Here are a few photos from Japan:

Brandon and his companion leading a workout for children.

Brandon in a Kendo outfit he will be bringing home.

 Brandon with one of the missionaries at the MTC,

prior to leaving for Japan.

Japan: Statues

This is David, Brandon's dad, and I am about to post the last couple of months worth of letters from Brandon.  I have been sending his messages to an email list, but that is not the best way to get his messages out to the world. So, here we go!


DEC 30th 2012:
This week was crazy, we were way busy XD It was great. We had a lunch FHE appointment with an investigator family, the Suzukis, and there we ate hand made sushi, and other unknown Japanese foods, then shared a message about Christmas and were off to see the wizard. On Tuesday we went to The daycare we volunteer at and had a Christmas party there, then went over to our best friend Maito Kyoudai's house, he is always with us, and always helping us. whenever we need a tachiai (A member to stand in on lessons when our investigator is a female) (The kanji for tachia mean standing overseer) he is there for us. Way cool kid, 18 years old and preparing for a mission. There we ate dinner with his family for Christmas and had fun playing uno with his family.

Wednesday we went with Ayako san to the Chiropractor and then went with her to the Old Folk's home and did slow aerobics with the people there. She gave me a copy of the music we are always using when we go there because she noticed that I liked the songs XD Way nice of her. Then later on she took us out to a place called the Melon Cafe, we have been there before, and Cathy san came too, and we did Eikaiwa for the two of them at the Cafe since the owner is our friend now.

On Friday we had District meeting at our church building and went and took pictures together as a district. Immediately after the District meeting we went to The Melon Cafe again for lunch with Ayako san again. After The cafe, we went back to the church and got things for the eikaiwa (English class) party that we planned, and got things all set up. 9 people came and there was plenty of food thanks to Ayako and her friends who each brought loads of food... It was crazy, then we all played uno and talked in English. It was a really good turnout.

On Saturday we had our kid's English class which was good as well, there we got pictures from The Suzuki family that she had taken when we went to their house for Lunch on Monday. Right after that we went to Morishita Shimai's house (Not the one with a bunch of cat's) and had lunch with her and her friend who is one of our investigators (Suganuma san) and we had a fantastic lesson on the plan of salvation. Following that we went to the OTHER Morishita Shimai's house (The one with a ton of cats) and went out to eat Tonkatsu with her and her husband. After the dinner we went back to their house and I taught English.

Sunday I taught the Gospel Principles class, and Elder Yoshizawa gave a talk about being grateful/thankful (The word in Japanese is Kansha, and it means both thankfulness and gratefulness). After Church I helped One of the members set up a new computer that they got for the church for doing Family History (It was terrible, I haven't touched a computer that slow in ages :O ). Then after all that we ate lunch with Ayako san, again! She brought a bunch of food to church and we all ate together in the kitchen. She explained why, saying that she feels like we are her sons, and wants to make sure we are eating healthy (She makes sure there are plenty of green objects inside the things she brings, it's scary O.o ). After church we again went to Morishita Shimai's house (The one with the cats) and we brought her the Sacrament and ate dinner (Curry) with her.

This morning (Monday) we got our Transfer calls, and I am staying here in Fukuroi, while Elder Yoshizawa is going to Ichinomiya in Nagoya. I will be getting a companion by the name of Ohara, he is half Japanese, and is fluent in both languages. So today will be spent packing up Elder Yoshizawa's stuff and making calls and whatnot. So yeah :D That was my week, I am doing great, Happy, healthy, and am having a wonderful time serving as a missionary.

Thank you guys for all the support and love you give me everyday. I Love you!

Love

Elder Hernandez
Hiru chourou
蛭長老

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



DEC 23rd 2012
We got to talk with Brandon on Skype for a couple of hours! It was great. Scott, Melanie, Brittany, Linda, David, Grandma Nancy, Brooke, Steven, Aidan, and Jackson all got to see him and talk with him.  It was FaNtaStiC!!

We also got this message from him:
This week was pretty good, we had a companionship exchange on Tuesday, I finally went to Fujieda for the first time with Elder Beyeler, the District leader. we had a good time, biked around trying to visit people, but nobody was at home.

On Wednesday it was another very long day, the Companion exchange ended at 12, and then immediately after that I had to teach English, which went really good, Ayako and Cathy are both very awesome students. After that, ate some lunch at the apartment and headed off to Gakudou (The Daycare place we go to every Wednesday).

Thursday was our food shopping day/ weekly planning meeting/ English class, so that was a very packed day as always. Friday was probably the hardest day... We got presents for our English class kids, and wrapped them up and stuff, and while we were in the middle of doing that, the district showed up for District meeting. The meeting dragged onnn nand onnn because Only me and Elder Matsunaga (Subaru) were participating, so Elder Beyeler was trying to drag answers out of the others, it was a very long night... After DTM was over, Kouno Kyoudai came to pick us up for our lesson with Suganuma san at Morishita shimai's house.That lesson was rough. So the start was great, had normal conversation while eating the really good foodthat Morishita shimai prepared, after that was done we watched a movie called gozonji desuka (Did you know) which is a short ten minute video that introduces the church. After the video, she we asked what she thought and she mention Mit Romney and how he had a foul mouth during some televised talk with Obama and how she was shocked to find that he was a member. That got things off to a tough begining. Then she got onto the topic of war, and the member that brought us to the place started talking about the final war that will happen before Christ comes again, and She started talking about how she hates war. Meanwhile Elder Yoshizawa was trying to bring the topic back to te gospel, and morishita shimai was trying super hard to not break down and cry. It was ridiculous. Definitely the hardest lesson I have ever experienced so far. Things turned out in the end, but it was tough.

On Saturday we went with A member of the bishopric to go visit a less active, turns out the person didn't remember the church, and told us to leave because she was 'busy'. He took us out for lunch after that and we talked about a our plan for the Christmas party. Later that night we met with a different morishita Shimai, this time the one with the billion cats, and I corrected a bunch of English notes she had taken. Fun stuff.

Sunday was great, we had two investigators come to church, Miwa san and Nakahara san, and we had a great lesson in Gospel principles with just the two of them. After church was over there was a lunch party thingy that the Elders quorum was  running, and following that we had a lesson with Nakahara san. After the lesson we went to Morishita Shimai's house (Cat house) and brought her the sacrament and I corrected more English notes while we talked and translated. It was a lot of fun :D And Today we are going to get our hair cut right after this, so I actually have to skidattle now. I love you guys! I pray for you and hope you are doing well!

Love

Elder Hernandez
Hiru chourou
蛭長老
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEC 9th 2012
Hey there family ;D How are things in good ol America? I hope you are all warm cuz I'm FREEZINGGGGGGGGG XD hahahah It's been really cold over here! Like 2 degrees Celsius cold, but despite it being this cold, there is NO SNOW >_> What a major let down lol.

This week was pretty slow, a lot of people we wanted to meet with weren't available to meet, so that was kind of a bummer.

Friday we went to Shizuoka for a zone training meeting, and while there one of the Sisters (Hunt Shimai, she has been in my district before) got a letter from a crazy member... It was really weird. The guy believes he is a dead president of America, and that Eisenhower talks to him and gives him advice. On top of that he thinks he is the Captain of The Arch Angels, and some other stuff. It was really trippy. Hunt Shimai got really upset, and we told her she needs to talk to the Bishop about it, and tell President Baird as well. Nutty right?

