2nd transfer is done! Staying in Nishiwaki!!!!

Dear Everyone,

So Kyoto last week was super fun! We went to Kinkaku-ji, "The Golden Pavilion". It is literally made of gold. It was so beautiful. Pictures are going to be attached. We went with the Branch President and a Recent Convert and the sister missionaries. Super fun and a great cultural experience. I am so blessed to be in Japan.

Kinkaku-ji. Gold everywhere, super cool!

Me with the golden pavilion. So beautiful

The top of the temple. It's a phoenix.

All the missionaries and the Recent Convert.

I am holding the sisters' stuff while they are taking pictures... #packmule

This week starts my 3rd Transfer in the field. Crazy how time flies. Harris Choro is leaving because this was his last transfer. So I am getting a new companion. His name is Elder Scowcroft. I don't know who he is yet, but I will soon. I am staying in Nishiwaki though, which I am happy about. This branch is the best and such a blessing to be part of it. It will be interesting and exciting.

This week missionary work wise, was a pretty slow week. We went to Kobe on Wednesday for Harris Choro's last interview before he goes home. So Wednesday, we didn't do much proselyting. Lately, It's been hard to find new investigators and schedule appointments with our current investigators because of various reasons, but we are still working hard everyday. On Friday, we had Zone Training Meeting where we learned a lot about how this is the Lord's work. He is in charge of the people we teach, but we still have to work as hard and efficient as we can in order to gain revelation to help them. We also talked about how we won the war in heaven, but the war is still going on today. We are the "noble and great ones" and if we keep that motivation, we can be successful and win the war against satan again in this life. We know who the winning team is going to be, but we still need to make sure we are on the right side. Make sure you are doing all that you can to help the winning team.

After ZTM, I went on an exchange with Takahashi Choro, one of the Zone Leaders. That was really fun and I learned a lot. I did some streeting and we had some pretty good contacts with some high school students. The next day was the ward's "Mochi Tsuki" Japanese new years tradition where they make Mochi. It was super fun and again pictures will be coming.

The Fukuchiyama zone

 Mochi tsuki at our church!

Me wielding the hammer of Mochi making! It was fun

One of the cute kids in the branch doing the Mochi tsuki

Mochi with Takahashi Choro

Me and an awesome member! Such a cool guy!

On Sunday, all the missionaries were assigned to give talks. So I spent a lot of the week for Language study preparing the talk. I think it went pretty well. 10 minuets using a lot of scripture. It was a good experience. The "rich investigator" came after Sacrament meeting ended. He walked in wearing a green suit and slacks with a HUGE fur coat. If you give him a cane, a big hat, and some bling, the outfit would've been complete. It was so awesome, and crazy outfit, obviously the craziest outfit I've ever seen at church. Anyway, we taught him more about prayer and the Plan of Salvation. He is still way interested and is going to pray and come to church again next week. Then, that night, we had a lesson with another investigator. He is half Thai so we gave him a Book of Mormon in Thai and he is super excited to read it. He was asking questions about how he can better understand it and everything. His Japanese is really good, but Thai was his first language. He is an awesome guy.

So yup, it's my third transfer already. Japanese is getting there. A few more months and work and I will get it. I have the Lord's help everyday. I have a big testimony about the help that Heavenly Father gives each of his children. He always does. Miracles happen everyday if you keep your eyes open to them. Trust in him that everything is for a reason and for your benefit. I know that is true, even in hard times. He gives us hard times to prove ourselves and to grow into those glorified beings we are destined to be. He loves you.

Thank you for all your support. I miss you all so much and I love hearing from you. Continue to be the best you can be, because that is all He asks of us. Love you all!

Love,

Elder Lamoreaux

I drew a map at Eikaiwa (English class)

Oshogatsu (Japanese New Year) food at the Branch President's house. Lots of weird looking food, but it all tasted good!

After the Branch President's house, we went to Kiyomizudera; a temple in a nearby city. Very cool. I love Japan

That same day, we ate a ton of food with a Recent Convert at a restaurant. Sushi and Oshogatsu food and later dessert. After that, we went to her house and she fed us more apples and grapefruit and milk and oranges, despite our "complaints". I was so so so so so full.

Beautiful snow

Then the next day, we went to another member's house and had "Sukiyaki" a Japanese style food where they keep piling vegetables and meat in a boiling pot and we eat straight from the pot with rice and egg. Super good and really filling. I am getting fat.....