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."

Hello everyone! So, first I'll start with the pictures.

IMG_2635.JPG 1,158.00K - This weeks comic. It's about Indianna Jones!
IMG_2624.JPG 834.00K - A timely Halloween gift from Kristy! Halloween in Japan is sort of boring. No dressing up, no candy... Barely any decorations. It's sad! Especially so since Halloween is my favorite holiday! (Outside of Christmas of course, but that hardly counts!)
IMG_2618.JPG 1,227.00K - I don't know where this picture came from?
IMG_2591.JPG 1,014.00K - I didn't let Japan's lackluster efforts to celebrate Halloween get me down. I bought my own decorations! (It was with your money dad. Sorry. But it was only like 3 dollars.)
IMG_2592.JPG 983.00K - See above.

Now, I'll talk about conference. So, if I said anything about it before this e-mail, please disregard it. Because I was confused! But I'll explain how it happened. First off, obviously, I was privleged to watch it a week later! But, thankfully, in English. The send CD's to all of Asia that contain English, Spanish, Protueguese, Japanese, Mandrin and Cantonese. So, while the members were watching the morning session in Japanese, I had headphones in listening to the same session in English. It was glorious.

However, conference was a little different this year than it had been for me in other years... First, the number of people in my ward... Saturday was difficult for most of them. But we had 7 people come for the morning session (if you count Elder Aiura and I, and one families new baby). For priesthood session there was a total of four of us. Sunday morning session obviously had the greatest turn out: 10. Most people just wait and watch it at home on their computers when it comes out it seems.

But despite the change, conference was amazing. When you're on a mission, conference truly has special meaning for you, and I like to think even more so in my case, because it's the most English I've heard in a long time! But seriously.conference was amazing. The opporunity to hear the word of God in such a way, so quickly is truly a miracle. I am so grateful for the opporutunity to watch it. However, I am also saddened by it. Because it made me remember something. And I'm sorry, I need to repent. I truly appreciate you all, but what have I done to show it? Not enough.

Dad. When you first bought the yellow house across the street from the church, the basement was unfinished. After every 15 day interval stay at Mom's house, I recall coming to your home and being excited to see what new additions you had made to the basement. It seemed you were always working on it! And I was amazed at how quickly the basement turned from a dull dirty storage place, into, literally, a theatre room. However, it also always perplexed me. I never saw you working on it? I didn't understand when you were getting the work done... You were always busy with me it seemed. And not until recently have I realized what that meant. It was no doubt an important job to you, but when I was at your house, you were with me. You weren't working to finish the project, you were spending all the time you could, with me. Thank you. I only wish I had taken better advantage of that time.

Mom. Something you might remember is a short little song that you used to sing to me every morning. It was simple, but the lyrics were this: "It's time to get up, it's time to get up, it's time to get up in the morning. It's time to get up, it's time to get up, it's time to get up, right now. Get up, get up, get up. It's time to get up right now." The lyrics are basic, the tune was also not very complex, but it got the job done. As I have come on a mission, sometimes, I haven't wanted to get up. But those mornings, when I feel the weight of my calling pressing down on me, when I feel like I might never master this language I've been called to speak, when I feel surrounded by darkness and doubts, I remember that song. And when I sing it, I remember that it is indeed time to get up, it is time to arouse myself, and it's time to get to work. And somehow, my sunset seems to become a sunrise as I remember my mother and all the things she's taught me. I truly feel like a stipling warrior, I do not doubt my mother knew it. Thank you mom, for teaching me in my youth.

Time is short, so I'm sorry I can't give everyone the proper thank you that you deserve. But know, that I love you all. Jen, Luke, Justin, Kristy, Jon, Julie, and so many more people I can't list. You have done more for me than you will ever know. :) Thank you.

I leave that with you in Jesus' name, Amen.
--
Sincerely,
エルダーショー
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: