Pretty Lights/Quiet Week

December 12, 2012

Herro!

I think that if I Skyped you on your Christmas day it would be best. On my Wednesday. I just think that would be easiest and we can get more detailed next week at emails. Sounds like an interesting week. This week was better than the last. It was an interesting week to be honest. I can't really explain too many specific events that happened. This email might not be very long today.

I did an exchange with Elder Ellsworth. It turned out to be one of the best exchanges I have been on. We had a long talk about a lot of things. Something he said that stood out to me was, "the way we end our missions is the way we begin the rest of our lives".  It really stuck to me and I was able to recommit for the last fourth of my mission. To be honest, things are hard considering missionary work lately. I don't understand as much as I feel like I should and just things happening.

I went on an exchange in Suwa with Elder Kobayashi. It was way fun. We ended up coming back to Matsumoto and seeing the illuminations with three of their members. While we were there, I heard a big "Elder Pewee!" and I turned around and saw Chiaki, Karen, Nancy, and their older brother, haha it was a strange coincidence. We all had fun and went out to eat afterwards.

We went to sky park the next day and played basketball with the youth and had some fun. We then had a big Christmas BBQ at a less-active's house. It was pretty fun. A lot of people from all over the place and a lot of really nice people.

Well, I told you not too much happened this week. Things are going fine. I am thankful to be here right now at this Christmas season here in Matsumoto. I'm excited to see all of your beautiful faces and tell you how much I love you!

Love, me

Drama Is Never Good

December 9, 2012

Herro,

Sounds like you had a nice week. I think my week picked up for your boringness. This was one crazy week. It started on Monday when we went down to Nagoya to stay the night before Zone Leader Council. I got to eat at Burger King! I'm not a big fan, but it was a big sloppy burger and there are only two places in all of Japan.

Zone Leader Council went pretty well. It was a big discussion and question time for all of us. I had been getting kind of tired of them, but this one was one of the better ones in a long time.

So we went down to Ina on Wednesday because Elder Hiruta had to go to the hospital with one of the elders and translate for him. I went down in the morning with him and just worked with two other elders, then we got on a train and came back up and went straight to Eikaiwa.

Well, I've spent six months telling you guys about drama that goes down in this branch. It has finally got back around to me. I found out about two stories that someone had spread around about me. It was a hard and stressful end of the week. I really had no motivation to meet with anyone and especially talk to that person. But on Friday, we had a really good training meeting and I had an exchange that really helped. It was tough though, some of the things I found out had been brewing up for a few months.

Yesterday, the branch went to the hospital to sing and dance for kids. Someone said I was sick (which I wasn't) and so they wouldn't let me go. So Roberto and I waited for them and we drove around and had a nice talk. He could tell I was stressed out and needed some help. He just talked to me, didn't ask about anything. Exactly what I needed.

Well, Hope to get a better overall week this week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SAM ON TUESDAY!!! I can't believe he will be the big 15. I hope it's a great day! Halfway done with the transfer and I might be three weeks away from leaving. Who knows. What do you guys wanna do about Skype on Christmas? Love you all so much!

Elder Parry

Getting Cold in Matsumoto

December 2, 2012

Dang all of you....going to Disneyland without me haha. So I got two things to let you know. First, I sent my package to home last Monday and it should get to you about Tuesday or Wednesday this week. Sorry it took so long to send, things just have gotten crazy and busy with dying missionaries and just being a missionary. And now my other thing, it's actually a really big question. I have been talking to Chiaki lately a lot. She really wants to visit America next year because she loved it so much this year. I told her she should come visit Utah and hang out with me. Would it be ok if she came to Utah for like a week and hung out with us? I wanna take her to a bunch of fun places too. We are seriously talking about it. And yesterday, Karen just got a bunch of money from her modeling stuff and asked if she could come too. I told them if they came over the July 24th week, there would be a lot of fun things to do. Is that cool?

Well, this week had a lot. Weeks get more and more filled but they go faster and faster. I have only six months from tomorrow....dang! Well I did an exchange with Elder Rocha from Ina. The Brazilian. It was pretty fun. We went over to Roberto's house and had a bunch of Brazilian food. Then I had an emergency on the way back and couldn't make it back. So we ran into a store and all they had was a squatty potty....shows my luck! Only in an emergency do they only have squattys. It was tough, but I can honestly say I accomplished it for the second time.

We had a bunch of sporty things this week. We went to the batting cages on Tuesday. Oh man, was that so amazing. I still hurt from it, I took like 100 swings in a row and it felt so good. I bit rusty. but it was great. Then on Wednesday, a less active asked us to play soccer with her. So we played before and after Eikaiwa. It was way fun. But it is getting so cold here. It snowed way hard Saturday morning. But we started our ping pong night! We are doing it every Friday night. We had eight youth come, two less actives and three non members. It went way well. I'm excited to get that going too. I think it will help us find some good, young, fun people.

