Well this week was pretty great. Living with another set of missionaries is pretty interesting. We have a lot of fun. Sometimes it is a good thing that we live on the ground floor and there is no one underneath us. (^^)
Anyway on Monday, we had to pack. Because I transferred so far away!!! Really we just had to make sure that the apartment was ready to have the sisters move in. So we packed up and cleaned.
Then on Tuesday, it was just a lot of making sure that everything was ready. We cleaned more, were companions with Elder Kariya for a little bit, then went and got Elder Greer, and got everything out of the Sister's apartment. We also had one of our many eikaiwa classes that night. It was pretty fun.
On Wednesday, we had our normal run of eikaiwa classes and the sisters finally came. And we have a beanchan!! I love having new missionaries! It would have been more fun if we had a beanchan in our apartment, but this is good too. It was fun making her teach some of eikaiwa that night. The look on her face when we asked her to do so was priceless.
Then on Thursday, we met with the Sisters and the other Elders and had a planning meeting. Yay. And that night we got to go to volleyball! It was way fun.
On Friday, we had our weekly planning and went shopping with the other Elders for food. It was way cheap with four people! Then that night we went to one of our service activities. We go to this free cram school and help kids that have tough situations study for school. I usually get to help them with math and writing in the Roman alphabet. Sometimes, if I am lucky, I get to help the first graders with Kanji. One time there was one that I didn't know though, so that was a little embarrassing. Then we had ping pong night. That was fun. Except one of the eikaiwa students is mad at me because on Tuesday we played 20 questions and she had said that she hates it, and the reason we played it was because someone else requested it and we thought that since everyone is an adult at eikaiwa we could just play it. Apparently we were wrong. She is really mad at me for that. It is actually kind of funny. So she didn't come on Wednesday and then she came for ping pong on Friday, but she was super mad still. So it was funny playing ping pong that night.
On Saturday, we got to go to the church and meet with all the ward (pretty much) and Sister Bills came with her brother and sister in law. It was really fun. She sang for everyone and it was a good time. Then, that afternoon the Sisters had an appointment, but Sister Swanberg (the beanchan) hadn't bought a bike yet so the borrowed my bike and we walked to a members house who recently hasn't been able to come to church recently. Well, she wasn't there. (>_<) Then we went housing! That was really nice! Because last transfer my companion didn't really want to do anything, so we didn't try to find anyone to teach really. But this transfer we are going to go a lot. I decided.
Then on Sunday we had church! And there was also a shokujikai and that was way fun. Then we had a little time before a FHE that was at the church. So I got to play Shogi with one of the YSA in the ward that we are working with and it was way fun. I only learned how to play on Monday and I held him off for quite a while and we finally called it a truce. All of the members were amazed that I know how to play. It was way fun. Then we had the FHE and made takoyaki and then we had made an appointment to close to the end of it and had to leave early. But we went to the Hibino family and talked with them. It was super fun. And the son, Keita, served in Tokyo and knows my good buddy
Nic from High School! That was fun to see pictures of him and stuff.
Well that is about it for this week. We are working, and it is great. I enjoy that a lot. Also I learned a lot about pride this week and centering our thoughts in Christ and the salvation of others. I love this gospel and know that it is true. Sometimes life is hard, and sometimes stuff happens that we don't like, but the Lord has a plan for us and will make us fail. He is trying to help all of us to return
to Him and become who we need to become. He loves us, even if we fail.
Have a fantastic week!
Elder Richardson
Pictures
1)Companionship Love
2)Seeing Sister Bills off
3-4)Takoyaki
5)Shogi (check out the speed of that move!)(^^)
Watashi no mokuteki wa hitobito ni Kirisuto no moto e kuru you susumeru koto desu. sono tame ni watashi wa Iesu Kirisuto to Kirisuto no aganai o shinjiru shinko, kuiaratame, baputesuma, Seirei no tamamono o ukeiru koto, saigo made ni taeshinobu o toshite, sareta ga kaifuku no fukuino ukeirerareru yotasukeru no desu. I am a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have been called for two years to teach the people of Japan in the Japan Nagoya mission.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Jennifer's the worst! Stop dating her!!!
Well, this week was transfer
calls. Yep. However, to all things there
is a season, so we will wait to tell you that one. This week was
really good, it feels like we didn't really get that much done, but the things that we did get done were good.
On Monday, as you already know, we had district activity. Yep, that was about it. And I finally got hair gel when we went shopping. So now I don't look like a slob.
