One Year in Japan!

Week 52 - September 27, 2016 - One Year in Japan!

Hit my year in Japan mark a few days ago.

It's weird that I'm basically restarting on the seasons that I have been through. Well, here's this week.

Wednesday:  Don't really remember much of what happened this day other than the fact the we had Ekaiwa. It was really good 'cause we are getting an increasing number of people coming so that's way cool. Also, this one kid keeps inviting his friends so we are gonna invite them all to church.

Thursday:  We went and had breakfast with A---. We were hoping to make some progress with him, but he just wanted to talk about a bunch of random stuff and would just go back to it every time. So it was kind of hard, but it's ok. We were supposed to have a lesson with M------- but it was raining a lot and he seemed like he didn't want us to come over, so we changed it to the next week. But basically the whole rest of the day we were planning like crazy for the next week, a zone activity and working with he ward. We just went ham with the planning and got lots of stuff done so that was way good.

Friday:  We had a lesson with S----- K----- in the morning about the Melchizedek Priesthood. We taught about the rights of the Priesthood, the organization and all the other related things. It went really well, and S----- K----- is getting prepared to receive the Priesthood soon. Then we went and made lunch and had a little bit of study time before we had to go back to the church for district meeting. District meeting went well and we practiced getting members involved with dendo, so that was fun. Then at night we went down to a place called Bandobashi and looked for some less actives. We didn't have too much success there seeing as one of them is opposed to us now but that's ok 'cause we will visit other people!

Saturday: We had a lesson with A--- before basketball. We shared our experiences with the Spirit and our conversion with him. He was wondering how we found out it was true, so we told him. We promised him that if he would just pray and ask with sincerity, then he would be able to know it's true. So he said he would and it was a really good lesson. Then we had sports! It was a lot of fun, as is the norm. After that we were going to go back and shower then have a lesson with K-- but he had to cancel so we went to lunch with K----! We had curry which level 4 of spice was pretty hot and it took some strength to get it all down. But then we came back and studied and in the evening went searching for different less actives while talking to all the people along the way.

Sunday: Church was just dandy because K---- and K-- came! So that was really good. We are just trying to figure out how to help them have an even better experience at church. We had a combined lunch and dinner after we got home and some other stuff. After that, that's right, we went less active hunting again!! Woooo! It's fun to try and go find all these people while talking to all the people you pass by. We got invited to the Barton's house as well so we went and had a nice get together for the last bit of the night and then headed home.

Monday:  It was going to be a p-day and we were going to go to Kamakura but Elder Jenner while going down the hill slipped on his injured ankle and beat it up again so we just sat inside all day. I organized the phone for like 4 hours so that was a lot of fun. We also finished some good planning and stuff like that, so it was still a good day.

Tuesday:  Today shall be the real p-day! We went over to Chinatown and Elder Jenner's friend bought us some amazing food! It was duck and a bunch of other stuff and it was amazing. We are having a great time. It turned a bit hotter, but at night it feels pretty good. Anyway, one miracle we were able to see this week is the progression of investigators once they have a good time at church. A--- has been going to the Tokyo 2nd Ward and he loves it! We are so excited and want him to feel the Spirit more, so that was really awesome. Well, until next week! Love you all!

Lots of Rain - Japan Typhoon

 

Week 52 - September 20, 2016

There are a lot of things that happened and not a lot of time, so here goes.

Tuesday:  We had super splits! Elder Ishikawa came back to Yamate to work with me and we had a blast. We tried to go streeting and housing but people didn't want to listen too much. We had a good time trying our best and working hard though. We ran into a crazy guy as well so that was weird. All in all, it was a pretty good day just need to keep trying hard to find those prepared people.

Wednesday:  We tried to go visit N------- K----- again, but sadly he wasn't there. We haven't seen him in a while and he hasn't come to church so we are a bit anxiousm but we'll keep visiting. We also got to try and visit some less actives before Ekaiwa and all that but none of them were there or answered the door so we just keep visiting until they do!  Ekaiwa was a great time and there were quite a few new students there so we were happy about that.

Thursday:  We had district meeting which actually flowed really well and the district is really having a good time working together. After that we had another lesson with M------o. We taught about the plan of salvation and specifically prayer cause he doesn't really want to pray. He thinks the teachings are good but is not ready to pray yet. He also hadn't completed the reading assignment we gave him so we asked him to do it again, because when we asked if we could read with him he said that he wanted to do it himself. So we are still working with him and I think it's going real well. After that we had a planning session for a couple of different things like working with the ward, goals, and a lot of other stuff. Then we went out and had dinner with A--- and he just wanted to talk to us about improving our proselyting strategy. Sadly we didn't make a whole lot of progress with him there.

