time with almost the whole zone and with a bunch of members. There will be like 30 people there. So I am really excited for that. It should be super fun.
Our investigators are going kind of slow this week. We did teach a couple of them this week. One of them twice. But the progress is slow. I really want to find someone new. Its been a long time since I have found a new one.
I never cook. I will never be able to. That's just a cold hard fact of life. So I could never cook for anyone. But I would love to talk about missionary work in Japan. That's my favorite thing.
I really don't have much to say this week. I was just way busy and had no time to do all the stuff I needed to do but I was trying. I really love the mission. It is really hard. Every day is hard. But it is so awesome. I never want to go home. But I also would like to have a break sometimes. You never get rest out here. Its constant work.
My knee is still holding up its rebellious ways even though I am using that chinese medicine. But whatever. Its fine.
Well I'm sorry this is a lame email. I love you all. I hope you are all happy. I pray for you all the time.
Love Josh
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
No Subject For You (Week 89)
This week was pretty good I guess. I never get as much done as I want to and things just never seem to move forward as much as I want but I guess that's ok.
That's cool that you had a crazy storm. We never have anything crazy here. Just rain. More rain than I've ever seen in Utah. But just rain. I love working in the rain. Its always so hard and annoying and I get soaked if I don't wear my rain suit but the harder your conditions are the more likely you are to see miracles for working through them.
My knee is not in good shape. You asked if it was still my right knee. Its still my knee that had surgery. The left one. The right one hurts sometimes too but not nearly as much. I am experiencing more problems in the left one by far. But a nice chinese lady in the ward heard about it and just gave me some old crazy chinese medicine so we'll see if that helps. It smells pretty bad.
Erika, メールしてくれ。日本語はそんなに難しくないでしょう。
So this week we had another MLC in Fukuoka and I got to ride that Shinkansen. And then a bus back. The shinkansen takes like 1 hour. An hour and a half if you take the slow one. But the bus takes like 5 hours. I don't like the bus. But being in Fukuoka is fun. I got to see my beloved Yamanashi 長老 again. And Trane 長老. And my beloved Chung Cholo but I don't think I've ever talked about him to you before. He is Elder Dolbin's friend from back home and I love him almost as much as I love Elder Dolbin. And I love seeing President. I made your cheesecake for President and Sister Gustafson back when they came up for zone conference and they really liked it and Sister Gustafson asked for the recipe. So I gave it to her this week.
We did a zone training meeting again this week too. That is always exciting. I get really nervous training people. Especially a whole zone. That is 24 people listening to what I say and taking it in to make them better missionaries and stuff. I'm just a 普通 missionary. I don't feel like I can really teach them anything but I do my best. And somehow it all works out.
Our investigators really didn't progress at all this week. I think because they were just too busy to meet. We'll see about this week.
I just want to say I love the members in Hikari ward. So much. There is a fairly recent convert here named Hanzawa Kyodai. And he is so awesome. We visit him weekly. He is kind of a shy guy. He didn't ever say anything to me for my first like 4 transfers in Saijo. But then all of a sudden he started talking to me. I would talk to him almost every week at church and eventually he just broke out of his shell and started talking to me. To be honest I can't understand everything he says but I don't think that matters. I just need to listen I guess. But he is so cool. Over a month ago we started visiting him at his house. And the first time just broke my heart. He told us about how much he really isn't getting paid at work and he said sometimes he doesn't have enough food. So now we visit every week to make sure he is happy and has food. And we bring him orange juice too. He can't afford anything that tastes good. He can only afford the very basic stuff. And sometimes he can't afford it. Shortly after that first time we went to a member we knew would help and she gave us a huge bag of rice to give him. And we doorbell ditched it at his apartment. And the next day we had an Uno party at the church because Hanzawa Kyodai likes Uno. And he told us about someone leaving rice on his door. And we just said how cool it was and how it was probably angels that left it. (He told us once way before he met missionaries that Mary would protect him and give him food when he was homeless so he totally believed the angel thing) Anywho. I just love him. And I thought I'd tell you about him. I love all the members here. I just don't have the time to talk about all of them.
Hey does anyone know if you can bring a bike on an airplane from Japan? I just got a bag to put my bike in so now I can take it on trains and stuff but I want to know if I can take it on a plane. If I can I want to take my bike home. But I don't know how to find out if I can.
Yesterday Elder Eckman and I were told three times that we seem like we could be gay. For various reasons. None of which were actually gay. Except maybe wearing matching pink ties and watches.
We have also been told on more than one occasion while at meal appointments with members or investigators that we should be comedians together. Its really just Elder Eckman. He makes everyone laugh and he uses me as the target.
Well. That was my week. I love you all so much. I miss you. I can't wait to see you sometime in the distant future. By the way I am now being treated by the members as someone who is going home soon. Its really weird. Have a good week.
Love Elder Liddle
That's cool that you had a crazy storm. We never have anything crazy here. Just rain. More rain than I've ever seen in Utah. But just rain. I love working in the rain. Its always so hard and annoying and I get soaked if I don't wear my rain suit but the harder your conditions are the more likely you are to see miracles for working through them.
