8 July 2018

8 July 2018

In response to me sending pictures of our garden from previous years since we didn't plant one this year:

Those look good! Thanks a bunch! I wish you guys could meet this guy. He’s so whack. Haha.

In response to me asking what he was up to today:

Nothing. Trying not to be killed by the giant ball of fire in the sky.

It was a long hot week. We talk to interesting people all the time but no one who is interested.

1 July 2018

1 July 2018

I was hoping when you get home if sometime you can send me some
pictures of the garden. I ran into this one crazy guy we do service
for every week while he was working in his garden so I told him I’d
show him some pictures of our garden.

24 June 2018

24 June 2018

Today we are going to Enoshima. Haha, today it’s just going to be way too hot.

In response to my comment that he has more fun than last time and takes more pictures:

That’s because the people I was with at the time. We just wasted a ton of time. But when I was in Fujisawa I went down there all the time.

Now we are on the 2 hour train to get there though.  Oops... I already forgot to get you guys a picture of Tōkyō from afar. The train line I was just on usually has a great view of Tokyo’s horizon.

So this week Elder Yamashita came and gave a fantastic boost to our
work. He was super genki. He talked a lot of about baptism including
telling the story of a Sister missionary in the Kobe area who set a
goal to get 752 baptisms on her mission. After three transfers she
still had no baptisms. So she and her companion set a new goal. 500
and odd baptisms. She did not reach her goal. By the end of her
mission, over 300 people she had taught, received baptism. There was
almost never a week that she didn’t have more than three investigators
being baptized. Her investigators continuously brought their friends
to be taught so she rarely had to go out and find. Many of her lessons
were group lessons. She was truly like the sons of Mosiah, baptizing
literally hundreds of converts. It was an inspiring conference and we
are all much more focused now. Needless to say, we learned a lot about
the power of faith. Hmm.. what else did I learn...

17 June 2018

17 June 2018

Things are... going. We meet only one guy once a week right now.

10 June 2018

10 June 2018

Literally the only picture I have from last week. 

We went to dendo with the new missionaries for their first time and his is Paquette Chōrō who went home early in

Kōfu but he is finally back.

 

My new companions name in Elder Nagaoka and he is from Sendai. It’s
been raining quite a bit since the transfer started unfortunately and
it may only get worse from here. It’s about rainy season time.
Yesterday one of our new friends Sister Okada came to church. She was
actually raised Christian and has a lot of history with multiple
Christian sects. She is like a way kind grandmother to us, who also
happens to want to come to church more because she hasn’t been in n so
long.
I ran into my favorite MTC teacher Brother Strauss yesterday as well!
What a guy... he is actually engaged to someone from this ward so they
were here for wedding plans. Man, I’ve never heard him speak so much
English.. haha. He is so awesome and it was way cool to see him again.
Hopefully the rain clears up soon because we are getting soaked.

3 June 2018

3 June 2018

So, today is transfer calls so I’ll send more when I know what is going on with that. I got your letters though.

Well, I’m staying in Kunitachi. And my new companion is Elder Nagaoka.
I’ve actually worked with him a little bit before and he is the
kindest little Japanese kid you’ve ever met. He is awesome.

20 May 2018

20 May 2018

In response to my asking about his meeting with Elder Renlund:

It was really good. No he does not speak Japanese. So the first conference was broadcast from Sapporo. It was about missionary work directed at members. They invited the ward mission leaders to put together a list of one hundred simple things members can do to do missionary work. On Saturday we had a Mission wide conference with him and Elder Choi as well. Then he did an entire area wide broadcast from Kichijōji that we didn’t get to go to but we watched it. 

29 April 2018

29 April 2018

I just found a board game shop...

I’m back in the city again.. I don’t enjoy that. My companion is an
older kid and guess what? His dad wrote galaxy quest. How cool is
that? He is like 22 or something. I don’t like being a missionary in the city. People in Tokyo are waaaay cold. His name is Ethan Howard. He is from Los Angles.