This week, our English class only had one person show up, Alvaro the practically fluent Brazilian who learned English from watching tv shows like Star Trek. That was fun talking to him and stuffs. I went to the Chiropractor on Thursday before The English class, we went with Ayako san who knew the owner, and the guy was really cool, super nice, and figured out things that were causing me problems (The way I walk on my left foot is messing with both my left knee and is jarring my back, so he showed me how to start walking, and gave me tips on how to keep good posture. So I will be walking carefully and trying the things he showed me. It was also really cool because he normally charges 7000en=around $80 but because he knew about missionaries from before, and because he knows Ayako, he bumped it down to 5000en=more like $60. Sweet! ). So got that looked at and I can go back one more time.

That's pretty much all for this week, like I said, a bit of a slow week, but at least I got to get the back looked at and moved around :D  I got a webcam for cheap so we can skype for Christmas, so I am looking forward to using it :D (It was $12) I realize that My pday is your Sunday, so I may end up Using my Sunday after church to call, that would mean Saturday for you guys, what do you think about that? That and What day do you want to do it? :DLemme know as soon as you get this please! I will be waiting :D

I love youuuuuu!!!

Elder Hernandez
Hiru Chourou
蛭長老
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DEC 2nd 2012
Hmmmmmmmmmm Monday was crazy wet last time, so we didn't get to do much for our pday XD pretty sad, but oh well. Tuesday we had two lessons and they were pretty fun, got to meet Koga Shimai (The Kendo lady :D ) and Miwa san (Our investigator) on \wednesday we had two lessons, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, the first lesson was Reading from the Book of Mormon and discussing what we learned, then the other lesson was English with Cathy and Ayako. Following that we went to Gakudou (The kid's daycare place). We were supposed to go to basketball, but the investigator wouldn't answer her phone, so we had to cancel.

Thursday morning we went with Ayako to an elementary school and did work outs with the kids and stuff. They all took a liking to me pretty fast, and Ayako had me teach the kids the Shuriken Ninja exercise XD it's my favorite work out. After that we went food shopping and planned for next week, and then had English class at night, where we had two new members (lately we have been getting new members like crazy, they come out of nowhere XD Friday we had DTM and We celebrated Elder Gish's birthday.

After DTM we went with Ayako to the Old Folks' home and did More Aerobics stuff. then at night we went and played Volleyball with her and her friends. Saturday we had Kid's English class and the kids were super rowdy... Tough stuff.

After Class was over we helped the church members set up for a special thanksgiving lunch for the sisters. (The Elders quorum prepared the food and everything) And then we served them food and stuff. later that day we went with Ayako to her friend's Melon Cafe, and we watched a guy sing and play guitar (He sang some English songs... I couldn't understand a word he said though XD ) then on the way home I talked to Ayako about eternal families, since she asked me about what would happen if I were to marry someone who wasn't a member, and I told her that I really want to be married for eternity, and explained what that was all about.

Sunday we had Church, I taught the Gospel Principles lesson on Fasting, and I also helped the Brazillian member Araujo bear his testimony. (He had me translate for him from Portuguese XD) then we went to Morishita Shimai's house and brought her the sacrament, and then had an English lesson.

Today is Pday and now we are going to go with Maito Kyoudai to some recycle shops and then to a family home evening followed by meeting with a less active member... and that is me right now XD Busy week. I love you guys and I will see you next week. Next week we need to plan what we will do for the Christmas Skype call :D

Muah!

Elder Hernandez
Hiru chourou
蛭長老
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOV 18th 2012
Today was Transfer day, and Me and Elder Yoshizawa are still together. I am no longer the district leader, now Elder Beyeler is the DL in Fujieda. Fujieda had a transfer that surprised me, Elder James is leaving and Elder Subaru Matsunaga is coming to Fujieda to be with Elder Beyeler. Subaru is going to be in my District!!! Woot Wooot!!! Missions rock ;D In Hamamatsu, Elder Hilyard is leaving and is being replaced by Elder Gish, who will be Elder Hara's new companion. (The district as of now is, Me, Yoshizawa, Beyeler (DL), Matsunaga,  Hara (ZL), Gish (ZL) ). Sweet! Excited. Nice. :3

Tomorrow, even though we aren't transferring, The entire Mission is meeting in Meito (Nagoya) for a special conference that is supposed to be life changing (according to Elder Hilyard) so that will be interesting.

Okay so the Week!

This week was full, and we got a lot of teaching done. We also braced ourselves for the transfer by packing up some of our stuff ahead of time (BUuuuuTTttt We aren't leaving, so it was pointless XD We had heard that at least one person in every area would be transferring, but we were safe XD ) cool right?

On Sunday we had a really interesting day, Elder Aoyagi came to our Branch and gave a talk and then after sacrament meeting, he taught the entire branch from eleven o'clock all the way until two... Super Loooooong but it was awesome, Miwa san and Nakahara san, two of our investigators, came to church and participated and answered questions and stuff and basically felt like normal, super knowledgeable members... AWESOME! Then after that we all had a linger longer, following that, we taught a lesson to Nakahara san.... Sunday was exhausting XD.

anywho, because of the Transfer calls, I am out of time here at the Net place, so I will have to call it a day for now. I love you guys and I pray that you are doing well! I will be talking to you soon! How cool is that?? :D

Live long and Prosper -\V//     (That's supposed to be the hand sign... Fail.)

Elder Hernandez
Hiru Chourou
蛭長老

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOV 11th 2012
My week was pretty snazzy, we met with a former investigator and he and his daughter became investigators again, so that was a really happy moment. (He talks a ton, and uses japanese that is hard for even my japanese companion to understand, so it looks to be a very interesting investigator XD ) We taught a lesson to Miwa san as well, and that went really well too. an Update, Miwa and Nakahara san are two of our investigators, Both of them want to be baptized, but the only thing holding them back right now is their families. So if we can convince the families to agree, we will be able to see two more people join the church! WOOT WOOT definitely something my companion and I are working and praying hard for.

On Friday we had Zone training meeting instead of normal district meeting, so we went up to Shizuoka zone and learned from the Zone leaders about opening our mouths. then we came back to our area and taught Koga Shimai (the one who gave me the Kendo stuff. ) and then we went for an hour long bike trip to visit a less active who turned out to not be home >_> (as seems to be normal for this guy <_< ) So that was a real let down. On Saturday we helped clean the church in the morning, and then taught kid's eikaiwa (We had a huge class this time around 11 kids came! ) that was a lot of fun, but really exhausting at the same time. Immediately following that we went with Kouno Kyoudai to a lunch appointment with a member and her friend who became an investigator last week, Suganuma san.

We had a four and a half hour lesson starting from the beginning, and answered her questions and stuff, and finally were able to give her a book of Mormon which she said she would read. SWEET! last time she refused to accept it, so this was a big improvement.

Following this meeting we went to search for another less active member that we had an appointment with, but were unable to contact or find his house because our info was wrong, so we couldn't even call him to ask where he lived <_< Fail! But He came to Church on Sunday and we were able to fix that. Miwa san came to church for the fourth time in a row, she hasn't missed a day yet! it's amazing! Later on Sunday we went to bring the Sacrament to Morishita Shimai, and we had a lesson, and then had an impromptu English lesson on the side... Pretty sweet ;D

And now it's Pday! Today we are going to go looking for some interesting shops, so I  will let you know if I find anything cool :P

That is all I have for now, I love you and miss you!

