Hello and Happy New Year!

Hello and happy new year! Well I feel like I emailed you recently and not much has happened since then but I will try to fill up an email so you don't fly over here and kill me. So these last few days have been good. Since we are in downtown Sendai transfers had a lot of people staying the night with us. Kinda annoying because they eat all our food and kinda fun because we get to hear other stuff from around the mission. The funnest part was my old ZL came and stayed the night and the next morning while we are exercising he told me to come over so I do and he looks at me and says, "H" choro made a goal to exercise more in the mornings, follow up" and hands me the phone. It was way fun, he didn't even know it was me for awhile. I chastised him pretty good too. Ha. Anyway. Also another huge blessing was because everyone is coming to Sendai one of the elders on the bus talked to the guy next to him and this guy had a ridiculous amount of interest! So we received that referral. Way excited about that guy. Anyway. We also met with "O"-san and "B"-san this week which was good and has been quite awhile. But this last week it was hard to meet with a lot of the people because everyone returns to their family's city during the beginning of the year. (Think Mary and Joseph returning to Bethelehem, its like that). So that was a bummer but this next week we should be able to meet with people. So yeah that means Mr. College student from last week we still haven't talked to. We try though. This next week will be busy with zone leader council, Zone meeting, etc. There is a lot of good stuff going on. Anyway. So yeah today there was not much time. I don't want to rant so I won't point fingers but yeah. Oh and by the way the world didn't end in 2012, this occurred to me the other day. As a missionary seems like a good place to be at the end of the world. From there various things we did but nothing too interesting. This zone leader council will probably be boring because we already know what will be talked about. I go through Shinno choro for all my needs. We have a good relationship. So thats basically it for the week.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Hey peeps! Long time no talk right?! Like 9 days! Actually a lot has happened in those 9 days but still. Lets get down to business. So we had Christmas as you were all a part of at the beginning. Then from there we went around visiting Single/older members of the ward trying to be like santa (We even had a red bag of presents) but sadly like no one way home. They seemed to appreciate the presents we left though. And then that night was spent at an LAs that we had never met but a member made the appointment for us so that was fun. The husband had me find our house on his iPads Google Earth. That can make you trunky pretty fast. Then it was back to business as usual. Well kinda. Apparently its a japanese thing that invite missionaries over during the end and beginning of the year (This explains while in Furukawa at the beginning we got fed a ton). So we have had a lot of meals and its interesting because there are 6 missionaries in this area we teach together and have to figure out how we will attack these 2 people or family most effectly. But its been fun and 3 of the families we went to the husband was either LA or not a member so that was a lot of fun. Nothing major happend but just good relationships being built I think. They were all very open to talking with us. Truth be told they were way awesome. Oh and then we helped a member take down the Christmas stuff at the church on the 26th (No mercy right!) and about thirty minutes after we left she calls us and tells us that a college student just came to the church and said he wanted to learn about the church. (From this point I'm just going to copy what I sent to president Rasmussen)"....about thirty minutes later saying that after we left some random man walked in off the street and said he wanted to learn about the church. Can you say blessing? YES! It was way cool. She got his name, a little info, and his number and we were able to call him and set up an appointment for the next day. Didn't have a whole lot of information but had his age and that he is going to graduate school so what would you know we had a member a lot like that that was able to joint. Once we hear his story it turned out that he had studied abroad in California and met a Jason who had introduced him to the church. Before we even knew this he reached into his bag and pulled out an english Book of Mormon. Ha. Little by little we were able to discover this story from questions he would have. Ex. "What is a 'Sister'?" "Where did you hear that?" "They were with Jason." "Were they two young females" "Yeah.....how did you know?" (Thought)"Lucky guess" Ha. Asked him if he prayed and he opened up his Book of Mormon to its first page and there these fine sisters had written out the steps of praying.....of course in English. Ha. It was kinda cool. Seems that because of various factors including this language barrier he didn't hear much of the message but he is definitely searching for a purpose to life now. Way cool." End Quote. So yeah that was a blessing. So we have only been able to meet with him once so far but still have hope. Lets see what else has happened this week. We had our special New Years schedule so we deep cleaned for 8 hours on Monday. Monday was also transfers and only two people transfered in the whole zone although one of the sisters I was district leader over is coming into the zone so that is cool. No one in my district is changing so way boring transfer. Then the next day we went to a shrine and worshipped there.......I mean we payed our respects to the culture. In order to do this prayer thing you have to through like 5 Yen (5 cents) in this pot. So I was stuck in this line and so I think. Oh well. Its 5 yen so I throw it in and while its still in the air I think. "Hm......technically that tithing money......oh well" Then I rang the big bell. Ha. I also got my fortune. Apparently, according to this fortune, there will be a lot of people telling me to get married and a lot of people telling me not to get married this year......I feel like I have already started hearing this *Cough* Steven *Cough*. Just saying :-) Other than that pretty normal life. Thats all for today but I'll email again in like 5 more days....so yeah. Until then.