You should look for a game called Bahamuts gate. I think that’s the
name in English. It looked like a really fun co-op board game.

22 April 2018

22 April 2018

I’m transferring to Kunitachi. My new companion is Elder Howard.

15 April 2018

15 April 2018

Sent a copy of his 6 month left letter from his mission president with the subject line "Noooo!!!!

Hey, we’re biking down to a park for zone P-Day I’ll send some
pictures and stuff soon!
Well, it was pretty exhausting but great day at the beach/park. Sorry I didn’t get a whole lot of variety in those pictures.

1 April 2018

1 April 2018

Hey, I’m going to Odawara castle right now so I don’t have time to
send anything right now! I’ll work on it on the train maybe!

25 March 2018

25 March 2018

In response to me sending him a video of his Josh's baby, Titus:

White babies look weird.

The weather is finally getting warmer here in the beach town! Woo!
Although we are still in long sleeve season till may 1st sooo... But
it’s cool.
Oh by the way, my new companion is Elder Brown from Ogden. He is
ridiculously good at Japanese. Almost Elder Draper level of good.
Pretty cool. Also he is a twin. Also, the other elders in the
apartment are twins as well... I am especially now special because I
am NOT a twin haha. Twins galore!
I love this ward so much. Even from day one here I have felt like they
are all my family. We are able to work together with them a lot too
which is perfect.
We had zone conference last week and it was awesome. Got to really
learn to apply my dads unending lesson of changing my mindset and
attitude. Nope. Still not good at it. But it’s a good lesson and a
total game-changer when applied.
The only thing that can hold us back from improvement and progression
is our own pride. As soon as we learn to overcome our pride we can
shave away at the qualities and mistakes that hold us down and really
start going. At the end of the day, we can make all kinds of excuses
that keeps us from breaking down that pride but it will all come to
and end at choice. It’s our choice to make the change. It’s our choice
to change what’s inside us. The things that happen around us only
cause us to make choices that influence what is on the inside it can’t
effect it directly.
Choose to be happy! Choose to be bold! Choose to do great things!
Choose to do hard things! Choose to follow the example of Jesus Christ
and turn outward instead of inward!
Thanks for prayers and emails! Hope and pray everyone has a great week!

18 March 2018

18 March 2018

In response to "How was your week?"

It was the same as every other week. I wish I could email every week like that but I just don't like emailing. I try to think of something every week I just don't usually.
Polynesian night was super great. They are still working on the video from it.

In response to "Maybe we need to plan a trip to Hawaii after you get home." :

How about we just go to Japan instead?

11 March 2018

11 March 2018

In response to my comment that he didn't send any pictures of Enoshima last week:

That's cause I don't have many. It was raining so I wasn't holding my
iPad out to get pictures the whole time. And last time I was with good
friends.

Enoshima was super SUPER windy. It didn't really start raining till the end though. It was a lot of fun. Apparently almost half the entire mission was going to and no one knew except the Assistants who said only said to be careful not to gather into one group. I don't know why they let that many go on one day haha. But it was super cool. For most of it I hung out with Chiba Kyōdai cause he is awesome. Pretty weird p day to be honest though.

4 March 2018

4 March 2018

Hey, we're going to Enoshima I guess so I won't send emails till
pretty late. I'll try to write stuff on the train there and back
though.

I'm so sorry, we got home way late it was crazy.

25 February 2018

25 February 2018

This transfers zone conference was focusing on the Book of Mormon. It was a great experience and spiritually enlightening. 

I just want to tell you a bit about how important the Book of Mormon is to me. I know that this Book contains the word of God and it is meant for us in this day. Every time I have read this book I have felt its power and truth. I may have been born into this church but it really is through the Book of Mormon that I am converted to this church. 

It may seem like a simple thing to some people, but honestly through reading and praying about the Book of Mormon you can know, as Moroni put it, "...know the truth of all things." (Moroni10:5).

This Book means everything to me and nothing brings me more joy than sharing it so that it can help others feel our Heavenly Fathers love and guidance for themselves. 

