Crowd of people? Carrying your bike? Just lift it over all of their heads #MuricaPerk #ImHuge ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... I don't always ask for directions on the train, but when I do, I end that conversation talking about God #Missionaried ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Biking for twenty minutes to buy chicken and beef for dirt cheap? Worth it!! #NoRoomInOurFreezerAnyMore ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... We just made Raspberry Jam from Scratch, put the hot stuff that wouldn't fit in the jar onto ice-cream and ate it all ... Love ... my ... life ... #FatKid ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... I don't always lead us around Tokyo but when I do ... we're early #LikeABoss ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Alright iPad, you think you can fix my spelling? #ChalngeAcceptprw #noSuggestions ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... We just ate $100 worth of sushi; you then took us to an Italian Restaurant and made us keep eating till we all want to die ... Of course we'll go to round 3 with you! ... #GoingToPukeAllOverYou ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... #NoImNot28 ... it's alright, you're like the 12th person to make that mistake ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... All we bought was potatoes and meat #GriffithsChoroWentShopping ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Curry for Lunch, Curry for Dinner; #HappyPDay ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Typhoon, worst one in 10 years? Please, my bike has missionary steroids, #DidNotEvenFallOver ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Oh, you sell Melonpan? yeah, I’ll buy them all, right now #TheRecipeTooPlease ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... #YouMightBeAMissionaryIf you don't hear about the giant wall of water which will hit the city where you live until next Monday; because you only get eMail on P-Days ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... New favorite conversation starter "I don’t speak Japanese and if I don’t learn I can’t go back to America, please help me" #ForeignerPower ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Whatever I just ate, exploded with little eggs all over my mouth #WhatDidIJustEat ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Is it wrong that I want to ask the local tattoo artist if he can run the face painting booth at our Halloween party, I think he would be pretty good ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Being a foot taller than everyone else in the whole country #GaijinNoMondai (Foregner problem) ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Hitting your head on every door way cuz it’s made for people a foot shorter than you #GaijinNoMondai ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Having a hole in the ground for a toilet? #FirstWorldCountry more like #FirstWorldProblem ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Typhoon season #ComeAtMeMotherNature #Murica ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Cow Piss? Oh you mean Calpis #YesIllTakeAllOfThem

Monday, April 28, 2014

DD 7.25 ... it's a good opportunity to do some good old fashion learning from others ...

So I totally got the package full of candy, Abi’s letter also. The note inside was good, but the empty egg was the best part ... always is. I'm not gonna lie, it really made my whole week. I need to learn how to be more Christ-like ... A lot more Christ-like. Like an insanely amount more Christ-like. I think that's a good learning experience, and in the grand scheme of things I don't really need to worry about if it's been a hard week. 

Anywho, thanks for the pep talks ... Helped me out a lot, this week was pretty good. We taught a lot ... well our stats say that we did, but it doesn't feel like we did ... it's weird, but our peeps are doing real good, we will all probably have some baptisms coming up. Well they should be there already, all of them want to get baptized, they just don't have a desire to keep the commandments, like coming to church ... It's quite frustrating, but it's a growing experience for all of us.


Shopping List
Are you still riding the train or have you figured out the bike routes?
We figured out most of them ... which is good because we were running seriously low on funds this month.

Who all do you live with? Any of them runners?
White Choro wants to run, but we can't go unless we do splits for the day, but it's all good. I figured out some other stuff. Have you ever heard of Burpees? Let's just say, I do some of those, and my heart rate gets going, then I do some more ... And then some more ... and then some more ... and some more ... It's fun!!!

My talk again: Name the top things that helped you decide to go on a mission? 
  • Honestly, it was moving out and going to college. All my roommates there were awesome and really motivated me to go.
  • Setting the goal to go when I was younger really helped.
  • Seeing TeJay go made me want to.
  • Having dad go was a big part to!
Pretty much, I saw what it was doing for the people around me and I knew that at the very least it would strengthen my testimony. So I came, realized I was here for the wrong reasons, and repented! I would say others, influenced me the most, their good examples!

How far do you live from church?
I can see it from my apartment.
There is a Gym on the 4th & 5th floors
but it is not finished because that are not enough members to need it yet
I'm gonna change that though
What is the closest train station from your apt?
Yanasegawa

Any word on the phone call arrangements for mother's day? Can hardly wait!!!
Haven't heard anything.

