I'm in Japan! I've become a giant among men!

It's finally happened! I am in the land of the Japanese! And I love it here! The people are friendly (in a manner of speaking) and the food is good (when someone else makes it). There is so much going on all the time, but it's so fun being out and about doing actually missionary work.

There have been some many learning opportunities this past no also a lot of humbling opportunities. First, the language. I actually learned more in the MTC than I thought I did, but nowhere near enough to say everything I need to. There is a lot to learn, but it's coming. That's a large part of where humility is coming in for me right now, I've accepted the fact that I have no power to do any of this work on my own. It's got to be all on God or nothing. Same with the language, same for teaching, same for even walking around during the day.

I've been reading a lot of awesome things in the Book of Mormon. I've read Alma 31-33 and there is great stuff in there. In those chapters, it talks about how the Zoramites main problem was pride. So, humility and faith are huge sections that Alma talks about. The first half of Chapter 32 is all about humility, and how much better things are when we choose to be humble before the Lord. I know that that is true, and there are so many blessings that come when we strive to achieve this Christlike attribute.

I love you all!
Elder Nelson

PS Almost everyone in this country comes to about mid chest for me. I feel tall.
PPS A lot of people think that I look like an American movie star. I ain't saying he's wrong
PPPS I have what people are calling "greenie Fire" and "gaigin powers". I try to literally talk to every single person I see, and chased after a person. Apparently when a big white guy runs up to you
to talk, that's a no no. So, I learned a lesson that day. But honestly, it's so fun to talk to everyone and see them freak that a white giant wants to talk about Christ to them.
PPPPS I ate some weird food, like this weird herbal tea that tastes like dirty, which every loves for some reason, and some nato, or fermented soybeans. I would recommend not eating that, if the
opportunity arises. Just take my word for it.
PPPPPS The Japanese toilets are so much fun

Me and the comp. Elder Yamada

Arrival: Photos and Map

September 25, 2015

Dear Brother and Sister Nelson:

Your son arrived in the Japan Tokyo South Mission on Tuesday, September 22nd, in good spirits and ready to commence his proselyting assignment. We had a wonderful time with him.

Elder Nelson has been assigned to work with Elder Yamada and they are serving in an area called Fuchu.

Your son can receive his mail at the following address (Mission Home address):
Elder Joseph Brent Nelson
Japan Tokyo South Mission
1-7-7 Kichijoji, Higashi-cho
Musashino-shi, Tokyo 180-0002
Japan

Attached is a picture of your son with Sister Wada and me, of himself, his companion, and a group picture of the new missionaries, trainers, and Assistants. We have also included a map showing the locations of the various areas in the mission. You can use it as a personal record of his assignments.

By the time you receive this letter, Elder Nelson should be adjusted to his new proselyting area. The positive sustaining support he gets from you at home will be a great blessing to him. May the Lord bless you and your family as you share in your son’s mission experience.

Sincerely,
President Takashi Wada

View the Mission Map here.

Safe Arrival

Dear Parents,

We just want to send you a quick note to let you know that your missionary arrived safely in Japan on Tuesday, September 22, 2015.

President and Sister Wada had dinner with the missionaries, visited shortly, and then sent them to bed for a much needed rest.

Today, Wednesday, is orientation and training day. On Thursday they will meet their new companion who will be their trainer. In the afternoon they will be off to their new area to begin their missionary work. Pictures will be taken and you will receive another email with pictures attached.

Our Mission’s preparation day is on Monday. This is the day missionaries can email family and friends. When missionaries have a temple day, which is normally on a Tuesday, this becomes their preparation day. Please have your missionary let you know when temple day is so you will know of the change.

Thank you for entrusting your missionary to us in the Japan Tokyo South Mission. We so appreciate all you have done to get your missionary ready for this experience!

Sincerely,

Sister Yamashita
Japan Tokyo South Mission Secretary

Almost there!

Hey everyone! I can't believe it, but I'm almost done with my final week in the MTC! Eight weeks sounds like a long time, but honestly it has flown by for me. Something fun that happens in your last week is that you get your Japanese Katakana name tag and flight plans. I head out early Monday morning!

A bit of sad news about my companion. Elder Burnham has had a pretty rough spell with his health. First, head thought he had pink eye, so we got to leave the MTC campus to head to the BYU health clinic. Turns out, he doesn't have pink eye, but he does have in ear infection! Yay! He got some antibiotics and that's going fine now. The day after, we were running up the stairs during our service assignment and he had a little spill. So, we got to go the health clinic again, and it turns out he has a sprained ankle, so that's no fun. He's doing fine besides that, and he should have no problem heading out at the end of this week.

Sunday and Tuesday were both sweet, as usual. The devotions were really good and I had some good study time. I read one of my favorite talks of all time, "Beware of Pride" by Ezra Taft Benson. Seriously, it was so amazing and puts a change on my perspective about my life. I would highly recommend reading it if you ever have spare time. On Tuesday evening, Sister Wixom came and spoke. She said a ton of great time, but my favorite was all about Nephi, Sam, Laman, and Lemuel. All four of them could said they served a successful mission, they all returned with the plates. However, it wasn't the doing of the mission that helped them, it was their reliance and faithfulness on the Lord that made the difference. Nephi and Sam did everythign with the right attitude and Spirit, while Laman and Lemuel just did the steps. Their differing attitude made all the difference, and eventually shaped the rest of their lives, with Nephi become on of the most inspriing prophets in the Book of Mormon, while Laman and Lemuel become just the opposite. Don't do this life just by following the steps because you have to. Do everything that Lord asks because you love Him. If you do this, i can testify that it will make you and your families better, happier, and able to return to our Loving Heavenly Father someday.

