More Pics from Enoshima

Monday, October 28, 2019

• Love the views

• Can you see the tentacles?

• Another view
• First time I've seen a stone torii gate in person

• Hello, cat who doesn't care

• When there's no other choice...

• The sink made up for it

• And more views

Just a few more ....

Monday, October 28, 2019

• Love Ogata姉妹!
• That umeboshi ice cream and octopus senbei
• Dragon pillar

• Dragon cave shrine thing

New Companion

Monday, October 28, 2019

こんにちは!

My new companion, Takatori姉妹, is so cute and fun and we've been doing lots of running. And it's not because both or even one of us likes to exercise... Read below for more!

Spiritual Stuff:

On Saturday the mother of three we're currently teaching came to our branch Halloween Party with her kids, and they had a fantastic time! The kids played with the members' kids, and the mom talked with a lot of the members. Towards the end, Takatori姉妹 asked the kids if they were coming tomorrow (Sunday), and after a simple explanation of church, they got super excited and left asking their mom if they were coming, repeating over and over the time (10-12). We knew they most likely wouldn't be able to come, but we're so happy that they enjoyed themselves enough to start having interest in coming to church! Please include their family in your prayers.

(stealing this week's thought from my Facebook post) 

Recently I've been thinking a lot about part of Alma 30:44... 

"...all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."

I truly feel that "all things denote there is a God." I especially feel so every time I'm out biking through rice fields, or riding the train through the mountains. I'm so grateful I have the opportunity to serve in this beautiful country. I'm also very grateful that I am able to serve in Odawara, with its ocean and mountains. I can't think of a better place to start my experience.

Daily Life/Fun Stories:

Last pday Ogata姉妹 and I went with the zone 姉妹たちto Enoshima, and while there I got umeboshi ice cream. Japanese pickled plum ice cream. Apparently not popular with foreigners because after I ordered and paid for it the lady leaned out the window and asked, "umeboshi?" And even when I responded to the affirmative, she still said, "not strawberry," to which I could only say "はい" (hai= yes) while suppressing my laughter. 

On Tuesday we spent 3-4 hours packing (Ogata姉妹) and cleaning. I spent the entire time scrubbing at the tape residue on our windows from when we taped them for the typhoon... It's still not clean .

Wednesday was transfer day, a whole mix of emotions. Really weird and sad, but really exciting. 

Saturday was our Halloween Party, and it started off with an eating contest. We ate a bun with a pile of whipped cream on top and it was actually pretty fun. I won the group I participated in lol. First and probably last time I'll ever win an eating contest. I was dressed as a ninja (sort of) so they kept saying I was fast because I was a ninja lol. As for other activities, Takatori姉妹 and I were on face painting duty all night, but the rest of the attendees (including English class students and members' friends) had fun with pumpkin carving, a first for almost everyone. 

Yesterday we went to visit an inactive member who we've visited multiple times (or at least tried to). We always know they're home because we can hear them, but they never open the door. As we stood before the door, before we could do anything, Takatori姉妹's tablet started very loudly announcing directions. We frantically tried to silence it while also trying to stifle our laughter, but it was too late. We started casually (super not casual) walking away when we heard the sound of the locks moving. The door didn't open, however, so they probably were locking it... We came back after housing a few doors and, as expected, the door didn't open. We left them a note and left, as we've done before. Walked away again stifling our laughter as we remembered the panic and awkwardness of a bit earlier. 

So, as for the running... We rode lots of trains because Takatori姉妹's bike didn't get here until yesterday, and we had to run to almost every single one. Made most of them, but several times we sprinted in only to watch the train pull off without us...  

New Foods:

-grilled fish, Japanese fish grill style (nothing added and grilled in the fish grill installed in every Japanese stove). Couldn't believe how good it was

-beef from fukuoka given to us by some members, which we cooked in taco seasoning with onions. Best beef I've ever had, not tough at all. 

