Hello everyone!

Okay, here's an update about  my lower back: as you may or may not know, three weeks ago I coughed and it threw my lower back out.  It's the same experience dad had with his disc herniation. Well, I am still taking the painkillers that they told me to take, and they still have no effect, My lower back still hurts (It feels like bone grating against bone, not a comfy feeling.) I am just waiting to run out of the pills which will indicate that it has been a month, and then I will be going back to the doctor.

Myself and Yoshizawa Chourou are getting along just fine, still working hard, and still having fun while doing so. If he transfers I don't know what I will do XD This week we have been teaching non stop, so we have been exhausted lately, but we are doing our best to stay on our toes. Basically we have appointments everyday every week, It's nuts XD

Oooh, Mom was playing the flute at church today?? It's been a while since I heard her play. I hope it went as well as I think it did...!

 

For breakfast today, I had rice with this ground beef powder stuff that you sprinkle on top of it for flavor XD tasteyyyyy? hahah. It's funny that dad and Steven had rice and beans and chicken! We were all on the same page.

Brittany told me she would be going back home for a while, so I guess you are all expecting her to land this week. I hope that you guys have fun having her back <3 It's been a while hasn't it? 

Brittany's Bday is coming up! Craziness, that means Your guys' birthdays are coming up as well! blaahhhhhhh 

Ok, soooo, Some awesome stuff happened this week. Last week, we had a lesson with a member, and she and I got to talking about interests and stuff, and I mentioned how I really like sword fighting and stuff like that, and mentioned how we always watched Akira Kurosawa films and stuff and I also mentioned the Kimono thing I got from Arisawa Kyoudai a while back. She said she used to do Kendo, and that she had to stop because she got to old and wasn't able to do it anymore, so she asked me if I wanted her old Gear, and I said, if she doesn't need it, then I would love them. So This week, She brought her old Kendo Gear, The Kimono top, the Awesome pants, and the Kendo sword (The gear is all dual gender, so there wasn't any worry of it being girl's clothes, the sword has a little pinkish sticker on it that says Women's kendo, that and all of the clothes have her name engraved on them, but That's a okay with me!) , and gave them to me. I have attached a picture of me wearing the new stuff, she and I are the same height and build, so it was a perfect fit... So stoked on life right now! This is like receiving an heirloom from a family member and I am very honored!

Another awesome thing that happened, two of our most progressing investigators have been coming to church actively now, and one of them stopped Smoking on her own, so we are really seeing the blessings that come from hard work and prayer. It has been a fantastic time working here with Yoshizawa Chourou. 

Another thing! I gave a talk Yesterday on the Holy Ghost, it was a lot of fun! Talking in Japanese is so much easier than giving a talk in English XD because if I mess up, I don't even know it! XD hahahah. (according to my companion I did well, I had had him check my talk the night before :D ) 

Oh! If you remember--- two weeks ago, There was a member who gave me some artwork that she did, Attached are photos of what she gave me. (these will be posted to Facebook by dad).

 

Blahhh!!! I love Japan. 

I love you guys and I hope you are all safe and happy and having a good time! 

 

Muah!!!!

 

Love

Elder Hernandez

Hiru Chouro 

蛭長老

July 29, 2012

So, I heard about the Shooting that had happened at the Batman movie opening in Colorado (from one of our english students). He said the guy was shooting a "machine gun," killed twelve, and injured a bunch, and then later on when the police found him he told them he was the Joker and offered up no resistance... Scary Stuff...

I hope the family is doing Great-- I heard from mom that you guys had fun with Grandma Nancy Glad to hear it!

I am way Jazzed for Scott and the new  Job! What is it that they have him doing?

I am Praying for you all everyday.

And as for Jackson, NO WAY.... He's already six months.... WHAT???? Where did all that time go????? ): I will be home and he'll already be a year and a half! that's nuts! Blaaaahhhh.... Oh well XD I can't wait to see him for the first time in person :D

Ok so this week was pretty Awesome. The highlight of my week happened just Yesterday (Sunday) and I will get to it in a sec.  So first, Tuesday -- AWESOME day -- We went with the little kids (that we volunteer for at the daycare place) on a field trip, and we got to participate in events and stuff, and we all made these handkerchiefs that we dyed and put cool stuff on (I forgot to snap a photo of it, but I will do that this week and send it your way :D )  and then we saw these huge beetles and got to hold them and stuff. Super fun!

lol, my Companion said something funny when he saw Brittany's picture in my album:

Koch Chourou: Brittany, You've definitely got some Moco latte in ya.

Me: You mean Hispanic?

Koch: THAT'S the Politically correct word I was looking for... Hispanic

 

Fun stuff XD

 

We played some basketball with some Japanese kids and an investigator on Wednesday and had some fun there. though the investigator injured her leg while playing. 

On Thursday we had a really cool lesson with our Investigator named Miwa, the thing about her is, the only way we get her at home is through revelation, because she still hasn't given us her real address, we go to her Son in law's house and find her there. 

Friday we had a family home evening with two of our investigators, but one is twelve and has a hard time focusing for long periods of time, and her dad likes to talk.... and his Japanese is super hard to understand XD but he was saying cool stuff like how he really respects us for being so young and coming out to serve, and how he despises those rich old men who say they believe in God but hoard their wealth and send their youth to go to war, and how it's the youth dying who truly believe. Cool stuff! 

Saturday was awesome, we had kids English class, and then we went to a festival with a member, and that was fun. The Japanese people really seem to like us Foreigners, They kept giving us free food and stuff, and even a group of 12 year old boys came over and gave me and my companion some hot dogs, but skipped over the two Japanese Missionaries who were sitting between us...

Finally, Sunday! A truly awesome day! I love Japan. On Sunday our ward mission-leader's wife gave a talk wearing a Kimono. It was awesome! then later that night we had a family home evening with two Brazilian members, but before we went there we decided to plan what we would say and what scriptures we would share, and I kept flipping to one specific scripture: Alma 36:27. It really struck me.  So we went to their place, talked and taught for a while, and then Brother Araujo started talking about his past--it was really intense--and I said, I have a scripture for you Right here, Right now -- and shared it with him.  It really affected him, and he got emotional and highlighted one line, and then asked if he could take a picture of us. Super spiritual experience and it was totally awesome (the word of the day is "Awesome").

 

Here is the text of Alma 36:27: "And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me." 

Anywho! I love you all, The Church is true, and We really do receive revelation. 

 

Elder Hernandez

Hiru chourou

蛭長老

July 20, 2012

 

Hello everyone!

 

I made it to my One year mark!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH I have twelve months left in Japan XD this is weird lol. To celebrate, when I was on a Companion exchange with Elder Augusto this week, He brought along A member named Arisawa. This guy is amazing.... He has a website that you should check out (arisawagroup.co.jp) anyway, He and Augusto took me to a store, and while I was looking around they came back and found me, and had a bag with something in it, and after the day was over, Arisawa Dropped us back off at the apartment he handed me the bag and said Congratulations on one year and drove off. He got me a Yuukata ( A man's Kimono thing ) if you checked his website, you'll notice Diamonds. He sells them.... XD

Ok so my week:

Other than the awesome Gift from the second counsilor of Takaoka's ward, this week was pretty normal, we had our final district meeting together, (Because Elder Augusto and Sister Shaver are both going home.) and then on Sunday we had church, but left early so we could go to Takaoka's Baptism. Had the baptism, and then we stayed for a farewell lunch party/ congratulations baptism party with Takaoka. Then we went we them for the day, and some members took us all around and we took pictures and stuff and had a farewell Dinner parrty as well with them, stayed the night in Takaoka, and then helped elder Augusto get all his stuff together to leave. and now we have his companion with us. Then at ten today, we had transfer calls, and all three of us got some big news.

This was my guess for what was going to happen this transfer:

for Me: Transfer and become senior again

for Finlinson: stay in Toyama and become senior

For Iwata (Augusto's companion, and he was one of the Japanese Elders who came with me to Japan): Staying in Takaoka and getting a Brazillian companion.

What's REALLY Happening:

 me:

I'm transferring!!! XD I was right! lol I am going to a place called Fukuroi to follow up train an Elder Koch (Pronounced Cook). So today is going to be fulll of phone calls and packing for tomorrow when I have to leave Toyama. I am both sad and happy about this, seeing as the Cockroach problem here hasn't changed.

Elder Finlinson:

He's staying and becoming senior companion, not only that but he's also becoming a trainer

Elder Iwata:

He's staying In Takaoka, but he's getting Three companions, so they're going Yonnin (Four Person)

Crazy stuff huh?

Sooooo yeahhhh.... This is going to be interesting XD I get to go get used to another Companion! This will be my Sixteenth companion in one year of mission life XD Most Missionaries end their missions having had around 8-10 companions in all lol. I feel special XD

Due to having to pack I gotta go sooner than normal, so I love you!!! Live it up for me in good old California!

Elder Hernandez

Hiru Chourou

蛭長老

Hello everyone!

 

Ohhh man, Time sure is flying huh? in a little over a month I will have been serving a mission for a full year! That's ridiculous XD I can't really remember life before the Mission, I remember Friends, and family, but the other stuff just isn't there anymore XD kinda like a clean slate of life, and when I get home I get to write all over it again, except this time with a much more refined hand that knows what it wants to do on the paper.

Ahahahahaha XD that picture of Aidan is funny XD and the reason he's doing it is even funnier XD I TOTALLY agree with him, Beets are monster food ("because they look like owies") XD

Dad, did you guys record your academy graduation speech? and do you have it written down? cuz I wanna hear it :D

Oh man Dad, You and mom have lost a LOT of weight!  hahahah, you look like you are on the football team or something, Crazyness, and Mom looks like she is back in her Gypsy dance times :D you two look fantastic. 

Things over here are going great, My new Companion (My fifteenth one) Elder Finlinson, is really cool, he's super tall, has black hair, Glasses, and has Freckles like me! Hahaha, one of the other things that is cool about him, is the fact that he really wants to learn how to draw, so on our free time, when we have some (which seems like never...), I have been drawing him some how-to guides XD it's been awesome, because during the day, we do all of our Missionary work, and then we come home, report, and then I start showing him some tips and tricks and stuff, and it's actually been helping ME to get better at drawing too XD Win Win!!! so that's cool.

We have been teaching Yamamoto more, and we filled out the rest of her Baptismal record (with her), so now she has it all on record, and is ready for her Baptism on the 7th of July. all that is left to do is to teach her some more about the commandments, and then get her into an interview with the district leader, and she is ready!

 

I am super stoked on life right now :D my companion and I have been taking turns cooking food, so far we have made Chahan (Rice with eggs, greens and fried on a pan), spaghetti with alfredo sauce, pancakes, and a bunch of other stuff XD way good food :D I am still super Skinny though XD my weight has stayed at a consistant 65 kilos and I have a bit more muscle tone than before, since we work out every morning :3

Being the Senior Companion is kinda challenging, I have to be the one to come up with Ideas of who we can go visit, and I have to know how to get to those places as well, so that's a little tough, but nothing I can't handle :D it's fun out here, and I am having a great experience. So far No, no orange juice, and barely any ramen xD

Love,

Elder Hernandez

(Hiru Chourou)

Transfers and Companionships

Hello everyone!

It sounds like everyone had a pretty intense week! I had a pretty intense one too. I am sorry that I missed everyone together at home. I Wish I coulda said hello to all of you.... ohhhh welllll.

So, here is my crazy week:  Elder Rocha got transferred out of Toyohashi on Thursday, I got a temporary companion, then on Sunday went to church and had a less active member show up on their own to church which was pretty sweet Then we went to a place called hamamatsu (My temporary companion's area, his is name is Nelson), but he goes HOME tomorrow morning (Tuesday).

