Konnichiwa
This weeks been great. I transferred to Tsukuba successfully. It's
such a cool area.
It looks much more like America than the other areas I've been in.
Things are kind of spread out. So we do a lot of biking...but it's
nothing compared to the massive mountains of Senzokuike that I biked
everyday the past few transfers. It's nice too...cuz I think we hardly
will ever have to use the train....give my wallet a bit of a break.
Tsukuba is a big University town. It's the biggest university in the
Tokyo area. It's a big science school.
Our investigators are all sweet and cute and they all speak English it
seems...haha the theme of my mission. Luckily hanashiro shimai is In
our apartment so I can always speak Japanese to her. I have to say it
was so fun going to a new Japanese ward yesterday and people not
staring at me like an idiot for not being able to understand them...I
feel like I've continued to understand more and more Japanese even in
the English ward...it's just speaking. I know it will click This
transfer if I work hard at it though.
We are teaching a cute little boy named J-----. He's probably the
closest to getting baptized. Keep him in your prayers.
There are 8 missionaries in our area and district. Elder justeson and
Elder sakamoto...they are the zone leaders....then elder hovenden, and his
companion elder Han, a new missionary from Korea who is fluent In
Japanese and English...and then there's hanashiro shimai and her
trainee Evanston shimai from Canada....and then Davis shimai and I. I
feel bad for Evanston shimai because everyone In her apartment is old.
Davis shimai is 9th transfer, hanashiro shimai is 8th, then I'm
7th...and then Evanston shimai is brand new haha. It's fun to see a
new missionary come in...there are some things I've just forgotten
about...like she's in culture shock and I'm sort of like "oh yeah I
guess that is different"...we've just gotten do used to it over here,
ya know?
I really like sister Davis. Companions have forced me to meet people
and get to know them even if I wouldn't have been friends with them
normally....but sister Davis is the kind of person I'd get along at
home. We'd be friends anyways. I really like her.
I think this transfer is a really great opportunity
for me to continue to work hard and see miracles, but also have a fun
time doing it.
I was bumbed that I missed C-----'s confirmation...but I was there for
the baptism at least. That was such a special day in my mission. When
I'm discouraged about the work...I think about that experience and how
discouraged I was with her sometimes and it reminds me that miracles
happen we just can't lose our faith.
We have Presidents interviews this transfer...can you believe that?
I'm on my 7th transfer now...I have like 2 more of these interviews
left. Kinda crazy. My mission seems to be going so fast...and my
Japanese is still so atrocious. I think I'm going to work really
really hard these next few transfers. Get as much from the language as
I can. I think it could be really valuable down the road.
We also have 2 apostles visiting...it's Quentin L Cook and
then...someone else...I forget. It's a 2 mission conference with the
south mission. So it should be nice to see everyone.
I've already been pounced on to give a talk in sacrament meeting on
May 25th so that should be fun....ehhh Japanese talks haha.
It's so nice to be in apartment where I can feel the spirit.
Like...I'm just really grateful for all the people just trying to do
their best. I'm content to just have fun and love people and work hard
the rest of my mission. Wherever I am and whoever I'm with. I believe
men and missionaries are that they might have joy! Becoming someone
they are meant to be. In losing ourselves, I think it's important that we retain
the unique personalities that God called to Japan.
Anyways. I love and miss you!
Love, MC
Anyways. I love and miss you!
Love, MC