Then on Tuesday, we had our New Eikaiwa class (for the second time) and since the only people we have really been able to tell about it that are interested in English were the people that come to normal eikaiwa, they were the only ones that came. It is quite different than the other class though, so I think they liked it too. And at the end of this one, being a mission school program, we get to share a message at the end and we start and end with a prayer. So that was a little awkward the first time, but it will definitely be better as time goes on.
Then on Wednesday, we had normal eikaiwa. It was pretty fun and it was funny seeing the same people two days in a row. And especially since we do self introductions every class, that was really funny to ask people's names and such.
Then on Thursday, we had a koukan. This one was really interesting though. Because Elder Whited went all the way downstairs and Elder Kariya came upstairs. It was way fun though. Elder Kariya is a super missionary and he is super fun to talk to (especially because his English and my Japanese are on similar levels). So that was a way fun koukan. We got our apartment inspected, were taken out to lunch by a lady in the ward who wanted to give us a referral (the guy who owns the shop). Then we went and talked with a member who's Japanese is impossible (even Elder Kariya was struggling) and read and talked about the scriptures with him. It was super fun, because I like reading out loud in Japanese, and also because we got to talk about a topic that I usually don't get much practice on: Perdition and Outer Darkness! We talked about the story of Cain and Abel in the book of Moses. Also, that day was way fun because I was sick, and Elder Kariya was sick (and also has really bad hay fever). So we kept coughing and sneezing and could hardly get a sentence out. (^^)
Then on Friday, we had DTM, and we did an activity where you draw all the people there. (Pics will be included). I looked like an alien. Or Gollum. Or apparently Rumplestiltskin. Everyone turned out beautiful. Then that night we had Ping Pong. And we took a video of our antics during our warmup before anyone came. So that will be included.
On Saturday, the other Elders had two appointments at the same time and we were going to do our weekly planning, so we did a split and I got to go with Elder Otsu and meet an awesome friend of the other Elders. She was super funny and we had our amazing Ward Mission Leader, Yuichi Sama, and his wife and child there, so it was a super fun time. Unfortunately the girl is moving to Tokyo, so thats a bummer. The good news is that she really wants to be baptized and has a way strong testimony. It was really cool. And she caught Elder Otsu up on Attack on Titan and I learned what has happened the most recently without seeing the first season. *I know, I'm a sinner*
Then on Sunday, we had church and then after that, we had organized to do mutual with the youth. It was way fun and so we are going to try and get mutual to be at least a monthly thing. And I made the famous Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and all the people loved it. It was fun.
Also on Friday night, we had our transfer calls come. We are both transferring! To downstairs. There are going to be sisters coming in and so we are getting kicked out of the sister apartment and are going to live with the other Elders. But Otsu is transferring (not that big of a shock) so our crew will be split up and Elder Greer, my companion from last transfer, is coming down from Nanao.
Well thats about all for this week! I hope you have a great time! And Stuff!
Elder Richardson
2-4) Eikaiwa
Video: Elder Kariya (right) and Otsu (left) acting out Yugioh for charades
On Monday, as you already know, we had district activity. Yep, that was about it. And I finally got hair gel when we went shopping. So now I don't look like a slob.
Then on Tuesday, we had our New Eikaiwa class (for the second time) and since the only people we have really been able to tell about it that are interested in English were the people that come to normal eikaiwa, they were the only ones that came. It is quite different than the other class though, so I think they liked it too. And at the end of this one, being a mission school program, we get to share a message at the end and we start and end with a prayer. So that was a little awkward the first time, but it will definitely be better as time goes on.
Then on Wednesday, we had normal eikaiwa. It was pretty fun and it was funny seeing the same people two days in a row. And especially since we do self introductions every class, that was really funny to ask people's names and such.
Then on Thursday, we had a koukan. This one was really interesting though. Because Elder Whited went all the way downstairs and Elder Kariya came upstairs. It was way fun though. Elder Kariya is a super missionary and he is super fun to talk to (especially because his English and my Japanese are on similar levels). So that was a way fun koukan. We got our apartment inspected, were taken out to lunch by a lady in the ward who wanted to give us a referral (the guy who owns the shop). Then we went and talked with a member who's Japanese is impossible (even Elder Kariya was struggling) and read and talked about the scriptures with him. It was super fun, because I like reading out loud in Japanese, and also because we got to talk about a topic that I usually don't get much practice on: Perdition and Outer Darkness! We talked about the story of Cain and Abel in the book of Moses. Also, that day was way fun because I was sick, and Elder Kariya was sick (and also has really bad hay fever). So we kept coughing and sneezing and could hardly get a sentence out. (^^)
Then on Friday, we had DTM, and we did an activity where you draw all the people there. (Pics will be included). I looked like an alien. Or Gollum. Or apparently Rumplestiltskin. Everyone turned out beautiful. Then that night we had Ping Pong. And we took a video of our antics during our warmup before anyone came. So that will be included.
