Family it has been another good week here in Shibetsu. A lot of hard work has happened this week. I got my bike so I was way pumped about that!!! I feel like the king of the world on that thing. I then I realized it is not that cool after I got tired haha. Dad you are right if I could compare it to a city it would proably be Monticello haha. Except I would have to say that shibetsu is a lot bigger. I am still trying to adjust to everyone staring at me all the time. If I wasn:t a missionary I would probably make a face at them or something. It sounds like our family is doing great!!! Mandie I heard that you are setting up your classroom!!! That is so crazy all of us are so old but some are younger than others haha. Everyone sounds like they are having a great summer!! I have to admit there are times that are extremly hard but I am having the time of my life also.
We have a couple investigators that are pretty strong!! Both of them come to church and I hope that they can keep progressing. Whenever you ask anyone about God they say they are Buddhist and move on. The funny thing is they say that they are buddhist but most of the people dont know anything about the reiligion. It is just a Japan Culture thing and they dont want to break it. I had an experience where I older Japanese man was telling us that we were extremly rude. He then was bashes America and our beliefs. I was frustrated but afterward I was wow I am actually serving a mission. It felt good to get rejected like that haha!!!! Elder Tamshiro is really cool and he keeps trying to help me with the language. I am trying to listen as much as possible during talk.
Mom here is my usual routine everyday. We wake exercise for 30 minutes(perfect pull up oh yeah\!!!!), eat breakfast, and then have personal study for a hour. I then have companionship study for 2 hours and the language study. Have language we have a quick lunch and then start tracking or housing. When we have an appointments we go to those also. AT 6 or later we usually have dinner. We then work until nine to nine 30. We then have planning at 930. I wirite in my journal and then go to bed. That is basically my schedule except one time a week we have district meeting, weekly planning, and other stuff. The fun thing that we have is we teach english classes to local people. I dont think I have laughed so hard in my life our last class. I was trying to explain to them words like oath and beverage haha it was really funny!!!!
I got to serve a day with the zone leader Elder Gandy. This was a really experience to learn from him and see what he does. He was the happiest missionaries that I have ever met. That is goal for me is always be as happy as I can. Today we are going to a waterfall for Pday. I am reallly excited we have to go on a train to get there. THe days are preety slow here but I am expecting for them to start to spped up. I havent been able to teach alesson yet because the people are just not interested. I know that if I keep working ang become diligent I will be able to teach someone eventually. During church one the members child got baptized. They dont have a batismal font so they used basically a portable pool. It was funny when I saw it but I realized you need to what you need to do. I love this church and our members here in Shibetstu.
I try to have fun everyday and also work.Sometimes it is hard because there is nothing to do haha. I love it though and wouldnt change it for everything!!!!
I challenge everyone to try to feel the spirit everdya. President Evans say if we di tghis you know you have accomplished what you are supposed. I love you all and I am grateful to be a missioanry. THANKS for everything!!!!
Thank you everyone for all the supprt and the writing it has been great!!!!
L0ve ELDER Maughan
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Week 11: First week in Japan! July 11, 2011
Hey family how is everyone doing??!!! I hope everyone is enjoying there summer and having a blast!!! Well this has been quite a week haha. I could only write you a simple email last time to tell you that I made it safe. I still cant believe that I am living in Japan. I woke up in the middle of the night realizeing exactly where I am. SO the area that I am is call Shibetsu. It is the smallest area in all of Sapparo。 I would doubt in the all of Japan. But it is so pretty and there is a lot of farming. The city is pretty small but at the same time there is alot of people. IT is really hard to try to understand anything haha. But i knew that is was going to happen haha. Whenever someone talks to me I have no idea what they are saying haha. The people are so polite and nice. YOu can tell whenver someone is not interested in our message but they listen to us anyways. It is also weird that I am like the only American in within 100 miles probably haha. I havent seen a white since I left Sapporo haha. The best part is the people know exactly who we are. Especially because the city is pretty small they see us aroung quite a bit. Also whenever they see a white person they know it revolves around Religion haha.
