Week 42 in Japan: Lots of pics, a party, and another transfer

So this was the last P-day for our favorite Brazilian Elder Siqueira. So of course we went to Fuji. We're not allowed to climb it though... also it was super cloudy which meant we couldn't see it even though we were on the base of it...

Still had fun with a bunch of shrines and other fun Japanese stuff. We went to a famous hole in the wall Udon shop there and I asked one of the lady's how they make the soup that they put everything into. Next thing I know my homeboy, Brother Isobe, and me are in the back being taught how to make the perfect Dashi by the worlds funniest Japanese Grandma. So get pumped cause I'm about to dish some of the meanest Japanese dishes you've ever had. Coming straight from the base of Mt. Fuji. 

We had a Family Home Evening with some of the Hispanic members and we ended having a TON of food. In fact we don't have to cook for the next week. 

I've been learning Chinese from Judy! It's so much fun! Tone based languages are hard to understand but really fun to speak. 

We went to Fujisawa with Brother Sharp. It was a crazy roadtrip through the mountains but it was stupid fun. I got to have a great reunion with the members I worked with in Fujisawa and one of the guys that was formerly less active who I had the opportunity of working with is now preparing to go to the temple before it closes next month. I almost cried I was so happy. There was a mission wide fiesta in Fujisawa so a lot of people came from all over the mission with their investigators and less actives. Learned a bunch of cultural stuff about South America and tons of fun dances. I got to translate which was good since it made me pay attention to everything. It was great seeing a lot of missionaries I worked with also. It was just overall a really fun day. 

Also we got transfers today. And I'm getting transferred! I'm a little bit upset because I freakin love Kofu to death but I'm only moving to the next area over to Takao. So I still get to play in the mountains! Also my new companion is Japanese! In fact he's the MTC companion of my beloved trainer Elder Sakae. His name is Elder Muranaka and I've talked to him a few times so I'm super stoked for this upcoming transfer! Our homie Eldon isn't too happy about me leaving but he said he's still gonna hit me up on Facebook so no worries. Yay for technology!

Love one another, support one another, and keep on keeping on!

Proverbs 14:29

"He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."

Be patient and don't stress the little things! 

I got my fortune told at one of the shrines in Kawaguchiko. Basically it has a fortune for a lot of different aspects of life like travel, love, health, school, etc... That's what each section is. But to sum things up as to what it says... my life is going to be awesome. So that's cool.

愛を込めて、

Elder Cuff

Week 41 in Japan: P.S.

These pics were just sent to me from the parents of one of the other elders in Kofu. She has obviously already received her email and stated that she thinks Elder Cuff has been transferred. We'll see...

Until then, here's a few more pics!

2 weeks and One Wild Night: Week 41 in Japan

Ok sorry about the last couple of weeks, I can explain.

The first week we had Zone Conference on Monday in Hachioji, which was a great time. I gave a training on setting goals, not my favorite subject, but hey, it went well. It's always a humbling experience at Zone Conference cause it always gives me a good idea on things to improve on. That night we stayed in Hachioji, and the next day was our final temple P-day before the temple closes, and due to the fact that we had to travel back, it took away all our P-day time.

The second week was just plain out crazy because our crazy Brazilian district leader got hospitalized because he had a hole in his bronchial tube and it was hard for him to breathe. Turns out it's small enough that it can heal pretty much on its own so he didn't have to stay too long, but we were running back and forth between the hospital getting stuff for him. Hospitals in Japan don't provide a lot of basic necessities for you if you end up having to stay there so we had to bring him clothes, hygiene items, some snacks, and water. Yes, water. They will provide meals but you are on your own for water. He stayed 3 nights, but our mission president still wanted him to have a companion so the other missionaries and I switched out each night and got to stay the night on the 8th floor of a Japanese hospital. 

The Kanagawa elders and our homie TJ came to visit!

...and the sisters, too

Elder Siqueira was the only person on that floor that wasn't over the age of 65 and dying. It was fun though, somehow he became friends with all the nurses and some of them have now become Eikaiwa students. But staying the night there was fun. A lot of old people were moaning and screaming and chanting crazy things throughout the night. It was reminiscent of the beginning stages of a horror video game where your only goal is escaping the hospital. It got a bit crazy but Elder Siqueira and I had a good time.

This week we also had a BBQ with the YSA's at a park and it was an absolute blast. Our homie Eldon was able to show up and we enjoyed some delicious food and some good company. Things have been going extremely well and Eldon is more than likely getting baptized within the next 2 or 3 weeks so we're super stoked for him.

The classic "everyone was walking away but someone said hurry
we're taking another picture" picture.

Speaking of baptisms, Kofu ward had another baptism this week! Well 3. It's a Brazilian family that the other Elders have been working with. Their conversion story is amazing and they're such a strong family. They only speak Portuguese and some basics of Japanese and English but they're a very loving family and the other Brazilian families in the ward have been amazing in welcoming them to the ward. This ward is honestly like a giant family and it's absolutely fantastic serving here.

The past few weeks have been an absolute emotional roller coaster with temple p day, conference, hospital trips, and the baptism. But it's been so much fun, I don't think my mission has been this hectic ever before, but at the same time I don't think it's ever been this fun before. This next week seems like it'll be pretty regular, but then again we said that about the last 2. More to come!

愛を込めて、
Elder Cuff

Week 40 in Japan!ごめん: The Sequel

Sorry another short one, things are a bit more hectic than last week.

We had Stake Conference in Machida so that means another trip to theTokyo area but it was nice going back to my first area and seeing all
those families. It was a good reunion, a lot of fun and SUPER nostalgic. Also we stayed in the Machida Elder's apartment so all the memories from when I was a trainee just came rushing in. But our district leader is in the hospital for the next week with some throats issues so things have been a bit wild trying to help him out since Japanese hospitals are a bit different than the states, and trying to balance both area books is going to be an absolute party. More updates on that next week!

愛しています、
Elder Cuff

Nice kid we had dinner with last week

ごめん: Week 39 in Japan

Sorry no time.

We went to a couple festivals one was on a riverbank and the other one was in the courtyard of a castle Yay for fireworks! Our investigators our doing great, I got free Indo curry, we went to the temple for the last time before it closes until 2020 and Conference and I had an overall wild time with my good friend Elder Yang in Hachioji, he's from Taiwan and is one of my favorite human beings.

Wouldn't trade it for anything else!

愛しています！
カフ長老

写真！