Jumping with Joy

"Hello there!

How are you? Ah, great. Oh, me? Oh, you know, I'm just FLIPPING EXCITED. In 5 days, I'll be in a plane. But it's not just any plane. It's a plane heading to 神戸(Kobe)!! I can't wait, haha! We got our final itineraries last week. I am currently jumping with joy as I write this.

This week's been very special. I got the opportunity to go to Temple Square! Whaaaa? Let me explain: international missionaries get the chance to visit the Salt Lake temple in their last weeks at the MTC. So they get one whole morning off so they can tour around Temple Square. Unfortunately, the temple was closed so we couldn't go inside and have a session. But we still got to see it from up close. SO COOL. MANY PICTURES WERE TAKEN.

  

The devotionals this week were pretty awesome as well! In one of them T.C. Christensen s, a movie director, spoke to us (The one who directed "17 Miracles". Remember that movie?)

He spoke about his experiences while directing that movie and why he made certain decisions. The main message of that devotional was: "Live your life in such a way that you can be ready to serve the Lord at any time." In the other devotional, The Ellis family spoke to us. What? Family you say? Yes! Family! Not only did Stanley G. Ellis and his wife speak to us, but their 8 returned missionary sons and daughters as well!! Crazy! They all bore their testimonies and missionary experience. The devotional as a whole focused a lot on obedience and hope. And I really like how it kind of linked to the previous devotional by T.C. Christensen: by following the commandments and rules, you'll be ready to serve the Lord and claim all His promised blessings." Like a jigsaw puzzle! Heheh.

We also demonstrated "How to begin teaching in front of tons of new missionaries. I was really scared for some reason, but it went really well and we learned a lot!

I learned so much here in the MTC. I'm grateful for all of the experiences I've had, be it good or bad. It has really strengthened me. This is my last post from the States.The next blog entry will come from Japan, haha!

Please note: p-days (in which I can update this blog) will change to monday and the mailing address is changed as well. From now on, please use my new address in Japan if you want to send me something awesome through mail, okidoki?

Elder Pedro Serra Santos

Japan Kobe Mission

4-6-28 Shinohara Honmachi

Nada-Ku, Kobe-Shi, Hyogo-Ken

Japan 657-0067

Use only 'Japan Post' ( no Fed Ex or UPS, etc.) to send your letters or packages.

I love you all and I hope to see you next time!!

Tempel Cleaning & Investigator on Skype

"Konnichiwa! Minasan wa genki??

This week has been pretty awesome! And here's why.

First off, we cleaned the temple. Sounds boring, right? WRONG. We went to clean different rooms inside the temple and because of that we could see some pretty special and holy chambers. The temple is a really beautiful and special place! I'm glad we got the privilege to go deeper into the temple and to see such sacred things.

Our lessons with our "shinpou shite iru kyudousha" (progressing investigator) have been great! Ever since I've been in a new douryougumi I've been able to teach with more faith and power! Monson chourou, my new douryou, really lifts me up and he really makes me a better person!! He is awesome!!

And even our classroom instructions seem to have been more powerful as well! I've learned a ton of stuff just because the spirit was so strong!! Some senkyoushitachi in our district were moved to tears, sometimes. Including me, by the way. Heheheh.

The devotionals have been a little different this week. Because they were cleaning up the building where we would normally have a devotional, we went to a different building OUTSIDE the MTC: the Mariott Center.

It was some kind of stadium, probably for basketball or something. But it was HUGE! And the devotionals were really awesome as well. One was about "Charity", by Richard I. Heaton. There was a big emphasis on teaching with love and how this love truly helps the investigator to feel the spirit. When you teach with charity, you teach with the spirit! Many people say: "What would Jesus do?" Brother Heaton, however, told us to also keep a similar phrase in our heads: "What would Jesus FEEL?" Really liked it.