I'm so grateful for this opportunity to work as a missionary! It's the absolute best experience! 

Everyone have a great week! I'm praying for all of you!

It's also been decided that I will film this years Polynesian night event...

I also memorized this Polynesian hymn for fun. It's one of the ones
they will perform

4 February 2018

4 February 2018

In response to my questions about his new companion:

He is dying this transfer. He was one of my zone leaders in Kōfu. His
name is Gutierrez Chōrō. He is a cool guy I suppose. A good
missionary. It's been ridiculously cold recently. Both of our
investigators suddenly disappeared. One to Korea and one to England...
Recently I've been trying to work with the youth more. I've got a
pretty good relationship with the ward members at the moment. I'll try
and think of a story.

It was a really sad transfer day. Because we are all old missionaries
watching Matsumoto Shimai die actually hit us all really hard. Then
seeing Riggs Chōrō go almost felt like he was dying too. I mean
considering how few transfer we all have left, it's possible none of
us will serve with him again. Same with Bradford Chōrō. I don't know,
it was a pretty depressing transfer though.
This new transfer will probably be really good. The two Chōrōtachi
that came in are dying this transfer too though. The ENTIRE attitude,
energy level, and atmosphere has changed SO much with this transfer
though... We are going to baptize someone this transfer though.
I'm really happy to be here in the best ward in this mission for
another transfer though. If I stayed here for the rest of my mission,
I'd be more than happy.

28 January 2018

28 January 2018

Well, here we are at the end of the longest and yet shortest transfer
in the history of ever...
Matsumoto Shimai will be going home so we know Smith Shimai will
likely stay. But we have NO IDEA who else is going to go or stay... we
are all 超 worried about it. None of us want to leave this, the
greatest ward in our mission.
This is actually Matsumoto Shimai's first area and now she came back
here to die. She is basically a member of this ward, haha.
Oops I forgot to explain that the song we sang to Matsumoto Shimai is
not the original lyrics but lyrics written by a member specifically
for her. It was pretty cool. I guess he does that for all the dying
missionaries here. I don't know how he does it though. He is way good.

Bradford Chōrō and I have had a lot of fun this transfer. It would be
awesome to go two together but that probably isn't going to happen...
We haven't seen a whole lot of success, but I've learned a lot from
him.
I'm so disappointed with how fast this transfer went by considering it
was nine weeks! *sigh*...

I'm staying in Fujisawa. New companion is Elder Gutierrez.

21 January 2018

21 January 2018

In response to my question about what he normally eats:

Sorry, I meant to answer and forgot. We eat mostly stew, curry or
pasta because it's easiest and fastest to make. We don't eat out too
often but we usually eat out at least once every two weeks or
something. We do not eat at members houses that often at all.

In response to a comment I made about this not being my favorite birthday:

Oh.... it's your birthday? I'm sorry, I never know anyone's birthday I'm sorry. Happy birthday! 
I told everyone how I forgot your birthday... They got mad at me and
said happy birthday to you.

15 January 2018

15 January 2018

Last night we went to "Mom" shimai's house. I named her "Mom" Shimai
like my second Sunday here. She is awesome. And last night she made
something that was maybe shepherds pie, furthering the "Mom"
connection. She is the beeeest.

25 February 2018

25 February 2018

This transfers zone conference was focusing on the Book of Mormon. It was a great experience and spiritually enlightening. 

I just want to tell you a bit about how important the Book of Mormon is to me. I know that this Book contains the word of God and it is meant for us in this day. Every time I have read this book I have felt its power and truth. I may have been born into this church but it really is through the Book of Mormon that I am converted to this church. 

It may seem like a simple thing to some people, but honestly through reading and praying about the Book of Mormon you can know, as Moroni put it, "...know the truth of all things." (Moroni10:5).

This Book means everything to me and nothing brings me more joy than sharing it so that it can help others feel our Heavenly Fathers love and guidance for themselves. 

