Japan 'n' Stuff

Konnichiwa Minasan! You're all probably asleep or something...? It's 9:34 in Ishinomaki, and it's beautiful.

So desune,

First off I'd like to start off with a clarification. When I said shelters last week, that might've been a tad misleading. They're temporary houses. Made of wood and plastic. Not bad at all. But still not a home.

Alright, so I throughout the week, in a desire to get to know my trainer, have asked him what his favorite color is... a lot.

Here's the list.

Ohori Choro's favorite colors:

1. Brown - Which shocked me. No one I've ever met likes the color brown. I questioned him about it and he said: brown is simple color.

2. (second favorite) Dark brown.

3. Cobalt Brown (I'm not sure if this is a color. But this one is probably my favorite.)

4. Choco Brown (like chocolate )

5. Golden Brown

6. Yellow Brown (like old bananas)

7. Primary Brown

8. White Brown

9. Onion Brown

10. Red

So we taught English Class this week, and I think I finally understand how Japanese people feel when they speak to me.

Me: "Alright everyone! Who's excited for class?"

Then they just stare with worried expressions on their faces.

Japanese Language Update: Still Japanese

I head a quote from someone that they heard from someone that a Harvard Linguistics Professor said (the point is, it's 100% reliable): "Japanese is six times harder that Spanish, and three times harder than Russian"

:) the language is coming. I can actually teach and testify in lessons, and have simple conversations with people in the street.

Interesting foods that I've eaten this week (in order of least to most interesting)

1. Ice cream with Corn Flakes- pretty simple- pretty good

2. Burnt Popcorn Water- it's a tea that's okay for LDS people to drink. You know when you have a little Koolaid and way too much water? Just imagine that Koolaid was burnt popcorn flavor. Yum. :)

3. Cabbage Pancakes with mayo and eel sauce. Pretty good. Tastes like... Not like it sounds.

4. Tako yaki- Taco in Japan is not a happy little meaty-cheezy Spanish food. Toko = Octopus. So you take Octopus blubber (from what i understand) mix it with batter, and put all sorts of random sea things in it, like sea weed and crab. To be honest like most things in japan, if you don:t think about it it tastes great. :)

5. Mushroom Goop- Consistency of snot. Tastes like nothing.

6. Raw Eggs with Rice- Not bad... Raw.

7. Natto (Fermented Soy Beans) Also has a consistency of snot. First it tastes like nothing, then it tastes like beans, and then it tastes like charcoal. Most people don't like it, but I'm going to eat it tomorrow. Suki desu.

8. Little Fish Crunchys- So, you know those banana shaped rice crackers with peanuts? They have some with little baby fried fish in them. Like real fish. Eyes, bones, skin and all. Tastes like fish.

9. Raw Fish Eggs- They pop, and they're actually not too bad. I really actually like them.

10. Tako Tentacles- An octopus tentacle. With skin (suction cup and all). It's cooked, so it's at least warm. Really chewy. Just imagine heating up a bouncy ball, and then chewing on it. Tastes like nothing.

11. Last but not least, Sashimi. So I've had sushi, that's a given. Just raw fish wrapped up in rice and stuff. Sashimi is a lot like that. Only it's just raw fish. and there's more of it.... and it's raw. I':s slimy and the texture is like nothing I've ever experienced. When you cook fish, it kinda falls apart. This however sticks together. But overall, not bad. I'd eat it again.

So yep! I thought that I'd only eat crazy foods in restaurants, but every day there's something fun. :)

Switching Gears: Spiritual Experiences.

Normally I bring my Japanese Triple when we head out. But one morning I felt inclined to bring a hand out copy of the Mormon Sho. No idea why. Later that day, we're going to visit this older woman (where we got to kneel on the ground the whole time. :) really. I love Japan.) and there were three boys eating candy outside of the building on the steps. Ohori Choro, being the subarashi senkyoshi that he is, started talking about the Book of Mormon to them, and he related it to the Anime One Piece.

