September 29, 2014 Letter

1700 hours the Eastern Coast

 

I wish you could understand better then this picture, but you see those ancient Japnese paintings with the mountains and the little clouds.. that is exactly what everything looks like once you leave the coast (and in a lot of places the coast too).

 

 

It's transfer week and my beloved Kawamura choro is gone with the wind to the most remote isolated place in the mission to keep him isolated. ;-) hahah But my new companion is Elder Ito who was born in a place kind of close to Tokyo called Aichi. He is too pure for me.. I will corrupt him.. He is 21 years old (the guy that got the pie in the face) and he got baptized when he was 18, is the only Christian in his family which shows you the level at which he is committed to Christ. He also loves Basketball and meat. When he smiles his eyes disappear and he kind of has chubby cheeks with dimples. He also was my first day split in my mission when both of our trainers were at a district leader meeting. But that was over a year ago.. :-P

 

elder ito far left middle is elder Low (way confusing for people in the ward) and the far right is Kawamura

Culture point:

Drivers test. So I have heard it said from someone that has done both that as a foreigner getting a drivers license in Japan on the test is actually more difficult then getting a P.H.d But who knows.I gave it a try this last week... and crashed and burned... hahahah. It actually hurt my little heart more then I was expecting. The bit of sunshine was that the other 6 people with me also crashed and burned :-D so my pride was helped a bit! It is not so much the rules of the road they are strict on but on little things. I failed because I was in the middle of my lane when I made turns instead of hugging the left side of my lane for left turns and the right side of my lane for right turns. But they explained it to me and I hope to not make that mistake again for my next and final attempt on Friday this week. Wish me luck!

 

Fun food fact:

So I have talked about a lot of Japanese food, and I have yet to find a Japanese food I don't like! Of course there are some I wouldn't say I would kill for (they are just normal) but I enjoy every single food I have eaten so far except.... Pumpkin. I never really ate it in America but that doesn't seem to matter for me. I love vegetables, love squash, but normally when I get pumpkin I always had my eyebrows kinda come to together and my lips go to the left (my left not your left) and I would eat it. It's not like its gross, it's too mild to be gross, it just always was odd. But this last week I have been served it three times and the first time was a salad with raisins and brown sugar. I think and it was way good! Then I had a pumpkin pie (I have never seen one made outside of the air force base and I praised that good sister for days for her love) and then I had it just the normal way again, and I liked it!!! So my point is... I think that I am becoming a man.

 

Random Pics (They made me stand in the girl one):

 

Even if nothing else comes out of these two years... teaching a 3 year old how to do this was worth it.

 

 

 

Spiritual thought:

I had a chance to read a talk by an apostle of the Lord named Dieter Uchtdorf called Grateful in any Circumstance. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances?lang=eng I recommend reading or listening to it! But I had a favorite part. He says,

"How blessed we are if we recognize God’s handiwork in the marvelous tapestry of life. Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens our perception and clears our vision. It inspires humility and fosters empathy toward our fellowmen and all of God’s creation. Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues.¹⁶ "  That kind of clicked a few things for me. If I am lost, depressed, sick and tired, confused, and stuck, I think the practice of a deep breath then taking in the eternal perspective, the ability I have to be redeemed form death and mistake. The knowledge that I know there is a bigger picture. And just kinda breath that true air, then I can have the vision to choose to love, be patient, become humble or full of hope. Its a catalyst to all Christlike attributes.

 

Funny story:

So I got to see Elder Takeshita again!!!!! He came back to the mission home and nagamachi!! He hasn't changed in the slightest, spent way too much money on me (delicious ingredients for the food I like), made the same jokes and helped the same people. It was way fun. But while he was here for the day he came to church with us! In church there is this 2 year old that is scary cute, like she is cute physically of course but she just runs all around and falls hard all the time and then just laughs and laughs. But she was in third block with her dad standing by his legs just playing around distracting us and then it became a competition on who could get her to just smile at them between Kawamura Choro and Takeshita Choro. They were trying sooo hard for like 5... 10 minutes going way over the top. (they repented for not paying attention in church I am sure) the following pictures is some of their weaker faces...

and this was her reaction for those 10 minutes...

 

I was dying.

 

Love you all! Love each other for me!

Law Choro

 

 

 

September 19, 2014 Letter

2022 Hours Honbu

Hey everyone!! It’s been a really long, busy, fun week, so I am sorry this took so long... I am going to make it good though!

So maybe I will mix up the flavor a little I am kind of sick of Neapolitan.

