4/30/1990

What happened today you ask? Well, I think I might just tell you. I slept all the way until 6:20. That was bad. I knocked out my alarm clock as usual at 5:00 and shoved it under my futon. Then when my companions alarm went off I woke up thinking it was 5:20 which is when he kind of wakes up. But on this particular day, P Day, he had set it for 6:20, so that is when I awoke. Dame (bad!) After scripture study, we shopped and then went to the church for yet another baptism meeting. Two young boys of 14 and 11 whose last name is Issome. They are great kids. Now their whole family except for the mother are church members and she is going to be next. She just has a fear of water. But she can handle 3 seconds Im sure!

4/29/1990

Oh, what a wonderful world! Many souls went under the water and received remission of their sins. 41 souls today came unto Christ through his name. And in this mission that is incredible not to mention that in the rest of Japan it is unheard of. I am truly lucky to be serving in the Japan, Sendai Mission. So far, this month the mission as a whole has seen 80 baptisms. We got lots of help through prayer and fasting. President Niiyama set a goal to have 100 baptisms in one month when he first came here almost three years ago. At that time people laughed at him. But now the vision is becoming a reality and is definitely within reach. It is fantastic just to be a part of this great work. And as prophesied by President Kimball, the day will soon come when Japan will supply missionaries to Russia & China.

4/28/1990

I ATE SQUID! It was indescribable. Therefore, I wont describe it. During district dendo today I was with Elder Lay. It was a good experience. There were some older people working outside in their garden, and it was one of the most beautiful yards I have seen so far. It was hard for me to go up to them while they were working for some reason, so we went to the next house. This seemed to work on my conscience for a while and we talked about it and felt it was best to give everyone a chance. So we walked back and rang the doorbell. It wasnt a great response as she shut the door almost as quickly as she opened it. But I felt better knowing that we had at least given them a chance.

4/27/1990

This morning we had a kukai (eating fest) at the church. That is, we went there to study and some of the missionaries cooked breakfast. They made pancakes and we put peanut butter and jam on top - in which was good as peanut butter is faily rare. Afterwards, I went out with Elder Lay and helped one of the Relief Society stir her soap. It didnt seem like work as it would usually. It wasnt too bad in the sense that it is service. Kore Kara- Banzai! My money came! From there I went with my companion to a baptismal interview. Here in Izumi (Big Water or Fountain) things are looking great! This month we should have at least 10 baptisms! And up til now the most ever seen has been three. The work is getting bigger and stronger. Looking forward to it!

4/26/1990

This morning we got up at 5:30 - not too much rest. Then we had to rided to Brecksa and Nobumotos bikes to our apartment for gospel study. After that we rode their bikes back to them. Then to the church and my companion had a flat tire. So we had to get it fixed. Then we went bike proselyting and didnt find too many people around. So we decided to go eat lunch. It was the first time I actually cooked. And it was still good even. Then we went to a members house and chatted and ate - a lot! They are really nice people, but I felt kin of like a statue with as much as I talked. Then to Eikaiwa (English conversation classs) It was fun. Sato san was there who we met last week. He is awesome! I also met the funniest Nihonjin yet- Steve Kun. My jaws still ache from laughing so much!

4/25/1990

Firstly, I used my first squatter today. It was interesting. Ask me about it sometime. Then we dendoed and not much came out of it. We even went to a house where we met a nice guy- then we found out that the house we were at was actually a church. The Nihon Kirisuto Kyoukai! (Japan church of Christ) Whoops! Afterwards, my companion had a training with the zone leaders. I was in the other room when Elder Wilson (AP) came to get Elder Brecksa to go to an appointment with President Niiyama. Then for some reason Elder Brecksa wanted me to go. I ended up proselyting with Elder Wilson. He makes dendo fun. We had a great time. I guess it is as fun as you make it. After the President finished it was about 10:30 p.m. Uh oh! Me and my dode had to slumber at Elder Brecksas apartment because it was so late.

4/24/1990

I saw a big dog. He wanted to eat me up. I dont think missionaries would taste too good. He was a German Shepard and he was bigger than I was, so we skipped that house. It looked like the pole he was chained to was being pulled loose, and he was drooling a bit too much. I think I should start carrying a weapon. From that, I went up to the college with Messick Chourou to a lesson. The man was 19 and has a great personality. He even had us play his Nintendo a bit. He was pretty impressed with my Mario Brothers performance. Then we went downstairs for a snack and there were five 15 year olds who lived in the apartment who wanted to practice English. It was a riot! They think all Americans have guns and then Messick reached in his coat and pulled out his hand real fast. Boy, did their eyes get big! It really was kind of funny.