My knee is not in good shape. You asked if it was still my right knee. Its still my knee that had surgery. The left one. The right one hurts sometimes too but not nearly as much. I am experiencing more problems in the left one by far. But a nice chinese lady in the ward heard about it and just gave me some old crazy chinese medicine so we'll see if that helps. It smells pretty bad.
Erika, メールしてくれ。日本語はそんなに難しくないでしょう。
So this week we had another MLC in Fukuoka and I got to ride that Shinkansen. And then a bus back. The shinkansen takes like 1 hour. An hour and a half if you take the slow one. But the bus takes like 5 hours. I don't like the bus. But being in Fukuoka is fun. I got to see my beloved Yamanashi 長老 again. And Trane 長老. And my beloved Chung Cholo but I don't think I've ever talked about him to you before. He is Elder Dolbin's friend from back home and I love him almost as much as I love Elder Dolbin. And I love seeing President. I made your cheesecake for President and Sister Gustafson back when they came up for zone conference and they really liked it and Sister Gustafson asked for the recipe. So I gave it to her this week.
We did a zone training meeting again this week too. That is always exciting. I get really nervous training people. Especially a whole zone. That is 24 people listening to what I say and taking it in to make them better missionaries and stuff. I'm just a 普通 missionary. I don't feel like I can really teach them anything but I do my best. And somehow it all works out.
Our investigators really didn't progress at all this week. I think because they were just too busy to meet. We'll see about this week.
I just want to say I love the members in Hikari ward. So much. There is a fairly recent convert here named Hanzawa Kyodai. And he is so awesome. We visit him weekly. He is kind of a shy guy. He didn't ever say anything to me for my first like 4 transfers in Saijo. But then all of a sudden he started talking to me. I would talk to him almost every week at church and eventually he just broke out of his shell and started talking to me. To be honest I can't understand everything he says but I don't think that matters. I just need to listen I guess. But he is so cool. Over a month ago we started visiting him at his house. And the first time just broke my heart. He told us about how much he really isn't getting paid at work and he said sometimes he doesn't have enough food. So now we visit every week to make sure he is happy and has food. And we bring him orange juice too. He can't afford anything that tastes good. He can only afford the very basic stuff. And sometimes he can't afford it. Shortly after that first time we went to a member we knew would help and she gave us a huge bag of rice to give him. And we doorbell ditched it at his apartment. And the next day we had an Uno party at the church because Hanzawa Kyodai likes Uno. And he told us about someone leaving rice on his door. And we just said how cool it was and how it was probably angels that left it. (He told us once way before he met missionaries that Mary would protect him and give him food when he was homeless so he totally believed the angel thing) Anywho. I just love him. And I thought I'd tell you about him. I love all the members here. I just don't have the time to talk about all of them.
Hey does anyone know if you can bring a bike on an airplane from Japan? I just got a bag to put my bike in so now I can take it on trains and stuff but I want to know if I can take it on a plane. If I can I want to take my bike home. But I don't know how to find out if I can.
Yesterday Elder Eckman and I were told three times that we seem like we could be gay. For various reasons. None of which were actually gay. Except maybe wearing matching pink ties and watches.
We have also been told on more than one occasion while at meal appointments with members or investigators that we should be comedians together. Its really just Elder Eckman. He makes everyone laugh and he uses me as the target.
Well. That was my week. I love you all so much. I miss you. I can't wait to see you sometime in the distant future. By the way I am now being treated by the members as someone who is going home soon. Its really weird. Have a good week.
Love Elder Liddle
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Another psycho transfer week (Week 88)
Well we had transfers and nothing really went the way I expected. Elder Eckman's companion transferred way far away to Miyakonojo and the missionary transferring from Miyakonojo came here. His name is Ishikawa cholo. And he is now companions with my bean, Elder Braswell. And Elder Eckman is my companion. We are having so much fun. It has been a party all the time with him. And now we can focus on being zone leaders and it has been so much easier. President said there are no longer any zone leader/trainers in the mission. So that is good. And saijo went from two missionaries to having sister missionaris too as well as a senior couple who will arrive this week. I already knew all that and was way excited for saijo. And then I got the call and it turns out saijo is actually receiving two more elders as well. So it went from two man to eight man. Go saijo! And now our ward will have 15 missionaries every week until saijo gets its own branch. Also the Hikari sisters went from two man to three. It was crazy and super busy and I had so much to take care of but this time I had a companion to help me and everyone got home safe.
I'm speaking a lot more Japanese now with Ishikawa Choro here and because Elder Eckman is so good at Japanese. We speak a lot to each other in Japanese. So maybe I'll get good at this language before I go home. Cross your fingers.
On transfer day I attempted to carry a fairly normal suitcase up some stairs for one of the sisters transferring in something happened to my knee. It just shot pain through it and I couldn't support myself with that leg while holding the suitcase. The pain mostly went away when I put the suitcase down but it still doesn't feel too good. And today I started to feel the pain again when I was just walking myself up some stairs. So I don't know if I did something to it or not. But it doesn't feel great. Oh well. I will ganbaru to the end.