-sagebrush/mugwort mochi. Tasted like general herb, with the usual anko (japanese sweet red bean). The more I ate it, though, the more I liked it... 

-umeboshi (pickled plum) ice cream. Yum. 

-enoshima senbei. Squished octopus in a very thin rice sheet. As in, they literally put the mix and a whole octopus in a press and squish... Delicious. 

About the Pictures:

• That mochi
• The vending machine hot chocolate is coming out now that it's getting cooler (sort of) 
• A picture Takatori姉妹 took of me after we watched that 3rd train pull off without us... 

• Turns out you CAN see Fuji from Odawara area... You just have to take the train out a ways to see it between other mountains
• Our Halloween loot
• Me and Takatori姉妹 in front of the Halloween whiteboard sign we drew for the party
• We're proud of this sign (it was mostly Takatori姉妹 though, lol) 
• Yes, I was a ninja. Sort of. 
• Japanese pancakes are a whole other level
• Enoshima with Fujisawa Zone 姉妹たち! (see other email for more) 
• What you have to expect as a missionary in 日本 (while writing the note for that family) 

愛してます!

-スナ一姉妹

Bean-chan and more

Monday, October 21, 2019

こんにちは!

On Wednesday afternoon, I will no longer be called "bean-chan" by everyone I meet! As in, my training period will be officially over! Crazy. 

Spiritual Stuff:

This past week's been kind of rough for the 2 people we teach regularly, for reasons I think are probably too personal to share in this email, so unfortunately not much to report there. However, one of them has been having several small experiences, which we're so happy for. She really liked our message about the Sabbath, and since we basically stole it from one of President Nelson's talks (2015), "The Sabbath Is a Delight," I figured I'd share some of it with you all! 

"I first found delight in the Sabbath many years ago when, as a busy surgeon, I knew that the Sabbath became a day for personal healing. By the end of each week, my hands were sore from repeatedly scrubbing them with soap, water, and a bristle brush. I also needed a breather from the burden of a demanding profession. Sunday provided much-needed relief.

What did the Savior mean when He said that “the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath”? I believe He wanted us to understand that the Sabbath was His gift to us, granting real respite from the rigors of daily life and an opportunity for spiritual and physical renewal. God gave us this special day, not for amusement or daily labor but for a rest from duty, with physical and spiritual relief."

For missionaries, our Sabbath is always spent helping others feel that relief, usually by visiting them and sharing a message tailored to their unique circumstances. It's always a delight for us, and we try to help people see that it can be a delight for them. It can be a delight for you, too! 

Daily Life/Fun Stories:

On Wednesday I'll get a new companion! Ogata姉妹 is transferring to Kofu and will be companions with my MTC companion, Olson姉妹, which is crazy. My new companion's name is Takatori姉妹. Yes, I get another 日本人 (nihonjin= japanese person) companion, which I am so happy about! Good food and fantastic language practice, what more could I ask for? I'll miss Ogata姉妹, but I'm excited for this new chapter of my missionary experience! I'll also be area 先輩 (senpai= upperclassman/senior, but used in more situations), which is a bit daunting but also exciting.

So usually Ogata姉妹 is the one to decide and make food (if it isn't leftovers, cup ramen, or instant curry), but last week she looked at the sliced white cheddar cheese I'd asked to buy at the grocery store and was like, "what do you do with this." So we made a kind of fancy grilled cheese with the super thick, fluffy Japanese bread and chicken with taco seasoning. Plus tomatoes and onions. Ended up being way good, actually, and I'm kinda sad I didn't take a picture. I was pretty proud of myself. 

Preparations are being finalized for this Saturday's ハロウィーンパーティー (harowiin paatii= Halloween Party), which the branch mission council thingy (no idea what it's actually called in English) is in charge of. Meaning, the branch mission president and missionaries are doing all the planning and preparation. Look forward to hearing about it in next week's email!

