Actually, it's not too dreadful (although it is taking a toll on my Brazilian Companion, he can't BELIEVE that I don't feel that cold), but the cold weather has indeed started. Thankfully, we've been blessed to have a few air-conditioning/heating units in the apartment. They kept us cool during the hot months, and now they work for warmth!
No, I did NOT catch what my companion had. In fact, I wonder if it was the same thing I got in Izumo and passed on to Elder Kajiuchi. Or maybe it was just the fact that I drank just about 2 gallons of water every day we were in the apartment, in an attempt to keep whatever he had out of my system. Ooh, and lots of vitamin C (the oranges and mandarins here are DELICIOUS!)
Sunday was a tad bit stressful, but good. The reason: we had 9 people who are not members come to church! Only four were actual investigators (and one of those only made it for Elder's Quorum), but still! One of our Philipino investigators brought ALL of her daughters (she has four), and one of them brought a friend! And it seemed like they enjoy it. Rosalie is amazing, I can see her getting baptised VERY soon.
Well, my Japanese comprehension is growing. It's alot easier for me to follow along in conversations now. My speaking ability is getting better too, but sometimes I still can't express exactly what I want to say. Or maybe I just need more confidence. . . that's probably the problem.
We're going to Takahashi city for an activity with some ward members today. YES, we have an investigator, and a potential that we taught last week coming. We'll be hiking up to the Bichuu Matsu Yama Castle. Then we'll actually be staying for a bit to try to contact some former investigators.
So Transfers are this week. . . I try not to think about what happens with transfers, but I'll be fine no matter what happens. I would LOVE to stay in Kurashiki; we've been getting a lot of exciting things set up, and I would be blessed and honored to stay and see the results. But it's all in the Lord's hands.
We had an amazing Zone Conference this last week. Elder Aoyagi of the Seventy Came. It was very good. They took time to shake everyone's hands at the beginning and end. His wife even thanked me, commenting on how attentive I was (usually I'm not that attentive, but I've been trying... and it's hard when you can't understand what they're saying!!!)
During the Morning Session, we had some spur-of-the-moment interviews. Senior Companions were interviewed by Elder Aoyagi, and Juniors by President Isa. I was very thankful for that opportunity. I never cease to be amazed and impressed by Pres. Isa; I am very blessed to be here.
Side note: my fellow combat engineer in the ward showed me a picture from the conference ensign (we don't have English copies yet) of a Chaplain in full dress uniform! AWESOME!
We had a crazy haircut fiasco. . . And let's just say it was both of our faults, and my companion now has an army-esque buzzed head. . . a bit longer than that. Pres. Isa even asked me about that (laughingly, it's okay. . . ;)
Well, I've got to run, but I love you dearly!!
Elder Peterson
Showing posts with label mishaps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mishaps. Show all posts
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
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!
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!
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