Friday:  We had the Yamashita conference!! Elder Yamashita from the area presidency came to speak to us. He talked about always being happy, opening your mouth, and believing in baptisms. It was really good and it got everyone fired up to dendo so that's awesome. It was a lot of fun and everyone received revelation. Then we met an investigator named Y--- who is 18 and is interested in what we believe. Elder Harrison was able to talk to him a lot cause K---- showed up and I talked with him and we all had good conversations. We plan to meet Y--- again after this current week.

Saturday:  We had some good ole basketball. Sadly, the other elders couldn't come and not a whole lot of other people could either. By then, the Kanagawa elders showed up with an investigator. So we all had a bunch of fun playing sports. Then we came back and did some studying/eating/ planning and it was a nice, good time. After that we had a family home evening at a member's house and she stuffed us all with insane amounts of food. We talked about the spirit and it was a really good lesson.

Sunday:  We had a great time at church and working with the members. We are really setting up to see some big changes and improvement in the ward relationship if they will also work with us. We are excited for that and many things. Then we had food and a small study session. After that we went hunting for another less active and visiting a referral from the sisters. Sadly, the referral wasn't there and the less active didn't want to talk but we shall not be dismayed! We will continue until they want exaltation.

Monday:  We had a zone blitz in Sakuragicho. I was able to work with Elder Shepard and Elder Coleman and we had a great time. We talked to everyone we could and tried our very best and were able to contact quite a few people. After the blitz we went and got some way delicious ramen and streeted around a bunch. It was a wonderful time and we were nice and tired at the end of the day.

Today:  We had temple p-day!  It was also raining like crazy and the trains were delayed and tons of other stuff BUT it was still good. Now there is a typhoon so we have to chill inside some more but we will continue to be joyous and have fun. This week I've had the chance to work a lot with Elder Rodriguez who is way awesome. He is funny and we are both totally goofy so we have a lot of fun together but still work hard. I have been really blessed by him recently and I'm really glad I got to work with him. Well until next week people.

Uhhhhhh......

Week 51 - September 12, 2016

So the reason for the subject line is that I forgot my planner so I'm not sure what to write really.

A--- is still slowly progressing and we hope to keep working with him.  Y-- and K-- won't contact us back so that's not the best, but we will continue trying.  Minemoto is slowly trying to take these things in and is doing pretty good. We talked to lots of people and did lots of follow up and are looking forward to people progressing.

We did fun stuff today. Had shabu shabu and went to some stores. I don't really know what to say now, but basically it was an awesome week! See you guys next time! Elder Molen

The gospel is the best.

Second September in Japan

Week 50 September 5, 2016 - MY SECOND SEPTEMBER IN JAPAN

Tuesday:  Honestly it was just a pretty normal day of dendo. Not much happened, but we got out there and did our best.

Wednesday:  We tried to find some less actives but we ended up ha I got to do something else. (??) We didn't have enough time to go all the way to their houses so we just tried to street around and find some people. After dinner we had to practice singing for the next morning because we were celebrating the dedication of missionary work in Japan. There was a meeting at 6:30 A.M. So that was interesting. But after the practice we had Ekaiwa which went really well cause a few more people came this week.

Thursday:  We ate some ramen at a restaurant for lunch.  It was pretty good. Then we walked around downtown and tried to talk to people. We found a few people who would talk and listen but nobody super interested. Then we had to go meet a guy who lives out of our area but he was found at the blitz. He really wants to go to English class but he's not too interested in the gospel. So we hope that by going to English class, the missionaries in Kawasaki can spark some interest in the church.

Friday:  We had district meeting which was fun. Our district is really good friends and it's a lot of fun so yeah. Then we streeted back to the apartment trying to talk to people. I bought some drain cleaner for our sink. Then after dinner we were going to go help a member do some cleaning at the church but we had to go with the sisters to visit a referral.  So we had the other elders go do the cleaning. The referral sadly wasn't home, but we will visit him again and keep trying. Then we housed at night a little and it was pretty good. One guy listened to our message but sort of just acted like a vegetable. He just sat there and wouldn't say anything so that was a bit strange.

Saturday:  We had sports! It was a lot of fun and the sisters from Kanagawa came so there was a good amount of people there. Then we went back and we showered then went to Yokohama to meet Ken. We had lunch with him and we figured out about his job. He didn't have a very good
job and he wants to quit, so he said he was gonna quit and then we can meet more, so that's good. He understands prophets a little more now so that's good. Then after that we went back to do some needed studying and other stuff that I can't really remember.

Sunday:  Church was great as usual. Everyone had an uplifting time so that's awesome. After church and stuff we went and had lunch. Elder Rodriguez went on exchanges for a bit in the evening and were able to go visit an investigator Y-- who Elder Harrison and I taught last week. He has already read half of the Book of Mormon, so that is way awesome! We are hoping that he really feels God's love and progresses.

Today:  We had lunch at an all-you-can-eat Mexican food place, so that was good. Now we are about to get haircuts so yeah! We have splits tonight and we are having a great time!

Well, I love you all and I'll talk to you next week! Elder Molen.