Well I appreciate all of your emails. I really enjoyed them this week. I liked your email, Dad, with the running thing. You said you didn't know where you were going with that but you totally did. You wanted me to apply it to myself in my dendo. Which I did. And I really enjoyed it. It made me want to work hard. I feel like I have been working harder than ever on my mission. And I will try to work even harder as I get closer to the end.
Speaking of the end I had to fight President this week for getting released in November rather than January. So that Disneyland thing better really happen. That is the only reason he let me take the November transfer. But now I know when I'm going home. That is how you all know I am an old missionary. When you get the call asking when you are going home you have gotten old. But I will ganbaru to the end.
Mom I also thank you for your email. I just really enjoyed it. And it was really nice to hear about Momoko. I haven't had any sort of contact with them since I left Kumamoto. But I have been anxious about her mission call. I am so excited.
I had a good birthday. The elders in my home made me a wonderful birthday breakfast and I got a bunch of phone calls from random missionaries telling me happy birthday. And then the next day our wonderful ward mission leader and his wife came into district meeting and brought a costco cake and said it wasn't late because it was still my birthday in america. It was a delicious cake. I ate a lot. So it was fun.
I have been extremely busy lately. I still don't feel like I have been able to be with my companion. Literally about half of this week was spent with Elder Eckman or with another missionary on splits and the two beans were left to dendo together. So it has been interesting. I have two companions and they just switch off every other day almost. It is so weird. I really feel like Elder Eckman is my companion. Not Elder Braswell. That may be a problem. So I will try to fix it.
We have been working really hard but I feel like I wasn't able to get enough done. I don't get to dendo as much. But our zone did really well. The APs told me this morning that our zone contacted more than any zone this week. We talked to as many people as three other zones put together this week. I don't know what is happening. But it is way cool. And Saijo district is just flourishing under the leadership of my beloved Elder Dolbin. So things have been going well for the zone as a whole.
No one ever told me that people are having babies and stuff. Until I got a letter from Aunt Manny. She keeps me updated very well. So don't worry. I already know.
Also I got the package from Tiffany and Jon. It was really nice. And I liked the cookies. And I will reply to the little kids as soon as I can. Maybe today. Maybe. But they dropped the news on me that Travis is a cop now. I had no idea he was leaving the painting business. So that was another surprise. I want to be a cop someday.
Well. I don't really know what else to say. I am just busy and stressed but somehow I still have fun. Elder Eckman and I are going to train the zone tomorrow and it will be pretty fun. I'll tell you about it next week though. It should be fun. I love you all. Have a wonderful day.
Love Elder Liddle
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
I got me a crazy job. (Week 82)
So to clear up confusion every zone has two zone leaders. They are companions. Because the job is pretty big and busy. But I am not companions with the other zone leader. I am just living with him. And both of our companions are beans. So we are both zone leader/trainers. Which are both jobs that require a fair amount of focus. Its been nuts. And I was only given one week to learn this area and now I have to teach it to 5 missionaries new to this area. So it has been way crazy. And hard. And stressful. This morning has already just been full of so much stuff I have to do. I haven't even had the opportunity to sit back and think about being 22. I might just do that when I get home or something. It sounds like you have had a crazy morning too. Ganbatte. So yeah. I am just busy. And I might be stuck with this job until I go home. We'll see.
So my new companion is named Elder Braswell from Ohio. I live with Elder Eckman from Idaho and his new missionary Elder Nartker also from Idaho. I had to organize how everyone got to their areas because I was the only zone leader here for about a day. And then Elder Eckman didn't show up with all the new missionaries and the new sisters weren't there either. So I had fun with that and figured it out. And now everyone is safe and sound in their sorezore no areas.
I feel like I have two companions because I am with Elder Braswell by default and I am with Elder Eckman all the time trying to figure out how to be a zone leader and figuring out what to do and stuff. So that has been interesting. Its been fun. I have been having a good time. I just always feel lost.
We have only one investigator. His name is R_____ from Peru. I don't know if I said anything about him before. I can't remember. He came to church yesterday so that was cool. I don't know if he is really that interested right now but he is our only one right now and he did say he had some interest. So I hope to see some cool stuff there.
Last night we had dinner with a chinese recent convert and her nonmember husband and mother and friend. It was way fun. The husband sat by me and I was all nervous that he was going to be weird because we are religious people but I totally had an awesome time just talking to him for a long time. I also got to blow their minds with all of my Chinese knowledge. I have been studying. So it was just fun. And maybe there is some potential with her husband.