My Doryo(the person I am with 24/7):

He is from Shizuoka which a bit to the south of Tokyo and he can actually see mount Fuji from his parents’ house. He is 27 years old and feels like he is way older. He graduated with a degree in teaching physical education but actually worked at a newspaper, where he became an editor. He really loves that job and hopes to return to it when he is finished serving as a missionary. He is famous for how much of a smooth talker he is, he can talk to anyone about anything, he loves Ginger ale and mints and also any chocolate based drink. He has a really dramatic back story like a super hero but I am not sure he wants me to tell everyone. He says the reason he originally came on a mission was, that he wanted to have his older brother come back to God. When his younger brother went on a mission it brought him back so he wants to repay the same favor. He has 5 kids in his family and says he wants to get married soon when he gets home and have 5 kids, too. He is also waaay too into basketball and takes this cheesy little fake jump shot about 4 times a day at the most random times. (I have started to do a fake volleyball bump to say I am practicing too) He loves people easy... and I have learned from him, from the first time I meant him about a year ago to now, probably more than any other missionary. He also is blood type A. (that’s a big deal here)

Our mission President and His Wonderful wife:

So, they came here for the first time a few months ago and since I live right next door to them I have got to see them quite a bit. They met at college many years ago, and then he went on a mission to Japan. They kept in touch until he got back. They dated and fell in love all over again.  He went to Israel for 6 months and studied and they kept in contact by letters. He came back and they got married and since have had 6 kids. (If you want a way better much more colorful version I recommend asking Sister Smith.) He was a surgeon that specialized in knee and hip replacements. (Pretty much he is insanely smart, too.) But, they are the most humble people you will ever meet. She kind of in a scary way reminds me of Mom a lot. She like says the things about church everyone kind of feels but doesn’t say because it’s awkward, She knows how to follow the promptings of the spirit better than anyone else. She has a really good example and story for any talk; she is always giving us and buying us way to much stuff. Pretty much I feel like I am at home having mom sneak me fun money behind dads back. hahaha! She is just a ball of sunshine! You know if Sister Smith is in the meeting everyone will leave with a big grin on their face. President Smith is a man who relies on the Lord, and loves God sooo much. He wants to follow him step for step doing his will with as much exactness as he can. But speaking frankly if I had to speak of something to describe what he’s like I would think of this one time when I kind of did something stupid, and kind of lead others into doing something stupid... and I got a phone call from him about it to correct my behavior. Now we are not a business. We are a church, so I wasn’t expecting to get like screamed at or anything, but I was a bit nervous and expecting to leave the phone call with a bit of a sweat. But what happened was I had a very clear explanation given to me of why the phone call was made, where we want to go from here on to resolve the problem in the way with the least pain, and then I had some of the most kindest things I have ever had said to me said. He showed me so much love I felt dizzy. Then the phone call ended. There is a quote by Abraham Lincoln that goes something like “If you would win a man to your cause, you must first convince in him that you are his true friend." And he is a true friend to everyone he meets. Both of them are way too nice, I feel like I am going to corrupt them.

Funny story:

So we had a long road trip the other day and we ended up at McDonalds for lunch (yes they have them here too, but you call it Makudonarudo which is a great tongue twister for English natives) and we were sitting next to this young li’l family with a mom and dad and 1 year old. The one year old had ripped up chicken nugget on his plate and some bread, but all he would eat is French fries so they would give him a couple and then he would eat it and then grunt for some more and then eat. Grunt eat grunt eat... but then his mom was like "No. (go into that slightly too high and the words are slightly too long, in Japanese, but mother language is universal guys) you have to eat your chicken" he gives a few more grunts but once he sees its hopeless, he takes the initiative and starts unsheathing himself from his high chair and making his way for the apple pie box (he knew it was red cardboard) but he quickly learned his mistake and went for the fries and then nestled back into his throne to eat. His parents were both way surprised... (He wasn’t so agile a few weeks ago, but you give a kid calorie packed food like Mickey D’s and they are bound to grow quick) So at this point I kind of think I am all cool going to join this episode (honestly I was just looking for a chance to show off my two nieces) and so I am like "he sure does like French fries doesn’t he" and the parents kind of smile, but the little guy just stops and stairs strait at me... and his eyes go all narrower (I look inside and find my love for Asian levels high enough to make that comment without being racist) and he just mad dawgs me for about 10 solid seconds with his dad chuckling nervously. Then I do the big "hey there li’l buddy" and he just freaks. Fries went flying and he was into his dads lap and up around his neck so fast and just starts crying... not my best moves, but he was funny.

Love you all tons!

Love each other for me!

Law Choro

September 7, 2014 Letter

1800 hours Long City (Nagamachi in English)

The worst thing to have a as a volunteer missionary is a slow week... but this week has been way busy! :-)
 

Culture point:

So I would like to use this picture of my super cute niece to talk about this point! So Japanese people are very clean and stylish. I feel that there is a more formal level (like us riding around on bikes in ties is not weird at all). And also just clean; like your clothes and cars and shoes are just always clean. For better or worse that's just kind of the culture. So while inside sitting on the floor is much more normal in Japan, sitting on the ground outside is a little more odd. Like of course at a park its normal to sit on the grass, but on a curb is pretty odd. So instead when people want to take a break you keep your heels on the ground and sit your bum on your ankles. That is super hard to understand unless you see the picture. But you sit in this position to rest and most foreigners find it really painful and hard to do. I am pretty much a Japanese so I can do it.. ;-)
 

Fun food fact:

I have talked about how people peel their grapes before. Another side note on that is that the best, most expensive grapes you can buy (and the ones most common) are grapes that are like a juicing grape in my mind.(I grew up juicing concords). They sometimes have a grapes that I swear are concords but others called a masukato. It basically can be shot into you mouth by squeezing the skin and are very sweet and have seeds. I pretty much ate a ton of them at this farmers house in aizuwakamatsu yesterday.. they were sooo good.
 

Spiritual thought:

From when I was a pup I always heard that there are three things that will help you solve any problem. At least the foundation are these three: church, scriptures, and prayer. That is pretty much right and so everyone kinda jokes those are the "primary child answers". But I heard from a friend that he likes to think of those fundamentals as being 4. He said that along with those 3 is a fourth way to build a relationship with God that is just as important and I agree with him. Fasting. Fasting is a tool that God gave us so we can focus more on spiritual matters, a way to put more into our prayer than we could otherwise, a way to show we need or want something more. It's a huge blessing! The Savior himself did it before he opened his ministry. I really can testify of the blessings or perspective, peace, and power that comes through our fasting. It is done by saying a prayer and explaining the specific reason why you are fasting and dedicating yourself for that time. You can then fast for as long or as short as is healthy for you and not eat or drink whatever is healthy for you, but normally a fast is 24 hours of not drinking or eating. Then you end with a prayer as well. I really recommend it especially if you have a question or a prayer that you really want to ask. I testify God will answer through our diligence so we can learn and that a way to learn even more is fasting.
 

Funny story:

So I guess that there is some type of weird culture in the church in Japan that you smash a plate of whip cream in someone's face on their birthday (it's a dark evil tradition that I do not yet understand). But the sisters in our district really wanted to do it to Elder Ito - the most kind man on the planet (our district leader)- and I was not especially for it. But we tricked and lied him to come to an area at the right time that they planned on doing it. Then they wanted us to grab him and hold him but no one wanted to (because it is evil) so it got really awkward and slow and he got really confused and then realized what was happening and then ran away a little bit. Then he felt bad for the sisters that prepared so my companion fake held him as they could smash pies in his face. Pretty much he is an angel and women are evil and heartless is what I learned... we all did laugh though..
 

Love you!

Love each other for me!

Law Choro

August 17, 2014 Letter

1400 Hours - the land of the broken heart.

I am transferring and it kinda hurts the old ticker more then I would have guessed... but I am going back to my beloved Nagamachi so all is well. :-D

This is Atsushi! He was an exchange student back in WA. He just happens to be from my area and the internet has kept us in touch. He is such a good friend and I am so happy we got to meet up. It was TONS of fun!

Fun Food Fact:

Wanka soba! It's like a contest. I have a too bad a case of love for competition and dislike of throwing up too participate but basically it's a how much can you eat contest. It's super fun! You sit and have a little bowl. And then a person (normally very kind looking young lady) drops about one solid bite worth of noodles into your bowl. Then you take your chop sticks and just slurp it down. Then she says something witty like "good job!" or "next! keep it up!" and drops in another. Slowly you eat a whole ton load of soba and that nice looking lil' lady turns into a demon that never gives you a break. haha! Elder iida is kinda legendary at it! He did 185... impressive.

Culture Point:

My Moma wanted to know about weddings. I have never been to one, but from what I hear there is a huge western influence in what a "cool" wedding is. So, about half the weddings are just white dress and tux like we think of them. But the other half are kimonos which is what you think of when you think of samurai dress. I have to say I did not appreciate how beautiful they were until I saw some nice ones on handsome guys and beautiful women. It is just (if not way more) money and time put into making them as big dresses. But I have no idea how they do the ceremony and my companion is worthless in that department. I got all surprised he didn't know and he was like "I have never been married man how am I supposed to know". But I think he is slacking as a Japanese citizen.