So on Tuesday President called me before our official transfer call to talk to me about some stuff and what I think about what he was thinking to do for transfers in my zone. I'm so important. :) But then he asked me if I wanted to transfer. He said I've got only two transfers left. I'm an old missionary. So I am on the top of the list to get what he wants. And he said he knows how stressed and hard this has been this past transfer and he wants me to have fun as I end my mission. So if I wanted to transfer and have a better experience he would make it happen. And then I told him I love this area. I love this ward. I want to give Hikari my all until the very end. And he said ok. That's what will happen. And he said that was his plan because I worked so hard in Saijo and loved it so much that he wanted me to be able to see what was happening there because of my work. I don't think I really worked that hard. But President sure is nice. So I will be here until the end. Unless something happens no one forsees. We'll see. But I want to stay. If I do it will mean 11 months in the same ward. Go Hikari ward!
Yesterday we had two investigators at church! T_____ san came. He is pretty cool but he doesn't look like he really wants to listen to the lessons. He just wants to come to church. And we are giving him to the other Hikari elders because Elder Braswell knew him too and they don't have anyone right now. Our other investigator is named H_____ san. She is a referral from a nice lady in the ward and she really seems like she is solid. She is really nice and seems to really be progressing already. I've only met her once. And Elder Eckman met her twice. But already she seems really good. So hopefully we see good stuff there.
Saijo also had an investigator there! All six months in Saijo I only had an investigator at church three times. I am so happy for Elder Dolbin. And it really looks like she could get baptized. She is really solid. Her name is A_____. Perhaps I told you something about her when I was still there. Elder Dolbin and I found her. So she is awesome. And the ward members were awesome with her. We barely saw her because the ward was taking care of her. It was awesome. Hikari ward is so good. I love it here.
Yesterday Tohma Kyodai talked to me at church. He is the one who gave me a watch. He is one of three active members living in Saijo's area. And I love him so much. Brother Tohma is the guy. Anyways. He talked to me. And he said his favorite missionary finally went home this past week and he didn't realize until he was already gone. And it made him sad. The missionary who reactivated Tohma kyodai. And he told me to not go home. He told me to stay forever in Hikari ward. I really love that man. And I can really feel his love for me. I think he was sad when I transferred to Hikari. I can't see him nearly as much. Only on Sunday. But we will visit him this week I think. Maybe next week. Anyways. I just love that guy.
Our ward mission leader, Tanaka kyodai, was released yesterday. That was way sad for me. I love that guy too. He is so wonderful. The best ward mission leader I have ever worked with. He is just the bomb diggety. And I gave him a big hug and told him he is my Japanese dad. And then he told me he loved me and I told him I love him and we said Tanoshiku Ganbarimasho! He is so wonderful. I'm sad he isn't our ward mission leader anymore but we will still work with him a lot.
Our new ward mission leader is named Gepford kyodai. He is American. Three American families moved into the ward. So that has been way fun. Lots of translating for them. But Gepford kyodai speaks Japanese. And he really seems like he will be a legit ward mission leader so I am excited to work with him. Him and the 14 other missionaries.
Tomorrow I get to ride another Shinkansen to Fukuoka for Mission Leadership Conference. That will be way fun. I love going to the mission home and meeting President.
And this morning I went to Miyajima again. It was really fun to see in the morning. I'll attach pictures and stuff. It was cool.
That was my second time to go to the Fukuoka temple. It was cool. I got English headphones but sometimes I took them off to listen to the Japanese. And it was really cool to hear in Japanese. Some of it is better than listening in English. But I don't want to make mistakes so I always made sure to have English on me.
Well I hope you are all doing well. I love you all. I hope you are happy. I will go now and write again in a weeks time to tell you of the fantastic adventures here in Hikari, the land of Light. (Hikari means light)
Love Josh
good week.
leg hurts.
miyajima.
mlc
I'm speaking a lot more Japanese now with Ishikawa Choro here and because Elder Eckman is so good at Japanese. We speak a lot to each other in Japanese. So maybe I'll get good at this language before I go home. Cross your fingers.
On transfer day I attempted to carry a fairly normal suitcase up some stairs for one of the sisters transferring in something happened to my knee. It just shot pain through it and I couldn't support myself with that leg while holding the suitcase. The pain mostly went away when I put the suitcase down but it still doesn't feel too good. And today I started to feel the pain again when I was just walking myself up some stairs. So I don't know if I did something to it or not. But it doesn't feel great. Oh well. I will ganbaru to the end.
