Week 52

Hey Mom and Dad,

 

So here's the news.  I did not survive transfers.  They shipped me out of my beloved Kofu.  And I was/am very sad.  I know that there are people there who's lives I touched.  Friends I've made that will be friends a long time.  To be honest I really did not want to leave.  It had really become a home to me.  But now I am in a place called Fuchu.  And as luck would have it, it is right beside Tama, my first area.  Even though it's right beside it's actually in a completely different stake.  It's also my first time (besides the earthquake) leaving Machida stake.  My stake is now called Musashino.  My new companion is Elder Graham.  He's from Nevada and he is on his 6th transfer.  He's a way nice guy and he's really laid back.  And as luck would again have it, they decided to make me District Leader. xD Oh no!!  Journal time automatically dies because now I have to call people at night.  But yeah so that's the scoop on transfers. 

And Mom what is this hump day you speak of?  I've only been out for a couple months...  not 12... ok... maybe 12... yikes...

But thank you

 

Nope no colour change here yet but it is starting to get a little bit cooler.  But for me not quite fast enough.  My body reacted rather weirdly to the heat this summer.  Mostly because it was so hot, so I sweat a lot.  But then also because it's so humid the sweat did not evaporate and so there were some days where I spent the better portion of the afternoon wearing a wet shirt.  Especially when it's wet with sweat it becomes really not fun.

 

Am I still tremendously busy?  Well yes and no.  Yes because I became district leader and no because there are not as many appointments as we had in my previous area but my goal is to make that change!  My investigators in Fuchu have actually not been met by me yet.  But my investigators in Kofu are doing terrific.  There's a good chance that in the coming weeks that Roma and Yvonne will be baptized which means that I can go back to Kofu.  So I have a lot of hope for those in Kofu and I know that I will develop it for those here in Fuchu.

 

How do I feel after having been out for a year.  I feel terrific.  I feel awesome.  I love the change that I can see comparing to pre-mission.  I love the type of person that I'm choosing to become.  Do I see growth and progress in myself?  Absolutely.  It's really amazing to see firsthand what effects leading a truly gospel-centered life can have on an individual.  I also feel that I'm able to see the Lord's hand in a lot more. 

 

Yeah I remember what it felt like arriving in Japan for the first time.  It's quite an incredible change.  I used to be so scared.  So afraid to even try talking to people for fear of messing up.  Now I feel like I could be out on my own and just go and talk to people and make friends and stuff like that.  I remember  how nervous I was travelling into ottawa and intercity by bus by myself.  Now I don't relish coming home and finding out that Canada has nowhere near as good a railway system as Japan.  I could honestly go anywhere in Japan.  By myself.  And probably be ok.  Either it's that easy or I'm that confident xD.  Probably the former heh heh.  Do I feel well seasoned... Yes. xD  I used to think transfer 8 was when you became old.   (I'm transfer 8 now!) 

 

So yes that is the deal with me.  Please email and let me know as soon as Ben's surgery is done.  I want to know that he's ok and that it went well.

 

So that is all what's going on in the life of Elder Keith.  It's been exciting to say the least!!  Thanks for your support.  I've realized that my personal purpose, besides my missionary purpose is to help people in almost anyway that I can.  And if that includes being a good example for someone back home by being out here, I'm all over it.  I love it because I too feel like I'm being that light, and not just for those who don't know about the gospel.  And it is honestly the best time of my life so far!  I love you and pray for you.  Thank you for everything.

 

Elder Keith

 

PS  oh mom would you please email me your cinnamon roll recipe this week.  There's a base close by so we can get all the ingredients.  That would be muchly appreciated.  Thank you!!!

Week 51

Hey!!!

Ok so yes. How am I doing? I am doing terrifically.  Well actually I am currently terrified.  I am terrified because we have transfer calls coming up this weekend and I really really really don't want to be transferred.  I have really come to love Kofu.  My companion and I get along great most of the time and we are sooo busy we hardly have any time.  Like literally for the past 3 weeks we have not had an open night.  I think that all that pre-mission planning of events (when to go to whose house and so on) was in preparation for me having to move all these different appointments around.  So... items of interest in the work.  Well we have a man by the name of Yoda who we found about 5-6weeks ago.  We met him on the street.  He started coming to church and lately my companion has been teaching him with a member before church while I go to our missionary coordination meeting.  He has a baptismal date set for October 8th.  He's doing really well.  We've also been teaching someone that I found way back in July during a kubarikai (a flyer pass-out ...session(?)).  She's so awesome and smart!  She's from Alabama and doesn't hardly speak a lick of Japanese, which is why we, the elders are teaching her, because both of the sisters in the area are currently Japanese.  It's such a  blessing being able to teach people and watch them progress in the gospel. 