I have one fear. I am afraid that I am not spending enough time focusing on my bean right now. It has been such a stress to learn the area and do all of my zone leader duties that I haven't had much time to even just sit and talk with him. So I hope he is ok and stuff. I just don't know. I know he must be stressed and stuff because this is all new to him. So I hope I can still be a good trainer to him.
Well. That has been my week I guess. I hope to have a good p day today but maybe I'll just work instead. Its more productive. P days are overrated anyway. I have already seen everything there is to see in Hiroshima.
I love you all. I am having a good time trying to figure everything out and I am just ready to go party and dendo and party dendo. Have a wonderful day.
Love Elder Birthday Boy
p.s. I'm 22 on the 22nd!
So my new companion is named Elder Braswell from Ohio. I live with Elder Eckman from Idaho and his new missionary Elder Nartker also from Idaho. I had to organize how everyone got to their areas because I was the only zone leader here for about a day. And then Elder Eckman didn't show up with all the new missionaries and the new sisters weren't there either. So I had fun with that and figured it out. And now everyone is safe and sound in their sorezore no areas.
I feel like I have two companions because I am with Elder Braswell by default and I am with Elder Eckman all the time trying to figure out how to be a zone leader and figuring out what to do and stuff. So that has been interesting. Its been fun. I have been having a good time. I just always feel lost.
We have only one investigator. His name is R_____ from Peru. I don't know if I said anything about him before. I can't remember. He came to church yesterday so that was cool. I don't know if he is really that interested right now but he is our only one right now and he did say he had some interest. So I hope to see some cool stuff there.
Last night we had dinner with a chinese recent convert and her nonmember husband and mother and friend. It was way fun. The husband sat by me and I was all nervous that he was going to be weird because we are religious people but I totally had an awesome time just talking to him for a long time. I also got to blow their minds with all of my Chinese knowledge. I have been studying. So it was just fun. And maybe there is some potential with her husband.
I have one fear. I am afraid that I am not spending enough time focusing on my bean right now. It has been such a stress to learn the area and do all of my zone leader duties that I haven't had much time to even just sit and talk with him. So I hope he is ok and stuff. I just don't know. I know he must be stressed and stuff because this is all new to him. So I hope I can still be a good trainer to him.
Well. That has been my week I guess. I hope to have a good p day today but maybe I'll just work instead. Its more productive. P days are overrated anyway. I have already seen everything there is to see in Hiroshima.
I love you all. I am having a good time trying to figure everything out and I am just ready to go party and dendo and party dendo. Have a wonderful day.
Love Elder Birthday Boy
p.s. I'm 22 on the 22nd!
Monday, July 15, 2013
Greetings from the land of Light! (Week 81)
I had the craziest week. So last Tuesday I went to Fukuoka for the new zone leader training and then the mission leader conference. And it was way cool. I love being in the mission home. And I asked President where I was going to transfer to. And he said he didn't know yet. But I tried to persuade him to transfer me to Hikari because it is still the same ward as Saijo. And I basically already know that area.
Then I went back to Saijo and got a call on Thursday from president. And he said he would tell me where I was transferring a week early. Transfers are this coming Thursday. And he told me I was going to Hikari! Yay! Now I get to be Elder Eliason's companion again. But he said there was a catch. I had to transfer the same day to learn the area because Elder Eliason is transferring to the mission home. He actually already transferred on Sunday. So now I am with Elder Dolbin and Elder Clayton in Hikari until Elder Clayton goes home on Thursday. So I am zone leader and District leader for this week. And I have one week to know this area well enough to teach it to my new companion. Which I heard is also a new zone leader. So I have one week to master being zone leader so I can teach him how to do it. But then he isn't going to be my companion. Hikari area is going to be a 4 man area next transfer and me and the other zone leader will train new missionaries at the same time. And then also sisters will come to this area too. So I have to teach five other missionaries this area after only having it for one week. While also trying to run Saijo. So I am about to explode. I have no idea what is going on. And I don't really get to know this area well because Elder Clayton is preparing to go home and stuff and has a lot to do. So its just been crazy. I don't know how I am going to take care of a whole zone. But we'll do it somehow.
I really don't know how any investigators are doing because I only spent two days in Saijo this week and one of those was p day. So I don't know. But last week we were at the church and some random guy came up looking for our pastor. he wanted to talk to him. And I said he doesn't come here until Sunday. So he said he would come back. We wanted to meet him again because he seems so cool but we had to give him to the zone leaders because it is their area. And they set up an appointment to teach him and then I got transferred and got to teach him. So that was cool. His name is R_____. He's from Peru. And he is the only investigator in this area right now. All the rest of them dropped or got baptized recently. So I am almost starting over here. But the one investigator we have I found. So that's fun.