We did a lot of service this week, most of it outdoors, as we helped people clean up a bit from the 台風 (taifuu= typhoon). Outdoor service is always a nice break from the routine. Although, the weather was actually quite chilly, as in we wore jackets. Also wet. The chilly part is unusual for 日本 (nihon= Japan). Apparently it's what the weather is like in February, so I'm very much looking forward to a winter not nearly as bad as Rochester.

New Foods:

-persimmon

-seafood pasta with hotate (japanese scallops. Best seafood I've had in a long time.)

-carbonara

-vanilla ice cream with olive oil and salt on top (sounds weird, but it was good like caramel and chocolate are good with salt) 

-mochi and pork okonomiyaki

-squid and pork okonomiyaki

-pickled konbu salad (don't know what it's actually called. Konbu is a kind of seaweed) 

-japanese sweet potato (just peel the skin after it's cooked and eat. So much better than American ones) 

-salmon sashimi

-japanese sweet potato salad

-yakitori

-kusamochi (grass flavored mochi filled with anko, Japanese sweet bean. Tasted like the inside of an Asian market in America.) 

-mabodofu (Fried Tofu. Quite possibly the best thing I've eaten so far) 

About the Pictures:

• What we do when we're doing service but still want to have fun
• First time at an okonomiyaki restaurant! 
• That vanilla ice cream with olive oil and salt (plus raspberry sherbert) 

• We love our members. This isn't even everything, she brought out the sashimi and yakitori after I took the picture. 
• Double rainbow right as we finished up service! 
• Grass mochi

愛してます!

-スナ一姉妹

Typhoon Hagibis

Monday, October 14, 2019

こんにちは!

This past week has been CRAZY. Typhoon Hagibis was the biggest typhoon to hit 日本 (nihon= Japan) in decades, and Odawara was right smack dab in the middle. As in, the eye went directly over it. But we weren't there! Read below for more. 

Spiritual Stuff:

A few days before the typhoon hit, I came across 3 Nephi 14:24-25 during personal study. At this point in the Book of Mormon, Christ has appeared to the Nephites after his resurrection and is sharing with them some of the most important teachings from his mortal ministry.

24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock—

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

Just as I am grateful that Japanese houses are built on incredibly strong faoundations, meant to withstand earthquakes and yes, rains, floods, and winds (aka typhoons), I am grateful that I have built my foundation on Christ and his teachings.

A strong foundation is the first step of preparation for a physical typhoon, just as building a spiritual foundation on Christ is the first step of preparation for life's typhoons. Of course there are many steps that come after, such as taping your windows, buying non-perishable food, and filling your bathtub with water. Studying the scriptures, going to church, and praying multiple times daily. However, if we have that strong foundation, even if sometimes we may be lacking in other areas, we will be able to weather the storms, no matter what kind. And that's a promise. We all know the rest of the story, and I will forever be grateful that Japanese houses are NOT built on sand, to be washed away in the rains, winds, and floods, just as I know I will be forever grateful for my foundation on Christ.

Daily Life/Fun Stories:

We heard early last week that another 台風 (taifuu= typhoon) was on its way. At first we didn't really think much of it because they weren't that bad this year, but as the week went on and we started hearing more about it and getting messages telling us to prepare, we started to realize just how big it was going to be.

On Thursday we were told to take time the next day to do our usual P-Day weekly shopping, and get some extra water. On Friday morning we received a lot more instructions, including buying non-perishable food, filling the bathtub and washing machine with water, make sure we had flashlights and extra batteries, tape our windows, download general conference, and make a big batch of rice and maybe curry. We were lucky in that we got to the store early, though we still had to splurge on expensive water because the rest was sold out. See pics for what the shelves looked like later in the day.

