Well, my first week with Elder Watanabe done, and it was pretty normal. Last P-Day we went bowling with the Young Men in the ward. Well, we were told it would be the Young Men and Women, but it was just a few Young Men. And the 9 missionaries. We payed for 3 games, play 1 with them before they all leave, apparently had other plans... so it turned into a district activity I guess. But we had a great time! The next day we took the 3.5 hr bus up to Sapporo, got to do some streeting in downtown, which I havent done since Moiwa, and we stayed the night at the mission office. The next day had Mission Leader Council and Costco pizza, took the bus back and got home just in time for Elder Watanabe`s Surprise Birthday Party! Held by the 3 of us! He turned 25 Wed, and we celebrated with balloons and cheesecake and giving him our cheap gifts. Its the thought that counts! His real present was the huge box his mom sent him with a complete birthday cake and a host of other homemade goodies. Blame my early winter weight on Sister Watanabe. Sunday Elder Watanabe and another missionary went with a member down to Uukawa, a small town with a branch of a few members 2 hrs south. I was on splits with the other missionaries companion, had church then a great potluck. Anyways, it was pretty normal, thats about it on the things you people find interesting. Hopefully this week will be a little more exciting. Take it easy! Elder Andrew Kade Jones

Another chilly, overcast-with-random-bursts-of-rain week here in Obihiro. Youd think it`d be winter here in a few weeks or something. Last Monday the 6 elders here went to the zoo, it must be mating season or something because fights were breaking out all over, we saw monkeys, kangaroos, and condors going at it. There was also a Mandril monkey sticking his tongue out at us, an elephant flicking snot at us, and other random stuff. I dont know what we enjoyed more, the animals or making fun of each other making fun of the animals. We left Tuesday to go on splits in Kushiro, where there are 4 elders, we went on splits with all of them and got back Friday. I got to party with my favorite old companion Elder Ishiga, who is on his last transfer and going home in 2 weeks! We all went to the best sushi on the island, stayed up late playing cards, and had a good time. Saturday was pretty normal, a member had a BBQ with the 11 of us and a few other investigators and all, it was this one sister missionaries birthday, I got here a wind up rat that scurries across the floor, told her to have fun with it when other people stay the night at her apt. Sunday was normal, went to church, this white family of 5 from Seattle came, I assume the dad was a missonary here 20 years ago and is back to visit, but nope. Doesnt know any Japanese, he is a heart surgeon and was here for a conference. We translated for them, they had some fun while here. Today we are going to the onsen, thats the host springs, and this week we go out on splits in the most remote are in the mission. Should be fun!

Another normal week in Obihiro. Last P Day was as good as it gets, Elder Stout and I went to this onsen in a building built like a castle, had some nice soaks, then went and got sushi after. Thats about as Japanese a day off can get! It was a week of splits (working with different missionaries); as Zone Leaders we try and work with as many missionaries in the zone. Tuesday was the 2 Japanese guys in our apt. Wed we had 6hrs of train riding out to the smallest area in the mission, called Nemuro. It just opened up a few months ago. It is famous for being the most Eastern part of Japan. Thursday we were out all day with them, and had another 6 hrs of train back Friday. Saturday we went out with the next area over, Otofuke, one of them leaves this week, so he wanted to celebrate his last splits with sushi, at this really nice place. Where does all my money go again? I did get to try some fresh raw WHALE. Thats right, its perfectly legal in Japan. But remember, whale isnt a fish, its a mammal, and it tastes like it. It was nice and deep red, a little bloody, and tasted like what I imagine raw beef jerky would. By that it was tasty! So add that to my list of wierd things ive eaten. Well Transfer calls are tomorrow, so our whole district has predictions and guesses floating around. Should be big news. Youll all find out next week! Elder Andrew Kade Jones

Thanks Aunt Jill for the cake in a jar! yum

Another chilly, overcast-with-random-bursts-of-rain week here in Obihiro. Youd think it`d be winter here in a few weeks or something. Last Monday the 6 elders here went to the zoo, it must be mating season or something because fights were breaking out all over, we saw monkeys, kangaroos, and condors going at it. There was also a Mandril monkey sticking his tongue out at us, an elephant flicking snot at us, and other random stuff. I dont know what we enjoyed more, the animals or making fun of each other making fun of the animals. We left Tuesday to go on splits in Kushiro, where there are 4 elders, we went on splits with all of them and got back Friday. I got to party with my favorite old companion Elder Ishiga, who is on his last transfer and going home in 2 weeks! We all went to the best sushi on the island, stayed up late playing cards, and had a good time. Saturday was pretty normal, a member had a BBQ with the 11 of us and a few other investigators and all, it was this one sister missionaries birthday, I got here a wind up rat that scurries across the floor, told her to have fun with it when other people stay the night at her apt. Sunday was normal, went to church, this white family of 5 from Seattle came, I assume the dad was a missonary here 20 years ago and is back to visit, but nope. Doesnt know any Japanese, he is a heart surgeon and was here for a conference. We translated for them, they had some fun while here. Today we are going to the onsen, thats the host springs, and this week we go out on splits in the most remote are in the mission. Should be fun! Elder Andrew Kade Jones

Another beautiful, overcast-with-random-rain-showers week here in Obihiro (which means "wide belt" by the way). Yep we havent seen the sun in a bit, it is always cloudy and rains whenever it feels like it, we carry all our rain gear everywhere, and we end up needing it about every day. This week we took the 5 hr bus out to my favorite bean area of Kitami to work with the District Leader there. It was a good time, I got to see my old English class, meet up with some members, see my old investigator Shiraishi san (the 83 yr old, he is still kickin), and call my first convert, Brother Yamashita. He is doing great and is still way active, found a new job a bit ago and is doing swell, he thanked me for the letter I sent a few months back and apologized for not replying. The missionary I went out with, Elder Dennison, and I had a blast: found a rocket powered water fountain that shoots water about 15 ft in the air, a roller bar slide that had a roller at the bottom that wouldnt roll, I hit it full speed and it sent me flying into a dirty puddle, and found the ultimate chocolate ice cream sandwich. Other than that not much is going on, the 4 man apartment is a hoot, I love the 2 Japanese guys they are way fun and I suck as much Japanese out of them as I can. We are all going to the zoo today! Speaking of zoos, last night Elder Dobashi found a huge spider in the closet, we had an adventure knocking it down, scooping it into a dustpan, and spraying it with mold killer, then watching it freak out and go nuts, before finally croaking, and we ended it with a flush down the toilet. Dont worry, I got a video, im sure my kids will love it someday. Thats been about it, weve got some investigators who are doing good, and we are constantly finding new ones. Im lovin every minute of it! Elder Andrew Kade Jones