Dear Family,
Well this week was a good one! I'm now in my new area, Odawara, which is pretty much separated from the whole mission so it's kind of a weird feeling. It's a good area though and I like it a lot! Also the companionship is great so I can't really complain! Leaving Yamate wasn't too fun, but the branch here welcomed me really nice so don't worry too much!
This week back in Yamate we had a lot of things going on, Monday night the Sorensen's had us over for dinner and they fed us Navajo tacos! It's been since the MTC that I've had those. There were even enough scones that we could have some with just honey, and it sure made me miss just pounding scones back home, mmmm. Also I think on Tuesday, we went with a young man in the ward and went out to dendo with him. He was pretty quiet but he said that his image of dendo has changed (in a good way) from what it used to be, at least a little bit. So pretty successful I would say. Other than that we just had eikaiwa and some lessons, one with Nakamura, and one with Ken Kimura, the guy from a couple of weeks back. They are both doing really good, Ken still wants to get Baptized, and Nakamura is getting there.
Thursday was the day I was to transfer, so I hopped on a train kind of expecting a rough ride all the way there because of my bike and katanas, but it was actually really smooth and easy. My car lined up perfectly with elevators and other train line entrances so every time I had to transfer it was super easy, and for the long train I even made it into the handicap car where there is tons of room for my bike. So it was nice. The whole district and some members met me at the station and that's where the craziness began. This Saturday was the Christmas party so we had to do a lot of set up for that, and there was also game night and bible study on Friday. So we've been pretty busy. During weekly planning on Thursday one of our investigators who had apparently disappeared for a few weeks called and wanted to meet the new missionary so he showed up and we taught him a lesson about the Sabbath day and Elder Okada, gave him a baptismal date and set up an interview for the next day, so there will be a baptism on the 26th this week! Cool right? We've taught him all the lessons now and he's ready. We're really excited for it, especially because me and Elder Poffenberger are going to be the witnesses for the baptism.
At the Christmas party I didn't realize it at the time, but here were more people there than there are in the branch, Sunday was a bit surprising to say the least. It's a small branch, about 30 in total, so not to big, and I've met almost every member between visits, the party, and church. So it looks like it's going to be a good time, you'd also be way proud of me mom, I've had to play the piano so much on my mission I don't really mind playing for things anymore, and the church members here found out and I've already been tasked with playing for a primary performance, and I played for almost every song in the Christmas party. So looks like I'll be playing a lot here.
Other than that we've been finding and caroling a lot. I think we've caroled the past 3 days in a row, it's pretty intense. Oh also the apartment is great, we all get along just fine, and the fun stuff has been going down in the apartment, jokes and random weird things but it's been good. It feels like Christmas but a little different at the same time, kind of intense! How has everyone been doing on that Christmas challenge? Mom told me about her and Morgan a little bit, but how's everyone else doing? Emilee told me she's going to put the video on Facebook, did she do it? I hope it's going well and you're enjoying this Christmas season. I'll be calling home in the morning my time on the 26th so that is sometime in the evening on the 25th where you are. Just tell me what time you want me to call you at and I'll make the call! Basically anything from 3 pm your time on I can do, so anytime is good, just let me know, the nicest might be 5:00 ish your time.
Anyways, I'm so grateful for all of you, and I hope everyone has had and is having a wonderful Christmas. Send me lots of pictures, I want to hear all about it. I love you all and Merry Christmas!!!!
Well this week was a good one! I'm now in my new area, Odawara, which is pretty much separated from the whole mission so it's kind of a weird feeling. It's a good area though and I like it a lot! Also the companionship is great so I can't really complain! Leaving Yamate wasn't too fun, but the branch here welcomed me really nice so don't worry too much!
This week back in Yamate we had a lot of things going on, Monday night the Sorensen's had us over for dinner and they fed us Navajo tacos! It's been since the MTC that I've had those. There were even enough scones that we could have some with just honey, and it sure made me miss just pounding scones back home, mmmm. Also I think on Tuesday, we went with a young man in the ward and went out to dendo with him. He was pretty quiet but he said that his image of dendo has changed (in a good way) from what it used to be, at least a little bit. So pretty successful I would say. Other than that we just had eikaiwa and some lessons, one with Nakamura, and one with Ken Kimura, the guy from a couple of weeks back. They are both doing really good, Ken still wants to get Baptized, and Nakamura is getting there.
Thursday was the day I was to transfer, so I hopped on a train kind of expecting a rough ride all the way there because of my bike and katanas, but it was actually really smooth and easy. My car lined up perfectly with elevators and other train line entrances so every time I had to transfer it was super easy, and for the long train I even made it into the handicap car where there is tons of room for my bike. So it was nice. The whole district and some members met me at the station and that's where the craziness began. This Saturday was the Christmas party so we had to do a lot of set up for that, and there was also game night and bible study on Friday. So we've been pretty busy. During weekly planning on Thursday one of our investigators who had apparently disappeared for a few weeks called and wanted to meet the new missionary so he showed up and we taught him a lesson about the Sabbath day and Elder Okada, gave him a baptismal date and set up an interview for the next day, so there will be a baptism on the 26th this week! Cool right? We've taught him all the lessons now and he's ready. We're really excited for it, especially because me and Elder Poffenberger are going to be the witnesses for the baptism.
At the Christmas party I didn't realize it at the time, but here were more people there than there are in the branch, Sunday was a bit surprising to say the least. It's a small branch, about 30 in total, so not to big, and I've met almost every member between visits, the party, and church. So it looks like it's going to be a good time, you'd also be way proud of me mom, I've had to play the piano so much on my mission I don't really mind playing for things anymore, and the church members here found out and I've already been tasked with playing for a primary performance, and I played for almost every song in the Christmas party. So looks like I'll be playing a lot here.
Other than that we've been finding and caroling a lot. I think we've caroled the past 3 days in a row, it's pretty intense. Oh also the apartment is great, we all get along just fine, and the fun stuff has been going down in the apartment, jokes and random weird things but it's been good. It feels like Christmas but a little different at the same time, kind of intense! How has everyone been doing on that Christmas challenge? Mom told me about her and Morgan a little bit, but how's everyone else doing? Emilee told me she's going to put the video on Facebook, did she do it? I hope it's going well and you're enjoying this Christmas season. I'll be calling home in the morning my time on the 26th so that is sometime in the evening on the 25th where you are. Just tell me what time you want me to call you at and I'll make the call! Basically anything from 3 pm your time on I can do, so anytime is good, just let me know, the nicest might be 5:00 ish your time.
Anyways, I'm so grateful for all of you, and I hope everyone has had and is having a wonderful Christmas. Send me lots of pictures, I want to hear all about it. I love you all and Merry Christmas!!!!
Love,
Elder Gailey
P.s. The Christmas letter looks great! Thanks mom!
Temple day with my district in my new area!
No comments:
Post a Comment