I then got two new companions, Elders Brown and Amussen, and went to a less active members house in a town called Hamamatsu, where I ended up Cooking Everything for everyone O_O ... it was pretty cool :D

Then we went to the Hamamatsu apartment, and my friend Dennis Kyoudai called me and asked if I was there in Hamamatsu yet, and I said I was, so he dropped by the apartment and gave us some cookies and milk :D

The next morning, (Today, Monday) Nelson Chourou and I woke up, got dressed, and went to Nagoya (A train ride that takes about an hour and a half) and there I got my next temporary Companion (Elder Johnson from my old Districts!)

At the moment we are together until tomorrow (Tuesday) where I will be getting two *new* companions who will come and stay with me in Toyohashi and they are: Elder Amussen :O and Elder Anderson :D

 

weird and confusing right? so now I have had three "Sannin Douryoutachis" out here (Three companionships in one area), and once again I will be the Area Senior here in Toyohashi.  At the next transfer, I am apparently being trained to be a Senior companion, so I will be a Senior Comp after 6 transfers out here in Japan. craaaazyyynessss.

This week has been reaaaallly hectic... .and Elder Rocha went to Fujieda, which is the first place he went to when he came to Japan lol. so he has only been in two places since he came to Japan, Fujieda, and Toyohashi, and now back to Toyohashi, and he's been out for a year XD it's crazyy.

 

So that was my week, and now I have **no time**, cuz we have to go to a lesson today because it was so busy with Transfers, and we don't really get a Pday (personal day off) on transfer days.   I will have to talk to you all Next week when things settle down.

I love you all and hope that you have a great week! Congrats on all the crazy cool stuf going on over there, minus the Steven leaving with the babies >_> lame! and Britt moving.  Scott needs to have kids!!!!  lol.

 

Dad, That picture you made of Chris is scary accurate! I just wish I could be there to meet in person... but oh well. I have learned that I will be missing a lot of things at home.  No worrrriiieesss, But omedetou gozaimasu minna san (Congratulations everyone!) 

 

Okay so take care, I love you, and I will "see you" next week, and next time there will be pictures! I promise! hahahah

 

Love

Hiru Chourou

Elder Hernandez

Okidokie!

Hiyas everybody :D I am still super stoked about Baby Jackson! I have a new Nephew!!! I sure hope I get to meet him when I come home! :D

 

Mom thank you for the wonderfull Poem that you sent me just a few minutes ago, I enjoyed reading it, and if I could I'd be hugging you right now <3

 

So! It's my Birthday soon! I'm turning 20! How crazy is that? I don't really feel older, in fact I feel quite youthful :P maybe it's just because I am not at the day yet XD

 

Scott And Melanie! Thank you for the letter Melanie, I was so shocked when it arrived XD I'm so glad that you and Scott had a blast and got to meet famous dudes lol, wish I could have joined you guys. Note to self- At comic con stick with Scott and Melanie for the good stuff XD

 

This week was pretty interesting, we met some realllllly weird people XD ok, not people, just the one, and I will describe him shortly, but first the normal stuff.

IT SNOWEDDD AGAIN :D That made me happy :D But today we just get rain and cold lol. sad panda? indeed.

 

We got to visit a few less active members recently who are really nice people, one of which is even able to speak English, and he totally reminds me of Jesse Romero!

 

Interesting fact: My companion totally reminds me/looks like (To me) Peter from Fringe! I was like.... you look kinda familiar.... PETER!!! XD

 

Ok, back to the weird dude:

We went to Church this fast Sunday, and when we got there, there was a man wearing a strange outfit and a Brown Cowboy hat. He was bald except that he wore Hair extensions that were Bronze colored. He was missing all of his upper teeth and had plenty of the bottom teeth missing as well. He had two cell phones, one for reading manga on it, and the other for calling people with. he wore a HUGE Jacket and had one of those hip pouches that he wore facing his front. Due to the lack of upper teeth, His Japanese was practically impossible for me to understand, and as it turns out, he had come to the Church to seek after a Job. apparently he had been to the church before, because the members said that he had come once before. I believe his name was Saeko or something similar to that. He seemed like, and interesting fellow, and as we were speaking to him, he fell asleep a couple times, and finally we had to get a member to come help us talk to this guy. we shared a message about the church, and said we would get in contact with him if any jobs worked their way to us.

