2017 08 13 Birthday Week

WELL... ... it was an interesting week and it felt long and short all at the same time.

Monday (月 Getsu 曜日yobi):

Today I decided to by a yukata (a casual / summer kimono) but other than that it was a normal Pday. However, it did get cut a little short because we went up up to Kumamoto for a Zone 大会 (tai kai - convention) so, the rest of the evening was spent traveling to Kumamoto.

Here’s the Cake from the Aoki's. It says… Congratulations on your birthday Brin Chan Williams Kun

Tuesday (火 Moku 曜日yobi):

We had a really good 大会 (tai kai - convention). There were a lot of talking about Charity and love. Afterwards we took the Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train) back to Sendai and spent the rest of the night visiting a LA (less active). Well then, Happy Birthday to Me!!! Nothing really special happened until the evening, in which we had a 食事 (shokuji - meal) with the Aoki family and Madoka姉妹 (shimai - sister). Aoki姉妹 (shimai - sister) surprised the both of us in giving us a Jinbei (traditional Japanese summer clothes) and we had a lot of fun taking pictures in them.

Jinbei

Jinbei

Jinbei

Jinbei

Jinbei

Jinbei

Here’s the video of us opening up the gifts

 

Wednesday (水 Sui 曜日yobi):

No report

Thursday (木 Moku 曜日yobi):

Today was all about weekly planning. Later we had Eikaiwa (English conversation class), even though very few people showed up it was still fun.

Way pretty

Friday (金 Kin 曜日yobi):

Today was just a normal day, can't remember anything really happening...

slide we found during 伝道 (Dendo - tracting)

Saturday (土 do 曜日yobi):

Today we took our bikes WAY far in the morning. We were able to talk to some way cool people. We had a RA (Return Appointments) in the evening with a girl that we contacted earlier in this week. The plan was to meet her with her parents, but when we got there she said that her parents weren't home and didn't know if the could meet again. So that was pretty sad.

Sunday (日 nichi 曜日yobi):

Church was good. We taught gospel principles class during second hour. We didn't think that it went that well, but it seemed like everyone enjoyed it. We also taught more of the after baptism (AB) lessons to Madoka 姉妹 (shimai - sister). In the evening we met with Kamimasuさん (san - “Mrs”) and Yamaguchi 姉妹 (shimai - sister). Kamimasuさん (san - “Mrs”) is a friend of Aoki 姉妹 (shimai - sister) that we met while at 伝道 (Dendo - tracting). It’s been a couple weeks since we met, but she called before the RA (Return Appointments) to tell us that her daughter was sick. So, Aoki 姉妹 (shimai - sister) said we should go visit again and when we did we were able to talk with her. We weren’t able to set up a RA (Return Appointments) when we saw her, but if she has time, she'll listen to us. That’s a good start.

Oh, did I mention that we can bake things in our Microwave oven?

We also met with Yamaguchi 姉妹 (shimai - sister). She WAS a member of the church, but she had asked to have her records removed some time ago. When we visited her she seemed fairly open to listen but, but she was busy. Please keep both Sister Yamaguchi and Mrs. Kamimasu in your prayers!

got bored so, tried on Yukata

my lock screen for a little bit

2017 08 06 Yep, A Week has Passe

Hello random assortment ...of family, friends and whomever else happens to get this email. It's been a pretty busy week and not at the same time.

Monday (月 Getsu 曜日yobi):

Normal day, it was Elder Williams birthday, so that was fun.

Cream puff drink, weird but, good

Tuesday (火 Moku 曜日yobi):

Well, my bike basket holder was almost broken so, I bought a new one and had problems with it all day so, we did get to do to much 伝道 (Dendo - tracting).

Sky had a cool orange color

Wednesday (水 Sui 曜日yobi):

Today we went down to Taniyama and had district meeting. We got to meet the new people in the district and that was fun. We did had a RA (Return Appointments) in the evening but sadly she wasn't home.

Thursday (木 Moku 曜日yobi):

We did weekly planning and had an apartment check, which we passed. We also tried to visit Miki さん (san - “Mrs”) but, when we knocked no one answered. Then Eikaiwa (English conversation class) in the evening was 普通 (futsu - normal).

