August 11, 2013

Sunset at Nago Beach

(Click any photo to enlarge)

 

 

 

So, I got no email from you guys this week. I'm sure it's because you are enjoying the happiest place on earth. The picture wth Brothers Monson and Wirthlin is the best. I'm super jealous that you're there.

 

I got the photo album and it's perfect. Thank you so so much. I'm already putting it to use. The pants also work great. I'm 32-34, but I think I'm good on pants right now. I went to Uniqlo recently and got some really good ones. :)

 

This week was pretty boring actually. Not a lot happened. We had a cleaning check from one of the sister missionaries and it was not so good.....not because we weren't clean.....but for really dumb reasons. Let me give you some examples. I know you're probably thinking we just weren't clean, but this is really some of the things we got marked off on:

 

• There is no air conditioner in the sleeping room.....I don't know how we can fix that for her. It costs about 400 bucks.
• Elder Alger got in trouble because of the way his suitcase was laying in the closet. It was laying flat. She marked him down because it wasn't on it's side.
• Our front room closet is full of tools and stuff. They don't belong there. They need to be somewhere else (I don't know where else we can put them......when I came to the apartment, that's where they've always been and I've been here for 5 months.)
• She said I need to find a new place for my machine for my asthma.....I don't know why. I just keep it on the top shelf of my closet
• Ok, this is the one that gets me the most angry. The first thing she did when she walked in was told us that she wasn't going to take off her shoes because she's old and American and so she didn't take off her shoes......and then, she started leaving dirt around our floor and she said, that we didn't clean our floor. Her husband said, "Well, we didn't take our shoes off....I think that's the reason there is dirt on the floor". If he wouldn't have said anything, I might have blown up.

Elder Alger was so ticked. My other cleaning checks have all been really good. That was another thing. She was going through our past cleaning check lists and they all said things like, "really good apartment" and "Everything is in good shape" and she complained about that too. Haha, so Elder Alger and I were really bugged by that.

That cleaning check took a good amount of time and so our work that day wasn't so good. Also, this week we had a zone conference in Naha, so we had to spend Thursday night in Okinawa city. That wiped out two more days of work in Nago. Our numbers were really bad this week. Anyway, we had a really good conference in Naha, and it's always nice to see all the missionaries and President. President bragged about us and how we have been growing.

At Zone Conference. 3 generations of missionaries. My bean and my trainer. :)

Also, this week we had a ward bbq and was actually really good. The bishop opened up to us. Things are looking better.

One last thing. Y-san called us this week and canceled her meeting with us. She has to go to the hospital on the day we had set.....turns out she has cancer. She's freaking out. I'm really worried about her. She still prays and reads everyday, but we haven't been able to meet her for TOO long now. I hope we can keep helping her.

Anyway, I got to go catch a bus. We're spending P-day with the zone today. Until next week

Love,
Elder Low

August 5, 2013

M-san was Baptized and it was amazing. I'm so happy for him. I'm just happy that he made it. He's so happy. He keeps calling us and telling us thank you. He's such a funny guy.

Click any photo to enlarge.

 

 

After the actual Ordinance, M-san started crying and bowing and thanking me. I was so happy. I'd never seen him cry before. It was so powerful.

Our president asked all the missionaries to take a break on Thursday because we made a goal for every companionship to have a baptism in July. On August first, we all took a break. It was really nice. My District went to the Aquarium.

 

 

 

 

This week was crazy. We were very lucky to have a break on Thursday. President is so awesome. Everyone in the mission had a nice break and then we worked hard again on Friday.

This week before the baptism was pretty intense. We have a couple new investigators and they are looking pretty good.

 

So, I got the package with the Pants. Thank you. They are super helpful. I still have to do laundry every three days but I am glad I don't always have to wear suit pants.

 

Other than that, Elder Alger and I are having a blast out here. He's really easy to get along with.

 

 

 

Also, I get to go to Naha this weekend for a surprise zone conference. So I get to see President again. I'm really pumped.

I'm going to keep trying to survive the heat. I have to drink so much water and I shower everytime I enter the Apartment. We are always sweating.

We'll keep pushing forward

Love,

Elder Low

First Baptism

Hello Low Family, 

I just thought you would like to see what your son looks like heading to his first baptism....

Here's the newest member on the island and the 2 Elders from Isikawa and the 2 Elders from Nago and Elder Williams.  (Click on any photo to enlarge.)

It is such a pleasure to serve with your son, we just LOVE him.. He is such a great missionary....
Elder and Sister Williams

July 29, 2013 - Crazy week. Things are looking great!

 

I had a lot happen this week so listen in carefullly.

