08/21/2016 | The Spirit of God. Hosanna!‏

This ha been a week that a lot of us have been waiting for for a long time. First off, if you've heard of the typhoon sweeping through Hokkaido, don't worry to much about it. It is Typhoon in definition, but is mostly just A LOT of rain. We're getting very wet, but that's it.

Open Sapporo LDS Temple

So. This week we've had some adventures. We found a new investigator, who is really cool. His name is Papi. If you're wondering it's not Japanese. It's actually a nickname that his friends gave him. He is from Guinea. Not Papa new guinea, but the one in Africa. So he's black. I never thought I would have a foreigner as an investigator, and now I do, and he's black. How cool is that. Anyway he is a student right now over at Hokkaido University. He is working on his doctorate degree right now, and despite being pretty busy, is willing to make time for us. His native language is french, but his English is fluent. Seeing as he has to right his doctorate papers, and thesis in English, he's pretty good at it. But a neat little coincidence, is right now, one of the elders in my district actually speaks fluent french. So we are going to go on splits, and visit Papi together this week.

Temple Waiting Room

Just thought that might be something you'd all be interested it. The other thing of course that was the highlight of the week, was the Sapporo Temple Dedication. The temple was dedicated yesterday in 3 sessions by President Russell M Nelson. He attended along with Elder Gary E Stevenson (who if you didn't know, is the first apostle in the history of the latter days, who is fluent in Japanese), and the Area Presidency. We got to sit in the lobby room of the temple, which is
right below the celestial room, and it was very powerful. Something that stood out to me, was when Elder Yamashita, the 1st councilor in the area presidency, was talking, and he emphasized that bring our ancestors to the temple is very important, but, what about our decedents? 

Baptismal Font

He proceeded to tell everyone to be sure to regularly attend the temple. He told the Priesthood holders, to take their wives to the temple, and to not give up because of trivial things like time,
money, tiredness(in Japanese 疲れているから), or because you have little kids at home. There are lot's of ways around those things, and God will help. He talked about always being worthy of a temple recommend so that you can receive revelation in the temple, for your family. Then as your children begin to grow, to teach them so that they have foundations in the gospel. And to bring them to the temple when they are old enough to do Baptisms for the dead. Help them prepare so that when they are ready, they can go forward and receive their own endowment, so that they may begin to prepare to teach their children, your grandchildren, to be able to go to the temple. He emphasized that the temple blessings, and ordinances are the most sacred and important things we could ever perform on this earth in the mortal tabernacle. It was a very powerful talk. 

Cestial Room

As President Nelson dedicated the temple, their was a sweet spirit that seemed to fill the place the second he said the words "As an Apostle of the Lord, and by the Authority of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, I dedicate this temple" I will never forget it. Needless to say, by the end of the dedication everyone had shed some tears. The people of Hokkaido have waited a long time for this temple. It has been in their prayers for a long time. I was able to meet several old friends who came to see the dedication. I was able to meet Elder Rostedt, as well as Elder Asato, and Elder
Numano, who all came for the dedication. President Daniels (from the branch presidency in the MTC) was also there. They were all wonderful reunions. It's been a wonderful blessing, to be in Hokkaido as a missionary at this time. I am so grateful for the tender mercies of the Lord and being allowed to be here. It's been wonderful Well that about fills you in for this week. We move to a new apartment on Friday, so wish us luck.

Also because the mission home is moving, the address will change. I'll try to get it to you next week, but honestly with 3 weeks left, I'll be OK if you want to just send things to my home, and I'll get it then. I'll let you know though.

Thanks much
We'll see you next week. 愛しているよ

08/07/2016 | Transferes

Well we've had a pretty good few weeks. We finally got settled down from the open house, and have had some time to talk about the mission. It was a nice week. The Sisters were able to see a baptism, on the 31st, who I had the privilege of interviewing. She's just a little miracle, and has a really strong testimony. Something that stood out to me in the interview, was that when I would ask her the "Do you believe...?" questions, she wouldn't just say "Yes", but would say "I believe" (it sounds weird in English, but it sounds very normal in Japanese), which was really interesting to me. She really seemed to be telling the truth as she would say it, and it was the feeling, and conformation I needed to say Yes. Aren't those impressions from Heavenly Father just so cool.

Anyway, we had a transfer week come along. I am now on to my final transfer, and sadly had to say good bye to Elder Plummer. He was so much fun to work with, and really easy to get along with these past 1.5 transfers. He headed on up to an area called Takikawa, as the Senior companion for a fairly new Japanese missionary. He should have lots of fun out there. I'm hanging out, and finishing off here in Shinkotoni. It's been such a blessing to come back to an old area, and see what's happened in a year, and be able to help those that are here. I'm really grateful for the chance to work in this wonderful ward, with all the amazing members that are here.

My new companion is.... *drum role commence for last comp* Elder Thompson!!! No not the same one as the MTC, there are actually 2 Elder Thompsons in this mission. He is also part of the same group that came with Elder Pace, and Plummer, and Thurston. Basically other than Elder Bailey, and Elder Vanishi all of my Junior Companions are part of the same group. He's a pretty chill guy, now on his 8th transfer, he had been out here for about 1 year. He is a video game nerd, so we get along pretty well, and he has given me several recommendations for when I get home.

So an interesting experience from this last week. This last Saturday, we had an experience where we really felt as though we had been led by God. So we started off the day by meeting up with the Sisters, to discuss what we wanted to do for Shinkotoni this Transfer. Well unexpected circumstances caused us to be a little late getting there, and then we talked longer than we had planned. I was a little discouraged since our plans were having to change out of the blue like that, but we continued forward. We then took some time to wash the Baptismal font. Kind of an interesting little "ritual" that the sisters did here these last 2 transfers, that helped them see a baptism each transfer, so we decided to do it too.

After we finished with that, I sat down, found the addresses of some people to visit, and then we headed out to go find them. Well we hadn't gone too far, when a voice behind us said "Hello." Now this happens a lot in Japan. You know when you're a kid, and your learning English, but you never get a chance to do it, the second you see a big white guy, you're going to try all of the English you know on them. However what we usually here isn't "Hello," but "Harro." Therefore when we heard a perfect English "Hello" from behind us, we were stunned. We got to talking with her, and it turns out that she got baptized 17 years ago in Shinkotoni. She's had a lot of things happen in her life, she stopped going to church and such, and may have pulled her records from the church, and currently lives in Korea. Well for those that don't know, Koreans HATE Japan. I'm not really sure why, probably something to do with a war several years ago. So she deals with a lot of ridicule there, as well as her kids, and being really concerned for them, she prays every day. She still very much believes in the church, just... various things have happened to her in the past... We were able to give her a Book of Mormon, since she didn't have one anymore, and she was very happy. Then she began asking us if we had any Korean material so she could teach her kids. Well we didn't, but we just happened to be next to the church, so we went over, and used the WiFi to find Korean pamphlets, and emailed them to her. She was extremely happy, as was I.

It's times like these that I really feel successful as a missionary. When even though it seems we are straying from our plan, God knows where he needs us, and helps us to be there. Getting to help this woman, I really felt God working with her through us. He really does love all of his children. Even those few outlier Japanese people that live in Korea. He sends help to all who ask for it. One of the best feelings in the world, is when you find out that you are the answer to someone else's prayer. That's what a mission is like. On a constant basis.

Well I will see you next week I guess. Thanks for keeping up with me this far, only a few weeks left that you have to deal with my emails. I apologize for the few times I have missed. I will try to make sure that I get off a good email every week these last few.

I love you all so much.

心を込めて愛しているよ

Elder Eliot

07/24/2016 | The End of the Temple Open House

This has been another really amazing week. I don't have a lot of time, so I would just like to tell you one really cool story from this last week.

So first thing I have to say, is that I am really scared to come home. I have lost the ability to talk with any sort of confidence in English to people that don't know Japanese. These last 2 phone calls home that I had I felt it as well, but especially this week with lots of Gaijin (foreigners) being around, it was crazy. When I see a white guy, I immediately start praying that he won't talk to me. Then he does, and my heart immediately starts pounding like crazy, and I sweat, and it is sooooo scary. So basically I'm scared of Gaijin, and I am a Gaijin #missionaryproblems

Anyway so on Wednesday, we were working in the morning, and this white couple walks in. The English tour guide, Hamano Saya chan who had just gotten back from her mission like 4 days ago, goes up and starts talking to them, and gets them over in a video room. I kind of sighed on the inside knowing I wouldn't have to do anything. Then President Nakatsuka asks us to go join them. So we do. Well this couple were not members of the church, and were rather hostile towards it. A member had actually met them that morning, and despite not being able to do English very well, she asked them why they were in Hokkaido. When they said they were just tourists, she asked them if they had been to the Sapporo Temple. She then took them in her car and brought them. 

When they found out it was the Mormon church they just kind of started to roll their eyes. Saya chan really helped. She as extremely positive, and got to be friends with them super quick. But they were still weary to the church. Me and my Companion were just following, just in case the English got hard. My heart was pounding like crazy. As we walked into the Baptism Font, Saya chan asked them if they had seen the church in Holland before (yes they were from Holland) and the guy said that Mormon practices wouldn't be allowed in Holland. He then turns to my companion and says "How many women do you have?" I was in a mood of "I don't like these kind of people. Why do they have to be like this. This is just going to turn into an angry argument in the temple" and I was also super scared to say anything. But then I had the thought, that I needed to have Charity. I needed to love these people. They were also Gods children. They also needed these blessings we were telling them about. I became very humble, and offered a silent prayer asking God to forgive me, and to help me to love these people. 

We were able to explain several things about the church, and by the end of the tour we were best buddies. He even turned to someone on his way out and said "I like these guys." Long story short, they aren't getting baptized or anything, but they do have a much better image of the church. It was very hard to talk in English with them, and I kept accidentally saying things in Japanese, but I pushed through it, and grew to love them. They were way cool, and I would love to get to meet them again sometime.

Well that is my time for this week.
Have a wonderful week.
I love you
Elder Eliot

07/11/2016 | 主の宮。聖きを主にささぐ (The House of the Lord-Dedicated to the Lord)

This has been a wonderful and very spiritual week.

Sapporo LDS Temple Open House Info

First off once again an apology for lack of an email last week. We wound up working at the Sapporo temple (preparing for the public open house) a lot this week. We were Scheduled to work Monday, and Saturday this last week, instead we wound up working Monday, and then we were woken up early Tuesday morning. My phone is ringing, at 5:30 in the morning to the zone leaders asking if we were up. My thought of course were "Am I supposed to be? I'm gonna kill you later. You messed with mah sleep boy" and then he proceeded to tell us that the Temple President, President Kikuchi, asked President Nakatsuka for missionaries to come and help clean the temple. So we got up, Showered, ate a small breakfast and ran out the door. 

We got to go in, and change into Jeans... How many people can say that they have been in the temple in Jeans. I even got to see my mission president in Jeans. It was pretty weird. Though he looks good in Jeans... Anyway, I got to go and help with cleaning one of the Sealing (marriage) rooms. I was given a wet rag, and a 60cmX40cm marble wall, and wiped it down. For an Hour and a Half. Yeah that long. They take cleanliness in the temple very seriously. Then once we finished, we were asked to come back and help with the open house that day. Again. Then, that night we got a call, once again to come in and work Wednesday. 