We had a referral from America to help out their siblings in Matsumoto. The girl in the couple is eight months pregnant and their 3-year-old daughter has such a high fever she might have brain damage. Elder Hiruta talked on the phone with her the night before and prayed with her and explained everything. We went on Saturday and explained a little more, then Elder Hiruta gave one of the sweetest blessings I have ever heard. He simply told the girl she was a daughter of God and she came to this earth to two loving parents. The mother and father were crying after. They were a sweet little family. She wants us to come play with the daughter when she gets better and come to church. It was a really sweet experience.

We had dinner at a member's house on Saturday and it was way fun. It was with most of the same people from ping pong night.

This week was good, this next one is SUPER busy. It should be fun too. Things are going great though. I love the people here I am with right now. Pray that I don't leave please. I don't feel like my work here is done quite yet. I love you all so much. I can Skype on Christmas. When would you like to do that? Let me know.

November 25, 2012

You met Soliai! Haha, I was super surprised when I saw that picture! Haha, I'm so glad you got to meet him, he was such a great missionary and friend. That's way cool though. I wanna apologize for getting my package, that includes my Christmas card, off so late. Things got super crazy and busy having Kussie die and just with all the normal missionary things happening. I just sent it off so hopefully it will arrive next week. There is a bunch of my crap I don't wanna have to haul around and stuff for Christmas.  It's kind of light, sorry. I hope you enjoy it!

This week was pretty good to say the least. I stayed in Ina when Kussie died for the day and hung out with the two Latino missionaries down there haha.

I have a really cool experience. We had an all mission conference last Tuesday. On the train ride down, I was emailing Chiaki and she mentioned to me she wanted to quit smoking after eight years and really wanted my help. I promised her I would be with her every step of the way. That was the first miracle. The second, the mission conference was about overcoming addictions and behaviors. It was an amazing conference too. The first thing President said was, "I still wonder why we are doing an all mission conference, but I do know that everyone in this room has something that they need help for and this will be the answer to your prayers." It was amazing and I just felt so at peace and warm the whole time. He gave us this challenge to do every day for the next 90 days during our studies. I have followed it and have already felt more love and peace. The next day, Chiaki came over to help me with the car stuff from last week (that I hit with a baseball) and I talked to her about quitting. We talked about the blessings of quitting, her factors, and other things. We set goals to go down one every day (she smokes 20 a day). I told her I wouldn't drink hot chocolate til the end of the year. I've never wanted hot chocolate more in my life, but I'll do it for her.

The rest of the week ran together. We had a solid eikaiwa (English class) and I got picked on the whole time. My students were joking around with me. It was fun, except when they were criticizing me for not knowing how different grammar structures and words are used....Japanese people. Then Thursday was a day of service! We did our hospital service and then went up to Nancy's and cleaned up her yard. Then I made a feast with all the food you sent. It was way good. Thanks a bunch. Elder Hiruta was way excited. It's funny, I will spent both Thanksgivings, Christmas, and New Year's with him in the mission!

We had an interesting visit with a less active who just married a handicapped girl. There isn't much more need for explanation haha, then we had a feast at the Matsuhashis house and had a little FHE.

After an over three-hour bike ride there and back on Saturday, I had a pretty solid Sunday. With this challenge from President, as I took the sacrament yesterday and I really understood the meaning it has for me. It was the greatest feeling I have had while taking the sacrament.

The night had a disappointing moment. I watched Karen smoke a cigarette. It broke my heart. I just gave her a blessing this last week to help her overcome it. I finally just sat down with her and made goals with her too. And now for her, I'm not drinking soda til the end of the year for her. I really would just do anything for that family. It's hard when you are doing your best then crap is thrown at you from Satan's evil monkeys. I guess I can say I have come to love people here as I do with my family and friends back home.

Things are good. This was a good week. Life is good, God is good. That's about it for the Boob's report!

Well, you know,

Evan

Hiruta Choro

Hello from Ina!

I'm just in Ina for the day with my boys Romero and Rocha. Sent off Elder Kusume this morning by himself. That was such a fun two transfers with him. I loved it so much. Well as for my next companion...HIRUTA!!! I'm so stoked! He was in my apartment in Kariya.  I'm so excited. And heck, don't talk about me leaving, I still have at least six weeks (in Matsumoto). Take it easy.

We had a full-packed week of crazy stuff. We did our normal running last Monday with Roberto. This is going well with him. Then we went on two exchanges this week. I went on one in Suwa with Kobayashi. He is so funny, we had a way good time. Then the next day, I went straight to Ueda and picked up Wilcox. We had a blast. Those two exchanges were way fun and I got a lot of things done and talked about a lot of things that were so good.

Well, we had a Thanksgiving party at the church. It started out a disaster. I was playing catch with Chiki and the ball went off her glove and hit a car on the way by....the guy was a huge jerk about it too. He just stood there with this stupid face looking at me and asking what he should do. I told him to go get it checked or have me buy some wipes to wipe it off. I was just super angry with the way he acted. So he left and came back and told me it was around $700. I was so angry. It was the smallest little mark with no bump or scratch. But because he drives a homo car (Toyota Prius) they have to replace the door. Chiaki worked her magic and got it down to $300. So I will have to pay for that. I just hate people like that and lost respect for Japanese. But it got better! We had the Ueda and Suwa elders come and we had a slamming Thanksgiving party with Nancy Karen and Chiaki. It was so fun and so good. We used some of the food that you sent in the package!

