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Week 1 in Japan (Week 10)

        Where to even start!? Japan is amazing! I can't understand anything that is going on and I have no idea how to navigate myself through Tokyo. Even through all this, this has been an amazing experience. Who knew dendo (missionary work) was so much fun! We do a lot of street contacting around here (just because that's the best way to get exposure in Tokyo). 99 percent of the people we say konichiwa to, just ignore us. So to balance that number out, we say konichiwa to everyone! Since I've arrived in Fujisawa (my first area) we've already got one baptism lined up for December 17, and several new investigators. My trainer, Elder Dowdle is fantastic!  He is very skilled at the language and very good at talking to people. We get along really well!
        This morning, we got to go to the Tokyo temple. It was super awesome.  I heard that the Tokyo temple is the most expensive piece of property the Church owns. It is in a very wealthy part of Tokyo so it wouldn't surprise me. To get to the temple we have to take the train. The trains in down town Tokyo are quite the experience. I've never been more elbow to elbow in my life. They have what are called "people pushers" whose job is basically to stuff as many people into the train as possible. Would not recommend for anyone with a fear of tight spaces.
        Tokyo is a very expensive place to live. Sometimes I think we are a little spoiled as Missionaries in Tokyo. Everywhere we ever have to go is within like a 15-20 minute walk. We have great members in our area.  They take care of us pretty well. And, on top of all that, we have heated toilet seats. We have got it made! Biggest downturn of coming to Tokyo is the insanely long flight from the US to Narita. It was like 11 hours. Plus we can't watch movies as missionaries, so there was a lot of napping and a lot of scripture study. It was nice to catch up on a little sleep after the MTC though.
        I don't really have any great stories to tell yet, but they will be coming! Fujisawa is a very promising area. Ive heard that all the missionaries in Tokyo south request to go to Fujisawa. I guess I
scored on this one! In our apartment there are 4 elders. There is me and Elder Dowdle, and Elder Porter and Elder McDonald (One of my Daisenpai and a good friend from the MTC). Small world.
        I think I've learned more in my first week in Japan than I did in the MTC. Learning through complete immersion. Its tough but a lot of fun and very effective. Japan has been an amazing experience, and I am just getting started. I've already survived two earthquakes and the Tokyo train stations. With the Lord on my side how can I fail?
        Thank you som much for all the support from home. I can not express my gratitude for all the prayers. Know that you are in my prayers as well! 愛しています!!!

サドラー長老

Sent from my iPad

P.S. They said to not send any food. Including non-perishables like beef jerky.


 


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