I told him that we went to my sister and brother-in-law's restaurant in Mt. Pleasant called Pioneer House. Remember my post about it recently? Here's what he said about that and a few other things (like running or not due to his asthma and dislike of running) in his letter to me.
I am glad to hear that the Mercer's restaurant is doing really well. It sounds delicious. I'm sure it's still not as delicious as their food, but McDonalds is a lot better here than in America. We don't go too often, but I really can't complain about the quality of the food here.
I feel like I have grown so much more in these 6 months on a mission than I ever would have had I chosen to not come. My testimony has been strengthens so much, and I am just s completely different person than when I started already. I can't say what has changed specifically, but when I look back at my past self I see a huge difference. The changes are so gradual that it's hard to tell when or what is changing.
My shoes are holding up well, and I should be fine for a while yet. I don't really do too much different for exercise in the morning, but Elder F. wants to start running. I am a bit apprehensive about running in the mornings, but he might ask one of the other two to go with him. He hasn't started yet, because it's been cold in the mornings still over here.
I love so much of conference that it's hard to pick a favorite. I guess the one that is sticking out to me right now is Elder Holland's talk. I also loved Elder Eyring's from priesthood session.
Here's his letter to everyone:
Yesterday as I was sitting in a car on the way back to yonezawa from
Fukushima, I had a sudden enlightenment. I was looking out at two men
having a conversation and wondering about it as well as saw other
people walking by and watched the cars as they all moved towards their
destinations when it suddenly dawned on me: God our Loving Heavenly
Father knows all that goes on. He knows the conversations we have, he
knows the thoughts we have, and he knows where every single car is
heading. And he loves everyone even more than any earthly father has
ever loved his children. He cares about everything they do and wants
them to be happy. I've always believed it, but I've never known it as
strongly as I now know.
The week's kanji is: 従う pronounced sheet-a-gow and means to follow.
And now for the weekly summary.
Monday: we basically took full advantage of preparation day by
relaxing and not doing too much at all. In the evening we tried to
visit people, but no one was home.
Tuesday: we had DCS in the morning followed by visiting Brother Seino.
After that we had a planning meeting for a Easter party we had on
Saturday. We got all the last minute item out of the way, and then
went and bought most of the things we needed for the party. We then
went no tried to hang up an English class poster in a community
center, but they couldn't. We then went back to the apartment, had
dinner, and then closed the day.
Wednesday: in the morning we took a bus up to Sendai, and had a
meeting on health. When that ended, we had lunch all together, and
then had to catch a bus back to yonezawa. When we got back, we had
dinner and then taught English class. One of our zone leaders came
with us for companion exchanges with Elder P., so he helped me
with teaching advanced class.
Thursday: we went to visit Sister Taira and we had a great time
talking with her. She is a very strong member, and she has a lot of
faith. When we were going to leave, she surprised us by giving us each
a "white black thunder," a variant of a chocolate bar called black
thunder that is from Hokkaido (north of the main island). It was very
delicious. After that we went back to the apartment and we organized
less active records before we went to the church and passed out fliers
for our English class and waved at cars as they passed by so that they
could see the sign we made. The entire hour Elder F. spun a
basketball on his fingers, and he said that his fingers were raw for a
while after that. We then went to the Endo family and had an amazing
time with them. The mother had made great food, and we shared a good
message and got to play a few fun games with the kids before we left.
Sunday: at the last minute the night previous, we were asked if we
could go to Fukushima ward, so we did. The ward is still amazing, and
they are really healthy. They were all so amazed about the iPads, and
how many amazing things we can do to further missionary work. After
the church block, we had personal study, and then we got a ride back
to yonezawa. We tried to visit some people, and stopped by the shrine,
but there wasn't too much at the shrine when we went, and no one was
home. So we went back to the apartment and did language study and then
had dinner.
This week has flown by and I am amazed at how much has happened in
that blink of an eye. I hope that you are all doing well, and I truly
love all of you from the bottom of my heart.
Love,
Elder _____
 |
| This photo is a bit old (with his old companion Elder O.), but he said someone had it on their iPhone and he was just able to get a copy of it since he got an iPad. |
Here's his letter to everyone:
Yesterday as I was sitting in a car on the way back to yonezawa from
Fukushima, I had a sudden enlightenment. I was looking out at two men
having a conversation and wondering about it as well as saw other
people walking by and watched the cars as they all moved towards their
destinations when it suddenly dawned on me: God our Loving Heavenly
Father knows all that goes on. He knows the conversations we have, he
knows the thoughts we have, and he knows where every single car is
heading. And he loves everyone even more than any earthly father has
ever loved his children. He cares about everything they do and wants
them to be happy. I've always believed it, but I've never known it as
strongly as I now know.
The week's kanji is: 従う pronounced sheet-a-gow and means to follow.
Monday: we basically took full advantage of preparation day by
relaxing and not doing too much at all. In the evening we tried to
visit people, but no one was home.
Tuesday: we had DCS in the morning followed by visiting Brother Seino.
After that we had a planning meeting for a Easter party we had on
Saturday. We got all the last minute item out of the way, and then
went and bought most of the things we needed for the party. We then
went no tried to hang up an English class poster in a community
center, but they couldn't. We then went back to the apartment, had
dinner, and then closed the day.
Wednesday: in the morning we took a bus up to Sendai, and had a
meeting on health. When that ended, we had lunch all together, and
then had to catch a bus back to yonezawa. When we got back, we had
dinner and then taught English class. One of our zone leaders came
with us for companion exchanges with Elder P., so he helped me
with teaching advanced class.
Thursday: we went to visit Sister Taira and we had a great time
talking with her. She is a very strong member, and she has a lot of
faith. When we were going to leave, she surprised us by giving us each
a "white black thunder," a variant of a chocolate bar called black
thunder that is from Hokkaido (north of the main island). It was very
delicious. After that we went back to the apartment and we organized
less active records before we went to the church and passed out fliers
for our English class and waved at cars as they passed by so that they
could see the sign we made. The entire hour Elder F. spun a
basketball on his fingers, and he said that his fingers were raw for a
while after that. We then went to the Endo family and had an amazing
time with them. The mother had made great food, and we shared a good
message and got to play a few fun games with the kids before we left.
Friday: we did weekly planning so the majority of our day was inside.
When we got most of it finished, we went and tried to visit some less
active members, but we didn't have too much success with meeting any
of them. So we returned to the apartment, finished planning the
upcoming week, and then called people to invite them to the Easter
party.
Saturday: we had a meeting with the Goto couple, and there was a lot
of random conversation that took place in that meeting. We then shared
a quick message with them, and then left to prepare for the party.
Eventually we got all the stuff ready, and the party started. At first
it was really slow and awkward, but by the time the games started,
everyone was having fun. We even got to color eggs for Easter
tradition. We ended by having a snack of French toast and sausage, and
some cake an English class student brought.
When we got most of it finished, we went and tried to visit some less
active members, but we didn't have too much success with meeting any
of them. So we returned to the apartment, finished planning the
upcoming week, and then called people to invite them to the Easter
party.
Saturday: we had a meeting with the Goto couple, and there was a lot
of random conversation that took place in that meeting. We then shared
a quick message with them, and then left to prepare for the party.
Eventually we got all the stuff ready, and the party started. At first
it was really slow and awkward, but by the time the games started,
everyone was having fun. We even got to color eggs for Easter
tradition. We ended by having a snack of French toast and sausage, and
some cake an English class student brought.
 |
| Beautiful night shot of Sakura (cherry blossoms) |
could go to Fukushima ward, so we did. The ward is still amazing, and
they are really healthy. They were all so amazed about the iPads, and
how many amazing things we can do to further missionary work. After
the church block, we had personal study, and then we got a ride back
to yonezawa. We tried to visit some people, and stopped by the shrine,
but there wasn't too much at the shrine when we went, and no one was
home. So we went back to the apartment and did language study and then
had dinner.
This week has flown by and I am amazed at how much has happened in
that blink of an eye. I hope that you are all doing well, and I truly
love all of you from the bottom of my heart.
Love,
Elder _____
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