So I spent most of my B-Day in the temple. It was actually a rather nice place to be on a special day. At the end of the day, we had English class, and a family from the ward, (basically my Japanese family) brought me a small present. Well, Small というか(can't remember how to say that in English ...lol) It was a ton of fruit (which is waaaaay expensive in Japan) as well as a package of Fruits Granola. Fruits Granola is the best, and healthiest cereal you can get in Japan, and they got me the big one. Needless to say, I felt celebrated. Finally on Thursday we had some time to take a P-Day, and we went shopping for my Birthday. I wanted to myself a present too. I got a new pair of shoes that look way good. Gotta look my best for the temple ;)

We once again worked the temple on Saturday. The Jobs that they had us do consisted of Ushering (when they would tell us to stand somewhere, and look pretty), Helping with putting on/ taking off shoe covers, Tour Guide, And my favorite two, Playing the Organ in the chapel, and Opening the two big doors to the Celestial room. It was really cool to see over and over again the looks on peoples faces when they would line up, and we would open up the doors. This last week was mostly VIP's, So we got to watch the Mayor of Sapporo, or the leaders of certain churches of Hokkaido go in. We even watched some Shinto Priests, dressed all up in their garb come up to the doors, kind of bored. Almost as though they didn't really want to be there, but when we opened the doors, their eyes got wide, and they started paying attention. 

We've been getting a lot of positive comments, and lot's of people that want to know more about the church. We just had someone today come up after the tour and asked what he needed to do to get back in the temple. When I told him just come back another day, he said "No I mean after it's dedicated. I need to get baptized for my ancestors." It has been amazing to partake of the spirit, and watch as others, even those that are not members of the Church partake of that same spirit. Even though it has not been dedicated, it is God's house. He is there, and he is letting everyone know.

Well that's about it for me this week. Thank you for all the Birthday wishes. Thank you for all staying with me throughout the past 2 years. It's hard to belive that it is starting to come to an end. But I've
still got a lot of work to do, so I will work hard. 

Have a wonderful week.
愛しているよ
Elder Eliot

PS
If I don't email next week, it is because the temple schedule made us change our P-day. 宜しくお願いします

06/26/2016 | Transfers...

Well... It's been a transfer week. That means I am on my 15th transfer, and just getting that much closer to being done... Ugh... It is really hard to believe. So, We had a transfer week. And I didn't transfer. That was really nice. It looks like I will actually get to stay in Shinkotoni until the end of my mission. It makes me very happy.

I would like to take a second to thank everyone for the prayers on behalf of Oohashi san, and Doi san. Just to give you a little update on them, Oohashi san is going to be baptized. We had a good lesson with him this last week, in which we started going over some of the commandments with him. As we talked, instead of the typical reaction of "darn I can't do that anymore?"  He just had an attitude of OK. If that's what God wants, then I'll do it. It was a really good lesson. He will be baptized either on the 9th, or the 10th of July. We are very excited for him. Doi san, will probably not be baptized on his current scheduled date, however, he will be going down to the Honshu area to do something for his job. In doing so, when he is done, He will have more time to take off, and will be able to start coming to church, and start meeting with us, and fulfill his dream of being baptized as well. I know this is all from the power of prayer. Thank you so much for all your help. 

Other than that, not to much else is going on here. We are trying really hard, and are excited for the temple open house starting up next week. We have been giving out flyers like mad. Hopefully we'll
have a good turn out. We still have no idea what our role will be in it. The sisters will all be coming in to Sapporo to help with it, but we have not been told what the Elder's will do. It is all being handled by our higher ups. Like higher than President Nakatuska high. And he doesn't know anything either. It's giving us a lot of stress, but we are working hard.

Well other than that, not much more to talk about this week. I hope you all have a great week, and have a fun summer. Good luck to all those figuring out college stuff. I've heard it's rather difficult.

See you next week.
愛しているよ
Elder Eliot

06/12/2016 | A week of Spirit

New Sapporo LDS Temple Public Open House is in Aug (click photo for info) 

We had a wonderful week. First I've got to say sorry to all those who don't get water in Elk Ridge (their main city well went down and no yard watering awhile). Sounds like a rough situation. I'll put some water in an envelope, and sent it over to you this morning, so hopefully it'll get there in about a week :) lol  

Anyway so this week, we had several great experiences. First, we were able to make another baptismal date with a man named Doi. Doi san is a very interesting man. We need some help to get him to his baptismal date. He really wants to be baptized, but he is a poor man getting a little over $300 a month from the job that he works very long hours at. I don't know if he needs to get a new job, or ask for Sundays off, or what needs to happen, but right now he can't come to church. We need some prayer helps for him. I told him that I would have everyone praying for him, and that if it was the will of God (which it is) he would be baptized. Now we just have to have faith, and push forward. 

Anyway so this week we learned, and felt, and used the Spirit A LOT. I am physically spent right now from the amount of Spirit. On Saturday, we had a Mission Zone Conference, in which President Nakatsuka taught us a lot about the Spirit, in what it feels like, how we can personally feel it more often, and more powerfully, and how we can teach investigators the same. Lot's of deep things occurred. Something I personally learned, is that we can pray ANYTIME, ANYWHERE, under ANY CIRCUMSTANCE. We say it all the time, but do we really believe it? I realized, that something I personally can do, is pray more often. As missionaries we pray A LOT. But I still feel like we could pray more. If we do so, we will feel the spirit more often. We will be able to have it with us more often. Why? Because we are "Taking his name upon [us], and always remember[ing] him". 

The last experience I will share, was from yesterday. We had a family feeding us last night, and so we shared a message with them. I took the bullet, because we hadn't had time to prepare much, and so I pulled something out of mid air. I testified of the Truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and about the Truth of this church, and about the Truth. As I was doing so, I suddenly was out of my body. I was hearing myself say the words. I wasn't thinking about what to say, and words were coming out of my mouth. The Holy Ghost was speaking through me. It was way interesting to learn from myself, but the feeling afterward, of being used by God, was the best feeling ever. My body was exhausted. But my Spirit was full. I challenge you all to be worthy of having that happen whenever God needs it to happen, because you don't know when he'll need you. You can feel it too. I love God. I love Dendo. I love Japan.


Everyone have a wonderful week.
愛しているよ
Elder Eliot

06/05/2016 | Transfers (Already)

New Sapporo Temple Public Open House is Coming In Aug (click photo for info)

Well... This week has been kind of crazy. So me and Elder McCreary were having an amazing time, had made a baptismal date with one of the coolest people ever. Then everything changed on Tuesday. 

I got called up this last Tuesday at about 5pm. It was the Assistants to the President, calling me to tell me I was being emergency transferred... I had to leave Moiwa. I only got to be there for 3 weeks, and they kicked me out. The exciting thing, is that I have been moved back to Shinkotoni. I get to come back and hang out here once again. 

I have been moved over now with an elder named Elder Plummer. He came to Japan at the same time as Elder Pace, and Elder Thurston. He was in the MTC (Missionary Training Center) with them, and he's probably the funniest of the three. Way cool. I have enjoyed getting to come back. 

This last Sunday was great. Getting to re-meet everyone was amazing. We even have an investigator just like Matsunogo Yuuki. If you don't remember him, he was the one that got baptized last year in Shinkotoni. Currently Matsunogo Yuuki has moved up to the city of Asahikawa to get a Drivers Licence. He should be coming back down sometime soon. Our investigator though is waaay cool. His name Is Oohashi Yutaka. He is a 26 year old kid, moved up here for his job. He is extremely Golden. We taught him yesterday about the Plan of Salvation, and when asking him if he had questions, he asks, "Well then what should I do." So we made a baptismal date with him for July 9th. What a great Birthday present. 

Well that's about the time I have for this week. I'm really excited to work here in Shinkotoni again. I feel very trusted that President Nakatuska thinks I can still help this area. It makes me happy. I am way excited to work here, I love Denedo (missionary work).

愛しているよ
Elder Eliot