God loves you and so do I!
Elder Nelson

PS I super duper love all of the amazing rain that we've gotten! So awesome looking out the window and seeing it just dump buckets
PPS If anyone knows Elisa Toma, I got to talk with her on Skype TRC last night. She lives in my mission, so I'll probably be seeing her later in the mission!
PPPS This was the final Wednesday in the MTC, so I pulled out my dork dot and put it on. I got a ton of "Welcome to the MTC" comments, and I just pretended I didn't speak English and spoke Japanese to them. T'was fun indeed

The dope swag name tag!

Only 11 Days Left Until Japan!

This week has been quite the week, so much stuff has happened!

Sunday was a busy busy day. First, I read this really amazing talk by Elder Chirstofferson called "When Thou Art Converted". It was super good, al about combating pride and growing your relationship with God. I would highly recommend reading it to anyone! This Sunday was Fast Sunday, so we had a mission conference, which meant we got a bonus devotional. Yes! There was a lot of good talks, but my favorite line was, "The World says give me a sign, and I'll show my faith," but the Lord says "Show me your faith, and I'll show you my miracles". I love that sentiment, and i've really seen that happen in my life so far.

The Sunday evening devotional speaker was President Ashton, from the Provo Temple. He spoke about opening your mouth and speaking with the confidence of the Lord. The Sword of the Spirit is the word of God, but that word won't be heard until you open your mouth and talk! If you ever get the Spiritual prompting to open your mouth, do it!

Right now, I'm kinda going back and forth on what to say. But, I think that this is something good that everyone needs to hear. Yesterday, we talked about guilt and the light of Christ. Guilt is like your spiritual nervous system. If you touch something burning hot, you'll feel pain. The pain itself isn't bad, but it is telling you the burning object is. The same thing is with guilt, for our spiritual health. Guilt is our spiritual pain. It helps you recognize that you need to make changes. I'm not condoning sin, but if you feel guilt for something you've done, good! It means you still have the light of Christ! It's there to help you change for the better, so let it help you! God love you so much, He lets you feel this way out of love for you. It's how He helps you realize that you need to make a change to come back to Him. His hope and peace can envelope you so much and it's all thanks to Christ. I can testify to you that both of them love you so intensely!

Love you all!
Elder Nelson

PS I always end up choosing the music in class, so it's been Christmas for the past week, every day. Yes
PPS Fun story, I found out that you shouldn't throw your notebooks down the hall. I did that when I threw them into a door to call dibs on using that room, and it just so happened to do that in front of the Branch President. Whoops. So, don't yell and throw your crap around
PPPS It was an Elder's birthday yesterday, so we had a party of sorts. And when I say we had a party, they had one without me because we live in seperate rooms. So, I think they had fun.
PPPPS I know I've talk about the water before, but it seriously gets so hot. Like, it steams and burns you when you touch it. Boiled on the sun, that's what it is

I ACTUALLY TOOK PICTURES FOR ONCE whoops caps lock was on

Round two: The selfie game is strong

One Transfer Length in the MTC!

Holy cow, every week feels so short, but when I look back, so much has happened!\

One of my teachers, who also happens to be one of my favorite people, has started BYU this weeks. So, he won't be teaching anymore. He stops by every once in a while, but for now, he's pretty much gone. That bums me out, but I learned a lot from him while he was here so it's alright. I love our new teacher, he's such a fun guy, and has a different Japanese accent than the rest of out teachers, so more listening practice!

Talking about Japanese practice, my district has been making a big push for everyone to SYL (Speak Your Language) all the time. So, I haven't had a full English convo in several days (except one cheat day while I spoke to Elder Noah Brown in English for a while) and it has honestly been helping so much. The MTC promises that SYL us how our Heavenly Father wants us to learn, so using it is showing faith in that promise and shows our desire to to receive the Gift of Tongues. It's pretty sweet!

Last night, we had Skype TRC. TRC is teaching a member of the church every week just a short lesson and leaving them with a commitment. So, yesterday, we got to Skype with a lady in Japan. It was so cool! Like, I've only been learning Japanese for 6 weeks, but I could have a full on Gospel conversation with her. It was super slow, obviously, but it was so much fun, It got me super pumped up to head out. Only 2.5 weeks to go!

Another huge highlight of this week was Elder Oaks came and spake in the devotional on Tuesday night. I'm super blessed to have been here for two apostles devotionals. He spoke a lor about the principle and teaching in Preach My Gospel, and how to teach through the Spirit. One huge way we can always have the Spirit to be with us is through the Sacrament. Sometimes, I feel like everyone kinda under-appreciates the Sacrament because it's so commonplace. However, despite it being so commonplace, almost no one has it memorized. So, this is the challenge that Elder Oaks gave, a I want to pass on. Memorize the Sacrament prayer (They are also found in the Book of Mormon, the bread here, and the water here)  and think about it often. It's one of the best ways to have the Spirit to be with us always, and what better way to live than through the Spirit?

I love you all!
Elder Nelson

PS We got some new missionaries in the Zone this week, so that's fun. My district is now a grandpa district

PPS When new missionaries came in yesterday, some Elder put on their dork dots. I'm still saving my for when it's my final week, just for kicks and giggles.

PPPS Timpview Reunions are real in this place

PPPPS My new teacher is a recent RM, and watches a ton of Naruto, cause it's all Japanesee. So, in class, we sometimes have chakra battles, and throw ninja justus at each others. Pretty fun!

Friends from High School- probably one of many Timpview Reunions

Cousins- Elders Nelson and Woffinden