Launching Out Into the Deep

Week two of transfer eight! The Exchange with the Zone Leaders starts tonight, bringing Elder Goto (Japanese) here to Kurashiki, and sending Elder Eagar to Okayama with Elder Gatchell (St. George).

Zone Conference will be on Wednesday and, as always, I'm excited to receive the answers I need, that have come from listening to the counsel and teachings of President Isa and the others that speak with him.

Well, we have a goal of teaching 20 lessons a week, that's a mission-wide goal. This last week, my companion and I got closer to that goal than ever before. 18 lessons!! We're going to try to up it just a bit more this week!

Lately, the Mission theme has been "Launch Out Into the Deep - 2nd Stage". I heard the phrase 'Launch Out Into the Deep' my first day at the Mission Home, but I had no idea what it meant. I think I was still dreaming, and didn't really understand. Even after they mentioned it last Zone Meeting, I just barely started to understand. Recently, I've been floating around the shallow water close to the beach of my comfort zone. But, in order to find and teach those who are prepared to receive, I have to launch out further, breaking free from my comfort zone, and following the guidance of my Savior.

We've had a lot of small miracles this week, including a couple of lessons on the train home from Takahashi on Friday night. We asked a man if the train went to Kurashiki, he helped us, and then boarded the train. He started moving to the back of the train as we sat down near the front. I started to think "Shucks", but then he came back and sat down with us. Then his friend, who boared shortly after came and sat by us too. We had a very nice conversation, and got to teach these men about the Book of Mormon, and answer some of their questions. They didn't accept a copy, but we plan on seeing them again.

Well, life it wonderful! The weather is even getting a little bit warmer. Still pretty cold though, but maybe not as much as Utah.

Love you!
Paul

And The Transfer Announcement Is.... (Part II)

Drum Roll Please. . . . . .

I'm staying in Kurashiki with Elder Bronner! He leaves for home in January, so this is his last transfer. Don't worry, as I've told him before, I'm a tough cookie. I haven't gotten really homesick. Even listening to the Family Christmas CD, I get good, spiritual, nostalgic feelings of Christmas, and the true reason of why we celebrate it.

I didn't really want to transfer anyway. There are a lot of people in our teaching pool right now. I think we'll be seeing some baptisms very soon. We have a goal to have Elder Bronner baptize before he heads home. Here we go!

I had a few ups and downs this week. We've been teaching an increasing amount of lessons, but should still be teaching more. But, as we discussed last night, we haven't been really unified. Even though my Japanese skills are growing, I still haven't been opening my mouth as much as I should. I've been trying, and sometimes it's just hard for me to jump into my companion's train of thought, but things are going to be better. We talked about a lot last night, some little problems that were keeping us from being completely unified. We haven't seen a whole lot of miracles lately, but after yesterday, I'm not worried. We both have things we're working on, and I feel Elder Bronner's concern and support. I'm excited for this transfer, and remain optimistic!

We had another Fiesta de Brazil (I know that's not proper Portugeuse. . . I think it's Spanish. . .) with our Brazilian investigators on Saturday. DELICIOUS!! And we even met a new potential investigator who speaks a little Japanese (which could help me communicate with him).

Well, today was pretty interesting. . . Brother Takata came over to teach us how to make "Nabe" using "Horumon" (Pig guts - YES, pig intestine. . . that's right). I must say that it didn't taste nearly as bad as the guts smelled, but it was a little weird. We had received A LOT of food from a less active family we went to visit, and had no idea how to use it. Yes, they even gave us the horumon. . . I could probably eat it again, but I didn't really go for seconds.

But guess what! Cucumber - OKAY! Mushrooms - also okay! Tomato - I'm just about there! I can eat them! I'm conquering my picky foods!

Happy Turkey Day (and Happy Lacey Day!!)!!!

Love you so much!
Elder Peterson

It's A Wonderful Life... With Miracles and More!

This last week was AMAZING! Elder Bronner and I had 47 working hours (the most I've ever had with a companion).... I'd say we worked pretty hard!

We've been encountering a lot of miraculous people, that seem golden and ready to speak with us. Recently we were challenged to try to work more with families. We found one! The mother is from the Philippines, where her brother and sisters are members and referred her about 5 years ago - but she didn't have interest at that time. Well, she kindly accepted us into their home. Her husband doesn't seem to have interest, but kindly attended the lesson as well as two of their four daughters (one's only 6 months old). The mother looks like she really wants to know. She called her sister after our first meeting, and came to church with two of her daughters on Sunday!