So on Tuesday President called me before our official transfer call to talk to me about some stuff and what I think about what he was thinking to do for transfers in my zone. I'm so important. :) But then he asked me if I wanted to transfer. He said I've got only two transfers left. I'm an old missionary. So I am on the top of the list to get what he wants. And he said he knows how stressed and hard this has been this past transfer and he wants me to have fun as I end my mission. So if I wanted to transfer and have a better experience he would make it happen. And then I told him I love this area. I love this ward. I want to give Hikari my all until the very end. And he said ok. That's what will happen. And he said that was his plan because I worked so hard in Saijo and loved it so much that he wanted me to be able to see what was happening there because of my work. I don't think I really worked that hard. But President sure is nice. So I will be here until the end. Unless something happens no one forsees. We'll see. But I want to stay. If I do it will mean 11 months in the same ward. Go Hikari ward!
Yesterday we had two investigators at church! T_____ san came. He is pretty cool but he doesn't look like he really wants to listen to the lessons. He just wants to come to church. And we are giving him to the other Hikari elders because Elder Braswell knew him too and they don't have anyone right now. Our other investigator is named H_____ san. She is a referral from a nice lady in the ward and she really seems like she is solid. She is really nice and seems to really be progressing already. I've only met her once. And Elder Eckman met her twice. But already she seems really good. So hopefully we see good stuff there.
Saijo also had an investigator there! All six months in Saijo I only had an investigator at church three times. I am so happy for Elder Dolbin. And it really looks like she could get baptized. She is really solid. Her name is A_____. Perhaps I told you something about her when I was still there. Elder Dolbin and I found her. So she is awesome. And the ward members were awesome with her. We barely saw her because the ward was taking care of her. It was awesome. Hikari ward is so good. I love it here.
Yesterday Tohma Kyodai talked to me at church. He is the one who gave me a watch. He is one of three active members living in Saijo's area. And I love him so much. Brother Tohma is the guy. Anyways. He talked to me. And he said his favorite missionary finally went home this past week and he didn't realize until he was already gone. And it made him sad. The missionary who reactivated Tohma kyodai. And he told me to not go home. He told me to stay forever in Hikari ward. I really love that man. And I can really feel his love for me. I think he was sad when I transferred to Hikari. I can't see him nearly as much. Only on Sunday. But we will visit him this week I think. Maybe next week. Anyways. I just love that guy.
Our ward mission leader, Tanaka kyodai, was released yesterday. That was way sad for me. I love that guy too. He is so wonderful. The best ward mission leader I have ever worked with. He is just the bomb diggety. And I gave him a big hug and told him he is my Japanese dad. And then he told me he loved me and I told him I love him and we said Tanoshiku Ganbarimasho! He is so wonderful. I'm sad he isn't our ward mission leader anymore but we will still work with him a lot.
Our new ward mission leader is named Gepford kyodai. He is American. Three American families moved into the ward. So that has been way fun. Lots of translating for them. But Gepford kyodai speaks Japanese. And he really seems like he will be a legit ward mission leader so I am excited to work with him. Him and the 14 other missionaries.
Tomorrow I get to ride another Shinkansen to Fukuoka for Mission Leadership Conference. That will be way fun. I love going to the mission home and meeting President.
And this morning I went to Miyajima again. It was really fun to see in the morning. I'll attach pictures and stuff. It was cool.
That was my second time to go to the Fukuoka temple. It was cool. I got English headphones but sometimes I took them off to listen to the Japanese. And it was really cool to hear in Japanese. Some of it is better than listening in English. But I don't want to make mistakes so I always made sure to have English on me.
Well I hope you are all doing well. I love you all. I hope you are happy. I will go now and write again in a weeks time to tell you of the fantastic adventures here in Hikari, the land of Light. (Hikari means light)
Love Josh
good week.
leg hurts.
miyajima.
mlc
Monday, August 26, 2013
Last week of the Transfer (Week 87)
This week was ok I guess. I can't really remember most of what happened. I just know we sure didn't get nearly as much done as I would have liked.
We got a new investigator this past week. His name is T_____ san. He came to Eikaiwa and I taught him there about the church a little. He was a referral from a different mission where he met missionaries and had some interest. And it turns out he wants to go to BYU and someone in Tokyo told him he should learn about the religion in Utah before he goes. So that's what he wants to do. And he said he will come to church on this coming sunday. So he seems pretty good. I am excited to work with him.
On this past Saturday we went to the temple. That was really nice. I am sad that I can't just go whenever I want. I really like it. It feels nice there. So that was really good. And I saw a ton of people all over the temple that I recognized but had never been close to from Tsuboi. That was cool. And then just before I left I ran into one of the young men of Tsuboi ward that I used to spend some time with. His name is Hiroyuki. And we had a nice talk. He told me that in a little bit Momoko would be coming to the temple. But not for another hour or so. And then my bus left. So I missed her. That was sad. I would have really liked to see her. I know she got her mission call. Does anyone know when she leaves? So that was the temple. I always like it there.