Muah!

Elder Hernandez
Hiru Chourou
蛭長老
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOV 4th 2012
For the past week, we have been meeting with our investigator Ayako Yamaguchi a lot, and that has been really cool, she came to church Yesterday (This is the second time!! WooT) and she enjoyed herself. It was actually a really surprising turnout, we had three of our investigators come to church Yesterday! Nakahara san, Miwa san, and Ayako san. I taught the Gospel principles class in Japanese, and they were all there participating and asking questions. It was a blast.

OH yeah, on Tuesday we got our flu shots! XD I HATE needles... :3 buuuut this time around it wasn't so bad.

On Thursday we got a new Eikaiwa student (English Class) named Anna, She seems kind of shy, and has a very soft voice, but participated well. We got our new English teaching books from the honbu (mission home) and it has been interesting applying the new teaching methods. Definitely going to take some time getting used to it XD

Friday we celebrated Elder Beyeler's birthday at District meeting. Me and Elder Yoshizawa bought soda for everyone and a little cake that we all ate together. It was cozy :D Me and Yoshizawa got him a Chocolate bar shaped pen and a chocolate bar themed pocket sized calendar from the hyaku en store (The Dollar store). That night we also went and played Volleyball with Ayako san and a bunch of her friends. One of them said she lives really close to our church building, and that she would come to our Slow Aerobics event we were having on Saturday.

Saturday we had Kids Eikaiwa, and after that, Ayako san brought us home made lunch boxes out of the blue, it was amazing. We then did our Aerobics activity with her, and that friend who said she would come showed up with her baby. It was a small turnout, The friend and her baby, the family across the street (Three kids and the mom) and Koga Shimai (A member). It was small, but everyone had a lot of fun, so it was really nice. After that we surprised Ayako san by giving her a cake and a present, because her birthday was on the 29th of October and we hadn't known. She came to church the next day wearing the two rock bracelets I picked out for her from the dollar store (I chose a nice red bracelet and a Purple one as well) and it turns out those are her favorite colors (Who woulda guessed it XD )

Sunday was Fast and testimony meeting, and I bore my testimony about families, and how important it is that we be examples to them, and that one of the reasons I chose to go on a mission was because I saw how it had changed my Brothers. I talked about how The things that I have learned from church have helped me to be a better person and that without it I would be totally lost. Afterwards taught the Gospel Principles class, then had a Fulfillment and follow up meeting with the Branch President and two members (We call it F&F, basically what it is is getting referrals from members). then after that we taught a lesson to Nakahara san. following that we went home, did some personal study, and we both clonked out on the floor, waking up an hour later not knowing what had happened XD made dinner, broke our fasts, and then left to go to Morishita Shimai's house (She has a ton of Cats, and they are ridiculously adorable >_> ) we brought her the sacrament and talked for a while, thne came home and I had to do stats and call my district and stuffs. It was a busy Sunday for sure!

and Finally, Today we are getting Yoshizawa's hair cut, and doing normal Pday stuffs. later on we will be going to a Family home evening at The Suzuki family's house.

That's the haps over here.

I love you guys and I hope you are all doing well. Keep me updated on what's new and stuff okay?

Muah!

Elder Hernandez
Hiru Chourou
蛭長老
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OCT 28th 2012
I mentioned that we had our Halloween party on Saturday, it was lots of fun, and about 20 kids came, and they all enjoyed themselves. Surprisingly the people we thought WOULD come, Didn't and we ended up having a ton of people we had never seen before. Thankfully they were kids, and opened up to us without any hesitation XD in fact, within a couple of minutes of having met us for the first time, they were already climbing all over us and putting tons of bunny ears costumes and horns on my head XD my head was literally just a mass of bunny ears, horns, halos, pumpkin faces, and other such things XD Best party ever :P

Lets see, other stuff that happened this week... Well, this week was mostly focused on preparing and handing out flyers for the halloween party, so that was keeping us pretty busy.

OH, on Saturday we actually were super busy, So in the morning, we had kids English class where we had our investigator Ayako come along, and she taught the kids some radio exercises to some English songs. Then she took us to eat out. Following that we went with her to an Old Folks' home and helped Her out there, and then she took us to meet her friend at her friend's Cafe, after that she brought us back, and then we set up the last touches on the church for the party, To which Ayako came to with her son. So Basically this week was focused on Ayako san XD On Wednesday we also taught her English XD AHH! I just remembered that I forgot to bring the pictures she gave us of the Matsuri we went to with her two weeks ago >_> She said she will be putting together a cd of pictures for us, so I may just make a copy of that and send it to you guys :D

The other big thing that happened was On Sunday (Yesterday), we had Stake Conference in Hamamatsu. President Barid came with his wife, as well as the president of the Tokyo Temple and gave talks, it was really awesome, we had our investigator Miwa San there and she really liked the talks that were given, so it was even cooler having her there to listen.

Anywho, That is about all I got for this week, I love you guys and I am praying for you every day <3 Love you!!!

Elder Hernandez
Hiru Chourou
蛭長老

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

I am having a great time out here in Japan, I feel like I have aged at least ten years XD so many experiences, so many people, so much stuff. Every success is so much better because of all the disappointments, and we have plenty of both. We may not have a single baptism to our names, but that's not the point. We've taught so many people about Christ, and it's the best experience seeing them react to him. Yeah many people cringe out here, and reject us, but at least they acknowledge who and what we represent. The Japanese people out here are starving for the Truth, they just don't realize that they can fill themselves up with what we have to share. We've met many people who are so nice and so generous, they're fantastic. 

One experience we had recently:

We met a family as we were biking home from the Store, Americans, and I saw them and turned to Duarte Chourou and said 'Hey Look! Gaijins! Let's go see where they're from!' when they saw us they were like 'hey look! it's the Missionaries!' we chatted for a good 15 minutes, they are from Utah, ( there were 4 of them, The Dad, The Mom, The Son, and The Daughter in law) The Dad and the Son both Served in Japan! In fact the Dad served in my area! That's why they were here, to visit the area and then go to a reunion Dinner with people they knew from the Mission. How unusual... We had a Dinner appointment scheduled that day at the same time... We got there and it was the same people XD We met the people we were having dinner with before we even knew we were meeting them XD It was way awesome! They are The Persells <--- I have NO Idea how to spell it XD it was awesome :D 

Another experience:

remember The couple we met who have a little daughter? (Jeana, Cezar and Jennifer). Well, Jeana Pretty much had a stroke, and half her body nearly got Paralyzed, so she is going to go back to Columbia until March to recover from this. She's going with her Daughter, but Cezar is staying in Japan, and working. We visited them and sat with Him for a while helping him cope. He is so sad right now, it's heartbreaking... He was telling us about how he was tired before, when he had to work before, and now he has to work Every single day Plus overtime for the next year and a half to pay for the plane tickets for Jeana and Jennifer to go back to Columbia. He's exhausted, depressed, and hurting.. We gave Jeana a Priesthood blessing, and helped them pack stuff up. Since Jeana is leaving this week (on the 8th) she can no longer be baptized on the 18th, and now that Cezar has to work everyday to pay for her to go, he can'T go to church, and so he can't get baptized that day either.

Yet another Experience!

Sergio, one of our Yakusokusha's (meaning the other person who committed to Baptism on the 18th) finally admitted to us that he wasn't ready, he realized that he was putting everything else before baptism, and he withdrew from the day. He told us he needs time to settle his life down before he can start seeing the missionaries again.

We went to the family we met, (Fabio and his family) and we helped him put together his Restaurant, and he is looking to open the restaurant on December 10th! so we're going to be going there often to help him reach his goal! They are super nice, and very generous.

One of the Elders in our District (Elder Matson) just turned twenty on Friday! so we celebrated by going to Pizza hut XD 

Oh! we taught a less active member, and we brought our Shibu Kaichyou (Branch President) with us, and had a fantastic lesson, where The Shibu did ALL the Talking XD he taught about eternal Marriage and other such things, and the next day (Sunday) She and her Husband came to church!!! It was way awesome! 

anyway... I think that's everything that happened this week XD I love you guys and I hope you are all staying happy and healthy!

ヒル長老

Elder Hernandez

So, I heard about mom chopping down a tree from Mom herself in her letters XD Mom,  I really hope you are being careful though, that was hard stuff to do, even for me! hahaha

As for my last letter, Yeah I laughed pretty hard while I was writing it too XD

Our Sundays are different here when it comes to the regular lesson plan. the Gospel Principles teacher speaks spanish, and we aren't really ever in that class, because we're busy translating in other areas of the church XD I wish I could hear the lesson though.  Dad, I understand you taught the church lesson this week -- I hope you took notes :D

So, Chelsea, you dyed your hair back to your natural color? You're probably preparing to dye it another color, we'll see though ^_^

Mary, you've been pretty busy with School, and trying to keep up your four point Oh, so I know you don't  have much relaxation time.

Dad, regarding how we get money here, we get 3 "Man" every month (30,000 yen or around $300) and that doesn't exactly last very long, the frist day we get the money, we usually have to pay around 10000 for all the things we need for the month, and then each week we have to buy food and stuff, which can range from 1,500 a week to 2,500, (more if we have a lunch appointment scheduled >_>) plus getting around is expensive (going to one of our investigators costs nearly 1500 round trip) But at least travel gets reimbursed.

So, Aidan is starting to talk in full sentences!!???  Awwww man I wanna see him talking!!! I got the pictures of him at the Pumpkin Patch, he's getting so big!!! (Is there a way I could have you send me pictures on here from now on, so that I can put them on my flash drive and go get them printed out at a convenience store)? Apparently, I CAN get photos through email. Just make sure they are not too large.

Dad, I hope you feel better soon! That's no bueno, Hontou ni yokunai!

Guess what? They actually celebrate Thanksgiving day here, it's called Kinrou Kansha no Hi, and it means Labour Thanks day. So we have a mini party scheduled on the 23rd, with Ping Pong, Music, food, and games :D Also for Christmas, it looks like I am going to be Santa XD They handed me a Santa Suit XD this'll be fun hahaha. our Christmas party will be on the 17th of December though XD.

The Weather at the moment here is: slightly chilly, but not freezing, and very sunny, with occasional days of rain.

As for me, I am thriving out here!!!

So dad, you're still studying for your test in December!  I miss reading now that you mention it XD That's one of the things I wish I had right now, Books. Not that I don't have reading material, but Books that don't have to do with Wars, Plagues, etc..., would be a welcome refreshment XD

As for an LDS temple, they don't have a temple close enough for us to be able to attend, the nearest one is in Tokyo, which is an entirely different mission almost 300 miles away. (there are currently 2 Temples in Japan)

Thanks for letting me know they put my plaque on the church wall! Sweet! Can you take a picture of the plaque to show me please?

Ok, so as for this week -- This week was AWESOME, Just Yesterday we had an amazing experience with Jeana and Cezar, two of our investigators, So, we went to their house after church, and got there at 7PM, and since I can'd understand what they say, I kept their daughter preoccupied by playing with legos with her while Duarte Chourou taught them, and he committed them to Baptism on the 18th of December!  It was Awesome! So now we'll be going to their house to teach them more often, because there are things that they need to work on before they can get baptized, and the deadline is pretty close! So that was way awesome and exciting :D I got a letter from Momma, and it had pictures of Steven Brookie and Aidan, and some writing done by them as well as Brittany, which was way Sweet! Thank you! come to think of it, that's really all that happened this week XD

Johnson Chourou got a new companion named Ward Chourou, he's kinda geeky, which is perfect, because he fits in quite well XD soooo.... yeah XD Happy Healthy, having fun, staying safe, and wanting to figure out how to send videos to you guys XD I have a video of Duarte Chourou on the train that I wanna send, but I will figure that out next time.

Mom! I actually can't save that money by mailing rather than emailing, because emailing is the only way to reach President Baird XD, so I have to come here anyways XD thank you for consistently writing to me! I love getting letters from you watashi no subarashii Haha! 

anyway! I gotta run for now, I love you all!!!!! Muah Muah muah!!!! 

ヒル長老

(regarding Brittany's birthday): HappppppY Bday BrittleBirddd!!! :D :D
(regarding Linda making home made ice cream from scratch, using brown
rice, coconut milk, stevia, tic tacs, and unsweetened chocolate!
Healthy mint chocolate ice cream!) Good job on homemade Ice cream

Momma :D When I come home, I will show you how to make this Icecream
cake that is from Brazilllllll :D

(regarding Brittany's weight loss): WHeW!! Great job on the weight

loss Brittany! That's Crazy intense! What are you doing that's making
you lose all the weight??

(regarding our surprise at his being able to wear a costume for
Halloween): Really? Why were you surprised at being allowed to dress

up for Halloween? If we didn't show up in Costumes, No one would. That
was part of how we got people to come, we were like, hey! Come to the
Halloween Party! We Made our own Costumes, you should come! It'll Be
fun! Hahahah.

Anyways, It feels like I have always been on a Mission XD I can't
remember doing anything else now XD hahaha, Four months down... Who
knows how many more to go lol.

(regarding how comfortable his bed looks): Hahahah Yeah the Beds here

are interesting, they're comfortable... If you have a ton of the
Futons XD my bed has like six futons and a normal mattress under it XD
BUT The Blanket is super Comfy, it's a Huge Dawny pillow basically XD
it'S REALLY warm XD which stinks cuz it'S pretty hot out here still.
We haven't really gotten into winter just yet, we've been getting
plenty of rain, and lots of Sun, but no snow yet, Trust me, I will be
making a huge deal about it if I get snow here XD we don't do Daylight
savings here in Japan XD LAME!!!