Death by food

Hey what up family!

Kinda suprised to actually get a letter today from you. Half expected to come to nothing.  Yay for being wrong.  Anyway.  This week was busy. (Yes I know I always say that ).  We had two splits this week, one in Nagamachi with a missionary by the name of "E" choro and another with "S" choro who is in the same apartment as me.  They were good.  "E" choro...... that was an adventure.  Also spent some time with President as his joint talking to a nearby assisted living place to see if we could use their gym for activities, carol there, or do serve there.  Ha. Its terrifying to be with the man.  Walks in like he owns the place but it all worked out. Wouldn't let us carol but the other two seem to be success.  Then "S" choros split was fun just because we biked to the top of the mountain. My last two areas really haven't had mountains but this one does. Whoof! You get outside of the city and its terrifying.  Its like going back in time....to Yokote.  It was funny because "S" choro has been in small areas too so when we arrived we just looked at each other and realized how comfortable we are in such an area. Ended up not even being able to meet the person we wanted to but oh well.  

After that there was a lot of preparation for the Christmas party this last saturday.  We got given a lot of things to do not only for missionary work but also just to help the ward so that kinda killed a lot of our time.  It turned out way good I think though and there were a lot of non-members that members had brought.  So that kept us busy but we like that kind of busy.  Then last night we got invited to Sister "F"'s house. Now a little backround on this woman. She is the cook for President and Sister "R". I think she is a professional cook. She is also a translator, therefore her english is probably better than mine.   Anyway. This woman is known throughout the mission for trying to kill missionaries with food each transfer.  I have been terrified since I came here and lo and behold it happened last night.  Ha. Just to show you how it happens you walk in. There is no room for your own plate because the table is covered so much and then there is three bottles of pepto bismol on a nearby table.  I don't even know where she got this pepto bismol beacuse it is not sold in Japan.  She also had a turkey. I haven't had turkey in a year an a half. Japanese people have never eaten it in their life. I had to show them how. They tried to eat the legs like chicken. Ha. Which brings me to my next part. Father......you didn't teach me how to carve a turkey......this became a problem because nobody knew how so they look at the americans and everyone just whimped out so I had to. Not that I'm prideful but I did a fine job but still. Probably would have been better if I had a little training. But yeah we all about died. There was pizza too with about a pound of cheese on each slice. Which I'm sure your probably thinking. "Elder Carter (It feels weird to even call myself my first name) would love that" I haven't eaten cheese in forever and even when I do its in very small quanitities because if the product comes from a cow its way expensive here.  Anyway. I could go on and on about this meal but yeah.  Then today we are going to go caroling and then go to the Honbu Family Home Evening.  Then tomorrow just a normal day of missionary work. Fun Christmas right? I thought so.  

Anyway, sounds like you will have an interesting Christmas too with no children.  Glad to hear Atreyu had a merry Christmas and that he is a grateful little human.  There will be no Christmas cake for us. You have to order those like 3 months in advance. 

Anyway. Always only report on the strange things and never the actual missionary events. Sorry. Come up with lots of questions tomorrow and I will try to answer. Still not really anything on my list of things to talk about.  Anyway. Talk to you (For real) tomorrow. 

Japanese Funeral

Hello family! 

How are  you all this week? Hope everyone is good.  Another busy week.  Things will eventually settle down I'm assuming but only time will tell. The big event of the week was of course Zone conference.  It basically took up all our extra time to get ready for it.  And we asked some of the sisters to do a musical number but they were way too shy and wouldn't do it so we had to throw together a hand bell arrangement (They love hand bells in Japan for some reason) so that was crazy.  

Oh and to add to it we got a call from our Stake President Monday night saying that if we had time to come to the church the next day.  We didn't have any appointments and we will do basically anything for the Stake President so we go and what is it.....a funeral..... Kinda.  So I don't know if I have already said this but I think its illegal to bury someone in Japan. Everyone is cremated so we walk in, we know its a funeral at this point but it took me off guard when the stake president walked in and put this big fancy white box on the table. I think, "Whats in the box.....oh wait" Yeah. Then it occured to me why he asked us to come..... Other than us there was the stake president, his wife, his daughter, the passed away man's sister and their two friends. We didn't even fill up the first row of seats. Way drepressing.  But now I can say I have been to a japanese funeral.  Anyway. 

Then Crazy preparations for zone conference. Have I said this is the biggest zone?  I could feel it as we set up chair and places for people to stand. But yeah. We barely made it in time. Oh then the mic broke.  So Everett choro (AP) and I are trying to get it to work and "S" choro has other stuff he wants to do so finally he walks up to us, looks at "E" Choro, gets on his knees, folds his arms, and says, "Lets do this" Ha. Half were inspired by his faith and half just laughed.  In the end we just told everyone to yell but nevertheless it was a good experience.  We did our sudden role play like always which was funny because this time, half just to mess with the sister because she couldn't speak japanese, we included the couple missionaries names in the possibitlities.  And yep, they got picked.  They did well though.  

Then we had our training which went long but was good.  I think.  Then lunch was straight crazy with the stake relief society taking care of business with the most amazing meal ever and then gift exchange which is always fun.  This year everything had to be red.  Then testimony meeting which was fun because before it we tried to surprise President but singing him a song but I think he already knew.  Oh well. It was cool.  Then we had the normal testimony meeting which I conducted which I about puked doing.  But the saddest part was at the beginning I said those going home before next zone conference should give their testimonies first and I start to sit down and I see "S" choro get up..... I about lost it. NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess I knew this day would come sometime.  But he is awesome. Never really realized it back in the day. Then from there people always go long so I made little 3x5 cards that the first one said "Within 3 minutes please", Next, "You have 30 more seconds" and the last "That was a good testimony.....now go sit down" Ok so those aren't so funny in English but "S" choro just busted up at the japanese because it was way horrific and way like.....Sit your butt down. I made my father proud.  President also high fived me for it because he doesn't like people taking up lots of time.  

From there splits with "S" choro who was my kohai in the MTC which was fun.  Then Friday night Stake Missionary Coordination Meeting. Talk about more stress. Basically in our makeshift high council room with all the high councilors either sitting around the table or conference called (Skyped) in and then the two punk missionaries at the end telling all these high councilors and stake preisdent what to do.  Ha. Then getting asked a lot of questions that I don't know the answer to but in awe of the actual respect these people are showing us.   Then I look at the clock and its. 8:57 and we just look at the stake president, slightly bow and then run as fast as we can to make it back to the apartment in 3 minutes! Ha. I run way too much.  Anyway.  That was my week. Love you. Bye bye

7.3 Earthquake

Ok so no time this week because the next people come to email in a few minutes.  Wow this week was busy.  