I'm so grateful for this opportunity to work as a missionary! It's the absolute best experience! 

Everyone have a great week! I'm praying for all of you!

It's also been decided that I will film this years Polynesian night event...
I also memorized this Polynesian hymn for fun. It's one of the ones
they will perform

4 February 2018

4 February 2018

My companion is dying this transfer. He was one of my zone leaders in Kōfu. His
name is Gutierrez Chōrō. He is a cool guy I suppose. A good
missionary. It's been ridiculously cold recently. Both of our
investigators suddenly disappeared. One to Korea and one to England...
Recently I've been trying to work with the youth more. I've got a
pretty good relationship with the ward members at the moment. I'll try
and think of a story.

It was a really sad transfer day. Because we are all old missionaries
watching Matsumoto Shimai die actually hit us all really hard. Then
seeing Riggs Chōrō go almost felt like he was dying too. I mean
considering how few transfer we all have left, it's possible none of
us will serve with him again. Same with Bradford Chōrō. I don't know,
it was a pretty depressing transfer though.
This new transfer will probably be really good. The two Chōrōtachi
that came in are dying this transfer too though. The ENTIRE attitude,
energy level, and atmosphere has changed SO much with this transfer
though... We are going to baptize someone this transfer though.
I'm really happy to be here in the best ward in this mission for
another transfer though. If I stayed here for the rest of my mission,
I'd be more than happy.

28 January 2018

28 January 2018

Well, here we are at the end of the longest and yet shortest transfer
in the history of ever...
Matsumoto Shimai will be going home so we know Smith Shimai will
likely stay. But we have NO IDEA who else is going to go or stay... we
are all 超 worried about it. None of us want to leave this, the
greatest ward in our mission.
This is actually Matsumoto Shimai's first area and now she came back
here to die. She is basically a member of this ward, haha.
Bradford Chōrō and I have had a lot of fun this transfer. It would be
awesome to go two together but that probably isn't going to happen...
We haven't seen a whole lot of success, but I've learned a lot from
him.
I'm so disappointed with how fast this transfer went by considering it
was nine weeks! *sigh*...

I'm staying in Fujisawa. New companion is Elder Gutierrez.

21 January 2018

21 January 2018

Mom: Question for you - what do you eat normally?  Do you end up cooking for yourself a lot, eating out or dinner appointments?  What do you eat when you cook for yourself?
Peter: Sorry, I meant to answer and forgot. We eat mostly stew, curry or
pasta because it's easiest and fastest to make. We don't eat out too
often but we usually eat out at least once every two weeks or
something. We do not eat at members houses that often at all.

I told everyone how I forgot your birthday... They got mad at me and
said happy birthday to you. Well, I hope you have a great second birthday tomorrow or something! I just can't remember anyones birthday..

8 January 2018

8 January 2018

We went to something called Seijin Shiki today. I did not take any
pictures but the other elders did. They got more pictures with girls
in kimonos than anyone has ever seen in their life. Super funny.
Seijin Shiki is for all the people who become adults this year. So
anyone that turns 20 goes. We also saw all the yakuza kids there. Some
of the most dangerous people in this whole area. Super awesome. It was
a pretty cool thing to see. Loooots of kimonos.

1 January 2018

1 January 2018

So I don't have any pictures from what we did this morning but it was
pretty sweet. New Years (or Shōgatsu) is not popular for the 12:00 but
just for the new day and stuff. But everyone goes to watch the sunrise
in the morning. We went down to Enoshima (Wooo Enoshima!) to watch the
sunrise right over the ocean. (Mostly) There were TONS of people.
Including a bunch of surfers and those surfboards with sails on em and
jet skis and stuff out on the water. It was pretty freaking sweet.
Really tired because of how early we got up for that though.
Technically we didn't go ON the island because we aren't supposed to. It's SUPER dumb. Our area includes the bridge TO Enoshima, but not Enoshima itself... 
We're gonna go hit up the Shōgatsu sales with the Shimai in a bit.