A side note about Anime. It:s everywhere. It's they have statues all throughout the city of anime characters, and they even have it on the sewer covers. Amazing.

Ohori Choro always brings two Mormon Sho's (and now so do I for that matter), he handed the two to two of the boys, and then I realized that I had one as well. With amazement I pulled out the copy and handed it to the third boy. The Spirit works though us always (if we're righteous) we just don't recognize it.

Gah, I'm out of time. I'll write you more next week if I have time.

I love you all!

More Yummy Food
I LOVE IT!!

My Name Tags
3 names on the Tags
Jesus Christ
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints
Elder Wheelwright

ISHINOMAKI

So... Nothing really new has happ- JYODON (joke) I'M IN JAPAN!!!

So we woke up at like 2:30 in the MTC and jumped on a bus. We almost missed it.

I think it's actually really funny how much they expect the missionaries to do on their own. I love it in fact. They didn't ask, or count to see if everyone was there, they just drove away, right when they said they would. We would get a bulletin every week at the MTC, and I thought it was a joke when they put on it in bold letters }DONT MISS YOUR BUS} but apparently it's a real thing. + (that's a smiley face. + = smile face)

So, yep. Calling you was a little odd, so I'm sorry if I sounded confused or tired.

Then began the plane ride! We headed to Detroit where I had my first real life missionary experience.

I was sitting next to this guy who looked about my age and I was trying to figure out a way to talk to him about the gospel, then BAM! he asked and pointed at my name badge+ “So are you all from a business or something_?”

I smiled probably too big- “No. We're missionaries.”

“For what church?”

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. A lot of people call us Mormons.”

“... So multiple wives and stuff?”

I explained.

Then he “So... What do you believe?”

IT WAS GREAT!!! He was asking me everything! But... Yep. His Catholic grandmother was sitting right next to him. I tried to give him a pass along card... and he just stared at it.

“I'm a gonna have to say no.”

YES! My first rejection!

Then we got on the plane and headed to Nagoya.

So Delta airlines, I believe they have a misinterpretation of the word “short”

“and then we'll be headed off on our short flight to Nagoya.”

Short is not equal to 14 hours.

I got the middle seat. So sleeping was super easy.

We landed, and all 26ish of us missionaries crawled out of the plane looking like zombies.

The landing was interesting, because I thought we were landing in the ocean. The Nagoya airport is on a little island next to another island. (like the rest of Japan)

My first impression of Japan was a good one. I saw a statue of a ninja lowering himself from the ceiling making a peace sign. Very un-stereotypical.

Then we went though customs. Which, and now for once I'm not using sarcasm, was super easy. we just walked though and they gave us our gaijin cards. (foreigner cards)

Then we checked our luggage again, and hopped on another plane.

The ride was silent. The only white people were the missionaries. and all of us couldn't think.

A note about Japanese people: They are the most amazing people... Really. Their every action is out of respect for others. They seem quiet at first, but every single person we've talked to, once you say “konichiwa” they've smiled, bowed, and talked back.

A note about bowing: whenever you bow, they bow back. This can lead to what I call the never ending bowing chain. If you're not sure who bowed first, you just keep going back and forth like a teeter-totter until someone stops. My record is five times back and forth. 10 bows. Disuki! (I love it!)

But really, you will never meet a more polite and more beautiful people in all of the world. I love them all. I don't understand what they're saying, but I love them.

so... We were herded together, and met our mission president; who, though I say this a lot, is an amazing man. We had our first taste of Japanese food- ham sandwiches!!... and potato chips with sea-weed. :)

A note about Japanese food: it's amazing... most of the time.

The weird things I've eaten: Raw egg, fish sausage, an egg and mayo sandwich with more mayo than egg. Also, their big macks here have rice on them. Oh, and fermented things... I don't speak Japanese, so when I can, I'll tell you what they are.