One of our English students from weekly Eikaiwa also came to church again, she appears to have a lot of interest too. The man from last week didn't make it, but he still seems interested.

It was amazing! For the first time in my mission experience so far, we hardly had ANY time for finding (we did maybe an hour or so on Thursday. . .) because we had SO many appointments! It felt good to have so much to do!

And on the train up to Takahashi to visit one of our Chinese potentials, our Chinese investigator came on board with two of his Chinese friends, one of whom wants to hear our message too!

We talked about this, and Elder Bronner and I think it has to do with obedience, companionship relation, our increased efforts on Book of Mormon study, and REAL faith. I felt that for a long time, every time I tried to exercise faith, it felt like part of me was still thinking "No, that can't happen, it won't work." I'm working on dispelling those thoughts. "Fear is like the clouds that veil the earth from the sun. Faith is like the morning rays that break when night is done!"

I tried making the banana cake. It was DELICIOUS! And the people I gave some of it to really enjoyed it.

Tried making the chicken spaghetti yesterday. . . DIVINE!!! But was I supposed to not drain the tomatoes/chilies? Good thing we still have leftovers. . . ;)

Hey, ask Brother Taniguchi if he has any relatives in Kurashiki. Our next-door neighbors bear the same last name. . .

Church is so colorful! The primary music director that sings opera (audible from the next room where priesthood meeting is held. . .), the Music Director during sacrament meeting who, in a couple of decades, could very well give Margaret Brown a run for her money (tee hee), the 28 year old Bishop who served a mission in Australia and taught us the Haka to perform with him during the talent show. . . This place is so great, and I love the time I'm spending here!

Well, I've got to run, but please pray for us and our investigators! Our teaching pool is larger than it's ever been and Elder Bronner and I need help knowing how best to follow up and act.

Elder Peterson

New Comp; into 3rd transfer

Wow, my second transfer is officially over! I am no longer a "bean chan" (well, technically I'd say I still am, but according to the mission norm, I guess I'm not.)

Last week we had two lessons on the day before transfers after we received our call from Isa Kaicho. First we met with Gana San and Branch President Yamane at the Church. Gana San is our Potential Investigator from Mongolia. The lesson went really well and she really wants to come to church. She wasn't able to make it yesterday, but we're going to offer the help of some church members to provide rides for her and her children. We've spoken with her husband over the phone a little bit, and I detect absolutely no opposition from him. It appears that they're both from a Christian background. I'm excited to see where this goes.

UMETANI SAN! She came to Church with Haruna Chan! I wasn't sure if she was going to come because she had been trying to gain the courage to talk with her husband about this religious stuff. But, sure enough, she asked him and he easily said it was okay for her to come to church! Now we'll have to see about whether or not he'll give her permission to be baptized, but then again, maybe Mr. Umetani will be willing to start meeting with us as well.

Wednesday, after our second lesson (with Yoshioka san) Yamane Kaicho drove us by the Umetani residence for Atkin Choro to say goodbye. Haruna-chan was so sad. It was heartbreaking; Atkin Choro was a really good big-brother figure for her. Umetani san herself even shed a few tears while they waved as we drove away. It's hard, but they're doing okay now.

Kajiuchi Choro is awesome! He's a very patient, open, enthusiastic companion. He really wants to learn English and has been working hard on it thus far over the year he's been on the mission. Wow, he even PRAYS in English every once in a while. This is so cool!

I still think it's amazing that I have my second Japanese companion already, but that's okay. I want to learn a lot from him, not only missionarily, but with Japanese and cooking too! Sugoi!

Our lesson with Umetani san on Friday morning went really well. We had prepared to teach her about the law of tithing (complete with the giving-of-cookies-and-requesting-10%-back example [thank you peanut butter chocolate chip truffles!]) but, as missionary work usually goes, you make your plan and then something else happens. She wanted to hear some scriptures that could help her find courage. So we talked and shared scriptures. Little by little, I'm understanding more and more... Not quite there yet, but I think it's close! I hope!

We did a bit of Area Book Dendo; we have a LOT of former investigator records, and many without any reason for why the person was dropped. So, we're going to be working with it a lot... Oh, and after Kajiuchi choro tried to call one to no avail, the person called back, and we have an appointment with him this Saturday at the church! AMAZING!