Also Elder Dolbin is going to go trainer next transfer. I am so proud. My son gets a baby of his own.
And happy birthday mom. I don't have much time and I wish I could say more. But I will say I love you very much. And I am happy that you are my mom. I hope you have a happy birthday. I wish I could send you a cool present. But alas. I love you. Have a good day.
I love you all. I hope you are all happy. Have a wonderful day.
Love Elder Liddle
Then I went back to Saijo and got a call on Thursday from president. And he said he would tell me where I was transferring a week early. Transfers are this coming Thursday. And he told me I was going to Hikari! Yay! Now I get to be Elder Eliason's companion again. But he said there was a catch. I had to transfer the same day to learn the area because Elder Eliason is transferring to the mission home. He actually already transferred on Sunday. So now I am with Elder Dolbin and Elder Clayton in Hikari until Elder Clayton goes home on Thursday. So I am zone leader and District leader for this week. And I have one week to know this area well enough to teach it to my new companion. Which I heard is also a new zone leader. So I have one week to master being zone leader so I can teach him how to do it. But then he isn't going to be my companion. Hikari area is going to be a 4 man area next transfer and me and the other zone leader will train new missionaries at the same time. And then also sisters will come to this area too. So I have to teach five other missionaries this area after only having it for one week. While also trying to run Saijo. So I am about to explode. I have no idea what is going on. And I don't really get to know this area well because Elder Clayton is preparing to go home and stuff and has a lot to do. So its just been crazy. I don't know how I am going to take care of a whole zone. But we'll do it somehow.
I really don't know how any investigators are doing because I only spent two days in Saijo this week and one of those was p day. So I don't know. But last week we were at the church and some random guy came up looking for our pastor. he wanted to talk to him. And I said he doesn't come here until Sunday. So he said he would come back. We wanted to meet him again because he seems so cool but we had to give him to the zone leaders because it is their area. And they set up an appointment to teach him and then I got transferred and got to teach him. So that was cool. His name is R_____. He's from Peru. And he is the only investigator in this area right now. All the rest of them dropped or got baptized recently. So I am almost starting over here. But the one investigator we have I found. So that's fun.
Also Elder Dolbin is going to go trainer next transfer. I am so proud. My son gets a baby of his own.
And happy birthday mom. I don't have much time and I wish I could say more. But I will say I love you very much. And I am happy that you are my mom. I hope you have a happy birthday. I wish I could send you a cool present. But alas. I love you. Have a good day.
I love you all. I hope you are all happy. Have a wonderful day.
Love Elder Liddle
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Transfer calls! kind of... (Week 80)
Well everyone. This transfer will be coming to a close on July 18. And transfer calls will be on July 16 just like normal. But what is less than normal is that I half received my transfer call already. I was called a few days ago by one of the assistants to the president late at night and he told me that I was going to transfer on the 18th. But I don't know where yet. The reason he called me so early is because President wants me to become a zone leader. And tomorrow all the zone leaders and new zone leaders will go to Fukuoka for a meeting with President. So. Its not 100% until the day of. Anything can change. But probably not. I am going to be zone leader somewhere next transfer. Probably until the end of my mission. I am quite nervous. Zone leader has a lot of responsibility and is very involved in the workings of the mission. But whatever. I'll do anything President asks me to do. But it means I'll have to leave Saijo. I really don't want to. It is too wonderful here.
I will put forth my one last request to not have a package sent to me. You put too much money in my account for a package too. Besides. I want to send a package home before I transfer and sending so many packages back and forth gets confusing and then we can't remember who sent what package to who and its just a big hairy mess. So you should just not send one. :) Yoroshiku.
We didn't get to meet with as many investigators as I would have liked this week. But whatever. I guess that's just how Japan is. Too busy. But we met with G_____. And it was awesome. He is praying really hard to know if this is real. And he really wants to know. So please pray with all of your hearts that this beautiful man will get and recognize an answer to his sincere prayers. He is so important.
We also got a new investigator from Eikaiwa this week. We taught her with our Eikaiwa coordinator because they are good friends and he used to teach her in junior high. Her name is Y_____. And it was my first lesson inside the church since coming to Saijo. And it was awesome. We will teach her again this week. She's 18 just so you know.
Also we taught the whole T_____ family. I haven't talked much about them recently. Brother T_____ takes us out to eat a lot. And on his rugby team a new tongan moved in who is less active right now but he served a mission a few years ago. So we had him there and Brother T_____'s whole family together for dinner which was huge and then a lesson on eternal families and temples. And it was awesome. And we asked J_____, the new guy, to participate in the lesson before hand and he gave a great portion of the lesson showing me up with his knowledge of the bible. I really need to read more of that book. It was just so awesome. I have never taught a whole big family like that before. And it was so fun. And they said we can teach them again.
I miss Utah. You said you had that day where you were sweating like crazy until the sun went down. I don't mean to one up you but I don't stop sweating until I get into the one room in my apartment with an air conditioner. You just sweat all the time here. From places you never knew could sweat. I love Japan. But the humidity and their intensely horrible way of doing ac is just not acceptable. I think I will live in Utah forever.
Well I am going to go have a good p day now. And buy a nice piece of wrist clothing. Have a good day all you beautiful little souls.
Love Elder Liddle
I will put forth my one last request to not have a package sent to me. You put too much money in my account for a package too. Besides. I want to send a package home before I transfer and sending so many packages back and forth gets confusing and then we can't remember who sent what package to who and its just a big hairy mess. So you should just not send one. :) Yoroshiku.
We didn't get to meet with as many investigators as I would have liked this week. But whatever. I guess that's just how Japan is. Too busy. But we met with G_____. And it was awesome. He is praying really hard to know if this is real. And he really wants to know. So please pray with all of your hearts that this beautiful man will get and recognize an answer to his sincere prayers. He is so important.
We also got a new investigator from Eikaiwa this week. We taught her with our Eikaiwa coordinator because they are good friends and he used to teach her in junior high. Her name is Y_____. And it was my first lesson inside the church since coming to Saijo. And it was awesome. We will teach her again this week. She's 18 just so you know.
Also we taught the whole T_____ family. I haven't talked much about them recently. Brother T_____ takes us out to eat a lot. And on his rugby team a new tongan moved in who is less active right now but he served a mission a few years ago. So we had him there and Brother T_____'s whole family together for dinner which was huge and then a lesson on eternal families and temples. And it was awesome. And we asked J_____, the new guy, to participate in the lesson before hand and he gave a great portion of the lesson showing me up with his knowledge of the bible. I really need to read more of that book. It was just so awesome. I have never taught a whole big family like that before. And it was so fun. And they said we can teach them again.
I miss Utah. You said you had that day where you were sweating like crazy until the sun went down. I don't mean to one up you but I don't stop sweating until I get into the one room in my apartment with an air conditioner. You just sweat all the time here. From places you never knew could sweat. I love Japan. But the humidity and their intensely horrible way of doing ac is just not acceptable. I think I will live in Utah forever.
Well I am going to go have a good p day now. And buy a nice piece of wrist clothing. Have a good day all you beautiful little souls.
Love Elder Liddle
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Eto desu ne... (Week 79)
Hello. It has been an exciting week I suppose. I wasn't able to get anything done this week and we only got to meet two investigators. We spent a lot of time a 40 minute train ride away in the zone leaders area. We had lots to do with the members of the ward. Which was really nice. We don't get to do much member work in Saijo. There are only 4 active members. And next month one is moving back to China for good. So we just can't get it done. But we have decided to go to the other area to visit the members of our ward maybe once a week. We did last week and it was very rewarding. We recieved a lot of food. :) But not only that it was good for us and for them to visit. We all felt good after and it was just good. And we have kind of got them a little more involved in our dendo in Saijo even though they live so far away. So it will be good for all of us. I love those members. And it seemed like they don't get visited very much. I think maybe the zone leaders are really busy and don't get to visit members as much as they like. So we will pick up some of the slack there.
We met with G_____ this week. And it was awesome. G_____ is so wonderful. We talked about a lot of his concerns. He is just so worried about his faith. He really wants to know this is right and he wants to know when he will know. So we helped him out. And we talked about baptism with him. And going to church. And we set a baptismal date with him. August 17, 2013. And he said he really wants to go to church so he is talking to his boss to get the time off. He is just so awesome. And I feel like this is the most legit baptismal date I have had since Tsuboi. And after that lesson he just seemed so relieved like he knew where he was going and what we were going to do to help him and stuff. It was just good. G_____ is so amazing. I love him so much. And he has been teaching me a little Chinese. I can now start and end my prayers in Chinese.
