OK, so I am now in Chiba, Japan. It still isn't as big as Tokyo, only a bit over 1 million, but now I am in an area that looks like I thought my mission would before I came out, haha. I have been in rural or country places all up until now.

 

It was cool the other day we came back from eating at a member's house. His name is A.. and his goal is to make the missionaries throw up I think, haha. He is from Nepal but speaks English and Japanese. He fed us so much! There is a Costco in Chiba and he uses it. We get to too:)) but anyways, he fed us so much and I couldn't eat it all. On the way back we were late and had to ride our bikes super fast to make it to the next appointment. It was pretty cool riding my bike through down town Chiba. Its a really cool urban atmosphere. There are apartment complexes everywhere that are humongous. It's really cool.

 

We had an earthquake and the Typhoon didn't hit us at all. The earthquake was weak so nothing happened - haha. We just heard the siren and were all prepared for a huge earthquake but it was tiny.

 

The ward here is cool because half of the members are from America pretty much. Well, four I guess haha. They have Japanese wives and move back and forth between America and Japan sometimes. They are completely fluent in both. Pretty cool. One is from Houston and he knew Nacogdoches so that was super cool. He is our ward mission leader.

 

My new companion is awesome. He is 25 and was a chiropractor before he left for his mission. He plans to go back to his job when his mission is complete. He is way older and mature but it is cool having someone to learn from even more. He is awesome though. We speak only Japanese and it has helped SOOO much in just the last few days. It's nice hearing perfect Japanese all day. When you are with American missionaries all day they speak white people Japanese and it's not as good practice haha.

 

Our investigators are great. One is from Peru and speaks Spanish and Japanese. We are meeting him today and he is close to baptism. I haven't met everyone else yet but we will see:))

 

I love you all so much. I read your emails and wow are they fun to read:))) I loved the picture of you guys at 4th of July. I love you all so much!!!!

 

My testimony is really growing. Rely on God, be patient, and all will be ok. Also, make sure Sacrament is a spiritual experience and not just a habit. I love you so much!!!!!

Love,
Elder Proctor

 

 

Hey everybody!!!!! We had a lot of things going on this week! First, we went on exchanges with the assistants to the president of the mission. It was really cool. We found a guy named K***. He is 19 and has traveled a lot. He had a heart transplant and the heart he got is from an American so he literally is American at heart -  haha. He loves America stuff. He also has been to NASA so we were able to talk about that haha, so cool. He came to church this week and before church we gave him a tour. We got to the baptismal font and taught him about baptism. We talked about the blessings and things and he said he wants forgiveness. One thing led to another and now he is going to be baptized at the end of this month haha:)) So cool.

 

We were able to find two new investigators yesterday night by housing (tracting). We are seeing tons of miracles this week. Also, I was super sick on Friday and Saturday. I couldn't sleep all Friday night because of a massive headache and just my whole body felt terrible. I finally saw one of the other Elders wake up and he gave me a blessing at like 3 am. I immediately was able to finally calm down and sleep. The next day I just slept all day. I couldn't do anything. It was the first time in almost a year that I have napped haha it was weird. I got better Saturday though. Blessings really have power to them.

 

We also used the letter Garrett sent in T***'s lesson. It went great and it really touched him. It was perfect for him. He is still doing great.

 

Next crazy piece of news is I am already transfering?!?!? To Chiba! It's a big city. After only five weeks here!??! It was a super short transfer. They are usually 6 weeks. But yea, I'm gone, haha I'm going to be one of the Zone Leaders in Chiba with my new companion, Elder Sakamoto. He is Nionjin (Japanese) and I am so excited. He has been here a lot longer too so he can teach me a lot. Plus, I am so excited to just speak Japanese. I have never had this chance before and I am so excited to take it. I love you all so much. Thanks for being so perfect!!!!!!

Love,
Elder Proctor

 

 

Still in Japan - haha  - so the baptism did not turn out. He is still trying to develop more faith (aren't we all though, right?). The miracle so far is that he has quit smoking. We taught him the stop smoking program and he pretty much did NONE of it - haha - but we did give him a blessing and he hasn't smoked since!! Miracle!

 

Some cool news is a friend that I met in Sanjo ended up completing the lessons and he got baptized!!! I was not able to say really much to him because I couldn't at that time (my Japanese wasn't very good) - haha - but he is now a member of the church. SO cool.

 

We had a pretty normal but funny week. Yesterday I rode a "mama chotty" that is the name of the cheap hoopty bikes everyone, and I mean everyone, rides in Japan. My back wheel completely broke on my regular bike during church yesterday. I think it got hit - haha - (like a hit and run) so I had to ride a broken old leftover mama chotty all the way to the next town. Our old apartment town. It was terrible. I will send a picture. I was drenched at the end. It hurt - haha - Elder Pelfrey rode it the way back. It was crazy. It's like 2 or 3 miles or somthing haha on a bike with a broken wheel. I got my bike with the new wheel today so that's good. The wheel finally came in and we went and got it fixed. So thats the funny story.

