Sakura in Odawara!

Dear Family,


Hello hello! How was everyone's week this week?? We had a pretty good week here, starting off with splits with the zone leaders. Since we have general conference this Saturday I'm assuming you all have already watched it so are there any killer talks I should be looking out for? I heard that there was another one of those dissenting vote things. I don't really understand why people do those, it doesn't change anything. Anyways, this week was really good, lots of rain but still good.

I went on splits with an Elder that I came to Japan with named Elder Dana, he's my zone leader right now. It was the first time I've dendo'd with him so it was kind of cool to see how far we are from where we were when we first got here. We can both speak Japanese and stuff like that so it was a good experience. We were dendoing in his area and it went really well, passed out 3 book of Mormons on the split which was nice, and got them a couple new investigators so it felt successful. Dunno how they are doing now but hopefully still learning! We met with brother Kato this week quite a few times, he's doing really good and starting to really grasp things since his baptism and confirmation. So I have much less worry of him going inactive ever. He's also being fellowshipped by some of the SA members in the branch, they are all going to a devotional together next week so that will be cool. Brother Takeuchi will be there too and is giving the opening prayer so it's a cool thing to see. Now we just have to work with the people we have and get someone a baptismal date for April so that we can keep the every month streak going. So far since December there has been one baptism a month.

Right now we have quite a few investigators and potential investigators but it's a bit of a struggle meeting with them right now, yesterday at church literally no one came for the first time in my time here. But there was a man that the zone leaders met on the way to district meeting that looks like he might have enough interest to be baptized this month. So cross your fingers!


Also this week the Sakura trees (Japanese cherry blossom) finally bloomed in Odawara, or at least started to. Odawara is pretty late to the Sakura party, but Odawara castle is beautiful with all of those trees. In the next couple of days, when we finally have a clear not rainy day I'm going to take some pictures that you could potentially print out for home! Back in Yamate there was a member (Sister Sorenson) that had a picture from Odawara castle, that I'm trying to recreate. She had it printed on canvas and it was awesome and she even took it with her phone. So hopefully there will be at least one worthwhile picture this week! I've already taken some but they are just our old kinda crappy iPad camera quality so I'll be bringing my camera soon. If we come back next year we should come around the first week of April because that is the night of Sakura season, and dad would have an awesome time taking pictures and I bet mom would love to see all the different colors and gardens and things with Sakura. So that's my suggestion.


It's kind of crazy but this month I hit my 4 month left mark. And next month I call home again! Sounds kinda crazy being so close to the end and the time is basically flying by. I can hardly compared how fast it's going. But I'm working hard, learning lots, and my testimony grows stronger every day. Today we're going to Hachioji, so I get to see Misu kyoudai for the first time in a year and Poff is going to be chilling with us too. So it's gonna be good! Anyways I love all you guys, keep workin hard and I'll see you soon!

Love,
Elder Gailey

P.S. Sounds like dad had quite the week at meetings and airports! In Japan there is a saying called 「お疲れ様」"otsukaresama" in English it literally means the honorific tired man, but that's not a super good translation, basically it means "you did it! Good job!" By saying you worked hard and that's why you're tired. That is what I want to say after your flights, so dad, お疲れ様です!! Also Mom, お疲れ様です!! I'm glad your home safe! Love you all!

Japanese Cherry Blossoms!