Also we had G_____'s lesson outside a little cafe thing at Hiroshima University. And a few tables away there were a few Americans. And they were talking and laughing loudly. And it was quite disgusting. They were just gross people. Luckily they got quiet for the more important parts of the lesson. But it was just weird. I haven't heard language like that for a very long time. Or such loud people. Japanese people are so quiet and considerate. And anyone I speak to in English doesn't know bad English or they are missionaries. And if Japanese people do say bad things then I usually don't understand it. So it was a big surprise to me. Very weird. I'm glad G_____'s English isn't very good. There is no way he would have understood so his ability to feel the Spirit seemed uninterrupted.
I watched that big mission meeting thing yesterday where they talked about the internet and stuff. Elder Perry said that we would be informed when it was time for our mission and specific areas to start doing such things so for the time being I am going to sit and wait. We will see. I think its a great idea. We need to get more creative with our ways of dendo. I hope to see success from such dendo. And its good dendo because members can do it too. Members really need to get on the ball. The most successful dendo is when members help the missionaries and do their own dendo with their friends.
I appreciate your kindness for the money for cool stuff. There is something here that I feel would be a cool souvenir from my mission. I have been looking around for stacking dolls for my whole mission. And I have not seen any. They have all kinds of dolls around here. And some that are really cool and almost look like stacking dolls. But no actual stacking ones yet. So I don't know about that one. And the next time I get transferred I plan on going to Ishigaki so there isn't much there as far as dolls go. Sorry. I know one place that sells some cool ones for like 10 bucks though in Hiroshima. But Ishigaki just has Shisa and stuff.
The heat and humidity here is death.
Do you remember the Kiribayashi fam? They emailed you that picture of us when I went over a few months ago. They have a chihuahua. And I got to eat at their house on Saturday. And their dog is so cute. Choco is the name. Choco chan. He is so cute. And he loves me now. Because I already have a chihuahua and I know how to take care of them. So he loves me so much now. It made me really miss Kujo. I still dream about her all the time.
Well. Dendo rocks. I love it. Its way hard and quite the emotional roller coaster. But it is awesome. I love being a missionary.
Have a good week.
Love Josh
We met with G_____ this week. And it was awesome. G_____ is so wonderful. We talked about a lot of his concerns. He is just so worried about his faith. He really wants to know this is right and he wants to know when he will know. So we helped him out. And we talked about baptism with him. And going to church. And we set a baptismal date with him. August 17, 2013. And he said he really wants to go to church so he is talking to his boss to get the time off. He is just so awesome. And I feel like this is the most legit baptismal date I have had since Tsuboi. And after that lesson he just seemed so relieved like he knew where he was going and what we were going to do to help him and stuff. It was just good. G_____ is so amazing. I love him so much. And he has been teaching me a little Chinese. I can now start and end my prayers in Chinese.
Also we had G_____'s lesson outside a little cafe thing at Hiroshima University. And a few tables away there were a few Americans. And they were talking and laughing loudly. And it was quite disgusting. They were just gross people. Luckily they got quiet for the more important parts of the lesson. But it was just weird. I haven't heard language like that for a very long time. Or such loud people. Japanese people are so quiet and considerate. And anyone I speak to in English doesn't know bad English or they are missionaries. And if Japanese people do say bad things then I usually don't understand it. So it was a big surprise to me. Very weird. I'm glad G_____'s English isn't very good. There is no way he would have understood so his ability to feel the Spirit seemed uninterrupted.
I watched that big mission meeting thing yesterday where they talked about the internet and stuff. Elder Perry said that we would be informed when it was time for our mission and specific areas to start doing such things so for the time being I am going to sit and wait. We will see. I think its a great idea. We need to get more creative with our ways of dendo. I hope to see success from such dendo. And its good dendo because members can do it too. Members really need to get on the ball. The most successful dendo is when members help the missionaries and do their own dendo with their friends.
I appreciate your kindness for the money for cool stuff. There is something here that I feel would be a cool souvenir from my mission. I have been looking around for stacking dolls for my whole mission. And I have not seen any. They have all kinds of dolls around here. And some that are really cool and almost look like stacking dolls. But no actual stacking ones yet. So I don't know about that one. And the next time I get transferred I plan on going to Ishigaki so there isn't much there as far as dolls go. Sorry. I know one place that sells some cool ones for like 10 bucks though in Hiroshima. But Ishigaki just has Shisa and stuff.
The heat and humidity here is death.
