The adventures and misadventures of Elder Shaw as he teaches among the Japanese, and is no doubt taught in return.

Head to the 'Profile,' section to read more about who I am, and what I believe in. For more information on where I actually am, please click here.

The adventures and misadventures of Elder Shaw as he teaches among the Japanese, and is no doubt taught in return.

Head to the 'Profile,' section to read more about who I am, and what I believe in. For more information on where I actually am, please click here.

My name is Brian Shaw, though you can just call me エルダーショー (Elder Shaw). As of the 19th of May 2010, I have been rigorously engaged in serving the Lord by laboring to bring the Japanese people back to their savior, Jesus Christ; and I will continue to do so faithfully until the 19th of the same month in 2012.

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and I have an unshakable testimony that this church is of Christ. I know Christ lives, and I know he suffered for my sins, so that I could return to live with my Heavenly Father after this life. I know that Joseph Smith, the founder of this church in the latter days, was called of God to restore Christ's authority to this earth, and establish the covenants and ordinances that were lost long ago. I also know that Joseph Smith was given a set of gold plates to translate into scripture called the Book of Mormon. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

If you would like to know this just as I do, please click here, or click here for a free copy of the Book of Mormon.

2 Nephi 25:26
"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

Hey everybody! So, again... I'll start with the pictures.

IMG_2358 - This is me. Enjoying myself. And it appears that I haven't shaved in a while in this picture... But I promise I shaved that morning.

IMG_2334 - This is another fun comic that I drew today!

IMG_2344 - This is another awesome comic that I drew! I hope you can read them and they make sense... (Basically, I found a really nasty mixer thing and this comic is how I suspect it got under the fridge- which is where I found it)

IMG_2370 - This is Murata Kyodai. The same as before. As I was writing this e-mail, he randomly showed up. So I elected to take another picture of him!

IMG_2361 - This is a picture of my name tag... I know I sent one before. But I like this one better.

IMG_2366 - Here is an example of typical wonderful Japanese-Engrish hahaha

IMG_2368 - This is Curry Rice. Japanese have their own way of making curry and it is amazing! I would reccommend everyone try it. And for your information, I made this delectable dish. Japanese cooking is way easy!

Okay. And now, because multiple people requested it... If you have to send me a package, here is a list of some things I could use.

1. Maple Syrup
2. Fake Gravy (I can make mashed potatoes, but not gravy, so I need the fake powder stuff).
3. An American Simple Recipe Book because I can't read Japanese Recipes
4. List of Famous Shoes (i.e. Cinderalla's slipper, the old-lady-who-lived-in-a-shoe, etc...) The reason is unimportant... I'll tell you when I have more time. I suspect there is a wikipedia page on it. And a list of the various kinds of shoes... Like... boots, Vans, Chuck Taylor, etc...
5. If someone could find a Tiny PMG (like half the regular size) that would be amazing. But probably expensive so don't worry about it.
6. Candy is always good
7. Cereal is also always good

Some things not to send:

1. Ties - Really... I have plenty, can buy new ones for really cheap... And keep inheriting people's old ties... So I'm raelly okay.
2. Books, There are a lot of good books out there, but I don't have room in my suitcase and I don't really have any time to read anything other than PMG, the Scriptures and Ensigns. Sorry :/ In two years, I'll read them :)

So this week was great! Chiba San is doing well and keeping all of his commitments except he is still not coming to Church. Which is aggravating, and Elder Aiura and I are trying to be 'devestated,' as PMG counsels to be... But as of yet, he hasn't got the memo. And so he still hasn't come. If he continues not to come for the next two or so weeks, we might have to drop him.

Nanjo San, who I think I mentioned last week is also doing well... Though he is old so it's really hard to convey any ideas to him. We've met several times and have only barely gotten through the Message of the Restoration. He has read from the BoM but "doesn't understand how to pray." Which is a wicked lame excuse... But we're working with him.

We found three new investigators this week, which is also great. 2 our the 12 and 13 year old sons of a very active member. Nao Kun and Ren Kun are their names.We've only taught them once, but are excited to teach them again.

Our other new investigator is Sasaki san. He is old and loves to talk. Too much in fact. When we teach him, he talks for 90% of the time and we can only share a tiny lesson! So we haven't progressed too much with him. And he hasn't kept any committments yet... But we'll see what happens this week. I fear he might be more interested in someone to talk to then in the church :/ But for now we are still meeting with him.

And that's the update for what I'm doing. That and, believe it or not, cleaning. I clean SOOOO much. You wouldn't believe me if I began to tell you. We are given an hour on P-day, and 15 minutes at Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner to clean everyday. And I've been eating as fast as I can to get more time to clean things! My apartment is such a mess... But slowly and surely I'm making it liveable. It's actually really funny because I've learned to enjoy (most) cleaning. Hah! Bet you never thought you'd hear me say that.

Oh gee! Sorry. I spent too much time talking. I am out of time. Well, I love all and thanks so much for your support, prayers, and mail. I hope you enjoy my comics :) They are a nice way for me to relax on P-Days! Bye for now!


--
Kokoro kara
Elder Shaw

A list of my writings by their entry date:

05.25.2010

06.01.2010

06.04.2010

06.08.2010

06.15.2010

06.18.2010

06.22.2010

06.29.2010

07.02.2010

07.06.2010

07.13.2010

07.20.2010

07.21.2010

08.10.2010

08.12.2010

08.17.2010

08.25.2010

09.06.2010

09.15.2010

09.20.2010

09.28.2010

10.04.2010

11.01.2010

11.30.2010

12.24.2010

12.30.2010

01.22.2011

01.26.2011

03.02.2011

03.07.2011

03.14.2011

03.18.2011

04.25.2011

To my friends and family... Write me! And I promise I will write back as promptly as reasonable.

First, please do not contact me through e-mail. I have an e-mail, but have been told by my mission president not to read e-mails from anyone (not even family!). Sure, some other missions might do it differently, but for Sendai, I'm not supposed to read your e-mails. Just write me lots of letters instead!

And please direct all mail to this street address: