Saturday, October 31, 2015

A Plastic Cup?

Okazaki zone!

It's hard to explain that one. But those words caused me to laugh so
hard. Basically we were having hot chocolate with Tim tams, Elder
Lenning, who was over on a Kokan, suggested I use my glass for hot
chocolate and a plastic cup for the water I wanted for after. I then
turned to him and in a way that must've sounded like I thought he was
absurd said "A plastic cup?" Then everyone was confused and I laughed,
and they continued to make me laugh as I partook of the chocolate. It
was ruff. They enjoyed it though. Haha. You had to be there.

   We had a way good lesson with one of our investigators, he really
wants to be baptized but his family is opposed to it. They are afraid
he would have to give up his family traditions and culture. But that
is not the case, many members have joined the church from the same
background as him. He and we are going to pray that his family's heart
will change.

    A member invited us over and after talking for a while he
revealed that he was going to the hospital for an illness and asked us
to give him a blessing. It was Elder McArthur's first time to give
such a blessing. I gave my part of the blessing part in English, part
in Japanese. It was a good experience.

  Sadly, the Suzukis transferred to Kasugai last week. We had a good
pday with them last week. When we transfer we just have our suitcases
and maybe a box, but for them, we had to move all the furniture and
everything too and it took a whole truckload. We made a card for them.
They have been such a big help to us and such good examples. We miss
them.

      We had Zone Conference, President Ishii said many good things.
One of my favorite things he said was actually in Japanese; すすめることは成功,
来てくれることは大成功です。in English, inviting is success, if they come that's
super success. Our purpose as missionaries is to invite others to come
unto Christ. If we do that, that's success. Our goal is to baptize. If
we do that, that's super success.

  We had a big testimony meeting at the end of the conference. It was
so spiritual because all of the missionaries in the zone shared their
testimony as well as a recently returned sister missionary from the
Okazaki ward. Missionary testimonies are so powerful because they
testify everyday and that makes them stronger. I added my testimony
thanking all the missionaries there for the example they've been to
me.

Baptism in Seto with the current Seto elders Bunch and Allred and a RM
Seto elder Ockerman. And Meito Zone Leader Elder Mihara.

  One more cool story; one year ago I taught an investigator in Seto
who'd been an investigator for 7 years. It was hard to prepare for her
lessons each week because she knew everything. She was so close but so
far. Every missionary that ever served in Seto has taught her at some
point. We wondered if anything could help her make the change to be
baptized. Just last week I received word that she finally accepted the
invitation and was baptized. I don't know what did it other than the
spirit. For 7 years she has heard the testimonies of missionaries at
her home each week, and I think that in her heart she always knew it
was true, she just needed to act on that faith. It just goes to show
you that the Lord knows His sheep, and sometimes it may take some
waiting, and some pushing, and helping. But when they are truly ready,
they will come unto Him. That is why we can't give up, the Lord is
standing at the door, waiting for us. I'm thankful that one person I
didn't give up on, a year later, was finally able to enter that door.

  Love you guys. I love chocolate. Transfer calls this Halloween will
determine my final fate. Please pray. I hope y'all have a great
Halloween.

Love,
Elder Watkins
Toyohashi ward
Melon pan!

The best!

Card for the Suzukis

Inside card

Suzuki transfer

Suzuki transfer

Elder Johnson keeping score.

McArthur is the champ!

Beat Suzuki Choro

Pday volley ball from last weeks district  activity

Elder Lenning getting the ball

Wired advertising

Note the tear on my face

Me laughing so hard while eating chocolate

Gifford

Friday, October 23, 2015

Candy Bombers!


Kariya district!
Konnichiwa! How's it goin? Been a crazy good week up here in Japan. We
did so much cool stuff. And I got way more pictures for y'all this
week!

 Tuesday we went all four of us to Tahara city, far out in our area
near the beach. But we didn't get to the beach this time sadly. But it
was a cool place! Even though we couldn't find the less actives houses
or find a new investigator. It was good.

  That night we decided to visit some investigators who've been too
busy to meet recently. One of them we caught just as she was leaving
her apartment and we gave her chocolate. She was happy to see us. We
also visited our Filipino family and they invited us in. We gave them
chocolate too and talked about the gospel for a bit. It was awesome!
Best part is on the way we found a new investigator! Yay!
Eikaiwa English class!

  Thursday we had a Kokan with the Kariya elders. I was with the
District Leader, Elder Lenning again, in Toyohashi this time. We
talked to a ton of people, ate indo curry, and saw a member. It was
way fun.

 Friday we had a really good lesson with our investigator and a
member tachiai. It was good for someone who actually knows Japanese to
hear his problems. The member helped out a lot.

 Saturday was action packed! We had a concert to raise awareness of
Autism, the Toyohashi Matsuri, and Meet the Mormons movie night back
to back! It was way fun! We talked to a lot of young people at the
matsuri and I won a contest were I had to beat a guy in janken
(Japanese rock, paper, scissors) and I got a ton of Black Thunder
Chocolate bars. Which were originally from Toyohashi I might add,
#funfacts. We got to the church just before the movie and handed out
these Black Thunders to everyone in attendance. The Bishop mentions it
was funny that I did that because in the movie there's a guy who drops
candy from an airplane to children. Way cool. Black Thunder is my
favorite chocolate bar!
Kariya district!

  There was a good  mix of members and non members at the movie. One
of our English students came and brought a friend. Our investigator
came. And the members fellow shipped everyone awesomely. Even the kids
haha.

 Sunday was the last day for the Suzukis in our ward. They are
transferring to Kasugai Ward this Wednesday. We will miss them here so
much. They gave so much power to our work here and they have become
good friends to me indeed. I know that they will do great things in
Kasugai, but sad they couldn't be here till I finish in December.
Luckily they are still in the same stake, so we will see them at stake
conference this coming month.

 I love you all and I'm thankful for your prayers. I'm thankful for
my companions and the opportunity I have to work with Elders McArthur,
Gifford, Miranda, and the Suzukis in Toyohashi. As well as Elders
Lenning and Johnson and Sisters Kittaka and Thompson in Kariya. I'm
thankful for the cool autumn breeze and my investigators. It is a
great time to be a missionary and I love it. And most of all I love
the Lord, trust the Lord, and serve the Lord.

Have a good one, Peace!

Love,
Watdawg chowrow
Suzuki bye bye speech

Toyohashi Ward!
Autism awareness concert.

Jodan!

Spinning trick

US Trying to do it

The Great Wall

Elder Lenning and i went to China!



Looking for the elect

This dude is traveling from Tokyo to Kyushu by SKATEBOARD! What!

Like something from Indiana Jones

Sphinx

Yeah, we went to Egypt

Easter Island Heads!

Movie night!

Shokujikai!

Food!
Random place in Tahara

Red gates!

Elder Gifford ruining the tranquil scenery haha

Cool pic

Toyohashi matsuri!

OYM!

Cool dance group!

Paper! We got Black Thunder y'all!

District activity!

Tonkatsu restaurant!

This District rocks!

Ping pong battle