Amazing things I've eaten: REAL ramen, made by an actual chef. (there's a good dendo _(missionary work) story behind that. Then, Calpris. CALPRIS!! We do not have this in America. Its a drink that tastes like the nectar from the heavens. IT comes in so many flavors, so it's hard to describe exactly what it tastes like. A pinkish one tastes like liquid hi-chews. It's amazing.... OH.... so many good foods!!! I haven't had sushi yet, but I'll let you know when I do.

AH! Alright, the fruit. There is a reason I didn't like fruit in America, that's because I had Japanese fruit in the pre- existence. It is the most glorious and sweet thing in the world. Almost as sweet as the fruit of the tree of life, if not just as sweet. There's a picture of Lehi taking the fruit of the tree, where he's laying by the roots.  That is exactly how I looked, and felt.

Alright, I could go on about food forever.

We were all taken into a room and trained. We had a translator for when the AP's talked to us. Then they announced our companionships. I am in a Tri-panionship, with 1 native named Ohori Choro, and an Elder from Park City who is also new. (Willey Choro) Ohori Choro is our trainer, and he doesn't really speak English.

I found this out when we met the only other white guy in Sendai at a light. He was from the UK and was teaching English here. We talked about how he got the job etc., and a little about the gospel. After Ohori Choro said “He say he catolic?”

But he does excellent, and if we talk slowly, he get's what's going on.

So why the tripanonship? Because there are so many new missionaries and not enough trainers. Next transfer they're going to make some of the 12 week missionaries be trainers (Scary..) and Rassmusan Kyicho looked at me and winked when he told us that. shiver.

We were assigned to labor in Ishinomaki, which is were the tsunami hit the hardest.

We got off the bus (the train line is still destroyed) and stepped onto cracked streets. They've tried to cover the cracks with asphalt, and scrub the water lines off the walls, but the cracks and stains run deeper than their streets and walls; the cracks are in their hearts.

There's empty patches where there are just weeds growing where houses used to be. And if you look carefully behind some giant curtain walls, you can see piles of broken cars and houses. We, for service, went to the temporary shelters and many of the people are still shell shocked. Don't get me wrong, most smile, laugh, and play, but some just sit in silence. We listened to this one Obaachan (grandmother/ older woman) tell us with tears brimming in her eyes about how 10 of her friends died.

Nihonjin are amazing at keeping themselves together. They never cry. (and they always laugh :) )

We had Church yesterday, and it's just as every other LDS Church, except the people sing louder. :) There's only about 30ish members or less that come to Church, and the city is bigger than Ogden.

The Members here are the most amazing thing. Members will take hours of their days and go out and take us to their friends to teach them. They are the most amazing people. They give us food and smiles. We're teaching an investigator. We, one of the brothers from church, and us three gathered into his little shop on stools and taught him about God, and the Book of Mormon. Someone actually came into the story while we were teaching, so he jumped up and went to the register. To be honest, and this is how it is nearly all the time when people speak, I didn't understand hardly anything he said, but in the middle of the lesson the brother from church turned and looked at me with serious eyes and said in slow English;

“He's started to believe in God”

I testified that though reading the Book of Mormon and praying we can receive answers to our questions. Which seems like the simplest idea to us, but for a person who's never know God, it's life changing. At the end of the lesson our investigator prayed for the first time in his life. (He/s over 50)

I don't have a ton of time. But I know that this Gospel is true, and these people are giving their all for it, because it means so much to them. We shouldn't treat it lightly.

I love it here and I love the people.

I'll send you some pictures and my address in just a sec.

I love you all!!!

Just as a last thing, I love this place, and I love the people. Everyone keeps telling me how hard and difficult this is going to be, and it's hard, but there's no where that I'd rather be.

3 times a day (morning, afternoon, and evening) this sweet peaceful little melody plays throughout the entire city. It confused me, but I loved it anyway. I just found out today that the city uses the tsunami alarm speakers to play it throughout the city.

By the way, I haven't see anyone else that's white in all of Ishinomaki, and there's thousands of people here. It's really easy to start conversations having two white people, Ohori Choro says. I love this place. I love the Lord, and I love you all.