Do you remember the Kiribayashi fam? They emailed you that picture of us when I went over a few months ago. They have a chihuahua. And I got to eat at their house on Saturday. And their dog is so cute. Choco is the name. Choco chan. He is so cute. And he loves me now. Because I already have a chihuahua and I know how to take care of them. So he loves me so much now. It made me really miss Kujo. I still dream about her all the time.
Well. Dendo rocks. I love it. Its way hard and quite the emotional roller coaster. But it is awesome. I love being a missionary.
Have a good week.
Love Josh
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Just another week full of craziness (Week 78)
Well. Firstly I had the opportunity to go to another Hiroshima Carp baseball game on Saturday. And this time it was really sunny instead of rainy. I was wearing shorts. Which felt good to bike in. And I put on sun screen. Except I forgot my legs. And now my knees are severely burned. But its all good. I don't really need to touch them very much. And I decided what I need to bring back home from Japan. I need one of the Hiroshima Carp G-Shock watches. 150 bucks. Yoroshiku. Which doesn't translate very easy to english but basically means that I need you to put that money into my account and I am saying please but the polite form is yoroshiku onegai shimasu so I am being quite casual with you and I am kind of saying it like you have no choice. So yoroshiku ne.
Nextly last Monday we went streeting by Hiroshima University. We focus a lot of time there because young people listen much more. And we ran into a chinese guy that really doesn't speak Japanese very much at all and kind of speaks English. His name is G_____. Well that's the name he chose. His real name is G_____ M_____. And while we were talking to him his wife biked up. And she was the nicest person I have ever met. She was the kindest and most sincere person I have ever seen in my entire life. And we exchanged phone numbers with G_____ and then met him twice since then. And he is so wonderful. He said China doesn't believe anything and he thinks that is bad and he really wants to believe something but he doesn't know what is right and so he is really interested and wants to try out this religion. And he said he will take time to be sure but if he is sure this is true then he will grab hold and never let go. He is so amazing. I love that little Chinese man. Its way fun to teach him because his English isn't that good so we have to translate to Chinese for him a lot. And I got a book from somewhere that they give out at the MTC to teach missionaries Chinese so I am learning a little bit and teaching him with that book. Soon I'll be trilingual! Its been fun.
We have another investigator named H_____ that is really good at understanding. And he is really doing everything that we ask him to do. He is so cool. He said if he finds out this is true then he would want to be baptized. So we are just working to get him that testimony. At first he knew almost nothing about God or anything and then this week I asked him if he believes Jesus Christ is really there and he said yes. So he is progressing. I hope he can keep it up.
Our other investigators were kind of difficult this past week. Again. They just don't progress very well and are too busy and it is just frustrating because I know how much they need this gospel but they just won't put in what they need to in order to really get it. Its very difficult.
Also we have been really trying to work with Brother Y_____. He is less active. He is an older man. Very proper and old style Japanese. And I love him. So much. We get along so well. I have really made a good relationship with him. And he came to church two weeks ago. But since then we haven't been able to get a hold of him. I keep trying to call him but he never answers. And then another brother at church said he called him and was told that Y_____ K_____ wants to be done with the church. So he might be ignoring our calls. Which breaks my heart. I can't help but feel a little responsible. There is something specific at church I should have done but didn't and it offended him. He is easily offended so I had to tread carefully but I didn't. And that might be the reason he is done. It hurts me. I love him so much.
Well we are going to keep working hard. Life is good. Way hard. Happy. Sad. Never easy. But oh so rewarding. I love what I'm doing. And I love you all.
Love Elder Liddle
Nextly last Monday we went streeting by Hiroshima University. We focus a lot of time there because young people listen much more. And we ran into a chinese guy that really doesn't speak Japanese very much at all and kind of speaks English. His name is G_____. Well that's the name he chose. His real name is G_____ M_____. And while we were talking to him his wife biked up. And she was the nicest person I have ever met. She was the kindest and most sincere person I have ever seen in my entire life. And we exchanged phone numbers with G_____ and then met him twice since then. And he is so wonderful. He said China doesn't believe anything and he thinks that is bad and he really wants to believe something but he doesn't know what is right and so he is really interested and wants to try out this religion. And he said he will take time to be sure but if he is sure this is true then he will grab hold and never let go. He is so amazing. I love that little Chinese man. Its way fun to teach him because his English isn't that good so we have to translate to Chinese for him a lot. And I got a book from somewhere that they give out at the MTC to teach missionaries Chinese so I am learning a little bit and teaching him with that book. Soon I'll be trilingual! Its been fun.
