Week 1 - Sept 21, 2016

Konnichwa
Week one has gone by quickly, when I got here i got my name tag, room
key and Id card rhen I went straight to learning Japanese. After a
couple minutes of class my Sōryō all walked in Campbell chōrō. Food
here is not too bad but there is mass quantities so I'm not starving
also the Dōryōtachi in my district get care package is full of food
it's fantastic. We study for about 11 hours a day either language or
scripture and on the second day we start teaching our first
investigator Makiko. It's not too bad except for the fact that we had
to keep your teacher in Japanese and I'm below kindergarten level. Me
and Elder Campbell write out our script before hand and then we
teacher off of it, not too bad until she has questions. We had a
district meeting with the branch president and another district and I
was assigned to be the first district leader in my district. There are
five other chōrōtachi touches in my district and a ride to Shimaitachi
in my district as well. We have devotionals every Sunday and Tuesday
and Tuesday evening we usually get a general authority to come this
Tuesday we had L Whitney Clayton from the 70 come to teach us it was
pretty cool he talked about how the church is true. I suppose I
skipped over the total touchy and the Shimaitachi they are Winchester
Chōrō, Swap chōrō, Arnold chōrō and Osmond Chōrō and the Shimai are
Cowdell Shimai and Torgerson Shimai. Sunday afternoon we took a quick
walk to the temple it was pretty cool but we didn't get to stay long
because we had an extra long mean afterwards. I'm now going to explain
the Japanese words in my letter, we were challenged by Procter Kyōdai
to Speak Our Language (SYL) and to do that we incorporate words into
our vocabulary
Chōrō-Elder
Shimai-Sister
Dōryō-Compainion
-tachi- makes the noun plural
If I missed any other word, Google translate

Me Campbell Chōrō and Swapp Chōrō

Torgerson Shimai and Cowdell Shimai

Me and Dōryō

Winchister Chōrō is not amused

Me, Campbell, Winchester, Swapp, Arnold, Osmond, Cowdell and Torgenson in front of the Provo temple

Mason Chōrō, guy front and center on the selfie, got a care package with some face mustaches and he shared with me and Swapp Chōrō. Fun fact, he is from Arizona and played rugby with Ryan.

Replacement Workers

Spenci has been doing yard work with Papa for several years. They have gotten into such a groove that Papa does not need to give Spenci much instruction any more. They both have really enjoyed the hamburger lunch afterward, and the time spent together.

Here is the work crew the first Saturday after Elder Brinkerhoff reported to the MTC.

How many boys does it take to replace 1
Spencer D.?

Traveling to the MTC part 2

(Contributed by Jennifer Platt)

Waiting curb side at the airport.
He has slick baggage that connects all together

We picked Spencer up from the Salt Lake Airport around 10:30 am (MST) and traveled to Provo. He was so excited and happy... ready to go. When I asked if he'd like to call his parents to let them know he was safe, he said he'd best not. We drove through a favorite local (Provo) burger place and ordered lunch. Upon arriving at the window to pay, the clerk noticed Spencer in his suit and asked if he was headed to the MTC, which merited a FREE lunch.

Cousin Curt Farnsworth met us and spent a few minutes in between classes eating lunch. Then we made a quick stop at Uncle Jed's store to purchase a water bottle. Report time was 12:30 pm and we were exactly on time. It's a slick, painful process- just rip that bandaid off. I started crying as soon as we turned into the MTC. We were directed down a long road to park in slot "21", get bags out and go. I think they said we had 4 minutes. Needless to say, I had a good cry. Apparently more than his mom did that morning :) Way to be strong Jenna.

Cousin Nelson (age 8.5 months)

Elder Brinkerhoff couldn't get his hands on this baby fast enough.
He was very happy for the car to stop so he could cuddle this baby!

Stop crying Aunt Jen.

When asked what he's most excited about, he stated: a love of Japanese culture and people has been engrained in me. I guess I blame my dad. I can't wait to go to Japan.

What are you most worried about: teaching in general can be scary but to do it in Japanese is pretty scary.

I reminded him that the Lord trusts him and to have faith in that for now and it will be enough. He's going to do great! He's a happy, easy going guy and we were so happy to have some time with him.

With the Provo Temple, facing the MTC 

BYE!!

He's off! I was being rushed away by a traffic officer

Walking toward the MTC. I thought he'd sprint. 

First Letter Home

I have arrived safely at the MTC but, I'm sure you heard that from Aunt Jen already. Today has been busy, I got here, got my books, assigned a companion, Elder Cambel,  and started learning Japanese right away. We had some meetings in the day and in my last meeting was with the Branch Presidents and I was called to be the first district leader. My PDay is Wednesday.

Text Message From Mom's Friend

Mom received this text message from her friend Tracy Alexander

"My friend posted these on Facebook after dropping off her son this A.M. at the airport ... I was like, I recognize that other missionary! :-)"

This other missionary is going to Taiwan. I think his name is Christian Erikson

Traveling to MTC

Aunt Jen picked me up from the SLC airport.

I got to see my cousin Curt Farnsworth. He just returned from his mission in Chile.

Airport Dropoff

Spencer had a great system set up with his luggage. His bags had straps on them so that they all  linked together. It ended up making a little train that he could easily navigate through the parking lot and the airport terminal. And note in the photo below that Claire is on Megan's back BECAUSE SHE FORGOT TO BRING SHOES!

Spencer said that he was a bit hungry so we grabbed him a greasy egg sandwich from the Paradise Bakery there near the security gate at Terminal 3. We think that the combination of that fast food and a bit of nerves didn't sit well with him and he didn't end up finishing it at all. Our beautiful Talley is giving Spence a bit of a look in the picture below. I absolutely love the way that our children love one another. 

There were a couple of pictures that we took at the airport that morning with just the three of us. I chose to include the photo below for one small reason. My dear sweet wife is holding the hand of her little boy. She held it like she has so many times before. She has led him by the hand and taught him right from wrong. She has used her hand to heal and nurture, to correct and council. And in that moment as he was about to go out on his own, she was there to hold his hand. She is the greatest blessing in my life. 

Annnnnnnnndddddddd.... there he goes. Our life is changing.