When I first arrived in Aizu it was actually really warm and quite
pretty. There are a lot of mountains to look at and it's kind of like a
Park City feel except for about a thousand times more houses and
buildings. Then my second day in Aizu one of member tells me it's going
to snow. I didn't think much about it because it snowed once in Hachinohe
and it was barely anything so I thought Japanese people didn't
understand what it really means to SNOW. I was completely wrong. It has
been snowing for three days straight now and I have never seen so much
snow in my entire life. I can't ride my bike anymore for the winter and
and it is so crazy how much snow they get. I would have to argue that
there is more snow here now in these three days than Utah gets in an
entire year. Super crazy!
Just to tell you a little bit about the area; It is by Fukushima
where the nuclear power plants had a problem and are leaking. I won't get to see a lot of my area because radiation levels are too high
and there is still a lot of people who live in these places because they
have to. We have another Branch in Koriyama that had to be
closed down to missionaries but we still get to go every once in a while
and help the members out there. And I really want to help them out
because there is a deaf person! I love deaf people, so I am excited when
it is my turn to go! There are a lot of people who were affected by the
earthquake in 2011 here in Aizu. There are still a ton of people who are
living in the assisted living homes which are teeny tiny little things. I
feel really bad for them but so glad that I get to help them out in my
time here in Aizu.
My companion is a great guy! But its certainly weird switching
companions. He is from Idaho and he doesn't speak much Japanese which was
weird going from speaking only Japanese to now English. He really is as
nice as they come.
Right now I have 3 Investigators! WHOOOO!!! Its a miracle!
We are teaching a family called the Hoshi family. We teach their 2
year old daughter English and she is super cute! The mom is super nice
and so is the dad. They knew each other in Junior High but didn't really
talk and then later in life ended up getting married. Anyways, you might
be wondering how in the world do I teach a 2 year old English. It's not
easy. You have to be super creative and make a lot of crafts to try to
have attention the whole time. So if you have any Ideas I would love to
hear them. Right now they live really close to the church, living with
their parents because when the Earthquake happened it split their house
in half. They told me all the stories of what happened here in Aizu
during the earthquake. It sounded pretty scary. Food couldn't be
shipped into Aizu for a couple months and so all the stores were out of
food and a lot of people were coming into Aizu to evacuate Fukushima so
there were a lot more people here. They said that this was one of the
hardest times but that's when they prayed to God to help them to know
what to do. They said that it was during this time that they realized
just how important families are and that this life is pretty short with
families. So we were able to explain how the Gospel can help them and
that they can be with their family forever and that they can always talk
to God and seek his guidance and thank him. They right now are reading
the Book of Mormon together as a couple and basically share it with all
their friends. Its super awesome! We have been shoveling their snow in
front of the house so they can leave and go to work and stuff. And they
were very appreciative. So much that they asked to set up appointment(s)
We have a couple with them already set and they invited us to go get
dinner with them on their aniversary! Like way nice! So our other
investigators have been coming through their friends.
Oh I almost forgot! Here in Aizu we have two missionaries who just
recently returned from their misisons and one went to Nagoya and the
other went to tokyo. They know a lot of Jamies friends (WADE!) and they
know a lot of my friends too who are serving, They know my prom dates
brother Elder Sanderson, They know my friend Josh Nielson and they know
Riley otteson. So it is a pretty crazy small world! They also know some
of my MTC teachers, The branch does at least.
So I hope to keep on working and doing my best here in Aizu. We have an
appointment tomorrow with Hoshi family and one or two of there friends
so I will ganbarimasu! Will do my best!
Love you all keep up the good work in LEHI!
Elder Nebeker
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