I am in quite a good mood this week. I received Mom's package this week and I am so excited to make those brownies (and the BBQ Pringles are almost gone. . . :) we found an old cook book from the Okayama mission that has a brownie recipe in it, and it works out great too, but I am SOOOO excited to try those Duncan Hines brownies!!! MMMMM!! I love you! Thank you again for your sacrifices for me! I love you so much! I'm thankful for all the help you've given me. I'm thankful that you have supported me in my decisions and have trusted me to make them. My one year anniversary of actually starting Basic Training (ROTC/National Guard) is on the 6th of June. That was the beginning of a journey I needed to take. And it has all led to the here and now.
Thank you for the taco seasoning!!!! I made taco stuff twice this week. The first time I put in way too much water, but we had it over rice, topped with Doritos and salsa, and it was okay. But then we pulled out the tortillas that Kobayashi Choro left and we had real taco/burritos -- even with Taco Bell sauce left by a former missionary. Delicious! The oven in our apato (apartment) actually works, but just barely! It's pretty ancient and limited to 250 degrees.
Mom, I'm glad you liked my little package. I'm guessing this year's birthday was a lot better than last year's ... It's hard to believe a year has already passed since I left you all and headed to Missouri for Basic Training! Time seems to fly right by. I don't think I was able to adequately express my thanks for your last letter. Thank you for your words. When I received your letter, I was going through some rough times and your letter really helped a lot. I want to talk about a couple of things that have changed for me. One is doing dishes a lot. Yeah, back when I was home, I didn't like to do dishes at all. It might just be that if I don't do dishes, we won't have clean dishes... but I have no problem doing them sow. So I'll make sure to help out a lot more when I'm home.
Last week's Zone Meeting and Interview with President Isa were both very good. I'm slowly understanding a little more of what Pres. Isa says in Japanese. . . but I did need some help from Atkin Choro for translation. Yeah, Pres. Isa is fluent in English, but there are a lot of Japanese Missionaries in the Zone, and not all of them speak English. But that's okay! It's hard to understand sometimes, but when I do understand parts and things start to click together, it's awesome!
Remember that we had to take dessert to the Zone meeting: Well, my Cinnamon Cake and Apple Crisp desserts worked out okay, but I forgot the cinnamon in the apple crisp, oh well. . . :)
Things in Izumo are doing quite well! Umetani San CAME TO CHURCH on Sunday!!!! It was the first time I've had an investigator at church with me! Her daughter Haruna came too. Elder Atkin went with her to Primary, and I *"ganbaro"'d with Umetani San in Sunday School with Brother Hamamura (he is such an awesome, fun, enthusiastic teacher!) *Ganbaru is a Japanese word which here means "to hang in there" or "try hard" etc. Sometimes it's easier even in our English conversations to still use the Japanese words, because sometimes, the translations in Japanese are easier than the English way of saying things. . . ;)
Umetani san loved church! And she understood things for the most part. She wants to be baptized; now we're praying for her to gain the courage to tell her husband. . . But hey, one of the miracles from this last week is that she was way nervous to ask her husband if she could go to church. She finally asked him and . . . He said "Yeah, no problem"!
And Haruna was amazing in Primary! She was the first person to raise her hand when the teacher asked, "Okay, who knows who God is?" She was also the first person to volunteer for prayer, and gave both the opening and closing prayers! And this was her first time at church!!
Things are just working out -- with our investigators, with contacting people who showed interest in being taught, and such. We must be doing something right. When I get those down notions that "I'm not doing enough" and “I need to be doing more" . . . Maybe for the current situation, I am doing enough.
One of our Zone Goals is to find something new from Preach My Gospel every week that we're not doing and to try doing it. I've been experimenting with Praying in Faith. I think Sundy told me about that activity from Chapter 4 about having prayers led by the spirit. I tried to work on my prayers a while ago, but I kind of slipped back into a little routine. Well, anyway, I've been really focusing on avoiding the whole "pick up the phone, order groceries, and hang up" style of prayer. I've been trying harder to pray in faith for things like my relationship with Elder Atkin, our Investigators, being able to meet with people, etc.. I'm not saying it's just because of MY prayers, but I think it's been having an effect. Prayer really is powerful when it is offered with a sincere heart. It seems like sometimes we fall into these little ruts of praying to God, but not really thinking about how he can actually hear us, and about how he actually cares about us. Try it out, look at that Evaluate your Prayers activity from Chapter 4 of PMG.
I'm glad I get to be working with Atkin Choro. We are pretty different; we share some similar interests but our senses of humor are completely different. And, I get the feeling that he thinks I'm a stick in the mud when I don't laugh at all of his jokes. Don't worry -- things are fine. We just both need to appreciate and understand each other better.
Well, transfers are coming up soon. It's crazy how time has flown by! And here I am in the start of my 6th month of the Mission. Wow. . . Well, obviously, we can't know ahead of time if we'll be transferred or not. . . But I would love to stay in Izumo another transfer! Elder Kobayashi got three transfers here, so maybe I will too! We'll see!
Showing posts with label language barrier. Show all posts
Showing posts with label language barrier. Show all posts
Monday, June 1, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Some Scary, Some Miracles, Still Loving Japan
Good news, we're at the Science Center! So that means more email time. I had a chance to read through emails for once! Please send my love to the Greens. I am so thankful for this gospel. Losing loved ones is still hard, but we know where we're from, why we're here, and where we're going! This life is not all there is. This knowledge has kept me going. I remember one night back when I was in elementary school. I couldn't sleep, thinking about death. I was so scared, so afraid of dying. . . So sad about the ones I loved dying. . . I don't know why, I was only in elementary school but still. . . I guess the Plan of Salvation just hadn't clicked with me yet. But now it has. Now, I'm not deathly afraid of death. Now I know that I will see the ones I love again.
Last week started with a "District" Preparation Day, a trip to Izumo Taisha. Yeah, Elder Kobayashi and I had been there before, but this was the first time that everyone was able to come to Izumo. And we got to go to the museum this time; there is a lot of rich history here. Oh, and we were crossing this small bridge to get to the main Taisha area, and it was just so. . . so JAPAN! Green everywhere, a little river/canal running north and south in between a tunnel created with humongous trees on the sides, leaves everywhere. . . mystical!!!
That night at FHE, we had the same non-member who's been coming every week for quite a few weeks! She's one of the ward member's friends. We watched Testaments. I hope she felt the spirit, because I did - every time I watch that movie. Now we just have to find a good way to invite her to be taught.
Tuesday, while coming back from a member's house (who fed us a truly cultural lunch; look up daikon and renkon, see if you can find some pictures. Slightly interesting, but delicious, ooh takenoko (bamboo shoots) too.
I had a slightly scary experience. We were biking down this hill. On the way up, it was like the hill of death. SO steep, but we kept biking and overcame. . . Anyway, we were going maybe a little fast. . . But suddenly, from my upper peripheral vision, I saw a shape break loose from the branches over my head. I thought it was a branch, and ducked for some reason, but looked up to see that it was a bird, a big hawk or something. I had this. . . prompting(?) to pay attention to the road, which snapped my head instantly downward in time to see a car speeding around the bend, hidden seconds before. I slammed on the breaks, as did they I hope, and didn't make contact. Don't worry, I'm usually safe but I have been making a more controlled effort to not go too fast since. . . Scary.
So, it's not really a ghost story. BUT, kind of freaky (yeah, this week was filled with interesting experiences). I think I told you about Tony (the man from China) a few weeks ago. He told us he was moving, and had given us the address of his friend's house where he would be living. On Tuesday, during the exchange, Elder Kobayashi and Elder Mahoney went to try to find the new place. They found it, but no one was home. They found a man before hand that had said something like "Yeah, you should probably get headed home, before it gets dark." So yes, maybe I went in with a pre-conceived notion that it would be scary. . . But on Saturday, after biking 30 minutes to get to this awesome, mountain-side country area (it had been raining hard earlier in the day, by the way). We biked under this huge, tall train track bridge, sweet. . . Oh, and it was dark the whole time. We get to the hill by Tony's new residence. Too steep to bike, so we walked our bikes up. Perhaps it was the noise of dogs barking in the distance, the abundance of Japanese grave sites, or the creepy far-from-civilization feeling, but I started to get a little nervous. We got to the house, the light suddenly turned on (making me jump a little). And then I jumped again when I saw two figures behind us, only to realize it was just our reflection in one of the street mirrors that are everywhere here in Japan. Yeah, I felt as if I was in one of those horror films or something. Thankfully someone was home - Tony's friend. He let us know that Tony hadn't moved yet. Getting back to our bikes, I looked a bit further up the hill to this tall building. Elder Kobayashi said they had handed out a book of Mormon at a house near the building last time. He also said the building was some kind of factory. Part of me wanted to check it out. . . But the bigger part was saying "GET OUT OF HERE!" So yeah, maybe I'm dramatizing things a bit. . . But it kind of felt like there were eyes following us as we rode down the hill, I didn't feel comfortable until we had gotten back to the main road. . . Whoah. . . Creepy.
Onto more happy subjects! Yesterday we had Branch Conference. The Stake Presidency was there. Stake President Swaysey! He's an American! He looked familiar too. His Japanese was flawless though. He's probably in his late 50's. As usual, I couldn't understand a lot of what was being said, but I picked up parts. And there was a prior Izumo-serving Missionary in the congregation, Sister Utsumi. She lives in Kobe, and it turns out that Elder Everts, my first district leader at the MTC, is serving in her area, and home ward. Small world!
After the meeting, they had a Branch lunch. Awesome! I was able to chat a bit with some of the various visitors from Okayama who were there (Izumo Branch is in the Okayama Stake). I mean, I'm still not very good conversationally, but I am actually able to talk with people! Like this nice Stake Presidency Member that went to UVSC ten years ago. I'm still not very skilled at contacting though. I'm trying to look for ways to be better, and speak more naturally. To not try to just force some repetitious schpeel out, but to really try to talk to people. I don't know how, but I made a resolve to just have faith and say "I can" in my head as opposed to "I can't".
So, we went housing afterward. We found a 16 year old boy named Hirai, who just happens to have the same birthday as me. AWESOME!! He had interest in learning about Christianity, he had studied a bit in school before. We gave him a Book of Mormon. It might be a little difficult because of possible opposition from the parents, but I will go forward with faith!
Then the miralce! After an awesome contact which ended with handing out a Plan of Salvation pamphlet to an interested woman, we housed along the complex with not too much success. But then we found Sakioka san. We asked her if missionaries had ever come by before. She said yes. It turns out that quite some time ago, she was an investigator. The Missionaries had given her a Book of Mormon, but then had returned to America. She wasn't in the area book, it must have been a LONG time ago. She was a little busy, but honestly said that we could come back later. Then, on our way down the stairs, her daughter came running out to give us a bag of fruit and wish us good luck! AWESOME!!
I am happy to be here. Yes, I get a little down at times but then I pick myself back up. Please pray for me as I try to work on my contacting skills. I love you so much!!
Last week started with a "District" Preparation Day, a trip to Izumo Taisha. Yeah, Elder Kobayashi and I had been there before, but this was the first time that everyone was able to come to Izumo. And we got to go to the museum this time; there is a lot of rich history here. Oh, and we were crossing this small bridge to get to the main Taisha area, and it was just so. . . so JAPAN! Green everywhere, a little river/canal running north and south in between a tunnel created with humongous trees on the sides, leaves everywhere. . . mystical!!!
That night at FHE, we had the same non-member who's been coming every week for quite a few weeks! She's one of the ward member's friends. We watched Testaments. I hope she felt the spirit, because I did - every time I watch that movie. Now we just have to find a good way to invite her to be taught.
Tuesday, while coming back from a member's house (who fed us a truly cultural lunch; look up daikon and renkon, see if you can find some pictures. Slightly interesting, but delicious, ooh takenoko (bamboo shoots) too.
I had a slightly scary experience. We were biking down this hill. On the way up, it was like the hill of death. SO steep, but we kept biking and overcame. . . Anyway, we were going maybe a little fast. . . But suddenly, from my upper peripheral vision, I saw a shape break loose from the branches over my head. I thought it was a branch, and ducked for some reason, but looked up to see that it was a bird, a big hawk or something. I had this. . . prompting(?) to pay attention to the road, which snapped my head instantly downward in time to see a car speeding around the bend, hidden seconds before. I slammed on the breaks, as did they I hope, and didn't make contact. Don't worry, I'm usually safe but I have been making a more controlled effort to not go too fast since. . . Scary.
So, it's not really a ghost story. BUT, kind of freaky (yeah, this week was filled with interesting experiences). I think I told you about Tony (the man from China) a few weeks ago. He told us he was moving, and had given us the address of his friend's house where he would be living. On Tuesday, during the exchange, Elder Kobayashi and Elder Mahoney went to try to find the new place. They found it, but no one was home. They found a man before hand that had said something like "Yeah, you should probably get headed home, before it gets dark." So yes, maybe I went in with a pre-conceived notion that it would be scary. . . But on Saturday, after biking 30 minutes to get to this awesome, mountain-side country area (it had been raining hard earlier in the day, by the way). We biked under this huge, tall train track bridge, sweet. . . Oh, and it was dark the whole time. We get to the hill by Tony's new residence. Too steep to bike, so we walked our bikes up. Perhaps it was the noise of dogs barking in the distance, the abundance of Japanese grave sites, or the creepy far-from-civilization feeling, but I started to get a little nervous. We got to the house, the light suddenly turned on (making me jump a little). And then I jumped again when I saw two figures behind us, only to realize it was just our reflection in one of the street mirrors that are everywhere here in Japan. Yeah, I felt as if I was in one of those horror films or something. Thankfully someone was home - Tony's friend. He let us know that Tony hadn't moved yet. Getting back to our bikes, I looked a bit further up the hill to this tall building. Elder Kobayashi said they had handed out a book of Mormon at a house near the building last time. He also said the building was some kind of factory. Part of me wanted to check it out. . . But the bigger part was saying "GET OUT OF HERE!" So yeah, maybe I'm dramatizing things a bit. . . But it kind of felt like there were eyes following us as we rode down the hill, I didn't feel comfortable until we had gotten back to the main road. . . Whoah. . . Creepy.
Onto more happy subjects! Yesterday we had Branch Conference. The Stake Presidency was there. Stake President Swaysey! He's an American! He looked familiar too. His Japanese was flawless though. He's probably in his late 50's. As usual, I couldn't understand a lot of what was being said, but I picked up parts. And there was a prior Izumo-serving Missionary in the congregation, Sister Utsumi. She lives in Kobe, and it turns out that Elder Everts, my first district leader at the MTC, is serving in her area, and home ward. Small world!
After the meeting, they had a Branch lunch. Awesome! I was able to chat a bit with some of the various visitors from Okayama who were there (Izumo Branch is in the Okayama Stake). I mean, I'm still not very good conversationally, but I am actually able to talk with people! Like this nice Stake Presidency Member that went to UVSC ten years ago. I'm still not very skilled at contacting though. I'm trying to look for ways to be better, and speak more naturally. To not try to just force some repetitious schpeel out, but to really try to talk to people. I don't know how, but I made a resolve to just have faith and say "I can" in my head as opposed to "I can't".
So, we went housing afterward. We found a 16 year old boy named Hirai, who just happens to have the same birthday as me. AWESOME!! He had interest in learning about Christianity, he had studied a bit in school before. We gave him a Book of Mormon. It might be a little difficult because of possible opposition from the parents, but I will go forward with faith!
Then the miralce! After an awesome contact which ended with handing out a Plan of Salvation pamphlet to an interested woman, we housed along the complex with not too much success. But then we found Sakioka san. We asked her if missionaries had ever come by before. She said yes. It turns out that quite some time ago, she was an investigator. The Missionaries had given her a Book of Mormon, but then had returned to America. She wasn't in the area book, it must have been a LONG time ago. She was a little busy, but honestly said that we could come back later. Then, on our way down the stairs, her daughter came running out to give us a bag of fruit and wish us good luck! AWESOME!!
I am happy to be here. Yes, I get a little down at times but then I pick myself back up. Please pray for me as I try to work on my contacting skills. I love you so much!!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Birthday and Zone Conference
My dear marvelous, spectacular loved ones!
I got the birthday packages on Thursday April 16th, the morning after we got back from Zone Conference. Thank you soooooo much! It's fine that I didn't get them on the 14th because technically it wasn't really the 14th yet on the American Timeline anyway, so it's all good.
Last Monday night, we had a little birthday dinner at a nice Japanese Family restaurant "Joyful". Kobayashi Choro payed for my meal!! What a swell companion!
Okay, Zone Conference was AMAZING! Even the 4-hour bus ride was spectacular. I sat there staring out the window almost the whole time, drinking in the beautiful Japanese scenery. I think I'm over the dream phase, but still, I'm living my dream every day.
So we get to Okayama, it was nice to be back in the big city scene. Not as big as Hiroshima but lots of tall buildings. We stopped at a little imported foods store and bought some goodies. I selected BBQ Pringles. . . mmmm. . . :)
We met up at the church in Okayama and had a meeting about General Conference. It was so much fun! There were three zones there, I think. We split up into groups of 6. Some of the groups talked in English, but I was the only "bean chan" in my group so it was in Japanese. BUT I did pick up some of it. Still, the hardest part is listening, but I'm getting better, slowly.
That night was so much fun. There were so many elders in one apartment. . . don't worry, in spite of all the fun I still made it to bed on time. . . But I had forgotten my pajamas, but that's okay. I ALWAYS forget something whenever I go on camp-outs or overnighters.
The next morning, Elder Evans gave an awesome conference. He talked a lot about referrals, especially working with recently baptized members. Well, we don't have any recently baptized members in Izumo, but that will change soon. I left the conference with a new resolve to be better and try harder; life is good!
I wish I could remember more from the conference to say. I did take notes, but they're at home. Just know that I am starting to gain a greater testimony that the leaders in our Church really are inspired with what to say to us, and how to help us.
Yes, thank you for those DVD's, I was SOOOO excited. And the CD's are amazing. Really, holy cow. Those Birthday packages were so wonderful, and I am very thankful and appreciative!
I loved the tape. Thank you for your love, and know that I have nothing but love for you!
Okay, so a bit more about the sights and sounds, descriptive stuffs, etc. On Saturday, we went with the branch president to take invitations for Branch Conference to less-active members. Some of them lived DEEP in the Japanese mountain side. What a blessing it was. Oh my goodness, the mountain air, the little mountain villages nestled among all the lush green trees and rivers, wedged up into the mountain sides. And we had to travel through a really long tunnel to get there. I got so excited as we neared the end of the tunnel for some reason. And then we exited; it was breathtaking. I am in paradise. My mind was brimming with story ideas. I just have to write them down, and save them for use after the mission I guess.
Sorry for the short length of this email. The science center was closed today and out of the thirty minutes the library gave us, ten were spent waiting for the connection to the LDS mail service to go through. I really will send more in the future. I love you, and I promise that next week's email will be brimming with color, sight, sound, smell, and description.
Thank you my dear family, and please let Sister Green know that I love her!
Love,
Elder Peterson
I got the birthday packages on Thursday April 16th, the morning after we got back from Zone Conference. Thank you soooooo much! It's fine that I didn't get them on the 14th because technically it wasn't really the 14th yet on the American Timeline anyway, so it's all good.
Last Monday night, we had a little birthday dinner at a nice Japanese Family restaurant "Joyful". Kobayashi Choro payed for my meal!! What a swell companion!
Okay, Zone Conference was AMAZING! Even the 4-hour bus ride was spectacular. I sat there staring out the window almost the whole time, drinking in the beautiful Japanese scenery. I think I'm over the dream phase, but still, I'm living my dream every day.
So we get to Okayama, it was nice to be back in the big city scene. Not as big as Hiroshima but lots of tall buildings. We stopped at a little imported foods store and bought some goodies. I selected BBQ Pringles. . . mmmm. . . :)
We met up at the church in Okayama and had a meeting about General Conference. It was so much fun! There were three zones there, I think. We split up into groups of 6. Some of the groups talked in English, but I was the only "bean chan" in my group so it was in Japanese. BUT I did pick up some of it. Still, the hardest part is listening, but I'm getting better, slowly.
That night was so much fun. There were so many elders in one apartment. . . don't worry, in spite of all the fun I still made it to bed on time. . . But I had forgotten my pajamas, but that's okay. I ALWAYS forget something whenever I go on camp-outs or overnighters.
The next morning, Elder Evans gave an awesome conference. He talked a lot about referrals, especially working with recently baptized members. Well, we don't have any recently baptized members in Izumo, but that will change soon. I left the conference with a new resolve to be better and try harder; life is good!
I wish I could remember more from the conference to say. I did take notes, but they're at home. Just know that I am starting to gain a greater testimony that the leaders in our Church really are inspired with what to say to us, and how to help us.
Yes, thank you for those DVD's, I was SOOOO excited. And the CD's are amazing. Really, holy cow. Those Birthday packages were so wonderful, and I am very thankful and appreciative!
I loved the tape. Thank you for your love, and know that I have nothing but love for you!
Okay, so a bit more about the sights and sounds, descriptive stuffs, etc. On Saturday, we went with the branch president to take invitations for Branch Conference to less-active members. Some of them lived DEEP in the Japanese mountain side. What a blessing it was. Oh my goodness, the mountain air, the little mountain villages nestled among all the lush green trees and rivers, wedged up into the mountain sides. And we had to travel through a really long tunnel to get there. I got so excited as we neared the end of the tunnel for some reason. And then we exited; it was breathtaking. I am in paradise. My mind was brimming with story ideas. I just have to write them down, and save them for use after the mission I guess.
Sorry for the short length of this email. The science center was closed today and out of the thirty minutes the library gave us, ten were spent waiting for the connection to the LDS mail service to go through. I really will send more in the future. I love you, and I promise that next week's email will be brimming with color, sight, sound, smell, and description.
Thank you my dear family, and please let Sister Green know that I love her!
Love,
Elder Peterson
Friday, April 17, 2009
Snail Mail; April 6th
Dear Family,
This morning a really nice lady, Fukushira San, paid for our lunch at a nice hotel buffet. She's an Eikaiwa (English Class student) and has been, for about 20 years -- still not a member. But she's really kind and loves the missionaries. It was so nice of her, and so nice to eat while overlooking some of Izumo's only Sakura trees in full bloom.
So, I got a letter from Grandma and Grandpa. Jared got called to Guatemala??!! Awesome!
Something happened at Family Home Evening that gave me a little boost. While we were packing up on our bicycles, one of the members -- Aiko Yamato, started talking to a fellow member, probably not knowing that I could understand her. Something to the effect of, "Wow, most bean-chans (greenies) don't talk very much at first. He's pretty smart." I don't talk a lot; my conversational skills still aren't very good. But I'm trying, and someone making a comment like that made me really happy!
I'm really going to kick into gear. The Lord is preparing people to talk with us. He's just waiting for me to step up and prove that I'm willing to talk with everyone. So I will. I have had some amazing experiences when I have opened my mouth. Wow. The power is real. I just have to be bold and open my mouth.
Love you!
Elder Peterson
This morning a really nice lady, Fukushira San, paid for our lunch at a nice hotel buffet. She's an Eikaiwa (English Class student) and has been, for about 20 years -- still not a member. But she's really kind and loves the missionaries. It was so nice of her, and so nice to eat while overlooking some of Izumo's only Sakura trees in full bloom.
So, I got a letter from Grandma and Grandpa. Jared got called to Guatemala??!! Awesome!
Something happened at Family Home Evening that gave me a little boost. While we were packing up on our bicycles, one of the members -- Aiko Yamato, started talking to a fellow member, probably not knowing that I could understand her. Something to the effect of, "Wow, most bean-chans (greenies) don't talk very much at first. He's pretty smart." I don't talk a lot; my conversational skills still aren't very good. But I'm trying, and someone making a comment like that made me really happy!
I'm really going to kick into gear. The Lord is preparing people to talk with us. He's just waiting for me to step up and prove that I'm willing to talk with everyone. So I will. I have had some amazing experiences when I have opened my mouth. Wow. The power is real. I just have to be bold and open my mouth.
Love you!
Elder Peterson
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sharing the Gospel: No More Comfort Zone
I was very excited Thursday afternoon after a lesson with Umetani san when she agreed to come to Church with her daughter on Sunday! Alas, the opposition that seems to never cease from the adversary got in the way. It looks like her husband doesn't really like religion, and she didn't want to cause any problems. We tried calling again later to see if she could come, but alas this week was no good. The good thing: she wants to come to church! So, we're still praying that the way will be opened for her, and I know it will!
Wednesday was a Zone Meeting and interview session with President Isa. They did most of the meeting in Japanese, and most of it flew by me. However, I did get some of the gist of it, and there were parts that they did in English too, so that's good. It made me so excited. I keep hearing of miracles, and coming up soon, there are six people in the Kure area about to be baptised. SIX, in the same area, it is possible!!!
However, I haven't been giving it as much as I should be. There was an article from March's Ensign from Elder Don R.Clarke, Learning to Share the Gospel. The article was talking about people being placed in the Missionaries' path because they were striving to talk to everyone. The Lord knew that he could trust them to talk with everyone, so that's why He was placing the people there. I want this to be fulfilled in my mission, and for some reason, I've been hiding behind some kind of comfort zone barrier. I've resolved to stop. I want the blessings. I want to help these people, I want my mission to mean something. And if I can just step up to the bat to do my part in really talking with everyone, I'm going to start seeing a lot more miracles.
From March's presidency message, near the end, Pres. Monson talked about a story where he made a promise to one of his missionaries that would be fulfilled if he honestly and diligently served God in proclaiming His message. Well, the first night at the Mission Home, I received a promise too. It wasn't a real formal one. After a lot of awesome Japanese conversation that I didn't understand, President Isa asked us new Missionaries: "Did you understand that?" Obviously we hadn't. "You will."
So there I have it. I have received a promise from my mission president that I will understand this language, and that I will be able to communicate with these wonderful, kind, amazing people. He didn't talk about the underlying sacrifice/commitment to do my best that's involved, but I know it's there.
So please pray for me that I can just burst out of my comfort zone. I know, I've done scarier things, but at Ft. Leonard Wood (ROTC/National Guard) the consequences for lack of action were a lot more obvious and painful. These consequences are subtle and spiritually painful. I can do this. I know I can, but only with divine help. I will do my part.
I love you. I am so blessed. The lord's tender mercies are so evident sometimes.
Wednesday was a Zone Meeting and interview session with President Isa. They did most of the meeting in Japanese, and most of it flew by me. However, I did get some of the gist of it, and there were parts that they did in English too, so that's good. It made me so excited. I keep hearing of miracles, and coming up soon, there are six people in the Kure area about to be baptised. SIX, in the same area, it is possible!!!
However, I haven't been giving it as much as I should be. There was an article from March's Ensign from Elder Don R.Clarke, Learning to Share the Gospel. The article was talking about people being placed in the Missionaries' path because they were striving to talk to everyone. The Lord knew that he could trust them to talk with everyone, so that's why He was placing the people there. I want this to be fulfilled in my mission, and for some reason, I've been hiding behind some kind of comfort zone barrier. I've resolved to stop. I want the blessings. I want to help these people, I want my mission to mean something. And if I can just step up to the bat to do my part in really talking with everyone, I'm going to start seeing a lot more miracles.
From March's presidency message, near the end, Pres. Monson talked about a story where he made a promise to one of his missionaries that would be fulfilled if he honestly and diligently served God in proclaiming His message. Well, the first night at the Mission Home, I received a promise too. It wasn't a real formal one. After a lot of awesome Japanese conversation that I didn't understand, President Isa asked us new Missionaries: "Did you understand that?" Obviously we hadn't. "You will."
So there I have it. I have received a promise from my mission president that I will understand this language, and that I will be able to communicate with these wonderful, kind, amazing people. He didn't talk about the underlying sacrifice/commitment to do my best that's involved, but I know it's there.
So please pray for me that I can just burst out of my comfort zone. I know, I've done scarier things, but at Ft. Leonard Wood (ROTC/National Guard) the consequences for lack of action were a lot more obvious and painful. These consequences are subtle and spiritually painful. I can do this. I know I can, but only with divine help. I will do my part.
I love you. I am so blessed. The lord's tender mercies are so evident sometimes.
Monday, March 23, 2009
1st E-mail From Japan: Pinch Me
My Dearest family, loved ones, friends, and whoever else might read this:
こんいちは！！！ （Ｋｏｎｎｉｃｈｉ ｗａ）
(sorry if there are repeats - writing English on this keyboard is a little tricky. Yes, it has English letters, but it's designed for Japanese.)
So much has happened in the last week, so many awesome and crazy Japanese adventures that it's hard for me to believe that this is real. Please, pinch me, I must still be dreaming.
Well, I'll start off with a request: Please write! Every letter I get is like a Christmas present. Family, you're exempt because of the email thing :).
Here's my current address:
Elder Paul Gregory Peterson
Izumo-shi, Watarihashi-cho,
469 Loftee KS 202
693-0004 Japan
So, we arrived at the Tokyo Narita airport a little after 3:00PM. We had a little layover before boarding the flight to Hiroshima. There were a lot of marines on our flight. I guess there's a military base near Iwakuni/Yanai. I'll let you know if I ever get transfered there.
I had my first contacting experience while we were waiting for the Hiroshima flight. There was a teenager sitting next to me, so I started up a conversation using my "Kikuchi Card" (they pick the most important item on the card, and we relate it to the gospel). It's still hard for me to express myself as much as I want to, but it was a good experience. I gave her a pamphlet for the Plan of Salvation. Sugoi!
So, we got to Hiroshima, and I smelled the poignant sea air as we walked from the plane to the airport's interior. I love that smell, it brings me back to those wonderful Ft. Monroe days.
We approached the baggage claim and saw our welcoming party - a group of Elders holding a "Welcome to the Japan Hiroshima Mission" sign. We couldn't talk to them because they were beyond the point-of-no-return glass doors, and we had point-of-no-return glass doors, and we had to wait for our luggage. That part was kind of awkward, but then all was good, and we proceeded. They were the Assistants to the Mission President. One who was heading home a couple of days later (whom I later found out was from Brazil) spoke almost no Japanese or English at the start of his mission, but then became fluent! The same will happen for Elder De Menezes! I know it!
President Isa is amazing. Wow, he is a spiritual rock. I wish you could meet him. I really am so lucky to be here. And to be here at this time. Everyone keeps saying that miracles are happening all over the mission. They don't know what it is, but that now is a good time to be here.
Sister Isa got your email mom, she told me to say Hello. Wow, she's like my new mom. My Japanese mom.
Ah! We got to go to the Hiroshima Peace Park. That hadn't been done with new missionaries before. Again, I got lucky! The feeling there was, wow ... It was very solemn. It made me think about the atonement in a different light. It made me think a bit more about how much Christ suffered for us, and how he felt all of the pain that those at Hiroshima felt.
Here's my spiritual thought portion: There is no pain, no fear, no worry, no grief, no heartache, and no struggle that the atonement cannot heal. Yes, some things might be more difficult to overcome, might take a little bit more time, but in the end, through Christ, all can be made whole.
That night we found out about our new areas and trainers. (After doing a little streeting, I went with one of the AP's - Elder Nielsen. We found two people who gave us numbers!!!! No way! One of them from me pulling out the kikuchi card semi-randomly, and then the other was a former investigator from a different area, but he moved to Hiroshima. AWESOME!
The next morning, I was accompanied to the station and rode the bus by myself to Izumo. Funny story: we took a pit stop somewhere. I thought the driver said that we would be taking a 33 minute break. It was actually that we'd be leaving at 9:33. haha good thing I went back to the bus anyway.
I talked with a nice man next to me. I was so afraid for some reason. It seemed like he would be kind of gruff or unfriendly. Nope, quite friendly. I gave him a pass-along card after talking a bit about families.
The Branch President was there (Yamane Kaicho - kaicho is the title for branch president) with Elder Kobayashi to pick me up! Elder Kobayashi is so cool! Sister Isa said he doesn't speak very much English, and yes, we mostly speak Japanese, and sometimes I understand ... but that's ok. I want to immerse myself! Even though I can't completely understand everything that's been said.