On Sunday we had a dendo fireside with Elder Tashiro of the seventy there. He is so cool. He is my favorite person ever. He lives in Kumamoto so when I was in Tsuboi I saw him all the time. And then he spoke at stake conference in Hiroshima when I first got here in January and he changed my life forever. And then he came here again but just to Hikari ward. And he changed my life again. He keeps doing that. And he remembered me. I just love that guy. The day before when we were at the temple I talked to one of the APs and he told us that for the dendo fireside Tashiro choro wanted the Hiroshima zone leaders to take half of the fireside. So that was scary. We had no time to prepare. We got like 15 minutes with Tashiro choro during gospel principles class to prepare for it. And it was going to be awesome. But then all kinds of technical difficulties went down and it just was not so great. Satan was really trying to mess something up. Something is about to happen in Hiroshima. Anywho. Afterwards Tashiro choro pulled us aside and we talked about the fireside a bit. He said it was the first experience for this presentation that is going to be done everywhere. And he said now we know how to do it. Now do it in the rest of Hiroshima stake. So I might be doing firesides all over the stake now. Crazy. And then at the very end I got some one on one time with Tashiro choro. He is my favorite guy. In our few minutes of talking he changed my life. He is the most amazing guy. I love him. I really hope I can meet him again.
Something is about to happen in Hiroshima. That is why Hikari area went from two missionaries to six. That is why next transfer Saijo is going from two to six. And that is why it is so difficult to do any missionary work right now. It is hard lately to have anyone listen or to just be able to get the work done. Satan is trying to get into everything up in here. Its yabeh. But we will keep working hard. And then make whatever sick miracle that's going to happen happen. That's how we do it up in the Hiroshima hood. Home skillet biscuit.
Today is transfer calls. I don't know what is going to happen. I can't imagine much is going to change in Hikari area. But the sisters will probably go threesome. I don't think I will ever transfer again. This is almost guaranteed to be my last area. But at some point Elder Eckman and I will actually become companions. I don't know when. I really want it to be this transfer. Its too hard trying to train and be a zone leader and then just do both of those not very well because neither can get the time and attention they need. Its hard. So we'll see what transfers brings later today.
You asked about translating, mom. I'll respond just because its interesting. I had to translate stake conference from Japanese to English. And it was hard. I also had to translate some of the fireside on Sunday. Japanese to English is very hard. I don't always understand what they say and so I don't know what to say in English. And you are always an entire sentence behind because the verb is at the end in Japanese so you need to wait until the end until you know what they are saying. I also translated a district meeting for one of the district leaders this week English to Japanese. He is a really young missionary and so President told him to not be too prideful to ask the zone leaders for translation if he needed it. So he asked. And I can basically say almost anything I want in Japanese and I understand English perfectly so it was rather easy. There are still some challenges to it. And my Japanese isn't pretty. But it is easier to go from English to Japanese. I just thought that was interesting.
Tell Kujo I love her. Take her to my room and remind her of me. Don't let her forget. I love that stinky little dog.
Well. I love you all. I hope you all have a good day. Be cool. Stay in school. I'll talk to you next week in probably the same location and situation as now. So 楽しみにしてください。日本語で書くのはスーパー大変です。大嫌いですよ。フリーキングクラップ。
愛
トム・りドル長老
We got a new investigator this past week. His name is T_____ san. He came to Eikaiwa and I taught him there about the church a little. He was a referral from a different mission where he met missionaries and had some interest. And it turns out he wants to go to BYU and someone in Tokyo told him he should learn about the religion in Utah before he goes. So that's what he wants to do. And he said he will come to church on this coming sunday. So he seems pretty good. I am excited to work with him.
On this past Saturday we went to the temple. That was really nice. I am sad that I can't just go whenever I want. I really like it. It feels nice there. So that was really good. And I saw a ton of people all over the temple that I recognized but had never been close to from Tsuboi. That was cool. And then just before I left I ran into one of the young men of Tsuboi ward that I used to spend some time with. His name is Hiroyuki. And we had a nice talk. He told me that in a little bit Momoko would be coming to the temple. But not for another hour or so. And then my bus left. So I missed her. That was sad. I would have really liked to see her. I know she got her mission call. Does anyone know when she leaves? So that was the temple. I always like it there.
On Sunday we had a dendo fireside with Elder Tashiro of the seventy there. He is so cool. He is my favorite person ever. He lives in Kumamoto so when I was in Tsuboi I saw him all the time. And then he spoke at stake conference in Hiroshima when I first got here in January and he changed my life forever. And then he came here again but just to Hikari ward. And he changed my life again. He keeps doing that. And he remembered me. I just love that guy. The day before when we were at the temple I talked to one of the APs and he told us that for the dendo fireside Tashiro choro wanted the Hiroshima zone leaders to take half of the fireside. So that was scary. We had no time to prepare. We got like 15 minutes with Tashiro choro during gospel principles class to prepare for it. And it was going to be awesome. But then all kinds of technical difficulties went down and it just was not so great. Satan was really trying to mess something up. Something is about to happen in Hiroshima. Anywho. Afterwards Tashiro choro pulled us aside and we talked about the fireside a bit. He said it was the first experience for this presentation that is going to be done everywhere. And he said now we know how to do it. Now do it in the rest of Hiroshima stake. So I might be doing firesides all over the stake now. Crazy. And then at the very end I got some one on one time with Tashiro choro. He is my favorite guy. In our few minutes of talking he changed my life. He is the most amazing guy. I love him. I really hope I can meet him again.
