Week 21: December 26, 2016 - Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

It's great to be out here in Japan for the Christmas season. Even
though it doesn't have the bells and whistles of American Christmas
celebration, it was a way peaceful, and really helped me focus on the
true meaning of the season. I was away from family, which is sad, but
going around Christmas night, talking to other people that were out
without their families, brightening their nights, it really helped me
think about the joy of the season. For unto us a Savior was born, and
because of Him, all man can find joy!

That was really the highlight of my week, going around with Elder
Osborne and Elder Harris and just being happy, just getting to know
people. Most people around town were way down to just talk about
Christmas, to discuss the true meaning, the method behind the crazy
celebration. And some people were just good people, ready to talk
about anything. It ties perfectly in with a challenge the mission got
from Sister Egan, which is to focus on family history. Now that
Christmas is past, we can really focus on talking to people for the
sake of knowing them, learning about their ancestors, and becoming
their friend. It's that friendship at the center of the Gospel, and
the center of the Christmas season as well.

And on that note come my two favorite experiences from the last week.
First, Wednesday, I got to bake cookies with Elder Harris and Sayaka,
one of our investigators. I don't speak Japanese, Elder Harris doesn't
speak Japanese, and she doesn't speak English, but it was a blast. And
we got to see her not just as a person we talk to, but as a friend, a
girl with interests and personality, while at the same time conveying
the fact that missionaries aren't robots, they are people too. We have
interests and personalities just like anyone else, and to work on
sharing them is just really fun.

The second thing from this week, and last for the email, was being
Santa. Apparently my eyebrows go really well with the costume, because
I got to be Santa four times this winter. But every time was a blast.
To be able to walk to a park, party, or house, and see kids be filled
with joy is unmatchable. The best ones were Christmas Eve, when we
went door to door with Sister Imai to her friends, delivering cookies.
We'd knock, and hear someone say "It's Santa!" and run to the door,
and then we could give cookies and share the holiday cheer. It was fun
to just be genuinely good and bright, and to make the night of those
little kids.

Thankfully, we didn't get any more snow, or much chaos weather wise
out here. I hope everyone was nice and warm for the holidays! For
those on break, enjoy it, you've worked hard the past year for it.
Until next week!

Love,
Elder Mitchell Woodhouse

Screenshot from our family skype with Mitch on Christmas evening

Week 20: December 19, 2016 - It's Beginning to Feel Like Christmas!

Hey everyone!

Hope you are all staying warm! I think I mentioned it last week, but
it's getting cold out here. As a gift for the new transfer, we got
snow on Friday! Elder Osborne was enthusiastic, after both living in
Arizona for most his life, and transferring up from the frigid island
of Okinawa. We've already made plans to go get him some proper winter
gear ASAP, to keep him warm and running. The best part is that all the
members said that this was an especially early snowfall, and it came
just in time for him. What a gift from nature, and what a beautiful
sight it was.

But the winter weather isn't the only crazy thing. As mentioned, we
had transfers, and now that Elder Welch is back home with his family
and Elder Gatherum in Saijo, I get to work with Elder Osborne! He's
been out in the field for a little over a year, so he has mission
experience, and he is an all around good guy. We actually haven't had
much time together yet, because Elder Rowe has been doing some zone
leader training with him, but I look forward to the next 8 (maybe 14?)
weeks with him.

While Elder's Rowe and Osborne have been out doing trainings together,
I've been able to go with Elder Harris, Elder Rowe's new companion,
and a new missionary to Japan! Talk about stress. Here I am, only in
country for about three months, and I'm all of the sudden the person
who knows more Japanese as we teach... But, it's been fun to go out. I
know more than ever that God looks out for us, and when we need to
speak in Japanese, he gives us the words. The gift of tongues is a
real thing, and I am so grateful for it. It's hard, but Elder Harris
and I learn each time we go out that God is watching over us.