Will you be eMailing us earlier in your new area? Or is this just an early day for you?
Today we are just a little earlier, we studied at the church, so figured we would just get it out of the way.

What is the word on facebook?
Nothing yet ...

Mom, thank you for using the phrase "momma bear" nothing like being compared to a Baby Bear to make you feel like ... well ... a bear! Awesome!!! I’m doing a lot better this week. I just studied the plan of salvation a lot, and tried to look at the eternal perspective of things. It made me realize that if I'm going to get to heaven I’ll have to be more patient. Sorry that this week was kinda stressful! It made me realize that my problems are not so bad, and that I'm probably just a little bugged because I'm about to turn twenty. Puke BTW. But I’m glad that things are looking up! Thanks for always being such a good example to me all the time!

TeJay ... You’re such a parent. Good for you though, not spending too much money on cool stuff that isn't really a need in the moment. I'm proud of you. I'm a little insulted. When you added the show and who the actors were after their real names it seemed as though you assumed I lived under a rock my whole life. Thanks for the reminders though. It's the thought that counts right? Thanks again for being such a great example to me my whole life! You rock! Sorry that the kids play in your newly planted lawn though, always a bummer ...

Smashed potatoes ... I mean gravy. Thanks for the sermon, it actually helped a lot. Let's just say that I may be taking your advice this week sometime. I’m trying to sort everything out and make our apartment a happy place to live ... pray for me, you know how perswasive I can be ... also I apologize for what I just did to that word ... sorry. Sorry that being done with Artec was so hard, do me a favor, and write down what you learned from that experience, and keep it somewhere then you can review it like every year ... or next time that you get a calling that you think will be too hard!!

Stormmamfjofmsklcjkf ... thanks for the letter, it was really good!! Sorry about the little kid who is such a challenge ... Sometimes I feel the same way. Thanks for the encouragement and all the compliments ... Frankly it was easy to be a peacemaker. I just suggested that we make cookies and everyone is alright ... No big deal or anything, but when I get back, were making no bake cookies and death bars ... because well, I'm a cooking master!! Said in the really high pitched awesome voice of mine ... yeah, then we’ll eat them all!!!! Mwahahahahahaha hahahahahahaha hahahahahahaha hahahahahaha hahaha thanks for the letter, sorry that I'm a little early today!

So we have interviews with Budge Kaichou on Tuesday, should be fun. Always got some good questions for him... with him being so successful and all, I figure it's a good opportunity to do some good old fashion learning from others now. Other than that this week looks pretty low key, we are going to try to set some baptismal dates with some people, but they have all been investigator’ing for a long time, so it might be a little hard. It's gonna be fun though!!
Missionaries serving in the Saitama Stake
Well, this week was rough ... Well I mean this week is going to be rough. I'm no longer young in five days ... That's like only 120 hours ... then I turn to the dark side. The downhill slope. The dreary days of droning around till I wither and die ... On the bright side I become legal in Japan on Saturday! Slim comfort, but still comfort none the less. I feel as though life is almost over, my teenage years; gone in a flash. No longer am I able to use the line, "I'm just a nineteen year old punk kid; I don't know what's going on" because yea, I'm no longer nineteen. No longer in my blissful youth. But thrown out, like a bone to the vultures. Cast out of my youth, try as I might I cannot stay, ne'er to return. Tragic is my life, whoa is me, and not but sad days await. My dreary lament. But, that's in like five days! Whoooooo!!! Young forever!! I'm pretty sure I'll never actually grow up. I may get older and start having my body and mind fall apart ... but, I'll never NOT get excited about cookies for breakfast, OREO CEREAL, cake for dinner, ice cream for dessert, running around the house with my nephews and nieces, terrorizing the villagers, and frankly, I'm keeping "baby minky" my stuffed bear from Yellowstone till the day I'm dropped in the ground by my beloved family, because let's be honest, we all know that I’ll likely die at thirty-five of a heart attack ... All that cake might just get to me.

Thank you for all that you all do for me and for all of us. Did you notice that I found the emoticons! They're way legit right!!! (Emoticons did not survive the transfer to the blog ... Sorry)

Love Griffiths Choro, still a little kid, I'm not even an adult in this country!!
Love you all ... By the way, remember when I bought that bear?


Looks like the Left
Foot is Bigger than
the Right One?
ps. I think I got a foot bacteria from my roommate ... That's what he said it was at least. I took some pictures, and I'm going to show Budge Shimai when I see her tomorrow at interviews, but lemme know what you think, it doesn't hurt or anything, not even itch. See picture below; I think a lot of it is just calluses, but there are little dots that he says is the same bacteria that he got, don't worry, busted out my flip flops this morning, and I only found out that he had it last night. I know, my fault for not using them all the time ... Sorry about that!
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Monday, April 21, 2014

DD 7.15 ... five days ... Kawagoe ...

Brother C, Griffiths Choro, Brother T (in Togane)
Eikaiwa in Toke
In March only 4 were attending, he knew attendance could improve
So yeah, I totally transferred ... got the call on Wednesday, packed up and left on Thursday ... I'm in Saitama east zone, in the Kawagoe Ward ... it's good, my comp is Watanabe Choro, from South Jordan, Utah, he went to Bingham, petty cool, good Japanese, nice kid, transfer six ... just one transfer less than me.

Are you still in a threesome?
Nope, I’m in a different zone, Stevens Choro is staying in Togane though, and he's the new DL.

How did you spend your Easter?
The usual, talked to some people about Christ, showed them the awesome ‘Because of Him’ video ... stuff like that, dendoed way hard.

Do you know how to play Cribbage? Sam is obsessed with teaching everyone, feel sad for us!!
Nope ... thank goodness I'm in Japan

What is your new companion's full name?
Watanabe Choro
Griffiths Choro and Watanabe Choro
Where is he from? What part of Japan?
America ... Utah ...

Do you ever wish you had a head lamp? Are you allowed to wear them?
I have one, I use it every night when I pray ... and I look like a boss if I have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.

Can you understand what the children are singing when they sing in Japanese?
…Yes I Can!!!!!!!!! Whoooo! Understanding a four year old!!

Dad, I just thought that you should know that I have no idea about being a father ... but, having trained someone, I realized having others succeed is so much cooler than doing it myself ... thank you for the insight that you wrote me about! I've always like that scripture, but I liked your perspective, thanks so much! (Matthew 13:3-8 - Parable of the Sower; Dad's Commentary: the last line of the parable, as we sow our seeds, remember that we are our own source for our seeds.)

Mom, it is really nice to see the world form a child's eyes. I wish that I could go back and see people for the best that they are, and not understand cruelty or why people are so mean. It brings new meaning to the scripture that says we need to become like little children, not naïve, but innocent ... cool story, glad the kids are good. (Note from Mom's Letter: We had our Easter lesson in Primary today. Some of the children were shocked when we showed them the picture of Jesus hanging on the cross. One little boy just blurted out "but why would they do that?" Throughout the rest of the lesson, they just kept asking the same question, why did they do that? We kept explaining but they never really understood. They just couldn't comprehend that anyone would be that mean. Ahhh, to be so innocent that you don't understand that people can be cruel, or treat others badly. It is an eye opening experience to see things through the eyes of a four year old. I really do love teaching my class, four is the perfect age. They say everything that they think, and they think the world is a wonderful place.)

TeJay, I’m totally down with you not writing me every week, I wouldn't expect anyone to! Thank you for the thought and the letter though, always good to hear that you want to name B2 Stark or Sherlock ... how did you get Crystal to marry you again? Oh wait, you’re BOTH going to Comic Con, I remember :-). Sorry to hear that your kid likes to play in his own fecal matter ... thanks for the mental image by the way! Quite he word picture. Hope all is well!!


Space Potatos ... Pic sent by Sam
Sam ... Why didn't you just run the marathon? Problems solved! I heard about the ferry accident in Korea; terrible right? We did some English practice with some people, and read that story with them. About the mission in Taiwan ... way jealous!! Sounds awesome! I love it! I do remember the guy who was running ... he was way old ... like really old, maybe I'm thinking of the dad that was there too, but he was really old, like dad's age wasn't he? Hmmmmm interesting ... Terrible picture, by the way! Almost puked, and dropped my iPad ... You're evil.

Stormaggeddddonn, the dark lord of all ... still, remember when you thought Stormageddon was a monster, then found out it was a baby? Good times. Sorry that you didn't get the job, but who wants to work at a charter school anyways, you’re probably just too good for them, couldn't pay you enough, that's all. Sorry to hear about the lack of friends ... there's always a large bucket of ice cream, or Taco Tuesday ... my personal choice though would be Reese’s Stuffed Oreos ... you know it!! Get well soon, maybe read your patriarchal blessing. (Totally spelled that right!!)

So this week was interesting, got a call on Wednesday saying that I'm leaving Togane, to go to Kawagoe, get here and I’m companion with a Choro I've been of splits with beforehand. I’m pretty much the oldest missionary in the area except a Shimai who is a transfer nine, and White Choro, my doki, same transfer.

I miss being in the Chiba Stake like crazy, I didn't realize how valuable the Transfer Calls on Monday are, by waiting until Wednesday to get the call, I feel as though I was ripped out, right in the middle of doing something, and ended up in a strange land … totally out of my comfort zone. No chance to say goodbye, no final Sunday at church, no closure … but five days, all I have to do is make it five days and I'll be all right, I will love this place and I won’t want to leave … five days! That's what I've heard ... That's what worked before when I was transferred to Togane ... ok … I'm hoping that it works again. It's a good area ... I'll send some pictures too, but sometimes I really miss my old home ... I mean apartment. It’s been rough, but it's all good.

Does God ever give us way more than we can handle. Sometime I feel as though I'm just about to break and the only thing holding me together is the small voice that says, this is what missionaries do. They move, they go on, and when things get hard, they go hard, and do the work of The Lord. Sometimes it seems impossible that God, our Father in Heaven would do things to us that would seem to break us mentally or emotionally, or physically, but then we remember that this life is a test, and when are tests ever easy, we may have studied really hard before we came, and aced all the home work, but life isn't always like that, it's a changing test, full of problems and situations that we couldn't have studied for because we knew we would forget everything AND need to rely on faith ... Sometimes I really hate faith, it's supposed to solve all of our problems, but rarely can we see the results, or even the end, when we are in the middle of said problem ... life can be hard, and often times, life is extremely unfair. Sometime I ask myself if this is all worth it, if I can go another day, or even go another hour ... but then, we do, we hold one for one more moment, we go the extra hour, we do the things that we thought were impossible, and frankly should be, all because we have faith ...

Faith is what motivates us, faith is what gives us the strength to go on, because even if we have the desire to believe as Alma says, then that desire accesses the vast stores of energy or patience or whatever we need, that God is so willing to give to us in our time of need. It's ironic that the very word that drives me crazy sometimes, is the thing that keeps me going, I know that it will get better, I know that it will not be this hard forever. I know that no matter what happens, God IS my loving Father in Heaven, and is doing so much for all of us! Sometimes I wish we could see the chariots of fire and the angels round about us ... sometimes they are hard to see and feel. I know that they are there doing all that they can to help us out.

I love that knowledge. It brings such peace to mind, such comfort to my soul, and such joy to heart. Sometimes life is hard, but we just have to remember that life isn't all of it, there is so much to it than that, we just have to have a little bit of faith, and trust in God and in Christ, because of him, because of them; we, and all things that are wrong in this life, can be made right.

That's my spiel for the week, I wanna go back and make if all poetic and awesome, but I can barely read what I wrote, sorry about that. Good Luck Dad, thanks in advance.
Love you all!!
Elder Griffiths
I always had a good nose ... and it led me to pure joy!!
Pure Joy
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Monday, April 14, 2014

DD 6.65 ... it's all about losing yourself and focusing on others ...

Togane District
Left:  Griffiths Choro, Stevens Choro, Young Choro, Cannon Choro,
Richards Shimai, Snow Shimai, Tan Shimai, Nakamura Shimai  :Right

Photo courtesy of Snow Shimai's Blog
Are you being transferred?
Nope … I'm not transferring. I'm getting a new companion though,  he's Nihongo, and a transfer three. So we will be a threesome.

Did anyone else in your district get transferred?
Cannon Choro, and Richards Shimai. Snow Shimai is now training a new missionary, who is Nihongo.

Are you doing anything for Easter?
I don't know … maybe we will have a primary program.

Are all the church buildings in Japan as intense as yours? It's like a temple!
Pretty much, didn't you ever see a picture of my last church? The one in Matsudo, not in our Zone, is the biggest one in South Asia.

Are the pics you've been sending from your camera? If not, do you still take some with your camera?
iPad, can't send any from my camera

How were the meals at the members houses? Any nut problems?
Delicious, no problems ... It was a YSA party, so we got in good with all the college kids.

How is your laundry schedule going? Did you clean another suit this general conference?
I didn't … I forgot ... but it's all good here in the hood.

Have you fallen off your bike again?
Not yet, fingers crossed …

Is there an American part of town in Tokyo? Like Chinatown in San Francisco? Is it in Roppongi Hills?
Roppongi Hills is like the Hollywood of Japan ... they have stuff from all over the world there.

Is this the week you switch to Facebook?
Maybe ... don't really know.

Father ... Where did you get that picture of the six of us? I don't even remember it being taken ... so long ago! Any who, are Kenny and Scott, and Daniel all on missions now? I thought that I heard that Daniel was, but I don't really know for sure. Lemme know if you can find out. Also the picture of the tree was really cool ... I've saved it and plan on using it in some lessons ...
(Note from Dad's last letter:  Just in case you forget that Sakura season is not limited to Japan, here is a picture of the blossoms on the Pear Tree in our front yard … I found it interesting to see the dark clouds on one side of the tree while on the other side the sky is clear and blue, no sign of turbulence … how like our lives, rare is the time that all is lost or all is wonderful … usually in our lives we face both the bounty and burdens as life presses on … I have grown to appreciate the sayings that you mother has plastered on our walls: 1. We do hard things, with his help. 2. Live, Laugh, Love; Live well, Laugh Often, Love Much. 3. Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain. 4. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.)
Mom, talk about feeling the joy of the gospel, because when we recognize that we have benefited from the gospel, we are more likely to want to share it with others. Something that I just had everyone do in our last District Meeting was to come up with a personal experience for every principle of the gospel. I know that as I have been doing it for the last month I have seen how much the gospel has helped me in my life and what it has brought to me ... it's pretty interesting. I would talk about desire if it were me … but, it's up to you.

Jandee!!!! And Jaden!!!! It's so good to hear that everything is going well!! Sorry to hear about Jaden’s knee, that doesn't sound like to much fun, but it's good to know that it is doing better! The pictures of the kids were adorable! They are so cute! I love that the boys are so active! I'm jealous, we only get like thirty minutes in the morning to run around and be energetic ... and it's way too short!!! I love them so much! I'm so psyched too see them again!!

Sam, real rock climbing, cheap prescriptions, spiritual thought, all in the same letter ... very interesting ... I'm glad that you are sad about Artec being over, remember when you first started and were not super thrilled about it? That was a bummer, and now here you are, sad to leave. Thanks for the spiritually uplifting message, I really needed it this week. It's hard to admit that I'm not perfect at everything, and it is probably a good thing that I'm not. As much as I wish that I was, I feel as though I’m able to learn so much more because I'm not ... I agree with you.

Stor ... yes, how you signed your letter … wookie noises are pretty sweet! Sorry that you seem to be a little ornery ... just don't be an ornery-a-saurus ... as mom said that one time … remember … a grump-a-saurus-rex is really, really lame. Ice bullets are pretty sick ... remind me to get into the physics club when I get back, it sounds legit ... and hopefully they ate the giant gummy worm egg thingy ... Delicious! I approve of this grilled cheese madness ... Cheese is way expensive here, so we never really buy it, but it sounds way good!!

So this week was very interesting. We had conference just barely … my favorite part of what I missed Saturday night (the Priesthood Session), Eyring Kaichou talked about prayer ... pretty much, my prayers are not good prayers, and I need to repent. Good talk right? They should be full of gratitude towards God, the more unselfish that our prayers become, the more of a "priesthood man" we are able to become. I find it interesting that in the gospel of Jesus Christ, it's all about losing yourself and focusing on others. The times when we really progress in this life is when we are not acting out of a desire to improve our own lives, but out of a desire to improve the lives of those around us. Often that is what brings us the most joy. I know that there have been times when I stop focusing on myself, and lose myself in this great and glorious work, and that is when I grow the most. It's not when I'm trying to grow and progress, because usually when I'm doing that, I'm focusing too much on me, not on the people around me.