:) trust in God. He' ll make everything better. My English is going. Gomenasai.

Aishiteimasu!

Matane

Welcome to JAPAN Elder

Tyson  left the MTC on Monday September 16th at 3:30 am.

Here is the group of missionaries arriving at the Airport 

 Sister Rasmussen said,"They arrived after 9 pm which was a late hour so we got them to bed as quickly as we could.  Today we spent the day at the church doing some training and about noon the new missionaries met their trainer for the first time.  I wish you could have seen and felt the excitement in the room as the two of them were introduced to each other and told where they would be serving.  There were lots of smiles and hugs shared."

With their 

trainers!!!!

Tyson is on the second row from  the back, the 4th one from right with a blue tie.

Welcome to Japan Elder Wheelwright!!!!

It's finally time

Konichiwa, 

So things are a little interesting, but good none-the-less. We got a katakana name tags, so I'm feeling pretty happy. If I have time later I'll send you a picture. (I'll probably send you a bunch more when I'm actually in the field because as of currently, I've got no time.) 

With my MTC experience coming to a close, I've been reflecting back in a very general sense over everything that's happened. It's been a good time here, and I have been able to be confident in everything. I'm not sure if it's because everyone is so naturally nice here, which is more or less true, or if I've gained my confidence though selflessness. It seems like a backwards thing to think that not  thinking about yourself can make you more confident; I believe that's because we as humans, are naturally programmed to think that there is a tight correlation between selfishness and confidence. We see selfish people with their haughty attitudes, and how they put others down, and we assume that they have an inexhaustible amount of confidence. I think it's quite the opposite. When people feel the need to put others down (as we all learned in our 2nd grade 'DON'T BULLY' assemblies) it is often because of an insecurity they have themselves, so they shove others down to compensate. 

I've never felt happier when I'm not thinking about myself. When we focus on other's happiness, our own just naturally accompanies. And the happiness is sweeter than all the worldly pleasures, for Charity, has no bitter aftertaste. Alright, enough of my philosophical metaphors and onto amazing things. 

So we started teaching Takahashisan a couple of weeks ago, because with a new Sensei, comes a new kyodosha. 

We had infield orientation yesterday (which was pretty amazing, we met the Elder Christianson from the District) and we practiced contacting with eigo speakers. (English speakers) It was odd. 

I'll explain how we taught Takahashisan and then how we contacted eigos. 

Us: "Alright, today we're going to teach you about commandments,"

Him: "What are commandments?" 

Us: "Well, we've got an excellent scripture that can probably explain." 

Him: "What are the scriptures?"

Us: "They're the writings of the Prophets." 

Him: "What are prophets?" 

Us: "Well... They're people called to testify about Jesus Christ." 

Him: "... Who's he?" 

Us: "He's God's Son." 

Him: "Who's God?" 

That's not a direct example, but it's like that! These people don't even know who God is! :) I love it because we get to teach them! 

A parable: "So these two shoes salesmen headed out to Australia to sell shoes to the aborigines. The first one calls back to his boss: "I can't do this, how am I supposed to sell shoes to a people who don't wear shoes?!" The second one called: "This is excellent! The people here have no shoes. I can sell a pair to everyone!" " 

I'm excited to share the gospel with these people, and I'm excited I get to focus on things that are so fundamental that I have a deep knowledge of, such as the nature of God, and who Christ was. People who go to other places Christian nations get to teach more about topics such as gay-marrage and other not as fundamental topics. We get to consistently stick to the basics. :) Disuki! (Like it a lot!) 

So this is (kinda) how I contacted with an English speaker: 

(after getting to know him for a minute) 

Me: "So, have you heard of God before?"

Him: quizzical look "Yes, of course." 

Me: "and you know about Jesus Christ?" 

Him: "Uh, ya?" 

Me:"Excellent!! You know that God made everything?" 

Him: "Yep. I think so." 