The last bit of news for this week is that it's almost Christmas! As
such, we have already been part of two Christmas parties, with two
more planned. They are great chances to go and brighten the day of
other people, by just going and being happy to be there. This is a
season of joy, centered in Christ, but no matter who you are or what
you believe it's a happy time of the year. My challenge going forward
is to channel that joy year round, and love all the people I get the
privilege of talking to as a missionary.

Best wishes for the holiday season!

Love,
Elder Mitchell Woodhouse

Week 19: December 12, 2106 - The End of an Era...

Transfers were Monday December 11 so P-Day was pushed back a day...

Friends and family,

Winter has arrived in Japan! I now fully know why we have
sweaters, coats, gloves, and scarves. What before was simple fashion
is now glorious warmth, and it hasn't even started snowing! But it's
at the same time my favorite weather. We can bundle up as missionaries
and bike through the brisk wind, staying awake and alert, ready to
talk to anyone and everyone. It's cold, but it's a fun time to be out
in the world.

The sad part for me right now is that in two days Elder Welch goes
home, back to Utah. I've only been with him 10 weeks, but it's going
to be way sad not to have him in the mission at all. He was my
trainer, my first companion, and it's from him that I've learned how
to be a missionary in Japan. And he has a strong testimony of the help
Jesus has given to him. Especially in this Christmas season, losing a
friend who personally testifies of the Saviors love in his everyday
actions will be hard. So, the era of Elder Welch dies, and Elder
Woodhouse is left to rise from the ashes.

Thankfully, those ashes are only metaphorical. As far as missionary
work goes, I'm getting left in pretty good shape. We have a couple
stronger investigators that we found in these last few days, and have
plans to meet with them in the coming week. A couple of them are young
families, the Yamamoto and Kagaoka families, and they have the cutest
little kids. Both of them are interested in the new Christmas video,
and the message of light it brings. I love having the chance to teach
about that light daily.

The last thing for this week is a small miracle of that light, and how
often a small thing we do can mean more than we thought. Last Tuesday
Elder Reed and I (Junkai again!) were walking down the street and
talked to a middle aged man. We introduced ourself, and asked if he
needed any help. As it turned out, he had no phone, and needed help
getting around. So we got to spend the next hour and a half walking
around the town with this man, helping him to figure out where he was
going, and just taking with him. It was what we serve in order to do,
to help those who need help, to be a light, but he was just so
appreciative of our help and time. I love being in a position where
that is my duty, and even if he's forgotten us, it means a lot to me
to know that he brightened my day as well, by being willing to walk
around with us.

For this week, the only picture is of Elder Welch and I with Shota,
one of our investigators. He's a great guy, and actually spent part of
our lesson teaching me kanji. Again, being able to go teach and meet
so many great people is a blessing of coming to Japan.

That's all for now, sorry it got a touch long!

Love from Japan,
Elder Mitchell Woodhouse

Week 18: December 4, 2016 - December Already!

Hey everybody!

I realized this week I have now been in Japan for two months! It's
crazy how fast the time has passed. A large part of me feels like it
was just yesterday that I landed in Fukuoka. But then I look back, and
I've been all around, talking to as many people as we can. I wouldn't
say my Japanese is anywhere close to passable, but I've been blessed
with enough to get by so far, and it grows every day. Crazy hard to
learn, but eventually I'm sure it will just flow out as I continue to
learn.

My big news from last week was Wednesday, where I was on Junkai with
Elder Gatherum. The way things worked out, we got all the lessons from
both companionships, so we taught Ueda, Murata, and George, all in one
day, almost back to back. It's crazy to have enough people to teach
that we can't even find new investigators, but that was our day. From
that, I also know why missionary work is exhausting. Not only do we
get to bike everywhere, but Teaching can take a lot out of you, when
you put everything you have into it. I was way tired that night.

