Grady and Elder Budge with Yamamoto Shimai. He hiked in his Chacos!
Grady with Hiroki. He is an eikaiwa student (the English class that the missionaries teach)October, 12, 2009 This was another great week for Grady. He's learning and growing in ways that I never could have imagined. I love the way he expresses himself in his letters. And I especially love that he still has a sense of humor!
Hey Family! How are you doin? It was good to hear from you again. Sounds like this last week was pretty eventful. Ruddawg! Wow, I can't believe you don't have a broken rib or face! I'm am sorry. But it sounds like God was looking out for ya. (Rudy had a rough week. He and Gus were changing out the motor in Rudy's VW van and Rudy was underneath the car and the motor fell on top of him--it's a miracle that he wasn't hurt or worse! Then, the next day, he fell flat on his face while skateboarding, and another miracle--he didn't knock his teeth out--he just got a big, fat lip!) Dad, Happy Birthday! How old are you now? That is crazy that you are a Fedex driver now! Do you get to wear the tight shorts? If not you should anyway. Good luck, sounds like it is a good job. The man next to me in this Internet cafe has been snoring way loud for like 10 minutes. It is way funny! But someone just woke him up. I'll answer the questions first. I am getting a dictionary today and my watch cost me one dollar. It is way sweet! About the food thing. I get a lot of money each week from the mission home. It is plenty for food. I can only spend this money on certain things. I am eating pretty good but just not as much as before, which is fine. I feel great and there just isn't time for 3 meals. I am way too busy. But thanks a lot for the concern. The language is coming. I feel like I can understand more now. I haven't gotten discouraged and I learn everyday. I love learning new languages! It is way fun. We dropped a couple of our English speaking investigators this last week. Right now is Caliph, Lal, Barth,and Godwin. Lal is from India, Caliph is from San Diego, Godwin is from Ghana, and Barth is from Congo. Pretty large variety. There are a lot of foreigners here in Osaka. Ya McKay wrote me today. It was good to hear from him. Oh and about the little typhoon thing. Other than a little rain, Osaka really didn't get hit. Everyone was scared but it was nothing so I was happy. That is exciting for Lenzi. I am way excited! Today Me and elder budge hike a mountain with a member and a her nonmember husband. They are way nice. Ill send pics. It was so nice to be in a forest again. It felt like home. I was in my chacos and had a great time. General conference was very cool. I was so blessed this week in many ways. Caliph came to the Saturday afternoon session and loved it. Through the speakers that spoke he really understands Jesus Christ's perfect gospel teachings. Things are looking up for him. I got many things out of general conference but what stuck with me most was love. Right now we have 3 mentally or physically or both investigators. They just have learning disabilities or something minor. They are so great but need special needs. It really hit me that I just need to love them. People here in general don't receive or show love to one another. These people really need to feel the Saviors and Gods love for them. This is through the restored gospel. We are supposed to become like little children. They are already like children because they are very accepting. Having them feel the spirit is very key. I know that by loving people by teaching them the restored gospel we are so blessed and their lives are also blessed. I am sorry I am running out of time. Tomorrow are transfer calls. I might stay or go. Ill keep you posted. Elder Hollands talk was pretty powerful. I feel the same way about the Book Of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is what converts people. I just introduce it to them and bear testimony of it. It really does change people in every way. I love you all and the mission is great. I feel so blessed everyday. It is comforting to know that I have control of my attitude in every situation. I love it here! Till next time. see you later!