On Saturday, the other Elders had two appointments at the same time and we were going to do our weekly planning, so we did a split and I got to go with Elder Otsu and meet an awesome friend of the other Elders. She was super funny and we had our amazing Ward Mission Leader, Yuichi Sama, and his wife and child there, so it was a super fun time. Unfortunately the girl is moving to Tokyo, so thats a bummer. The good news is that she really wants to be baptized and has a way strong testimony. It was really cool. And she caught Elder Otsu up on Attack on Titan and I learned what has happened the most recently without seeing the first season. *I know, I'm a sinner*
Then on Sunday, we had church and then after that, we had organized to do mutual with the youth. It was way fun and so we are going to try and get mutual to be at least a monthly thing. And I made the famous Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and all the people loved it. It was fun.
Also on Friday night, we had our transfer calls come. We are both transferring! To downstairs. There are going to be sisters coming in and so we are getting kicked out of the sister apartment and are going to live with the other Elders. But Otsu is transferring (not that big of a shock) so our crew will be split up and Elder Greer, my companion from last transfer, is coming down from Nanao.
Well thats about all for this week! I hope you have a great time! And Stuff!
Elder Richardson
Pictures
1) DTM terror2-4) Eikaiwa
Monday, March 13, 2017
Two Rounds of Taco Rice and the Plague
Well, if you cant tell by the title, we had an interesting week. And if you don't know what taco rice is, you may not have any experience with tacos, or rice, or Japan.
Anyway, on that note let us begin. On Monday, we had quite the day full of playing ping pong whilst emailing, then going to the Taira family for an FHE that night, that was round 1 of taco rice. It was really good, and they are such a fun family. Their little baby had been sick for a little bit, but now he is back from the hospital and he is super genki! What a cute little guy. And they have two really cute little girls too. Such a fun little family.
Anyway, on that note let us begin. On Monday, we had quite the day full of playing ping pong whilst emailing, then going to the Taira family for an FHE that night, that was round 1 of taco rice. It was really good, and they are such a fun family. Their little baby had been sick for a little bit, but now he is back from the hospital and he is super genki! What a cute little guy. And they have two really cute little girls too. Such a fun little family.
Then on Tuesday, we started (finally) our new eikaiwa program that focuses on the eiken (or English proficiency) test. So we decided to go and see if we could pass out some flyers beforehand to get some people to come. So we went to the place where all the cool kids hang out...McDonald's. Well, unfortunately that was a real dud. There was hardly anyone in the joint. And when we looked outside, it had started snowing. That may be the reason why there was no one there. That or maybe the fact that we also just learned, that it was just graduation. So the kids were probably there, just not at the normal time. You have failed me yet again McDonald's.
On Wednesday, some of the members wanted to take us out to sushi. I think that I lost. Usually I am ok with most different kinds of sushi, so I like playing what we call "sushi-roulette" where you give each other a number and then you have to take that number when it comes around. (Ex. I give you 8, you take the eighth plate). Also I like taking the things that the members tell me to, because then I try things that I would never try otherwise. So the members were ordering us all sea urchin. And Elder Whited and I were playing the game. Right around the same time as the urchin came, he gave me a number and it turned out to be natto. Now I am not that big of a fan of natto sushi, but I can eat it. However, when it is paired with sea urchin, I almost died. At least there were plenty of other things that could kill the taste that had coated my entire mouth. I was extremely grateful for salmon and shrimp. All in all, it was a good time with Yamaguchi Shimai and Ono Kyodai.
Then on Thursday, we woke up. And saw that it was 9:00. We must have slept through the alarm. Oops. Other than that, it was a good day. We made cookies and were going to give them out to members, but we started doing that kind of late and it ended up being too late to give them out really. So we ended up saving them for DTM the next day.
On Friday, as stated, we had DTM. It was pretty good. Then we had a pretty normal day. Then on Saturday, we had an awesome day! We spent a little time in the apartment, but it was worth it! We made taco rice for the guy that we met the week earlier when we were walking around with Brother Matsuoka. We had promised him that we would get him some taco rice at some point, so we just decided it should be soon. We made it and it was super awesome. I will attach pictures because I am pretty proud of our handiwork. When we went over there, there were no lights on, except his headlights, and so we were a little worried that they wouldn't be home. When we went up and knocked, his wife came to the door and she was, a little expectedly, confused as we tried to explain why on earth there were two Americans with Mexican style food on her doorstep. She decided to go get him and he came out and was super surprised. Also, he was very grateful that we noticed that his car, Yusuke from this point, had its headlights on. And he checked to see if Yusuke was ok and if he could run. We ended up giving him the food and a family proclamation pamphlet and he was a little worried that he didn't have anything to give us. So he went in his house and then gave us choco pies. Which are a lot like moon pies.