We had just a packed week of visits and dinners and parties and rain. We had all the elders stay over Saturday night for district conference and we had such a good time. I love this zone! I'm sad that Demille left, he is the only elder leaving besides Kussie. But I'm way excited for this next transfer still. Thanksgiving and Christmas, wassup!  I can't stay on too long, just wanted to say I love you and things are good here in Matsumoto!!!!

Elder Parry

Mad Love For President Baird

November 11, 2012

Sup,

Well, seems like the Parrys had great weeks in completely different countries. That video was so funny (Isaac getting his rat tail cut off after his championship game). That's way awesome that he won again! I remember being there for that first one. I was at the Honbu with President Baird when we found out Obama won. He wasn't very happy.  I don't know though, people here in Japan were very sad too though.

As I said, this was a great week. I actually had the lowest stats I think I have had on the mission, but we were all over the place. We went to two ashiyus on Monday which was great. Then on Tuesday, we found out that one of my former companions was going home early and the Honbu wanted support there for him when he left. So we went down to Nagoya on Tuesday and for support and stayed the night. There were nine elders in the honbu that night. I was up kinda late having pillow talk with Elder Ashcroft. But we had Zone Leader council the next day. It went pretty well. I sat with President Baird at lunch and we had a long great talk about Matsumoto, drama, and sports. I love that man so much. I started crying when I talked to him too and he got teary eyed. One of those talks.

So we went running with Roberto again. It was a great run. I feel bad, I think he has some problems and drama in his life and I am just at the point of not knowing what to do here. There was more drama at church too and Karen finally came and got chewed out for having something. I wasn't the happiest guy around at church. I just don't know anymore, I don't leave church feeling relaxed and uplifted, I feel stressed and tired. Just the things some people do.

We had a great Zone Training Meeting. The training went pretty short, then we did a testimony meeting and a prediction meeting about transfers. It was a really good and spiritual meeting. I then went on an exchange after with Okajima to Suwa. I have now been to all the apartments and churches in this zone. Oh ya. It was a pretty good exchange, he talks so much though. I couldn't get him to stop talking for the longest time. When we met up the next day, we met at a station that has an ashiyu and went out and got lunch. On the train ride back to Matsumoto, I saw Mount Fuji!!! It was so cool. Looked as good as ever.

Well, church was church. Like I said earlier. We went to the model place for Karen and saw all the people from before. I felt so relaxed and at ease there. Like church should feel. Then Roberto called us to have dinner. WE went over and he cooked Brazilian food for us. It was way fun and way good. We are going running with him again tonight. Things are good here in Matsumoto. This is Elder Kusume's last week. We have a pretty busy and fun week ahead of us. Can't complain :)

Love you all! Elder Boob

Pikachu Costume

November 4, 2012

Dear my Beloved Family,

Don't worry about too much in the Christmas package, use the money for when you come and pick me up and stuff when I get home. I actually have a pretty big announcement to make. Sit down please, I was already sitting down....no I'm not pregnant haha.  With all the new mission changes and new programs at the MTC, to get everything aligned, everyone going home AFTER March 12 goes home two weeks early....so therefore, my mission ends on June 4th instead of the 18th. There hasn't been an official announcement, but Ellsworth told me to hurry and let you know with all the tickets and stuff. Another side announcement, I'm down to a solid 182 pounds! Haha.

This week was pretty interesting. It has been SOOO cold too. We are having December weather now. We met with some guy on Monday from another Christian church and we talked about the differences and just a lot of random things about Christianity.

We went on a hike to see these way cool and pretty shrines. It was a lot of fun. All the leaves were changing. I know exatly what you were saying when you said I didn't know nature until I came to Japan. It's so true, so beautiful and awesome.

We had a slammin' Halloween party! I did ALL the planning and it ended up a solid success. We had a bunch of treats, played a bunch of games, and just had a good time. I went in a big Pikachu costume haha, I'll send you some pictures. We had a way awesome lesson with Li before the party. Roberto helped us out and he told of his conversion story and Li said that he answered all her questions and concerns. She is looking really good to get baptized. She took us out for Chinese food the next night. It was way fun. I have come to love spicy food out here on the mission. I was eating it by the spoonfuls.

We did an exchange with the APs this past week. It was a way good one. I got to go with Elder Ito and we visited some people and froze our butts off. We then played soccer the next day with our two kid investigators. We lost our second ball in the trees. We tried for an hour to get it but failed. Go figure haha.

We met with two investigators we hadn't met in a while yesterday. One of them, I taught about eternal families and it was one of my better lessons. I just was able to realize all that I have and was so grateful and powerful in all I said.

Things are great here. So much is going on. Roberto asked me if he could take us on a hike when I come and visit! To be honest, I would like to spend 3-4 days here in Matsumoto when we visit. He wants to take us up the mountain to a lake, sleep over night, and hike down the next day. So awesome! I love you all! Remember Remember, the 5th of November...

Long live the legacy of the BOOOOB