Wild week. No time. Love you all: Week 76 in Japan

I have an amazing story of one of the most legendary P-days but I am running on fumes as far as time goes. I will say that it involves a baby blue 1959 Cadillac Eldorado, a professional violinist, Hotel California by The Eagles and The Gospel, Alec, a hot pot, and lots of food. I'll attach pictures. Explanation will be next week. Stay tuned.

Also sorry I forgot to add the last part of last weeks email and kind've left a cliffhanger for transfer calls. I am still in Kamiooka with my new companion Elder Salamanopoulos. Say it five times fast. There are only 2 missionaries in this mission from Las Vegas. Now we're a companionship. He dresses better than anyone I've ever met in Vegas and sings like an angel. We've been non stop the past few days and haven't really had time for meals and studies, but he has been an absolute trooper despite getting tossed in the deep end. Sadly he hasn't gotten much of a P-day to rest in either. My bad dude.

Kouta is doing absolutely awesome. He is going to pray about and decide on a baptismal date soon. Pray for him. He's awesome.

I taught in Spanish! The other elder who transferred into the apartment is Elder Israde. He's from Grand Rapids but grew up in a Spanish branch and spoke Spanish at home so he's been great to practice with. Because of his Spanish skills him and his companion Elder Giles have a new investigator, a belly full of fajitas, and pinstripe Mexican blazers. I got to meet this man on the way to a meal appointment and I got to teach with Elder Israde! Spanish is hard. But God and the gift of tongues is real.

This week I've started to discover the beauty of simplicity, and not stressing the things that aren't in your control. I've found there's a lot of things I can't exactly take over, yet I've been stressing about them. So I had yet another cool chance to take a step back, get on my knees, and rely on someone greater than me. Although there's many people in that category I'm specifically talking about my Heavenly Father. The power of prayer has absolutely rocked my world. It's real and it has changed me. There's a cool quote I read that said, "You will only create a smudge out of you, God will create a masterpiece." It's such a beautiful concept to me. Rely on God. Let him shape you. I love him, and He loves me. It's been an awesome week.

愛しています、
Elder Cuff

Now, is that right? Week 75 in Japan

And there goes another beautiful week!

Top of a danchi off the coast.

I'll be honest, this was a pretty routine week. Lots of laughs, good food, miracles, and learning experiences all around. Today is transfer calls, I'll be staying in Kamiooka with...

This week I had a chance to go on splits with my good friend Elder Nagaoka. We start walking side by side with a guy and strike up a conversation, after some small talk he suddenly starts speaking fluent English with a very gruff western accent. Turns out he did international trade and spent most of his career abroad. Also speaks Spanish and Korean on top of that. Awesome guy who showed us his house and we're gonna start meeting. But that day I definitely didn't expect an elderly Japanese man to look at me dead in the eyes and say, "Now is that right?" With a voice like Clint Eastwood. 

We had dinner with the Owada family and it was by far the most fun meal appointment I've ever gone too. They're a very genki family and it was just a lot of good conversation. The father of the family is a convert who has an amazing conversion story when he was in college. He originally didn't want to learn, but for some reason that he didn't understand then, he kept reading The Book of Mormon. He just continued to read, pray, and ask questions. It grew and grew and now he's one of the many rocks of the Kamiooka Ward who's raised an amazing, happy family. It was a testimony to me of the fruits of The Gospel. 

There's a very common view, I've found in talking to people, that religion in general is something limiting. I've met a decent amount of people who think it's unnecessary. But in my experience I've found the exact opposite to be true. It makes life better. It boosts everything. I like to think of it like Mario Kart. You're on the road just cruising along, then next thing you know, boom. Mushroom. You're gone. Fight like a lion, onward to victory. I know The Book of Mormon changes and guides lives. I've seen it! I know that there is always more to life, even if we try to convince ourselves otherwise. I've come to know, for myself, that there is a Christ who loves me, and it's a beautiful thing. Love you all!

愛しています、

Elder Cuff

We went to Sakuragicha last P-Day! 

I had anin-dofu ice cream. It was amazing!

We were taking a picture in front of the hanging geese, then this guy walked up and asked if we wanted to take pictures with his pug. It was a confusing situation, but come on, how could we say no?

