The Odawara family! And band!

Dear Family,

Hello everybody how are you all doing? This last week was a party! We got some finding time done this week though! Any ways the big news is that I'm staying in Odawara! But the catch is that it is going down to just me and Elder Okada. Poffenberger is headed up to Yokohama to an area called Kamiooka, I went on splits there a couple of times, but I'm staying here! So that is cool, and it's Elder Okada's last transfer so I'll be here the one after that too! President Wada also said that Odawara will be mine to lead eventually so that's potentially in the cards... So yeah! Great week this week for sure we had lots of good things, presidents interviews, splits, church, the sisters had a baptism and I did my first confirmation, and just an hour ago we met with hero and he now has a baptismal date!! Crazy right?! Good week.

So first about Hiro, all last week we couldn't get ahold of him but today he called and wanted to meet and came to the church with us where we did a lesson. We finally got to teach a legit lesson, probably mostly because he wasn't drunk this time. He said he hasn't messed up yet on the word of wisdom! So he's going well, and during the lesson we asked him if he would be baptized on the 19th of February and he agreed and is excited to go for it. So I'm super excited for that. Now on to the confirmation. I found out last week Tuesday, but Sister Sukekawa chose me to do her confirmation so I studied all week and asked president about it in interviews and on Sunday I confirmed her a member of the church in Japanese. It was way intense because it was my first and it was in Japanese but once I finished the necessary words of receive the Holy Ghost and stuff things to say and words just came so I think that means I gave the correct blessing. So awesome experience right there! Oh also, yesterday with Kato San we had a lesson with him and our recent convert, Takeuchi Kyoudai. The reason we had this lesson is because just like we have been thinking, Takeuchi also is thinking that Kato has no interest. So Takeuchi just like we have been practicing, went into the lesson and taught better than most missionaries I know. It was incredible to see who he was before and who he is now. He's a way strong member. But he experienced the frustration we have been having with Kato. By the end he was literally on his knees asking Kato why he won't focus or listen or be baptized because it would help him so much. But nothing changed so we are dropping him, it's just not his time yet.

This week we did splits with zone leaders and I got to get to know Elder Masaki a cool guy from Hawaii a little better. On the split we gave out 3 book of Mormons! Cool stuff. No new investigators but it was way good! Other than that, other big things were at zone meeting I translated, I don't know if anyone remembers but I wanted to be a mission translator by my birthday and hey, I made it! A little late but I did it! Also we took a lot of way tight pictures this week, and I had a lot of way random strange dreams this week, but it was great! I hope dads job stays good and he doesn't get overworked like last time! It sounds like he may have some more say in what becomes of it too though, maybe get some free season tickets to the Seahawks in there ;) probably can't but worth a shot right? Also sounds like the gun is doing well! We'll see who wins when I get home! Also thanks for looking mom! Maybe I'll just have to go have Bob Torrey teach me! I'd love to learn to paint cars too. So thanks for your effort mom! We'll find out if Poffenberger is into BYU or not soon. Anyways, have a great week everyone! Love you!

Remember you can do anything you set your mind to if you do it the right way, with prayer and fasting! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder Gailey

Elder Poffenberger, Hiro Kyoudai (Not the investigator), Elder Gailey

Hiro Kyoudai, Elder Poffenberger, Elder Gailey, and Kato

Hiro Kyoudai and Elder Poffenberger

 

Baptism of Sister Sukekawa

Elder Poffenberger baptized her and Elder Gailey did the confirmation.

The Odwara Family of missionaries

 

Hiro is my hero! (And he hugged Sister Law...)

Dear Family,

Well hellllloooooo everybody at home! How's it going? You all full of energy and what not? Hopefully! I'm not really sure how but this week I have had just enough energy to get through the day. And I experienced a new problem I've never had on my mission, my back side hurts! Now that probably sounds really weird, but usually as a missionary here your feet hurt right? This week we spent almost all our time teaching lessons, which is pretty intense, and as a result had to sit in some uncomfortable church chairs for quite a long time! But I think of any problems to have that's a pretty good one.

So this week the people that we met with were Kato, Brother Umeda, Brother Takeuchi, Hiro, and a new investigator named Yoshida San. So to sum up for Kato, we have been teaching him just about every day or every other day this last 2 weeks, which sounds good, but he really isn't progressing at all. He's still at the same spot he's been in for a long while. So we're trying to figure out whether or not he really has any interest, if he does then we will buckle down for the long haul, and if he doesn't then we will have to drop him, because there are others who are interested that we could be teaching/finding instead. So that's what this week will be, the final decisions on that.

