Tuesday, June 18th, 2013

Hello everybody!!!

Man, it's a party up in P-town!  You got the whole gang together up there.  Well, over here in Tokyo, today was temple p-day and it was the last time that the whole mission will be together as one.  We will get our area calls this next Saturday morning and I have no idea how I feel about it.  I would very much like to stay here, but where ever is totally okay with me. 

We had a great time going to the Saitama Lions baseball game against the Nagoya Dragons.  It is totally different from American games.  For one thing, we ate sushi for our snacks :)  No popcorn or crackerjacks.  The stadium is much smaller than an American one.  There is a designated cheering section, kinda like at a college game.  It has much more the feel of a minor league game to it.  All of the announcements were done in English, surprisingly.  (either I'm completely fluent in Japanese or it was English).  There were two blacks guys in the field, one per team, and they both played third base.  There was a giant picture of Ichiro drinking beer in the corner, but that is everywhere in Japan.  Overall, it was a very fun experience :)  But I like American games better, haha! 

It is hoooottttt!  The crazy humidity is back in full blast!  I've been dripping with sweat all day today.  The dendo recently has been very good.  We have been doing a lot of quality finding in our spare time and have found quite a few college aged kids that are now investigating the church really well.  Also, we had a YSA in the ward bring her good friend to church this last Sunday and we were able to answer his questions and start teaching him the gospel.  His name is Mo and he is a way cool guy.  We counted it up, and we are teaching people from 12 different countries around the world: 

Japan- lots of people

Korea- Kim and Ryo (we play basketball with Kim and teach Ryo and his family)

China- Shin, Enka, Yaung, Benson, Rin, Goh

Ecuador- Fanny (she works close to the church and is trying hard to get Sunday off)

Brazil- Thala (we have her come help us out at English class, she is going back to Brazil in July, high school age girl)

Holland- Kohji (he is going back to Holland in July as well, absolute bro, not really progressing anymore)

Indonesia- Miko and Ryu (brother and sister that we go to Japanese class and English class with)  

Fiji- Shalesh (interesting guy, eternal investigator, he is an artist and comes to church randomly)

Uzbekistan- Sher (started teaching him this last week, Muslim, but is very interested in the idea of modern prophets)

America- various (we gots lots of American friends)

Nepal- Chandran (works close to the church, likes Indian food :)  )  

Philippines- Lea (baptized and active! Going to visit her tonight and help her get started on family history)

That's just a quick sum up of all of our "gaijin"- foreign investigators.  We are really excited about Sher, the Uzbekistan guy.  He is a 25 year old college student who is very intelligent and just the coolest, nicest guy ever.  He has these crazy cool lime green eyes and is fluent in Uzbekian, Russian, English, and Japanese. 

We also started an international soccer team with the other elders in our zone and this last week we had like 15 PI's and 7 investigators come play with us at the park, including a guy from Syria named Muhammah.  He is a refugee and was boss at soccer. 

In case you were wondering, they don't really celebrate fathers day here, haha.  But HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Thank you so much Dad, as well as Grandpa, for being righteous priesthood leaders and examples in all of our lives.  We, and especially me, are so blessed for having the loving council and support of a patriarch in the home.  I have seen what they look like without them, houses without fathers.  The Father is an essential figure in the home and I am blessed to have the best one in the world :)  Wouldn't trade you for all of the grilled steaks at the Outback!!!  Have a great day!!!!!

Well, I sincerely pray that everyone has a splendid week and that everything will be pleasant and enjoyable as you play together this next week.  Remember to share your toys and make good choices!!!!!  楽しんでくれ！！！！(Enjoy!)

愛しているよ！(I love you!)

クランダル長老 (Crandall Elder)