Hi Mom!

We had a cool lightening storm here a few nights ago. Japanese lightening (kaminari) is so very different from Utah lightening - pick a point in the sky - at that point there is an incredibly bright series of flasher - circular. Very strange, really cool!

Well, ya' ready for the travelogue? : )

Last Friday, 27th - we had Zone taikai (conference) - Abiko and Ushika zones. It was great! There were many spiritual talks by the dendo- bricho (?) And his wife, and other great training. I played the piano for it and got many compliments.

That night we met a cool guy while streeting. I stopped him and talked to him about the Book of Mormon in very broken, simple Japanese. My companion took over after a while and we found he thinks it's great that we dendo (proselyte) - a good service to the world, and he has some interest in that, and sees other religions home pages on the internet - but he wouldn't take the Book of Mormon. Oh well. He was cool, though.

Saturday, the Chi family spoked us again (weren't home when they said they would be). But we did give a B of M to a previous contact! Kioka san - she runs a day care. That night we had a BIG family home evening at the Shibayama's home. There were many member there, great food, and also a farewell party for a sister leaving on a mission to SLC - Temple Square. We all went around and each gave our words of farewell and encouragement, etc. I gave my remarks in English (SO many Japanese people know English!) And I felt the Spirit as I talked about the MTC, Temple Square, and missionary work in general. It was a great night.

After church on Sunday, also, we had a little celebration for her (the whole ward was there, thought). They all brought food - delicious! Her parents were there (non-members) and as her father was sharing his feelings with everyone, he got SO emotional - it sounded like he was going to throw up - he bent over and everything. But he was just crying really hard. The sisters name is Namikawa - if you see her at Temple Square, say hi to her from Piasu (Pearce) Ch r (me). Sunday night we visited an inactive member with a Stake Missionary - then had dinner at his house (the S.Missionary)

Monday I taught the first two principles of the first discussion to an inactive member. The Zls were there, too. I didn't do a good job, but she's a cool sister (Kamono shimai) That night we visited an old investigator (18 year old boy). He played the electric guitar for us - incredibly good! He even played me some Mozart and Bach - beautiful arrangements. He also smoked about 8 cigarettes while we were there....

: ) They (his family) asked us to stay for dinner - Curry (Kare) rice. They had me play the piano a bit, then I got to see my webpage! It looks so cool! I enjoyed the history of the church in Japan. I'll be excited to see some of these new pictures I sent on it.

Tuesday another member fed us dinner - Te maki sushi - and we shared a message from the Ensign.

My scripture study has been incredible the past few days! I say a prayer before I read, asking to help me ponder and receive revelation and learn all I can about it. I've been reading 3 Nephi 12 - 14 (Sermon on the Mount). I found some great connections and symbolism that are really cool - I love it! Also in Luke 5:4-11 - how did those men catch so many fish? The Savior gave them a promise, they believed and followed it. The Savior has given missionaries many promises. I want to catch many fish. I love the scriptures. They also forsook ALL when they followed the Savior. Hmmm..

Last night (Wed.) At Eikaiwa, the girl and guy that watched Labor of Love last week are really moving! They each took a Book of Mormon and will probably come to Stake Conference (Taikai) on Sunday. I helped the man with his computer program again, too. The are really cool people!

This missionary work is very hard - much harder than I thought it would be. I have a hard time keeping focused only on things I should and always be completely engrossed in the work. Also, physically, my legs are literally constantly aching. It's hard to always remember the people and who they are and why I'm really here. And when I do, I really can't say much or do much because I know so little. I feel very inadequate sometimes - especially on my Senior Day when I have to decide who to visit when I don't know anyone or what they need or where they live and how to get there. But I'm a young missionary and I'm sure I'll learn these things eventually. I'm studying hard, learning how to read a map, and speak Japanese. I want to really communicate with people, but I just can't yet.

Oh - a note to everybody. Some of you are paying $1.00 for each letter. You can usually get it here for 60¢. (.60¢ for the first ½ ounce .40¢ for every ½ ounce after that)

Today we played football again with Carl in Adachi, and I actually caught a few passes! He is so cool! My companion and I had lunch with him at Burger King afterward and talked for about two hours. Just in case you ever see it, he is the inventor of Karamania (Kramedia). He's working primarily with song right now, and Warner Bros. For the Flintstones. He has such deep questions about the church and is so open about everything - ("Does God talk to people in the Spirit world?") and he talks about experiences he's had with our church and others - so crazy and amazing. He's been through so much bad stuff. He went to Biola (bible college in LA) and knows the Bible so well, and our conversations are so interesting! And he's hung out with movie stars before - and he spent half a day with us! He's cool!

Today I also got my first haircut in Japan! Wow! They cut so precisely - stand back and closely examine your hair from every angle making sure every hair is perfect. Then they shampoo, scalp massage, and a nice shave! My hair was so smoothly cut - a perfect gradient, and they lay hot towels on your fact, too - so nice! I felt so new and clean when I came out - very nice : ) 

I tried to make katsudon today but it flopped - it tasted kind of burned... maybe next time.

Thank you all for all you do! I love you!

Elder Pearce