Our other news was Elder Rowe, the new zone leader, turned 20! In
celebration, I tried to bake a cake/brownie/thing. By tried, I mean
gave it my best, but there might be a reason I wasn't a baker before
my mission. It didn't taste horrible, but... it needed a lot more
sugar. And baking soda. Possibly more eggs. And sprinkles for color.
As a whole, it fell a little flat, but it was fun. I've learned many
times over already that if you don't try something, you can't learn
from it, and if you learn, it wasn't really a permanent mistake. I've
got time left, so we'll see how things turn out in the future.

The church program for this year is also great. I have always loved
the use of light in the scriptures, and it really is the Light of
Christ that we get to share. Big actions, small gestures, and anything
in between all brighten the world. The entire program brings up two
quotes that I think are really appropriate this week, and I'll leave
those to end.

"To the world, you may be one person. But to one person, you may be the world."
"The smallest glimmer of light drives away darkness. Darkness can
never exist near light"

I know that the light of Christ and the light of goodwill are powerful
tools, and no matter what you do, it won't go unnoticed. As we follow
the guidelines of service, and do our best to share our personal
lights, lives can change and smiles will be found. Good luck to
everyone finishing tests going into the Christmas season. Remember to
have fun!

Love from Yamaguchi,
Elder Mitchell Woodhouse

Week 17: November 28, 2016 - Short Email After Thanksgiving

It hasn't been long since the last email, but it's great to get talk
to everyone again!

Things over the past three days have been just swell! To start with, I
ended up having about the most Japanese Thanksgiving I can think of.
Elder Rowe and I biked out to a place called Stamina, which was
Tabehodai Yakuniku, which means all you can eat meat, where you grill
it in front of you yourself. So I ended up getting pretty full, and
washed it down with melon ice cream. Not quite turkey and pie, but it
was good, and gave us a great meal to be thankful for.

But more important than the food, we also got to go out and teach a
little. Only a little, because we had Zone Training on Friday, and
spent most the day in Ube. But the Lords time is never wasted. In the
time we had, we found an international apartment complex near our
house. All of the people living there are exchange students, most from
Taiwan and China, and they all speak Japanese or English. And, most
amazingly, they all are nice enough to talk to us about our message,
to hear how we have learned for ourselves that through our Savior,
life can improve, it can have meaning. I love teaching, and these
people are all down to learn, so it is a perfect relationship.

The weather here is getting colder, but that's what rain gear and
sweaters are for! I love biking in the brisk evenings, and can't wait
for the first snowfall. It might not be soon, but it will be beautiful
when it comes.

That's really all that's new right now. It's great to hear that
everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Love from Yamaguchi,
Elder Mitchell Woodhouse

Week 16: November 23, 2016 - Thanksgiving in Japan

** Preparation Day was moved due to the Thanksgiving holiday so that the missionaries near the military base in Okinawa could eat a tradition US meal with the families on the base.  

To all my lucky friends and family in America,

Enjoy the turkey! As I mentioned last week, Japan doesn't celebrate
thanksgiving in the traditional American sense, probably because it's
a very American holiday. Elder Gatherum and I got lucky last night, as
we had a lesson with George and Brother Sorensen, both of whom are
Americans. As things turn out, Brother Sorensen was a baker 20-30
years back, and he brought a pumpkin pie for the holiday spirit. Even
this far from home, pumpkin pie is still delicious! But besides that,
here in Yamaguchi, we'll be having a nice normal sized meal, but still
with hearts full of gratitude.

And out here in Japan, there is so much to be great fun for. For
starters, the fact that I'm in Japan amazes me every day, and I'm still
getting over it. It's so beautiful, and so joyous to be out here with
a message of joy. And I get to spend my time with Elder Welch, who
guides me through the language and culture. Truest without him I'd be
lost, and I'm glad I have a companion like him. After transfers, I get
to stay with him and Elder Gatherum, and Elder Rowe has moved in
instead of Elder West. The only downside is that I'm now outnumbered
3:1 by people from Utah, but I can tolerate it, and still be glad for
their company.

Even in the chaos of transfer week, we are still blessed with new
people and old friends. Though last week was new for Elder Rowe, and
he needed to plan zone activities with Elder Welch, we found time to
proselyte, and set up new return appointments. And in between that,
some of our English conversation students took us to a way nice
restaurant, just as a gift of appreciation. As I've said, I love being
in Japan, and working daily to share hope and peace. The people are
completely different than what I'm used to, in a language I can't even
pretend to understand, but it feels like home, because love and thanks
are ideas without nations.

I wish everyone a very happy thanksgiving holiday, and hope you all
bundle up. It sounds like the weather is getting colder, but as we
keep smiles on our faces, there can always be warmth inside.

Love from Yamaguchi,
Elder Mitchell Woodhouse

Week 15: November 14, 2016 - Transfer Week 1: Six Weeks Already!

Hey Everyone!

It's scary how fast time has passed so far. Everyone that I talk to
says that Things only speed up after you finish training, so I'm a bit
worried about where the time will go. At this rate, I'll wake up one
day, know Japanese, and be on a plane out of the country. But for now,
I'm trying to ignore it, and live in the moment.

As some of you mentioned, this week was the first week of transfers
since I have been in the mission. I didn't get any surprising news,
because I will be with Elder Welch to finish training for the next
transfer. Our apartment also lost Elder West, who is going home to
Tokyo on Thursday. In his place we are getting Elder Rowe, who I don't
know, but you will probably hear a lot about him in the near future.
Our other big news is that Elder Gatherum became District
Leader, so we now don't have to travel to Hofu for splits. Sad news,
especially seeing how our last attempt left us stranded on a mountain
at night. But, that's the big news from today, and transfers will
happen again in 4 weeks, to send missionaries home right before
Christmas.

From a people perspective, the past week has been up and down. One of
our investigators, Sei dropped us because she didn't really have any
more interest. It stings, but it's better that she leaves than we
all waste each other's time. There were a few more people that did
that to us at return appointments, which stunk, especially in the rain
that's been falling the past couple days. But, there is always a
bright side, as long as you keep working. For starters, I ran into
some extremely generous people this last week. On two separate
occasions we knocked into people, and the expressed a lack of
interest, which they have every right to do. But before we left, they
had us wait, and brought out chocolate or apples. From their
perspective, we were sharing the joy we full heartedly believe in, and
even though they don't have interest, they can still support us with
food and kind words. More than anything else I've loved how polite,
encouraging, and nice even the people that don't have interest are. It
really makes our day to receive these unexpected gifts.

Also from the past week we met an amazing guy named Oui. This also
came at the end of a hard day, as we were heading home. We had been
planning and praying for lessons, but most people had turned us down
or Kekko'd us. But Oui stopped on the street, and was way down to
listen. And at the end he asked for our phone number (a real
blessing). I can promise that no matter how hard it's been, there is
always light when you do what is right and what you've committed to
do.

Now, for the part you've all been waiting for, the food! Mainly
because I'm still getting used to taking pictures, this is all I have
this week. From Hofu, we went to a place that served Gyudon, or rice
and beef. It's a type of Japanese fast food, and it's normally
reasonably portioned. But, missionaries have discovered the King Size
Challenge! Take a dinner plate, make it a bowl, and fill it, then eat
everything in one sitting. Elder Burgener and I loved it. Elders Hill
and Gatherum, not as much. But, fun times were had!

The weather here is really getting crazy. Days with freezing rain
followed by nice sunny breezes followed by weather too hot for suits.
Can't wait to get to winter, and see the snow over the beautiful
mountains. I'll make sure to get a picture of that once it happens.

Love you all, and I look forward to hearing from everyone's updates as
time goes by. Keep safe and enjoy!

With love from Yamaguchi,
Elder Mitchell Woodhouse