Umeda Kyoudai is insanely good at ping pong and isn't the least bit humble about it. He mercilessly destroyed me and Elder Poffenberger in 4 separate games by at least 17 points... I only got one point on him by my own power, the rest were by his mistakes. It was intense, but he's doing good, he's got about the same level of pride in his church things too, but he recognizes that one and is trying to get better, so I'm glad we get to meet with him every week. Also Brother Takeuchi has the faith and heart of a lion, but his knowledge of the gospel is a bit lacking, he knows it's all true he just doesn't quite know what it all is. So we're having him practice teaching each principle to us until we can get it honed in to good solid knowledge. But he is blossoming as a church member and just got the priesthood! So next week he'll be passing the sacrament! I'm way excited for him! Now second to last is we finally have a normal buddy! His name is Yoshida! He's just a regular college student, doing regular college student things, but he loves religion! So he came and we met with him and taught him the first lesson and he prayed! Woo! We'll know more on Wednesday so next week's letter!

Now for the last one, our miracle man Hiro. I found him 2 ish weeks ago and we've met about 4 or 5 times. The crazy thing is that last week we met him and he already read 266 pages of the Book of Mormon! The even crazier part is that he started from the back which is the guide to the scriptures, so he read 266 pages of dictionary! And liked it! Then we taught him more about it and he read to ether! He's already in flipping Ether! That's a first for my mission for sure. Granted he scans all the pages for words he likes them reads that verse and the surrounding ones and that's all but he knows generally all that happens. And after all that when you might have questions about I dunno, killing Laban or something, his only questions was how the barges of the brother of Jared work because of the holes. So we drew a picture and it was done! Then he said "while I've been reading I felt like I should probably stop drinking alcohol and tobacco and tea..." So we taught him about it in gospel principles yesterday and he accepted that too! The only misconception to fix is about how he thinks if he enters the church he can't date or marry people. So we need to fix that one but he's going well, next step is baptismal date! Woo! He's great and he really likes us, he even in one lesson said he really liked a scripture in 3 Nephi about baptism and started crying because through that and Jesus Christ he can let all the bad feelings go. So he's excited. Other than that in our only free time we did some Kubari and family home evening, and it was super cold! But good. It's been quite a nice week.

Other fun things, Elder Poffenberger and I are having a blast being companions, we've been having some good talks and been really chilling. If he gets into BYU, I want to be his roommate. We'll know soon. Other fun things, tomorrow is presidents interviews, and Saturday is transfer calls. I think the odds that I stay are pretty big, Elder Poffenberger is on the edge, so is Elder Okada. But Elder Okada really really wants a Japanese companion, so I'm going to let president know. He really doesn't like foreigners, and especially gets frustrated hearing English ever, because he doesn't understand, and doesn't really try to understand too hard. I can see how that would be annoying. However we are working as hard as we can to only speak Japanese in the apartment and stuff like that. But it's going well. So next Monday you'll hear if I'm staying or leaving and what the next transfer is going to hold.

As far as things at home, I hope everyone is enjoying their time, I forgot a while ago to wish Garrett a happy birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Also I'm glad to hear Iron hide (the truck) is doing well. Also thanks for doing all you can for Ginger. It sounds like she's starting to suffer quite a bit. She's not going to live forever, and I'd rather her not suffer. Keep me posted on her. If you have to put her to sleep soon at least take some good pictures of her for me please. We'll have to see if bro butler comes, that would be pretty cool! I liked the butlers. If he still works at Amazon, odds are he'll be somewhere around here, that's actually where Brother Takeuchi works. As far as college goes, I'm thinking I'll probably head home around August 5th or 12th. I'm not sure but one of them, that would give me some family time and time to go to the doctors and dentist and what not as well as prep for college. Poffenberger and the rest of our return group is leaving around then too. So that's what I'm thinking. Also for classes if you could I would love to take a class that has to do with either working on cars one of the first classes in those series, or designing cars, or something like that. Maybe some business ones too. Something about stocks would be helpful. So if that helps let me know!

Anyways, I love you all! Don't forget to pray! I say that all the time but I've been learning it slowly. When I got the email about release dates instinctively I prayed for help to know and for most decisions now there is at least a short prayer about it. It was really cool to notice that change this week. And it's led to lots better decisions than earlier in my mission. So don't forget! No decision is too small, but first study it then decide then ask. Then you'll know! Love ya!

Love,

Elder Gailey

P.S. Also my suits are fine, this new one is just Japanese style and really nice and was at a price I couldn't refuse and the member that told us about it really really wanted us to go. So I did and I'm happy with it! I'll send some pictures!

 

Brother Takeuchi, Elder Gailey, Elder Poffenberger, Elder Okada

 

Elder Gailey, Hiro, Elder Poffenberger, Kato

Tomari Family Home Evening

 

Elder Gailey's new suit

 

Elder Gailey and Elder Poffenberger

 

Another busy weeeeek

Dear Family,

It's been another fun filled week down here in Odawara. We had a little more time to do things because we didn't have any big meetings this week, but the time was still about the same. We were teaching a lot this week, mostly to one of our investigators, Kato San. He's really shy but he's slowly improving. It was a great week though!  Great weather, good days, spirit, it was all pretty good.