My socks have toes, your argument is invalid

Friday (金 Kin 曜日yobi):

Kid's Eikaiwa (English conversation class) was a ton of fun and as soon as we got back we went straight to a lesson with Take, one of Elder Williams' investigators, and right after him a lesson with Hidemichi and both were way good.

Rainbow after the typhoon

Saturday (土 do 曜日yobi):

In the morning we met a lady that we talked with for a long time then on the way back the wind started to pick up a ton. We got a call from Egan会長 (choro - elder) saying that we weren't to use our bikes for the rest of the evening and we weren't aloud to leave the apartment at all on Sunday because of an incoming typhoon. So, we walked for evening and we had a way cool experience talking with a guy who had lost his son but, he wasn't very interested in the lesson, maybe he will be later.

What it sounds like to cross the bridge  

Sunday (日 nichi 曜日yobi):

We stayed in until around 6pm because of the typhoon warning. We finally got the call saying it was all clear and we could leave the apartment. But we had a mini sacrament meeting and shared personal experiences and just tried not to waste away in the apartment. But, a package from home came so, I opened it. Thank you family!!! Yes, I do realize it was a birthday package but, I was way flippin' BORED. The typhoon was actually super bad yesterday but it did rain quite a bit.

opening package

2017 07 31 New Transfer, Same Are

Hello random assortment ...of Family, friends and whoever else happens to get this email. Things are going well in Sendai so far this transfer. Sorry for the late email, we were kinda of running around everywhere this morning but here is my week.

Monday (月 Getsu 曜日yobi):

No report

Tuesday (火 Moku 曜日yobi):

No report

Wednesday (水 Sui 曜日yobi):

Today was my last full day with Elder Chadwick. We spent ALL morning trying to sell his bike and taking care of shipping for some Kendo swords that he bought here. We finally got everything figured out this afternoon! Then, for the rest of the afternoon we walked to a kinda far area to 伝道 (Dendo - tracting) and then we went to a farewell party at the Aoki's house.

good bye party

good bye party

*NOTE from Dad

I asked Spencer a bit about his companion Elder Chadwick. I told him that my first companion in Japan was getting ready to go home and his motivation to get out and work was really low. Spencer told me Elder Chadwick's problems were a result of his depression. Spencer said that his companion actually really did want to get out and be tracting, but was physically unable to. During those times where Spencer was stuck in his apartment with his companion he spent his time studying the Japanese in the lessons.

Thursday (木 Moku 曜日yobi):

We woke up a bit early this morning and went to the Eiki (train station) to see Elder Yagame and Elder Chadwick off. Elder Yagame pretty much left as soon as we got there and then we waited for a good little bit before Elder Chadwick left.

*NOTE from Dad

When Spencer first transferred into this area (Sendai) there were only two Elders there. They expanded to four Elders, but each companionship sent an elder home and the remaining missionaries formed the new companionship.

After that some of the kids that we had played basketball with had two matches today. We decided to go support them and went to go watch and it was way fun. The second game was WAY close and intense. I almost lost my voice from yelling so much! Then we taught Eikaiwa (English conversation class) in the evening.

me and Elder Williams

Friday (金 Kin 曜日yobi):

伝道 (Dendo - tracting) a little bit in the morning then tried to do weekly planning but had to go to kid's Eikaiwa (English conversation class) and that was interesting because it was in a new place. Then we spent the evening fixing up our bikes.

what the Aokis, Manami and Madoka did for Elder Williams' Birthday

Saturday (土 do 曜日yobi):

Today we finished our weekly planning and went to sports night. No one came but one random guy that we played a game with.

the three type of Umeboshi I ate

the three type of Umeboshi I ate

the three type of Umeboshi I ate

*NOTE from Dad

The word "umeboshi" is often translated into English as "Japanese salt plums," "salt plums" or "pickled plums. While the are often called a “plum” it’s actually more closely related to the apricot. Umeboshi are a popular kind of pickles and are extremely sour and salty.