On Sunday, I woke up and found out that I have the plague. i just didn't feel good at all. I have since then developed a good ol' cough and probably a sinus infection, I think. Anyway, it was not fun. It still isn't. We had a good time at church, and then they had the seminary opening social and I was supposed to bear my testimony about seminary. I don't know if I really was the right person to talk about it because I always had it easy and got to do it during school. But I still know that it is definitely a great thing to do. It was way fun too. Then that night we went and visited the most awesome member ever. Patrick Kyodai! He is from Nigeria and is so converted. He said that he doesn't watch movies anymore because he cant feel the spirit as strongly if he does. So he watches different church videos and seminary visual resources for entertainment.
Today, if you were wondering why I emailed so late, is because of district activity. We went and played basketball. It was pretty fun. And it was really fun to have lots of friends that I have known from various times and places on my mission.
Well that is it. I hope you have a good week. And such.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Breaking the Law of Chastity and saying Tabereru is like the same thing.
S othi swee kwa sinterestin. Gw edi dlot so fstuf. Fan di twen tb yreall yfas. T
Anyway, we did do a lot of stuff and it did go by really fast, but I don't know if you will find it that interesting. We shall see.
Well to start off the week, we had Monday. Usual order of events thus far, but once we get in the middle you might be interested as to how things turned out. On said Monday, we were both sick. I was feeling kind of ok (C) but Elder Whited was out of it. So we called and got permission for him to rest. I ganbarued really hard and studied and did all sorts of things, but still ended up falling asleep at my desk as well. I didn't really want to, but you know how tiresome texting the same 3 people and reading the scriptures can get for extended periods of time. And so we slept and then we woke up and ate and then in no time at all, it was bed time. That was fun.
Then on Tuesday, Elder Whited was feeling well enough to go out and so we did! And it was just a normal day. But then at night we had a lesson with a kid who goes by Kevin. Unfortunately, he does not look like a Kevin. Poor guy. (^^) He has really good English though, and he almost got "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?"! It was really funny. He is really a good kid, but then he doesn't really want to know if God is really there, he just thinks that it is cool what we think about God. Interesting.
Then next was Wednesday, the day that our schedule is always rather full. We have set service appointment in the morning and then we have kids eikaiwa and regular eikaiwa for essentially the rest of the day. Always a good time though.
After that Wednesday, we had our Friday. We got to go down to Fukutoku and we had a zone conference. It was awesome. I got to see lots of new people and a few that I knew. At the end there was a portion that members were invited to and of all the members that came, 68.75% were from Ichinomiya. This ward is super awesome. (And yes we counted and did the math). Then we went back to our respective areas and had weekly planning. So essentially we had a few hours of Friday and then a few hours of Thursday with some train times in between.
Then the next day was much like unto Tuesday. We went around and it felt like Saturday, but everyone was still in School so it was a lot more like Tuesday. At night we were a little busy because our member asked us if he could change our appointment from 6 to 7 and we had to negotiate with him and settled on 6:30. Well ping pong night starts at 7:30 and we created it, so we kind of have to b there. So we had the other Elders set up and they were there at the beginning, we came a little late and got to clean up. Also it worked because we have different Schedules. We have a schedule choice where everything starts half an hour later and end half an hour later. And because almost everything that we have done in Ichinomiya (and really Japan for that matter) has ended at nine. So this just gives us some extra time to stay to the end of a thing and then go home. So that night was a little rushed anyway.
Then we finally had Saturday and things were back to normal. And our Ward Mission Leader called and asked if he could come and dendo with us. It was awesome. And we have this rule in Japan where elders can only OYM males and so we don't talk to girls really, but he was like, "I'm a member, not a missionary; I can do what I want." So he just OYMed the girls and we OYMed the boys. It was great and we met some really cool people. We met this old man who is 91 and he was still just out in his garden tilling away. Crazy. He said that the secret to life is to talk to people and to make sure to talk about what they like and what you like. Then you will be happy and stay healthy
longer. And it has worked for him, so probably good advice. Also we met this man who was just out having a smoke on his porch and he had a pretty cool car, so we talked about that and, it turns out, Japanese people don't give their cars nicknames. It was a good way to enter the conversation and lighten up the mood though. Pretty fun. He said that he works in Toyota and goes there everyday and comes home every night. He was really cool. And he had interest in English and a motive to
come! He said that sometime, he wants to go work in Mississippi, why Mississippi, I don't know, but that is where he wants to go. And he asked to make sure if that was in America. (^^) Well it came up that I used to work in a Mexican Restaurant and so Yuichi Kyodai volunteered that we would make them Mexican style food. (Taco Rice) He said that it would be ok if we came back and we found out that he has every Saturday and Sunday off. Crazy. After Yuichi had to go home. (So he lives really far and he said that he couldn't use his car that day; and when he said "I've gotta run" he literally ran down the street in a suit and then still stopped to dendo a kid nad give him an eikaiwa chirashi. Crazy man). Then that night we went and visited Brother Patrick. He is from Nigeria and sometimes talks really fast and it is hard to understand, but he is super chill. When we went he was reading
his scriptures and listening to hymns. And we didn't have an appointment. We just kind of went. #突然 Well, we talked with him about a lot of things and really got to know him. He is really funny. And he studies the scriptures way hard. He said that next time we should make an appointment so he can make us Nigerian food. *Victory Arm Pump* I don't think that I have ever had goat meat before and he said that we will have it. Cool.
Then on Sunday, we had our usual hectic day after church of trying to set up appointments with all the members and also trying to have lessons with the ones that we set up last week. Also various members wanted up to do other things like help them remember people that used to be missionaries here so they could invite them to the Facebook group that they newly made for the ward. Also to type in our parents names so they can join the group as well. (Sorry for all the Japanese on the page Mom(*^-^*)) and yeah it was a regular Sunday. We got out of church around 4:30. It ends at 1:00. Good times, good times. Then we had an appointment with Kevin and he forgotten it, so we ended up watching the Face to Face event with Elder Holland and President Eyering. It was good.
Well thats about all we did this week. All in all, it was good. I learned a lot this week. I especially learned at Zone Conference that you don't fail from falling down. You fail from just lying there afterward. Heavenly Father still loves us when we mess up and He wants to help us get better. In the words of Elder Porter, "All throughout the Scriptures, it talks about bringing to pass the joy of man, so it is nowhere in God's plan to bring ourselves down. There's no room for it." The Lord wants us to succeed. In Gospel Doctrine, President Joseph F. Smith wrote, "Jesus had not finished his work when his body was slain, neither did he finish it after his resurrection from the dead; although he had accomplished the purpose for which he then came to the earth, he had not fulfilled all his work. And when will he? Not until he has redeemed and saved every son and daughter of our father Adam that have been or ever will be born upon this earth to the end of time, except the sons of perdition. That is his mission. We will not finish our work until we have saved ourselves, and then not until we shall have saved all depending upon us; for we are to become saviors upon Mount Zion, as well as Christ. We are called to this mission." What an awesome thing! The Savior surely isn't resting and neither can we! Not for our own soul's salvation nor for that of others' souls! We can always work to get better! We have the resources! (The scriptures: ancient, old, and new). I am so grateful that we can improve all day everyday! It is so great!
You know what? Have a great week! You deserve it...probably.
Elder Richardson
Fotos!
Anyway, we did do a lot of stuff and it did go by really fast, but I don't know if you will find it that interesting. We shall see.
Well to start off the week, we had Monday. Usual order of events thus far, but once we get in the middle you might be interested as to how things turned out. On said Monday, we were both sick. I was feeling kind of ok (C) but Elder Whited was out of it. So we called and got permission for him to rest. I ganbarued really hard and studied and did all sorts of things, but still ended up falling asleep at my desk as well. I didn't really want to, but you know how tiresome texting the same 3 people and reading the scriptures can get for extended periods of time. And so we slept and then we woke up and ate and then in no time at all, it was bed time. That was fun.
Then on Tuesday, Elder Whited was feeling well enough to go out and so we did! And it was just a normal day. But then at night we had a lesson with a kid who goes by Kevin. Unfortunately, he does not look like a Kevin. Poor guy. (^^) He has really good English though, and he almost got "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?"! It was really funny. He is really a good kid, but then he doesn't really want to know if God is really there, he just thinks that it is cool what we think about God. Interesting.
Then next was Wednesday, the day that our schedule is always rather full. We have set service appointment in the morning and then we have kids eikaiwa and regular eikaiwa for essentially the rest of the day. Always a good time though.
