Week 29 - 03/04/18 - Group Email

Hello Everyone,

Last pday we went with the zone leaders and hiked Mount Oyama! It was so nice to finally get up in the mountains again. Sadly I'm terribly out of shape but what do ya do. It's pretty cool, there is a huge Buddhist temple half way up the mountain as well as tons of Shrines and statues on the way up. The day we went was cloudy so the view at the top wasn't the greatest. We couldn't see very far at all. I was just happy to be on a summit again! 

Tuesday we had a some blitz in my area. It's always a good time getting to work with other missionaries and having the whole zone trying to find new people for us to teach! 
On Wednesday my comp had to have a colonoscopy (pretty rough) so we went to the the doctor first thing in the morning becauses his appointment was at 9:30. He didn't end up finishing until 6:30 so I was literally just sitting there for 8 1/2 hours, it was a long day. 

We were able to meet up with a new investigator and do our "free family english program" where we teach 30 minutes of english and then 30 minutes of gospel. It went super well and he's an awesome kid so I'm excited to continue meeting with him. We also met with a less active who Elder Wilcox showed how to play some stuff on the guitar and ukelele and we shared a little message. It was a good way to get to know him and help him take steps to coming back to church! 

These are some phrases that are used a ton!

お疲れさまです (otsukaresama desu) literally means your are an honorifically tired person. It's kind of like saying thanks for your hard work!
頑張ってください (ganbatte kudasai) pretty much like saying good luck or do your best 
失礼します (shitsureishimasu) literally means I am being rude haha. You say it when you enter/leave someones house, interrupt a conversation, etc.
お邪魔します (ojamashimasu) means I'm being a hindrance. You say it when entering a home. 

Elder Dean
ディーン長老