Hey everyone!!

 

This last week was a pretty interesting week. So at Eikaiwa (English Class) we did an American food party. The other Elders went to Costco on pday and bought American things. When we were telling people about it we were talking to a group of kids once. I was explaining it to them and I was like yeah, we are having American food. They were kind of confused for a second the one girl said "like, junk food?" It was hilarious. That was literally her image of our food haha. We also found the son of a preacher here, he is Nihonjin, (Japanese) and his name we got his number but haven't been able to contact him but keep trying.

 

When Elder larm and I were at the church hours before the party, some lady and her daughter walked in. they wanted to do Eikaiwa. I told them about the party that night and the 7 year old seemed really excited. When they got to the party that night the little girl gave me a note, it was written in all hiragana, (Japanese Character Writing) and it said, thanks for inviting me to the party Purokutaa Sensei. I almost cried it was the  cutest thing ever. She calls me Proctor Sensei haha its awesome. The Eikaiwa party was hilarious because we had to teach everyone how to fix up their burger. They didn't know how and the whole time they were just like, woah, huh, wow haha.

 

I also was assigned last Sunday to give talk so yesterday I gave it. I had a week haha. My third talk in Kisarazu. It went way better than my other ones though and I talked about inviting people to church. Being district leader is way busy, but I enjoy the challenge. I like being asked questions and its making me better too. I really like my new companion. He is awesome and is really helping me becasue I have to focus on the district now too. Its fun and me and him can speak Japanese to each other better too. It's really fun. We have N-- praying about baptism right now. He is doing great and is halfway through second Nephi. He read the scripture about our brothers being on the islees of the sea, Japan, and he really likes it. K-- is doing well. He is reading and praying we just need him to come to church. I-- was given to us by the other Elders and he is just as crazy as always. He comes to the church more than members but isn't baptized. We are trying to get him to just do it already though haha.

 

Yesterday we committed a less active to paying tithing for the first time. We watched the Easter video too, they have it in Japanese, wooh! and i cried for the first time in a lesson. I just watched that video and seeing it in Japanese saying that He died and was resurrected for all of them too made me cry. It was a very spiritual moment.

Christ is our Savior and don't you doubt it. I love your emails and I am so proud of all of you. I love you so much!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to get your present!! I sent Hannah a package and some of the candy in it is for you guys too so make sure she doesn't eat it all haha.

love,
プロクター長老

 

 

I got my transfer call! I'm staying and getting a new companion! He is full Nihonjin (Japanese)!!! But he is from Idaho and English is his language haha.  He is one transfer under me. I have also been given a mission leadership position as the District Leader! My first time so let's hope I dont mess this up haha.

 

We had another pretty good week! Our investigators are progressing. Last week I forgot two more stories. While we are on the trains in Tokyo there were these two ladies from Hawaii. They had suitcases and were rushed and we carried them for them. We told them about our church, in English!?! It's actually weird to do that because I'm not used to it haha but anyways, they knew Mormons in Hawaii and it went well. Then they gave us chocolate!! It was so good. Like 3 boxes of Hawaiian chocolate - Wooh haha.

 

There was also another guy and a lady who were just lost in the station. They were just standing there and had no clue what to do. We asked what they needed and told us and we talked to the train people and got them where they needed to be. They were so thankful. So moral of the story is, if you ever need to get anywhere and your out of town, "ask the missionaries" (Elder Nelson reference there), because they walk around all day and know where everything is haha.

 

So we taught an amazing lesson yesterday to K--. He brought his friend who is a preacher at another church to his house to talk to us too. So we were two American missionaries talking to two super old Japanese men haha. It went great though. K-- literally testified and taught the other guy the Restoration perfectly. He testified about how we walk the walk. It was so cool. K-- was saying how even though he feels like he hasn't gotten much help, me and Elder Larm have helped him a lot and he likes us. He also said the Book of Mormon is easy to understand. It was so awesome to see our investigator testify like that to another person. Its cool too because there are a couple of words for true in Japanese and I've been using "makoto" with K--, for no reason - I just realized I have. Come to find out yesterday his first name is M--!? So I've been saying this is his church and the true church haha. So cool to see that we are guided even though we don't know it. I usually don't use that word but I have been with him. Pray for him to come to church this week please!

 

N-- is also progressing well too and we are also teaching other people. General conference was amazing. They had different languages playing so I got to watch in English. It was amazing and I hope everyone listened to the spirit and found something they can improve!