(regarding what the most useful items he took with him have turned out
to be): Hmmmmmm most useful Items.... Paper... Shoes.... Pjs... Oh and

the first Aid kit has been coming in handy a lot recently, for spider
bites and such XD
The bugs here are ridiculous, like, When I went on a Koukan (Splits)
with Johnson Chourou (THe one from my District at the MTC And who is
still in my District out here) We were leaving the apartment, and two
doors down, I looked to my right, because I thought I saw something
run up the wall, there was a HUGE Spider, like, this thing was as big
as a Tarantula, and it looked angry XD so he and I were stuck next to
this thing cowering in fear for a good three minutes (we took a
picture)

Anyway, This week was intense, lots and lots of work, (more like lots
of really long train rides) and we were able to visit a family that we
are teaching, and they have accepted Baptism, now we need to set a
date, and they need to come to church at least three times in order to
be baptized, so I am super happy for them, Their names are Jeana
Cezar, and her Daughter Jennifer, and they are way nice, they speak a
mix of Spanish and Portuguese XD

 Plus we did two Koukans (missionary splits), With the same people

this week (So I went on a Koukan with One of the companions, then went
with the other the next day) which was wayyy expensive, the train to
their area is like $10 one way, so we spent $40 in two days >_> the
only good thing about that is that the Money gets refunded, so we're
good XD

One thing I have noticed is that it is ridiculously difficult to stay
on top of Journal Writing, try as hard as you can, and you still miss
days >_> But! I have made it a goal to stay up on it, and not miss
anymore days!!!!!!

Mom! "HAHA" is Mom in Japanese, 母　<== that's the Kanji for it.

(regarding a code cipher Linda set to him): Also mom! Thanks for the

Quist wheel, that thing is reallly helpful for deciphering! I was able
to decipher the Boyd K Paker quote in less than 2 minutes. (The
Greatest conflict any man will ever face is with self) Sweet Job,
also, a small tip for the Hiragana quist, The 'wo' sound is actually
pronounced 'o' so there are actually two ways to write o XD It's
pretty Confusing, but one of them is only a Particle, It's never used
to write a word. EVER. を <==== This one is never used to write words,
it's a topic marker.

Anywho, I'm glad you guys are all able to stick together! I'm sad I
miss all these family interactions, but ohhh well XD

By the way mom, thank you for the Hanky with all the stuff from the
family party! That was way awesome to see everyone's writing on it!!!
Ahhhh!!! Awesome. Also I have used a lot of those Kanji you wrote on
there already, like Chikara, and some others (I can't remember any
others at the moment, I left it at the apartment XD)

Oh! Today we found out that one of the Elders in our District is being
transferred to a different area, which is sad, because he is awesome,
and we are definitely going to miss him at our District meetings >_>
(Kusume Chourou, Johnson Chourou's companion/Trainer) so we are all
pretty sad about that. Nothing we can do to change that though Blahhh.

OH!!!!!! We went to a Japanese Temple with one of our potential
investigators, as well as Johnson Chourou and Kusume Chourou (So in
total there were six of us, me, Duarte, Johnson, Kusume, Monica, and
Fabi) and it was Hilarious, because Kusume Chourou, The Japanese
Elder, didn't know what some things were, and I was like, isn't that a
Sake barrel, and he was like O_O How'D you know that, and then when we
went to these well things I was like, hey, don't we have to wash here,
first the right hand then the left and he was like O_O How'd you
know?? And then when he pointed at this pile of sand outside of
buildings he was like, I don't know why that is there... and I was
like, isn't that there to ward of evil spirits? And he was like O_O OH
YEAHH!! How'D you know that??? HAhahahah it was awesome XD All the
anime I have watched has payed off here in Japan XD

Score 1 for the Anime nerd :P

Anywho, that's pretty much my week in a nutshell, I love you guys and
I hope you are having a blast together, Mom, I think I got your
letters on Thursday, (We are able to check the mail daily)

Love you!!!! Stay safe!

Hiru Chourou

Elder Hernandez

Some Details

Letter from Brandon today:

.
Konnichiwaaaaaa :D I finished watching Conference Yesterday. For me it's Monday and it's only 3:10pm whereas for you it's 11pm on Sunday. weird right? I live in the futureeee hahaha.
.
 I'm so glad to hear that you got to see everyone last week (note: last Sunday all our kids came to visit us, so Brandon is commenting on that)!! I hope Scott gets better fast.
.
Happpppy Almost Birthday Dad!! AHHHHHH I just realized I will be missing two of your birthdays >_> that's really saddening. Blah Oh well ^_^ Oh, and I'm so proud of Brittany on her weight loss and toning! glad to hear she is back to looking like she did in High School! Way to go Brittle! :D

.
I still can't believe I will have another Nephew, and I wont get to see him!! Arghhhh!!!! Hahahha.
.

As for proselyting, we are allowed to go door to door at specific places near our church building, and it's called Pivot, and we mark the places we go on a map so that we don't waste time going to houses that reject us, and have a map for those that were willing to listen to more.  I only had time to send pictures from the mtc before the computer here kicked me off for having too much activity (Google was the one actually) I'm doing okay with money, it'll be a little tight this month because of the bike purchase, but I will manage. Next month will be better because I wont have the bike expense. Studying is going well, The Portuguese is easier to learn than the Japanese because it's more like English, so that's fine, and the Japanese is still tough, but it's better than it was last week.  It's one thing to learn something, and a completely different thing to use it and hear it spoken. 
.
Japan is one of my favorite places still! The place I am kinda reminds me of New York though - it's weird that way. 
.
We have a couple of people that we teach, but it's not everyday that we get to teach them. mostly we go out to eat with them, talk for a while and then have to leave. we get rejected often, but never by our investigators, like we haven't had any of our investigators reject us yet, but going door to door in the assigned area, we get Kekko'd often (Kekko means We're okay and don't want to talk to you, what they do is Cross their arms and say Kekko desu, and you have to leave them be).
.
This week we had a great week, we had two of our investigators come to General Conference (one of them is a family, the Mom, Jeana; the Dad, Cezar; and the 5 year old girl, Jennifer, and they all speak Spanish and Portuguese).  The other investigator is a Japanese Girl named Yukina. We've been teaching them and talking to them all a lot recently, so we are hoping that they'll be able to commit to hearing more and more, and eventually getting baptized. They are awesome people, and they have a lot of questions they want answered, so I am studying like crazy to try and keep up.

.
One of the fun things we get to do every week is teach something called Eikaiwa, which means English Class. We only have three or four students who actually come, but they are fun to teach. We teach them English by reading the Book of Mormon with them and explaining what the words mean. That's always a fun class to teach.
.

I am doing well out here in Japan, Duarte Chourou ("Elder Duarte" my companion - Chourou means "Elder.") is awesome, he's super nice, and he's a reallly hard worker. In fact, he's super nice all the time. I can't wait to build this area up with him! Before He got me as a companion he had a real dud for a companion, and he was kinda depressed the first couple of days I was with him, and then when he found out that I was ready and able to get up and work, he got super genki (Happy) and now we've been having a blast together.
.
Japan is Craaazzyyyyy cool!!!  The people here are really nice, and, since my companion and I are both Foreigners, everyone stares at us, or tries to say stuff in English and we respond in Japanese -- it's fun!
.
I'm going to try and write some letters today, but we still have to clean the Apartment, so you may get a half page letter depending on how much time we have after we clean, hahahah.  I sowwy....but anywho! I love you guys, and I look forward to seeing how you've all grown when I come back!

.

If you want to write letters:

Elder Hernandez Japan Nagoya Mission

Aichiken Nagoya-Shi

Meitoku Itakadai 1-304

465-0028

.

Your Freckled Elder -- Who is going to come home speaking fluent Portuguese and Japanese and Spanish,

Elder Hernandez

Hernandez Chourou

ヘル長老 <---- That's what my name will look like on my Name tag here :D

(My japanese Katakana name here is Heru Chourou)

17 September 2011

Ohaiyou Gozaimasu Mina San ^_^

Today, is obviously my P day. However! Today was my Last Normal P day for a while.

We got our Travel plans Yesterday, and this next Friday is our in-field-training thingy, so I don't really know how that day is going to play out. I don't exactly know when I will be able to call yet, but I do know that it will be on the 26 for sure, I'll be flying from Utah to Detroit, then from Detroit to Nagoya Japan, and I will arrive on the 27th of September (it's a looonng Two Flights XD ) (that and there are time differences that I don't feel like computing :P) but suffice it to say, The 26th is going to be a great day ^_^

I'll be Waking up at 5:00Am to go to the Travel office, whereas those going to Tokyo (Half of my District) will be leaving the MTC at 10:00Am. It's supah Crazeh (super crazy).

This Week has been great so far, I got myself another New Companion, an Elder Lee, He's Korean, He speaks Korean, he Speaks English, and he took 4 years of Japanese in School, so he has a bit more experience with the language than most of us in the room. Along with my new companion, we also got two other additions to our class, an Elder Clark, and an Elder Hodson. (it's kinda confusing, we now have 2 Elder Clarks XD and both of their first names start with a T XD )

They are cool, but they keep to themselves mostly, so it kinda gets quiet when they are around. That and they are hardly ever in class... But anywho, life has now turned into a perpetual state of consistant exhaustion -- I'm Tired ALL the time -- it's crazyyyyy. Taking a nap sounds heavenly, but I refuse to do it lol, there's too much to do and too much to learn to go to bed.

We are all super stoked about getting the Travel plans, because it means we are ACTUALLY Getting out of the MTC!!! Don't get me wrong, it's great here, but I am more excited about Japan than being here :P

So, I heard from Daddy-o that you guys had a MAJOR blackout caused by some random electric guy who accidentally flipped a switch and shut down a large area :O That's intense! I'm glad you were more prepared than most, because that would have been really tough.

Instead of it being Super hot (which it had been for the first month I was here) it has started to get a bit colder, and now we are having to wear Jackets every now and then XD I wish I could give you some of teh Cold!! XD Gomennasai <(^_^<) <Gambate Kudasai)

My companion, Elder Lee is cool in another way, He Loves Kanji Just like I do! and Learning Kanji is reall important to becoming fluent in Japanese, because if you can understand the Kanji that make up a word, you can understand all the different meanings hidden in the words themselves :D it's quite exciting ^_^

Oh! Dad, if there's a chance, could you send me a new watch please, my old one died on me out here, and I have been having to rely on others to tell me the time, it's annoying... Also, Thank you mom for the 11 Dear Elders XD I got them all Yesterday, it was crazy

The only thing I am having trouble with is figuring out what order to put them in (because when the print out the Dear Elder letters, it's just one huge letter, that continues into the next letter ) (which is why I got 11 letters, they had to split it up, and now I don't know which one's which XD )  but from what I have read, it sounds like you've gotten really far on the Play/Story that you are doing. That's really awesome :D Good Job Momma! (P.S. Haha = Mom in Japanese) How about the Candyman Clown? Did you send out pictures to a publisher or anything yet? I hope so, cuz I wanna see it get publisheddddd

I'm glad you all had fun at Omar and Chrissy's Wedding :D That's so cool that they got married! And that's so cool that Jesse's whole family was together for the first time in a long while, that must have been great to see. So Congrats Omar!

Oh, and Dad, I'll be running slow when I get home, I don't run often, so when I do I try to enjoy being outside XD I'm not entirely sure where my New Address is just yet, but when I do find out, I will for sure let you know so that you can send stuffles ^_^ I also have to figure out how the whole International postage stamps work...

Life here at the MTC is the Usual, tons of study, not enough sleep, and weird foods XD its funny. I have Ten days left here! Just a little bit longer and I'm in Japan Guys! How cool is that?? Cool right? Ne? Ne? hahah.

My companion and I like to go study in the Nihonjin Room (The Native Japanese people that came to the MTC a couple weeks ago) and we are actually able to hold conversation with them -- It's super cool, and it totally boosts my confidence in the Language.

So tell me more guys! How are you feeling? Are you Staying Genki? (Happy/Healthy) Yooo Better bee, cuz cuz cuz -- Yeah

I hope you know that I am thinking of you all, even if you only hear from me once a week! I love you all,

Herunandezu Chourou.

P.S. I love you I win!
P.S.S. it's Saturday the 17th at 3:13 in Japan right now XD

14 September 2011

Here's a note we received from Brandon today:

I met Matthew Bates Yesterday! ^_^ that was pretty cool,

After mom told me to keep an eye out for a Bates, I looked and lo and behold, there was a Bates,

and I stopped and was like... Elder Bates? he was like yeah? and I was like, what's your first name?

he Said, Matthew. And I was like... We might be related O.o and he was like, oh! you're the Hernandez

I was told about XD hahah, it was pretty funny ^_^ I didn't get to talk to him long, but I met him and

talked to him :D Also! I got a new Companion today, (this makes four companions in my time

here XD ) He's really cool, He's Korean, and is part of the Excelerated course for Japanese

( He already knew Japanese, and since he came with our Kohai, He got put into a different class, 

and learned how to teach) and now, him and Two other Elders came in ( an Elder Clark - we 

now have two elder Clarks- and an Elder Hoddson ) so my new companion ( Elder Lee is his name)

moved into our room last night, and we taught our first lesson together today, he's really good at

the Japanese, but still has to learn some of the Vocabulary for the Church language XD (because 

there are a lot of words they never learned in regards to religious stuff) 

anyways, Just a quick update from me :D

From:	Dave Hernandez <deputy.hernandez@gmail.com>
Reply to:	benson brooke <mybrookie@hotmail.com>, Brittany Hernandez <SportsChick07@gmail.com>, Chelsea and Tim <akideam@gmail.com>, Linda Hernandez <lyndercynder@gmail.com>, Mary Gerrity <mary.gerrity@ymail.com>, Scott Hernandez <superscott597@gmail.com>, Steven <superstevolds@gmail.com>, Pam Hernandez <Pam.Hernandez@selectdata.com>, Dad <f82540@gmail.com>, Gloria Cellphone <ghorowitz19@yahoo.com>, HELMUT MAYR <hnmayr@verizon.net>
To:	benson brooke <mybrookie@hotmail.com>, Brittany Hernandez <SportsChick07@gmail.com>, Chelsea and Tim <akideam@gmail.com>, Linda Hernandez <lyndercynder@gmail.com>, Mary Gerrity <mary.gerrity@ymail.com>, Scott Hernandez <superscott597@gmail.com>, Steven <superstevolds@gmail.com>, Pam Hernandez <Pam.Hernandez@selectdata.com>, Dad <f82540@gmail.com>, Gloria Cellphone <ghorowitz19@yahoo.com>, HELMUT MAYR <hnmayr@verizon.net>
Date:	Sep 14, 2011 11:38 AM
Subject:	Update from Brandon

09 September 2011

Mina San!! Konnichiwa!!! :D
THis week has been quite interesting, still in the process of getting used to teaching with two other people, but so far, it has been a fantastic experience. We each have something new and interesting to bring to the companionship, and each day is an adventure :D

We got one of our fake investigators to commit to baptism on the 24th of this month XD it was pretty awesome ^_^ Oh, and we each also received a short letter from Adams Chourou, so that was cool, he said he's seen three doctors already, and that some people are being supportive, and some aren't so the ones who are being supportive are who he is holding on to.

A Shout out to Titi Gloria/Grandma Delia, Thank you for the Picture book! I really needed that! I love you guys! so anyway, We've been teaching a lot recently, since we only have three companionships, so it's double duty for some days. Today, All of us going to Nagoya got a Letter from our awesome Mission President Scott O. Baird, which was basically encouraging us to keep going, we are almost there :D (We only have less than 3 weeks!!!! :O )

so Tell me what's been happening back home! When is Brooke Due by the way? Mary also said there was some sort of Black out in Our area? What happened? also, how is work and school going for everyone?

I've been studying hard, and I'm getting better and better everyday, This language is awesome, and since we got the Native Japanese speakers just this week, we've been able to hear and speak the way actual Japanese people speak, it is amazing :D I can't wait to have full conversations with the awesome people in Japan ^_^ it's fun, and I'm so stoked on life right now XD

We get our Travel plans sometime next week, and then we are outta here on the 26th! Murray Chourou has a running countdown XD I can't stand countdowns lol, it just makes it feel longer XD anywho, I love you all, I can't wait to hear from you!

I'm studying like a Hamster Running on a treadmill going downhill XD lol, I love you!!!!

Take care okay? Cuz I am taking great care over here ^_^

Your Frekkled Chourou,
Herunandezu Chourou

Friday, 02 September 2011

Mina San, Konnichiwa!!!! ("respectful greetings to all!!!!)

I hope you all had a great week! This week was rough for me, but it's not getting me down.
I got an awesome package from Mom and some Dear Elders as well, and Awesome letters from Mary, and a pack of letters from Chelsea, and a Letter from Brittany and some Dear Elders as well, so thank you for making this week Bearable you guys! ^_^

I really needed those letters to help me through that experience (for those who don't know, My Companion had to go home for Medical reasons, so now I have two companions, but it's just not the same...) I'm staying positive though, because I know that he is where he is needed, and I know he'll be looked after. So now I go teach with the two Elders (Johnson and Clark) that are in my room, and we actually had a great lesson together, so I'm not worried about how the lessons will go, it's just weird being in a group of three all the time... I kinda drift from companionship to companionship now, so it's weird not having that stability anymore.

OH Real quick, we got to Hear Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Speak on Sunday :O It was AWESOME.  And then, the next day my companion left, so it was crazy timing...

HOWEVER! We Leave for JaPAn ThiS MoNTh @@@@@@!@!!@!@!@!@!@!@@ AHHHHHH This is sooo exciting XD We get the Japanese Elders and sisters on Monday (They come from Japan and will be with us for three weeks, and they help us sempai learn the language by talking to us in fluent Japanese ^_^ ) and then the next week we get our Travel plans, and then on the 26th we ship out :D

Aparrently we get to call home for one of those times, like for our layover flight, so I'll get back to you on the specifics, but just know that I will be able to call soon, so if you can, have everyone be by the phone that day XD that would be awesome! :D And like I said, I will be getting more info on the details asap :D

I love you all, and I wanna hear from all of you! Gotta go do some Laundry now, so I will talk to you next week, I love you, I miss you, I cant <-- Scratch that Can Wait to hug you all and be able to say I did a job well done ^_^

Stay strong everyone, you are in my prayers, and on my mind. Be safe, be happy, stay fantastic, and I will talk to you all laterz otay?

Muah!
Hernandez Chourou

26 August 2011

Konnichi wa watashi no kazoku to watashi no tomodachitachi! (Good afternoon my family and my friends!)

This week was a pretty good week, we got our new Kohai (the new Missionaries going to Japan) and they are all an interesting bunch of people, we haven't really gotten to know them very well as of yet, but I am hoping to at least learn some of their names ( there are 42 of them O_O there were only 26 of us XD ) so there are a LOT of newbies here XD it's pretty exciting! I leave the MTC in exactly 1 month from today :O This is insaneeeeee lol, it feels like a dream here, time goes by super slowly it feels like, but then all of the sudden it's a week later and you can remember the previous week like it was just Yesterday, it's really weird XD. I'm so excited to hear about Steven and Brooke's baby! You gotta let me know if it's a boy or a girl, but my guess is it'll be a lil babygirl ^_^ we've been studying lots and lots, and we've been teaching entirely in japanese now, it's crazyness, I can understand more than I can speak at the moment, but I'm learning, and the process is really exciting. 


Over the past two weeks we all had to come up with an investigator profile that we wanted to take on, and once we had that, we teach each other in Japanese, and it's been a really unique experience seeing how the other companionships teach, and it has made me all the more grateful for having been able to get Adams Chourou as my companion, we may be polar opposites in our interests, but when we teach, we teach together, and compliment each other. It's weird seeing the other companionships' teaching methods... Let's just leave it at that XD getting to go to the Temple every P-day a major blessing, because it gets me really happy for the rest of the day, and helps me forget that we have another class after Dinner (our P-day isn't the full day, the first half is our P-day/Temple time, and then after dinner at 4:40 we have class and have to jump back into learning stuff XD )


Speaking of which, this week has been kinda crazy, because we've had a bunch of different teachers, I'll explain why: Our Teacher, Nielson Sensei, went to Japan for two weeks, during that time, we had a Sub, Andrus Sensei. When Nielson Sensei got back, he had an email telling him he was teaching a different class, and that we now have a new teacher, Peterson Sensei. Now, our other Sensei, Gremmert Sensei, is also on a 1 week vacation due to his brother coming home from his mission, so he scheduled us to have Hansen Sensei sub for his shifts for the week. As it turns out, she didn't realize she couldn't take all of his shifts, and asked another Sensei to take the ones she couldn't do, so now we have another Sub for our sub XD . so in total, we've had 6 senseis in on week.... O_O (so far my favorite Senseis are Gremmert and Peterson).

Another thing that I have come to realize while I have been here at the MTC is that I really think we have the best District, the 8 of us are more like a family than just companionships, whereas the other Districts don't really get along very well with each other. (It's kind of funny, but not really, because our District was given the title "the Reject District" and yet we are all closer than any of the others, and are probably the best ones at Japanese so far, and it's because we help each other learn when we are struggling rather than letting them try and swim it alone) So I have come to be very very Grateful for the people in our District (if you don't remember their names, it's me, Adams, Johnson, Murray, Fry, Clark, Stott, and Mano). Thank you Mary Dad and Meleah for writing to me this week, I really needed those letters, even if all you can do is send something through DearElder.com, it's much appreciated, any letters, emails, or DearElders make me the happiest camper here XD


So Write me pleeeezzzzzzz :D I love you all and want to hear from you badly! ^_^ I hope you are all taking care of yourselves, because I am praying for you daily! Don't forget your frekkled Elder! P.S. Mom I'm working on deciphering that handkerchief you sent me, I didn't realize it was a note until this week XD so I'm going to work on deciphering it, and then I will try to reply in a letter I write to you in Quickscript mmkay? I love you! Keep in touch Mina san! (everyone) I miss you and I love you, and I am looking forward to being reunited with you all in due time ^_^ Muah!

Elder Brandon Anthony Hernandez (Hed-doo-nahn-dez-oooh  choo roo)

Friday, August 19th 2011

Hey Everyone!!! (Mina san Ohaiyou!!!)

I hope you are all Genki! (good/Healthy) things have been going great over here, I Saw Jimmy Marshall, I saw Justin Wait, and we're planning to take a picture of the three of us together at the map! that's going to be fun ^_^ Elder Adams and I quite possibly have the most opposite personalities you can find, and yet we are able to work together really well (Much to the surprise of our Sensei who was like "I've seen companionships like yours, but they usually blow up! Congratulations!")

Life at the MTC feels like every day is actually one reaallly long day that's just puncuated with sleep XD

it's kind of strange, so far the only thing breaking that monotony is getting letters and stuffles ^_^ so thank you all for the awesome notes! I miss you all terribly, but it's more of a dull ache right now, I look forward to seeing you again, but that'll come in time, so I'm good ^_^

Oh! Here is a poem I wrote:

Fear and sorrow have no place,
I make it through this daily race,
I try to find and even my pace,
and try to learn from Jesus' grace.

Daily time and memories flow,
I miss the ones I've come to know,
I feel the pain and sorrow so,
I know now which way I should go.

The people need me, where am I?
I'm learning slowly, but I'll not cry,
I no longer need to wonder why,
I know now that it's Do, Not try.

I'll lay my burdens by his side,
and learn to help others let go of pride,
I feel the warmth that grows inside,
this feeling of peace forever reside.

XD

Service Yesterday wasn't Toilets (YESSSSS) so it was a lot more enjoyable this time around. (P.S. sorry I talk about toilets often XD I don't try to lol, they just happen to be everywhere O___O )

Elder Adams and I have picked up some new investigators (fake ones, it's our other classmates) and now we have to teach four people rather than the 2 we have been teaching so far, so we're getting even more pounded by Japanese XD it's super intense, were it not for a P-day, I'd likely go insane XD

It's super fun here though, despite the fact that it feels like an eternity, and I've been meeting a bunch of Silly Elders who I am able to relate to well, and we used to play Volleyball together (except that half of them left for their ACTUAL missions, so now we can't play Volleyball together <_< ) so now, at Gym, we all Play some really epic and intense games of!!!!!!!!! 4 Square :O Can yoo Beleeb eht??? hahah, yeah... it's fun stuff ^_^ A Mission is definitely an experience worth having, because it's crazy awesome, and cool, and we haven't even gotten to the good stuff yet :O

BUT! Today marked the Halfway point! I'm Halfway to flying to Japan!!! AHHHHHH The MTC is nearly over! It's crazy, because people arrive here, (Like Jimmy) and if they are going to English speaking missions, they only stay for 3 weeks, so every Wednesday when the newbies arrive, they leave, and We're still here O_O

I feel so ancient right now XD

Thank you to momma, Grpa Felix/Pam, Grma Nancy for the packages! I'm munching on hot Cheetos and chocolate goodness!!!

I've written to peeples, but have only gotten replies from Mary, Dad, and Momma. If you can't write me (like paper letters) just use something called DearElder.com because I get to read what you wrote me, they print it the same day you write it and give it to me that same day after Dinner at 4:40, but after that, I don't get it until the next day, so make sure to send them out before then pleeeeeeze

I love Hearing from you, and want to know what's happening in your lives!!!

Thanks for being there for me! I need all the Lovels I can get!

I love you guys, and I hope that you remember your lil Frekkled Elder!

Herunandezu Chourou (the Us make the Os Longer, so it sounds kinda like Chooooo Rooooo, or Choo-Roo, which is how it's pronounced)

August 12th, 2011

Note:
O____O = big round eyes

XD = extreme happy face

:D and D: = big smile

^_^ = raised eyebrows

>_> = surprise and/or "can you believe that???"

<3 = a sideways image of a heart = "I love you"

Hello everyone I love and miss :D I hope you are alllll doing fan-stinkin-tastic! lol XD it's been an interesting week for sure. Yesterday the 11th, we had service projects to do, and I got Toilets again (we've gone to service things 4 times in all and I got toilets 3 of 4 because no one else wants to do them XD ) and each time I've gone, there has been at least one toilets that is realllly bad XD well, Yesterday, on the 3rd floor of the building I was doing toilets in, there was a locked stall, and we got it opened, and inside it there was a mound of Toilet paper and nastyness in it... So I looked at my companion, and we were like O___O so we went downstairs to ask what we should do, because it was really bad XD and the guy was like... You are going to have to either find a way to flush it, or scoop it out >_> so I grabbed an extra pair of Rubber gloves and a huge trash bag and a toilet plunger, and went back up to the toilet, scooped some out (at this time there were like five other guys who were watching and laughing and gagging) and then, as soon as I got the first little bit out, the smell nearly knocked me off my feet XD so I ended up using the plunger to plunge it all down and then flushed it.............. Toilets are no longer my friends XD. It's weird too, everytime we go, and I have toilets, it's ALWAYS ME that gets that one toilet that's super clogged XD. Naze?!?!?!? XD anyways, now that everyone is grossed out, how are you all doing?? XD I got mom's letter by mail, with the new pictures and the cool flute sculpture that she did! That was epic!!! :D I also got letters from Mary (seperate), and a letter from troy included in Momma's packet, and I got dad's DearElder.com thing (They print the Emails out, and we get them at dinner time to read :D ) so if you don't want to have to keep doing letters and want them to reach me daily, use that site, it's awesome ^_^ since there are quite a few people who are going to get this email forwarded, I'll ask some general questions for all of you to answer :D :D :D
1. what was the best movie that came out recently in your opinion?
2. how are you??
3. do you know how much I miss you???
4. do you know how much I love hearing from you? cuz that's kinda impossible for me to answer ^_^
5. any new developments going on in your life?
6. If you work, how has it been treating you, and if it's being a meany, I'll beat it up frawr yoo!!! :D
7. if you have been injured, tell me what happened D: and if you'll be alright!
8. when I come home, what's the first thing you want to do with me?
9. Guess what?
10. I love you I win!!!!!!!! XD okay that's not a question, and it's also non-debatable :P
we've been teaching a lot more often, and we're learning more and more Japanese every day, it's amazing how much you can learn when you want to express your thoughts and feelings to someone you care for. I'm feeling more confident in my teaching ability, and I know I can't credit myself for that. This is one of the best experiences of my life so far, and I've been making friends who are like me here, I have pictures, and I'll be getting them printed out at the Bookstore soon, I have to figure out how it works first, but expect some peekchures soooon :D I love you all, Friends and family alike! I cannot wait to see you all again, and talk about how we've all grown and all that jazz! It's going to be super fantastic, and It's keeping me motivated to do my best so that I can return with Honour and no Regrets. you are always on my mind, and I feel your love with me constantly like a blanket. Thank you so much for all that you have done in my life, thank you for the examples you have all been to me, you've helped me to understand why serving others is so worthwhile, and I will forever be grateful <3
your little frekkled Elder/chourou
Brandon Anthony Hernandez