November 25, 2015
[Mom's note: So sorry, everyone! It's been a little crazy and I was having issues with the blog. Finally had Katherine come fix it which didn't take much ;) Here it is all caught up.]

 Hey everyone it's a short week for dendo and a lot of travel spent a
total of 17 hours on a bus, train, or subway so that killed missionary
work for the week, we were able to have a wonderful zone conference
and and stake conference too! But anyways running out of time this
week, we found one new investigator she is like 4 foot 7 and 85 years
old but she is the cutest little old lady she is super nice and
actually came up and talked with us so we picked her up and had a
lesson with her so that was good!! Anyways here are some pics I hope
you all have a great week!! I love ya all!

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November 15, 2015

 Hey friends and family it was a great week we had a couple of awesome
lessons with members and we found some cool people this week. Also had
zone training meeting learned some really good things really excited
for this week we have a lot of good things planned but a lot of travel
is planned as well so that is a little bit rough takes a way from a
lot area missionary work so that is kinda hard. Read a good talk from
this week learning from past mistakes by m Russell Ballard it was
really what I need I think and it reminded me of the importance of
always learning and getting better and it really helps for this white
wash situation there are a lot of ideas and things we do and sometimes
some things don't work as well as other things and when we learn from
those things we become better missionaries and better people!! I love
this gospel and I love being a missionary!!! Have a great week
everyone!!
1. Went to a big chair and had to get a sick pic
2. Zone trading meeting
3. Ice cream
4. Went with a member to get some ice cream on pday

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 November 8,2015

Love you all lots of role plays with members and new investigators
great week I love you all!!

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 November 1, 2015
Hey everyone it was a great week we found some more people to teach
and and saw miracles everyday!! That is the summary of the week but I
want to be more specific and give better emails home so here is a
little bit more of the weekly schedule.

Monday- Pday we went to the gym it was a lot of fun, I can still bench
225 so I was pretty stoked still fill weak but happy still that I can
lift a little bit of weight, then we did some drop sets for the chest
was sore for a couple of days afterwards but it was okay. Cool thing
though we found a guy named Chiba he was cool we taught lesson one
and made a return appointment but he wasn't home that day so we will
try again I still have hope he said he was super busy with his job but
if we can meet with him regularly it will be good.

Tuesday- DTM did it on being a Christ like missionary and not just
doing missionary things, we also found a guy named Chiba and another
guy named Noda good day.

Wednesday- lots of housing planted seeds but wasn't able to make a
strong appointment with anyone and tried to meet a bunch of potential
investigators but a lot weren't home so that was sad but we keep
pushing forward.

Thursday- DKK and finding and visiting

Friday- a sushi goach!! Yea grateful very grateful I luv sushi hahah
jk just at a bunch of fried food stomach hurt the rest of the day.
This was also the day we met with Nado again for the second time he
listened he was a super weak appointment but he opened his door and
listened so it was good taught lesson 1 and gave him the lesson 1
pamphlet it went good always happy teaching it feels great and it is
super fun to talk with people!!

Saturday- Halloween party I was a hipster and looked great;)
hahhahahah told everyone that I was going as my little brother, luv
you Trist:)))) lots of people came to the party and Lots of non
members too came so it was a super good activity!!

Sunday- church and then we had 2 mogi (role play) lessons with members
they went good. They are pretty stressful feel a lot of pressure
because with a bean you basically teach and expound on a lot of the
points but I let my bean try to teach as much as possible and try to
practice his teaching but, they have a language barrier so you have to
fill in for missed teachings but the spirit is so strong when he bares
he testimony no spiritual barriers he is such a good bean!! Whenever
you are teaching you really feel the spirit and personal testimony is
strengthened.

Ponderize scripture for the week DC 24:8 "Be patient in afflictions,
for thou shalt have many, but endure them well, for, lo, I am with
thee, even until the end of thy days." Learned a lot about patience
this week ,are a goal to learn about different Christlike attributes
every week. And this week was patience I felt like it really applied
to the situation that I am in because we aren't seeing huge changes
right away but we need to be patient through it and because we are
working hard everything will be okay

Anyways love you all have a great week!!:)

Halloween party I was Tristan:)

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October 25, 2015

 Great week!! We spent a whole lot of time housing and finding and
talking to wonderful people so it was a great experience! Elder
Mccreary is a freaking boss I love him he is so funny we get a long
really good and we just have a blast all day long!!

We were able to find 4 new investigators and teach them lessons hoping
that it will go good with them some are stronger than others and some
like talking more than others but I have lots of hope and faith for
them!!

Went to the beach last pday and we threw the football and then played
some other games then we went to an all you can eat pizza so it was
great!!

That is really about it for the week though I hope you all have a
great week and see miracles everyday

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October 18, 2015

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October 11, 2015

 

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October 4, 2015

 Hey everyone thanks for all the B-day Wishes and love!! This week was a great week in the Mission the Highlight though is that we were able to talk to Mark again (the guy from the Philippians) He is pretty much the coolest Guy there is, I asked him what he does in his free time he says he talks with family and plays computer games but guess what computer game he plays... yup that's right he plays League of Legends and he is a boss!! he plays it with his younger brother and they talk through skype just like me and Trist!!! it is so freaking cool, he also loves bball he is just the coolest I don't know what else to say!! oh yea and we have an appointment for Tuesday! we are going to the church and we are going to do a tour and play bball and do a lesson so I am excited!!!

This week for my B-day we went to a place called Jacksonville burger and they made a really good burger and guess whats more??? It had Jalapenos on it...heaven.. So freaking good!! Had a Investigator take me out for a meal this week and he gave me a cake a card and a personal Kanji Stamp one saying my last name and the other was a nick name he calls me because I love a Meal called katsudon he got another one called katsukatsu which had a really good meaning from the Kanjji like overcoming and perseverance or something like that I don't remember perfectly, If you don't know what I am talking about that is ok too because it is kind of confusing to explain in english but ya. Also one of the Kotoni Shimai made a Chocolate cake for me it was really good she was like a pro baker before the mish, so it was freaking delicious yup, but after that nothing else all that crazy happened more splits with elders in my district but nothing crazy happened but it was fun and spiritual!! 

Thats All I got!! Love you all and hope that you have a great week!!

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September 27, 2015

Hey everyone not much time to email but it was a good week, we got out to house and we found a really cool guy from the philipians he was really good at english and I am hoping that we can meet with him again but he said that he wanted to come to church so i am pretty excited other than that went on splits and had an overall pretty good week!! hope you all have a great week I love you all!!


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September 20, 2015

Things were good this week It flew by though I can never believe that it is P-day again. I sent him another email he sounded a lot better in his last email to me a lot more like Tristan, but I got the package was I suppose to wait until my b-day to open it because, ya ummm I didn't heheh just to excited, the Ties were great Elder Horne said that the Tie from Laos was sick and I love the Other Ties, Tie clips are great too! where do I put those pins though we aren't aloud to wear pins on the suit can I put them through the tie?? and the shirts are pretty good they aren't smaller than the shirts that I have but oh well new shirts so I am happy!! Always love Cliff bars too!! Thank you soo soo much for the package it was wonderful!! 

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September 13, 2015
[Mom's note: There was no group email this week. Just this short one for me :)]

Well I just tell you the same stuff that I sent dad but I sent him a little note about what could maybe pump him up and help him but really the only thing that matters is that he himself knows that he can get passed it and I know that he will get there just give him some time , I think I had all the same thoughts as well, I was reading my journal, and I just think I put on a face for you guys for the first 3 weeks or so, i didn't want the MTC or mission to ever seem super hard because I knew trist was gonna have a bit a of a struggle in the beginning, But I am sure that he will be fine! Anyways I am out of time for Email so there probably wont be a weekly for this week But I love you and for this wee basically just the normal so that is okay right???;) I love you!!

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September 17, 2015/Week 2/Elder Tristan Stevens

 

Hello Everybody!

 The MTC is a place that is full of amazing experiences to have. I have learned so much in the 2 weeks I have been here. Being asked to be District Leader on day 2 was a shocker and very stressful. I had just met all these new people and now I am supposed to be their leader and make sure all of them are doing okay throughout the day and the fact that they look to me as an example in hard times has made me feel inadequate at times. I quickly learned that the most effective way to serve people is to find a love for them and to pray for patience with them. I have a Choro (elder) in my district that is a linguistics major and man...there are a lot of stories just from that intro there alone. He corrects my English all the time which is fine by me and he always is strongly opinionated about things. He is very good at Japanese and that has helped the district a lot. I am not very good at Japanese and I struggle my way through the lessons with investigators but I can promise that the language of the Spirit will always be stronger than the Language of Japanese. The spirit will teach things that you dont even say but yet the investigator feels it and as long as I am prepared and worthy to bring the spirit then I feel like the lesson was a success.

 

 As I have been District Leader I realized the importance of Prayer. Everynight in my personal prayer I find myself relying on the Lord to help me find guidance for the District. I pray for every person in my District individually and pray for what I think they might need at that time. Its hard to know exactly what to pray for but just acting on that prompting to pray for them has allowed me to have a stronger love for them and serving them has been a great blessing. Carr Choro (Elder Carr) the linguistics major really wants to be Zone Leader. The current ZL's are leaving on Monday and he is campaigning hard for that position and constantly asking to be interviewed and always sharing scriptures and speaking a lot of Japanese when the Branch Presidency is around. I havent understood that fully. I wondered why would you want that responsibility on top of learning Japanese and teaching lessons and eating MTC food and all of that going on. A quote was shared in the Devotional..."when the desire becomes greater than the title, that is when you become a powerful missionary endowed with power" I learned that whether you are an AP or a junior companion you are a servant of the Lord and if you have a strong desire and dont worry about what position you are in the "food chain" or line of authority you will be powerful. 

 One final thing there is this Brazilian guy in my zone and he wants to play me in soccer like everyday and today I get to play him because its P Day. If I meg him first he has to do 70 pull ups and call me the Dom Ching King and he said if he beats me he gets to call me Stevens Shimai (Sister Stevens) and I do 70 pull ups....but I mean....I have some good soccer tricks up my sleeve so we will see how that goes....but if I was a betting man I would bet that soon he will be calling me the king haha just kidding....but really though... Love you all and thanks for the encouragement. A mission isnt just 2 years of your life serving as the Lord. It is a lifelong calling we can all strive to be. We dont need to name tag to represent the Lord. Just serve always and do your best and he is Proud. 

-Stevens Choro

September 10, 2015-Elder Tristan Stevens

[Mom's note: Well, Tristan did not send a general email to the group so I will update you with the short emails we got from him on Sept. 10, his P Day.

Just started my load of laundry. I wont go to the temple until either later this morning or in the afternoon. The language is okay, still tough but I work hard to keep busy. My companion is Elder Dibble. He is 6'8" and we get along well. Except he doesnt believe that Stockton and Malone are the best duo the NBA has seen. His argument is Pippen and Jordan but I dont think they are close because they werent like a duo they were just two good players on a team together. During gym time he didnt believe I had moves in the post down low and I smoked him with my fake shots. We have similar goals and interests so its good that we get along and work hard together. As district leader I take care of my district. I pray every morning and night for the members of my district and pray for specific needs that they have so my prayers have become much longer. I have leadership training I think twice a week and one district meeting on Sundays where I conduct and assign members of my district to teach a lesson. I have weekly reports to my branch president that include things like companion problems or health problems but yeah its not too much in the mtc, just a load of stress since day 2. I enjoy just food and snacks because the food is so gross compared to the stuff at home. I am pretty sure I have lost weight and thats not good. I had the opportunity to give Elder Dibble a blessing when he got super sick with a cold and the next day he was fine. I have gained a strong testimony of many things but one thing I have come to learn is that a mission isnt what determines if you make it to the celestial kingdom or anything like that, and a testimony isnt enough either. True conversion to this Gospel, His Atonement, and living day by day with that in mind is what allows us to use the atonement to make it back. I will continue to work hard and stay busy. I sent a letter home, you should get it today or tomorrow. The Dear Elders are nice thanks for those. Love you.

He did play ball, but he is 6'8" and super uncoordinated so its not hard to beat him. Parry Choro is from Salem he is athletic and social and a cool guy. Roley Choro is from Virginia he is super quiet and doesnt really talk at all and he does karate during gym. Carr Choro is a linguistics major and a mini uncle michael but a lot more like I am holier than thou mentality and Abarca Choro is just i cant read him he is from texas and all he did before his mission was party and stuff and watch anime for 24/7.  I have seen mckay and colton and they are fine. I played soccer today and it was fun but not that fun cause no one  is even good. My MTC teacher is cool I guess. He tells us stories about Japan. We heard from Bishop Causse and the Provo Temple President and they were both good. I have taken a lot of notes. I am working hard.

 Stevens Choro

September 6, 2015

 Highlights got my license in Japan you can't smile so gave my best mad
face picture. Next is a pic with Hakodate district and finally is my
MTC group that came to Japan with me.  That's about it all the new
missionaries came this week so we were super busy, but me and elder
owada got out and saw some good success this week we visited a NA and
we did some housing and some phone missionary work made 2 appointments
to call and talk about the gospel with people during that time as
well!! But that is the week hope you all have a great week and i will
talk to you all next week!!

                                   My District Group and the group I came with from the MTC

                                                                    
                                                 

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September 4, 2015

[Mom's note: As you know Tristan went into the Provo MTC on Wed., Sept. 2. We received this short email from him today, Friday, Sept. 4th]

Herro Family,

Everything is okay I guess, I havent really ate much I feel like I lost weight but its okay. Have a fun week. I am district leader on day 2. Crazy. Thursday is my P Day bigger email then. Miss you guys so much.... Its hard but I will fight back and do my best to work hard

Elder Stevens

August 27,  2015


whoah... There it is the one year mark kinda its on wednesday or thursday I don't know but it is transfer week again which means super busy, I got my transfer call yesterday, I will be staying in Honbu as recorder and my companion Elder Hishii will be transferring. My new companion will be Elder Owada he is from Tokyo he was in my apartment when I was in Hakodate so I am pretty excited because I love him:) I will also be the District Leader for the Moiwa district I will have 8 members our ZLs, STL and 3 new missionaries both the ZLs and STL are all training new missionaries so there are a lot of young missionaries and a lot of really good veteran missionaries, just a bit nervous for that but it should be okay:) Don't have a lot of time this P=day to email but that is basically what is happening I will let you guys know more specifics next week! Love you all have a great week!!

August 23, 2015

[ Mom's note: Today we had Tristan's farewell. He gave a wonderful talk. It was especially sweet to know about that very moment that helped him to decide to serve a mission. This is so tough. I can recall how hard it was when they both went to Heritage Tours last summer. Now it will be a whole year.....I will post Tristan's letters and updates on this blog as well.]

This week was a pretty good one, way busy though, still in the middle of training the Arrington Couple and trying to get everything else done for transfers kinda crazy but things are getting done and I am happy, was able to go on splits this week with the DL we  went in his area and was able to go and visit with a wonderful family and a nice guy was fun to be teaching lessons and doing stuff again can't wait till I have my full dendo time again but for now the 3 hours a day will work:) Also had zone Conference this week everyone got to see me get wrecked by the cinnamon challenge so that was fun! The AP's tied it into love and you can have the right ingredient for (cinnamon) but if you don't have the full recipe or use it wrong aka the cinnamon challenge, you don't get the same result like Paul's words "if you have not charity you are nothing" or something like that cinnamon we have right ingredient but in order to get cinnamon toast crunch we need the other stuff. yea it was something along those lines but yea those are all the highlights for the week!!