 

This church is true I know it. Don't ever doubt that you are doing what is right. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are proud of all of you and I know the Holy Ghost will comfort you. I love you all!!!! We went to sushi again by the way. It's my favorite food by far. Can't wait to go here with all of you one day:)

Love
プロクター長老

 

 

 

A lot of stuff happened this week. This is going to be unorganized, just random things,  I have made notes to write about so bear with me. I'm just going to list off all the things that happened. On Sunday during fast and testimony meeting it was really cool. One of the kids in the ward got up and bore his testimony and said he wants to be a missionary and say hi to everyone at church and teach people and be like us. It was so cool.

 

We are teaching a guy named N--. He is awesome and is keeping all of the commitments as of now:) After one of his lessons we had our weekly ping pong night. We ran out of balls so we went to buy new ones at this sports store. There was a picture of Yu Darvish on a poster and I was like, "hey I'm from Texas" to the salesman. A minute later he came up to me and gave me a poster for free that came in just the other day:) haha it says "honmono wa honmono wo erabu" on one side. That means "the real thing chooses the real thing". It's pretty cool haha.

 

We also are still meeting with K--. He has had a super hard life. We actually went and played tennis with him. It was hilarious. We went to this nice retirement country club, and he. . . . schooled us haha. He was literally like as good as Hannah. He was so good at tennis. I felt like I was in a movie too where the two young boys get lessons from the old master Japanese tennis sensei haha. He put on like he wasn't that good and then he went on to make us run all around the court and smash the ball in our faces as he taught us haha. He is doing well just have to help him gain more faith.

 

We found another guy this week. M--. He is keeping all of the commitments now too and he is progressing very well. We found while looking at the Sakura (The cherry blossoms.) They bloom once a year for a week haha. So it was good Dendo (missionary finding) for us because we just walked around the river where they are and walked up to people and said "this is our first time seeing them!" And it worked every time being able to talk to people haha. We also met with S-- and S-- and ate but still trying to help them do church stuff. They are so nice though. They are a miracle. I think a highlight for this week was playing basketball for the first time since getting to Japan!!!!!! FINALLY!!! We got a referral from the mission headquarters for a guy who liked basketball. I called him and we played this week. He was good!! He is good and shoots 3s like crazy. It was fun too because we got to play on an international boundary court with the international ball. He said he wasn't used to playing with tall people haha. He said I was a Japanese power forward haha but I'm a shooting guard haha it was cool and it should be a weekly thing now. It was funny too becasue to play you have to reserve a time at the gym and we didn't know that. So we got there and there were high schoolers playing. But, us being gaijin (foreigners) they were more than willing to let us have half the court haha it was funny when we opened the door and everyone is just like "what??" So confused that we were there haha.

 

Also today was great at the temple. I learned that I love the Japanese people so much. They are awesome. I love Japanese. I was getting really ready eyed when I realized how much I want to help them. We also went to a trick art museum after and I'll send pictures. We road on rainbow bridge on the way there today. Wooh haha also saw a giant robot thing. I'll send pictures. Another good thing I learned was I need this work more than it needs me. I will be forever grateful for what the mission is. Heavenly Father really helps us grow. This was one of my best weeks. We did little to no finding, taught lessons, and played basketball haha. Our investigators are doing well. Thank you all so much for your prayers. I love you all so much and I want you to know that I know that this Gospel is true.

 

Sometimes life is tough but having the Gospel makes everything possible. Prayer and scripture study work. Do it! I get to watch conference this week, I cant wait. I love you all so much and I hope you enjoy the present I sent. I love you!!!

Love
プロクター長老

 

 

 

I had a pretty good week. I forgot to tell you about my talk last week. It went way better this time. I organized it on my ipad way better and I didn't get lost so it went smoothly, haha.

 

Also last Sunday we were teaching a less active and Elder Larm was explaining how we all get to make choices on earth and that's why we came here. Well one of the words for "choose" is also "do laundry" so the way he said it sounded like "laundry". It was so funny because he said, "we came to earth to do laundry" - I bet mom would agree - haha.

 

We are also getting a new apartment finally this week. This one is way too small and yea, it has a huge roof leak. So happy we are getting out of here haha. By the way. I knew next week should be fast and testimony meeting. Could you please tell the ward how thankful I am for them. I was thinking about it and I really love all the people there. Tell them to always hold strong to whatever testimony they have and pray and read. The basic stuff will keep them happy. I'm also super proud of Chrissy's friend. tell her she is doing exactly what God wants her too. Good job!!