 

First, training the bean. I didn't realize how much I could have improved my relationship with my last two companions until now. Yes, I got along with them and I love them both....but Elder Alger and I have so much fun working. He's a blast. His Japanese needs work but I'm so grateful that he laughs off his mistakes and keeps pushing forward. He doesn't get discouraged very easily which makes me want to work with him more. This week gave him lots of chances to be angry but he was great. Here we go!

 

On Monday, we spent P-day going to Okinawa to buy him a bike. He's been using a bike that belongs to a missionary who went home before Christmas. It's a piece of Junk. So we took a bus to Okinawa. The stupid bus took 3 hours though. It's normally an hour and a half but it was super long on Monday for some reason.

 

We finally got there and met the Williams couple and bought Elder Alger the same bike that I have. It's a good one. The Williams then drove us back to Nago (which only took 45 minutes by car) and then we worked hard that night.

 

The next day at District meeting, we went out to eat with the district. When Elder Alger and I walked back to the church to get our bikes, Elder Alger's bike had been slashed. Yep, he had the front tire slashed the day after he bought it. So today, we have to go buy him a new tire. On top of that, Elder Alger doesn't have any rain gear.....and on Tuesday, we had a crazy surprise rainstorm. It was so bad that the upper part of my shirt got soaked. I had my rain suit and everything. The rain just leaked down my neck all day.

 

Keep in mind that Elder Alger was still pretty happy and pushing hard the whole time.

 

One Wednesday, we taught Y-san. She committed to come to church finally, but canceled on Saturday. I was super bummed. On top of that, she's going to be in Kin every day from today until the 14th so we can't meet her. I told her I was still going to call and make sure she's doing good......but I'm really concerned about her....She's still very optimistic and keeping other commitments so that's good.

 

On Thursday, Elder Alger and I went down to Futenma to meet the President for a training meeting. It was awesome. I love being with President. THEN, after that, President had to go meet with the Stake President of Ginowan Stake so he assigned Me to go with Sister Gustafson and the Williams couple to translate for them for the day. Sister Gustafson had to go talk to some of the sister missionaries in Okinawa and then I had to help her check into a hotel. That was SCARY. I don't know any hotel vocabulary. It went ok though. After that, the Williams took us back to Nago to meet President and our investigator M-san so that President could interview him one last time.

 

President showed up while we were teaching Eikaiwa. The Stake President drove him up to Nago. I went and grabbed M-san and showed President a room that he could interview M-san in. After that, I asked if the Stake President was going to sit in on the interview as well. Then President said, "No....you are".

 

I was kinda surprised. I had to leave Elder Alger to teach Eikaiwa which kinda scared him but he did fine. Miyagi was very open with President and at the end of the interview President turned to me and asked why we were still waiting for him. He's ready and anyone can see it.

 

So we'll have a baptism this week. :) As the President left, he shook my hand and told me that he was really impressed with me which made my Dendo Fire go through the roof. It was an excellent day.

 

That's the big stuff of our week though. I'm having a lot of fun with Elder Alger. Good things are happening. My biggest concern is Elder Alger's Japanese. But he'll learn. He always says, "I can't Sprekkin" (I don't know how to spell that exactly but....he's so fun).

 

A dang good bowl of Ramen. (Click on any photo to enlarge)

With Elder Alger

 

We'll keep working hard. I also bought a pair of machine washable pants and I LOVE them. :) I got the package from Clint. Thank you so so much.  :)

 

Thanks for sending the new tie.

We had the Nago festival which had lots of fireworks. It's kinda hard taking a picture of fireworks.....it's like taking a picture of a movie. Makes me miss 4th of July.

 

 

Love,

Elder Low

July 22, 2013 - Training a bean . . . it's crazy

The Night before transfers. Last night with ALL the Okinawa Elders. It was so much fun. :)

 

 

Some ice cream and hot fudge we had that night. :)

 

The reason I'm making that face with Elder Sugimoto is Elder Hammond was behind me trying to make me laugh.....It kinda looks like I'm angry though

With Elder Zimmerman

Me and My Zone Leader Elder Yamanashi

 

 

 

I would go buy pants today but I have to go to Okinawa to buy my bean's bike...so let me tell you about him.

 

His name is Elder Alger. He's from Eugene, Oregon and he's a pretty great guy. He's still getting used to the fact that he's in Japan. He's kinda quiet, but I'm trying my best to make sure he's smiling lots. I remember my first week was rough. I think he's doing good though. As far as his Japanese .......it..... needs help. It actually wears me out because I have to do most of the talking. It's a little diffficult but it's helping my language tons.

 

Elder Alger and I both had talks yesterday. The subject was Kami no Yogensha (prophets). It was really difficult for me. It was even worse for Elder Alger. I felt they both went pretty well though. Elder Alger gave a brief testimony and I talked about the prophets words in the last year about missionary work and member work (because our members don't help us a lot). It went well. After the talk, a couple members set up some dinner appointments. :)

 

M-san has a baptimal interview with the Mission president on Thursday. I called the Bishop and told him that we wanted to be prepared for the baptism on the following Sunday.

 

P-san is gone. We can't get a hold of him at all. We can't go to his house because it's on the college campus and we can't go. He won't answer his phone. It's heartbreaking. I feel like we should have been more bold but at the same time I feel like we did everything we could. He just....stopped.

 

Y-san had a great-ish lesson this week. The lesson was on Obedience. We started talking about it and she brought up the word of wisdom. Then our Joint-members started talking out about it.  At that point, I realized that she doesn't have a strong enough relationship with her Savior to do that yet and that maybe we should have talked more about Jesus Christ. We committed her to continue reading and praying and she's excited to do so.  BUT Y-san also said she wants to be baptized but that she's just not ready to commit.....so that's good. :)

 

Other than that, our other investigators are struggling to keep commitments and to meet. It's a little rough, but we're having fun in Nago......It's hot but fun. Elder Alger was pretty surprised by the heat.....and the language. He's a great elder though and I'm excited to train him.

 

The language is still difficult. I feel like only crazy people speak Okinawan Hogan though. Basically, we'll contact them and then they get really mad.......AND I don't have a clue what they are saying. Then Elder Alger asks why they are mad and all I can do is say "Hogan". We don't hear Hogan a lot though.

 

That's all I have for this week though. I would love to see pics of Clint.

 

I'll keep working hard.

Love you all,

Elder Randy Kazuhiro Low

July 16, 2013 - Waiting For Transfer Calls

Today, our transfer calls are supposed to come. I have the phone sitting next to me right now and I'm FREAKING out!! This is my third transfer in Nago so it is very very likely that I leave. However, President said he wanted me to train this transfer and I don't know if he trusts me enough to whitewash an area. That's a LOT of work! I'll do whatever he asks.....but it's terrifying waiting. If we're still in the church when the call comes, we'll let you know.

First order of business, I found some things that I could use. First, a family photo album would be nice. I realize that I only have the ones from email. maybe some pictures of all of us in disneyland or things like that. Something to think about.

 

Also......I hate to do this to you, but it's so hot out here and we sweat.....a lot. I was thinking, maybe I need some machine washable pants. What do you think? Let me know.

 

I hope Clint is having a good time. I had a dream that He and Grandma surprise attacked me here in Nago. I hope he's having lots of fun.

 

Also, I got Jake's engagement photos. Looking Slick. Kinda weird thinking that it's really happening and that I won't be there:( but looks like they are super happy. So that's awesome!

 

Ok, enough of all that. Here's what's been going on this week:

 

First, I have Jon's card. I've taken good care of it. I'll send it soon.

 

Today, I'm a little late because Elder Jolly and I went out to eat Sushi with a ward member. Yes, you'll get some photos of it (and I got a haircut as soon as I returned to Nago. Elder Jolly and I both needed it bad). It was super good. Elder jolly kinda struggled with the Natto sushi. I liked it though. Mom would be so proud. I actually eat it for breakfast every morning. Somebody told me it's really good for your skin so I decided to get used to eating it. It's kinda grown on me.....which scares me because you can't really eat it in the states. I won't know what to eat for breakfast when I get home!!!

 

Eating Sushi. Click any photo to enlarge

 

Note the squid embryo sushi...

 

 

 

This week, our numbers were a little.....low. We had splits in Ishikawa this week. It was so fun, but that killed a whole day of Dendo. Also, we had a training meeting about working with the wards in Okinawa on thursday. It was a good training, but it also killed our numbers.

 

The day in Ishikawa, I worked with Sugimoto Choro. He's a BOSS. He can't speak english, but it was so fun. He's only on his second transfer, but he's an amazing missionary. We just barely heard that he is transferring to Hiroshima.....We still don't know where we're going.

 

With Elder Sugimoto

 

 

Sorry, this email is kinda crazy. I'm freaking out right now because I WANT TO KNOW WHERE I'M GOING!

 

Ok! Despite the fact that we had low numbers, the ratio was pretty good. We found 3 new investigators this week. One of them was a woman who said she used to have a religion. Mahikari is that name of the religion. I know Jon is super familiar with it.

 

Also, we continued with Y-san. She's doing a great job of keeping her commitments. She is amazing. She's been reading and praying every day. She said that she feels closer to baptism. She says she's considering it now. We're giving her a date this week. We would have given her one earlier, but we had the whole ward problem. We're really excited to work with her towards baptism.....that is if I don't transfer (still don't know).