We have another investigator named H_____ that is really good at understanding. And he is really doing everything that we ask him to do. He is so cool. He said if he finds out this is true then he would want to be baptized. So we are just working to get him that testimony. At first he knew almost nothing about God or anything and then this week I asked him if he believes Jesus Christ is really there and he said yes. So he is progressing. I hope he can keep it up.
Our other investigators were kind of difficult this past week. Again. They just don't progress very well and are too busy and it is just frustrating because I know how much they need this gospel but they just won't put in what they need to in order to really get it. Its very difficult.
Also we have been really trying to work with Brother Y_____. He is less active. He is an older man. Very proper and old style Japanese. And I love him. So much. We get along so well. I have really made a good relationship with him. And he came to church two weeks ago. But since then we haven't been able to get a hold of him. I keep trying to call him but he never answers. And then another brother at church said he called him and was told that Y_____ K_____ wants to be done with the church. So he might be ignoring our calls. Which breaks my heart. I can't help but feel a little responsible. There is something specific at church I should have done but didn't and it offended him. He is easily offended so I had to tread carefully but I didn't. And that might be the reason he is done. It hurts me. I love him so much.
Well we are going to keep working hard. Life is good. Way hard. Happy. Sad. Never easy. But oh so rewarding. I love what I'm doing. And I love you all.
Love Elder Liddle
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Sutoresu ga ippai (Week 77)
Well I can't quite tell you how stressful things have been lately. We didn't see as much success this week as we did last week. Most of our new investigators were dropped. So at least we don't need to worry about them right now. There is enough to worry about. Another investigator who does nothing is just more stress.
We met K_____ s_____ last week twice. And it was really good both times. And she wrote on her planner to go to church enough times before her baptism and we set up more times to meet her. Its always a good feeling when we teach her. And I know she feels the spirit. We pointed that out to her and now she knows she feels the Spirit. But she canceled our Saturday appointment to go to the doctor. Which is kind of legit. But then we were going to meet her again today. Our appointment was to be in 6 minutes from now. But I called her and then she said she has someone coming over from the city and she won't be able to meet us. And she didn't come to church yesterday. She wouldn't even answer her phone on Saturday. So its just stressful. She isn't progressing. But she so needs this gospel. I don't know what to do. I can't force them to do something with this. So if they choose not to then they just won't go anywhere.
We also met with L_____ X_____ Y_____ this past week. With one of our Chinese members. And she helped address some of his concerns with getting baptized and going to China because she is going back to China too next month. That stinks for Saijo. In my time here I have seen our active members go from 9 to 4. And soon to 3. They keep moving. We need 20 to start a branch. Well anyways. I don't know entirely how well that went because they spoke in Chinese at that part. I have been studying a little Chinese lately so I can say a few things and I know some vocabulary. I think I know more Chinese now than Spanish. So I could only understand enough to keep track of where the conversation was. Nothing specific about it though. But L_____ X_____ Y_____ wants to come to the Hiroshima Carp game with us on Saturday so that will be fun. He seems to be doing good. He is really reading the Book of Mormon. But he is really seeming hesitant to really get going with trying out this church. So that is hard. I don't know how to help him progress. But we're trying.
Our last investigator who has done something in the past little while is named H_____. He is a pretty recent investigator. We haven't met him too much. Only twice so far. So we are still at the beginning. But he is cool. He is 23. And he is reading the Book of Mormon pretty good. Last time when we were planning what to teach him we really felt like we should teach him the Atonement. And we prepared personal experiences and stuff and just had a good plan. And then we met him. And I wanted to get right to the lesson because it would take a while but Elder Dolbin wanted to ask him about his reading and if he had questions. He is very smart so I thought he would have questions. And I thought that would take too much time so I was hesitant to ask because I felt this was really important to teach to him. But we asked. And he read a couple of scriptures in the Book of Mormon that he had a question about and it was perfectly answered by what we had planned to teach. It was really cool. Right now we are really just trying to help him get his own testimony. I really hope it works. Or he won't stay an investigator for a very long time.
I had the opportunity to interview on of the zone leaders investigators for baptism this week. My second interview as district leader. It was interesting. Both interviews have been in English for me. This investigator is from China and her English is very good. And as I interviewed her I just felt that she was so wonderful and that she was really ready to receive baptism. But something came up in the interview where I wasn't able to pass her. We needed the permission of President Gustafson. Which made me sad because I really felt good about her. But then President called me and talked to me about it and passed her. So she got baptized yesterday. And it was so cool. And she shared her testimony at the baptismal service and it was just so good. It was a nice experience to see her get baptized.