 

Also a cool experience we are in right now. We met a guy named K--. He didn't answer again for like two weeks but Elder Larm felt like we should call him one morning so we did. He finally answered and we ended up teaching him. It is so sad. 20 years ago when his daughter was 8 he separated from his wife and the wife got the daughter. he literally hasn't been able to see her. He showed us all of his pictures of his daughter and he said he just wants to go back. I was tearing up. He has been praying to Heavenly Father in Christ's name for 20 years. Perfect prayer. He prays just like us. We invited him to church and he should come this next Sunday and is learning now. So amazing that we found him. We are also teaching a guy who is 33. He is from a ward member and at first I thought he had a mental illness but he doesn't. He understands perfectly. He said he was made fun of so much when he was younger and now that he came to an activity at church he feels light and is happy and wants to come everyday. his name is N--.

I love you all so much. I love you I am so proud of you all. I'm fine right now, my shoes are fine but the soles are shaped really funny now, haha they are fine though.

Love you!!

Love
Elder Proctor

 

 

 

Hey everybody!!!!

 

I hope you had a fun week. This week was honestly kind of a slow week, we weren't able to get a hold of our investigators 'til Saturday but we did help the other Elders with their investigator who comes to every activity. He speaks English and is an interesting guy. He bore his testimony at our night sacrament meeting for people who can't come during the day. He came to the morning sacrament too haha. So he bore his testimony, started off with ladies and gentleman and he went on and on about "how are you guys so happy". He said it probably 20 times. He was speaking English and I finally just told the less active I was sitting with, he is saying the same thing over and over again - haha. It was funny. This same investigator while we were walking with him decided to Dendo (do missionary work with) a lady to show us he could be a missionary and guess what - the lady actually came with her son!?! So funny. Then he ended with, well that's it and started to walk off haha but someone told him to end in Christ's name haha. The other Elders said they might just have us start teaching him because he listens to me and Elder Larm better haha we will see.

That same less actives name is T--. We got to talk with him a lot this week. It was so cool because in his testimony he said he wants to take a picture with me and two other missionaries in Texas while eating steak. All the missionaries he likes are from Texas haha and in Japan they don't have real steak. Its a hamburger without a bun haha. He is reading the Books of Mormon everyday now and its awesome. He also took us to the monument and I'll send pictures. It was really cool.

We are also still talking with the guy who likes English, M-- on the phone. I try Japanese but he just likes English too much. Its funny too because sometimes I'll clarify in Japanese and he'll be like "oh now I get it" haha so funny. His wife is just kind of against it so we are working with that.

 

I got something funny. I realized I feel like a puppy sometimes. You know how dogs do not understand what we say but they know if they do the right thing at the right time they'll get a reward. Well at the beginning of my mission when I didn't understand anything, at the 7 eleven I would take a TV dinner to the counter. They heat it up for you but only if you say yes at the right time. I would wait 'til the exact moment and say "hai" and they'd heat it up and I'd get my treat haha I know what they ask now but I just thoughts you'd think that story was funny haha.

 

Another funny story: yesterday at the park while doing a soccer activity we were talking to two old ladies. Like 83 years old with the investigator I was talking about earlier. One of the old ladies, after talking about how young we were, stood up and grabbed and squished both of Elder Larm's biceps and sat down. It was hilarious and weird and glad it happened to him haha. We also found a vending machine that sold.....umbrellas, good ones!???!. so we bought them and took pictures haha.

 

I know that all of these people are God's children. I love the Japanese people so much. Jesus Christ is our Savior and please, please, please, pray every morning and night and all day. I promise you will find more happiness and peace. I love you all so much!!!!

Sincerely,
プロクター長老

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So after emailing last week we went to get my watch a new battery and the man was 85 years old!!! Isn't that crazy! He said he'd been working there doing the watches for 70 years. It was crazy. He was the watch master. His own words haha oh yea, I love the keyboard by the way. I pulled it out and was way impressed haha. Its awesome and it's the Japanese version. That's awesome!!!! Its perfect:) we went to have sushi and I love it!! It is my favorite Japanese food now. It is amazing. We also found 2 new investigators last week. One is a lonely old man who we housed into and we ended up talking to him for 2 and a half hours?! And last night we found a younger guy.