Spiritual Thought:

I have learned lately that I think there are more then one kind of service and it all depends and how you are thinking. There are times when you actively push yourself to help others and that I think is when we grow the most. There are times when we are kinda forced into it by someone or circumstance and I think that doesn't effect me the most. And then there are times where we actively choose for so long that a small habit forms that we just do it out of instinct. Like a 40 year old man opening a door before he knows what he is doing, a lady smiling at a baby on accident when it is sad, all those "cute" little things. But I think that is when we find the joy in the service, when we become that person. In Matthew 10:39 is a great scripture that I think partly means that if we can completely pull out of ourselves those selfish desires only then can we truly have all the joy. So then I comes to how does one truly change there desires? and that is where Christ comes in I think. We also start with faith in the little commandments. I want to testify that we can change how we influence the world and how happy we are through Jesus Christ; He is our savior. 
 

Funny story:

We were walking home from a restaurant with a friend and the three of us were just chatting away. I was on the far left away from the road, then Iida choro, then sato kyodai. We are just have a jolly time on a hot day at about 1 in the afternoon. Then I hit a mine. In the states I might have got angry but in Japan it was not only the first dog crap I have ever stepped in but the first I have even seen! So mostly it was surprise and confusion on my face I think. Iida choro totally had seen in coming but was bound in a deep talk about the work of our friend and didn't want to be rude and interrupt. And Sato Kyodai is just talking and asking away and didn't see any of this... and I am just like oh not such a big deal just kinda walked so the one leg drags for a few steps and all will be well. But I don't know if it was the humidity or a sick stray dog or something but it was really gross... and the smell was lingering.. so i had to be rid of this! I find out it's stuck between the heal and the sole of my shoe so I start dragging it on the edge of the curb like any poor soul in my situation would do. This is just all gross. The funny part was elder Iida. He is a laugher, you can get him crying just by dancing silly in the apartment. He is trying to be calm as he watches all this develop and by the time I use the curb he is just dying, but sato kyodai just keeps going. So I start to do like leg shakes to fake get it off and Iida just like ceases up. I love this guy; I feel super funny around him.
Love each other for me!

Law Choro

p.s. its a bit of a spiritual rollercoaster for us all.. testimony and then dog poop.... any improvement points?

August 10, 2014 Letter

0840 hours Miyagi-ken

It was an awesome week! I got peaches from a lady at church that loves me!

Culture point:

So I think that I have told you about matsuri; but its giant festivals. The Japanese culture is full of them and everyone just loves them. Normally they are in the summer and the Big one in Sendai is called Tanabata. and it was this week! For tanabata there are tons of fireworks on Tuesday night then from Wednesday to Friday there is a huge street that has these giant ornaments that hang down and you can walk down the road (its over a mile but I am not sure how long). There are tons of shops all over the sides and food and people (lots of people) and if you are there at night (especially the fire work show, then probably 90 percent of the girls and 30 percent of the boys are dressed up in traditional Japanese clothes. It's way fun! I bought a summer one but didn't get a chance to wear it. Here are some awesome pictures for you:

 

 

Yes Jaimyn, I chose this one just for you!

 

Fun food fact:

I just want to share something with you: if you leave cookies out in Moses Lake WA you get these crunchy stale puck, if you leave cereal out in Moses Lake nothing changes. In Sendai in the summer if you leave out a cookie it gets super soft and gooey and falls apart. If you leave out a bowl of cereal without milk, it will begin to get soggy. And I am not kidding or being dramatic!!! You put a lid on it to keep it crispy!!

Spiritual thought:

I just want to share my testimony that Jesus is the Christ. And the reason I feel that way is that I have studied what he has taught and find that when I apply it I am liberated from the sorrow that comes from my mistakes. Especially when I pray for forgiveness through his name. I can testify from experience that you can receive peace and forgiveness. We can be clean and progress through Christ.

Funny story:

If you want your own funny story eat a peach with the skin on in front of someone Japanese... hahah!

But this weeks funny story comes to us from a place we go to for service. It's a hospital where we talk to the people that are living there and don't get to get out much. There are many elderly people there and I have this one table that I totally love, they are mostly in their 90s. They actually are super interesting to talk to. They were in their 20s during world war II and lost siblings in it and had some really hard trails. But for the most part they just compliment the heck out of you, are super bright and make love jokes. I know they are like this so on a split i had a young American missionary go and sit with them and I just kinda watched from a distance. I was just dying. He was just red as can be the whole time and had this nervous smile and strained laugh the whole time. After he came back with all these new vocabulary words he learned like secret lover,  handsome man, stud ect... you kinda had to be there but it turns out you can get harassed in Japan too.. haha!
 

Love each other for me! 

Law Choro

August 3, 2014 Letter

0849 Hours in the place where you don't need to flip the egg to cook it on the sidewalk; it just steams the top too. :-D (I came up with that myself this morning).

Fun Food Fact:

Something about honey from Japan, New Zealand, Austrailia, or Korea doesn't quite match that of Canada or U.S. honey. It is not quite as sweet but still good.

