Well, It has been a pretty normal week. Actually I kind of felt like I was back in America....a little. we helped the American in our ward move...if his house wasn't completely Japanese it might have really made me feel like I was in America. Like of course for lunch we had onegiri which is pretty good. It is like a giant seaweed wrapped riceball with some sort of fish in it. If that isn't good I don't know what is. Let me tell you though it was quite a move. It is hard moving things through the skinny walls like my shoulders aren't broad and I can't even walk straight through I have to shuffle through...I am kidding but they are pretty skinny. We almost got his couches in our apartment so that would have been cool, but...actually I dont know what happened with them. whatever. It is probably better that I don't have them...too tempting to do some Lehi missionary work if you know what I mean. So we helped him for 6 hours. He is a ward missionary and we have been trying to get him to come to our missionary meeting but he tells me it is boring and in Japanese and he doesn't like Japanese. But eventhough he moved a day before he came to the meeting yesterday so that was really good. It is funny how a little bit of service can completely change someone's mind. He is always helping us but on Thursday he was completely against the meeting and now after we helped him he was able to come. It is amazing how service works. But he is hillarious. He wants to meet President Baird so bad so I gave him the assistant's number and he is trying to set up and an appoitment. He calls the assistants like everyday hillarious but I really think that working with him is a good idea. He is an english teacher and he wants to train the missionaries on how to actually teach english. I am a pretty bad english teacher so he is really helping me. He is a really good testimony builder because he has lived in Japan for 10 years and he still struggles with Japanese. He always tells us that we are walking miracles. He studied hard for 5 years and we are better than him after 1 year. So it is really cool to hear that. We as missionaries are really blessed.
So life still goes on like there never was an tsunami except for all the new missionaries running around. Nothing really has changed it is actually wierd. The only different thing is that you have trouble finding water to buy.
We had a really good opportunity to teach one of our investigators this week. She is kind of hard to meet because we don't have a place to meet but when we met this week the spirit was really strong and we committed her to pray about the Book of Mormon. So right now she is praying to know if this chruch is true. Unfortunately she wasn't able to come to church because she was out of town but maybe next week. Hopefully she will continue to pray so that she can receive an answer.
I love this work. Take care and have a good week
Love
Elder Nelson
normal week??? (March 20, 2011)
So I want to thank everyone for their prayers and all the love that I have been caused to feel because of this disaster. I am ok and everyone is safe but due to radiation problems 2 missions have been completely shut down. There are no missionaries in either the Tokyo or Sendai missions. Now from what I hear the news is exaggerating everything and it is really not even that dangerous for any missionaries in Tokyo but for safety reasons they have been evacuated which means we have received 43 new missionaries in to the Nagoya Japan mission. We were down to 80 missionaries now we are up to like 110 so it is really cool. We were able to open areas that haven't been opened for a long time. Unfortunately I lost my companion...he got transfered after only being my comp for 2 weeks. It was really fun having a Japanese companion and learning about their culture and language but unfortuantely he has been sent by the Lord to a new area. I was really disappointed to see him leave but I am still really excited for my new companion...he is from Utah and he has been here in Ogaki for about 3 days. We are having fun working together and it looks like the last half of this transfer will be fun. It has been a little stressful taking over an area that I have only been in for 2 and a half weeks but the Lord has blessed us tremendously.
Apparently people keep asking how my area is doing and what has changed. The biggest thing that I have noticed is that the nuclear power plant is on everyone's mind...it seems to be brought up by everyone so it is interesting how my Japanese vocab has changed becuase of this like I never thought I would need to know the word for radiation but now I have it memorized. Also a lot of stores don't use extra lights...people are trying really hard to save energy so the need for nuclear energy is cut down. But Ogaki is like the safest place in japan...
I am convinced. There is this huge underground spring that everyone gets water from so we should always have water and we are way far away from an ocean so we are good. People's schedules have changed but it hasn't been like a huge dramatic change...but I think slowly it will start to change....especially the hearts of the people. For example last week at english class we committed everyone to fast and use the money that they would usually spend on food and donate it to the people in Sendai. Everyone was for it...so that was cool.
This week though we really saw a ton of blessings from God because we wanted to give up. We wanted to quit but we kept on going and we pushed ourselves and 4 investigators came to sacrament meeting. Us and the members had our hands full. With only 30 members it keeps us entertained but 1 of the investigators came to church for the first time and she loved it and wants to come back next week. She was a referral from another investigator which came to church with her. The members really helped us fellowship her so it was way good. She plans to go to America and asked if she could go to church in America too. She speaks perfect english which is always a blessing...lol. but seriously it helps a lot. The best part though is that she volunteered to pray at the end of sunday school.
Another miracle is that I had Mexican food...If that is not a miracle I don't know what one is,,,lol. well there is this American family in our ward. What I mean by American is that the father is American and the wife is Japanese. He is way cool but he says we can go to dinner at his house any time we want as long as we bring an investigator. So we brought an investigator and had a really good time. The food was so good. It was better than I ever remember probably because I haven't had tacos in such a long time. Man it was like heaven in a tortilla shell. Our investigator that came was Brazilian so he enjoyed it too. Our investigator that came is way nice...too nice. he feeds us once or twice a week which is way more than the ward here has ever fed us but thats ok...they are all trying.
We have a new investigator and she is pretty good. We met her and she testified to us about prayer for like 1 hour. It was pretty cool. She has a lot of stories in her life that have led her to believe in God so now we just need her to pray about the Book of Mormon and she will be baptized. The only problem is that she works and takes care of her sick mom so she doesn't have a lot of time to meet or read but she is still really good. She said she loves meeting with us so I am really excited to continue to meet her. Unfortunately she was not able to come to church but I think she might come next week.
I am glad we are safe and I can see the hand of the Lord in our work now more than ever! It is very exciting but sad at the same time
頑張ってネ
Love
Elder Nelson
Apparently people keep asking how my area is doing and what has changed. The biggest thing that I have noticed is that the nuclear power plant is on everyone's mind...it seems to be brought up by everyone so it is interesting how my Japanese vocab has changed becuase of this like I never thought I would need to know the word for radiation but now I have it memorized. Also a lot of stores don't use extra lights...people are trying really hard to save energy so the need for nuclear energy is cut down. But Ogaki is like the safest place in japan...
I am convinced. There is this huge underground spring that everyone gets water from so we should always have water and we are way far away from an ocean so we are good. People's schedules have changed but it hasn't been like a huge dramatic change...but I think slowly it will start to change....especially the hearts of the people. For example last week at english class we committed everyone to fast and use the money that they would usually spend on food and donate it to the people in Sendai. Everyone was for it...so that was cool.
This week though we really saw a ton of blessings from God because we wanted to give up. We wanted to quit but we kept on going and we pushed ourselves and 4 investigators came to sacrament meeting. Us and the members had our hands full. With only 30 members it keeps us entertained but 1 of the investigators came to church for the first time and she loved it and wants to come back next week. She was a referral from another investigator which came to church with her. The members really helped us fellowship her so it was way good. She plans to go to America and asked if she could go to church in America too. She speaks perfect english which is always a blessing...lol. but seriously it helps a lot. The best part though is that she volunteered to pray at the end of sunday school.
Another miracle is that I had Mexican food...If that is not a miracle I don't know what one is,,,lol. well there is this American family in our ward. What I mean by American is that the father is American and the wife is Japanese. He is way cool but he says we can go to dinner at his house any time we want as long as we bring an investigator. So we brought an investigator and had a really good time. The food was so good. It was better than I ever remember probably because I haven't had tacos in such a long time. Man it was like heaven in a tortilla shell. Our investigator that came was Brazilian so he enjoyed it too. Our investigator that came is way nice...too nice. he feeds us once or twice a week which is way more than the ward here has ever fed us but thats ok...they are all trying.
We have a new investigator and she is pretty good. We met her and she testified to us about prayer for like 1 hour. It was pretty cool. She has a lot of stories in her life that have led her to believe in God so now we just need her to pray about the Book of Mormon and she will be baptized. The only problem is that she works and takes care of her sick mom so she doesn't have a lot of time to meet or read but she is still really good. She said she loves meeting with us so I am really excited to continue to meet her. Unfortunately she was not able to come to church but I think she might come next week.
I am glad we are safe and I can see the hand of the Lord in our work now more than ever! It is very exciting but sad at the same time
頑張ってネ
Love
Elder Nelson
地震 (Earthquake) (March 13, 2011)
Well we are safe!!!!!!!