Something is about to happen in Hiroshima. That is why Hikari area went from two missionaries to six. That is why next transfer Saijo is going from two to six. And that is why it is so difficult to do any missionary work right now. It is hard lately to have anyone listen or to just be able to get the work done. Satan is trying to get into everything up in here. Its yabeh. But we will keep working hard. And then make whatever sick miracle that's going to happen happen. That's how we do it up in the Hiroshima hood. Home skillet biscuit.
Today is transfer calls. I don't know what is going to happen. I can't imagine much is going to change in Hikari area. But the sisters will probably go threesome. I don't think I will ever transfer again. This is almost guaranteed to be my last area. But at some point Elder Eckman and I will actually become companions. I don't know when. I really want it to be this transfer. Its too hard trying to train and be a zone leader and then just do both of those not very well because neither can get the time and attention they need. Its hard. So we'll see what transfers brings later today.
You asked about translating, mom. I'll respond just because its interesting. I had to translate stake conference from Japanese to English. And it was hard. I also had to translate some of the fireside on Sunday. Japanese to English is very hard. I don't always understand what they say and so I don't know what to say in English. And you are always an entire sentence behind because the verb is at the end in Japanese so you need to wait until the end until you know what they are saying. I also translated a district meeting for one of the district leaders this week English to Japanese. He is a really young missionary and so President told him to not be too prideful to ask the zone leaders for translation if he needed it. So he asked. And I can basically say almost anything I want in Japanese and I understand English perfectly so it was rather easy. There are still some challenges to it. And my Japanese isn't pretty. But it is easier to go from English to Japanese. I just thought that was interesting.
Tell Kujo I love her. Take her to my room and remind her of me. Don't let her forget. I love that stinky little dog.
Well. I love you all. I hope you all have a good day. Be cool. Stay in school. I'll talk to you next week in probably the same location and situation as now. So 楽しみにしてください。日本語で書くのはスーパー大変です。大嫌いですよ。フリーキングクラップ。
愛
トム・りドル長老
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Oh by gosh by golly (Week 86)
Well this week was just as taihen as the last week if not more taihen. We had zone conference though and President came. That was a lot of fun. I love him and Sister Gustasfson. I made them one of mom's cheesecakes. They loved it and want the recipe. I gave it to a lot of people there and they all loved it. It really is the best cheesecake to bless the human race.
We still don't have any investigators. We have a couple of possibilities coming up. We'll see how those go.
We had stake conference yesterday and me and Elder Eckman had to translate it for all of the Americans with the microphone thing. It was so hard. I can't believe how hard translastion is. Its just a pain. But it worked out ok.
I only have two transfers after this one. And this one is almost done already. I don't know whats going on. Its so fast. I will have 15 transfers total. I am already almost done with number 13.
Well I have no more time to email today. sorry. I'm busy busy. But I love you. Sorry this is so short. I'll do better next week.
Love Josh
We still don't have any investigators. We have a couple of possibilities coming up. We'll see how those go.
We had stake conference yesterday and me and Elder Eckman had to translate it for all of the Americans with the microphone thing. It was so hard. I can't believe how hard translastion is. Its just a pain. But it worked out ok.
I only have two transfers after this one. And this one is almost done already. I don't know whats going on. Its so fast. I will have 15 transfers total. I am already almost done with number 13.
Well I have no more time to email today. sorry. I'm busy busy. But I love you. Sorry this is so short. I'll do better next week.
Love Josh
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Kyou no nekutai wa murasaki janai (Week 85)
Well I had a real interesting week. I guess. I can't remember most of it. But I'm sure it was interesting.
I did learn something quite big this past week. I found out that for the past year and a half I have been gay. Or at least I sounded like it. A member had all 8 missionaries over for dinner this week and the sisters here in Hikari are both Japanese. One is named Nihei shimai. She is awesome. A great missionary. And then I said something to her companion and then she said to me after a moment: "Elder Liddle, when you say that it sounds a little okama." "Eh? What was that?" "Okama." "I don't know what that means. Hold on. Let me look it up in my dictionary. Oh. I see. Wow. I sound gay? What are the rules for that particle? Oh wow. I have been gay my whole mission. That's awkward. Well thank you Nihei Shimai for letting me know. Now that this way of speaking has become habit and I probably have no chance to change it now and now I will just always be aware of my gay talk right after I say it every time now. Yeah. Thanks." So I talk like a gay guy in Japanese. And I didn't even mean to. But the bright side is I am really good at it in two languages now. And another bright side is Kashida shimai told me that if I talked like that to younger girls, which I have done countless times because it was young girls I learned this way of talking from, then it will give them the impression that I like them and they will want to be my boyfriend. Who doesn't want that kind of power? Yeah. That was really a weird revelation to me this past week. Kind of funny though. I remember talking to all the girl members and investigators we had in Tsuboi. And that is where I learned most of my Japanese. That and the branch president's daughters in Ishigaki. And I even asked the girls in Tsuboi if I sounded weird because I knew I was just learning how they talk. They told me I sounded normal. Maybe I was just so bad at Japanese that they didn't notice and it just sounded like a gaijin who couldn't speak Japanese. But thanks to them I learned to talk gay.
