Members

This is another family in the ward. We just went for a little visit and it was really good. They told us that we could come back and do FHE with all of them. So we are hoping we can do something with them next week.

Kusaka Family

So this was the appoint that we had on our way back from Yonezawa and this family is awesome! We taught them about the talk that President Monson gave on feeling the spirit, and how he felt like he should announce someone that wasn't present to be the first speaker...I think you know what I mean. But we talked about that with the Kusaka family and it was great! Love them so much!

Yonezawa church

So this is the Yonezawa church and we moved the couple missionaries from Koriyama to Yonezawa and we were running late on an appointment and we couldn't find anyone on the street to take our picture, so we just did one on one. Then on our way home from Yonezawa we were late for our appointment by like an hour and a half...but we made it! Crazy day!

Koriyama church

This trip down to Koriyama was a crazy one. I had pull some strings to get this picture. It's pretty intense though. Apparently there is a huge crack in the building and they are redoing it all...so its in pretty bad condition. Not to mention, we had to pull the missionaries out of Koriyama, and the members are super depressed about it. I would be too if I was in their situation.

Yamagata church

Here is the Yamagata church and we came here to see Elder Takei (a new district leader) and his training. He trained us on how to have unity in the companionship. It was a really good District Meeting. We also got to see one of the new missionaries. One of my old companion, Elder Ruefenacht became a trainer so we got to see him in action too.

Tsuruoka church

Here is Tsuruoka. We went here the other day to see how things were going with their English Class, and other stuff. Back in Tsuruoka...I love that place, but I don't want to go back there for proselyting.

Candy man

Last one...this is a guy in Ishinomaki whose candy shop got destroyed by the tsunami, but then has since opened his candy shop back up...and we got to see the machines...yeah!!!! So great!

Yokote church

So this is the church that we have been in the process of opening up. It's in a place called Yokote and the branch is like 10 people, but it's pretty cool. We have been talking to real estate agents and such to try and get an apartment here in Yokote so that we can send some missionaries here. It's a real big pain, but in the end it will all be for the better. Yokote branch really needs some missionaries to get some stuff going. They haven't had missionaries for about 3 years I think, and they just have no hope. But it should be opening in about a week or so. The members prayers will be answered.

As for everything else that goes on...I am just so busy all the time...I don't even know what I'm busy with, but It's crazy over here! In the next week we have to go close 4 apartments and then start shipping stuff up to new apartments, and we have to go on splits and stuff, but it's great cause my goal is to go to every church in the mission! I'll let you know when I accomplish that goal. It's going to be great! At any rate...have a blast in wherever you are! Love ya! Bye...

Calligraphist

So this is the other guy...He wrote some pretty cool calligraphy for me and Elder Narita...he is way good at it, and it was just so cool to see him use his talents to help people. When youre serving people, youre serving God.

Keita-san...the guitar man

Check this cool guy out. This guy is from south Japan and he comes all the way up to Ishinomaki to play the guitar for people. Everyone sits in a room and he opens the window and plays anything! So cool. That's what I call using your talents to help lift the needy. Him and this other guy do this kind of activity together. One plays guitar and the other does calligraphy, and writes something cool for people.

Kamisugi church

Here is home sweet home...actually my old home, but yeah. Kamisugi!! Love it!

Ishinomaki church

This is the Ishinomaki church. I love Ishinomaki so much! It's one of the coolest places to be. This is one of the cities that was effected the most by the tsunami. After church this day we got to deliver 3 or 4 stove burners to people without ANYTHING! Do you know what it feels like to give someone an actual LIFE-LINE? It's a crazy feeling...we would walk into someones house and they would literally have nothing. Then you see their eyes light up when you hand them a stove at the beginning of November when it's starting to get cold. THAT, my friends, is the work of God. Of course we have to help people spiritually, but in Ishinomaki there is countless of chances to help people materially, which in turn boosts their spirit. It's amazing. Can't even put into words...

Aomori in the Fall

This is on the way to Aomori. We were going along and Elder Ellis said he needed a break for a second so we got out and took some pictures...way pretty right? I might have put this in an email already...I can't remember, but Aomori is way pretty in the fall! Gorgeous!

Hachinohe church

This is the Hachinohe church...this area is known for being my MTC companions eternal resting place. He has been here in Hachinohe for over a year now...haha, but we love Elder Shaw is the one of the best missionaries in the mission. He has trained 3 companions already so he is one of the best.

Hirosaki church

This is the Hirosaki church. It's by far the coolest church that I've been to. The inside looks like a traditional japanese house. The primary room is in a tatami room. Way cool. The sisters are working hard here. We stopped this one kid on a bike, all 5 of us, and he was probably scared out of his mind, but it all turned out ok. They also invited him to the halloween party that Hirosaki was going to have. Hirosaki is also way famous for their apple juice....Aomori apples are some of the best in the world.

Odate church

Here is the Odate church. This is probably one of the smallest areas in the mission, and Elder Dowdy, (the white one thats not me) is really good friends with the branch president and we always joke about how Elder Dowdy is going to be in Odate forever!