Hello famiries and firendiries,
If you tell someone who is learning a language “wooow, your like, sooo fluent” just keep in mind its only nice after the first like, 3 times. after that I just know that they know that youve been lying this whole time. No One comments on how well you speak thelanguage without noticing you dont sound native or good. I suppose you’re saying you understand them, however for most I feel like it is no longer a good form of flattery. I dunno why I started the email this way. Just felt like it.
From mom:
So, are you staying in Kushiro?
Frankly, a lot of this next paragraph is skippable especially when concerning the question. So here is the short answer: I am not staying in Kushiro. And here is how that answer makes me feel emotionally: It makes me really sad to go. I had many good friends and people I want to remember and be remembered by. If i don’t make it back there soon I feel like there are a lot of potential relationships that I’ll have let completely slipped through my fingers. Friends that could have played together for a lifetime. Old grandmas and grandpas that might not be there to talk to when I get back. Children that could have moved far away by the tijme I return and I wont be there to watch any of it happen. I feel like missionaries either have great emotional resilience or the density of a brick because leaving Kushiro has definently put a toll on my emotional battery. Knowing I have to start all over agian in a new city again, but this time with the ability to make friends quickly seems very daunting. Like, what can I hold onto thats the same besides the gospel and the activities common accross cities. All of the relationships Ive worked to get and hold near to my heart are all gone. I’m unsure quite how to continue effectively. I know i’ll survive and that doesn’t scare me. Its knowing that I could do it all again but without them. I will probably ask the mission president to send me back if he can. Probably spend a couple transfers out so I can maximize my time back in Kushiro. A lot of people also treat Kushiro like it’s a dying city. But from a dying city comes the best friendships and jesus desiring people.
In short, do continue to treasure your relationships. You might never be able to find them again.
Same companion or a new one? I need the deets. Well, obviously different companion. My new companions name is Elder Andersen and he is from Pheonix, AZ. He is basically done with college but not much older than me. He has 3 transfers left(I think) and likes to house. Beyond that I don’t know a lot. Are there specific details you wanted?
From dad:
How do you feel about being a missionary right now?
Like it gives me an automatic downgrade to my friend making ability but a plus to my emotional resiliance. No one wants to be friends with a missionary, but atleast I have jesus.
What is the best thing you have eaten recently? The branch president’s wife’s zangi(fried chicken) She made it for me before I left and that made me very happy.
What is one fun thing you did with your companion this week? We went to a soft volleyball circle for the 2nd time, and I don’t think my comp was happy that i was better than him at a sport. But to be fair, I have played volleyball for multiple years now and every time I end up playing a different sport here in japan, it tends to make me daydream about volleyball. We played mini tennis, basketball, ive played ping pong, soccer, etc. And everytime i just daydream about VB. when we hang out with college students we had a small dodgeball/volleyball and I playe VB with a circle of students for the whole time we were there. During sports night they want a variety of sports but I only really want VB. Not to say I wont play other sports, I just dont want to very much.
What is a talent or hobby you’ve been able to keep up with? All of the ones I care about, I painted recently, drew recently, played volleyball recently, embroidered recently, clean the house more than any other elder(thanks dad, i do understand how filthy young men make an apartment), i bake almost every day. I cant really think of anything ive been missing except maybe reading. I do it sometimes but not enough I’d claim ive continued doing it.
Kinda short/long email, Next week will probably be more spiritual, Just… transfers have frayed my nerves a little(and williams chourou, you never fail to taunt or annoy me everyday, I dunno how you do it)