July 19, 2009

This past week has gone by rather slowly. Elder Johnson hasn’t been feeling well, so we spent pretty much 2 full days in the apt. I think I went crazy. It was a real downer for me not being able to be out and about. When I am stuck in the apt. I get really restless and it’s hard for me to stay positive. I just don’t like spending time there. Which is a good thing I suppose!

First off, I am not transferring out of Narita. I will stay here and Elder Johnson will finish his mission here. I am pleased about that, since I like the area and I get along with Elder Johnson I feel blessed. Dad I don’t know If I told you already but there is a Brother Sugiyama in our ward, he was a Zone Leader when you were ward mission leader in Kainan. He remembers you and he is a wonderful man. He helps us out so much. He’s the Elders Quorum pres. I really enjoy working with the members, they really do a whole lot of good to and for us. Feed us, provide referrals, open their homes to us. It’s just a great group of members here. We are always trying to find new people to teach, we don’t do much housing, so we are going to put more of a focus on it. Sister Murayama seems to be progressing well, we are going to be extending a baptismal challenge this or next week. Her daughter is a member so she is a great example.

The rain has pretty much stopped here and now it’s just hot hot hot! But It’s good, I’d rather the hot than the rain and hot. I feel that I still struggle a lot with my Japanese. I put effort into studying but I don’t feel progression, hopefully it’s a phase that will end soon.

I had the opportunity to attend the Temple last week Thurs. I saw Elder Bennett there and we ended up spending about 5 hours together all in all. It was a great day and it lifted my spirits up so high. It was so nice to see my friend. Elder Provost (from my original MTC group) arrives here on Wed. I’m so excited to have him come to Japan.

That’s pretty much the weekly update, it was a downer week with nothing new occurring, but this week looks to be better. Thanks again for the packages.

My kanji reading is improving a bit. I can recognize certain characters and that boosts my confidence when I can understand and comprehend things.

Pres. Albrecht approved I-Pods. Could you include that in the next package please? That’d be lovely. I miss #324, sometimes I wake up during the night and think I’m still home in my bed. Then I realize where I am. It’s kinda a let down. Because I am sleeping on a futon on the ground instead of my amazing bed of goodness. But we all make sacrifices I suppose!

I saw the APs 2 weeks ago and one of them, Elder Muroi told me that when he was in Saitama a gentleman named Kimura san told him to tell me hello. That was nice. Hopefully I will serve up there during this mission. My main focus is the Japanese people of Narita. I haven’t lost sight of that.

Recently I read Psalms 27:14. I really didn’t read much of the Bible at home, and I’m astonished at how much good is in there. I love tracing the footnotes when reading and developing this spider web of knowledge. I am currently reading the D&C in order and am in section 82. I will finish it soon. I have read 3 other church books and will start A Marvelous Work and a Wonder soon, followed by Jesus The Christ. I was never fond of reading before my mission either. It is amazing to see how much change I find in myself.

I am enjoying my mission. The lovely people of Japan make my life so much easier here. Step by step, day by day I improve. I can’t wait to comprehend the Language better and step up from the Junior Companion realms so I can be a little more independent. I wish I was able to be alone sometimes, having someone with you all the time can get a bit old. But I can understand why it is necessary as well.

Thanks for the email, have a stellar week! Give my love to the family please.

Love,
Elder Purcell