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 everyone! How's your week been? Fantastic I hope! Mine sure has been. Lots of fun stuff. Although Elder Swenson has gotten a little sick (of sorts) recently which has made some things a little difficult, but we are still teaching plenty.
 
Our investigator Yoshida San is still progressing, but hasn't been able to pray yet >.> But we are meeting with her tomorrow, so hopefully she'll have tried praying on her own! But she's still reading all the time! Right now, she's alreay in 2 Nephi 29! Which is fantastic!
 
Our other progressing investigator Kasahara San did start praying on his own again! Which is great! However, in another stroke of inspiration which I don't have time to explain, we learned that he wasn't closing his prayers in Jesus Name, or starting them by addressing Heavenly Father. :/ But at least he's praying. We got him to commit to pray properly. He's struggling most right now with his testimony of Joseph Smith. It's so weird, but he believes the Book of Mormon to be true, but Joseph Smith as a prophet is wishy-washy! Haha. But he's lots of fun to work with.
 
Other than that, not much else is going on! We got a new cell-phone this week. I suppose that's cool. It's the same as before only slightly cheaper. Haha. Probably you don't care to know that, huh? As for any exciting culture experiences or things like that... Hmm... I tried some Fried Oysters the other day that were really delicious? Haha.
 
Okay. Sorry, I have no time! That's a common theme isn't it? But today I also sent off a package with everyone's Christmas Presents and a few things to store for me in it (don't worry, all of the presents except 2 were free, and the 2 cost only a dollar each). I sent it to Mom because, well there's no real reason, I just picked to send it there. It probably won't arrive till mid January or so, but please enjoy a late Christmas from Japan.
 
Except of course Dad and Jon's presents, they were small enough that I just could fit them in a regular letter. So I sent those to Dad. Just for your information.So yeah... O negai shimasu!
 
Ah! Okay. Sorry. I hope everything makes sense that I'm writing? On to the pictures!
 
 IMG_3143.JPG (image/jpeg) 864.00K - Funny English. Yes, names do indeed use the alphabet!
 IMG_3136.JPG (image/jpeg) 1,090.00K - Guess who else put up a christmas tree this week! (You all wrote me saying you did that a while ago, so now it's my turn). Oh the things you can find in Missionary Apartments!
 IMG_3140.JPG (image/jpeg) 1,087.00K - Oh Christmas Tree
 IMG_3142.JPG (image/jpeg) 945.00K - Oh Christmas Tree
 IMG_3149.JPG (image/jpeg) 1,238.00K - Comic!
 IMG_3155.JPG (image/jpeg) 670.00K - This is me, right before sening this e-mail. Just in case you forgot what I look like.
 
Also, to answer all of your questions about weather. Japan has become rather cold. About 5 in the day, and -5 in the night. At least that's my guess. I don't really care to find out for sure.
 
Well, thanks for all the letters! I love you lots and keep working hard!

--
Wholly,
シャウ　長老

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: