Kohoku, Yokohama Japan

Elder Molen arrived safely in Japan on Tuesday. He met with Brother Wada, the mission president and Sister Wada for dinner, visited shortly, and were sent to bed for much needed rest.  We have already heard really great things about Brother and Sister Wada from some of their returned missionaries here in Utah.









On Wednesday, the missionaries attended an orientation.

Thursday, the President sent us these photos with the message regarding Elder Molen's new area, Kohoku, Yokohama, Japan.  His mailing address remains the same.  His new companion/trainer is Elder Gammon.

New "P-day" is Monday.

September 17, 2015 - "I'm Gonna Write A Letter"

"Wassup, y'all?  I'm just languishing here at the MTC.  I'm totally ready to go to Japan which I guess is good because I just got my flight plans and Japanese Katakana name tags. 

It's kinda weird that we got our flight plans on 9/11.  We were also going to do the tower challenge, which is where we eat an entire tower of cereal.  It was 'Gross Pizza Friday,' so it was great; but then it was 9/11 so we figured that wouldn't be so good. So we are doing it today (Saturday).

     I am pretty good at understanding what is said but a little less so at saying everything I need to, but I'm getting better.
     Er mah gersh, I'm going to freaking Tokyo and it's gonna be soooo cool.  I can't wait to finally teach people the wonderful message we have.
     Guys the gospel is true!  I know it more than anything else.  Jesus Christ is our Savior and he died for us.
Anyone can access the atonement and be forgiven.  The Book of Mormon is true guys.  Read it.  Work hard at stuff.  Get up and get stuff done because there is no reason not to.

     
     Anyway back to other stuff.
Watch the video, 'I Have Kept the Faith.'

     I miss my 'Scheidt' already.   He brought much joy to my life. 

     You guys better be keeping track of all the movies I miss.  When I get back, I shall watch them all.  Appreciate your freedom.  I was convinced that I was gonna serve my entire mission here and never leave.  Serve people  whenever you can.  It's a joy to do and it will make you a lot happier.

     I love all my senseis -- I'm jumping around subjects like mad.   I think I have ADHD -- they are all awesome.  

     Appreciate the temple because you can find answers to any problem you have in there. Never forget that this is eternal life we are talking about here so we better get the best we can from this puny section of our life.   I love you lots and I'm super excited to go to Japan. 

     I love all you guys.  I miss you and tell the grandparents I love them too."

*On September 21, Elder Molen's address will change.  Please see the most recent post for correct address.

*All letters and packages should be sent through the U.S. Postal Service and will take 7-10 days to arrive.  It is recommended that you use the postal service's "Flat Rate" boxes to ship packages.  Do not send packages or letters through UPS, FEDex or DSL.  They will not be delivered.  Keep in mind that mail is delivered to the mission office via motorcycle so the amount of room each mail carrier has is limited.  Large boxes cannot be forwarded to the missionaries in a timely manner from the mission office.  Send packages that are easily carried by motorcycle.

September 10, 2015 - Eternal Families, The Gospel, and Priesthood Blessings

*Unless his flight is delayed, Elder Molen is scheduled to leave for Japan next week. Until then, you can send packages or letters to:

Elder Jarron McKay Molen
Sep 22 JPN-TOKY

Unit #81

2005 North 900 East

Provo, UT 84604

"I have realized how awesome and important eternal families are and that I'm super thankful for you taking us on that last trip before we left cause I really loved it a lot.
     I have recovered from all of my sickness and am now just super excited to go to Japan. I hope you guys are having fun and chilling back at home. I am still sick of the food here. 
     Ethan Whitaker just came in and he is gonna leave the same day as me probably. 
     One thing I want to say is that the church is awesome. This is eternal life we are talking about and the gospel can make us so happy. I love everything about it and you guys should love it and cherish it as much as you can. 
     I gave my first blessing this week. It was really cool how thoughts just came into my head and stuff. There is a really cool feeling that goes around when you stand in a circle with a bunch of other priesthood holders. I don't remember exactly what I said, but I know Heavenly Father definitely guided me on that one. I also hosted new missionaries on Wednesdaso that was cool.
     I tried to find Ethan Whitaker but I had to go teach a special lesson.

Anyway I'm just chilling still and it's a great time.

Love all of you,

Elder Molen"

After September 21, Elder Molen's address will change.  Please refer to the newest post for mailing address and additional information below.

Do not send packages or letters through UPS or FEDex.  They will not be delivered.

     All letters and packages should be sent through the U.S. Postal Service. Using the "Flat Rate" boxes is the best way to send a package to Japan and will take anywhere from 7-10 days. 

     Keep in mind that mail is delivered to the mission office via motorcycle so the amount of room each mail carrier has is limited.  Large boxes cannot be forwarded to the missionaries in a timely manner from the mission office.  Send packages that are easily carried by motorcycle.

August 27 - September 3, 2015 - Rough Week

"Picture of my district and leader."

August 27 

"Ya so, sorry I wasn't more specific on the sickness, but I didn't know what it was yet; but, ya I have pneumonia right now so that's not too fun.

Actually this week I got super homesick and I think about you guys all the time. I am pretty sick of the food here, lol, cause it all ends up tasting the same after a while.

I'm taking meds for my sickness right now so I should get better. Thanks for the Dear Elder and stuff.  I miss you and Mesa too. I hope you guys are surviving.

Sorry for not sending too long of letters it's just that there isn't very much to write right now cause we just sort of have the same schedule every day.  Anyway keep being the best and stuff. I love you."

Elder Molen"

Later the same day:

"Thanks for the meds lol.  I can already hear the ambulance of a package on it's way.  I refuse to rest it makes me feel like a useless locked up looney.  At home at least I could rest while playing video games or watching a show, but here I can't do anything.  I just sit there. Can't focus enough to read so ya, just sit. I'll rest enough.

Anyway having a great p-day right now, just really wanna get to Japan and start doing something."

August 27 cont'd:

"I figured out I had it yesterday and I got the pills yesterday. I started feeling bad last Thursday. So I had it for a week before I figured out what it was. But now i'm on antibiotics still feel sick and pretty gross but at least not as bad as before."

Thanks for all the extra prayers and stuff. Don't worry i'll speak up if I start feeling real bad but I think I already passed that point so ya. I was so hot one night that I honestly wanted to go to the hospital but eventually I cooled down."

September 3, 2015

"Ya, so they decided to move and combine our beds into a castle.

(I like how they seem to be keeping their distance from Elder Molen, lol)

(2nd from the right back row is his district leader, Elder Battaglia.  Elder Molen is to the right of him.)

"I miss you guys.  Thanks for praying for me and stuff. I think I have almost got this pneumonia kicked so I guess we will see how it ends up. I absolutely got the medicine package you sent.  Thanks so much for everything you sent. I also got Dad's and thanks for that one too.

Currently I am having an allergic reaction to something, so I am covered in hives and I don't know why, but I am gonna go to the doctor again to see if we can figure it out.

I am feeling like I want this pneumonia not to come back and that I want to not have hives all over.  This should be interesting.  I look like a weirdo now cause I'm all red and bumpy. At least it's not on my face.  Other than that I am actually doing great.

From week 2--5 we would teach returned missionaries that knew Japanese but this week and until the end we skype native Japanese people. It's pretty cool to see how the gospel can still affect people even though there is a language barrier sometimes. I am excited for the next time we get to do it because I think that we can really feel the spirit. btw the people are members so they know what we are talking about.

Love you, talk to you later.

Elder Molen"

*He's headed back to the doctor today.  My guess is he's allergic to the antibiotics.

September 3 (after his doctor appt.)

"It turns out I'm allergic to levaquin so now I'm on meds that are making my hives go away so that's fun.  Also, I'll write more letters and I hope that you guys get them. Lots of random, fun things happen here at the MTC so I kind of forget that they happen so if it seems like I'm not writing a lot about my stay here it's just because it's usually the same stuff or just little funny things.  Anyway, that's the update.

Love you,
Your son Elder Molen"