 

Also we saw a little concert an Eikaiwa (English) student put on and I will send the video. It's pretty good, she does very well and sings beautifully - her accent is very Japanese - haha.

 

 

She did a great job!!

 

One of our investigators that we are eating with tonight is looking really good. He keeps telling us all the stories of how God is helping him in his life. He is doing awesome and is just a cool guy. He is 24 and I'll send a picture.

 

Tomorrow we have Zone conference and I have an assignment to train in it. It is for two zones combined so wish me luck!!!!

 

I really learned this week to be patient. Even though we may feel inadequate or unable to control everything, if we just rely on God, pray, read, and do our best, it'll all work out. I know that Christ is our Savior too. Your emails are great. I loved them so much and I look forward to them every week.

 

One more miracle. The guy actually dropped us the other day but its still a miracle. It's crazy. This guy N-- was found months ago. The missionary gave him only the missionaries' number but that was it. He never turned up or anything. Well, before I came here the guy gets a call from someone and they invited him to church. He shows up and the missionaries were shocked! They asked and he said your preacher called me. He said I needed to go to church. The missionaries are the only one with his number and no one knows who called. We think it was an angel - haha - pretty cool miracle huh. He wants to take a break now. We told him about that and he met with us again but he wanted to take a break now. It'll be ok but I just htought you'd like that miracle.

 

Thanks for being an awesome family and friends at home. I love you all so much!!!!!!!! Have a great week!!!!

Love,
プロクター長老

 

 

 

Something funny, a ring at our door the other day, in Japan they have little boxes you answer on, you usually don't come to the door. I know how it goes well from housing - haha - so ours rings and I was so happy, here was my chance to be on the other end - haha - it was a salesman talking about houses and stuff. I decided to mess with him so I did my best Japanese lady impression over the little box and told him to wait till I came to the door. I came and opened the door and his face was so funny - haha - he was shocked (Two American Men in a non-tourist area) and then tried to keep doing his spiel but I told him the church pays for the apartment and I'm 19 and I'm good haha. He said ok and smiled and walked off. It was funny too because there were two people in the parking lot laughing too haha. So there's my funny story for the week.

 

We saw so many people progressing and in pretty much all of the lessons we taught, someone came closer to Christ.

 

So I have a couple stories: First, N-- was going to drop us. He said he understood everything but it was a problem in his heart. We talked to him for an hour one day, we testified and just let him tell us how he felt. It was so cool because after we testified, he said we made him think again :)) He felt the Spirit and is still going to meet with us, wooh!!!!!!

 

Next, and this is the biggest miracle, T-- is still not smoking!!!!!! WOOH!!!!!!!!!! We taught him the program and he pretty much didn't follow it - haha - he forgot all the steps and we had to remind him all day everyday - haha but we did give him a blessing before and that is what did it. He has gone a whole week now and is looking good for this Sunday baptism!!!!!! I let you guys know what happens:))

 

Next miracle, A guy I met in Kisarazu named J-- is now listening to us in Togane:) So he came to Eikaiwa (English Class) in Kisarazu because he had a class there. He is 60. He is way good at English. So he really liked me and we were friends but he lives in Togane. He eventually stopped coming to Eikaiwa after his class finished. Well, the other day, I was praying about who we could get to church and I remembered him!! We called him and he was so happy I remembered him. He came and we ate with him the other day and now he is going to talk with us:) Miracle!

 

 

The pants and everything fit great! It has been better haha, thanks for all the stuff in the package. Thank Aunt Donella too. I love the lemonade and cereal. Love it! I love you all so much!!! Seeing Fumie was awesome. It was a weird feeling. Her being from Texas, also saying "hey, see you next year". It was super cool though. I wish we could've spoken longer, but had things to do. It was still great though  because we got to help S-- meet the new missionaries too.

 

I love you all so much!!!!

Love,
プロクター長老

 

 

Konnichiwa! ‏

 

Hey everyone! I hope you guys all had a great week! This week was better as far as no rain here but I think I might prefer the rain haha. It is so hot! So humid. It feels just like home - haha. I think Texas is hotter though because we have the crazy 102 degree heat along with the moisture. Anyways, we had a  good week. We had mission leadership council and it went great.

 

It was cool being the Togane Elders because right now our area is famous in the mission due to the fact that Togane had 50 non-members at church 3 weeks ago. We had 16 this Sunday. We were planning on like 23 but some couldn't make it but definitely will soon. We have 3 baptismal dates right now - all for the 29th of June. N--, T--, and M-- are all on their way. N-- is liking everything. M-- is Filipino and loves Jesus Christ and when we talked about temples with him and his girlfriend they both loved it. T-- is on a 7 day quit smoking program right now. We taught it to him yesterday and it took like 2 hours to get through - haha.  I'll send it to you and you'll see why - haha its so long and had a lot of vocabulary we weren't sure about - haha but when we asked him to crush his cigarettes he did right then and there. So cool. Pray for him to have courage to do it!! He is so close!