My companions name is tamashiro choro he is from Hawaii and he is really cool. He speaks English and Japanese and he is a good missionary. My problem is because he speaks English sometimes we dont speak Japanese as much as we should. This week I am going to work on this so I can improve in the language. I did my first contact basically by myself. I was really proud because I understood everything that the man said. I got rejected hardcore but it was fun to actually contact someone. I can usually say what I want to say but whenever they start talking to me I have no idea what they are saying. I know that I will improve because that is all I can do!!! I teach the gospel and study the langauge 24/7。. I hope that we can get more appointments this week so I can practice me teaching on inverstigatiors. I met our ward yesterday and all the people are really cool. IN our branch we have I think 15 people at the most. I gave a talk and just inroduced myself and bore my testimony. It was good to met them and I am looking forward to working with them.
I havent had any intersting food yet. Basically just rice and eggs haha. I am excited to try more food when I get the oppurtunity. I am was suprised of how much english is influenced here in Japan. Most of the bigger signs have Kanji and then it has English. But then most of none the people can read it. It is interesting how much influence America has on Japan. sometimes we ride the train to go to the near by city called Nayoro. It is fun to see all of the sites.
There was this parade for all of these middle school students. They all made these floats and all of this stuff. But when they say me and my companion they were all going crazy because I was American. It is really weird but funny and that the same time. The only people that like us are the older ladies and younger kids hahah. I am loving being a missioanry and learning every
thibg I am. I just need to stay patient with this language and know that it will come eventyally.
I havent been able to get a bike yet becasue they have no bike shops in Shibetsu. But this week I will be ordering a bike through the mission home in _Sapporo. I think I will be also purchasing an electronic ictionary some time soon. If that is a problem I wont buy it. aNYways I am doing great with everything. I have eaten so much being here surprisely I eat a lot of rice haha.
Well I hope everyone is doing well and lovng Life!!! Make sure to always say your prayers and scripture study!!!!
Talk to you next Week!!!!
Love, ELder Maughan
My companions name is tamashiro choro he is from Hawaii and he is really cool. He speaks English and Japanese and he is a good missionary. My problem is because he speaks English sometimes we dont speak Japanese as much as we should. This week I am going to work on this so I can improve in the language. I did my first contact basically by myself. I was really proud because I understood everything that the man said. I got rejected hardcore but it was fun to actually contact someone. I can usually say what I want to say but whenever they start talking to me I have no idea what they are saying. I know that I will improve because that is all I can do!!! I teach the gospel and study the langauge 24/7。. I hope that we can get more appointments this week so I can practice me teaching on inverstigatiors. I met our ward yesterday and all the people are really cool. IN our branch we have I think 15 people at the most. I gave a talk and just inroduced myself and bore my testimony. It was good to met them and I am looking forward to working with them.
I havent had any intersting food yet. Basically just rice and eggs haha. I am excited to try more food when I get the oppurtunity. I am was suprised of how much english is influenced here in Japan. Most of the bigger signs have Kanji and then it has English. But then most of none the people can read it. It is interesting how much influence America has on Japan. sometimes we ride the train to go to the near by city called Nayoro. It is fun to see all of the sites.
There was this parade for all of these middle school students. They all made these floats and all of this stuff. But when they say me and my companion they were all going crazy because I was American. It is really weird but funny and that the same time. The only people that like us are the older ladies and younger kids hahah. I am loving being a missioanry and learning every
thibg I am. I just need to stay patient with this language and know that it will come eventyally.
I havent been able to get a bike yet becasue they have no bike shops in Shibetsu. But this week I will be ordering a bike through the mission home in _Sapporo. I think I will be also purchasing an electronic ictionary some time soon. If that is a problem I wont buy it. aNYways I am doing great with everything. I have eaten so much being here surprisely I eat a lot of rice haha.
Well I hope everyone is doing well and lovng Life!!! Make sure to always say your prayers and scripture study!!!!
Talk to you next Week!!!!
Love, ELder Maughan
Arrival in Japan!!!
Hey family!!!! Well I made it!!! I finally went to sleep about 8 in the morning utah time yesterday!!! I think I was up for over 30 hours I was so excited to get that day over with. I can]t beleive that I am in Japan. Last night we were driving on the freeway!! It was a crazy experience. It was weird driving on the left side of the street.