I love you all and hope that you have a great week!!!!

                                                                       1.Zone Conference    

                                                               
                                                                2. Zone Conference             

       3. Sister Yoshimura- her birthday was this week, she was trying to make my
face but a little different:)    

Aug. 16, 2015

 Wow it's email time again. Time flies so quickly but I probably say
that like every week it was another good one here in the Honbu.
Highlights are probably a visit with an NA family, they had a bunch of
visitors so it was a lot of fun we were introduced to a lot of new
people so it was good a couple said that they would come to eikaiwa so
I'm excited for that. Next would probably be that we got to watch Meet
the Mormons again with all the members and investigators  in Japanese
it was pretty good but I think the movie is just better in English, I
think the stories of the different people were super good but the
beginning I don't think that anyone got any of the jokes with
references to movies and TV shows. But watching those football scenes
again made me really happy! And then today we went with a member to a
City called Otaru it's beautiful and we went up a mountain and then He
took us for ice cream and ya that was about it but it was fun!! I love
you all and hope that you have a great week!!
1. dtm lunch

2. New couple missionaries

3. Did the cinnamon challenge( it was for a good reason I hope it was
for the AP's zone conf. Workshop so it better be good because I
thought I was one and done with that freaking challenge.

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Aug.9, 2105

Hey everyone another week down in the Honbu! and it was a good one we had a lesson with an investigator, she is way cool and she has been studying the bible for 40 years and right now feels that there are 2 choices that could possibly be right and our church is one of them so hopefully we can get her to feel that it is our church through our testimonies. We were also able to meet with a Less active member and we had a good conversation there, and of course we had some really good time to get out and find people so that was fun too! Eikaiwa(english class) was great this week we had a lot of people come so it was super fun, we also had a sports night this week with a bunch if the youth in Sapporo, we played basketball and everyone was freaking out at how good me and Elder Horne were at basketball, we ball soo hard man!!

The Arringtons cam this week as well my financial replacement people and secretary replacement people as well. I still have the recorder job but we will see how long I stay it will either be for a really long time or it will be for a super short time is what everyone is saying and what I am thinking. but that is it for the highlights I love you all and hope you have a great week!! 

                                                                Zone Pics

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Aug. 2, 2015

Good week this week!! We were able to get out and do some work and we had one lesson this week that was pretty good we like through it all on the line for this guy his name is ishii, he is what is called an eternal Investigator, missionaries have met with him on and off for like 7 years, and before I came Elder Hishii and Elder Birch were trying to get him to come to church and see if they could help he come closer to Christ, but anyways back to the Lesson, Elder Hishii threw like everything out there it was so freaking good he was basically like " yo man do you understand why we are here and what we are doing, do you know what you can get from this if you put forth the effort, ARE YOU LISTENING man I Freaking love you and want you to put some effort in I love you and want you to receive all these blessings I have right now!"  That is probably the best I can explain it in english, but Yes it was just amazing I don't know what else to say, but if the end final result he is going to come to church this month. I was honestly blown away by that lesson, if you knew Elder Hishii its just like that is not his personality he is literally the nicest most humble person you know but when he was tearing this dude apart, that is a little strong but really, he was doing it because that is what he needs to progress right now. oh and I guess I havent said anything about Elder Hishii yet but he is from Kyoto and we have been on a mission for the same amount of time we are going home at the same time, pretty cool but, he is an amazing chef, super fun and willing to do what ever to get the work done and going faster, I love him and we are having a blast!!!

Dont have a bunch if time to Email this week but those are the highlights. Love you all have a great week!!!

 

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