Well. Life is hard. Dendo is hard. I feel like I'm just doing the same things over and over trying to get people to do something when they don't really feel the motivation to do it themselves. But we are working hard. We have faith. And we are going to find, teach, and baptize someone in the months of June and July. This is very likely my last transfer here. So I want to go out with a bang. And this has been my favorite zone. Hiroshima is a wonderful place. I have really grown to love it here. And I have now been here longer than I have been anywhere else on my mission. And I have done more to see the history and culture of this place than I have in previous areas. Like going to a baseball game on Saturday! So I feel like this place is where my mission has been. I don't ever want to forget it. I love this place.
Have a good day everyone. I love you all.
Love Josh
We met K_____ s_____ last week twice. And it was really good both times. And she wrote on her planner to go to church enough times before her baptism and we set up more times to meet her. Its always a good feeling when we teach her. And I know she feels the spirit. We pointed that out to her and now she knows she feels the Spirit. But she canceled our Saturday appointment to go to the doctor. Which is kind of legit. But then we were going to meet her again today. Our appointment was to be in 6 minutes from now. But I called her and then she said she has someone coming over from the city and she won't be able to meet us. And she didn't come to church yesterday. She wouldn't even answer her phone on Saturday. So its just stressful. She isn't progressing. But she so needs this gospel. I don't know what to do. I can't force them to do something with this. So if they choose not to then they just won't go anywhere.
We also met with L_____ X_____ Y_____ this past week. With one of our Chinese members. And she helped address some of his concerns with getting baptized and going to China because she is going back to China too next month. That stinks for Saijo. In my time here I have seen our active members go from 9 to 4. And soon to 3. They keep moving. We need 20 to start a branch. Well anyways. I don't know entirely how well that went because they spoke in Chinese at that part. I have been studying a little Chinese lately so I can say a few things and I know some vocabulary. I think I know more Chinese now than Spanish. So I could only understand enough to keep track of where the conversation was. Nothing specific about it though. But L_____ X_____ Y_____ wants to come to the Hiroshima Carp game with us on Saturday so that will be fun. He seems to be doing good. He is really reading the Book of Mormon. But he is really seeming hesitant to really get going with trying out this church. So that is hard. I don't know how to help him progress. But we're trying.
Our last investigator who has done something in the past little while is named H_____. He is a pretty recent investigator. We haven't met him too much. Only twice so far. So we are still at the beginning. But he is cool. He is 23. And he is reading the Book of Mormon pretty good. Last time when we were planning what to teach him we really felt like we should teach him the Atonement. And we prepared personal experiences and stuff and just had a good plan. And then we met him. And I wanted to get right to the lesson because it would take a while but Elder Dolbin wanted to ask him about his reading and if he had questions. He is very smart so I thought he would have questions. And I thought that would take too much time so I was hesitant to ask because I felt this was really important to teach to him. But we asked. And he read a couple of scriptures in the Book of Mormon that he had a question about and it was perfectly answered by what we had planned to teach. It was really cool. Right now we are really just trying to help him get his own testimony. I really hope it works. Or he won't stay an investigator for a very long time.
I had the opportunity to interview on of the zone leaders investigators for baptism this week. My second interview as district leader. It was interesting. Both interviews have been in English for me. This investigator is from China and her English is very good. And as I interviewed her I just felt that she was so wonderful and that she was really ready to receive baptism. But something came up in the interview where I wasn't able to pass her. We needed the permission of President Gustafson. Which made me sad because I really felt good about her. But then President called me and talked to me about it and passed her. So she got baptized yesterday. And it was so cool. And she shared her testimony at the baptismal service and it was just so good. It was a nice experience to see her get baptized.
Well. Life is hard. Dendo is hard. I feel like I'm just doing the same things over and over trying to get people to do something when they don't really feel the motivation to do it themselves. But we are working hard. We have faith. And we are going to find, teach, and baptize someone in the months of June and July. This is very likely my last transfer here. So I want to go out with a bang. And this has been my favorite zone. Hiroshima is a wonderful place. I have really grown to love it here. And I have now been here longer than I have been anywhere else on my mission. And I have done more to see the history and culture of this place than I have in previous areas. Like going to a baseball game on Saturday! So I feel like this place is where my mission has been. I don't ever want to forget it. I love this place.
Have a good day everyone. I love you all.
Love Josh
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