So Friday when the earthquake hit we were headed to Nagoya on a train. We could only feel it a little. I thought it was because we were riding a train but it was a little worse than usual. We got to the mission home and 10 minutes later president received a call from Tokyo that said evacuate all the missionaries that are on the coast line. The only problem is that trains are shut down. (they are up and running now at least in Nagoya) Eventually all the missionaries got into Nagoya and we are all were safe. It was interesting being part of the task force bringing people in. Who will call who and how will people get to Nagoya and stuff like that. It was pretty intense. There is no way you can practice for this type of situation so it was good. It was funny because some elders freaked out when we called them. We were like it is just a precaution and they are like "we are going to die...we are going to die" but unfortunately people did pass away up north in Sendai. It is a very sad situation and I don't even know what to write...I can see so many blessings that I have received and it is so very sad to see the damage that happened. like really I am speechless I don't know what to write or what people want to hear...it is way sad but I am happy all the missionaries are safe.
Love
Elder Nelson
So Friday when the earthquake hit we were headed to Nagoya on a train. We could only feel it a little. I thought it was because we were riding a train but it was a little worse than usual. We got to the mission home and 10 minutes later president received a call from Tokyo that said evacuate all the missionaries that are on the coast line. The only problem is that trains are shut down. (they are up and running now at least in Nagoya) Eventually all the missionaries got into Nagoya and we are all were safe. It was interesting being part of the task force bringing people in. Who will call who and how will people get to Nagoya and stuff like that. It was pretty intense. There is no way you can practice for this type of situation so it was good. It was funny because some elders freaked out when we called them. We were like it is just a precaution and they are like "we are going to die...we are going to die" but unfortunately people did pass away up north in Sendai. It is a very sad situation and I don't even know what to write...I can see so many blessings that I have received and it is so very sad to see the damage that happened. like really I am speechless I don't know what to write or what people want to hear...it is way sad but I am happy all the missionaries are safe.
Love
Elder Nelson
無事！！(Safety) (March 13, 2011)
Well as you can imagine it was a pretty insane week. So like I am trying to head up a rescue task force to Sendai but there is no way to get up there!
I'll keep you updated!
If you would have called the mission home between 2 and 4 am las vegas time I could have answered.
I'm back in Ogaki but I want to go to Tokyo to help my brothers!!! They have very little water and electricity. The devestation looks way bad!!
A lot of missionaries here in Nagoya were evacuated ...I was actually in the mission home when the call came. Then President Baird is like all right get all the missionaries on the coast out Now!!!! It was interesting...I actually got to use his phone and help so it was interesting.
I was riding a train to Nagoya when the earthquake happened..that was a little interesting but nothing too big. I was in Nagoya Friday and went home on Saturday.
Elder Adachi's family is safe but he didn't receive an email from them today so he is kind of worried. He called them and talked to his brother so I think they are all good but it is still way nerveracking. He has had a tough week.
The missionaries here are doing good...a lot of the Japanese missionaries look stressed out but everything is good. Trains here are up and running. Thanks for helping me with the questions. One of the saddest thngs is that people here are acting like nothing happened...everything is the same.
I can't believe it happened. That was like the 5th earthquake while I have been in Japan just usually they are much smaller. It is really sad.
There was some pretty good sized waves that hit places in our mission, but no one died in those areas. I heard the death total is over 10000 here. That is huge.
I have to go so stay safe and I'll email better next week.
I'll keep you updated!
If you would have called the mission home between 2 and 4 am las vegas time I could have answered.
I'm back in Ogaki but I want to go to Tokyo to help my brothers!!! They have very little water and electricity. The devestation looks way bad!!
A lot of missionaries here in Nagoya were evacuated ...I was actually in the mission home when the call came. Then President Baird is like all right get all the missionaries on the coast out Now!!!! It was interesting...I actually got to use his phone and help so it was interesting.
I was riding a train to Nagoya when the earthquake happened..that was a little interesting but nothing too big. I was in Nagoya Friday and went home on Saturday.
Elder Adachi's family is safe but he didn't receive an email from them today so he is kind of worried. He called them and talked to his brother so I think they are all good but it is still way nerveracking. He has had a tough week.
The missionaries here are doing good...a lot of the Japanese missionaries look stressed out but everything is good. Trains here are up and running. Thanks for helping me with the questions. One of the saddest thngs is that people here are acting like nothing happened...everything is the same.
I can't believe it happened. That was like the 5th earthquake while I have been in Japan just usually they are much smaller. It is really sad.
There was some pretty good sized waves that hit places in our mission, but no one died in those areas. I heard the death total is over 10000 here. That is huge.
I have to go so stay safe and I'll email better next week.
大垣市 "Ōgaki" (March 6, 2011)
Well I safely was removed out of my home and into a new area...Ogaki. Ogaki is a way cool city with a lot of people outside and things to do. what I am saying is that it is the opposite of Komatsu. It is fun but the branch is a little different from that of other places let me tell you 10 ways of how you can know if you are in Ogaki.
1. You know you are in Ogaki when there are only 35 people at sacrament meeting
2. You know you are in Ogaki when there is no one to play the piano in sacrament meeting.
3. You know you are in Ogaki when your branch president acts like Michael Scott.
4. You know you are in Ogaki when your branch president is the only one on the stand.
5. You know you are in Ogaki when church is only 2 hours long.
6. You know you are in Ogaki when you sing "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam" as the closing hymn in sacrament meeting.
7. You know you are in Ogaki when you have to give a talk in sacrament meetings 2 Sundays in a row.
8. You know you are in Ogaki when there are only 3 total people in Sunday school class.
9. You know you are in Ogaki when there are no young men or young women.
10. You know you are in Ogaki when 10% of the peolple who attend sacrament meeting are investiagtors.
So basically that was my experience my first week at Ogaki branch, definately was one of my favorite Sundays of all time. I mean I can see dad sitting there thinking "how can I get my ward on this two hour program...maybe I should move to Japan, Ogaki branch." Just kidding but seriously. It was a way good first Sunday. We had three investigators come to chruch all three have problems that are stopping them from getting baptized but we will continue to help them. One is 80 and can't remember anything we teach him. A little issue but I think he has the best handshake in Japan. The other is 17...yes we are trying to create a young men's but he doesn't think he can keep the commandemts forever, but he can he just doesn't know it yet. The third one wants to get baptized in America. So basically they are all good just we need to help them a little. I love the investigators here. I feel like an english speaking missionary except for the fact I only talk to my companion in Japanese. Like 5 of our investigators speak english and like being taught in English so it is really fun. My companion sturggles a little but he is working way hard to understand English so he can help.
It is way good. I love Ogaki so far and am excited to work here. The apartment is way nice so that is a plus...lol but seriously. Take care and have a good week.
Love
Elder Nelson
1. You know you are in Ogaki when there are only 35 people at sacrament meeting
2. You know you are in Ogaki when there is no one to play the piano in sacrament meeting.
3. You know you are in Ogaki when your branch president acts like Michael Scott.
4. You know you are in Ogaki when your branch president is the only one on the stand.
5. You know you are in Ogaki when church is only 2 hours long.
6. You know you are in Ogaki when you sing "Jesus wants me for a sunbeam" as the closing hymn in sacrament meeting.
7. You know you are in Ogaki when you have to give a talk in sacrament meetings 2 Sundays in a row.
8. You know you are in Ogaki when there are only 3 total people in Sunday school class.
9. You know you are in Ogaki when there are no young men or young women.
10. You know you are in Ogaki when 10% of the peolple who attend sacrament meeting are investiagtors.
So basically that was my experience my first week at Ogaki branch, definately was one of my favorite Sundays of all time. I mean I can see dad sitting there thinking "how can I get my ward on this two hour program...maybe I should move to Japan, Ogaki branch." Just kidding but seriously. It was a way good first Sunday. We had three investigators come to chruch all three have problems that are stopping them from getting baptized but we will continue to help them. One is 80 and can't remember anything we teach him. A little issue but I think he has the best handshake in Japan. The other is 17...yes we are trying to create a young men's but he doesn't think he can keep the commandemts forever, but he can he just doesn't know it yet. The third one wants to get baptized in America. So basically they are all good just we need to help them a little. I love the investigators here. I feel like an english speaking missionary except for the fact I only talk to my companion in Japanese. Like 5 of our investigators speak english and like being taught in English so it is really fun. My companion sturggles a little but he is working way hard to understand English so he can help.
It is way good. I love Ogaki so far and am excited to work here. The apartment is way nice so that is a plus...lol but seriously. Take care and have a good week.
Love
Elder Nelson
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