 

I got in a bike wreck the other night too! I didn't even fall but here's the story, its hilarious (sorta haha). We were eating dinner from 8:30 to 9 we had no time that day and at like 8:55 we realized we had no milk. We still had two days left and since it was our dinner time we could run to the 7 eleven and get some. It was 8:55 though and we were like< "nah no time". Then a minute later I was like, we can make it, so we strapped our helmets on and flew to the 7/11 right close to our apartment. On the way back at 8:58 on the COMPLETELY deserted road, an old man pulls out and I couldn't stop in time. He hit my back wheel and fell. I didn't even fall but I jumped off my bike to go see if he was ok. He got up and was fine but he said he was kinda weak. He got up and walked it off though, then he asked for my business card and I explained who we were. I didn't have my business cards and I told him that they were in our apartment but he kept asking because I think he thought I didn't understand. Keep in mind this was a bike crash. A simple one haha then he called his family and then the police. 5 police came. Oh my gosh haha. Then a lady police officer started drawing the scene. We talked with the police officers. It was cool because I was really worried I would have to pay something, but when we described how it happened, I described the events at it made sense and when the other man did, his version didn't so they knew that I was being truthful and it was fine. The other guy said he was coming from the other way but the officer was like, you couldn't have fallen on your left side from that way haha. So the police ended up really liking me. Then our bishop ended up coming and then we ended up at the police station so they could make copies of my passport. At the police station we became friends with the officer and he likes  missionaries now and was impressed with us. We got back at 12:01 and went to bed. It was ridiculous haha. All for a simple bike crash haha sorry if that didn't make sense, I didn't proofread but it was pretty funny. It was blown so out of proportion but now its fine haha. I wasn't hurt or anything so don't worry and yes I'll be more careful haha.

 

One of our investigators was in Disney Land all week and the other got sick so still kinda in the same spot with them. We are meeting with S-- again tomorrow though:) we were on our way to his house to give him the tie you sent and took a different road and he was there!? He said he didn't plan on walking there either haha so tomorrow we are meeting with him. We also helped the other elders do a 4 man lesson with this Japanese guy who is fluent in English. He won't focus with just them so we all did it and he now should get baptized next month haha.

 

I love these people. Even though sometimes they are a little startled by my "konnichiwas" haha they are so nice and just amazing people. Jesus Christ is our Savior and I know it. Heavenly Father answers prayers. I also know the Book of Mormon is true. Read it everyday please!!! Haha people always say they are busy but everyone can find time in everyday, don't let that excuse take you. Read the scriptures and pray and I know you will receive help. I love you all!!!

Sincerely with love,
プロクター長老
Elder Proctor

 



We found a man named T--. We housed (tracted) into him and he believed in, "Mama Mary" but was up to hearing about the Book of Mormon.  He prays to Heavenly Father now though, haha. We went and taught him about the restoration and we showed him the baptism of Christ video and the restoration - Joseph Smith first vision. It was so cool because after the first vision I asked him if he thought it was true and in the most serious voice he was like probably and was nodding his head. He really liked the Atonement too. He has a wife and 2 kids I think and the best part is we committed him to being baptized!!! He actually said what time of the day haha. The funny part is Elder Larm didn't know haha. Halfway through and after I committed him to baptism Elder Larm said he was like "wait, did he just set a baptismal date??" He said he heard dates like March and stuff and he realized haha. He couldn't come to church this week so it'll have to be in April but we are still so excited. Haha so pray for T-- and his family!!!!

 

We also met a man named K--. He works at Disney land and he is hilarious. He said when foreigners come and they speak English at him he always just nods his head and says "no problem" haha so funny. He is a pretty cool miracle. We ended up explaining a little bit about the word of wisdom when we came back to visit him and he had already been keeping it haha. He said how tea and coffee and all the stuff in it are bitter. He said he would keep the word of  wisdom in the first meeting haha. He is doing the 30th anniversary for Disney land right now but this week we should be able to meet him more. We went on a 24 km bike ride this week to another one of our less actives phantom referrals haha. He always give us referrals, we visit them, and they say they have never heard of him. Then we ask him and he says yea don't use my name, oh my gosh haha. It was interesting and a workout though. I have another talk again. about friendship at the end of this month. My companion scared a kid too. We were really crammed at a doorstep and the kid opened the door and there was my companion in a huge coat towering over him.  The kid screamed and almost fell over haha. I jumped in and explained and we invited his family to Eikaiwa (English Class) haha.

I'm so proud of you all.  You guys are all doing so well it sounds like.  I've gotten missionaries my whole mission ask me how I get so any emails and how they are so long. they say their parents don't write that much. I'm so happy you guys do. The Gospel is true.  I know it.  I see it everyday.  I love you all so much!!!!

Love,
プロクター長老