Week 25 -Mission Blog

皆さん、
(Ladies and gentlemen)

Well, I officially cannot for the life of me recognize the passage of time. Not that I would claim that I could pre-mission. But it sure is humbling looking back at the past week and thinking: “wow, did anything happen?” and then remembering CHRISTMAS happened. the literal holiday that represents the birth of our lord and savior. I thought that was last week. But alas the christmas trees and decorations have already been removed and my christmas cheer has already left. Sad for sure. The branch gave us sooo much food for christmas, and in the typical fasion of elders we ate most of it immediately. I’ll probably have to go on a special new years diet. Oh and also I thought Christmas was forever ago because it takes so long to do anything in the snow and it has felt like more than a full week since Christmas.

Oh and o-shogatsu has begun. The word for japanese new years. Everybody goes home to their families, cleans their houses, makes a ton of food, then chills for a whole week. They also DO NOT want any randos knocking on their door. Thusly, we are stuck with other methods of dendou. Luckily one of our friends can’t make the trip back to his family and has opted to spend lots of time with us! (his family said they’re okay with it)

I sincerely hope that all of your guys' new years will go well. And if you know any japanese people you can tell them “yoi-toshi-o” 「よい年を」which somewhat translates to good year and then implies the rest of the words to say “Have a good year”. And if its after new years here is how you say have a good day: よい一日を (yoh-ee-chi-ni-chi-oh)

and happy new year is:
明けましておめでとうございます
akemashite omedetou gozaimasu
That is too long for my tastes. You can also shorten it to akeome but only some people will understand.

Questions from Dad:

How do you stay healthy physically and emotionally while on a mission?
Me personally or resources anyone can use? Resources-wise you have adjusting to missionary life, the handbook, the scriptures, prayer, companions, leaders, god, the ward, the love for the people, your family, working out regularly, good sleep, healthier food, shower and clean regularly, etc. Countless different things can be used to keep you emotionally and physically fit. But for me specifically, probably good food, my desire to help others learn and grow for themselves, and well, and the desire to slowly become a better person myself. These resources can generally be used at any point in life. Other resources can be added and removed as well.
What methods do you use to learn and communicate in a new language?
Charades is my favorite method. A lot can be communicated. That and learning how to simply describe what kind of word you are looking for. Like saying “what specifically is the word for the movement being made” or being like “bread, before entering the oven is called what?” things like that allow you to use your curiosity and interests to learn new words. The other thing is definently go for your interests first. The things that you already have drive to learn will be soooo much easier to remember. Repetitive vocab works for some but is hard for others.
How has your routine changed from when you first started?
Uhhh, Based on what area you’re in, different things happen. I guess in Kushiro I spend more time baking. That’s about the only difference. I guess I also don’t have an extra hour of studies compared to MTC and being trained. I can also comfidently say that for the Christmas season I’ve been waking up later and later. Oop. That is because I take my shower third in the morning so I have to wait for the other 2 guys and end up getting in the shower later.

3 Nephi 6:14. Try to be as the few and be diligent. Friends who only read the BOM when explicitly asked to, versus friends who have a desire to learn have very visible differences. Think about it. Take some time to read even when you aren’t asked to. Read alone, with family, or with friends. Don’t just read because someone else asked you to though.

One culture recommendation is: probably clean the filters in your house at least once a year. All the mold and dust can have bad effects and it can keep you in the house away from all the drunk people. Idk, I just though someone might want the reminder.

HAPPY NEW YEARS (in 1-3 business days)

snowy river