Question: when a recipe calls for one packet of yeast, approximately how many tablespoons is that? It works a bit different here in Japan -- no packets, just big amounts.

Ooh, while waiting for Kajiuchi choro, I warmed up the oven again and made an Apple pie!! Atkin Choro's recipe was a bit Japanese-itized, sweet but not too sweet. But wow, following the recipe from the old Okayama Mission cookbook, it's like American apple pie! And I made it without help! Ooh, then I did peanut butter truffles again. . . ;)

By the way, next time I send home a memory card, you'll be able to see my video tour of the apartment, complete with a showcase of my Apple pie. . . Tee hee. . .

I will email you next week! I'm getting over a bit of a cold, but I'm doing great!

Crazy Things, Amazing Places

I thought I'd start this week's email with a little Elder-Peterson moment (a name for goofy / clumsy / Elder-Peterson-esque things that I happen to do, accidentally, etc.)

So I requested the biscuits recipe, etc, saying that the oven would only go up to 250 degrees. . . Tee hee. That is true, honestly it is. . . But, 4 minutes after inserting the pan of Peanut Butter Cookies, I smelled the burn. . . I rushed to try and rescue them, but alas many of the company had been wounded in battle with the fearce flames of cuisine. "What on earth could have possibly happened!?" I asked myself as I stammared in unbelief at the dreadful scene.

"Oh yeah. . . It's Japan. . . Not only do they use the metrics system here, but they go by Celsius, not Fahrenheight. . ."

So, with a wave of my magic wand (aka the cellular phone's conversion tool), I figured it out. Brilliant. . . I know, no no, hold the applause, please ;)

Oh, and concerning the biscuits, they almost flopped, dreadfully. First of all, we couldn't find actual shortening, so we went with "Fat Spread". Second, we couldn't figure out the Japanese name for "Buttermilk" and couldn't find it, so we went with "Yogurt Milk". Third, the yeast only came in one big pouch, not individual packets, so I poured about half of it in, and it might have been way too much.

Well, as much of a hassle as the process was, I finally got the beasties into the oven, and they turned out surprisingly well. Almost the same as Angel Biscuits. . . almost.

Yeah, the Swedish Meatballs almost flopped too. . . But, enough of the cooking scene, and on to the Dendo News.

Umetani San did not come to church this week. We had two lessons with her this last week, and a Cooking Activity at the church on Saturday where Atkin Choro taught how to make apple pie. It seems like she's still struggling with telling her husband about us, church, and everything. But, we got a call from her this morning. Atkin choro was talking with her for a while. We prayed with her, and she said a prayer too. She felt really bad about not coming to church, and was having a hard time. But the spirit was there, even though it was a phone call. Things are going to work out, I know they are. She has a testimony, and is just going through another trial of faith.

I probably mentioned this before, but Pres. Isa keeps talking about creating whirlpools. I keep realizing more and more what this means. We've had a member with us at just about every lesson we've had with Umetani San this transfer. The difference is AMAZING! Wow. . .

Transfers are this week. We find out on Wednesday whether one of us, both of us, or neither of us are transfering, and then the transfer will happen on Thursday. I don't really want to leave. I want to see other areas of the mission, to be able to see more and more of Japan, but I suppose that it's a slightly selfish desire.

Miracles keep happening here, like our Potential Investigator from Mongolia who speaks perfect Japanese, and has a Christian background, wants to come to church, and has an appointment with us at the church building on Wednesday this week! I want to see the results of the seeds that have been planted. If I am blessed with the opportunity of staying in Izumo for another transfer, I think I'm going to see a baptism, and hopefully, help a few others onto the road to Baptism as well.

As far as my companion relationship goes, things are pretty well. I keep learning the importance of just loving him and working together in unity with him.

On Sunday, we got to drive with the Branch President and another Member (Sister Hori) to visit some less active members. We drove by the sea! So beautiful! Hopefully, some of the people we visited will be able to come to activities, and even better to church. The area is kind of spread out though, it takes a while to get to the building from some of the houses we visited, but we'll see. What a good time.

Oh, and we got to go with some of Atkin Choro's Former investigators to the Hinomisaki Lighthouse [to learn more about that click here, here, and/or here] on Thursday. Wow, that drive was AMAZING! Classic Japanese rolling mountainside, with the sea right next to you, with little clusters of houses and large shinto shrines nestled right down in the midst of brilliant greenery... It's amazing here!