This Monday we had the regular day and then a birthday party for all the missionaries that have had birthdays in the last 6 months in Kamisugi which was funny because one of the sisters doesn't eat chocolate and those cakes were pure chocolate. Then the next day we spent basically the day prepping for all the zone leaders coming to Sendai for zone leader council and President recieved revelation on a change he wanted to do 5 hours before it began so that was fun to make the changes for that night.  Then we went to zone leader councils activity.  The activity was gonig around to less actives and such and just spreading christmas cheer and we got to drive around with Kaicho(President)  in his car and wow did I gain respect for the Nagamachi missionaries. Those are some of the longest and steepest hills I have ever seen in my life and they go up them everyday on their bikes.  

Then the next day actual zone leader council which is just pure information spat at your face. Then Eikaiwa that night. Trying to throw a bunch of stuff together for the next day which is zone training meeting where we have to teach our zone everything we learned the previous day and do training and yes I'm tired just writing about that.  Then a rest from that for the rest of the day.  

Then Friday we did a little streeting and then got a call from president asking if he can do weekly planning with us and of course you can't say no.  So we did that with him.    Anyway, he even biked from the hombu to our apartment which is pretty impressive. 

Anyway he leaves and and about 30 minutes later the phone is on the desk and it goes off but the picture is not the normal envelope saying email its a guy running which the second it occurred what it was the ground started to shake.  As you know it was a pretty good one.  Then we read the email and it said it was a big earthquake but we just continued with the sound of car alarms and the apartmenty fire alarm going off.  Then we get a mail from the assistants saying that Tagajo *area in our zone* has a tsunami warning.  This causes confusion because ishonomaki *different area* is closer to the coast but yeah. So we try to call and it won't connect, phones are dead.....well that stressful.  Finally get half way through and it says that the number can't be reached because of a disaster.  From there we had to get a hold of everyone in the zone to make sure they were safe but the phones don't work so we have to use this ghetto version of texting that only works every once in awhile but at this same time we suit up and start biking to all the members houses we can to make sure they are ok.  Ha.  it was an interesting night.  Anyway. yeah.  That was the most exciting thing of the week.  This week we have zone conference so that is stressing us out right now because there is no time to plan for it.  We will see how that goes.  Anwyay. No time. Love you all. Talk to you later. 

Busy, busy, busy

Hey everyone. 

A ridciulously busy week here in Sendai.  I feel like I have run around with my head cut off for a week and I have also been exhausted so Ohori choro has kinda had to just pull me around.  Not even sure what to say about this week.  It was good I guess.  

I feel like I'm kinda cursed with investigators.  Weren't able to meet any this week which was depressing. So yeah....not a whole lot to say about that. 

I went around to all the district meetings in the zone this week which took a whole day basically but it was fun to see other people around the mission.  Kinda terrifying to be at the Nagamachi district meeting and asking the assistants to do stuff for the zone.....aka....asking Shinno choro my father to do things.  It was fun to catch up with him a little over the last few random times we have had a minute or two to just chat.  Also there are a ton of people that come to Eikaiwa(English class) which was scary.  I actually have to teach these people english. Although they freaked on me when I gave them homework.  Ha. Whoops. ;-)  Oh well they will live.  

Lets see, what else.  Had splits with the APs this week but my split kinda became....well interesting because...ok quick japanese lesson.  So in order to get your license in Japan if you are Japanese you have to go through driving school which is pretty long I think and way expensive and your license itself is also way expensive and all this jazz so most Japanese elders don't have a license and the church sure isn't going to pay for one and all this schooling.  So our assitants *(The only one that have cars) normally have one foreigner and one japanese elder.  The foreigner just has to prove that he has a foreign license, pay like 50 dollars and pass the practical test.  So the American is the driver for the companionship.  Well.........good old "E" choro failed his first time last week which is too be expected because they are way strict here.  But he planned on taking it again on Wednesday and he was surely going to pass that time...... Well let me explain the phone call I got on Wednesday.

Shinno-"So.......splits are going to change tomorrow?"

Me-"Why?"

Shinno-"We may have had an accident at the driving center"

Me-"Accident?"

Shinno-"Yes....."

Me-"Everett choro hit something! Wow that stinks"

Shinno-(Didn't really understand I think)-"We need to come back tomorrow but we have appointments in Nagamachi and yeah....accident"

Me-".....are you guys ok? Like why does he have to go back? What did you break?"

Phone gets taken from Shinno choro and "E" choro picks it up in an aggitated voice

Everett-"Hey Elder Carter I ran a stop sign in my drivers test and we need to come back for a retake"

-Me trying to hold back laughter-

Me-"Ok...." 

Yes did it need that much explanation no, but it was the highlight of my week so we spent the majority of the day in Izumi and the testing center but he passed!  It was fun though because everyone in our waiting room (Not only Americas DMV is slow but japans too) were foreigners so I got to talk to a lot of different type of people.  Then normal splits from there. Kinda funny to do splits with someone in my area that had 2 weeks previous just finished working 6 months in that area.... Yeah I was the one that didn't know the area at all.  It was all very fun.  From there what else happened.

Oh FHE was way fun at the mission home.  American food, watched a christmas church movie, all that jazz.  

Also this weekend we had a sports activity which was way fun.  Bigger areas have so many activities its ridiculous.  

Not sure if I said this last week but I finished the Book of Mormon in Japanese.......yeah be impressed. 

Random fact about this zone. We have two district leaders.....ones name is Elder Sanders.......one is Elder Saunders........in Japanese they are pronounced the same........ I have already wanted to beat my head into the wall numerous times over this......

First week in Kamisugi as Zone Leader

Hello family.  So its been a ridiculously busy week over the last week but whatever.  Taken some getting used to to understand everything that is going on.  It reminds me of the general conference talk by Elder Uchtdorf.  All my branches have been like the old Piper Cub and now i'm in the Blue Angels jet.  Its way cool but terrifying.  I'm sure I will get used to it.  But yes there are 6 missionaries in this ward alone so that is pretty crazy if you ask me.  

But yeah we went through all the normal stuff.  Got all packed up. It snowed some more in Yokote so that was an adventure.  Went through various things there.  I think there might at least have been one person that misses me threre.  Our eternal investigator came to the bus stop to send me off which was nice.  Came to Sendai we joined there Eikaiwa  (there are actually people there.  Then on the ride back to the mission home Ohori choro filled me in on some of the stuff we had to do that night and off we went.  I was that night  calling our district leaders which one is my kohai in the MTC who couldn't believe that I would be the zone leader. Oh well.  Anyway.  From there its all been kinda a blur. 

The people here have a lot of missionary fire which is awesome.  Especially the Ward mission leader.  He has more fire then President Rasmussen ...... maybe. I still don't even know a lot of things that are going on.  Elder Ohori kinda just goes off and does his thing sometimes.  Oh well.  I will have more information though as the time goes by.  Every month president has a FHE at his home so that is tonight and we are going with an investigator so that should be fun. Never have had a chance to go but this time we can.  Yay.

Way funny that you are reading Lay choros blog.  He was the AP when I came in.......therefore he could get all those pictures.  Even if you are an AP you don't even see all the Churches.  So yes that would be a nice idea but yeah.  Also one of you mentioned a mission christmas party......we don't have those in Japane.  The only time the mission has gathered in probably years is when Elder Oaks came and that cost the church a couple thousand dollars easy to get us all there.  Sounds like Thanksgiving and black friday were basically a success which is good to hear.  What else is there to say about my life.  Not a whole lot.  Today I had to fight the governement because Yokote messed up the paperwork of me leaving so that and me writing another error on the paperwork made it so they kinda freaked out and worried I was trying to hide something from them.  Oh well.  I'm not in jail so thats good.  

Anyway until next week.