That was probably the highlight of my week. I also got to do a sick junkai with the Elders in Yasufuruichi and Takasu. That was way fun. Just lots of zone leader duties that are actually fun. Working with other members of the zone.
I feel like I have switched my focus to being a trainer rather than a zone leader. Which is not that good. I can't quite find the right balance. But I'll keep working on it.
Mom I have no idea what you are talking about with Costco and pictures and whatever. I never knew there was a relation between a big american food store and pictures.
We went to see the atomic bomb dome again this past week as a district. It was pretty fun. Really sad. We went the day before the anniversary and I didn't even know it. So that was interesting. A lot of people there. And they were all trying to get the americans to stop liking war. Tanoshikatta ne.
Well. I got more zone leadery duties to see to so I best be off.
Love Elder Liddle
I did learn something quite big this past week. I found out that for the past year and a half I have been gay. Or at least I sounded like it. A member had all 8 missionaries over for dinner this week and the sisters here in Hikari are both Japanese. One is named Nihei shimai. She is awesome. A great missionary. And then I said something to her companion and then she said to me after a moment: "Elder Liddle, when you say that it sounds a little okama." "Eh? What was that?" "Okama." "I don't know what that means. Hold on. Let me look it up in my dictionary. Oh. I see. Wow. I sound gay? What are the rules for that particle? Oh wow. I have been gay my whole mission. That's awkward. Well thank you Nihei Shimai for letting me know. Now that this way of speaking has become habit and I probably have no chance to change it now and now I will just always be aware of my gay talk right after I say it every time now. Yeah. Thanks." So I talk like a gay guy in Japanese. And I didn't even mean to. But the bright side is I am really good at it in two languages now. And another bright side is Kashida shimai told me that if I talked like that to younger girls, which I have done countless times because it was young girls I learned this way of talking from, then it will give them the impression that I like them and they will want to be my boyfriend. Who doesn't want that kind of power? Yeah. That was really a weird revelation to me this past week. Kind of funny though. I remember talking to all the girl members and investigators we had in Tsuboi. And that is where I learned most of my Japanese. That and the branch president's daughters in Ishigaki. And I even asked the girls in Tsuboi if I sounded weird because I knew I was just learning how they talk. They told me I sounded normal. Maybe I was just so bad at Japanese that they didn't notice and it just sounded like a gaijin who couldn't speak Japanese. But thanks to them I learned to talk gay.
That was probably the highlight of my week. I also got to do a sick junkai with the Elders in Yasufuruichi and Takasu. That was way fun. Just lots of zone leader duties that are actually fun. Working with other members of the zone.
I feel like I have switched my focus to being a trainer rather than a zone leader. Which is not that good. I can't quite find the right balance. But I'll keep working on it.
Mom I have no idea what you are talking about with Costco and pictures and whatever. I never knew there was a relation between a big american food store and pictures.
We went to see the atomic bomb dome again this past week as a district. It was pretty fun. Really sad. We went the day before the anniversary and I didn't even know it. So that was interesting. A lot of people there. And they were all trying to get the americans to stop liking war. Tanoshikatta ne.
Well. I got more zone leadery duties to see to so I best be off.
Love Elder Liddle
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Nani ittara ii ka wakaran (Week 84)
So here I am again emailing you on a fine Monday. This p day we will have district p day and go see the Genbaku Domu (Atomic Bomb Dome) again. And then go to costco to get apple vinegar. Did I tell you I got my own Costco card?
Well I'll just get the bad news out there first so we can talk about something more fun at the end. We have no investigators. R_____ is not answering his phone. And there is just no one else. We are looking and looking for a new one but no one seems to care about God. I'd say about a third of the people I talk to actually laugh at me when I mention God. Its pretty difficult to get anyone to even listen to a lesson on the street these days. I just feel bad for my bean. Every bean comes out of the MTC expecting to have investigators that they can practice all their new teaching skills on and they expect there to be huge miracles and kinjin and stuff. But we are still looking for our investigators. I hope he is doing ok. Not having anyone to teach is pretty hard on the beans I think.
Speaking of my bean, let me tell you about him. He is Elder Braswell from Ohio. He is 19 years old. He loves to run. Which makes me feel bad because there is no way I am going with him to run again. And he is very enthusiastic and excited about life. He just wants to go share the gospel. I like him. Sometimes I feel stress from him but I think that is normal for trainers. I was stressed in the beginning with my last bean too. They just need time to learn how missionary life really works out here. And not think they already know everything as some beans seem to think. I feel like its really challenging to train again because my bean right now has such different strengths and weaknesses as my last one. So I feel like I have to relearn how to be a trainer. And a zone leader. At the same time. That is still really stressful. I never feel like I can put enough time to either one of my jobs and so I constantly feel like I am failing. It's very hard. But I guess I'll make it ok. So yeah. My bean is cool. I don't really know him that well right now either but I like him.