 

We had Sister H take us out to lunch earlier this week. At lunch, she corrected me for using a scripture that Jesus gave to his apostles. She said that it wasn't for us. It was for his apostles. Haha, I thought it was kinda strange. (It was in 3 Nephi 13:28-30)

 

Anyway, that's been our week. Yes, I'm drinking lots of water. I carry about three water bottles to last me from 12:00 till 5:00 and then three more to last from 5:00 to 9:00. It's so hot and I always feel disgusting because we're always sweating.

 

I emailed first today so you might get transfer info in about an hour. If not, I'm really sorry. It should come in the next hour.

 

I love you all.

Elder Randy Kazuhiro Low

 

This just in: Transfer news:

I am..........................

 

Not transferring. BUT!! I am.............

 

TRAINING! I'm getting an american bean this thursday. I'm kinda nervous, but it will be a great experience. The President just called and said that he really needed me to stay in transfer because we are getting 13 elders and 16 sisters. CRAZY! Anyway, gotta run. I love you all.

July 8, 2013 - Hot in Nago!

So, I didn't have time to respond to a lot last week. Sorry about that. We had Zone P-day. First of all, it is hot. I know you were saying that you checked Nago and that it is 83 degrees or something. Yeah, that's crap. I don't know where you looked up that weather but that sounds like it would be beautiful right now. At about midnight, our little thermometer in our room gets below 95. It's hot and humid and I think I do laundry every day. We have to take showers up to three times a day. It's almost always above 95 if not 100 degrees. I've never been so hot in my entire life. I never thought that having the water heater off is still too hot to shower in. It is HOT!

 

So, our P-day was a blast, but we had some problems. The P-day was all the Okinawan missionaries. The Ginowan zone and the Naha zone. It was lots of fun.....but one elder broke his wrist right before the p-day. He got hit by a car and broke his wrist. It was pretty bad. He sat in the heat while the Williams couple drove around Okinawa looking for him. Poor Elder Grimmer has to have surgery tomorrow for his wrist.

 

The Ginowan zone....and the food. The poor Williams couple did so much for us AND had to deal with Elder Grimmer's arm. They are the best. P.S. they are from Fruit Heights. They keep telling me that when I get home they want to take me to Wingers.

 

 

A self timer photo on the beach of Okinawa. Everyone got crazy sunburned.....except the Nihonjin......and Elder Low. Just looking really dark. :)

 

Me and Elder Hammond (ZL) on the beach.

 He's pretty much the best!

 

 

Then, this week, four missionary bikes were stolen. Don't worry, mine wasn't one of them because I lock my bike. Unfortunately, two of the bikes WERE locked. Those two bikes were the two Okinawan sisters bikes. And another one of the bikes was Elder Grimmer's.......yeah, he had a really rough week this week. The fourth bike was my district leader's...........he just didn't lock it. Haha.

 

So, bad news this week. I think we've lost one of our investigators. He stopped coming to church and he told us to cancel his baptismal date. He doesn't want to think about life after death or baptism he "just want to keep praying and meeting on Wednesdays". Then, on Wednesday, he left a message on our phone ten minutes before our appointment and told us that he's tired and isn't coming. When I called him back to try to schedule another day, he told me "I'll just see you next Wednesday, k?" Needless to say, I'm pretty disappointed. He was getting so excited and I KNOW he's felt the Spirit.

 

On the Up-side, we have another who is going SOOO well. She still hasn't come to church because of her sick mother but she is keeping all her commitments and always getting excited to meet. She says "It always brightens my day". Although she's moving very slow (because she still can't come to church) she's moving. And if it keeps up, she'll get baptized for sure. The sad thing is I'll probably transfer before that happens. Do you realize that I've spent this WHOLE time in Nago?

 

I'm on transfer three which is usually the killer. By the way, next week is transfer calls so my p-day will be on Tuesday. So, we'll see what happens. Maybe I'll be an eternal Nago missionary. A lot of missionaries on Okinawa have been here FOREVER. My zone leader spent five transfers in Futenma and now is the ZL and has been for the last 3 transfers. He only has six more months on his mission. He's had 3 areas total. Two of them have been on Okinawa. I might be on this island for longer than I expected.

 

We have another investigator who will be baptized this month. When this month? I'm not sure yet. However, if he gets more excited, he might die. Haha, he tells EVERYONE. He's a delivery man and we saw him talking to this man by the bus stop......he was talking about his baptism and how excited he is. Hahaha, he makes me smile. I'm really excited for him.

 

Anyway, that's this week. Next week, I have a day in Ishikawa, a day in Okinawa, and not a lot of free time to Dendo.....which is weird. Usually we just ride our bikes around for hours in the heat. I'm really excited for it and can't wait to tell you all about it.

 

Me and Elder Monson.

 

 

Until next week. I love you all

Elder Low