It's MOTHERS DAY! Ok, So, I just had a phone call with the Parents, so I don't have that much time with the e-mail today....
Ok, let's start with a quick rundown.
Monday: Well, we didn't have p-day so we had a full day of Dendo! Sadly most of the day was spent making our ways to people’s houses only to have most people not home, but it was still good, we got a lot of good conversations done. We did get to end the day with a trip to Sukiya! It's a fast food restaurant in Japan that focuses on Gyudon, or beef strips on rice, and it's so delicious. We also topped it with a raw egg, which ended up not being the best choice for Elder Gandy because he spent all of the next day either in the bathroom or passed out on his Futon.
Tuesday: Well, pretty much just like I said before, it was spent all inside trying to get Elder Gandy back up and healthy. So he super wasn't up to doing a lot of study or anything like that, so it kind of became a day to learn and play board games and card games together, watch church movies, and take much needed naps. It's been a long time since I've had a rest day..... I think it was good for both of us. Then that night we had a Baptism for Teruki who just turned 8! We ended up having a good 30 people come out and had a really fun time!
Wednesday: So, we still weren't sure how Elder Gandy was going to be that day so we planned on taking it a little easier. We ended up visiting two less active members, which ended up taking a much longer time than I had thought, and it really did ended up taking all of the day, but it was good, because even if it takes a couple hours out of our day, if it gives them an opportunity to come closer to Christ and feel of the Savior’s love, I am more than willing to take that time, and give them a little more hope for the rest of the week.
Thursday: We went to go visit Yakushiji up on the top of the mountain. That's a good 1:30 bike ride, but with Elder Gandy not feeling 100% it ended up being about 2 hours! I thought he was about to die, but he's a trooper, and we ended up having a way good lesson with Yakushiji! That day we decided that we were going to really focus on bringing the spirit into the lesson, so all our plans and work was for the spirit to be there. We talked for a good hour and even sang hymns together. She's preparing for her baptism on the 20th and she's just getting stronger and stronger as time goes on. Something wonderful that we've found is that every day, as we've picked a specific goal or focus for the day, we've been able to accomplish the task. Every day essentially, bar none, the goal for the lessons, the prayers before, and all of the work has paid off and we have seen a great deal of success as we have gone throughout this week! Goal setting and prayer, it’s a good combination!
Friday: We made it out to the East of Oita, another hour bike ride away (We've got a good pair of thunder-thighs coming along). We ended up not having a whole lot of time to plan on Thursday so we set aside a time in the middle of Friday to finish planning. We ended up planning by the bank of a river and it would have been a perfect serene scene, except for the trains that roared past every couple of minutes or so.... it was really pretty though! That day too we ended up not meeting most of the people we intended to, but it was a good day nonetheless!
Saturday: We had a hiking trip that morning and headed up to a Plateau. Most all of the pictures today are from that trip. We had a big picnic after the hike and it was really cool to see all this Japanese food everywhere! I have to say I am a big fan of Japanese food, and I may have eaten a little bit much..... I felt like I was going to burst. Also, I've been living at Sea level for so long, that now when we went up to the Plateau, a good 900m or so up (3000 ft?) the sun was scorching. I ended up getting a wicked burn on my neck (which isn't too comfortable with collars and neckties every day.....) and on the forehead. It was a great activity though! Then that night we had a lesson with a previous investigator and it was awesome! We decided that we wanted to focus on what he needs, what he wants, and how this gospel will help him, and I believe that with the emphasized focus on him, that the lesson went very well. In fact, by the end of the lesson he said, "I've met many missionaries before, but I have to say that this is the first time I've met missionaries like you, I think it would be really good if I do get baptized, that I would get baptized by you.".... People don't say that, and it was a testimony to me that as we pray and set a goal for what we want to achieve, we can find the success we desire!
Well, time is running out and we've got to get back and get ready to go to Nobeoka today. We have companionship exchanges (Elder Gandy's first one!) and we've got a good 2 hour train ride ahead of us today! It'll be great fun though!
Until next week,
Elder Everettエベレット長老
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