I just got assigned to my new coļ½panion and area!!! My companions name is Elder Tamashiru and he is from Hawaii. Right when I saw him I thought he was a Japanese is from Hawaii. Right when I saw him I thought he was a Japanese Elder. He speaks English well so I am excited to learn a lot from him. My area is the very top of Hoikado. It is called Shitbetsu, you should google it. It is the most northern mission in our area. I think I am going there tomorrow or today. I am still trying to get used to everything. I think I am getting my bike soon. Well I have to keep it short but I love you all!!! I am doing good and really excited!!! Although I can't understand anything, ha ha I am excited!
Love Elder Maughan
I just got assigned to my new coļ½panion and area!!! My companions name is Elder Tamashiru and he is from Hawaii. Right when I saw him I thought he was a Japanese is from Hawaii. Right when I saw him I thought he was a Japanese Elder. He speaks English well so I am excited to learn a lot from him. My area is the very top of Hoikado. It is called Shitbetsu, you should google it. It is the most northern mission in our area. I think I am going there tomorrow or today. I am still trying to get used to everything. I think I am getting my bike soon. Well I have to keep it short but I love you all!!! I am doing good and really excited!!! Although I can't understand anything, ha ha I am excited!
Love Elder Maughan
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Week 10: July 1st Last Week in MTC:)
Family this is it!!!! I leave on monday and I am so pumped!!! It feels like I have had no life before the MTC haha. It feels like I have been here so long and I can't believe that I am actually leaving. I leave on monday morning out of Salt lake at 830. I then arrive in portland at 930. Between 930 and 220 I am in Portland. During this time I will call you guys and I am really looking forward to this time!!! You can tell me what phone number would work the all of us. Just as long as I know before Saturady morning. The mail is closed saturday afternoon so I wouldn't get it. I am extremly excited to start my mission out in the field!!!
This week has been basically preparing for me going to Japan. During class we talked about cultural things and a lot of fun stories. The stories that my teachers told me got me really excited for Japan. All of them said that the first part of your mission is the most difficult. I was already expecting this before I came here though. But through all of the stories that they have shared I knnow I will be protected by the Lord!! One my teachers Bishoff Sensei told us this really powerful story about when he was on his mission. One time when they riding there bikes they saw a man beating on a women. They wanted to help because no one seemed like they were going to stop him. When they walked over there they realized that had been a prisoner perviously. With the little Japanese that he knew he told the man yamete kudasai. This meant to please stop!!! The man looked straight on Bishoof Sensei's tag and saw the name Jesus Christ on it. LAter on the story the man walked away and left the women alone. This was because God protected him at this time!!! This stroy really hit me because I know that I will protected from anything that Satan is going to throw at me. I am still a little nervous to go outside of the Country but I know it is what God wants me to do. I ask everyone this monday to have prayer in there heart for me. I know that during this time I will become comforted and will be protected.,
I am really happy that I leaving the MTC. AT the same time I am sad to say goodbye to all of my friends and people that I have made here. When I said goodbye to me sensei's it was a lot harder than I thought it was. I then realized that I will see them again after the mission and we will be eternal friends forever. The experiences that I have had here at the MTC I feel ready to go preach the gospel to the Japanese people. I know that is going to be one of the hardest thing that I have ever done. But through God's power and help I can be able to anything I want. I also learned a really valauble lesson this week. Everyone knows that Japan is a really hard misson to baptize. I think the number are that 90% are Buddhists. I learned this week that it doesn't matter if the mission has its histrory of not having a lot baptisms. If I have a postive attitude and think in my mind that I will baptize people will happen. If I stay committed and look to God for everthing I will be able to accomplish anythng that I put my mind to. This is a really excited for me!!! Many of the General Authorites also have said that Japan is going to be one of the strongest countries in the world for our church. That it is going to have its slow begginging but eveuntally it will become a strong country of memebers. This is really excited more me because I get to help with this cause. I can't for me to look in the future and see how styrong the country of Japan is. I have already fallen in love with people. This is with only the Japaense Elders!!!! I never met people that are so nice and would do anything for you. I am so grateful that I get to go to Japan and serve them.
I hope everyone at home is doing great!!! Everyone have a great fourth of July!!! I think tomorrow the missionaries get to watch the stadium of FIRE!!!!! I am so pumped I will have perfect view of the fireworks!! This is also perfect time for me. This is my last celebration of being in America. I love this counrty and everything that it stands for. This morning when I looked out the window I saw all the hot air baloons in the air. This reminded me when Dad and I went always go to this. I remember always being so mad becuase I had to wake up so early to save a spot in the parade. Now these memories have stuck with me forever. This time of the year is best!!! I always look forward to watch the cheap fireworks that we buy at WALMART haha. Even if the fireworks are not that good I always love making memories with my family.