The next devotional was in that same building, about "The sacred name of our Lord" by L. Edward Brown (former general authority). He told us about the importance and sacredness of the name "Jesus Christ" and how we shouldn't use it in vain. Not only does that mean that people shouldn't swear with His name or use His name in a bad way, but it also means that we, the senkyoushitachi, shouldn't slur off his name in a routine-like fashion. For instance, when we had a long day here and it was really late, I would just say a quick prayer and quickly end with the words "In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." That's not how you do it, though. And brother Brown made that clear in his talk. I learned a lot from that as well. I made tons o' notes, so I can read them again later on.

What else... we did this fun little game in our district, called "Tanaka san". It's an SYL game (Study Your Language) In which someone gets to be Tanaka san and the others have to fin out who it is. And Tanaka san can only speak Japanese and can't understand any English for that day! Everyone speaks in Japanese as well, because at the end of the day we vote for who we think Tanaka san is. If someone gets the most votes WITHOUT being Tanaka san, then Tanaka san has to do something for the winner. It was really fun and it really helped us to learn more Japanese as well!! AWESOME!!

We also Skyped with a real Nihonjin yesterday! I was nervous!! But it went pretty well. I'd say I caught around 30-35% of what she said directly. But I was able to understand her completely, through context and known vocabulary. And, of course, through the spirit.

I hope you've all had a great week and I'll see you next week! BUH-BYE!!

~サントス　長老 "

New Companion & 4th of July

Patriarchal Blessing

"Konnichiwa! Minasan wa genki?

Another week has passed here in the MTC and my counter currently stands at 5.5-ish weeks (3.5 remain). It's so weird. It seems as if time is flying by faster and faster each week! Hayai! I'll be in Nihon before you know it. Let's taco-bout this week, shall we?

I've finally received my patriarchal blessing this week! It was done by a Utah-branch patriarch. It was amazing. It seemed as if he knew so much about me, even though we've never met before!!

But when you think about it, a patriarchal blessing is actually Jesus Christ speaking directly to you... through a patriarch, that is. Haha.

But seriously though: I'm so grateful to be able to have the privilege of receiving such a special gift from my Heavenly Father. Direct counsel and motivation from the Lord. What more could you ask for. I'm gonna read the printed version thoroughly.

We did some more hosting this week. I got three amazing missionaries going to Australia (Korean speaking), Singapore (Malay speaking) and California (English speaking). I hope that these new missionaries, along with the rest of the newbies, will have an awesome time here at the MTC. I hope they will find happiness in their choice to serve the Lord for 2 whole years. They're gonna love it. I know I do.

Tomorrow is 4th of July! We're gonna have a special celebratory meeting tomorrow. There've also been rumors that we will be able to watch fireworks!! Keep your fingers crossed for me, will ya?

I have been drawing tons of stuff! I drew one of the chouroutachi <> in our district as a retired samurai and I also drew my teachers. They seem impressed. They want more. I will never stop drawing. Daisuki!!

This week's devotionals have been pretty good as well! Especially the Tuesday one, by Elder Snow (A former Seventy). It was such a powerful speech and I learned so much! It was about becoming disciples of Christ. I liked when he talked about how it's important that when people see you as a missionary, they must see you as Jesus Christ. For two years, you will bear His name and leave behind your own. You put your personal affairs on your shelf and take upon yourself the responsibility of being Christ's representative, so that people may see Him in His servants. Totemo yokatta!! I wrote down a lot of notes.

It has been a pretty normal week, aside from this. Our douryougumi is getting better and better and it really pleases me how our teamwork seems to be improving. Dekimasuyo!!

(I also crowned a good amount of newer chouroutachi with Pokemon stickers. They were really happy. Tanoshii!)

I hope you've all had a super swell week. I love you all. See you next time!

~Santos chourou

The chills & Pres. Welch

Hey there, beautiful peoples!!

This week has been HECTIC!! Tons of stuff going on! Let's get moving, shall we?

So, first off... I've caught the chills, HURRAY! It was pretty bad. I had pounding headaches, nausea, sore muscles, dizziness and tons o' that lovely FATIGUE. I wanted to rub my face on the wall. Mai nichi. Itsumon. Totemo byouki deshita, kedo ima, watashi wa motto genki desu yo! <>

(That's probably as slaughtered as my Nihongou <> gets.)