Me: "Sweet! Have you got a family?..." 

It's quite a different tactic. :) I'm so happy that I get to consistently testify and teach about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (I'm not saying that every missionary doesn't but, we going to Japan get to focus on more than most.) 

I used this at lunch once when we were talking about less important things: "Hey!" and I pointed behind everyone. "Look at that!" Everyone: "What?!" Me: "It's a subject change!" 

Yep, I'm special. Tonikaku (anyways) 

I'd just like to talk to everyone about something that I regret not doing as a member. It's call: "SHARING THE GOSPEL!" 

We as missionaries do not have tons of success (as they've shown us the numbers) when it comes to tracting and the classic ways everyone assumes missionaries 'get' people. The chances that we're going to bring someone into the Church by ourselves is slim (1 for every 700 doors or something) then the chances of them staying active without a friend in the church is slimmer. 

The word 'remember' is a constant throughout the scriptures. We, in our mortal state, tend to lose perspective. We are 'blind in our eyes and deaf in our ears' is one way God puts it. So let me see if this helps put it into perspective. 

Let's have an equation: A + B = C 

A: We truly love and care for our friends. 

B: We know that this gospel is true

Then why are we not a little more pushy about something that will bring them everlasting happiness!! Don't cram it down anyone's throat, but don't be scared to share it. If you taste an amazing new candy bar, or hear an hilarious joke, What is the first thing that we are inclined to do?! (well at least I) WE SHARE IT WITH THOSE WE LOVE! If you don't love anyone, then work on it, or you don't know the Gospel it true, then work on it; IF YOU KNOW BOTH- Share it. This is Eternal Life, the greatest of all of the gifts of God. It's sweeter than all fruit [quote from Lehi] and it brings more joy than any joke we can form. Befriend everyone, and fear no rejection. If they are a true friend they won't stop talking to you for sharing with them something that means more than the world to you. 

:) Sorry everyone, I sound preachy so often because that's my calling. :) Maybe I should stop.... I am filled with the love of the Lord unto the building up of His kingdom upon this earth. I want to cry repentance unto every creature. 

I love you all! There's so much I want to tell you, but I lack the time. 

Elder Wheelwright

Konichiwa Minasan!

Konichiwa Minasan! (Hello everyone!) 

[How are things going? 

a: Things are going well. :) 

What is the funniest thing that has happened so far? 

a: well, where do I start...? the MTC takes care of itself by missionaries cleaning other missionaries buildings as service. So service is a pretty great thing, and because I'm pretty indifferent to what job I do, I usually get cleaning toilets. :) I've honestly become the best toilet cleaner ever. I can unclog and clean toilets like a pro, and whistle while I'm doing it. Apparently I made it look like such a fun thing that Anderson Choro volunteered himself and Rassmusan Choro to clean them instead. So, my job was to fill toilet paper rolls and the paper towel dispensers. I often ran into Anderson Choro, and Rassmusan Choro, and they... were not having as much fun as they thought.

A Choro: "What do we do if it's clogged?" 

W Choro: "You get a plunger and plunge it." 

A Choro: "What?... What if no water will come down when you flush?"

W Choro: "You get a bucket and fill it with water, and pour it down as you plunge." 

A Choro: "Really...?" 

Tonikaku. (anyways) 

How is your district?: 

Alright, I'll re-introduce some people, because believe it or not, your opinions change. 

Allred Choro: He's a military machine from Texas that loves everyone, and the greatest smile. He always works his hardest. 

Gray Choro: A chill guy that is always trying to improve. He's always got a sly smile on his face, and he's always working hard as well. 

Lutz Choro: A happy crazy ginger that loves to laugh.

Hoveden Choro: He's a nice guy that is extremely diligent. He's amazing at singing, and all around just a nice guy. 

Watanabe Choro: He's very smart, half/Japanese half/Indian, and is always trying to improve. 

Day Choro: Always makes me laugh. He's passionate about everything, and I love it. 