 

Things are going good though. Also, a couple more things I want to tell you about. One, we taught a lesson to a cool guy named M--. He is 24 and really cool. We just talked about our dads the whole time and how much they mean to us. We talked about how my dad is smart and always went to my games. We talked about how our dads always support us. Elder Pelfrey's dad passed away two years ago, but his dad did the same type of stuff. It was super spiritual. Everyone give dad a hug this week. He deserves it. Thanks for teaching me dad and being so great.

 

Afterwards we related all those attributes to Heavenly Father and now M-- is praying to know if he really is there:) I love you Dad. Thanks for being such a great family. I love you too Reinens! I miss you all so much. Have a great week guys!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Oh yea haha we moved this week too so now we don't have to ride our bikes an hour there and back to the church. But T-- lives close to our old apartment anyways so we still go there everyday - haha oh well.

Anyways love you!!!!

Love,
プロクター長老

 

 

 

 

I love you guys all so much!!

 

Funny story.  One of the Sisters who still doesn't know much Japanese made a really funny mistake. On the phone she wanted to say, "confirm" which is: "kakunin suru" as in an appointment confirmation but she said, "marry" which is: "kekkon suru" instead. So she said I want to marry. The lady she was talkng to then proceeded to go all the way to Tokyo to get a cake for her wedding and brought it the next day haha. Learning a language is pretty funny.

 

So I'm now in my third area, Tōgane (pronounced: "toe" "gah" "knee") that is known for having the most people at church and just being an AMAZING area. It has not let down so far. All of the members are super nice. The church is super big. Nicer than I have ever seen before in my life. Its so funny because it is in a tiny town,  haha. We are teaching lessons everyday and right now, N-- and T-- and M-- are on their way to baptism. In that order they will be baptized. N-- has a date for the end of this month. He has so much real desire and we were able to teach him this morning. He wants to keep the commandments and is just a super nice man. T-- is super nice and loves cowboy stuff!!! Perfect!! So any cowboy present for him would be nice in a package whenever you send one ok haha (he is supposed to be baptized soon too).

 

I'm really enjoying Togane. The apartment is a city away and literally takes us 30 minutes to ride our bikes to the church everyday. We get a new apartment this Saturday though so that's good. It has been raining non stop too!! So we rode from our apartment and back multiple times in the rain. It just finally stopped yesterday.

 

My new companion, Elder Pelfrey, is great. We made our zone vision based off of what I learned in seminary with Brother Pratt. Believe, Trust, and Act. Principles of true faith. We came up with a bunch of different ways to achieve that and it's going well. There were 15 people at church yesterday as far as investigators go. Six were ours.

 

I love you all so much and your emails were great, thanks for sending them:) I miss you all so much and I know you do too but I also know we are all doing a great thing. I love you all so much!!!

Oh yea, I have Facebook now for Dendo (Missionary Work)  haha Pretty funny. We just add our investigators and stuff and send them stuff and it goes well.

I love you all so much!!!

Love,
Elder Proctor

 

 

 

 

Hey everyone!

 

So there were some crazy miracles this week! First about our District. Pretty much everyone has been finding. We all found new investigators this week. We found a 22 year old guy and an American haha. The American guy is pretty interesting haha.

 

We were able to talk to a lot of people this week. All of the other missionaries found people too. It was so cool to see a spike in new people. We had 7 people at church yesterday. It was cool but this is the most awesome miracle. At Togane, where the Zone leaders are, the missionaries there in all brought 50 people to church. 50 non members!!!! It is so cool.

 

And guess what, I am going to Togane. Yep, I was assigned to be a Zone Leader in Togane. I have been assigned to replace the Zone Leader who has completed his service and is going home. I'm going to miss Kisarazu, but I'm really excited. My companion will be Elder Pelfrey. He is a friend from the MTC and really awesome. We came to Japan at the same time and were in the same room all day everyday at the MTC so its nice to have someone I know.

 

SO... even though I'm transferring just an hour a half away, I'll still be able to visit Kisarazu on exchanges and talk to S--- and S--- my good friends. SO... I'm going to the ward that just had 50 people on Sunday. 185 total attendance including members. Its my first ward. I'm so excited.

 

Also this week for the first time my whole mission, we started only speaking Japanese. We always tried but still were just (honestly) lazy and went to English if we couldn't figure it out. But now as a district we decided to only speak Japanese. It has been great and in just the last 5 days I have improved so much.

 

Elder Pelfrey is known for speaking just Japanese too, so I'm way excited to do that. Elder Nukaya was awesome. He is transferring too, I'll miss him. He is a fun guy and great Elder.

I hope you all are doing great. I love your emails and it sounds like your doing well. I am so proud of you Garrett and wow. . . Hannah's dog is ridiculously cute haha. Mom thanks for the email. Exactly what I needed for my new assignment haha.

 

I love you all so much!!!!!!!!!

Love,
プロクター長老