Back in Sendai Baby

Well family and friends it has been another awesome week out on the mish and here in Japan. We made it back to Sendai!! Yay!! It feels so good to be back and especially to be back in Morioka. We definitely have had quite the past week :) I feel so blessed for all the wonderful opportunities my Heavenly Father has blessed me with.

Well on Wednesday morning we hopped on the train from Teine to Sapporo. Our recent convert Fukuoka met us at the train station and even rode over there with us :) It was hard for him to say good-bye as it was for me too. We met with about 40 of the Sendai missionaries at the train station, said our good-byes to our beloved President and Sister Daniels and the remaining Sapporo Missionaries, and hopped on the train for a 3 hour ride back down to the Tohoku area. It was a real pretty ride through the green trees and along the ocean, and we even went down under to get from one island to the next! Couldn`t really see anything though :( From there we hopped onto the bullet train and made it to Sendai. By that time is was around 6:00 pm. It was a beautiful evening! The air was warm and things seemed so wonderful. To be honest with you, I could feel a strong spirit from the people of Sendai. I could feel their suffering and humbleness. I got really excited and knew right then that this was the place God wanted me to be!! We were greeted by President and Sister Tateoka not too long after and along side them was Elder and Sister Ringwood of the Quorum of the Seventy. We had a Mission Conference with them the next day as all the Sendai missionaries gathered together. It`s always a real treat to be able to spend time with our Priesthood leaders. Elder Ringwood talked a little bit about post-mission life. He talked about the structure we have as missionaries and how when our mission is over that structure is taken from us. We no longer have morning study from 8:00 am. We can wake up and go to bed whenever we want. Through losing that structure it can be easy to get complacent with the simple things such as reading the scriptures. I thought that was really cool. It does take planning and effort to even do the little things that bring us so much happiness and that much closer to God.

Friday we had the most awesome opportunity in the world to do service for victims of the tsunami. We were divided into 2 groups. One went to an area near Tagajo where I had previously served, and the other went to an area near Ishinomaki. I was assigned to go over to the Ishinomaki area. We recieved `helping hands` t-shirts and I had bought me a pair of steel toed boots the night before so I was ready to go to work! Haha. Not gonna lie it felt like old times workin with Grandpa on the farm ;) Definitley felt good! It was quite the sight to see the damage of the tsunami. There were pieces of house, boats, ships, and just about a little bit of everything scattered. We were asked to go and help one couple out with their house. Their name was `Hatakeyama`. They were living by themselves and I would say they were somewhere in their 60`s. They had a real nice house with beautiful landscape. Things were a little torn up though. All the flooring of the house had already been taken out and they didn`t have too much left. I believe they are going to continue to repair though. At the time of the tsunami they thankfully weren`t at home but they did have cars swept onto their property. They had a huge statue type thing that had tipped over that took about 6 of us missionaries to lift back up. For the most part we just helped them in their yard. They wanted all the ocean dirt as well as the oil taken out. I pretty much had a shovel or bag in my hands the entire day. It felt good though. I even made the opportunity to go kneel down and work by the wife of the owner of the house while she was cleaning out one of her bushes. It was so special. She was so sweet and humble. Her husband was on crutches due to a broken foot from an accident he had had a couple days before. She was still giving all she had though. They were such sweet people. As we ate our packed lunch they even gave us a drink, and some fruit. When our time was up they gave us a little treat with a bannana. Even though their house was torn up and they didn`t have much they were still thinking of others and doing kind things. What an example for all of us. I will never forget the Hatakeyama`s, their house, and the time I had to spend with them. It was an experience of a lifetime.

We made it back to Morioka that evening and boy was I excited!! I love this place. Things have warmed up and everything is green and beautiful. The lake right outside the church is amazing. Yesterday we had Districe Conference. It`s like Stake Conference. We were blessed to have President and Sister Tateoka, another Seventy, our Area President, Elder Stevenson and his wife attend. It was an awesome meeting. And Rika-san came!!!! She is the investigator we had found before we went up to Sapporo. She wants to be baptized this Saturday but I don`t think we will make it because she still hasn`t been taught any of the commandments. We will get there though! She has the cutest fam ever. I pretty much played with her 2 year old daughter during church. Little kids are a job!! Haha.

I love you all and thank you for all you do. I feel your love and prayers everyday. I`m grateful to be a part of this wonderful work. Being a missionary is the best thing in the world!! Have an awesome week. Take Care.

Elder Ovard

       

   Farwell at the train station with the Sendai missionaries and President and Sister Daniels.  I will miss them.

Last One In Sapporo

Well family and friends, all good things must come to an end, but it has definitely been one to remember. This past week, and my time here in Sapporo has been a highlight of my mission and something I will remember and cherish forever. I love this place, and I love these people. I am grateful for the kindness and love of my dear Mission President and Wife- the Daniels. They are wonderful and will be eternal friends as well as all the Sapporo missionaries. It`s been a blast :)

It was announced during one of our trainings on Thursday morning that ALL Sendai misisonaries will be returning. All of the areas will not be opening but all missionaries will be going back. We got a call from President Tateoka back in Sendai this morning and I will be returning back to Morioka :) Elder Shinno will continue to be my companion and I will be Zone Leader with an Elder named Ohira. It will be a 4 man area. I am more than excited for this upcoming opportunity as well! I have continued to keep in contact with Rika-san throughout my time here in Sapporo and she is scheduled for baptism the first weekend in June. We are super excited to get back and help her prepare for that. We will also be having a Mission Conference on Thursday, and then have the opportunity to do a service project on Friday :)


Fukuoka Takahiro got baptized!!!!!!!! Yay!!! It was awesome. I have never met a person more prepared to hear the gospel in my life. This week we were able to finish teaching him all the commandments, hold his baptismal interview, and get things taken care of. It was an amazing service. I was lucky and got to perform the baptism :) Afterwards he was able to bear his testimony and I think he just about blew everybody away. He came with a prepared, typed up talk haha. He also bore a strong testimony of the Plan of Salvation and about how much peace and happiness it has brought into his life. He also mentioned his coming in contact with the missionaries and how at first he was only interested in a `cool` American and `English` haha but then gradually became interested in the message as well. He will be such a strong member :) Sunday we had his confirmation and something that was mentioned within his blessing was that he will be a great missionary. When we asked him about that he didn`t have much to say, but c`mon- it`s only been a month and a half! Haha. I know he will be a wonderful missionary and leader of the church someday. I am thankful for the cool kid he is and for the friendship we have been able to make.


This work is amazing no matter where you are. I`m definitely excited about returning to the Sendai area and helping the people down there, but I will always remember the friends I have made and the time I have been able to spend up here in Sapporo. I have learned many things and have seen the Lord`s hand in more ways than one. I am especially grateful for the people He places in my path and for the opportunity I have to see the gospel make a change in their lives. I love this! I love you all and hope you have an awesome week. Thanks for everything. Take Care.


Elder Ovard

Mission Conference!

Hey everyone! I want to begin by telling my fam how much I enjoyed talking to them on Mothers Day and especially want to wish my mom another happy mothers day by telling her how much I love and appreciate her. Love you mom :)


Well we just got back from an activity with President and Sister Daniels and some of the Sendai missionaries. We played something called `park golf`. It was a blast! We hopped in the cars and headed up into the mountains to a local ski resort. All the snow has melted and they have a golf course set up. It wasn`t `real` golf, but it was a little more intense than your usual mini putt :) It was a beautiful view and lots of fun so President wanted to make sure that we have the opportunity to play before we head back. As for that- I`m not sure whether or not I`m gonna head back but I think it has been decided that missionaries will be returning in a couple weeks.


Well another week of missionary work down and many more miracles to count :) We really were so blessed this week. One of the highlights of the week was having Elder Costas and Elder Stevenson of the Quorum of the Seventy come to our mission. Elder Stevenson is our Area President. We gathered together as a mission Tuesday and boy it was amazing. We first sang songs for them, got to shake their hands, and then listened to them and their wives speak for a few hours. It was so good!! I learned a lot about how to be a more effective and successful missionary. One of the things Elder Costas focused on was ending lessons with investigators when the Spirit is strongest. By doing so we can increase second, third, and fourth lessons. He stressed that we shouldn`t worry about teaching all the contents of the lesson but should be more sensitive to the Spirit. That was something that especially stuck out to me :)


That evening we met with Fukuoka`s friend, Takuya. We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ really simply and were even able to commit him to baptism!! He accepted for the end of June. It was a really good lesson and he seemed so happy afterwards. The next evening we met with a couple more 20 year olds and we were able to set another baptism date as well!! His name is Daiki. We had met him a few days before. I really don`t know what exactly we taught, but we focused on baptism and did all we could to follow the instruction of our leaders and commit to baptism on the first lesson. The Lord provided a way and we were able to get the job done. It was such a blessing to see the Spirit work on these 2 boys and have them accept baptism.

We went on splits this past week with the Elders from an area called Otaru and was it a beautiful train ride from Teine. Right along the ocean! I`m not gonna lie the thought of a tsunami did cross my mind, but I wasn`t worried ;) It seems like you can find some pretty scenery just about anywhere you go here in Japan. The mission is awesome. I love it. I love the teachings of Jesus. We had stake conference this past week as well and something President Daniels talked about was `love`. He gave a really good talk and read a lot of good scriptures about our Savior and His example of love. Even though He was despised and rejected He asked His Father to forgive them for they knew not what they were doing. He always loved everyone. I`m grateful for His example of love and for the love of my wonderful Mission President and his wife. I love you all! Have an awesome week.

Elder Ovard

I almost forgot!!! Haha. Fukuoka... He is still doing awesome. We have been working real had with him this past week to get all the commandments taught and he is getting a step closer to the water everyday. He is scheduled for baptism this upcoming Saturday :) We are all way excited for it. He is such a stud. His biggest fear lately was telling his mom about meeting with us and his decision to be baptized. He talked to her on the phone and was able to get things figured out. His mom trusted him and the decision he was making. So good. I am so happy for him and his decision to be baptized :)

Sendai Mission is Re-Opening!!

Well another week down and another handful of changes! Haha. I guess I`ll start off with the biggest news of the week and believe it or not, the Sendai mission is re-opening!!! Yay!! We got a call from President on Wednesday informing us of the news and telling us that Elders Shaw and Taylor, both living in our apartment, would be 2 of the 24 missionaries heading back. I`m still in here in Teine for a little bit longer. I have no problem with that because I think we might be able to see a baptism soon!! :) It was a real big surprise for everybody that the mission would be re-opening this soon. The Aomori and Niigata Zones are the only ones open for now and from what I`ve heard Morioka could be next ;) I did talk with a couple investigators from Morioka this past week over the phone and they are doing awesome. One of the sweet ladies is scheduled for baptism the first part of June and is really looking forward to it. I`m not real sure when other parts of the mission will open but I think it could coincide with the transfer schedule. This transfer ends at the end of this month.



It`s raining cats and dogs out there today and according to the weather forecast it doesn`t seem to stop any time soon. It does seem to have warmed up a bit this past week though so that`s always a plus. There is definitely a lot of baseball going on around here and I`ve even had to step off the bike for a bit to play with them. I`ve actually found it`s quite an effective way of talking to people! :) I`m still not sure whether or not we`re gonna be able to make it to a pro game but at a fireside we had last night my investigator did talk with President about it haha. I`ll keep prayin.


So I decided to make a new journal this past week. This journal is for miracles I see everyday. The only problem is- it seems like I`m only writing in the `Journal of Miracles` now! Haha. It`s true though. It was another week of blessings. Fukuoka is doing awesome. We made it over to his apartment the other day to have a lesson. It was my first time in his place and it was decked out! He`s a way cool kid. We talked about the Book of Mormon and gaining a testimony of it. We read from the introduction including the first and last 2 paragraphs. We asked him what he thought he needed to do and he answered perfectly. He said he needed to 1- Read the book, 2- Think about it, and 3- Pray to know the truth. But that wasn`t all. He basically taught us how we need to apply the things we learn as well! Wow!! It was awesome. We got an email from him the next day saying that he had a friend he wanted to introduce us to. What?!! Is this kid for real? We met with them a few days later, had fun talking some `english` with them, and even got him some interest in the gospel. His friends name is Takuya. We gave him a Plan of Salvation pamphlet and have another appointment scheduled for tonight :) Oh ya before I forget- Fukuoka basically jointed for the lesson as he bore a strong testimony about how the gospel has helped him. I love this kid. He had club sports scheduled for Sunday so we weren`t planning on him coming to church that day. But as we were waiting at the bus stop Sunday morning we got a call from him telling us that he thought he had better come to church instead so he rushed over. Wow. He teaches me so much.


Church was awesome. We sat right in front of the old lady everybody loves. She seems a little hard of hearing and not only does she not have the most appealing voice to the ears, but she can`t seem to follow along right either haha. We would finish singing a verse and she`d still have another line to go! Haha bless her heart. It was a wonderful fast and testimony meeting though. I`m always so touched by the testimonies of these humble saints. Even though there are only about 70 members in the ward, they still line up every week to bear their testimony. They take advantage of every chance they have. The gospel is true no matter where we are. We are all God`s children and He knows us each and every one of us individually. I`m grateful for the knowledge we have. I love you all and am thankful for all your support. Have an awesome week and take care!

オバード　長老