After that Wednesday, we had our Friday. We got to go down to Fukutoku and we had a zone conference. It was awesome. I got to see lots of new people and a few that I knew. At the end there was a portion that members were invited to and of all the members that came, 68.75% were from Ichinomiya. This ward is super awesome. (And yes we counted and did the math). Then we went back to our respective areas and had weekly planning. So essentially we had a few hours of Friday and then a few hours of Thursday with some train times in between.
Then the next day was much like unto Tuesday. We went around and it felt like Saturday, but everyone was still in School so it was a lot more like Tuesday. At night we were a little busy because our member asked us if he could change our appointment from 6 to 7 and we had to negotiate with him and settled on 6:30. Well ping pong night starts at 7:30 and we created it, so we kind of have to b there. So we had the other Elders set up and they were there at the beginning, we came a little late and got to clean up. Also it worked because we have different Schedules. We have a schedule choice where everything starts half an hour later and end half an hour later. And because almost everything that we have done in Ichinomiya (and really Japan for that matter) has ended at nine. So this just gives us some extra time to stay to the end of a thing and then go home. So that night was a little rushed anyway.
Then we finally had Saturday and things were back to normal. And our Ward Mission Leader called and asked if he could come and dendo with us. It was awesome. And we have this rule in Japan where elders can only OYM males and so we don't talk to girls really, but he was like, "I'm a member, not a missionary; I can do what I want." So he just OYMed the girls and we OYMed the boys. It was great and we met some really cool people. We met this old man who is 91 and he was still just out in his garden tilling away. Crazy. He said that the secret to life is to talk to people and to make sure to talk about what they like and what you like. Then you will be happy and stay healthy
longer. And it has worked for him, so probably good advice. Also we met this man who was just out having a smoke on his porch and he had a pretty cool car, so we talked about that and, it turns out, Japanese people don't give their cars nicknames. It was a good way to enter the conversation and lighten up the mood though. Pretty fun. He said that he works in Toyota and goes there everyday and comes home every night. He was really cool. And he had interest in English and a motive to
come! He said that sometime, he wants to go work in Mississippi, why Mississippi, I don't know, but that is where he wants to go. And he asked to make sure if that was in America. (^^) Well it came up that I used to work in a Mexican Restaurant and so Yuichi Kyodai volunteered that we would make them Mexican style food. (Taco Rice) He said that it would be ok if we came back and we found out that he has every Saturday and Sunday off. Crazy. After Yuichi had to go home. (So he lives really far and he said that he couldn't use his car that day; and when he said "I've gotta run" he literally ran down the street in a suit and then still stopped to dendo a kid nad give him an eikaiwa chirashi. Crazy man). Then that night we went and visited Brother Patrick. He is from Nigeria and sometimes talks really fast and it is hard to understand, but he is super chill. When we went he was reading
his scriptures and listening to hymns. And we didn't have an appointment. We just kind of went. #突然 Well, we talked with him about a lot of things and really got to know him. He is really funny. And he studies the scriptures way hard. He said that next time we should make an appointment so he can make us Nigerian food. *Victory Arm Pump* I don't think that I have ever had goat meat before and he said that we will have it. Cool.
Then on Sunday, we had our usual hectic day after church of trying to set up appointments with all the members and also trying to have lessons with the ones that we set up last week. Also various members wanted up to do other things like help them remember people that used to be missionaries here so they could invite them to the Facebook group that they newly made for the ward. Also to type in our parents names so they can join the group as well. (Sorry for all the Japanese on the page Mom(*^-^*)) and yeah it was a regular Sunday. We got out of church around 4:30. It ends at 1:00. Good times, good times. Then we had an appointment with Kevin and he forgotten it, so we ended up watching the Face to Face event with Elder Holland and President Eyering. It was good.
Well thats about all we did this week. All in all, it was good. I learned a lot this week. I especially learned at Zone Conference that you don't fail from falling down. You fail from just lying there afterward. Heavenly Father still loves us when we mess up and He wants to help us get better. In the words of Elder Porter, "All throughout the Scriptures, it talks about bringing to pass the joy of man, so it is nowhere in God's plan to bring ourselves down. There's no room for it." The Lord wants us to succeed. In Gospel Doctrine, President Joseph F. Smith wrote, "Jesus had not finished his work when his body was slain, neither did he finish it after his resurrection from the dead; although he had accomplished the purpose for which he then came to the earth, he had not fulfilled all his work. And when will he? Not until he has redeemed and saved every son and daughter of our father Adam that have been or ever will be born upon this earth to the end of time, except the sons of perdition. That is his mission. We will not finish our work until we have saved ourselves, and then not until we shall have saved all depending upon us; for we are to become saviors upon Mount Zion, as well as Christ. We are called to this mission." What an awesome thing! The Savior surely isn't resting and neither can we! Not for our own soul's salvation nor for that of others' souls! We can always work to get better! We have the resources! (The scriptures: ancient, old, and new). I am so grateful that we can improve all day everyday! It is so great!