China Town entrance gate.

Video call lesson with Kouta!!

Some cool guys who knew Elder Smith from when he was in Zama!

From the Mom: Another Milestone

So, this came in the email last week:

Dear Parents:

Thank you for your support of your missionary.  The time is drawing near when our mission office needs to begin making travel plans for your returning missionary, whose release date is 12 October 2018.  Occasionally, parents express an interest in coming to pick up their missionary.  Please be aware that the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve discourage parents from doing so.  If you still choose to do so, the following guidelines have been established:

1. Your travel plans must be based on the release date established by the mission president.
2. You should not request a change in the release date to accommodate other travel plans or commitments.
3. You should inform the mission president and the Church Travel Office at least three months in advance if you plan to travel with your missionary.
4. You are expected to make your own travel arrangements for yourselves and your missionary, including lodging and meals.

Missionaries are not released until they return home and report to their stake president.  Therefore, they must continue to dress and conduct themselves according to missionary standards during travel from their missions, including being with a companion (a parent) at all times and wearing the missionary name badge.  Additional instructions from the Church indicate that you should not impose on members, mission presidents, missionaries, or other missions as you travel home.

Finally, please help us prepare your missionary’s travel plans by completing the attached form and returning it as soon as possible to 2011522@ldschurch.org

We appreciate your understanding.

President J Paul Warnick

Countdown time?

I Love Food! Week 74 in Japan

There's been a lot of great things that have happened in my life over the past year and a half, but nothing will ever amount to the joy I felt when we set up a time to meet with the neighborhood pizza delivery guy. He's been riding around on his scooter without The Gospel for too long.

The pizza delivery guy

If we were to talk about obsessions in life, I'm the fattest guy I know. Everything great that happened this week was followed up by an awesome meal. We had interviews with President Warnick, it was incredible. I wouldn't call it

My umbrella broke.

much of an interview though haha. He asked a few quick questions, the next thing I know the rest of the time was filled with reading scriptures together, sharing ideas, and discussing everything. President Warnick is absolutely amazing and inspires me to be better. Earlier in the week Elder Smith and I had offered to make dinner for him and Sister Warnick after interviews, so it was good to enjoy a quick meal together and discuss some stuff for the mission before we all had to take off.

Zone Conference

We had a Stake Blitz in the legendary Yokohama station. There were SO many people. We combined both zones and just had a giant activity that was filled with crazy moments. I enjoyed the first half of the blitz on exchanges with my favorite Northern Irishman Elder Gill. Such a solid guy with a giant heart. Next round was with Elder Bullag who's from The Philippines! Came from a small island over by Cebu. Loves The Gospel and the Japanese people. Met a lot of people from a lot of
countries that day on the streets, including a professional Jet skier! Afterwards we indulged ourselves at GoGos Curry.

The Blitz

GoGos Curry

Got to perform a baptismal interview earlier in the week for an investigator in Yokosuka who just got baptized yesterday morning. It was done in the ocean, in the middle of a storm. As legendary of a scene it was, we are more excited for him and his family. He's an incredibly solid guy with an even stronger testimony.

Sunday was all food. Our man Kouta joined us for a big potluck with the YSA after church and became friends with everyone. After the potluck we had just enough time to send some reports, contact some people, then hop on our bikes to a dinner appointment with another family and some other members. It was a splendid time had by all.

YSA Potluck

Yes, I love food. I have a problem. But in regards to that there's a scripture that I think many members have read, somewhat understood, but don't always apply. In 2 Nephi 32:3-5 we are invited to "feast upon the words of Christ". The way I've heard it is that there is a difference between feasting and eating. As missionaries we understand that eating is when you cook for yourself. Feasting is when a member
invites you over for dinner. It's taking it all in, being locked in the moment, savoring, gluttoning, taking your time and trying to make the most of every bite. And with that comes another similarity. The only way to know how good something is, is to taste it. To really chew down on something and come to experience it for yourself. I love food, but more importantly I love the scriptures and the changes they've
made in my life. Jesus is The Christ. We are God's children. Love overcomes all obstacles.

愛を込めて、
Elder Cuff