So first thing from last week is on Monday I did the family home evening lesson! It was actually pretty good and fun, I taught about the Holy Ghost and used the blindfold game to teach it. Where you do it three times, and the people have to get from one side to the other, and there are lots of chairs and other obstacles but each person has a different experience. The first one has no help, the second has only a  little help for example a whisper about what to do, and the third is  led by the hand across the room. It went pretty well. I think everyone enjoyed it, especially one of our less actives. We also met up with a guy I met while doing a Kubari this week. I met him on Tuesday and we taught him on Thursday and he's way down to learn! I don't know if it's deep enough interest to want to join the church but he wants to be a better person. He says he's a gypsie. So you'll probably hear about him more as time goes on.

Other than that there's nothing super special to report from the week, we had some good meals in, out, and at members houses. So it's been good, a bit normal, too normal almost compared to everything, but still every single day is full of miracles and I'm loving it. Everyone is moving forward and we're doing the best we can. I feel like I'm missing a ton this week but we were just so busy it felt like I was it was yesterday that I emailed you. This transfer is going crazy fast. We're getting along great and having lots of fun.

One fun thing we did was for some free time (the only free time all week) we walked 2.5 hours talking to everyone along the way to a famous back country ice cream place and got some cool green clementine ice cream! It was surprisingly good! The walk was good, pretty natsukashii (nostalgic is the best translation I have). Anyways I'm glad everyone's working hard at home, I hope everything works out well and that we all do awesome things. Love you guys!

Love,

Elder Gailey

P.S. Mom, I just got my release date. It is August 26th so if I am going to need to peace out a little early for school I need to let them know. Also let me know your plans on coming! Thanks!

P.P.S I picked up the suit I bought with Christmas money today, originally 500+ and I go it for about 100. It's way nice and fits great so I'll send a picture next week!

This week's Eikawa

Famous Green Clementine Ice Cream

Glow Stick Lightsabers

Kato (investigator) giving the Elders a massage

Elder Gailey at Mission Conference

Elder Gailey's Beach video

 

It's been a year!

Dear Family,

Well hey there hi there ho there! It's been a year since I last emailed you guys! Sorry about that! Too much has happened in this last year to include all the details in one email, but it's been a good one! Since the last time you heard from me we've only been outside dendoing for about 2 hours total. BUT have no fear, because instead of being outside we have been spending our time at the church having random lessons. We'll have one lesson near end and one of our other friends will randomly call us and want to come right as the last one ends. So basically it's impossible to plan for these lessons, but through the spirit it's been going great!

There were a couple big events, for example zone meeting and the Christmas conference. Those were great, I had to play the piano for the zone meeting but it went pretty well, we also did a three man training on some eikaiwa stuff. Speaking of which, if you remember Nakamura San from back in Yamate, I got a call last night and found out that he will be baptized on the 24th!! I'm so happy! Turns out he is even more of a golden investigator than we had previously thought too, so that's some great news. Christmas conference was a grand ol time as well so our week has been full. Other than that as far as big events is that on Sunday I played the piano for sacrament meeting, it was difficult but I did it! Then on Friday, January 1st, we went to the beach at 4:30 am with 2 recent converts, 2 nonmembers, and 6 missionaries. Seems way early right? Well when you see the pictures from it it will be worth it. We went to watch the 初日の出 meaning the first sunrise of the year. And boy oh boy it was beautiful. I took tons of pictures/videos. So enjoy those!

So yeah, basically we spent any extra time we had this week for dendo, by teaching 4 or 5 people a bunch of times. We taught a guy named Katou, who we didn't think had interest until I invited him to the lessons when he randomly came to church, and he almost has a baptismal date. He has accepted the soft invitation this week and he's been meeting with us pretty darn often. Then we are teaching the after baptism lessons to Takeuchi San almost every day it seems like. Also a few others but I'll tell you about them more as time passes. One of the others is Ahad, he's from Iran and is kind of mysterious/creepy but it's all good. So yeah, it's been a great week! Very tiring, and pretty crazy because we haven't been able follow our plan once yet. But it's great! I love the area, the ward, and my companions. It's been way fun being with a Japanese missionary.

Sounds like everyone back home is still doing well! Ollie is all nice and properly blessed now, and it looks like all the New Years was fun! We'll have to do a little bit of Japanese tradition next New Years!  Woo! Anyways I love you guys and I hope you have an amazing week, get working on those New Years resolutions! Heavenly Father will help you for sure! I'll see you later this year!

Love,

Elder Gailey

January 1, 2016 - watching the sunrise! 

Elder Gailey's New Year's Day Lunch

Tuna and Soup

Elder Gailey's lunch - whale steak cooked rare

 

New Year's Eve - It's just juice!!

 

 

 

Japan's first sunrise of 2016