September 23, 1999

Hello Family!

We are feeling kind of excited right now, here, because we just got a call saying it’s transfer day! We were very surprised because it’s usually on Monday. Elder Stevenson is transferring to Sukuba (Scuba) and Elder Page is coming to take his place. Elder Stevenson had been in Matsudo for 6 months so was expecting a transfer. He’ll be a Jr. Companion again - he’s excited.

Tuesday, I tried a new breakfast. I remember Dad making what he called "egg in the hole." I don’t know how he did it, and I didn’t really even like it much, but I wanted to try something new. I ripped a hole in a piece of bread, but it in a frying pan, plopped an egg in the hole, added a dash of salt, and fried it. It was really quite good! I think I’ll make it again.

That day we had Zone Taikai - wonderful training on follow-up, losing yourself, goals, and we got some more delicious jam! Harrods Knightsbridge! MMM! I also got more mugi (wheat), my meishis (business cards) - I’ll send some with this letter - and a family home evening manual I ordered for lesson ideas - and so I could better explain the FHE program. Hey, there’s a woman whom we home teach who loves fun lessons, so if you know of any good object lessons, games or magic tricks, etc. that you can apply to a gospel principle, please send me your ideas.

Yesterday, Eikaiwa was fun. We played that game Ashley & I played in the car in Hawaii where you make sentences all starting with he same letter. For example: Aardvarks are always angry. Baby boys bounce black bottles bitterly. It was really fun and they loved it. We also did some anagrams.

Now some funny things about Japan! Japanese English is quite hilarious. I think I want to humbly write about some sentences I’ve seen. My favorite is on a photo album my companion has, but he’s already packed it. If he gets it out again, I’ll write it down. But this was on a little chocolate sandwich cake thing:

"Confidence of creating deliciousness.
This tastiness can not be carried even by both hands"

That one’s not too bad. There are some really strange ones I’ll write when I see them.

Here’s something else. There are these trucks (small, narrow pick-ups) that drive around and play a really annoying recording. It didn’t bother me at first, but it’s quite out of tune and the song is only two notes (a whole step - and they sing it flat) These are sales trucks. The one in our neighborhood drives around trying to sell laundry poles and plays his song and announcements very loud. I don’t know how you can make much of a living selling laundry poles, but... it’s kind of fun to hear. It’s one of those sounds of Japan I will never forget.

Now here’s something really interesting. There is a guy (an inactive member we’ve visited a few times) who has a pet duck! A big, beautiful white duck. When we walked into the yard, he started quacking at us, just as a dog would bark. They even taught him to do tricks (turn around). I don’t think its a very Japanese thing to have pet ducks, I just thought it was cool.

I'm growing a lot in a lot of little ways. I’m examining myself, finding areas where I need improvement (such as judging, or selfishness), then I set goals to change and commit to do specific things and... what do you know... Ether 12:25 is true! I realize I will never reach perfection in this life, but I love this growing process! Changing, becoming better, growing. And because I’ve made specific commitments, I can see exactly where I’ve improved, and where I’m headed. I love pondering over the scriptures! There is so much hidden treasure!

This gospel is true! Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is a true and real book written by God through his prophets - people who actually did live on this continent hundreds of years ago.

I’m grateful for Jesus Christ. His love and sacrifice made possible our resurrection and repentance, allowing us to find peace in this life, and glorious exaltation in the world to come. I know this is true. I love you all! Thank you so much!

Love,