You know what? Have a great week! You deserve it...probably.
Elder Richardson
Fotos!
1) 10:00 Pancakes!(because we felt like it)
2) Me and Brother Imai (from Gifu)
3) us and some of the members from Ichinomiya.
(And special guest star Sister Bills)
(And special guest star Sister Bills)
4) We took a picture of the Ward yesterday after church!
Monday, February 27, 2017
Porcupines, Pandas, and Pangolins
Well this week was really fast.
We did a lot of fun stuff and had a
lot of appointments with members. Especially yesterday. We had a lot
of places that we needed to go and didn't really have to ever plan
what we were going to do.
One of the fun things that we did this week was going to the eki and playing the guitar on Tuesday. At the beginning of the week I had a cold, and it was cold, so singing for a couple of hours in the wind made me lose my voice. It was a weird experience not really being able to talk when that's really all we do all day every day.
Then another thing that we did was of course eikaiwa. The eikaiwa here is really fun and there are a lot of people that are really good. And some new people came! So that was really fun. After eikaiwa, one of the people that came wanted to take pictures with us. #Japan So we took a lot of pictures with her. Some of them will be included.
Then on Thursday, we had signed up to talk about eikaiwa on the radio. It was really hard, but fun. Elder Otsu said that he wished that I had talked more, but my throat hurt and I didn't understand
what the guy was saying...they talk a lot different on the radio than in a normal conversation.
Also we got to have a ping pong night on Friday night. I was reminded once again how bad I am at ping pong. I can hold my own against missionaries, but not the people that come to ping pong activities. Because they actually like it.
Then on Saturday, we got to finally have our first lesson with a non-member! We went to teach her daughter English, but then we still got to talk about God and prophets. It was really good and she had some good interest in the message.
We also were able to find some people through calling all the people in our phone and the other Elders gave us all their investigators that need someone that speaks English for the lessons, and so now we have people to focus on! We are really excited.
We also have been teaching all the members about member missionary work and the ward is going crazy with it! Ichinomiya is awesome.
Also last night we had an awesome FHE with the Ward Mission Leader and it was super fun. His wife is also a really good cook. We were all really full at the end and biking home was not the most fun thing in the world.
Anyway, I hope that you all had a great week and that your hair is really cool.
Elder Richardson
Pictures (what you all really look at)
1-3. After Eikaiwa with Chiaki
4. DTM from Elder
5. *Bonus Pic*
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Don't breathe in...there are little hairs about
Well this week was
First off on Monday,
we had our good ol' pday activities and stuff. Then after dinner we
started to tackle the "PI" list in our phone. For some reason none of
the people in our phone showed up on our iPads, so we get to put all of
them in. We did that for a little bit went around town and found a
Baskin Robbins. And then we came back for the night. That was when the
fun started. Elder Whited needed a haircut for Saturday.
Well, we are both poor and cheap missionaries, so he asked me to cut
his hair. I have had the experience with Elder Greer doing this, but I
only did the sides and back. It turned out ok, but not the best. This
time I was to do the whole thing. So at first we didn't have clippers,
but then the other Elders got home (right below us) and we asked if we
could borrow theirs. Overall, I didn't do that bad of a job. There will
be pictures and such at the end.
Also we spent some time to clean this apartment on Monday
and I just have to say that if you leave windows and a shower doing
nothing for months, it is just nasty. Also the amount of long hairs all
over the place is incredible. I am so glad we have dark floors.
Then on Tuesday,
we got to go try our hand at badminton and, just as always, I was
pretty bad at it. But it was way fun. We also went around and discovered
our area that day.
On Wednesday,
we have lots of eikaiwa, so it feels like we pretty much just did that.
I really like eikaiwa though, so it was great. Also we had interviews
with President Ishii, so it was a good day.
Then on Thursday
we just had planning in the afternoon and we went to get some things
from daiso that were necessary to get. That night however, we went and
played volleyball. Or at least kind of. It was soft volleyball. So kind
of like tiny volleyball, with a tiny net, and a partially inflated
dodgeball. So I actually could kind of spike it. But not that well
still. It was pretty fun though, and now they are taking a break, (It is
a pretty intense sport, they will need a month or so of break) and we
will have to go back. Elder Kariya really likes sports dendo, so we have
been doing a lot of that here. Good way to find people.
