(Elder S.) The time is flying by!

Hello everyone! The time is flying by. We had another great week here
in Yachiyo. I love it so much here I wanna stay for a long time. So
there's been lots of talk about floods and mudslides around the Tokyo
area. There weren't any in my area, but a pretty good typhoon rolled
through and it rained solid for 4 or 5 days so it was pretty wet. On
Saturday morning at about 5 am we had a 5.2 earthquake. I've felt one
or 2 other tiny earthquakes but this was my first somewhat big one. It
lasted for about 30 seconds and had our apartment shaking pretty good.
Life in Japan!

My Japanese is decent right now, but getting a lot better this
transfer. My companion is a little bit on the more shy side so I do a
lot of talking which really helps. A lot of good things are happening
here that I'm really excited about. The members are starting to get
involved with the missionary work and helping us with service projects
and member present lessons. We're also having good activities that are
getting members and investigators together. Pres. Nagano's big focuses
are working with members and doing missionary work that we like doing
and where we can build relationships with investigators/members. He
gave me special permission to play full court basketball at our sports
activity on Fridays. (Missionary rule is half court only) So lots of
good things are happening!

Right now our most progressing investigator is Dennis, the kid that we
found who is from Uganda. He is such a kinjin (golden investigator)!
He has pretty much told us that he believes he has been prepared to
hear our message. We are really excited for him and praying things
continue to go well with him. The only problem with Takano still is he
just can not get over coffee. He even told us that he believes in the
word of wisdom, he just thinks that "hot drinks" isn't supposed to
mean coffee and that it was translated incorrectly. He's a tough one!
But that's nothing the Spirit can't fix.

That's all for this week folks. Have a great week, love you!

Love, Elder Snyder

スナイダー長老

Family Home Evening at Bishop Fukawa's. That's him and his two little kids, Kanassa and Toki.  They're the best!!

Elder Canfield and I had a cookout on our back porch before he left and treated ourselves to some nice steaks and mini sausages.