But let me tell you how blessed I am. The senkyoushitachi in our residence halls (dorms) are truly amazing. They visited me and told me stories to cheer me up, they brought food and water when I needed it... They even gave me this super sweet fuwa-fuwa na blanky <> to keep me warm. They shared their concerns and gave me advice to become better quickly. Aren't they just the swellest? I think they are the swellest.

But it wasn't just the awesome senkyoushitachi, though! The devotionals this week were breathtakingly good! We've had talks about "Inviting the spirit through singing" by Sister Perry (Elder Perry's wife) and about "The worth of souls" by Elder Christofferson. According to Sister Perry, keeping a hymn in your heart will enable you to feel the spirit better and to stay motivated. I definitely think that singing a hymn allows us to tune into the spirit better. A hymn is kind of like a prayer, but instead of talking with God, you're SINGING for Him!! It also helps me to stay focused. Whenever my thoughts would dwell, I would just remind myself of an awesome hymn and be back on track again! The hymn is strong with this one! The talk by Elder Christofferson was actually the highlight of my week, though. Last week I felt like I wasn't progressing at all. My Nihongou was sub-par, my scripture study was all over the place, my lesson-prep for my investigator felt one-sided (I couldn't give any good input)... I felt worthless. At that moment, I felt like I wasn't cut out for missionary work. What could I do, am I right?

So, as we were heading to the devotional, I said a prayer in my heart. A silent, emotional prayer: "Heavenly Father... what am I doing here? Am I really supposed to be a missionary? Am I not worthless?" I prayed for an answer. And immediately when Elder Christofferson started talking, I knew God had heard my prayer. His talk was so amazing and it really addressed all these questions I had. The worth of every single soul on this earth, is unimaginably great in God's eyes. Just because we make mistakes and commit sin, doesn't mean our worth has diminished. Our adversary, Satan, tries to break our will by telling us how sinful and wrong we are and by making us believe that God loves us less because of that.

That is false.

God loves us so much... Just think that every time you experience sorrow, God experiences that same sorrow. He wants us to be happy and to do our best. And through Jesus Christ's atonement, we can do the BEST of our best!! I know this is true. I will do my best. By relying on Christ, we can do anything.

It was an amazing devotional. I was filled with joy and newfound hope. I can be at ease now.

Oh, a few more things I wanted to mention: we met our Mission President!! President Welch and his wife!! He is big, bald and emotional... just like my dad!

(I love you, dad!)

No, he is an amazing mission president and I'm definitely looking forward to working with him! Gosh, so awesome!

Also, we went hosting new missionaries! I got to host someone going to the Netherlands! WHAAAAAAAT???

To my home ward in the Netherlands: Expect an Elder Andrew in the coming two years :P

Lastly: our douryougumi <> is getting better and better! Yes!! This is what I wanted!! We'll be able to be a wonderful team in no time!

I love you all so much and I'm looking forward to writing you all next week!

Stay awesome, lovelies!

~Santosu chourou

" Wise like a Snake, Harmless as a Dove "

  

 

Hey there, beautiful people!!

This week has been kinda tough. First off: our "dai-senpaitachi" left on Monday and Tuesday ("great seniors", meaning the missionaries who have been here longer than us and have been our "seniors"). They are a rowdy bunch and just the best people you could ever imagine. We've said our heartfelt goodbyes. They are now in the Mission Field in Japan. Having them leave caused great peace to reside in our dorms. It's kinda lonely. We're only 2 districts right now. There will be new "kohaitachi" ("juniors") entering in 3 weeks. I'll be a "senpai" in 3 weeks. Isn't that something? Hahaha!

Then there's my companionship's issue... It's been pretty awful. We have been called multiple times to speak with members of the Priesthood in order to solve our problems. And I'm glad to report that it has taken a turn for the better! I'm so grateful for all the support my friends, family and the senkyoushitachi and Priesthood gave me. I have learned a lot this week. I hope I can use that knowledge to improve myself and help those around me.