We spent most of the day preparing, and then in the afternoon got a call from our STLs telling us that President Esplin had authorized us to go to their apartment in Fujisawa for the weekend. They were a bit worried about us being so close to the ocean (we can see it from our window) and about the fact that our windows are floor to ceiling, facing the way the storm would come... Straight for us... So for those reasons we headed inland, to an apartment with 台風 shutters on its windows. The other sisters in our district came too because they're also pretty close to the ocean, and the weekend basically turned into a big slumber party. With general conference. See pics below.

Friday morning and afternoon were crazy calm, with no wind at all (very unusual for Odawara). It started raining in the evening. When we woke up Saturday morning, it started to pour. And the wind started to get stronger. We kept the shutters up until after the first session of conference because it wasn't that bad yet, but eventually had to close them once we learned the worst was on its way. It got VERY loud, and the curtains moved sometimes despite the fact that there were windows and 台風 shutters... Crazy. We had snacks, though, so we were good. Despite our worries about potential flooding, it was a lot of fun.

Last Tuesday we tried a different kind of 伝道 (dendou= missionary work), 音楽伝道 (ongaku dendou= music missionary work, this one doesn't really translate). We brought a keyboard outside the front of the church and set up a desk with Book of Mormons and pamphlets. I brought out my clarinet, and Ogata姉妹 and I played hymns and other church-related music. While nobody took any of the materials offered, several people stopped to listen and/or look at the church's various signs and the building's owner came over for a bit, pointing us out to people. Not only was it a great opportunity to make people realize there was a church there (it's a rented building, not a church building), but it was a delight to share beautiful music with people as they walked or drove past. There's also a stoplight right in front of the church, so some people HAD to listen to us as they were stopped lol.

At last week's 英会話 (eikaiwa= our weekly free English class), one of our 2 young, female regular students (such a rarity lol) brought us an お土産 (omiyage= souvenir) from her trip to Guam the week before. I knew it was a thing in 日本 to bring back souvenirs for almost everyone you know , but I hadn't expected anything at all. She's so sweet! And we love that she and her friend are still coming.

Some Stuff that the 台風 Caused:

-a lot of people in Odawara to evacuate to various evacuation centers. One of the people we teach had to take her kids to an elementary school and spend the day and night there

-at least 14 rivers to flood (2 of them in Odawara). In Odawara, one of them gouged up several baseball and other sport fields.

-several dams to overflow (one of them in Odawara)

-tens of thousands of people to lose power (thankfully only about 1000 in Odawara)

-A landslide that hit one of the train lines connecting Odawara to the surrounding mountains. It'll be closed at least until the end of the year for clearing/fixing.

-wind damage everywhere

-surprisingly low numbers of death, injury, and missing people (though any number above 0 is too big)

-A 30 meter wave (somewhere. Maybe. Might just be a rumor.)

-us going stir crazy after being stuck inside for almost 2 full days

Some Stuff that the 台風 Didn't Cause:

-the earthquake we felt at a magnitude 3 in Fujisawa.

-our excessive intake of snacks

-the genius idea the other 姉妹たち had to use chopsticks and one-sided chocolate-covered cookies to improvise s'mores roasted over the gas stove

New Foods:

-some sort of chip that kinda reminded me of barbecue lays but a Japanese version that tastes better

-chicken soy sauce ramen

-happiness souffle roll

-melon cream soda

About the Pictures:

• The 台風 from space.
• Radar after the worst passed over us (the X is Odawara, pin is Fujisawa)
• General Conference! Notice the tablet (mine) rigged up as a makeshift viewing screen, the pajamas, and the ridiculous amount of snacks...
• A grocery store after the rush
• Pumpkin cookies made by the STLs. There were at least three times this many... Eaten in less than 24 hours...
• We missed s'mores so much

愛してます!

-スナ一姉妹

More Kamakura Pictures!

Monday, October 7, 2019

• Love crepes made while you watch them
• Random stone thing I thought was cool.
• That strawberry custard it's-called-taiyaki-but-it's-not-actually-taiyaki-according-to-Ogata姉妹 taiyaki

The rest= Other cool stuff