Then on Friday,
we cleaned our apartment because the Elders from Komatsu were coming
down to stay the night for the conference the next day. We also had an
awesome member appointment and it was amazing. This is literally the
best ward in the history of ever. We talked about member missionary work
and they started to share about how they had started to introduce some
of their friends to the gospel the week before! Without being asked to
share! And the whole ward is like that. It is super nice. Then we had
ping pong night and we forgot to tell lots of people that we were
starting it up, so only some eikaiwa students came and our ward mission
leader happened to show up by chance. Then we went and got the Elders
from the eki. That was a fun night. We were all getting ready for the
conference and ironing our shirts and such. It was fun to get to see
those two again. (They were in the same zone as Elder Whited and me last
transfer).
Then on Saturday
we had our mission conference. It was super nice to see all the
missionaries that I know and to meet some new ones. And one of the new
bean-chans is from West Valley and knows some of my friends from high
school. That was weird. Also this was probably the last time that I will
see any of the sisters that I came out with until after the end. It was
pretty sad and I will miss them. Then Elder Holland came a spoke to us,
as well as Elder Yamashita and Elder Whiting from the Area Presidency.
It was such a great time. He (Elder Holland) talked about the importance
of loving your mission and how personal a mission actually is. And yes,
he is a pulpit pounder. Then that night the other Elders' investigator,
Hattori san, was baptized. He was super excited and when he walked in
he asked when he gets to share his testimony. It was super cool to feel
the difference of testimony of an Apostle and of a newly baptized
person. But the spirit was just about as strong in the room. It was a
really good day. And unfortunately, I had to play the piano for the
baptism.
Then on Sunday,
we got to go with the Young Men for Priesthood meeting. It was a super
good lesson and I really like the Young Men. They are all really solid
and they want to work hard. It was cool to see how comfortable they are
with inviting someone in to their classroom. And the other Elders'
investigator iori came and he had a great time I think.
I
love the gospel and all the amazing opportunities that we have from it.
Jesus is the Christ and truly suffered for our sins. Through the
Atonement of Christ we can really do anything. I am amazed at how we can
always start over and the amazing power that we get from Christ. We can
truly use the Atonement for our life. Not only just in forgiving our
sins and overcoming our weaknesses, but we use the power of the
Atonement for everything if we try. We can use it to learn to ride a
bicycle, to speak Japanese, to read our scriptures, to pass our math
test, or to just be able to forgive someone who did us wrong. Truly it
is amazing.
I will end with a quote from Confucius, "To be wronged or robbed is nothing unless you continue to remember it."
I hope you all have a great week.
Elder Richardson
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Once Upon a Time. . .
Hello from Ichinomiya!
Well, as you know, I was transferred so I am now in a new place (well I have been here before multiple times) and with a new companion (Elder Whited). So this week was pretty fun. Last Monday was my last day in Nanao and I spent that night with my chums Mario and Nishikawa. Always a good time. Then on Tuesday morning I started my train rides. Luckily, it wasn't nearly as long as last time and I was able to get here in just under 6 hours.
Well the main things that happened this week were that and then on Saturday, there was a wedding reception and I actually knew one of the people that got married! He is from Gifu ward! So I saw a lot of members that I know and that was really fun. There will pretty much only be pictures of the reception because that was all that we really did other that update records and figure out what we are doing here.
Well, that happened and so we got to meet a lot of the members before Sunday and so now we really feel like we know this ward just after a week. It was pretty fun and we got to make and eat some good food.
I hope that you had and have a great week! Sorry this one was short, but we didn't get to do much!
Later then,
Elder Richardson
Well, as you know, I was transferred so I am now in a new place (well I have been here before multiple times) and with a new companion (Elder Whited). So this week was pretty fun. Last Monday was my last day in Nanao and I spent that night with my chums Mario and Nishikawa. Always a good time. Then on Tuesday morning I started my train rides. Luckily, it wasn't nearly as long as last time and I was able to get here in just under 6 hours.
Well the main things that happened this week were that and then on Saturday, there was a wedding reception and I actually knew one of the people that got married! He is from Gifu ward! So I saw a lot of members that I know and that was really fun. There will pretty much only be pictures of the reception because that was all that we really did other that update records and figure out what we are doing here.
Well, that happened and so we got to meet a lot of the members before Sunday and so now we really feel like we know this ward just after a week. It was pretty fun and we got to make and eat some good food.
I hope that you had and have a great week! Sorry this one was short, but we didn't get to do much!
Later then,
Elder Richardson
1) Elder Whited, the bride and groom, and me
2) Everyone
3) Elder Kariya and Elder Otsu (The other Ichinomiya Elders) during set up
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