7th week in Japan
9/28/2015
I found my friend!

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been another fantastic week in Japan! So last week I said that transfers were on Wednesday, but they were actually on Thursday. It was crazy to see elder Goldhamer packing up to go to Akashi. As he was packing to leave I really thought about all the things we did over the last transfer. I told him, "Man it has been a blast!" We had so much fun and taught so many people. I loved just talking to him about everything. He was an extremely good trainer. I will never forget all the things I have learned from him over this past month and a half. It was really sad when he was saying his goodbyes to our investigators and members. He was in Okayama for over 6 months of his mission so he had a good relationship with everyone. He knew that he would see them all again someday though, whether in this life or the next.

On Tuesday night we visited the Kono family (not the one I sent in my picture last time). We taught a sister named Keiko. She has a little daughter named Hanachan who elder Goldhamer wanted to give a present to before he left. We gave her those glowstick bracelets that you sent me and she loved them so much! They were so glad they got to visit with elder Goldhamer one last time. The next night we went over to Okayama to stay there for transfers. A bunch of other missionaries were there Sent from my iPad

It is pretty crazy being the area leader now. I hardly know where anything is and finding stuff in Japan is a little bit difficult; however, I also think back to what President Welch told us when we first got here. He said, "If you don't get lost at least twice a day, then you are doing something wrong." Even though I really don't know where I am going elder Weakley and I follow the direction of the spirit. It is also really new having to call people in Japanese and try to set up appointments. I can say a few things to them, but I can hardly understand when other people are talking to me. They talk really fast, but I can pick up a few words here and there so that helps haha. I think Heavenly Father has given me the opportunity to be the area leader early because he knows that I need it. Even though I know that it is pretty difficult for me, I have learned a lot over these last few days. Heavenly Father always gives us trials for a reason, and it is because he wants us to grow stronger, it is because he loves us.

Saturday afternoon elder Weakley and I taught an investigator named Shu. Shu is the coolest person in the universe. He is from China and he is 24 years old. He also speaks fluent English, which is awesome. We met him at the church to catch up on how he was doing. We got out of an appointment a little later in the morning so we had to bike over to the church as fast as we could. We made it a little late and he was waiting in front of the church with a bag of pistachios for us. He is a friend who I know that I would get along extremely well with at home. We taught him about the word of wisdom. He is so receptive to everything that we have to teach him, and he always keeps his commitments. After the lesson was over I felt like we needed to invite him to be baptized. He agreed to getting baptized on October 24th! My companion and I were so pumped after that lesson to keep teaching him! I am so excited to help him get baptized and come closer to our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have been given as a missionary to help those around me know about the truthfulness of the gospel.

In our sacrament meeting yesterday our ward mission leader yesterday gave a talk in English and had Baba kyodai translate for him. It was a neat experience to hear the correlation between what was said in Japanese and in English. I was also gifted with the opportunity to give the sacrament prayers in Shuwa (Japanese sign language). I had to practice a bit in the morning before, but I will never forget the spirit that I felt as I signed for the members. In shuwa the sign for Jesus Christ is pressing your right finger in your palms, and then make a c and bring it across your chest like a sash. Knowing that I was giving these sacred prayers in such a cool language was such a blessing. I will never forget that opportunity.

Thank you to everyone for your emails and support. I hope everyone is doing well back at home. Also dad asked me about the members not feeding us. They actually have fed me a few times. We had a visit with the Egis and the Babas, and they fed us. It is just not that often that they do it. They also feed us after church on Sundays sometimes. I think the reason they don't invite us to eat at there houses much is because they are all so busy all the time. The people in Japan work a lot. Also almost all the missionary apartments only have 2 missionaries. Some have 4. A few months before I came to Okayama nishi it was a four missionary apartment. One thing that reminded me of home this week was in 4 Nephi 1:8. I thought of when we used to play settlers of Zarahemla every Sunday. I miss that, we will have to play some when I come back in 2 years haha.
Questions:
1. My new companion is awesome! He is from Salem Utah and has been here for almost a year.
2. I got a birthday package, thank you so much! I haven't opened yet cause you said I should wait so I will wait until the 9th. It was pretty heavy though wow. If stuff is expensive to send I wouldn't worry about it too much. Thank you so much though, I also got some postcards and  letter in the mail Sent from my iPad
3. The language is coming slowly but surely. I still can hardly understand anyone, but I am getting a little more each day. I have not learned any of the articles of faith haha, I have learned the first vision, missionary purpose, and a few other things though.
4. I haven't really hated* any of the food. Some of the food is a little odd, but I eat it anyways. I also did have the fermented soybeans, which was really strange. It is called nato, and I thought it was kind of disgusting, but I could see how some people would like it. It has a really sticky texture to it.
5. I have been on more exchanges, but nothing near as much fun as elder Boettcher and I had.
6. We celebrated the 60th anniversary of missionary work in Okayama yesterday which was fun. They also have parties every now and then, but I haven't really participated in any crazy traditions yet. I can't wait for the time that I get to do that though, it will be fun.
7. My keyboard works perfect, thank you. I think I have everything I need thanks.
8. We are trying to get ping pong started up on Saturdays now. We are going to hand out flyers, and get the ward psyched about it.
9. I am good for music thanks, I think shawn was wondering if he could send me some, so if you really wanted to you could get some from him and send it on a flash drive.
10. The pictures you send are great thank you. Whatever is good nothing in particular, it is just good to see how everyone is doing.
11. They do not have basketball courts at the church sadly. Also I won't be able to play much basketball on my mission so maybe not. Some ties would be cool, but I wouldn't worry to much about sending me stuff. I just love hearing from everyones emails/letters.

Thank you so much to you all for everything. My challenge this week is to pray with sincerity. I know that sometimes it is tough to pray every night before we go to bed, and when we get up in the mornings, but when we do it Heavenly Father loves us even more. I am going to try my best to pray with real intent this week also. I love you all, have a great week!

Hirschi 長老