Everyone keeps making comments about how old I am as a missionary. The missionaries and the members. It makes me sad. I don't want to leave Japan.
So yesterday we had a big party at our ward mission leader's house. And then the ward mission leader's wife and some other members and the sisters all started to make fun of my name. It was weird because people don't really make fun of my name anymore. Most Japanese people don't understand that my name is close to little unless I tell them. But these people just went off forever on their little Japanese jokes. It was quite funny just because they thought they were so clever. For Japanese people that was pretty clever. But we get that all the time in America. The most common joke they make about my name is Tom Riddle because in Japanese the spelling is the same. I think I told you that once. Well it was just funny. I love Japanese people so much.
Has the world changed since I left? The new beans I talk to keep telling me about all this crazy stuff that they say is going down. How's the music? It's probably just the same garbage as always only different songs. But I heard Apocalyptica released a song from someone. That will be something to look forward to. I haven't ever thought about what the world was doing until these beans came. 後もうちょっとね。well I hope its fun. I don't want to come back to a boring world someday.
Sometimes I see star wars playing in stores here for various reasons. And I walk past it to hear if its in Japanese or if its only Japanese subtitles. And usually all the voices and everything are in Japanese. Which makes me want to stay and watch and call it Language Study. But I never do. Don't worry.
I feel like the way I'm talking may seem like I am getting too excited to go home and stuff. But don't worry. I just don't have much to report as far as dendo goes so I am just saying stuff so you have something to read. I hope you like this well prepared and thought out email.
Well just pray that we will be able to find a new investigator who wants to hear the gospel. That's what we need right now.
Have a wonderful day. Mom, you are such an お疲れ様。Love yall.
From トム・リドル長老
エリカ、キャン ユー リード カタカナ？
Well I'll just get the bad news out there first so we can talk about something more fun at the end. We have no investigators. R_____ is not answering his phone. And there is just no one else. We are looking and looking for a new one but no one seems to care about God. I'd say about a third of the people I talk to actually laugh at me when I mention God. Its pretty difficult to get anyone to even listen to a lesson on the street these days. I just feel bad for my bean. Every bean comes out of the MTC expecting to have investigators that they can practice all their new teaching skills on and they expect there to be huge miracles and kinjin and stuff. But we are still looking for our investigators. I hope he is doing ok. Not having anyone to teach is pretty hard on the beans I think.
Speaking of my bean, let me tell you about him. He is Elder Braswell from Ohio. He is 19 years old. He loves to run. Which makes me feel bad because there is no way I am going with him to run again. And he is very enthusiastic and excited about life. He just wants to go share the gospel. I like him. Sometimes I feel stress from him but I think that is normal for trainers. I was stressed in the beginning with my last bean too. They just need time to learn how missionary life really works out here. And not think they already know everything as some beans seem to think. I feel like its really challenging to train again because my bean right now has such different strengths and weaknesses as my last one. So I feel like I have to relearn how to be a trainer. And a zone leader. At the same time. That is still really stressful. I never feel like I can put enough time to either one of my jobs and so I constantly feel like I am failing. It's very hard. But I guess I'll make it ok. So yeah. My bean is cool. I don't really know him that well right now either but I like him.
Everyone keeps making comments about how old I am as a missionary. The missionaries and the members. It makes me sad. I don't want to leave Japan.
So yesterday we had a big party at our ward mission leader's house. And then the ward mission leader's wife and some other members and the sisters all started to make fun of my name. It was weird because people don't really make fun of my name anymore. Most Japanese people don't understand that my name is close to little unless I tell them. But these people just went off forever on their little Japanese jokes. It was quite funny just because they thought they were so clever. For Japanese people that was pretty clever. But we get that all the time in America. The most common joke they make about my name is Tom Riddle because in Japanese the spelling is the same. I think I told you that once. Well it was just funny. I love Japanese people so much.
Has the world changed since I left? The new beans I talk to keep telling me about all this crazy stuff that they say is going down. How's the music? It's probably just the same garbage as always only different songs. But I heard Apocalyptica released a song from someone. That will be something to look forward to. I haven't ever thought about what the world was doing until these beans came. 後もうちょっとね。well I hope its fun. I don't want to come back to a boring world someday.
Sometimes I see star wars playing in stores here for various reasons. And I walk past it to hear if its in Japanese or if its only Japanese subtitles. And usually all the voices and everything are in Japanese. Which makes me want to stay and watch and call it Language Study. But I never do. Don't worry.
I feel like the way I'm talking may seem like I am getting too excited to go home and stuff. But don't worry. I just don't have much to report as far as dendo goes so I am just saying stuff so you have something to read. I hope you like this well prepared and thought out email.
Well just pray that we will be able to find a new investigator who wants to hear the gospel. That's what we need right now.
Have a wonderful day. Mom, you are such an お疲れ様。Love yall.
From トム・リドル長老
エリカ、キャン ユー リード カタカナ？
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