A Day with Elder Stevenson: Week 91 in Japan

We had a solid week this week. Elder Reid’s an awesome companion who’s been a big help to the work here. We went out with the senior couple here and visited a lot of members in between finding activities. It’s been awesome! Although it’s felt challenging at times, it’s been a great learning opportunity to try and strengthen the ward. We had some success in finding some people to teach, including a family! We talked about strengthening families with them, we’re excited to start helping them out as much as we can. 

We did a big Stake Blitz here in Machida station and I got to go around town a bit with Elder Waldron who is also from Las Vegas, he just got in the Mission at the same time as Elder Reid. We played on the same rugby team and he used to home teach my brother Jonathan so it was kind of fun hearing how things are going back in Vegas while we walked around town. 

Elder Stevenson of the 12 Apostles came and talked to our Mission and the Tokyo Mission. It was a great 2 hours, lots of good things on how to be better missionaries and work with the members. He even spoke Japanese for some parts. Yes, Elder Stevenson speaks perfect Japanese with a super American accent. It was fun to say the least. He’s a very kind man. 

We’ve got a lot of appointments set up for the upcoming week that we’re excited about. The weather is getting cooler (kind of) and the work is just cruising along. Everyday’s a learning opportunity!

愛しています、

Elder Cuff

I’m a sucker for sunsets

--------*--------

 Post Stake Blitz

Tokyo, but not Tokyo: Week 90 in Japan

This week was pretty good. Elder Reid and I biked a lot and saw some really cool stuff. We discovered some parts of Machida that I don’t think a lot of missionaries have really gone too before. There’s a set of hills on the north end of the area where there’s not really many roads or neighborhoods. So of course we had to check it out. We get out there to discover that although we were in the city of Tokyo, we were completely surrounded by green and rice fields. It was like two different worlds so that was a fun feeling. Talked to some really nice people, had a crazy old lady yell at us. Found a creepy apartment where a bunch of Nepalese people lived. You know. The works. 

We visited a bunch of members because they’re the best. Also sweat a lot. We’re in another finding phase so we’ve been talking to a lot of cool people. Haven’t started teaching anyone new but we’ll find someone eventually. The Japanese people are so incredibly nice and just overall good people. Of course every society has a few people who aren’t that great, but overall they continue to impress me. They may not always been the most excited about religion, but they’re an amazing people who do amazing things. It’s great. 

Had a sweet small world connection! They had this thing here in Japan called NYC. It’s basically the Japanese version of EFY and a couple of the ward members were counselors there. Brother Atomu comes up to me at church and he’s like, “Elder Cuff, I met your cousin!” I was a bit confused and then he showed me a picture of Asuka’s cousin Kei from when I stayed with them in Portland before coming out to Japan! So that was cool. 

Other than that things have been cruising along!

愛しています、

Elder Cuff

Took a walk around a park. Talked to some nice people

Me and Brother Atomu! 

Typhoon Fun Time: Week 89 in Japan

Sorry, I left my charger in Hachioji on splits and just barely got it back today just before my iPad died. Soooo it’s gonna be short this week, sorry. 

- Had a decent time at Zone Conference. Played some PMG chase, it’s like scripture chase except the people up front ask a question/concern and you have to answer it with a reference from PMG. That was probably the most exciting part of that day. Well almost. We met a guy who just signed with the Hachioji trains, they're a pro basketball team out here. Awesome guy, more on him in a bit. 

- Went on splits in Hachioji! Again! It felt good being back. Also got to go with my good friend Elder Sadler. ‘Twas a pleasure. We met for lunch with our basketball homie, he’s from Chicago so him and Elder Reid connected quick. He just felt a couple months back that he needed to have a relationship with God. We can help. 

- Ended splits early because a typhoon was coming and booked it back to Machida. In the last 15-20 minutes of the walk home we got caught right in the middle of it and it left me and Elder Reid soaked. Got a good laugh out of it though. Elder Reid’s a real good humored dude. 

- Had a sweet lesson with Ryuya. I knew him when I was first here. Excited to work with him. Had a great lesson on The Book of Mormon. 

- Translating at church was rough this week. They talked a lot about church history so there were some words and phrases that took some looking up. The talks were pretty good though. Lots of talking about being the pioneers of our own future which makes sense to me. 

Remember to love one another, forgive one another, and take everyday as an opportunity to be better. Turn outward, think positively, and you should be good from there. God loves us. 

愛しています、

Elder Cuff

Zone Conference

MLC