Sunday (日 nichi 曜日yobi):

We taught 3 lessons today! One to Take, (one of Elder Williams investigators), and one to Haruna and the last was Madoka's Lesson. For Madoka’s lesson we were there as support as one of the members, Manami姉妹 (shimai - sister) actually taught the lesson. Manami 姉妹 (shimai - sister) brought an absolutely adorable dog with her to the lesson! It was pretty fun. So, the reason I am late for emailing is because we found a store that is selling kimonos for WAY CHEAP! So, if you want one let me know these things;

Height in cm and your Preferred color

Also, the kimonos are half off so this is a fantastic deal, women's kimono $79 and men's are $74 but the only come in blue or black. I don't have the money for everyone so, please send me the money and I'll get you the Kimono. I also found kendo swords for about $25, if you want any, please follow the instructions above.

KarumiChan!!!

Again, this is what happens almost EVERY SUNDAY!

2017 07 24 Another Transfer and Another Dead Companion

Hello random assortment ...of Family, friends and whoever else happens to get this email. It's been an interesting week and I am happy it's over. So, we got our transfer calls already and I'm staying with Elder Williams, Elder Yagame is going to Beppu and Elder Chadwick is going home (in the mission language, he is dying) and Sendai went back down to a 2 man and that is going to be fun.

Monday (月 Getsu 曜日yobi):

I had the pleasure of going to the temple today, and that was way cool and exhausting. In the evening we just 伝道 (Dendo - tracking) around.

Tuesday (火 Moku 曜日yobi):

Today was our last district meeting and then we went to go buy groceries (because the store we normally get them from was closed) and then we had Eikaiwa (English conversation class).

what we found in the church

Wednesday (水 Sui 曜日yobi):

巡回 (junkai - patrol / splits) with Elder Yagame and we saw some cool miracles in the evening. We were able to meet a lady and taught her for a little bit and handed her a BOM. Then we met with a member who asked that she be removed from the records of the church. We talked with her for a bit and it ended up good.

Thursday (木 Moku 曜日yobi):

Today, Elder Chadwick was dead tired AGAIN so, I went with Elder Yagame to teach Mikiさん (san - “Mrs”). Then later that evening I went with elder Williams to teach Madoka 姉妹 (shimai - sister). After the lesson with Madoka we taught Eikaiwa (English conversation class). After class, one of the students, Oscar, gave me this woodcarving thing, it is way cool. Also I had left my daily planner in Kagoshima on our last visit and the elders there FINALLY sent it to me. I was so happy that it came today!!

the woodcarving

Friday (金 Kin 曜日yobi):

Today we went of to Haruna and Hidemichi's house to go and help with their yard. They LITERALLY had a bamboo forest growing in their yard! I was NOT expecting to see that. Then we had a lesson with Madoka 姉妹 (shimai - sister).

Elder Chadwick really trying not to sleep during studies

Saturday (土 do 曜日yobi):

Most of today was spent getting ready for the baptism tonight. The font here is an inflatable pool and it need a bit of cleaning and everything else was just helping set up. The baptism was great, Elder Chadwick baptized Madoka and it was way cool experience.

the baptismal service

the baptismal service

The baptism

Sunday (日 nichi 曜日yobi):

Madoka姉妹 (shimai - sister) was confirmed today in sacrament meeting. That was great, but then after church Elder Chadwick crashed way hard core. That meant that the rest of the day was spent studying.

what usually happens after church

what usually happens after church

Monday (月 Getsu 曜日yobi):

So, Elder Chadwick has mood swings, I don’t think that I’d mentioned that before. And today's mood was way flippin' mad. So today was NOT fun. By the time that evening rolled around I had no energy or motivation. Elder Chadwick was feeling a lot better so, we tried to 伝道 (Dendo - tracking) but we ended up sitting down and talking for a good little bit. It was a good chat. It has been a good transfer and I'm looking forward to what goes down this upcoming transfer.

Quick favor, I've recently been able to see the power of optimism and positive thinking. What I mean by that is Madoka姉妹 (shimai - sister)  baptism was a miracle. So, I have a favor to ask all of you, if you hear someone say about any mission that it is a not baptizing mission or nothing really happens there, well, you should rain down fire from heaven on them because comments like that have a lasting impact and it destroys the faith of others and that stops the miracles. Also, be more positive, that is what the world really needs, is more people being positive and working with optimism.