April 19, 2011 -email

Dear Kazoku-

I hear all is normal (chaotic) at the house of Waite. That's good to know. Reports from Dad only confirm my belief that we will never be people of sanity, and I sometimes question your reports of being 'blessed' for having missionaries right now... : ) Overall it can be concluded that the blue Honda is more trouble than it's worth! But, I'm glad to hear that the suburban is finally off the basketball court. I think I may actually learn Japanese faster knowing that.

How is Cam doing? Any news on his investigators? Is there any way that his e-mails could be forwarded to me? And could someone tell me his e-mail address so I can write him myself? I sent a letter to him last week but I sent it to the address of his house... do we know if that is a trustworthy mailing address or should I just send things to the mission home address? I really want to hear from that guy.

Life at the incomparable compound has been abnormally exciting this week! Our Sempai (the missionary group just ahead of us that's bound for Japan) left yesterday morning. It feels good to know that they are all going to Japan still.

Also, I met my mission president this week! One morning Sister Derricott and I had just finished climbing all 96 stairs and were about to head into our classroom when our teacher introduced us to a man with the last name of Albrecht... I did a double-take at his tag and realized it was President Albrecht. He chatted with us for only about a minute and then had to go. Later that morning though he was back in the building and he gathered up all the Tokyo-bound missionaries (including those in the group ahead of us who have been "permanently re-assigned" elsewhere), and just talked to us for about 10 minutes and let us ask him questions. His home is in Orem and he came back from Tokyo for about a week and a half to see family because he doesn't have anything to do in Tokyo since all his missionaries are gone.

Everything he said was very very positive - the best things I've heard about Tokyo since I've been here. I've often wondered what Tokyo is really like right now because reports are all so varied. Some make it sound like there's a lot of permanent damage and others just say there is a lot of mess that will need to be cleaned up. Anyway, my impression of what's actually happening over there keeps changing and his report of things was more positive than anything I've ever heard. He said he feels safer in Tokyo right now than he ever would in Seattle (no offence Seattle...). He said that chances were high that those of us coming in May would be coming directly to Tokyo. We asked more about that and he said, "Tokyo is completely safe for missionaries, it's just a matter of making sure that everyone else realizes that”. I would say there's almost a 100% chance that you who are coming in May will come directly to Tokyo, and that those of you who have been "permanently reassigned" will be coming to Tokyo shortly.

He also said that if things go on the same track they have been lately, that the Tokyo mission will be the first mission to use laptops. Apparently he has been really pushing for them because it's such a useful way to communicate with investigators and members - especially in Japan because most people go to work before we are out proselyting, and don't come home until after we are already in bed. Anyway, it felt good to see and talk to him and hear a first-hand report of how things are across the pond. He will be the mission president there until next summer.

Also, we got a new district leader and zone leaders this week - an exciting change, and my companion Sister Derricott was called to be Coordinating Sister. As her companion, that automatically makes me Music coordinator.

Got to go! Wow, my e-mail time is dwindling! I will try to squeeze in everything.