Culture Point: When you ask someone their name you: ask their name, they tell you, then you ask what kanji are used and they describe them! Then you kinda say "wait this one?" and you draw it on your palm with your index finger, and then you say that's a cool name! And they normally are super cool and it's not a lie. If a Japanese person read this culture point they would laugh so hard but i testify it is true!

Spiritual Thought: Family history! We can help our ancestors! Check out first cor 15:29 and then talk to your mormon friend and they will hook you up with a bunch of free tools to research where your ancestors are from! It's way fun!

Funny Story: We called my beloved Miura Kyodai and started randomly singing happy birthday just to mess with him. The first time he just hung up the phone and when we called back he said he didn't want to embarrass us by telling us that we had called the wrong person. That is how nice Japanese people are- haha- I love this place!

Love each other for me!

Law Choro

July 27, 2014 Letter

0846 hours - a place where cold showers never felt so good.

Everyone my brother put in his mission papers!! Woot Woot!

 

Fun Food Fact! 

Umeboshi. I have talked about them before but they are Elder Iidas favorite food. They are the red ball in the middle of the rice bowl. They are actually a plum. But how you make them is: you take the green fresh plum and you take fresh picked and washed shisho leaves and you mix them into a ton of salt. Then you put boards and rocks on the mixture and you let is sit for around 3 days. Then when the taste is right you pull out the leaves and plums and you lay them in the hot sun (you have to remember Japan is sooo humid so its not like they dry to a crisp) for 4ish days. Then you put them in any container or plastic bag or bowl with a lid and you let them sit. Elder Iida tells me he thinks the best ones are 1 year old. The oldest one I have eaten is 4 years old and that is like max life. With age they get more and more sour and they are super sour to start with but I really like them! Sometimes I put them in the freezer for a frozen sour treat. I want to try and make them when I come home!

 

Culture Point:

Hanafuda. It's a tile game! It's a true Japanese game (about half of the really old games played here are actually Chinese but this one is pure in blood). There are no kanji or writing on the tiles, just pictures of different animals and flowers and you are looking for common flowers that give you enough of the same animals or banners to get points. It's actually a gambling game. I am pretty much not a pro but it has a good amount of luck involved in it with a good balance of strategy. I will teach you! 

 

Spiritual Thought:

I went to a baptism of a 75 year old woman by the name of Oyama San yesterday. She shared something so simple but struck me to the bones. She said she was too nice to turn away the sisters that knocked on her door so she listened. They were so nice, but lots of people are so nice so she was just relaxed and didn't think too much for good or bad. But then they started talking about God and the room changed. She said she had never felt anything like it in her 75 years, more than love, more than hope, just a peace, a divine love and correctness. From then she didn't have any questions and didn't have to believe them because God had told her personally. I just want to add my testimony to hers that the Holy Ghost is a real thing and allows us not to have to rely on others to know eternal truth but to know straight from God. It's a huge blessing! 

 

Funny Story:

So I asked Elder Iida if we had a funny story this week and he told me that my veins were the funniest thing this week. He says that because when we went to the old area he worked in on splits he wanted to go to an old friend. We knocked on the door and she opened, said hi, and then introduced me by grabbing my arm above the elbow and pointing at my veins. Then she freaked out and said it was so cool. Because it was her hobby I guess to look at veins.. its super weird. And then he did it a few days later to Sister Ishikawa and she said it was disgusting. So the funny story today is to show you what elder Iida thinks is funny. Mostly it's not funny but his laugh is so funny it will make you laugh!
 

Love each other for me!

Law Choro

July 20, 2014 Letter

0850 hours Honshu

ui-su! (slang hello that drives Elder Mantz crazy when I use it)

It has been a sweet week that was way to busy! I am going to the ocean with Brother Miura today so be stoked for me!

 

Culture Point:

So everyone in Japan knows Disney. All the movies and songs are in Japanese and there is Disney Land and Disney Sea in Tokyo that they love! But there is a childrens' movie company just as old and way more famous in Japan called Jiburi and EVERYONE except me has seen all the movies. So if you are uncultured like me and want to see some amazing movies I recommend these because I have been told to watch them by a million people:

kuranai no buta (something with red pig in English)

mononoke hime (mononoke princess maybe?) - Apparently not for general audiences. A bit bloody.

and spirited away!

The thing is I have no idea what the titles are in English but I know there are English versions so check them out for me and tell me how they are!

Food Fact:

Rice paper. So you don't eat it a ton; but, in an amazing dinner made for me last night by furukawa shimai two of the dishes had it so it isn't insanely rare. The only way I have eaten it is with vegetables wrapped around on the inside with a vinegar sweet sauce poured on top or fried in a pan with cheese and sauce on the inside (kind of like a quesadilla). 