Rassmusan Choro: Always laughs at everything I say. Apparently he thinks I'm hilarious. At first I thought he was making fun of me. He is the greatest. 

Nebeker Choro: He's great. He's a humble funny guy. We work out together, and he lifts the heaviest weights they have at the gym and everyone just stares in awe. 

Anderson Choro: Just the same as ever. :) Love the guy. 

I really do just love everyone in my district. They are all great people, and as you pray for Charity, it will be given in abundance. And as I probably said before: life is just so much easier when you love everyone around you. I genuinely care for every person, and they all open up to me, and help me and listen to me as well. They're all great. 

Just a word of caution to everyone: 

A problem that I've noticed that everyone tends to have- Taming their tongue.

Even here people have issues with this. The thing that separated Nephi (AND SAM!) from his brothers was his positive attitude and his unwillingness to complain. A lot of people tend to complain about things they can't change. They talk of all of their trials, and how people bug them etc. What do they even hope to accomplish? (And it's not like I'm above this, this is something I work on every day) But when you talk bad about someone, it doesn't improve them, it doesn't improve anyone else around you, and it doesn't improve you. IN FACT, it drags down everyone that becomes a part of it. Just get over yourself! You don't need to complain. Complaining and gossiping donot edify. Sure it makes you feel better for a few seconds, but all it really does is cause you to harbor a deeper hatred towards that person and makes other people feel it too. Pray for your enemies. It's easy to love your friends, but hard to love your enemies. The more difficult a task we undertake (for the purpose of righteousness) the more the Lord will bless us. The more we love the people we hate, the more the Lord will recognize our willingness to follow Him. Sorry if this is all ill-worded. Japanese is mixing in, and my brain is running out of energy.

Sorry if I sound preachy, but that's my calling. To cry repentance unto God's children. So kuiratame nakareba narimasen! (Comandform: You must repent.) I probably spelled that wrong. Nondemonai. (never mind, or doesn't matter) 

So please minasan, bind you tongues and pray for charity and the Lord will turn those you hate into those you love. We're all imperfect, and I'm sure someone could complain about each one of you for hours. Alright, probably beating a dead horse. 

WHICH REMINDS ME!!! 

So I took it upon myself to educate Cortez Shimai in the ways of American expressions that make no sense. And also Knock-Knock jokes! She's never heard ether! :) Ah... She couldn't stop laughing and the boo-who knock-knock joke. She's hilarious.

So, we got our travel plans yesterday. I'm leaving on Monday at 3:30 in the morning. We are catching a plane to Detroit, Michigan, and then we've got a long fight to Nagoya (southern Nipon (japan)) and then to Sendai. A lot of flying. 

I'm trying to remained focused, but we've been here for so long, and the time is coming up!!! Whew. 

Not that I don't love it here, cause I do. :) But I'd rather go preach the gospel in Nippon. 

Japanese is coming along great. I'm having conversations now. Well, kind of conversations. So, yeerp. We'll see how that goes. 

So seten benkiyo (scripture study, and yes. It's ironic, but scriptures in Japanese is saten.) is pretty much amazing. If you truly feast, God will provide in abundance. I could list so much that I've learned, but I promise it'd be so much more meaningful if you dug though them yourself. SO STUDY! 

Yep, this letter's been everywhere. 

Rachel, that is amazing that you've realized the importance of not pouting. That's in fact what I was talking about earlier. Gossip and talking behind someone's back is the old people version of pouting.

Alright, I'll send you some pictures. 

I love you everyone!... I'm trying to think of things I need. uhh... Probably just money. :) 

I love you all! I'll send you a package with the stuff that I can't take! (It'll have a Japanese Hymn book, which has some only Japanese songs- like my favorite: Waiting for the Reapers. :) Yosh.) 

Turn your life to the Lord, seriously. Pour out your soul to God and He will hear and answer. I know that this is true. Kono fukuin ga shijitsu desu. 

Aishiteimasu! 

Wheelwright Choro