Yesterday at church, I felt as if I had come home. Wow, the people are so amazing. The branch is a little small, but the saints here are rock solid. They're all so familiar, and I feel their love. I'll try to send pictures of these beautiful people sometime: Hamamura, Sasaki, Sato, Kozumi, Maniwa, Maejima, Yoneda, they are all so warm and welcoming! (those are just a few names)
There's no way that I'll be able to tell you everything that's happening here. That'll have to wait for when I get back. But don't worry, I made a goal to write in my journal everyday, and I'll keep it!
Really, every day feels like a dream. I'm living in a Japanese apartment, sleeping on a futon on the floor, eating real Japanese food, seeing real Japanese scenery, and interacting with real Japanese people. I don't want this to end. I have never been happier. I am home.
Love, your son who just might be turning Japanese
P.S. Feel free to send packages of cookies or goodies to Elder De Menezes. He hardly ever got any mail, and he would love that!
こんいちは！！！ （Ｋｏｎｎｉｃｈｉ ｗａ）
(sorry if there are repeats - writing English on this keyboard is a little tricky. Yes, it has English letters, but it's designed for Japanese.)
So much has happened in the last week, so many awesome and crazy Japanese adventures that it's hard for me to believe that this is real. Please, pinch me, I must still be dreaming.
Well, I'll start off with a request: Please write! Every letter I get is like a Christmas present. Family, you're exempt because of the email thing :).
Here's my current address:
Elder Paul Gregory Peterson
Izumo-shi, Watarihashi-cho,
469 Loftee KS 202
693-0004 Japan
So, we arrived at the Tokyo Narita airport a little after 3:00PM. We had a little layover before boarding the flight to Hiroshima. There were a lot of marines on our flight. I guess there's a military base near Iwakuni/Yanai. I'll let you know if I ever get transfered there.
I had my first contacting experience while we were waiting for the Hiroshima flight. There was a teenager sitting next to me, so I started up a conversation using my "Kikuchi Card" (they pick the most important item on the card, and we relate it to the gospel). It's still hard for me to express myself as much as I want to, but it was a good experience. I gave her a pamphlet for the Plan of Salvation. Sugoi!
So, we got to Hiroshima, and I smelled the poignant sea air as we walked from the plane to the airport's interior. I love that smell, it brings me back to those wonderful Ft. Monroe days.
We approached the baggage claim and saw our welcoming party - a group of Elders holding a "Welcome to the Japan Hiroshima Mission" sign. We couldn't talk to them because they were beyond the point-of-no-return glass doors, and we had point-of-no-return glass doors, and we had to wait for our luggage. That part was kind of awkward, but then all was good, and we proceeded. They were the Assistants to the Mission President. One who was heading home a couple of days later (whom I later found out was from Brazil) spoke almost no Japanese or English at the start of his mission, but then became fluent! The same will happen for Elder De Menezes! I know it!
President Isa is amazing. Wow, he is a spiritual rock. I wish you could meet him. I really am so lucky to be here. And to be here at this time. Everyone keeps saying that miracles are happening all over the mission. They don't know what it is, but that now is a good time to be here.
Sister Isa got your email mom, she told me to say Hello. Wow, she's like my new mom. My Japanese mom.
Ah! We got to go to the Hiroshima Peace Park. That hadn't been done with new missionaries before. Again, I got lucky! The feeling there was, wow ... It was very solemn. It made me think about the atonement in a different light. It made me think a bit more about how much Christ suffered for us, and how he felt all of the pain that those at Hiroshima felt.
Here's my spiritual thought portion: There is no pain, no fear, no worry, no grief, no heartache, and no struggle that the atonement cannot heal. Yes, some things might be more difficult to overcome, might take a little bit more time, but in the end, through Christ, all can be made whole.
That night we found out about our new areas and trainers. (After doing a little streeting, I went with one of the AP's - Elder Nielsen. We found two people who gave us numbers!!!! No way! One of them from me pulling out the kikuchi card semi-randomly, and then the other was a former investigator from a different area, but he moved to Hiroshima. AWESOME!
The next morning, I was accompanied to the station and rode the bus by myself to Izumo. Funny story: we took a pit stop somewhere. I thought the driver said that we would be taking a 33 minute break. It was actually that we'd be leaving at 9:33. haha good thing I went back to the bus anyway.
I talked with a nice man next to me. I was so afraid for some reason. It seemed like he would be kind of gruff or unfriendly. Nope, quite friendly. I gave him a pass-along card after talking a bit about families.
The Branch President was there (Yamane Kaicho - kaicho is the title for branch president) with Elder Kobayashi to pick me up! Elder Kobayashi is so cool! Sister Isa said he doesn't speak very much English, and yes, we mostly speak Japanese, and sometimes I understand ... but that's ok. I want to immerse myself! Even though I can't completely understand everything that's been said.
Yesterday at church, I felt as if I had come home. Wow, the people are so amazing. The branch is a little small, but the saints here are rock solid. They're all so familiar, and I feel their love. I'll try to send pictures of these beautiful people sometime: Hamamura, Sasaki, Sato, Kozumi, Maniwa, Maejima, Yoneda, they are all so warm and welcoming! (those are just a few names)
There's no way that I'll be able to tell you everything that's happening here. That'll have to wait for when I get back. But don't worry, I made a goal to write in my journal everyday, and I'll keep it!
Really, every day feels like a dream. I'm living in a Japanese apartment, sleeping on a futon on the floor, eating real Japanese food, seeing real Japanese scenery, and interacting with real Japanese people. I don't want this to end. I have never been happier. I am home.