Yes I am happy.  Healthy?  Well let's hope so haha.  I think I need to eat more vegetables... heh heh heh.  So also I think that one of our investigators is going to add you on facebook!  Her name is Yvonne Vaigafa.  She and her husband are from New Zealand.  And we had poutine with them the other day and they loved it.  She wanted to thank you for it.  I also gave them a pack and they said that it was terrific. So thank you again for that.  And the picture of me with the long hair and sunglasses, when I show people NO ONE EVEN RECOGNIZES ME!!!!  xD  It's hilarious.  Thank you

Sounds like everyone at home is having just a great time.  So I don't actually have too much more time to write now,  but I'm so glad to hear that everyone is doing well.

By the way, you know how we used to talk about whose life I was supposed to touch while here in Japan.  I don't think it was just 1 person...  I received a letter this past week from a couple I met in Nagoya (she was a member, he wasn't, they got married and he got baptized after I left) and then I got a letter from a kid in my ward in Tama.  And I have a couple other things from people that kinda let me know that however brief, I had an impact on their life and that I have friends in every place that I've been.  It's a truly remarkable experience to be a missionary.  Thanks for everything.  I'll be getting an SD shortly and then mailing the one I have now home soon.  Hope you all are doing well.  Love you!!

Elder Keith

キース長老

Week 50

お父さん！お母さん！

お元気ですか？ええ、皆はすごく忙しいですね？私も最近けっこ忙しかったんです。あいている時間はあまりないね。やっぱり、宣教師のことはそうです！

Translation:

How are you doing?  Wow it seems like everyone's really busy eh?  I, too, have been really busy recently.  We have like no free time.  Of course missionary work is like that!

Settlers of Catan.  Wow I haven't played that in like a year!  I haven't played any board game in like a year!  In our mission the only time we'd be allowed to do that is with investigators.  And to be honest, Japanese people in general aren't the biggest fans of board games.

Seminary has started in the Keith household!  That's awesome!  I wish that I had focused a lot more on Seminary when I was back that age.  Oh well.  What's done is done.  Not too much more I can do about it now right?  

Yeah we're in bed at like 1030 but me and my companion usually end up talking until like 11 (wanpaku[rebellious] yes I know but xD) it's all good.  We're still up at 630 and then we work out and then we eat and our day starts!!  Way fun!  

That makes me so happy to hear about the spirituality boost.  Being around the gospel every day and having everything gospel centered and such, it's currently kinda hard for me to imagine me not doing this kinda stuff.  Like studying every day and talking to people about the gospel.

I'll make sure to keep Brother Pelletier in my prayers. 

I did have somewhat of a request actually.  Transfers are coming up and I was wondering if you could get me that stuff on Toronto for that one sister in my ward.  If you send some to me when you get this then that would be most appreciated! 

Package isn't quite here yet but I get the feeling it will be soon. 

Thanks for everything.  I really appreciate your support! 

Love you

Week 49

Heyyyy!!

 

Elder Garcia... why does that sound so familiar?!  Was I in the MTC with him by any chance?  Maybe.  No offense but that would just be far too weird.  Seeing any of you guys while I'm on my mission.  (Elder Garcia is serving in the Canada Montreal Mission, Ty is referring to the fact that Elder Garcia grew up in the Montreal area and his parents still live there.  He sees them at Stake Conferences etc.)  But the funny thing is that President Albrecht isn't a stricty pants on family visiting.  My last companion saw his mom at the temple, and that wasn't the first time.  I've heard many times about people going to visit grandparents and such who live in Japan.  But as much I wanna see you, let's save everything for the post-mission tour that will happen.  =D  

Speaking of letters, I did get your letter Mom, but I've been like really really pressed for time recently (yes even on Pday) and so when I get the time I will write you one back.  And thank you for sending that package.  I really appreciate it and I know that when I share it with a particular investigator family that they will be just as happy.

Wow that must be so weird having all those little kids around xD.   I wonder how many more will be there before I come home heh heh heh.  We were talking about family get-togethers recently, me and my companion.  Heh heh not a good idea for me.  For the most part I am able to not feel homesick in the slightest, but talking like that... xD.  Let's just say it's a feeling I don't experience very often. 

We've been sooo busy recently.  Like none of our nights this week are open.  I will get this letter written quick before we go to a family named the Ramos's to share a spiritual message with them.  Tomorrow we meet with a woman named Sharmeen, Wednesday is Eikaiwa (english class), thursday we're planning to have a FHE (which are you guys doing that by chance?) with our New Zealand Family, Friday we meet with a guy named Saeed, Saturday we have our weekly pingpong activity, then Sunday night we're helping out with an evening sacrament meeting that's happening here.  Then next Monday we'll probably have an appointment because one guy wanted to meet tonight but we were busy so maybe next week?  

The wind down from summer and the start into school is always a bummer.  But get this, once you become a missionary, you don't even have to worry about it because every day is an adventure.  Heck one day I almost got run down on my bike by a scantily clad woman riding a motorized scooter.  But thanks to my lightning quick reflexes... xD  Let's see what else.  I biked through a typhoon (no joke) to go see an investigator.  xD 

So at the risk of this becoming a chapter book I will end here and say thank you for everything.  I really really appreciate all you do for me.  And those pictures from  the canoe trip.  Holy darn smokes...

 

Heh heh.  Love you

 

Elder Keith

キース長老