 

This week's best investigator:

Oota San is a really nice old lady we met one night when Elder Rocha's tire had popped last month, she has come to church once now, and we have met with her for lunch twice and talked about the church. She is really sweet, and is wanting to learn more about the church, so we've been hunting for male church members to come with us to teach her (because we can't teach women alone) having a member present is called having a Tachiai which means an observer.

 

This week I picked up my pencil and started drawing again, and somehow I have improved in my artwork even though I haven't been able to draw very often. Count the little blessing Eh?

 

anyway, I gotta go now and write to President Baird about my week now <3 I love you all!

 

Lots of love from a country far from home <3

Elder Hernandez

Hiru Chourou

This week was kind of annoying to tell you the truth, I felt pretty abused XD I will esplaiin:

So we have an investigator who is in her forties, and we teach her English as well as the missionary lessons, anyway, so Starting Monday morning, she started texting us, but the texts were all directed at me, because she doesn't like talking to Rocha Chourou because he is Brazillian and doesn't speak perfect English (She said that to Him and Elder Curtis when we were on a Koukan) and so when she texted she was talking nonsense, and then asked who it was she was talking to, and we said it was Me, (Rocha and I texted her back together) and she started saying that she was glad I was there, and then proceeded to say some really really creepy stuff, so we didn't reply, and she sent us thirty seven more texts, and we were really bugged. The next day we didn't get any texts, but the day after, we got a bunch more, so the next day we went to Meito for interviews and brought it up to President Baird and the APs and they didn't really have any advice for us other than stop meeting with her. so, this week was full of trying to ignore creepy older lady....

 

This week we also got to meet up with a less active member Named Wendell, he is way cool, he is a biker, and has a crazy beard XD He is extremey nice, and loves the bible, but wasn't really sure why he got baptized ten years ago. He had gone inactive right after baptizm, and said he never really read the Book of Mormon, so we gave him one, and asked if he would read it, and said that if you read the Bible, you can see that it is a compilation of Prophets' Journals, and how God doesn't stop talking to people, and how people don't stop writing down what he has to say, and we explained that the book of mormon is Another record of God's people, and he said he would read it, and he said he would come to our sports night activity this next week :D

 

Another thing this week, we met a woman named Flor at a Hospital and taught a fantastic lesson, and then got to see her again this week, and Rocha Chourou was able to extend something called the Soft Yakusoku (Soft Promise) she says she will be baptized when she feels that it is true, she just didn't commit to a day. YAY!!!! it's Progress at least, She basically had a stroke a while ago, so she has to take pills and stuff, so she isn't to healthy at the moment, but she is reading the Book of Mormon, and is in Chapter 11 of First Nephi! She is the Bomb! ^_^

 

that's pretty much the highlights of my week, I am doing great I am feeling healthy and happy, so no worries there :D

 

Congrats Britt on Costa Rica XD I hope you are having a blast out there and staying safe :D I am glad there is someone out there just like me that you were able to make friends with :D just goes to show that I am Normal :P ... I think XD hahahah

 

Congrats dad and mom on losing 21 pounds each! that's fantastic!

 

And Mom thank you for the letters, The poems were gereat :D And thanks for telling me what you committed to doing on the Candyman Clown stuff, I can't wait to see all the awesomeness that you create!

 

JACE IS MOVING!????!?!?!?!?!?! Why is everyone Moving??? I don't get it! Stay there so I can see you all before you leave :(

 

Speaking of moving....we completed our move to the new area, the city of Toyohashi, and everything here is great.

 

anyway I love you guys and I hope you are having a great week <3 Muah!!!!!

 

Elder Hernandez

Hiru Chourou