Love, your son who just might be turning Japanese
P.S. Feel free to send packages of cookies or goodies to Elder De Menezes. He hardly ever got any mail, and he would love that!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
MTC #3: More Communication
This week was pretty good. My companion and I are getting better at being on time. I've been trying to urge Elder D to wake up just a little bit earlier so we wouldn't have to rush as much to be on-time, but he was saying "Preach my gospel says 6:30". Well, after meeting with one of the Portuguese/Japanese teachers, he decided that he wants to start waking up at 6:00 and use the extra time to study. I usually wake up at 6:10 anyway, so I'm fine with the earlier wake up.
So, I can't remember if I said anything about this last week, but Elder D made a request to possibly transfer to a different district - one with a Portuguese/Japanese teacher. It's funny, there are about two or three Port/Japanese teachers, and none of them teach our class. Well, Branch Pres. Bird hasn't switched him yet, and doesn't want to switch him. Elder D doesn't really want to switch either, and I don't want him to. Communication is a little hard, as always, but it's okay. We're getting used to it.
Plus, Amorim Sensei (another person that knows Col. Fischer, by the way) has been coming twice a week to tutor Elder D. And now, Texiera Sensei is going to be meeting with him a bit to help him too. The Translation Game between Elder Everts and Elder D works a bit, but I think with all this extra tutoring help, Elder D should be okay.
I'm getting kind of nervous for Thursday, we're teaching lesson two. Elder D and I have read through it a few times, but I'm still working on my outlines and lesson plans. Hopefully, it'll all work out.
Ooh, and some exciting news for Elder D - tomorrow, we're teaching lesson 2 in Portuguese (Jacobson sensei's recomendation), to give elder D a chance to teach in his native language. I'm going to try and learn how to bear my testimony in Portuguese so I can participate a little.
Thanks for the packages! Everything is looking great! We went to the Devotional tonight - Elder Dickson of the seventy spoke and it was pretty good! BTW Elder Holland spoke last week! AMAZING!!!
Love you!
So, I can't remember if I said anything about this last week, but Elder D made a request to possibly transfer to a different district - one with a Portuguese/Japanese teacher. It's funny, there are about two or three Port/Japanese teachers, and none of them teach our class. Well, Branch Pres. Bird hasn't switched him yet, and doesn't want to switch him. Elder D doesn't really want to switch either, and I don't want him to. Communication is a little hard, as always, but it's okay. We're getting used to it.
Plus, Amorim Sensei (another person that knows Col. Fischer, by the way) has been coming twice a week to tutor Elder D. And now, Texiera Sensei is going to be meeting with him a bit to help him too. The Translation Game between Elder Everts and Elder D works a bit, but I think with all this extra tutoring help, Elder D should be okay.
I'm getting kind of nervous for Thursday, we're teaching lesson two. Elder D and I have read through it a few times, but I'm still working on my outlines and lesson plans. Hopefully, it'll all work out.
Ooh, and some exciting news for Elder D - tomorrow, we're teaching lesson 2 in Portuguese (Jacobson sensei's recomendation), to give elder D a chance to teach in his native language. I'm going to try and learn how to bear my testimony in Portuguese so I can participate a little.
Thanks for the packages! Everything is looking great! We went to the Devotional tonight - Elder Dickson of the seventy spoke and it was pretty good! BTW Elder Holland spoke last week! AMAZING!!!
Love you!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
MTC #2: Companions and Teaching
Tuesday night was wonderful, my district went to the temple with Elder De Menezes (hereby abbreviated as Elder D) as he went through for the first time. It was a wonderful experience. I got to serve as one of his escorts, the other was a Portuguese interpreter.
On Thursday night, we taught some "pretend" investigators. I was kind of nervous, but I thought it went okay. Then I realized all the things I did wrong. I was so worried about Elder D's language barrier that I completely forgot that it's not all about following a structured lesson pattern. We're supposed to teach based on the investigator's needs and interests. I was afraid that Elder D wouldn't know quite what to say, so I wrote some phrases down for him to use. We both agreed in Companion Study the next day that we wouldn't do that again. As long as we put enough effort into our studies, we will be able to go in there next time without anything written down.
That companion study on Friday last week was amazing. It was the first time pretty much that we were able to have an actual companion study session. Every other day almost, we were too busy with trying to figure out the problems with Elder D's bank card, and what not, but we've finally started a good flow of companion studies. I think we'll be a lot better off now. I'm still kind of nervous; we're teaching lesson one in English again on Thursday (with a 15 minute time period before hand using our get-to-know-you-in-Japanese skills). Egh, I'm even more nervous about three weeks almost from now when we have to teach lesson one in Japanese. Oh well, it will all work out.
I love my companion, and I'm trying to communicate with him to go to bed earlier, but he keeps staying up late. It keeps me up later because the light is so bright, even though it's just from the desk.
My Japanese is coming along quite well. I'm enjoying learning all this religious lingo. I have the basics pretty well covered, and it's helping me to pick up prayer and testimony stuff quite well. We got challenged to always pray in Japanese after we learned how, and so I have been. Even on Sunday, when I saw Bro. Eggett at MTC choir and he asked me to pray: I said it in Japanese. No, I wasn't just trying to grab attention. Okay, that might have been a small . . . NO! Really, I wasn't! I'm still working on obedience. I'm trying to keep my commitments! I can do this! Oh, and I saw Ellen Amatangelo, she took a picture for you, Lacey. That was kind of cool.
Well, my dear family, I love you so much! Next week, I'll bring my journal with me so I can remember a bit more to say. Ah, the stories, the memories, the people, it's all wonderful. Love you!
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