Spiritual Thought:

You know, I have never thought about friends as being so important until I came out here. It gives your fire I think. I think it is because I have never been isolated away from my family for so long maybe, especially my siblings. But those relationships are as hard as nails and can be thrown around at anytime and be expected to be deep and dependable at anytime. I don't know; I feel like the best way to build a friendship lately is when all goes to crap to smile at each other. Then you are bound eternally. I love Iida Choro! He is the bomb!

Funny Story:

So we had a sports activity this last Saturday at the park and it just started pouring... its rainy season and it always rains! So we just said screw it and went for it! There is this friend of ours who is such a pretty boy; he is like 23 and always has way good hair and the cleanest new clothes and just a stud for looks. Anyway, he was playing goaly and was staying perfectly clean in his fitted sports shirt and matching shorts (I totally love this kid and he is totally going to get baptized). All was going well until the offence got a bit hot on the other team and there were like 3 big attempts at his goal where 10 people were stomping all around and it created a mud pit... but he was still clean, in a mud pit. Then came the long hard kick from mid field a bit to the left and when he went for it it all went.... I have never seen a person hit in such a way as him: like a rocking chair it started at his feet then his calves then his butt then back then shoulders then head and hair... until he was upside down. I like cried i laughed for hard! I will hook you up with pictures someday! Love you tons!

Love each other for me!

Law Choro

July 13, 2014 Letter

0800 hours `the most livable city in Japan!`` (that's what they say on the postcards)

ohaiyogozaimasu! (Goodmorning)

Elder Iida is a total beast! We are on top of the world and he says I got crappy at pingpong but that he can whip me back into shape.. it's so easy to be humbled when you are a missionary.. ;-)

Fun Food Fact:

Pumpkin! I might be making myself look like a fool and it's the exact same in the states but it wasn't in my home.. but we eat pumpkin a lot here! It's not like a big orange beach ball; it's normally like 2 liters total volume and it's green! The way I have eaten it the most is chopped up and boiled in nabe which is kind of like stew but less gravy like. Another way I eat it a lot is mashed up and fried as katsu which is really good. It looks like a McDonalds hash brown but thicker and full of pumpkin! oishii!

Culture Point:

My words will not do the difference justice but I wish I could show you how Japanese people deal with notes, letters, or paper communication of any kind. I don't know if it is influenced from origami or just because of their cleanliness or respect but it's sacred. For example if you make a mistake in a handwritten letter to a friend you will bust out the whiteout or get a new sheet of paper. If you glue on anything its done with sooo much care and precision. The way they move is like they are handling something sacred. I always watch my companions do it and I get super peaceful. I cant explain it but you do not give a wrinkled letter or a cards with a few letters scratched out! It's just like a higher level of care. It might sound like a pain and I am sure it is sometimes but the culture around it is more of we do it because we want to show others we care about them, so it doesn't feel like a pain at all. 

Spiritual Thought:

I have seen the power of unity verses when we are not unified recently. First of all it brings less conflict, power in working together, and we can do more as everyone knows. Another thing that I felt recently is that there is a large influence on the individual. When I make goals in a group I feel a much higher drive to accomplish my goals because I am not the only one holding me accountable. I think that there is much more drive to overcome when we do things for others instead of for reward or fear of punishment. I think making goals together is ideal in the family, and not only to assume but to be vocal and truly sit down and decide what you want to do. ``Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.`` 2Cor 13:11

Funny Story:

We do a lot of different service activities but mostly it's teaching English,  talking to people at nursing homes, cleaning hospitals, or moving people around in wheelchairs. Rarely is it outside manual labor. So when we got a phone call to go help an elderly woman in her yard I was pretty pumped. We get out there and pretty much its gardening; we are moving around some landscaping stones, planting some cucumbers and some basic stuff. Then she asked me to start digging a big shallow hole to put some compost in. I am like sweet and start digging away as she goes in the house, she starts bringing out these big bags of leaves that Elder keshino starts dumping in an smashing them around. We are making trampoline jokes and laughing around just having a jolly old time and then....

 

It's actually a trait that is in my blood, similar to spider sense but when something is about to go wrong or is off, my eyebrows come down and together while my eyes squint a little and my forehead creases up. It's from my father.

 

This happens to me. Something is coming. I look at keshino choro who has ninja in his blood so he obviously felt the same thing (probably even before I did). Right as we make eye contact it hits.