Well Family I am so excited to go to Japan and start my mission in the field!!! I want you all to know that I think of you everday and I want others to have what I have!!! This brings me joy whenver I think of my family and the gospel. I am excited to hear from you at Monday and get to hear all of things going on in your life. I am also going to try to prosolte in the airport so I will let you know how that goes!!! I love you all and thank for everything that you have done for me!!!!!!
Watashi wa Kazoku o totemo ai shite imasu.
I love my family very much
MAUGHAN Choro
Talk to you on Monday!!!!!!
This week has been basically preparing for me going to Japan. During class we talked about cultural things and a lot of fun stories. The stories that my teachers told me got me really excited for Japan. All of them said that the first part of your mission is the most difficult. I was already expecting this before I came here though. But through all of the stories that they have shared I knnow I will be protected by the Lord!! One my teachers Bishoff Sensei told us this really powerful story about when he was on his mission. One time when they riding there bikes they saw a man beating on a women. They wanted to help because no one seemed like they were going to stop him. When they walked over there they realized that had been a prisoner perviously. With the little Japanese that he knew he told the man yamete kudasai. This meant to please stop!!! The man looked straight on Bishoof Sensei's tag and saw the name Jesus Christ on it. LAter on the story the man walked away and left the women alone. This was because God protected him at this time!!! This stroy really hit me because I know that I will protected from anything that Satan is going to throw at me. I am still a little nervous to go outside of the Country but I know it is what God wants me to do. I ask everyone this monday to have prayer in there heart for me. I know that during this time I will become comforted and will be protected.,
I am really happy that I leaving the MTC. AT the same time I am sad to say goodbye to all of my friends and people that I have made here. When I said goodbye to me sensei's it was a lot harder than I thought it was. I then realized that I will see them again after the mission and we will be eternal friends forever. The experiences that I have had here at the MTC I feel ready to go preach the gospel to the Japanese people. I know that is going to be one of the hardest thing that I have ever done. But through God's power and help I can be able to anything I want. I also learned a really valauble lesson this week. Everyone knows that Japan is a really hard misson to baptize. I think the number are that 90% are Buddhists. I learned this week that it doesn't matter if the mission has its histrory of not having a lot baptisms. If I have a postive attitude and think in my mind that I will baptize people will happen. If I stay committed and look to God for everthing I will be able to accomplish anythng that I put my mind to. This is a really excited for me!!! Many of the General Authorites also have said that Japan is going to be one of the strongest countries in the world for our church. That it is going to have its slow begginging but eveuntally it will become a strong country of memebers. This is really excited more me because I get to help with this cause. I can't for me to look in the future and see how styrong the country of Japan is. I have already fallen in love with people. This is with only the Japaense Elders!!!! I never met people that are so nice and would do anything for you. I am so grateful that I get to go to Japan and serve them.
I hope everyone at home is doing great!!! Everyone have a great fourth of July!!! I think tomorrow the missionaries get to watch the stadium of FIRE!!!!! I am so pumped I will have perfect view of the fireworks!! This is also perfect time for me. This is my last celebration of being in America. I love this counrty and everything that it stands for. This morning when I looked out the window I saw all the hot air baloons in the air. This reminded me when Dad and I went always go to this. I remember always being so mad becuase I had to wake up so early to save a spot in the parade. Now these memories have stuck with me forever. This time of the year is best!!! I always look forward to watch the cheap fireworks that we buy at WALMART haha. Even if the fireworks are not that good I always love making memories with my family.
Well Family I am so excited to go to Japan and start my mission in the field!!! I want you all to know that I think of you everday and I want others to have what I have!!! This brings me joy whenver I think of my family and the gospel. I am excited to hear from you at Monday and get to hear all of things going on in your life. I am also going to try to prosolte in the airport so I will let you know how that goes!!! I love you all and thank for everything that you have done for me!!!!!!
Watashi wa Kazoku o totemo ai shite imasu.
I love my family very much
MAUGHAN Choro
Talk to you on Monday!!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)