My favorite talk was If Ye Lack Wisdom, by Aidukaitis Choro ... it reminded me of all the garbage that I used to spend my time on. Yeah, a lot of it was important stuff that had to get done, but a lot of stuff was ... well, garbage ... I've come to realize while I've been here that the important things in life are those of the gospel. Yeah, everyone who reads this email and knows me when I get back is just going to laugh and say I'm a hypocrite, but I think, that the perfect desire would be to do what we have to do in life to get along, and then spend the rest of our  time doing things that matter in life ... like learning or building relationships ... the things that we will be able to take with us when we die ... but once again, when I get back, I'm sure that my desires will lessen, and I'll get sucked right back into playing minesweeper between classes while I eat pop tarts for lunch ... a dismally doomed future if you ask me. But still, as much as we all wish to avoid the time wasting garbage that consumes all of our lives, I'm sure that we all would love to be perfectly productive all the time, but sometimes it's just nice to sit there and make the land safe by clearing all of the mines ... public service if you will.

Other than conference this week was pretty good, we found some Chinese people to teach, set a baptismal date with one of them, May eleventh, and struggled to get people to come to church. A couple of weeks ago, we had fourteen people come to church, since then we have had like four ... really rough, but we are making plans and setting goals to get more this week, if all goes well, we’ll have 16 this week, plus anyone else we find during the week!! Should be way exciting!!


I loved conference, all the talks were way good. We went back to Inage to watch it. And I'm not sure if it was seeing my old companion again, or my old area, or just watching conference, but it brought on a wave of nostalgia ... it was pretty rough. I know that I've moved on and that I am where I am because I need to be here, but still, it was hard to leave after being there for but a few hours.

We were talking the other day about our last transfers (the transfer from Tokyo to Riverton). I suspect my feelings are going to change ... today, I think it will be exciting ... but I suspect (sorry family) that leaving Japan will be so much worse than leaving America. It's hard to admit now ... actually, no it's quite easy ... I love it all, the heartbreak of dropped investigators, the thrill of progress, the terrifying nerves that come every week when I have to prepare training for those I have been given a responsibility for. This has been the hardest ten months of my life, but I can't imagine myself anywhere else.

I know that growing up is a part of life, but sometimes it really sucks. As I'm approaching my "year mark" all I can think about is "it's hasn't been a year has it?” It seems like yesterday I was playing minesweeper at the hub, going rock climbing, and frankly, being terrified about serving for two years and leaving the home where I had grown up ... But I wouldn't trade these ten short months for anything.

I love you all and understand if you don't have time to write, we all have lives and I recognize that! Looking forward to hearing from you, in a week, a month, or in 14, seemingly long but incredibly short, months.

Until next time Elder Griffiths
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Tuesday, April 8, 2014

DD 6.56 ... T-Day ... the Sakura Blossoms came ...

None of y’all found my station? I'm disappointed in your half hearted efforts ... Shaaaame.

Have you had hay fever now that you are in a more rural area?
No, my eyes are hurting, but I think it's just cuz I'm super tired.

Does the Togane building have a baptismal font?
Yes ... It's quite nice. 
Me in front of the Togane Chapel
You mentioned a baptism in Chosei, was that a typo? Dad found a city by that name which looked like it is within the Togane Ward boundary.
It is the Chosei Ward that was having a baptism, so we took some of our investigators.

Dad did baptisms in the ocean while serving in Florida. Is that an option in Japan?
... I'm going to be looking into that now. We are pretty far from the ocean, but ... well ... worth it.

Does your apartment building have a 13th floor?
We do, in Japan the fourth is superstitious ... But no one cares enough to not put it in a building.

Did dad find your apartment?
Yes!! I think he even has the right apartment too!! Our neighbors have some tree things, which I didn't see, but I think they might be new.

Ben sent home a package containing his monthly planners. Are you keeping yours? Or throwing them away as you are finished with them?
I only have six, and I'm not sure if I'll still be using them after this transfer ... cuz of the iPads and all, I'm planning on bringing the ones that I do have home thou.

Do you have enough money each month?? I know you are amazing at budgeting, but do you ever need more?
I'm a budgeting boss ...

How much does it cost to ride the train to the temple from Oami?
Like 2600¥, I think … round trip. The only people that are too far to come are the people on Niigata ... we woke up at five, others woke up at three.

What was the best thing you ate this week?
Homemade stuff that we made in the apartment, Young Choro really likes to cook fancy food. We made like fried rice and homemade taco meat ... it was way good.

When will you get to watch conference?
We will this Saturday and Sunday, we are going to Inage ... my old area!!! Wahoo!!

Parentals: father, I'm sorry to hear that you were lonely at priesthood meeting ... But still, no need to point out to me that I'm almost at my year mark ... I'm kinda freakin’ out about it ... I'm glad to hear that this week was an exciting week though, I'm all for neighborhood watch! Mainly because I feel as though it will encourage mom to get her concealed weapons permit ... which let’s be honest … would be the greatest thing ever ... I'm all for it!!! Yes, father, you did find my apartment ... I'm glad it wasn't too hard, it's like the only building in the whole city ... But finding my room was impressive! I hope that y'all had fun with Porter this last week too!

Sam! I also approve of dad's conference watching actives ... I'm a little jealous actually. I have only one thing to say about your letter ... that was a lot of information to get in thirty seconds ... name the episode. Your roommate? Sounds pretty legit, I'm a little confused though is she going on a mission, or did she just get back? I'm a little confused on that bit. This week sounds like it was crazy, feel good about biking Antelope Island though, lemme know how it is, and then we can do it again when I get back!! Wahoo!!!

Storm trooper scooper pooper.... Hehehe, yeah, I just chuckled ... glad that the job search is going so well this time of year! Hopefully it picks up soon. Sounds fun having all these awkward moments recently ... one of my friends always told me that "it's only as awkward as you make it" ... yeah, but, my thoughts are that there are other people there too that can make it just as awkward right? Boom, theory blown. Sorry for the other people making life so awkward ... unless it really was you, then, well, sorry about that too. I hope that everything goes well is week. I miss Logan ... and driving Clyde ... and running the endless hills that make up campus ... AND I really miss swimming! I never thought I would say that, but I really, really do ... it's been too long.

No, not a pool, the rice fields after it rained.
Brother C, Brother T, Stevens Choro, Griffiths Choro
So this week was interesting, we went to the Sakura Park with Brother T and his friend Brother C (the one with glasses), it was way sick.  We didn't really do much this week, we were not really able to teach anyone, except on Monday ... more on that later. It was a good week, the Sakura Blossoms came and it was way pretty ... Oohs and aahs were said multiple times, there wasn't a really good spot to see them here, but next year, I'll hit it up way good!
Why yes ... I can take photographs artistically
#spring #sakura 
#artsyfartsy #prettyflower #nature
So on Monday, we met with this referral from Oyumino ... we met him and he's hilarious, way sarcastic, and just really cool ... quirks, everyone has them though, so Brother J’s job … he's a model ... to be fair, he is very stylish ... yeah, he's a pretty fly guy, I love him to death, and we will baptize him for sure ... he's a devoted Catholic, with high morals too! He way great ... he is my marshmallow ... Mwhahahahahaha hahahahahahaha hahahahahahaha hahahahahaha!!?, so there is a Mormon Message about marshmallows and patient children who waited and got a second marshmallow ... it's motivational, should be in the gospel library on the iPad. but yeah, I'll send some pics now, they speak better anyways.

Love you all!!!
Elder Greiddirhs
6612 6053

Saturday, April 5, 2014

From the river bottoms in Riverton, Utah ... where are you now ...


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Elder Kenneth Marse - Pennsylvania Philadelphia Mission
Elder Scott Bawden - Illinois Chicago Mission
Elder Trenton Griffiths - Japan Tokyo Mission

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Elder Daniel Butterfield - Arizona Tucson Mission
Elder Nicholas Simms - El Salvador San Salvador East Mission
Elder Benjamin Paxman - Indiana Indianapolis Mission
I hope they call me on a mission ... when I have grown a foot or two ...