First week in 日本(Japan)

So we left the MTC at like 8 in the morning. We got on a big bus and we shipped out to the airport. We literally ran around the whole airport looking for a phone bank that wasn't taken up by missionaries. I love you all and am sorry that I didn't get to talk to you. Here is my badge. We took up the whole back of the plane and flew to Portland. We got off of one plane and onto another one. The whole time I was surrounded by missionaries, so I didn't get to talk to anyone about the gospel. I sat and ate plane food the whole time while reading the Ensign and the yellow grammar book, "Pikachu".

We landed after a whole day had passed thanks to the dateline. We landed and went through customs, which was a little stressful. We all got through just fine, but one sister was a little shaky afterwards. We all got our gaijin cards and split. Kobe and Fukuoka left immediately. Nagoya left a little after that. President and Sister Warnick were waiting at the exit for us and you got that picture. We loaded up a different bus and went through Tokyo. It took about an hour and a half. Had a little interview with the Warnicks. They are really nice. We spent the fist night getting paperwork taken care of. I would love to tell you how that went, but it was a blur.

We spent our first nights in Japan in the relief society room in Kichijoji on futons. We woke up and went for a run to the Keon (park) for radio taiso. That was basically a bunch of old people and missionaries stretching in the middle of the park. We went and had French toast at the homebu (mission home). Then it was into training for us. We trained until like 3 and then went to do dendo (basic term for missionary work). We went around the train station looking for people to teach. We found one person that wanted to come to eikaiwa, but not really interested in the gospel. Then we went to dinner and I had my first real ramen. Very eggy. It was very good though. Then we had a little devotional and went to bed. We woke up and played dodgeball, after which I had my fist run in with a Japanese bidet toilet. That was weird. Warm and it takes a minute to start, so it makes me jump every time. Then more training. After this batch of training we met our companions. My companion is Elder Battaglia.He is from Portugal. He has been out for a year and is a great trainer. I am his third beanchan. We serve in the Shonandai area of Fujisawa.

Flag of Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

The apartment is about 4 minutes from the stake center. There are four of us in the apartment. Elder Battaglia and me, and Elders Porter and Muranaka. There are  6 rooms in our apartment. Kitchen, sleeping area, bathroom, laundry/shower, and two studies. I have a top bunk now. So fun food I have had. Tofu, porridge, jelly soda and barley tea. Those are all pretty good.

So I have taught 2 lessons in Japanese, and those went really well. Battaglia Chōrō usually has to fill me in on the details. I already love the people here. They are all so nice. There is one family, the Satos they took all of the beanchan-tachi to get bikes. I forgot to take a picture but will send it in a little bit. It is a black, sleek, Canadian road bike. There weren't any American brands or schwins. The Sato family is so nice and musical. Sato Shimai and Kyōdai are in charge of the choir.

Everyone seems to think that I am pretty jōzu (skillful, adept) at Nihongo, but I still have so far to go. I can pretty much only sing, pray, and bear a simple testimony.  I will keep working though.

So dendo miracles. I was on splits with Dowdle Chōrō, from Atsugi and we found a guy who told us to come back latter. Battaglia Chōrō and I went back and he came to the church with us. He was prepared. He asked inspired questions right off the bat. He accepted a soft invitation to baptism right there. His name is T. Yamada. I could feel the spirit during the lesson and I think that he did too. We taught him that God is our loving Heavenly Father. He really liked that. I shared a scripture from the 12 weeks program with him. It was Alma 32:27-37, about faith. If I hadn't studied that day, I would not have been prepared and we wouldn't have a new investigator. I am so glad we went housing when we did. I can testify that if we are diligent in our study, our effort, and prayer, everyone can see miracles everyday.

We have 2 other real investigators, but I haven't met them yet. It has drizzled, but we are supposed to have a big typhoon tomorrow. Not too big, but big enough that we might have to stay in tomorrow.  What else can I tell you about....? How about church! It was ward conference and we had a missionary correlation meeting before. It felt really long and I don't think I dozed of for too long. We also sang in the choir. We sang "There is Sunshine in my Soul Today". That was fun. Singing in Japanese is one of my favorite things to do.

Eikaiwa flyer - directions to chapel
from the train station

We went shopping today and I had absolutely no idea what I was looking at. I could only read things that weren't in kanji like carrot (キヤロツト) The ward is huge. With about 150 members. They are all so kind to the missionaries. Also, we are at the church all of the time for meetings, lessons, and study because of the wi-fi. After church (because it was a 5th Sunday), there was a sando party! Lots of weird sandwiches. My favorite was the bread and strawberry jam! I have talked to so many people. I love it here! Fun activities like eikaiwa, sports night, and gospel principle class.

Eikaiwa. Eikaiwa is not our mission here. It is a good finding tool though. Members and non-members meet and mingle while learning English, which is advised in PMG. I have taught in a beginner class and the advanced class. It was really fun. What is almost as fun is riding trains. I like trains, it is a flat roller coaster that you can dendo on and they can't leave!

This is my new zone. They are great dodgeball players. By the way, I have switched from a lot of volleyball to a lot of dodgeball. We play at least twice a week.

This is a new game I learned today. They use it to decide who prays. I remember when Gavin taught me "Rock, Paper, Scissors, Lizard, Spock" and how confused I was. Now I get to lead super Jan Ken Po

Well I don't remember much else that I can think of. It is plenty humid, but it is just like Houston. We walk a lot, but now I have a jitensha (bike). If you have any questions, please, just ask. I would love to answer whatever you want to know. Translation is pretty mentally tiring, even though Japanese sounds just like it did at the MTC, so my brain is pretty fried right now. I love hearing from everyone and thank you for your prayers, stories and encouragement.
Ai shite imasu!
マーフィー 長老！