The devotionals were great this week and have helped me a lot. Last Tuesday, Elder Ballard (of the Twelve Apostles) has spoken encouraging words about our missions. He said that it will be tough and there will be many distractions. But if you focus on Christ's doctrine and the simple message we're spreading, we will be blessed with the Spirit's company and guidance: "Be wise like a snake and harmless as a dove". We must make an effort to avoid potentially dangerous situations by staying alert and avoiding, like a snake. But we must also be meek and harmless to those around us, like a dove. Awesome quote. Daisuki.

Oh, by the by, now that Pesce-chourou, the crazy Pokemon Sticker Dealer, is in the field, I have been granted permission to take on the ways of the Pokemon Sticker Dealer. I have the power now!! GOTTA DEAL 'EM ALL!
...
But the work of the Lord is important and will always remain my main focus.
I'm grateful that I could endure the trials this week and experience the blessings of faith in Jesus Christ.
I hope that all of you may be well. Have an awesome week, tomodachitachi!

I love you all,
~サントス　ちょうろう

Language Skills-Up & Not Getting Along Yet

"Hi there! How are you doing?

So, two weeks have passed here in the land of the free... It's been pretty swell!! My Nihongo no benkyou (Japanese language's study) has continued and I'm happy to report that my skill's gone up!! I now know Hiragana completely (one of the Japanese alphabets, used for traditional words) and a li'l bit o' Katakana (the second alphabet, used for foreign words and names). Allow me to demonstrate:

イエス　キリスト　の　きょうかい

 Iesu     Kirisuto   no    kyoukai.

(Jesus   Christ     's      church.)

   (Katakana)        (Hiragana)

Get it? I might become a Nihongo no sensei, heheh.

Anyway, this week we've taught role playing investigators (investigators are people who want to find out more about our religion). So get this: After the first 2 weeks you switch investogators (so you get new ones. My first investigator, Takuma Tsuchia... oh man. He turned out to be my teacher: Lloyd-sensei. It was so weird hearing my investigator, who claimed he didn't understand English at all, speak the most fluent of English...es I have ever heard. And this time he was teaching me! とても　へん。。。(Totemo hen... = Very weird...)

And guuueessss what? Our old teacher (who switched with Lloyd-sensei) became our investigator. My head.

So I have had ups and downs this week. The devotionals on tuesdays and sundays (devotional = a conference with inspiring talks from leaders and presidents) were awesome. The Spirit was so strong. And it motivated me to give it my all to grow and become a better senkyoushi (remember what it means?). Especially the "Character of Christ" talk from Elder Bednar. I wrote down tons o' notes and started studying them. His words were really powerful and they really touched me. Also, a lot of new missionaries going to Japan came in last week. They're all Nihon-jin (Japanese people). They're so funny and awesome! They taught me some stuff about Nihon-go. They're really friendly and polite, even though I slaughtered their language countless times before their eyes... ears? Awesome-jin.

I also met some missionaries going to the Netherlands!! WHOOHOO!! I'M NOT A LONE DUTCHMAN ANYMORE! Well, I still am, kinda, but you know what I mean. Don't ruin this for me.

Elder Bonner and Zuster Bradley are their names. Their Dutch is very good and I hope my friends back at home may meet them one day. They're just the best people and missionaries ever!

Now the less happy stuff... My companionship isn't working out. We just can't seem to get on with each other. Sometimes I really felt like giving up. Can you imagine? It's only been two weeks...

I gotta work hard to regain his trust and friendship. I can't do this alone... and neither can he. I want to help him and serve him as a loyal and loving douryou. I hope the wounds can be healed.

But I know that through Christ everything can be done. しんこう　わ　ひつよ　です。(Shinkou wa histuyo desu: Faith is a need.) We can do this!!

I gotta roll. Hope you've had a swell week and I'll see you next time!

Stay awesome,

~ サントス　ちょうろう (Santosu-chourou)