I have experienced many a dark smells in my 19 years, from the rotting skunks at bus stop 43 when I was 10, to the dairies of my teens, all the way to the abomination of week 6... but the creature that fell upon us at that time overcame my ability to keep control and we both started this little cough every few seconds. She then comes around the corner with this plastic bag with yellow death splashing around on the inside. We are her valiant workers and are supposed to be strong so we are holding on but it was like soooo bad! Like worse than rotting meat, worse then chemicals, just like blindingly nasty! When she poured it out it was too much! We started gaging and coughing all over the place and she just like looks up and realizes for the first time how bad it is! She gives us permission to run away and hide tell the hard work is over.. and I just tucked my tail and ran like the coward I was.

Love each other for me!

Law Choro

July 7, 2014 Letter

1700 The Lonely City

My beloved Keshino Choro is leaving us for my beloved Misawa! 

The bit of ray to our rainy season is that my new companion will be Iida choro!! The one I learned ping pong from in Misawa a few transfers ago! He is from Tokyo and is a total stud! 

Fun Food Fact:

Tempura. So tempura can be bought at pretty much any grocery store like you would by bagels in the states (that is a bad example but like it gives you an idea of the different levels and availability of it). It's just battered deep fried food. Normally things like pumpkin, green pepper, egg plant, onion, shrimp, and other sea food and vegetables. The way I feel is the most normal way of eating it is when it comes with a bowl of soba or other type of noodle. So yummy! 

Culture point:

In Sendai 3 years ago this March there was a big earthquake and tsunami. You have probably heard of it. I could talk about the cultural impact of that for a really long time. You hear all sorts of stories about miracles and super tragic losses from people. Really sad normally. :-( 

But an interesting side note (that I learned today after going to the ocean) is that on the coast line, where the tsunami hit, a ton of the beaches are just gone and shrunk to way smaller than what they used to be. I didn't realize how much the coastline changes from something like that. We had our friend showing us pictures of 4 years ago and the beach we were standing on was completely differenty. It was kind of a sad thing but interesting. To brighten the mood I share with you this photo:

 

Spiritual thought:

I have been thinking about the Holy Ghost a lot lately and especially the gift of the Holy Ghost or the second birth by spirit (john 3). The Holy Ghost is the way that God communicates individually to us. He does not have a body so He can speak to us in feelings and impressions. You get the gift of the Holy Ghost by being baptized. When we are baptized we promise God that we will follow Jesus Christ's example and love those around us and that we will follow all of God's commandments. Then in return God promises that He will give us that gift of the Holy Ghost, that direction, comfort and guidance. Everyone can feel the Holy Ghost on occasion. The difference is when we make that promise is that we can have that help all the time so that the things we learn can be permanently woven into our soul, so that we can understand truth forever and never be confused in that area again. It's kind of complicated but in the Book of Mormon there is a really good explanation on page 113-115 (2 Nephi 31-32). I am personally super thankful for the gift in my life because of the peace it brings. I can rely on God for information and know the truly correct choice for things. 

Funny story:

We were at the park today waiting for our friend to come and meet us. We were standing by this big fountain with a pool around the base about a foot and a half deep. There are normally a few moms with little kids that play in the water but today was kinda cloudy and windy so there was only one lil guy running around the fountain in his swim shorts but he wasn't touching the water. So his mom called him over and then she stripped him down and put on his normal pants and shirt because it was a little cold. Then I watch him run straight to the fountain and just jump right in with a little cannonball! He was probably two years old, maybe a little stinker, but mostly I think he didn't really understand. That was super funny on its own but the thing that was killing me was: there are a lot of cultural acts and gestures that don't cross over between languages but some do. The mom was trying to calming explain to the two year why he shouldn't be doing that was exactly like how it goes in English. You didn't need to know Japanese to know exactly what she was talking about. It was fun to watch!
 

Love each other for me!

Law Choro

June 29, 2014 Letter

0822 hours THE RAINY SEASON

Actually, this has been a really light rainy season. Rainy season is called tsuyu and it lasts in Sendai about all of June and a little of July, normally. But, it has been pretty mild compared to last year. :-)

Culture Point

 

My companion did Kendo before the mission and he explained it to me the other day. It’s super cool.  You fight one on one and if you strike your opponent in the wrist, stomach or head it’s a point.  The first to 2 wins. In order to have a good strike you have to

1. Move your whole body (legs)

2. Hit the spot with the sword

3. Yell with your voice

The idea is to become united in all three.  You meditate before every practice. Super cool!

Fun Food Fact

Cherries:  So all of those blossoms turned into delicious fruit. (not all but the little fruit bearing trees did) and they are so good and famous! Pretty expensive to buy if you are a poor 19 year old but when you have nice friends, you will be a happy camper! (and don’t worry, you don’t peel cherries!)

Spiritual Thought

Our beloved Ramussen Kaicho (previous mission president) is back in America and we have our new Smith Kaicho. (the new leader of all the missionaries in northern part of Honshu) we haven’t met him yet, but I hear he and his wife are total studs so we are excited. The last assignment I received from Rasmussen Kaicho was the same one he gave my entire area. He asked us to read Beware of Pride by President Benson. I would challenge you all to read it.  I testify that if you are prideful you are not as happy as you could be and if you are humble you can find happiness. At in my life, that’s what I have found so far.

Funny Story

So, if you go way back in my letters I think I once told you about a Hayachi Shimai. She was a missionary that came into my first area my last transfer there and she was so funny!  She is actually a few years older than me but she look about 14 and is just so kind and just a little angle. Anyway, she is in my District again and when we had a musical night, I laughed harder than I have ever laughed in my whole mission and I don’t really know why but I had forgot all my music for the rehearsal but it didn’t really matter because I don’t really sing anyway. But somehow in all the mix up I was reading the lyrics to a song and then they rush us up to the front and the piano starts because a guest came and wanted to hear that song.  As I was singing it, I realized that I didn’t bring my music so whose music was this.... and then I start looking around and everyone has a paper to sing from... what the heck.. but then I look a little closer and Hayashi Shimai just has this random sheet of paper she is pretending to read.  She had like been too kind and shy to ask who stole her paper or that she couldn’t find hers and was just bluffing. I don’t know why but I just died in the middle of the song... and ruined everything.. it’s not that funny but it was good hard laugh.

Love each other for me!

Law Choro

June 23, 2014 Picture Update

June 23, 2014 letter

1828 Hours Somewhere in the West Pacific

Fun Food Fact

Cabbage: I have grown to love cabbage since I came here. The funny thing is a cabbage can run you anywhere from 3-5 bucks which is more than I would have thought.  But I buy it because it’s still way cheap compared to most stuff and it is way good to put in anything raw or cooked! My favorite thing to do with it is chop it up really tiny then boil it for a few minutes then rinse it in cold water and put it in the fridge.  I eat it with a salty chicken soy sauce based dish on rice. So oishii!

Culture Point:

So, I think I have talked about this before, but the words in Japanese for ``you`` are slightly rude. If you have heard someone’s name, then it is pretty rude unless it’s like a really close friend. You can say “anata” if you just met them and of course no one will even blink. But if they can, I’ve noticed thy almost always avoid it. There are a lot of ways to avoid it, but my favorite is they call you by a rank in a family. For example, when people don’t know my name and they don’t know I am a missionary, they call me “onisan,” which is the word for older brother. When I meet a man on the street and I ask him if that is his bike, I say is that “father’s” bike? and so on! grandma, sister, mom, you use anything! I think it’s pretty cool.

Spiritual Thought

Something I thought was very insightful was a talk I read by Elder Bednar (Pray Always) about how every time we pray it is a continuation of our last pray, or to say it better it is connected to our prayers before.  That just like when we pick up the phone to call mom in the morning and then call her again that night, she remembers what we talked about in the morning and so that is how we should talk to her. I really liked that and I think it is true.  We know God is listening and wants to answer our prayers. Let us not forget that relationship. It’s been very helpful to me. It makes me more responsible and is helping build my relationship with God.

Funny Story

You can’t bake in the apartment we are in now. There is just a stove top, a dinosaur of a microwave, and a small toaster oven that you can make two pieces of toast in. (I eat two every morning). Fresh baked goods are therefore a bit of a treasure. So when we found out there was a store making and selling muffins every morning we all got way stoked!! (and paid way too much money for one muffin a piece) We were just having a ball about this. But when we got to the church, Zone Conference started and we got really busy. We had a bunch of meetings after and then a little mishap occurred and it ended up being late in the night by the time we got home. Our beloved Simonsen and Willey choro had been kind enough to wait for us to eat their muffin.  So we get in the apartment and first we need to do some planning. Then it is muffin feasting time! So we are being all spiritual and trying to do a really good planning session and I hear the other Elders come out of their cave and start roaming around the kitchen. (this is about 9:45 at night) and then all of the sudden I hear this howling. If you mixed an baboon call and a small giggle you would have the sound I heard. So I rush into the kitchen ready to fight for someone’s life and at first I was a little confused because the lighting was all off.. like a little too bright for that time of night and a little too orange... then I see these two black silhouettes in the corner by the before mentioned toaster oven. (this is the area the sound was coming from. What was happening is they were trying to blow as hard as they could while having a giggle fit. They were laughing because I think they saw that muffin video on You Tube after the newspaper muffin, and they were blowing because of the old testament style pillar of fire that was coming out of the top of elder Willey’s "strawberry milk muffin.`` All ended well when I added my huff to the fire brigade. The lesson learned by Elder Willey was not to put paper in the toaster oven.

Love each other for me!

Law Choro